NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
HUDCO celebrates 56th Foundation Day
- Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO), a Navratna CPSE under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, celebrated its 56th Foundation Day as “Sankalp Diwas.”
- HUDCO, established in 1970, is a premier techno-financial institution supporting housing and urban infrastructure development across India.
- HUDCO Key Functions: Research and training through Human Settlement Management Institute (HSMI), New Delhi. Housing finance for EWS/LIG and retail loans via HUDCO Niwas. Infrastructure funding for water supply, sewerage, solid waste, metro, and power. Consultancy in urban planning, design, and project monitoring
- Significance: Plays a key role in inclusive housing and sustainable urban development.
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BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Mission Jagrook launched by SEBI
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched Mission Jagrook, a nationwide investor awareness campaign, during its 38th Foundation Day in Mumbai, inaugurated by Nirmala Sitharaman.
- Objective: To protect retail investors from misinformation, fraud, and manipulative financial content, especially in regional language digital spaces. To empower investors to identify fake schemes, deepfakes, and unregistered “fin-influencers.”
- Focus: Risks from AI-driven fake investment content on social media.
- Target: Wider outreach beyond urban audiences through regional languages.
- Significance: Enhances financial literacy, safeguards investor interests, and strengthens trust in India’s capital markets ecosystem.
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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) 2.0 App Launched
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) 2.0 App, a centralised digital platform for real-time reporting, monitoring, and coordination under National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
- Features: It enables states, districts, and stakeholders to track activities through a unified dashboard, access IEC materials, manage Nasha Mukti Mitrs, and use helplines including MANAS.
- NMBA: Launched on 15 August 2020 in 272 districts. It expanded nationwide in 2023, and has sensitised over 26 crore people through 8.3 lakh activities.
- Significance: Strengthens tech-driven implementation, awareness, and nationwide coordination for drug demand reduction.
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SMILE-Beggary Survey Mobile Application Launched
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched SMILE–Beggary Survey Mobile Application during a Chintan Shivir in Chandigarh under SMILE–Beggary Sub-Scheme.
- The app enables district authorities and implementing agencies to digitally capture survey data, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and timely reporting.
- It facilitates real-time data collection, monitoring, analytics, and performance tracking, addressing delays and inconsistencies in field implementation.
- SMILE-Beggary Scheme: It provides identification, shelter, medical aid, counselling, and skill training to reintegrate individuals into society with dignity and sustainable livelihoods.
- Significance: The initiative supports vision of a “Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat” by strengthening technology-driven rehabilitation.
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INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
John Ternus Appointed as CEO of Apple
- Apple Inc. has named John Ternus as its next CEO, effective 1 September 2026, succeeding Tim Cook, who will become Executive Chair later in 2026. The move signals strategic continuity after a period of strong growth.
- About John Ternus: A veteran with over 20 years at Apple, he joined in 2001 (Product Design), became VP Hardware Engineering (2013) and SVP (2021). He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
- Tim Cook’s Legacy: He was Apple’s CEO since 2011, he led launches like AirPods, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro and expanded services such as iCloud, Apple TV, Apple Pay, and Apple Music, strengthening Apple’s wearables ecosystem.
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UNESCO Adds 12 New Global Geoparks (2026)
- UNESCO has designated 12 new Global Geoparks, raising total to 241 sites across 51 countries, covering over 882,000 sq km (about Venezuela’s size).
- Location of New Geoparks: In China, France, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal, Russia, Tunisia (first), and Uruguay. India currently has no UNESCO Global Geoparks.
- About Global Geoparks: They are unified geographical areas with international geological significance, promoting conservation, education, and sustainable development.
- These sites integrate geological heritage with cultural and natural aspects, support geotourism, local livelihoods, and community participation. They are designated for 4 years, after which they undergo revalidation.
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
DRDO Unveils Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked & Wheeled)
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled advanced tracked and wheeled armoured platforms developed by Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) at Maharashtra, to meet evolving defence requirements.
- Key Features: Indigenously developed 30 mm crewless turret with 7.62 mm PKT gun and Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) launch capability. High-power engine, automatic transmission, superior mobility, speed, and obstacle negotiation. STANAG Level 4 & 5 protection with modular blast and ballistic shielding. Amphibious capability with hydro jets for water operations
- Significance: Enhances firepower, survivability, and multi-role flexibility, strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
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REPORTS AND INDICES CURRENT AFFAIRS
FAO–WMO Report: Extreme Heat and Agriculture
- A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights rising heatwaves as a major threat to global agriculture, especially in climate-sensitive regions like India.
- By century’s end, parts of South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America may face up to 250 extreme-heat days annually, severely limiting outdoor labour.
- Extreme Heat Concept: WMO defines heatwaves as prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures exceeding regional norms, causing ecosystem-wide stress.
- Impacts on Crops: Temperatures above 30°C reduce yields, disrupt pollination, and damage plant systems.
- Impacts on Livestock: Heat stress begins near 25°C, leading to dehydration, reduced productivity, and possible mortality.
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NITI Aayog Report: “Moving Towards Effective City Government: A Framework for Million-plus Cities”
- NITI Aayog released “Moving Towards Effective City Government – A Framework for Million-plus Cities”, report outlining reforms aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 and India’s $30 trillion economy goal, recognising cities as growth engines.
- Key Challenges: Fragmented leadership, weak fiscal capacity, limited devolution, low financial autonomy, and diffused accountability.
- Reports Key Recommendations: Directly elected Mayor with fixed tenure and empowered Mayor-in-Council. Integration of services like water, sanitation, and transport under city governments. Strengthening municipal finances via own revenues, State Finance Commissions, and municipal bonds. Bringing parastatal agencies under city oversight.
- Significance: Aims to build accountable, financially empowered, and efficient urban governance systems.
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AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
International Mother Earth Day: 22 April
- International Mother Earth Day is observed annually on 22 April, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2009 via resolution introduced by Bolivia and supported by over 50 nations. The day recognises Earth as humanity’s common home and stresses harmony with nature.
- Objective: To raise awareness about environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, land-use change, intensive agriculture, and illegal wildlife trade, which threaten planetary health.
- The term “Mother Earth” highlights interdependence between humans, other species, and ecosystems, urging sustainable practices to protect livelihoods and prevent ecological collapse.
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World Book and Copyright Day: 23 April
- UNESCO celebrates World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April to promote reading, publishing, and intellectual property rights, highlighting books as bridges across cultures and generations.
- Each year, a World Book Capital is designated in collaboration with global publishing bodies.
- Background: First celebrated in 1996, inspired by 1996 International Publishers Congress in Barcelona. The date marks death anniversaries of Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (1616).
- World Book Capitals: 2026- Rabat and 2027- Medellin. Rabat will promote access to books and strengthen its publishing ecosystem.
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International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace: 24 April
- United Nations observes International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace day on 24 April to promote awareness about the importance of multilateral cooperation and diplomacy in maintaining global peace and stability.
- Aim: To highlight complex global challenges require collective, coordinated responses rather than isolated national actions.
- Multilateralism: It refers to cooperation among three or more countries based on shared norms, rules, and institutions. Derived from idea of “many-sided” interaction, it emphasises consultation, inclusion, and solidarity.
- It ensures equal rights and responsibilities for participating states via rule-based systems and serves both as a method of cooperation and a framework for global governance.
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