22–30 April Current Affairs, 2026

May 09, 2026

This digest covers key events, announcements, and developments from the last week of April, presented in a simple, easy-to-review format.

April 22 – World Earth Day: A global day to push for environmental protection and sustainable living.
April 23 – English Language Day (UN): Celebrated by the UN to highlight multilingualism and the role of English in global communication.
April 23 – World Book & Copyright Day (UNESCO): Promotes reading, publishing, and the protection of intellectual property.

April 24 – National Panchayati Raj Day (India): Marks the 1993 implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, giving constitutional status to local self-governments.
April 25 – World Malaria Day: Focuses on global efforts to prevent, control, and eliminate malaria.
April 26 – World Intellectual Property Day: Raises awareness about how IP rights drive innovation and creativity.
April 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work: Aims to prevent job-related accidents and illnesses.
April 29 – International Dance Day: Celebrates dance as a universal art form with deep cultural value.
April 30 – Ayushman Bharat Diwas (India): Promotes the goals of India's flagship public health insurance scheme.

FDI Data for FY26 (April–Dec): The DPIIT released fresh data on foreign direct investment equity inflows.
SBI's Growth Target: India's largest PSB aims to grow its balance sheet to 25% of the country’s GDP by 2030 (up from 20%).
Paytm Payments Bank Shut Down: The RBI cancelled its banking licence on April 24 due to serious and persistent regulatory violations.
RBI's New Digital Payments Rules: A consolidated master framework for recurring digital payments (e-mandate) was issued, along with new master directions on Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs).
New Credit Cards Launched: CheQ partnered with AU Small Finance Bank for the 'CheQ AU Credit Card', while PNB teamed up with Kiwi for a UPI-linked 'PNB Kiwi Credit Card'.
Jio Financial & Allianz JV: Jio Financial Services signed a 50:50 joint venture agreement with Allianz Europe to enter the general and health insurance business in India.
PhonePe's Record: Became the first UPI app to cross 10 billion monthly transactions in March 2026.
India's GDP Forecast Cut: UNESCAP lowered India's GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 4% (from 6.6%) due to global uncertainties.
Currency Swap for Maldives: India approved a ₹30 billion currency swap facility for the Maldives under the SAARC framework.

First Petroglyph Park: India’s first conservation park for ancient rock carvings will come up at Sindhu Ghat, Ladakh.
PMGSY-III Extended: The Cabinet approved extending the rural road scheme until March 2028.
New Ramsar Site: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary became India’s 99th wetland of international importance.
Seafood Export Record: India's seafood exports hit an all-time high of ₹72,325 crore in FY26.
Atal Pension Yojana Milestone: Total gross enrolments crossed 9 crore, a big win for unorganised sector workers.
Konark Sun Temple Conservation: ASI began a major restoration project at the UNESCO site.
Toll-Free Census Helpline: India launched 1855 to help citizens participate in Census 2027.
Safe Cities Project: Dhar, Madhya Pradesh was selected for a women’s safety and urban infrastructure initiative.
Supreme Court Ruling: Safe travel on national highways is now part of the fundamental Right to Life (Article 21).
First Anode Material Facility: Himadri Speciality Chemical commissioned India’s first such facility in West Bengal.

South Korean President's Visit: Lee Jae Myung paid a state visit to India (first in 8 years), and both nations elevated ties to a 'Futuristic Partnership'.
Austrian Chancellor's Visit: Christian Stocker held talks with PM Modi, marking a milestone in bilateral relations.
UK's Strict Anti-Smoking Law: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was passed, introducing one of the world's toughest smoking bans.
Nigeria's Green Tax: Introduced a surcharge on high-emission vehicles as part of its 2026 fiscal reforms.
India-Africa Summit Branding: EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar launched the logo and theme for the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit.

New NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman: Ashok Kumar Lahiri replaced Suman K. Bery.
Apple's New CEO: John Ternus will take over from September 1, 2026.
Census 2027 Brand Ambassador: Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik was appointed by the government.
Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh HC: Justice Lisa Gill was appointed.
Visa's South Asia Head: Suresh Sethi was named Group Country Manager for India, Bangladesh, and South Asia.
NASSCOM Chairman: Srikanth Velamakanni was elected for the 2026-27 term.

Goldman Environmental Prize 2026: Awarded to six women environmental leaders – the first all-women cohort in the prize's history.
Femina Miss India World 2026: Sadhvi Satish Sail from Goa won the title.
WSIS Prize Nomination: India's Samriddh Gram Initiative was nominated for its work on rural digital infrastructure.
Gender Equality Award: Guntur Municipal Corporation won in Vienna for employing over 200 women as electric auto drivers for waste collection.

Emergency Landing Facility: IAF activated a strip on the Purvanchal Expressway in UP for day & night operations.
India-Egypt Defence Meeting: The 11th Joint Defence Committee meeting was held in Cairo.
Border Roads Project DANTAK: Celebrated its 66th Raising Day in Thimphu, Bhutan.
DRDO's New Armoured Platforms: Unveiled advanced tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles in Maharashtra.
SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting: Rajnath Singh led the Indian delegation in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement: Signed at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
India-Kenya Customs MoU: Signed during the 10th Joint Trade Committee meeting in Nairobi.
TCS-South Korean Partnership: TCS signed an MoU with NAVER Corporation for mapping services.
IISc's Commercial Arm Signs MoU: DataKaveri Systems partnered with ONESTRUCTION Inc.

AI Chatbot 'Abhay' to Fight Fraud: The CBI will launch it to help citizens verify official notices and combat digital arrest scams.
First Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Plant: Rocklink India opened the facility in Sikandrabad.
NASA's New Space Telescope: Unveiled the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to study exoplanets and the universe.
China-Pakistan Space Cooperation: Two Pakistani astronauts were selected by China's space agency.
Jordan Joins Artemis Accords: Became the 63rd signatory to NASA-led peaceful space exploration pact.