22nd April 2026

1. Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for Central Government employees and pensioners
2. Union Cabinet cleared railway multitracking projects worth Rs 24,815 crore in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Andhra Pradesh (AP).
3. MHA receives Indigenously Developed Satellite Imaging System ‘Prajna’ for real-time security support
4. India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park to be set up in Ladakh
5. C-DOT Signs MoU with Jumps Automation to Develop Gamified Cybersecurity Platform
6. SBI Targets ‘Balance-sheet size of 25% of India’s GDP by 2030’
7. UN Report: India’s economy projected to grow at 6.4% in CY26, 6.6% in CY27
8. Former MP Santosh Kumar Honoured as ‘Global Green Icon’ at World Climate Leaders Conclave in UK
9. Apple Named John Ternus as Next CEO; Tim Cook to Step Down
10. Titagarh Naval Systems Launches Fourth DSC A23 for Indian Navy
11. Aronyak Ghosh Becomes India’s 95th Chess Grandmaster
12. UN Chinese Language Day – April 20
13. Goldman Environmental Prize 2026 Honours First All-Women Cohort of Environmental Leaders
14. ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 Kicks Off in Cairo With Strong Indian Participation
15. India and South Korea Announce 25 Key Outcomes After High-Level Talks in New Delhi
16. Indian Institute of Technology Madras Introduces ‘OmegaBall’, India’s First Three-Team Football Format
17. Jamun Origin Traced to India, New Study Challenges Australia and Southeast Asia Theory
18. India’s Samriddh Gram Initiative Nominated for WSIS Prizes 2026 Under Enabling Environment Category
19. Prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 Held in Madrid: Full Winners List and Highlights
20. World Creativity and Innovation Day: Why April 21 Celebrates Ideas That Change the World

National News

India and South Korea Unveil Futuristic Partnership Roadmap

• What: PM Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced 25 outcomes to transform India-Republic of Korea relations into a futuristic partnership during delegation-level talks in India.
• Tell me more:

State News

India’s First Petroglyph Conservation Park In Ladakh

• What: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone for India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park in Leh to preserve ancient rock carvings threatened by tourism, infrastructure development, and lack of awareness.
• Tell me more:
  • Petroglyphs are prehistoric images, symbols, or carvings made by etching, pecking, or engraving designs directly onto rock surfaces.
  • An MoU was signed between the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for joint preservation efforts.
  • Nearly 400 sites in Ladakh contain petroglyphs, with isolated carvings along Indus and Zanskar rivers facing higher risk, and some carvings contain inscriptions in Chinese, Arabic, and Sanskrit.

Banking and Economy

SBI Targets 25% GDP Balance Sheet By 2030

• What: State Bank of India (SBI) plans to expand its balance sheet to about 25% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 from about 20% currently through growth in market share, deposits, and lending.
• Tell me more:
  • SBI plans to increase market share by 1% in each of 800 districts by Financial Year 2027 by treating each district as a separate growth unit.
  • SBI balance sheet stood at ₹71.62 lakh crore and total business at ₹103.29 lakh crore, with market share of about 22% in deposits and 20% in advances.
  • SBI aims to improve global ranking by market capitalisation from 27th position to top 10.
  • SBI plans to deploy “Seva Sarathis” in 10,000 branches to assist customers and improve service delivery, remove home branch distinction, and expand branch network.
  • SBI serves about 53 crore customers through 23,125 domestic and 244 foreign branches.

GDP Forecasts

“Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026” Report by UN ESCAP

• What:

• Tell me more:
  • India’s growth is supported by consumption and services, despite export slowdown due to US tariffs, stable inflation, strong green investments, high remittances, and continued importance in Asia-Pacific growth.
  • 82nd Session of the UN ESCAP was held at Rajadamnern Nok Avenue Bangkok, Thailand (HQ of UN ESCAP).

Defence News

MHA Receives Prajna Satellite System, DRDO Tests ADC-150

• What: The Ministry of Home Affairs received the AI-enabled satellite imaging system ‘Prajna’, developed by DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics-Bengaluru, to strengthen internal security and support counter-terrorism operations.
• Tell me more:
  • Prajna strengthens internal security by monitoring sensitive regions and supports counter-terrorism operations through artificial intelligence-enabled satellite imaging.
  • Separately, DRDO and the Indian Navy conducted four successful in-flight release trials of the indigenous Air Droppable Container (ADC-150) from P8I aircraft off the Goa coast. ADC-150 can carry 150 kg payload.
  • Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, acted as nodal laboratory, while Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra, developed the parachute system for ADC.

Titagarh Launches Fourth Diving Support Craft for Navy

• What: Titagarh Naval Systems Ltd (TNSL) launched the fourth diving support craft A23 for the Indian Navy under Make in India programme to support underwater operations, training, and maintenance activities.
• Tell me more:
  • The diving support craft helps the Indian Navy conduct underwater inspection, repair, maintenance, and salvage operations in harbour and near-shore areas, while also providing training support for naval diving personnel.
  • TNSL is developing a shipyard at Falta in West Bengal, spread over about 50 acres, with capacity to build 12–16 vessels annually.

Science and Technology

Jamun Origin Traced to India, New Study Challenges Australia and Southeast Asia Theory

• What: A study led by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) found that Syzygium originated around 80 million years ago with India as a key centre of early diversification.
• Tell me more:
  • Earlier studies placed the origin of Syzygium in Australia or Southeast Asia based on fossil and molecular timelines.
  • The study was published in Journal of Palaeogeography and highlighted India’s role in plant evolution and biodiversity.
  • Syzygium is a plant genus. It is a scientific classification group that includes many species of trees and shrubs. Jamun is one species that belongs to this genus.

Awards

Santosh Kumar Honoured as Global Green Icon

• What: Joginipally Santosh Kumar received ‘Global Green Icon’ title at World Climate Leaders Conclave in London for contributions to afforestation, ecological restoration, and citizen-led climate initiatives.
• Tell me more:
  • The Green India Challenge mobilised millions across India for tree planting, ecological rewilding, and sustainable practices.

Goldman Environmental Prize 2026

• The Goldman Environmental Prize was established in 1989 by late San Francisco civic leaders and philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman.
• This is the first year during which all six Prize winners are women.

Samriddh Gram Initiative Nominated for WSIS Prizes 2026

• What: Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model, an initiative of Department of Telecommunications (DoT), received nomination for World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026 under Action Line AL C6 category.
• Tell me more:
  • WSIS Forum is a global platform that brings governments, industry, academia, civil society, and international organisations together for digital development. It will be held from July 6 to July 10, 2026 in Geneva.
  • WSIS Prizes recognise innovative information and communication technology projects contributing to sustainable development.
  • Action Line AL C6 category refers to “Enabling Environment” and focuses on initiatives that create supportive policy, infrastructure, and institutional conditions for effective use of digital technologies.
  • Samriddh Gram initiative was chosen because it uses telecom infrastructure to deliver integrated physical and digital services, improving access, reducing costs, enhancing digital literacy, and creating livelihood opportunities in rural areas.
  • Recently, the Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated the first Samriddhi Kendra at Umri village in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh.

Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 at Cibeles Palace in Madrid, Spain

Important Days

UN Chinese Language Day – April 20

• Theme: Harmony of Ink and Brush, Shared Glory
• Chinese was established as an official language of the United Nations in 1946.

World Creativity and Innovation Day – April 21

• UN Focus – Creativity and innovation in problem-solving
• Theme – Harnessing Creativity for Global Progress

Sports

Aronyak Ghosh Becomes India’s 95th Chess Grandmaster

• What: Aronyak Ghosh became India’s 95th Grandmaster (GM) after achieving his final norm at Bangkok Chess Club Open.
• Tell me more:
  • Aronyak Ghosh achieved Grandmaster title four years after first GM norm, won bronze at World Youth Under-16 and Pune Nationals 2023, and secured second GM norm at Annemasse Masters.

ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 Begins in Cairo, Egypt

• What: International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup 2026 started in Cairo with India leading medal standings on opening day after winning gold, silver, and bronze medals.
• Tell me more:
  • The event includes 284 athletes from 25 federations, with India fielding the largest contingent of 71 shooters in the competition.
  • Shiva Narwal won gold in men’s 10m air pistol on the opening day.

IIT Madras Introduces “OmegaBall” Sport in India

• What: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) introduced OmegaBall in India and organised an inter-college tournament, while proposing a national-level OmegaBall Club to promote development, participation, and wider adoption of this new sport.
• Tell me more:
  • OmegaBall is a football variation where three teams play on a circular field with three goals, each team attacks two goals and defends one, enabling continuous, fast-paced gameplay.

Memorandum of Understanding

C-DOT Signs MoU For Cybersecurity Gamification Platform

• What: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) signed a MoU with Jumps Automation LLP to develop a gamification platform to enhance cybersecurity awareness and preparedness among individuals and enterprises in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement was signed under C-DOT Collaborative Research Programme (CCRP).
  • The platform teaches cybersecurity through games, simulations, and leaderboards, while AI tracks user performance, adjusts difficulty levels, and updates content based on new cyber threats.

Appointments

Apple Appoints John Ternus as New CEO

• Apple appointed John Ternus as chief executive from September 1, replacing Tim Cook, who will become executive chairman after leading the company for 15 years.

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