Daily Current Affairs: 29 April 2026

National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) outlines two-phased Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) roadmap for $30 trillion economy by 2047

Key Updates:

• The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) has outlined a two-phased strategy for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to facilitate the transition toward a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
• The strategy is detailed in a report titled 'DPI@2047: The Roadmap to Prosperity' from the NITI Frontier Tech Hub.
• The roadmap sets an ambitious target for a per capita income of $18,000.
• DPI 2.0 is scheduled to span from 2025 to 2035 and focuses on building a broad base of capable citizens.
• DPI 3.0 is scheduled to span from 2035 to 2047 and aims to achieve prosperity through grassroots innovation and high-value local economic growth.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) noted that DPI 1.0 established digital identity for over 1.3 billion people through Aadhaar and drove transactions via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• The report identifies eight specific sectoral transformations to drive mass inclusion, targeting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, education, health, energy, and credit.
• For MSMEs, the plan targets market expansion through digital intelligence and low-cost job fulfilment systems to connect them with local talent.
• The agricultural initiative seeks to raise incomes for smallholder farmers by providing digital access to advisory services and market linkages.
• The roadmap emphasises equitable access to learner-centric education in local languages and the strengthening of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to expand universal health coverage.
• Systemic enablers introduced in the plan include decentralised energy markets for renewable power production and democratised credit access for microcredits.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants NBFC licence to One MobiKwik Systems

Key Updates:

• One MobiKwik Systems has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence to launch its in-house lending business.
• The company will establish a wholly owned subsidiary named MobiKwik Financial Services Private Limited to expand regulated lending operations and roll out credit products for consumers and merchants.
• The NBFC licence is intended to help the fintech firm strengthen its full-stack financial services, improve lending margins, and accelerate the launch of new products.
• MobiKwik plans to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning models to offer personalised financial products and expand credit access in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
• The company, which has a user base of over 186 million users, will commence operations after receiving a certificate of registration from the RBI.
• Following the announcement, the share price of One MobiKwik Systems surged by 14.02% to ₹230.26.

Knight Frank ranks India 6th globally in ultra-high net worth individual population

[Knight Frank, United States]

Key Updates:

• Knight Frank ranks India as the sixth-largest country globally by ultra-high net worth individual (UHNWI) population.
• India is home to 19,877 UHNWIs with net worth exceeding $30 million in 2026, accounting for 2.8% of the global UHNWI population.
• The UHNWI population in India is projected to grow by 27% to 25,217 by 2031.
• In 2026, the share of UHNWIs in India's top five cities is Mumbai (35.4%), Delhi (22.8%), Bengaluru (10.6%), Hyderabad (6.3%), and Chennai (4.8%).
• India ranks third globally in billionaire population with 207 billionaires in 2026, following the United States of America (USA) with 914 and Mainland China with 485.
• India's billionaire population is expected to increase by 51% to 313 by 2031, raising its global share from 6.7% to 8%.
• The global UHNWI population rose to 713,626 in 2026, compared to 551,435 in 2021.

Bharat-Bhutan Mystic Mountain Tour: IRCTC to operate Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist train

[Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), Bhutan]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) announced the launch of the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist train for the Bharat-Bhutan Mystic Mountain Tour package.
• The 13 nights and 14 days journey is scheduled to run from May 5 to May 18, 2026, starting from Delhi Safdarjung.
• Boarding and de-boarding points for the tour are available at Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Tundla, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Varanasi railway stations.
• The tour covers Indian destinations including Guwahati (Kamakhya temple, Brahmaputra cruise), Cherrapunji (Seven Sisters’ waterfalls, Mawsamai caves, Nohkhalikai Falls, Elephanta Falls), and Shillong (Cathedral Church, Wards Lake, Umium Lake).
• The itinerary includes Bhutanese destinations: Thimphu (Buddha Point, Motithang Zoo, Painting School, National Library, Thimphu Handicraft market, Tashi Chho Dzong), Punakha (Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong), and Paro (Lamperi Royal Botanical Park, Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge, Paro Dzong, Tiger Nest basecamp Point, National Museum, Hot stone Bath).
• The train has a total capacity of 162 passengers, featuring Superior AC I Coupe (32 berths), Superior AC I Cabin (38 berths), Deluxe AC II tier (36 berths), and Comfort AC III tier (56 berths).
• The package fares are ₹1,41,540 for AC I Cabin/Coupe, ₹1,33,210 for AC II, and ₹1,16,545 for AC III.
• Package inclusions consist of vegetarian onboard and off-board meals, all transfers, sightseeing by coach, and accidental travel insurance.

SMILE–Beggary Survey Mobile Application for real-time data collection and monitoring

[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (India)]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJE) launched the SMILE–Beggary Survey Mobile Application.
• The application was launched during the Chintan Shivir held in Chandigarh from 24th to 26th April 2026.
• The tool was developed under the SMILE–Beggary Sub-Scheme (Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging).
• The application aims to strengthen field-level implementation through real-time data collection and improved monitoring.
• It enables district authorities and implementing agencies to capture survey data digitally to ensure accuracy, transparency, and timely reporting.
• The initiative aligns with the Government’s vision of achieving a Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat.

Mission Jagrook: SEBI's nationwide investor awareness initiative

Key Updates:

• The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs launched 'Mission Jagrook', a nationwide investor awareness initiative by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• SEBI implemented the Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framework in April 2025.
• SEBI introduced "SEBI Check", a tool that allows investors to verify the payment details of registered intermediaries before transferring money.
• The SEBI Data Analytics and Digital Forensics Laboratory utilises Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models to detect network-based frauds and complex market manipulation patterns.
• SEBI, in collaboration with the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and market institutions, conducted 'Niveshak Shivir' programmes to reduce unclaimed financial assets.
• India has over 5,900 listed companies and more than 140 million unique investors.
• The primary market in India facilitates capital formation of nearly ₹10 trillion annually.

India becomes 5th largest military spender with $92.1 billion expenditure in 2025

Key Updates:

• India is the world's fifth-largest military spender with an expenditure of $92.1 billion in 2025, following an 8.9 per cent increase.
• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released the trends in world military expenditure report.
• Global military expenditure reached a record $2.89 trillion in 2025, growing by 2.9 per cent for the 11th consecutive year.
• The five largest military spenders in 2025 were the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India.
• The top five nations accounted for 58 per cent of total world military expenditure, totalling $1,686 billion.
• The global military burden, the percentage of global GDP devoted to defence, reached 2.5 per cent, its highest level since 2009.
• On average, governments worldwide allocated 6.9 per cent of their total budgets to the military, amounting to $352 per person.
• China is the world's second-largest spender, increasing its budget by 7.4 per cent to $336 billion, marking its 31st consecutive year of growth.
• United States military spending fell by 7.5 per cent to $954 billion.
• European military spending increased by 14 per cent to $864 billion.
• Total expenditure in Asia and Oceania rose by 8.1 per cent to $681 billion.
• Pakistan's military spending grew by 11 per cent to $11.9 billion in 2025.
• Israeli spending fell by 4.9 per cent to $48.3 billion, while Iran's expenditure dropped to $7.4 billion.

India to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek on April 28

[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)]

Key Updates:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek on April 28.
• The meeting will focus on regional and global security issues, including international peace, counter-terrorism, and defence cooperation.
• The SCO was established in 2001 in Shanghai.
• The members of the SCO include India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.
• India became a full member of the SCO in 2017.
• India held the rotating chairmanship of the SCO in 2023.

17th Annual Traditional Seed Festival held in Araku region

Key Updates:

• The 17th Annual Traditional Seed Festival was organised by the Sanjeevini organisation at Killoguda village in the Araku region of Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district.
• The event aimed to promote natural farming and the conservation of indigenous seeds.
• Traditional seeds were showcased by farmers from the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, Koraput in Odisha, and the Araku and Rampachodavaram regions of ASR district.
• Villagers from Gondivalasa in Dumbriguda mandal displayed 80 different varieties of tuber seeds.
• The winners of the traditional seed exhibition competition were Sukri from Gondivalasa village, Manikanta from Tamil Nadu, and Pratik Mori from Maharashtra.
• The event involved representatives from the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), and the Beej Swaraj Manch.

Chinese Researchers Develop Zero-Carbon-Emission Direct Coal Fuel Cell (ZC-DCFC)

[China]

Key Updates:

• Researchers at Shenzhen University, led by Xie Heping, have developed the Zero-Carbon-Emission Direct Coal Fuel Cell (ZC-DCFC).
• The ZC-DCFC utilises electrochemical oxidation to convert the chemical energy of coal directly into electricity without the need for combustion.
• The technology captures carbon dioxide in situ and converts it into chemical feedstocks such as synthesis gas or sodium bicarbonate.
• The ZC-DCFC is expected to have a theoretical efficiency twice that of conventional coal-fired power plants.
• The research findings were published in the Energy Reviews journal.
• Large-scale commercial viability of the technology may take several decades due to high manufacturing costs and challenges regarding material longevity.

India Submits Revised Climate Targets for 2031-2035 to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

[United Nations (UN)]

Key Updates:

• India has submitted its revised climate targets for 2031-2035 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• India commits to attaining at least 47 per cent reduction in the emission intensity of its GDP from the 2005 baseline by 2035.
• The targets are part of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), which are non-binding, voluntary climate action plans under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
• India aims to achieve about 60 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035.
• India promised to create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035 compared to the 2005 baseline.
• This is India's third NDC, with the first two submitted in 2015 (pertaining to 2025) and 2022 (pertaining to 2030).
• India achieved 40 per cent cumulative electrical power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources in 2021.
• India reduced the emission intensity of its GDP from 2005 levels by 33 per cent in 2019.

Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) installs X-band Doppler Weather Radar in Mahabaleshwar

[Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) commissioned an X-band dual-polarisation Doppler Weather Radar in Mahabaleshwar under the Mission Mausam initiative.
• The radar is installed at the High Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory (HACPL) at an altitude of approximately 1,400 metres above sea level.
• The system provides hyperlocal nowcasting forecasts up to three hours ahead for Pune, Satara, Mumbai, and parts of Konkan.
• The radar operates at 9.45 GHz using solid-state power amplifier technology with a spatial resolution of 75 metres and updates every 6–10 minutes.
• Real-time data from the radar is shared with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
• The dual-polarisation capability of the radar enables the detection of microphysical parameters such as ice, graupel, hail, and snow.
• The radar will support the defence sector for nowcasting severe weather events as Pune is an Air Force station.

PV Sindhu joins BWF Council as voting member

[Badminton World Federation (BWF)]

Key Updates:

• PV Sindhu has assumed a full voting position on the Council of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
• Sindhu was elected as the Chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission.
• She officially entered the BWF Council at the end of 2025.
• Her first appearance before the global badminton membership took place during the BWF Annual General Meeting in Horsens.
• Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul is the President of the BWF.

Virat Kohli reaches 9,000 runs in Indian Premier League (IPL) history

Key Updates:

• Virat Kohli became the first player to reach the 9,000-run milestone in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
• The record was achieved during a match against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
• Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli has recorded eight centuries and 66 fifties in 274 matches.
• His career statistics in the league include 266 innings with an average of 39.95 and a strike rate of 133.76.
• Kohli has delivered three consecutive seasons with over 600 runs in the IPL since 2023.
• His highest individual score in the tournament is 113 not out.

Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited launch F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026

Key Updates:

• Formula 1 partnered with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) to launch India's first official sanctioned sim racing competition, titled the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026.
• The championship will be conducted on the official F1 25 game across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox platforms.
• Registrations for the event open on April 30 via the MFRL app.
• The competition consists of online qualifiers and city-based simulator rounds, culminating in a national final in Mumbai in November.
• The initiative follows the formal recognition of e-sports under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
• MFRL was established in 2019 and is the first Indian outfit to win a Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) accredited single-seater championship.
• MFRL has supported the early careers of racers Jehan Daruvala, Kush Maini, and Oliver Bearman.

International Chess Federation joins International World Games Association

Key Updates:

• The International Chess Federation (FIDE) joined the International World Games Association (IWGA) at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• The AGM was held at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
• The inclusion of FIDE has increased the IWGA membership to 40 federations.
• Arkady Dvorkovich is the President of FIDE.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work observed on 28 April

Key Updates:

• World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed annually on 28 April to promote safe, healthy and decent work.
• The day has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003.
• Occupational accidents or work-related diseases cause 6,300 deaths daily, totaling more than 2.3 million deaths per year.
• There are 317 million accidents on the job annually.
• The economic burden of poor occupational safety and health practices is estimated at 4 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.

International Day of Women in Industry observed on 21 April 2026

Key Updates:

• The first global celebration of the International Day of Women in Industry was observed on 21 April 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.
• The event was led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the UN House.
• The celebration marked the first UNIDO-led inter-agency initiative in Armenia, involving the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
• The event saw the participation of 92 representatives from the government, private sector, civil society, and development partners.

International Delegate’s Day observed on April 25

Key Updates:

• International Delegate’s Day is a United Nations (UN) observance held on April 25.
• The day was officially established by the UN General Assembly in 2019, and the first celebration took place in 2020.
• The date marks the anniversary of the opening day of the UN Conference of International Organization, commonly known as the San Francisco Conference.
• Delegates from 50 countries, representing over 80% of the world's population, participated in the San Francisco Conference.
• The UN Charter was developed using the Dumbarton Oaks proposals adopted at the Washington Conversations on International Peace and Security Organization in 1944.
• The UN Charter was signed on June 26, 1945, and came into force on October 24, 1945.
• International Delegate’s Day is celebrated the day after the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.

Suresh Sethi appointed Group Country Manager for India and South Asia at Visa

Key Updates:

• Suresh Sethi has been appointed as the Group Country Manager for India and South Asia at Visa.
• Sethi will lead Visa's strategy and operations across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan.
• He succeeds Sandeep Ghosh in this position.
• Based in Mumbai, Sethi will report to Stephen Karpin, the Regional President, Asia Pacific, Visa.
• Sethi previously served as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Protean e-Gov Technologies Ltd.
• At Protean e-Gov Technologies Ltd, he led the transformation into a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) institution.

Dilip Kumar Appointed Chief Vigilance Officer of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

Key Updates:

• Dilip Kumar assumed charge as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) with effect from April 27, 2026.
• He is a senior officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME).
• He previously served as the Additional Divisional Railway Manager in East Central Railway and Chief Workshop Manager at Harnaut in Nalanda, Bihar.
• He is an engineering graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) BHU Varanasi.
• He received the National Award for Outstanding Services in 2016 and the Railway Board’s Certificate of Excellence for Best Innovation for 2018–19.

B Ramesh Babu reappointed as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank

[Reserve Bank of India, Karur Vysya Bank]

Key Updates:

• B Ramesh Babu has been reappointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Karur Vysya Bank.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the reappointment.
• The appointment is for his third term.

Guru Muni Narayana Prasad, Padma Shri Recipient, Dies at 87

Key Updates:

• Guru Muni Narayana Prasad, the head of Narayana Gurukula in Varkala and a renowned philosopher, passed away at the age of 87 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2024 for his significant contributions to the fields of education and literature.
• He authored over 100 books in Malayalam and English, including interpretations of Upanishads such as Aitareya, Isavasya, Kena, Prasna, Mandukya, and Chandogya.
• He won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award twice, receiving it in 2015 for his translation of Soundarya Lahari and in 2018 for his autobiography titled Atmayanam.
• He served as the head of the Narayana Gurukula movement since 1999 and was a direct disciple of Nataraja Guru and Nitya Chaitanya Yati.
• Known as M N Prasad in his purvashramam, he worked as a junior civil engineer with the state Public Works Department (PWD) before joining the Gurukula full-time in 1968.
• He served as the editor of the Malayalam magazine Gurukulam from 1973 to 1989 and previously led the Gita Ashram in Fiji.