April 2026 Current Affairs

Correct Answer: A. CAIR

DRDO's Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru, built 'Prajna' — an AI-enabled satellite imaging system. It was handed over to MHA by DDR&D Secretary Samir V. Kamat. The platform is designed for internal-security and border-surveillance analytics.

Correct Answer: B. 6.4%

UN ESCAP forecasts India's economy to grow 6.4% in CY26 and 6.6% in CY27. ESCAP is the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, headquartered in Bangkok. The projection appears in its annual Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific.

Correct Answer: B. Test cricketer

Chingleput Doraikannu (C.D.) Gopinath, India's oldest living Test cricketer, passed away in Chennai aged 96. He played 8 Tests for India between 1951 and 1960 and was part of India's first-ever Test series win (vs England, 1951–52 at Chennai).

Correct Answer: C. 2027–2030

Ambassador Preeti Saran was re-elected to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for 2027–2030. She is a former Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs. CESCR monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

Correct Answer: B. Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh became the first state to mandate a 10-year warranty model for rural water schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission. The reform forces contractors to maintain assets and ensure water delivery for a decade after commissioning. JJM is run by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti Ministry.

Correct Answer: B. Falcon Heavy

NASA picked SpaceX's Falcon Heavy to launch ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover from Kennedy Space Center in 2028. The mission is part of ESA's ExoMars programme. The rover is named after British scientist Rosalind Franklin, known for her work on DNA structure.

Correct Answer: B. 1968 Mexico City

Olympic hockey bronze medallist Gurbax Singh Grewal (1968 Mexico City) passed away aged 84 in New Delhi. He was a key midfielder of the Indian hockey team in the late 1960s. India won bronze at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

Correct Answer: B. Chandigarh University, Mohali

Microsoft will set up an AI Skill Center at Chandigarh University's Mohali campus following an MoU. The centre will deliver AI training, certifications and industry-aligned curricula. Microsoft has been expanding its AI-skilling footprint across Indian universities under its broader India AI commitments.

Correct Answer: C. Article 21

The Supreme Court read 'Right to Safe Road Travel' into the Right to Life under Article 21 in the In Re: Phalodi Accident matter. Article 21 guarantees protection of life and personal liberty. The court has previously read several derivative rights — clean environment, privacy, health — into Article 21.

Correct Answer: C. Bihar

PM-AASHA procurement was widened in Chhattisgarh and the Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission opened its first structured pulse procurement in Bihar. PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan) supports oilseed and pulse farmers via price support and deficiency payments. The Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission was launched in Union Budget 2024–25.

Correct Answer: B. Allianz

Jio Financial Services and Germany's Allianz signed a 50:50 JV for general and health insurance; a separate 50:50 reinsurance JV — Allianz Jio Reinsurance — was also formed. The tie-up follows Allianz's exit from its earlier JV with Bajaj. Allianz SE is headquartered in Munich, Germany.

Correct Answer: B. PFRDA

FIU-India signed MoUs with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), SEBI and PFRDA to deepen data-sharing against cyber/financial crime. FIU-India is the central agency for receiving and analysing suspicious transaction reports under the PMLA. It functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Correct Answer: B. DTDC Express

Department of Posts and DTDC Express signed an MoU to strengthen logistics and e-commerce delivery. India Post operates under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications. The partnership uses India Post's last-mile reach and DTDC's commercial logistics network.

Correct Answer: C. 24 April

World Day for Laboratory Animals was observed on 24 April; Lab Animal Week ran 20–26 April 2026. The day was established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS). It marks the birthday of Hugh Dowding, who championed alternatives to animal testing.

Correct Answer: B. 3rd

Meghalaya signed a Letter of Intent with Starlink India, becoming the 3rd state after Maharashtra and Gujarat to partner SpaceX's satellite-internet venture. Starlink is a low-Earth-orbit broadband service from SpaceX. Meghalaya's hilly terrain is suited for satellite-based connectivity.

Correct Answer: B. Devmanus

Former Rajya Sabha member and paediatrician Dr Gopalrao Patil — 'Devmanus' — passed away aged 94 in Latur. He earned the 'Devmanus' (godly man) honorific for decades of low-cost child healthcare in rural Marathwada. He was a long-time public-health advocate in Maharashtra.

Correct Answer: C. 228.5 billion

Worldline's India Digital Payments Report 2025 pegs UPI volume at 228.5 billion transactions (up 33% YoY) and value at Rs 299.74 trillion. Worldline is a France-based digital-payments services firm. UPI is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Correct Answer: C. KOICA

India and South Korea's KOICA signed a Plan of Implementation to expand skilling in shipbuilding and the maritime sector, aligned with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. KOICA is the Korea International Cooperation Agency, South Korea's official development assistance arm. Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 is India's roadmap for ports and shipping.

Correct Answer: C. 4th

India ranked as the 4th most-funded startup market globally in FY26, behind the USA (USD 426B), UK (USD 17.8B) and China (USD 15B). The ranking is based on cumulative venture-capital and private-equity inflows. India's startup ecosystem is the third largest by count globally.

Correct Answer: C. Nay Pyi Taw

India and Myanmar inked an MoU for constructing a school in Nay Pyi Taw during MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh's visit. Nay Pyi Taw is Myanmar's capital, planned in 2005. Kirti Vardhan Singh is MoS in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Correct Answer: B. UN Resident Coordinator Office

MoSPI and the UN Resident Coordinator Office built the India SDG Dashboard as a central data hub for SDG monitoring. MoSPI is the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The 17 SDGs were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 with a 2030 deadline.

Correct Answer: C. Rs 2,54,509 crore

State governments and UTs will collectively borrow Rs 2,54,509 crore in Q1FY27 per RBI's calendar. The borrowing is done through State Development Loans (SDLs). RBI publishes a quarterly SDL issuance calendar for transparency.

Correct Answer: C. Taimoor

Pakistan's Navy test-fired the indigenous Taimoor air-launched anti-ship cruise missile, deployable from both Navy and Air Force platforms. It is designed to engage maritime surface targets at long range. The test was conducted as part of Pakistan's anti-ship strike capability development.

Correct Answer: B. Sabastian Sawe

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe became the first to run a sub-two-hour competitive marathon at the London Marathon 2026, clocking 1:59:30. Eliud Kipchoge had earlier gone sub-two-hours (1:59:40) in a 2019 staged event in Vienna, but it was not record-eligible. The London Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors.

Correct Answer: C. March 2029

PMGSY-III has been extended to March 2028 for roads and plain-area bridges, and to March 2029 for hilly-area bridges. PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) was launched in 2000 by then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Correct Answer: C. Meta

Parminder Singh was named CEO of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited, the JV between Reliance Intelligence and Meta. The JV focuses on enterprise AI and Llama-based AI deployments in India. Parminder Singh has previously held senior roles at Twitter, Google and Apple.

Correct Answer: C. 10

WEF's Young Global Leaders Class of 2026 features 10 Indians, including Jay Shah, Isha Ambani, Sumit Gupta, Abhishek Bansal and Suhani Jalota. The YGL community is run by the World Economic Forum to nurture leaders under 40. It was founded in 2004.

Correct Answer: B. Narayana Gurukulam

Padma Shri awardee and Narayana Gurukulam head Guru Muni Narayana Prasad passed away aged 87 in Thiruvananthapuram. The Narayana Gurukulam was founded by Nataraja Guru, a disciple of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. Muni Narayana Prasad was a noted commentator on the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.

Correct Answer: C. New Delhi

ORF and RIS hosted the inaugural BRICS Academic Forum in New Delhi (17–18 April) under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. ORF is Observer Research Foundation; RIS is Research and Information System for Developing Countries. BRICS now has 10 full members after the 2024–25 expansion.

Correct Answer: B. Handloom and powerloom weavers

Andhra Pradesh rolled out a Rs 150 crore annual free-electricity scheme for handloom and powerloom weavers from 1 April 2026. The scheme provides 200 free units per month per worker. It is part of the CM N. Chandrababu Naidu government's textile-revival push.

Correct Answer: B. Vande Mataram

Ministry of Culture launched the 'VM Frames' filmmaking contest to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram (Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, 1875); prizes up to Rs 50 lakh; deadline 7 May 2026. Vande Mataram was originally part of the novel Anandamath. It is India's national song.

Correct Answer: C. Nairobi

India and Kenya signed a customs cooperation MoU at the 10th India-Kenya JTC in Nairobi after a seven-year hiatus. JTC stands for Joint Trade Committee. The MoU aims to ease trade and combat customs fraud between the two countries.

Correct Answer: B. Sovereign AI compute platform

BharatGen Technology Foundation signed a five-year MoU with L&T Semiconductor Technologies and L&T-Vyoma to build a Sovereign AI compute platform. BharatGen is India's first government-funded generative AI initiative. It is anchored at IIT Bombay under the Department of Science and Technology.

Correct Answer: B. Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal launched 'Bharat Taxi', India's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform for auto and cab drivers. The platform operates on a zero/low-commission model under cooperative ownership. Piyush Goyal is the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry.

Correct Answer: C. Dhruva Space

NewSpace India (NSIL) and Dhruva Space signed an MoU on solar panel design, manufacture, testing and supply for global satellite makers. NSIL is ISRO's commercial arm. Dhruva Space is a Hyderabad-based private satellite firm.

Correct Answer: B. Jamshedpur

Tata Steel signed with Paul Wurth (SMS Group) to deploy the world's first large-scale EASyMelt low-carbon steel technology at its Jamshedpur plant. EASyMelt is a hybrid electric–shaft furnace process that cuts CO2 emissions significantly. The Jamshedpur plant is Tata Steel's flagship integrated steel works.

Correct Answer: B. Djibouti

Djibouti's incumbent Ismaïl Omar Guelleh was re-elected for a sixth straight term. He has been President since 1999. Djibouti is a small Horn-of-Africa nation strategically located along the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.

Correct Answer: D. 35 years

The World Bank approved a USD 225 million loan for the Rajasthan Highway Modernisation Project — India's first IBRD Step-Up Loan, with 35-year maturity and a 5-year grace period. IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) is the World Bank's flagship lending arm for middle-income countries. Step-Up Loans gradually increase interest rates over time.

Correct Answer: B. Hans Christian Andersen

International Children's Book Day (2 April) marks the birth anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen; 2026 theme — 'Plant stories and the world will bloom'. The day is observed by IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) since 1967. Andersen was a Danish author of famous tales like 'The Ugly Duckling' and 'The Little Mermaid'.

Correct Answer: C. 41 km

Jaipur Metro Phase-2 — a 41 km Prahladpura-to-Todi Mod corridor — was sanctioned at Rs 13,037.66 crore. It will expand the existing Jaipur Metro network operated by Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation. The project is jointly funded by the Centre and Rajasthan with multilateral loan support.

Correct Answer: C. Rs 12,980 crore

Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI) was cleared with a Rs 12,980 crore sovereign guarantee and ~Rs 950 crore underwriting capacity; cover runs 10 years, extendable to 15. BMI is intended to reduce India's dependence on foreign reinsurers for shipping. It is part of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Correct Answer: C. 2009

International Transgender Day of Visibility is observed on 31 March; the first observance was in 2009. It was founded by US transgender activist Rachel Crandall. The day celebrates transgender achievements and raises awareness against discrimination.

Correct Answer: B. IIT Madras

FedEx with IIT Madras completed India's first intra-city drone delivery trials in Bengaluru. The trials demonstrate beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) urban drone logistics. The project follows DGCA's UAS Rules 2021 and the Drone Rules 2021.

Correct Answer: B. HDFC Bank

Visa and HDFC Bank introduced the limited-edition 'FIFA World Cup 2026 Pixel Credit Card' alongside a nationwide 'Spend & Win' campaign. FIFA World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico. HDFC Bank is India's largest private-sector bank by assets.

Correct Answer: C. 33rd

NSO released the 33rd 'Energy Statistics India 2026' edition; renewable energy potential stood at 47,04,043 MW as of 31 March 2025. NSO is the National Statistical Office under MoSPI. The annual publication captures production, consumption and reserves of conventional and renewable energy.

Correct Answer: B. Leh

ISRO conducted 'Mission MITRA', an 8-day high-altitude analogue from Leh (2–9 April) to gather crew-performance data for Gaganyaan; four astronaut-designates participated at 3,500 m. Gaganyaan is India's first human spaceflight programme. The four astronaut-designates were unveiled by PM Modi in February 2024.

Correct Answer: C. 49th

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assumed office as the 49th Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 1 April 2026. The VCOAS is the second-most senior officer in the Indian Army after the COAS. The current Chief of the Army Staff is General Upendra Dwivedi.

Correct Answer: C. Rs 9,000

PMIS eligibility was widened to final-year UG/PG students aged 18–25; monthly stipend was raised to Rs 9,000, plus Rs 6,000 one-time assistance. PMIS is the PM Internship Scheme. It targets internships at India's top 500 companies under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Correct Answer: B. Lt Gen Sandeep Jain

Lt Gen Sandeep Jain took over as GOC-in-C, Southern Command, while Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh moved to Western Command. Southern Command is headquartered in Pune. It is one of the seven operational commands of the Indian Army.

Correct Answer: C. 2031

NASA's Department of Defense partner is tasked to ready an in-space reactor mission by 2031 under NSTM-3. NSTM-3 is the US National Space Technology Mission's third phase. It targets the deployment of nuclear fission reactors in space, including on the Moon and Mars.

Correct Answer: D. Manu Bhaker

Indian gold medallists at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 included Shiva Narwal, Prachi Gaikwad and Vanshika Chaudhary in individual events. Manu Bhaker is a senior-level Olympian, not a Junior World Cup gold medallist this season. The ISSF is the International Shooting Sport Federation.

Correct Answer: C. 5 years

PM Modi virtually launched 'Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah 2026' (2–8 April) to mark five years of Mission Karmayogi. Mission Karmayogi is the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building, launched in 2020. It is anchored by the Capacity Building Commission and iGOT-Karmayogi platform.

Correct Answer: C. Rs 1 crore

Under the revised CME framework, loans against securities are capped at Rs 1 crore per individual and Rs 25 lakh for IPO/FPO/ESOP subscriptions. CME refers to the RBI's Capital Market Exposure norms. The framework controls bank lending against shares, bonds and derivatives.

Correct Answer: C. 1720 MW

Kamala HEP (1720 MW), spread across Kamle, Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey districts of Arunachal Pradesh, was approved at Rs 26,069.50 crore. HEP stands for Hydroelectric Project. Arunachal Pradesh has India's largest unutilised hydropower potential.

Correct Answer: A. NHAI

NHAI launched 'Arogya Van' to plant medicinal-tree corridors along National Highways and promote Ayurveda flora. NHAI is the National Highways Authority of India under MoRTH. The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Ayush's plant-based healthcare promotion.

Correct Answer: B. CBDT

CBDT launched 'Kar Saathi', an AI-powered tax-filing assistant, alongside the PRARAMBH 2026 awareness drive, with Hindi/English chatbot support. CBDT is the Central Board of Direct Taxes under the Department of Revenue. It administers direct taxes including income tax.

Correct Answer: B. Shriram Overseas Investments

Shriram Overseas Investments (Shriram Finance arm) won RBI's in-principle approval to start a Primary Dealer business. Primary Dealers underwrite government securities at RBI auctions. The PD system was established by RBI in 1995.

Correct Answer: B. 11 years

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana completed 11 years on 8 April 2026, having disbursed over Rs 40.07 lakh crore across 57.79 crore loans since 2015. MUDRA stands for Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency. Loan categories are Shishu, Kishor, Tarun and Tarun Plus.

Correct Answer: B. Porter

Ministry of Labour & Employment signed MoUs with Porter and Gigin Technologies to widen job matching on the NCS portal. NCS is the National Career Service portal launched in 2015. It connects jobseekers with employers across formal and gig sectors.

Correct Answer: B. 1 April 2026

IRDAI mandated insurers to prepare and present financial statements under Ind AS from 1 April 2026, with two years of parallel reporting. Ind AS are India's accounting standards converged with IFRS. IRDAI is the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, headquartered in Hyderabad.

Correct Answer: B. Madrid

Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) and Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) won World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at the 26th Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. The Laureus Awards are presented annually by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. They were first held in 2000.

Correct Answer: B. 37.9%

CASA share in total bank deposits fell to a two-year low of 37.9% in Q3 FY26, down from 40.1% in December 2023. CASA stands for Current Account and Savings Account. A falling CASA ratio raises banks' cost of funds.

Correct Answer: A. Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan

Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan was named POWERGRID's CMD, effective 1 April 2026 till his superannuation on 31 July 2030. POWERGRID is the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited — a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Power. It operates India's interstate transmission grid.

Correct Answer: B. Blue Origin

Blue Origin's New Glenn third flight failed to place AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 satellite into the intended orbit from Cape Canaveral. Blue Origin is the space company founded by Jeff Bezos. New Glenn is its heavy-lift orbital rocket named after astronaut John Glenn.

Correct Answer: C. 6.9%

ADB lifted India's FY27 GDP growth forecast 40 bps to 6.9%, citing higher consumption, investment and trade deals. ADB is the Asian Development Bank, headquartered in Manila. Its outlook appears in the annual Asian Development Outlook (ADO) reports.

Correct Answer: B. Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary

Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh became India's 99th Ramsar site, raising UP's tally to 12. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. UP now leads Indian states in Ramsar site count.

Correct Answer: B. PPFAS AMC

PFRDA cleared PPFAS AMC (a Parag Parikh subsidiary) to sponsor a pension fund under the NPS. PFRDA is the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. NPS is the National Pension System, mandatory for central government recruits post-2004.

Correct Answer: C. 80 bps

Moody's cut India's FY27 GDP growth forecast by 80 bps to 6%, even as it expects calendar 2025 growth at 7.5%, up from 7.2%. Moody's Investors Service is a major credit rating agency, headquartered in New York. It rates India at Baa3 (lowest investment grade) with stable outlook.

Correct Answer: B. UB Pravin Rao

UB Pravin Rao became Chairperson of the Nasscom Foundation, succeeding Rostow Ravanan. Nasscom Foundation is the social-impact arm of Nasscom (National Association of Software and Service Companies). UB Pravin Rao is a former Infosys COO.

Correct Answer: B. MapmyIndia

UIDAI signed with MapmyIndia to integrate Aadhaar Seva Kendras into the Mappls app for clear, accurate discovery. UIDAI is the Unique Identification Authority of India under MeitY. MapmyIndia (CE Info Systems) is an Indian deep-tech navigation firm.

Correct Answer: B. RELIEF

Egypt and Jordan were added to the RELIEF export-facilitation scheme amid West Asia disruptions. RELIEF is administered through ECGC to insure exporters against payment risks. It is part of the Ministry of Commerce's exporter-support measures.

Correct Answer: B. Bhubaneswar

Ministry of Textiles unveiled 'Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World' at the 61st Femina Miss India in Bhubaneswar, blending 30 traditional weaves with motifs from 30 countries. The initiative promotes India's handloom heritage globally. Femina Miss India is India's most prominent national pageant.

Correct Answer: A. SUPCOMS 2.1

SEBI Chair Tuhin Kanta Pandey launched SUPCOMS 2.1, an e-adjudication portal, and the AI-based Cyber-Sec Audit Compliance (C-SAC) platform. SEBI is the Securities and Exchange Board of India, headquartered in Mumbai. Tuhin Kanta Pandey took charge as SEBI Chair in March 2025.

Correct Answer: B. 3rd

Mongolia elected Uchral Nyam-Osor as Prime Minister — its third PM in nine months. The country has seen political volatility following anti-corruption protests in 2025. Mongolia is a landlocked nation bordered by Russia and China.

Correct Answer: B. Zootaxa

Discovery of the Raimona bent-toed gecko was published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. The species is named after the Raimona National Park in Assam, where it was found. Zootaxa is a leading mega-journal for animal taxonomy.

Correct Answer: C. 6.8%–7.1%

SBI Research pegs India's FY27 GDP growth at 6.8%–7.1% and FY26 at 7.6% despite oil and West Asia headwinds. SBI Research is the in-house economic research wing of the State Bank of India. SBI is India's largest commercial bank.

Correct Answer: C. Rs 203 crore

Revised TDIP scheme guidelines (Rs 203 crore outlay for 2026–31) target India's role in 5G Advanced and 6G standards. TDIP stands for Telecom Technology Development & Investment Promotion. It is administered by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications.

Correct Answer: B. UAE

The UAE announced it will leave OPEC and OPEC+ effective 1 May 2026, citing production-quota constraints. The UAE is a founding GCC state and a major Gulf oil producer. OPEC is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, headquartered in Vienna.

Correct Answer: C. 42nd

13 April 2026 marked the 42nd year of the Indian Army's presence at Siachen, observed as Siachen Day. Operation Meghdoot in 1984 secured the Siachen Glacier for India. The glacier in the eastern Karakoram is the world's highest battlefield.

Correct Answer: C. 2030

USA's Office of Science and Technology Policy launched NSTM-3 — a national push to deploy space nuclear reactors in orbit, on the Moon (by 2030) and Mars. NSTM-3 is the National Space Technology Mission's third phase. OSTP advises the US President on science and technology.

Correct Answer: A. Suman Bery

NITI Aayog's Suman Bery launched the anthology 'Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India' to showcase India's tourism and cultural diversity. Suman Bery is the Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog is the Government of India's premier policy think tank.

Correct Answer: C. Rolls-Royce

Sigma Advanced Systems signed a 7-year, Rs 3,800 crore (~300 million pounds) deal with Rolls-Royce for safety-critical aerospace components. Rolls-Royce Holdings is a UK aerospace and defence multinational. The deal supports India's aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.

Correct Answer: B. Électricité de France (EDF)

NTPC and France's Électricité de France signed a non-binding MoU to explore joint development of nuclear power projects in India. EDF is France's state-controlled electricity utility. NTPC is India's largest power producer, a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Power.

Correct Answer: C. Jindal Stainless Limited

Ranveer Singh was signed as Jindal Stainless Limited's first brand ambassador. Jindal Stainless Ltd, headquartered in Hisar (Haryana), is India's largest stainless steel manufacturer. It is part of the OP Jindal Group, led by Ratan Jindal.

Correct Answer: C. USD 20 billion

India and New Zealand signed an FTA at Bharat Mandapam; New Zealand pledged USD 20 billion over 15 years in Indian infrastructure, renewables, manufacturing and startups. Bharat Mandapam is the convention centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The FTA boosts services, dairy and education ties.

Correct Answer: C. 500 GW

Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra lead wind installations; India is targeting 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030. The target is part of India's updated NDC under the Paris Agreement. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy oversees its execution.

Correct Answer: A. CSIR-NIScPR

Science City of Andhra Pradesh signed an MoU with CSIR-NIScPR for science communication and outreach. CSIR-NIScPR is the National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research in New Delhi. It was created by merging NISCAIR and NISTADS in 2021.

Correct Answer: B. Manohar Lal Khattar

NITI Aayog's report 'Moving Towards Effective City Government — A Framework for Million-plus Cities' was released by Manohar Lal Khattar at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Manohar Lal Khattar is the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs. India has over 50 million-plus cities by the 2011 Census.

Correct Answer: B. Shaping the Quantum Workforce

World Quantum Day on 14 April 2026 carried the theme 'Shaping the Quantum Workforce'. The day was first observed in 2022. The date 4/14 references 4.14 — the rounded value of Planck's constant in eV·s × 10^-15.

Correct Answer: C. 1 April 2027

RBI's new Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework for asset classification will take effect 1 April 2027, with phased OTC FX-derivatives reporting from 1 July 2027. ECL is a forward-looking provisioning model under IFRS 9 / Ind AS 109. It replaces the older 'incurred-loss' approach.

Correct Answer: B. Jitin Prasada

ALEMAI's 'Aluminium Bharat' initiative to push domestic aluminium manufacturing was unveiled by MoS Jitin Prasada. ALEMAI is the Aluminium Extruders Manufacturers Association of India. Jitin Prasada is MoS in the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, and Electronics & IT.

Correct Answer: B. Harvard South Asian Association

Bollywood actress Sayani Gupta was named the Harvard South Asian Association's 'South Asian Person of the Year'. The HSAA recognises figures advancing South Asian arts and advocacy. Sayani Gupta is known for films like Margarita with a Straw and the series Four More Shots Please!

Correct Answer: A. 23 April

UN Spanish Language Day was observed on 23 April 2026. The date marks the death anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. UN established its Language Days in 2010 to celebrate multilingualism.

Correct Answer: B. Viksit Bharat: Citizen-Centric Governance and Development at the Last Mile

National Civil Services Day on 21 April 2026 carried the theme 'Viksit Bharat: Citizen-Centric Governance and Development at the Last Mile'. The day commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 1947 address to probationers, calling civil servants the 'steel frame of India'. PM Excellence Awards are presented annually.

Correct Answer: A. 30 September 2026

SEBI extended IPO approval validity and MPS compliance deadlines (expiring 1 April–30 September 2026) up to 30 September 2026. MPS stands for Minimum Public Shareholding, mandated at 25% for listed firms. The relief gives issuers more time to comply.

Correct Answer: A. Eastern Command

Lt Gen V.M.B. Krishnan assumed charge as GOC-in-C, Eastern Command at Fort William, Kolkata. The Eastern Command headquarters is housed in Fort William, a 1781 colonial fort. It is responsible for the eastern borders of India including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and the North-East.

Correct Answer: A. 95th

Aronyak Ghosh (Kolkata) became India's 95th chess Grandmaster after his third GM norm at the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open. A GM title requires three norms and an Elo rating crossing 2500. Viswanathan Anand was India's first GM in 1988.

Correct Answer: C. 6.05 GW

India added a record 6.05 GW of wind capacity in FY26 — up 46% over FY25 — crossing 56 GW total installed wind power. The ministry is MNRE (Ministry of New & Renewable Energy). India targets 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.

Correct Answer: C. Pay Point India

Pay Point India became the first private-sector fintech granted membership in RBI's Centralised Payment System. CPS comprises RTGS and NEFT. The move opens direct membership of large-value and retail payment systems to non-bank PSPs.

Correct Answer: D. Brazil

COP15 of the Convention on Migratory Species, held under Brazil's presidency in Campo Grande (23–29 March), added or reclassified 40 species under Appendices I and II. CMS, also called the Bonn Convention, is a UN treaty. Appendix I lists endangered migratory species; Appendix II lists those needing international cooperation.

Correct Answer: B. ATREE

ISRO's Space Applications Centre signed an MoU with ATREE for sustainable land management and ecosystem monitoring. SAC is based in Ahmedabad. ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment) is a Bengaluru-based research NGO.

Correct Answer: D. Invest in Peace; Invest in Mine Action

International Day for Mine Awareness (4 April) carried the 2026 theme 'Invest in Peace; Invest in Mine Action'. UNGA proclaimed the day in 2005. UNMAS (UN Mine Action Service) coordinates global response.

Correct Answer: B. 487.7

Mukesh Nelavalli and Palak Gulia bagged India's mixed-team 10m air pistol gold at the ISSF World Cup 2026 in Granada, setting a 487.7 world record. Granada is in Spain. ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) governs Olympic shooting.

Correct Answer: A. Tripura

Tripura was the top-performing state in ABDM's IEC and capacity-building category. ABDM is the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission run by NHA. IEC stands for Information, Education and Communication.

Correct Answer: D. Karur Vysya Bank

RBI cleared B. Ramesh Babu's reappointment as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank for a third 2-year term (29 July 2026 to 28 July 2028). KVB is a Tamil Nadu-based old private-sector bank founded in 1916. Headquartered in Karur.

Correct Answer: D. Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu still leads India with 20 Ramsar wetlands as of February 2026. The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. India has 89+ Ramsar sites in total.

Correct Answer: A. Jumps Automation LLP

C-DOT and Jumps Automation LLP signed an MoU to build a gamification-based cybersecurity awareness platform. C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) is the telecom R&D arm under DoT.

Correct Answer: B. Rs 1,950 crore

MoD signed a Rs 1,950 crore deal with BEL for two Mountain Radar systems for the IAF under Buy-IDDM. BEL stands for Bharat Electronics Limited. Buy-IDDM = Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured — the top procurement category under DAP 2020.

Correct Answer: D. Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pune

Asia's first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development opened at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pune. UNESCO UNITWIN Chairs link universities globally for capacity building. The chair focuses on TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).

Correct Answer: D. 94

Former Union Minister Mohsina Kidwai, veteran Congress leader and three-time MP from Meerut, passed away aged 94 in Noida on 8 April 2026. She held Health, Urban Development and Transport portfolios. Born in Barabanki, UP in 1932.

Correct Answer: D. Super Sales Saathi

LIC introduced two new digital tools — 'MyLIC' for customers and 'Super Sales Saathi' for sales intermediaries. LIC is India's largest insurer, founded in 1956. It became publicly listed in May 2022.

Correct Answer: C. 15 April

DoT and SEBI signed an MoU on 15 April to fuse telecom intelligence with financial surveillance against securities fraud. The MoU enables data sharing on suspect numbers used in pump-and-dump scams. DoT runs the Sanchar Saathi portal for telecom fraud reporting.

Correct Answer: A. 31 July 2026

PM E-DRIVE subsidy for electric two-wheelers got an extension to 31 July 2026; the parent scheme runs through 31 March 2028. PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) is the successor to FAME-II under the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

Correct Answer: A. CSMT

Cabinet approved the redevelopment of Cottack and Bhubaneswar railway stations and expansion of Mumbai's CSMT. CSMT stands for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was earlier known as Victoria Terminus (VT).

Correct Answer: C. ULIP

Canara HSBC Life Insurance launched 'Promise4Wealth', a next-generation ULIP with wealth creation plus life cover. ULIP = Unit Linked Insurance Plan, regulated by IRDAI. Canara HSBC is a JV of Canara Bank and HSBC Insurance.

Correct Answer: C. 6.2%

Morgan Stanley pared India's FY27 GDP forecast to 6.2% (from 6.5%) and sees Q1FY27 growth at 5.9% YoY. Q1FY27 covers April-June 2026. RBI's own forecast was higher at the time.

Correct Answer: D. 2,000

Israel Weapon Industries' PLR Systems delivered the first batch of 2,000 NEGEV 7.62×51 light machine guns to India under an August 2024 contract for 41,000 units. NEGEV is a 7.62x51mm LMG used by IDF. PLR Systems is the India JV of IWI with Punj Lloyd.

Correct Answer: A. Station F

MeitY picked 10 Indian AI startups for the 2nd cohort of the IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Programme, run with Station F (France) and HEC Paris. Station F is the world's largest startup campus, located in Paris. HEC Paris is a top European business school.

Correct Answer: B. Vardhaman College of Engineering, Hyderabad

NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission rolled out 'ATL Sarthi' and 'Mentor India Academy' at Vardhaman College of Engineering, Hyderabad. ATL stands for Atal Tinkering Labs in schools. AIM was set up in 2016 to promote innovation.

Correct Answer: D. ONESTRUCTION Inc.

DataKaveri Systems (IISc Bengaluru's CDPG) signed an MoU with Japan's ONESTRUCTION Inc. to integrate construction data into AI-ready urban data exchange. CDPG = Centre for Data for Public Good at IISc.

Correct Answer: D. 4th

INS Nireekshak sailed to Colombo for the 4th India-Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (IN-SLN DIVEX 2026) from 21–27 April. INS Nireekshak is a diving support vessel of the Indian Navy. The exercise enhances joint diving operations capability.

Correct Answer: A. South Korea (President Lee)

An Industrial Cooperation Committee (ICC) and an India–Korea Digital Bridge on AI, semiconductors and IT were set up during President Lee's visit. President Lee Jae-myung leads South Korea. India and South Korea share a Special Strategic Partnership since 2015.

Correct Answer: B. Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Act 2026

Amaravati was notified as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh after Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2026. The original AP Reorganisation Act 2014 had bifurcated the state into AP and Telangana. CM N. Chandrababu Naidu pushed for Amaravati as the sole capital.

Correct Answer: A. South Korea

India dropped its bid to host COP33 (2028), leaving South Korea as the lone candidate under the UNFCCC. COP rotates among five UN regional groups; 2028 falls under the Asia-Pacific group. COP30 is hosted by Brazil in Belem in 2025.

Correct Answer: B. Mangi Lal Jat (DARE Secretary and ICAR DG)

ICAR set up a Special Task Force led by DARE Secretary and ICAR DG Mangi Lal Jat to bolster India's agricultural resilience to geopolitical shocks. ICAR = Indian Council of Agricultural Research. DARE = Department of Agricultural Research and Education under MoAFW.

Correct Answer: B. 65 years

International Day of Human Space Flight (12 April) marked 65 years since Yuri Gagarin's historic 1961 spaceflight. Gagarin flew aboard Vostok 1 from Baikonur Cosmodrome. UNGA proclaimed the day in 2011.

Correct Answer: D. 30 June 2026

National PNG Drive 2.0 was extended to 30 June 2026, aiming to lift natural gas to 15% of India's energy mix. PNG = Piped Natural Gas. The drive is run by PNGRB (Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board).

Correct Answer: D. 14 days

UP's Divya Singh became the first Indian woman to cycle to Mount Everest Base Camp, covering Kathmandu to EBC in 14 days. Everest Base Camp sits at 5,364 m on the Nepal side. The Khumbu route is the standard cycling path.

Correct Answer: A. Rs 9,889 crore

The 198 km Rajahmundry–Visakhapatnam line in AP (458 km track) was approved at Rs 9,889 crore. It is part of CCEA-cleared railway doubling/tripling projects to boost connectivity in coastal Andhra. Both cities are along the Howrah-Chennai trunk route.

Correct Answer: C. 50%

SEBI extended NPO registration on the Social Stock Exchange from 2 to 3 years and cut minimum ZCZP subscription from 75% to 50%. ZCZP = Zero Coupon Zero Principal, instruments issued by NPOs on the SSE. SSE was launched on BSE and NSE in 2023.

Correct Answer: C. Srikanth Velamakanni (Co-founder, Fractal)

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder of Fractal, was named Nasscom Chairman for 2026–2027. Nasscom (National Association of Software and Service Companies) is India's IT-BPM industry body, founded in 1988. Fractal is a Mumbai-based AI/analytics unicorn.

Correct Answer: C. Apollo 17 (1972)

NASA launched the Artemis II crewed lunar mission from Kennedy Space Center — the first human flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 (1972). Artemis II is a lunar flyby with 4 astronauts. Artemis III will attempt a crewed Moon landing.

Correct Answer: C. Notes and coins of all denominations

Fresh RBI Master Directions mandate every bank branch to offer free, non-discriminatory exchange of notes and coins of all denominations. The directions are issued under the Banking Regulation Act and RBI Act. They consolidate earlier circulars on currency distribution.

Correct Answer: B. NeophyteID

Kerala botanist N. Alim Yusuf won the WWF National Award for 'NeophyteID', an AI app that identifies invasive plant species, plus a Rs 1.5 lakh WWF seed grant. Neophytes are non-native plants introduced after 1492. Invasive species are a major biodiversity threat.

Correct Answer: B. Invest UP

Coca-Cola India signed a three-year MoU with Invest UP for sustainability, community welfare and safe drinking water. Invest UP is the state's investment promotion agency. The Coca-Cola Company is headquartered in Atlanta, USA.

Correct Answer: B. The Godfather Part II

Oscar-winning production designer Dean Tavoularis (The Godfather Part II) passed away aged 93 in Paris. He won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Production Design for the film. He was a frequent collaborator of director Francis Ford Coppola.

Correct Answer: B. Classes 3–8

MoE and CBSE unveiled a Computational Thinking and AI curriculum for Classes 3–8, going live in the 2026–27 academic session. It aligns with NEP 2020's emphasis on early computational thinking. MoE = Ministry of Education.

Correct Answer: D. 75 years

India and Germany unveiled a commemorative logo to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations during Foreign Office Consultations in Berlin on 14 April 2026. India established diplomatic ties with West Germany in 1951. Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe.

Correct Answer: C. 49%

About 49% of migratory species populations are declining and 24% face extinction risk, per the 2026 State of the World's Migratory Species Report. The report is published by CMS Secretariat under UNEP. It tracks species listed in CMS Appendices.

Correct Answer: B. BPCL

Sanjay Khanna was appointed CMD of BPCL by ACC, with tenure until his superannuation on 31 May 2029. BPCL = Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, a Maharatna PSU under MoPNG. ACC = Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by PM.

Correct Answer: A. DGCA

Vir Vikram Yadav (IAS 1996, Odisha cadre) was appointed Director General of DGCA, succeeding Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. DGCA = Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the regulatory body under MoCA. It is headquartered in New Delhi.

Correct Answer: B. Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters

World Heritage Day (18 April) carried the 2026 theme 'Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters'. The day is also called the International Day for Monuments and Sites. ICOMOS proposed it in 1982; UNESCO approved in 1983.

Correct Answer: C. Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav

Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav were sworn in as Deputy CMs of Bihar. Bihar continues to be led by CM Nitish Kumar. Choudhary is from JD(U) and Yadav from JD(U) too.

Correct Answer: B. Rs 80,000

Muthoot Housing Finance was penalised Rs 80,000 by RBI for Fair Practices Code violations. The Fair Practices Code is part of RBI's NBFC regulations. Muthoot Housing is a subsidiary of Muthoot Finance.

Correct Answer: C. Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan)

Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) won the FIDE Men's Candidates 2026 in Pegeia. The winner earns the right to challenge the reigning World Champion. Pegeia is a town in Cyprus.

Correct Answer: C. Taprobanica

Findings on the Garo Hills reed snake were published in the international journal Taprobanica. The Garo Hills are in Meghalaya. Taprobanica is a peer-reviewed journal of Asian biodiversity, published from Sri Lanka.

Correct Answer: A. 9

Nine states are in RBI's BIS pilot — AP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and UP — projected to raise Rs 1,53,900 crore. BIS = Bond Issue Scheme for State Development Loans. RBI is the merchant banker for state borrowings.

Correct Answer: C. 24 April 2026

RBI revoked Paytm Payments Bank's banking licence; PPBL ceases operations from 24 April 2026. Payments banks were introduced by RBI in 2015 and cannot lend or issue credit cards. PPBL was promoted by One97 Communications.

Correct Answer: D. Nila

Puducherry deployed 'Nila', a saree-clad humanoid robot, to greet voters at VOC Government School booth on 8 April 2026 — an Assembly-poll first. Nila means 'Moon' in Tamil. The robot reads voter info and provides booth guidance.

Correct Answer: C. Bhavasagara Referral Centre at CMLRE Kochi

MoEFCC designated Bhavasagara Referral Centre at CMLRE Kochi as India's first National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. CMLRE = Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, under MoES. The Act was amended in 2023.

Correct Answer: A. Adilabad

The Ministry of Civil Aviation greenlit two new airports for Telangana — Warangal and Adilabad. Telangana currently has only Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. The new airports will boost regional connectivity under UDAN.

Correct Answer: B. Emerging affluent

DBS Bank India unveiled the 'DBS Aspire' proposition and its signature Aspire debit card for the emerging affluent. DBS Bank is headquartered in Singapore. DBS Bank India became a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2019 after taking over LVB.

Correct Answer: C. 4th

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled the logo, theme and website (iafs2026.in) for the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit. IAFS is held every few years; earlier editions were in 2008 (Delhi), 2011 (Addis Ababa) and 2015 (Delhi).

Correct Answer: B. PayU

Flipkart, Axis Bank and PayU rolled out biometric (fingerprint/Face ID) authentication for card payments, replacing OTPs. The move is in line with RBI's AFA (Additional Factor of Authentication) framework. PayU is a global payments tech firm owned by Prosus.

Correct Answer: D. Sashakt Panchayat, Sarvangeen Vikas

National Panchayati Raj Day on 24 April 2026 carried the theme 'Sashakt Panchayat, Sarvangeen Vikas'. The day commemorates the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992, which gave Panchayats constitutional status from 24 April 1993.

Correct Answer: A. Pine Labs

Karnataka Bank partnered Pine Labs to deepen its digital payments footprint. Pine Labs is an Indian merchant-platform unicorn offering POS terminals. Karnataka Bank is a private-sector bank headquartered in Mangaluru.

Correct Answer: D. 4%

NITI Aayog's 'DPI@2047' roadmap charts a two-phase strategy — DPI 2.0 (2025–2035) and DPI 3.0 (2035–2047) — projecting DPI's GDP share to grow from ~1% to 4% by 2030. DPI = Digital Public Infrastructure. India is a global leader in DPI through Aadhaar, UPI and ONDC.

Correct Answer: C. 3 years

Paralympic Committee of India and the French Institute in India launched 'Para Elan', a 3-year initiative to promote inclusive education through para sports. PCI is India's National Paralympic Committee. The 2024 Paralympics were held in Paris.

Correct Answer: D. Kalpakkam, TN

India's first indigenous 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026. It is built by BHAVINI under DAE and uses uranium-plutonium MOX fuel. FBRs are key to India's three-stage nuclear programme.

Correct Answer: B. Kathua

Six border villages in Kathua district of J&K — Bobiya, Kadyala, Gajnal, Karol Krishna, Rathua and Gujjar Chak — entered Vibrant Villages Programme-II. VVP was first launched in 2023 to develop northern border villages. VVP-II is run by MHA.

Correct Answer: C. 107th

13 April 2026 marked the 107th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre at Amritsar. The massacre took place on Baisakhi day in 1919 when Gen. Reginald Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful gathering. It was a turning point in India's freedom struggle.

Correct Answer: A. C. S. Setty (SBI Chairman)

A panel under SBI Chairman C. S. Setty was constituted to assess risks from Anthropic's advanced AI platform 'Mythos' to Indian banking. SBI is India's largest commercial bank. Anthropic is the AI lab behind Claude, headquartered in San Francisco.

Correct Answer: B. PRAVAAH

RBI's amended Branch Authorisation Directions, 2026 give NBFCs more operational flexibility; applications go via the PRAVAAH portal. PRAVAAH = Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation and Authorisation. It is RBI's single online portal for regulatory approvals.

Correct Answer: C. 83

Padma Shri awardee Raghu Rai, the 'Father of Indian Photojournalism', passed away aged 83 in New Delhi. He documented major events including the Bangladesh Liberation War and Bhopal Gas Tragedy. He was the only Asian on the Magnum Photos jury for years.

Correct Answer: B. Solid Habits, Strong Liver

World Liver Day on 19 April carried the 2026 theme 'Solid Habits, Strong Liver'. The day raises awareness about liver-related diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis and fatty liver. The liver is the body's second-largest organ.

Correct Answer: B. House of Lords, London

Former Rajya Sabha MP Joginapally Santosh Kumar was conferred the 'Global Green Icon' at the World Climate Leaders Conclave 2026, House of Lords, London. The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament. The award recognised his green initiatives.

Correct Answer: B. AIIMS Bhopal

AIIMS Bhopal was named the best government facility in the Scan and Pay category under ABDM. ABDM = Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, launched on 27 September 2021. Scan and Pay enables UPI-based bill payments for OPD services.

Correct Answer: D. Odisha

JSW Steel's board approved a joint venture with POSCO for a 6 MTPA integrated steel plant in Odisha, targeted to close by 31 December 2026. POSCO is a South Korean steel major. MTPA = Million Tonnes Per Annum.

Correct Answer: C. 14.286%

CCI approved Advent International's acquisition of a 14.286% stake in Aditya Birla Housing Finance through a Rs 2,750 crore preferential issue. Advent is a US-based global PE firm. CCI = Competition Commission of India.

Correct Answer: D. 90 years

Akashvani and MyGov rolled out nationwide Signature Tune and Jingle contests to celebrate 90 years of All India Radio. AIR was set up on 8 June 1936; before that it was Indian State Broadcasting Service from 1930. AIR was renamed Akashvani in 1956.

Correct Answer: A. OPaL

ONGC will form a JV with subsidiaries MRPL and OPaL for integrated petrochemicals marketing and trading, subject to DIPAM clearance. MRPL = Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. OPaL = ONGC Petro additions Ltd. DIPAM = Department of Investment & Public Asset Management.

Correct Answer: C. 40th

International Chess Federation (FIDE) became the 40th member of the International World Games Association during its AGM in Lausanne. IWGA organises the World Games for non-Olympic sports every four years. FIDE was founded in 1924 in Paris.

Correct Answer: C. 61st

9 April 2026 was the 61st CRPF Valour Day, honouring the 1965 Battle of Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch. CRPF is India's largest CAPF, founded in 1939. A handful of CRPF men repelled a Pakistani brigade attack at Sardar Post.

Correct Answer: D. Rs 1 lakh crore

Saraswat Cooperative Bank, India's largest UCB, crossed Rs 1 lakh crore total business in April 2026. UCB = Urban Cooperative Bank, regulated by RBI. Saraswat was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Mumbai.

Correct Answer: D. Hooghly

Titagarh Naval Systems launched the 4th Diving Support Craft (DSC A23) on the Hooghly River for the Indian Navy. Titagarh is a Kolkata-based defence and rail wagon maker. DSCs support harbour diving operations.

Correct Answer: D. Let's ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment

World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April 2026 carried the theme 'Let's ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment'. The day was launched by ILO in 2003. It also marks International Workers' Memorial Day.

Correct Answer: C. 25%

SBI set a target to grow its balance sheet to 25% of India's GDP by 2030 (currently 20%) and lift market share by 1% in each of India's 800 districts in FY27. SBI is the country's largest commercial bank, founded in 1955.

Correct Answer: A. 40th

26 April 2026 marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day). The disaster occurred on 26 April 1986 in the Soviet Ukrainian SSR. UNGA proclaimed the day in 2016.

Correct Answer: A. Mandya

PM Modi unveiled the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Mandya, Karnataka on 15 April 2026. Adichunchanagiri Mutt is a Veerashaiva-Lingayat religious seat. Bhairavaikya refers to attaining one-ness with Bhairava.

Correct Answer: B. Multilingual transcription and translation of speeches

BHASHINI's 'Shrutlekh' system, demoed at DISHA, delivers real-time multilingual transcription and translation of speeches. BHASHINI = Bharat Bhasha Anuvaad. The platform is run by MeitY's Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD).

Correct Answer: A. SMART SAVE ACCOUNT

CSB Bank launched its first dedicated retail savings product, the 'SMART SAVE ACCOUNT'. CSB Bank, earlier Catholic Syrian Bank, is a Thrissur, Kerala-based private bank founded in 1920. Fairfax India is its largest shareholder.

Correct Answer: D. 700

India committed to complete Phase III of its Sri Lanka housing project (4,000 homes), restore the Northern Railway Line, and double CEWET scholarships from 350 to 700. CEWET = Capacity Building, Education and Workforce-skills Engagement & Training. The pledge was made during PM Modi's visit.

Correct Answer: A. Sikandrabad, Bulandshahr

Rocklink India opened the country's first integrated lithium-ion battery and rare-earth magnet recycling facility at Sikandrabad, Bulandshahr (UP). The facility supports India's critical minerals strategy. Bulandshahr is in western UP, near NCR.

Correct Answer: A. USD 11.7 billion

Tracxn's India Tech Annual Funding Report 2026 pegs FY26 tech-startup funding at USD 11.7 billion — down 18% YoY but 20% higher than FY24. Tracxn is a Bengaluru-based market intelligence platform. India remains the world's 3rd-largest startup ecosystem.

Correct Answer: A. 90th Police Foundation Day

Odisha Police received the Nishaan to coincide with the 90th Police Foundation Day (Utkal Divas). Utkal Divas (1 April) marks the formation of Odisha state in 1936; the Nishaan is conferred on a force for exceptional service.

Correct Answer: C. Krishna Kumar Singh

Krishna Kumar Singh took additional charge as SAIL's CMD for an interim 3-month stretch (2 April–1 July 2026) after Amarendu Prakash resigned. SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited) is a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Steel.

Correct Answer: D. 25 April

World Penguin Day has been observed every 25 April since 1972, marking penguins' northward migration. It raises awareness about penguin conservation and threats like climate change and habitat loss.

Correct Answer: B. INS Malwan

Cochin Shipyard delivered the second ASW Shallow Water Craft 'Malwan' to the Indian Navy. ASW SWCs are designed for anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters and replace the older Abhay-class corvettes.

Correct Answer: B. 60%

RBI cleared Emirates NBD's acquisition of a 60% stake in RBL Bank via preferential allotment, worth about Rs 26,853 crore. It is the largest-ever foreign investment in an Indian bank.

Correct Answer: D. Suriname

Former President of Suriname Chandrikapersad 'Chan' Santokhi, who served 2020–2025, passed away at 67. He was the country's 9th President and headed the Progressive Reform Party (VHP).

Correct Answer: D. NICDC Logistics Data Services

Ministry of MSME signed with NICDC Logistics Data Services to feed data-driven policymaking into the MSME sector. NICDC LDS is a subsidiary of the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation and runs the ULIP/National Logistics Portal.

Correct Answer: C. FY25

NSO under MoSPI began the inaugural Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE), with FY25 as the reference year. The survey covers the formal services sector and complements the ASI for manufacturing.

Correct Answer: B. Boost Electric Jump Take-Off (BE-JTO)

Technology Development Board signed an agreement with Casey Aviation for the 'Boost Electric Jump Take-Off (BE-JTO)' project under India-UK industrial-sustainability R&D. TDB operates under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Correct Answer: A. Portfolio Management Services (PMS)

Bajaj Alternate Investment Management received SEBI nod to launch Portfolio Management Services. PMS is a tailored investment service offered to HNIs under SEBI's PMS Regulations.

Correct Answer: D. 2024–25

MoSPI proposed an Index of Service Production (ISP) with 2024–25 as the base year, sourcing data primarily from GSTN. The ISP will be the services-sector counterpart of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Correct Answer: B. Bundeli martial arts

Padma Shri awardee Bhagwandas Raikwar 'Dau', a pioneer of Bundeli martial arts, passed away aged 83 in Bhopal. Bundeli martial arts is a traditional combat form from the Bundelkhand region of central India.

Correct Answer: A. Mission Karmayogi

Dr Jitendra Singh launched the first 'Administrative Capacity Building for Scientists and Academicians' programme under Mission Karmayogi. Mission Karmayogi is the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB).

Correct Answer: D. Dr Ashok Lahiri

Dr Ashok Lahiri, a former Chief Economic Advisor, was appointed Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, succeeding Suman Bery. The Vice-Chairman ranks as a Cabinet Minister and chairs the day-to-day functioning of NITI Aayog.

Correct Answer: B. 5.25%

RBI's 1st bi-monthly MPC of FY27 (6–8 April) kept the repo rate at 5.25%, reverse repo at 3.35%, SDF at 5.00%, MSF at 5.50%, CRR at 3% and SLR at 18%. The MPC has six members and is chaired by the RBI Governor.

Correct Answer: D. Together for Health. Stand with Science

World Health Day (7 April) carried the 2026 theme 'Together for Health. Stand with Science'. The day marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.

Correct Answer: B. Diagnosis: First step to care

World Hemophilia Day on 17 April carried the 2026 theme 'Diagnosis: First step to care'. The date marks the birth anniversary of Frank Schnabel, founder of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).

Correct Answer: A. South Korea

South Korea topped the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo with 3G/1S/1B; Ayush Shetty won India's lone silver. The Badminton Asia Championships is the continental championship organised by the Badminton Asia Confederation.

Correct Answer: C. Karnataka

Karnataka topped the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh with 38 medals (23G/8S/7B), ahead of Odisha and Jharkhand. The event was hosted to promote indigenous sports and tribal athletes.

Correct Answer: C. 7.1%

Small Savings Scheme rates were held unchanged for Q1FY27 — PPF at 7.1%, Sukanya Samriddhi at 8.2%, Senior Citizen Savings at 8.2%, NSC at 7.7%. Rates are reviewed quarterly by the Finance Ministry.

Correct Answer: D. Tripura

Tripura won three top honours at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025 and the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025. The awards are conferred by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for best-performing panchayats on Sustainable Development Goals.

Correct Answer: D. Ladakh

Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation for India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat, Leh, on World Heritage Day (18 April). Petroglyphs are prehistoric rock carvings found extensively in Ladakh.

Correct Answer: B. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann

World Homoeopathy Day on 10 April marked the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann; 2026 theme — 'Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health'. Dr. Hahnemann (1755–1843) was a German physician and founder of homoeopathy.

Correct Answer: C. 49

RBI's medium-term strategy 'Utkarsh 2029' lists 49 deliverables across six pillars — including digital currency expansion and global UPI integration. It succeeds the earlier Utkarsh 2.0 (2023–2025) strategy framework.

Correct Answer: B. MobiKwik Financial Services

RBI approved MobiKwik's NBFC application; subsidiary MobiKwik Financial Services will serve as its lending arm. The NBFC licence allows the fintech to directly lend on its own balance sheet rather than only through partners.

Correct Answer: A. Seoul Incheon

Seoul Incheon ranked 2nd globally at Skytrax 2026, while Tokyo Haneda was 3rd; five Indian airports made the global top 100 with Delhi IGI in the top 30. Doha Hamad was the World's Best Airport for the third consecutive year.

Correct Answer: B. Rs 7,104 crore

MeitY approved 29 proposals worth Rs 7,104 crore under the 4th ECMS tranche; projected output Rs 84,515 crore with 14,246 jobs. ECMS — Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme — boosts India's electronics components ecosystem.

Correct Answer: B. SkyHop Aviation

SkyHop Aviation got DGCA's Air Operator Certificate to start India's first commercial seaplane operations, beginning in Lakshadweep. DGCA — Directorate General of Civil Aviation — is the regulator under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Correct Answer: C. GIFT City, Gandhinagar

UAE-based ADNIC received an IFSCA licence to set up a reinsurance branch at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, effective 1 April 2026. IFSCA — International Financial Services Centres Authority — is the unified regulator for IFSCs in India.

Correct Answer: A. 6th

IMF's April 2026 WEO ranks India as the 6th-largest economy in 2025 at USD 3.92 trillion (up from USD 3.5 trillion in 2024), behind the USA, China, Germany, Japan and the UK. WEO — World Economic Outlook — is published twice a year by the IMF.

Correct Answer: A. LIC, NIACL, GIC Re

LIC, NIACL and GIC Re were re-designated as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for FY26. D-SIIs are insurers whose failure could disrupt the financial system, subject to enhanced regulatory oversight by IRDAI.

Correct Answer: C. 30 March 2026

NCERT was declared a 'Deemed to be University' under a distinct category on 30 March 2026, clearing it to award Diplomas, UG, PG and PhD degrees. NCERT — National Council of Educational Research and Training — was founded in 1961.

Correct Answer: A. Sunder Nursery

Ministry of Tribal Affairs hosted the 19-day Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 (18 March–5 April) at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi. The festival showcases tribal art, music, cuisine and crafts from across India.

Correct Answer: C. Tô Lâm

Tô Lâm was unanimously re-elected as Vietnam's President by the National Assembly for a 2026–2031 term. He is also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Correct Answer: C. Min Aung Hlaing

Myanmar's Pyidaungsu Hluttaw elected Min Aung Hlaing as the country's 11th President with 429 of 584 votes. He had been the head of the State Administration Council since the 2021 military coup.

Correct Answer: D. Bridge the Care Gap

World Parkinson's Day (11 April) carried the 2026 theme 'Bridge the Care Gap'. The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. James Parkinson, the British physician who first described the condition in 1817.

Correct Answer: A. INS Shachi

Goa Shipyard launched NGOPV INS Shachi for the Indian Navy and delivered ICGS Achal to the Coast Guard. NGOPVs are designed for coastal surveillance, anti-piracy and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) protection.

Correct Answer: A. 1–7 April

Prevention of Blindness Week was observed in India from 1–7 April 2026. It is organised by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to raise awareness about avoidable blindness and the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB).

Correct Answer: D. Unakoti

Kanchanbari GP in Tripura's Unakoti district topped the Healthy Panchayat category under DDUPSVP. DDUPSVP — Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar — recognises best-performing gram panchayats on SDGs.

Correct Answer: D. BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles

On the first BRICS Health Working Group meeting under India's 2026 chairship, India proposed the 'BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles' and a mental-health push. India holds the BRICS chairship in 2026, with the summit slated for August in New Delhi.

Correct Answer: C. Debit/credit cards and PPIs

RBI's Digital Payments E-mandate Framework, 2026 consolidates rules for UPI auto-pay, debit/credit cards and PPIs with AFA-based one-time setup. AFA — Additional Factor of Authentication — and PPIs — Prepaid Payment Instruments.

Correct Answer: C. 1944 Bombay Dock Explosion

National Fire Service Day (14 April) commemorates the 1944 Bombay Dock Explosion; 2026 theme — 'Safe School, Safe Hospital & Fire Safety Aware Society'. The explosion of SS Fort Stikine killed 66 firefighters and over 700 others.