DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Army Launches Technology Roadmap for UAS & Loitering Munitions
- Indian Army launched a Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions in New DelhI. It provides long-term visibility of requirements for modern warfare capabilities.
- Roadmap identifies 30 types of UAS and loitering munitions across 5 categories: loitering munitions, air defence, surveillance, special roles, and logistics- including details on lifecycle, variants, and quantities.
- It integrates lessons from conflicts e.g. Russia-Ukraine War and West Asia, emphasising mass deployment with precision targeting.
- Key features: Promotes indigenisation, demand-driven drone ecosystem, industry-academia collaboration and Atmanirbhar Bharat. It strengthen India’s self-reliant defence manufacturing and future-ready military capabilities.
INS Sunayna Reaches Malé under IOS SAGAR Initiative
- INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel of Indian Navy, reached Malé under IOS SAGAR (Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR) initiative. This marks its first port call and strengthening India–Maldives maritime ties.
- Flagged off from Mumbai, the mission targets South East Indian Ocean Region (IOR); a PASSEX (Passage Exercise) with Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard will enhance interoperability.
- IOS SAGAR includes crew from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries (FFC), aligning with Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR vision for regional security.
- INS Sunayna: It is Saryu-class, commissioned 2013, built by Goa Shipyard (GSL) undertakes SLOC protection, patrolling, surveillance, and escort operations.
ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
Gurgaon Most Polluted City in March 2026: CREA Report
- A Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)report found Gurugram, Haryana as India’s most polluted city in March 2026 with PM2.5 at 116 µg/m³.
- Haryana had 4 of top 10 polluted cities, with 9 of 24 cities exceeding NAAQS limits. Ghaziabad remained the most polluted city for FY 2025–26 overall.
- Visakhapatnam saw highest pollution rise (73%); cities in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh also reported PM10 increases, while Uttar Pradesh saw major reductions (>40% in 9 cities).
- Under National Clean Air Programme: 89/96 cities still exceed limits; 27 achieved >40% PM10 reduction, indicating mixed progress.
India Withdraws Bid to Host COP33 (UNFCCC) in 2028
- India has withdrawn its bid to host COP33 (2028) under UNFCCC, citing a review of commitments for 2028. The bid was announced at COP28 (Dubai, 2023).
- Possible reasons: Logistical burden of major events (e.g. potential 2030 Commonwealth Games) and pressure for higher climate commitments. It may impact India’s Global South leadership on climate finance.
- With confirmed hosts: Australia & Turkey (COP31, 2026) and Ethiopia (COP32, 2027)– South Korea remains the sole contender for COP33.
- UNFCCC (1992, Rio Earth Summit): Aims to stabilise GHG emissions, guided by CBDR-RC principle.
STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Telangana Government Declares Cancer as Notifiable Disease
- Telangana Government declared cancer a notifiable disease, mandating all healthcare providers (labs, clinics, public/private hospitals, registrars) to report all cancer cases (in-situ and invasive) within one month.
- Aim: Create a centralised cancer registry for accurate estimation of incidence & prevalence, enabling evidence-based policymaking, and improved palliative & rehabilitative care.
- Mehdi Nawaz Jung Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad is designated as Centre of Excellence for data validation and coordination with National Cancer Registry.
- Reporting will be via a dedicated digital portal, ensuring confidentiality and real-time disease surveillance.
REPORTS AND INDICES CURRENT AFFAIRS
World Bank’s South Asia Economic Update (April 2026)
- World Bank Group in its South Asia Economic Update (April 2026) projected regional growth to slow to 6.3% in 2026 (from 7% in 2025) due to global energy market disruptions, before recovering to 6.9% in 2027.
- Despite slowdown, South Asia (including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan) remains fastest-growing emerging region.
- Risks stem from dependence on imported energy and spillovers from Middle East conflicts, causing inflation, tighter monetary policy, weaker remittances.
- Country trends: Bhutan (7.1%), Bangladesh (3.9%), Sri Lanka (3.6%), Nepal (2.3%), Maldives (0.7%).
- India: inflation may rise (CPI-based) due to fuel costs but stable food prices help.
AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
International Romani Day: 8 April
- International Romani Day is observed annually on April 8. It was officially declared in 1990 at Serock, Poland during 4th World Romani Congress of International Romani Union. It commemorates first Congress held in 1971 near London.
- Romani People: are an ethnic group with a distinct language, culture, and genetic identity. They migrated across Europe (Turkey, France, Spain) during Middle Ages, in Spain, their culture influenced Flamenco traditions.
- They have faced historic persecution, including targeting by Nazis and Communist regimes.
- Large Romani Populations exist in Americas (e.g., ~1 million in the US, ~800,000 in Brazil), reflecting global dispersion.
PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Divya Singh: First Indian Woman to Cycle to Everest Base Camp
- Divya Singh, a 28-year-old teacher from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, became first Indian woman and second woman globally to cycle to Everest Base Camp.
- She completed expedition in 14 days, cycling from Kathmandu through rugged Himalayan terrain.
- Altitude: ~17,560 ft (5,364 m) above sea level.
- Route: Passed through Saleri, Surke, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Lobuche, and Gorakshep.
- Challenges: Faced −12°C temperatures, low oxygen, strong winds, and steep trails, cycling 10–12 hours daily.
Payal Nag: World’s First Quadruple Amputee Archery Champion
- Payal Nag, an 18-year-old from Odisha, became world’s first quadruple amputee archer to win gold at World Archery Para Series 2026 in Bangkok on her senior international debut.
- She defeated Sheetal Devi, World No.1 and Asia’s first armless female archer.
- A victim of a childhood electrocution accident, she competes using a prosthetic arm and mouth/shoulder release.
- Achievements: Gold (6th National Para Archery Championship, Jaipur), Silver (Khelo India Para Games, New Delhi 2025), and Silver & Bronze (7th National Championship, Patiala 2026).
Menaka Guruswamy Becomes India’s First Openly Queer MP
- Menaka Guruswamy became India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament, taking oath in Rajya Sabha. It marks a historic milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in Indian politics.
- She was elected as a candidate of the All India Trinamool Congress from West Bengal.
- A Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court, she is a noted constitutional law expert and a strong voice for civil liberties and LGBTQ+ rights.
- She played a key role in the landmark Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) case, which led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality by reading down Section 377 IPC.
- Her elevation reflects growing inclusivity and representation in governance.