Daily Current Affairs

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.

• Aim: Expand access to future-ready skills for women; improve employability in AI, semiconductor, robotics, advanced manufacturing and defence sectors.
• Leadership: UNESCO Chair to be led by Swati Mujumdar, Pro-Chancellor of SSPU.
• Key Activities: Policy inputs, international collaboration, training frameworks aligned with UNESCO priorities.
• Significance: First UNESCO Chair of this type in Asia; aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and India’s National Skill Development Mission.
• About MoSDE: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; established 2014; HQ: New Delhi.

The Government of India (GoI) 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).
• About CERT-In: Nodal cybersecurity agency under MeitY; established 2004; HQ: New Delhi.
• About SBI: India’s largest PSU bank; established 1 July 1955; HQ: Mumbai; Chairman: C.S. Setty.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), launched Bharat Taxi, India’s 1st cooperative-led ride-hailing platform for auto-rickshaw and cab drivers, via an onboarding programme and app in Mumbai, Maharashtra (event held 24 April 2026).

• Background: Eight national-level cooperative institutions established Bharat Taxi under Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002; officially launched 5 February 2026.
• Significance: India’s first cooperative model alternative to private ride-hailing aggregators; designed to protect gig-economy workers.

Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (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.

• Preparatory meetings: Senior officials: 28 May 2026; India-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: 29 May 2026.
• Partner: Organised in collaboration with the African Union Commission.
• Logo symbolism: Lion superimposed on interlocked maps of India and Africa — symbolises pride, courage, and shared identity.

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

• Agencies: National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
• 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).
• About 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.

• Ecosystem: Himadri produces both anode and cathode materials; these contribute ~65% of Li-ion battery cost; essential for EVs, energy storage systems, and electronics.
• Expansion plan: Total carbon black capacity: 250,000 MTPA; 2,000 MTPA LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cathode project expected by Q3 FY27.
• Significance: India’s first anode material facility; advances domestic battery manufacturing; aligns with India’s EV push and PLI scheme for ACC batteries.

In April 2026, Akashvani (All India Radio, AIR), under Prasar Bharati, in collaboration with MyGov (National Portal of India), launched two nationwide competitions — ‘Signature Tune-Making Contest’ and ‘Jingle-Making Contest’ — to celebrate Akashvani’s 90-year legacy.

• Submission window: 23 April to 25 May 2026; submitted via MyGov platform.
• About Akashvani: All India Radio (AIR) / Akashvani; India’s national public radio broadcaster; under Prasar Bharati; founded 1936; HQ: New Delhi.

In April 2026, the Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity (CMEC) at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), and the University of Delhi, signed an MoU to strengthen maritime education and research, in the presence of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways — MoPSW), at the Delhi School of Economics, New Delhi.

• Focus: Developing academic frameworks, joint research, training programmes, and knowledge-sharing to bridge academia, policy, and industry in maritime.
• Impact: Opportunities in maritime logistics, green shipping, and supply chain management; supports India’s vision to become a global maritime leader.
• Additional MoU: Signed between RIS and Delhi School of Economics for joint public policy research and training.
• 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.

• PPBL prohibited from: Banking activities under Section 5(b) and Section 6 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Background: RBI first stopped PPBL from onboarding new customers in March 2022; additional restrictions imposed in early 2024.
• Next steps: RBI to approach High Court for winding-up proceedings; PPBL has sufficient liquidity to repay entire deposit liability.

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 (UP), focusing on recovering critical minerals for EVs, renewable energy, electronics, and defence.

• Materials recovered: Lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and rare earths — Neodymium, Dysprosium, Terbium.
• Significance: India’s first of its kind; circular economy milestone; aligns with net-zero 2070 and Viksit Bharat@2047; EPR compliance via Know Your Material approach.

On 22 April 2026, the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC), Andhra Pradesh, won the 4th Gender Equality Mobilisation (GEM) Award presented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the International Day of Women in Industry 2026 celebrations in Vienna, Austria. The award was received by Olga Rataj, Sustainable Cities Project Manager & IDO.

• Winning Initiative: 200+ women deployed as e-auto (electric auto) drivers for door-to-door garbage collection; formerly in informal waste collection, they were trained and formally employed.
• Programme: Under UNIDO-supported Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot (SCIAP); promotes zero-emission waste management and green economy jobs for women.
• About GEM Award: Established 2018 by UNIDO; honours outstanding initiatives advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment; under the Global Eco-Industrial Parks initiative.
• About UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development Organization; established 1966; HQ: Vienna; promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

The Government of India (GoI) 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.

• Succeeds: Suman Bery, who completes his 4-year tenure on 1 May 2026; Lahiri is 2nd highest authority after PM Modi (Chairperson).
• About NITI Aayog: National Institution for Transforming India; est. 1 January 2015; replaced Planning Commission; HQ: New Delhi; Chairperson: PM Narendra Modi.

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).

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’.

• Organiser: International Telecommunication Union (ITU) — UN specialised agency for telecommunications; HQ: Geneva.
• Origin: Announced by ITU on 8 April 2011; Resolution 70 adopted at ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, Guadalajara, Mexico (October 2010).
• First observance: 28 April 2011.

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

• 2026 Events: Observed at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, by MoPR; key releases: Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 report and 3 ‘Meri Panchayat Meri Dharohar’ publications.
• Constitutional basis: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1993) institutionalised Panchayati Raj — added Part IX ‘The Panchayats’; Article 243B.
• First NPRD: 24 April 2010; declared by PM Manmohan Singh.

The World Day for Laboratory Animals (WDLA), also known as World Lab Animal Day or World Day for Animals in Laboratories, 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.