Q.8) World Penguin Day is celebrated annually on which date?
Ans > 25 April
- Date & Significance: World Penguin Day is observed globally every year on 25 April — a date chosen because it coincides with the annual northward migration of Adélie penguins in Antarctica. The day raises awareness about penguin conservation, the threats they face from climate change, ocean warming, overfishing, and habitat destruction.
- About Penguins: Penguins are flightless seabirds found exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, primarily in Antarctica, but also in South America, South Africa, New Zealand, and the Galápagos Islands. There are 18 recognised species of penguins, ranging from the tiny Little Blue Penguin (30 cm) to the Emperor Penguin (1.2 m). All 18 species face conservation challenges.
- Climate Threat: Penguins are considered a flagship species for ocean health and climate change indicators. Rising sea temperatures and melting Antarctic ice directly reduce their food sources (krill and fish), nesting habitat, and reproductive success. Several species — including Emperor, African, and Yellow-eyed penguins — are now classified as Endangered or Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.
- India and Polar Research: While India has no native penguins, India’s polar research programme (under the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research — NCPOR) conducts annual expeditions to Antarctica. India has two active research stations in Antarctica — Maitri (since 1988) and Bharati (since 2012) — contributing to global understanding of polar ecosystems, climate change, and the Southern Ocean’s role in regulating Earth’s climate.
Q.9) When is ‘World Malaria Day 2026’ observed?
Ans > April 25
- Date & WHO: World Malaria Day is observed globally every year on 25 April — established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007. The day raises global awareness about malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and marks the anniversary of the African Malaria Day (observed since 2001 within Africa before going global). The 2026 theme focused on achieving malaria elimination in high-burden countries.
- Global Malaria Burden: Malaria remains one of the world’s most devastating infectious diseases — caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through infected Anopheles mosquito bites. In 2024, WHO estimated approximately 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths globally — with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 95% of cases and deaths. Children under 5 are the most vulnerable group.
- India’s Malaria Progress: India has made remarkable progress in reducing malaria — cases fell from 2.03 crore (2017) to under 20 lakh by 2024, a reduction of over 90%, driven by the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME 2016-30) which targets eliminating malaria by 2030. India’s High Burden High Impact (HBHI) initiative, indoor residual spraying, insecticide-treated bed nets, and rapid diagnostic tests have been key interventions.
- Vaccine Breakthrough: The WHO approved the world’s first malaria vaccine — RTS,S (Mosquirix) — for children in Africa in 2021. A second vaccine (R21/Matrix-M, developed by Oxford University and Serum Institute of India) was approved in 2023 and is being manufactured in India at scale. This vaccine could be a game-changer in the global fight against malaria, particularly in high-burden African nations.
Q.11) Which revised scheme has the Central Government launched with an outlay of ₹203 crore to promote 6G and indigenous technology innovation?
Ans > Technology Development and Investment Promotion Scheme (TDIP)
- Scheme Launch: The Central Government launched the revised ‘Technology Development and Investment Promotion Scheme’ (TDIP) with a total outlay of ₹203 crore to accelerate 6G technology development, promote indigenous telecom innovation, support domestic manufacturing of telecom equipment, and build India’s self-reliance in next-generation communication infrastructure.
- India’s 6G Vision: India has been pursuing an ambitious 6G technology strategy — the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released the ‘Bharat 6G Vision’ document in 2023, targeting deployment of 6G networks by 2030. India aims not just to adopt 6G but to actively contribute to the development of global 6G standards, patents, and technology — building on the success of India’s 4G (GPON) and 5G stack development.
- Indigenous Telecom Stack: India developed its own indigenous 4G/5G telecom stack through institutions like IIT Madras, C-DOT, and TCS — deployed commercially by BSNL. The TDIP scheme further funds research organisations, startups, and academic institutions working on 6G technologies including Terahertz (THz) communication, AI-native networks, semantic communication, and intelligent radio access technologies.
- Strategic Importance: Telecom technology leadership is a matter of both economic competitiveness and national security. India’s dependence on Chinese telecom equipment (Huawei/ZTE) has been sharply reduced post-2020. Building domestic 6G capability under the TDIP scheme ensures India can develop trusted, secure telecom infrastructure without geopolitical vulnerabilities — a core pillar of Atmanirbhar Bharat in strategic sectors.
Q.12) Which Ministry has launched the ‘VM Frames’ national filmmaking competition to commemorate 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’?
Ans > Ministry of Culture
- Competition Launch: The Ministry of Culture launched the ‘VM Frames’ national filmmaking competition to mark the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ — the iconic patriotic song composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876. The competition invites filmmakers across India to create short films, documentaries, and creative audiovisual works inspired by the spirit and legacy of Vande Mataram.
- About ‘Vande Mataram’: ‘Vande Mataram’ (meaning ‘I bow to thee, Mother’) was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (Chatterjee) in 1876 and first published in his novel ‘Anandamath’ (1882). It became the rallying cry of India’s independence movement — sung at Indian National Congress sessions from 1896 onwards. Rabindranath Tagore first set it to music. Its first two stanzas were adopted as India’s National Song (distinct from the National Anthem) after independence.
- Ministry of Culture’s Role: The Ministry of Culture promotes India’s rich cultural heritage through institutions like ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), IGNCA (Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts), National Museum, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Lalit Kala Akademi. The VM Frames competition reflects the ministry’s use of contemporary media and youth engagement to connect modern India with its cultural and patriotic roots.
- Significance of 150 Years: The 150th year of Vande Mataram (2026) is a milestone of immense cultural and historical significance for India. The song embodies the concept of Bharat Mata (Mother India) — the personification of the Indian nation as a divine motherland. This anniversary provides an opportunity to reconnect India’s youth with the freedom struggle’s cultural underpinnings through the universal language of cinema and visual storytelling.
Q.15) In which state has the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) status of Colonel Sher Jung National Park been revoked?
Ans > Himachal Pradesh
- ESZ Revocation: The Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) status of Colonel Sher Jung National Park in Himachal Pradesh was revoked by the Central Government following recommendations from the state government. This decision is significant as ESZs are buffer zones around protected areas designed to minimise the impact of developmental activities on core wildlife habitats.
- About Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ): Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. They regulate activities like mining, quarrying, large construction, and industrial activities near protected areas, acting as a ‘shock absorber’ between the core wildlife zone and the surrounding human-use landscape.
- About Colonel Sher Jung National Park: Colonel Sher Jung National Park (also known as Shilli NP) is located in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh. It is a small national park in the Shivalik hills of the outer Himalayas. The revocation of its ESZ status has raised concerns among conservationists about increased developmental pressure on the park’s periphery and its biodiversity.
- ESZ Controversy in India: ESZ notifications have been a source of significant conflict in India — communities living near protected areas sometimes view ESZs as restrictions on their livelihoods (farming, construction, tourism), while conservationists argue they are essential for long-term wildlife protection. The Supreme Court has mandated a minimum 1 km ESZ around all protected areas, though state governments have frequently sought modifications and relaxations.
Q.16) National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on 24 April. The provision of Panchayat is in which schedule of the Indian Constitution?
Ans > Schedule 11
- Constitutional Provision: The Eleventh Schedule (Schedule 11) of the Indian Constitution was added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 — the landmark legislation that gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Schedule 11 lists 29 subjects/functions that can be delegated to Panchayats, including agriculture, land improvement, rural roads, water management, education, health, and poverty alleviation programmes.
- National Panchayati Raj Day: National Panchayati Raj Day (Rashtriya Panchayati Raj Diwas) is observed on 24 April every year — the date on which the 73rd Constitutional Amendment came into force in 1993. The day celebrates grassroots democracy and the empowerment of India’s approximately 2.55 lakh gram panchayats, 6,600 panchayat samitis, and 680 zila parishads across the country.
- 73rd Amendment’s Key Features: The 73rd Amendment Act (1992) created Parts IX of the Constitution (Articles 243-243O), mandating: three-tier Panchayati Raj structure (gram, block, district levels), five-year terms with regular elections, 33% reservation for women (increased to 50% in many states), State Finance Commissions, and State Election Commissions for conducting PRI elections — transforming India’s rural governance landscape.
- Related Schedules: The 12th Schedule (added by the 74th Amendment, 1992) covers urban local bodies (municipalities) with 18 subjects. The 11th and 12th Schedules together represent India’s decentralisation framework — transferring powers to local self-governments at rural and urban levels. Both amendments were implemented during PM Narasimha Rao’s government, championed by Finance Minister Manmohan Singh.
Q.17) How many environmental activists received the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize?
Ans > 6 activists
- Prize Winners: The 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize — often called the ‘Green Nobel’ — was awarded to 6 environmental activists, one from each of the world’s six inhabited continental regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America. The 2026 cohort made history as the first-ever all-women group of winners across all six regions.
- About the Goldman Environmental Prize: Established in 1989 by San Francisco civic leaders Richard and Rhoda Goldman, the Goldman Environmental Prize annually recognises grassroots environmental heroes who have taken significant actions to protect or restore natural environments, often at great personal risk. Each winner receives $200,000 USD — the world’s largest prize for grassroots environmental activism.
- Six-Region Structure: The prize gives one award per region to ensure geographical diversity: Africa (often focused on conservation or resource rights), Asia (frequently involving industrial pollution or forest protection), Europe (climate, rewilding, or fossil fuel resistance), Islands (ocean and coral reef protection), North America (Indigenous land rights, pipeline resistance), and South & Central America (Amazon and Andean ecosystem protection). Each region’s award reflects its specific environmental frontline challenges.
- India’s Goldman Winners: India has produced several Goldman Prize laureates including Prafulla Samantara (2017, Niyamgiri hills protection), Priya Pillai (2016, forest rights, Mahan coal block), Ramesh Agrawal (2014, coal mining impacts in Chhattisgarh), and Rasheeda Bee & Champa Devi Shukla (2004, Bhopal gas tragedy activism). India’s diverse environmental challenges have created a tradition of award-winning environmental activism.
Q.3) Who has developed India’s first integrated agricultural intelligence ecosystem?
Ans > IIT Ropar (Indian Institute of Technology Ropar)
- Innovation: IIT Ropar (Rupnagar, Punjab) developed India’s first integrated agricultural intelligence ecosystem — a comprehensive AI and data-driven platform that combines satellite imagery, IoT soil sensors, weather data, crop models, and machine learning algorithms to provide farmers with actionable, real-time insights for crop planning, pest management, irrigation scheduling, and yield prediction.
- About IIT Ropar: IIT Ropar (Indian Institute of Technology Ropar) is a newer-generation IIT established in 2008 in Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab — located in the heart of India’s agrarian Punjab heartland. Despite being newer, it has carved a niche in agricultural technology, biomedical engineering, and sustainable development research, leveraging its proximity to farming communities for applied research with real-world impact.
- Agricultural AI in India: India’s agriculture sector — which employs 42% of the workforce and contributes 18% of GDP — faces chronic challenges of low productivity, weather uncertainty, pest outbreaks, soil degradation, and water stress. AI-powered agri-intelligence systems can dramatically improve farm decision-making, reduce input costs, improve yields, and help India’s 12 crore farm households transition to precision agriculture.
- Government Agri-Tech Initiatives: India’s AI-for-Agriculture drive is supported by multiple government initiatives: Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM), AgriStack (India’s digital agriculture data platform), Krishi Decision Support System (KDSS), PM-KISAN portal, and ISRO’s Fasal Bima (crop insurance using satellite data). IIT Ropar’s ecosystem complements these platforms with indigenous AI intelligence for farm-level decision support.
Q.4) General Upendra Dwivedi was recently inducted into the International Hall of Fame of which institution?
Ans > US Army War College
- Induction: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, was inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the prestigious US Army War College (USAWC) — one of the highest honours an international military officer can receive from the American military education establishment, recognising exceptional leadership and contribution to global security and military excellence.
- About the US Army War College: The United States Army War College (USAWC), located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is America’s senior military educational institution for strategic leaders. It offers the Master of Strategic Intelligence and Master of Strategic Studies degrees and conducts senior leader education for US and international military officers at the flag rank level. Its International Hall of Fame honours outstanding foreign military alumni who have contributed significantly to their nations and global security.
- About General Upendra Dwivedi: General Upendra Dwivedi is the 30th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, taking charge in June 2024 after retirement of General Manoj Pande. He previously served as the Vice Chief of Army Staff. An alumnus of multiple prestigious military institutions including the National Defence College and College of Combat, he is known for his expertise in counter-insurgency, mountain warfare, and India’s northern frontier security.
- India-USA Defence Partnership: India-USA defence relations have deepened dramatically over the past decade — with India now a Major Defence Partner of the USA, signatory to all four foundational agreements (GSOMIA, LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA), a Quad member, and a recipient of advanced defence systems including P-8I aircraft, C-17 Globemasters, and Apache helicopters. General Dwivedi’s USAWC recognition reflects this deepening strategic partnership.
Q.20) Which Indian Navy ship participated in the 4th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026) in April 2026?
Ans > INS Nireekshak
- Exercise Participation: INS Nireekshak, a diving support vessel of the Indian Navy, participated in the 4th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026) held in April 2026 — a bilateral naval exercise focused on underwater diving operations, search and rescue techniques, mine countermeasures, and maritime safety protocols between the two navies.
- About INS Nireekshak: INS Nireekshak is a diving support and salvage vessel (DSSV) of the Indian Navy, designed for conducting complex diving operations including saturation diving (deep-water operations), underwater survey, ship-salvage, and submarine rescue support. ‘Nireekshak’ means ‘Inspector’ or ‘Observer’ in Sanskrit — reflecting its surveillance and inspection role in underwater operations.
- DIVEX Exercise: The India-Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX) is a specialised bilateral naval exercise focused on diving and underwater operational skills. It builds interoperability between Indian and Sri Lankan naval divers in search and rescue, casualty evacuation, underwater obstacle clearance, and joint salvage operations — enhancing the maritime partnership between these two Indian Ocean neighbours.
- India-Sri Lanka Naval Relations: India and Sri Lanka share deep maritime ties — India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour (separated by the 22 km Palk Strait) and largest maritime security partner. Regular bilateral exercises like SLINEX (surface), SLAF-IAF (air), and DIVEX (diving) build interoperability, trust, and capacity within the framework of India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision for the Indian Ocean.
Q.6) NARIT-AI has been launched by which state police?
Ans > Gujarat Police
- Launch: Gujarat Police launched ‘NARIT-AI’ — an AI-powered law enforcement tool designed to enhance crime detection, predictive policing, real-time surveillance analysis, and digital evidence processing — making Gujarat Police one of India’s most technology-forward state law enforcement agencies in the adoption of artificial intelligence for internal security and crime prevention.
- What is NARIT-AI? NARIT-AI (the full form stands for the system’s specific capabilities) is an integrated AI platform that processes large volumes of data from CCTV networks, police records, FIR databases, and field reports to identify patterns, predict crime hotspots, assist in criminal identification, and automate routine documentation — dramatically improving police response time and investigative efficiency.
- AI in Indian Policing: Several Indian states have been pioneering AI in policing: Andhra Pradesh (FACE AI for criminal identification), Tamil Nadu (TANCOP digital policing), Telangana (Hawk-Eye surveillance), and now Gujarat’s NARIT-AI. The Ministry of Home Affairs is also developing a national AI crime analytics framework under the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) programme.
- Privacy Concerns: The deployment of AI surveillance tools by police raises important questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, mass surveillance, and civil liberties — issues being actively debated globally and in India. India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 provides some framework, but specific guidelines for AI use in law enforcement are still evolving, making oversight and accountability mechanisms critically important.
Q.13) Which country has built the world’s first permanent underground nuclear waste vault named ‘Onkalo’?
Ans > Finland
- World First: Finland became the world’s first country to build a permanent, deep geological repository (DGR) for high-level nuclear waste — named ‘Onkalo’ (meaning ‘hiding place’ or ‘cavity’ in Finnish) — located at Olkiluoto in southwestern Finland, 400-500 metres deep in stable Precambrian bedrock that has been geologically stable for over 1.8 billion years.
- What is Onkalo? Onkalo is designed to safely store Finland’s high-level nuclear waste (spent fuel from its nuclear power plants) for 100,000 years — the time needed for radioactive decay to reduce radiation to safe levels. Spent nuclear fuel is encapsulated in copper canisters, surrounded by bentonite clay buffer, and buried in the granite bedrock in a system of tunnels — a multi-barrier containment approach endorsed by the IAEA.
- Global Nuclear Waste Challenge: Nuclear waste management is one of the most technically and politically challenging problems of the atomic age. Currently, approximately 390,000 tonnes of high-level nuclear waste is stored in temporary facilities worldwide — in over 30 countries with nuclear power programmes. Onkalo’s completion gives other nuclear nations a proven model to follow for permanent geological disposal.
- India’s Nuclear Waste Management: India manages its nuclear waste through the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). India’s nuclear power plants (operated by NPCIL) generate spent fuel that is reprocessed using India’s unique closed fuel cycle approach — extracting plutonium for fast breeder reactors, significantly reducing the volume and radioactivity of waste requiring long-term geological disposal.
Q.14) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restoration project in news is related to which UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Ans > Konark Sun Temple
- Restoration Project: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook a major restoration and conservation project at the Konark Sun Temple — India’s iconic 13th-century masterpiece of Kalinga architecture, located in Odisha. The project addresses structural vulnerabilities, weathering damage, and long-term conservation challenges facing this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- About Konark Sun Temple: The Konark Sun Temple (Surya Mandir) was built in the 13th century CE (c. 1250 CE) by King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Designed in the shape of a massive chariot of the Sun God Surya, with 24 intricately carved stone wheels and 7 horses, it is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements in Indian history. It is located approximately 35 km from Puri in Odisha.
- UNESCO World Heritage Status: Konark Sun Temple was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 under the criteria of being an outstanding example of human creative genius and an important testimony to a cultural tradition. It is often called the ‘Black Pagoda’ by ancient European sailors who used it as a navigational landmark on the Bay of Bengal coast.
- ASI’s Conservation Role: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the primary agency responsible for the archaeological research and protection of India’s cultural heritage. It maintains over 3,693 ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance. The Konark restoration is part of ASI’s ongoing efforts to preserve India’s heritage for future generations using modern conservation science alongside traditional craftsmanship techniques.
Q.19) NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will map space how many times faster than the Hubble Space Telescope?
Ans > 1,000 times faster
- Revolutionary Capability: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman) is designed to survey the sky approximately 1,000 times faster than the Hubble Space Telescope — with the same sharp resolution but an astronomically wider field of view (100 times larger than Hubble’s). This extraordinary capability will enable Roman to create the most comprehensive maps of the universe ever produced.
- About Nancy Grace Roman: The Roman Space Telescope is NASA’s next flagship space observatory, named after Nancy Grace Roman (1925-2018) — NASA’s first Chief of Astronomy and ‘Mother of Hubble’ who was instrumental in developing the Hubble Space Telescope programme. Roman’s observatory carries a 2.4-metre primary mirror (same size as Hubble) but with a 300-megapixel infrared camera providing its vastly wider field of view.
- Scientific Objectives: Roman’s primary science goals include: dark energy investigation (measuring the universe’s accelerating expansion), exoplanet surveys (via gravitational microlensing — potentially finding thousands of exoplanets including Earth-mass ones), infrared surveys of galaxy formation and evolution, and a complement to James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of the early universe.
- India and Space Astronomy: India’s space science programme (ISRO and Indian Institute of Astrophysics) has been growing — AstroSat (launched 2015, India’s first multi-wavelength space observatory) remains operational. Indian astronomers also collaborate extensively with NASA and ESA observatories. Roman’s galaxy surveys will provide data valuable to Indian astrophysicists studying large-scale structure, dark matter, and cosmic evolution.
Q.5) Rajesh Kumar Agarwal has recently taken charge as Director at which organization?
Ans > Power Finance Corporation (PFC)
- Appointment: Rajesh Kumar Agarwal took charge as Director at Power Finance Corporation (PFC) — India’s premier infrastructure finance company for the power sector. His appointment strengthens PFC’s leadership team as the organisation plays a central role in financing India’s massive power infrastructure expansion under PM Surya Ghar and the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
- About PFC (Power Finance Corporation): Power Finance Corporation Limited is a Navratna CPSE (Central Public Sector Enterprise) under the Ministry of Power. Established in 1986, PFC is India’s largest infrastructure finance company focused exclusively on the power sector — providing long-term financial assistance for generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable energy projects. It also serves as the nodal agency for the RDSS (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme).
- PFC’s Financial Strength: PFC is one of India’s largest and most profitable PSUs — with a loan book exceeding ₹10 lakh crore and annual profits exceeding ₹28,000 crore. It is listed on BSE and NSE and is part of the Nifty 50 index. Following its acquisition of REC Limited (Rural Electrification Corporation), PFC-REC together form India’s most powerful power sector financing duo.
- India’s Power Sector Ambitions: India’s power sector is undergoing a historic transformation — targeting 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030, achieving 24×7 power supply for all, and expanding transmission infrastructure to meet surging electricity demand (India’s power consumption is expected to double by 2032). PFC’s financing is critical to this energy transition, making its leadership appointments strategically significant.
Q.10) Recently deceased Shiv Ratan Agarwal was the founder and chairman of which company?
Ans > Bikaji Foods International
- Passing: Shiv Ratan Agarwal, the visionary founder and chairman of Bikaji Foods International, passed away recently. He was the entrepreneur who built Bikaji from a small traditional namkeen (savoury snack) business in Bikaner, Rajasthan into India’s second-largest ethnic snack brand — now a publicly listed company with revenues exceeding ₹2,000 crore and international presence in over 35 countries.
- About Bikaji Foods: Bikaji Foods International is one of India’s leading FMCG companies specialising in traditional Indian snacks (namkeen), sweets, papad, and frozen food. Founded in 1986 in Bikaner (the ‘bhujia capital of India’), Bikaji has grown into a ₹12,000+ crore market cap company with a diverse product range including bhujia, mixtures, papad, rasgulla, and ethnic sweets distributed across India and globally.
- Bikaner’s Snack Heritage: Bikaner in Rajasthan is historically renowned as the birthplace of ‘bhujia’ — the iconic spiced gram flour noodle snack that has become synonymous with Indian snack culture globally. The Bikaner bhujia was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, protecting its unique heritage. Shiv Ratan Agarwal’s family was part of the legendary Bikanervala snack-making tradition before establishing Bikaji as an independent brand.
- India’s Snack Industry: India’s packaged snack and namkeen industry is valued at approximately ₹50,000 crore and growing at 12-15% annually. Key players include Haldiram, Bikaji, Balaji Wafers, PepsiCo’s Lay’s, ITC Bingo, and numerous regional players. The sector employs lakhs of workers and has deep roots in Indian food culture — from street snacks to premium packaged exports targeting the global Indian diaspora.
Q.18) L&T has signed a long-term green ammonia supply deal with which Japanese company?
Ans > ITOCHU Corporation
- Deal Significance: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) signed a landmark long-term green ammonia supply agreement with Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation — one of Japan’s largest trading conglomerates. This deal positions India as a major green ammonia exporter to Japan, which is actively seeking clean hydrogen/ammonia imports to decarbonise its heavy industry and energy sectors as part of its 2050 carbon neutrality commitment.
- About Green Ammonia: Green ammonia is produced by combining green hydrogen (produced via electrolysis using renewable electricity) with nitrogen from the air. It is a ‘carbon-free’ molecule that can be used as a clean fuel (for shipping, power generation), a hydrogen carrier for transport, and as fertiliser feedstock — replacing conventional ammonia produced from fossil fuels (grey ammonia). Green ammonia is central to global decarbonisation strategies.
- About ITOCHU Corporation: ITOCHU Corporation is one of Japan’s premier general trading companies (Sogo Shosha), with annual revenues exceeding ¥14 trillion and operations spanning textiles, machinery, metals, energy, food, and chemicals. ITOCHU is actively building a green energy supply chain, having secured green hydrogen and ammonia supply agreements with multiple countries to support Japan’s energy transition.
- India’s Green Hydrogen Mission: India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched in January 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore, targets production of 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. India has vast renewable energy potential (solar, wind) and strategic geographic position — making it a competitive green hydrogen and ammonia exporter to energy-importing nations like Japan, South Korea, and Germany.
Q.1) Where did India and Bhutan hold the 7th meeting of the Joint Customs Group?
Ans > Kerala
- Meeting Location: The 7th meeting of the India-Bhutan Joint Customs Group (JCG) was held in Kerala — a significant bilateral meeting focused on streamlining customs procedures, trade facilitation, duty structures, smuggling prevention, and border trade management between India and Bhutan, the two close Himalayan neighbours that share a special bilateral relationship.
- India-Bhutan Special Relationship: India and Bhutan share one of South Asia’s most unique bilateral relationships — governed by the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty (originally 1949, updated 2007). Bhutan is not a member of the UN Security Council and its external affairs are guided in close coordination with India. India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, largest aid provider, and primary market for Bhutan’s hydropower exports (which power much of eastern India).
- Joint Customs Group: The India-Bhutan Joint Customs Group is a bilateral technical body that oversees customs cooperation, harmonises trade procedures, prevents customs fraud and smuggling, manages the trade imbalance, and implements the India-Bhutan Trade, Commerce and Transit Agreement. Regular JCG meetings ensure that the two countries’ customs systems work seamlessly to facilitate legitimate trade while preventing illicit flows.
- Kerala’s Trade Context: Kerala, though not bordering Bhutan, was chosen as the venue — possibly as a neutral ground or for administrative convenience. Kerala itself has significant trade interests in South Asia and Southeast Asia, with major ports at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram handling considerable bilateral trade flows. Kerala’s modern trade infrastructure made it a suitable venue for the high-level bilateral customs discussions.
Q.2) Annalena Baerbock, who is set to visit India, currently serves as the President of which body?
Ans > United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
- Role & Visit: Annalena Baerbock — the German Green Party politician who served as Germany’s Foreign Minister (2021-2025) — was elected as President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2025. Her planned visit to India as UNGA President reflects the high diplomatic importance of the India-UN relationship and India’s growing role in global multilateral affairs.
- About the UNGA: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the main deliberative body of the United Nations, in which all 193 member states have equal representation (one country, one vote). It meets annually from September for a General Debate. The UNGA President is elected annually, rotating among the UN’s regional groups, and serves a one-year term. The President presides over sessions and represents the Assembly in external functions.
- About Annalena Baerbock: Annalena Baerbock (born 1980) is a prominent German politician and climate advocate. As Germany’s first female Foreign Minister (2021-2025), she championed feminist foreign policy, climate diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation. Her election as UNGA President signalled the Assembly’s commitment to climate action, gender equality, and rules-based international order — themes central to Germany’s foreign policy priorities.
- India-UN Relationship: India is one of the founding members of the United Nations (1945) and has been deeply engaged in UN peacekeeping (one of the largest troop contributors historically), multilateral climate negotiations, and UN reform advocacy. India’s candidacy for a permanent seat on the reformed UN Security Council is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, making high-level UN engagements strategically important for New Delhi.
Q.7) China recently announced sending two giant pandas to which zoo in the United States under a new conservation partnership?
Ans > Zoo Atlanta
- Panda Diplomacy: China announced the gifting/loan of two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, Georgia (USA) under a new 10-year conservation partnership agreement — marking a renewal of China’s famous ‘Panda Diplomacy’ with the United States. This gesture comes as a positive signal in the complex China-USA relationship, with giant pandas serving as living symbols of bilateral goodwill and scientific cooperation.
- About ‘Panda Diplomacy’: China has used giant pandas as diplomatic gifts and loans since the 1950s — most famously to the USA in 1972 following President Nixon’s historic visit to China. China loans pandas to friendly nations under conservation agreements, typically for 10 years, with annual fees of approximately $1 million per panda going towards conservation of wild panda habitats in China. Currently, 27 countries host Chinese pandas.
- About Zoo Atlanta: Zoo Atlanta, located in Atlanta, Georgia, has a long history of hosting giant pandas — it was home to Yang Yang and Lun Lun for over 20 years, and their offspring were born at the zoo. Atlanta returned its last pandas to China in 2023. The new pair represents a renewed partnership. Zoo Atlanta is also known for its large gorilla habitat and conservation research programmes.
- Giant Panda Conservation: The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) was downgraded from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List in 2016 — a conservation success story. China’s wild panda population has recovered to approximately 1,864 individuals. China’s extensive network of panda reserves, breeding centres (like Chengdu Research Base), and the international panda loan programme have all contributed to this remarkable conservation recovery.
📌 Quick Summary — 25 April 2026
🏛️ National, Days & Governance
- World Penguin Day: Observed annually on 25 April — coincides with Adélie penguins’ annual northward migration; raises awareness about penguin conservation and climate change.
- World Malaria Day 2026: Observed on 25 April — WHO established 2007; India reduced malaria cases by 90%+ under NFME 2016-30; R21 malaria vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India.
- 6G Tech: Central Govt launched revised ‘Technology Development and Investment Promotion Scheme’ (TDIP) — ₹203 crore outlay to promote 6G and indigenous telecom innovation.
- Culture: Ministry of Culture launched ‘VM Frames’ national filmmaking competition to commemorate 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ (composed 1876 by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay).
- Environment: Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Colonel Sher Jung National Park revoked in Himachal Pradesh.
- Panchayati Raj: National Panchayati Raj Day — 24 April; provisions of Panchayat are in Schedule 11 of Indian Constitution (added by 73rd Amendment, 1992).
- Goldman Prize: 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize awarded to 6 activists (one per region) — historic first all-women cohort across all six regions.
🔬 Agriculture & Innovation
- Agri-AI: IIT Ropar developed India’s first integrated agricultural intelligence ecosystem — AI + IoT + satellite data platform for precision farming and farmer decision support.
🛡️ Defense & Navy
- Army Chief Honour: General Upendra Dwivedi (COAS) inducted into International Hall of Fame of US Army War College — reflects deepening India-USA strategic partnership.
- Naval Exercise: INS Nireekshak (diving support vessel) participated in 4th India-Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026) in April 2026.
🔬 Science, Space & Tech
- AI Policing: Gujarat Police launched ‘NARIT-AI’ — AI-powered crime detection and surveillance analysis platform.
- Nuclear Waste: Finland built world’s first permanent underground nuclear waste vault named ‘Onkalo’ — 400-500 m deep in granite, stores waste for 100,000 years.
- Heritage: ASI restoration project at Konark Sun Temple — UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1984), 13th-century Kalinga architecture masterpiece in Odisha.
- Space: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will map space 1,000 times faster than Hubble — 300 MP infrared camera, 100x wider field of view.
📈 Economy & Business
- Appointment: Rajesh Kumar Agarwal took charge as Director at Power Finance Corporation (PFC) — India’s largest power sector infrastructure financier.
- Obituary: Shiv Ratan Agarwal (founder & chairman, Bikaji Foods International) passed away — built Bikaner’s traditional snack industry into a listed ₹12,000+ crore brand.
- Green Energy: L&T signed long-term green ammonia supply deal with Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation — supports India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (5 MMTPA by 2030).
🌍 International Relations
- India-Bhutan: 7th meeting of India-Bhutan Joint Customs Group (JCG) held in Kerala — focuses on trade facilitation and customs cooperation.
- UN: Annalena Baerbock (German politician, former Foreign Minister) set to visit India — currently serves as President of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
- Panda Diplomacy: China announced sending two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, USA — revival of ‘Panda Diplomacy’ between China and the United States.
Current Affairs Quiz
25 April 2026
20
Questions
6
Categories
Apr 2026
Current Affairs
0
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