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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

India’s Non-Life Insurance Premiums Rise 9.2% in FY26, Led by Strong Growth in Health Insurance Segment

• The Gross Direct Premium (GDP) underwritten by non-life insurers in India grew by by 9.20% in FY26, reaching ₹3.35 lakh crore, compared to ₹3.07 lakh crore in the previous financial year.
• As per IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), the total non-life insurance premium collection stood at ₹3,35,918 crore in FY26, up from ₹3,07,612 crore in FY25.
• The general insurance segment recorded a growth of 7.86%, reaching ₹2,78,376 crore, compared to ₹2,58,090 crore in the previous fiscal year.
• The standalone private health insurers segment saw a sharp rise of 19.8%, with premiums increasing to ₹45,865 crore, driven by higher demand for health coverage and policy expansion.
• The growth in health insurance premiums was supported by the GST waiver on health insurance, which boosted affordability and demand.
• Specialised PSU insurers registered a growth of 5.11%, with premium collection rising to ₹11,676 crore from ₹11,108 crore.
• Overall, the data reflects strong growth in the Indian non-life insurance sector, driven by health insurance expansion, regulatory support, and rising awareness of financial protection.

India’s Exports Rise 4% to $860 Billion in FY26, Trade Deficit Expands by $25 Billion

• India’s total exports increased by 4.22% to USD 860.09 billion in FY 2025–26, while imports grew faster by 6.47% to around USD 970 billion, leading to a widening of the trade gap.
• The overall trade deficit (goods + services) rose sharply by over 26%, reaching USD 119.30 billion, compared to USD 94.66 billion in FY25, reflecting increased import dependency.
• Merchandise exports recorded a marginal growth of about 1%–0.93%, reaching USD 441.78 billion in FY 2025–26 compared to USD 437.70 billion in FY 2024–25.
• Merchandise imports increased significantly to USD 774.98 billion, up from USD 721.20 billion, contributing to the widening trade deficit.
• Services exports were estimated at USD 418.31 billion, registering a strong growth of around 8%, supporting overall external trade performance.
• In March 2026, India’s total exports declined by 4.58%, while imports fell by 5.76%, leading to a reduced trade deficit of USD 2.44 billion compared to USD 3.55 billion in March 2025.
• The decline in March trade was linked to global disruptions, with exports to West Asia falling 57.95% and imports from the region declining by 51.64% due to ongoing conflict.
• Crude oil imports fell by nearly 36% to USD 12.18 billion, while gold imports declined 31.6% to USD 3.06 billion, reflecting reduced demand from conflict-affected trade routes.
• Key export destinations showing growth included China (36.66%), Spain (46.33%), Hong Kong (33.22%), Vietnam (22.78%), and Sri Lanka (21.14%).
• Major import sources with growth included China (16.03%), USA (15.95%), Hong Kong (23.32%), Peru (78.08%), and UK (36.09%), indicating diversified trade dependence.
• Overall, India’s external sector shows moderate export growth, faster import expansion, a rising annual trade deficit, and short-term volatility due to global geopolitical tensions.

Life Insurance Corporation of India Launches MyLIC and Super Sales Saathi Apps to Strengthen Digital Insurance Services and Customer Experience

• Shri M. Nagaraju, IAS, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, launched LIC’s new mobile applications — MyLIC Customer App and Super Sales Saathi App — in Mumbai, Maharashtrain the presence of senior LIC leadership.
• With over 260 million policies, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) aims to strengthen its digital ecosystem to improve service efficiency, scale, and customer experience in the insurance sector.
• The MyLIC App provides a 360-degree digital platform integrating policy servicing, claims support, payments, documentation, and customer engagement in a single interface.
• The app enables policyholders to manage their insurance journey through paperless, secure, and user-friendly digital services, reducing dependence on physical documentation.
• Key customer features of MyLIC App include policy portfolio management, instant premium payments, real-time policy benefit tracking, paperless policy loans, online policy updates, and revival of lapsed policies.
• The app also supports online purchase of policies, along with fast and secure e-KYC, ensuring a fully digital onboarding experience.
• The Super Sales Saathi App is designed for LIC’s intermediaries and field agents, enhancing their ability to serve customers more effectively.
• It provides digital sales tools, real-time policy tracking, automated follow-up reminders, customer communication integration, and AI-driven customer engagement insights.
• The app also includes performance dashboards, digital sales kits, and product explainers, enabling better target tracking and customer outreach.
• Both applications are part of LIC’s DIVE (Digital Innovation & Value Enhancement) platform, aimed at delivering a secure, seamless, and fully integrated digital insurance experience for customers, intermediaries, and employees.

About Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC):

• Headquarters (HQ): Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Founded: 1956
• MD & CEO : R. Doraiswamy

Department of Telecommunications and Securities and Exchange Board of India Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Curb Telecom-Linked Financial Frauds and Strengthen Investor Protection

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s financial ecosystem security by addressing the misuse of telecom resources in financial frauds and investment scams.
• The MoU was signed by Shri Sanjeev Kumar Sharma (DoT, AI & Digital Intelligence Unit) and Shri Sandip Pradhan (SEBI Whole Time Member) in the presence of Shri Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Member (Services), Digital Communications Commission.
• The partnership aims to integrate telecom intelligence systems with market surveillance mechanisms, marking a shift from reactive enforcement to proactive fraud prevention.
• A key feature of the collaboration is the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), which uses inputs from DoT’s Chakshu facility under Sanchar Saathi, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies to detect potentially fraudulent mobile connections.
• The FRI system acts as an early warning mechanism to prevent misuse of mobile numbers in financial scams and securities frauds.
• Under DoT’s Sanchar Saathi initiative, over 88 lakh fraudulent mobile connections have already been disconnected using ASTR technology.
• The deployment of FRI has helped prevent financial losses of around ₹2300 crore in the last ten months, strengthening cybersecurity in the financial sector.
• The MoU will enable the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for coordinated action and facilitate the sharing of red-flag indicators between institutions.
• The collaboration is designed to enhance investor protection, digital trust, and regulatory coordination in India’s expanding digital investment ecosystem.
• Overall, the partnership strengthens India’s approach to combating cyber-enabled financial frauds through real-time intelligence sharing and preventive enforcement mechanisms.

Recent News :

• In April 2026, The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications extended the deadline for Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms to implement Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) binding till 31st December 2026.

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.

International Monetary Fund Revises India’s FY27 Gross Domestic Product Growth Estimate Upward to 6.5%

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its April 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled “Global Economy in the Shadow of War.”
• The IMF marginally upgraded India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) by 10 basis points (bps) to 6.5%, from the earlier estimate of 6.4% in the January 2026 WEO.
• The report projected that India’s economy will remain stable at 6.5% in FY28, indicating medium-term growth consistency.
• India’s GDP growth for FY26 has been estimated at 7.6%, reflecting a strong economic recovery and sustained domestic momentum.
• As per the report, India’s inflation is expected to rise from 2.1% in FY26 to 4.7% in FY27, before easing to 4.0% in FY28, remaining within the RBI’s target range.
• The decline in inflation during FY26 was mainly supported by lower food prices, while the rise in FY27 is linked to normalising price pressures.
• The global GDP growth rate has been projected at 3.1% in Calendar Year (CY) 2026, increasing slightly to 3.2% in CY27.
• Compared with earlier years of around 3.4% growth in 2024–25, the forecast indicates a slower and weakening global economic environment.
• Global inflation is expected to rise from 4.1% in CY25 to 4.4% in CY26, before moderating to 3.7% in CY27.

About International Monetary Fund (IMF):

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a global financial institution that promotes international monetary cooperation, financial stability, and economic growth while providing financial assistance to member countries facing balance of payments issues.
• Founded Year: 1944
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
• Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva
• Members: 191 countries (190 UN countries and Kosovo)

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

India’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.1% in March 2026

• India’s unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in March 2026, the highest level in the last five months, according to the National Statistics Office based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey
• The unemployment rate increased from 4.9% in February 2026 to 5.1% in March 2026
• Urban unemployment rate increased to 6.8% from 6.6% in the previous month
• Rural unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.3% from 4.2%
• Male unemployment rate increased to 5.0%, while female unemployment rate rose to 5.3%
• The Labour Force Participation Rate declined to 55.4% in March 2026 from 55.9% in February 2026
• The rural Labour Force Participation Rate decreased to 58.0%, while the urban Labour Force Participation Rate declined to 50.3%
• The Worker Population Ratio declined to 52.6% from 53.2% in February 2026
• The rural Worker Population Ratio decreased to 55.5%, while the urban Worker Population Ratio declined to 46.8%
• The unemployment estimates are calculated using the Current Weekly Status method under the Periodic Labour Force Survey, which considers a person unemployed if they did not work even for one hour during the reference week but were available for work

REPORT OF 2025

• Unemployment rate (UR) of India has declined to 6.5% in 2025 which is down from 7.0% in 2024. This numbers are indicating thr gradual improvement in the country labour market. The data are released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and it comes from the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025.

Karnataka High Court Directs Implementation of Menstrual Leave Policy Across All Sectors

• The Karnataka High Court directed the Karnataka State Government to implement a menstrual leave policy across both organised and unorganised sectors
• The Court recognised menstrual leave as part of the fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India
• M. Nagaprasanna, Judge of the Karnataka High Court, observed that menstruation is a natural biological process and workplace support during this period ensures humane working conditions
• The Court directed the State Government to issue guidelines, circulars, and administrative measures to ensure uniform implementation across workplaces
• The directions include extending menstrual leave benefits to women workers in the unorganised sector
• The order will remain effective until the proposed Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025 is formally enacted
• The case was filed by a woman daily wage worker employed at a hotel in Belagavi, seeking extension of menstrual leave benefits to all sectors
• Earlier Government notifications issued in November 2025 provided one day of paid menstrual leave in selected industrial establishments
• The Court clarified that menstrual leave provisions support substantive equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India and do not violate the Right to Equality
• The judgment strengthens gender-sensitive workplace reforms by recognising menstrual health support as part of constitutional guarantees of dignity, equality, and social justice

RECENT NEWS

• Inaugural edition of Khelo India Tribal Games of 2026 (KITG) concluded on the 4th of April, 2026. As the tournament concludes state of Karnataka has clinched the top position and it is showcasing an outstanding all-round performance by them. As they have clinched the 23 gold, 8 silver and 7 bronze medals. 

About Karnataka:

• Capital: Bengaluru
• Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah
• Governor: Thaawarchand Gehlot
• National Parks: Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Kudremukh National Park, Anshi (Kali) National Park, Bannerghatta National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

ITC Limited Becomes First Indian Company to Receive Farm Sustainability Assessment 3.0 Certification for Wheat and Paddy

• ITC Limited became the first company in India to receive Farm Sustainability Assessment 3.0 certification for sustainable sourcing of wheat and paddy.
• The Farm Sustainability As sessment 3.0 framework was developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform and is widely used by global agriculture and food companies to assess sustainable farming practices.
• The certification confirms that ITC Limited’s sourcing practices meet global standards of sustainability, traceability and ethical agriculture.
• The initiative covers over 22,000 acres of farmland and involves more than 3,500 farmers across over 70 Farmer Producer Organizations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• The certification was implemented under ITC Limited Crop Development Programme focusing on sustainable agriculture and farmer empowerment.
• The initiative supports improved crop productivity, enhanced farmer income and better access to domestic and global markets.
• It also promotes soil health improvement, efficient use of water, fertilizers and energy and reduction in carbon emissions.
• The Farm Sustainability Assessment framework evaluates environmental protection, social responsibility including labour practices and economic viability of farming systems.
• The certification strengthens India’s position in global agricultural markets through responsible and traceable sourcing systems.

India Targets Cocoa Self-Sufficiency by 2040 to Reduce Import Dependence

• India aims to achieve self-sufficiency in cocoa production by 2040 to reduce import dependence worth United States Dollar 866 million
• The roadmap was prepared by Grant Thornton Bharat in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
• India currently produces less than 20 percent of its domestic cocoa requirement, leading to a significant supply-demand gap
• Cocoa consumption in India is projected to reach 4.67 lakh tonnes by 2040, driven by the growth of the chocolate and food processing industry
• The roadmap recommends the launch of a National Mission on Cocoa to strengthen domestic production and improve farmer incomes
• The proposed mission includes the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for cocoa research and development
• The strategy proposes the development of 250 hectares of seed gardens during the initial implementation phase between 2026 and 2028
• It also includes training of one lakh farmers and distribution of 25 million seedlings during the capacity-building phase between 2028 and 2030
• The roadmap aims to expand cocoa cultivation to one lakh hectares and meet 50 percent of domestic demand by 2035
• The long-term objective is to achieve complete cocoa self-sufficiency and position India as a global cocoa processing hub by 2040
• The plan also proposes the introduction of digital farmer registry systems and full traceability mechanisms across the cocoa value chain
• Cocoa is a plantation crop of humid tropical regions, native to the Amazon Basin
• Globally, about 70 percent of cocoa beans production is concentrated in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon
• In India, cocoa cultivation is mainly concentrated in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu

Government of India Approves Special Economic Zone for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Project in Dholera, Gujarat

• The Government of India approved a Special Economic Zone for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited at Dholera, Gujarat.
• The project involves an investment of ₹91,000 crore and will establish India’s first semiconductor chip fabrication unit.
• The approval was granted by the Board of Approval for Special Economic Zones, chaired by the Commerce Secretary, and notified by the Department of Commerce on 9 April 2026.
• The Special Economic Zone will support electronic hardware, software and Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services activities.
• The project is expected to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing, reduce dependence on semiconductor imports and generate employment opportunities.
• The Special Economic Zone will be developed over 66.16 hectares in Dholera Special Investment Region, a planned smart industrial city with connectivity to Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Gandhinagar and Surat.
• Dholera Special Investment Region is emerging as a major high-technology manufacturing hub in India.
• India established Asia’s first Export Processing Zone at Kandla, Gujarat in 1965.
• The Special Economic Zone Policy was introduced in 2000, followed by the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, which came into force in 2006.
• As of 31 March 2024, India has more than 280 operational Special Economic Zones.
• Other approved semiconductor-related Special Economic Zone projects include CG Semi (₹2,150 crore), Kaynes Semicon (₹681 crore), Micron Semiconductor Technology India (₹13,000 crore) and Hubballi Durable Goods Cluster (₹100 crore).

About Gujarat:

• Chief Minister: Bhupendra Patel
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• Capital: Gandhinagar
• National Parks: Gir National Park, Blackbuck National Park, Vansda National Park, Marine National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Velavadar Blackbuck Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary

RECENT NEWS

• Gujarat Police has launched ‘NARIT AI’  (Narcotics Analysis & RAG-based Investigation Tool) and it becoming the first law enforcement agency in India to deploy the such advanced artificial intelligence for the narcotics cases.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Iraq Parliament Chooses Nizar Amedi as New President

• The Parliament of Iraq elected Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amedi, former Environment Minister and member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as the country’s 9th President during a voting session held in Baghdad, Iraq.
• Nizar Amedi succeeded Abdul Latif Rashid and became the 6th Iraqi Head of State since 2003.
• In the first round of voting, Nizar Amedi secured 208 votes, while Muthanna Amin received 17 votes and Fuad Hussein got 16 votes.
• Since no candidate achieved the required two-thirds majority in the first round, the election proceeded to a second-round runoff between Amedi and Amin.
• In the second round, Nizar Amedi won with 227 votes, defeating Muthanna Amin Nader, who secured 15 votes.
• After his victory, Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amedi took the constitutional oath as the new President of Iraq.
• Around 250 lawmakers attended the session out of the total 329 members of Parliament, surpassing the required quorum of 220 members for the presidential election.

About Iraq :

• Prime Minister : Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani
• Capital : Baghdad
• Currency : Iraqi dinar (IQD)

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Indian Air Force and GE Aerospace Sign Deal to Establish F404 Engine Maintenance Depot Facility in India

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) signed a strategic agreement with GE Aerospace (USA) to establish an in-country depot facility for F404-IN20 aircraft engines used in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.
• The facility will enhance India’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities for advanced fighter jet engines, improving operational readiness and self-reliance.
• Under the agreement, the IAF will own, operate, and maintain the depot facility, while GE Aerospace will provide technical expertise, specialised equipment, spare parts, and training.
• The initiative aims to strengthen the aviation supply chain, with GE Aerospace planning to deliver 20 engines to India by December 2026 to reduce delays and stabilise production.
• The F404-IN20 engine is an afterburning turbofan engine (19,000 lb thrust class) used in Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A fighter aircraft.
• It features a 3-stage fan, 7-stage high-pressure compressor, and Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, ensuring high performance and reliability.
• In a related development, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a USD 1 billion (₹8,870 crore) deal with GE Aerospace for the procurement of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines.
• The agreement significantly boosts India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat in aerospace technology.

About Ministry of Defence:

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

Indian Army Launches ‘Radio Sikkim Sundari’ 88.4 FM as First Border Village Community Radio Station in Sikkim

• The Indian Army (IA) Trishakti Corps launched ‘Radio Sikkim Sundari’ (88.4 FM) in East Sikkim near the India–China border, marking the first border village community radio station in Sikkim.
• The initiative is aimed at strengthening last-mile connectivity and community engagement in border regions under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP).
• The station is powered by Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and solar backup systems, ensuring continuous and reliable broadcasting services.
• It is equipped with a dedicated encoder system, enabling online streaming via the Google Play Store application, expanding its digital reach.
• The radio station promotes socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and youth empowerment in border areas.
• It broadcasts programmes focused on agriculture, health, education, and community awareness, supporting grassroots development.
• The initiative strengthens the Indian Army’s role in nation-building and border area development beyond traditional defence responsibilities.
• Similar Indian Army community radio initiatives include Radio Sangam (88.8 FM) in Rajouri (J&K), Ibex Tarana (88.4 FM) in Jyotirmath (Uttarakhand), and high-altitude radio stations in Drass and Kharu (Ladakh).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

New Bent-Toed Gecko Species Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis Found in Assam

• A new species of bent-toed gecko, named Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis (Raimona bent-toed gecko), was discovered in the Kachugaon region of Kokrajhar district near Raimona National Park (Assam).
• The species name reflects its geographical origin, being named after Raimona National Park, highlighting its regional biodiversity significance.
• The discovery was published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa, ensuring scientific validation and global recognition.
• The species belongs to the Cyrtodactylus genus, which is one of the most diverse gecko groups across South and Southeast Asia.
• Adult individuals of the species exhibit a maximum snout-vent length of 71.1 mm, indicating its moderate body size.
• The gecko has a rounded body and a bluntly conical head, which distinctly differentiates it from other related species.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

9th Indian Ocean Conference 2026 Held in Mauritius on Theme of Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance

• The 9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026) was held from April 10 to 12, 2026 in Port Louis, Mauritius.
• The theme of IOC 2026 was “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.”
• The conference was held for the first time in an African country, making Mauritius the first African host nation of the event.
• IOC 2026 aimed to bring together key maritime states and stakeholders to strengthen regional dialogue, cooperation, and governance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• The 3-day conference was jointly organised by India Foundation (IF) in association with the Government of Mauritius.
• India was represented by External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, who visited Mauritius on April 9–10, 2026.
• At the conference, Dr. S. Jaishankar delivered the keynote address, held bilateral meetings with Mauritian leadership, reviewed India–Mauritius relations, and interacted with delegates from participating countries.
• India highlighted priorities such as regional resilience, overcoming colonial legacies, and adapting to a fragmented global order.
• The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) is a flagship consultative forum launched in 2016 by the India Foundation in collaboration with regional partners.
• The forum brings together ministers, policymakers, scholars, and strategic experts from more than 40 countries.
• The conference promotes cooperation under India’s SAGAR vision — Security and Growth for All in the Region.
• It serves as an important platform to discuss geopolitical, economic, maritime security, and environmental challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
• No delegate attended from the Maldives, as Mauritius–Maldives diplomatic relations were suspended over territorial differences linked to the Chagos Islands.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and GE Aerospace Sign Agreement for Co-production of F414 Jet Engines

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a key technology agreement with GE Aerospace for the co-production of F414 jet engines in India.
• The agreement includes transfer of critical manufacturing technology to strengthen domestic defence production capabilities.
• It marks the first major technology transfer collaboration between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and GE Aerospace for advanced jet engine production.
• The F414 jet engines will power next-generation indigenous fighter aircraft of India.
• Around 120–130 planned indigenous fighter jets are expected to be equipped with these engines to replace ageing Russian-origin aircraft currently in service.
• The F414 jet engine has been in operational service with the United States Navy for over three decades and is known for its high thrust-to-weight ratio, durability and reliability.
• The agreement supports the Make in India initiative and aims at reducing dependence on defence imports.
• The partnership reflects strengthening strategic defence cooperation between India and the United States of America.
• The groundwork for this collaboration was strengthened during discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President of the United States of America Joe Biden.
• India is also exploring defence technology partnerships with France, Japan and the United Kingdom to diversify technology sources and reduce dependence on a single country

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

TIME Releases TIME100 List 2026 Featuring World’s Most Influential People

• Time (magazine) released the TIME100 List 2026, recognising the 100 most influential individuals globally across multiple sectors
• The TIME100 List 2026 marks the 23rd annual edition of the global influence list published by Time magazine
• The list categorises personalities into Leaders, Innovators, Artists, Titans, Icons, and Pioneers
• The list recognises influence in sectors such as artificial intelligence, climate action, governance, business, science, sports, entertainment, and social activism
• Xi Jinping featured in the list for the 14th time
• Other major global political leaders included are Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Claudia Sheinbaum
• Technology and business leaders included are Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet Inc. and Google, Michael Dell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dell Technologies, Neal Mohan, Chief Executive Officer of YouTube, Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, and C. C. Wei, Chief Executive Officer of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
• Indian personalities included in the list are Sundar Pichai, Vikas Khanna, and Ranbir Kapoor
• Vikas Khanna was recognised for promoting Indian cuisine globally and contributing to social initiatives
• Ranbir Kapoor was the only Indian film actor featured in the TIME100 List 2026
• Alysa Liu was among the youngest personalities included in the list at the age of 20 years
• Dolores Huerta was among the oldest personalities included in the list at the age of 96 years
• The TIME100 Summit 2026 will be organised on 22 April 2026 in New York City
• The TIME100 Gala 2026 will be organised on 23 April 2026 and hosted by Nikki Glaser
• Musical performances during the TIME100 Gala 2026 will be delivered by Luke Combs and Coco Jones

Indian Personalities in TIME100 List 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

1. R. Vaishali Wins Fédération Internationale des Échecs Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026

• R. Vaishali won the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament 2026 organised by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs in Cyprus
• She became the second Indian woman after Koneru Humpy to qualify for the Women's World Chess Championship
• She will face reigning champion Ju Wenjun in the upcoming Fédération Internationale des Échecs Women’s World Chess Championship
• Divya Deshmukh drew her final-round game against Bibisara Assaubayeva, which helped determine the final standings of the tournament
• After five rounds of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, R. Vaishali was placed at the bottom of the standings before making a strong comeback with consistent performances in later rounds
• She moved into the top position from Round 10 despite facing a setback in Round 12
• R. Praggnanandhaa also participated in the Fédération Internationale des Échecs Candidates Tournament and finished in seventh place
• R. Vaishali was part of India’s gold medal-winning team at the Chess Olympiad 2024 organised by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs
• She is a two-time winner of the FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament, demonstrating her consistent performance in international chess competitions organised by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Hemophilia Day 2026 – 17 April

• World Hemophilia Day is observed annually on 17 April to raise awareness about Hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.
• The theme for World Hemophilia Day 2026 is “Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders.”
• The day aims to promote early diagnosis, better treatment access and improved care for people affected by bleeding disorders worldwide.
• World Hemophilia Day was first observed in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia.
• 17 April was chosen to mark the birth anniversary of Frank Schnabel, founder of the World Federation of Hemophilia.
• The observance highlights the importance of educating patients, caregivers and the general public about Hemophilia and related bleeding disorders.
• The day is marked globally through awareness campaigns, community programmes and media outreach activities to improve understanding and treatment access.

World Voice Day 2026 Observed on 16 April

• World Voice Day is observed annually on 16 April to highlight the importance of the human voice as a primary tool of communication
• The theme for 2026 is “Caring for Our Voices”, focusing on vocal health awareness, early diagnosis, and prevention of voice disorders
• The observance promotes awareness about the role of the voice in speech, expression, music, and professional communication
• The day emphasises the importance of vocal hygiene, hydration, and timely medical consultation to prevent long-term voice-related health issues
• World Voice Day originated in 1999 as Brazilian Voice Day, initiated by medical professionals to raise awareness about voice disorders
• It later gained international recognition with support from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• The observance is now marked globally with participation from health professionals, educators, singers, public speakers, and communication-based professionals to promote awareness about voice care

Daily CA One- Liner: April 17

• India’s unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in March 2026, the highest level in the last five months, according to the National Statistics Office based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey
• The Karnataka High Court directed the Karnataka State Government to implement a menstrual leave policy across both organised and unorganised sectors.
• ITC Limited became the first company in India to receive Farm Sustainability Assessment 3.0 certification for sustainable sourcing of wheat and paddy
• India aims to achieve self-sufficiency in cocoa production by 2040 to reduce import dependence worth United States Dollar 866 million

• The Government of India approved a Special Economic Zone for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited at Dholera, Gujarat
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a key technology agreement with GE Aerospace for the co-production of F414 jet engines in India

• Time (magazine) released the TIME100 List 2026, recognising the 100 most influential individuals globally across multiple sectors
• R. Vaishali won the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament 2026 organised by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs in Cyprus
• World Hemophilia Day is observed annually on 17 April to raise awareness about Hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.
• World Voice Day is observed annually on 16 April to highlight the importance of the human voice as a primary tool of communication .
• The Gross Direct Premium (GDP) underwritten by non-life insurers in India grew by 9.20% in FY26, reaching ₹3.35 lakh crore, compared to ₹3.07 lakh crore in the previous financial year.
• India’s total exports increased by 4.22% to USD 860.09 billion in FY 2025–26, while imports grew faster by 6.47% to around USD 970 billion, leading to a widening of the trade gap.
• Shri M. Nagaraju, IAS, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, launched LIC’s new mobile applications — MyLIC Customer App and Super Sales Saathi App — in Mumbai, Maharashtrain the presence of senior LIC leadership.
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s financial ecosystem security by addressing the misuse of telecom resources in financial frauds and investment scams.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its April 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled “Global Economy in the Shadow of War.”
• The Parliament of Iraq elected Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amedi, former Environment Minister and member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as the country’s 9th President during a voting session held in Baghdad, Iraq.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) signed a strategic agreement with GE Aerospace (USA) to establish an in-country depot facility for F404-IN20 aircraft engines used in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.
• The Indian Army (IA) Trishakti Corps launched ‘Radio Sikkim Sundari’ (88.4 FM) in East Sikkim near the India–China border, marking the first border village community radio station in Sikkim.
• A new species of bent-toed gecko, named Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis (Raimona bent-toed gecko), was discovered in the Kachugaon region of Kokrajhar district near Raimona National Park (Assam).
• The 9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026) was held from April 10 to 12, 2026 in Port Louis, Mauritius.