Daily Current Affairs: 18 April 2026

Ministry of Commerce and Industry Recognises 55,200 Startups in FY26

Key Updates:

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognised more than 55,200 startups in FY26, representing a 51.6% increase over the previous year.
• Direct job creation by startups grew by 36.1% in FY26, marking the highest single-year growth since the launch of the Startup India initiative in 2016.
• The total number of recognised startups reached 2.23 lakh as of March 31, 2026, generating more than 23.36 lakh direct jobs.
• Approximately 48% of these startups, amounting to over 1.07 lakh entities, have at least one woman director or partner.
• Under the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), more than ₹7,000 crore was disbursed to over 135 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) in FY26.
• The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) doubled its guarantee cover per borrower to ₹20 crore, with over 410 loans worth ₹1,250 crore guaranteed by the end of FY26.
• The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) committed its entire corpus of ₹945 crore to 219 selected incubators, which approved ₹605 crore for over 3,400 startups.
• Patent applications filed by startups exceeded 19,400, with annual filings rising from 2,850 in FY25 to more than 4,480 in FY26.

Ministry of Finance launches MyLIC and Super Sales Saathi apps of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)

[Ministry of Finance, Life Insurance Corporation of India]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Finance launched two digital platforms of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on April 15, 2026.
• The MyLIC app is a customer-focused platform that allows policyholders to manage insurance portfolios, pay premiums instantly, track policy benefits in real time, and avail paperless policy loans.
• MyLIC enables customers to update policies, revive lapsed policies, and purchase policies online through a paperless e-KYC process.
• The Super Sales Saathi app is designed for LIC sales intermediaries and field staff to provide digital tools for marketing insights, performance tracking, customer management, and policy servicing.
• Super Sales Saathi includes features such as real-time policy status tracking, automated follow-up reminders, integrated customer communication, AI-driven nudges, digital sales kits, and performance dashboards.

India and New Zealand to sign Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for USD 5 billion trade target

[New Zealand]

Key Updates:

• India and New Zealand will sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• The pact aims to attract USD 20 billion in investment over the next 15 years and double bilateral trade to USD 5 billion within five years.
• India will receive zero-duty market access on 100 per cent of its exports to New Zealand under the agreement.
• The agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand's exports to India, including wool, coal, wood, wine, avocados, and blueberries.
• India has excluded dairy products (milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, cheese), onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber from duty concessions to protect domestic farmers.
• New Zealand will provide a temporary employment entry visa pathway for Indian professionals in skilled occupations with an annual quota of 5,000 visas and a stay of up to three years.
• Bilateral merchandise trade between the two nations stood at USD 1.3 billion in 2024-25, while total trade in goods and services reached USD 2.4 billion in 2024.

Bloomberg Billionaires Index (BBI) 2026 ranks Gautam Adani as Asia's richest individual

[Bloomberg]

Key Updates:

• Gautam Adani, Founder-Chairman of Adani Group, reclaimed the title of Asia’s richest person with a net worth of $92.6 billion, ranking 19th globally.
• Mukesh Ambani, head of Reliance Industries, ranked 20th globally with a net worth of $90.8 billion after experiencing a wealth decline of $16.9 billion.
• Elon Musk retained the top global position with a net worth of $656 billion, followed by Larry Page at $286 billion and Jeff Bezos at $269 billion.
• The top 10 global rankings include Sergey Brin ($266 billion), Mark Zuckerberg ($239 billion), Larry Ellison ($230 billion), Michael Dell ($170 billion), Jensen Huang ($164 billion), Bernard Arnault ($164 billion), and Jim Walton ($150 billion).
• Elon Musk recorded the highest wealth gain of $36.7 billion between 2025 and 2026, while Bernard Arnault saw the steepest decline of $44 billion.
• In the regional rankings, Zhang Yiming and Zhong Shanshan followed Adani and Ambani with net worths of $68.7 billion and $68.2 billion respectively.
• Gautam Adani ranked 19th among those who added the most to their fortunes, with a net worth increase of $8.10 billion over the year.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) extends registration validity for NPOs on Social Stock Exchange

[Securities and Exchange Board of India]

Key Updates:

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has extended the registration validity for not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) from two years to three years without raising funds.
• SEBI has lowered the minimum subscription requirement for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments from 75 per cent to 50 per cent for projects where costs and outcomes can be implemented on a clearly identifiable per-unit basis.
• SSEs must conduct due diligence to ensure that funds raised at the lower 50 per cent subscription threshold can be meaningfully deployed towards stated objectives.
• Funds will be refunded to investors if the minimum subscription requirement is not met.
• In March, the SEBI board approved a reduction in the minimum investment required from individual investors in social impact funds from ₹2 lakh to ₹1,000.

Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill-2026 proposes life imprisonment for sacrilege

Key Updates:

• The Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill-2026 to impose stringent penalties for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.
• The bill proposes imprisonment of seven to 20 years and fines ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh for individuals found guilty of sacrilege.
• For acts of sacrilege carried out as part of a criminal conspiracy to disrupt communal harmony, the punishment is fixed at 10 years to life imprisonment with fines up to ₹25 lakh.
• The legislation mandates the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to maintain a central register of saroops with unique identification numbers in both physical and electronic formats.
• Offences under this law are classified as cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, to be tried by a sessions court.
• Investigations under the Act must be conducted by a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
• Any individual who attempts to commit an offence under the Act faces imprisonment of three to five years along with a fine of up to ₹3 lakh.

Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 and Delimitation Bill Shelved Following Lok Sabha Vote

Key Updates:

• The Government of India decided to drop the Delimitation Bill 2026 after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 failed to pass in the Lok Sabha.
• The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposed 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, secured 278 votes in favour and 211 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority.
• Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the delimitation exercise was interconnected with the women’s reservation amendment and the proposed extension of the quota to Union Territories (UTs).
• The delimitation exercise, mandated under Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution of India, involves redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on census data.
• Under the shelved proposal, most states were expected to see a 50% increase in seat allocation, while Sikkim, Nagaland, and Mizoram would have seen no increase in parliamentary seats.
• The legislation also included a proposal for a marginal rise in representation for Scheduled Castes (SC) in the Lok Sabha.

Chhattisgarh Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Implementation and Property Fee Concession for Women

[Chhattisgarh]

Key Updates:

• The Chhattisgarh government approved the proposal to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to ensure legal uniformity and empowerment of women.
• A high-level committee headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has been constituted to prepare the draft framework for the UCC.
• The UCC seeks to replace religion-based personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and family matters with a simplified legal structure.
• The state cabinet announced a 50 percent concession in property registration fees for assets registered in the name of women.
• The property registration fee concession is estimated to result in a revenue impact of approximately ₹153 crore to the state exchequer.
• Uttarakhand was the first state to implement the UCC in 2024-25, while Goa follows the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867.
• The UCC committee will consult citizens, legal experts, and stakeholders before placing the draft bill before the state Assembly.

AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) formed for national AI strategy

[AI Governance and Economic Group]

Key Updates:

• The Centre announced the formation of the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) to lead the national AI governance strategy.
• AIGEG is a high-level inter-ministerial body designed to coordinate the development of AI policy across central ministries and institutions.
• The body is chaired by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, with Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics & IT and Commerce & Industry, serving as Vice Chairperson.
• Members of AIGEG include the Principal Scientific Advisor, the Chief Economic Advisor, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog.
• The body includes secretaries from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Department of Telecommunications, Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Science and Technology, and a representative of the National Security Council Secretariat.
• The Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) will support AIGEG by providing expert advisory on global developments, emerging technologies, risks, and regulation.
• The mandate of AIGEG includes reviewing existing AI mechanisms, studying regulatory gaps, issuing compliance guidelines for firms, and developing a roadmap for AI deployment over the next decade.
• The AI Safety Institute is designated as the main body responsible for guiding the safe and trusted development and use of AI in India.
• AI governance guidelines released by MeitY in November last year suggested amending the Information Technology (IT) Act to classify AI systems, create an India-specific risk assessment framework, and establish a national database for AI-related security incidents.

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare hosts first BRICS Health Working Group meeting 2026

[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, BRICS]

Key Updates:

• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) chaired the First Health Working Group (HWG) Meeting under the BRICS framework for 2026 in New Delhi.
• India is the BRICS Chair for 2026, guided by the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
• The meeting included delegates from BRICS member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia.
• Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava proposed two new priority areas under India's Chairship: BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles and Promotion of Mental Health and Wellness.
• The BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles focuses on addressing risk factors including unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol.
• The HWG deliberated on nine priority areas: BRICS TB Research Network, collaboration among BRICS Medical Products Regulatory Authorities, BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for prevention and response to mass infectious diseases, Digital Health Architecture for continuum of care, BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles, promotion of mental health and wellness, Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), fight against diseases driven by social determinants of health (DDSDH), and BRICS Network of National Public Health Institutes.

Odisha becomes first state to implement Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for integrated coastal management

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

• Odisha is the first state in India to implement the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in the second phase.
• The Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences to launch the MSP.
• The MSP is part of the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative under an MoU signed between India and Norway in 2019.
• The first phase of the MSP was implemented in the Union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
• The MSP aims to boost the blue economy and strengthen climate resilience through sustainable and integrated ocean management.
• The NCCR will conduct benthic mapping (mapping vegetation below water) and study water salinity and temperature to identify areas suitable for fisheries, tourism, seagrass, and seaweeds.
• Odisha has a coastline of more than 550km featuring lagoons, mangroves, and estuaries.
• In August 2025, the Odisha government launched the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC) to promote biotechnology for marine environmental protection and economic development.

France and United Kingdom convene international conference to establish Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative on April 17, 2026

[France, United Kingdom]

Key Updates:

• French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired an international conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on April 17, 2026.
• The summit focused on the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative, a defensive mission intended to restore free passage through the waterway.
• Approximately 30 to 40 countries participated in the meeting, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.
• The initiative is a response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, a chokepoint through which one-fifth of the world's oil usually passes.
• The United Kingdom (UK) has discussed the deployment of mine-hunting drones from the ship RFA Lyme Bay as part of the military planning.
• France has dispatched a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, a helicopter carrier, and several frigates to the region for the mission.
• The mission is designated as strictly defensive and limited to non-belligerent countries, with the United States (US) excluded from the current discussions.

Ahmedabad Kankaria Becomes India’s First Water Neutral Coaching Depot

Key Updates:

• The Kankaria Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad has become the first water-neutral coaching depot in India.
• The facility utilizes a natural purification process involving plants to treat wastewater for reuse.
• The depot saves approximately 1.60 lakh litres of water daily, significantly reducing its dependence on freshwater sources.
• This initiative by the Ministry of Railways (MoR) aims to promote environmental protection and sustainable water management.

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) launches Vikram Sodhi Centre of Excellence for AI-Enabled Geological and Mining Systems

[Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) has established the Vikram Sodhi Centre of Excellence for AI-Enabled Geological and Mining Systems with a funding commitment of ₹15 crore.
• The centre is funded by Vikram Sodhi, the Vice Chairman of Mineros SA and Managing Partner at Sun Valley Investments, over a period of five years.
• The initiative aims to develop artificial intelligence-driven solutions specifically tailored to Indian geological conditions and mining systems.
• The research scope covers multiple stages including exploration, mine planning, mineral processing, predictive maintenance, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) analytics.
• The centre will implement an industry-linked Grand Challenges Programme using operational mine datasets provided by industry partners rather than simulated inputs.
• The facility is established as an independent interdisciplinary unit within IIT Kharagpur under the academic oversight of the Dean of Research and Development.
• The launch of the centre coincides with the Platinum Jubilee year of IIT Kharagpur.
• The centre is named after the Sodhi family, including alumnus Col. Manjeet Sodhi who completed his M.Tech. in Radar Systems Engineering at the institute in 1977.

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) becomes India's first ISO 50001:2018-certified water board

[Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, International Organization for Standardization]

Key Updates:

• The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has become the first water utility board in India to be awarded the internationally recognised ISO 50001:2018 certification.
• The certification was officially issued on April 14, 2026, by Bureau Veritas to formally recognise the board's energy management systems.
• The certificate honours the BWSSB for maintaining its bulk water supply pumping stations at international standards across three critical locations: TK Halli, Harohalli, and Tataguni.
• In 2025, the BWSSB became the first water board in India to receive the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for its piped drinking water supply management system.

Scientists and Indigenous rangers rediscover Night Parrot population in Australia

[Australia]

Key Updates:

• The night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis), a small green-and-yellow bird species, was studied in Ngururrpa Country in Australia’s interior.
• Indigenous rangers and scientists from the University of Queensland (UQ) deployed weatherproof audio recorders and camera traps between 2020 and 2023.
• The study found that the birds roost in mature, dense clumps of bull spinifex (Triodia longiceps) which provide essential thermal cover and protection.
• Ecologists identified that dingoes play a vital role in the ecosystem by suppressing feral cat populations, which are primary predators of the night parrot.
• The research team estimated a population of approximately 50 night parrots in the protected area of the Great Sandy Desert.
• The study, published in the journal Wildlife Research, suggests that cooler-season controlled burns can prevent high-intensity wildfires from destroying parrot habitats.

World Bank launches 'Water Forward' programme to expand global water access

[World Bank]

Key Updates:

• The World Bank launched the "Water Forward" programme to improve secure water access for one billion people within the next four years.
• The programme aims to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods.
• The World Bank intends to use its funds and technical advice to improve water supplies for 400 million people by 2030.
• Participating institutions include regional development banks, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) development fund, and the New Development Bank (NDB).
• Fourteen countries have voluntarily committed to reform and strengthen their water sectors under the new programme.
• Approximately four billion people, representing half of the global population, face water scarcity.

Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO and ATREE Partner to Map India's Grasslands

[Indian Space Research Organisation, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment]

Key Updates:

• The Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
• The collaboration aims to map India's grasslands and other open natural ecosystems by combining satellite data with ecological field research.
• The partnership will assess the impact of restoration efforts on degraded lands and develop improved methods to estimate above- and below-ground carbon.
• SAC and ATREE will create standardised and scalable approaches to identify and monitor ecosystems such as grasslands, savannas, and deserts.
• The initiative is intended to support land use planning, climate action strategies, conservation efforts, and rural livelihood programmes.
• The partnership aligns with India's commitment to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030.

New Species of Burrowing Reed Snake Discovered in Meghalaya

[Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

• A new species of burrowing reed snake, named Calamaria garoensis (Garo Hills reed snake), has been described from the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.
• The species was previously identified as Calamaria pavimentata before its identification as a distinct species.
• The reed snake was collected during field surveys in Oragitok, an area characterised by rich forested habitats.
• The description of the species was published in the international peer-reviewed journal Taprobanica.

ICC launches inaugural Women's T20I Challenge Trophy in Rwanda

[International Cricket Council, Rwanda]

Key Updates:

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) launched the inaugural Women's T20I Challenge Trophy in Kigali, Rwanda.
• The five-team tournament features Rwanda, Italy, Nepal, United States of America (USA), and Vanuatu.
• The event is scheduled to take place from 18 April to 2 May at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium.
• The competition is designed as a double round-robin event to provide competitive international exposure to Associate Member nations.
• Nepal is the highest-ranked side in the competition, currently holding the 21st position in the ICC Women's T20I rankings.
• Vanuatu is the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, currently holding the 30th position in the rankings.
• The ICC confirmed that the Women's T20 World Cup will expand to 12 teams in 2026 and further to 16 teams in 2030.

Shubhankar Sharma wins inaugural Boulders Classic 2026

Key Updates:

• Shubhankar Sharma won the inaugural edition of the Boulders Classic golf tournament held in Hyderabad.
• The victory ended an eight-year title drought for the 29-year-old Indian golfer.
• The tournament is sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
• The prize money fund for PGTI events has increased to ₹1 crore, up from the previous ₹30 lakhs.

Miss Sake India 2026 Crowned in Mumbai on April 17, 2026

Key Updates:

• Nishita Yogesh Antarkar from Mumbai was crowned Miss Sake India 2026 at an event hosted by Hirohama India Private Limited (Hirohama India).
• The competition serves as a platform for cultural exchange and selects a cultural ambassador for Japanese sake in India.
• Priyanka Sarkar from Bangalore and Sakshi Khari from Delhi were announced as the runners-up of the third consecutive edition of the event.
• Nishita Yogesh Antarkar, a business owner and Visharad Kathak dancer, will represent India at the Miss Sake Japan Finals in June 2026.
• The ceremony was attended by the Acting Consul General of Japan in Mumbai, Toshihiro Kaneko, and the Chairperson of the Miss Sake Association, Mika Onishii.
• The event highlighted Hakutsuru, a prominent sake brand originating from the Kobe region of Japan.

World Heritage Day observed on April 18

Key Updates:

• World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is observed every year on April 18.
• The theme for 2026 is Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters.
• The day was established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 and later approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• India is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Taj Mahal and the Ajanta Caves.

World Hemophilia Day observed on April 17 with the theme Diagnosis: First Step to Care

Key Updates:

• World Hemophilia Day is observed globally every year on April 17 to raise awareness about inherited bleeding disorders.
• The theme for World Hemophilia Day 2026 is Diagnosis: First Step to Care.
• The day was established in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) to commemorate the birth anniversary of its founder, Frank Schnabel.
• Hemophilia is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation in genes responsible for producing clotting factors, specifically Factor VIII for Hemophilia A and Factor IX for Hemophilia B.
• The condition is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern, meaning it primarily affects males while females typically serve as carriers.
• According to the WFH, over 75% of hemophilia patients globally still lack a formal diagnosis.
• In India, the Initiative on Haemophilia Care X (IHC X) conference was convened in New Delhi to advance the standard of care in the country.
• The IHC X conference was held under the theme advancing care, empowering lives, and transforming the future of haemophilia.
• Medical experts at the conference highlighted the transition from plasma-based treatments to advanced therapeutic options like clotting factor concentrates and preventive prophylaxis.

World Chagas Disease Day observed on April 14

Key Updates:

• World Chagas Disease Day is observed annually on April 14 to raise awareness about American trypanosomiasis.
• The date commemorates the diagnosis of the first human case of the disease by Brazilian physician Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas on April 14, 1909.
• The first human patient diagnosed with the disease was a young girl named Berenice Soares de Moura.
• The disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is transmitted by insect vectors known as triatomine bugs.
• Formal global recognition of the day began in 2019 during the 72nd World Health Assembly.
• The proposal for the official day was led by the International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas Disease.
• The first official World Chagas Disease Day was observed on April 14, 2020.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners aim to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of the disease, which affects up to 7 million people globally.

National Fire Service Day observed on April 14

Key Updates:

• National Fire Service Day is observed every year on April 14 across India.
• The day commemorates the Bombay Dock Explosion that occurred on April 14, 1944, at Victoria Dock in Mumbai.
• The disaster involved a British freighter, SS Fort Stikine, which was carrying ammunition, cotton bales, and gold.
• A total of 66 firefighters lost their lives while battling the blaze during the 1944 explosion.
• Fire Service Week is observed annually from April 14 to April 20.
• The theme for this year's National Fire Service Week is "Safe School, Safe Hospital & Fire Safety Aware Society – Together for Fire Prevention".

Gautam Adani Overtakes Mukesh Ambani as Asia's Richest Person

Key Updates:

• Gautam Adani emerged as the wealthiest individual in Asia according to the latest data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
• Gautam Adani secured the 19th position in the global wealth rankings with a net worth of $92.6 billion.
• Mukesh Ambani ranked as the 20th richest person in the world with a total net worth of $90.8 billion.
• Gautam Adani added $8.1 billion to his fortune this year, while Mukesh Ambani recorded a decline of $16.9 billion during the same period.
• Elon Musk remains the world's richest individual with a net worth of $656 billion, followed by Larry Page at $286 billion.
• Bernard Arnault recorded the sharpest decline among the top 20 billionaires this year, losing $44 billion.
• The top 10 global billionaires include Jeff Bezos, Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, Jensen Huang, Bernard Arnault, and Jim Walton.

Sayani Gupta named Harvard South Asian Association (SAA) Person of the Year

[Harvard University]

Key Updates:

• The SAA has named actor Sayani Gupta as its Person of the Year for her contribution to storytelling and global cultural impact.
• The honour recognises individuals whose work has significantly influenced South Asian representation and identity on a global stage.
• Sayani Gupta will be felicitated for this award at Harvard University later this month.
• Previous recipients of this recognition include Vikas Khanna, who received the award in the preceding year.
• Sayani Gupta is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
• She is set to debut as a writer-director with the short film Aasmani, which will premiere at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival on 25 April.
• Her notable acting credits include projects such as Four More Shots Please, Axone, Article 15, Inside Edge, and Delhi Crime.

Harivansh Narayan Singh elected Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

[Rajya Sabha]

Key Updates:

• Harivansh Narayan Singh, a member of the Janata Dal (United) party, was elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha unopposed.
• He has been elected to the position for a third consecutive term.
• He is the first nominated member to be elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• The motion for his election was moved by Union minister and Leader of the House J P Nadda.
• He has served as the Deputy Chairman since 2018.
• The office of the Deputy Chairman had fallen vacant after his previous term ended on April 9.

N. Alim Yusuf wins World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) National Award

[World Wide Fund for Nature]

Key Updates:

• N. Alim Yusuf was awarded the National Award by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
• The award was given for developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered mobile application to identify invasive plant species in Kerala.
• The application is capable of identifying nearly 100 invasive plant species recorded in Kerala.
• N. Alim Yusuf is a researcher at the Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences (MBGIPS).
• MBGIPS is located in Olavanna, Kozhikode.

Narayana Ramachandran passes away as former Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and World Squash Federation (WSF) president

[Indian Olympic Association, World Squash Federation]

Key Updates:

• Narayana Ramachandran, former president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and World Squash Federation (WSF), passed away at the age of 77 in Chennai.
• He served as the WSF President between 2008 and 2016 and was the first Indian to lead an International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognised international federation.
• He held the position of IOA president from 2014 to 2017, leading the organisation to Olympic reinstatement following a 14-month IOC ban.
• He was the first honorary life member of the WSF.
• In 2016, he was awarded the Olympic Order (Silver) by the IOC and an Award of Merit by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
• He ensured the inclusion of squash as a core medal sport in the Asian Games.
• He invested in the India Squash Academy and hosted ten world championships in India between 2002 and 2025.