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Union Cabinet Approves Jaipur Metro Phase-2, NBS Kharif 2026 & HRRL Refinery Expansion

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved three major proposals: Jaipur Metro Phase-2 — a 41 km corridor connecting Prahladpura to Todi Mod at an estimated cost of ₹13,037.66 crore. Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Kharif 2026 on P&K fertilizers (April 1 – September 30, 2026) with a budgetary allocation of ₹41,533.81 crore. Revised cost for HRRL (Hindustan Renewable & Refinery Limited) Project in Rajasthan to boost energy security.

UPSC SSC RRB

CCEA Approves Two Hydro Projects — Kalai-II (1,200 MW) & Kamala (1,720 MW) | ₹40,175 Crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by PM Modi, approved two major hydroelectric projects worth ₹40,175.33 crore: Kalai-II Hydro Project (1,200 MW) — will generate 4,852.95 MU annually. Kamala Hydro Project (1,720 MW) — will generate 6,870 MU annually. Both projects include major infrastructure and flood moderation components, contributing to India's clean energy targets.

UPSC SSC RRB

CAPF (General Administration) Act 2026 Notified — Unified Administration of Central Armed Police Forces

The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 was officially notified in the Gazette after receiving Presidential assent. It is a comprehensive legislation to replace fragmented individual Acts of each CAPF with a centralized, harmonized system for Group A officers, IPS officers on deputation, and Army officers on deputation/re-employment. CAPFs include BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, and Assam Rifles.

DEFENCE UPSC

16th Finance Commission — ₹4.35 Lakh Crore to Rural Local Bodies (2026–31)

The 16th Finance Commission (award period: 2026–27 to 2030–31) recommended ₹4.35 lakh crore to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs): Basic grant: ₹3.48 lakh crore; Performance grant (RLBs): ₹43,524 crore; State performance grant: ₹43,524 crore. Distribution: 90% to Gram Panchayats, 10% each to Block and District Panchayats. Year-wise starting allocation: ₹55,909 crore (FY27), rising to ₹1,13,558 crore (FY31).

UPSC BANK

Assembly Elections Begin — Kerala, Assam & Puducherry (April 9, 2026)

Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry commenced on April 9, 2026. Key note: Puducherry has its own Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister under the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, similar to Delhi and J&K. Most UTs (Chandigarh, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep) do NOT have elected legislatures.

UPSC SSC

India Elected to ECOSOC for 2026–2028 Term — 18th Time

India has been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2026–2028 term, marking its 18th term on ECOSOC. ECOSOC coordinates UN agencies and commissions to ensure policy coherence and reviews progress on UN Agenda 2030 / SDGs.

UPSC SSC

Seismological Observatory in Kishtwar & Doppler Radar in Doda — J&K

Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh (Ministry of Earth Sciences) announced the establishment of a Seismological Observatory in Kishtwar and a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) in Doda, Jammu & Kashmir. Site selection completed for Automated Weather Stations (AWS) in remote areas of Paddar and Machail. Strengthens India's seismic monitoring and weather forecasting network in vulnerable mountainous regions.

UPSC SSC

ISM 2.0 (India Semiconductor Mission 2.0) — ₹1,000 Crore Allocated for FY27

Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 (ISM 2.0) marks a major push to strengthen India's semiconductor ecosystem. Financial support: ₹1,000 crore for FY27. Focus: domestic production of semiconductor equipment, materials, chemicals, and gases; end-to-end full-stack capabilities (design to packaging). India has ~20% of global semiconductor design engineers but lacks domestic design companies — a structural gap ISM 2.0 aims to bridge. Skill development through Chips to Startup (C2S) programme.

UPSC SSC BANK

India–Bhutan Power & Connectivity | India–Sweden FOC | Sri Lanka Digital Health Briefing

India–Bhutan: Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal called on Bhutan's PM Tshering Tobgay, discussing hydro-power and cross-border energy cooperation. India–Sweden FOC: MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George co-chaired Foreign Office Consultations with Swedish State Secretary Dag Hartelius on bilateral, EU, and Indo-Pacific issues. Sri Lanka Health Minister visited MEA for a briefing on India's digital health initiatives — Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

UPSC SSC

Andhra Pradesh to Launch India's First Quantum Reference Facility (QRF) — Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh is set to launch India's first Quantum Reference Facility (QRF), dedicated by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu on April 14, 2026. Part of the Amaravati Quantum Valley programme. QRF provides two specialized testing beds acting as a "Gold Standard" for researchers to test and calibrate quantum components (sensors, processors, cryogenic systems). Fills India's critical gap: previously, no benchmark testing facility existed domestically for quantum hardware.

UPSC SSC

PM Surya Ghar — Targeting 1 Crore Rooftop Solar Installations by FY 2026–27

PM Surya Ghar scheme has become a demand-driven programme targeting 1 crore rooftop solar installations by FY 2026–27. It supports India's goal of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. India now ranks 4th globally in wind energy capacity with ~56 GW installed (added 6 GW in past year, surpassing the previous record of 5.5 GW added in 2016–17). Top wind states: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra.

UPSC SSC

💰

RBI Discussion Paper — 1-Hour Delay on Digital Transfers Above ₹10,000 to Curb APP Fraud

RBI released a discussion paper (April 9, 2026) proposing targeted friction in high-value digital transfers to combat Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud. Key proposals: Transactions above ₹10,000: Payer's account debited instantly, but credit to beneficiary delayed by 1 hour (kill switch window). For transfers above ₹50,000 by senior citizens (70+): A pre-designated "trusted person" must approve. Scope: Primarily P2P transfers; merchant payments (QR codes) are excluded.

BANK UPSC

RBI New Cross-Border Payment Rules — Inward Remittance Credit Within 1 Hour

RBI issued a landmark circular (April 9, 2026) to streamline cross-border inward remittances. India is the world's largest remittance recipient (surpassing $135 billion in 2025). New rule: Banks must inform customers immediately upon receiving an inward payment message; Nostro accounts must be reconciled every hour (not once daily). Aligns India with G20 roadmap for cheaper, faster, and more transparent international payments.

BANK SSC

RBI FY27 GDP Quarterly Projections — 6.8% (Q1) to 7.2% (Q4)

RBI's quarterly GDP growth projections for FY 2026–27: Q1: 6.8%, Q2: 6.7%, Q3: 7.0%, Q4: 7.2%. Warnings: Elevated commodity prices and global financial market volatility from West Asia conflict could drag growth. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra flags crude oil above $100/barrel as a key inflation and external sector risk.

BANK UPSC

KreditBee Becomes India's 3rd Unicorn of 2026

KreditBee became India's 3rd unicorn of 2026 (after Juspay in January and Neysa in February 2026). Backed by Motilal Oswal Alternates, Hornbill Capital, and MUFG-backed Dragon Fund. The fintech plans to use proceeds to diversify its lending portfolio, bolster technology stack, and scale AI capital for enhanced risk assessment.

BANK SSC

🌍

Vietnam Re-elects Tô Lâm as President — New 5-Year Term (2026–2031)

On April 7, 2026, Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), was unanimously re-elected as the President of Vietnam by the National Assembly during its 16th session. New term: 2026–2031. He has served as President since May 2024.

UPSC SSC

Japan's Lunar Ring Project — Space-Based Solar Power Around the Moon

Japan's Lunar Ring Project aims to establish Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) infrastructure around the Moon — a ring of 11,000 km solar panels along the Moon's equator to harness solar energy 24/7 without atmospheric losses or greenhouse emissions. Could revolutionize clean energy supply globally.

UPSC SSC

SMOPs 2026 — Spacecraft Mission Operations Conference | Rome (April 8–10)

SMOPs 2026 (Spacecraft Mission Operations 2026) — 2nd edition — held in Rome, April 8–10, 2026. Jointly organized by ISRO, the Astronomical Society of India, and the International Academy of Astronautics. Brings together global space experts to discuss spacecraft mission operations and future space exploration strategies.

UPSC SSC

🌿

IUCN Red List 2026 — Emperor Penguin & Antarctic Fur Seal Uplisted to Endangered

The IUCN Red List 2026 uplisted two species to Endangered: Emperor Penguin — status changed from Near Threatened → Endangered; population declined ~10% (2009–2018) (~20,000+ adult penguin loss); projections: ~50% decline by 2080s due to climate change and sea-ice loss. Antarctic Fur Seal — status changed from Least Concern → Endangered; population dropped from ~21.8 lakh (1999) to ~9.44 lakh (2025), a >50% decline; linked to reduced krill availability and changing marine ecosystem dynamics.

UPSC SSC

India's New Pollen Analysis Method — Tracing Agricultural Origins in Ganga Plain

A recent Indian study introduces a new pollen-based method to trace agricultural origins in the Ganga Plain. The method identifies that cereal pollen is generally larger than wild grass pollen, allowing distinction between cultivated crops and wild grasses. Provides India's first India-specific standard for understanding past farming activities and aiding historical/agricultural research. (Pollen grains are resistant to decay and preserve for long periods.)

Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) — India's Mission to Protect Marine Biodiversity

The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM 2021), led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, aims to explore ocean resources and develop sustainable deep-sea technologies. India has designated 132 Coastal and Marine Protected Areas, including 6 Marine National Parks. Key institute: CMLRE uses eDNA metabarcoding to monitor deep-sea biodiversity. Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (2022 amendment) gave Indian Coast Guard search and arrest powers for marine wildlife crimes.

UPSC SSC

⚖️

SC Strikes Down 3-Month Age Limit for Adoptive Mothers on Maternity Leave — Landmark Judgment

The Supreme Court struck down the restrictive 3-month age limit for adoptive mothers to claim maternity leave under the Code on Social Security, 2020. This marks a shift from a biological understanding of motherhood to a rights-based and inclusive framework, recognising adoption as an equally valid form of parenthood. The court held that maternity benefits are not a concession but a constitutional and social right linked to dignity and child welfare.

UPSC SSC

🛡️

Exercise Cyclone-IV — India–Egypt | Ongoing at Anshas, Egypt (9–17 April 2026)

Exercise Cyclone-IV is ongoing at Anshas, Egypt from April 9–17, 2026 between Indian and Egyptian Special Forces. 25 Indian Special Forces personnel participating. Focus: special operations TTPs (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures), counter-terror operations, joint mission planning, and high-intensity tactical drills in realistic desert combat scenarios. Reflects deepening India–Egypt defence cooperation and expanding strategic engagement in West Asia/North Africa region.

DEFENCE UPSC

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