Daily Current Affairs: 28 April 2026

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) to acquire Organon for $11.75 billion

[Sun Pharma, Organon]

Key Updates:

• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of the equity stake of US-based Organon in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion.
• Sun Pharma will acquire the shares at $14 per share, with the transaction expected to close in early 2027.
• The acquisition is funded through available cash resources and committed financing from Citigroup Global, JPMorgan Chase, and MUFG Bank.
• This represents the largest acquisition in the history of Sun Pharma, surpassing its previous purchases of Ranbaxy for $4 billion and Taro.
• The deal provides Sun Pharma access to a women's health portfolio of more than 70 products commercialised across 140 countries, including the United States, Europe, China, Canada, and Brazil.
• Combined revenues are expected to be around $12.4 billion, positioning Sun Pharma among the world's top 25 drugmakers and the top 10 biosimilars players globally.
• In 2025, Organon generated $6.2 billion in revenue with an adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 billion and a cash balance of $574 million.
• Organon currently carries a debt of $8.6 billion.
• J.P. Morgan and Jefferies acted as financial advisors to Sun Pharma, while White & Case and AZB provided legal advisory.

India and New Zealand sign Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

[New Zealand]

Key Updates:

• India and New Zealand have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enhance trade in goods and services, investment flows, and labour mobility.
• The FTA comprises 20 chapters covering goods, services, rules of origin, customs facilitation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, dispute settlement, and legal provisions.
• Bilateral trade between India and New Zealand is projected to reach USD 5 billion by 2030.
• Foreign direct investment from New Zealand into India is projected to reach USD 20 billion over the next 15 years.
• India secured duty-free access for all its exports to New Zealand, including labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, plastics, and engineering goods.
• The agreement introduces a temporary employment visa pathway allowing up to 5,000 Indian professionals to work in New Zealand for up to three years.
• India will expand services exports in IT, education, financial services, tourism, construction, engineering, healthcare, and AYUSH, including yoga instructors, Indian chefs, and music teachers.
• New Zealand receives immediate duty-free access to over 54% of its exports to India, including sheep meat, wool, coal, and forestry products.
• Tariffs on seafood, iron, steel, and aluminium from New Zealand will be reduced or phased out over time.
• India has protected apples, kiwifruit, manuka honey, and dairy through tariff-rate quotas, minimum import prices, and safeguard mechanisms.
• India has excluded dairy, sugar, and certain metals from the agreement to protect domestic producers.
• Bilateral trade between India and New Zealand was approximately USD 2.4 billion in 2024.

US Department of Commerce (DOC) imposes 123.04% anti-dumping duty on Indian solar imports

[United States]

Key Updates:

• The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 123.04% on solar cells and modules from India.
• The DOC identified critical circumstances for imports from companies including Mundra Solar Energy, Mundra Solar PV, Kowa, and Premier Energies.
• The suspension of liquidation will apply to shipments entered for consumption up to 90 days prior to the publication of the order.
• The combined tariff burden on Indian supplies exceeds 200%, which includes existing countervailing duties of over 125%.
• The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) have initiated processes to contest the findings.

Mushroom Mission: ₹13,000 Crore Investment to Make Andhra Pradesh India's Largest Producer

[Andhra Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• The Andhra Pradesh government is set to launch the Mushroom Mission with an estimated investment of ₹13,000 crore, supported by the Centre.
• The initiative is a five-year project aimed at positioning Andhra Pradesh as the largest producer of mushrooms in India.
• The mission targets the establishment of approximately 1.62 lakh mushroom production units, primarily small and medium-scale operations of about 5,000 sq ft each.
• The project aims to achieve an annual production of 67,500 tonnes, surpassing the current output of Bihar, which is around 45,000 tonnes.
• The programme will promote high-value mushroom varieties, specifically button, oyster, and milky mushrooms.
• The mission is expected to generate large-scale employment opportunities for rural youth and women.

Creation of five new districts in Ladakh for decentralised administration

[Ladakh]

Key Updates:

• Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the notification for the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• The five new districts are Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass.
• The total number of districts in Ladakh has increased from two to seven.
• The decision was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in August 2024.
• Ladakh became a Union Territory on October 31, 2019.

Supreme Court Endorses Minimum ICU Standards for Hospitals

[Supreme Court (India)]

Key Updates:

• The Supreme Court (SC) endorsed minimum standards for intensive care units (ICUs) specifying infrastructure, equipment, and staffing requirements.
• A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan directed states and Union Territories to submit action plans by May 18.
• The norms were framed by a three-member committee comprising All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) doctor Nitish Naik, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, and advocate Karan Bharioke.
• The standards are detailed in a report titled Guidelines for the Organisation and Delivery of Intensive Care Services.
• ICUs are classified into three levels: Level 1 for basic stabilisation and single organ care, Level 2 for continuous monitoring and multiple organ care, and Level 3 for advanced care and multi organ care.
• Nurse to patient ratios are mandated between 1:2 and 1:3, and 1:1 for ventilated or critically ill patients.
• Essential equipment requirements include monitors, ventilators, defibrillators, crash carts, infusion and syringe pumps, glucometers, and ECG machines.
• For rural and remote areas, the guidelines suggest interim staffing norms and the use of e-ICU or tele-ICU support to link smaller units with larger centres.

France President Emmanuel Macron to quit politics after 2027 presidency

Key Updates:

• French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he does not intend to remain in politics after leaving the presidency in 2027.
• The announcement was made during a visit to a French-Cypriot school in Nicosia, Cyprus, during a trip linked to a European Council meeting.
• The Constitution of France prohibits presidents from serving more than two consecutive terms.
• Macron first won the presidency in 2017 and secured re-election in 2022.
• He became the youngest president in modern French history, elected at the age of 39.
• Macron is a member of the Renaissance party.
• A significant domestic reform during his tenure was the raising of the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveils advanced armoured platforms on April 25, 2026

[Defence Research and Development Organisation]

Key Updates:

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled two indigenous advanced armoured platforms, one tracked and one wheeled, on April 25 at the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) facility in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.
• The platforms were unveiled by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO.
• Both vehicles are integrated with an indigenously developed 30 mm crewless turret and a 7.62 mm PKT gun, and are configured to launch anti-tank guided missiles.
• The platforms provide STANAG Level 4 and Level 5 protection using modular ballistic and blast protection systems.
• The vehicles feature amphibious capability incorporating hydro-jet systems for crossing water obstacles.
• The systems were manufactured through collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited, supported by a network of micro, small and medium enterprises.
• The indigenous content of the platforms is currently estimated at 65 per cent, with plans to increase it to 90 per cent.
• The unveiling involved senior scientists from multiple DRDO laboratories, including the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Armament Research and Development Establishment, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, and Research and Development Establishment (Engineers).

India raises 16th Bhairav Battalion at Belagavi

[Indian Army (India)]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Army raised the 16th ‘Bhairav’ Battalion at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre in Belagavi.
• The 16th ‘Bhairav’ Battalion is also referred to as the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion.
• These units are designed as lean, high-mobility tactical units for rapid-response roles, reconnaissance, surprise raids, and high-intensity missions in sensitive border areas.
• The Indian Army has raised at least 16 Bhairav battalions, with plans to raise a total of 25.
• Each unit consists of 250-300 specially trained soldiers.
• The battalions are intended to fill the operational gap between conventional infantry and special forces.
• Troops for these battalions are drawn from various arms, including infantry, artillery, air defence, and signals.
• The first Bhairav Battalion was announced in July 2025 and made its public debut during the 77th Republic Day parade on 26 January.

Pakistan and China sign three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on 27 April 26

[Pakistan, China]

Key Updates:

• Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between institutions from Pakistan and China during a ceremony held in Changsha.
• The ceremony was attended by Asif Ali Zardari.
• The Sindh Local Government Department and Loxin Environmental Technology Group signed an MoU to collaborate on a seawater desalination project to increase urban water supply.
• An agreement to enhance cooperation in agricultural technology was signed between the Sindh Local Government Department and Longping High-Tech Information Company.
• An MoU to support the development of the tea industry and strengthen economic, trade, and people-to-people ties was signed between Muske and Femte Trading Company, Hunan Tea Group, and Jialong International Technology Hainan.

Skyroot Aerospace Completes Pre-Launch Milestones for Vikram-1 Rocket

[Skyroot Aerospace]

Key Updates:

• Skyroot Aerospace has completed the Integrated Electrical Test (IET) Campaign-Phase 3 for its Vikram-1 rocket.
• The Vikram-1 rocket is named after Indian space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai and is designed to place small satellite payloads into low Earth orbit.
• Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy flagged off the launch vehicle from Skyroot's Max-Q Campus in Hyderabad to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
• The development is part of space sector reforms led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launches biodiversity conservation project in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya

[United Nations Development Programme, Global Environment Facility]

Key Updates:

• The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in partnership with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), launched a five-year project titled Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments.
• The project is a joint initiative of the Government of India, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a grant of $4.88 million for 2025-30.
• In Tamil Nadu, the programme covers the Sathyamangalam landscape, including the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
• In Meghalaya, the project covers the Garo Hills, including the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Balpakram National Park, and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Conservation efforts will be integrated into Village Employment Councils (VECs), which are equivalent to gram panchayats.
• Key objectives include strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions and Biodiversity Management Committees by mainstreaming biodiversity in local developmental plans.
• The project aims to promote innovative financing through Access and Benefit Sharing (ACS) arrangements, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) co-financing, and green micro-enterprises.
• The initiative focuses on advancing the economic and governance roles of women, scheduled caste, and tribal communities through knowledge management and capacity building.

Two New Jumping Spider Species Discovered in India

Key Updates:

• Two new species of jumping spiders belonging to the genus Mogrus have been discovered in India.
• The newly identified species are named Mogrus shushka and Mogrus pune.
• Mogrus shushka was collected from the dry and barren regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Mogrus pune was discovered in the urban green spaces biodiversity park in Maharashtra.
• The discovery was published in the European Journal of Taxonomy.
• The two species are distinguished by their male reproductive organs, with one being triangle-shaped and the other being curved or heart-shaped.

Nigeria Introduces Green Tax Surcharge on High-Emission Vehicles

[Nigeria]

Key Updates:

• Nigeria's Finance Minister Wale Edun signed a circular on April 1, 2026, to introduce a green tax surcharge on vehicles, effective from July 1.
• The tax is imposed on vehicles with engine capacities of 2,000 cc and above, with a 2 per cent tax for 2,000 cc to 3,999 cc and 4 per cent for 4,000 cc and above.
• Exemptions from the green tax are provided for vehicles with engine sizes below 2,000 cc, mass transit buses, electric vehicles (EVs), and locally manufactured vehicles.
• Import tariffs on fully built passenger vehicles have been reduced from 70 per cent to 40 per cent within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) common external tariff (CET) structure.
• A 90-day grace period has been granted to manufacturers, importers, and service providers for the transition to the new fiscal measures.
• Nigeria has imposed a 5 per cent fuel surcharge on petrol and diesel since January 1.
• According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria's passenger car imports increased to Naira 1.58 trillion.
• Under its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), Nigeria commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 29 per cent by 2030 and 32 per cent by 2035 compared to 2018 levels.
• Nigeria has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2060.
• The transport sector is identified as having a mitigation potential of 44.3 Mt CO2e through the adoption of clean vehicles.
• Other national initiatives include a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme, removal of fuel subsidies, and a ban on the import of polluting two-stroke engines.

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) develops high-efficiency all-iron flow battery

[China]

Key Updates:

• A research team at the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has advanced all-iron flow battery technology.
• The battery prototype demonstrated a 99.4 per cent leak-proof efficiency over 6,000 cycles, which is equivalent to more than 16 years of daily operation.
• The system retained 78.5 per cent of its energy efficiency even at high power outputs.
• The technology employs an alkaline-based chemistry and a synergistic molecular design to prevent active material degradation and leakage.
• The research notes that lithium currently trades at over 80 times the cost of iron, positioning iron-based batteries as a budget-friendly alternative for grid-scale renewable energy storage.
• The findings of this development were published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.

India tops medal tally at ISSF Junior World Cup

[International Shooting Sport Federation]

Key Updates:

• India finished on top of the table at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun held in Cairo, Egypt.
• India won a total of 16 medals, including five gold, six silver, and five bronze.
• Hemant Burman won the silver medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a score of 351.7.
• The pair of Zuhair Khan and Addya Katyal secured the bronze medal in the trap mixed team event with a final score of 19.
• Oleg Noskov of Kazakhstan won the gold medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a new world junior record score of 355.6.
• Nikita Solokov of Uzbekistan won the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a score of 341.2.
• Bence Doeboerhegyi and Anna Nyitrai of Hungary won the gold medal in the trap mixed team event with a new world junior record score of 32.
• Neutral athletes Ramir Nikolaev and Kseniia Tatarinova won the silver medal in the trap mixed team event with a score of 25.
• The ISSF Junior World Championship is scheduled to be held in Suhl, Germany in June.

Sabastian Sawe wins London Marathon with sub-two-hour record

Key Updates:

• Sabastian Sawe of Kenya became the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race, winning the London Marathon in 1 hour 59 minutes 30 seconds.
• Yomif Kejelcha finished as runner-up in 1:59:41, becoming the second man to run under two hours in race conditions.
• Jacob Kiplimo completed the men's podium with a time of 2:00:28.
• Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia won the women's race in 2:15:41, setting a new world record for a women-only field.
• Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya finished as runner-up and third place respectively in the women's race.
• Marcel Hug of Switzerland won the elite men's wheelchair race in 1:24:13, marking his eighth victory and sixth successive win.
• Luo Xingchuan of China and David Weir of Great Britain finished second and third in the men's wheelchair race.
• Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland won the elite women's wheelchair title with a time of 1:38:29, defeating Tatyana McFadden of the United States.

Punjab Kings defeat Delhi Capitals to script highest IPL run chase

[Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals]

Key Updates:

• Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets to record the highest successful run chase in T20 and Indian Premier League (IPL) history.
• PBKS chased down a target of 265, surpassing their own previous record of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) set in 2024.
• Delhi Capitals scored 264/2, which is the highest total of the IPL 2026 season.
• KL Rahul scored 152
• off 67 balls, becoming the third player to cross the 150-mark in IPL history and the highest-scoring Indian batter in the tournament.
• KL Rahul and Nitish Rana shared a 220-run partnership for the second wicket, the second-highest in IPL history.
• For PBKS, Prabhsimran Singh scored 76, Priyansh Arya scored 73, and captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 71.
• The match was held at Kotla in Delhi.
• PBKS remains the only unbeaten side in the IPL 2026 season with 13 points from seven games.

International Design Day observed on 27 April with theme "The Spaces In Between"

Key Updates:

• International Design Day is observed annually on 27 April to reflect on the role design plays in shaping society.
• The theme for International Design Day 2026 is "The Spaces In Between".
• The Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) is serving as the global host for the 2026 celebrations.
• The International Council of Design (ICoD) provides leadership regarding the origins and purpose of International Design Day.
• The SEGD was founded in 1973 and represents more than 2,000 members across 30 chapters in seven international regions.

Sanjay Jamuar appointed first CEO of Delhi Metro International Limited (DMIL)

[Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Metro International Limited]

Key Updates:

• Sanjay Jamuar has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Delhi Metro International Limited (DMIL).
• DMIL is a newly set-up arm of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) created to undertake metro projects and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) assignments in India outside Delhi and abroad.
• DMIL is mandated to provide advisory services to authorities and lenders for the development and long-term planning of metro and transit systems.
• Sanjay Jamuar is a former Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer with experience in the UK, USA, France, Middle East, and Europe.
• Sanjay Jamuar previously joined DMRC in 1998 as its first O&M employee.
• DMRC is currently involved as a consultant for the Dhaka Metro project in Bangladesh.
• DMRC handles O&M contracts for the Chennai, Mumbai, and Patna Metro projects.

Raghu Rai, Renowned Photographer, Dies at 83

Key Updates:

• Raghu Rai, a renowned photographer and photojournalist, passed away in Delhi at the age of 83 after suffering from cancer.
• He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972.
• In 1977, he became the first Indian photographer to be invited to join Magnum Photos upon nomination by Henri Cartier-Bresson.
• He authored over 40 books, including A Day in the Life of India, Picturing Time: The Greatest Photographs of Raghu Rai, My Land and Its People, The Album: Friends and Family, Tibet in Exile, His People: His Finest Portraits, and The Sikhs.
• His work documented significant historical events including the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the Emergency years, and the period before Operation Blue Star in 1984.
• He captured portraits of prominent figures including Indira Gandhi, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, and Satyajit Ray.
• He was born in Jhang, Pakistan, and was a civil engineer by training.

Sumitra Guha and Laxman Pandit Honoured with Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards

Key Updates:

• Veteran Hindustani vocalists Sumitra Guha and Pandit Laxman Krishnarao Pandit were honoured at the 13th edition of the Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards for their contribution to Indian classical music.
• The awards were instituted in memory of Jyotsna Darda, the founder of Lokmat Sakhi Manch.
• The awards ceremony took place at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi and the honours were presented by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta.
• The awards recognise excellence in Indian music and encourage emerging talent through selections from vocal and instrumental categories.
• The awards were held across nine cities: Nagpur, Yavatmal, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi.

Raghu Rai Passes Away as Legendary Photojournalist

Key Updates:

• Raghu Rai, a legendary photojournalist, passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of 83.
• He was born on December 18, 1942, in Jhang, which is now in Pakistan.
• He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972.
• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
• He joined Magnum Photos in 1977 after being nominated by Henri Cartier-Bresson.
• His notable work includes the coverage of the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
• He documented eminent personalities including Indira Gandhi and Mother Teresa.