Daily Current Affairs: 16 April 2026

Anant Swarup appointed Secretary General of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

[Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry]

Key Updates:

• Anant Swarup assumed office as Secretary General of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on 15 April 2026.
• He is a 1992-batch Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer with over 30 years of experience in public policy, trade remedies, logistics, regulatory reform and international negotiations.
• His previous roles include Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Director General of Trade Remedies, Executive Director to the Union Minister of Railways, and First Secretary representing India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.
• He contributed to the National Rail Plan, helped build a large-scale investment pipeline, and launched a real-time passenger grievance redressal platform.
• He holds an MBA from Amity University and a law degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, and has completed specialised courses in international trade law and sustainable infrastructure finance.
• FICCI stated that Jyoti Vij continues as Director General after this appointment.

Samrat Choudhary sworn in as Bihar’s 24th Chief Minister, becomes first BJP leader to hold post.

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

• Samrat Choudhary took oath as Bihar’s 24th Chief Minister on Wednesday at Lok Bhawan.
• Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office and secrecy.
• JD(U) leaders Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav were sworn in as members of the Council of Ministers.
• Choudhary was elected leader of the BJP legislature party after Nitish Kumar’s resignation.
• He previously served as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar from January 2024 and held portfolios including Home, Finance, Health, Urban Development, and Panchayati Raj.
• Born on 16 November 1968 in Lakhanpur village, Munger district, Bihar.
• Appointed Bihar BJP president in March 2023, succeeding Sanjay Jaiswal.

Ismail Omar Guelleh wins sixth term as President of Djibouti.

[Djibouti]

Key Updates:

• Ismail Omar Guelleh secured 97.8% of the vote in the presidential election.
• His sole challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, received 2.19% of the vote.
• The election was boycotted by most opposition parties, including the main opposition led by Dahir Ahmed Farah.
• Guelleh has been in power for 27 years and becomes only the second president since Djibouti's independence from France in 1977.
• The constitution was amended in November to remove the upper age limit of 75, allowing the 78-year-old to contest.
• Officials reported over 80% voter turnout among registered voters.
• The results were released by the interior ministry and await validation by the constitutional council before swearing-in for a five-year term.

Sanjay Malhotra outlines Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Utkarsh 2029 strategy.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• Sanjay Malhotra is the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Utkarsh 2029 is the RBI’s medium-term strategy for April 2026 to March 2029.
• The strategy rests on six pillars: robust regulation, customer-centric and inclusive finance, competitive markets, effective technology, a future-ready organisation, and a global India focus.
• Project Sa-Mudra aims to modernise currency management under Utkarsh 2029.
• The central bank will expand the central bank digital currency (CBDC) for more efficient cross-border payments.
• The unified lending interface (ULI) will be scaled up to widen access to credit.
• The RBI will develop regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence and quantum computing in the financial sector.
• The framework builds on Utkarsh 2.0 foundations, including internationalisation of the rupee and global expansion of UPI.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) raises India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6.5%

[International Monetary Fund]

Key Updates:

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s growth forecast for FY27 to 6.5% from 6.4% projected in January and 6.2% in October last year.
• Growth is expected to remain steady at 6.5% in 2027-28, keeping India the fastest-growing economy in both years.
• India’s GDP growth for 2025-26 is estimated at 7.6% based on government projections.
• The IMF projects India’s inflation to rise to 4.7% in FY27 from 2.1% last year, then ease to 4% in 2027-28.
• India’s current account deficit is estimated at 2% of GDP in 2026-27 and 1.6% in 2027-28.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected 6.9% growth for this fiscal.
• The World Bank raised India’s growth outlook for this fiscal to 6.6% from 6.3%.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) revised India’s growth estimate to 6.9% from 6.5%.

Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) and NBCC (India) Limited sign two MoUs for Delhi redevelopment and asset monetisation.

[Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC)]

Key Updates:

• HUDCO and NBCC (India) Limited (NBCC) signed two MoUs on 11 April 2026.
• First MoU covers redevelopment of leasehold plot of approx. 18,830 sq mt at Block No. 25, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi.
• First MoU includes techno-economic feasibility study, construction, project management, and monetisation of built-up space.
• Second MoU focuses on asset monetisation for NBCC's self-sustainable model projects.
• HUDCO will provide funds for ongoing and upcoming NBCC projects with permission of Government of India.
• NBCC will provide project management and consultancy services under the agreements.
• Each MoU is valid for 2 years from execution date and is subject to annual review.
• Either party can exit the MoUs by giving one month's written notice.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launches SUPCOMS, e-adjudication portal, and C-SAC platforms

[Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)]

Key Updates:

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman launched three IT platforms on 24 March.
• SUPCOMS replaces email-centric interactions and centralises all official communications with external entities.
• The e-adjudication portal digitally enables quasi-judicial proceedings and allows entities to download Show Cause Notices, submit replies, and attend online hearings.
• C-SAC is an AI-enabled platform that analyses cyber audit reports submitted on the SI Portal, identifies compliance gaps, and provides risk scores to strengthen cybersecurity supervision.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) raises India FY27 growth forecast to 6.9%

[Asian Development Bank (ADB)]

Key Updates:

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) revised India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast upward to 6.9% from 6.5%.
• ADB projects India’s FY26 growth at 7.6% and FY28 growth at 7.3%.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also projects FY27 growth at 6.9%.
• World Bank raised its FY27 India growth estimate to 6.6% from 6.3%.
• ADB expects FY27 inflation at 4.5% and FY28 inflation at 4%.
• Consumption is forecast to remain the primary growth driver in FY27.
• Manufacturing gains are expected from recent trade agreements with the European Union, the United States, and New Zealand.

Amaravati Quantum Reference Facilities (AQRF) launched to build India’s first sovereign quantum hardware ecosystem

[Andhra Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Amaravati Quantum Reference Facilities (AQRF) in Amaravati.
• AQRF comprises Amaravati 1S located at a private college and Amaravati 1Q located at Medha Towers.
• The facility is part of the broader Amaravati Quantum Valley project backed by IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
• The Quantum Valley is expected to attract about $1 billion in investments by 2029.
• The state targets starting production and export of quantum computers within two years.

Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor inaugurated to boost connectivity and cut logistics costs

[Delhi, Dehradun]

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor.
• The project cost is around ₹12,000 crore.
• The corridor passes through Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Baraut, Shamli and Saharanpur.
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the corridor as a gamechanger for western Uttar Pradesh.
• The corridor is expected to reduce travel time and logistics costs, and connect Saharanpur’s woodcraft, Meerut’s sports goods and regional agricultural produce to global markets.
• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) executed the project under the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Gujarat Government signs MoU with Allegiance International for Indo-Taiwan Industrial Park with ₹1,000 Crore FDI

[Gujarat, Taiwan]

Key Updates:

• The Gujarat government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Taiwan-based Allegiance International Co Ltd to develop an Indo-Taiwan Industrial Park in the Sanand-Dholera region.
• The project aims to attract over ₹1,000 crore in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Taiwanese industries, specifically in the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing sectors.
• The initiative is expected to generate approximately 12,000 direct jobs over the next five years.
• The MoU was signed between the state's Department of Science and Technology and Allegiance International in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
• The industrial park is aligned with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to strengthen the production ecosystem for semiconductors, electronics, electric vehicles, robotics, and supply chains.
• The agreement was signed by Simon Lee, Chairman of Allegiance Group and Vice President of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in India, and P Bharathi, Secretary of the Science and Technology Department.
• Gujarat is currently developing semiconductor manufacturing projects worth over ₹1.24 lakh crore.

India and Myanmar sign MoU to construct school in Nay Pyi Taw

[Myanmar]

Key Updates:

• India and Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Small Development Project to build a school in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital.
• Kirti Vardhan Singh, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, visited Myanmar and oversaw the MoU signing.
• Singh engaged with the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, and universities in Yangon to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Paytm enables biometric UPI payments with Face ID/fingerprint and cardless ATM withdrawals

[Paytm]

Key Updates:

• Paytm app now allows UPI payments verified by Face ID or fingerprint instead of entering a UPI PIN.
• Biometric data is neither stored nor accessed by Paytm or the bank.
• Biometric UPI payments initially support transactions up to ₹5,000 per payment as per NPCI guidelines.
• Cardless ATM withdrawals support up to ₹10,000 per transaction, with daily limits varying by bank.
• Users can enable the feature by selecting ‘Pay with Fingerprint’ or ‘Pay with Face ID’ in the Paytm app Settings, choosing the bank account, and completing on-screen biometric authentication.

Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) Bengaluru attains ISO 15189:2022 accreditation for biochemistry and haematology

[Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)]

Key Updates:

• The clinical laboratory at Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) Bengaluru received ISO 15189:2022 accreditation for biochemistry and haematology.
• CARI Bengaluru is the first institute under Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) to achieve ISO 15189:2022 accreditation.
• The laboratory currently holds National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation for 50 test parameters across biochemistry and haematology.
• During 2025-26 the laboratory conducted over 1.52 lakh investigations serving more than 9,300 patients.
• Outpatient department footfall at the institute rose from 18,918 in 2021 to over 51,300 in 2026.
• Laboratory investigations increased from 2,770 tests in 2021 to over 1.55 lakh in 2026.

Amelia Kerr wins ICC Women's Player of the Month award for March

[International Cricket Council]

Key Updates:

• Amelia Kerr captains New Zealand's women's cricket team.
• She won the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for March.
• Her award followed performances with both bat and ball against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Sanju Samson wins ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March 2026

[International Cricket Council]

Key Updates:

• Sanju Samson received the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for March 2026 after his performances in the 2026 T20 World Cup knockout stages.
• Samson scored an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a must-win Super Eights game in Kolkata.
• He followed with consecutive scores of 89 in the semi-final against England in Mumbai and the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
• India defended their T20 World Cup title at home, and Samson was named Player of the Tournament.

India wins 17 medals at Asian Wrestling Championships

[Kyrgyzstan, Iran]

Key Updates:

• India concluded its campaign at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with a total of 17 medals.
• The final medal tally for India consisted of two gold, seven silver, and eight bronze medals.
• Aman Sehrawat won a silver medal in the Men’s 61 kg freestyle category after a 13-10 loss to Kwang Myong Kim of South Korea.
• Mukul Dahiya secured a silver medal in the Men’s 86 kg freestyle category, losing 7-0 to two-time Asian champion Kamran Ghasempour of Iran.
• Dinesh won a bronze medal in the 125 kg division with a 7-1 victory over Shamil Sharipov of Bahrain.
• The Men’s freestyle team contributed seven medals, while the Greco-Roman wrestlers and the women’s team secured five medals each.

Vishvanath Suresh wins gold at Asian Boxing Championships 2026

[Mongolia, Kazakhstan]

Key Updates:

• The Asian Boxing Championships 2026 was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• India concluded the tournament with a total of 16 medals, including five gold, three silver, and eight bronze medals.
• India finished second on the medal table with five gold medals, while Kazakhstan secured the top position with six gold medals.
• Vishvanath Suresh won the gold medal in the men’s 50kg category by defeating Japan’s Daichi Iwai with a 5-0 scoreline.
• Sachin Siwach secured a silver medal in the men’s 60kg division after a 2-3 loss to Orazbek Assylkulov of Kazakhstan.
• Four Indian men, Harsh Choudhary (90kg), Akash (75kg), Lokesh (85kg), and Narender (+90kg), claimed bronze medals.
• The Indian women’s team topped their medal charts with four gold medals won by Minakshi Hooda (48kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg).
• Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Alfiya Pathan (+80kg) achieved silver medals in the women’s competition.
• Bronze medals in the women’s category were awarded to Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Ankushita Boro (65kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), and Pooja Rani (80kg).
• Ajay Singh, the President of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), highlighted that all 10 Indian women boxers finished with a medal.

Triumphal Arch design unveiled on 10 April

[United States]

Key Updates:

• The U.S. administration unveiled drawings for a 250-foot Triumphal Arch across the Potomac River on 10 April.
• The project is intended to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in July.
• The Commission on Fine Arts (CFA) is the federal design panel responsible for considering the project's design.
• The U.S. Treasury Department announced that President Trump's signature will appear on all future U.S. paper currency, marking the first time for a sitting president.
• The U.S. Treasury Department will produce a $1 coin and a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring President Trump's portrait.
• The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was renamed the Trump-Kennedy Centre in 2025.
• The Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed a complaint regarding corporate donations to projects including the White House ballroom and the Trump-Kennedy Centre.
• Federal law requires a recommendation from the interior secretary or the General Services Administration (GSA) for new commemorative works in the area.

Himachal Day observed on April 15

[Himachal Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• Himachal Day is observed on April 15 every year to commemorate the formation of Himachal Pradesh in 1948.
• Himachal Pradesh was formed on April 15, 1948, by integrating 30 erstwhile princely states.
• It became a full-fledged state on January 25, 1971, becoming the 18th state of India.

Pohela Boishakh 2026 falls on April 15

[West Bengal]

Key Updates:

• Pohela Boishakh 2026 will be celebrated on April 15.
• The Sankranti Moment on Pohela Boishakh is 09:39 AM on April 14, according to Drik Panchang.
• Pohela Boishakh marks the first day of the Bengali month of Boishakh and symbolises new beginnings, prosperity, and cultural pride.
• Emperor Akbar introduced a revised calendar combining the Islamic lunar calendar with the Hindu solar calendar to align tax collection with the agricultural harvest season, creating the Fasholi Shan or harvest calendar.
• Businesses open new account books called 'Haal Khata' on Pohela Boishakh.

Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu) celebrated on April 14, 2026

[Assam]

Key Updates:

• Bohag Bihu, also known as Rongali Bihu, is a major festival celebrated in the state of Assam to mark the beginning of the New Year.
• The festival signifies the start of the harvesting season and the first day of the Hindu solar calendar.
• The celebration officially marks the beginning of the spring season and lasts for a duration of seven days.
• The traditional Bihu dance is a central feature of the festival, performed by both men and women in traditional attire such as dhotis, gamosas, and sarees.
• Jalpaan, a light breakfast consisting of rice, curd, and jaggery, is a primary ritualistic meal during the celebration.
• The festival comprises several distinct stages including Raati Bihu, Chot Bihu, Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Mela Bihu, and Chera Bihu.
• Goru Bihu is a stage dedicated to the agricultural heritage of Assam and the importance of cattle.
• Manuh Bihu commemorates the start of the Vaishakh month in the Hindu calendar, during which younger people seek blessings from elders.
• Kutum Bihu, observed on the second day, involves visiting relatives and loved ones for lunch and dinner.
• Chera Bihu, also referred to as Bohagi Bidai, marks the final day of the Rongali Bihu celebrations.

Sindhi Bhasha Diwas observed on 10 April 2026

Key Updates:

• Sindhi Bhasha Diwas is observed annually on 10 April.
• Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Vice-President of India, released the updated version of the Constitution of India in the Sindhi language on 10 April 2026.
• The updated Constitution was released in two formats: the first edition in Devanagari script and the second edition in Persian script.
• The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice prepared the updated versions through the Regional Languages Officers in the Official Languages Wing.
• Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, highlighted the inclusion of the Sindhi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was recognised for his pioneering efforts in including the Sindhi language in the Eighth Schedule.
• The event was attended by Shri Vasudev Devnani, the Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly, and Shri Shankar Lalwani, Member of Parliament (MP).
• Dr. Rajiv Mani serves as the Secretary of the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Doordarshan and ICCR sign MoU for global cultural outreach on April 7

[Doordarshan, Indian Council for Cultural Relations]

Key Updates:

• Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 7 at Doordarshan Bhawan in New Delhi.
• The agreement was signed by Doordarshan Director General K. Satish Nambudiripad and ICCR Director General K. Nandini Singla.
• The partnership aims to strengthen India’s cultural diplomacy by showcasing cultural programmes through television, radio, Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, and social media.
• The MoU will remain in force for a duration of three years, with the possibility of extension by mutual consent.
• The agreement establishes joint ownership of content rights in perpetuity, including digital rights, for both organisations.

World Parkinson’s Day 2026: Theme 'Bridge the Care Gap'

Key Updates:

• World Parkinson’s Day 2026 theme is 'Bridge the Care Gap'.
• Early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD) accounts for roughly 5–10% of global cases according to a 2025 review in The Lancet Neurology.
• The Lancet Neurology review highlighted increasing identification of EOPD in younger working-age adults.