NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Raja Ravi Varma’s Yashoda and Krishna: Most Expensive Indian Painting
- Raja Ravi Varma’s iconic painting “Yashoda and Krishna” was sold for ₹167.2 crore ($17.9 million), becoming most expensive modern Indian artwork ever auctioned. The sale greatly exceeded its ₹80–120 crore pre-auction estimate.
- Previous Record: was held by Untitled (Gram Yatra) by M. F. Husain, which sold for ₹118 crore at a Christie’s auction in March 2025.
- Yashoda and Krishna”: Painted in the 1890s, it depicts Yashoda milking a cow while infant Krishna approaches her, inspired by Shrimad Bhagavatam.
- Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906): born in Travancore. He is regarded as father of modern Indian art, blending European realism with Indian themes.
Meghalaya Partners with Starlink to Expand Satellite Internet Connectivity
- Meghalaya Government signed MoU with Starlink India to expand satellite-based internet connectivity in remote and hilly regions, promoting digital inclusion and rural connectivity. Meghalaya became third Indian state (after Maharashtra and Gujarat) to partner with Starlink.
- Starlink: launched in 2019 by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. It aims to deploy about 42,000 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (160–2000 km), enabling low-latency high-speed internet.
- Regulatory Framework In India: Satellite internet services are regulated by Department of Telecommunications, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
India’s First Indigenous Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project in Odisha
- India signed a land-leasing agreement for its first indigenous Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate project at Lakhanpur, 6 years after launching National Coal Gasification Mission (2020).
- India aims for 100 million tonnes gasification capacity by 2030, while China leads globally with 340+ million tonnes capacity.
- Agreement Between: Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is to build a ₹25,000-crore plant producing 2,000 tonnes/day of ammonium nitrate.
- It will use indigenous coal gasification technology developed by BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited).
- Coal gasification: It converts coal into syngas, used to produce ammonia, methanol and synthetic fuels.
Platinum Jubilee of Postal Training Centre (PTC), Saharanpur
- Department of Posts under Ministry of Communications celebrated Platinum Jubilee (75 years) of Postal Training Centre Saharanpur, with release of a commemorative postage stamp.
- PTC, Shaharanpur: Established on 2 April 1951, the centre replaced informal on-the-job training with a structured institutional training system for postal personnel.
- Spread over 56.71 acres, it serves eight States and Union Territories in Northern India and trains around 3,000 employees annually.
- Equipped with 11 advanced computer labs and an e-Studio, it provides training in digital operations, e-commerce logistics, parcel management, financial inclusion and customer-centric public services, supporting India Post’s role in making India a logistics powerhouse by 2030.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Delhi Launches ‘Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana’ for Girl Children
- Government of Delhi launched Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana to support education and financial security of girl children in the national capital. The scheme replaces the Ladli Scheme.
- Eligibility: Delhi-born girl, family income ≤ ₹1.20 lakh, studying in government/MCD/NDMC/recognized schools, maximum two girls per family.
- Girls will receive ₹61,000 financial assistance, which can grow to ₹1.20 lakh with interest, redeemable at 18 or 21 years.
- Assistance Includes: ₹11,000 at birth and ₹5,000 each on admission to Classes 1, 6, 9, 11 and 12, plus ₹10,000 for a 1-year diploma, ₹20,000 for a 2–3 year diploma, and up to ₹25,000 for a 4-year graduate course.
Capacity Building Programme for Scientists under Mission Karmayogi
- Government launched the first dedicated programme on “Administrative Capacity Building for Scientists and Academicians”, Under Mission Karmayogi during SADHANA Saptah.
- Revamped UNNATI Portal and Karmayogi Kartavya Karyakram roadmap were also announced. Collaboration with Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) will bring global best practices.
- Aim: Initiative addresses the gap where scientists and academicians move into leadership roles without formal training in governance, administrative decision-making and budgeting.
- Programme will train participants in government systems, institutional management, parliamentary procedures, and emerging technologies like AI.
- Mission Karmayogi: aims to build a future-ready, transparent and technology-driven civil service.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Newcastle Disease Outbreak Spreads Across Europe (2026)
- Newcastle disease, a highly contagious viral infection (primarily affecting poultry and wild birds worldwide) spread across several European countries in 2026, raising concerns over poultry supply.
- As per World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), outbreaks have been reported in Poland, Germany, Spain, Czechia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
- Worst Affected: Poland with over 5 lakh birds culled, while Germany’s Brandenburg farm culled 3.26 lakh hens.
- The disease is caused by Avian paramyxovirus type 1 and spreads through faeces, respiratory secretions, contaminated equipment and wild birds.
- Severe velogenic strains can cause respiratory, nervous and digestive damage with up to 100% mortality in poultry, a major economic losses to poultry industry.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
‘Malwan’ (ASW SWC) Delivered to Indian Navy
- ‘Malwan’, the 2nd of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC), was delivered to Indian Navy by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. With about 90% indigenous content it boosts India’s defence manufacturing under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
- Features: The 78-m waterjet-propelled warship is designed for underwater surveillance, search & rescue, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in coastal and shallow waters.
- It carries lightweight torpedoes, indigenous ASW rockets and advanced shallow-water sonars.
- Named after: Malwan in Maharashtra (linked to maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj), continuing legacy of former INS Malwan decommissioned in 2003.
POLITY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Election Commission Launches ECINet KYC Feature for Informed Voting
- Election Commission of India (ECI) launched “Know Your Candidates (KYC)” feature on ECINet platform to help voters make informed electoral choices. Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections and by-elections,
- ECINet: It is a single-point digital electoral platform integrating 40+ ECI applications and portals, described as world’s largest electoral service platform.
- Features: Provides services like voter registration, grievance redressal, e-EPIC download, electoral roll search, application tracking and communication with Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
- Platform subsumes apps e.g. Voter Helpline App, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0 and Saksham, and complies with Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RPA, 1950) and RPA, 1951.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Athletes Top AIU Doping Charts (2026)
- As per Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) list, India has highest number of ineligible athletes(148) due to doping violations, ahead of Kenya (146) and Russia (66).
- List Includes: Athletes banned for doping offences and non-doping violations e.g. tampering, evading tests, trafficking or missing whereabouts requirements.
- Background: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 report also placed India at top with 260 athletes testing positive, with National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) collecting 7,113 samples and recording a 3.6% positivity rate.
- AIU: It is an independent anti-doping body of World Athletics, oversees integrity and anti-doping enforcement in global athletics.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Becomes First Fast Bowler to 200 IPL Wickets
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar became first fast bowler and second overall player to take 200 wickets in IPL (Indian Premier League). He achieved milestone during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory over Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- He dismissed Prabhsimran Singh and now has 202 wickets in 192 matches, second only to Yuzvendra Chahal on all-time IPL wickets list.
- A long-time star of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bhuvneshwar is known for swing bowling and powerplay dominance. He holds 65+ wickets in the first six overs and winning Purple Caps in 2016 and 2017.
Murali Sreeshankar Wins Long Jump at Indian Athletics Series 2026
- Murali Sreeshankar won men’s long jump at Indian Athletics Series 2026 with a best jump of 8.15 m at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. He was only athlete to cross 8.00 m and Asian Games qualifying mark of 7.91 m.
- Reagan Ganesh won the pole vault with a personal best of 5.35 m.
- Other winners: Abdulla Aboobacker (triple jump – 16.82 m), Sarvesh Kushare (high jump – 2.23 m), Bibin Antony (javelin – 77.53 m).
- Women long Jump Winers: Ancy Sojan won with 6.54 m, narrowly beating Shaili Singh (6.52 m), while Moumita Mondal finished third (6.37 m).
AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Prevention of Blindness Week 2026: 1–7 April
- Prevention of Blindness Week 2026 is observed from 1–7 April 2026 in India to raise awareness about eye health and preventable blindness. It is organised by National Society for the Prevention of Blindness-India (NSPB-I).
- PBW Theme 2026: “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World.”
- Aim: The campaign promotes awareness drives on eye safety, free eye screenings and early diagnosis to prevent blindness caused by conditions like Diabetic Retinopathy, malnutrition, Cataract, and Glaucoma.
- Glaucoma: Also called “silent thief of sight,” damages the optic nerve without early symptoms and accounts for around 8 million blindness cases globally.
PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Ashwini Bhide Becomes First Woman BMC Commissioner
- Ashwini Bhide, a 1995-batch IAS officer, was appointed Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), becoming first woman to head 160+ year-old civic body.
- Role: She will oversee Mumbai’s civic administration with a budget exceeding ₹80,000 crore, sanitation, traffic management, managing urban infrastructure, disaster preparedness and public services.
- Bhide earlier played a key role in Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation project, including Colaba–Seepz underground metro corridor, and Mumbai Coastal Road Project.
- BMC functions under BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.