Daily Current Affairs – 01-04-2026

National News

Synthetic Diamond Technology Research – IIT Madras

At IIT Madras, the InCent-LGD Centre conducted an international conference titled “Diamond and Emerging Materials – Science and Technology” in March 2026. The research focuses on lab-grown synthetic diamonds, which possess the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. The centre is led by Prof. M.S. Ramachandra Rao (Principal Investigator) and Sathyan Subbaiah (Associate Principal Investigator). These diamonds have applications beyond jewellery, particularly in energy, space, fusion technologies, and next-generation electronics, due to their high thermal conductivity, radiation resistance, and durability. The conference included discussions on diamond science, quantum technologies, and carbon materials, with participation from around 250 international and Indian researchers, scientists, and industry experts. The event was organized in collaboration with Arizona State University (USA) and the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The Union Ministry of Commerce has allocated ₹242.96 crore for this research centre to promote advanced material technologies and self-reliance in India.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Ma. Aranganathan Literary Award 2026

The Ma. Aranganathan Literary Award 2026 has been announced for Ki. Vital Rao and Amshan Kumar. The award is presented annually since 2018 on April 16 by the Munril Literary Organization in memory of Ma. Aranganathan. It is given to two individuals for their overall contribution to literature, covering fields such as poetry, short stories, essays, drama, translation, research works, fine arts, and criticism. Each award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. Ki. Vital Rao has contributed for over 50 years, producing more than 100 short stories, 5 novelettes, 12 novels, paintings, and essays on Tamil, Kannada, Indian, and world cinema, and has received awards including Ilakkiya Sinthanai Prize, Delhi Sahitya Samman Award, and Kovai Vijaya Pathippakam Jayakanthan Award. Amshan Kumar, active for 50 years, has worked in short stories, modern arts, drama, translation, film essays, documentaries, and film training, and has received awards such as International Film Award, Puducherry Government Award, New Jersey Tamil Sangam Award, Sri Lanka National Award, and Bharathi Award. The award ceremony will be held on April 16, 2026, at Rani Seethai Hall, Anna Salai, Chennai, with Supreme Court Justice Arang K. Mahadevan presiding.

Reports and Indices

Saveetha University in QS Rankings 2026

The Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai has been ranked among the top 25 dental education institutions globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (by subject). The university has also secured positions in multiple disciplines, including Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (301–350), Medicine (451–500), and Biological Sciences (601–650). In the Life Sciences & Medicine category, it has achieved a global rank of 401–450. The ranking, which was earlier limited to a single subject, has expanded to five subjects in 2026, indicating growth in academic and research performance. The university is a self-financing private institution located in Chennai.

e-RaktKosh Portal

The Union Ministry of Health has made it mandatory for all blood banks in India to register details of blood units and blood components on the ‘e-RaktKosh’ portal for national-level monitoring. A regulatory meeting was conducted to oversee and standardize the functioning of blood banks and storage centres across the country. Based on the decisions taken, a circular has been issued to all State Governments directing them to ensure transparency in blood bank operations and accurate tracking of available blood stocks. State-level health authorities must ensure that all authorized blood banks are registered on the e-RaktKosh portal and regularly update details of both blood units and blood components. This initiative aims to regulate blood usage for medical treatment and improve availability during emergency situations.

Samrat Samprati Jain Museum Inauguration

The ‘Samrat Samprati’ Jain Museum was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Koba village, Gandhinagar district, Gujarat, at the Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra complex in March 2026. The museum is named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, who is associated with the spread of Jainism and the principle of non-violence (Ahimsa). The museum highlights aspects of Indian heritage, including Vedas, Puranas, Ayurveda, and Yoga, reflecting the concept of unity in diversity.

Sports News

Asian Squash Awards 2025

India’s Abhay Singh has been selected as the Best Player of the Year 2025 and Anahat Singh as the Best Junior Female Player 2025 by the Asian Squash Federation (ASF). The Indian team was also chosen as the Best Team of the Year 2025. Abhay Singh, ranked 25th in the world (men’s category), has won medals in the Asian Games and Asian Championships and was part of the Indian team that won the first Mixed Team World Cup 2025. Anahat Singh, ranked 20th in the women’s world rankings, secured a bronze medal in the World Junior Squash Championships 2025 and was also part of the Mixed Team World Cup 2025 gold-winning Indian team. Previously, Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa received ASF awards in 2022.

Little Andaman Pro Surfing 2026

The Little Andaman Pro Surfing 2026 competition will be held from April 9 to April 12, 2026 at Butler Bay Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The event is organized by the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) in association with the Andaman Islands Tourism Department, featuring Senior and Stand-Up Paddle categories. This competition is being conducted as preparation for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where the Indian surfing team will participate for the first time. India qualified for the Asian Games after its performance in the Asian Surfing Championship 2024. As per participation rules, two men and two women will represent India in the event.

International News

Death Penalty Law in Israel 2026

The Israel Parliament (Knesset) passed a new law in March 2026 mandating the death penalty for Palestinians involved in terrorist attacks causing deaths of Jews. The law was introduced by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and was approved with 62 votes in the 120-member parliament. According to the law, military courts in the West Bank will impose the death penalty as the primary sentence for such offences aimed at undermining the sovereignty of Israel. The law mandates that the sentence must be carried out within 90 days of confirmation, and it removes the President’s power to grant pardon. Israel had abolished the death penalty for murder in 1954, and the last execution was carried out in 1962 on Adolf Eichmann. The law was proposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and it has faced opposition from the United Nations (UN) and European countries, with a legal challenge filed in the Israel Supreme Court.

Income Tax Act 2025 – Implementation

. The new provisions are applicable from the financial year 2026–27. The law introduces a simplified structure by replacing earlier terms such as ‘Previous Year’ and ‘Assessment Year’ with a single ‘Tax Year’ concept. It allows taxpayers to claim TDS refunds without penalty even after the filing deadline. Returns for FY 2025–26 filed until July will be processed under the old law, while advance tax from June falls under the new law. To regulate speculation, tax on Futures trading has been increased from 0.02% to 0.05%, and for Options trading to 0.15%. The TCS on foreign travel, medical and educational remittances has been reduced to 2%. A 20-year tax exemption until 2047 has been provided for data centre services and investments. The Safe Harbor limit for IT and software export companies has been increased from ₹300 crore to ₹2,000 crore.

IndiGo New CEO Appointment 2026

India’s largest airline IndiGo has appointed William Walsh, the current head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in March 2026. The appointment was approved by the Board of Directors, and he is expected to assume charge in August 2026 after regulatory approvals. This follows the resignation of former CEO Pieter Elbers in December 2025 after operational disruptions. William Walsh has previously held leadership roles in British Airways and International Airlines Group (IAG) and began his career as a pilot. He becomes the third foreign CEO of IndiGo.

Central Fiscal Deficit 2025–26

During the first 11 months (April–February) of FY 2025–26, the Central Government’s fiscal deficit stood at ₹12.53 lakh crore, compared to ₹13.46 lakh crore in the same period of FY 2024–25, indicating a reduction. According to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), the government’s total receipts reached ₹27.91 lakh crore, which is 82% of the annual target, while total expenditure was ₹40.44 lakh crore, accounting for 81.5% of the annual estimate. Out of this, capital expenditure was ₹9.29 lakh crore, representing 84.8% of the annual target. The net tax revenue collection stood at ₹21.45 lakh crore, achieving 80.2% of the target. Revenue from public sector undertakings (PSUs) through dividends and profits reached 96% of the annual target. The revenue deficit increased from ₹1.96 lakh crore in January to ₹3.89 lakh crore in February, which is 73.8% of the annual target.

States’ News

Semiconductor Plant in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a ₹3,300 crore semiconductor manufacturing plant of Kaynes Semicon at Sanand GIDC, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat in 2026. The project is approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and is the second major plant after Micron Technology to begin commercial production in India. The plant will manufacture Intelligent Power Modules (IPM) used in automotive and industrial applications, with each module containing 17 chips, and will supply products to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (USA). Upon completion of all phases, the plant will have a production capacity of 6.33 million (63 lakh) units per day. This project aims to strengthen India’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and production capacity.

Paavai Koothu Documentary Award – Anna University

The documentary “Paavai Koothu – The Forgotten Theatre”, produced by the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), Anna University, has won the Best Documentary Film Award at the Uttar Pradesh Educational Film Festival held at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida on March 27–28, 2026. The documentary highlights the traditional art form of Thol Paavai Koothu (leather puppetry) of Tamil Nadu. It was produced by S. Arulselvan (Director, EMRC) and directed by D. Vinoth Rajesh. The award includes a cash prize of ₹50,000 and a certificate, and it was received by S. Arulselvan. The Registrar of Anna University, V. Kumaresan, is associated with the recognition of this achievement.

Census 2026 – First Phase Begins

The first phase of the nationwide Census has commenced in 2026, conducted once every 10 years, with the last Census held in 2011. The Census scheduled for 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Central Government has planned the Census in two phases, with the first phase running until September 30, 2026. A questionnaire containing 33 questions has been issued, covering details such as house ownership, number of rooms, vehicles, televisions, computers, and laptops. The Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner’s Office has launched a special online portal for self-enumeration by citizens. In Tamil Nadu, due to the Assembly elections, the first phase will begin on July 17, 2026, with online registration allowed until July 31, 2026, followed by door-to-door enumeration from August 1 to 30, 2026. The second phase of the Census is scheduled to begin in February 2027.

Skytrax World Airport Rankings 2026 – India

In the Skytrax World Airport Rankings 2026, five Indian airports have been included in the top 100 list. The Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi secured the 28th rank, improving by four places, and won the award for ‘Best Airport in India and South Asia’. The Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru ranked 41st and received the title of ‘Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia’ for the third consecutive year. The Manohar International Airport, Goa ranked 64th, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai ranked 66th, both showing improvement from the previous year. The Singapore Changi Airport secured the 1st position and has received this recognition for the 14th time since 2000.

Ghatak RPSA Programme – DRDO

The ₹39,000 crore Ghatak (RPSA – Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft) programme has been approved by the Ministry of Defence to develop unmanned stealth fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force, creating opportunities for the domestic industry. The project will be executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Development-cum-Production Partner (DCPP) model, involving private sector partners such as Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge, and Larsen & Toubro. Under this programme, six prototypes will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹10,000 crore, followed by the production of over 60 unmanned stealth fighters to form four squadrons, expected to be ready within eight years. The aircraft will have over 80% indigenous content and will be capable of deploying Astra long-range missiles and other advanced systems. It will be developed alongside the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project and will support Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) under the Vision 2047 initiative.

Cosmx–Munoth Lithium Battery Agreement

Cosmx (China), the world’s second-largest supplier of smartphone battery packs, has signed a joint venture agreement with Munoth Industries (India) to source lithium-ion cells and expand its presence in India. The agreement follows the company’s inability to secure approval from the Central Government to establish its own manufacturing plant. Under this arrangement, Cosmx will collaborate with a local partner to strengthen supply to Chinese smartphone manufacturers. The lithium-ion cell manufacturing project of Munoth Industries has been approved under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). In the first phase, Cosmx will procure lithium-ion cells directly from Munoth Industries, marking a shift from its earlier model of assembling battery packs.

Novo Nordisk Price Cuts – GLP-1 Market India

Novo Nordisk (Denmark) has announced significant price reductions for its semaglutide-based drugs Ozempic and Wegovy in India, aiming to expand access and strengthen its position in the GLP-1 therapy market. The starting price of Ozempic has been reduced by 36%, and Wegovy by 48%, with a base monthly price fixed at ₹5,660. Ozempic, used for Type 2 diabetes, is priced between ₹5,660 and ₹9,100 across three dosages (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg), while Wegovy, used for chronic weight management, is priced between ₹5,660 and ₹16,400 across five dosages. The revised prices have come into effect from 2026. In the current market, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro holds 79% market share, while Novo Nordisk holds 21%, and the price reduction is expected to improve Novo’s market position against competitors such as Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries.

Japan Investment Facilitation Centre – India

The Japan Foreign Ministry is establishing a special investment facilitation centre to support Japanese companies investing in India, aimed at addressing issues related to state-level regulations, legal transparency, and complex tax systems. The centre will also promote cooperation between India and Japan in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), startups, and critical minerals. During the India–Japan bilateral summit (August 2025), both countries set a target of achieving 10 trillion yen (approximately $62.6 billion) in private sector investment in India over the next decade. According to official data, there were 1,434 Japanese companies in India in 2024, compared to 4,500 in Singapore and 6,000 in Thailand. The total Japanese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India from 2000 to December 2024 amounted to $43.2 billion, making Japan the fifth-largest source of FDI to India. Major investment sectors include automobile, electrical equipment, telecommunications, chemicals, financial (insurance), and pharmaceuticals.

Indian Rupee Performance FY 2026

In FY 2026, the Indian Rupee was the worst-performing currency among major Asian currencies against the US Dollar, declining by 9.88%. The rupee depreciated from ₹85.59 per dollar at the beginning of the financial year to ₹94.83 per dollar at the end, with a record low of ₹95.22 per dollar during the year. The decline is linked to increased global demand for dollar-denominated assets and large-scale withdrawal of foreign investments from Indian equity markets. Among other Asian currencies, the Japanese Yen recorded a decline of 6.27%, while currencies such as the Malaysian Ringgit (9.69%), Chinese Renminbi (5.27%), and Singapore Dollar (4.19%) showed positive returns.

El Niño Forecast 2026

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has indicated that La Niña conditions have ended, and there is a likelihood of El Niño formation by August 2026, towards the end of the Southern Hemisphere winter. According to the report, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indicators are currently in a neutral phase, with models predicting continued warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Neutral ENSO conditions are expected to persist until at least March–May 2026, with a transition towards El Niño conditions by August 2026. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also stated that weak La Niña conditions persist, and a shift to ENSO-neutral conditions is likely between February and April 2026, as per the Monsoon Mission Climate Forecast System (MMCFS). El Niño events are associated with delayed or deficient South-West monsoon rainfall in India, although above-normal rainfall may occur before its onset.

El Niño is a climatic phenomenon characterized by abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns including rainfall and temperature.

sDQI Index – RBI 2025

The Supervisory Data Quality Index (sDQI) of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) improved to 90.9 in the December 2025 quarter, compared to 90.7 in the July–September 2025 period, as reported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The sDQI covers 87 scheduled commercial banks and evaluates key parameters such as asset quality, risk-based supervision, and liquidity. The index also measures the extent to which banks comply with the guidelines specified in the RBI’s Master Direction on Filing of Supervisory Returns, 2024.

Ashwini Bhide – Mumbai Municipal Commissioner

Ashwini Bhide, a 1995-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by the Maharashtra Government, becoming the first woman to hold this post in its 160-year history. She succeeds Bhushan Gagrani and was serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office. She earlier served as Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) and supervised the construction of the 33.5 km underground metro line connecting Cuffe Parade to Aarey Colony. The first phase of the metro line was opened in October 2024, and the full stretch became operational a year later. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is the largest municipal body in India, with an annual budget exceeding ₹80,000 crore.

Economy News

Unilever–McCormick Deal 2026

Unilever has agreed to merge its food business with McCormick, a spice and flavouring company, in a $44.8 billion (approximately $45 billion) deal, creating a global entity in seasonings, sauces, and condiments. Under the agreement, McCormick will pay $15.7 billion in cash and $29.1 billion in shares to Unilever. After the merger, Unilever and its shareholders will hold 65% stake in the combined entity, which will include brands such as French’s mustard. The transaction will be executed through a Reverse Morris Trust, a tax-free merger structure. This is the largest deal in the history of both companies, repositioning Unilever as a global leader in beauty, personal care, and home care, while expanding McCormick’s presence in the global packaged food sector.