Daily Current Affairs – 06-04-2026

Reports and Indices

Indian Economic Growth Forecast Revised to 6% due to West Asian War

According to a report by Moody’s Research Firm, India’s economic growth for 2026–27 is projected to decline to 6%, revised from the earlier estimate of 6.8%, due to the impact of the West Asian War. The conflict, which began on February 28 with military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, has led to a 50% increase in crude oil prices. This has affected LPG supply through sea routes, increased its price, and impacted sectors such as food production and fertilizer imports, on which India heavily depends. Rising production costs have contributed to increased inflation, affecting consumption and overall production. In response, the Government of India removed ₹10 excise duty on diesel and reduced ₹10 excise duty on petrol, while announcing a tax exemption on petrochemical imports on April 2. This measure benefited sectors like plastic manufacturing, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and auto components, but is expected to result in a revenue loss of about ₹1,800 crore for the government.

Sports News

WTT Youth Contender: Tamil Nadu Players Win Silver

In the WTT Youth Contender Table Tennis Tournament held in Serbia, Tamil Nadu player Nikhil Menon won a silver medal in the Under-17 boys’ singles category, finishing second after losing to Lin Chin-chi of Chinese Taipei. In the same tournament, Tamil Nadu player Shreya Anand secured a silver medal in the Under-19 girls’ singles category, after losing to Alicia of Romania. Earlier, both Nikhil Menon and Shreya Anand had won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles category at a tournament held in Bulgaria.

Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu Solar Power Generation Increases

According to Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) officials, solar power generation has increased in Tamil Nadu, where renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy are being prioritised. The installed capacity of solar power in the state has reached 12,352 MW, while wind power capacity stands at 10,000 MW. The average daily electricity demand in the state is around 350 million units, with the highest recorded consumption of 454 million units on April 30, 2024. During the summer season, increased usage of electricity has been matched by higher solar power generation, which recorded 54.8 million units on March 24 and 55.6 million units on March 27, surpassing the previous peak of 53.9 million units on August 20 (previous year). Solar energy currently contributes 13% of the state’s electricity demand. The solar power capacity has increased from 5,000 MW in 2022 to over 12,000 MW, and solar energy generation increased from 1,745 million units in February (previous year) by an additional 40 million units in the current year.

National News

India High-Speed Rail Projects: DPR Target by March 2027

The Ministry of Railways has set a target to complete the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for three bullet train corridors—Hyderabad–Chennai, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, and Patna–Siliguri—by March 2027. The Patna–Siliguri corridor forms part of the Varanasi–Siliguri high-speed rail corridor. These projects were announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2026–27. The DPR preparation is scheduled between September 2026 and March 2027, after which work will commence upon approvals. Earlier, in February, the Railway Board assigned the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) to fast-track seven high-speed rail projects, including Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi, and Varanasi–Siliguri. The Board also directed the formation of dedicated project teams, establishment of headquarters, and preparation of pre-construction activity plans. Upon completion, travel time is expected to reduce to 2 hours 55 minutes (Hyderabad–Chennai), 1 hour 13 minutes (Hyderabad–Bengaluru), and about 2 hours 55 minutes (Varanasi–Patna–Siliguri).

Economy News

Foreign Investment in Indian Stock Market

According to data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for December 2025, foreign investment in the Indian stock market shows that Singapore holds the highest share at 37% (₹1.64 lakh crore), followed by the United States at 16% (₹72,523 crore) and Mauritius at 10% (₹44,629 crore). Other major contributors include Japan with 7% (₹29,753 crore), Netherlands and United Arab Emirates (UAE) each with 5% (₹21,385 crore), Cayman Islands with 4% (₹18,547 crore), Cyprus with 3% (₹12,983 crore), United Kingdom with 2% (₹7,419 crore), and Germany with 1% (₹3,709 crore), while other countries together account for 10% (₹46,369 crore).

PE-VC Investments in Tamil Nadu Decline in Q1 2026

According to data from Venture Intelligence, Private Equity–Venture Capital (PE-VC) firms invested $221 million across 19 deals in Tamil Nadu-based companies during Q1 2026, compared to $2,081 million across 18 deals in Q1 2025, indicating a sharp decline in investment value. The data excludes PE investments in real estate but includes venture capital investments. The number of angel investments in the state declined from 9 in Q1 2025 to 6 in Q1 2026. At the national level, PE-VC firms invested over $9.1 billion across 316 deals in Q1 2026, compared to $11.7 billion across 337 deals in Q1 2025, reflecting a 22% decline, and a 16% decline compared to the previous quarter which recorded $10.9 billion across 329 deals. Quarterly data for Tamil Nadu shows Q1 2024: 10 deals ($53M), Q2 2024: 21 deals ($1,993M), Q3 2024: 13 deals ($776M), Q4 2024: 15 deals ($106M), Q1 2025: 18 deals ($2,081M), Q2 2025: 18 deals ($118M), Q3 2025: 18 deals ($1,118M), Q4 2025: 16 deals ($489M), and Q1 2026: 19 deals ($221M).

Major Ports Cargo Handling Surpasses Target in 2025–26

Major ports under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways handled 915.17 million tonnes (mt) of cargo during the financial year 2025–26, exceeding the annual target of 904 mt and recording a 7.06% year-on-year growth compared to the previous year. The performance reflects improvements in operational efficiency, trade recovery, and growth in the maritime sector, along with the impact of reforms aimed at modernising port infrastructure under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The achievement was associated with the government’s focus on port-led development, as stated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

OMCs Offer Discounted Refinery Transfer Price to Limit Losses

After fuel price deregulation, state-run Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have decided to purchase petrol, diesel, Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), and kerosene from refineries at discounted Refinery Transfer Price (RTP) to limit losses arising from a freeze on retail fuel prices. In March (second half), diesel RTP was reduced from ₹85,349 per kilolitre to ₹63,007 per kilolitre with a discount of ₹22,342 per kl (₹22.34 per litre), and in the first fortnight of April, diesel RTP was reduced from ₹1,46,243 per kl to ₹86,004 per kl with a discount of ₹60,239 per kl. For ATF, RTP was reduced from ₹1,27,486 per kl to ₹76,923 per kl after a discount of ₹50,564 per kl, and for kerosene, RTP was reduced from ₹1,23,845 per kl to ₹77,534 per kl with a discount of ₹46,311 per kl. This pricing mechanism shifts part of the burden of rising global crude oil prices to refineries. Integrated public sector companies such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) can offset losses across refining and marketing operations, whereas standalone refineries like Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), and HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited may be more affected.

Dravid and Kumble Ends Unveiled at Chinnaswamy Stadium

The Rahul Dravid End and Anil Kumble End were inaugurated at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, in the presence of their family members. The event was attended by Venkatesh Prasad, President of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and Sujith Somasundar, Vice-President of KSCA.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Reaches 200 IPL Wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, became the second bowler to take 200 wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after dismissing Ayush Mhatre of Chennai Super Kings. He is the first fast bowler to achieve this milestone, while Yuzvendra Chahal, a leg-spinner, was the first bowler overall to reach 200 IPL wickets.

Hindustan Copper Ltd Seeks Navratna Status

Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), a state-owned Public Sector Enterprise (PSE), is in the process of attaining Navratna status under the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). The company is headed by Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Kumar Singh and operates India’s only vertically integrated refined copper facility, covering exploration, mining, smelting, and refining. The Navratna status is granted to high-performing PSEs and provides enhanced financial and operational autonomy, allowing investment up to ₹1,000 crore or 15% of net worth in projects without prior government approval.

Important Days

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace - April 6

Observed every year on April 6.

Declared by the United Nations in 2013.

Commemorates the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896.

Aim: To promote peace, development, and social change through sports.

Theme 2026: “Sport for Inclusion and Sustainable Development”

National Handloom Day - April 6

Observed in India on April 6.

Aim: To promote awareness about the handloom sector and support weavers.

Highlights the importance of traditional textiles, cultural heritage, and rural employment.

Emphasizes the role of the handloom sector in economic development and self-reliance.

States’ News

Meghalaya Signs MoU with Starlink India for Satellite Internet

Meghalaya Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Starlink India to enhance satellite internet connectivity, becoming the third Indian state after Maharashtra and Gujarat to partner with Starlink. Starlink, launched in 2019 by SpaceX, provides internet through satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) under Non-Geostationary Orbits (NGSO). The system consists of Space Segment, Ground Segment, and User Segment. In India, licensing for such services is handled by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Unified Licence Regime, spectrum assignment terms are recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and private space activities are regulated by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).

International News

Project Maven: AI in Military Operations

Project Maven is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme used by the United States military to improve the precision of operations through automated analysis of drone imagery. The programme uses Machine Learning and Computer Vision technologies to identify objects, patterns, movements, and activities in real-time. By automating the analysis of large volumes of visual data, it enables efficient target identification and reduces dependence on manual analysis in defence operations.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and Yuva Sangam Initiative

The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative was launched in 2015 on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to strengthen cultural and linguistic ties among States and Union Territories. The scheme promotes mutual understanding by pairing States and UTs for sustained engagement in areas such as language, culture, tourism, and sports. A key component of this initiative is Yuva Sangam, which focuses on youth exchange and cultural integration across regions. It is structured around five pillars: Paryatan (Tourism and Heritage), Parampara (Culture and Traditions), Pragati (Development and Governance), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology and Innovation). The initiative follows a whole-of-government approach involving multiple ministries and institutions to promote national unity.

Mission MITRA: ISRO Behavioural Study for Gaganyaan

Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) is a behavioural study launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the Gaganyaan mission. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Indian Air Force (IAF) through the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) to assess the physiological, psychological, and operational performance of astronauts under stress conditions. The assessment was carried out at Leh, Ladakh, where extreme conditions such as hypoxia (low oxygen levels), low temperature, and isolation were simulated to evaluate the mental and physical capabilities of the crew.

Gujarat High Court Bans AI in Judicial Functions

The Gujarat High Court has issued a policy banning the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in judicial decision-making and the drafting of judgments. The policy prohibits AI from being used in core judicial functions such as adjudication, judicial reasoning, and interpretation of law, and restricts its use in generating orders or rulings. It also specifies that AI cannot influence bail decisions, sentencing, or determination of rights. The court clarified that judicial responsibility cannot be delegated, and reviewing AI-generated judgments is not acceptable, ensuring that legal processes remain under direct human oversight to maintain fairness, accountability, and judicial independence.

Blackbuck Reintroduction in Chhattisgarh

After their last official sighting in 1927, blackbucks have been successfully reintroduced in Chhattisgarh under a programme initiated in 2018 at the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in accordance with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The initial phase involved the translocation of 77 blackbucks, including 50 from Delhi and 27 from Kanan Pendari Zoo, Bilaspur. As of April 2026, the state has around 130 blackbucks in the wild and 60 in protected enclosures, with 80 more awaiting release. The project uses scientific monitoring methods such as PTZ IR cameras and daily foot patrols to support conservation of this species.