Daily Current Affairs & GK Updates

World Book and Copyright Day 2026 – April 23World Book and Copyright Day is observed annually across the world on 23 April to highlight the importance of books, authors, and copyright in promoting knowledge, culture, and education globally.Background:Establishment: World Book and Copyright Day was officially established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during its General Conference in Paris in 1995.Date Choice: April 23 was chosen as it marks the death anniversaries of renowned literary figures such as William Shakespeare (England), Miguel de Cervantes (Spain), and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (Peru).First Event: The first official celebration of World Book and Copyright Day was held on 23 April 1996 in Barcelona, Spain.2026 World Book Capital: Rabat has been designated as the 2026 World Book Capital, by the WBC Advisory Committee, focusing on expanding access to books, strengthening publishing, and promoting literacy, and is the 26th city to receive the title.

24 Apr, 2026

World Book and Copyright Day 2026 – April 23World Book and Copyright Day is observed annually across the world on 23 April to highlight the importance of books, authors, and copyright in promoting knowledge, culture, and education globally.Background:Establishment: World Book and Copyright Day was officially established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during its General Conference in Paris in 1995.Date Choice: April 23 was chosen as it marks the death anniversaries of renowned literary figures such as William Shakespeare (England), Miguel de Cervantes (Spain), and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (Peru).First Event: The first official celebration of World Book and Copyright Day was held on 23 April 1996 in Barcelona, Spain.2026 World Book Capital: Rabat has been designated as the 2026 World Book Capital, by the WBC Advisory Committee, focusing on expanding access to books, strengthening publishing, and promoting literacy, and is the 26th city to receive the title.

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Former Andhra Pradesh CM Nadendla Bhaskara Rao Passed AwayOn 22 April 2026, former Chief Minister (CM)of undivided Andhra Pradesh (AP) Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, passed away at the age of 90 years in Hyderabad, Telangana. He was born on 23 June 1935 in Guntur, Madras Presidency, British India (now in AP).He served as CM from 16 August to 16 September 1984 (31 days), one of the shortest tenures in the state, assuming office during N. T. Rama Rao’s absence.About Nadendla Bhaskara Rao:Early Career: Elected as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Vijayawada East, AP, in 1978 and served as minister (1978–1989) under Marri Chenna Reddy and T. Anjaiah.TDP Formation: Co-founded Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982 with N. T. Rama Rao, and became Finance Minister after its 1983 electoral victory.

24 Apr, 2026

Former Andhra Pradesh CM Nadendla Bhaskara Rao Passed AwayOn 22 April 2026, former Chief Minister (CM)of undivided Andhra Pradesh (AP) Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, passed away at the age of 90 years in Hyderabad, Telangana. He was born on 23 June 1935 in Guntur, Madras Presidency, British India (now in AP).He served as CM from 16 August to 16 September 1984 (31 days), one of the shortest tenures in the state, assuming office during N. T. Rama Rao’s absence.About Nadendla Bhaskara Rao:Early Career: Elected as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Vijayawada East, AP, in 1978 and served as minister (1978–1989) under Marri Chenna Reddy and T. Anjaiah.TDP Formation: Co-founded Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982 with N. T. Rama Rao, and became Finance Minister after its 1983 electoral victory.

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Pakistan Successfully Test-Fires Indigenous Taimoor Anti-Ship Cruise MissileIn April 2026, the Pakistan Navy successfully conducted a live test-firing of an indigenously developed Taimoor air-launched anti-ship cruise missile (ALCM), marking a significant enhancement in its maritime strike capability, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).Deployed from Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the system enables coordinated air–sea and multi-domain operations, with the test showcasing its ability to precisely detect, track, and neutralise sea-based threats at extended ranges.About Taimoor Missile System:Overview: The Taimoor is an indigenously developed ALCM of Pakistan with anti-ship and secondary land-attack capability, offering precision strikes up to approximately 600 kilometer (km) with stand-off engagement advantage.Test: The Pakistan Navy demonstrated exceptional precision, validating its detection, targeting, and neutralisation capabilities.Significance: The system enhances naval strike strength, maritime security, and deterrence, while advancing defence modernisation and battlefield flexibility.

24 Apr, 2026

Pakistan Successfully Test-Fires Indigenous Taimoor Anti-Ship Cruise MissileIn April 2026, the Pakistan Navy successfully conducted a live test-firing of an indigenously developed Taimoor air-launched anti-ship cruise missile (ALCM), marking a significant enhancement in its maritime strike capability, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).Deployed from Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the system enables coordinated air–sea and multi-domain operations, with the test showcasing its ability to precisely detect, track, and neutralise sea-based threats at extended ranges.About Taimoor Missile System:Overview: The Taimoor is an indigenously developed ALCM of Pakistan with anti-ship and secondary land-attack capability, offering precision strikes up to approximately 600 kilometer (km) with stand-off engagement advantage.Test: The Pakistan Navy demonstrated exceptional precision, validating its detection, targeting, and neutralisation capabilities.Significance: The system enhances naval strike strength, maritime security, and deterrence, while advancing defence modernisation and battlefield flexibility.

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China Selects Two Pakistani Astronauts for Tiangong Space Station TrainingIn April 2026, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that it has selected two Pakistani candidates ‘Muhammad Zeeshan Ali’ and ‘Khurram Daud’ for astronaut training under China’s human spaceflight programme, marking a major milestone in China–Pakistan space cooperation.This also represents China’s first inclusion of foreign astronauts, with one expected to become the first Pakistani to reach Earth’s orbit and visit the Tiangong space station.About Pakistan–China Space Mission:Selection: Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud were chosen as reserve astronauts after multiple rounds and will undergo advanced training in China, with one to be selected as a payload specialist for a future Tiangong mission to conduct scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and research.Agreement: The collaboration strengthens China’s space diplomacy and global outreach while enabling Pakistan’s entry into human spaceflight and boosting its scientific and technological capabilities.Background: The selection follows a February 2025 agreement between China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) covering astronaut training, experiments, and mission collaboration.

24 Apr, 2026

China Selects Two Pakistani Astronauts for Tiangong Space Station TrainingIn April 2026, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that it has selected two Pakistani candidates ‘Muhammad Zeeshan Ali’ and ‘Khurram Daud’ for astronaut training under China’s human spaceflight programme, marking a major milestone in China–Pakistan space cooperation.This also represents China’s first inclusion of foreign astronauts, with one expected to become the first Pakistani to reach Earth’s orbit and visit the Tiangong space station.About Pakistan–China Space Mission:Selection: Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud were chosen as reserve astronauts after multiple rounds and will undergo advanced training in China, with one to be selected as a payload specialist for a future Tiangong mission to conduct scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and research.Agreement: The collaboration strengthens China’s space diplomacy and global outreach while enabling Pakistan’s entry into human spaceflight and boosting its scientific and technological capabilities.Background: The selection follows a February 2025 agreement between China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) covering astronaut training, experiments, and mission collaboration.

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HDFC Life Board Reappoints Vibha Padalkar as MD & CEO for 5 years In April 2026, the Board of Directors of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, has approved the reappointment of Vibha Padalkar as Managing (MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO), for further five years, effective September 12, 2026.About Vibha Padalkar:Profile: She is an experienced professional in the insurance sector with strong expertise in finance, risk management, and strategic planning.Leadership Highlights: She has joined HDFC Life in 2008 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and was inducted onto the HDFC Life Board as Executive Director(ED) and CFO in 2012.She was elevated to MD & CEO in 2018.Industry Milestone: She played a pivotal role in the company’s successful public listing in 2017.She led the company through the Exide Life Insurance acquisition, which was the first major merger and acquisition transaction in the Indian life insurance sector in 2022.Memberships: She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) since 1992 and also holds membership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).Awards and Recognition: She was recognised as one of the ‘Most Powerful Women in Business’ for five consecutive years (2021–2025).

24 Apr, 2026

HDFC Life Board Reappoints Vibha Padalkar as MD & CEO for 5 years In April 2026, the Board of Directors of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, has approved the reappointment of Vibha Padalkar as Managing (MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO), for further five years, effective September 12, 2026.About Vibha Padalkar:Profile: She is an experienced professional in the insurance sector with strong expertise in finance, risk management, and strategic planning.Leadership Highlights: She has joined HDFC Life in 2008 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and was inducted onto the HDFC Life Board as Executive Director(ED) and CFO in 2012.She was elevated to MD & CEO in 2018.Industry Milestone: She played a pivotal role in the company’s successful public listing in 2017.She led the company through the Exide Life Insurance acquisition, which was the first major merger and acquisition transaction in the Indian life insurance sector in 2022.Memberships: She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) since 1992 and also holds membership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).Awards and Recognition: She was recognised as one of the ‘Most Powerful Women in Business’ for five consecutive years (2021–2025).

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Pay Point India becomes first fintech to join RBI’s Centralised Payment System In April 2026, Pay Point India Network, leading fintech company in India, became the 1st private-sector fintech company to secure membership in the Centralised Payment System (CPS) operated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).This marks a major shift by permitting a non-bank fintech firm direct entry into the country’s core infrastructure.Key Details:Background: Until now, the access to CPS was limited to banks and a small group of large institutions such as: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), among others.Reduces Reliance on Banks: Following this membership, Pay Point now has direct access to major payment systems like: Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), thereby removing the need of partner banks.Assigned IFSC Code: In addition, the fintech firm has been assigned is own IFSC code, which enables the company to maintain both a current account and a settlement account directly with the RBI.Key Benefits: Some the other key benefits of direct access to CPS are: reducing transaction costs, enhancing efficiency, improving data security, minimizing delays in fund transfers, among others

24 Apr, 2026

Pay Point India becomes first fintech to join RBI’s Centralised Payment System In April 2026, Pay Point India Network, leading fintech company in India, became the 1st private-sector fintech company to secure membership in the Centralised Payment System (CPS) operated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).This marks a major shift by permitting a non-bank fintech firm direct entry into the country’s core infrastructure.Key Details:Background: Until now, the access to CPS was limited to banks and a small group of large institutions such as: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), among others.Reduces Reliance on Banks: Following this membership, Pay Point now has direct access to major payment systems like: Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), thereby removing the need of partner banks.Assigned IFSC Code: In addition, the fintech firm has been assigned is own IFSC code, which enables the company to maintain both a current account and a settlement account directly with the RBI.Key Benefits: Some the other key benefits of direct access to CPS are: reducing transaction costs, enhancing efficiency, improving data security, minimizing delays in fund transfers, among others

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PNB Partners with Kiwi to Launch RuPay Credit Card on UPI PlatformIn April 2026, Punjab National Bank (PNB), Public Sector Bank (PSB) in India, entered a strategic partnership with the fintech firm Kiwi to launch a co-branded RuPay credit card “PNB Kiwi Credit Card” integrated with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), aiming to expand digital credit access and strengthen India’s digital payments ecosystemAbout the Partnership Between PNB and Kiwi:Objective: The initiative aims to expand formal credit access by integrating credit cards with UPI, promote financial inclusion in semi-urban and rural areas, strengthen the credit-on-UPI ecosystem, and target around 180 million customers through fully digital onboarding.Integration: The card enables credit-based payments via UPI Quick Response (QR) codes, allowing seamless “scan-and-pay” transactions across millions of merchants without requiring a physical card.Benefits: Customers receive cashback ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% on online transactions along with zero joining and annual fees.Onboarding: It offers a completely digital, paperless onboarding process for quick and accessible credit card issuance.

24 Apr, 2026

PNB Partners with Kiwi to Launch RuPay Credit Card on UPI PlatformIn April 2026, Punjab National Bank (PNB), Public Sector Bank (PSB) in India, entered a strategic partnership with the fintech firm Kiwi to launch a co-branded RuPay credit card “PNB Kiwi Credit Card” integrated with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), aiming to expand digital credit access and strengthen India’s digital payments ecosystemAbout the Partnership Between PNB and Kiwi:Objective: The initiative aims to expand formal credit access by integrating credit cards with UPI, promote financial inclusion in semi-urban and rural areas, strengthen the credit-on-UPI ecosystem, and target around 180 million customers through fully digital onboarding.Integration: The card enables credit-based payments via UPI Quick Response (QR) codes, allowing seamless “scan-and-pay” transactions across millions of merchants without requiring a physical card.Benefits: Customers receive cashback ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% on online transactions along with zero joining and annual fees.Onboarding: It offers a completely digital, paperless onboarding process for quick and accessible credit card issuance.

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INS Nireekshak participates in ‘IN-SLN DIVEX 2026’ in Colombo In April 2026, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nireekshak, Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of Indian Navy (IN), arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to participate in the 4th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (IN-SLN DIVEX 2026) which commenced on April 21, 2026 and will run till April 27, 2026.The joint maritime exercise reaffirmed the shared commitment that aimed to foster stability, cooperation and collective growth in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), aligns with the vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).About 4th IN-SLN DIVEX 2026: Aim: The exercise aimed to improve interoperability, bolster coordination, and facilitate the exchange of best practices between navies of India and Sri Lanka.Operational Engagements: The week-long bilateral exercise will witness the participation of diving teams from navies of both countries to undertake specialized diving operations and training drills.

24 Apr, 2026

INS Nireekshak participates in ‘IN-SLN DIVEX 2026’ in Colombo In April 2026, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nireekshak, Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of Indian Navy (IN), arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to participate in the 4th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (IN-SLN DIVEX 2026) which commenced on April 21, 2026 and will run till April 27, 2026.The joint maritime exercise reaffirmed the shared commitment that aimed to foster stability, cooperation and collective growth in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), aligns with the vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).About 4th IN-SLN DIVEX 2026: Aim: The exercise aimed to improve interoperability, bolster coordination, and facilitate the exchange of best practices between navies of India and Sri Lanka.Operational Engagements: The week-long bilateral exercise will witness the participation of diving teams from navies of both countries to undertake specialized diving operations and training drills.

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Union Minister C. R. Patil Launches 9th IIWW in New Delhi, DelhiIn April 2026, Union Minister C. R. Patil, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) launched the 9th edition of India International Water Week (IIWW-2026), India’s flagship global water event, at Shram Shakti Bhavan, New Delhi.IIWW-2026 is expected to bring together experts, planners, innovators, and stakeholders from across the globe to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in water management.Key Details:Key Launches: During the event, Union Minister Patil released the official brochure and made the IIWW-2026 website portal live. Key Progress: While addressing the event, he highlighted that more than 60 lakh artificial recharge and water conservation structures have already been created under the initiative.Further, the Government of India (GoI) has set the target to achieve one crore structures by May 2026.

24 Apr, 2026

Union Minister C. R. Patil Launches 9th IIWW in New Delhi, DelhiIn April 2026, Union Minister C. R. Patil, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) launched the 9th edition of India International Water Week (IIWW-2026), India’s flagship global water event, at Shram Shakti Bhavan, New Delhi.IIWW-2026 is expected to bring together experts, planners, innovators, and stakeholders from across the globe to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in water management.Key Details:Key Launches: During the event, Union Minister Patil released the official brochure and made the IIWW-2026 website portal live. Key Progress: While addressing the event, he highlighted that more than 60 lakh artificial recharge and water conservation structures have already been created under the initiative.Further, the Government of India (GoI) has set the target to achieve one crore structures by May 2026.

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Eveready commissions India’s first alkaline battery unit in JammuOn April 2026, Eveready Industries India Ltd. (EIIL), the country’s dry-cell market leader, inaugurated India’s only operating alkaline battery manufacturing facility in the Samba district of Jammu, Union Territory(UT) of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K).It aims to increase its market share in the country’s alkaline battery segment to around 25% in value in the next three years from 16% by both domestic and export opportunities.The state-of-the-art greenfield unit was officially opened by the Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of J&K, in the presence of Mohit Burman (Promoter & Non-Executive Director),(EIIL) and Anirban Banerjee (CEO),(EIIL).Strategic Significance:For decades, India has relied heavily on imported alkaline batteries or local zinc-carbon ones.Focus on Premiumization With the demand for high-drain electronic devices surging, the plant will primarily produce the Ultima Alkaline range to cater to the premium segment.High-Drain Performance: Alkaline batteries offer much higher energy density than zinc-carbon, making them essential for modern “high-drain” devices like smart locks, digital cameras, and high-tech toys.Import Substitution: By making these “end-to-end” in Jammu, Eveready reduces India’s dependence on imports (mostly from Southeast Asia and China), leading to better margins and supply chain resilience.

24 Apr, 2026

Eveready commissions India’s first alkaline battery unit in JammuOn April 2026, Eveready Industries India Ltd. (EIIL), the country’s dry-cell market leader, inaugurated India’s only operating alkaline battery manufacturing facility in the Samba district of Jammu, Union Territory(UT) of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K).It aims to increase its market share in the country’s alkaline battery segment to around 25% in value in the next three years from 16% by both domestic and export opportunities.The state-of-the-art greenfield unit was officially opened by the Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of J&K, in the presence of Mohit Burman (Promoter & Non-Executive Director),(EIIL) and Anirban Banerjee (CEO),(EIIL).Strategic Significance:For decades, India has relied heavily on imported alkaline batteries or local zinc-carbon ones.Focus on Premiumization With the demand for high-drain electronic devices surging, the plant will primarily produce the Ultima Alkaline range to cater to the premium segment.High-Drain Performance: Alkaline batteries offer much higher energy density than zinc-carbon, making them essential for modern “high-drain” devices like smart locks, digital cameras, and high-tech toys.Import Substitution: By making these “end-to-end” in Jammu, Eveready reduces India’s dependence on imports (mostly from Southeast Asia and China), leading to better margins and supply chain resilience.

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