Current Affairs One - Liner : 21st & 22nd April 2026

National:

• India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park is being set up in Ladakh, with the foundation stone laid on World Heritage Day (18 April 2026) at Sindhu Ghat, Leh by Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The park will preserve thousands of prehistoric rock carvings threatened by tourism, construction, and climate stress.

• India launched its first advanced 3D glass chip packaging unit in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 19 April 2026, marking a major milestone in the country’s semiconductor mission. The ₹1,943 crore project, backed by both central and state support, will produce 70,000 glass panels annually and cater to AI, 5G, defence, and aerospace sectors.
• On 19 Apr 2026, Titagarh Naval Systems Ltd launched the fourth Diving Support Craft (DSC A23, Yard 328) for the Indian Navy at its Kolkata shipyard. The vessel is part of a five‑craft Make in India series and was side‑launched into the Hooghly River. The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral B. Sivakumar, with the launch performed by Mrs. Deepa Sivakumar.
• On 14–17 April 2026, Austrian Chancellor Dr. Christian Stocker made a historic four‑day visit to India—the first by an Austrian Chancellor in 42 years and his first trip outside Europe since taking office. He met PM Modi, President Murmu, and EAM Jaishankar, and signed MoUs in film co‑production, food safety, defence, counter‑terrorism, and business facilitation.
• The Union Cabinet on 18 April 2026 approved the ₹12,980 crore Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee to provide continuous and affordable maritime insurance for Indian shipping. The scheme covers hull, cargo, P&I liabilities, and war risks, reducing dependence on foreign insurers.
• The Ministry of Textiles launched the ‘Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World’ initiative on 19 April 2026 at the 61st Femina Miss India in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It showcases 30 Indian handloom weaves reinterpreted with design inspirations from 30 countries to promote Indian textiles globally.
• In April 2026, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) set a target to raise India’s nuclear power capacity from 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047. Backed by reforms like the SHANTI Act 2025, the plan includes PHWRs, imported reactors, SMRs, and fast breeder reactors. Wider industry participation beyond NPCIL is expected, with commissioning of 3.5–4 GW annually.
• On 17–18 April 2026, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) co‑hosted the inaugural BRICS Academic Forum in New Delhi. This two‑day Track II event officially kickstarted the intellectual agenda for India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship.
• On 18 April 2026, Rathi Steel and Power Limited (RSPL) announced that it has been awarded the GreenPro Ecolabel Certification by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The certification specifically covers its Rathi Powertech brand of Fe 550 Grade TMT rebars, produced at the Ghaziabad manufacturing unit.

Banking:

• SBI Research projects India’s GDP growth at 6.8%–7.1% for FY27, driven by strong domestic consumption and sustained infrastructure spending. While the economy shows resilience, a "Super El Niño" threat to agriculture and volatile oil prices remain the primary risks to this outlook.
• State Bank of India (SBI) has set an ambitious target: by 2030, it wants its balance sheet to equal nearly 25% of India’s GDP, up from about 20% today. This expansion will be driven by district-level growth strategies, digital banking (YONO 2.0), and stronger deposit mobilization.

Economy:

• On April–December FY26, Singapore emerged as the top source of FDI equity inflows into India, contributing $17.6 billion (37%), followed by the United States ($7.8b) and Mauritius ($4.8b). The Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) data also showed rising inflows from tax havens like the Cayman Islands ($2b), Cyprus ($1.4b), and Luxembourg ($545m).

MoUs:

• On 18 April 2026, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) signed an MoU with the French Institute in India (IFI) to launch the Para Élan initiative in New Delhi. This three‑year Indo‑French programme aims to promote inclusive education and para sports. It will reach around 10,000 students across IFI partner schools through workshops, athlete interactions, and sporting activities.
• On 18 April 2026, Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C‑DAC) signed an MoU in New Delhi. The partnership aims to drive digital transformation by combining BECIL’s execution expertise with C‑DAC’s R&D strength.
• On 20 April 2026 in New Delhi, the Ministry of Minority Affairs signed an MoU with IIT Patna under the PM VIKAS scheme. The program’s aim is to bridge the skill gap for minority youth by offering high‑end, technology‑driven education. In its first phase, 600 youth from Bihar will be trained for elite roles like AI Technocrat and Business Analytics Executive.
• C‑DOT signed MoU with Jumps Automation (Ahmedabad) on 20 Apr 2026, New Delhi to build India’s first gamified cybersecurity awareness platform. Platform features: gaming arena, leaderboards, LMS, simulations, AI‑driven analytics for interactive training. Aim: strengthen resilience against phishing, malware, social engineering, crisis management.

Science & Technology:

• On 21 April 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) received ‘Prajna’, India’s first indigenously developed satellite imaging system. Built by ISRO and DRDO, it provides real‑time border security and disaster response support, using high‑resolution imagery with AI‑driven analytics for faster decision‑making.

Sports:

• On 17 April 2026, IIT Madras introduced OmegaBall, India’s first three‑team football format, played on a circular field with three goals. This innovative sport is designed for continuous play, higher scoring, and greater spectator engagement.
• Aronyak Ghosh, a 22‑year‑old from Kolkata, became India’s 95th Chess Grandmaster on 19 April 2026 after securing his final GM norm at the Bangkok Chess Club Open. He scored 7/9 to tie for first place, capping years of consistent performance and family sacrifices.

Important Days:

• World Hemophilia Day 2026 was observed on Thursday, 17 April 2026, led by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH). The theme was “Diagnosis: First Step to Care”, stressing that most patients worldwide remain undiagnosed. The day highlights the importance of early diagnosis as the gateway to treatment and support.
• On 18 April 2026, the International Day for Monuments and Sites (World Heritage Day) was observed worldwide. The theme chosen by ICOMOS was “Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters”. The day highlights the diversity of human heritage and the vulnerability of monuments and sites.
• World Creativity and Innovation Day 2026 was observed on 21 April, with the theme “Harnessing Creativity for Global Progress.” It highlighted the importance of fresh ideas and inventive thinking in solving global challenges, promoting sustainable development, and encouraging individuals, communities, and organisations to turn innovative ideas into impactful solutions.
• UN Chinese Language Day 2026 was observed on 20 April 2026, celebrating multilingualism and cultural diversity within the United Nations. The day honours the richness of the Chinese language and commemorates Cangjie, the legendary figure credited with inventing Chinese characters.

Appointments:

• On 17 April 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) appointed Rakesh Bhanot as its Acting Director General (DG). His appointment comes at a crucial time as the antitrust regulator handles several high‑profile investigations in aviation, Big Tech, and quick commerce.
• Apple announced on 20 April 2026 that Tim Cook will step down as CEO after 15 years, and John Ternus, Senior VP of Hardware Engineering, will take over as the new CEO effective 1 September 2026. Cook will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of Apple’s Board, continuing to engage with policymakers and guiding strategy.

Obituaries:

• On 19 April 2026, Padma Shri awardee Bhagwandas Raikwar, the pioneer of Bundeli Martial Arts, passed away at the age of 83 while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhopal. His funeral was held the next morning in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, with full state honours.
• On 21 April 2026, Dr. Gopalrao Patil, noted pediatrician and former Rajya Sabha MP, passed away in Latur at the age of 94. He was fondly called “Devmanus” for his lifelong dedication to child healthcare and social welfare.
• Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nadendla Bhaskar Rao passed away in Hyderabad on 22 April 2026 at the age of 90. He was a co‑founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and is remembered for the dramatic “August Coup” of 1984.

Questions:

Q.1 India’s first three-team football format introduced by IIT Madras is called:
a) TriBall
b) Circle Football
c) OmegaBall
d) Triple Goal League

Answer: c) Indian Institute of Technology Madras introduced OmegaBall, played on a circular field with three teams and three goals.

Q.2 India’s first advanced 3D glass chip packaging unit was launched in which city?
a) Bhubaneswar
b) Bengaluru
c) Hyderabad
d) Pune

Answer: a) The country’s first advanced 3D glass chip packaging unit was launched in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem.