Q.3) Which state’s former Chief Minister Nadendla Bhaskara Rao passed away recently at the age of 90?
Ans > Andhra Pradesh
- Passing: Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, passed away at the age of 90 years. He was a stalwart of Telugu politics who served as Chief Minister during a politically turbulent period in the state’s history and was known for his administrative experience and political acumen.
- Political Career: Nadendla Bhaskara Rao had a long and distinguished political career spanning several decades. He was associated with various political formations in Andhra Pradesh — most notably the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in its early years. He served as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh during the 1980s, a period of intense political competition and social change.
- About Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh is a southeastern Indian state bordering Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and the Bay of Bengal. After the bifurcation of the state in 2014 (leading to the creation of Telangana), Amaravati was designated as the new capital. The state is known for its rich cultural heritage, agriculture (especially rice, cotton), and growing industrial and IT sectors.
- Legacy: Nadendla Bhaskara Rao’s passing marks the end of an era in Andhra Pradesh politics. Leaders of his generation navigated the complex post-Independence political landscape — balancing caste equations, regional aspirations, agrarian demands, and development challenges that shaped modern Andhra Pradesh. His contributions to the state’s governance were recognised by political leaders across party lines.
Q.5) Who has been appointed as the first woman Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court?
Ans > Justice Lisa Gill
- Historic Appointment: Justice Lisa Gill was appointed as the first-ever woman Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court — a landmark milestone in India’s judicial history that reflects the growing representation of women in the highest echelons of the Indian judiciary, a process that has been accelerating in recent years.
- About Justice Lisa Gill: Justice Lisa Gill is a distinguished jurist of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. She brings extensive experience in constitutional, civil, and criminal law to her new role. Her appointment as Chief Justice of the AP High Court places her among a growing cadre of senior women judges who are reshaping India’s judicial landscape at the High Court and Supreme Court levels.
- Women in India’s Judiciary: India’s judiciary has been slowly but steadily increasing women’s representation. The Supreme Court has seen landmark female appointments including Justice M. Fatima Beevi (first female SC judge, 1989) and Justice B.V. Nagarathna (likely to become India’s first female CJI). Currently, women comprise approximately 13-15% of High Court judges nationally.
- Andhra Pradesh High Court: The Andhra Pradesh High Court is located in Amaravati (the new judicial capital). It has jurisdiction over the entire state of Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation from the common High Court that served both AP and Telangana. The AP HC handles a vast caseload covering civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative matters across the state.
Q.9) Which district has secured the first position nationwide in the ‘8th National Nutrition Fortnight’ awareness campaign?
Ans > Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra
- Achievement: Ahilyanagar district (formerly Ahmednagar) of Maharashtra secured the top national position in the ‘8th National Nutrition Fortnight’ awareness campaign — a flagship government initiative under the POSHAN Abhiyaan (PM’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) to combat malnutrition and raise nutritional awareness across India.
- About National Nutrition Fortnight: The National Nutrition Fortnight (Rashtriya Poshan Pakhwada) is observed twice a year under POSHAN Abhiyaan — launched in March 2018 by PM Narendra Modi with a mission to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and low birth weight in children under 6, pregnant women, and lactating mothers across India by 2022 (targets extended to 2024 and beyond).
- Ahilyanagar District: Ahilyanagar is a district in the Nashik Division of Maharashtra. It was renamed from ‘Ahmednagar’ in honour of Ahilyabai Holkar — the legendary 18th-century Maratha queen known for her extraordinary administrative abilities, infrastructure development, and religious charitable works. The renaming was approved by the Maharashtra government in 2023.
- India’s Nutrition Challenge: India carries one of the world’s largest burdens of malnutrition — approximately 35% of children under 5 are stunted, 33% are underweight, and over 50% of women are anaemic (NFHS-5). POSHAN Abhiyaan uses Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and community campaigns to deliver targeted nutrition interventions to 10 crore beneficiaries across India.
Q.11) India’s new Online Gaming Rules, 2026 will come into effect from which date?
Ans > 1 May 2026
- Regulatory Framework: India’s new Online Gaming Rules, 2026 are set to come into effect from 1 May 2026 — establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for India’s rapidly growing online gaming industry, addressing player protection, responsible gaming standards, data privacy, financial safeguards, and the distinction between games of skill and games of chance.
- India’s Online Gaming Industry: India is one of the world’s fastest-growing online gaming markets — with approximately 600 million gamers and an industry valued at over $3 billion in 2025, projected to reach $7-8 billion by 2028. Mobile gaming dominates, driven by affordable smartphones, cheap data (Jio effect), and a young population with a median age of 28.
- Key Provisions: The Online Gaming Rules, 2026 under the IT Act mandate: registration of online gaming intermediaries with a designated Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO), prohibition of games promoting gambling/wagering among minors, mandatory KYC verification for users, grievance redressal mechanisms, and strict disclosure norms for real-money gaming platforms.
- Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY): MeitY is the nodal ministry for online gaming regulation after the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 brought online gaming under its regulatory ambit. The new 2026 rules build on this framework with stronger enforcement mechanisms and clearer definitions of permissible and prohibited gaming activities.
Q.12) Following a fire incident in April 2026, PM Modi postponed the inauguration of the ‘Pachpadra Refinery.’ Where is this refinery located?
Ans > Balotra, Rajasthan
- Inauguration Postponement: PM Narendra Modi postponed the inauguration of the Pachpadra Refinery following a fire incident at the facility in April 2026. The refinery is located near Balotra in the Barmer district of Rajasthan — part of a massive integrated refinery and petrochemical complex being developed in Rajasthan’s oil-producing region.
- About Pachpadra Refinery: The Rajasthan Refinery (Pachpadra Refinery) is a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Rajasthan government (26% equity stake). With a capacity of 9 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), it will be Rajasthan’s first major refinery — processing crude oil from the Barmer-Sanchore basin oilfields operated by Cairn India/Vedanta.
- Strategic Importance: The Pachpadra Refinery is estimated to cost over ₹43,000 crore and is one of Rajasthan’s largest infrastructure investments. It will transform western Rajasthan’s economy by creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, developing downstream petrochemical industries, and reducing India’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
- Barmer Oil Fields: Rajasthan’s Barmer district contains India’s third-largest onshore oil and gas producing block — the Rajasthan Block operated by Cairn India (now Vedanta). The Barmer basin produces approximately 15% of India’s domestic crude oil output, making the region strategically vital for India’s energy security and an ideal site for an integrated refinery complex.
Q.15) ‘Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary’ has been designated as India’s 99th Ramsar Site. In which state is it located?
Ans > Uttar Pradesh
- New Ramsar Site: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh was designated as India’s 99th Ramsar Site — bringing India tantalizingly close to the historic milestone of 100 Ramsar Sites. This designation recognises Shekha Jheel’s importance as a wetland of international significance for waterbird habitats and biodiversity conservation.
- About the Ramsar Convention: The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971. Wetlands designated as Ramsar Sites are considered of international importance — particularly as waterfowl habitat. Currently, over 2,400 Ramsar Sites cover more than 2.5 million km² globally.
- India’s Ramsar Journey: India had only 26 Ramsar Sites before 2019. Under the current government, this has expanded dramatically to 99 sites — reflecting India’s commitment to wetland conservation under the National Wetland Conservation Programme. India now has the largest number of Ramsar Sites in Asia and the fourth highest globally after the UK, Mexico, and Spain.
- Uttar Pradesh’s Wetlands: Uttar Pradesh is home to several important Ramsar-designated wetlands including Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Sandi Bird Sanctuary, and Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake). These wetlands are critical winter habitats for migratory birds arriving from Central Asia, Siberia, and Europe along the Central Asian Flyway.
Q.16) As per the revised rules of ‘PM Internship Scheme 2026’, what is the increased monthly stipend now offered to interns?
Ans > ₹9,000 per month
- Revised Stipend: The PM Internship Scheme 2026 revised its rules to increase the monthly stipend offered to interns to ₹9,000 per month — up from the earlier ₹5,000 per month — making the scheme significantly more financially attractive and encouraging greater participation from youth across India, especially from economically weaker sections.
- About PM Internship Scheme: The PM Internship Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. It aims to provide one crore internship opportunities in India’s top 500 companies over 5 years to young people aged 21-24 years who are not in full-time employment or education. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
- Scheme Structure: Under the scheme, companies bear 10% of the stipend (and training costs) from their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds, while the government provides ₹6,000 monthly directly to the intern’s bank account plus a one-time grant of ₹6,000. The revised total of ₹9,000 strengthens the government’s contribution to support interns during their 12-month internship.
- India’s Youth Employment Challenge: India’s youth unemployment rate is approximately 23% (ILO 2025 estimates), with millions of graduates entering the workforce each year without adequate industry exposure. The PM Internship Scheme bridges the gap between formal education and industry requirements — providing real-world work experience that makes youth more employable in India’s competitive job market.
Q.17) The 114th historic ‘Suwari Festival’ was recently celebrated in which state?
Ans > Assam
- Festival Celebration: The 114th edition of the historic ‘Suwari Festival’ was celebrated in Assam with great cultural fanfare — continuing a tradition that stretches back over a century. The festival is an important part of Assam’s rich cultural calendar, bringing together communities in a celebration of traditional art forms, folk culture, and regional heritage.
- About the Suwari Festival: The Suwari Festival is a traditional cultural celebration rooted in the agrarian communities of Assam. It celebrates the harvest season and community bonding through traditional Assamese music, dance (including Bihu dance forms), folk performances, traditional sports, and cultural exhibitions. Being in its 114th year indicates its establishment goes back to the early 20th century.
- Assam’s Cultural Heritage: Assam is one of India’s most culturally vibrant states, known for Bihu (both as a festival and dance form — a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2023), Sattriya dance (one of 8 classical dance forms of India), Assam silk (Muga, Eri, and Pat silk), tea culture (Assam produces 55% of India’s tea), and the linguistic heritage of the Assamese language.
- Northeast India’s Festival Culture: Northeast India’s 8 states have an extraordinary diversity of indigenous festivals — from Hornbill Festival (Nagaland), Losar (Sikkim/Arunachal), Chapchar Kut (Mizoram), to Wangala (Meghalaya). These festivals are important for cultural preservation, community identity, and increasingly for tourism promotion under the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative.
Q.19) Who has been appointed as Acting Director General (DG) of the Competition Commission of India (CCI)?
Ans > Rakesh Bhanot
- Appointment: Rakesh Bhanot was appointed as the Acting Director General (DG) of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) — the nodal officer responsible for investigating alleged anti-competitive practices, market abuse cases, and merger reviews referred to CCI for examination by its chairperson and members.
- About the CCI: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) was established under the Competition Act, 2002 and became operational in 2009. Chaired by a Chairperson (a judicial/administrative veteran) and several members, CCI is India’s statutory body for preventing anti-competitive practices, promoting fair market competition, protecting consumer interests, and regulating mergers and acquisitions above specified thresholds.
- Role of the DG: The Director General of CCI is the investigation arm — responsible for conducting inquiries into anti-competitive agreements (cartels, price-fixing), abuse of dominant position (predatory pricing, exclusive dealing), and merger compliance. The DG’s office investigates cases on reference from CCI and submits investigation reports that form the basis of CCI’s final orders.
- Recent CCI Actions: CCI has been increasingly active in regulating India’s digital economy — imposing significant penalties on Google (₹1,337 crore in 2022), Meta, and major e-commerce platforms for anti-competitive behaviour. With India’s digital economy expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, CCI’s DG office plays a critical role in ensuring fair competition in digital markets.
Q.1) Which city will host the World Para Athletics Championships 2027 in June?
Ans > Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
- Host City: Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan in Central Asia, was selected to host the World Para Athletics Championships 2027 in June — marking the first time this prestigious global event for para-athletes will be held in Central Asia. It represents a significant milestone for the region’s growing engagement with Paralympic sports.
- About World Para Athletics Championships: The World Para Athletics Championships is the premier global competition in Paralympic athletics, held every two years under the auspices of World Athletics (WA) and World Para Athletics (WPA). It features track, field, road, and combined events for athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments competing across multiple functional classification categories.
- About Tashkent / Uzbekistan: Tashkent is one of Central Asia’s largest cities and a major sporting hub. Uzbekistan has been emerging as a significant sports nation — particularly in boxing (consistently one of the world’s top Olympic boxing nations), wrestling, and judo. The country hosted the 2023 Summer Universiade and has been actively bidding for major international sports events.
- India’s Para Athletics: India has been steadily rising in Paralympic sports — winning a record 29 medals (7 Gold, 9 Silver, 13 Bronze) at the Paris Paralympics 2024 and finishing 18th in the global medal tally. Para athletes like Avani Lekhara (shooting), Sumit Antil (javelin), Deepthi Jeevanji, and Nishad Kumar have brought India to the forefront of world para athletics.
Q.10) Which country recently withdrew from the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 to be held in India?
Ans > Pakistan
- Withdrawal: Pakistan withdrew from the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 scheduled to be held in India — citing political and bilateral tensions as the reason for pulling out. Pakistan’s withdrawal follows the established pattern of bilateral sports tensions between India and Pakistan that have affected cricket, hockey, and now football competitions over the years.
- About SAFF Women’s Championship: The SAFF Women’s Championship is the premier women’s football tournament of South Asia, organised by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). It is held every two years and features national women’s football teams from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Maldives. India has been the most dominant team historically, having won the championship multiple times.
- India-Pakistan Sports Relations: India and Pakistan have a complex sporting relationship. While cricket between the two countries primarily occurs at ICC events (bilateral series suspended since 2012), other sports have also been affected by diplomatic tensions — particularly after major India-Pakistan political crises. Sports bodies often face pressure from governments on both sides regarding bilateral engagements.
- Women’s Football in India: The Indian women’s football team has made steady progress under the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The team is ranked among the top 60 in Asia and has been improving its FIFA world ranking. The Women’s Indian Football League (WFC) has also been developing domestic talent, with ambitious plans to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in coming editions.
Q.8) Which AI-powered system has DRDO handed over to the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen internal security?
Ans > Prajna (AI-enabled Satellite Imaging System)
- Handover: DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) formally handed over the AI-powered system ‘Prajna’ — its AI-enabled satellite imagery intelligence platform — to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for strengthening India’s internal security capabilities, including counter-terrorism operations, border surveillance, and intelligence gathering.
- About Prajna: Developed by DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) in Bengaluru, ‘Prajna’ (meaning intelligence/wisdom in Sanskrit) is an advanced AI system that uses deep learning to automatically detect, classify, and analyse objects of interest in satellite imagery — including troop concentrations, infrastructure changes, border intrusions, and urban developments of security relevance.
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The MHA is responsible for India’s internal security — overseeing the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs: CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB), counter-terrorism units (NSG, NIA), intelligence coordination, border management, and disaster management (NDMA). Prajna will significantly enhance MHA’s surveillance and threat assessment capabilities.
- AI in National Security: The deployment of AI for surveillance and security is a global trend — the US (DARPA), China (PLA), and EU nations have all invested heavily in AI-powered intelligence systems. India’s DRDO-developed Prajna gives India an indigenous, strategically autonomous AI-IMINT (Imagery Intelligence) capability, reducing dependence on foreign analytical systems for sensitive national security applications.
Q.18) Where have NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) announced they will launch the Rosalind Franklin rover?
Ans > Mars
- Mission Target: NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed their joint mission to launch the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars in late 2028 — targeting the Oxia Planum region of Mars, chosen for its ancient clay-rich deposits that could preserve evidence of past microbial life from when Mars was warmer and wetter billions of years ago.
- About the Rosalind Franklin Rover: Named after pioneering British biophysicist Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958) — whose X-ray crystallography work was central to understanding DNA’s double helix structure — the rover is equipped with a 2-metre drill (the deepest ever sent to Mars) to access sub-surface samples shielded from cosmic radiation, where biosignatures might be better preserved.
- Scientific Objectives: The rover carries the Pasteur payload with 9 science instruments: a panoramic camera, infrared spectrometer, ground-penetrating radar, Raman spectrometer, X-ray spectrometer, and life marker chip (LMC) capable of detecting organic biomarkers. Its primary mission is to search for signs of past or present life — the most profound question in planetary science.
- ISRO and Mars: India’s own Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) — launched in 2013 and successfully inserted into Mars orbit in 2014 on its very first attempt — made India the fourth nation and first Asian nation to reach Mars. ISRO’s achievement demonstrated India’s space programme at a fraction of the cost of comparable missions, earning global admiration and scientific respect.
Q.20) In which year will ISRO launch the ‘G20 Satellite’ to study air pollution and monitor weather?
Ans > 2027
- ISRO’s G20 Satellite: ISRO announced plans to launch the ‘G20 Satellite’ in 2027 — a geostationary earth observation satellite conceptualised under India’s G20 presidency and designed to study air pollution patterns, monitor weather systems, track aerosols and greenhouse gases, and provide critical environmental data to G20 member nations and global climate research institutions.
- About ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), established in 1969 and headquartered in Bengaluru, is India’s national space agency. ISRO has launched over 120 spacecraft missions and 100+ launch vehicle missions. Recent milestones include Chandrayaan-3 (soft-landing on Moon’s south pole, August 2023 — world’s first), Aditya-L1 (India’s first solar observatory mission), and XPoSat (X-ray polarimetry).
- Air Pollution Monitoring: India faces a severe air pollution crisis — with Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab regularly recording the world’s worst air quality index (AQI) levels. A dedicated satellite for air pollution monitoring would provide real-time, high-resolution data on PM2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and other pollutants to inform policy, public health advisories, and industrial emission control.
- India’s G20 Legacy: India’s G20 Presidency (December 2022 – November 2023) emphasised climate action, sustainable development, and environmental technology as core priorities. The G20 Satellite is a lasting institutional legacy of India’s presidency — translating the forum’s environmental commitments into a concrete, operational space asset with tangible benefits for global climate science and air quality management.
Q.13) China recently discovered a rare Moon mineral that could help improve advanced LED technology. What is the name of this mineral?
Ans > Cerium-Magnesium Changesite
- Discovery: Chinese scientists announced the discovery of a rare lunar mineral — Cerium-Magnesium Changesite — in samples returned by China’s Chang’e-5 lunar mission (which brought back 1.73 kg of Moon rocks in December 2020). This mineral, containing cerium and magnesium in a unique crystalline structure, was found to have potential applications in improving the efficiency and lifespan of advanced LED lighting technology.
- About Changesite: ‘Changesite’ minerals are named after the Chinese Moon goddess Chang’e (嫦娥) — the inspiration behind China’s lunar exploration programme. China has now discovered multiple new minerals in its lunar samples — previously discovering Changesite-(Y) (yttrium phosphate) in 2022, making China only the third country after the US and Soviet Union to discover new minerals on the Moon.
- LED Technology Significance: LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are the dominant global lighting technology — used in displays, automotive lighting, horticulture, medical devices, and general illumination. Phosphor materials like those in the Cerium-Magnesium Changesite can improve LED colour rendering, luminous efficiency, and thermal stability — potentially leading to cheaper, brighter, and longer-lasting LED products.
- China’s Lunar Programme: China’s lunar programme (Chang’e series) has been one of the most successful in the world: Chang’e-3 (first soft landing, 2013), Chang’e-4 (first far-side landing, 2019), Chang’e-5 (first sample return since 1976, 2020). China plans Chang’e-6 (far-side sample return, 2024), Chang’e-7 (south pole exploration), and ultimately a crewed Moon landing by 2030.
Q.2) Arthur Law has been named Young Global Leader 2026 by which organization?
Ans > World Economic Forum (WEF)
- Recognition: Arthur Law was named among the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Class of 2026 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) — one of the most prestigious global recognitions for young leaders under 40 who are making extraordinary impact in their fields of business, civil society, government, academia, arts, and social entrepreneurship.
- About WEF Young Global Leaders: The WEF Young Global Leaders (YGL) programme was established in 2004 to recognise and empower the most inspiring young leaders globally. Each year, approximately 100-120 leaders under 40 are selected from around the world. Notable YGL alumni include Emmanuel Macron (French President), Jacinda Ardern (former NZ PM), Sergey Brin (Google co-founder), and Priyanka Chopra.
- About the WEF: The World Economic Forum, founded by Professor Klaus Schwab in 1971, is headquartered in Cologny/Geneva, Switzerland. Known for its annual Davos Summit attended by global business, government, and civil society leaders, WEF shapes global economic and policy agendas. India is one of WEF’s most engaged member nations through its Davos participation and bilateral initiatives.
- India and YGL: Many prominent Indians have been WEF Young Global Leaders — including industrialists, techpreneurs, civil society leaders, and politicians. The YGL network provides a valuable global platform for Indian emerging leaders to connect with international counterparts and contribute to global governance conversations on technology, climate, trade, and social equity.
Q.4) Who has been awarded the prestigious ‘Breakthrough Prize’ 2026 in Mathematics, called the “Oscars of Science”?
Ans > Frank Merle
- Award: Frank Merle was awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize 2026 in the category of Mathematics — often called the ‘Oscars of Science’ for its glamour, massive prize money ($3 million per winner), and its celebration of fundamental scientific discovery. Merle’s groundbreaking contributions to the mathematical analysis of nonlinear dispersive equations and wave dynamics earned him this distinction.
- About the Breakthrough Prize: The Breakthrough Prize was founded in 2012 by tech billionaires including Yuri Milner, Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook/Meta), Sergey Brin (Google), and Anne Wojcicki (23andMe). With a prize of $3 million per laureate — significantly more than the Nobel Prize (~$1 million) — it is the world’s largest scientific prize. Categories include Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics.
- About Frank Merle: Frank Merle is a celebrated French mathematician whose research focuses on partial differential equations (PDEs) — particularly on blow-up phenomena in nonlinear Schrödinger and wave equations. His work has profound implications for understanding wave propagation in physics, optics, and quantum mechanics, and has opened new mathematical techniques in the analysis of critical PDEs.
- Mathematics and India: India has a proud mathematical tradition — from ancient mathematicians Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, and Ramanujan to modern Fields Medal winners like Manjul Bhargava (2014) and Akshay Venkatesh (2018). The Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics serves as inspiration for India’s growing mathematical talent nurtured at institutions like TIFR, IMSc, CMI, and IITs.
Q.6) Which country recently passed a law to create a “Smoke-Free Generation” by banning tobacco sales to future generations?
Ans > United Kingdom
- Landmark Law: The United Kingdom passed the groundbreaking ‘Tobacco and Vapes Act’ (Smoke-Free Generation law), which bans the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 — meaning each year, the age at which people can legally buy tobacco rises by one year, creating a permanent, gradually expanding smoke-free generation across the UK.
- About the UK Law: This is the most ambitious anti-smoking legislation in global history. Unlike plain packaging or tax increases, this law creates a permanent generational ban — making the UK the first major economy to implement this concept, following New Zealand (which passed similar legislation in 2022 but repealed it in 2023). The UK law also introduces strict regulations on vaping and e-cigarettes to prevent youth addiction.
- Global Tobacco Context: Tobacco kills over 8 million people globally every year — making it the world’s leading preventable cause of death. In the UK, smoking causes approximately 80,000 deaths annually and costs the NHS (National Health Service) over £3 billion per year. The Smoke-Free Generation law aims to end this toll within decades as the tobacco-free generation grows up.
- India’s Tobacco Challenge: India is the world’s second largest consumer and producer of tobacco. Approximately 267 million adults use tobacco (GATS-2, 2017), causing 1.35 million deaths annually. India has implemented several measures — pictorial health warnings on packaging, Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, and GST increases — but a generational ban remains aspirational. The UK model will be closely watched by Indian health policymakers.
Q.14) According to the United Nations, what is India’s estimated economic growth rate for 2026?
Ans > 6.4%
- UN Projection: According to the United Nations’ World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report, India’s economic growth rate for 2026 is estimated at 6.4% — reaffirming India’s position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy and providing a positive assessment of India’s structural economic fundamentals despite global headwinds.
- Growth Drivers: India’s 6.4% growth projection is driven by strong domestic consumption (India’s expanding middle class), robust infrastructure investment (PM Gati Shakti, National Infrastructure Pipeline), digital economy expansion (India Stack, UPI), manufacturing growth (PLI schemes, China+1 strategy beneficiary), and services sector dominance (IT, ITES, financial services).
- Global Comparison: India’s 6.4% growth rate stands in stark contrast to the global average of approximately 2.8-3.1% projected for 2026. China is expected to grow at 4.5-5%, USA at 1.5-2%, Europe at 1-1.5%, and Japan at under 1%. This positions India as the single most important engine of global economic growth — contributing approximately 15-16% of global GDP growth in 2026.
- UN WESP: The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) is the flagship publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), produced jointly with the five UN Regional Commissions. Released twice yearly (January and mid-year update), it provides the most authoritative UN assessment of global economic trends and national growth projections for policymakers worldwide.
Q.7) Where was the ‘AZEC Plus’ meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community held?
Ans > Japan
- Meeting Venue: The ‘AZEC Plus’ meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community was held in Japan — the founding nation and primary driver of this multilateral framework focused on advancing clean energy transitions and carbon-neutrality pathways across Asian economies through technology transfer, investment, and policy cooperation.
- About AZEC: The Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) is a Japanese-led initiative launched in 2022 to support Asia-Pacific countries in achieving carbon neutrality through a technology-inclusive, country-specific approach. Rather than prescribing a single pathway (like rapid coal phase-out), AZEC recognises that different Asian countries have different energy mixes, economic situations, and transition timelines, advocating for pragmatic, flexible decarbonisation.
- Member Countries: AZEC includes Japan, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. India participates as a dialogue partner. The ‘AZEC Plus’ format expands this dialogue to include additional partner nations and international organisations interested in Asia’s energy transition.
- India-Japan Clean Energy: India and Japan have a strong bilateral clean energy partnership — collaborating on hydrogen, ammonia co-firing, energy storage, offshore wind, and smart grids. Japan’s AZEC framework complements India’s International Solar Alliance (ISA) leadership, with both nations serving as anchors for Asia’s clean energy transition in their respective spheres of influence.
📌 Quick Summary — 24 April 2026
🏛️ National & Government
- Obituary: Nadendla Bhaskara Rao (90), former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, passed away.
- Judiciary: Justice Lisa Gill appointed as the first woman Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
- Nutrition: Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra secured 1st place nationwide in the ‘8th National Nutrition Fortnight’ awareness campaign.
- Online Gaming: India’s new Online Gaming Rules, 2026 come into effect from 1 May 2026.
- Infrastructure: PM Modi postponed inauguration of Pachpadra Refinery (Balotra, Rajasthan) following a fire incident in April 2026.
- Environment: ‘Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary’ (Uttar Pradesh) designated India’s 99th Ramsar Site.
- Internship: PM Internship Scheme 2026 revised — monthly stipend increased to ₹9,000 per month.
- Culture: 114th ‘Suwari Festival’ celebrated in Assam — century-old traditional cultural event.
- Appointment: Rakesh Bhanot appointed Acting Director General (DG) of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
🏆 Sports
- Para Athletics: Tashkent, Uzbekistan will host World Para Athletics Championships 2027 in June — first time in Central Asia.
- Football: Pakistan withdrew from SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 to be held in India.
🛡️ Defense & Space
- DRDO-MHA: DRDO handed over AI-powered ‘Prajna’ satellite imaging system to Ministry of Home Affairs for internal security.
- Mars Mission: NASA and ESA confirmed joint launch of ‘Rosalind Franklin’ rover to Mars in late 2028.
- ISRO: ISRO to launch ‘G20 Satellite’ to study air pollution and monitor weather in 2027.
🔬 Science & Technology
- Lunar Discovery: China discovered rare Moon mineral ‘Cerium-Magnesium Changesite’ (from Chang’e-5 samples) — potential applications in advanced LED technology.
📈 Economy, Awards & Health
- WEF YGL: Arthur Law named Young Global Leader 2026 by the World Economic Forum.
- Breakthrough Prize: Frank Merle (Mathematician) awarded the Breakthrough Prize 2026 in Mathematics — the “Oscars of Science” ($3 million prize).
- Public Health: United Kingdom passed ‘Tobacco & Vapes Act’ — banning tobacco sales to those born after 1 Jan 2009 to create a “Smoke-Free Generation.”
- Economic Growth: UN estimates India’s economic growth rate at 6.4% for 2026 — fastest-growing major economy globally.
🌍 International Relations
- Clean Energy: ‘AZEC Plus’ meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community held in Japan — Japan-led multilateral clean energy transition framework for Asia.
Current Affairs Quiz
24 April 2026
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Questions
6
Categories
Apr 2026
Current Affairs
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