Monthly Edition
Every UPSC CSE current affairs item from April 2026 — key facts, MCQ-ready angles, and practice questions, curated for UPSC CSE aspirants.
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Monthly compilations, free — including April 2026.
The Union Cabinet has approved a comprehensive policy on Artificial Intelligence, targeting over ₹10,000 crore investment and 1.5 lakh jobs by 2031.
The United Arab Emirates has formally withdrawn from OPEC and OPEC+, dealing a major blow to the global oil producers' cartel.
Foreign portfolio investor outflows from India in Jan-Apr 2026 have exceeded total outflows of 2025.
The World Gold Council reports a 10% rise in gold demand in Jan-Mar 2026 with a 99% surge in value driven by geopolitical tensions.
IRDAI Chairman Ajay Seth stated that 100% FDI in insurance will enhance capacity and protect policyholders.
The Asian Development Bank has revised Asia's GDP growth forecast downward to 4.7% for 2026 amid global trade uncertainties.
DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully conducted the first-ever salvo launch of a helicopter-launched anti-ship missile.
The United States has returned 657 stolen cultural artefacts valued at million to India in a major restitution effort.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 594-km Ganga Expressway connecting Meerut to Prayagraj, the longest expressway in Uttar Pradesh.
The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged amid rising inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty.
The UAE announced its withdrawal from both OPEC and OPEC+, dealing a major blow to the oil producers' group amid the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis.
PM Modi visited Sikkim to commemorate 50 years of its integration with India, which took place on April 26, 1975 when Sikkim became India's 22nd state.
A SEBI panel cleared the NSE's Rs 1,800 crore settlement proposal, bringing the National Stock Exchange closer to its long-awaited IPO.
Sheikh Yousaf Afridi, a close aide of Hafiz Saeed and key Lashkar-e-Taiba figure, was shot dead in Pakistan in a targeted killing.
The Madhya Pradesh government set up a panel to prepare a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill within 6 months, following Uttarakhand's lead.
BJP swept all 15 municipal corporation seats in Gujarat local body elections, reinforcing its dominance in the state ahead of 2027 Assembly polls.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Astana stated there is no place for double standards when dealing with terrorism.
Maruti Suzuki reported a 6.45% decline in Q4 FY26 net profit to Rs 3,659 crore, impacted by higher input costs from the Iran war and increased depreciation.
The 594-km Ganga Expressway, India's longest expressway, was inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh, featuring a 3.5-km airstrip and 453 underpasses.
The Enforcement Directorate attached assets worth Rs 3,034.90 crore in the Reliance Communications bank fraud case, including properties in Mumbai and Khandala.
Bangladesh started fuelling its first nuclear power station — the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant — built with Russian assistance, marking a major milestone for the country.
Google announced plans to build a $15 billion data centre hub in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh, marking one of the largest tech investments in India.
India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth slowed to a 5-month low of 4.1% in March 2026, the first month reflecting the impact of the West Asia crisis.
Rajya Sabha Chairman accepted the merger petition of 7 AAP MPs including Raghav Chadha with the BJP, boosting NDA's Upper House tally above 140.
India and New Zealand signed a landmark FTA granting 100% duty-free access to Indian exports, covering goods, services, and investment.
Former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi has been appointed as India's next envoy to Dhaka, Bangladesh, marking a high-level diplomatic appointment.
Punjab Assembly passed a bill with strict provisions against acts of sacrilege, including life imprisonment and fines up to Rs 25 lakh, making offences non-bailable.
Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping if the US lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, as US-Iran war talks remained stalled.
Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of ISRO, has raised satellite bandwidth rates by 20% effective April 1, 2026, the first hike in a decade, as DTH demand weakens.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led India's delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting, focusing on regional security and counter-terrorism.
MoSPI has proposed an Index of Services Production (ISP) using GST data with 2024-25 as base year to track monthly output across key service sectors.
A NITI Aayog report projects India's Digital Public Infrastructure stack could contribute 4% of GDP by 2030 and outlines DPI 2.0 and 3.0 roadmaps.
The National Stock Exchange crossed the 13 crore unique investor milestone, adding 1 crore investors in just 7 months, driven by digital access and rising retail participation.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries announced the acquisition of US-based Organon & Co for $11.75 billion, its largest-ever deal, expanding into women's health and biosimilars.
RBI has finalised the Expected Credit Loss provisioning framework for banks, to be implemented from April 1, 2027, replacing the current incurred loss model.
India and New Zealand signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement on April 27, 2026, marking one of the fastest-negotiated trade deals India has ever concluded.
The National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of hanging glacier risks in the central Himalayas and issued notices to the Centre over potential environmental violations.
Padma Shri awardee Raghu Rai, India's most celebrated photojournalist and the only Indian nominated to Magnum Photos, died at 83.
India is set for a major diplomatic push in May 2026 with engagements across Europe, Africa, BRICS, and the Quad — including an India-Nordic Summit.
PM Modi unveiled a 125-foot bronze statue of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan in Jorhat, Assam, along with multiple development projects for the Northeast.
The Punjab Assembly passed a strict anti-sacrilege bill making such offences non-bailable and punishable with up to life imprisonment and ₹25 lakh fine.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met UAE President in Abu Dhabi to discuss energy security and the Strait of Hormuz crisis triggered by the Iran-US conflict.
The US sanctions waiver on India's Chabahar port operations in Iran expired on April 26, putting the 23-year-old strategic connectivity project at risk.
India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries announced the acquisition of US-based Organon & Co. for $11.75 billion in an all-cash deal, one of the largest outbound acquisitions by an Indian company.
PM Modi hailed India crossing 56 GW of installed wind energy capacity, reinforcing the country's push toward its renewable energy targets.
JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar left for Delhi to take oath as Rajya Sabha member, paving the way for BJP's first-ever Chief Minister in Bihar.
Reliance Industries reported a record net profit of ₹95,610 crore in FY26, becoming the first Indian company to surpass $10 billion in annual profit.
The Agriculture Ministry assured that India's 2025-26 wheat production remains strong despite localized damage from unseasonal rains and hailstorms.
India's first private orbital space mission advanced with key milestones, reflecting the rapid growth of India's private space ecosystem from single digits in 2019 to over 400 startups.
India's textiles and garment exports declined 2.2% in FY2025-26, reflecting global demand weakness and competitiveness challenges.
The Election Commission's draft delimitation proposal for Assam Assembly seats has sparked controversy, with critics alleging it reduces Muslim representation through communal boundary-drawing.
Israel conducted 'Operation Wings of Dawn' to airlift 240 Bnei Menashe community members from Mizoram to Israel as part of religious migration amid ongoing security concerns.
The Rajasthan Assembly passed a Bill repealing the two-child norm for contesting urban local body elections, removing a decades-old restriction.
Indian trade officials concluded constructive in-person talks with US counterparts in Washington, the first face-to-face meeting since October 2025, though no deadline was set.
Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace flagged off its Vikram-1 rocket, marking a significant milestone for India's first private orbital space launch.
K. Kavitha launched Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS) in Hyderabad while AAP MPs Raghav Chadha and Swati Maliwal formally joined BJP amid political realignment.
Former Chief Economic Adviser Ashok Lahiri is set to become the new NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman, replacing Suman Bery, with Gobardhan Das joining as member.
India's net Foreign Direct Investment surged to a 45-month high in February 2026, with gross FDI jumping 61.6% to a seven-month high of nearly $9 billion.
India assured Mauritius that Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement benefits will continue despite a Supreme Court ruling, providing certainty to foreign investors.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant called for a structured national registry of former judges willing to serve in ADR mechanisms like mediation, Lok Adalats, and arbitration.
National highway construction in FY26 reached 9,380 km, falling short of the 10,000 km target and marking the slowest pace since 2017-18 due to land acquisition delays.
The Ministry of Mines announced a ₹5,000 crore incentive scheme for states to expedite auctioning and operationalization of mineral blocks.
BEML's Aditya Manufacturing Plant in Bengaluru will manufacture India's first bullet train coach 'B28', a key milestone in India's high-speed rail program.
India approved a ₹30 billion currency swap for the Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework, reaffirming India's role as a key regional financial partner.
The US imposed preliminary anti-dumping duties of 123% on solar cells and modules imported from India, raising concerns about India's growing solar export sector.
India is actively diversifying oil imports to plug the gap from reduced Middle East supply, while NSA Ajit Doval met UAE President to discuss the energy crisis and Strait of Hormuz situation.
PM Modi urged citizens to participate actively in the upcoming census and assured data security, as India prepares for its first census since 2011.
HSBC downgraded India to 'underweight' citing oil shock risk, while US Trade Representative Greer called India a 'tough nut to crack' as trade negotiations wrapped up.
UAE-Iran differences and India's push to dilute Israel-Palestine language derailed a joint statement at the BRICS Deputy FM meeting in Delhi, with India issuing only a Chair's Statement.
The Punjab Assembly passed a bill prescribing strict provisions including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh for acts of sacrilege against religious scriptures.
The RBI's State of Economy Report flagged upside risks to inflation from the West Asia conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while affirming India's external sector remains resilient.
Gujarat held local body elections covering municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayats, with urban voter turnout below 50% amid severe heat. Counting scheduled for April 28.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit will shape the next phase of India-Africa partnership, expanding into digital, innovation, and development sectors.
India's Composite PMI rose in April 2026 driven by manufacturing strength, showing resilience against the West Asia oil shock and signaling continued private sector growth.
Adani Green Energy plans ₹42,000 crore capex in FY27 to add 5 GW of clean energy, after achieving the highest annual greenfield renewable capacity addition globally outside China in FY26.
PM Modi hailed India's wind energy capacity crossing 56 GW, reinforcing India's position as the fourth-largest wind energy producer globally.
Infosys posted a 21% YoY jump in Q4 FY26 net profit to ₹8,501 crore and announced plans to hire 20,000 freshers in FY2026-27.
Uttar Pradesh's Shekha Jheel has been added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, taking India close to the milestone of 100 Ramsar sites.
Iran's IRGC seized two vessels at the Strait of Hormuz including an India-bound ship headed to Mundra port, with one Indian seafarer among the 21-member crew.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Germany inking defence cooperation pacts, while India and Japan moved to deepen defence ties with an eye on China's regional ambitions.
Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as Bihar's new Chief Minister after Nitish Kumar resigned to take Rajya Sabha membership, with the first cabinet meeting prioritising temple, township, and skills development.
Tamil Nadu recorded 84.29% voter turnout and West Bengal Phase 1 recorded 92.25% in their respective assembly elections, indicating strong electoral participation.
A terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir claimed lives of tourists, with President and PM paying homage to victims while US and EU expressed solidarity with India.
France has waived the transit visa requirement for Indian passport holders for layover flights, easing travel significantly for Indians transiting through French airports.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant called for a structured national registry of former judges willing to serve in Alternate Dispute Resolution, calling ADR 'the only door to justice for millions.'
India's billionaire population may rise 51% to 313 by 2031 according to Knight Frank's Wealth Report, with Mumbai accounting for 35.4% of India's Ultra High Net Worth Individuals.
The Indian government's online content blocking orders doubled to 24,000 in a year, with more than half targeting content on X (formerly Twitter), under IT Act Section 69A.
The government amended aviation fuel norms to allow blending with non-petroleum sources including biomass and natural gas, enabling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production in India.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began drilling operations inside the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha to remove sand filled by the British 100 years ago to stabilise the structure.
India's formal credit flows surged 38% in FY26 to ₹44.6 lakh crore, with total outstanding credit crossing ₹300 lakh crore for the first time, driven by RBI's rate cuts and liquidity infusion.
India's March 2026 oil imports data showed Russian crude at record volumes, while OPEC's share dropped to an all-time low of 29% as India diversified away from Middle East suppliers.
Former Chief Economic Adviser Ashok Lahiri was appointed as the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, replacing Suman Bery, while scientist Gobardhan Das was named a new member.
The UN projected India's GDP growth at 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027, while the rupee plunged 32 paise to settle at 93.48 against the US dollar amid oil shock pressures.
India and New Zealand concluded Free Trade Agreement negotiations, with signing scheduled for April 27. New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon called it a 'once-in-a-generation deal' to double bilateral trade to $5 billion.
Tim Cook announced his resignation as Apple CEO, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus set to take over. Cook, who led Apple since 2011, will transition to Executive Chairman.
A Syrian court began proceedings against ousted President Bashar al-Assad and allies, while India's SBI sought Supreme Court review of a ruling that 'spectrum' doesn't count as an asset in IBC proceedings.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Russia of 'nuclear terrorism' as the world marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, as Russia launched over 100 drones overnight into Ukraine.
India is set for a major diplomatic offensive in May 2026, with PM Modi likely visiting Europe for the India-Nordic Summit and Italy/Netherlands bilaterals, while hosting the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman called for a unified KYC framework across the financial sector led by SEBI, while announcing a panel under SBI Chairman C.S. Setty to assess risks from AI platform 'Mythos'.
The US imposed preliminary anti-dumping duties of 123% on solar cells and modules imported from India, a potential blow to Indian solar exporters though with limited immediate domestic impact.
