Weekly Current Affairs (April 2026 – Week 4) – Exam Revision Notes
1) International Current Affairs
India–Korea Relations Strengthened During State Visit of President Lee Jae-myung
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to India produced a broad package of agreements across strategic, economic, climate, and maritime cooperation, significantly deepening the India–Republic of Korea (ROK) partnership.
Launch of an Economic Security Dialogue and a Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP) between the two countries. A new Foreign Ministries Dialogue on Global Themes covering Climate Change, Arctic, and Maritime Cooperation. South Korea joined India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA). India joined South Korea’s Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Both countries will commemorate 2028–29 as the Year of India–ROK Friendship.
Tuti Island, Sudan – Symbol of Civilian Resilience in Civil War
Tuti Island, located at the strategic confluence of the White Nile and the Blue Nile in Sudan, has become a symbol of civilian resilience during Sudan’s ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The island endured a prolonged siege from June 2023 to March 2025 but its civilian population remained largely in place — an unusual act of collective defiance in a conflict that has displaced millions across the country.
2) National Current Affairs
Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) Approved – India Ends Dependence on Foreign Insurers
The Union Cabinet approved the creation of the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) — a landmark step in India’s maritime self-reliance. The government has backed it with a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore. The BMI Pool directly reduces India’s dependence on the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (IGP&I) Clubs, the foreign-dominated consortium that has historically controlled maritime insurance for Indian trade.
Hull and Machinery Insurance (the ship itself) | Cargo Insurance (goods on board) | Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Insurance (third-party liability) | War Risk Insurance. Coverage extends to Indian-flagged or controlled vessels, as well as all vessels carrying cargo to and from Indian ports. The pool strengthens India’s sanctions resilience and gives the government sovereign control over maritime risk in times of geopolitical crisis.
Punjab Anti-Sacrilege Bill Becomes Law
The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 received assent from Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and became law. The legislation amends the 2008 Act and introduces stricter penalties for acts of sacrilege (beadbi) against the Guru Granth Sahib — the Sikh holy scripture — addressing a long-standing demand from the community for stronger legal protection of their most sacred text.
India’s First Greenfield Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex at Pachpadra, Rajasthan
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated India’s first greenfield integrated Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex at Pachpadra, Balotra, Rajasthan — a transformative project for India’s energy sector.
Investment: ₹79,450 crore | Refining Capacity: 9 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum) | Petrochemical Capacity: 2.4 MMTPA | Developed by: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in partnership with the Government of Rajasthan. The complex integrates refining and petrochemicals on a single greenfield site — a model of efficiency that reduces feedstock transport costs and builds India’s downstream chemical manufacturing capability.
Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) – Improving Highway Safety in Work Zones
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) highlighted the deployment of Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) on National Highways. A TMA is an impact-absorbing crash safety device attached to trucks that operate in road construction and maintenance zones. If an errant vehicle enters a work zone at speed, it hits the TMA instead of workers or equipment — the attenuator crumples in a controlled way, absorbing the impact. As India’s highway network rapidly expands, adopting such global safety standards is critical to protecting thousands of road workers who work in open traffic every day.
Gauhati High Court Orders Assam to Stop Buffalo Fights (Moh-Juj)
The Gauhati High Court directed the Assam Government to ensure that no buffalo fights (Moh-Juj) are conducted in the state until further orders, after PETA India submitted evidence alleging illegal fights were organised during Magh Bihu 2026. The order was issued by Justice Anjan Moni Kalita. Moh-Juj is a centuries-old traditional event associated with Magh Bihu celebrations in Assam, but has faced growing legal challenges on animal cruelty grounds. The Gauhati High Court’s jurisdiction covers Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, with its principal seat in Guwahati.
Sacred Exposition of Buddha’s Holy Relics to Be Held in Ladakh (1–15 May 2026)
A historic first-of-its-kind Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Tathagata (Lord Buddha) will be held in Ladakh from 1 to 15 May 2026, with participation expected from India and abroad. The event was announced at the National Museum, New Delhi by Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and reflects the government’s effort to position Ladakh as a centre of Buddhist heritage and spiritual tourism.
9th India International Water Week (IIWW-2026) – Theme: “Climate Resilient Water Management”
Union Minister C.R. Patil launched the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW-2026), to be organised from 22–26 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The theme — “Climate Resilient Water Management” — reflects the urgency of building water systems that can withstand increasing climate variability, including the 2026 below-normal monsoon forecast.
Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal – Last Chance for Odisha and Chhattisgarh
The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) has given Odisha and Chhattisgarh a final opportunity to submit a mutual settlement formula by May 2, 2026, failing which it will deliver judgment based on merits.
The Mahanadi River originates in the Amarkantak/Sihawa Hills of Chhattisgarh with a total length of 851 km, flowing 494 km through Odisha before draining into the Bay of Bengal. Chhattisgarh has constructed over 500 anicuts and ~30 barrages upstream, which Odisha alleges has significantly reduced downstream water flow. Odisha approached the Supreme Court in 2018 and the tribunal — chaired by Justice Bela M. Trivedi with Justice Ravi Ranjan and Justice Indermeet Kaur — was subsequently constituted to resolve the dispute.
3) Andhra Pradesh Current Affairs
AP to Establish Five Animal Shelters in Every District Under VB-G RAM G Scheme
The Andhra Pradesh government announced a plan to establish five animal shelters in every district to address stray, abandoned, and seized animals — reducing both animal welfare problems and public safety risks in urban areas. Each shelter will accommodate 20–25 large animals, require minimum half an acre of land, cost approximately ₹10 lakh, and will be operated daily by Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The initiative is being developed under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) — VB-G RAM G Scheme. Departmental roles are split: Revenue (land), Rural Development (construction), and Animal Husbandry (veterinary care).
‘Yenki Paatalu’ – A Landmark in Modern Telugu Poetry
‘Yenki Paatalu’ — a celebrated anthology of Telugu lyrical songs centered around Yenki, a rural woman — continues to hold enduring importance in Telugu literature. Written by Nanduri Venkata Subba Rao and first published in 1925 (second edition 1952), it is regarded as a landmark work in modern Telugu poetry that gave literary dignity to the everyday life of rural women. It remains a frequently tested topic in Telugu literature questions for APPSC.
Dutch Armoury (Dutch Fort) in Machilipatnam – A Protected Heritage Monument
The Dutch Armoury (Dutch Fort) in the Bandarkota area of Machilipatnam is an ASI-protected monument that reflects the Dutch East India Company’s historical presence along the Coromandel Coast. Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam) was one of the most important trading ports in 17th-century India, where the Dutch, English, and French all competed for commercial dominance. The fort stands as a physical reminder of this maritime trade history on the Andhra coast.
Hope Island Satellite Launch Proposal Raises Ecological Concerns
A proposal to develop a satellite launch facility and Space City on Hope Island in Kakinada Bay, Andhra Pradesh, has raised serious ecological concerns. Hope Island is a 16 km-long sandspit island formed by sediment deposits from the Godavari and Coringa river systems.
The island is classified as a Moderate Damage Risk Zone – III (MSK VII) and is identified by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) as ecologically sensitive. It is home to 64 bird species including the Great Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Greater Flamingo, and Curlew Sandpiper. It is also a critical breeding ground for Olive Ridley turtles and supports local fisher communities whose livelihoods depend on the island ecosystem.
Union Cabinet Approves Third and Fourth Railway Lines Between Nidadavolu and Duvvada – ₹9,889 Crore
The Union Cabinet approved the construction of third and fourth railway lines between Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) and Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) at a cost of ₹9,889 crore. The project covers 198 km and is part of the Howrah–Chennai High Density Network (HDN) quadrupling initiative. This East Coast corridor is one of the most heavily loaded freight and passenger corridors in India, and the additional lines will ease congestion, increase line capacity, and improve the reliability of both goods trains and passenger services.
AP Launches ‘Project Punarvika’ – Support for Children with Rare Genetic Disorders
Project Punarvika was announced by IT Minister Nara Lokesh to support children suffering from rare genetic disorders. The project was triggered by the case of an 11-month-old child named Punarvika who had Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) — a rare, life-threatening genetic condition that progressively weakens the muscles needed for movement, breathing, and swallowing. The project aims to create a systematic support framework so that other children with similar conditions receive timely identification, treatment, and care.
AP Introduces District Rankings for Investment Promotion
The Andhra Pradesh government introduced a district ranking system to drive investment at the grassroots level, announced during the Collectors’ Conference where CM N. Chandrababu Naidu directed District Collectors to proactively attract investment. Districts will be ranked on three parameters: capital investment mobilised, employment created, and Speed of Doing Business (SoDB) — including promptness of regulatory clearances. This turns every district into a competing unit in AP’s investment attraction strategy.
Visakhapatnam Zoo Reintroduces Black Panther After 40 Years
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), Visakhapatnam reintroduced a female black panther to public display after a gap of nearly 40 years. The animal was brought from the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden, Guwahati under an inter-zoo exchange programme and was formally released into its enclosure on April 21, 2026, after quarantine since March 5.
A black panther is not a separate species — it is a melanistic variant of the leopard (Panthera pardus), caused by excess black pigmentation from a genetic mutation. The leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — the highest level of legal protection in India.
Former AP CM Nadendla Bhaskara Rao Passes Away – The Man Behind the 52nd Amendment
Former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, passed away at the age of 90. He is remembered for his politically dramatic 31-day tenure as CM in 1984 — when he led an internal revolt and briefly unseated N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) while NTR was abroad for medical treatment. The episode triggered massive protests across AP and is considered one of the most audacious political manoeuvres in Indian state history.
Constitutional Impact: The 1984 crisis directly contributed to the enactment of the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1985), which introduced the Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule) — preventing elected representatives from switching parties for political gain. Nadendla’s coup thus inadvertently shaped one of the most significant constitutional safeguards in Indian democracy.
₹4,200 Crore Solar Manufacturing Unit Announced in Anakapalli – First Solar Wafer Factory in India
CM Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for a solar ingot and wafer manufacturing facility by ReNew Energy Global PLC in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, at an investment of ₹4,200 crore, with an additional ₹1,200 crore for a 100 MW Hybrid Renewable Energy Captive Plant (total ₹5,400 crore). This will be the first plant in India to manufacture solar ingots and wafers — the critical upstream components used in making solar PV cells. This addresses India’s biggest gap in the solar supply chain: while India installs vast amounts of solar capacity, the key raw components have been imported almost entirely from China. Part of ReNew’s larger ₹82,000 crore investment commitment in AP.
4) Polity & Governance
Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 Defeated in Lok Sabha
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 was defeated in the Lok Sabha after failing to secure the required two-thirds majority for a Constitutional Amendment. The Bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, but fell short of the required 352 votes (two-thirds of 528 members present and voting). Following the defeat, the government withdrew the linked Delimitation Bill, 2026 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 as well.
Redistribute Lok Sabha seats based on the 2011 Census, increase Lok Sabha strength from 550 to ~850 seats, and facilitate 33% women’s reservation before the 2029 general elections — without waiting for a future census.
Government’s Argument: Delimitation is needed to restore “one person, one vote, one value” — ensuring each constituency represents roughly equal population. More seats also means more SC/ST reserved seats proportionally.
Opposition’s Concern: Southern states that successfully controlled population growth for decades — Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka — feared losing seats to high-population northern states, disturbing India’s federal balance. The Opposition also argued that women’s reservation and delimitation should be addressed as separate issues.
Constitutional Note: A Constitutional Amendment under Article 368 requires a special majority — a majority of the total membership of the House AND at least two-thirds of members present and voting — in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Bill cleared the first threshold but not the second.
5) Economy
Sacrifice Ratio – How Central Banks Tackle Inflation and What It Costs
A comparative analysis examined how the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), Bank of England (BoE), and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) handled the post-pandemic inflation surge between 2022 and 2025, with different economic consequences for each country.
The key concept used is the Sacrifice Ratio — it measures how much economic output (GDP) a country loses for every 1 percentage point reduction in inflation. A higher sacrifice ratio means the fight against inflation is more costly in terms of jobs and growth. Countries with more flexible labour markets, stronger institutions, and credible central banks tend to have lower sacrifice ratios — meaning they can tame inflation with less economic damage.
6) Science & Technology
Infrared Sensors – The Physics Behind Smart Washbasins and Daily Devices
Automatic washbasins, sanitizer dispensers, TV remotes, AC remotes, and motion sensors all work on the same principle: Infrared (IR) technology. Smart washbasins use an IR LED to emit invisible infrared light and a Photodiode sensor to detect when that light reflects off a hand placed below the tap — automatically activating the water flow. Since infrared light is invisible to human eyes, the interaction is seamless and touch-free. This is the same technology used in all remote controls (IR waves carry the on/off signal) and motion sensors in security systems.
7) Environment
India Identified as Cradle of Jamun (Syzygium) Evolution – 80 Million Years of History
A new scientific study has found that the Jamun tree (genus Syzygium) has much deeper roots in India than previously known. The genus is believed to have an East Gondwanan origin (~80 million years ago), with evidence of its presence in the Indian subcontinent since the early Eocene (~55 million years ago). Researchers discovered 11 fossil leaves of Syzygium from early Miocene deposits (~20 million years old) at the Kasauli Formation, Himachal Pradesh. The fossils have been named Syzygium paleosalicifolium — adding to the rich story of India’s role as a centre of biodiversity origin and evolution.
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Aligarh – India’s 99th Ramsar Site
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh has been designated as India’s 99th Ramsar Site, raising UP’s tally to 12 Ramsar sites — making it one of the leading states in wetland conservation. A Ramsar Site is a wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971 — the world’s first modern intergovernmental environmental treaty, focused on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
8) Schemes
PMGSY-III Extended to March 2028 – ₹83,977 Crore for Rural Road Connectivity
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) beyond March 2025 up to March 2028, with a revised financial outlay of ₹83,977 crore. PMGSY-III focuses specifically on upgrading roads connecting rural habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools, and Hospitals — directly addressing the “last mile” gaps that prevent rural communities from accessing markets and essential services.
PMGSY-I (2000): Launched December 25, 2000; connected rural habitations with 500+ population (250+ in hilly/tribal areas) with all-weather roads.
PMGSY-II (2013): Upgraded existing rural roads and improved links to markets, schools, and hospitals.
PMGSY-III (2019): Further upgraded roads to GrAMs, higher secondary schools, and hospitals — the highest-need destinations for rural communities.
Samriddhi Gram Initiative Nominated for WSIS Prizes 2026 – Rural India’s Phygital Service Hubs
India’s Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet has been nominated for the prestigious WSIS Prizes 2026 under the Action Line AL C6 (Enabling Environment) category. Developed by the Department of Telecommunications, the initiative builds on BharatNet — the world’s largest rural broadband infrastructure project — by establishing Samriddhi Kendras as one-stop community hubs offering “phygital” (physical + digital) services to rural citizens. The nomination reflects global recognition that India’s approach to rural digital inclusion is a model worth replicating.
Atal Pension Yojana Crosses 9 Crore Subscribers – Record 1.35 Crore New Enrolments in FY 2025–26
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), administered by PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority), crossed 9 crore total gross enrolments on April 21, 2026, with a record 1.35 crore new subscribers in FY 2025–26 alone. The scheme provides guaranteed pension support to workers in the unorganised sector — the most economically vulnerable segment of India’s workforce, who have historically had no access to formal retirement security.
1. Guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after age 60 (based on contribution). 2. Same pension continues to spouse after subscriber’s death. 3. Full corpus returned to nominee after both subscriber and spouse die. Eligibility: Indian citizens aged 18–40 years who are not income tax payers. Available through PSBs, RRBs, Private Banks, Small Finance Banks, Cooperative Banks, and the Department of Posts.
9) Defence
IN-SLN DIVEX 2026 – India–Sri Lanka Bilateral Diving Exercise
The Indian Navy’s INS Nireekshak, a Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel, arrived at Colombo Port to participate in the 4th edition of IN-SLN DIVEX 2026 (April 21–27, 2026) — a bilateral diving exercise between India and Sri Lanka focused on maritime cooperation and interoperability. During the exercise, INS Nireekshak will also hand over two BHISM cubes under India’s Aarogya Maitri Initiative — providing humanitarian medical supply kits to Sri Lanka as part of India’s neighbourhood-first health diplomacy.
IAF Activates Emergency Landing Facility on Purvanchal Expressway – Day and Night Capability
The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully activated an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur district, Uttar Pradesh on April 22, 2026, demonstrating both day and night landing capability. An ELF turns a highway into a functional airstrip — enabling aircraft to land during emergencies when regular airbases are unavailable or damaged, enhancing defence preparedness and disaster response flexibility.
Yamuna Expressway, UP — India’s first expressway airstrip (2017). Agra-Lucknow Expressway, UP — used for multiple IAF exercises. Purvanchal Expressway, UP — recent activation with day & night capability (2026). Bundelkhand Expressway, UP — central UP strategic defence readiness. NH-925A, Rajasthan (Barmer) — India’s first National Highway airstrip. Moran Bypass, Assam — 2026 activation, strengthens Northeast defence. NH-16, AP (near Addanki) — coastal defence preparedness.
10) Ranks & Reports
NSS Health Survey 2025 – Health Insurance Triples, NCDs Rising
MoSPI released the Household Social Consumption: Health (2025) report under the 80th Round of the National Sample Survey (NSS), showing significant improvements in India’s health coverage — but also revealing a concerning rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Health insurance in rural areas grew from 14.1% → 47.4%; urban areas from 19.1% → 44.3% (compared to 2017–18). Government-sponsored schemes account for the majority of this coverage expansion. Institutional childbirths reached 96.2%. Infectious diseases are declining, but NCDs like hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid disorders are rising. Overall hospitalisation rate: 2.9%, highest among elderly at 8.1%.
11) Awards & Honours
Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 – Alcaraz and Sabalenka Win Top Honours
At the Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 held in Madrid, Spain — often called the “Oscars of Sports” — tennis dominated the top prizes. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) won Sportsman of the Year and Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) won Sportswoman of the Year. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci — the first gymnast in Olympic history to score a perfect 10.
12) Important Days
World Heritage Day – 18 April | Theme: “Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Conflicts and Disasters”
World Heritage Day (International Day for Monuments and Sites) was observed on 18 April 2026, with the theme “Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters” — particularly relevant in a year where heritage sites from Gaza to Sudan face war damage and climate disasters threaten ancient sites worldwide. In AP, Kondapalli Bommala Panduga was inaugurated at the Kondapalli Toys Experience Centre, with the government committing to organise this festival annually and award the top 10 innovative artisans ₹50,000 each.
World Earth Day – 22 April | Theme 2026: “Our Power, Our Planet”
World Earth Day is observed every year on 22 April. The 2026 theme — “Our Power, Our Planet” — emphasises individual and collective agency in transitioning to renewable energy and fighting climate change. First observed in 1970, Earth Day is now the world’s largest secular civic observance, involving over a billion people in 193 countries.
National Panchayati Raj Day – 24 April | 33 Years of Grassroots Democracy
National Panchayati Raj Day is observed annually on 24 April, commemorating the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which came into force in 1993 and gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) — marking 33 years of constitutionally protected grassroots democracy in India. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj celebrated NPRD 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Quick Revision Table
| Topic | One-Line Summary |
|---|---|
| India–South Korea Visit (Lee Jae-myung) | South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit produced an Economic Security Dialogue, South Korea joining Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and International Solar Alliance, India joining GGGI, and declaration of 2028–29 as Year of India–ROK Friendship. |
| Tuti Island, Sudan | Tuti Island at the confluence of the White Nile and Blue Nile in Sudan became a symbol of civilian resilience after surviving a prolonged siege (June 2023 – March 2025) during the civil war between the Sudanese Army and RSF. |
| Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) | Union Cabinet approved the BMI Pool with a ₹12,980 crore sovereign guarantee to reduce India’s dependence on foreign IGP&I maritime insurers, providing domestic coverage for Hull & Machinery, Cargo, P&I, and War Risk Insurance for Indian trade vessels. |
| Pachpadra Refinery, Rajasthan | India’s first greenfield integrated Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex at Pachpadra, Balotra (Rajasthan), developed by HPCL at ₹79,450 crore with a refining capacity of 9 MMTPA and petrochemical capacity of 2.4 MMTPA. |
| Gauhati HC – Buffalo Fights (Moh-Juj) | The Gauhati High Court (jurisdiction: Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh) ordered the Assam government to stop all buffalo fights (Moh-Juj) after PETA India submitted evidence of illegal fights during Magh Bihu 2026. |
| India International Water Week 2026 | Theme “Climate Resilient Water Management” |
| Yenki Paatalu | Yenki Paatalu, written by Nanduri Venkata Subba Rao and first published in 1925 (second edition 1952), is a landmark Telugu lyrical anthology centered around a rural woman named Yenki, considered a defining work in modern Telugu poetry. |
| Hope Island – Ecological Concern | The proposed satellite launch facility on Hope Island (Kakinada Bay) has raised ecological concerns because this 16 km sandspit is home to 64 bird species (including flamingos and migratory shorebirds), is a breeding ground for Olive Ridley turtles, and is classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone III by NCSCM. |
| AP Railway Lines – Nidadavolu to Duvvada | Union Cabinet approved ₹9,889 crore for constructing third and fourth railway lines between Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) and Visakhapatnam (Duvvada), covering 198 km as part of the Howrah–Chennai High Density Network quadrupling to ease congestion on this critical East Coast corridor. |
| Project Punarvika – AP | AP launched Project Punarvika — named after an 11-month-old child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) — to create a systematic support framework for children with rare genetic disorders, ensuring timely identification, treatment, and care. |
| AP District Rankings for Investment | AP introduced district rankings to incentivise investment at the grassroots level, evaluating Collectors on three parameters — capital investment mobilised, employment created, and Speed of Doing Business (SoDB) including promptness of regulatory clearances. |
| Vizag Zoo – Black Panther Returns | Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam reintroduced a female black panther to public display after 40 years; a black panther is not a separate species but a melanistic (excess black pigment) variant of the leopard (Panthera pardus), which is Vulnerable on IUCN Red List and Schedule I protected. |
| Nadendla Bhaskara Rao – Legacy | Former AP CM Nadendla Bhaskara Rao (1924–2026) served a 31-day tenure in 1984 after unseating NTR during his foreign medical trip; the political crisis directly triggered the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1985), which introduced the Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule). |
| Solar Wafer Plant – Anakapalli, AP | ReNew Energy Global will build India’s first solar ingot and wafer manufacturing plant in Anakapalli at ₹4,200 crore (total ₹5,400 crore including captive power plant), addressing India’s near-total dependence on Chinese solar component imports as part of ReNew’s ₹82,000 crore AP investment commitment. |
| Constitution 131st Amendment Bill – Defeated | The 131st Amendment Bill (2026), which sought to expand Lok Sabha to 850 seats, redistribute seats per 2011 Census, and enable early 33% women’s reservation, was defeated in Lok Sabha with 298 for / 230 against — falling short of the required 352 (two-thirds special majority under Article 368). |
| Sacrifice Ratio – Economy Concept | The Sacrifice Ratio measures how much GDP output a country loses for every 1 percentage point reduction in inflation; it was used to compare how the US Fed, Bank of England, and RBI managed post-pandemic inflation between 2022–2025, with different costs to their respective economies. |
| Infrared (IR) Sensors – Smart Washbasins | Smart washbasins use an IR LED to emit invisible infrared light and a photodiode to detect reflection from a hand, automatically activating water — the same IR technology that powers TV/AC remotes, motion sensors, and sanitizer dispensers. |
| Jamun (Syzygium) – India as Evolutionary Origin | A new study found Jamun (Syzygium) has East Gondwanan origins (~80 million years) with 11 fossil leaves (named Syzygium paleosalicifolium) discovered at the Kasauli Formation, Himachal Pradesh from early Miocene deposits (~20 million years old), confirming India’s ancient role in the genus’s evolution. |
| Shekha Jheel – India’s 99th Ramsar Site | Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh became India’s 99th Ramsar Site, taking UP’s total to 12 Ramsar wetlands. |
| PMGSY-III Extended to March 2028 | Union Cabinet extended PMGSY-III to March 2028 with ₹83,977 crore to upgrade rural roads connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools, and Hospitals; PMGSY was launched December 25, 2000. |
| Samriddhi Gram – WSIS Nomination | India’s Samriddh Gram initiative — built on BharatNet and delivering phygital (physical + digital) services through Samriddhi Kendras in rural areas — was nominated for the global WSIS Prizes 2026 under Action Line AL C6 (Enabling Environment). |
| Atal Pension Yojana – 9 Crore Subscribers | APY, administered by PFRDA, crossed 9 crore enrolments on April 21, 2026 with a record 1.35 crore new subscribers in FY 2025–26; the scheme offers a guaranteed pension of ₹1,000–₹5,000/month after age 60, with pension continuing to spouse and corpus returned to nominee after both die. |
| IN-SLN DIVEX 2026 | 4th India–Sri Lanka bilateral diving exercise held April 21–27, 2026 in Colombo with INS Nireekshak (Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel); India also handed over two BHISM cubes under the Aarogya Maitri Initiative as part of health diplomacy. |
| IAF – Emergency Landing Facility, Purvanchal Expressway | IAF activated an Emergency Landing Facility on the Purvanchal Expressway (Sultanpur, UP) on April 22, 2026 with day and night capability; India’s ELF network spans multiple highways including the Yamuna Expressway (2017 — India’s first), NH-925A Rajasthan, and NH-16 Andhra Pradesh. |
| NSS Health Survey 2025 | NSS 80th Round Health Report shows health insurance in rural India tripled from 14.1% to 47.4% and urban from 19.1% to 44.3% since 2017–18; institutional childbirths reached 96.2%; but NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, thyroid) are rising while infectious diseases decline. |
| Laureus Awards 2026 – Madrid | At the Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 in Madrid — the “Oscars of Sports” — Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) won Sportsman of the Year, Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) won Sportswoman of the Year, and Nadia Comaneci received the Lifetime Achievement Award. |
| World Heritage Day – 18 April | World Heritage Day (International Day for Monuments and Sites) observed on April 18 with 2026 theme “Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Conflicts and Disasters”; AP launched Kondapalli Bommala Panduga as an annual event, honouring the 400-year-old Kondapalli toy craft tradition with ₹50,000 awards to top 10 innovative artisans. |
| World Earth Day – 22 April | World Earth Day is observed every year on April 22 (first observed 1970); 2026 theme “Our Power, Our Planet” emphasises individual and collective agency in clean energy transition; now observed by over a billion people in 193 countries. |
| National Panchayati Raj Day – 24 April | National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on April 24 every year to commemorate the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act coming into force in 1993, which gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and established grassroots democracy in India. |
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