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Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Uttarakhand and UP on 14 April 2026On April 14, 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Uttarakhand , where he inaugurated the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor and reviewed key infrastructure and environmental initiatives.Inauguration of Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor:Economic Corridor: On April 14, 2026, the 213-kilometre (km), six-lane Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.Aim: The Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor, developed at a cost of over Rs. 12,000 crore, is designed to cut travel time.Infrastructure: The project includes 10 interchanges, 3 Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), 4 major bridges, 5 toll plazas, and 12 wayside amenities.Wildlife Protection: The corridor features a 12 km wildlife elevated section, among the longest in Asia, 8 animal passages, 2 elephant underpasses, and a 370 metre (m) tunnel near Daat Kali Temple.
Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Uttarakhand and UP on 14 April 2026On April 14, 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Uttarakhand , where he inaugurated the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor and reviewed key infrastructure and environmental initiatives.Inauguration of Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor:Economic Corridor: On April 14, 2026, the 213-kilometre (km), six-lane Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.Aim: The Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor, developed at a cost of over Rs. 12,000 crore, is designed to cut travel time.Infrastructure: The project includes 10 interchanges, 3 Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), 4 major bridges, 5 toll plazas, and 12 wayside amenities.Wildlife Protection: The corridor features a 12 km wildlife elevated section, among the longest in Asia, 8 animal passages, 2 elephant underpasses, and a 370 metre (m) tunnel near Daat Kali Temple.
Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Uttarakhand and UP on 14 April 2026On April 14, 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Uttarakhand , where he inaugurated the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor and reviewed key in...
Mahavir Chakra Awardee Col. Sonam Wangchuk Passed AwayIn April 2026, Mahavir Chakra (MVC) awardee, Colonel (Col.) Sonam Wangchuk, widely revered as the ‘Lion of Ladakh’, passed away at the age of 61 in Leh, Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh. He was born on January 27 1964 in Sankar village, Leh district.The Government of India (GoI) honoured him with MVC, India’s second highest wartime gallantry award, in 1999.About Col. Sonam Wangchuk:Military Service: He belonged to the Ladakh Scouts, a regiment renowned for high-altitude warfare, and played a key role in operations across the challenging terrains of Ladakh.Leadership: During 1999 Kargil War, he played a pivotal role in clearing the enemy along the Chorbat La axis in the Batalik sector and securing the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan in Ladakh.Honour: The GoI named two posts namely, ‘Sonam 1’ and ‘Sonam 2’ in his honour, recognising his role in Kargil war.
Mahavir Chakra Awardee Col. Sonam Wangchuk Passed AwayIn April 2026, Mahavir Chakra (MVC) awardee, Colonel (Col.) Sonam Wangchuk, widely revered as the ‘Lion of Ladakh’, passed away at the age of 61 in Leh, Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh. He was born on January 27 1964 in Sankar village, Leh district.The Government of India (GoI) honoured him with MVC, India’s second highest wartime gallantry award, in 1999.About Col. Sonam Wangchuk:Military Service: He belonged to the Ladakh Scouts, a regiment renowned for high-altitude warfare, and played a key role in operations across the challenging terrains of Ladakh.Leadership: During 1999 Kargil War, he played a pivotal role in clearing the enemy along the Chorbat La axis in the Batalik sector and securing the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan in Ladakh.Honour: The GoI named two posts namely, ‘Sonam 1’ and ‘Sonam 2’ in his honour, recognising his role in Kargil war.
Mahavir Chakra Awardee Col. Sonam Wangchuk Passed AwayIn April 2026, Mahavir Chakra (MVC) awardee, Colonel (Col.) Sonam Wangchuk, widely revered as the ‘Lion of Ladakh’, passed away at the age of 61 in Leh, Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh. He was born...
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Legendary Singer and Padma Vibhushan Awardee Asha Bhosle Passed Away On 12 April 2026, legendary playback singer and Padma Vibhushan Awardee Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She was born on September 8, 1933 in Sangli, former princely state of Sangli(now in Maharashtra).She was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, second-highest civilian award in India, in 2008 in the field of Arts.About Asha Bhosle:Career: Began singing in 1943, sustaining an extraordinary eight-decade career, recording over 12,000 songs in 20+ languages, and showcasing unmatched versatility across film, classical, ghazals, pop, cabaret, folk, bhajans, and Rabindra Sangeet.Awards and Honours:Recognized by Guinness World Records in 2011 as the most recorded artist in music history.Received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2000), highest recognition in Indian cinema; and Lata Mangeshkar Award in 1989 and 1999.Secured 7 Filmfare Awards and received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.
Legendary Singer and Padma Vibhushan Awardee Asha Bhosle Passed Away On 12 April 2026, legendary playback singer and Padma Vibhushan Awardee Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She was born on September 8, 1933 in Sangli, former princely state of Sangli(now in Maharashtra).She was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, second-highest civilian award in India, in 2008 in the field of Arts.About Asha Bhosle:Career: Began singing in 1943, sustaining an extraordinary eight-decade career, recording over 12,000 songs in 20+ languages, and showcasing unmatched versatility across film, classical, ghazals, pop, cabaret, folk, bhajans, and Rabindra Sangeet.Awards and Honours:Recognized by Guinness World Records in 2011 as the most recorded artist in music history.Received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2000), highest recognition in Indian cinema; and Lata Mangeshkar Award in 1989 and 1999.Secured 7 Filmfare Awards and received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.
Legendary Singer and Padma Vibhushan Awardee Asha Bhosle Passed Away On 12 April 2026, legendary playback singer and Padma Vibhushan Awardee Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She was born on September 8, 1933 in Sangli,...
2026 Asian Boxing Championships Held in Mongolia; Kazakhstan Topped, India Finished 2nd with 16 MedalsThe Indian boxing team concluded its campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 28 March to 11 April 2026, securing second place with 16 medals, including 5 Gold, 3 Silver, and 8 Bronze.Kazakhstan topped the standings with 6 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze (15 total) and Uzbekistan secured 3rd place with 4 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze (14).About Asian Boxing Championships 2026:Debut: The championships marked the inaugural Elite edition under Asian Boxing and the first continental event aligned with the World Boxing ranking system.Organiser: The 2026 event was organized by the Mongolian Boxing Federation in affiliation with Asian Boxing.Qualification: Finalists in approved weight categories earned direct qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
2026 Asian Boxing Championships Held in Mongolia; Kazakhstan Topped, India Finished 2nd with 16 MedalsThe Indian boxing team concluded its campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 28 March to 11 April 2026, securing second place with 16 medals, including 5 Gold, 3 Silver, and 8 Bronze.Kazakhstan topped the standings with 6 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze (15 total) and Uzbekistan secured 3rd place with 4 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze (14).About Asian Boxing Championships 2026:Debut: The championships marked the inaugural Elite edition under Asian Boxing and the first continental event aligned with the World Boxing ranking system.Organiser: The 2026 event was organized by the Mongolian Boxing Federation in affiliation with Asian Boxing.Qualification: Finalists in approved weight categories earned direct qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
2026 Asian Boxing Championships Held in Mongolia; Kazakhstan Topped, India Finished 2nd with 16 MedalsThe Indian boxing team concluded its campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 28 March to 11 April 2026, ...
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Crew members of NASA’s Artemis II moon mission returned to Earth In April 2026, all the four crew members of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Artemis II lunar mission returned to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, the United States of America (USA).The crew members of the mission, featuring Reid Wiseman (Commander, the United States of America, USA), Victor Glover (Pilot, USA), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist, USA), and Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, Canada), were carried by NASA’s Orion capsule, named ‘Integrity’, completing a 10-day long journey around the moon and back.Key Details:Ship to Ship Call: The mission scripted history by completing the 1st-ever ship to ship call between a human moon mission and the International Space Station (ISS).During the call, Christina Koch on Artemis-II spoke with Jessica Meir on ISS.Other Record: Previously, the lunar mission set a new record for the farthest distance humans have travelled from Earth.The spacecraft covered a total distance of 252,752 miles from Earth during a flyby of the moon’s far side, surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles achieved in 1970.2026 Asian Wrestling Championships Held in Kyrgyzstan; Iran Tops, India ranks 5th with 17 Medals The Indian wrestling team concluded the 22nd edition of the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships , held from April 6–12, 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, ranking 5th with a total of 17 medals, including 2 Gold, 6 Silver, and 9 Bronze.Iran topped the standings with 18 medals including 6 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze, followed by Japan with 15 medals (6 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze), and China with 14 medals (5 gold, 1 silver, and 8 bronze).About Asian Wrestling Championships 2026:Organizer: The event was conducted by the Asian Associated Wrestling Committee (AAWC) under the authority of United World Wrestling (UWW).Disciplines: The event featured around 324 wrestlers from 21 countries competing for 30 gold medals across three disciplines, Greco-Roman, Women’s Wrestling, and Men’s Freestyle.India’s Performance: India fielded a 30-member contingent across Men’s Freestyle, Women’s Wrestling, and Greco-Roman.Sujeet Kalkal won gold in the 65 kg freestyle category, while Abhimanyou Mandwal secured gold in the 70 kg freestyle category.
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh Re-elected for 6th termIn April 2026, Djibouti’s incumbent President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh was re-elected for a sixth consecutive term after winning the presidential election in the Horn of Africa nation.His re-election underscores the sustained political dominance of the ruling establishment in Djibouti.Background:Constitutional Amendments: The election followed a key constitutional amendment in October 2025 removing the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates, enabling the 78-year-old Ismaïl Omar Guelleh to contest, and was marked by boycotts from major opposition parties.Election Result: Ismail Omar Guelleh (Union for the Presidential Majority, UMP) won with 97.81% of the vote, defeating his sole opponent Mohamed Farah Samatar (Unified Democratic Centre, CDU), with voter turnout reported at 80.33%.
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh Re-elected for 6th termIn April 2026, Djibouti’s incumbent President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh was re-elected for a sixth consecutive term after winning the presidential election in the Horn of Africa nation.His re-election underscores the sustained political dominance of the ruling establishment in Djibouti.Background:Constitutional Amendments: The election followed a key constitutional amendment in October 2025 removing the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates, enabling the 78-year-old Ismaïl Omar Guelleh to contest, and was marked by boycotts from major opposition parties.Election Result: Ismail Omar Guelleh (Union for the Presidential Majority, UMP) won with 97.81% of the vote, defeating his sole opponent Mohamed Farah Samatar (Unified Democratic Centre, CDU), with voter turnout reported at 80.33%.
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh Re-elected for 6th termIn April 2026, Djibouti’s incumbent President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh was re-elected for a sixth consecutive term after winning the presidential election in the Horn of Africa nation.His re-el...
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CARI Bengaluru Becomes First CCRAS Institute to Receive ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation In April 2026, the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Bengaluru(Karnataka), under the Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), has officially became the first institute under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) to receive the ISO 15189:2022 accreditation in Biochemistry and Haematology.ISO 15189:2022 is the latest international standard for medical laboratories, focusing on quality management systems and technical competence.About ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation :Accreditation: The certification confirms that the laboratory meets internationally accepted standards for accuracy, reliability, and safety in diagnostic services.Milestone Achievement: The accreditation marks the laboratory’s transition from an entry-level NABL-certified facility to a fully established centre of excellence.Previous Certifications: CARI Bengaluru had earlier become the first CCRAS institute to secure both NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) and NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) entry-level certifications during 2021–22.
CARI Bengaluru Becomes First CCRAS Institute to Receive ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation In April 2026, the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Bengaluru(Karnataka), under the Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), has officially became the first institute under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) to receive the ISO 15189:2022 accreditation in Biochemistry and Haematology.ISO 15189:2022 is the latest international standard for medical laboratories, focusing on quality management systems and technical competence.About ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation :Accreditation: The certification confirms that the laboratory meets internationally accepted standards for accuracy, reliability, and safety in diagnostic services.Milestone Achievement: The accreditation marks the laboratory’s transition from an entry-level NABL-certified facility to a fully established centre of excellence.Previous Certifications: CARI Bengaluru had earlier become the first CCRAS institute to secure both NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) and NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) entry-level certifications during 2021–22.
CARI Bengaluru Becomes First CCRAS Institute to Receive ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation In April 2026, the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Bengaluru(Karnataka), under the Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and ...
ADB Raises India’s GDP Forecast for FY27 from 6.5% to 6.9%In April 2026, Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its latest “Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2026: The Middle East Conflict Challenges Resilience in Asia and the Pacific”. The report raised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) by 40 basis points (bps) to 6.9% from its previous estimate of 6.5% and also lower than 7.6% estimated for FY26.This growth projection is driven by higher consumption, higher investment, supportive policies and recent trade agreements.Key Projections:GDP for FY28: The report further projected that the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.3% in FY28, supported by private consumption, revisions to government salaries and pensions, along with continued public investment and favourable external factors.Inflation: The report estimated that India’s inflation to more than double from 2.1% (in FY26) to 4.5% (in FY27) due to a rebound in food prices, surge in global crude oil prices, currency weakness, among others.However, Inflation is projected to ease to 4% in FY28.Region-wise: The report estimated that economic growth in developing Asia and the Pacific region will ease to 5.1% in both Calendar Year 2026 (CY26) and Calendar Year (CY27) compared to 5.4% in CY25.
ADB Raises India’s GDP Forecast for FY27 from 6.5% to 6.9%In April 2026, Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its latest “Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2026: The Middle East Conflict Challenges Resilience in Asia and the Pacific”. The report raised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) by 40 basis points (bps) to 6.9% from its previous estimate of 6.5% and also lower than 7.6% estimated for FY26.This growth projection is driven by higher consumption, higher investment, supportive policies and recent trade agreements.Key Projections:GDP for FY28: The report further projected that the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.3% in FY28, supported by private consumption, revisions to government salaries and pensions, along with continued public investment and favourable external factors.Inflation: The report estimated that India’s inflation to more than double from 2.1% (in FY26) to 4.5% (in FY27) due to a rebound in food prices, surge in global crude oil prices, currency weakness, among others.However, Inflation is projected to ease to 4% in FY28.Region-wise: The report estimated that economic growth in developing Asia and the Pacific region will ease to 5.1% in both Calendar Year 2026 (CY26) and Calendar Year (CY27) compared to 5.4% in CY25.
ADB Raises India’s GDP Forecast for FY27 from 6.5% to 6.9%In April 2026, Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its latest “Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2026: The Middle East Conflict Challenges Resilience in Asia and the Pacific”. The report...
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Paytm Enables Biometric UPI Payments and Cardless ATM Withdrawals In April 2026, Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) introduced biometric authentication for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments and cardless Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawals.The roll out coincides with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s new 2-Factor (2F) authentication rules, which came into effect on April 01, 2026.Key Details:Significance: The new system will now enable the users to authenticate payments, check balances, and withdraw cash without manually entering the UPI Personal Identification Number (PIN).ATM Withdrawals Limit: As per National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) guidelines, biometric UPI transactions are capped at Rs 5,000 per transaction, while cardless transactions are capped at Rs 10,000 per transaction.RBI Framework: As per RBI’s new framework, it is now mandatory for users to verify transactions using more than just One-Time Password (OTP) and enabling them to either use a PIN, password, secure token or biometric authentication.The framework is applicable to all forms of digital payment systems including UPI, cards, and wallets.
Paytm Enables Biometric UPI Payments and Cardless ATM Withdrawals In April 2026, Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) introduced biometric authentication for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments and cardless Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawals.The roll out coincides with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s new 2-Factor (2F) authentication rules, which came into effect on April 01, 2026.Key Details:Significance: The new system will now enable the users to authenticate payments, check balances, and withdraw cash without manually entering the UPI Personal Identification Number (PIN).ATM Withdrawals Limit: As per National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) guidelines, biometric UPI transactions are capped at Rs 5,000 per transaction, while cardless transactions are capped at Rs 10,000 per transaction.RBI Framework: As per RBI’s new framework, it is now mandatory for users to verify transactions using more than just One-Time Password (OTP) and enabling them to either use a PIN, password, secure token or biometric authentication.The framework is applicable to all forms of digital payment systems including UPI, cards, and wallets.
Paytm Enables Biometric UPI Payments and Cardless ATM Withdrawals In April 2026, Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) introduced biometric authentication for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments and cardless Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withd...
SEBI Launches Three New IT platforms to Transform Regulatory LandscapeIn March 2026, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched three new Information Technology (IT) platforms: SUPCOMS (Single Universal Platform for Communications) 2.1, Electronic(e)-adjudication portal, and Cyber-Sec Audit Compliance (C-SAC), to boost ease of doing business and strengthen cybersecurity oversight.These digital initiatives aimed to streamline communication, enable digital quasi-judicial proceedings, and enhance cybersecurity supervision of SEBI-regulated entities.Key Details of IT Platforms:SUPCOMS 2.1: This newly launched single universal digital platform replaces traditional email-based communication with SEBI, ensuring all interactions with external entities are centrally accessible and streamlined.e-Adjudication Portal: It provides a transparent and paperless platform for quasi-judicial proceedings, enhancing efficiency and speed in adjudication matters.Cyber-Sec Audit Compliance (C-SAC): It is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based platform that enables automated analysis of cyber audit reports to identify compliance gaps, risk areas, and actionable insights.
SEBI Launches Three New IT platforms to Transform Regulatory LandscapeIn March 2026, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched three new Information Technology (IT) platforms: SUPCOMS (Single Universal Platform for Communications) 2.1, Electronic(e)-adjudication portal, and Cyber-Sec Audit Compliance (C-SAC), to boost ease of doing business and strengthen cybersecurity oversight.These digital initiatives aimed to streamline communication, enable digital quasi-judicial proceedings, and enhance cybersecurity supervision of SEBI-regulated entities.Key Details of IT Platforms:SUPCOMS 2.1: This newly launched single universal digital platform replaces traditional email-based communication with SEBI, ensuring all interactions with external entities are centrally accessible and streamlined.e-Adjudication Portal: It provides a transparent and paperless platform for quasi-judicial proceedings, enhancing efficiency and speed in adjudication matters.Cyber-Sec Audit Compliance (C-SAC): It is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based platform that enables automated analysis of cyber audit reports to identify compliance gaps, risk areas, and actionable insights.
SEBI Launches Three New IT platforms to Transform Regulatory LandscapeIn March 2026, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched three new Information Technology (IT) platforms: SUPCOMS (Single Universal P...
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