NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Amul Becomes First Indian FMCG Company to Cross ₹1 Trillion Turnover
- Amul became first Indian FMCG company to cross ₹1 trillion turnover in FY26, registering around 11% growth.
- Growth drivers: Strong domestic and global demand, expansion of fresh milk offerings in Europe and United States, and robust double-digit growth.
- Global footprint: Presence in 50+ countries; It targets Africa & Southeast Asia with plans to enter ~10 new markets.
- Its marketing arm, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) reported ₹73,450 crore revenue (FY26, +11.4%).
- Turnover gap due to cooperative structure, where multiple regional dairies sell under the Amul brand.
IIM Rohtak Wins BIMTECH’s ‘Hermes’ Dialogue 6.0
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak won Hermes’ Dialogue 6.0, hosted by Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) in Greater Noida.
- Theme: “Energy Independence vs Global Energy Security amid geopolitical uncertainty”, highlighting energy as a strategic geopolitical tool.
- Hermes’ Dialogue (by BIMTECH’s PGDM-IB Cosmopolitan Club) promotes global discourse, experiential learning, and leadership development.
Event details:
- National-level competition with 250+ registrations
- Participation from teams representing 12 countries (UAE, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, China, Australia, USA, Japan)
- Prize pool: ₹60,000
BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Canara HSBC Life Insurance Launches ‘Promise4Wealth’ ULIP
- Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited launched Promise4Wealth, a Unit Linked Individual Savings Life Insurance Plan (ULIP). It combines market-linked returns with life insurance protection for long-term wealth creation.
- It is available via digital platforms, intermediaries and Policybazaar.
- Incorporated in 2007, the company is backed by Canara Bank, HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific) Holdings Limited and Punjab National Bank.
- Plan Options:
- Maximiser: Focus on wealth creation; pays fund value at maturity with life cover.
- Shield: Ensures savings continuity; future premiums paid by company on death, nominee gets sum assured with monthly income (up to 120 months).
- LongLife: Provides life cover up to age 100, supporting intergenerational wealth transfer.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
World Chagas Disease Day: 14 April
- World Chagas Disease Day is observed on April 14 to raise awareness about Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease prevalent mainly in Latin America. It was first celebrated in 2020 and honours Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, who first diagnosed the disease in 1909.
- About 8 million people are infected globally by parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.
- Approved by World Health Assembly in 2019, the day promotes early detection and treatment.
- Transmission: The disease is often asymptomatic, but untreated cases can cause severe cardiac and digestive complications. Transmission occurs via triatomine bugs, congenital routes, contaminated food, blood transfusion, organ transplant, and lab exposure.
WHO’s First Global Forum of Collaborating Centres
- World Health Organization (WHO) convened the first Global Forum of Collaborating Centres, bringing together 800+ institutions from 80+ countries, held alongside One Health Summit 2026 hosted by France. WHO announced next forum to be held in 2027.
- The forum emphasised global cooperation, coordinated responses and investment to tackle emerging health threats amid declining health financing. It called for integrated partnerships beyond traditional research models.
- WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) are institutions designated by Director-General to support WHO programmes; the network dates back to 1947 (World Influenza Centre, London) and builds on earlier League of Nations practices.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
DCIL & Colombo Dockyard Sign MoU for Shipbuilding and Repair
- Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) and Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) signed an MoU in Colombo, Sri Lanka to enhance shipbuilding and repair capabilities in South Asia.
- Agreement Covers: ship repair, dry-docking services, technical collaboration, and joint exploration of shipbuilding projects, including specialised dredgers and offshore support vessels.
- CDPLC will provide repair and dry-docking services for DCIL’s fleet, while both will share expertise to improve fleet modernisation, lifecycle efficiency, and reduce turnaround time.
- DCIL handles most dredging at Indian ports, while CDPLC, a leading shipyard at Port of Colombo, specialises in shipbuilding, repair, and offshore engineering, boosting regional maritime cooperation.
42 Years of Operation Meghdoot (Siachen Day): April 13
- India marked 42 years of Operation Meghdoot on April 13, 2026, observed as Siachen Day. IAF operations in Siachen began earlier in 1978.
- Launched in 1984, it was the first military operation at the world’s highest battlefield, with Indian Army and Indian Air Force securing strategic heights on Saltoro Ridge overlooking Nubra Valley in Siachen Glacier (second-longest non-polar glacier).
- The operation aimed to counter Pakistan’s cartographic claims and planned military action in Ladakh.
- It involved high-altitude airlifting of troops and supplies using aircraft like An-12, An-32, IL-76 and helicopters such as Mi-17, Mi-8, Chetak and Cheetah.
STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Bhopal RPO Launches India’s First Braille & Sign Language Passport Services
- Regional Passport Office (RPO), Bhopal has launched India’s first Braille & sign language-enabled passport services, enhancing accessibility for divyang applicants.
- Aim: Ensure inclusive, barrier-free passport services for all citizens.
- Braille initiatives: Special booklets explaining passport application process (ECR/Non-ECR, Normal/Tatkal, document advisory) and Braille signage for easier navigation within the office.
- Sign language support: A series of videos for hearing/speech-impaired applicants covering application types, document requirements, and procedures at Counter A (biometrics), B (verification), C (granting).
- Videos integrated with QR codes for seamless access to online resources.
AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
World Homoeopathy Day 2026: 10 April
- World Homoeopathy Day is observed on April 10 to mark the birth anniversary of Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homoeopathy; Theme 2026: “Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health”.
- Homoeopathy, formalised in 1796, is based on principle of “like cures like”, using highly diluted substances from natural sources (plants, minerals, animals) and follows an individualised treatment approach. His work Organon of Medicine guides global practice.
- Introduced in India in 1810 by German missionaries, it is now widely practised for preventive care and chronic diseases.
- India has 3.45 lakh doctors, 8,593 dispensaries, 277 institutions and 34 research centres, making it one of the largest homoeopathy ecosystems globally.
PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
135th Ambedkar Jayanti: 14 April 2026
- Ambedkar Jayanti is observed on April 14 to honour Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, with 2026 marking his 135th birth anniversary. The day promotes awareness of his contributions to social justice and equality.
- Born in 1891 at Mhow (Madhya Pradesh), he was a jurist, economist, social reformer and politician, known as “Father of the Indian Constitution.”
- He served as Chairman of Drafting Committee, Labour Member (1942–46) and India’s first Law Minister (1947–51).
- Founder of Independent Labour Party and Scheduled Castes Federation, he championed Dalit rights and social reforms, earning praise from Mahatma Gandhi.