Daily Current Affairs

Federal Chancellor of Austria Dr. Christian Stocker visited India from 14–17 April 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in 42 years and the first official visit by Chancellor Stocker himself to India.

• Bilateral Meetings: PM Modi and Chancellor Stocker held talks in New Delhi; Stocker also met President Droupadi Murmu and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar.
• IAJEC: 17th session of the India-Austria Joint Economic Commission (IAJEC) held in New Delhi — key platform to review and advance bilateral economic relations.
• India-Austria Business Forum: Held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi; participated by senior government officials and industry leaders.
• Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM): A bilateral FTM was signed and operationalised to facilitate investments.
• Agreements Signed: Multiple MoUs across audiovisual co-production, Foreign Trade Mechanisms, defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, food safety, and skill development.

On 18 April 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – III (PMGSY-III) along with a revision of its budget.

• Purpose: Consolidation of through routes and major rural links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), higher secondary schools, and hospitals.

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved the creation of a domestic insurance pool — named the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) — with a sovereign guarantee of Rs 12,980 crore.

• Coverage: Indian-flagged, Indian-controlled, and India-linked vessels transporting cargo to/from Indian ports — including those in high-risk maritime corridors.
• Risks Covered: Hull & Machinery, Cargo, Protection & Indemnity (P&I), war risks, and third-party liabilities.

In April 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) constituted the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) — an advisory arm — to provide expert support to the newly established AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) (Apex Body), for strengthening India’s AI governance and policy framework.

• TPEC Role: Translate complex technologies into practical policy insights; reinforce India’s participation in global AI governance forums.
• TPEC Chairman: S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY.
• TPEC Members: Prof. B Ravindran (IIT Madras), Prof. Rajat Moona (IIT Gandhinagar), Professor from IIT Gujarat; representatives from NASSCOM, DSCI, and MAIT.

In April 2026, the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), through the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms (DCH) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), launched ‘Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World’ at the 61st Femina Miss India 2026 held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• Features: 30 traditional weaves from different Indian states, each adapted using inspirations from 30 countries to showcase international aesthetics.
• Objective: Globalise India’s handloom heritage; boost exports, support artisans, and enhance cultural outreach.
• Vision: Aligns with the 5F Framework (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) and the ‘Vocal for Local to Global’ initiative.

In April 2026, Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), announced that India has set a target to increase its nuclear power capacity from the existing 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047.

• Announced at: Inaugural session of India’s 100 GW Nuclear Power Roadmap, New Delhi.

On 18 April 2026, Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) — a Mini Ratna Category-I PSU under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) — signed an MoU with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to jointly advance digital transformation aligned with the Digital India vision.

• Focus Areas: AI, Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, 5G, and Cloud Computing.
• MoU Signatories: Capt. (IN, Retd.) Saurav Chauhan — Director O&M, BECIL; Niranjan Vaishnav — Registrar, C-DAC.

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) hosted the inaugural ‘BRICS Academic Forum’ in New Delhi from 17–18 April 2026 — a Track II initiative under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026.

• Theme: ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’ — aligned with India’s BRICS Chairship priorities.
• Four Pillars: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.
• Purpose: Generate policy recommendations for leaders ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.

In April 2026, the DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) released data showing Singapore emerged as the top source of FDI equity inflows in April–December FY2025–26, at USD 17.6 billion — accounting for 37% of total inflows.

In April 2026, State Bank of India (SBI) — India’s largest Public Sector Bank — released its latest ‘SBI Research Report’, projecting India’s GDP growth at 6.8%–7.1% for FY2026–27 (FY27), despite global headwinds from the West Asia conflict and oil price pressures.

• Key Risk Factor: El Niño could hamper economic activity in FY27.

In April 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) officially appointed its advisor Rakesh Bhanot as Acting Director General (DG) to lead its investigative arm.

• Succeeded: Ansuman Pattanaik, who stepped down in March 2026 to take up the role of Additional Secretary in the MCA.
• Profile: Key technical expert in financial and economic analysis of mergers, acquisitions, and anti-competitive conduct; served as Advisor (Financial Analysis) at CCI from 2013 to 2021.

World Hemophilia Day (WHD) is observed annually on 17 April to raise awareness about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders that affect the blood’s ability to clot.

The International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), popularly known as World Heritage Day, is observed annually on 18 April to highlight the significance of safeguarding cultural and historical heritage.

In April 2026, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director and Vice-Chancellor of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), was conferred the 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award for 2024–25 in Hyderabad, Telangana — coinciding with the birth centenary year of M.S. Swaminathan, the pioneer of India’s Green Revolution.

• Presented by: M. Venkaiah Naidu, Former Vice President of India.
• Recognition: Exceptional and sustained contributions to climate-resilient farming and natural resource management.
• About the Award: Established in 2004–05 by the Retired ICAR Employees Association (RICAREA) in collaboration with Nuziveedu Seeds Limited. Instituted to honour the legacy of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan — the Father of India’s Green Revolution. Prize: Gold Medal + Rs 2 Lakh cash prize.

Rathi Steel received the GreenPro Ecolabel Certification from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for its Rathi Powertech TMT rebars (Thermo-Mechanically Treated reinforcement bars) manufactured at its Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh unit.

• Grade Covered: Fe 550 grade TMT rebars produced at RSPL’s Ghaziabad unit.
• Eco Label Type: Type-1 Eco Label certifying environmental performance; aligns with LEED and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) green building credits.

In April 2026, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) in collaboration with the French Institute in India (IFI) introduced Para Elan — a 3-year initiative aimed at promoting inclusive education and empowering youth through para sports.

• MoU Signatories: Satya Prakash Sangwan (VP, PCI) and Gregor Trumel (Country Director, IFI).
• Hosted by: French Ambassador Thierry Mathou.
• Reach: Targets 10,000 students through awareness drives, workshops, athlete interactions, and adaptive sports activities in IFI partner schools.
• Duration: 3 years.

Padma Shri awardee Bhagwandas Raikwar, popularly known as ‘Dau’ and a pioneer of Bundeli martial arts, passed away at the age of 83 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Born: 2 January 1944, Bundelkhand region, MP.

• Award: Padma Shri (2026) in the field of Sports (Traditional Martial Arts) — India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
• Specialisation: Weapon-based combat — lathi (staff), talwar (sword), bhala (spear), dhal (shield), and trishul (trident).
• Legacy: Founded Chhatrasal Bundelkhand Akhada in Sagar, MP (1964).

Balbir Punj, veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha MP, passed away at the age of 76 in New Delhi. Born: 1949.

• Career: Began with ‘The Motherland’ (1971); worked with Financial Express (1974–1996); served as Executive Editor of The Observer of Business and Politics.
• Public Roles: Chairman, National Commission for Youth; member of Delhi Finance Commission (1996–97); BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP.
• Books Authored: ‘Tryst with Ayodhya: Decolonisation of India’ and ‘Narrative ka Mayajaal’.