Daily Current Affairs – 29-04-2026

States’ News

Google Edge Data Center Project in Andhra Pradesh

A foundation stone was laid for a Google Edge Data Center project in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh with an investment of ₹1.35 lakh crore across three locations. The ceremony was attended by Ashwini Vaishnaw and N. Chandrababu Naidu. The project is expected to generate employment for 1.88 lakh people and will have a capacity of over 1 gigawatt, with completion targeted by 2028. The data centers will be set up in Darlavada (266.6 acres), Aliviram (160 acres), and near Rambilli in Anakapalli district (174.80 acres). During the construction phase, around 60,000 jobs will be created in civil, electrical, and mechanical sectors.

Reports and Indices

Tamil Nadu Records Double-Digit Growth for Second Consecutive Year

Tamil Nadu recorded double-digit economic growth for the second consecutive financial year (2025–26) as per data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The state registered a growth rate of 10.83% in 2025–26, following 11.19% in 2024–25, marking a continuation of such growth after 14 years. The per capita income of the state increased to ₹4.08 lakh, compared to the national average of ₹2.05 lakh. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) rose to ₹35.29 lakh crore in 2025–26, up from ₹31.19 lakh crore in 2024–25. Sector-wise growth includes industrial sector (10%), services sector (8.5%), and agriculture sector (6.7%), contributing to the overall economic performance.

India’s Industrial Production Growth at 4.1% in March 2026

According to data released by the National Statistical Office, India recorded Industrial Production (IIP) growth of 4.1% in March 2026, which is the lowest in the last 5 months, compared to the revised estimate of 5.1% in February 2026. Sector-wise, manufacturing growth increased to 4.3% from 4% in March 2025, electricity generation declined to 0.8% from 7.5%, and mining sector growth rose to 5.5% from 1.2%. Overall IIP growth improved slightly from 3.9% in March 2025 to 4.1% in March 2026, but remained lower compared to preceding months of the current year. For the financial year 2025–26, the overall industrial production growth stood at 4.1%, compared to 4% in 2024–25.

India Ranks 5th in Global Military Expenditure

According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India ranked 5th globally in military expenditure in 2025, spending 92.1 billion US dollars, which is an 8.9% increase compared to the previous year, with a 3.2% share in global military spending. In the global ranking, the United States ranked first with 1,480 billion US dollars, followed by China with 336 billion US dollars, Russia in third place, and Germany in fourth place. Meanwhile, Pakistan ranked 31st in the list of countries with the highest military spending.

National News

India to Receive Fourth S-400 Air Defense System

India is set to receive the fourth unit of the S-400 Triumf air defense system from Russia in May 2026. The deal was signed in October 2018 for $5 billion (₹47,000 crore) to procure five units of the system. So far, three units have been delivered, and the fifth unit is expected by November 2026. The system is a surface-to-air missile system designed to target aerial threats. Additionally, the Union Government of India approved the procurement of five more S-400 systems, increasing the total to ten units from Russia. The S-400 system played a key role during Operation Sindhur conducted between May 7 and May 10 (previous year) in protecting Indian territory from missile attacks.

Census 2027 Activities Begin in Puducherry

In the Puducherry, Census operations will begin on June 1, 2026, with door-to-door data collection conducted until June 30, 2026, as part of the Census 2027 first phase (house listing and housing census). The process follows a government order issued on April 25 by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. A self-enumeration process will be carried out from May 17 to May 31, 2026, allowing citizens to submit details online. During the census, 33 types of information including housing conditions, drinking water, sanitation, cooking fuel, electricity, and internet facilities will be collected. As per the Census Act, 1948, providing false information, non-cooperation, or denial of access to officials is a punishable offence, with a fine up to ₹1,000.

PM Modi Launches Projects in Sikkim and Highlights ‘Ashtalakshmi’ States

Narendra Modi participated in the 50th year celebrations of statehood of Sikkim in Gangtok and launched development projects worth ₹4,000 crore. Sikkim became a full-fledged state of India in 1975. The Prime Minister referred to the eight North-Eastern states as “Ashtalakshmi” and highlighted the ‘Act East’ policy for their development. Key infrastructure projects include the Bagdogra–Gangtok expressway, Gangtok ring road, Nathu La gateway, and ropeways. The Union Government is also promoting tourism and infrastructure development, including 1,000 homestays and facilities for adventure tourism and sports.

India Post–DTDC MoU to Strengthen Parcel Delivery Network

India Post and DTDC Express Courier have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance parcel delivery services across India. The agreement enables DTDC to utilize 1.64 lakh post offices of India Post for expanding its parcel business, marking the next phase of cooperation initiated in the previous year. The MoU was signed in the presence of Neeraj Kumar Jha, General Manager (Parcel Directorate), and Jinder Sethi. The collaboration aims to improve faster and reliable delivery of e-commerce parcels, especially in remote rural areas, and includes a provision for quarterly review (once every 3 months) of the agreement’s progress.

Wild Buffalo Reintroduction in Kanha Tiger Reserve 2026

The Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo has been reintroduced in Kanha Tiger Reserve in 2026, where it had become locally extinct about a century ago. The project was launched by Mohan Yadav in the Supkhar forest range by releasing 4 wild buffaloes brought from Kaziranga National Park on April 25, 2026, covering a distance of 2,000 km. This forms part of an interstate wildlife translocation project, where 7 sub-adult buffaloes were identified between March 19 and April 10, 2026 in Kaziranga. The initiative aims to restore the species and strengthen biodiversity and grassland ecosystems. A second batch of 4 buffaloes (3 females and 1 male) is expected to reach Kanha by end of April or early May 2026.

Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu Leads in Use of Government Hospitals in South India

According to data released by the National Statistical Office, Tamil Nadu recorded the highest proportion of inpatients in government hospitals in South India with an overall rate of 43%. In the past one year, 47.5% in rural areas and 38.6% in urban areas were admitted as inpatients in government hospitals. Comparative data shows Kerala (30%), Karnataka (29.8%), Telangana (29.3%), Andhra Pradesh (26.9%), Gujarat (25.9%), and Maharashtra (18.6%) in terms of inpatient treatment in government hospitals.

Tamil Nadu Leads in Ramsar Sites; Uttar Pradesh Aims for Top Position

The Ramsar Convention was held on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, and came into force on December 21, 1975, with participation from about 170 countries for the conservation of wetlands. In India, Tamil Nadu ranks first with 20 Ramsar sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 12 sites. Recently, Shekha Lake was added to the Ramsar list, and Surha Taal Bird Sanctuary is expected to be included soon. The total number of Ramsar sites in India stands at 99. Other states include Punjab, Odisha, and Bihar with 6 sites each, and Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir with 5 sites each. Ramsar sites are identified based on their role in biodiversity conservation and as habitats for migratory birds and wildlife.

Economy News

PhonePe Crosses 5 Crore Registered Merchants

PhonePe, an Indian fintech company established in 2016, has crossed 5 crore registered merchants on its platform across India. The platform currently has over 65 crore users. It provides services such as QR code payments, Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, smart speakers, and capital loans for merchants. The company is also preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to enter the stock market.

Sports News

Sri Lanka Cricket Board Resignation

Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva and all board members resigned in 2026 following a special meeting held in Colombo. Shammi Silva was first elected as President in 2019 and was re-elected unopposed in 2021, 2023, and 2025. The development followed complaints from players and poor international performance, along with government consideration for his removal since March 2026. He had recently met Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who urged him to step down. After the resignation, the Sri Lankan government initiated steps to appoint an interim committee to manage the board’s administration. Earlier, in December 2023, the International Cricket Council suspended Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership citing political interference, after the then Sports Minister removed Shammi Silva, who later regained his position through a court order.