Daily Current Affairs: 30 April 2026

National Statistics Office (NSO) records India industrial output growth of 4.1% in March 2026

Key Updates:

• India's industrial output growth, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), slowed to 4.1% in March 2026.
• The National Statistics Office (NSO) revised the industrial growth for February 2026 to 5.1% from the earlier estimate of 5.2%.
• The March 2026 growth rate is the weakest since October 2025, when industrial growth was 0.5%.
• Manufacturing growth for March 2026 stood at 4.3%, compared to 4% in the previous year.
• Power generation expanded by 0.8% in March 2026, compared to 7.5% in March 2025.
• Mining output rose by 5.5% in March 2026, compared to 1.2% in the corresponding period last year.
• For the full financial year 2025–26, industrial growth was 4.1%, compared with 4% in the previous year.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launches Mission SAKSHAM for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs)

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched Mission SAKSHAM (Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman), a sector-wide capacity-building and certification framework for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).
• The initiative aims to train approximately 1.40 lakh participants, including board members, senior management, heads of risk, compliance and audit functions, and employees working in IT functions and other critical areas.
• The mission comprises in-person training programmes and e-learning courses, with content delivery in regional languages to the extent feasible.
• Mission SAKSHAM was designed in consultation with the Umbrella Organisation of UCBs and national/state cooperative federations.
• The initiative was first announced during the monetary policy on February 6, 2026.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launches Mission SAKSHAM for Urban Cooperative Banking sector

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched Mission SAKSHAM for the capacity-building of the Urban Cooperative Banking (UCB) sector.
• Mission SAKSHAM aims to conduct training programmes for approximately 1.40 lakh participants.
• The target groups for the training include board members, senior management, heads of risk, compliance and audit functions, and employees working in IT functions and other critical areas.
• The RBI shall endeavour to deliver the training content in regional languages to the extent feasible.
• The mission was designed in consultation with the National/State Cooperative Federations and the Umbrella Organisation of UCBs.
• The initiative is expected to enhance managerial and operational capabilities, improve compliance culture, and strengthen institutional resilience across UCBs.

Basmati and Organic Training Centre: ₹15 Crore Project in Pilibhit

[Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (India)]

Key Updates:

• The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is establishing a basmati and organic training centre and demonstration farm in Tanda Bijesi village, Pilibhit.
• The project has an estimated cost of ₹15 crore and involves the transfer of 7 acres of land.
• The facility, known as the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) centre, is the second such centre in Uttar Pradesh after Meerut.
• The centre will feature an AI-based satellite survey to map basmati cultivation areas, identify varieties, and generate data for export estimates.
• The facility will include a seed unit, an auditorium, a museum of 45 notified basmati varieties, and a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited lab.
• The NABL-accredited lab will be used to test for DNA, pesticide residues, and heavy metals.
• The BEDF aims to train over 50,000 farmers across seven basmati-producing states by the end of 2025–26.
• The centre will cater to farmers from Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states, including Uttarakhand and Delhi.
• Construction of the project will be carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) and is expected to be completed within a year.

IP Application Fee Waiver for Sports Sector: Zero Fee for 3 Years

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced a three-year waiver of application fees for intellectual property rights (IPRs) related to the sports sector.
• The zero-fee waiver covers trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, traditional knowledge, and Geographical Indication (GI) products.
• The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) will issue the notification for this waiver.
• The announcement was made during the World IP Day 2026 event, organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
• Current IPR application fees range between ₹500 and ₹60,000, depending on the applicant entity.
• The DPIIT operates a scheme to provide handholding support to applicants for the registration process within the IP ecosystem.
• The Kashmir's Willow Bat is identified as having a GI certification.

Prashast 2.0 to identify 21 types of disabilities in children

Key Updates:

• The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Government of India (GoI), will launch the upgraded Prashast 2.0 app in May.
• The app is designed to screen 21 types of disabilities and simplify the certification process for children with special needs (CWSN).
• Students identified with potential disabilities through the app will be linked to special support services under the Samagra Shiksha initiative.
• The app enables school-level screening by automatically connecting school heads, teachers, special educators, and students.
• The User Acceptance Testing (UAT) programme was organised by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) with participants from Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026: ₹10,000 Crore Investment Target

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026, aiming to attract over ₹10,000 crore in investment and generate 1.5 lakh jobs by 2031.
• The policy proposes the establishment of a Maharashtra AI Mission, five AI innovation cities, and six sectoral Centres of Excellence (CoE).
• The six sectoral CoEs will focus on healthcare, agriculture, education, urban development, Marathi language and culture, and finance and revenue.
• The state targets the training of two lakh youth and professionals through the Maharashtra Centre for Advanced AI Training (MCAT).
• A common computing backbone featuring at least 2,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) will be created under a compute-as-a-service model for government departments.
• The policy includes the creation of datasets in Marathi, regional dialects, and tribal languages, alongside a State AI Data Exchange.
• A 20 per cent subsidy on AI adoption will be provided to 5,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• A ₹500 crore AI startup venture fund will be established with equal contributions from the government and private sector.
• Twelve AI incubators will be set up, providing grants of up to ₹1 crore for startups and up to ₹1.25 crore for women-led ventures.
• The state has set a target to support at least one AI unicorn.
• A Maha AI Tools Hub will be established as a common platform to support AI adoption.
• Investment incentives include up to 20 per cent capital subsidy, 100 per cent stamp duty exemption, and a power tariff subsidy of ₹2 per unit for up to 10 years.
• The policy mandates annual AI readiness audits across all government departments.

Namma 112: AI-powered multilingual emergency helpline introduced by Bengaluru Police

Key Updates:

• Bengaluru Police introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered multilingual feature in its Namma 112 emergency helpline, becoming the first police unit in India to deploy such a system.
• The system supports over 10 Indian and foreign languages, including Bengali, Malayalam, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Assamese, Kashmiri, Nepali, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
• The initiative was developed in collaboration with Monday Ventures and Aeos.
• The system utilises Multilingual Voice AI for Nationwide Key Interventions (VANKI) for communication in multiple languages.
• The Bengaluru Police control room receives approximately 8,000 phone calls daily, of which around 2,000 require action.

National Medical Commission (NMC) removes cap on MBBS seats and eases population norms

[National Medical Commission (NMC)]

Key Updates:

• The National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a gazette notification on April 27 to amend 2023 regulations governing new medical colleges and expansion of existing courses.
• The NMC removed the clause that capped the total number of MBBS seats at 150 per college for institutions seeking expansion from the 2024–25 academic year.
• The requirement for states to maintain a ratio of 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakh population has been removed.
• The maximum distance between a medical college and its teaching hospital is now prescribed as 10 km, replacing the previous 30-minute travel-time cap.
• For Himalayan and northeastern states, the maximum distance between a medical college and its teaching hospital has been relaxed to 15 km.
• The amendments were notified under the NMC Act, 2019, and apply to the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, and the Undergraduate Medical Education Board’s seat expansion guidelines.

FSSAI Draft Notification: Ban on Plastic and Metallised Layers in Pan Masala Packaging

[Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)]

Key Updates:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a draft notification proposing that pan masala packaging should not use plastic material or metal layers.
• The proposed regulation prohibits the use of plastic material, aluminium foil, or metallised layers for storing, packing, or selling gutkha, tobacco, and pan masala.
• Permitted packaging materials include paper, cardboard, cellulose-based materials, tin, or glass containers.
• The notification specifically bans the use of polythene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, synthetic polymers, copolymers, or laminates.
• This draft amendment is aligned with the government Plastic Waste Management Rules.
• Stakeholders have been asked to submit their comments on the draft notification within 30 days.

Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) Centre: ₹15 Crore Training Facility in Pilibhit

Key Updates:

• The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is establishing a basmati and organic training centre and demonstration farm in Tanda Bijesi village, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
• The project is estimated at ₹15 crore and involves the transfer of 7 acres of land.
• The Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) centre is the second such facility in Uttar Pradesh, following the one in Meerut.
• The BEDF centre will serve farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi.
• The project includes an AI-based satellite survey to map basmati cultivation areas, identify varieties, and generate data for export estimates.
• The facility will feature a seed unit, an auditorium, a museum of 45 notified basmati varieties, and a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited lab to test for DNA, pesticide residues, and heavy metals.
• The BEDF aims to train over 50,000 farmers across seven basmati-producing states by the end of 2025–26.
• Construction is being executed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and is expected to be completed within a year.

Moving Towards Effective City Government Roadmap: Urban Governance Reforms

Key Updates:

• The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) released a roadmap titled “Moving Towards Effective City Government” to strengthen city governments in India’s million-plus cities.
• The report was unveiled by the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar.
• The roadmap proposes the introduction of directly elected mayors with fixed terms to increase accountability to the public.
• It recommends integrating essential services, including water, sanitation, and public transport, under a single accountable city authority to reduce delays.
• The report suggests strengthening municipal finances through increased local revenue generation, timely transfers from states, and access to municipal bonds.
• According to Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) data, India has over 1.12 crore registered housing units with approximately 1.91 lakh complaints filed by buyers.
• In Maharashtra, over 54,000 projects are registered, covering nearly 48 lakh housing units.
• The report states that improving urban governance is essential for India to achieve its goal of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047.

Jal Jeevan Mission: Uttar Pradesh introduces 10-year warranty model for rural water schemes

Key Updates:

• Uttar Pradesh introduced a mandatory 10-year operations and maintenance (O&M) ‘warranty’ for rural drinking water projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
• Under the new framework, construction agencies are responsible for operating and maintaining water supply infrastructure for a decade.
• The state rolled out the ‘Jal Arpan’ initiative to transform villagers into active stakeholders with ownership and leadership in managing local water supply systems.
• Over 33,000 solar-powered water schemes have been installed in Uttar Pradesh, reducing maintenance expenses by approximately 52%.
• Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), also known as ‘Paani Samitis’ and led by Gram Pradhans, are involved in the planning, design, and daily operations of the infrastructure.
• The Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department is implementing the strategy to ensure long-term sustainability of the projects.
• Water quality monitoring is conducted through district-level, state-level, and mobile NABL-accredited laboratories.
• A Citizen Charter and an online grievance redressal system, accessible via a toll-free helpline or online portal, have been introduced to ensure service accountability.

Indian Army to host 11 nations for inaugural edition of exercise Pragati in Meghalaya

[Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Army is hosting the inaugural edition of the multilateral exercise 'Pragati'.
• The exercise is being conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
• Military delegations from 11 friendly countries are participating in the event.
• 'Pragati' stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The exercise aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, and build mutual trust among participating nations.

United Arab Emirates to exit OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, 2026

[United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its withdrawal from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+ effective May 1, 2026.
• The UAE is the world's seventh-largest oil producer.
• The decision allows the UAE to pursue its target of increasing production capacity to 5 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027.
• The UAE had been a member of OPEC since 1967.
• The announcement was made by the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei.

China to grant zero-tariff treatment to African countries from May 1

[China]

Key Updates:

• China will expand zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties starting May 1.
• From May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028, zero-tariff treatment will be granted to 20 African countries that are not classified as least developed countries.
• The policy was announced by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.
• The zero-tariff policy applies to a total of 53 African countries.
• Since December 1, 2024, China has granted zero-tariff treatment on 100 per cent of tariff lines for 33 least developed African countries.
• China is promoting the negotiation and signing of the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development.
• Total trade between China and Africa reached USD 348 billion in 2025, with China's exports amounting to USD 225 billion and Africa's exports totalling USD 123 billion.

Bangladesh begins fuel loading at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on 28 April 2026

[Bangladesh]

Key Updates:

• Bangladesh began loading uranium fuel into the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on 28 April 2026.
• The nuclear power station has a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts (MW).
• The construction of the $11 billion plant commenced in 2017.
• The plant is expected to meet up to 10 per cent of the power demands of Bangladesh.
• Initial power generation of approximately 300 MW is targeted for August, with full production expected in late 2027.

Indian Army to host inaugural edition of multilateral exercise 'Pragati' in Meghalaya

[ Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Army is hosting the inaugural edition of the multilateral exercise 'Pragati'.
• The exercise is being conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
• Military delegations from 11 friendly countries are participating in the exercise.
• 'Pragati' stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The exercise aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, and build mutual trust among participating nations.
• Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Upendra Dwivedi visited his alma mater, Sainik School Rewa.

Jordan joins India-led ISA, CDRI and GBA on April 27, 2026

Key Updates:

• Jordan confirmed its membership in three India-led global initiatives: International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA).
• The formal membership documents were handed over by the Ambassador of Jordan to India, Yousef Abdelghani, to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (South), Neena Malhotra, in New Delhi.
• On April 20, South Korea joined the ISA and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• India and South Korea decided to elevate their bilateral relationship to a futuristic partnership.
• The ISA is a platform to accelerate solar deployment and support the global transition to sustainable energy systems, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

India and Kenya hold 10th Joint Trade Committee meeting in Nairobi on April 27-28, 2026

Key Updates:

• India and Kenya held the 10th session of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) in Nairobi on April 27-28, 2026.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Akotah Ombam.
• Bilateral trade between India and Kenya reached $4.31 billion in 2025-26, representing a 24.91 per cent increase from $3.45 billion in the previous fiscal.
• An MoU was signed between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to strengthen standardisation and conformity assessment.
• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and Kenya Revenue Authority signed an MoU for the exchange of pre-arrival customs information to streamline customs procedures.
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the India Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an agreement to promote trade, investment, and industrial collaboration.
• Both nations explored trade settlement in local currencies through Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) and a Local Currency Settlement mechanism.
• India provided support for Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway through rolling stock supply, project management, and feasibility studies.
• Kenya indicated its intention to sign the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement.
• Digital cooperation discussions focused on Bharat Connect and UPI-like payment systems to enhance financial inclusion.
• India offered training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme in education, earth sciences, healthcare, and mining.
• Student mobility was discussed under the Study in India initiative.

Sigma Advanced Systems secures ₹3,800 crore aerospace parts contract from Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc

[Sigma Advanced Systems]

Key Updates:

• Hyderabad-based Sigma Advanced Systems has secured a ₹3,800 crore order from Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc to supply aerospace parts.
• The contract will be executed over the next seven years.
• Sigma Advanced Systems will supply high-precision-engineered, safety-critical components and assemblies for Rolls-Royce's aerospace programmes.
• Deliveries will be made through the company's manufacturing network across India and the United Kingdom (UK).
• Sunil Kumar Kalidindi is the chief executive at Sigma Advanced Systems.

Finland Launches Europe's First Integrated Lithium Mining and Refining Project

[Finland]

Key Updates:

• The Keliber project in western Finland is the first in Europe to integrate the entire lithium production chain, including the mine, concentrator, and refinery, within 43 kilometres.
• The project features the Syvajarvi open-pit mine located in the municipality of Kaustinen and a refinery situated near the port of Kokkola.
• The project, costing approximately 783-million euro ($920-million), produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide from spodumene ore.
• The refinery is estimated to produce 15,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually, which accounts for around 10 percent of Europe's demand.
• The Keliber project covers more than 500 square kilometres and includes the Syvajarvi mine and six other planned mining sites.
• The project is owned by Sibanye-Stillwater (nearly 80 percent) and the state-owned Finnish Minerals Group (20 percent), with a small share held by Finnish shareholders.
• Bo Langbacka of the Geological Survey of Finland (GSF) stated that Finland's bedrock contains some of the largest lithium reserves in Europe.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to Include Civilians in Astronaut Cadre

Key Updates:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) committee on astronaut selection and management has recommended including four civilian specialists from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds in the second batch of astronauts.
• The second batch of astronauts will consist of 10 members, comprising four civilian specialists and six mission pilots from military aviation backgrounds.
• The first batch of four astronauts, all Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots, includes Air Commodore Prashanth B Nair, Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan, and Gp Capt Angad Prathap.
• Civilian astronauts are scheduled to join mission crews starting from the fourth crewed Gaganyaan mission.
• The proposed third batch will consist of 12 astronauts, including two mission pilots and 10 specialists.
• ISRO has proposed a total astronaut cadre strength of up to 40.
• From the seventh crewed mission, the crew size is proposed to increase from two to three astronauts to support the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
• The readiness target for the second batch is 72 months and for the third batch is 96 months.
• A full astronaut turnaround cycle, including selection, training, and mission preparation, is estimated at 4.5 years.
• The agency is developing environment control and life support systems (ECLSS) for its missions.

France Unveils Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuels by 2050

[France]

Key Updates:

• France announced a roadmap to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050 for energy purposes.
• The plan was unveiled during a global conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, which was co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands.
• France aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% per year over the 2024-2028 period.
• The roadmap includes commitments to phase out fossil fuel production and electrify sectors such as heating and transport.
• The Santa Marta conference was established after a proposal for a global fossil fuel roadmap was blocked at the COP30 climate summit in November.
• Nearly 60 nations attended the conference, including the European Union (EU), Canada, Norway, Angola, Nigeria, and Tuvalu.

University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India (SII) Partner to Develop R78C Malaria Vaccine

[University of Oxford, Serum Institute of India]

Key Updates:

• The University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India (SII) have signed a licence agreement to develop and manufacture a multi-stage malaria vaccine candidate called R78C.
• The R78C vaccine candidate is based on two Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage antigens, RIPR and CyPRA.
• SII, a Cyrus Poonawalla group company, will support the continued development, large-scale manufacture, and potential future commercialisation of the vaccine.
• The collaboration aims to provide affordable and equitable access to the vaccine for endemic regions and low and middle-income countries.
• SII has entered into a related agreement with ExpreS2ion to access its proprietary ExpreS2 expression platform for the clinical-stage production of R78C and RH5.1 vaccine components.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) adds 12 new Global Geoparks

Key Updates:

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) added 12 new sites to its Global Geoparks network.
• The total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks has reached 241 across 51 countries, covering more than 8.82 lakh sq km worldwide.
• The new geoparks in China are Changshan and Mt. Siguniang.
• The new geoparks in Malaysia are Lenggong and Sarawak Delta.
• Other newly designated sites include Terres d'Hérault (France), Nisyros (Greece), Joyce Country and Western Lakes (Ireland), and Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau (Japan).
• Additional new sites include Algarvensis (Portugal), Toratau (Russia), Dahar (Tunisia), and Manantiales Serranos (Uruguay).

India wins four gold medals at Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships

Key Updates:

• India secured four gold medals at the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships and the Universal Cup (Senior) held in Apia, Samoa.
• Sunil Singh won gold in the 65kg men's category with a total lift of 271kg (126kg snatch and 145kg clean and jerk).
• Aisangfa Gogoi won gold in the 58kg women's category with a total lift of 185kg (79kg snatch and 106kg clean and jerk).
• Abhinob Gogoi won gold in the 71kg men's division with a total lift of 284kg (129kg snatch and 155kg clean and jerk).
• Charu Pesi from Arunachal Pradesh won gold in the men's 6kg category at the Universal Cup with a total lift of 289kg (127kg snatch and 162kg clean and jerk).
• Sahdev Yadav is the president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

Punjab FC defeats Zinc Football Academy to win AIFF Elite Youth League 2025-26

Key Updates:

• Punjab FC won the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Elite Youth League 2025-26 by defeating Zinc Football Academy 3-0 in the final.
• The final match was held at the Ramsar Sahib Sports Stadium in Gharshankar.
• Punjab FC successfully defended their title in the AIFF Elite Youth League.
• The goals for Punjab FC were scored by Karish Soram, Vishal Yadav, and Thongram Rishikant Singh.

ISSF and IPC sign agreement to transfer governance of Para Shooting

Key Updates:

• The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) signed an agreement to transfer governance of shooting Para sport from the IPC to the ISSF.
• The sport is currently managed by World Shooting Para Sport under the IPC.
• The transfer will take effect following approval by ISSF Member Federations at the General Assembly later this year.
• If ratified, the ISSF will take full charge from early next year.
• A phased integration is planned over 2027-2028, with minimal changes to competition structures and qualification systems, including for the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

International Dance Day observed on 29 April

Key Updates:

• International Dance Day, also known as World Dance Day, is celebrated every year on 29 April.
• The official message for International Dance Day 2026 was written by Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite, highlighting dance as a human language.
• The date marks the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet reformer born in 1727.
• The day was introduced in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), an organisation associated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• Indian classical dance forms include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathakali, and Mohiniyattam.
• Indian folk dances include Garba, Bhangra, Ghoomar, Bihu, Lavani, and Chhau.

World Penguin Day observed on April 25

Key Updates:

• World Penguin Day is observed on April 25.
• The African penguin is the only penguin species endemic to the coastlines of South Africa and Namibia.
• The African penguin was uplisted to Critically Endangered in 2024 on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• There are currently fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs of African penguins left.
• Scientists have warned that the African penguin could be extinct in the wild by 2035.
• The City of Cape Town has invested in a Penguin Ranger Team in partnership with SANCCOB and South African National Parks.

World Veterinary Day observed on April 25, 2026 with theme Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health

Key Updates:

• World Veterinary Day 2026 was observed on April 25, 2026.
• The theme for the event was Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health.
• The programme was organised by the Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RAJUVAS) at the Postgraduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• Animal Husbandry Minister Joraram Kumawat highlighted the expansion of veterinary infrastructure through new animal hospitals and mobile veterinary vans.
• Key welfare initiatives mentioned include the Gopalak Card and the Mangla Livestock Insurance Scheme.
• The state is implementing sex-sorted semen technology to improve breeding outcomes and reduce financial risk for livestock owners.
• A newsletter was released by RAJUVAS during the programme.
• Retired academicians G.C. Gehlot and Sunanda Sharma were recognised for their distinguished service.

International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day observed on April 26

Key Updates:

• International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed annually on April 26.
• The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2016 to mark the anniversary of the 1986 nuclear accident.
• The nuclear accident occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
• The disaster was caused by a routine safety test that led to a power surge and explosions destroying the No. 4 reactor.
• The radiation from the accident spread across Europe and the Soviet Union, affecting Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
• The UNGA adopted resolution 71/125 on December 8, 2016, to officially designate April 26 as the remembrance day.
• The first official observance of the day took place in 2017.
• The term liquidators refers to the firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers who worked to contain the radiation and build the initial sarcophagus over the damaged reactor.

World Intellectual Property Day observed on April 26

Key Updates:

• World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on April 26.
• The event was established to increase general understanding of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and copyrights.
• The idea for the day was first proposed by the National Algerian Institute for Industrial Property in 1999.
• The State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China suggested the institutionalisation of the event during the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly.
• WIPO member states approved the proposal in October 1999.
• The date April 26 coincides with the anniversary of the date the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization first entered into force in 1970.
• The first official World Intellectual Property Day was held in 2000.

Rithika Shri becomes first registered transgender umpire in Tamil Nadu

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• Rithika Shri is the first registered transgender umpire in Tamil Nadu.
• She has officiated in over 300 matches across Salem and Namakkal.
• The Coimbatore District Cricket Association (CDCA) integrated her into the system and conducted gender-sensitivity sessions for club owners, match officials, players, and venue owners.
• The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) modified its umpire examination form to include the third gender category.
• Tamil Nadu became the first Indian state to formally recognise the third gender for welfare measures in 2008.
• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not have a policy requiring such recognition, but the TNCA provides support to the umpire.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) appoints CFO and approves petrochemicals joint venture

[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL)]

Key Updates:

• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) appointed Yogish Nayak S as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective from May 1, 2026.
• ONGC approved the formation of a joint venture (JV) for integrated petrochemicals marketing and trading with Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) and ONGC Petro additions Ltd (OPaL).
• The JV will have a shareholding structure of 50:25:25 between ONGC, MRPL, and OPaL, respectively.
• ONGC will contribute ₹25 crore towards equity share capital for the JV, subject to approval from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).
• ONGC approved an equity investment of up to ₹79.48 crore and a corporate guarantee of up to ₹185.45 crore for Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd.
• The funding for Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd is for the Duliajan feeder line project, which is part of the North East Gas Grid initiative.

Supreme Court (SC) rules on hate speech legislation on April 29, 2026

[Supreme Court (India)]

Key Updates:

• A Supreme Court (SC) bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta held that the existing framework of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) adequately addresses hate speech.
• The SC noted that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) provides for the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) in cognisable offences.
• The Law Commission 267 report, dated March 23, 2017, suggested legislative measures and amendments to address evolving societal challenges regarding hate speech.
• The SC cited the Lalita Kumari judgment, which mandates that police are bound to register an FIR upon the disclosure of a cognisable offence.
• Legal recourse for non-registration of FIRs is available under Section 154(3), Section 156(3), and Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
• Corresponding legal remedies under the BNSS include Section 175 for approaching a Magistrate and Section 223 for filing a complaint.
• In 2018, the SC issued specific guidelines to control hate crimes, mob violence, and lynching, which included the appointment of nodal officers and fast-tracked trials.