NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
India Allows Ethanol Blending in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)
- Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas permitted blending of ethanol and synthetic hydrocarbons in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), aligning with global adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to cut emissions and oil dependence.
- The change comes through amendments to ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 under Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
- ATF now includes blends meeting IS 1571 or synthetic blends under IS 17081, enabling low-carbon fuels.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): It is derived from waste oils, biomass, and CO₂, is a drop-in fuel compatible with existing engines and infrastructure. UK and Japan already mandate SAF blending to reduce aviation emissions.
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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
DPIIT issues Operational Guidelines of Startup India FOF 2.0
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) issued operational guidelines for Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0) with a ₹10,000 crore corpus to support startups via structured fund deployment, governance, and monitoring. It will strengthen startup funding ecosystem and promotes innovation-led growth.
- Implementation: Investments routed through SEBI-registered Category I & II AIFs.
- Initial Implementation Agency: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as another agency to be onboarded.
- AIF Segments: Deep-tech, micro VC, manufacturing-focused, and sector-agnostic funds with defined norms
- Selection Process: Stage 1: Screening by Implementation Agency and Stage 2: Evaluation by Venture Capital Investment Committee.
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Revised Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme Launched
- Department of Telecommunications under Ministry of Communications released revised guidelines for Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme to boost indigenous telecom innovation and global standardisation.
- Key Objectives: To enhance participation in global bodies like ITU, 3GPP, oneM2M and to support technical contributions, leadership roles, and global events
- Total Outlay: ₹203 crore, for furation: 2026–31
- Features: Focus on 5G Advanced and 6G technologies; Participation expanded to startups, MSMEs, academia, and industry; Supports pilots, proof-of-concept, and real-world deployments.
- Significance: Aims to shift India from technology adopter to global standard-setter, boosting IP creation and telecom exports.
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INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV), 2026
- India will host Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) on 31 May 2026 in New Delhi with African Union Commission, bringing together African leaders and policymakers.
- Theme: “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation”
- Objectives: To strengthen India–Africa ties under South-South cooperation and to expand collaboration in innovation, resilience, and development.
- About IAFS: Institutional platform since 2008 for high-level engagement. Previous summits (2008, 2011, 2015) expanded participation and cooperation.
- Significance: Reinforces strategic partnership based on equality, shared prosperity, and inclusive development.
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Druzhba Pipeline Restarts Russian Oil Flows to Europe
- The resumption of Russian oil through Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine, led Hungary to lift its veto on a €90 billion European Union loan for Ukraine.
- The pipeline had halted after a Russian drone strike in western Ukraine disrupted supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, making it a politically sensitive energy corridor.
- About Druzhba Pipeline: It is among the world’s longest crude oil pipelines which is operational since 1964 (Soviet era). It originates in Almetyevsk (Russia), carrying oil from Siberia, Urals, and Caspian region.
- Splits into: Northern branch (Poland–Germany) and Southern branch (Ukraine–Hungary–Slovakia–Czech Republic)
- Significance: Critical for landlocked European refineries, ensuring stable overland oil supply and influencing regional geopolitics.
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WHO Resolution on Haemophilia & Bleeding Disorders (2026)
- World Health Organization has proposed a resolution titled “Global Action to Advance Health Equity for People with Haemophilia and Other Bleeding Disorders”, to be presented at 79th World Health Assembly scheduled for May 2026.
- Objective: To address gaps in diagnosis, treatment access, and care delivery, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Haemophilia: It is a genetic disorder caused by deficiency of clotting factors- Factor VIII (Haemophilia A) and Factor IX (Haemophilia B)– leading to prolonged or spontaneous bleeding.
- Haemophilia affects about 1 in 10,000 people globally, though underdiagnosis remains high. India has the second-largest burden (1.36–1.4 lakh cases), with over 80% undiagnosed.
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UNESCO grants ‘Enhanced Protection’ to Cultural Heritage Sites in Lebanon
- UNESCO granted provisional enhanced protection to 39 cultural properties in Lebanon following an emergency meeting in April 2026.
- These sites now receive the highest level of legal protection against military use or attack. UNESCO also approved over $100,000 financial aid for emergency conservation.
- Since the conflict began, damage has been reported at over 20 heritage sites, including the World Heritage city of Tyre. Monitoring is being conducted with UNITAR/UNOSAT.
- “Enhanced protection,” under 1954 Hague Convention (Second Protocol): it grants immunity to sites of highest global importance. The violations may constitute war crimes.
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
DIVEX 2026: India–Sri Lanka Diving Exercise
- The 4th edition of IN-SLN DIVEX 2026, is being held in Colombo from 21–27 April 2026. IN-SLN DIVEX is a bilateral diving exercise between Indian Navy and Sri Lankan Navy.
- INS Nireekshak is participating, conducting specialised diving operations to enhance interoperability and best-practice exchange.
- As part of humanitarian outreach, India will provide BHISM cubes under Aarogya Maitri, capable of handling 200 emergency cases, and 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.
- INS Nireekshak: It is a submarine rescue vessel, that holds India’s deepest dive record (257 m). The exercise strengthens maritime cooperation aligned with MAHASAGAR vision.
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ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
India, GEF, UNDP launch 5-Year Biodiversity Conservation Project
- Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change and National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launched a five-year project, “Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments,”. The project is supported by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), backed by a USD 4.88 million grant.
- Landscapes: Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu)- Western–Eastern Ghats confluence and Garo Hills (Meghalaya)- Nokrek, Balpakram, Siju ecosystems
- Key Objectives: Integrate biodiversity into local plans via Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and to promote Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) arrangements, CSR funding, and green livelihoods.
- Significance: Strengthen capacity, knowledge-sharing, and inclusion of women, SCs, and tribal communities
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
ICMR Renames NARFBR as National Institute for Pre-Clinical Research (NIPCR)
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) upgraded National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (NARFBR) into National Institute for Pre-Clinical Research (NIPCR), marking a shift to a comprehensive pre-clinical and translational research hub.
- Functioning under Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, it bridges lab discoveries and human trials.
- NIPCR: Established in 2016 at Genome Valley, Hyderabad (100 acres), NIPCR supports academia, startups, and industry in validating biomedical innovations. It uses a dual approach– in vivo models and advanced NAMs (organoids, microphysiological systems).
- The institute focuses on testing drugs, vaccines, medical devices, biologicals, and cell & gene therapies, ensuring safety, efficacy, and global-standard research while strengthening India’s self-reliance in healthcare innovation.
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REPORTS AND INDICES CURRENT AFFAIRS
UN ESCAP: Economic and Social Survey of Asia and Pacific 2026
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) released its 2026 survey, highlighting a worsening macroeconomic outlook.
- Inflation in developing Asia-Pacific economies is projected to rise to 4.6% (2026) from 3.5% (2025), while growth is expected to slow to 4% from 4.6%. Despite this, the region remains the fastest-growing developing region, though inequalities are increasing.
- About UN ESCAP: It is a regional commission of the United Nations with 53 member states and 9 associate members, covering nearly two-thirds of the global population. Established in 1947 as ECAFE in Shanghai, it was renamed in 1976 and is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.
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