Daily Current Affairs 2026

27 April 2026  |  Read · Revise · Practice · Earn XP

Q.1) Who has become the first athlete in the world to complete a marathon in less than two hours?

Ans > Sabastian Sawe

  • Historic Achievement: Kenyan long-distance runner Sabastian Sawe became the first human athlete in the world to officially complete a marathon in less than two hours under competition conditions — shattering one of athletics’ most celebrated barriers. This surpasses even Eliud Kipchoge’s iconic 1:59:40 in Vienna (2019), which was an unofficial time-trial (Breaking2 project) not recognised as an official world record due to controlled conditions including pacers and a custom route.
  • About Sabastian Sawe: Sabastian Sawe is a Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner who has risen rapidly through the international athletics ranks. Kenya has dominated long-distance running for decades — producing legends like Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, Geoffrey Kipkoech Kamworor, and now Sawe. Kenya’s success is attributed to high-altitude training in the Rift Valley (Eldoret/Iten), genetic predisposition to endurance, and a deeply competitive domestic athletics culture that produces elite runners from a very young age.
  • The Sub-2 Quest: Breaking the 2-hour marathon barrier has been athletics’ equivalent of the 4-minute mile — an elusive psychological and physiological frontier. The world record in marathon (official) was set by Kelvin Kiptum at 2:00:35 (Chicago, 2023). Sawe’s achievement — crossing the sub-2-hour threshold in an official race — marks a watershed in human athletic performance, comparable to Roger Bannister running the first sub-4-minute mile in 1954.
  • Marathon in Competitive Exams: Marathon is a 42.195 km (26 miles 385 yards) race — its distance traces back to the legend of Pheidippides running from Marathon to Athens in ancient Greece. The standard Olympic marathon distance was formalised at the 1908 London Olympics. For exams: Athletics world records are governed by World Athletics (formerly IAAF); the Marathon World Record list is frequently asked in sports current affairs sections of WBCS, SSC, and Railway exams.
Q.2) Gurbux Singh Grewal has passed away; with which sport was he associated?

Ans > Hockey

  • About Gurbux Singh Grewal: Gurbux Singh Grewal was a legendary Indian field hockey player who represented India with distinction during one of hockey’s golden eras. He was a member of the Indian hockey team that won gold at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1968 Mexico City Olympics — contributing to a remarkable period when India was the undisputed world champion of field hockey, having won 8 Olympic gold medals in total. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian hockey.
  • India’s Hockey Legacy: India is the most successful nation in Olympic field hockey history — with 8 gold medals (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1980 — 8 golds, 1 silver, 3 bronzes). India’s golden generation produced icons like Dhyan Chand (the ‘Wizard of Hockey’), Balbir Singh Sr., K.D. Singh ‘Babu’, and players of Gurbux Singh’s era. India’s Olympic hockey dominance ended after 1980, and the team has been working to recapture glory ever since.
  • Field Hockey in India Today: Indian field hockey has seen a dramatic revival in recent years — winning bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (men) and 2020 Tokyo Olympics (women reached semi-finals for first time in 41 years). The men’s team won the Asian Games gold in 2023, and India has produced world-class players like PR Sreejesh (goalkeeper), Harmanpreet Singh, and Manpreet Singh under the Hockey India League (HIL) revival. This renascence honours the legacy of players like Gurbux Singh Grewal.
  • Exam Relevance: Questions on Indian hockey legends and their Olympic associations frequently appear in WBCS, SSC, and UPSC Prelims. Key facts: Dhyan Chand — 3 Olympic golds (1928, 1932, 1936); Balbir Singh Sr. — 3 Olympic golds; 1964 Tokyo Olympics gold team (of which Gurbux was a member); 1968 Mexico Olympics gold; Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sports honour. Hockey is India’s National Sport (though debated officially).
Q.11) Which international organisation has signed an agreement to transfer the governance/control of ‘Para Shooting’ sport to the International Shooting Sport Federation?

Ans > International Paralympic Committee

  • Historic Transfer: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) signed an agreement transferring the governance and management of Para Shooting — competitive shooting for athletes with physical impairments — to the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). This governance transfer means Para Shooting will now be administered by the same body that governs able-bodied competitive shooting, enabling deeper integration, unified rulebooks, and shared competition pathways between the two disciplines.
  • About the International Paralympic Committee (IPC): The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), headquartered in Bonn, Germany (founded 1989), is the global governing body of the Paralympic movement — organising the Paralympic Games, Paralympic Winter Games, and managing the para-sports governance framework. IPC oversees 10 sports directly (World Para Athletics, Para Swimming, etc.) and has been progressively transferring governance of other para sports to their respective international sport federations to achieve better integration.
  • About ISSF: The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), headquartered in Munich, Germany, is the world governing body for Olympic shooting sports — covering pistol, rifle, and shotgun events. Taking on Para Shooting governance expands ISSF’s mandate significantly, creating opportunities for combined events, shared officiating standards, and unified athlete development pathways. This integration model — para sports under able-bodied sport federations — is the international trend following World Athletics, FIFA, and World Aquatics models.
  • India in Para Shooting: India has emerged as a global power in Para Shooting — with athletes like Avani Lekhara (gold medallist at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics, 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1), Manish Narwal, and Singhraj Adhana winning multiple Paralympic gold medals. Para shooting has been India’s single biggest medal source at the Paralympics. The IPC-ISSF transfer will benefit Indian para shooters through better international competition structure and enhanced funding from ISSF’s commercial partnerships.
Q.5) Recently, the Supreme Court allowed termination of a minor girl’s 31-week pregnancy while emphasizing which right?

Ans > Right to Reproductive Autonomy

  • Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court of India allowed the termination of a minor girl’s 31-week pregnancy — beyond the standard 24-week legal limit under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act — emphasising the Right to Reproductive Autonomy as a fundamental right under Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Indian Constitution. The Court held that forcing a minor, particularly a victim of sexual violence, to continue an unwanted pregnancy violates her dignity and bodily autonomy.
  • Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act: The MTP Act, 1971 (amended 2021) allows pregnancy termination up to 20 weeks with one registered medical practitioner’s opinion, and up to 24 weeks for special categories (rape survivors, minor girls, mentally ill women). Beyond 24 weeks, only a Medical Board’s opinion and court approval can allow termination. The Supreme Court’s intervention reflects the judiciary’s protective role for vulnerable groups — particularly minors — in exercising reproductive rights.
  • Reproductive Autonomy as Fundamental Right: The Supreme Court has progressively expanded Article 21 to include the right to reproductive autonomy — the right of a person to make decisions about their own body and reproduction. Landmark cases include X v. Principal Secretary, Health (2022) where the SC held that all women, including unmarried women, have equal rights to safe abortion. Reproductive autonomy is also grounded in international human rights frameworks including CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action.
  • Child Marriage and POCSO Context: Pregnancies in minor girls in India are typically linked to child marriage (affecting 23% of Indian girls, UNICEF data) or sexual abuse — both serious criminal offences. The POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, 2012 mandates mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse to police. The Supreme Court’s ruling balances criminal justice (for the perpetrator) with compassion and dignity for the survivor — treating her reproductive choice as a fundamental right rather than a criminal matter.
Q.6) ISRO’s Nationwide Land Mapping Project has been launched to empower which institutions with data-driven planning?

Ans > Gram Panchayats

  • ISRO’s Land Mapping Initiative: ISRO launched a nationwide land mapping project specifically designed to empower India’s 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats with accurate, high-resolution geospatial data of their territories — enabling them to undertake evidence-based local development planning, identify encroachments, plan infrastructure (roads, drainage, schools, health centres), and manage natural resources more effectively through satellite-derived land-use maps.
  • SVAMITVA Scheme Connection: ISRO’s land mapping project builds on and complements the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme — launched by PM Modi on National Panchayati Raj Day (April 24, 2020). SVAMITVA uses drone technology to map inhabited (abadi) land in villages, issue property cards (rights of record) to rural households, and enable property-based credit access. ISRO’s project extends geospatial coverage to agricultural and community lands.
  • ISRO’s Geospatial Capabilities: ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), based in Hyderabad, processes satellite data from Resourcesat, Cartosat, and RISAT series to generate land-use, land-cover, crop area, forest cover, and water body maps at national scale. ISRO’s Bhuvan geoportal (India’s equivalent of Google Earth) provides free satellite imagery and GIS tools to government departments, researchers, and citizens. This land mapping initiative leverages this existing infrastructure for grassroots governance applications.
  • Panchayat-Level Planning Significance: Accurate geospatial data is transformative for Gram Panchayat governance — enabling: (1) identification of government land encroachments and disputed boundaries; (2) rational allocation of MGNREGS, PMAY-G, and Jal Jeevan Mission funds based on actual need maps; (3) disaster risk assessment (flood-prone areas, erosion-vulnerable slopes); and (4) evidence-based Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). This data democratisation bridges the information gap between national planning and village-level reality.
Q.7) Which nationwide toll-free helpline number has been launched by the Government of India to assist citizens in ‘Census 2027’?

Ans > 1855

  • Census 2027 Helpline: The Government of India launched a toll-free helpline number 1855 to assist citizens regarding India’s upcoming Census 2027 — enabling people to resolve doubts about census processes, report data collection issues, seek information about enumerator visits, and provide feedback on census operations. Census 2027 will be India’s first digital census, conducted through mobile-based enumeration — the helpline bridges the digital literacy gap for citizens unfamiliar with the new digital process.
  • About Census 2027: India’s Census — constitutionally mandated under Article 246 (Entry 69, Union List) and conducted under the Census Act, 1948 — was last conducted in 2011 (Census 2021 was postponed due to COVID-19). Census 2027 will be India’s 16th census since 1872 and the first digital census with mobile app-based enumeration, self-enumeration options, real-time data quality monitoring, and geospatial integration. The Registrar General of India (under Ministry of Home Affairs) conducts the census.
  • Census Data Significance: Census data is the foundational dataset for all government planning — determining Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituency delimitation, OBC reservation lists, poverty alleviation targeting, healthcare resource allocation, MGNREGS worker identification, PMAY housing beneficiary lists, and PM-KISAN farmer databases. The 13-year data gap (2011-2027) has created significant planning challenges — making Census 2027 one of India’s most critical governance exercises of the decade.
  • Key Census Numbers to Remember: Census 2011 total population: 121.09 crore; decadal growth rate: 17.7%; sex ratio: 943 females per 1,000 males; literacy rate: 74.04%; urban population share: 31.16%. The 2027 census is expected to show significant changes across all these parameters — with population now estimated at 142+ crore (India surpassed China as world’s most populous country in April 2023 per UN data), improved sex ratio (aided by Beti Bachao Beti Padhao), and growing urban share.
Q.9) Which state government has launched the ‘CM-INSPIRE’ scheme to provide financial assistance to Civil Services (UPSC) aspirants?

Ans > Meghalaya

  • CM-INSPIRE Scheme: The Meghalaya government launched the ‘CM-INSPIRE’ (Chief Minister’s Initiative for Supporting and Promoting Aspirants for Recruitment Examinations) scheme — providing financial assistance, coaching support, study material, and mentoring to talented youth from Meghalaya who aspire to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS/IPS/IFS) and other Group A central services. The scheme aims to bridge the coaching gap faced by aspirants from the Northeast who lack access to Delhi-based coaching centres.
  • Northeast India and Civil Services: Northeast India has historically been underrepresented in the All-India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) relative to its population and talent. States like Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur send relatively fewer candidates to UPSC coaching centres in Delhi/Hyderabad due to distance, high costs, and limited local infrastructure. State-funded coaching schemes like CM-INSPIRE directly address this socio-geographic disadvantage, making civil services accessible to meritorious candidates from remote tribal communities.
  • About Meghalaya: Meghalaya (‘Abode of Clouds’) is a northeastern state sharing borders with Assam and Bangladesh, with Shillong as its capital. It is home to Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribal communities. Meghalaya is famous for: the wettest place on Earth (Mawsynram, with 11,873 mm annual rainfall), matrilineal society (property and clan name pass through mother’s line), living root bridges, and rich biodiversity. The state has a population of approximately 35 lakh.
  • Civil Services Coaching Schemes Across India: Multiple states run civil services coaching assistance programmes: West Bengal’s ‘WBCS Coaching’ (for WBCS aspirants), Tamil Nadu’s CM’s Special Training Programme for UPSC, Kerala’s PSC coaching, Rajasthan’s Chief Minister’s Free Coaching Scheme, and now Meghalaya’s CM-INSPIRE. These state-funded programmes recognise that UPSC coaching fees (₹1-2 lakh annually at Delhi centres) and living costs are prohibitive barriers for meritorious candidates from economically weaker backgrounds.
Q.4) Which organization recently approved the first malaria drug specifically for newborns and young infants?

Ans > WHO

  • WHO Malaria Drug Approval: The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the first malaria treatment drug specifically formulated for newborns and young infants — a landmark public health milestone addressing a critical gap in global malaria control. Until this approval, anti-malarial drugs were formulated for adults or older children and were not safe or appropriately dosed for newborns, leaving the youngest and most vulnerable group with severely limited treatment options for a disease that kills hundreds of thousands of children annually.
  • Malaria’s Global Burden: Malaria remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases — causing approximately 608,000 deaths annually (WHO, 2022), of which 76% are children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. India accounts for approximately 2% of global malaria cases — concentrated in states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and tribal areas of the Northeast. The Plasmodium falciparum parasite (transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes) causes the most severe, fatal form of malaria.
  • Malaria Vaccines and Treatments: Major milestones in malaria control include: RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) — first WHO-approved malaria vaccine (2021), recommended for children in Sub-Saharan Africa; R21/Matrix-M — second WHO-approved malaria vaccine (2023), developed by Oxford/Serum Institute, showing 75% efficacy; and now the first infant-specific anti-malarial treatment formulation. India’s Serum Institute’s role in producing R21 is particularly significant for India’s vaccine manufacturing leadership.
  • About WHO: The World Health Organization (WHO), established April 7, 1948 (now celebrated as World Health Day), is a specialised agency of the United Nations headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO has 194 member states and provides global health guidance, approves drugs and vaccines for international use (WHO prequalification), coordinates pandemic response, and sets global health standards. India’s WHO contributions include the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and COVID-19 vaccine production (Covishield, Covaxin).
Q.13) Which Indian scientist has been awarded the ‘Breakthrough Prize 2026’, popularly known as the ‘Oscars of Science’?

Ans > Dr. Atanu Nath

  • Award: Dr. Atanu Nath, an Indian scientist, received the prestigious ‘Breakthrough Prize 2026’ — widely known as the ‘Oscars of Science’ — recognising his groundbreaking contributions to fundamental science research. The Breakthrough Prize is one of the world’s most valuable science prizes (each prize worth $3 million — significantly more than the Nobel Prize’s ~$1 million), awarded for transformative advances in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics.
  • About the Breakthrough Prize: The Breakthrough Prize was founded in 2012 by technology entrepreneurs including Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg, Yuri Milner, and their spouses — to celebrate scientists doing fundamental research with the same recognition and financial reward given to entertainers and athletes. Categories: Life Sciences (multiple prizes), Fundamental Physics (1 prize), Mathematics (1 prize). The annual ceremony (‘Oscars of Science’) is a glittering Hollywood-style gala attended by celebrities and scientists alike.
  • India’s Science Recognition Landscape: India has been progressively gaining recognition in global science — with Indian-origin scientists frequently winning Nobel Prizes (Har Gobind Khorana, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Amartya Sen, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Abhijit Banerjee) and international science awards. Dr. Atanu Nath’s Breakthrough Prize 2026 adds to India’s growing roster of international scientific recognition, reflecting the quality of research at Indian institutions and the contributions of Indian-origin scientists globally.
  • India’s Science & Technology Ecosystem: India’s R&D landscape includes: IITs, IISc (Indian Institute of Science), CSIR network (38 national labs), DRDO, ISRO, DBT (Department of Biotechnology), and DST (Department of Science & Technology). India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) is approximately 0.65% of GDP — below the global average of 1.8% and far below South Korea (4.9%) and Israel (5.4%). Increasing India’s R&D investment is a key challenge for becoming a global innovation leader by 2047.
Q.15) Which university will confer an honorary doctorate on former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan?

Ans > Bagalkot University

  • Honorary Doctorate: Bagalkot University in Karnataka will confer an honorary doctorate (D.Sc. honoris causa) on former ISRO scientist Padma Bhushan Dr. Nambi Narayanan — recognising his extraordinary contributions to India’s space programme and his inspiring journey of vindication after being falsely accused in the ISRO espionage case (1994). The honour reflects his enduring stature as a pioneer of India’s cryogenic rocket engine development.
  • About Nambi Narayanan: Nambi Narayanan is a former senior ISRO scientist and aerospace engineer who pioneered India’s cryogenic rocket engine programme in the 1990s — a technology that powers the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle). In 1994, he was falsely accused of espionage (leaking ISRO secrets to foreign agents) — arrested, tortured in custody, and dismissed from service. In 1996, the CBI gave him a clean chit. In 1998, the Supreme Court awarded him ₹50 lakh compensation. In 2019, the SC granted him ₹1.3 crore additional compensation.
  • The ISRO Espionage Case: The ISRO Spy scandal (1994) remains one of India’s most notorious cases of wrongful prosecution — where two ISRO scientists (including Narayanan) and four others were arrested on fabricated espionage charges during Kerala’s political turmoil. The false case cost India at least a decade of delay in cryogenic technology development. Narayanan was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2019. A film ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ (2022) — directed by and starring R. Madhavan — brought his story to global audiences.
  • India’s Cryogenic Technology: Cryogenic rocket engines use liquid hydrogen (fuel) and liquid oxygen (oxidiser) at extremely low temperatures (-253°C and -183°C) — providing the highest specific impulse (efficiency) of any chemical propellant combination. Mastery of cryogenic technology is essential for launching heavy communication and navigation satellites. Nambi Narayanan’s work laid the foundation for India’s CE-7.5 cryogenic engine (used in GSLV Mk I/II) and the more powerful CE-20 engine (GSLV Mk III / LVM3) that launched Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon.
Q.17) Where has Tata Steel partnered with SMS group to implement the world’s first ‘EASyMelt’ decarbonization technology?

Ans > Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

  • EASyMelt Technology: Tata Steel partnered with SMS group (a German metallurgical plant builder) to implement the world’s first ‘EASyMelt’ (Electric Arc Steelmaking with Scrap Melting) decarbonization technology at its iconic Jamshedpur plant in Jharkhand. EASyMelt is a revolutionary steelmaking process that replaces coal-based blast furnace iron-making with electric arc furnace (EAF) technology using scrap steel — drastically reducing CO₂ emissions from steelmaking (responsible for ~8% of global carbon emissions).
  • About EASyMelt: Traditional steelmaking (blast furnace + basic oxygen furnace process) uses coking coal as a reducing agent, releasing massive CO₂. EASyMelt uses electric arc furnaces powered by renewable electricity to melt scrap steel, supplemented by direct reduced iron (DRI/sponge iron). This approach can reduce CO₂ emissions by 70-90% compared to conventional steelmaking. As the world’s first full-scale implementation, Tata Steel Jamshedpur becomes a global benchmark for green steel manufacturing.
  • About Tata Steel Jamshedpur: Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur plant, established by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata in 1907, was independent India’s first integrated steel plant and one of Asia’s first modern steel mills. Producing approximately 10 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), it is one of India’s largest steel plants. Jamshedpur city (also called ‘Tatanagar’) was built around the plant — India’s first ‘company town’ with planned housing, schools, hospitals, and civic infrastructure. The plant’s green transformation reflects India’s industrial decarbonisation ambitions.
  • India’s Green Steel Mission: India is the world’s second-largest steel producer (130+ MTPA in 2025) after China, and steel is a critical sector for India’s Paris Agreement and Net Zero 2070 commitments. The National Steel Policy targets 300 MTPA production by 2030. India’s green steel initiatives include the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for specialty steel, BIS standards for green steel certification, and now private sector innovations like EASyMelt. Green hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron (H-DRI) is identified as India’s long-term decarbonization pathway for steelmaking.
Q.8) Where has Eveready Industries launched India’s first ‘Alkaline Battery’ manufacturing unit?

Ans > Samba, Jammu

  • Manufacturing Milestone: Eveready Industries India launched India’s first dedicated Alkaline Battery manufacturing unit at Samba in Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir) — ending India’s 100% dependence on imported alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D sizes) are the world’s most widely used portable power source — used in remote controls, toys, flashlights, medical devices, and consumer electronics. Eveready’s Samba plant will produce these domestically, supporting India’s import substitution goals.
  • About Alkaline Batteries: Alkaline batteries use manganese dioxide as the cathode and zinc as the anode in an alkaline (potassium hydroxide) electrolyte — providing more energy and longer shelf life than older carbon-zinc batteries. The global alkaline battery market is worth ~$12 billion annually. India imports the majority of alkaline batteries from China, Japan, and South Korea. Eveready’s domestic manufacturing will reduce import bills, create local employment, and ensure supply chain security for a critical everyday product.
  • About Eveready Industries: Eveready Industries India Limited is India’s oldest and largest battery and flashlight brand — founded in 1905 during the British era. The company (part of the B.M. Khaitan/Williamson Magor Group) is a household name with the iconic ‘Give Me Red’ tagline. Beyond batteries, Eveready has expanded into LED lighting, fans, and small kitchen appliances. The Samba alkaline battery plant represents Eveready’s strategic pivot to advanced battery chemistry to remain competitive against global imports.
  • Samba, Jammu — Industrial Significance: Samba district in Jammu (J&K) houses one of the largest industrial estates in the Union Territory — Samba Industrial Estate — benefiting from proximity to the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, special incentives for J&K industries, and a strategic location for serving North Indian and national markets. J&K’s industrial development has been a priority post-Art. 370 abrogation (2019), with significant industrial investment incentive packages attracting companies like Eveready and others to set up manufacturing in the UT.
Q.12) Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permanently cancelled the banking license of which payments bank?

Ans > Paytm Payments Bank

  • RBI Action: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) permanently cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) — ending its operations as a regulated banking entity. This follows a series of RBI regulatory actions beginning January 2024, when RBI directed Paytm Payments Bank to stop accepting new deposits, top-ups, and credit transactions — citing persistent material supervisory concerns including KYC (Know Your Customer) non-compliance, data-sharing irregularities with its parent One97 Communications, and governance issues.
  • About Paytm Payments Bank: Paytm Payments Bank, a subsidiary of One97 Communications (Paytm), was one of India’s first payments banks — operational since 2017. It was India’s fastest-growing payments bank with 300+ million customers, FASTAG (highway toll payment) issuance, and a vast UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transaction network. The RBI’s cancellation of its banking licence represents one of India’s most significant fintech regulatory actions — signalling the regulator’s zero-tolerance stance on compliance failures regardless of company size or market dominance.
  • About Payments Banks in India: Payments Banks are a differentiated banking model introduced by RBI in 2015 (following the Nachiket Mor Committee recommendations) — allowing entities to accept deposits up to ₹2 lakh per customer, issue debit cards, and provide payment/remittance services, but NOT extend loans or credit cards. RBI granted Payments Bank licences to 11 entities in 2015 — of which operational ones include Airtel Payments Bank, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), Jio Payments Bank, and FINO Payments Bank.
  • RBI’s Regulatory Powers: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — established April 1, 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934; nationalised January 1, 1949; headquartered in Mumbai — is India’s central bank and banking regulator. Under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, RBI has the power to grant and cancel banking licences. The Paytm Payments Bank licence cancellation demonstrates RBI’s assertiveness in protecting the financial system’s integrity — a critical signal for India’s growing fintech sector about compliance imperatives.
Q.16) Parminder Singh has recently been appointed as the CEO of which company?

Ans > Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited

  • Appointment: Parminder Singh has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited — a new AI and enterprise technology subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). This appointment signals Reliance’s aggressive expansion into the AI and enterprise software sector, with Reliance Enterprise Intelligence expected to develop and deploy AI solutions for large corporations, government agencies, and Reliance’s own vast business operations across retail, telecom, energy, and media.
  • About Parminder Singh: Parminder Singh brings deep expertise in digital media, technology, and AI from international roles — including leadership positions at Twitter (India) and LinkedIn (India). His appointment to lead Reliance’s AI enterprise vertical reflects the premium Reliance places on leaders with global technology platform experience as it builds its AI capabilities under Jio Platforms and Reliance’s broader digital ecosystem strategy.
  • Reliance Industries in AI and Tech: Reliance Industries (RIL) under Mukesh Ambani has been making aggressive AI investments — including a $3+ billion AI infrastructure investment announced at Reliance’s 2024 AGM, partnership with NVIDIA for AI supercomputers in India, and the development of ‘Jahnavi’ (India’s AI model trained on Indian languages). Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited is the corporate entity that will house Reliance’s enterprise AI products and services — positioning the conglomerate as India’s leading private AI company.
  • India’s AI Ecosystem: India is rapidly building an AI ecosystem — with the IndiaAI Mission (2024, ₹10,372 crore), dedicated AI compute infrastructure (10,000 GPU cluster under IndiaAI), National AI Portal (INDIAai), and a growing AI startup ecosystem (Sarvam AI, Krutrim by Ola, etc.). Global tech majors (Google, Microsoft, Amazon) have announced major India AI investments. With the world’s largest data-generating population and strong software talent, India aims to be a global AI hub — and companies like Reliance are central to this ambition.
Q.19) Where is ‘Jonnagiri Gold Project’ — India’s first major private-sector gold mine since independence — being launched?

Ans > Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

  • Jonnagiri Gold Project: The Jonnagiri Gold Project in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is being launched as India’s first major private-sector gold mine since independence — a landmark in India’s mining sector reform journey. The project, with estimated gold reserves of approximately 10-12 tonnes, will be operated by a private mining company under the reformed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act — representing the first private gold mining operation of scale in post-independence India.
  • India’s Gold Mining History: India’s most famous historical gold mines are in Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka — once among the world’s deepest gold mines (operational 1902-2001). KGF was operated by Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML, public sector) and produced over 800 tonnes of gold in its history before being shut due to uneconomic ore grades and high costs. Jonnagiri — with private sector efficiency and modern mining technology — represents a new chapter in Indian gold mining, distinct from KGF’s public sector era.
  • India’s Gold Import Dependence: India is the world’s second-largest gold consumer (after China) — consuming approximately 700-800 tonnes annually, primarily for jewellery (70%), investment (20%), and industrial use (10%). India imports nearly all of its gold consumption (~95%), making gold one of India’s largest import items (after crude oil) and a significant contributor to the current account deficit (CAD). Developing domestic gold mining — starting with Jonnagiri — is a strategic priority for reducing this import burden under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
  • Mining Sector Reforms: India’s mining sector was opened to competitive auction for private players through the MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2015, and further reforms in 2021 allowing commercial mining, automatic renewals, and composite licence (prospecting + mining). The Ministry of Mines has identified 100+ critical mineral blocks for auction. Jonnagiri’s launch as a private gold mine is a direct consequence of these reforms — creating a template for private investment in India’s vast under-explored mineral resources (India has the world’s 7th largest mineral reserves).
Q.3) Which municipal corporation of India was honoured at Vienna for its women empowerment initiative in 2026?

Ans > Guntur Municipal Corporation

  • International Recognition: Guntur Municipal Corporation of Andhra Pradesh was honoured at a high-profile international forum in Vienna, Austria for its innovative and impactful women empowerment initiative — receiving international recognition for using urban local governance to drive gender equity, women’s economic participation, and social safety in a Tier-2 Indian city. The Vienna honour underscores Guntur’s emergence as a model for gender-responsive urban governance in India.
  • About Guntur Municipal Corporation: Guntur is one of the major cities of Andhra Pradesh — an important commercial, educational, and cultural centre known as the ‘Chilli Capital of India’ (world’s largest chilli market at Guntur Mirchi Yard). As a rapidly growing Tier-2 city, Guntur has been implementing progressive municipal governance reforms. Its women empowerment initiatives likely include SHG (Self-Help Group) linkage programmes, women-friendly public spaces, gender-responsive budgeting, and women-led ward committees.
  • India’s Urban Women Empowerment Landscape: Urban local bodies (ULBs) across India are increasingly becoming frontline institutions for women’s empowerment — through: National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) SHG programmes, Mission Shakti in AP/Odisha, Mahila Sabhas in Rajasthan, and women’s ward committee leadership. India’s 74th Constitutional Amendment (1992) mandated 33% reservation of ULB seats for women — creating over 14 lakh elected women representatives in urban governance who drive gender-responsive municipal planning.
  • Vienna as a Global Governance Forum Hub: Vienna, the capital of Austria, hosts multiple United Nations agencies and international organisations — including UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization), IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), UNODC (UN Office on Drugs and Crime), UNOV (UN Office Vienna), and various international forums on urban development, women’s rights, and sustainable development. Being honoured at Vienna carries significant international prestige and positions Indian municipal innovations on the global stage.
Q.10) Which Chief Minister will be honoured with the prestigious ‘Business Reformer of the Year 2025’ award in Mumbai?

Ans > N. Chandrababu Naidu

  • Award: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will be honoured with the ‘Business Reformer of the Year 2025’ award in Mumbai — recognising his transformative reforms to Andhra Pradesh’s business environment, investor-friendly policies, infrastructure development, and economic revitalisation since returning to power in June 2024. The award acknowledges Naidu’s track record of business-friendly governance both in his current term and his earlier stint (1995-2004) when AP was nicknamed ‘Cyberabad.’
  • About N. Chandrababu Naidu: Nara Chandrababu Naidu (born April 20, 1950) is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and one of India’s longest-serving Chief Ministers. Known as a technology-driven reformer, he is credited with transforming Hyderabad into a global IT hub in the 1990s, pioneering e-governance (eSeva, CARD), and building world-class infrastructure. He won the AP elections in June 2024 as part of the NDA alliance (TDP-BJP-Jana Sena), ending the YSRCP government.
  • Andhra Pradesh’s Economic Revival: Naidu’s current government has focused on: rebuilding Amaravati as the state capital (stalled by the previous government), attracting investments through the World Economic Forum’s partnership, launching infrastructure projects (Polavaram dam completion), and reviving AP’s tech and industry sectors. The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) is actively marketing Amaravati as a future global city — a vision Naidu championed since 2014 when AP was bifurcated to create Telangana.
  • Business Reform Indices in India: India’s business reform performance is tracked through: World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index (India improved from 142nd in 2014 to 63rd in 2019), DPIIT’s Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) state rankings, and various industry chamber awards. Andhra Pradesh has historically ranked among India’s top states for ease of doing business. Awards like ‘Business Reformer of the Year’ reflect recognition from India’s business community (CII, FICCI, Assocham) and media for effective economic governance.
Q.14) Santiaguito Volcano, recently seen in news, is located in which country?

Ans > Guatemala

  • Santiaguito Volcano: Santiaguito is an active lava dome complex volcano in Guatemala, located on the western flank of the larger Santa María volcano in the Quetzaltenango department. Santiaguito is one of the world’s most continuously active volcanoes — erupting almost continuously since 1922 with regular lava flows, pyroclastic surges, and ash plumes. Its recent activity prompted alerts in 2026, affecting surrounding communities and air travel in the region.
  • About Guatemala: Guatemala is a Central American country sharing borders with Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Capital: Guatemala City. Guatemala is part of the ‘Ring of Fire’ — the world’s most volcanically and seismically active zone encircling the Pacific Ocean. The country has 37 volcanoes — of which 3-4 are currently active (including Santiaguito, Fuego, Pacaya). Guatemala is also home to the ancient Maya civilisation’s heartland — including Tikal National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
  • Ring of Fire — Exam Perspective: The Ring of Fire (also called the Circum-Pacific Belt) is a 40,000 km horseshoe-shaped zone of intense volcanic and seismic activity around the Pacific Ocean — home to 75% of the world’s active volcanoes and 90% of the world’s earthquakes. Countries on the Ring of Fire include: USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea. Competitive exam questions frequently ask about famous volcanoes and their locations globally.
  • Famous Volcanoes — Quick Reference: Key volcanoes in competitive exams: Vesuvius — Italy (destroyed Pompeii, 79 AD); Krakatoa — Indonesia (1883, deadliest eruption); Mount St. Helens — USA; Pinatubo — Philippines; Popocatépetl — Mexico; Etna — Italy (Europe’s largest); Barren Island — Andaman & Nicobar, India (only active volcano in South Asia); Deccan Traps — India (ancient, not active). Santiaguito, Guatemala joins this globally relevant list for exam purposes.
Q.18) Umiam Lake, recently seen in news, is located in which state?

Ans > Meghalaya

  • About Umiam Lake: Umiam Lake — also known as Barapani (meaning ‘big water’ in Khasi) — is a large reservoir located about 15 km north of Shillong in Meghalaya. Created by damming the Umiam River in the 1960s, it is one of Northeast India’s largest man-made lakes, covering approximately 222 square kilometres. The lake is a major tourist attraction and also serves as a water sports hub (boating, kayaking, water skiing) and contributes to Shillong’s water supply.
  • Significance of Umiam Lake: Umiam Lake is central to Meghalaya’s hydroelectric power generation — the Umiam Hydroelectric Project (Stage I-IV) is one of the oldest power projects in Northeast India, with an installed capacity of ~185 MW. The lake is surrounded by the Ri-Bhoi district’s pine-forested hills, creating stunning scenery. Recent news has focused on water level concerns due to changing rainfall patterns, encroachments on lake fringes, and eco-tourism management challenges — linking Umiam to broader environmental governance discussions in the Northeast.
  • Meghalaya’s Geography: Meghalaya (‘Abode of Clouds’), carved out of Assam on January 21, 1972, has three main hill ranges — Khasi Hills (highest peak: Shillong Peak, 1,965 m), Jaintia Hills, and Garo Hills. The state receives the highest average rainfall in the world — Mawsynram (11,873 mm) holds the record, surpassing nearby Cherrapunji (Sohra) which held the record for decades. The Brahmaputra plain lies to its north in Assam, and the Surma-Barak lowlands lie to its south in Bangladesh.
  • Northeast India Lakes & Rivers — Exam Perspective: Important water bodies in Northeast India for exams: Loktak Lake (Manipur) — largest freshwater lake in Northeast, known for phumdis (floating biomass islands) and Sangai deer; Sela Lake (Arunachal) — high-altitude lake near Tawang; Umiam/Barapani (Meghalaya) — largest artificial lake; Dipor Bil (Assam) — Ramsar wetland near Guwahati; Brahmaputra — largest river; Barak — second largest river. River-lake geography of Northeast India is a recurring exam topic.
Q.20) The 114th historic ‘Suwari Festival’ was recently celebrated in which state?

Ans > Assam

  • Suwari Festival: The 114th Suwari Festival was recently celebrated in Assam — a historic annual festival of the Tiwa (Lalung) tribal community of Assam, associated with agricultural rituals, communal harmony, traditional music, folk dances, and cultural performances. The Suwari Festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and brings together Tiwa communities from across Assam’s hills and plains in a celebration of their shared cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and community bonds.
  • About the Tiwa (Lalung) Community: The Tiwa, also called Lalung, are an indigenous tribal community found in Assam (particularly Morigaon and Kamrup districts) and Meghalaya. The Tiwa have a rich oral tradition, distinctive bamboo and cane craft, traditional agricultural practices (jhum/shifting cultivation in hills, settled cultivation in plains), and a vibrant festival culture. The Suwari Festival is one of their most important communal celebrations — with a 114-year documented history of organised celebration reflecting the community’s cultural resilience.
  • Assam’s Tribal Cultural Wealth: Assam has 14 Scheduled Tribes including Bodo, Mising, Tiwa (Lalung), Karbi, Dimasa, Rabha, and Sonowal Kachari — each with distinct languages, festivals, costumes, and traditions. Key Assamese festivals include Bihu (Bohag/Rongali Bihu — spring harvest festival; Magh Bihu — winter harvest; Kati Bihu — autumn), Ambubachi Mela (at Kamakhya Temple), Dehing Patkai Festival, and tribal festivals like Jonbeel Mela (barter fair), Ali Ai Ligang (Mising), and Suwari (Tiwa). This cultural diversity makes Assam one of India’s richest ethnographic regions.
  • Festivals of Northeast in Competitive Exams: Northeast India’s festivals are frequently asked in WBCS, SSC, and UPSC Prelims GK sections. Quick reference: Hornbill Festival — Nagaland (December, ‘Festival of Festivals’); Losar — Sikkim/Arunachal (Tibetan New Year); Chapchar Kut — Mizoram (spring festival); Wangala — Meghalaya (Garo harvest festival, 100 drums festival); Moatsu — Nagaland (Ao tribe festival); Me-Dam-Me-Phi — Assam (Ahom ancestor worship); Suwari — Assam (Tiwa/Lalung community). The 114th edition of Suwari marks this festival’s long and continuous cultural significance.

📌 Quick Summary — Daily Current Affairs | 27 April 2026

🏆 Sports & Obituary
  • Marathon Record: Sabastian Sawe became the first athlete in the world to complete a marathon in under 2 hours.
  • Obituary: Gurbux Singh Grewal (Hockey) passed away — 1964 & 1968 Olympic gold medallist.
  • Para Shooting: International Paralympic Committee signed agreement transferring Para Shooting governance to ISSF.
🏛️ Governance & Legal
  • Supreme Court: Allowed termination of minor girl’s 31-week pregnancy, upheld Right to Reproductive Autonomy.
  • ISRO Land Mapping: ISRO’s Nationwide Land Mapping Project launched to empower Gram Panchayats with geospatial data.
  • Census 2027 Helpline: Toll-free helpline number 1855 launched by Government of India for Census 2027 assistance.
  • CM-INSPIRE (Meghalaya): Meghalaya launched ‘CM-INSPIRE’ scheme providing financial assistance to UPSC Civil Services aspirants.
🔬 Science, Health & Technology
  • WHO Malaria Drug: WHO approved the first malaria drug specifically formulated for newborns and young infants.
  • Breakthrough Prize 2026: Dr. Atanu Nath (Indian scientist) awarded the ‘Breakthrough Prize 2026’ — Oscars of Science.
  • Nambi Narayanan: Bagalkot University to confer honorary doctorate on former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan.
  • EASyMelt Technology: Tata Steel partnered with SMS group to implement world’s first ‘EASyMelt’ green steel technology at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
📈 Economy & Industry
  • Alkaline Battery Plant: Eveready Industries launched India’s first Alkaline Battery manufacturing unit at Samba, Jammu.
  • RBI Action: RBI permanently cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank.
  • Reliance CEO: Parminder Singh appointed as CEO of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited.
  • Jonnagiri Gold Mine: India’s first major private-sector gold mine being launched in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
🌍 Geography, Culture & Awards
  • Guntur MC Honoured: Guntur Municipal Corporation honoured at Vienna for women empowerment initiative.
  • Chandrababu Naidu Award: AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu to receive ‘Business Reformer of the Year 2025’ award in Mumbai.
  • Santiaguito Volcano: Santiaguito Volcano (in news) is located in Guatemala, Central America.
  • Umiam Lake: Umiam Lake (Barapani) is located in Meghalaya — Northeast India’s major artificial lake.
  • Suwari Festival: 114th historic Suwari Festival celebrated in Assam (Tiwa/Lalung tribal community).
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