NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Bikaji Foods Founder Shiv Ratan Agarwal Dies at 74 : Shiv Ratan Agarwal, the promoter, chairman and whole-time director of Bikaji Foods International, passed away at the age of 74 following a heart attack. He was widely recognised for transforming Bikaji from a regional snacks business in Bikaner into one of India’s leading ethnic snacks companies and a globally known FMCG brand. Agarwal was the grandson of the founder of Haldiram’s and belonged to one of India’s most well-known traditional snacks business families. In 1986, he separated from the family business and established Shivdeep Products, which was later rebranded as Bikaji in 1993.
His entrepreneurial vision focused on building an independent identity rooted in traditional Indian snacks while expanding into modern organised retail and exports.
2. Rajasthan Recalls Seven Substandard Medicines Immediately: The Rajasthan health department has ordered the immediate withdrawal of seven medicines after laboratory testing found them to be substandard. The action was taken by the Commissionerate of Food Safety and Drugs Control to protect public health and prevent the use of poor-quality medicines that could lead to treatment failure and serious health risks. The recalled medicines include Cefixime Oral Suspension IP sold as Loraxim dry syrup, commonly used for bacterial infections such as throat, ear, bronchitis and urinary tract infections. Albendazole tablets, used to treat worm infestations and parasitic diseases, were also flagged. Other medicines include Istocuf-LS drops containing Ambroxol Hydrochloride, Levosalbutamol and Guaifenesin for cough treatment; Methylprednisolone tablets sold as Methyloactive-4 for inflammation control; Okuff-DX syrup used for cough relief; Cefuroxime Axetil tablets for bacterial infections; and Ciprofloxacin tablets used as a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
3. Bagalkot University to Honour Nambi Narayanan with Doctorate: Bagalkot University in Karnataka will confer honorary doctorates on noted space scientist S. Nambi Narayanan, religious leader Sri Gurumahanth Swami of Chittaragi Shri Vijaya Mahantesha Samsthana Math, and tech entrepreneur-philanthropist Mahesh Bellad. The honours will be awarded during the university’s first convocation ceremony, marking an important milestone for the young institution established in 2023. The university’s maiden convocation will be held at Darbar Hall on the BLDE Association campus in Jamkhandi, Bagalkot district. The event is scheduled for Friday at 11:30 a.m. and symbolises the formal academic beginning of the university’s journey after its first batch of students graduated in 2025. The institution currently has 72 affiliated colleges and offers postgraduate programmes along with professional courses such as B.Ed and BP.Ed.
4. Shekha Jheel Becomes India’s 99th Ramsar Site: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as India’s 99th Ramsar site, marking another major step in the country’s wetland conservation efforts. With this recognition, Uttar Pradesh now has 12 Ramsar sites, the highest among Indian states, further strengthening its ecological importance. The announcement was made by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who described the designation as a boost for biodiversity, local livelihoods, climate security, and water conservation. The recognition also brings India closer to reaching 100 Ramsar sites, a major environmental milestone. Shekha Jheel is one of the most significant wetlands in western Uttar Pradesh and serves as an important bird habitat. Located in Aligarh district, the wetland is especially known for attracting large numbers of migratory birds during the winter season. It functions as a major stopover on the Central Asian Flyway, one of the world’s most important migratory bird routes. Bird species commonly recorded here include the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and several species of ducks.
5. Govt May Review Bank Voting Rights Cap: The Union government is likely to review the 26 per cent voting rights cap in banks under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, as part of efforts to attract long-term strategic and foreign capital into the banking sector. The proposed move is expected to be examined by a high-level banking committee formed under the broader Viksit Bharat vision, with the aim of making Indian banks more globally competitive and investment-friendly. At present, even if an investor holds a larger equity stake in a private bank, voting rights are capped at 26 per cent under the Banking Regulation Act. This means ownership and decision-making power are not fully aligned. For example, foreign investors can hold up to 74 per cent aggregate stake in Indian private banks, but their voting power cannot exceed 26 per cent. This restriction has long been seen as a limitation for strategic investors.
6. Andhra Pradesh Pushes Clean Energy Vision at Global Forum: Andhra Pradesh presented its Integrated Clean Energy Policy at the ongoing World Climate Cities Forum in Yeosu, South Korea, highlighting the state’s ambition to become a global clean energy hub. Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) Chairman C. Divakar Reddy led the delegation and emphasised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2047 while ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for all consumers. The state government is actively promoting renewable energy across multiple sectors, including solar power, wind energy, pumped storage, battery energy storage systems, green hydrogen and biofuel technologies. The Integrated Clean Energy Policy offers incentives to investors and includes a single-window clearance mechanism along with Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to accelerate industrial participation and large-scale clean energy development.
7. Former Andhra CM Nadendla Bhaskara Rao Dies at 90: Former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) co-founder Nadendla Bhaskara Rao passed away in Hyderabad on April 22, 2026, at the age of 90. He was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private super-speciality hospital. Known for one of the most dramatic political episodes in Andhra Pradesh history, he served as Chief Minister for just 31 days in 1984 during a major political revolt against N.T. Rama Rao (NTR). Nadendla Bhaskara Rao became Chief Minister in 1984 after a political rebellion within the TDP when NTR had travelled to the United States for heart surgery. With the support of a section of TDP legislators and Congress (I), he replaced NTR and took office. However, his government lasted only 31 days as a massive “Save Democracy” movement emerged demanding NTR’s return. Following strong public and political pressure, the Centre recalled Governor Thakur Ram Lal and NTR was reinstated.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Finland Builds World’s First Permanent Nuclear Waste Vault : Finland is preparing to operationalise the world’s first permanent underground repository for highly radioactive nuclear waste. Located beneath Olkiluoto Island, the Onkalo facility is designed to safely store spent nuclear fuel for up to 100,000 years. The project marks a major step in solving one of nuclear energy’s biggest long-term challenges—safe disposal of radioactive waste. Since the 1950s, nuclear reactors worldwide have produced nearly 400,000 tonnes of spent fuel. Although this fuel is no longer usable for power generation, it remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years. Most countries currently store such waste in temporary cooling pools or dry casks, which are safe only for limited periods. The long-term risk lies in radiation leakage, environmental contamination and human exposure. This has remained one of the strongest criticisms against expanding nuclear power despite its low carbon emissions.
2. OGAI to Regulate India’s Online Gaming Sector from May: India’s online gaming sector will come under a new regulatory framework as the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) becomes operational from May 1, 2026. The authority has been established under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, with the aim of creating a structured and transparent system for online gaming in the country. The move comes as India’s digital gaming market continues to expand rapidly, especially in real-money gaming, fantasy sports, esports, and skill-based online platforms. The government aims to ensure better oversight while promoting responsible growth in the sector. The Online Gaming Authority of India will function as a digital office under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It will be chaired by the Additional Secretary of MeitY, ensuring direct administrative oversight by the central government. The authority will also include Joint Secretary-level officials from key ministries such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Department of Legal Affairs.
3. EU Approves €90 Billion Ukraine Aid and Russia Sanctions: The European Union has approved a €90 billion financial assistance package for Ukraine along with its 20th round of sanctions against Russia after Hungary withdrew its opposition. The move reflects renewed unity within the bloc as Brussels continues to strengthen support for Kyiv and increase pressure on Moscow during the ongoing war. The decisions were backed by ambassadors from all 27 EU member states and are expected to be formally adopted through a written procedure. The approval ends months of delay caused by Hungary’s objections linked to oil transit and broader political disagreements. Hungary, led by outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, had blocked both the Ukraine aid package and the new sanctions. Budapest raised concerns over disruptions in Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, which is a key energy route for Hungary and Slovakia. The issue emerged after damage caused by Russian attacks affected oil transit through Ukraine. Hungary argued that delays in restoring the route threatened its energy security and criticised Kyiv over the matter.
4. L&T Signs Green Ammonia Supply Deal with Japan: Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has signed a long-term agreement with Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation for the annual supply of 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia, marking another major step in India’s clean energy export ambitions. The deal will be executed through L&T Energy GreenTech and supports India’s broader strategy of becoming a global supplier of green hydrogen and its derivatives such as green ammonia. Under the agreement, L&T Energy GreenTech will supply 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia every year from its proposed production facility in Gujarat. Green ammonia is produced using green hydrogen generated from renewable energy sources and is considered an important low-carbon fuel option. It is especially significant for sectors like shipping, where decarbonisation remains a major challenge.
5. India Targets Blood Centre in Every District: India has set a national goal of establishing at least one blood centre in every district by December 2026 to ensure timely access to safe blood and reduce transfusion-related risks. The Health Ministry reviewed blood transfusion services across states and Union Territories and found that nearly 10 per cent of districts still do not have a blood centre, highlighting major infrastructure and service delivery gaps. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducted a national-level review of blood transfusion services through a video conference with states and Union Territories. The assessment covered five key stages: licensing and renewal, donor screening and blood collection, testing for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), processing and storage, and reporting and record-keeping. Performance was measured using 10 key performance indicators based on data from eRaktKosh, BBMS and CDSCO.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. INS Nireekshak Visits Sri Lanka for Joint Naval Training: Indian Naval Ship INS Nireekshak has arrived at Colombo port in Sri Lanka for an operational turnaround and training visit aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries. The visit highlights the growing defence partnership between India and Sri Lanka, particularly in naval coordination and regional maritime security. The Sri Lankan Navy formally welcomed the vessel following traditional naval customs. The visit includes specialised diving exercises, humanitarian assistance, and defence cooperation activities that reflect the strategic importance of India-Sri Lanka maritime relations.
INS Nireekshak is a diving support and submarine rescue vessel of the Indian Navy. It plays an important role in underwater operations, salvage missions, submarine rescue support, and specialised naval diving tasks.
Commanded by Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, the vessel is currently in Sri Lanka to conduct a training programme with diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy. The mission focuses on improving technical coordination and operational preparedness between the two naval forces.
2. Pakistan Tests Taimoor Anti-Ship Cruise Missile: Pakistan has announced the successful test of its indigenously developed anti-ship weapon system, the “Taimoor” air-launched cruise missile, just a week after testing an anti-ship ballistic missile. The latest missile trial reflects Islamabad’s continued focus on strengthening naval strike capabilities and maritime defence preparedness in the region. The test took place on April 22, the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, which had triggered major tensions between India and Pakistan and was followed by India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure inside Pakistani territory. According to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Taimoor is an air-launched anti-ship cruise missile designed to engage and neutralise enemy sea-based threats at extended ranges. The military described it as a demonstration of precision strike capability and operational readiness.
The missile reportedly completed its mission with high accuracy, strengthening Pakistan Navy’s ability to detect, track, and destroy hostile maritime targets. It is aimed at improving Pakistan’s conventional deterrence posture in the Arabian Sea region.
SPORTS
1. ICC Confirms Trial Against Rodrigo Duterte : Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) after judges confirmed charges of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial “war on drugs.” The case is considered one of the most significant international criminal proceedings involving a former Asian head of state in recent years. Duterte is accused of extrajudicial killings carried out between 2011 and 2019, during his tenure as mayor and later as president of the Philippines. Prosecutors allege that thousands of people were killed as part of his anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups describe as systematic and unlawful. The ICC’s pre-trial judges stated that there were “substantial grounds” to believe Duterte committed crimes against humanity. More than 500 victims have been authorised to participate in the proceedings.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. China Finds Rare Moon Mineral for Advanced LED Technology: Chinese researchers have discovered a new lunar mineral named Cerium–Magnesium Changesite, marking the 11th known mineral identified from the Moon. The finding was announced by the China Geological Survey and is considered a major development in extraterrestrial geology. Scientists believe the mineral could help improve high-efficiency LED technology and deepen understanding of lunar formation. The mineral was identified from a 44-gram solid spherical Moon meteorite recovered in China. The meteorite had a dark molten shell, indicating its intense journey through Earth’s atmosphere. Researchers found that the mineral is colourless, transparent and brittle, with crystal grains smaller than 10 micrometres. Its unusual structure and composition suggest that it formed under geological conditions very different from those found on Earth, making it valuable for studying lunar and planetary processes.
2. Turkey Tightens Social Media Access for Children: Türkiye’s Parliament has passed a new Bill aimed at restricting access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15. The move reflects a growing global trend where governments are introducing stricter digital safety laws for minors. The legislation comes amid rising concern over harmful online content, cyberbullying, addiction and exposure to unsafe digital spaces. Under the proposed law, major platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram will be required to introduce age-verification systems to prevent children under 15 from opening accounts. Companies must also provide parental control tools so guardians can monitor and manage access. Platforms will be expected to respond quickly to harmful or inappropriate content affecting minors.
3. China Selects Pakistani Astronauts for Tiangong Mission: China has selected two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for a future mission to its Tiangong space station, marking a major step in bilateral space cooperation between the two countries. If the mission proceeds successfully, one of them could become the first foreign astronaut to visit China’s space station and the first Pakistani to travel into Earth’s orbit. The China Manned Space Agency announced that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud cleared multiple rounds of selection and will soon travel to China for advanced astronaut training. The development reflects growing strategic cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad in the space sector. According to the China Manned Space Agency, both selected candidates will undergo specialised astronaut training in China. After completing all required courses and assessments, one astronaut will be chosen as a payload specialist for a future crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. A payload specialist is responsible for managing scientific experiments, technology testing, and mission-specific research tasks aboard the space station. This role is critical for international collaboration missions involving scientific exchange.
4. Ancient DNA Reveals Hidden Neanderthal Group: Scientists have uncovered one of the clearest genetic snapshots of a Neanderthal community from around 100,000 years ago in present-day Poland. A new study published in “Current Biology” analysed ancient mitochondrial DNA from eight Neanderthal teeth discovered in Stajnia Cave, offering rare evidence of a small group of Neanderthals living together in Central-Eastern Europe. The discovery helps researchers better understand family ties, migration patterns and population history among Neanderthals across Europe. Researchers extracted mitochondrial DNA from eight teeth found in Stajnia Cave, located north of the Carpathian Mountains in southern Poland. From this, they reconstructed the genetic profile of at least seven Neanderthals who lived at the same place during the same period. This is the first time scientists have rebuilt a multi-individual Neanderthal genetic picture from a single site and era in this region, providing a much clearer view of how small Neanderthal groups may have lived together.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. NSE-Listed Companies’ CSR Spending Jumps 23% to ₹22,212 Crore in FY25 : CSR spending by companies listed on the National Stock Exchange main board increased by 23% to ₹22,212 crore in FY 2024–25, compared to ₹18,011 crore in the previous year, according to a report by PrimeInfobase (PRIME Database Group). The rise in CSR expenditure was driven by a 22% increase in average net profit over the last three years, which determines mandatory CSR spending under the Companies Act requirement of 2% of average net profits. Reliance Industries Ltd topped CSR spending with ₹1,309.5 crore, followed by HDFC Bank at ₹1,068.03 crore and Tata Consultancy Services at ₹960 crore. Among states, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu emerged as the leading recipients of CSR funds.
2. India’s Eight Core Industries Contract 0.4% in March After Five Months of Growth: India’s Eight Core Industries recorded a 4% contraction in March, marking the first decline in the last five months, as per data released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The Eight Core Industries include Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity, which are key drivers of industrial growth. These sectors collectively account for 40.27% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), making them a crucial indicator of India’s industrial performance.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Goldman Prize Honours Women Climate Defenders: The 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize has recognised six women environmental defenders from across the world for their grassroots efforts to protect nature and communities. Often called the “Green Nobel”, the award honours individuals from six global regions who take extraordinary action for environmental protection. This year marks a historic first, as all six winners are women, highlighting the growing leadership of women in global climate and conservation movements. Among the winners is 24-year-old Colombian activist Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco, who helped stop hydraulic fracturing projects along the Magdalena River, Colombia’s largest river and one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. She co-founded AguaWil, a youth movement opposing fracking in Puerto Wilches after the government approved pilot projects backed by Ecopetrol and ExxonMobil in 2019. Despite death threats and forced exile to France, she continued her campaign and became a national symbol of youth-led environmental resistance.
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