Daily Current Affairs: 4 April 2026

Nitish Kumar to take oath as Rajya Sabha member on April 10.

Key Updates:

• Nitish Kumar is set to take oath as a Rajya Sabha member on April 10.
• Senior National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders are expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony.
• Kumar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah during his Delhi visit.
• After the oath, Kumar will return to Patna and hold a meeting with Janata Dal (United) (JDU) leaders.
• Kumar is likely to resign as Bihar chief minister on April 13.
• He is expected to attend Parliament's three-day special session beginning April 16.
• Deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary is among the frontrunners to succeed Kumar as chief minister.
• JDU may get the deputy chief minister's post and could also demand the Speaker's post.

Chanchal Kumar appointed Information and Broadcasting Secretary

Key Updates:

• Chanchal Kumar, a 1992-batch Bihar cadre IAS officer, was appointed Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 31 March 2026.
• Sanjay Jaju moved from Information and Broadcasting Secretary to Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
• Rohit Kansal, 1995-batch AGMUT cadre, appointed Secretary, Department of Rural Development after Shailesh Kumar Singh’s superannuation.
• Bhuvnesh Kumar, 1995-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre, appointed Secretary, Ministry of Tourism replacing Srivatsa Krishna.
• Srivatsa Krishna appointed Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs replacing Chandra Sekhar Kumar.
• Chandra Sekhar Kumar appointed CEO, National Rainfed Area Authority under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Bharat Harbanslal Khera appointed Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Abhishek Singh shifted from Director-General, National Informatics Centre to Director-General, National Testing Agency under Ministry of Education.

Sudarsan Pattnaik appointed Brand Ambassador for Census 2027

Key Updates:

• Sudarsan Pattnaik, Padma Shri (2014) awardee and Guinness World Record holder for the tallest sand castle (48 feet 8 inches, Puri 2017), named Brand Ambassador for Census 2027 by the Government of India (GoI).
• Census 2027 will be the 16th Census of India and the 8th after independence, conducted under the Census Act 1948 by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI).
• Census 2027 is the first digital census in the country and its official mascots are Pragati (female) and Vikas (male).
• Pattnaik uses sand art for social campaigns on climate change, Covid-19 and children’s rights and has represented India in international art festivals and exhibitions.

NCERT granted deemed-to-be university status

[NCERT]

Key Updates:

• The National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been declared a deemed-to-be university by the Ministry of Education on the advice of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• The deemed status covers NCERT and its six constituent units: Regional Institutes of Education in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru and Shillong, and the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal.
• NCERT is now empowered to award its own degrees and must launch research, doctoral and innovative academic programmes.
• All academic programmes must conform to UGC norms and cannot be commercial or profit-making.
• NCERT must participate in National Institutional Ranking Framework rankings and create Academic Bank of Credits identities for its students.

Min Aung Hlaing became President of Myanmar.

[Myanmar]

Key Updates:

• Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency after stepping down as armed forces commander as required by the constitution.
• The newly-elected parliament that selected him is dominated by military loyalists, with the military guaranteed 25% of seats and its party winning nearly 80% of the rest.
• General Ye Win Oo succeeded Min Aung Hlaing as armed forces commander.
• Min Aung Hlaing created a new consultative council that holds paramount authority over civilian and military affairs.
• Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in the November 2020 election before the 1 February 2021 coup.
• The National Unity Government, operating from resistance-held areas near the Thailand border, rejects the new government and parliament as illegitimate.

Rao Inderjit Singh holds Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

[United Nations]

Key Updates:

• Rao Inderjit Singh is Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• He also holds Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Planning.
• He serves as Minister of State in Ministry of Culture.
• He provided the information in Rajya Sabha on 23 March 2026.

INS Malwan delivered to Indian Navy as second ASW shallow water craft.

[Cochin Shipyard Limited, Indian Navy]

Key Updates:

• Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered INS Malwan on 31 March 2026.
• Malwan is the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) under a Ministry of Defence-approved programme.
• The vessel is about 80 metres long, displaces around 1,100 tonnes and uses a waterjet propulsion system.
• Over 80% of the ship’s content is indigenous and it is built to DNV classification rules.
• Malwan is named after the coastal town of Malwan in Maharashtra associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s maritime legacy.
• The craft carries lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced sonar and radars for littoral operations.
• Besides anti-submarine warfare, the ship can conduct mine-laying, coastal patrol and low-intensity maritime operations.
• The eight-vessel series includes Mahe, Malwan, Mangrol, Malpe, Mulki, Munroe, Makkah and Mandavi.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) ranks India third-largest renewable energy market in 2025

[IRENA]

Key Updates:

• India added 45 GW of renewable capacity in 2025, raising total installed renewable energy capacity to 250.5 GW from 175.9 GW in 2023.
• Solar capacity additions in India reached 37 GW in 2025, making it the second-highest contributor globally after China.
• India’s wind energy capacity increased by 6.3 GW in 2025, marking its highest annual increase.
• Hydropower installed capacity in India grew from 52 GW in 2024 to 56 GW in 2025, while pumped hydro rose from 4.7 GW to 7.2 GW.
• Globally, renewable share of total installed power capacity rose to 49.4 per cent in 2025 from 46.3 per cent in 2024.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) retains LIC, GIC Re, New India Assurance as D-SIIs for FY26

[IRDAI, LIC, GIC Re, New India Assurance]

Key Updates:

• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has retained Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), and The New India Assurance Company Ltd. as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for FY 2025-26.
• The list remains unchanged from FY 2024-25 following IRDAI's annual assessment.
• D-SIIs are insurers whose distress or failure could significantly disrupt the domestic financial system.
• IRDAI mandates these insurers to strengthen corporate governance standards, enhance risk identification processes, and promote a robust risk management framework.
• The identified insurers will continue to be subject to enhanced regulatory supervision.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bars banks from offering non-deliverable INR derivatives and rebooking cancelled contracts

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred authorised dealers from offering non-deliverable derivative contracts involving the Indian rupee to residents or non-residents.
• Deliverable foreign exchange derivatives allowed only for hedging and users must not hold offsetting non-deliverable positions.
• Rebooking of any cancelled foreign exchange derivative contract involving INR is not permitted after the circular issued on Wednesday.
• Authorised dealers are prohibited from undertaking INR derivative transactions with related parties as defined under Ind AS 24 or IAS 24.
• The revised directions are effective immediately and issued under FEMA provisions until further review.
• The Indian rupee appreciated 2 per cent to 92.94 per dollar following the central bank’s measures to curb speculative trading.

SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL) to deploy ₹1,005 crore Antariksh Venture Capital Fund for Indian space startups from FY2027

Key Updates:

• The Antariksh Venture Capital Fund, managed by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL), will begin investing in Indian space startups from the first quarter of FY2027.
• The fund has a committed corpus of ₹1,005 crore aimed at boosting private sector innovation in India’s space economy.
• SVCL received Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registration for the fund on 31 October 2025.
• The fund completed its initial closing on 10 November 2025 after appointing a custodian and registering with depositories for issuing alternative investment fund units.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the first round of funding approvals is expected soon.

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) sign land lease for 2,000-tonnes per day coal-to-ammonium nitrate project.

[Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited]

Key Updates:

• Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) signed a land lease agreement for a coal-to-ammonium nitrate project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district, Odisha.
• The agreement was signed in New Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy.
• The project will have a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day and will come up on 350 acres.
• The project has received support of Rs 1,350 crore.
• The project will use indigenous technology developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
• Two major contracts have been awarded to BHEL and two others to Larsen & Toubro.
• The Centre has approved an outlay of Rs 8,500 crore to promote coal gasification.
• Seven coal gasification projects have been finalised, including three where groundbreaking ceremonies have been completed.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Emirates NBD's 60% stake acquisition in RBL Bank

[Reserve Bank of India, Emirates NBD, RBL Bank]

Key Updates:

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Emirates NBD Bank's proposed acquisition of a 60% stake in RBL Bank.
• Emirates NBD Bank will acquire the stake for approximately Rs 26,853 crore, marking the largest takeover of an Indian lender by a foreign financial institution.
• The transaction includes amalgamation of Emirates NBD's India operations with RBL Bank, subject to regulatory clearances.
• Emirates NBD will launch a mandatory open offer to acquire up to 26% of RBL Bank's expanded voting share capital at Rs 280 per share, covering around 415.58 million shares.
• The open offer is expected to commence as early as next week, pending approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

Ethanol-Blended Petrol (E20) Mandate rolls out nationwide with 95 RON default grade

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) mandated oil marketing companies to supply ethanol-blended petrol with up to 20 per cent ethanol content across all states and Union territories from 1 April 2026.
• The notification issued on 17 February 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act requires the fuel to meet Bureau of Indian Standards specifications with a minimum Research Octane Number of 95.
• E20 petrol consists of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol, replacing the earlier E10 blend.
• Ethanol feedstock includes sugarcane, maize and other agricultural inputs.
• Vehicles manufactured after April 2023 are designed to run on E20 fuel, while older vehicles may require monitoring of fuel system components.
• Fuel efficiency may decline by around 3 to 7 per cent due to ethanol’s lower energy content compared with petrol.

NCERT granted deemed-to-be university status to award own degrees

[NCERT]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Education, on the advice of the University Grants Commission (UGC), declared the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and its six constituent units as deemed-to-be university under the distinct category.
• The six constituent units are regional institutes of education in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru and Shillong, and the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal.
• The deemed status prohibits NCERT from commercial and profit-making activities and mandates that all academic programmes conform to UGC norms.
• NCERT must obtain UGC approval before starting new programmes, off-campus or offshore centres.
• NCERT has been directed to launch research, doctoral and innovative academic programmes and to participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework rankings.
• NCERT must create Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) identities for students and upload their credit scores in digital lockers for reflection in the ABC portal.

CBSE AI and Computational Thinking Curriculum for Classes 3-8 from 2026-27

[CBSE]

Key Updates:

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the CBSE curriculum on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Classes 3 to 8, to be introduced from the 2026-27 academic session.
• The initiative is themed 'AI for Education, AI in Education' and aims to build foundational digital and analytical skills among young learners.
• The curriculum includes structured modules, teacher handbooks, and a defined assessment framework focusing on logical reasoning, problem-solving, pattern recognition, and ethical use of technology.
• For Classes 3 to 5, computational thinking will be integrated across subjects like mathematics, languages, and environmental studies through activity-based learning using puzzles, games, and storytelling.
• In Classes 6 to 8, students will be introduced to foundational AI concepts alongside computational thinking.
• The curriculum has been developed by the Department of School Education and Literacy in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
• Support material will be made available through platforms such as DIKSHA.

E20 Petrol Mandate: Nationwide 20% Ethanol-Blended Fuel Roll-Out from 1 April 2025

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) directed that from 1 April 2025 all petrol pumps nationwide must supply E20 petrol containing up to 20% ethanol.
• E20 petrol has an octane rating of about 95 RON compared to regular petrol’s 91–92 RON, allowing smoother combustion.
• Ethanol for E20 is domestically produced from crops such as sugarcane, maize, and grains, helping cut fuel import costs and support farmers.
• Most newer vehicles are E20-compatible, while older vehicles may experience slight drops in fuel efficiency and potential long-term wear on engine components.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality standards apply to E20 fuel across all regions.

Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme Extended till 30 September

[World Trade Organization]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Textiles extended the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for apparel, garments, and made-ups until 30 September.
• The extension, effective from 1 April, follows the conclusion of the scheme’s previous validity on 31 March.
• The RoSCTL scheme refunds embedded taxes and levies, including Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel, mandi taxes, and electricity duties, which remain outside the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.
• Benefits are provided through transferable duty credit scrips or e-scrips via a digitised customs ledger system to be used for paying basic customs duty.
• A committee led by the Department of Expenditure, including representatives from the Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, and the Ministry of Textiles, will conduct quarterly reviews of the scheme.
• India’s readymade garment (RMG) exports rose to approximately $16.01 billion in FY25 from $14.55 billion in FY24.
• The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) reported that India’s share in global apparel exports is 3%, while Bangladesh and Vietnam hold 7% and 6% respectively.

CBSE AI & Computational Thinking Curriculum for Classes 3-8 from 2026-27

[Central Board of Secondary Education]

Key Updates:

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the CBSE curriculum on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Classes 3-8, to be introduced from the 2026-27 academic session.
• The initiative is themed 'AI for Education, AI in Education' and aims to build foundational digital and analytical skills among young learners.
• The curriculum includes structured modules, teacher handbooks, and a defined assessment framework.
• For Classes 3-5, computational thinking will be integrated across subjects like mathematics, languages, and environmental studies through activity-based learning using puzzles, games, and storytelling.
• In Classes 6-8, students will be introduced to foundational AI concepts alongside computational thinking.
• The curriculum has been developed by the Department of School Education and Literacy in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
• Support material will be made available through platforms such as DIKSHA.

DoT extends SIM-binding deadline for OTT platforms to December 31

Key Updates:

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) extended the SIM-binding implementation deadline for OTT platforms to December 31.
• The original 90-day compliance window was set after DoT issued directions on November 28, 2025, under the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024.
• The mandate for automatic six-hour logout and QR-code re-authentication on web and desktop sessions has been withdrawn; a risk-based termination approach for suspected fraud cases is now adopted.
• Platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat, Signal, and Arattai cited technical readiness timelines of October-November 2026 for full SIM-binding across Android and Apple ecosystems.

Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing elected president by pro-military parliament

[Myanmar]

Key Updates:

• Senior General Min Aung Hlaing won 429 of 584 parliamentary votes cast to become Myanmar’s president.
• The vote took place in the pro-military parliament on Friday, as confirmed by combined-house speaker Aung Lin Dwe.
• Min Aung Hlaing led the 2021 coup that ousted Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
• The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party secured over 80 percent of contested seats in the December–January election.
• Armed-forces members occupy 25 percent of unelected parliamentary seats.
• Ye Win Oo, former intelligence chief, succeeded Min Aung Hlaing as commander-in-chief on Monday.
• China congratulated Min Aung Hlaing and pledged high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Indian Navy launches Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR with 16 friendly nations

Key Updates:

• INS Sunayna, an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy, set sail from Mumbai as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR.
• Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, flagged off the ship carrying naval personnel from India and sixteen maritime forces of Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs).
• IOS SAGAR harbour phase was completed from March 16-29, and the sea phase runs from April 2 to May 20 across the South-Eastern Indian Ocean Region.
• Port calls during deployment include Colombo (Sri Lanka), Phuket (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia), Singapore, Chittagong (Bangladesh), Yangon (Myanmar), Male (Maldives), and Kochi (India).
• Training modules cover seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, maritime safety, firefighting, damage control, VBSS operations, and advanced bridgemanship.

UN Security Council postpones vote on Strait of Hormuz defensive force resolution

[UNSC]

Key Updates:

• The UN Security Council (UNSC) postponed a scheduled Friday vote on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain to authorise defensive force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.
• The postponement was due to the United Nations observing Good Friday as a public holiday.
• No new date for the vote has been announced, though it is now expected on Saturday.
• Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the UNSC, submitted the draft resolution.
• The final draft authorises countries to use all defensive means necessary in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters for at least six months to secure passage and deter interference with international navigation.
• Russia, China and France, all veto-wielding members of the 15-member UNSC, had expressed opposition to approving the use of force.

India dispatches 1,000 tonnes of rice to Burkina Faso amid humanitarian crisis

[Burkina Faso]

Key Updates:

• India sent 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Burkina Faso as humanitarian assistance, announced Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
• The consignment aims to support food security for vulnerable communities and internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso.
• Burkina Faso, a landlocked West African nation, faces one of the world's most neglected humanitarian crises due to insecurity and adverse climatic conditions.
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) reports at least 4.5 million people in Burkina Faso need humanitarian assistance in 2026.
• Over two million people have been displaced by years of insecurity, though more than 1.1 million internally displaced persons had returned to their communities by 31 October 2025.
• Burkina Faso's military junta banned all political parties in January, suspending their activities since the 2022 coup.
• Suspected jihadists killed at least 12 civilians in a March village attack, as the country combats violence linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups.

India condemns attacks on United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers

[Indonesia, Lebanon]

Key Updates:

• India condemned the recent attacks on United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers and paid homage to the fallen Blue Helmets.
• Two UNIFIL peacekeepers were killed on Monday near Bani Hayyan in south Lebanon and two other soldiers were wounded in the incident.
• An Indonesian soldier was killed in the intervening night of Sunday and Monday when a projectile exploded near one of the group’s positions.
• India has around 600 Indian troops deployed in UNIFIL.
• Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged all parties to ensure the inviolability of the UN mission and the safety and security of the peacekeepers.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the killing of the peacekeepers and said such attacks were grave violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.

India inducts third nuclear-powered ballistic submarine INS Aridhaman at Visakhapatnam

Key Updates:

• India inducted its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.
• INS Aridhaman is the third Arihant-class submarine and displaces 7,000 tonnes.
• The submarine is equipped with eight vertical launch tubes and can carry either eight K-4 missiles or up to 24 K-15 missiles.
• K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) have a range of up to 750 km, while K-4 SLBMs can hit targets 3,500 km away.
• INS Aridhaman strengthens India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent and completes a fleet of three operational SSBNs for the first time.
• India’s nuclear triad comprises land-based nuclear missiles, air-delivered nuclear weapons, and sea-based SSBNs.
• India’s nuclear doctrine follows a “no first use” policy, and SSBNs ensure a retaliatory second-strike capability.
• India joined the United States, Russia, China, and France as countries with full nuclear triad capabilities.
• The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) collaborated with private firms and Russia for the nuclear submarine project.
• INS Arihant, commissioned in 2016, conducted its first deterrence patrol in 2018 and successfully launched an SLBM in October 2022.
• INS Arighaat, commissioned in 2024, is armed with indigenously built K-15 missiles and powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water nuclear reactors.
• India’s fourth SSBN, codenamed S4*, is under construction and will carry additional K-4 missiles.
• India plans to build two indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) and lease one from Russia by 2027-28.

India and Algeria hold 7th Foreign Office Consultations in Algiers

[Algeria]

Key Updates:

• The 7th round of India-Algeria Foreign Office Consultations was held in Algiers.
• The consultations were co-chaired by Indian Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra and Algerian Secretary General Lounes Magramane.
• Discussions focused on political, trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
• Both sides committed to counterterrorism cooperation.
• Trade expansion was emphasised in pharmaceuticals, energy, and education sectors.
• The meeting followed President of India's historic state visit to Algeria in October 2024.
• Both nations pledged to collaborate across multilateral platforms such as the United Nations (UN).
• Secretary Malhotra explored hydrocarbon alliances with the Algerian Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines.
• Potential partnerships were explored in Constantine's pharmaceutical and academic sectors.
• The next consultation will be held in India.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) increases cardiovascular risk by 71 per cent

Key Updates:

• Individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) face a 71 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) or death from any cause compared to those without the condition.
• The research will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) in Istanbul, Turkey, scheduled for May 12-15.
• The study is a collaboration between Imperial College Health Partners (ICHP), Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly).
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is characterised by recurrent upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to reduced sleep quality and increased cardiovascular risk.
• The prevalence of obesity among people with OSA is between 40 per cent and 70 per cent, with obesity linked to more severe symptoms.
• The study analysed electronic health records from 2.9 million residents, matching 20,300 people diagnosed with OSA with 97,412 comparators.
• The research is identified as the largest matched case-control study of OSA conducted outside the United States (US) to date.

UK raises Newcastle disease risk to medium as European outbreaks surge

[Europe]

Key Updates:

• The UK government raised its Newcastle disease risk level from low to medium after confirmed cases in Spain, Poland and Germany.
• Newcastle disease is caused by avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 and causes clinical signs ranging from mild respiratory issues to severe neurological symptoms and sudden high mortality.
• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published a new outbreak assessment highlighting the growing European disease picture and the threat from migrating birds moving across Europe from March through May.
• National Farmers Union (NFU) Poultry board chair Will Raw urged producers to maintain strict biosecurity and ensure appropriate vaccination against Newcastle disease.
• Commercial layers, breeders and turkey producers typically use multiple live vaccines plus a final inactivated dose before point of lay.
• The virus spreads via direct contact with infected birds or indirectly via contaminated vehicles, equipment, clothing, water or feed.
• Newcastle disease has a broader host range than avian influenza, including pigeons, crows and gulls, increasing prevention difficulty.
• UK historical outbreaks include over 7,000 cases from the Essex 70 virus in the 1970s, 15 broiler and turkey outbreaks in 1997 and one Scottish gamebird case in 2006.

Turkey earthquake lights: USGS and NASA study rare luminous EQL phenomenon

[Turkey, Greece]

Key Updates:

• A 4.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Turkey on April 2.
• Glowing lights appeared in the sky shortly after the quake and are being studied as earthquake lights (EQL).
• The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) classifies EQL as luminous events resembling sheet lightning, glowing spheres, or flickering streams.
• Research presented at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) shows intense crustal pressure releases electrically charged particles called p-holes that ionize air to produce visible light.
• NASA and other space agencies now track EQL using satellite sensors.
• Studies from the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) indicate earthquakes generate strong electrical fields extending into the ionosphere via energetic coupling.
• Nearly 97% of recorded EQL cases occur near rift zones where tectonic plates separate.

ISRO Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) begins Mission Mitra high-altitude astronaut test in Ladakh

[Ladakh]

Key Updates:

• Mission Mitra, run by ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), is a high-altitude test in Ladakh that simulates deep-space harshness through freezing temperatures, low oxygen and isolation.
• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and P Balakrishnan Nair, along with two other Gaganyaan astronauts, arrived in Leh this week for acclimatisation before the exercise.
• The programme name stands for Mapping of Interoperable Traits & Reliability Assessment and focuses on psychological and behavioural strengths rather than technology drills.
• Scientists, engineers, doctors and psychologists support the crew during the rugged simulation that tracks stress resilience to cold, hypoxia and isolation in real time.
• Delayed communications between Ladakh crews and support teams replicate deep-space limits and aim to boost future missions with longer orbits.

TP53 Mutation Detected in 10% of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Cases

Key Updates:

• A multi-institutional study of 830 adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) patients found that nearly one in ten carries a TP53 gene mutation.
• TP53 mutations are associated with poor prognosis and may influence future treatment strategies for this aggressive blood cancer.
• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia originates in the bone marrow and is characterised by rapid production of immature lymphocytes that crowd out healthy blood cells.
• ALL is the most common form of cancer in children and also affects adults.
• According to the World Health Organization classification, the two main types of ALL are B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma and T-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia.
• Common symptoms of ALL include bleeding gums, bone pain, fever, frequent infections, and severe or recurrent nosebleeds.

BCGCL and MCL sign Odisha land lease for 2,000 TPD coal-to-ammonium nitrate plant using BHEL technology

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

• Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) signed a land leasing pact in Odisha for a 2,000 tonnes per day coal to ammonium nitrate project.
• The facility will be built on about 350 acres of land possessed by MCL.
• The project uses indigenous BHEL technology and is India’s first coal gasification initiative of this scale.
• Recent Ministry of Coal policy reforms allow coal-bearing land to be used for coal gasification projects.

U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) adds 40 species to global protection list at COP15 in Brazil

Key Updates:

• The U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) approved listing 40 new species for international protection at the COP15 summit in Campo Verde, Brazil.
• The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica), great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) are among the newly protected species.
• Representatives from 132 countries and the European Union attended the COP15 summit on migratory species.
• CMS Parties are legally obliged to protect listed species, conserve and restore their habitats, prevent migration obstacles and cooperate with other range states.
• A pre-summit report indicated that 49 percent of CMS-catalogued species show declining numbers and nearly one in four are threatened with global extinction.
• A separate U.N. assessment released during the summit warned that migratory freshwater fish populations face collapse due to habitat destruction, overfishing and water pollution.

Rice’s Whale Endangerment Halts Trump Gulf Drilling Expansion as ‘God Squad’ Considers Exemption

Key Updates:

• Rice’s whale, recognised as a distinct species in 2021, numbers fewer than 100 and lives year-round in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico at depths of 100–400 m.
• The whale feeds almost exclusively on silver-rag driftfish, undertakes strenuous daytime dives, rests near the surface at night, and is vulnerable to vessel strikes and noise pollution.
• The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill killed a significant portion of the already-small Rice’s whale population.
• The Trump administration’s drilling plan targets about 1.27 billion acres of U.S. federal Gulf waters and is backed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act mandating at least 30 offshore lease sales over the next 15 years.
• Interior Secretary Doug Burgum convened the seven-member Endangered Species Committee, nicknamed the God Squad, which can exempt projects from Endangered Species Act protections if five votes find net economic benefit.
• The committee has issued exemptions only twice since its 1978 creation: once for a Platte River dam affecting whooping cranes and once for northern spotted owl logging that was later withdrawn after litigation.
• Environmental groups including the Center for Biological Diversity filed emergency lawsuits to block the God Squad meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes near Ternate, Indonesia; tsunami waves recorded, one fatality reported.

[Indonesia]

Key Updates:

• A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia at 06:48 local time on Thursday, with epicentre roughly 120 km from Ternate.
• The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially estimated the quake at magnitude 7.8 and located it in the Molucca Sea.
• Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency reported tsunami wave heights of 20 cm in Bitung and 30 cm in West Halmahera.
• The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) recorded 5 cm waves in Davao, southern Philippines, and lifted the wider tsunami threat about three hours after the quake.
• One person was killed and several houses and buildings were damaged, according to officials quoted by the Associated Press (AP).

YUVIKA programme engages 1,320 Class 9 students across India to boost space science interest

Key Updates:

• Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (YUVIKA), launched in 2019, targets Class 9 students nationwide.
• The programme has enrolled 1,320 students, with 15% reservation for rural and remote areas.
• Selection involves online academic screening and quiz performance followed by verification.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha that YUVIKA aims to build early talent for India’s space sector.

Karnataka tops inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• Karnataka won 23 gold medals to finish as overall champions of the first Khelo India Tribal Games.
• Odisha and Jharkhand followed Karnataka in the medal tally.
• The Games were hosted in Chhattisgarh with around 3800 participants from 30 states and union territories.
• Karnataka secured 15 gold medals in swimming alone and dominated athletics to lead the medal haul.
• Komolika Bari of Jharkhand won the archery gold on the final day.
• Arjun Khara of Odisha competed in the recurve men's category.
• Nine disciplines featured, including traditional sports demonstrations like mallakhamb and kabaddi.
• Manikanta L and Dhoneesh N were standout swimmers for Karnataka.

Bodhana Sivanandan overtakes Lan Yao to become England's top-rated female chess player

[United Kingdom]

Key Updates:

• Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, tops the latest International Chess Federation (FIDE) rating list for England with 2366 points.
• She displaced four-time British women's champion Lan Yao, 25, from the number-one position.
• Sivanandan entered the world top-100 women at rank 72 for the first time.
• Her family migrated from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, to England in 2007.
• She became a Woman International Master last year and defeated former world champion Grandmaster Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine at the European Club Cup in Rhodes, Greece.

Good Friday 2026 falls on April 3

Key Updates:

• Good Friday 2026 is on April 3.
• Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ under Pontius Pilate.
• The day is also called Holy Friday, Great Friday, or Black Friday.
• Catholics may fast with one full meal and up to two smaller meals not equalling a full portion.
• Abstinence from meat is practised; milk, cheese, butter, and eggs are normally allowed.

Samrat Samprati Museum inaugurated in Gandhinagar on March 31, 2026

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The museum is named after Samrat Samprati Maharaj (224 to 215 BC), the grandson of Samrat Ashoka and a prominent figure in Jainism.
• The facility houses over three lakh manuscripts inscribed on palm leaves and birch bark, representing historical, cultural, and spiritual legacies.
• Acharya Bhagwant Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj spent 60 years travelling across India to search for and collect these ancient manuscripts.
• The Government of India has launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission to focus on the digitisation, scientific preservation, and digital archiving of ancient manuscripts.
• The museum showcases a harmonious collection of various Indian traditions, including the Vedas, Puranas, Ayurveda, Yoga, and Darshana.

MoU Signed on 4 February 2026 to Modernise Delhi Prepaid Taxi System

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 4 February 2026 between Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL) and Delhi Traffic Police to modernise Delhi’s prepaid taxi services.
• The MoU covers 34 prepaid taxi booths located at 21 key points in the national capital.
• Delhi Traffic Police will manage booth operations, recruit staff, verify drivers, ensure passenger safety, and establish a control room mechanism for monitoring and coordination.
• STCL will handle digital integration, financial management including staff salaries, maintenance of booths, and branding initiatives.
• As of 23 March 2026, approximately 130 personnel are engaged in various support and operational roles under the cooperative model.
• STCL operates on a no-profit, no-loss basis under a self-sustaining cooperative framework.

Odisha Police awarded President's Police Colour on 90th police foundation day

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

• Odisha Police received the President’s Police Colour, the highest honour for a police force, on 1 April 2026.
• The award was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and coincided with Odisha’s 90th police foundation day celebrated on Utkal Divas.
• Director-general of police Y B Khurania stated the honour recognises the force’s exceptional service, professionalism and achievements.
• Additional director-general (headquarters) Prateek Mohanty noted the award is given for maintaining law and order, crime prevention, bravery, discipline and milestones including anti-Maoist operations.

Vice President releases Sudha Murty’s book 'Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament' on 1 April 2026

Key Updates:

• Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (RS) Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book 'Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament' authored by Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Smt. Sudha Murty at Samvidhan Sadan on 1 April 2026.
• The 124-mural documentation is published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat (LSS).
• The murals span from the Indus Valley Civilization to freedom struggle icons Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose, covering intellectual figures Maharishi Valmiki and Chanakya, spiritual leaders Mahavira and Gautama Buddha, rulers Emperor Ashoka and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and cultural landmarks like the Konark Sun Temple and the Bhakti movement.
• The Vice President highlighted ancient democratic practices such as Vaishali’s republican traditions and the Kudavolai system of southern India.
• He linked the Chola-era Sengol installed in the new Parliament building to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s integration of heritage with governance.
• Shri Radhakrishnan listed Dialogue, Debate, Dissent, and Discussion as core parliamentary democratic principles.
• He reiterated the Prime Minister’s 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' vision anchoring Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
• The release event was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, Union Ministers Shri J. P. Nadda and Shri Manohar Lal, Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Shri Harivansh, MPs, and senior officials of both Houses.