Q.1) Who is the new Chief Minister of Bihar?
Ans > Samrat Choudhary
- New CM: Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Bihar, succeeding Nitish Kumar in the NDA-led state government.
- Party: He is a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been a prominent face of the NDA alliance in Bihar politics.
- Background: Samrat Choudhary previously served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and has been a senior BJP functionary in the state for several years.
- Significance: His appointment as CM marks a significant shift in Bihar’s leadership, reflecting the BJP’s growing influence within the NDA coalition governance structure in the state.
Q.2) Which Raising Day of Indian Railways was celebrated on 16 April 2026?
Ans > 173rd
- Foundation Date: Indian Railways was founded on 16 April 1853, when the first passenger train ran between Bori Bunder (Mumbai) and Thane, a distance of approximately 34 kilometres.
- 173rd Raising Day: On 16 April 2026, Indian Railways celebrated its 173rd Raising Day, commemorating over 170 years of rail connectivity across the country.
- Scale Today: Indian Railways is one of the world’s largest railway networks, operating over 13,000 passenger trains daily across a route length exceeding 67,000 kilometres, connecting thousands of towns and cities.
- Significance: The day is observed to honor the contribution of Indian Railways to national integration, economic development, and the daily lives of millions of passengers who rely on rail transport.
Q.3) The Delimitation Bill 2026 was recently tabled in the Lok Sabha. Under this bill, it is proposed to increase the total number of Lok Sabha members to?
Ans > 850
- Proposed Strength: The Delimitation Bill 2026 proposes increasing the total number of Lok Sabha members from the current 543 to 850, a significant expansion to reflect population changes since the last delimitation.
- What is Delimitation: Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of legislative constituencies based on updated census data to ensure fair and proportional representation for all regions.
- Constitutional Basis: Article 82 of the Indian Constitution mandates delimitation after each census. The exercise was frozen after 1976 and partially updated in 2002; the 2026 Bill aims for a comprehensive revision based on the 2021 Census data.
- Key Debate: The Bill has triggered political debate, particularly among southern states which fear losing seats despite lower population growth rates compared to northern states.
Q.9) Where has ‘Project Him Sarovar’ been launched to tackle water scarcity through scientific harvesting of snow and glacial melt?
Ans > Ladakh
- Project Location: ‘Project Him Sarovar’ has been launched in Ladakh, a high-altitude Union Territory that faces acute seasonal water scarcity due to its cold desert geography.
- Core Objective: The project aims to scientifically harvest and store the water from melting snow and glaciers during spring and summer months to ensure a reliable water supply for communities, agriculture, and ecosystems throughout the year.
- Technology Used: It employs artificial glacier-making techniques, similar to the ‘Ice Stupa’ concept pioneered in Ladakh, along with reservoir construction to capture and store glacial meltwater efficiently.
- Significance: With climate change accelerating glacial retreat, Ladakh faces a long-term freshwater crisis. Projects like Him Sarovar are critical for climate adaptation and sustaining the livelihoods of Ladakhi farmers and nomadic communities.
Q.15) From which city has IRCTC announced the commencement of the ‘Divya Dakshin Yatra’ Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train to visit famous pilgrimage sites of South India?
Ans > Visakhapatnam
- Origin City: IRCTC’s ‘Divya Dakshin Yatra’ Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train will commence its journey from Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh.
- About Bharat Gaurav Trains: Bharat Gaurav is an IRCTC initiative that operates theme-based tourist trains across India, primarily covering religious, heritage, and culturally significant destinations at affordable fares for pilgrims and tourists.
- Pilgrimage Destinations: The Divya Dakshin Yatra is designed to cover iconic South Indian pilgrimage sites including major temples in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala, giving devotees a convenient and guided spiritual journey.
- Significance: The train-based pilgrimage format makes religious travel affordable and comfortable for elderly and middle-income pilgrims, promoting religious tourism and supporting local economies along its route.
Q.16) With which state has the Taiwanese company Elegance International signed an MoU to develop the ‘India-Taiwan Industrial Park’?
Ans > Gujarat
- MoU Details: The Gujarat government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Taiwan-based Elegance International Co. to establish a dedicated India-Taiwan Industrial Park in the Sanand-Dholera belt of Gujarat.
- Focus Sectors: The park will primarily target semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, along with allied high-tech sectors like electric vehicles (EVs), robotics, and advanced supply chain industries.
- Investment Potential: The project is estimated to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) exceeding ₹1,000 crore, fostering deep collaboration between Indian and Taiwanese enterprises.
- Strategic Importance: This initiative aligns with India’s push to diversify global supply chains away from excessive dependence on a single country and to position itself as a global semiconductor and electronics hub.
Q.19) Which programme has been recently launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI), in which delegates from 23 countries will study India’s election process?
Ans > International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026
- Programme Name: The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026, inviting election officials and delegates from 23 countries to observe and study India’s electoral process.
- Objective: The IEVP aims to showcase India’s robust electoral system — including the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), and large-scale electoral management — as a global model for free and fair elections.
- ECI’s Global Role: India’s Election Commission is widely respected as one of the world’s most credible and independent election management bodies. IEVP is part of its outreach to share best practices with emerging democracies across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- Scale of Indian Elections: India conducts the world’s largest democratic exercise with over 960 million registered voters, making its electoral management expertise invaluable for countries seeking to strengthen their own democratic institutions.
Q.4) Who has been named in the ‘Young Global Leaders Class of 2026’ by the World Economic Forum?
Ans > Jay Shah
- Recognition: Jay Shah, the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has been named in the World Economic Forum’s prestigious ‘Young Global Leaders Class of 2026’.
- About the Award: The WEF Young Global Leaders programme recognizes exceptional young leaders under the age of 40 from around the world who demonstrate outstanding commitment to shaping the future through their work in business, politics, arts, and civil society.
- Jay Shah’s Role: As ICC Chairman since November 2024, Jay Shah has been instrumental in expanding cricket’s global footprint, including pushing for cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Previous Roles: Before becoming ICC Chairman, he served as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2019 to 2024, overseeing a period of enormous commercial growth for Indian cricket.
Q.8) Who will chair India’s first-ever high-level conference dedicated exclusively to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)?
Ans > Prime Minister
- Historic First: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair India’s first-ever high-level conference exclusively dedicated to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), marking an unprecedented focus on the country’s paramilitary establishment.
- CAPFs Include: The Central Armed Police Forces comprise the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, and Assam Rifles — forces responsible for internal security, border management, counter-terrorism, and protection of vital installations.
- Purpose: The conference aims to review the operational readiness, modernization plans, welfare measures, and strategic roadmap of the CAPFs, ensuring they are equipped to handle contemporary security challenges.
- Significance: The PM’s direct chairing of a CAPFs-specific conference signals the government’s recognition of the critical role these forces play in national security, particularly along sensitive borders and in insurgency-affected regions.
Q.11) Under the recent agreement between HAL and GE Aerospace, the HAL-GE F414 jet engine will primarily be used in which Indian fighter aircraft?
Ans > Tejas Mk2
- The Agreement: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE Aerospace (USA) signed a landmark agreement for the co-production of the F414 turbofan jet engine in India, marking a major milestone in India’s defence manufacturing indigenisation.
- Primary Use: The HAL-GE F414 engine will primarily power the Tejas Mk2 — the advanced next-generation variant of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft — significantly enhancing its thrust, range, and combat performance over the current Tejas Mk1A.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: The deal involves technology transfer with over 80% indigenous content targeted over time, aligning with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the defence sector and reducing dependence on foreign engine suppliers.
- Tejas Mk2 Overview: The Tejas Mk2 is a medium-weight, multi-role combat aircraft being developed by ADA and HAL. It will feature an advanced avionics suite, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and significantly improved weapons payload compared to its predecessor.
Q.5) India has set a target to achieve how much nuclear power generation capacity by the year 2047?
Ans > 100 GW
- Target: India has set an ambitious target of achieving 100 GW (Gigawatts) of nuclear power generation capacity by the year 2047, in alignment with its ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) vision.
- Current Status: As of 2026, India’s operational nuclear power capacity stands at approximately 7.5 GW across 23 reactors, operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), making the 100 GW target a 13-fold expansion.
- Civil Nuclear Amendment: To achieve this target, India amended the Atomic Energy Act and passed the Civil Nuclear Liability for Nuclear Damage (Amendment) Bill to enable private sector and foreign participation in nuclear energy, previously restricted to the government.
- Role in Energy Transition: Nuclear power is seen as a critical baseload energy source for India’s clean energy transition, providing reliable, carbon-free electricity to complement intermittent solar and wind power as India aims for net-zero by 2070.
Q.7) In April 2026, researchers identified anti-cancer properties in a traditional herbal medicine used by which tribe?
Ans > Konyak Naga Tribe
- Discovery: In April 2026, researchers identified significant anti-cancer properties in a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for generations by the Konyak Naga Tribe, an indigenous community primarily residing in the Mon district of Nagaland.
- About the Konyak Naga: The Konyak Naga are one of the largest Naga tribes, known for their rich cultural heritage, intricate tattoo traditions, and extensive traditional knowledge of medicinal plants from the biodiversity-rich forests of Northeast India.
- Scientific Significance: The identification of anti-cancer compounds from ethnobotanical sources validates traditional indigenous knowledge and opens new pathways for developing novel cancer treatments from natural plant extracts that may have fewer side effects than synthetic drugs.
- Broader Trend: Northeast India’s biodiversity hotspot forests are a treasure trove of medicinal plants. This discovery reinforces the importance of documenting and protecting traditional knowledge while providing intellectual property rights and benefits to the originating tribal communities.
Q.17) What is India’s rank in terms of patent filing globally in FY 2025-26?
Ans > 6th
- Global Ranking: India improved its global ranking to 6th position in terms of patent applications filed globally in the financial year 2025-26, reflecting the country’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem.
- Growth in Filings: The number of patent applications filed in India crossed 1 lakh for the first time in FY 2025-26, a landmark achievement driven by increased R&D spending, startup growth, and proactive IP awareness campaigns.
- Top Countries: India’s 6th rank places it ahead of several developed nations. The top patent-filing countries globally continue to be China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Germany, in that order.
- Policy Push: India’s improved ranking is a direct result of the National IPR Policy 2016, faster patent examination timelines (reduced from several years to under 2 years), and tax incentives for companies filing patents under the ‘Patent Box’ regime.
Q.10) What is the venue of the ‘Bharat Steel 2026’ International Conference held in April 2026?
Ans > Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Venue: The ‘Bharat Steel 2026’ International Conference was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, one of India’s premier convention and exhibition centres, inaugurated by PM Modi in 2023 as part of the G20 Summit preparations.
- About the Conference: Bharat Steel 2026 is an international steel industry conference bringing together policymakers, industrialists, researchers, and global steel producers to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in the global and Indian steel sector.
- India’s Steel Sector: India is the world’s second-largest producer of steel, after China, with a crude steel production capacity exceeding 170 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The government aims to reach 300 MTPA by 2030.
- Key Agenda: The conference focused on green steel, decarbonisation of steel production, increased use of scrap, quality upgradation, and India’s vision to become a global steel export hub under the National Steel Policy.
Q.12) Which institution has unveiled its new medium-term strategy named ‘Utkarsh 2029’?
Ans > Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Strategy Name: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) unveiled ‘Utkarsh 2029’, its new medium-term strategy framework covering the period from 2025 to 2029, succeeding the earlier ‘Utkarsh 2022’ strategy.
- Core Pillars: Utkarsh 2029 is built around key pillars including price stability, financial system resilience, digital currency and payments ecosystem, regulatory excellence, climate risk integration, and inclusive financial development.
- Digital Focus: A major thrust of the new strategy is deepening India’s digital payment infrastructure, expanding the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC/e-Rupee) ecosystem, and enhancing cybersecurity in the financial sector.
- RBI’s Mandate: As India’s central bank, the RBI is responsible for monetary policy, regulation of banks and financial institutions, management of foreign exchange, and issuance of currency, making its medium-term strategy critical for the country’s macroeconomic stability.
Q.14) Who has launched mobile applications named ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super Sales Saathi’ to provide a 360-degree digital experience to customers?
Ans > Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
- Apps Launched: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched two new mobile applications — ‘MyLIC’ (for customers) and ‘Super Sales Saathi’ (for agents) — as part of its comprehensive digital transformation strategy.
- MyLIC App Features: The MyLIC app provides policyholders a 360-degree digital experience, allowing them to buy new policies, pay premiums, track claims, update nominations, access policy details, and avail customer support — all from their smartphone.
- Super Sales Saathi: The Super Sales Saathi app is designed for LIC’s vast agent network, enabling them to manage their client portfolios, process new policy applications, and access real-time sales support tools digitally, boosting productivity and reach.
- About LIC: LIC is India’s largest life insurer and one of the largest financial institutions in the country, with over 290 million policies in force, making it a cornerstone of India’s financial inclusion and life insurance penetration goals.
Q.6) On which date is ‘World Heritage Day’, also known as the ‘International Day for Monuments and Sites’, celebrated globally every year?
Ans > 18 April
- Date: World Heritage Day, officially called the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is celebrated every year on 18 April.
- Established By: The day was established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 and was approved by UNESCO’s General Conference in 1983. It has been observed globally since 1984.
- Purpose: The day promotes awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage around the world and the efforts required to protect and conserve it. It highlights the importance of historical monuments, archaeological sites, and intangible cultural heritage.
- India’s Heritage: India has 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the most in Asia — including iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, Red Fort, Sundarbans, and the Western Ghats, reflecting the country’s extraordinary cultural and natural richness.
Q.13) Which Indian personalities were featured in the TIME100 List of Most Influential People 2026?
Ans > Sundar Pichai, Ranbir Kapoor, Vikas Khanna
- Indian Entries: Three Indian-origin personalities were featured in TIME Magazine’s prestigious TIME100 List of Most Influential People of 2026 — Sundar Pichai (CEO of Alphabet/Google), Ranbir Kapoor (Bollywood actor), and Vikas Khanna (Michelin-starred chef and humanitarian).
- Sundar Pichai: As CEO of Alphabet Inc. and Google, Pichai continues to lead one of the world’s most influential technology companies, steering its AI strategy through the Gemini era and navigating global regulatory challenges.
- Ranbir Kapoor: One of Bollywood’s most acclaimed actors, Ranbir Kapoor earned global recognition for his film performances and his growing influence as a cultural ambassador for Indian cinema beyond South Asia.
- Vikas Khanna: The Michelin-starred chef and UN World Food Programme partner was recognized for his humanitarian work feeding millions of underprivileged individuals and for elevating Indian cuisine on the global culinary stage.
Q.18) World Parkinson’s Day is observed every year on which date?
Ans > April 11
- Date: World Parkinson’s Day is observed every year on April 11, the birthday of Dr. James Parkinson, the British physician who first described Parkinson’s disease in his 1817 essay ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy’.
- About Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement, causing tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and balance problems. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s.
- Global Burden: Over 10 million people worldwide live with Parkinson’s disease. India has one of the fastest-growing Parkinson’s populations, with an estimated 7–10 million patients, driven by an ageing population and increased diagnosis awareness.
- Awareness Goal: World Parkinson’s Day aims to educate the public about symptoms and treatment options, reduce stigma around the disease, support caregivers, and advocate for increased research funding for a cure.
Q.20) What is the theme of World Hemophilia Day 2026?
Ans > Diagnosis: First Step to Care
- Theme 2026: The theme of World Hemophilia Day 2026 is “Diagnosis: First Step to Care”, emphasizing that timely and accurate diagnosis is the crucial gateway to proper treatment and an improved quality of life for those with bleeding disorders.
- World Hemophilia Day Date: Observed every year on April 17, World Hemophilia Day was established by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in 1989 to raise awareness about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.
- About Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a rare inherited genetic disorder in which blood does not clot properly due to a deficiency of certain clotting factors (Factor VIII for Hemophilia A, Factor IX for Hemophilia B), leading to prolonged or spontaneous bleeding.
- Global Impact: Approximately 1 in 10,000 people worldwide are born with hemophilia. A significant majority of patients in low- and middle-income countries like India remain undiagnosed or inadequately treated, making the 2026 theme particularly relevant.
📌 Quick Summary — 18 April 2026
🏛️ National & States
- Bihar CM: Samrat Choudhary sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Bihar.
- Railways: Indian Railways celebrated its 173rd Raising Day on 16 April 2026.
- Delimitation: Delimitation Bill 2026 tabled in Lok Sabha — proposes increasing Lok Sabha seats to 850.
- Water Conservation: ‘Project Him Sarovar’ launched in Ladakh to tackle water scarcity through glacial melt harvesting.
- Tourism: IRCTC announced ‘Divya Dakshin Yatra’ Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train from Visakhapatnam.
- Industry: Elegance International (Taiwan) signed MoU with Gujarat for ‘India-Taiwan Industrial Park’.
- Democracy: ECI launched International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 with delegates from 23 countries.
🏆 Sports & Awards
- WEF Recognition: ICC Chairman Jay Shah named in World Economic Forum’s ‘Young Global Leaders Class of 2026’.
🛡️ Defense & Security
- CAPFs Conference: Prime Minister to chair India’s first-ever high-level conference dedicated exclusively to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
- Aviation: HAL-GE Aerospace agreement — F414 jet engine to power Tejas Mk2 fighter aircraft.
🔬 Science & Technology
- Nuclear Energy: India targets 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
- Research: Anti-cancer properties identified in traditional herbal medicine used by Konyak Naga Tribe.
- Innovation: India ranked 6th globally in patent filings in FY 2025-26.
📈 Economy & Finance
- Steel: ‘Bharat Steel 2026’ International Conference held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Banking: RBI unveiled ‘Utkarsh 2029’ — its new medium-term strategy framework.
- Insurance: LIC launched ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super Sales Saathi’ mobile apps for customers and agents.
🌍 International & Days
- World Heritage Day: Observed globally every year on 18 April.
- TIME100: Sundar Pichai, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vikas Khanna featured in TIME100 Most Influential People 2026.
- World Parkinson’s Day: Observed every year on 11 April.
- World Hemophilia Day 2026 Theme: “Diagnosis: First Step to Care”.
Current Affairs Quiz
18 April 2026
20
Questions
6
Categories
Apr 2026
Current Affairs
0
Revealed
Progress: 0 / 20 revealed
