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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs April 21 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of Austria Chancellor Christian Stocker’s Visit To India from April 14-17, 2026
The Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Dr. Christian Stocker visited India from 14–17 April 2026 on an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in 42 years and the first official visit of Chancellor Stocker to India.
Highlights of the Visit:
Bilateral Meetings: During his visit to India,  Christian Stocker and PM Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi (Delhi) to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional, global, and multilateral issues.

• He also met President Droupadi Murmu and  Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

IAJEC:  As part of the Visit, the 17th session of the India–Austria Joint Economic Commission (IAJEC) was held in New Delhi as a key platform to review and advance bilateral economic relations.
India–Austria Business Forum: The forum was held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, during the visit of Christian Stocker with participation from senior government officials and industry leaders.

• A bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM) was signed and operationalised to facilitate investments.

Outcomes:India and Austria signed multiple agreements across audiovisual co-production, Foreign Trade Mechanisms (FTM), defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, food safety, and skill development to strengthen bilateral ties.

Union Cabinet approves the extension of PMGSY-III till March 2028
On 18 April 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – III (PMGSY – III) beyond its original March 2025 deadline, extending it up to March 2028.
Key Highlights
Purpose: The programme focuses on consolidation of through routes and major rural links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), higher secondary schools and hospitals.
Budget: The revised outlay of the scheme will be Rs 83,977 Crore (Cr), up from the earlier Rs 80,250 Cr.
Timeline Extension: Along with the continuation and revision of the budget of the scheme, the cabinet also approved the following:

• Extension of timeline till March 2028 for completion of roads and bridges in plain areas and roads in hilly areas.

• Extension of timeline till March 2029 for completion of bridges in hilly areas.

• Works sanctioned before 31.03.2025 but un-awarded till now may be taken up for tender/award.

Union Cabinet Approves Rs 12,980 crore Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool to Cut Costs
In April 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal for creation of a domestic insurance pool, named Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI pool) with a sovereign guarantee of Rs.12,980 crore in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The pool ensures continuous, affordable maritime insurance for Indian trade, reducing reliance on foreign insurers and covering vessels even on volatile routes.

About Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool:
Coverage: Covers Indian-flagged, Indian-controlled, and India-linked vessels transporting cargo to and from Indian ports, including those in high-risk maritime corridors across global routes.
Risks: Includes Hull and Machinery, Cargo, Protection and Indemnity (P&I), war risks, and third-party liabilities such as oil pollution, collision, crew injury, and wreck removal.
Capacity: Provides a combined underwriting capacity of approximately Rs.950 crore through pool member insurers under a pooled mechanism with policies issued collectively.
Tenure: Ensures continuous insurance coverage for 10 years, extendable up to 15 years, maintaining long-term reliability of coverage.

MeitY Constitutes Technology and Policy Expert Committee to Support AIGEG
In April 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) constituted the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) (Advisory Arm) to provide expert advisory support to the newly established Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) (Apex Body) in New Delhi, Delhi, for strengthening India’s AI governance and policy framework.

• The committee will provide technical, strategic, and policy support to strengthen AI regulation, governance design, and evidence-based decision-making.

About Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC):
Role: It will translate complex technologies into practical policy insights and reinforce India’s participation in global AI governance forums.
Composition: The committee is chaired by S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY.

• Other members include Professor B Ravindran, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras), Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), Professor Rajat Moona, IIT Gandhinagar, Gujarat and representatives from National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), Data Security Council of India (DSCI), and Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT).

MoT Launches ‘Vishwa Sutra’ to Promote Indian Handlooms Globally
In April 2026, the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), through its affiliated bodies the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) (DCH) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), launched ‘Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World’ showcasing a designer collection at the 61st Femina Miss India 2026 at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• It features 30 traditional weaves from different states, each creatively adapted using inspirations from 30 countries to showcase varied international aesthetics.

About Vishwa Sutra Initiative:
Objective: The initiative seeks to globalise India’s handloom heritage by integrating tradition with contemporary fashion, while boosting exports, supporting artisans, and enhancing cultural outreach.
Designs: Showcased unique global pairings such as Odisha Ikat with Greek forms, Kanchipuram silk with Norwegian styles, Muga silk with Egyptian aesthetics, Patola with Spanish influences, Banarasi with United Arab Emirates (UAE) designs, and Kunbi weave worn by Miss India winner Sadhvi Satish Sail.
Vision: Aligns with the 5F Framework (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) and supports the ‘Vocal for Local to Global’ initiative while promoting sustainable and eco-friendly textiles.

CEA: India Targets 100 GW Nuclear Power Capacity by 2047
In April 2026, Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairman of  Central Electricity Authority (CEA) announced that India has set a target to increase its nuclear power capacity from the existing 8.8 Giga Watt (GW) to 100 GW by 2047 marking over a tenfold increase.

• The announcement was made on the sidelines of the inaugural session to focus on India’s 100 GW Nuclear Power Roadmap held in New Delhi, Delhi.

Key Details:
Investment: He further mentioned that the set target for 2047 requires an investment of at least Rs 20 lakh crore, assuming  a baseline cost of Rs 22 crore per MegaWatt (MW).
Other Key Requirements: He also outlined other key requirements to achieve the 100 GW target: legislative reforms, streamlined processes and operational frameworks to support large-scale nuclear deployment.
Key Constraints: He identified long approval timelines for nuclear projects (currently, the entire process takes around 13 years)that may extend the target year. So, he suggested the need to reduce the regulatory timelines for such projects to about 8-9 years.

BECIL & C-DAC Signs MoU for Digital transformation and Advanced Technologies 
On April 18, 2026, Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), a Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Enterprise(PSE) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(MIB), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to jointly work on digital transformation, advanced technologies, and capacity building.

• The MoU was signed by Captain(Indian Navy, IN) Saurav Chauhan (Retired), Director of Operations and Maintenance (O&M), BECIL and Niranjan Vaishnav, Registrar, C-DAC, in New Delhi, Delhi.

Key Details of MOU:
Objective: The partnership aimed to foster innovation, accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, and support the development of a resilient, future-ready digital ecosystem aligned with the vision of Digital India.
Focus: Joint project implementation, consultancy and technical support, and development of solutions in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, 5G, and Cloud Computing.
Impact: The partnership will develop turnkey solutions, support technology transfer and commercialization, and promote innovation while accelerating advanced technologies to build a robust and future-ready digital ecosystem under the Digital India vision.

ORF–RIS Host Inaugural BRICS Academic Forum in New Delhi 
The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) hosted the inaugural ‘BRICS Academic Forum’ in New Delhi, Delhi from 17-18 April 2026.

• It marked a key Track II initiative under India’s BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Chairship 2026 to enhance policy dialogue, research collaboration, and global cooperation among BRICS nations.

About BRICS Academic Forum:
Purpose: The forum aims to generate policy recommendations for leaders ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit under India’s Chairship, themed “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Pillars: Discussions were structured around four pillars: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability, aligned with India’s BRICS Chairship priorities.
Focus: The forum focuses on global economic cooperation, governance, supply chains, food security, sustainable development, and technology collaboration, while producing research papers and expert inputs for BRICS Sherpas to guide summit discussions.

Structure: The forum operates as an advisory platform aiding policy formulation, diplomacy, and summit preparation, with a roadmap involving 13 international speakers and multiple meetings in India and abroad to produce actionable recommendations.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

MoCI Data: Singapore emerges as top FDI source in Apr-Dec FY26, high inflows from tax havens
In April 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) released data which showed that Singapore emerged as the top source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity in inflows in April-December of Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) at USD 17.6 billion,  accounting for 37% of the total share of FDI.

• The data further showed India received USD 47.87 billion of FDI equity inflows in April-December of FY26.

Key Findings:
Other Top FDI Sources: Other than Singapore, the United States of America (USA) (USD 7.8 billion) and Mauritius (USD 4.8 billion) were the next two largest sources of FDI, accounting for 16% and 10% of the total FDI inflows, respectively.

• Also, Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were among the top 5 investor countries.

States-wise FDI Distribution: As per the data, Maharashtra received the highest FDI inflows i.e. at USD 15.38 billion in April-December of FY26; followed by Karnataka (USD 11.15 billion) in the three quarters of FY26.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

SBI Research Report Projects India’s GDP Growth at 6.8%–7.1% for FY27
In April 2026, State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank(PSB) released its latest “SBI Research Report”, projecting India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.8%–7.1% for Financial Year 2026–27 (FY27), despite global headwinds from West Asia conflicts and oil price pressures.

• It has further estimated India’s GDP growth at 7.6% for FY26.

Key Findings:
Potential Risks: Despite India’s strong GDP projection for the current fiscal year, the report has also outlined potential risks like: El  Nino which could hamper economic activity.
Inflation & Fiscal Deficit: Apart from India’s GDP growth rate, the report estimated India’s inflation to average 4.5%, while the fiscal deficit is projected at 4.5% to 4.6%.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

IARI Director Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao Conferred 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award 
In April 2026, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, the Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), was conferred the 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award for 2024-25 in Hyderabad, Telangana, coinciding with the birth centenary year of M. S. Swaminathan, the pioneer of India’s Green Revolution.

• The award was presented by M. Venkaiah Naidu, Former Vice President of India, in recognition of his exceptional and sustained contributions to climate-resilient farming and natural resource management.

About M.S. Swaminathan Award:
Award Overview:  The award was established to honour the legacy of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, regarded as the Father of India’s Green Revolution, who played a pivotal role in making the country self-reliant in agriculture and modernising farming practices during the 1960s and 1970s.
Instituted By: Established in 2004-05 by the Retired ICAR Employees Association (RICAREA) in collaboration with Nuziveedu Seeds Limited.
Purpose: It recognizes eminent scientists whose lifetime contributions have made a measurable impact on India’s food security and agricultural sustainability by awarding a Gold Medal and a cash prize of Rs.2 Lakh.

Rathi Steel Receives GreenPro Ecolabel Certification for TMT Rebars from CII 
In April 2026, Rathi Steel and Power Limited (RSPL), a leading special steel manufacturer, received the GreenPro Ecolabel Certification from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for its Rathi Powertech TMT rebars (Thermo-Mechanically Treated reinforcement bar) manufactured at its Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh, UP) unit.
About GreenPro Certification:
Coverage: The certification covers Fe 550 grade TMT rebars produced at RSPL’s Ghaziabad manufacturing unit.
Eco Label: It is a Type-1 Eco label that certifies environmental performance, aligns with global standards, and supports Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) green building credits.
Sustainability Shift: The achievement reflects the industry’s move towards green steel and reduced carbon footprints.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

CCI Appoints Rakesh Bhanot as Acting DG to Helm Investigations 
In April  2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MCA), officially appointed its advisor Rakesh Bhanot as the Acting Director General (DG) to lead its investigative arm.

• He succeeded Ansuman Pattanaik, who stepped down in March 2026 to take up the role of Additional Secretary in the MCA.

About Rakesh Bhanot
Profile : He has been a key technical expert in financial and economic analysis of mergers, acquisitions, and anti-competitive conduct.
Experience: He has extensive experience in dealing with cases related to cartels, abuse of dominant position, and anti-competitive agreements under the Competition Act, 2002.
Key Role: He served as Advisor (Financial Analysis) at the Competition Commission of India from 2013 to 2021 and rejoined as Advisor in 2024.

• In 2021, he moved to the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) as Executive Director, gaining expertise in financial scrutiny and regulatory compliance.

SPORTS

PCI in Collaboration with IFI Launched Para Elan Initiative
In April 2026, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) in collaboration with French Institute in India (IFI), introduced Para Elan, a significant 3-year initiative aimed to promote inclusive education and empower youth through para sports.

• The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Satya Prakash Sangwan, Vice-President (VP) of PCI, and Gregor Trumel, Country Director of IFI.

Key Details:
Para Elan: The key purpose of the initiative is to bolster India-France cooperation at the forefront of para sports by incorporating its key values of inclusion, resilience, equality, and excellence in educational ecosystems.
Hosted by: The initiative, hosted by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou, targets 10,000 students through awareness, workshops, athlete interactions, and adaptive sports activities.
Key Activities: The initiative will feature awareness programmes, interactive workshops, athlete interactions and inclusive sporting activities across partner institutions.
Significance:  Within 3 years, the initiative is expected to offer activities and raise awareness about para sports among nearly 10,000 students in partner schools of IFI.
Key Role: As part of the agreement, IFI will use its network of private and public partner schools, facilitate coordination, and include sports value into its educational programs (such as the French for All and French for a Better Future) initiatives.

• And, PCI will provide its technical expertise in adaptive sports by creating customized content for schools, deploying trained educators and para-athletes for demonstrations, and promoting Indo-French cooperation in para sports.

OBITUARY

Padma Shri awardee and Bundeli Martial Arts Pioneer Bhagwandas Raikwar Passed Away
In April 2026,Padma Shri awardee Bhagwandas Raikwar, popularly known as ‘Dau’ and a pioneer of Bundeli martial arts, passed away at the age of 83 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh(MP). He was born on January 2, 1944, in the Bundelkhand region of MP.

• He was conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in the field of Sports (specifically for Traditional Martial Arts) in 2026 .

About Bhagwandas Raikwar:
Profile: He was a renowned practitioner and pioneer of Bundeli martial arts, celebrated for his significant contribution to preserving India’s traditional war art forms.

• He was a master of weapon-based combat, specializing in the use of the lathi (staff), talwar (sword), bhala (spear), dhal (shield), and trishul (trident).

Foundation: In 1964, he founded the Chhatrasal Bundelkhand Akhada in Sagar, MP, using his own limited resources.

Former Rajya Sabha MP and Journalist Balbir Punj Passes Away
In April 2026, Balbir Punj, veteran journalist, and a former Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, passed away at the age of 76 in New Delhi, Delhi. He was born in 1949 in New Delhi.

About Balbir Punj :
Profile: He was widely respected for his contributions to journalism and public discourse, particularly through his writings on political, social, and national issues.
Career: He began his career with ‘The Motherland’ in 1971, worked with Financial Express (FE) from 1974 to 1996, later served as Executive Editor of The Observer of Business and Politics, and held key positions in journalists’ associations.
Public Roles: He served as Chairman of the National Commission for Youth, member of the Delhi Finance Commission (1996–97), and was a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),leader and former Rajya Sabha MP.
Authorship: He authored ‘Tryst with Ayodhya: Decolonisation of India and Narrative ka Mayajaal’ and wrote columns in Hindi and English publications.
Recognition: He was honoured with the Lifelong Devrishi Narad Samman Award in May 2022 for his contributions to journalism.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Hemophilia Day 2026 – April 17

The World Hemophilia Day(WHD) is observed annually across the globe on 17 April to raise awareness about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders that affect the blood’s ability to clot.

• 2026 Theme: “Diagnosis: First step to care”

Background:
Establishment: The day was initiated by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in 1989.
First Observance: The first-ever WHD was observed on 17th April 1989.
2026 Event: The WFH, in collaboration with the Hemophilia Society of Malaysia (HSM), is hosting the WFH 2026 World Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from April 19 to 22, 2026.

International Day For Monuments and Sites 2026 – April 18
The International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), popularly known as World Heritage Day, is observed every year across the world on April 18 to highlight the significance of safeguarding cultural and historical heritage.

• 2026 Theme: “ Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters”

Background:
Establishment: IDMS was instituted in 1982 by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
UNESCO Approval: In 1983, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) formally approved the global observance of IDMS during its 22nd General Conference.
First Observation: The International Day for Monuments and Sites was observed for the first time in 1983.

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