11th-13th April 2026

1. MoCA Approves Warangal Airport & Adilabad Airport in Telangana
2. Tracxn Report: India Ranks 4th Globally in Tech Funding with USD 11.7 Billion in FY26
3. NBBL’s Banking Connect Onboards Axis Bank, Expanding to 8 Banks and 11 PAs
4. CSB Launches ‘SMART SAVE ACCOUNT”, its 1st Retail Offering
5. Former Union minister and Veteran Congress Leader Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury Passed Away
6. Telangana’s AI Hub Aikam Signs MoU with Deakin University to Boost AI Innovation
7. NASA Marks Historic Milestone With Successful Artemis II Crew Return
8. End of an Era: ‘Lion of Ladakh’ Col Sonam Wangchuk No More
9. Jyotirao Phule Jayanti 2026: India Begins 200th Birth Anniversary Year
10. Asha Bhosle No More: Iconic Voice of Indian Cinema Leaves Behind Unmatched Musical Heritage
11. Sinner stuns Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters 2026, reclaims World No. 1 spot
12. Sujeet Kalkal and Abhimanyu Mandwal Grab Gold At Asian Wrestling Championships 2026
13. 2026 Asian Boxing Championships Held in Mongolia; Kazakhstan Topped, India Finished 2nd
14. India, Uzbekistan begin 7th edition of Exercise Dustlik from April 13
15. Patent Applications in India Jump 30.2% in FY 2025-26, Marking Historic High
16. Karnataka Postal Circle Releases Special Stamps Honoring ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Mission
17. International Day of Human Space Flight – April 12
18. Indian Navy to Convene Senior Leadership for First Commanders Conference of 2026
19. No more cash at toll plazas: India shifts to FASTag and UPI-only payments from April 11
20. Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor
21. First Life-Size Statue of Swami Vivekananda Unveiled in Seattle
22. India Commemorates Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Day, Honoring Victims of 1919 Tragedy
23. Vantara University- India’s First Global Wildlife Institution Explained
24. CPA Zone VII Conference 2026 Concluded: It Calls for Inclusive Governance and Youth Engagement
25. NARIT AI Will Help Gujarat Police Handle Drug Cases Faster and Smarter
26. Mundra Port Sets Record as India’s Largest Automobile Export Hub
27. National Safe Motherhood Day 2026: Why Maternal Health Is a National Priority
28. AAKA Space Studio’s 3D-Printed Mars Radiation Shield

National News

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone VII Conference in Goa

• What: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged lawmakers to prioritise public welfare, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure transparent governance while inaugurating the First Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone VII Conference in Goa.
• Tell me more:
  • The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone is a grouping of Indian state legislatures within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
  • The CPA India Region comprises of a total of 32 Legislatures, from Assam in the East to the Gujarat in the West. After the Africa Region, India has the largest number of member Branches of the CPA.
  • There are 9 regional CPA zones in India.

State News

Telangana Airport Projects Gain Momentum Under Centre Push

• What: The Centre fast-tracked multiple airport projects in Telangana, with Mamnoor airport in Warangal set for foundation within three months and proposals in Adilabad and Peddapalli progressing through planning stages.
• Tell me more:
  • Mamnoor will become the second working airport in Telangana after Hyderabad and will improve travel and business in nearby northern areas.
  • Adilabad airport will follow a defence-civil model, where the Defence Ministry will use part of the airport and civil flights will use a separate section.

Delhi Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated To Boost Connectivity

• What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 213 km Delhi-Dehradun expressway, built at over ₹12,000 crore, to reduce travel time, improve connectivity, and ease congestion between Delhi and Uttarakhand.
• Tell me more:
  • The expressway reduces traffic pressure on National Highway 58.

Vantara University Foundation Laid for Wildlife Education

• What: Vantara announced establishment of a university in Jamnagar dedicated to wildlife and veterinary sciences, with foundation laid by Anant Ambani along with Mukesh Ambani and Radhika Ambani.
• Tell me more:
  • Vantara University will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, fellowship, and specialised programmes in wildlife medicine, surgery, behavioural sciences, genetics, epidemiology, conservation policy, and One Health.

Gujarat Police Launches AI Tool for Narcotics Investigations

• What: Gujarat Police launched NARIT AI, India’s first Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)-based tool, to support narcotics investigations, reduce procedural gaps, and improve conviction rates under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) legal framework.
• Tell me more:
  • NARIT AI provides real-time analytical support to investigating officers by integrating legal provisions, case laws, and investigative procedures.

International News

NASA Artemis II Crew Returns After Lunar Flyby

• What: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully completed the Artemis II mission as the Orion capsule carrying four astronauts returned to Earth in the Pacific Ocean after nearly 10 days.
• Tell me more:
  • Victor Glover became the first Black astronaut, Christina Koch became the first woman, and Jeremy Hansen became the first non-United States astronaut in a lunar mission.
  • Artemis II followed the uncrewed Artemis I mission conducted in 2022. Artemis II is a test mission for the 2028 mission that aims to land humans on moon.
  • This mission marked the first human lunar flight since the Apollo programme of the 1960s and 1970s. Apollo 11 was the first mission to land humans on the Moon in 1969.
  • Launch details:
    • Rocket: Space Launch System (SLS)
    • Spacecraft: NASA owned Orion capsule, built by Lockheed Martin
    • Launch Venue: Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Swami Vivekananda Statue Unveiled in Seattle, USA

• What: A life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda was unveiled at Westlake Square in Seattle by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General Prakash Gupta, marking the first such installation hosted by a United States city government.
• Tell me more:
  • Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) gifted the statue to the City of Seattle to promote cultural diplomacy.
  • The unveiling coincided with the 77th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on April 9.

Banking and Economy

Tracxn Report: India Ranks 4th Globally in Tech Funding with USD 11.7 Billion in FY26

• What: According to Tracxn’s India Tech Annual Funding Report 2026, India ranked fourth globally in startup funding, behind the United States, United Kingdom, and China, while staying ahead of Germany and France.
• Tell me more:
  • Indian technology startups raised USD 11.7 billion in 2025-26, showing an 18% decline from the previous year but higher funding than 2023-24.
  • India recorded 47 initial public offerings in 2025-26, showing a 52% increase from 31 in the previous year.
  • India created 6 unicorns in 2025-26, showing a 50% increase compared to 4 in the previous year.

Axis Bank Joins NPCI Banking Connect Platform

• What: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) added Axis Bank to the Banking Connect platform, helping its 37 million customers make faster online payments across more than 4,800 merchants.
• Tell me more (ELI15):
  • NBBL operates Banking Connect, a system that connects banks and payment companies through one common link.
  • Earlier, payment companies had to connect separately with each bank, which created complexity. Banking Connect replaces multiple connections with a single connection for all banks.
  • Eight banks and eleven payment aggregators are currently active on the platform.

CSB Bank Launches Smart Save Account Offering

• What: CSB Bank introduced the Smart Save Account. The bank improved its main banking software system first, and after that upgrade, it launched Smart Save Account as its first customer-focused product built on the new system.
• Tell me more:
  • CSB Bank operates as a private sector bank with over 100 years of existence and strong presence in Kerala and other states.
  • HQ – Thrissur, Kerala

Patent Applications in India Jump 30.2% in FY 2025-26, Marking Historic High

• What: India recorded 1,43,729 patent applications in 2025-26, marking a 30.2% increase from the previous year due to government initiatives to strengthen the intellectual property rights ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • India ranked as the sixth largest patent filer globally.
  • Domestic applicants accounted for over 69% of total filings, led by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
  • Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) grant patents after examining novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability under the Patents Act, 1970.
  • The CGPDTM operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal provided this data.

Government Mandates Cashless Toll Payments on National Highways

• What: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has stopped cash payments at highway toll plazas from April 10 and made digital payment compulsory, mainly through FASTag, so vehicles can pass quickly without stopping.
• Tell me more:
  • If a vehicle does not have a working FASTag, payment through Unified Payments Interface is still allowed, but the toll will be 25% higher than normal.

Mundra Becomes India’s Largest Automobile Export Hub

• What: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) announced that Mundra Port became India’s largest automobile export hub after exporting 6,008 cars in a single vessel and strengthening India’s global automobile trade presence.
• Tell me more:
  • Key export markets include Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
  • APSEZ targets cargo handling capacity of 1 billion tonnes by 2030 after crossing 500 million tonnes.

Defence News

India Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise Dustlik Begins in Uzbekistan

• What: Indian Army contingent departed for Uzbekistan to participate in the 7th edition of Exercise DUSTLIK from April 12 to 25, 2026 at Gurumsaray Field Training Area in Namangam, Uzbekistan.
• Tell me more:
  • The previous edition took place at Foreign Training Node, Aundh in Pune in April 2025.

Indian Navy Commanders Conference Focuses on Strategic Preparedness

• Indian Navy will hold Commanders’ Conference 2026 in New Delhi from April 14 to 16 to review operational readiness, strengthen jointness, and assess strategic priorities amid increased naval deployments due to energy security concerns in West Asia.

Science and Technology

India Develops First 3D Printed Mars Radiation Shield

• What: Ahmedabad-based AAKA Space Studio developed and tested Asia’s first 3D-printed Mars radiation shield using locally simulated Martian materials, marking progress in sustainable construction for future space habitats.
• Tell me more:
  • This is a special wall or structure made using 3D printing that can protect astronauts from harmful space radiation on Mars.
  • Mars does not have a strong atmosphere like Earth, so dangerous radiation from space can directly hit humans and damage their health.

Important Days

Jyotirao Phule Jayanti 2026 – April 11

• What: Government of India launched year-long celebrations from April 2026 to April 2027 to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, beginning with a national programme organised in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised the national programme at Dr. Ambedkar International Center (DAIC) in New Delhi.
  • Jyotirao Phule, also known as Jyotiba Phule, was an Indian social activist, businessman, anti-caste reformer, and writer from Maharashtra, born on 11 April 1827 and passed away on 28 November 1890.

International Day of Human Space Flight – April 12

• What: 12 April 1961 was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.
• Tell me more:
  • India Post released special stamps to show India’s space achievements and future plans under ISRO.
  • The stamps show India’s journey from Aryabhata to missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan, along with plans to build Bharatiya Antariksha space station by 2035 with the first module expected by 2028.
  • Another sheet includes the Axiom 4 mission patch linked to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Day 2026 – April 13

• India observed the 107th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (happened in April 13, 1919).

National Safe Motherhood Day 2026 – April 11

Sports

Jannik Sinner Wins Monte Carlo Regains World Number One

• What: Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz and won the Monte Carlo tennis tournament. This win made Sinner the world number one player again.
• Tell me more:
  • It is his first clay Masters title. It is his fourth consecutive Masters 1000 title after victories in Paris, Indian Wells, and Miami. He achieved his eighth Masters title overall with this win.
  • Jannik Sinner became the second player after Novak Djokovic to win Indian Wells and Miami titles and also win the Monte Carlo tournament in the same year.

Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

• Indian Winners: 17 medals total

Asian Boxing Elite Boxing Championships 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Memorandum of Understanding

Deakin University Telangana Sign MoU for AI Development

• What: The Government of Telangana and Deakin University are collaborating on artificial intelligence through AikamTM to establish a joint research centre, promote education, support startups, improve public services, and develop a future-ready workforce.
• Tell me more:
  • Deakin University President Iain Martin and Aikam Founding Chief Executive Officer Phani Nagarjuna signed the agreement at Telangana State Secretariat.
  • AikamTM is Telangana’s flagship innovation platform for artificial intelligence. It helps connect companies, researchers, and institutions to build AI solutions.
  • The partnership includes setting up the Aikam–DHRITI joint research hub for applied AI research.

Miscellaneous

Former Malda MP Abu Hasem Khan Passes Away

• Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, four-time Member of Parliament from Malda (city in West Bengal) and former Union junior health minister, passed away at age 89 in Kolkata.

Kargil Hero Colonel Sonam Wangchuk Passed Away

• What: Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, Maha Vir Chakra awardee and Kargil War hero, passed away at age 61. He was known as the “Lion of Ladakh”.
• Tell me more:
  • Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi attended the event and joined the Ladakhi war cry.
  • About Engineer Sonam Wangchuk:
    • There is another Sonam Wangchuk from Ladakh who is an engineer, innovator, and social reformer. He reformed Ladakh’s failing school system, contributed to solar-powered campuses, and invented “ice stupas”.
    • Ice stupas are man-made ice towers (like giant white cones) that store winter stream water, releasing it for farmers in spring when natural glaciers fail.
    • He won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 in recognition of his social service.

Legendary Singer Asha Bhosle Passes Away At 92

Guinness World Records recognised Asha Bhosle as the most recorded artist in 2011 with over 11,000 songs, and she received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Vibhushan for contributions to Indian arts.

• Asha Bhosle earned two Grammy nominations during her career.

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