NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Project DANTAK Celebrates 66th Raising Day: Project DANTAK, an initiative of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), celebrated its 66th Raising Day on 24 April 2026, marking 65 years of service in Bhutan since its establishment in 1961. The BRO continues its operations in Bhutan due to the strong India–Bhutan strategic partnership and mutual cooperation, supporting infrastructure and connectivity development.
2. India Launches $4.88 Million Biodiversity Project in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya (2025–2030): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the National Biodiversity Authority have launched a five-year project (2025–2030) to strengthen grassroots biodiversity governance in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya, with funding of over $4.88 million. The project titled “Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments” is a joint initiative of the Government, Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP, aiming to integrate biodiversity conservation into Gram Panchayat Development Plans. It will focus on key ecological landscapes such as the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve region in Tamil Nadu and Garo Hills (including Nokrek Biosphere Reserve) in Meghalaya, aligning with India’s National Biodiversity Strategy, 30×30 global target, and Paris Agreement commitments.
3. Centre Issues Draft Notification Declaring ESZ Around UP’s Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed a draft notification to declare 408.7 sq km around Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). Eco-Sensitive Zones act as “shock absorbers” around protected areas, regulating human activities to protect biodiversity and the ecosystem. The sanctuary is spread across five districts of Uttar Pradesh—Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Hapur, Bijnor, and Amroha.
4. MD & CEO of B. Ramesh Babu Reappointed as Karur Vysya Bank: The Reserve Bank of India approved the reappointment of Ramesh Babu as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank for a third term of two years. His new term will be effective from July 29, 2026, with RBI granting approval.
5. PM Narendra Modi Reconstitutes NITI Aayog : PM Narendra Modi has reconstituted NITI Aayog, appointing Ashok Lahiri as the new Vice-Chairman, replacing Suman Bery. The Prime Minister continues as the ex officio Chairman, while Rajiv Gauba has been retained as a full-time member. Four new full-time members appointed are K V Raju, Gobardhan Das, Abhay Karandikar, and M Srinivas.
6. Araku Old Seed Festival Promotes Tribal Biodiversity: The 17th annual Old Seed Festival held in Killoguda village of the Araku region in Andhra Pradesh highlighted the importance of conserving indigenous seed diversity and strengthening natural farming practices. Organised by the Sanjeevini organisation, the event brought together Adivasi farmers, researchers, environmentalists, and civil society representatives to celebrate traditional agriculture and tribal biodiversity. Farmers from Araku, Rampachodavaram, the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, and Koraput in Odisha participated in the festival by displaying a wide variety of traditional seeds. These included millet, pulses, tubers, and several local crop varieties adapted to tribal farming systems.
The event began with a village procession where participants carried preserved seed varieties, symbolising the importance of protecting native crops. Traditional drum performances and Dhimsa dances added cultural significance to the gathering.
7. Ending Live-In Relationship Is Not a Crime: SC: The Supreme Court has observed that quitting a live-in relationship is not a criminal offence if the relationship was consensual. While hearing the plea of a woman who had lived with a man for 15 years and had a child with him, the court said that emotional hardship alone cannot turn a consensual relationship into a criminal case. The woman had sought criminal proceedings against her former partner after he married another woman, alleging sexual exploitation and harassment. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan stated that since the relationship was voluntary and consensual, criminal charges such as sexual assault or exploitation could not be applied after the man ended the relationship. The court observed that once a person walks out of a consensual live-in relationship, it does not automatically become a criminal offence. The judges said there was no legal binding similar to marriage in such relationships.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Approves ₹30 Billion Currency Swap Support for Maldives Under SAARC Framework: India has approved the first withdrawal of ₹30 billion for the Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework. The funds are released following an agreement between the Reserve Bank of India and the Maldives during President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to New Delhi in October 2024.
This comes after the Maldives repaid an earlier $400 million facility, reflecting its commitment to meeting financial obligations. The swap facility underscores India’s continued support under its Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, helping maintain Maldives’ financial stability.
2. Turkey Bans Social Media Use for Under-15s: Turkey has passed a law banning the use of social media for children below the age of 15. Digital platforms are required to implement age verification measures and appoint a representative in Turkey if they have a large user base. Game software platforms are now included under the regulation, with mandatory age-based classification of games.
3. 25 April – World Malaria Day: World Malaria Day is observed on 25 April every year to raise awareness about malaria prevention, control, and eradication efforts worldwide. Theme 2026 – Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must. The day was established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2007 to highlight the global burden of malaria and promote coordinated action.
4. 25 April РWorld Penguin Day: World Penguin Day is observed on 25 April every year to raise awareness about penguin species and their conservation. Theme 2026 РSave the penguins The day coincides with the annual northward migration of penguins in Antarctica, especially the Ad̩lie penguins.
5. 26 April – World Intellectual Property Day: World Intellectual Property Day is observed on 26 April every year to promote awareness about the role of intellectual property (IP) in innovation and creativity. Theme 2026 – IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate The day was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to highlight the importance of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and designs.
6. 27 April – World Tapir Day: World Tapir Day is observed on 27 April every year to raise awareness about tapirs and their conservation. The day highlights the importance of protecting four species of tapirs found in Central and South America as well as Southeast Asia.
7. Symbiosis Launches Asia’s First UNESCO Gender Chair: Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, has launched Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development. The initiative was announced during the international conference titled “Women Leading the Future of Work”, organised in collaboration with UNESCO. The Chair aims to promote gender equality through skill development, employment opportunities and research, especially for underprivileged girls and women in emerging industries. The UNESCO Chair was formally inaugurated by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State for Education. The initiative marks a major step in linking education, skilling and gender inclusion at an international level. It is the first UNESCO Chair in Asia dedicated specifically to gender inclusion and skill development, making India a key centre for this global agenda.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. INS Sudarshini Arrives in Spain Under Lokayan 26, Marks Maiden Visit to Canary Islands: Indian Navy Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Las Palmas, Spain, under its transoceanic deployment Lokayan 26, marking the first-ever visit of an Indian naval ship to the Canary Islands. The ship, which began its voyage from Kochi in January, has visited multiple countries, including Oman, Egypt, Malta, France, and Morocco, promoting the message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
2. India Becomes Fifth Largest Defence Spender Globally: India ranked as the world’s fifth-largest defence spender in 2025, according to the latest report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). With military expenditure reaching $92.1 billion, India accounted for 3.2% of total global defence spending. This placed the country behind only the United States, China, Russia and Germany. The increase reflects India’s growing focus on military preparedness, border security and defence modernisation amid regional tensions. India’s military expenditure rose by 8.9% compared to 2024, showing a steady rise in strategic investment. The increase was linked to emergency procurements and stronger operational readiness during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Defence forces acquired new systems and equipment to maintain combat preparedness. The revised capital outlay for military aircraft systems also saw a major jump, supporting India’s push for stronger air power and advanced combat capabilities.
3. Indian Army Raises 16th Bhairav Battalion: The Indian Army has raised its 16th ‘Bhairav’ Battalion at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre in Belagavi, Karnataka. The new unit strengthens India’s infantry capabilities and reflects the Army’s focus on agile, rapid-response combat formations suited for modern warfare and sensitive border operations. The Bhairav Battalion, also known as the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, is a specialised infantry formation designed to function between conventional infantry and elite Special Forces. These units are built as lean, high-mobility tactical forces capable of rapid deployment, reconnaissance, surprise raids and high-intensity missions in difficult terrains. Each Bhairav Battalion reportedly consists of around 250 specially trained soldiers. Their main purpose is to provide the Army with flexible and fast-response options in conflict zones, especially in sensitive border areas. These units help reduce operational pressure on Special Forces by handling missions that require speed and tactical precision without full Special Forces deployment.
SPORTS
1. India Launches First Official F1 Sim Racing Championship: India has launched its first official Formula 1 Sim Racing Championship, marking a major step in linking esports with professional motorsport. Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited have introduced the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, creating a structured national platform for virtual racers across the country. The initiative aims to identify emerging talent and provide a direct pathway from simulator racing to the wider motorsport ecosystem. The championship is being held under an agreement that gives Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited the rights to host an official Formula 1-sanctioned sim racing competition in India. This is the first time Formula 1 has launched such a dedicated national programme exclusively for India. The competition will be played on the official F1 video game platform. Participants will compete through online qualifiers, followed by city rounds, and finally a national championship round in Mumbai.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. China’s Zero-Carbon Coal Fuel Cell Breakthrough: Chinese researchers have developed a new technology called the Zero-Carbon-Emission Direct Coal Fuel Cell (ZC-DCFC), which can convert coal directly into electricity without burning it. This innovation, led by scientists at Shenzhen University, could significantly change the future of coal-based energy by reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency. The system challenges the traditional idea that coal must always be a major source of pollution. Conventional coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce heat, which generates steam and drives turbines to create electricity. This process causes major energy losses and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The ZC-DCFC uses electrochemical oxidation instead of combustion. Coal is fed into the anode chamber, where purified carbon reacts through an oxide membrane. This reaction directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy, avoiding the thermal-to-mechanical conversion stage. As a result, the process becomes much more efficient.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Govt Forms Panel Under SBI Chief C. S. Setty to Assess AI Platform ‘Mythos’ Risks: Nirmala Sitharaman announced the formation of a panel under C. S. Setty to assess risks arising from the AI platform “Mythos” and suggest mitigation measures. The panel will involve coordination among banks, led by the State Bank of India and the Indian Banks’ Association, to evaluate threats and identify areas needing additional investment. Banks will focus on adopting advanced technologies and leveraging AI itself to counter emerging AI-driven risks in the financial sector.
2. NITI Aayog Gets New Leadership Faces: The Union government is set to appoint former Chief Economic Adviser Ashok Lahiri as the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, replacing Suman Bery. Alongside him, Gobardhan Das, Director of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, is expected to be appointed as a member of the government’s top policy think tank. The appointments come during the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections and are being seen as politically significant. Ashok Lahiri is currently a BJP MLA from Balurghat in West Bengal and is not contesting the 2026 Assembly elections. He has a long academic and administrative career. Lahiri taught at Delhi School of Economics and worked with global institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF before returning to India’s finance ministry in the late 1990s. He later headed the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy and served as Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. General Upendra Dwivedi Inducted into US Army War College International Hall of Fame: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has been inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the US Army War College in Pennsylvania. He is only the third Indian Army Chief to receive this honour, after General V.K. Singh and General Bikram Singh.
2. Sur Jyotsna Awards Honour Classical Music Legends: The 13th edition of the Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards was held in New Delhi, celebrating excellence in Indian classical music and honouring veteran artists for their lifelong contribution. This year, renowned Hindustani vocalists Sumitra Guha and Pandit Laxman Krishnarao Pandit received the prestigious recognition for their dedication to preserving and promoting India’s classical music traditions. The awards were instituted in memory of Jyotsna Darda, founder of Lokmat Sakhi Manch, to recognise excellence in Indian music and encourage emerging talent. Every year, artists are selected from vocal and instrumental categories, creating a platform that supports both established masters and young musicians. The initiative aims to preserve India’s rich musical heritage while inspiring future generations.
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