Daily GK Update- 7th April, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Signs KOICA Pact to Boost Shipbuilding Skills Under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways signed a Plan of Implementation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to strengthen skill development in India’s shipbuilding and marine sector.The agreement aims to develop a skilled workforce and boost shipbuilding as a key driver of India’s economic growth under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The project focuses on building professional talent and positioning shipbuilding as a strategically important sector for India’s global maritime standing.

 

2. Krishna Kumar Singh Takes Additional Charge as SAIL CMD: Krishna Kumar Singh has taken additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)He succeeded Amarendu Prakash, who resigned from the post effective 1 April 2026.

 

3. Chanchal Kumar Named Information and Broadcasting Secretary: The Centre appointed Chanchal Kumar as the new Information and Broadcasting Secretary, while Sanjay Jaju was shifted to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. Bhuvnesh Kumar has been appointed as Tourism Secretary, strengthening leadership in the tourism sector. Srivatsa Krishna has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, and Rohit Kansal as Secretary, Department of Rural Development.

 

4. 5 April – National Maritime Day: National Maritime Day is observed every year on 5 April in India to recognize the vital role of the maritime sector in trade, economy, and national development.

Theme 2026 – Maritime India – Empowering Progress The day commemorates the historic voyage of SS Loyalty (1919), the first Indian-owned ship of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company, which sailed from Mumbai to London.

 

5. 5 April – International Day of Conscience: International Day of Conscience is observed every year on 5 April to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, and understanding among people across the world. Theme 2026 – Reinventing Peace with Youth The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 to emphasize the importance of ethical awareness and moral responsibility.

 

6. Intel Appoints Santhosh Viswanathan to Lead APJ Operations: Intel has elevated Santhosh Viswanathan to the role of vice-president and managing director for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region. The appointment marks a significant leadership transition, as the company seeks to strengthen its presence across one of the world’s fastest-growing and most diverse technology markets. In his new role, Viswanathan will oversee business operations, brand positioning, and customer engagement across the APJ region. His mandate includes driving growth, enhancing partnerships, and aligning regional strategies under a unified leadership structure. The APJ market remains critical for Intel due to its rapidly expanding digital ecosystems and strong demand for semiconductor technologies.

 

7. Government e Marketplace Achieves ₹18.4 Lakh Crore GMV: The Government e Marketplace (GeM) has reached a cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of ₹18.4 lakh crore, with over ₹5 lakh crore achieved in the financial year 2025–26 alone. This milestone reflects the growing adoption of digital procurement systems in India and highlights the platform’s role in enhancing transparency and efficiency in public procurement. The Government e Marketplace is India’s national public procurement portal launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It serves as a unified platform for procurement of goods and services by Central and State Government ministries, departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and affiliated organisations. The portal aims to streamline procurement processes while ensuring inclusivity and accountability.

 

8. Indian Crested Porcupine Damages Saffron Crops in Kashmir: The Indian crested porcupine has recently been observed feeding on saffron corms beneath the soil in Kashmir, causing significant agricultural losses. By hollowing out the corms before they bloom, the species is emerging as a new threat to saffron cultivation, which is a vital source of livelihood in the region. The Indian crested porcupine is a large rodent belonging to the Old World porcupine family, Hystricidae. It is one of the largest rodent species found in Asia and is known for its distinctive coat of sharp quills. The species is widely distributed across South Asia, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

 

9. Draft Rules Target Tar Balls to Protect Coastline: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently released draft rules to address the growing concern of tar balls along India’s coastline. These measures aim to mitigate the environmental and health risks posed by oil residues and strengthen coastal management practices, particularly along vulnerable regions of the western coast. Tar balls are small, dark, sticky lumps of weathered oil formed in marine environments. They originate either from oil spills or natural seepage of crude oil beneath the ocean floor. Over time, these residues undergo transformation and appear as semi-solid or solid masses that often wash ashore. Their size varies widely, ranging from tiny globules to formations as large as a basketball.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Launches SDG Dashboard in Collaboration with UN to Track Sustainable Development Goals Progress: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, in collaboration with the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office, has developed the India SDG Dashboard. The dashboard is a centralized platform designed to monitor and track India’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

2. Min Aung Hlaing Elected Myanmar President: Min Aung Hlaing has been elected as President of Myanmar by a pro-military parliament. He previously led the 2021 Myanmar military coup, ousting Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government.

 

3. 4 April – International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action: The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, observed on 4 April, highlights global efforts to prevent harm caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war. Theme 2026 – Invest in Peace; Invest in Mine Action It aims to promote mine risk education, support victims, and strengthen international cooperation for safe and mine-free communities.

 

4. India Emerges Highly Optimistic in Ipsos Global Survey: India has emerged as a rare outlier in an increasingly pessimistic global landscape, with a majority of its citizens expressing confidence in the country’s direction. The latest Ipsos “What Worries the World” survey for March 2026 highlights a stark contrast between India and many advanced economies, where public sentiment remains subdued amid geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and economic uncertainties. The survey, covering 29 countries, reveals that most nations are grappling with negative perceptions about their trajectory. In 25 countries, a majority of respondents believe their nation is heading in the wrong direction. In contrast, 65 per cent of Indians feel the country is moving in the right direction, significantly above the global average of 39 per cent. India ranks among the top three most optimistic nations, alongside Singapore and Malaysia, reflecting strong public confidence compared to Western economies where optimism levels remain in single digits.

 

5. EU Adds PFAS to Water Pollution Monitoring List: The European Union Parliament has recently approved updated water pollution standards, bringing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under stricter monitoring. This move reflects growing global concern over these persistent chemicals, often termed “forever chemicals”, due to their long-lasting presence in the environment and potential risks to human health. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances are a group of man-made, toxic chemicals comprising over 4,700 compounds. They are characterised by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them highly resistant to degradation. Due to this persistence, PFAS accumulate in the environment and living organisms over time. Their stability and widespread use have made them a significant environmental pollutant globally.

 

6. World Health Day 2026 Highlights Science and Global Health Unity: On the occasion of World Health Day 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings and expressed gratitude to healthcare workers worldwide. He acknowledged their relentless service and emphasised the collective responsibility to build a healthier and more inclusive society. His message underlined the importance of strengthening healthcare systems and prioritising individual well-being through coordinated efforts. World Health Day is observed annually on April 7 to raise awareness about pressing global health issues. The day commemorates the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, with the first official observance held in 1950. It serves as a platform to promote health awareness, encourage policy initiatives, and mobilise action at both national and international levels.

7. To Lam Becomes Vietnam President Consolidating Political Power: Vietnam’s National Assembly has unanimously elected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam as the country’s state president for a five-year term, marking a significant political shift. The move consolidates the two most powerful positions in Vietnam under one leader, breaking from the country’s long-standing tradition of collective leadership and signalling a new phase in its governance model. All 495 lawmakers present voted in favour of To Lam’s presidency, reflecting strong internal party consensus. The election follows his reappointment as Communist Party chief earlier in 2026, giving him a dual mandate. This concentration of authority makes him the most influential Vietnamese leader in decades and aligns the system more closely with centralised governance models seen in other one-party states.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. India’s PFBR Reactor Achieves Criticality Milestone: India has reached a major milestone in its civil nuclear energy programme as the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, and attained criticality. This marks the initiation of a self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction, a crucial step before full-scale power generation. The development signifies India’s advancement into the second stage of its three-stage nuclear power programme. Criticality refers to the stage where a nuclear reactor sustains a stable chain reaction without external neutron input. At this point, each fission event releases enough neutrons to maintain the reaction continuously. Although criticality does not imply full electricity generation, it is a key milestone in reactor commissioning and safety validation.

 

SPORTS

 

1. IOC Bars Transgender Women from Women’s Olympic Events, Citing Fairness Concerns: The International Olympic Committee approved a new eligibility policy barring transgender women from competing in women’s Olympic events to ensure fairness.IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated that even minor physical differences impact results, and allowing biological males in female categories is no longer considered equitable.The Olympic logo of International Olympic Committee features five interlocking rings (blue, yellow, black, green, red) on a white background, symbolising the unity of five continents—Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

 

2. 11-Year-Old Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes Britain’s Top-Rated Female Chess Player: Bodhana Sivanandan, aged 11, is now Britain’s top-rated female player (FIDE April 2026) with a rating of 2,366, ranked 72nd globally among women. She has overtaken many established players, showcasing exceptional talent, discipline, and strong international performances.

 

3. Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Karnataka Emerges Champion as Chhattisgarh Hosts Maiden Edition: The maiden Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 was hosted by Chhattisgarh, where Karnataka emerged as the overall champion. Karnataka topped the medal tally with 23 Gold, 8 Silver, and 7 Bronze medals, followed by Odisha (21 Gold) and Jharkhand (16 Gold). The official mascot of the Games was “Morveer”, and the event was conducted across three cities—Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja in Chhattisgarh. The Games featured seven medal sports: Athletics, Football, Hockey, Weightlifting, Archery, Swimming, and Wrestling. A total of 3,800 athletes from 30 States and Union Territories participated, with Mallakhamb and Kabaddi included as demonstration sports.

 

4. Rassie van der Dussen Retires from International Cricket After Illustrious White-Ball Career with South Africa: South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a successful career as a key white-ball performer for the Proteas. He made his international debut in T20I cricket against Zimbabwe in 2019 at the age of 29 after strong domestic performances. He will continue playing domestic cricket despite retiring from international cricket and ended his career across formats with 905 Test runs, 2657 ODI runs, and 1406 T20I runs.

 

5. India’s Palak and Mukesh Win ISSF World Cup Gold: India began its campaign at the ISSF World Cup rifle and pistol stage in Granada, Spain, with a historic gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Young shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli secured the top podium finish with a world record score of 487.7. The score also stands as a junior world record, highlighting the duo’s exceptional performance on the global stage. The Indian pair delivered a composed and precise performance in the gold medal match. Palak scored 243.0, while Mukesh contributed 244.7, taking their combined tally to a record-breaking 487.7. China’s Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu settled for silver with 484.8. Hungary’s Veronika Major and Akos Karoly Nagy clinched bronze after finishing with 414.9.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India Introduces AI and Coding Curriculum for Classes 3–8 from 2026–27 Under NEP 2020: The Ministry of Education and the Central Board of Secondary Education have launched a new AI and Computational Thinking curriculum for Classes 3 to 8 from the 2026–27 session. The curriculum focuses on basic coding, AI concepts, logical thinking, and data handling to build early digital skills among students. It is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.

 

2. Income Tax Department Launches New Website and AI Assistant ‘Kar Saathi’ Under PRARAMBH 2026 Campaign: The Income Tax Department has launched a new website along with an AI-based assistant named Kar Saathi to simplify compliance under the Income Tax Act, 2025. The launch is aligned with the nationwide awareness campaign PRARAMBH 2026, aimed at guiding taxpayers about updated rules and procedures. The new website provides a single platform for all income tax-related information, while Kar Saathi (AI chatbot) offers real-time automated responses to taxpayer queries.

 

3. Astronomers Find Unusual Solar System With Two Earth-like Planets: Astronomers have identified a peculiar planetary system located nearly 120 light-years away from Earth, challenging long-held theories of how solar systems form. The system contains two Earth-like planets, often referred to as “super-Earths”, but its overall structure defies conventional models observed in our own Solar System. The newly discovered system hosts two rocky planets similar in size and composition to Earth. Such planets, known as super-Earths, are slightly larger than Earth and may possess rocky surfaces or layered interiors. Finding two such planets within the same system is rare and offers scientists a valuable opportunity to compare their evolution under similar environmental conditions.

 

4. New Marine Nematode Species Discovered off Tamil Nadu Coast: Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have recently identified two new species of free-living marine nematodes off the coast of Tamil Nadu. Named “Corononema dhriti” and “Epacanthion indica”, these discoveries highlight India’s rich yet understudied marine biodiversity and contribute to global taxonomic knowledge. “Corononema dhriti” has been named in honour of Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director of ZSI. It is only the fourth known species of its genus worldwide, previously reported from Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam. “Epacanthion indica”, named after India, stands out due to its anatomical complexity and unique ecological role within marine ecosystems.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. FAO Food Price Index Rises Amid Global Energy Pressures: The FAO Food Price Index recorded an increase in March 2026, primarily driven by rising energy costs linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The surge highlights the vulnerability of global food prices to external shocks such as conflicts and fuel price fluctuations, which directly affect production, transportation and supply chains. The FAO Food Price Index is a key indicator that measures the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities. It reflects global price trends and serves as an important benchmark for policymakers and economists. The index is calculated as a weighted average of five commodity group price indices: cereals, vegetable oils, dairy products, meat and sugar.