Daily Current Affairs 2026

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

🔍
Q.1) Who became the first player in IPL history to hit 800 boundaries?

Ans > Virat Kohli

  • Historic Milestone: Virat Kohli became the first batter in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to cross the landmark of 800 boundaries — a feat that encompasses both fours and sixes across his entire IPL career. As the all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL with over 8,000 runs, Kohli has been a model of consistency across all 18 seasons of the tournament.
  • Kohli’s IPL Career: Kohli plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and has been the face of the franchise since 2008. He holds the record for the most runs in a single IPL season — 973 runs in IPL 2016, which also included 4 centuries, a record. He is renowned for his ability to consistently find the boundary and rotate strike.
  • IPL Records Context: The IPL, launched in 2008 by BCCI under the vision of Lalit Modi, is the world’s most lucrative T20 cricket league. Records like boundary counts, strike rates, and centuries are closely tracked. Other leading run-scorers include Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and David Warner. For exams: IPL is governed by BCCI; franchise auctions, team compositions, and player records are frequently asked in sports GK sections.
Q.2) Abhishek Sharma became the first Indian to achieve which feat in IPL history?

Ans > Score multiple IPL centuries in under 50 balls

  • Record Achievement: Abhishek Sharma, the explosive Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener, became the first Indian batter in IPL history to score multiple centuries in under 50 balls — demonstrating extraordinary striking power and the ability to win matches single-handedly in the powerplay overs. He is one of the most destructive T20 batters to emerge from India in recent years.
  • About Abhishek Sharma: Born in Punjab, Abhishek Sharma is a left-handed batter and left-arm spinner. He made his India debut in 2024 and quickly established himself as a key T20 match-winner. He scored a sensational 135 off 54 balls against Zimbabwe in 2024. Playing for SRH, he has been instrumental in the team’s aggressive, high-scoring brand of cricket.
  • T20 Batting Explosion: The evolution of T20 batting has led to increasingly aggressive approaches. Sub-50-ball centuries were once considered almost impossible in T20 cricket. The fastest T20I century is 35 balls by Rohit Sharma. IPL has been the primary driver of this T20 evolution, producing match-winners like Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, and now Abhishek Sharma. This kind of record is important for Sports GK in competitive exams.
Q.3) The ‘Thomas and Uber Cup’, which began on April 24, 2026, is associated with which sport?

Ans > Badminton

  • Thomas Cup and Uber Cup: The Thomas Cup (men’s team badminton world championship) and the Uber Cup (women’s team badminton world championship) are the two most prestigious team events in international badminton, held biennially by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The Thomas Cup was first held in 1948-49, and the Uber Cup in 1956-57. They are now held simultaneously at the same venue.
  • India’s Badminton Rise: India has been a growing force in international badminton — winning its maiden Thomas Cup in 2022 (defeating 14-time champion Indonesia in the final in Bangkok), a watershed moment for Indian badminton. India’s success is driven by PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (world’s top doubles pair), and H.S. Prannoy. The Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy has been central to this rise.
  • BWF and Key Facts: BWF (Badminton World Federation) is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Badminton became an Olympic sport in 1992. Key BWF tournaments: All England Championships (oldest tournament), BWF World Championships, Thomas Cup, Uber Cup, Sudirman Cup (mixed team), BWF World Tour Finals. China has dominated the Uber Cup (14 titles) while Indonesia leads Thomas Cup (14 titles). These are standard GK questions in WBCS, SSC, and UPSC.
Q.4) The tenure of the MD/CEO of Bank of India has been extended for three years. What is his name?

Ans > Rajnish Karnataka

  • Extension of Tenure: The government approved a three-year tenure extension for Rajnish Karnataka as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Bank of India — a major public sector bank under the ownership of the Government of India. Such extensions are granted by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and signal confidence in the incumbent’s leadership and the bank’s performance under their tenure.
  • About Bank of India: Bank of India (BoI) is one of India’s largest public sector banks — headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Established in 1906 and nationalised in 1969 (one of 14 banks nationalised in the first wave), BoI has a strong international presence with branches across 22 countries. It is listed on both BSE and NSE. BoI offers a wide range of retail, corporate, and international banking services.
  • PSB Leadership Appointments: MD & CEOs of public sector banks (PSBs) are appointed by the government based on the recommendation of the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) — an autonomous body set up in 2016 to professionalise PSB leadership selection. Key banks and their apex regulatory framework: Reserve Bank of India (Central Bank); NABARD (agricultural credit); NHB (housing); EXIM Bank (export-import financing). For exams, always track current MD & CEO appointments of major PSBs.
Q.5) Who has recently been appointed as the new Chairperson of NASSCOM?

Ans > Srikanth Velamakanni

  • NASSCOM New Chairperson: Srikanth Velamakanni was appointed as the new Chairperson of NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) — India’s premier IT industry body. The NASSCOM Chairperson leads the industry’s advocacy with the government, shapes technology policy positions, and represents India’s $250+ billion IT-BPM sector internationally. Velamakanni brings extensive experience in AI and enterprise technology.
  • About NASSCOM: NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) was established in 1988 and is headquartered in New Delhi (with offices across India and internationally). It is the apex body of India’s IT, BPO, and technology startup ecosystem — representing over 3,000 member companies. NASSCOM produces the widely cited annual ‘India IT-BPM Industry Report’ and organises the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF), India’s premier tech summit.
  • India’s IT Sector Significance: India’s IT-BPM (Information Technology — Business Process Management) sector contributes approximately 7.5% to India’s GDP and employs over 5 million professionals directly. India is the world’s largest IT services exporter, with the US, UK, and Europe as primary markets. Major IT companies headquartered in India: TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra. The sector is critical to India’s foreign exchange earnings and current account balance.
Q.6) India has recently approved the first drawdown of ₹30 billion for which country under the ‘SAARC Currency Swap Framework’?

Ans > Maldives

  • SAARC Currency Swap — Maldives: India approved the first drawdown of ₹30 billion (approximately $360 million) for the Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework — providing critical financial support to the island nation facing balance of payments stress. This is among the largest such activations under the framework and reflects India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its role as the first responder to regional economic crises.
  • SAARC Currency Swap Framework: The SAARC Currency Swap Framework was established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide short-term foreign exchange liquidity support to SAARC member countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) facing balance of payments difficulties. India committed $2 billion under this framework. This instrument allows India to use its large forex reserves to support regional economic stability.
  • Maldives’ Economic Context: The Maldives — an archipelago of 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean, officially the Republic of Maldives, capital Malé — is heavily dependent on tourism and fish exports. The country has faced significant forex reserve depletion due to large external debt (particularly to China under BRI projects), declining tourism, and currency pressures. India’s financial support is crucial for maintaining Maldives’ economic stability and its broader strategic relationship with New Delhi.
  • India-Maldives Relations: India and the Maldives share historical, cultural, and strategic ties — Maldives lies astride India’s sea lanes and is critical to India’s Indian Ocean security framework. The relationship has seen periodic challenges but India remains the primary partner for Maldives’ development, disaster response, and economic support. The $30 billion drawdown demonstrates India’s commitment to Maldives’ stability under the current government’s cooperative posture.
Q.7) The United States announced a heavy preliminary anti-dumping duty on solar cells and panels imported from India. What is the duty rate imposed on India?

Ans > 123.04%

  • US Anti-Dumping Duty on India: The United States Department of Commerce imposed a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 123.04% on solar cells and panels imported from India — one of the highest such duties imposed on Indian exports. Anti-dumping duties are imposed when a foreign country is found to be exporting goods at prices below fair market value, causing material injury to the domestic industry of the importing country.
  • India’s Solar Export Industry: India has been rapidly expanding its solar manufacturing capacity under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar PV modules — aiming to build 50 GW of domestic solar module manufacturing capacity. Indian solar companies, including Adani Solar, Waaree Energies, Vikram Solar, and Goldi Solar, have been exporting panels to the US, taking advantage of Indian cost competitiveness. The anti-dumping duty directly threatens this export market.
  • Implications for India’s Solar Industry: The 123.04% duty effectively prices Indian solar panels out of the US market, forcing Indian companies to either absorb losses, renegotiate contracts, or redirect exports to other markets (Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa). India has been lobbying against such duties, arguing they undermine global renewable energy goals. The duty may accelerate Indian companies’ consideration of US-based manufacturing facilities to circumvent tariff barriers.
  • Global Solar Trade Context: The global solar panel market is dominated by Chinese manufacturers (controlling 80%+ of global supply). The US has imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panels for over a decade — prompting Chinese manufacturers to route exports through Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand). India has emerged as an alternative supplier to the US, but the new duties signal intensifying protectionism in the US clean energy manufacturing sector under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) framework.
Q.8) Which company has become the first private fintech company to directly join the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Centralized Payment System (CPS)?

Ans > PayPoint India

  • Historic First for Fintech: PayPoint India became the first private fintech company to be directly admitted into the Reserve Bank of India’s Centralised Payment System (CPS) — a landmark regulatory milestone for India’s payments ecosystem. Direct membership in the CPS allows PayPoint India to clear and settle transactions independently without going through a bank intermediary, potentially reducing costs, improving settlement speed, and expanding access to payment infrastructure.
  • About PayPoint India: PayPoint India is a fintech company operating an assisted digital payments and banking services network — serving primarily underbanked and rural populations through a network of retail outlets acting as banking correspondents and payment collection points. The company facilitates bill payments, money transfers, insurance collections, and government benefit disbursements across Tier-3 to Tier-6 markets where bank branches are sparse.
  • RBI’s Centralised Payment System (CPS): The RBI’s payment systems include RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement — for high-value transactions), NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer), IMPS (Immediate Payment Service), and UPI (Unified Payments Interface). The CPS is the overarching framework for clearing and settlement of payment transactions in India. Historically, direct membership was restricted to commercial banks — PayPoint India’s inclusion marks a regulatory evolution toward non-bank payment system participants.
  • India’s Digital Payment Landscape: India processed over 160 billion digital payment transactions in FY2024-25 — driven by UPI (80+ billion transactions annually), RTGS, NEFT, and IMPS. India’s UPI is now operational in 11+ countries. NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) manages UPI, RuPay, and other retail payment systems. The RBI’s Payment Vision 2025 targets a 3x increase in digital payment volumes. India’s payment ecosystem is considered one of the world’s most advanced. For exams: track payment system milestones, NPCI initiatives, and fintech regulatory developments.
Q.9) Indian scientists discovered a rare new species of frog in Arunachal Pradesh that builds its own nest. What is the scientific name of this species?

Ans > Limnonectes motijheel

  • New Species Discovery: Indian scientists discovered Limnonectes motijheel — a rare new species of fanged frog — in Arunachal Pradesh that builds its own foam nest for egg-laying, an extremely unusual behavior among Indian amphibians. The species was found in the biodiversity-rich forests of Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and highlights the largely unexplored biodiversity of Northeast India’s forests.
  • About Limnonectes (Fanged Frogs): Limnonectes is a genus of frogs commonly called ‘fanged frogs’ due to small tooth-like structures (odontoid processes) on the lower jaw of males — used in combat with other males and for handling prey. Most species are found in South and Southeast Asia. The nest-building behavior in Limnonectes motijheel — constructing foam nests near water bodies — is rare in this genus and adds to the scientific understanding of amphibian reproductive strategies.
  • Arunachal Pradesh’s Biodiversity: Arunachal Pradesh is one of India’s biodiversity hotspots, located in the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot — one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots. The state has over 500 bird species, 90 mammal species, 100 reptile species, and 200+ amphibian species. It is home to the Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Pakke Tiger Reserve, and multiple wildlife sanctuaries. New species discoveries from Arunachal are reported regularly — both plants and animals — due to limited scientific exploration in its remote forests.
  • India’s Amphibian Diversity: India has over 430 amphibian species — the sixth highest in the world — with new species being discovered regularly (8-12 new amphibian species are described from India annually). The Western Ghats and Northeast India are the two primary amphibian diversity hotspots. Conservation threats include habitat loss (deforestation), climate change (temperature and precipitation changes), chytrid fungal disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), and collection for international pet trade. For exams: new species names, their discovery locations, and the scientists involved are frequently asked.
Q.10) Which two Indian landfill sites were recently placed among the world’s top 25 methane-emitting waste sites in a satellite-based study?

Ans > Mumbai and Secunderabad

  • Methane Emissions Study: A satellite-based scientific study identified India’s Deonar landfill (Mumbai, Maharashtra) and Jawaharnagar landfill (Secunderabad/Hyderabad, Telangana) among the world’s top 25 methane-emitting waste sites — a significant environmental finding with global climate change implications. The study used high-resolution satellite imagery and atmospheric sensors to quantify methane leakage from landfill sites worldwide.
  • Methane and Climate Change: Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas — 80 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 20-year period in terms of global warming potential. Landfills are one of the largest anthropogenic methane sources globally, as organic waste (food, paper, wood) decomposing anaerobically in landfills produces biogas (a mixture of methane and CO₂). Capturing landfill gas and converting it to energy is both an environmental solution and an economic opportunity.
  • India’s Waste Management Crisis: India generates approximately 150,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) daily — of which only 20-25% is scientifically processed. Deonar (Mumbai) is India’s oldest and largest landfill — operational since 1927, covering 326 acres, containing an estimated 12-17 million tonnes of garbage. India’s landfills are severely overstressed, operating beyond capacity, with scientific closure and bioremediation urgently needed under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission: Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) — launched October 2, 2014 — has made sanitation and waste management central to urban governance. SBM Urban 2.0 (2021-2026) targets zero landfilling of untreated waste, 100% door-to-door collection, and scientific processing of all MSW. The satellite study findings serve as a stark reminder of the scale of work remaining to meet these targets. For exams: SBM, landfill rules, methane as a GHG, and India’s waste statistics are recurring topics.
Q.11) Which has become the first healthcare institution in India to be recognised as a “Zero Waste to Landfill” campus under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0?

Ans > NITRD (National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases), New Delhi

  • Zero Waste Achievement: The National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD), New Delhi, became the first healthcare institution in India to achieve ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ campus status under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 — a pioneering model for biomedical waste management, segregation, recycling, and sustainable hospital operations. NITRD achieves this by ensuring all waste generated within its campus is processed, recycled, or scientifically treated — with zero residue sent to a landfill.
  • About NITRD: The National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD), formerly called Lala Ram Sarup Hospital (LRS Institute), is located in New Delhi under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is India’s premier institution for tuberculosis (TB) research, treatment, and training — with a 650+ bed hospital, research laboratories, and a TB training centre. India has the world’s highest TB burden (26% of global cases), making NITRD’s role critical to India’s mission to eliminate TB by 2025.
  • Biomedical Waste Management: Healthcare facilities generate two types of waste: (1) General waste (similar to household waste — recyclable, compostable) and (2) Biomedical waste (sharps, contaminated materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals) — which must be treated under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016. Achieving Zero Waste to Landfill requires hospitals to segregate waste at source (coloured bins — yellow, red, white, blue), process biomedical waste in Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTFs), compost food waste, and recycle dry waste.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 Significance: SBM-U 2.0 (2021-2026, budget ₹1.41 lakh crore) targets: all cities achieving ODF+ (open defecation free) status, zero landfill of untreated waste, and 1 lakh registered waste pickers integrated into formal waste management. NITRD’s achievement as the first Zero Waste to Landfill healthcare campus creates a replicable model for India’s 1,000+ district hospitals and 18,000+ CHCs that currently contribute significantly to India’s solid waste problem.
Q.12) Which organization has approved ‘Otarmeni’, the world’s first gene therapy for the treatment of congenital deafness?

Ans > US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)

  • World’s First Gene Therapy for Deafness: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ‘Otarmeni’ (otoferlin gene therapy) as the world’s first gene therapy for the treatment of congenital deafness — specifically targeting hearing loss caused by mutations in the OTOF gene (encoding otoferlin protein), which is responsible for a significant proportion of hereditary hearing loss cases. This represents a transformative breakthrough in audiology and genetic medicine.
  • About Otarmeni (Otoferlin Gene Therapy): Otarmeni works by delivering a functional copy of the OTOF gene using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector directly into the cochlear hair cells of the inner ear. Otoferlin is essential for the release of neurotransmitters from inner hair cells — without functional otoferlin, the auditory nerve cannot transmit sound signals to the brain. Clinical trials showed significant restoration of hearing in children with OTOF mutations who were previously profoundly deaf. It is administered as a single-dose injection into the cochlea.
  • Global Significance of Gene Therapy: Gene therapy has been one of medicine’s most transformative frontiers in the 21st century — with approvals now including: Luxturna (inherited retinal dystrophy, 2017), Zolgensma (spinal muscular atrophy — world’s most expensive drug at $2.1 million, 2019), Hemgenix (haemophilia B, 2022), and now Otarmeni for congenital deafness. These therapies target rare genetic disorders with no previous cure, offering one-time treatments that address the root genetic cause.
  • About the US FDA: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland — is the primary regulatory authority for food, drugs, biologics, and medical devices in the United States. FDA approval is globally significant as it sets the standard for drug safety and efficacy worldwide. Once FDA-approved, drugs often seek approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Japan’s PMDA, and India’s CDSCO. For exams: FDA, EMA, WHO prequalification, CDSCO, and ICMR are key regulatory bodies in health sciences questions.
Q.13) Which company developed ‘Claude Mythos’, the new AI model that was in the news in April 2026?

Ans > Anthropic

  • Claude Mythos by Anthropic: ‘Claude Mythos’ is a next-generation AI model developed by Anthropic — designed for advanced reasoning, complex problem-solving, and creative tasks. The model represents a significant advancement in large language model (LLM) capabilities, particularly in areas of logical reasoning, mathematics, scientific analysis, and nuanced understanding of context. Anthropic is one of the leading AI safety-focused research companies globally.
  • About Anthropic: Anthropic is an AI safety company founded in 2021 by Dario Amodei (CEO), Daniela Amodei (President), and other former OpenAI researchers. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Anthropic’s flagship product is the ‘Claude’ family of AI assistants — known for their safety-first design philosophy and Constitutional AI (CAI) training methodology. Anthropic has raised significant venture capital from Google, Amazon, Spark Capital, and others, with a valuation exceeding $18 billion.
  • Global AI Competition Landscape: The global AI industry is experiencing rapid development — with key players including: OpenAI (GPT-4o, o3 series, ChatGPT), Google DeepMind (Gemini series), Anthropic (Claude series), Meta AI (Llama series — open source), Mistral AI (European open-source models), and Chinese players (Baidu’s ERNIE, Alibaba’s Qwen, DeepSeek). India’s AI models include Sarvam AI’s Saarika, Krutrim by Ola, and TCS/Infosys AI tools. Competitive exams increasingly include AI company/product identification questions.
  • AI Regulation and Safety: AI safety is an increasingly important global policy issue — with major regulatory developments including: EU AI Act (2024 — world’s first comprehensive AI regulation), US Executive Order on AI Safety (2023), India’s IndiaAI Mission (2024), and G7/G20 AI Governance frameworks. Anthropic’s focus on AI safety (preventing harmful outputs, ensuring honest and harmless AI behavior) positions it uniquely in a market where safety versus capability tradeoffs are intensely debated.
Q.14) In April 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the ‘Defence Investor Summit’ held in which city?

Ans > Munich, Germany

  • Defence Investor Summit in Munich: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Defence Investor Summit in Munich, Germany — engaging with European defence companies, investors, and policymakers to promote India as a destination for defence investment, technology partnership, and co-production under India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) defence initiative. Munich is a major European defence industry hub, home to companies like MTU Aero Engines, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), and Rohde & Schwarz.
  • India’s Defence Manufacturing Push: India aims to achieve ₹3 lakh crore ($36 billion) in defence production by 2029, including ₹50,000 crore ($6 billion) in defence exports — up from ₹21,000 crore in FY2023-24 (a record high). Key policy initiatives include: Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 with Make in India provisions, two Defence Industrial Corridors (Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu), FDI in defence raised to 74% via automatic route (100% via government route), and iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) for startup-led defence innovation.
  • Rajnath Singh as Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh (BJP, Lucknow constituency) has been India’s Defence Minister since May 2019 (second term) under PM Narendra Modi. During his tenure, India has approved major defence acquisitions including Rafale jets, Apache attack helicopters, S-400 air defence systems, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, and initiated domestic programmes like LCA Tejas Mk-2, AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), and DRDO’s various missile systems. For exams: track defence deals, exports, and ministerial visits.
Q.15) Recently, the names of 33,000 Indian soldiers of World War I were added to which memorial in Iraq?

Ans > Basra Memorial

  • Basra Memorial — Indian Soldiers: The names of 33,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the Mesopotamian Campaign (modern Iraq) during World War I were recently added to the Basra Memorial in Iraq — a historic act of recognition and commemoration for Indian soldiers who fought under the British Indian Army more than a century ago. This represents one of the largest additions to a war memorial commemorating Indian sacrifices globally.
  • Basra Memorial: The Basra Memorial (also known as the Basra War Cemetery) is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) memorial located in Basrah, Iraq — commemorating the servicemen who died in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) during the First World War and whose graves are not known. The memorial was originally unveiled in 1929. The addition of 33,000 Indian names is a significant historical correction, ensuring their sacrifice is permanently and formally recognised.
  • Indian Soldiers in World War I: Over 1.5 million Indian soldiers served in World War I (1914-1918) under the British Indian Army — one of the largest military contributions from any single country. Indian soldiers fought in Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Palestine, East Africa, and the Western Front (France and Flanders). Approximately 74,000 Indian soldiers died in WWI. Despite this enormous sacrifice, Indian soldiers are often underrepresented in mainstream WWI historiography. Key battles with Indian involvement: Battle of Haifa (1918), Siege of Kut (1915-16), Battle of Neuve Chapelle (1915).
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission: The CWGC was established in 1917 (under Royal Charter) to commemorate Commonwealth servicemen and women killed in WWI and WWII. It maintains cemeteries and memorials in 150+ countries. India is a member of the CWGC. The commission maintains over 23,000 burial sites with 1.7 million commemorated individuals. For exams: CWGC, India’s role in both World Wars, and major war memorials (India Gate, Amar Jawan Jyoti, National War Memorial) are recurring topics.
Q.16) The “VM Frames” National Filmmaking Competition was launched to celebrate 150 years of which national song?

Ans > Vande Mataram

  • VM Frames Competition: The ‘VM Frames’ National Filmmaking Competition was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram — inviting filmmakers, short film creators, and content creators to express their patriotic spirit and artistic vision through the lens of this iconic national song. The competition aims to engage India’s young creative talent in celebrating the cultural and historical significance of Vande Mataram.
  • About Vande Mataram: ‘Vande Mataram’ (I bow to thee, Mother) was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (Chatterjee) in 1876 — first published in his novel ‘Anandamath’ (1882). The song was first sung at the Indian National Congress session in 1896 by Rabindranath Tagore. It became the rallying cry of the Indian independence movement and was adopted as India’s National Song in 1950. The first two stanzas are officially recognized as the National Song.
  • Vande Mataram vs. Jana Gana Mana: A key distinction for exams: ‘Jana Gana Mana’ — composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911 — is India’s National Anthem (officially adopted January 24, 1950). ‘Vande Mataram’ — composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay — is India’s National Song (also adopted in 1950). The National Anthem has a duration of 52 seconds when sung in full. Playing of the National Anthem is governed by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
  • 150 Years of Vande Mataram: 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the composition of Vande Mataram (composed in 1876). The Government of India is commemorating this milestone through various cultural events, exhibitions, film competitions (VM Frames), and educational programmes. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1838-1894) is also known for works like Durgeshnandini, Kapalkundala, and Rajmohan’s Wife — the first novel in English by an Indian author.
Q.17) Under which Article has the Supreme Court considered Road Safety as a part of the ‘Right to Life’ of citizens?

Ans > Article 21

  • Supreme Court on Road Safety: The Supreme Court of India held that road safety is an integral component of the Right to Life and Personal Liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution — placing a positive obligation on the state to ensure safe roads, enforce traffic laws, and prevent road accidents that claim over 1.5 lakh lives annually. The court has been suo motu (taking note on its own) monitoring India’s road safety situation through a dedicated bench.
  • Article 21 — Expanding Horizons: Article 21 of the Indian Constitution states: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.” Through judicial interpretation, the Supreme Court has progressively expanded Article 21 to encompass: Right to health (Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of WB), Right to education (pre-86th Amendment), Right to clean environment, Right to privacy (Puttaswamy, 2017), Right to reproductive autonomy, Right to live with dignity — and now, Right to safe roads.
  • India’s Road Safety Crisis: India has one of the world’s worst road safety records — approximately 1.53 lakh deaths and 3.84 lakh serious injuries annually (NCRB, 2023). India accounts for about 11% of global road accident deaths despite having 1% of the world’s vehicles. Key causes: speeding (over-speeding accounts for 71% of accident deaths), drunk driving, poor road design, overloading, non-use of helmets/seatbelts, and poor emergency response. The UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030) targets 50% reduction in road deaths globally.
  • Key Road Safety Laws and Initiatives: Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 — significantly increased penalties for traffic violations (drunk driving: ₹10,000+/imprisonment; over-speeding: ₹2,000-4,000; no helmet: ₹1,000). NHAI’s iRAD app (integrated Road Accident Database). National Road Safety Policy (2010). Good Samaritan Law (protects bystanders who help accident victims). Article 21 jurisprudence makes road safety not merely an administrative matter but a fundamental rights issue, enhancing judicial oversight.
Q.18) Which Ministry has launched the ‘SMILE-Beggary Survey’ mobile application in April 2026?

Ans > Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

  • SMILE-Beggary Survey App: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the ‘SMILE-Beggary Survey’ mobile application to conduct a comprehensive national survey of persons engaged in begging — mapping their locations, demographics, vulnerabilities, and needs. The data collected will guide targeted rehabilitation, shelter, healthcare, and skill development interventions under the SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme.
  • SMILE Scheme: The SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme was launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, merging the earlier ‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation Scheme for Welfare of Transgender Persons’ and ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging.’ The scheme covers two components: SMILE-Transgender (education, healthcare, skill development) and SMILE-Beggary (rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging).
  • About Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) is responsible for welfare, social justice, and empowerment of disadvantaged groups — including Scheduled Castes, OBCs, Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), senior citizens, de-notified tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes. Key schemes: Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC), Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, and now SMILE.
  • Beggary and Law: Beggary (begging) is not a central criminal offence in India — it is governed by state-level Prevention of Begging Acts. The Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 (which criminalises begging) is one such law — the Delhi High Court in 2018 struck down key provisions criminalising begging as unconstitutional (violating Articles 14, 19, and 21). The Supreme Court is examining similar questions. The SMILE approach — rehabilitation rather than criminalisation — aligns with international best practices and Supreme Court guidance.
Q.19) Who is the author of the recently launched book “The Curious and the Classified”?

Ans > Manoj Mukund Naravane

  • The Curious and the Classified: ‘The Curious and the Classified’ is the memoir/book authored by General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retired) — former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army. The book provides an insider’s account of his military career, strategic challenges faced during his tenure, key decisions, and his perspective on India’s national security landscape — including the 2020 India-China Galwan Valley confrontation, which occurred during his tenure as Army Chief.
  • About General Manoj Mukund Naravane: General Manoj Mukund Naravane (born April 14, 1960) served as the 28th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from December 2019 to April 2022. He was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry regiment and served in various operational theatres including Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast India, and Sri Lanka (IPKF). During his tenure, he oversaw the disengagement process with China along the LAC following the 2020 Galwan clash where 20 Indian soldiers were martyred.
  • Books by Retired Military Chiefs: Indian military and intelligence chiefs increasingly pen memoirs after retirement — providing valuable historical records. Notable recent books: Lt. Gen. DS Hooda’s ‘On Guard: National Security in a Changing World’; former RAW chief Dulat’s ‘The Chief’s Chair’; former NSA Shivshankar Menon’s ‘Choices: Inside the Making of India’s Foreign Policy’; and now Naravane’s ‘The Curious and the Classified.’ These books appear frequently in ‘books and authors’ GK sections of competitive exams.
Q.20) When is World Intellectual Property Day observed annually?

Ans > 26 April

  • World Intellectual Property Day: World Intellectual Property Day is observed globally on April 26 every year — established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000. The date marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the WIPO Convention (April 26, 1970). Each year, WIPO designates a theme — focusing on innovation, creativity, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets as drivers of economic development and human progress.
  • About WIPO: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) — headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland — is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting the protection of intellectual property (IP) worldwide. WIPO administers 26 international treaties, including the Paris Convention (industrial property), Berne Convention (copyright), Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and Madrid System (trademark registration). India is a WIPO member. WIPO’s Director General is Daren Tang (Singapore, since 2020).
  • Types of Intellectual Property: Key IP categories: (1) Patents — protect inventions for 20 years; (2) Copyrights — protect creative works (literary, musical, artistic) for life of author + 60 years in India; (3) Trademarks — protect brand names, logos (renewable indefinitely); (4) Geographical Indications (GIs) — protect products originating from a specific region (e.g., Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, Kolkata Rosogolla — India has 480+ GIs); (5) Trade Secrets — confidential business information; (6) Industrial Designs — protect visual features of products. India’s IP law is governed by CGPDTM (Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks) under DPIIT.
  • India and IP: India’s IP regime has been evolving — with the National IPR Policy (2016) aiming to strengthen IP creation and commercialisation. India granted 109,000+ patents in FY2023-24 (a record), reduced patent examination time from 5.8 years to 2 years, and has a growing trademark and copyright registration system. GI tags are particularly important for India — protecting traditional products, handicrafts (Pashmina, Kanjivaram silk, Madhubani paintings), and agricultural products that represent India’s cultural and agricultural heritage.

📌 Quick Summary — Daily Current Affairs | 28 April 2026

🏏 Sports
  • 800 Boundaries: Virat Kohli became the first player in IPL history to hit 800 boundaries.
  • Abhishek Sharma: First Indian to score multiple IPL centuries in under 50 balls (SRH opener).
  • Thomas & Uber Cup: Began April 24, 2026 — associated with Badminton (governed by BWF).
👔 Appointments
  • Bank of India MD/CEO: Rajnish Karnataka’s tenure extended for three years.
  • NASSCOM Chairperson: Srikanth Velamakanni appointed as new NASSCOM Chairperson.
💰 Banking, Economy & Business
  • SAARC Currency Swap: India approved ₹30 billion first drawdown for Maldives.
  • US Anti-Dumping Duty: 123.04% duty imposed on India’s solar cells/panels by the USA.
  • PayPoint India: First private fintech to directly join RBI’s Centralised Payment System (CPS).
🌿 Environment & Ecology
  • New Frog Species: Limnonectes motijheel — nest-building frog discovered in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Methane Emitters: Mumbai and Secunderabad landfills in world’s top 25 methane-emitting waste sites.
  • Zero Waste Campus: NITRD, New Delhi — first healthcare institution with ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ status under SBM Urban 2.0.
🔬 Science, Technology & Health
  • Gene Therapy: US FDA approved ‘Otarmeni’ — world’s first gene therapy for congenital deafness.
  • Claude Mythos: New AI model in news — developed by Anthropic (San Francisco-based AI safety company).
🏛️ National, Defense, Polity & More
  • Defence Summit: Rajnath Singh addressed Defence Investor Summit in Munich, Germany (April 2026).
  • Basra Memorial: Names of 33,000 Indian WWI soldiers added to Basra Memorial, Iraq.
  • VM Frames: National Filmmaking Competition — celebrates 150 years of Vande Mataram.
  • Road Safety — Art. 21: Supreme Court declared Road Safety part of Right to Life under Article 21.
  • SMILE-Beggary App: Launched by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (April 2026).
  • Book — “The Curious and the Classified”: Authored by Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.), former COAS.
  • World IP Day: Observed annually on April 26 — established by WIPO, Geneva.
Timer ⏳
15:00
Total XP 💎
0
Best Score 🏆
0
Streak 🔥
0
Score ⭐
0
Progress (0/20)

Click any card to flip and reveal the answer!

Smart Review: Questions you got wrong appear here for focused study.