Daily Current Affairs – 03-04-2026

Tamil Nadu News

Governor Bound by Cabinet on Remission Powers

The Madras High Court Full Bench ruled that the Governor cannot unilaterally reject Cabinet recommendations regarding the premature release or commutation of sentences of life convicts under Article 161 of the Constitution of India. The case arose from the 1996 murder of Navarasu, a medical student of Annamalai University, Chidambaram, in which John David was awarded life imprisonment by a Cuddalore special court, later upheld by the Supreme Court, and lodged in Puzhal Prison. The Tamil Nadu Cabinet recommended his premature release, which was rejected by the Governor, leading to legal challenges including a habeas corpus petition. Conflicting judgments were earlier delivered by the Chennai Bench and Madurai Bench of the High Court, prompting a reference to a three-judge Full Bench comprising Justices A.D. Jagadish Chandira, G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, and Sundar Mohan. The Full Bench held that while exercising powers under Article 161, the Governor is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers and cannot act on personal discretion contrary to Cabinet decisions. The court also stated that existing interim orders in such cases will continue and pending cases can be decided based on this ruling.

Article 161

Power of Governor to Grant Pardons

Article 161 of the Constitution of India empowers the Governor of a State to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit or commute sentences of any person convicted of an offence against any law relating to matters to which the executive power of the State extends.

National News

UPI Hits Record High with 2,264 Crore Transactions in March

India’s digital payment platform Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded 2,264 crore transactions in March, reaching a new peak, with a total transaction value of ₹19.53 lakh crore, as reported by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Union Ministry of Finance. Compared to March last year (1,830 crore transactions), UPI transactions grew by 24%, and increased from 2,039 crore transactions in February. The system operates based on two-factor authentication norms of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), ensuring security through mobile number linkage and PIN. Currently, UPI accounts for about 85% of total digital transactions in India. At the international level, UPI services are operational in Bhutan, Singapore, UAE, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius, with France being the first European country to adopt UPI.

States’ News

Raghav Chadha Removed as AAP Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha

Raghav Chadha, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been removed from the post of Deputy Leader of AAP in the Rajya Sabha, and Ashok Mittal has been appointed as his replacement. This development follows events related to the Delhi Liquor Policy Case, in which AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in 2024 and later released in February 2025. During this period, Chadha did not participate in party protests or celebrations. He was given opportunities to speak during the 2025 Winter Session and the current Budget Session of Parliament, where he raised issues such as food adulteration and pricing at airports. The party communicated the change in leadership through a letter submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

Raja Ravi Varma’s ‘Yashoda with Krishna’ Painting Fetches Record ₹167 Crore

A painting titled ‘Yashoda and Krishna’ by renowned Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma was sold for ₹167.2 crore at a live auction conducted in Mumbai by the international auction house Pundole’s Art, making it the highest-valued modern Indian artwork sold at auction. This sale surpassed the previous record set by M.F. Husain’s ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’, which was sold for about ₹118 crore. The painting, estimated at ₹80–120 crore, was purchased by Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Managing Director of Serum Institute of India. The artwork was created in the 1890s, during the peak of Raja Ravi Varma’s artistic career, and is considered one of his significant works.

International News

40 Nations Meet Under UK Leadership to Ensure Red Sea Shipping

A meeting of 40 countries was held under the leadership of the United Kingdom to ensure uninterrupted cargo ship movement in the Red Sea, amid disruptions caused by conflict between US–UK coalition forces and Iran-backed groups, which led to the closure of parts of the Red Sea affecting crude oil and natural gas exports from Asia, India, and Middle Eastern countries. The meeting was conducted virtually and chaired by UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, with participation from countries including France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, and Middle Eastern nations, and was initiated by the United States. The situation has impacted global energy supplies, with European countries having already stopped imports of fuel and gas from Russia in 2022, and depending on countries like Norway, the United States, and Middle Eastern nations for energy needs. India participated in the meeting following an invitation from the UK, with Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra attending virtually, as confirmed by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, emphasizing the need to ensure free maritime trade in the Red Sea.

Denis Manturov Meets PM Narendra Modi

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on April 2 and held discussions on strengthening India–Russia bilateral relations. During the meeting, both sides recalled the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India in December last year for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. The discussions focused on cooperation in sectors such as trade, economy, and fertilizers, and progress in implementing the bilateral agreements reached during the summit. Prime Minister Modi expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts to implement these agreements and highlighted the continued strengthening of India–Russia relations.

Import Duty Exemption for Petrochemicals Until June 30

The Central Government has granted a full customs duty exemption on the import of essential petrochemical products until June 30, as announced by the Union Ministry of Finance, in response to supply disruptions caused by the West Asian conflict. The decision aims to ensure uninterrupted supply and control price rise of petrochemical-based products, benefiting sectors such as plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and automobile components. The exemption covers key chemicals including Methanol, Anhydrous Ammonia, Toluene, Styrene, Dichloromethane, Vinyl Chloride Monomer, Polybutadiene, Styrene Butadiene, and Polyester Resin. The move is expected to result in a revenue loss of about ₹1,800 crore. Global supply disruptions due to factors such as closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and impact on natural gas production have led to a 50% rise in crude oil prices. To mitigate domestic impact, the government has also reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre and imposed export duties of ₹21.50 per litre on diesel and ₹29.50 per litre on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).

Sports News

Rassie van der Dussen Announces Retirement

South African cricketer Rassie van der Dussen, aged 37, has announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket. He made his debut for the South Africa national team in 2018 and has played 18 Test matches, 71 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 57 T20 matches. He has not been part of the national team since March 2025 and was also not included in the 2026 central contract list of the national cricket board. In ODI cricket, he recorded 17 half-centuries and 6 centuries.

Reports and Indices

India’s Average Mobile Data Usage Reaches 31 GB in 2025

According to a report by Nokia, the average monthly mobile data usage per user in India reached 31 GB in 2025, marking an 18% increase from 27.5 GB in 2024. The share of 5G technology in total mobile internet traffic increased to 47%, with overall 5G data usage growing by 70% to 12.9 exabytes. India has emerged as the second-largest 5G subscriber base globally, and also ranks second in 5G data consumption and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) usage, with FWA contributing 25% of 5G usage. More than 90% of smartphones sold in 2025 were 5G-enabled, and out of 89 crore 4G devices, over 38 crore are 5G-capable. The availability of budget 5G smartphones under $100 (₹9,300) has increased significantly. In metropolitan areas, 58% of internet usage is through 5G, and Nokia estimates that India’s 5G subscriber base will exceed 100 crore by 2031.

Uchral Nyam-Osor Appointed as Prime Minister of Mongolia

The Mongolian Parliament appointed Uchral Nyam-Osor as the Prime Minister of Mongolia on April 3, 2026, marking the second leadership change within nine months. This followed the resignation of former Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav due to political tensions and legislative deadlock, with 88 out of 107 Members of Parliament voting in favour of Uchral. Prior to his appointment, Uchral Nyam-Osor, aged 39, served as Speaker of the Mongolian Parliament, Chairman of the Mongolian People’s Party, and Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Member. The resignation of the previous Prime Minister was linked to the boycott of parliamentary proceedings by the Democratic Party and factions within the Mongolian People’s Party, leading to disruption of legislative functioning.

IRDAI Retains D-SII Status for LIC, GIC, and New India Assurance

For the financial year 2025–26, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has retained Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC), and New India Assurance Company Limited as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs). These insurers are considered critical due to their large market share, size, and strong linkage with the financial system, and play a major role in providing insurance coverage across India. Their classification as D-SIIs indicates that any disruption in their operations could have a significant impact on the national economy, and hence they are subject to enhanced regulatory supervision with stricter governance and risk management norms. These institutions are also termed as ‘Too Big To Fail (TBTF)’, highlighting their importance in maintaining financial stability and protecting policyholders.

Sudarshan Pattnaik Appointed Brand Ambassador for Census 2027

The Government of India has appointed renowned sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik as the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, to promote participation in India’s first digital census. Sudarshan Pattnaik, a Padma Shri awardee (2014) from Odisha, is known for creating the world’s largest sandcastle (48 feet 8 inches) in 2017 at Puri, earning a Guinness World Record. The Census 2027 will introduce smartphone-based mobile applications for data collection, replacing paper-based methods, and will also include a self-enumeration portal for citizens. The census will be conducted in two phases, with Phase I (April–September 2026) covering houselisting and housing census, and Phase II (February 2027) focusing on population enumeration, including details such as education, migration, and birth rate.

Delhi Launches Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana for Girl Child Welfare

The Delhi Government launched the ‘Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana’ on March 30, 2026, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, to promote education and financial security of girl children, replacing the earlier ‘Ladli Scheme’. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided in phases from birth to higher education, with a total direct benefit of ₹61,000, which matures to about ₹1.20 lakh with interest. The benefits include ₹11,000 at birth, ₹5,000 each at Classes 1, 6, 9, 11, and 12, ₹10,000 for a one-year diploma, ₹20,000 for 2–3 year diploma courses, and up to ₹25,000 on completion of a 4-year graduation. The amount can be accessed after completion of Class 12 or upon attaining 18 or 21 years of age, and the scheme aims to promote girls’ education, prevent early marriage, ensure financial empowerment, and support economically weaker families.

India Ranks 3rd Globally in Renewable Energy Capacity: IRENA Report

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India became the third-largest renewable energy market in the world in 2025, adding about 45 GW of renewable energy capacity in a single year. The total installed renewable energy capacity increased from 175.9 GW in 2023 to 250.5 GW in 2025. Solar energy was the major contributor with 37 GW addition in 2025, placing India second globally in solar expansion after China. Wind energy added 6.3 GW, while hydropower capacity increased from 52 GW in 2024 to 56 GW in 2025. The pumped hydro storage capacity also rose from 4.7 GW to 7.2 GW, reflecting India’s progress in expanding renewable energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.