NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
BECIL–C-DAC MoU for Digital Transformation
- Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed an MoU to collaborate in advanced technologies, digital transformation, and capacity building.
- MoU Focus Areas: Joint projects, consultancy, and solutions in cybersecurity, 5G, AI, Machine Learning, IoT, and cloud computing.
- MoU Promotes: Innovation, technology adoption, and turnkey solutions, along with technology transfer and commercialisation.
- Emphasises skill development, workforce upskilling, and capacity building under Digital India vision.
- BECIL: It is Mini Ratna PSU (estb. 1995) under I&B Ministry. Provides consultancy in broadcasting, IT, telecom, e-governance.
- C-DAC: It is MeitY’s R&D body. It focuses on HPC, AI, cybersecurity, and advanced computing technologies.
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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)
- Department of Social Justice and Empowerment reported landmark progress under Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) in 2025–26 for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT/NT/SNT) communities.
- Launch: 2023
- Outlay: ~₹200 crore (2021–26)
- Implemented by: Development and Welfare Board for De‑notified, Nomadic and Semi‑Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC)
- Objectives: Coaching for health insurance, livelihood promotion, competitive exams,and housing support.
- Eligibility: DNT/NT/SNT, income ≤₹2.5 lakh (education up to ₹8 lakh), Aadhaar-based SEED portal registration.
- Components: Education: Free coaching (UPSC, NEET, JEE, SSC); fees up to ₹1.2 lakh; stipend ₹1,500–₹3,000; Health: ₹5 lakh cover (Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY); Livelihood: SHGs under NRLM; Housing: ₹1.2–1.3 lakh assistance.
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Cabinet Approves Continuation of PMGSY-III till March 2028
- Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, approved extension of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III till March 2028.
- PMGSY Scheme: It focuses on consolidating Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), higher secondary schools, and hospitals.
- Extended Timelines: Roads & bridges in plains and roads in hilly areas extended to March 2028 while bridges in hilly areas till March 2029.
- Pending Works: Projects sanctioned before 31 March 2025 but un-awarded can now be tendered/ Awarded.
- New Approvals: 161 Long Span Bridges worth ₹961 crore cleared.
- Revised Outlay: Increased to ₹83,977 crore, boosting rural connectivity and infrastructure.
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Textiles Ministry Launches Vishwa Sutra Initiative
- Vishwa Sutra – ‘Weaves of India for the World’ was launched by Ministry of Textiles. It is led by Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms) in collaboration with National Institute of Fashion Technology.
- Objective: To showcase Indian handlooms in a contemporary global design framework, blending tradition with modern international aesthetics.
- Initiative brings together 30 distinct handloom weaves, each representing a different Indian state, creatively reinterpreted with inspirations from 30 countries. Examples: Odisha Ikat–Greek, Kanchipuram–Norwegian, Muga–Egyptian, Patola–Spanish, and Banarasi–UAE influences.
- Significance: Promotes ‘Vocal for Local to Global’ and aligns with 5F framework (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign).
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INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
China Blocking Entrance to Scarborough Shoal
- China has tightened control over disuputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea by deploying ships and barriers at lagoon entrance, restricting access amid tensions with Philippines.
- Scarborough Shoal: also called Bajo de Masinloc (Philippines) and Huangyan Island (China). It is a triangular coral atoll (not a full island) with a central lagoon; most of it remains submerged at high tide.
- Location: About 120 nautical miles west of Luzon and 470 nautical miles from China; it is the largest atoll in South China Sea spanning 150 sq. km.
- Strategic Importance: Close to key shipping routes, rich fishing grounds, and potential oil and gas reserves, making it a major geopolitical flashpoint.
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Colorado River Mystery Solved
- A study by University of Washington has solved the mystery of why water from Colorado River is declining before reaching reservoirs (like Lake Mead and Lake Powell). Only ~50% of expected runoff reaches the river, even with normal snowpack.
- Colorado River: With 2,330 km, it is the lifeline of the American Southwest, supplying water to 40 million people across seven U.S. and two Mexican states. It originates at Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Key Causes of Water Loss: Aridification (Long-term drying due to rising temperatures) , Biological uptake: (Early plant growth absorbs snowmelt), Clear-sky effect (Higher solar radiation increases plant water demand) and Vapour pressure deficit (Warmer air extracts more moisture)
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool)
- Union Cabinet approved Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) with a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore to ensure uninterrupted maritime insurance for Indian trade.
- Governance: Managed by a dedicated Governing Body for oversight and operations.
- Objective: To build domestic capacity in claims management, legal expertise, and marine underwriting, ensuring self-reliance and sanctions resilience.
- Need: Increasing geopolitical tensions and global volatility have increased insurance costs and reduced coverage availability for ships and cargo.
- BMI Pool Covers: Hull & Machinery, Cargo, Protection & Indemnity (P&I), and War Risk for Indian-linked vessels (including those in volatile routes).
- Underwriting Capacity: Around ₹950 crore, with policies issued by pool member insurers.
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POLITY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Budget Session 2026: Both Houses of Parliament Adjourn Sine-Die
- Budget Session 2026 of Parliament of India ended on April 18, 2026 with both Houses adjourned sine die (i.e. indefinite suspension).
- Session Highlights: Duration: 81 days, 31 sittings; Productivity: 93% (Lok Sabha), about 110% (Rajya Sabha); 9 bills passed- including Finance Bill 2026.
- Session Structure: 3 parts- 13 sittings (till Feb 13), 15 sittings (Mar 9–Apr 2), and 3 sittings (Apr 16–18).
- President’s Address: As the first session of the year, President addressed both Houses assembled together under Article 87(1).
- Union Budget 2026–27: Presented Feb 1, 2026.
- Key Business: Supplementary Demands, Appropriation Bills, and Demands for Grants (Railways, Agriculture) passed.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) for AI Governance
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) constituted Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) as a standing advisory body to support AI governance in India.
- Chairperson: MeitY Secretary; Composition: Experts from digital policy, academia and technology industry.
- Role: Provides technical, policy, and strategic inputs to AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) for informed decision-making and global AI engagement.
- Framework: AIGEG sets strategy and coordination, while TPEC offers expert guidance, forming a two-tier, adaptive AI governance architecture for India.
- Ensures governance is aligned with technological advancements, regulatory design, and global best practices, while reflecting India’s socio-economic context.
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India’s First Advanced 3D Chip Packaging Unit
- India’s First Advanced 3D Chip Packaging Unit’s foundation stone laid at Info Valley, marking a major boost to India’s semiconductor ecosystem and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Implemented by: 3D Glass Solutions Inc. via its subsidiary HIPSPL in Khordha, Odisha.
- It will be India’s first greenfield, vertically integrated 3D chip packaging and embedded glass substrate ATMP facility.
- Investment: ₹1,943.53 crore; Central support: ₹799 crore; Odisha support: ~₹399.5 crore.
- Target sectors: AI, ML, data centres, 5G/6G, automotive radar, defence, aerospace, photonics.
- Timeline: Commercial production by Aug 2028; full-scale production by Aug 2030.
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Claude Mythos AI by Anthropic
- Claude Mythos is a next-generation AI system launched by Anthropic under Project Glasswing, marking a major advancement in AI-driven cybersecurity.
- Objective: To help organisations identify and fix vulnerabilities proactively, assess risks of autonomous AI agents, and strengthen cyber defence systems.
- Core Capability: It autonomously detects deep software vulnerabilities (including zero-day threats), across large and complex codebases issues often missed by human experts.
- Working: It uses advanced reasoning and contextual understanding instead of rule-based scanning. This enables code deconstruction, exploit simulation, and autonomous bug discovery at nearly 10 times speed of earlier tools.
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REPORTS AND INDICES CURRENT AFFAIRS
State of India’s Bats Report 2024–25
- India’s first State of India’s Bats Report 2024–25 report, highlights growing threats to bats from deforestation, land-use change, urbanisation, and climate impacts, along with major data gaps.
- Prepared by: Nature Conservation Foundation and Bat Conservation International.
- India hosts: About 135 bat species (16 endemic); however, as per International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 7 are threatened and 35 remain unassessed/data deficient. Species like the Khasian Leaf-nosed bat face threats from hunting and mining.
- Bat Habitat: Caves, trees, and man-made structures; sites like Robber’s Cave (Mahabaleshwar) host large colonies such as Phillip’s long-fingered bat.
- Provide key Ecosystem Services: pollination, seed dispersal, pest control, and soil enrichment, linking biodiversity conservation with public health (zoonotic concerns).
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AGRICULTURE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (SAT1) International Spread
- World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) raised concern over global spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) serotype SAT. It reported beyond its traditional African range to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, posing risks to food security, livelihoods animal health,, and trade.
- FMD: It is a highly contagious viral disease (Aphthovirus, Picornaviridae) affecting cloven-hoofed animals e.g. cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, buffalo, and deer. It causes severe production losses despite low adult mortality
- Transmission: Through direct contact, contaminated objects (humans, vehicles), infected animal products, and airborne spread over long distances.
- Symptoms: Fever, lameness, salivation, milk loss, blisters, and sudden death in young animals; multiple serotypes mean no cross-immunity.
- Control Measures: vaccination, strict biosecurity, quarantine, and culling, as no curative treatment exists.
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