Daily Current Affairs – 04-04-2026

National News

INS Aridhaman Commissioned into Indian Navy

INS Aridhaman, a fully indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was commissioned into the Indian Navy on September 3 at the naval base in Visakhapatnam. With this, India continues to be among the countries possessing nuclear-powered submarines, including the USA, Russia, Britain, France, and China. The first indigenously built nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, was commissioned in 2016, followed by the second, INS Arighat, in August 2024, and now INS Aridhaman has been added as the third such submarine. The commissioning took place after completion of several months of sea trials, and the event was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. These submarines are developed under India’s SSBN (Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine) project, and they are capable of carrying long-range missiles including nuclear missiles, being fully built indigenously.

UGC Directs Universities to Adopt Anganwadis

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed universities and colleges across India to adopt nearby Anganwadi centres as part of social development initiatives. In a circular issued by UGC Secretary Manish R. Joshi, higher education institutions have been instructed to adopt 5 to 6 Anganwadi centres located near them, following the guidance of the Central Government. The initiative aims to improve early childhood education for children aged 3 to 6 years by ensuring quality education and care. It also mandates integrating these activities into the student curriculum, allowing students to participate in fieldwork at Anganwadi centres. Additionally, institutions are required to provide continuous educational and computer-based support to these centres and work in coordination with Anganwadis as part of social development activities.

Ganga Water Quality Improving: Central Government Data

The Central Government stated that the water quality of the Ganga River is suitable for bathing and that pollution levels are decreasing. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bhushan Choudhary informed that a study on water quality was conducted in 112 locations across five states—Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal from January to August (previous year). The analysis showed that pH levels and dissolved oxygen levels were within safe limits for bathing across all regions, except in a few locations in Uttar Pradesh where water quality was lower. Further, the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels in 50 locations along the Ganga and its tributaries and 26 locations along the Yamuna River were in the ‘Good’ to ‘Moderate’ range. Under the Namami Gange Programme, 524 projects have been implemented at a cost of ₹43,030 crore up to February 2026, and under the National River Conservation Plan, 58 rivers in 100 cities across 17 states are being maintained at an estimated cost of ₹8,970.51 crore.

NCERT Granted Deemed University Status

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted Deemed University status by the Ministry of Education based on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission (UGC). This status enables NCERT to award its own degrees in specialized and emerging fields. The recognition has been extended to NCERT and its six constituent institutes, including the Regional Institutes of Education located at Ajmer (Rajasthan), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Mysuru (Karnataka), and Shillong (Meghalaya), along with the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education, Bhopal. The approval was granted under the ‘De Novo’ category, which allows institutions to offer degree and research programmes in unique and emerging areas distinct from existing university courses. As per UGC guidelines, NCERT must comply with prescribed regulations and is restricted from engaging in commercial profit-oriented activities. Earlier, NCERT offered Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education through affiliation with local universities, but now it can independently offer degree programmes, research courses, and innovation-based curricula.

Sports News

Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes England’s No.1 Women’s Chess Player

Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old Indian-origin chess player, has become England’s No.1 women’s chess player. Her parents migrated from Trichy to England in 2007, and she is studying in a primary school in North London. She achieved a FIDE rating of 2366 points and secured the top position by surpassing Lan Yao, a four-time English women’s champion. Bodhana has also entered the world top 100 rankings at 72nd position. She started playing chess in 2020 during the COVID-19 period and achieved this distinction within a short time. Her achievement was appreciated by former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

International News

Min Aung Hlaing Elected President of Myanmar

Min Aung Hlaing, the military ruler of Myanmar, was elected as the President of Myanmar through a parliamentary vote on April 3. He secured 429 votes, defeating his opponent Nyo Saw, who received 126 votes, with support from members of the military-backed USDP (Union Solidarity and Development Party) and military-appointed representatives. The USDP party had earlier been declared victorious in the general elections held in December–January. Min Aung Hlaing, aged 69, has been leading the Myanmar armed forces since 2011, and he transferred his army chief position to Ye Win Oo after being nominated as the presidential candidate. His election follows the 2021 military coup, in which the government led by Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown. The International Criminal Court (ICC) had sought a warrant against him in 2024 over alleged actions against Rohingya Muslims.

Changes in Trump Administration Positions

In the administration of US President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi has stepped down from her position on April 3. She is being replaced temporarily by Todd Blanche, the Deputy Attorney General and former personal attorney of Trump, who is likely to be appointed as the next permanent Attorney General. Additionally, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made key changes in the military by removing Army Chief of Staff General Randy George and two other senior generals from their positions.

Radio-Collared Tiger Death in Satpura Tiger Reserve

A radio-collared tiger in Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR), Madhya Pradesh, was found dead, and a government investigation linked the incident to disruption in satellite signals due to the West Asia (Gulf) conflict. Field Director Rakhi Nanda reported that the tiger became untraceable after the radio collar lost satellite connectivity, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) informed that signal transmission between the collar and satellite was disrupted due to the conflict. On March 27, forest officials discovered that the tiger had been poisoned, buried, and its collar burned by poachers. The final report submitted on March 28 stated that the tiger was relocated from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) to Satpura Tiger Reserve on December 24, 2024, and the Chief Wildlife Warden had ordered removal of the collar on December 30, 2025, but it was not removed due to operational constraints. Wildlife experts, including Ajay Dubey, have called for accountability and audit of wildlife tracking technologies.

OpenAI Acquires Tech Podcast TBPN

OpenAI has announced the acquisition of the technology news podcast TBPN in New York on Thursday. According to the company, this acquisition integrates a specialized editorial team into its internal strategy organisation to promote broader discussions on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The development was confirmed by Fidji Simo, CEO of Applications at OpenAI, who stated that the acquisition brings a team with expertise in connecting technology, business, and cultural sectors. The announcement was also highlighted by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Toll Collections Reach Record High in FY 2026

In FY 2026, toll collections in India increased by 14% to reach a record ₹82,900.16 crore, compared to ₹72,930.83 crore in FY 2025. This growth is attributed to the expansion of toll roads, increased economic activity, and the introduction of the annual FASTag facility. According to National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) data monitored by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), FASTag transactions rose by 5.7% to nearly 4.45 billion from 4.21 billion in the previous year. Toll collections from commercial vehicles increased to ₹7,193 crore in March from ₹6,924.57 crore in February. Over the past eight years, toll revenue has increased more than threefold, from ₹25,164.50 crore in FY 2019. During this period, tolled road length expanded from 26,067 km in FY 2019 to 55,812 km as of November 2025. The government plans to implement the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, enabling toll collection based on actual distance travelled. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways expects toll collections to reach ₹1.4 lakh crore in the next two years, and more than 1,000 toll plazas are managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Reports and Indices

Tamil Nadu Climate Body Recognised in Earthshot Prize Report

The Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC), a climate coordination body of the Tamil Nadu Government, has been recognised as one of the leading global models in a report released by The Earthshot Prize in collaboration with Arup. The report titled “Champions of Change: How Cities and Regions are Designing a Low Carbon, Climate-Resilient Future” selected 11 global public-sector innovations from over 130 initiatives, including Tamil Nadu’s Climate Action for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies (CARES) model under the “Protect and Restore Nature” category. The CARES initiative integrates wetlands, forests, coastal ecosystems, and district-level missions, and brings together more than 30 government departments for coordinated climate action. It is identified as India’s first government-backed climate company focusing on climate resilience and biodiversity restoration. The recognition places Tamil Nadu alongside global cities such as Oslo, Bogotá, and London in climate governance and sustainable planning.

INS Taragiri Commissioned into Indian Navy

The indigenously built guided-missile stealth frigate INS Taragiri was commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Eastern Naval Command base in Visakhapatnam on Friday, strengthening India’s maritime security and supporting the ‘Aatmanirbharta’ initiative. The commissioning ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. The warship is powered by a combined diesel or gas propulsion system and is equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles and advanced anti-submarine systems, making it a key asset of the Eastern Fleet.

Groundnut Production to Rise in 2026–27

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), New Delhi, India’s groundnut production is projected to increase by 3% to 7.75 million tonnes in 2026–27, driven by higher cultivation area and crop shift from cotton. The groundnut cultivation area is expected to rise by 2% from 5.62 million hectares to 5.7 million hectares. Increased adoption of high-yielding varieties and continued research, especially in Gujarat, are supporting this growth. Groundnut crushing is projected to increase by 2%, while groundnut meal production is expected to rise by 3% to 1.8 million tonnes, and groundnut oil production by 4%. Exports are likely to increase by 8%, supported by demand from China. At the same time, cotton cultivation area is projected to decline by 2%, with cottonseed production falling by 1% to 9.9 million tonnes, and cottonseed meal output declining to 4 million tonnes.

Economy News

Netafim Launches AI-Based Dosing 5G Technology

Netafim, the precision agriculture business of Orbia, has launched its fifth-generation AI-enabled automated ‘Dosing 5G’ product range in Mangaluru. The product suite includes FertiKit 5G, FertiOne 5G, NetaJet 5G, and NetaFlex 5G, designed for improved fertigation management using self-learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) and remote monitoring systems. The technology enables precise regulation of nutrient delivery for both open-field crops and protected cultivation, while optimising the use of fertilizer, water, and energy. It also helps reduce input costs, minimise nutrient wastage, and prevent groundwater contamination, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture practices. The development was highlighted by Vikas Sonawane, Chief Operating Officer of Netafim Irrigation India Pvt Ltd.

Important Days

National Safety Day 2026

National Safety Day will be observed on March 4, 2026, marking the beginning of National Safety Week (March 4–10) and National Safety Month (March) in India. The theme for 2026 is “Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety”. The day commemorates the establishment of the National Safety Council (NSC) of India, a non-profit organisation promoting workplace safety, accident prevention, and environmental protection across industries, schools, and public spaces. The 2026 observance marks the 55th National Safety Day/Month, organised by the National Safety Council (NSC).

World Obesity Day 2026

World Obesity Day is observed annually on March 4, and since 2020 it has been shifted from October 11 to raise awareness about the global obesity crisis. It is organised by the World Obesity Federation, a non-profit organisation in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and associated with the Lancet Commission on Obesity. The first World Obesity Day was held in 2015, followed by subsequent themes such as “Treat Obesity Now and Avoid the Consequences Later” (2017), “Let’s Talk About Obesity” (2024), and “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives” (2025). The 2026 theme is “8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity”, highlighting that by 2035, nearly 4 billion people (half of the global population) may be overweight or obese. The initiative focuses on reducing, preventing, and treating obesity and highlights its links with childhood obesity, economic inequality, poverty, and social stigma.