15-21 April 2026 Current Affairs Weekly

Current Affairs: International News

• Russia has classified Stanford University as an “undesirable organisation,” effectively prohibiting Russian citizens from maintaining any form of association with the institution.
• India and Mauritius have advanced their development partnership by implementing projects under a $680 million financial assistance programme, aimed at boosting infrastructure and economic cooperation.
• To commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations, India and Germany jointly unveiled a special logo symbolising their longstanding bilateral ties and cooperation.
• The World Economic Forum published its April 2026 report titled “Growth in the New Economy: Towards a Blueprint,” which outlines emerging global economic patterns and future growth strategies.
• Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru reported the arrival of four cheetahs, including two females brought from South Africa, marking a step forward in wildlife conservation and species reintroduction efforts.

Current Affairs: Appointments & Resignations

• Ismaïl Omar Guelleh secured another term in office after winning the presidential election, marking his sixth consecutive tenure as the leader of Djibouti.
• Susan Coyle has been appointed as the first woman to lead the Australian Army in its 125-year history, setting a significant precedent in military leadership.
• The Parliament of Iraq elected Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amedi as the nation’s ninth President. He previously served as Environment Minister and is associated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
• Infosys named Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked World No. 1 in men’s tennis, as its Global Brand Ambassador to strengthen its international brand presence.
• Samrat Choudhary took oath as the 24th Chief Minister of Bihar, becoming the first leader from the BJP to hold the position in the state.
• K. S. Somashekhar has been appointed as Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat by the Chairman of the Upper House.
• Harivansh Narayan Singh was re-elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for a third term, creating history as the first nominated Member of Parliament to achieve this milestone.
• The Government of India appointed Dinesh Trivedi as the High Commissioner to Bangladesh, succeeding Pranay Verma.

Current Affairs: Awards and Honours

• Anita Chaudhary, serving at Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary, has been widely recognised for her conservation efforts, having rescued around 500 animals since 2021 while actively tackling poaching, smuggling, and illegal mining activities.
• Banaras Hindu University secured the top position at the Association of Indian Universities National Moot Court Competition 2026, organised at Integral University. The team was awarded a cash prize along with trophies and medals, while Chandigarh University finished as the runner-up.
• Actor Sayani Gupta received the Harvard South Asian “Person of the Year” Award 2026 from the Harvard South Asian Association, in recognition of her contribution to storytelling and promoting South Asian representation globally.
• Nishita Yogesh Antarkar was crowned Miss Sake India 2026 at a ceremony held in Mumbai, marking her achievement in promoting cultural exchange and awareness.
• Alim Yusuf from Kerala was honoured with the national award by the World Wide Fund for Nature during the National ECHO Youth Innovation Summit 2026, which was part of the International Youth Biodiversity Conference in Hyderabad.

Current Affairs: Environment

• Researchers documented a previously unknown bent-toed gecko species, Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis , in the Kachugaon area of Kokrajhar district, close to Raimona National Park. The finding highlights the rich biodiversity of Northeast India and the importance of continued ecological surveys.
• In another development, scientists from India and Indonesia jointly identified a new burrowing reed snake species named Calamaria garoensis . This discovery adds to the known diversity of reptilian species in the region and underscores the value of international research collaboration.

Current Affairs: Summits & Conferences

• The 9th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference 2026 took place from April 10 to 12, 2026, in Port Louis. The conference served as a key platform for discussing regional cooperation, maritime security, and economic partnerships among countries in the Indian Ocean region.

Current Affairs: MoUs and Agreements

• India and Myanmar entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to support the construction of a school in Nay Pyi Taw. The agreement was formalised during the visit of Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, reflecting India’s commitment to developmental cooperation with neighbouring countries.
• Doordarshan, operating under Prasar Bharati, signed an MoU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to strengthen global outreach of Indian culture. The collaboration focuses on expanding cultural exchange and enhancing content dissemination through broadcasting platforms.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited partnered with GE Aerospace through a significant technology agreement for the joint production of F414 jet engines within India, boosting indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
• India and New Zealand are preparing to formalise a Free Trade Agreement on 27 April 2026. The deal is expected to enhance trade volumes, improve market access, and deepen economic cooperation across multiple sectors.
• The Government of Odisha signed an MoU with the National Centre for Coastal Research (under the Ministry of Earth Sciences) to implement Marine Spatial Planning. This initiative is part of the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Management Programme, aimed at promoting sustainable use of marine resources.

Current Affairs: Defence News

• The Indian-flagged LPG carrier Jag Vikram successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the first vessel from India to do so after the Iran–Israel ceasefire, signaling a cautious revival of maritime activity in the region.
• The Indian Air Force entered into a strategic partnership with GE Aerospace to set up a domestic maintenance facility for F404-IN20 engines used in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, strengthening indigenous defence capabilities.
• The Indian Army, through its Trishakti Corps, launched ‘Radio Sikkim Sundari’ (88.4 FM) in East Sikkim near the India–China border. This initiative marks the region’s first community radio station in a border village, aimed at improving communication and local outreach.
• In another initiative, the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army commenced its maiden blue-water sailing expedition, titled Samudra Sahas , from Mumbai, reflecting efforts to build endurance and maritime exposure.
• The Indian Navy’s sail training vessel INS Sudarshini made a scheduled stop at Casablanca, Morocco, as part of its overseas deployment under the Lokayan 26 programme.
• Similarly, INS Sunayna , operating under the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR mission, departed from Phuket, Thailand after completing its operational turnaround, continuing its maritime engagement in the region.
• India also strengthened its naval infrastructure with the launch of DSC A 23, the fourth vessel under the Diving Support Craft project, at Titagarh in Kolkata.
• On the global front, Australia and Japan signed a defence deal worth USD 7 billion for the acquisition of advanced stealth warships, enhancing naval capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Meanwhile, India and China conducted their first bilateral consultations under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation framework, indicating gradual improvement in diplomatic and strategic engagement.

Current Affairs: Apps & Portals

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced a dedicated mobile application designed for Community Health Officers (CHOs). The platform aims to improve the efficiency of primary healthcare services by enabling better data management, real-time monitoring, and enhanced digital health delivery at the grassroots level.
• The European Union has rolled out a new open-source age verification application to ensure safer online environments. This tool is intended to verify users’ age digitally and restrict minors from accessing inappropriate or age-restricted content across online platforms.

Current Affairs: Science & Technology

• The National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), introduced in 2016, continues to function as a nationwide digital marketplace that connects APMC mandis, enabling seamless trading of agricultural produce under the vision of “One Nation, One Market.”
• Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), operating under the Ministry of Mines, has secured environmental approval from Argentina to begin exploration activities across five lithium-rich brine blocks, strengthening India’s access to critical minerals.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh proposed designating the Indian Institute of Public Administration as a central hub for developing Artificial Intelligence capabilities among government officials, aiming to modernize administrative functions.
• The NASA Artemis II mission successfully concluded with all crew members returning safely to Earth, landing in the Pacific Ocean near California.
• OpenAI launched GPT 5.4 Cyber, a specialized artificial intelligence system tailored for cybersecurity, focusing on enhancing digital protection mechanisms.
• Meanwhile, North Korea carried out new missile tests, including cruise and anti-ship systems, indicating advancements in its naval strike capabilities.