Current Affairs 21 April 2026

India–Korea Relations Strengthened During State Visit of President Lee Jae-myung

During the State Visit of Lee Jae-myung to India, both countries announced several initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing the India–Republic of Korea (ROK) partnership.

The outcomes of the visit covered strategic, economic, climate, and maritime cooperation.

• Launch of Economic Security Dialogue
• Establishment of Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP) 
• Launch of dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries on Global Themes, including Climate Change, Arctic, and Maritime Cooperation. 
• ROK joining Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative 
• ROK joining International Solar Alliance and India joining Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) 
• Commemoration of the Year 2028-29 as Year of India-ROK Friendship

Punjab Anti-Sacrilege Bill Receives Governor’s Assent, Becomes Law

The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has become law after receiving assent from Gulab Chand Kataria. The law was passed by the Punjab Legislative Assembly and aims to provide stricter punishment for acts of sacrilege (beadbi) against the Guru Granth Sahib.

The law amends the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008 and introduces stringent penalties to safeguard the sanctity of the Sikh holy scripture.

Prime Minister visit to Rajasthan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate India’s first greenfield integrated Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex at Pachpadra in Balotra, Rajasthan. The project marks a major milestone in India’s energy and petrochemical sector.

Key Features of the Project

• Location: Pachpadra, Balotra (Rajasthan)
• Investment: ₹79,450 crore
• Refining Capacity: 9 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum)
• Petrochemical Capacity: 2.4 MMTPA
• Developed by: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Government of Rajasthan

Andhra Pradesh Launches ‘Project Punarvika’

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced Project Punarvika, an initiative aimed at supporting children suffering from rare genetic disorders.

The initiative was announced by Nara Lokesh following support extended to an 11-month-old child, Punarvika, who was suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy> (SMA), a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder.

Objectives of Project Punarvika

The initiative aims to work on multiple fronts, including:

• Strengthening policy support for rare diseases
• Improving access to costly therapies
• Reducing treatment costs

Samriddhi Gram Initiative Nominated for WSIS Prizes 2026

India’s Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet has been nominated for the WSIS Prizes 2026 under the Action Line AL C6: Enabling Environment category.

The initiative, developed by the Department of Telecommunications, has received global recognition for using digital infrastructure to promote inclusive growth in rural India.

What is Samriddh Gram?

• Samriddh Gram is built on BharatNet, the world’s largest rural broadband project.
• It establishes Samriddhi Kendras, which function as one-stop community hubs providing “phygital” services (physical + digital services).

India Identified as Cradle of Jamun Evolution

A new scientific study has found that Jamun (genus Syzygium) may have originated much earlier than previously believed, with India playing a major role in its evolutionary history.

The study suggests an East Gondwanan origin of the genus dating back nearly 80 million years ago, while evidence also indicates the genus was present in the Indian region since the early Eocene (around 55 million years ago).

Key Findings

• Researchers discovered 11 fossil leaves of Syzygium from early miocene deposits (~20 million years old) At Kasauli Formation, Himachal Pradesh.
• The fossils have been named as “Syzygium paleosalicifolium”

Why is the study important?

Earlier, Jamun’s origin was believed to be in Australia 0r Southeast Asia. Recent studies suggesting that India acted as a major centre of early diversification.

Note: This study was led by Tribhuvan university, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR).

National Sample Survey Health Survey 2025

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (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 indicators.

The report highlights major progress in:

• Early disease detection
• Health insurance coverage
• Institutional deliveries
• Public healthcare access

Key Findings

• Health insurance coverage increased sharply compared to 2017–18. In rural areas health coverage increased from 14.1% to 47.4%. In urban area health coverage increased from 19.1% to 44.3%.
• Government-sponsored schemes account for the majority of coverage.
• Institutional childbirths increased to 96.2%.
• The reports showing that decline in infectious diseases, but increase in Non-Communicable diseases like hypertension, diabtes and thyroid disorders.
• Overall hospitalisation rate is 2.9% and highest among elderly (8.1%)