Daily Current Affairs

International Girls in ICT Day is observed globally on the 4th Thursday of April every year to inspire and encourage girls and women to pursue careers in ICT. In 2026, it was observed on 23 April 2026 with the theme ‘AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future’.

National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD), also known as National Local Self-Government Day, is observed annually on 24 April to mark the Panchayati Raj system’s establishment and celebrate grassroots democracy. The 2026 theme was ‘Sashakt Panchayat, Sarvangeen Vikas (Empowered Panchayat, Comprehensive Development)’.

The World Day for Laboratory Animals (WDLA), also known as World Lab Animal Day, is observed annually on 24 April to raise global awareness about ethical and scientific concerns around animal testing. Lab Animal Week 2026: 20–26 April 2026.

• Established: 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS).
• Date significance: 24 April honours the birthday of Lord Hugh Dowding — former Air Chief Marshal, NAVS President, and prominent animal rights advocate.

Union Minister of State (MoS, IC) Jayant Chaudhary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE), formally launched India’s (and Asia’s) first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development on 24 April 2026 during the International Conference on ‘Women Leading the Future of Work’ at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, Maharashtra.

The Government of India constituted a panel under the chairmanship of Challa Sreenivasulu (C.S.) Setty, Chairman, State Bank of India (SBI), to assess potential risks from advanced AI platform Anthropic’s Mythos and suggest mitigating measures. The decision was co-chaired by Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman (MoF) and Ashwini Vaishnaw (MeitY).

• Coordinated response: Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) directed to create a coordinated response mechanism for AI-related threats.
• Cyber reporting: Banks mandated to report cyber cases immediately to Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).
• CERT-In: Nodal cybersecurity agency under MeitY; established 2004; HQ: New Delhi.
• SBI: India’s largest PSU bank; established 1 July 1955; HQ: Mumbai; Chairman: C.S. Setty.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal (Ministry of Commerce & Industry) launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform for auto-rickshaw and cab drivers, via an onboarding programme and app in Mumbai, Maharashtra (event: 24 April 2026).

Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar (MEA) officially launched the logo, theme, and website for the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) in April 2026, marking a renewal of India-Africa ties after the third summit held in 2015.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD) expanded procurement under PM-AASHA in Chhattisgarh and launched the first-ever structured pulse procurement under the Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission (APM) in Bihar to enhance farmer income support and ensure price stability.

• Driving agencies: NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India).
• Chhattisgarh: 85 PACS centres operational; digitised farmer registration via E-Samyukti portal; districts: Dhamtari, Durg, Balod, Balodabazar, Raipur, Raigarh, Sarangarh.
• Bihar: First organised procurement of masoor (lentil); storage in WDRA-approved warehouses via Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC); NAFED expanding under Price Support Scheme (PSS).
• PM-AASHA: Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan; launched 2018; ensures Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers.

In April 2026, Himadri Speciality Chemical Limited (HSCL), India’s largest speciality carbon black producer, commissioned India’s first anode material production facility with initial capacity of 200 MTPA at Mahistikry, Hooghly, West Bengal — a major entry into the lithium-ion battery value chain.

Two significant cultural and maritime developments in April 2026.

• Akashvani @90 Contest: Akashvani (All India Radio), under Prasar Bharati, in collaboration with MyGov, launched two nationwide competitions — ‘Signature Tune-Making Contest’ and ‘Jingle-Making Contest’ — celebrating Akashvani’s 90-year legacy. Themes: ‘Akashvani @90 – The New Rhythm of Bharat’ (Signature Tune) and ‘Akashvani @90 – The Vibrant Voice of India’ (Jingle). Submission window: 23 April – 25 May 2026 via MyGov platform. Prizes (Signature Tune): Rs 30,000 (1st) / Rs 20,000 (2nd) / Rs 10,000 (3rd). About AIR: founded 1936; HQ: New Delhi; under Prasar Bharati.
• CMEC-University of Delhi MoU: Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity (CMEC) at RIS and University of Delhi signed an MoU to strengthen maritime education and research, in presence of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways — MoPSW) at Delhi School of Economics. Additional MoU also signed between RIS and Delhi School of Economics. Alignment: Sagarmala Programme and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revoked the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) under Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation Act (BR Act, 1949), effective close of business on 24 April 2026, due to persistent non-compliance with regulatory norms and risk to depositor interests.

In April 2026, Rocklink India Private Limited inaugurated India’s first integrated lithium-ion battery and rare earth magnet recycling facility at UPSIDC Industrial Area, Sikandrabad, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, focusing on recovering critical minerals for EVs, renewable energy, electronics, and defence.

On 22 April 2026, the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC), Andhra Pradesh, won the 4th Gender Equality Mobilisation (GEM) Award presented by UNIDO at the International Day of Women in Industry 2026 celebrations in Vienna, Austria.

The Government of India appointed Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri, former Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the GoI, as the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog (order: 25 April 2026). Dr. Gobardhan Das, Director, IISER Bhopal, was appointed full-time Member alongside others.

• Lahiri profile: Former CEA; BJP MLA from Balurghat, West Bengal; 4 decades in public finance and government policy.
• NITI Aayog: National Institution for Transforming India; est. 1 January 2015; replaced Planning Commission; HQ: New Delhi; Chairperson: PM Narendra Modi. Lahiri is 2nd highest authority after PM.

In April 2026, Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL) — a joint venture (JV) between Reliance Intelligence Limited and Meta’s Facebook Overseas Inc. — appointed Parminder Singh as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect.

• Profile: Global technology leader; 30+ years experience across Google, Apple, Twitter, and IBM; specialises in AI-driven transformation and scaling digital businesses.
• Past roles: MD at Google (Asia-Pacific) and Twitter (Southeast Asia, India, and MENA); CCO & CDO at Mediacorp.
• Ventures: Co-founded ClayboxAI and WeKamp (AI leadership and community platforms).

In April 2026, Coca-Cola India signed a three-year MoU with Invest UP, the investment agency of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, in Lucknow, to strengthen environmental sustainability, community welfare, and access to safe drinking water across the state.

• Development focus: Water access infrastructure, safe hydration, waste collection, recycling systems, and environmental hygiene.
• Livelihood focus: Skill development and employment opportunities through tourism-linked economic activities.
• Strategy: Scalable CSR initiatives via community-led public-private partnership models; leverages Coca-Cola India and SLMG Beverages expertise.