NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
AI Initiative Expands Ayurveda Research into 13 Languages
- Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, under Ministry of AYUSH, signed an MoU with Anuvadini AI (an AI translation platform developed by All India Council for Technical Education), to expand access to evidence-based Ayurveda knowledge.
- Under Agreement: Anuvadini AI will translate CCRAS research outputs and educational resources into 13 regional languages (Hindi included), enabling wider public access and reducing misinformation. CCRAS, with 30 institutes across 25 states, conducts scientific research in Ayurveda and publishes materials e.g. CCRAS Bulletin.
- Ministry of AYUSH: Established in 2014, it promotes traditional systems Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. It supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage through revival and scientific validation of traditional medicine.
Kaynes Semiconductor Plant Launched in Gujarat
- A ₹3,300-crore semiconductor plant of Kaynes Technology was inaugurated at Sanand GIDC,Gujarat. This marks the second semiconductor manufacturing facility in India and strengthening country’s domestic chip ecosystem.
- The facility launched under India Semiconductor Mission, will manufacture Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs) used in electric vehicles (EVs) and industrial applications. A majority share of IPMs is expected to be exported and integrated into global supply chains.
- Project Timeline: MoU signed in June 2023, foundation stone in September 2025, and commercial production by February 2026.
- India’s semiconductor market, currently about $50 billion, is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030. This Initiative supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, aiming for 70–75% chip self-sufficiency by 2029 and advanced 3 nm–2 nm capabilities by 2035.
BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
IRDAI Mandates Ind AS Framework for Insurers from April 1, 2026
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India approved IRDAI (Actuarial, Finance and Investment Functions of Insurers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026. This mandates insurers to prepare financial statements as per Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) from 1 April 2026.
- The shift aligns Indian insurance accounting with global norms, mainly IFRS 17 (which is equivalent to Ind AS 117), moving from historic cost accounting to fair-value measuremen. This will improve transparency by potentially increasing balance-sheet volatility.
- Framework Applies To: Life, General, Stand-alone health insurers, and reinsurers. To ease transition, IRDAI mandated parallel reporting for two years, where companies will publish financial statements under Ind AS alongside existing accounting frameworks.
- Ind AS Standards: issued by Institute of Chartered Accountants of India under Ministry of Corporate Affairs, enhance global comparability and transparency in financial reporting.
New ATM Rules in India from 1 April 2026
- New ATM usage rules in India came into effect from 1 April 2026, following guidelines by RBI, impacting free transaction limits, charges, and interchange fees.
- Customers continue to receive 5 free transactions at own-bank ATMs, and 3 free transactions in metro cities and 5 in non-metro areas at other-bank ATMs, covering both financial and non-financial transactions.
- Key Change: UPI-based ATM cash withdrawals will now count toward monthly free transaction limit, whereas earlier they were treated separately. After exceeding free limit, customers will be charged ₹23 per transaction (excluding GST), up from ₹21 (earlier).
- Additionally, ATM interchange fees were revised to ₹19 for financial transactions and ₹7 for non-financial transactions, reflecting rising operational and security costs of maintaining ATM networks.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
DGCA-Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya MoU to Strengthen Aviation Workforce
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation signed MoU with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) to strengthen aviation workforce development in India.
- Partnership Aim: To provide training in Aviation Management, Aviation Engineering, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sectors, supporting growing aviation industry where MRO facilities increased from about 160 to over 240 in last five years.
- Under MoU, an undergraduate programme in Aviation Maintenance Engineering (AME) will be introduced through industry–academia collaboration from the 2026–27 academic session (August 2026).
- About GSV: It was established by an Act of Parliament in 2022, replaced National Rail and Transportation Institute and is sponsored by Ministry of Railways, focusing on skilled manpower for transport and logistics sectors aligned with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and National Logistics Policy.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
GRSE Delivers Three Frontline Warships to Indian Navy
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered three frontline naval platforms INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray to Indian Navy, marking a major milestone in indigenous defence manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. With this, GRSE has built 118 warships, including 80 for Navy, strengthening India’s maritime defence ecosystem.
- INS Dunagiri: A Project 17A stealth guided-missile frigate (149 m, 6,670 tonnes), features BrahMos missiles, AESA radar, and an integrated combat management system.
- INS Sanshodhak: A Survey Vessel (Large), enhances hydrographic and oceanographic survey capabilities and supports HADR missions.
- INS Agray, an ASW Shallow Water Craft with 88% indigenous content, is equipped with torpedoes, ASW rockets, and a 30-mm naval gun for coastal defence operations.
GSL Launches INS Shachi and Delivers ICGS Achal
- Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched INS Shachi, a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for Indian Navy, and delivered ICGS Achal to Indian Coast Guard. The NGOPV programme is being executed jointly by GSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, aiming to strengthen maritime security and operational flexibility.
- INS Shachi: First of 11 NGOPVs, is 113 m long, 2,600 tonnes displacement, with 8,500 nautical miles endurance and crew of 19 officers and 130 sailors, featuring 76% indigenous content.
- ICGS Achal: A Fast Patrol Vessel, has 60% indigenous content, measures 52 m, displaces 320 tonnes, and can reach 27 knots. It will support coastal surveillance, protection of offshore assets, anti-piracy operations, and HADR missions.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Andhra Pradesh to Launch India’s First Quantum Computer in Amaravati
- Andhra Pradesh will launch India’s first quantum computer on 14 April 2026 in Amaravati, announced by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The initiative is part of Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) project aimed at building a global quantum technology ecosystem and aligns with National Quantum Mission.
- AQV will feature eight innovation towers integrating academia, industry, and government, with goal of making Amaravati a global quantum hub by 2030 and developing domestic capabilities in cryogenics, photonics, advanced electronics, and quantum devices. Project includes partnerships with IBM, C-DAC, DRDO, BARC, IIT Madras, and IIT Tirupati.
- National Quantum Mission: It is led by Department of Science and Technology, has an outlay of ₹6,003 crore (2023–2031) to advance quantum technologies in India.
STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Punjab Launches Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna
- Coverage: Initiative is expected to cover over 97% of women in the state. The Punjab Budget 2026–27 has allocated ₹9,300 crore, making it one of India’s largest women-focused social welfare schemes.
- Punjab Government launched Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, a major women-centric welfare scheme approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Bhagwant Mann.
- About Scheme: It provides ₹1,000 per month to all eligible women and ₹1,500 per month to women from Scheduled Castes, aiming to promote financial independence and empowerment.
- Implemented through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the assistance will be credited directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
- Beneficiary: Women aged 18 years or above, registered voters in Punjab with valid Aadhaar and Voter ID issued by Election Commission of India, are eligible.