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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Securities and Exchange Board of India to launch ‘SEBI SETU’ digital platform to boost investment adviser base in India

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is set to launch a digital platform called SEBI SETU to expand the base of Investment Advisers (IAs) in India.

Key Highlights :

• SEBI SETU will act as a single-window interface to simplify registration and compliance processes for advisers.
• The initiative aims to bridge the gap between over 22 crore demat accounts and less than 1,000 registered investment advisers, highlighting the need for a larger advisory base.
• The platform will provide end-to-end regulatory guidance, from registration to ongoing compliance, making it easier for professionals to enter the advisory space.
• The move comes amid a surge in retail investor participation, necessitating better access to regulated financial advice.
• The SETU will offer simple and comprehensive compliance support to advisers.
• SEBI has introduced regulatory relaxations, including allowing advisers to share past performance data using standardised templates approved by ICAI/ICMAI professionals.
• Advisers can provide second opinions on financial products, with fees capped at 2.5% of Assets Under Advice (AUA), subject to client consent and disclosures.
• Eligibility norms have been simplified, allowing any graduate with certification from the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) to register as an adviser.
• Documentation requirements have been reduced, removing the need for CIBIL reports and detailed asset-liability disclosures, easing entry barriers.
• SEBI aims to bring more professionals into the regulated advisory framework and reduce the compliance burden on existing participants.

Recent News :

• In March 2026, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed changes to nomination rules for demat accounts and mutual fund (MF) folios to simplify onboarding, reduce compliance burden, and align with banking norms.

About SEBI :

• Established : 12 April 1988 as an executive body and was given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Tuhin Kanta Pandey
• SEBI is the regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.

Central Board of Direct Taxes launches new income tax portal and Artificial Intelligence-based ‘Kar Saathi’ to simplify tax filing

• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched a new income tax website and an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered assistant ‘Kar Saathi’ to simplify tax filing procedures.
• The launch coincides with the nationwide awareness campaign PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat).

Key Highlights :

• The ‘Kar Saathi’ portal provides 24×7 assistance to taxpayers for queries and compliance under the Income Tax Act, 2025.
• It features an AI chatbot offering real-time responses and tax-related information in Hindi and English, improving user accessibility.
• The new website acts as a unified platform, consolidating income tax forms, filing procedures, and guidelines in one place.
• The portal helps taxpayers understand processes like filing returns, updated provisions, and form navigation without relying on in-person support.
• Since the launch of PRARAMBH in March 2026, the number of rules has been reduced from 510 to 333 and forms from 399 to 190, simplifying compliance.
• These reforms have eliminated requirements for over 6 crore transactions, reducing complexity and compliance burden.
• PRARAMBH 2026 is being implemented through print, radio, television, digital platforms, social media, and workshops to enhance taxpayer awareness.
• The initiative reflects the government’s focus on process simplification, digitalisation, and taxpayer-friendly reforms under the new tax regime effective April 1, 2026.

About CBDT :

• Formed : 1 January 1964
• Headquarters : New Delhi, India
• Chairman : Ravi Agrawal

About Ministry of Finance:

• Cabinet Minister: Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
• Minister of State (MoS): Shri Pankaj Chaudhary

National Stock Exchange of India and Indian Gas Exchange Limited to introduce India’s first domestic benchmark natural gas derivatives

• India’s leading stock exchange,the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has announced a strategic collaboration with Indian Gas Exchange Limited (IGX) to launch India’s first exchange-traded natural gas derivatives based on a domestic benchmark with an aim to improve risk management in the gas market.
• The initiative has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), with the launch date to be announced soon.

Key Highlights :

• NSE will introduce Indian Natural Gas Futures contracts based on the Gas IndeX of India (GIXI) developed by IGX.
• The pricing of these derivatives will be linked to actual trades on the IGX platform, ensuring transparent price discovery.
• The initiative aims to provide efficient risk management tools for producers, consumers, financial institutions, brokers, and investors.
• It will enhance market efficiency, liquidity, and transparency in India’s natural gas market.
• Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) is India’s first automated national-level gas trading platform, operating under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).
• The collaboration supports NSE’s expansion into domestically benchmarked commodity derivatives, strengthening India’s energy trading ecosystem.

Recent News :

• In March 2026, The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launched a Gold 10 Grams Futures Contract in its Commodity Derivatives Segment, after receiving SEBI approval.

Reserve Bank of India launches pilot Benchmark Issuance Strategy for state borrowings across 9 states

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) for state government market borrowings on a pilot basis from FY27.
• The pilot covers 9 States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Under BIS, states will issue State Development Loans (SDLs) in specific benchmark tenor buckets as per a pre-announced borrowing calendar.
• The objective of BIS is to enhance transparency, liquidity, and price discovery in the SDL market.
• The total market borrowing by States/UTs for Q1 FY27 is estimated at around ₹2.54 lakh crore, lower than ₹2.73 lakh crore in Q1 FY26.
• Of this, the 9 BIS states will collectively borrow about ₹1.54 lakh crore, while the remaining states/UTs will borrow around ₹1.00 lakh crore.
• The borrowing estimate of ₹2.54 lakh crore (₹2,54,509 crore) is lower than market expectations of ₹2.75–3 lakh crore.
• RBI, acting as cash and debt manager for states, has encouraged adoption of BIS to provide greater clarity to investors.
• The impact of BIS on borrowing costs is expected to be gradual, but positive for improving market efficiency.
• The strategy is likely to be adopted by other States/UTs in future, expanding its scope beyond the pilot phase.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NAD STATE NEWS

Election Commission of India Launched ‘Know Your Candidates’ Feature on ECINet Platform Ahead of 2026 Assembly Elections

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the ‘Know Your Candidates (KYC)’ feature on the ECINet platform ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, aiming to enhance transparency and enable voters to access verified candidate information.
• The feature has been introduced in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.
• The Know Your Candidates module enables voters to access comprehensive background details of contesting candidates, supporting informed electoral decision-making.
• Through this feature, voters can verify criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities, educational qualifications, and verified social media profiles of candidates.
• The platform also allows users to download the official Form 26 affidavit, which is mandatorily submitted by candidates during the nomination process.
• The ECINet platform is described as the world’s largest electoral service interface, integrating more than 40 applications and portals into a single digital system.
• ECINet provides multiple voter-centric services, including voter registration, electoral roll search, application status tracking, grievance redressal, and download of digital voter identity card (electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card – e-EPIC).
• The platform also integrates tools such as cVIGIL, which enables citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
• Another integrated tool is Saksham app, which assists persons with disabilities in accessing election-related services.

India Rolled Out 20% Ethanol-Blended Petrol (E20) Nationwide from 1 April 2026

• From 1st April 2026, fuel stations across India began supplying 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) nationwide as per directives of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• The rollout of E20 petrol marks a major step towards clean and sustainable mobility, aiming to reduce pollution, cut crude oil imports and strengthen India’s energy security.
• The Government of India made E20 petrol the standard fuel across all States and Union Territories, ensuring uniform fuel quality nationwide.
• The oil marketing companies were directed to ensure supply of E20 petrol in compliance with norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• E20 petrol is a blend consisting of:
• 80% petrol
• 20% ethanol (biofuel)
• Ethanol used in blending is produced from agricultural sources such as:
• Sugarcane
• Maize
• Other grains
• Ethanol has a higher octane rating of around 95 Research Octane Number (RON) and enables cleaner combustion compared to conventional petrol, thereby reducing carbon emissions and environmental footprint.
• The rollout of E20 petrol supports India’s long-term Ethanol Blending Programme aimed at lowering dependence on fossil fuels.
• Most new vehicles manufactured in recent years are compatible with E20 petrol, as they are designed with upgraded fuel systems suitable for higher ethanol blends, and are unlikely to face performance issues.
• Older vehicles can also use E20 petrol, but may experience slight reduction in fuel efficiency and minor changes in engine performance.
• Under the Ethanol Blending Programme, India earlier targeted 10% ethanol blending (E10) and has now progressed to 20% ethanol blending (E20) as part of its clean energy transition strategy.

Ministry of Textiles Extended Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme till 30 September 2026

• The Ministry of Textiles extended the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme till 30th September 2026 to support the export potential of India’s textile sector, particularly amid global demand uncertainty.
• The extension aims to provide stability to exporters, support labour-intensive textile industries, enhance global competitiveness, and strengthen India’s position in international textile markets.
• The continuation of the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme ensures that exporters of garments and made-ups continue to receive financial support to offset embedded taxes and levies.
• The scheme helps reimburse hidden state and central taxes and duties not refunded under any other mechanism, thereby reducing the cost burden on exporters.
• The Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme was introduced in March 2019, replacing the earlier Rebate of State Levies (RoSL) Scheme.
• The earlier Rebate of State Levies Scheme covered only state-level taxes, whereas the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme covers both state and central taxes, making it more comprehensive and World Trade Organization-compliant.
• The objectives of the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme include:
• Reimbursement of embedded taxes and duties not refunded elsewhere
• Improving global competitiveness of Indian textile products
• Providing support beyond the duty drawback mechanism
• Strengthening India’s textile export ecosystem
• Under the scheme, exporters receive benefits in the form of duty credit scrips, compensating for taxes such as Value Added Tax on fuel and electricity duties.
• These duty credit scrips are issued electronically through the customs system, ensuring faster processing and reduced manual intervention.
• The duty credit scrips can be used to pay Basic Customs Duty on imports.
• The duty credit scrips are freely transferable, but they must be transferred as a whole unit.
• Each duty credit scrip remains valid for one year from the date of issue.

About Minister of Textiles

• Minister of Textiles: Shri Giriraj Singh.
• Constituency: Begusarai, Bihar (Lok Sabha).
• Minister of State for Textiles: Shri Pabitra Margherita.

RECENT NEWS

• The National Textiles Ministers’ Conference 2026 commenced on January 8 in Guwahati, organized by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with the Government of Assam. 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

‘Yashoda and Krishna’ by Raja Ravi Varma Became India’s Most Expensive Artwork After Selling for ₹167.20 Crore

• The painting Yashoda and Krishna by Raja Ravi Varma became the most expensive artwork ever sold in India, after being auctioned for ₹167.20 crore (approximately United States Dollar 17.98 million) in Mumbai.
• The painting was created in the 1890s and the sale has set a new benchmark for Indian artworks at global auction markets, highlighting the growing international recognition of India’s artistic heritage.
• The record surpassed the previous benchmark set by artworks of Maqbool Fida Husain, whose paintings earlier dominated high-value auctions in India.
• The artwork depicts a mythological scene of Yashoda milking a cow while Lord Krishna playfully reaches for a goblet of milk, reflecting emotional depth, realism, and devotional storytelling.
• The painting was purchased by Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman of Serum Institute of India, who described the painting as a national treasure and expressed commitment to preserve it and make it available periodically for public viewing.
• Raja Ravi Varma is regarded as one of India’s greatest painters, known for introducing European oil painting techniques into Indian art and blending them with Indian mythological themes.
• He played a transformational role in shaping modern Indian art by making mythological depictions more realistic and relatable to the public.
• In 1894, he established a lithographic press, which enabled mass production of affordable prints of his paintings, allowing his artworks to reach households across India.
• Born in 1848 in Travancore, Kerala, Raja Ravi Varma’s works continue to inspire artists and remain highly valued by collectors worldwide.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Min Aung Hlaing elected as President by Myanmar Parliament

• Min Aung Hlaing, former Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces), was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union).
• The election was held in a parliament dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and appointed armed forces representatives.
• Min Aung Hlaing secured 429 out of 584 votes, achieving a clear majority to become President of Myanmar.
• Nan Ni Ni Aye (MP from Karen State) and U Nyo Saw were elected as Vice-Presidents of Myanmar.
• The elections, held in December–January, were widely criticised by the United Nations and Western governments as a sham to legitimise military rule.
• The USDP won over 80% of parliamentary seats, strengthening military influence in governance.
• Min Aung Hlaing (69 years) has been the de facto leader of Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, which overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Aung San Suu Kyi was later sentenced to 27 years in prison, drawing widespread international condemnation.
• Min Aung Hlaing stepped down as Commander-in-Chief before the election and handed over charge to Ye Win Oo, his close ally.

About Myanmar :

• Prime Minister : Nyo Saw
• Capital : Naypyidaw
• Currency : Myanmar kyat

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Border Roads Organisation Project Chetak marks its 47th Raising Day

• Project Chetak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 47th Raising Day at Bikaner, Rajasthan on April 4, 2026.
• The project was raised in 1980 and has completed over four decades of dedicated service in the strategically important western sector.
• Project Chetak plays a crucial role in infrastructure development and maintenance across Rajasthan, Punjab, and northern Gujarat, enhancing border connectivity and national security.
• With the motto ‘Chetak ka Prayas, Desh ka Vikas’, it is one of the largest BRO projects in terms of geographical coverage.
• The project covers over 4,000 km of road network and 214 km of Ditch Cum Bund, supporting defence and border management.
• It provides critical feeder roads to the International Border, aiding the Defence Forces in strategic mobility.
• Continuous efforts are underway to upgrade these roads to National Highway Double Lane specifications, improving infrastructure standards and operational readiness.

About Ministry of Defence:

• Cabinet Minister: Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State (MoS): Sanjay Seth

About Border Roads Organisation :

• Formation : 7 May 1960
• Headquarters : New Delhi, India
• Director General : Lt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan
• The BRO is a statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India.

India commissions third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Aridaman

• India has commissioned its third indigenously-built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridaman, significantly strengthening the naval leg of its nuclear triad.

Key Highlights :

• INS Aridaman follows INS Arihant (2016) and INS Arighat (2024), marking steady progress in India’s SSBN programme.
• With this induction, India now joins a select group of nations (US, Russia, UK, France, China) with nuclear-powered submarines, enhancing its strategic and defence capabilities.
• INS Aridaman features higher displacement (~7,000 tonnes), more advanced reactors, and the ability to carry K-4 nuclear missiles (≈3,500 km range) and possibly more K-15 missiles.
• A fourth SSBN is under construction, which will also carry more K-4 missiles due to its larger size.
• With INS Aridaman’s induction, India will have three operational SSBNs at sea for the first time, strengthening sea-based nuclear deterrence.
• The indigenous SSBN is designed to carry more long-range nuclear-tipped missiles than INS Arihant and INS Arighat, supporting India’s nuclear triad capabilities.
• Nuclear triad refers to the ability to launch nuclear missiles from land, air, and sea, with India using Agni missiles (land) and fighter aircraft such as Rafales, Su-30MKIs, and Mirage 2000s (air).
• INS Arihant (commissioned 2016) has K-15 Sagarika missiles, four vertical launch tubes, 6,000 tonnes displacement, and is powered by 83 MW pressurized light-water nuclear reactors.
• INS Arighat (commissioned 2024) is more technologically advanced, supports K-4 missiles (3,500 km range) in addition to K-15, with similar power, launch tubes, and displacement as Arihant.
• INS Aridaman (commissioned 2026) has eight vertical launch tubes, 7,000 tonnes displacement, advanced reactors, and carries K-4 missiles (3,500 km range) plus K-15 capability.
• Types of nuclear-powered submarines include SSN (conventional weapons), SSGN (guided missiles with conventional warheads), and SSBN (nuclear-armed ballistic missiles), with SSBNs being the largest and most complex.

Raksha Mantri-led Informal Group of Ministers holds second meeting on West Asia situation in New Delhi

• The second meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) was held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi on April 2, 2026 to monitor the evolving West Asia situation and suggest measures to minimise its impact on India.
• Key Ministers present included Smt Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance & Corporate Affairs), Shri Hardeep Singh Puri (Petroleum & Natural Gas), Shri Manohar Lal (Power), Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda (Chemicals & Fertilizers), Dr S Jaishankar (External Affairs), Shri Prahlad Joshi (Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution), Dr Jitendra Singh (Science & Technology), and Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT).
• The seven Empowered Groups of Secretaries briefed IGoM on measures taken to tackle global trade disruptions, support manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence.
• Measures include full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30, 2026, and a one-time relief for SEZ units to sell in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
• A DoR notification dated March 31, 2026 clarified that GAAR provisions will not apply to investments made prior to April 1, 2017, providing regulatory clarity for investors.
• Raksha Mantri appreciated the 25% cap on monthly Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price increases from April 1, 2026, protecting citizens from fare spikes.
• Domestic LPG supply is being prioritised, with refinery production enhanced and normal delivery schedules maintained, despite temporary concerns due to hoarding and black marketing.
• Strict enforcement action is being undertaken against malpractices by LPG distributors, with raids conducted across multiple States/UTs.
• Over 3 lakh 5 kg Free Trade LPG cylinders have been sold since March 23, 2026, with special focus on high-demand States and support for migrant labour and low-consumption households.
• Industrial commercial LPG requirements are being met at over 80% pre-crisis supply levels, with PNG actively promoted for industrial use to maintain operational continuity.
• Citizens were advised not to believe or share misleading social media content, as photoshopped and morphed images are being circulated to create panic.

Recent News :

• The first IGoM meeting took place on March 28, 2026, where officials were directed to monitor the situation, adopt medium to long-term preparedness, maintain high-level coordination, and ensure swift decision-making.

INS Sunayna Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR mission boosts maritime cooperation in Indian Ocean Region

• Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian Navy launched a major maritime initiative to strengthen regional security and maritime cooperation.
• The ship INS Sunayna has been flagged off as the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR from Mumbai, reflecting India’s commitment to a free, open, and stable Indian Ocean Region.
• The mission was flagged off by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi.
• The initiative highlights India’s focus on freedom of navigation and safeguarding critical sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) amid rising geopolitical tensions.
• The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is witnessing increasing maritime competition, extending beyond oil and energy resources to include rare earth elements, seabed minerals, fishing resources, and data infrastructure.
• The region is facing growing security challenges such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, armed robbery at sea, and narco-trafficking.
• Around 3,700 maritime incidents were reported in the region last year, while narcotics seizures exceeded $1 billion in 2025, indicating rising maritime threats.
• The IOS SAGAR mission includes participation from personnel of 16 foreign countries, highlighting strong multilateral maritime cooperation.
• The ship will undertake port calls at Colombo, Phuket, Jakarta, Singapore, Chittagong, Yangon, and Male, before concluding at Kochi.
• The mission focuses on capacity building and training, including seamanship, navigation, communication, maritime safety, firefighting, damage control, and VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) operations.
• The initiative strengthens India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and promotes maritime stability and regional partnership under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates BioNEST incubation centre at Central Food Technology & Research Institute, Mysuru to boost food startups

• Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at the Central Food Technology & Research Institute (CFTRI), promoting lab-to-market innovation.
• The BioNEST Incubation Centre is a state-of-the-art facility with dedicated incubation suites and shared infrastructure, aimed at boosting Food Startups, advanced research, and commercialisation of technologies.
• The centre supports innovation in food bioprocessing and biotechnology, enabling the conversion of scientific ideas into market-ready solutions.
• As of March 2026, BioNEST has supported 26 Startups (physical, hybrid, and graduated), with several achieving product commercialisation.
• Incubated startups have collectively filed 12 patents and contributed to research publications, reflecting strong innovation outcomes.
• Startups operate in emerging domains such as nutraceuticals, precision fermentation, probiotics & postbiotics, CRISPR-based technologies, and botanicals, indicating a shift towards high-value science-driven sectors.
• The event witnessed the signing of four MoUs and launch of two products developed at CFTRI, strengthening industry collaboration and MSME linkages.
• Marking CFTRI’s 75th year, several publications were released, including a coffee table book, R&D compendium, photo journey, and traditional recipes collection, along with a commemorative postal cover and postcard.
• The exhibition showcased startup innovations, processed food products, and technologies, highlighting CFTRI’s lab-to-market pipeline.
• With over 450 technologies developed and transferred to thousands of licensees, CFTRI has emerged as a national hub for food research and enterprise development.
• The BioNEST ecosystem is gaining national and international attention, with startups achieving global participation, technology transfer, and commercial milestones, including interest from defence sector applications.

PLR Systems of Israel supplies first batch of NEGEV Light Machine Guns to India

• Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) has delivered the first batch of 2,000 NEGEV 7.62×51 Light Machine Guns (LMGs) to India through its joint venture PLR Systems.
• The delivery is part of a larger August 2024 contract for 41,000 LMGs, with an additional 4,000 units scheduled by end-2026.
• The initiative is a key milestone under the ‘Make in India’ programme, involving technology transfer and domestic manufacturing.
• PLR Systems, a joint venture between IWI and the Adani Group, is India’s first private-sector company manufacturing small arms and ammunition.
• The NEGEV LMGs are being produced at the Malanpur facility in Madhya Pradesh (MP).
• The NEGEV 7.62×51 LMG is used by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and fires 62 mm ammunition.
• The weapon supports both semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes and is effective in high-intensity and urban combat
• Key features include being lightweight, highly reliable in harsh conditions, NATO-compliant, and equipped with Picatinny rails and tritium night sights.
• The LMG is adaptable for deployment on helicopters, vehicles, and naval platforms, enhancing operational flexibility.
• Apart from LMGs, PLR Systems has also secured a contract to supply 170,000 Close-Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines, with the first 18,000 units expected in 2026.

Indian Space Research Organisation carries out Mission Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment in Ladakh to study astronaut performance

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted Mission MITRA in Leh, Ladakh from April 2–9, 2026 to enhance human spaceflight preparedness.

Key Highlights :

• Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) is a first-of-its-kind behavioural study jointly designed by ISRO and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM).
• The mission was conducted at a high altitude of approximately 3,500 metres, simulating space-like conditions such as hypoxia, low temperature, and isolation.
• It focuses on crew safety and performance, which are critical for the success of human spaceflight missions like Gaganyaan.
• The study evaluates physiological, psychological, and operational responses, including decision-making, communication, stress resilience, and team dynamics.
• Mission MITRA aims to improve interoperability between crew (Gaganyatris) and ground control teams under extreme environmental and operational stress.
• The mission was inaugurated on April 2, 2026 by V. Narayanan (Chairman, ISRO & Secretary, DOS) via virtual address from Bengaluru.
• Key officials present included Air Commodore N.K. Tripathy (Director, IAM), K. Singh (Director, HSFC), Ganesh M. Pillai (Scientific Secretary, ISRO), and Hanamantray Baluragi (Director, Human Space Programme).
• M/s Protoplanet Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, an Indian startup, handled facility management and operational protocols, highlighting private sector participation.
• Leh’s extreme natural environment serves as a natural space analogue, replicating conditions similar to low-Earth orbit and future lunar missions.
• The mission will generate critical data to support Gaganyaan programme, improving crew selection, training, operations, and emergency response systems.
• It represents a multi-agency initiative combining space technology, aviation medicine, and commercial innovation for future long-duration space missions.
• Mission MITRA strengthens India’s human spaceflight capabilities and contributes to future deep space exploration efforts.

About ISRO:

• Established: 15 August 1969
• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka
• Chairman: V. Narayanan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

NewSpace India Limited Signed Memorandum of Understanding with Dhruva Space Private Limited for Satellite Solar Panel Collaboration

• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dhruva Space Private Limited to collaborate on the design, manufacture, testing, and supply of space-grade solar panels for global satellite manufacturers.
• Under the agreement, Dhruva Space Private Limited will leverage NSIL’s programme management and product assurance expertise to scale up manufacturing of space-grade solar panels.
• NewSpace India Limited is a wholly owned Government of India company, established on 6 March 2019 under the Companies Act, 2013.
• NSIL functions under the Department of Space (DoS) and is responsible for producing, assembling, and integrating launch vehicles with industry support, along with commercialising space-based technologies and services.
• As per the Space Solar Cells Market Report 2026, the global space solar cells market is projected to grow from United States Dollar 1.38 billion in 2025 to United States Dollar 1.55 billion in 2026, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.3%, indicating rising demand for satellite solar power technologies globally.

About ISRO

• Establishment: Founded on 15 August 1969.
• Founder: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Chairman: S. Somanath

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Karnataka Topped Medal Tally at Inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

• The Khelo India Tribal Games concluded in Chhattisgarh.
• The closing ceremony, held this evening, was attended by the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, as the Chief Guest.
• Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao was also present on the occasion. International boxer Mary Kom and footballer Bhaichung Bhutia attended as special guests.
• Karnataka secured the first position in the medal tally with 23 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals, delivering an outstanding all-round performance and winning the championship title.
• Odisha finished second with 21 gold medals, while Jharkhand secured third position with 16 gold medals.
• The host state Chhattisgarh finished ninth in the medal tally with 3 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
• The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 is a unique initiative aimed at showcasing the sporting talent of tribal athletes across India and celebrating India’s rich tribal culture and traditional sporting heritage.
• Chhattisgarh, with over 32% tribal population, hosted the event due to its strong cultural connection with tribal communities and sports traditions.
• Karnataka’s dominance was largely driven by exceptional performance in swimming, where the state won 15 gold medals.
• Karnataka athletes also secured 5 gold medals in athletics and 3 gold medals in wrestling, contributing significantly to the overall medal tally.
• Among the star performers, Manikanta L won 8 gold and 1 silver medal, while Dhanush N secured 5 gold and 1 silver medal.
• Anjali Munda from Odisha won 5 gold medals, and Meghanjali from Karnataka secured 4 gold and 2 bronze medals.
• The host state Chhattisgarh’s major achievement came in men’s football, where it won the silver medal after losing 0–1 to West Bengal in the final.

India Topped Global List of Suspended Athletes for Doping Violations: Athletics Integrity Unit Report

• According to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), India ranked first globally in the number of track and field athletes suspended for doping violations, raising concerns about the integrity of athletics in India.
• A total of 148 Indian track and field athletes were declared ineligible, placing India ahead of Kenya and Russia in doping-related suspensions.
• The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is an independent body established by World Athletics to monitor doping violations and ensure fair play in global athletics.
• The responsibilities of the Athletics Integrity Unit include:
• Investigating doping violations
• Enforcing bans and suspensions
• Monitoring international athletes and their support staff
• Maintaining transparency and discipline in athletics
• As per the latest Athletics Integrity Unit report:
• India ranked first with 148 suspended athletes
• Kenya ranked second
• Russia ranked third with 66 suspended athletes
• Prominent Indian athletes included in the suspension list are:
• Dutee Chand – serving a four-year ban
• Parvej Khan – banned till 2030
• Dhanalakshmi Sekar – serving an eight-year suspension for repeated offences
• Apart from doping violations, athletes were also suspended for:
• Tampering with samples
• Evading doping tests
• Trafficking banned substances
• Failure to provide required information to authorities
• These violations carry penalties similar to doping offences under the global anti-doping regulatory framework.
• According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report for 2024, nearly 260 Indian athletes tested positive for doping, with a positivity rate of 3.6%, among the highest globally.
• More than 7,100 samples were collected by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in India during the testing process.
• No other country recorded doping cases in triple digits, highlighting the scale of the doping challenge in India.
• After the conclusion of the Paris Olympics 2024, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) initiated reforms to address the issue, including:
• Decentralisation of national training camps
• Encouraging training with private organisations
• Improving monitoring and support systems for athletes
• Experts emphasised the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and increased awareness programmes to effectively address doping-related challenges in Indian athletics.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

National Maritime Day 2026 Observed on 5 April in India

• National Maritime Day 2026 was observed across India on 5 April 2026 to recognise the contribution of the maritime sector and seafarers in facilitating India’s trade and commerce globally.
• The day is celebrated annually to honour seafarers who spend long durations at sea supporting India’s international shipping and trade operations.
• The observance commemorates the historic voyage of SS Loyalty, the first Indian-owned ship, which sailed from Mumbai to the United Kingdom on 5 April 1919.
• The ship was operated by Scindia Steam Navigation Company Limited, marking the beginning of India’s modern maritime shipping legacy.
• India became a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1959.
• The International Maritime Organization is responsible for ensuring maritime safety and security and preventing marine pollution from ships at the global level.

Daily CA One- Liner: April 5^th & 6^th

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the ‘Know Your Candidates (KYC)’ feature on the ECINet platform ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, aiming to enhance transparency and enable voters to access verified candidate information
• From 1st April 2026, fuel stations across India began supplying 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) nationwide as per directives of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
• The Ministry of Textiles extended the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme till 30th September 2026 to support the export potential of India’s textile sector, particularly amid global demand uncertainty
• The painting Yashoda and Krishna by Raja Ravi Varma became the most expensive artwork ever sold in India, after being auctioned for ₹167.20 crore (approximately United States Dollar 17.98 million) in Mumbai
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dhruva Space Private Limited to collaborate on the design, manufacture, testing, and supply of space-grade solar panels for global satellite manufacturers
• The Khelo India Tribal Games concluded in Chhattisgarh
• According to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), India ranked first globally in the number of track and field athletes suspended for doping violations, raising concerns about the integrity of athletics in India
• National Maritime Day 2026 was observed across India on 5 April 2026 to recognise the contribution of the maritime sector and seafarers in facilitating India’s trade and commerce globally
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is set to launch a digital platform called SEBI SETU to expand the base of Investment Advisers (IAs) in India.
• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched a new income tax website and an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered assistant ‘Kar Saathi’ to simplify tax filing procedures.
• India’s leading stock exchange,the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has announced a strategic collaboration with Indian Gas Exchange Limited (IGX) to launch India’s first exchange-traded natural gas derivatives based on a domestic benchmark with an aim to improve risk management in the gas market.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) for state government market borrowings on a pilot basis from FY27.
• Min Aung Hlaing, former Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces), was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union).
• Project Chetak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 47th Raising Day at Bikaner, Rajasthan on April 4, 2026.
• India has commissioned its third indigenously-built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridaman, significantly strengthening the naval leg of its nuclear triad.
• The second meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) was held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi on April 2, 2026 to monitor the evolving West Asia situation and suggest measures to minimise its impact on India.
• Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian Navy launched a major maritime initiative to strengthen regional security and maritime cooperation.
• Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at the Central Food Technology & Research Institute (CFTRI), promoting lab-to-market innovation.
• Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) has delivered the first batch of 2,000 NEGEV 7.62×51 Light Machine Guns (LMGs) to India through its joint venture PLR Systems.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted Mission MITRA in Leh, Ladakh from April 2–9, 2026 to enhance human spaceflight preparedness.