Current Affairs One - Liner : 7th & 8th April 2026

National:

• Giriraj Singh (Textiles Minister) released “Market for Textiles & Clothing: National Household Survey 2024” on April 6, 2026; India’s textile market pegged at ₹14.95 lakh crore (8.3% CAGR), highlighting MMF, cotton & sustainable trends.

• In April 2026, the National Statistical Office (NSO) launched its first Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises. The survey aims to collect structured data on services firms, including size, employment, and financial performance. It provides policymakers with a comprehensive database to guide reforms and economic planning.
• In April 2026, the Government of India (GoI) officially notified Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh. This ends the earlier three‑capital plan (Amaravati–Legislative, Visakhapatnam–Executive, Kurnool–Judicial). The move provides clarity for governance and infrastructure development in the state.
• India achieved a milestone in FY26, adding a record 6.05 GW of wind power, the highest annual addition ever. This pushed the nation’s total installed wind capacity beyond 56 GW, strengthening its renewable energy profile. The achievement highlights India’s commitment to clean energy transition and meeting climate goals.
• Divya Singh, a 28‑year‑old teacher from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian woman to cycle all the way to Everest Base Camp at 17,560 feet. Starting from Kathmandu, she completed the arduous journey in just 14 days.
• Menaka Guruswamy, senior Supreme Court advocate and LGBTQ+ rights pioneer, made history on April 6, 2026, by taking oath as a Rajya Sabha MP, becoming India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament. She was nominated by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), marking a watershed moment for representation and inclusivity in Indian politics.

Banking:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a new Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) for market borrowings of nine states on a pilot basis starting FY 2026–27. This aims to bring transparency, predictability, and investor confidence in State Development Loans (SDLs).
• On 6 April 2026, two major regulatory moves shaped India’s financial sector. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Shirpur Merchants’ Co‑operative Bank Ltd., Maharashtra, leading to its closure with depositors safeguarded under DICGC insurance.
• Moody’s Ratings has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY27 downward to 6% from its earlier estimate of 6.8%. The downgrade is attributed to the escalating conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted crude oil and LPG supplies. This disruption is expected to push up energy costs, fueling inflation and weakening household consumption.

Economy:

• Global food prices rose again in March 2026, with the FAO Food Price Index climbing 2.4% to 128.5 points, its highest since December. The increase was driven by higher energy costs linked to the West Asia conflict, which pushed up prices of vegetable oils, sugar, and cereals.

Important Days:

• The International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda was observed on April 7, 2026, marking the 32nd commemoration of the tragedy. The theme for this year was “Remember, Unite, Renew”, emphasizing remembrance of victims, solidarity with survivors, and renewal of global commitment to peace.

Appointments:

• Intel has appointed Santhosh Viswanathan as Vice President and Managing Director for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region, effective April 7, 2026. This move expands his leadership scope from Intel India to the entire APJ market, unifying operations under one structure.
• On April 6, 2026, Procam International announced that Croatian high jump legend Blanka Vlašić has been appointed as the International Event Ambassador for the 18th edition of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru. Vlašić, a two‑time World Champion and Olympic medalist, will promote the event globally and inspire participants, adding international prestige to India’s premier road race.
• On April 7, 2026, Jindal Stainless made a landmark announcement by appointing Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as its first-ever brand ambassador. This is the first time in the company’s history that it has onboarded a celebrity face, signaling a bold shift in its branding strategy.
• Vinay Muralidhar Tonse has officially been appointed as the new Managing Director & CEO of YES Bank, effective April 6, 2026, for a three‑year term, succeeding Prashant Kumar. The appointment was approved by the Reserve Bank of India.
• Vibhor Jain has been appointed as the new Managing Director & CEO of ONDC effective April 7, 2026. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer and acting CEO, and now takes full charge to drive the government-backed open digital commerce network’s expansion and ecosystem growth.

Books:

• Former CBI Director R.K. Raghavan’s autobiography ‘A Road Well Travelled’ (updated edition) was released in Chennai on April 6, 2026. The book details his illustrious career in the Indian Police Service, Intelligence Bureau, and as CBI Director (1999-2001), including major cases like the 2002 Gujarat riots SIT and cricket match-fixing scandal.

Obituaries:

• Mohsina Kidwai, veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister, passed away on 8 April 2026 at the age of 94 due to age-related ailments at Metro Hospital in Noida. She was among the senior-most women leaders of the Congress party, having served in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Questions:

Q.1 Who became India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament in April 2026?
a) Shashi Tharoor
b) Mahua Moitra
c) Menaka Guruswamy
d) Brinda Karat

Answer: c) Menaka Guruswamy, senior Supreme Court advocate and LGBTQ+ rights pioneer, made history on April 6, 2026.

Q.2 Who authored the autobiography ‘A Road Well Travelled’?
a) Kiran Bedi
b) R. K. Raghavan
c) Julio Ribeiro
d) Ajit Doval

Answer: b) Former CBI Director R.K. Raghavan wrote it.