Current Affairs Today

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs April 3 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

MoEFCC Designates ‘Bhavasagara’ as National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna
In March 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) officially designated the Bhavasagara Referral Centre at Center for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, Kerala as a National Repository for Deep-sea Fauna.

• This recognition, granted under section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, designates the centre as a key national facility for the conservation, research, and documentation of India’s rich deep-sea biodiversity.

Key Functions:
Maintain Secure Custody: Preserves representative biological samples as voucher specimens along with essential data, including Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequences, for future scientific use.
Hold Type Specimens: Serves as the official custodian of newly discovered deep-sea species from Indian waters.
Capacity Building: Promotes expertise in deep-sea taxonomy in line with the United Nations (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

India Emerges as Global Leader in Issuing IRCCs  under Nagoya Protocol on ABS
In March 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), announced that India has emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol. 

• As per the data from the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Clearing-House, India has issued 3,561 IRCCs out of a global total of 6,311,  accounting for more than 56% of all certificates issued worldwide.

Key Details:
Limited Global Participation: So far, only 34 countries out of 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House, issued IRCC.
Leading Nations: After India, countries which have issued maximum IRCCs are: France (964), Spain (320), Argentina (257), Panama (156) and Kenya (144).
Key Driver for India’s Success: India’s leading position in the fair and equitable use of genetic resources represents the effective implementation of the country’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

MoSPI Develops India SDG Dashboard in Collaboration with UN Resident Coordinator Office
In April 2026, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in partnership with the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), developed the India Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Dashboard.

• The dashboard acts as a centralized data platform, designed to monitor the progress of SDG indicators.

Key Details:
Aligns with:  The development of a unified dashboard aligned with India’s SDGs-National Indicator Framework (NIF).
Key Publications: Over the last 5 years, MoSPI has released several publications on social and environmental indicators. These publications provide comprehensive information about social and environment statistics in one place.

• Also, it acts as an evidence-based source for strategic planning and policymaking.

Initiatives: The e-Sankhyiki portal provides time-series data on key macroeconomic indicators, while the Advance Release Calendar (ARC) ensures timely and transparent dissemination of statistical data on the MoSPI website.

MoE & CBSE Launches AI and Computational Thinking Curriculum for Classes 3–8
In March 2026, the Ministry of Education (MoE) in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) launched a new curriculum on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Classes 3 to 8, to be implemented from the 2026–27 academic session.

• The MoE released three key documents, including the curriculum, a teachers’ handbook, and learning materials.

Key Features of Curriculum:
Focus Areas: The curriculum introduces foundational concepts of AI, coding, data handling, logical reasoning, and algorithmic thinking at the elementary and middle school levels.
Grade-wise Approach:

• Classes 3–5: Activity-based learning with basic computational thinking and logic-building exercises
• Classes 6–8: Introduction to AI concepts, coding fundamentals, and real-world applications

Alignment: The curriculum aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.

DoT Extends SIM-Binding Deadline for OTT Platforms to 31 December 2026
In April 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications, extended the deadline for Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms to implement Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)-binding by 31st December 2026.

• The move revised the earlier 90-day compliance timeline issued on 28 November 2025, which came into effect from 1 March 2026.

About SIM-Binding Policy Update:
Approach: The DoT replaced the earlier six-hour automatic logout rule with a risk-based mechanism where sessions are terminated only in suspected fraud cases, addressing concerns over user inconvenience.
Framework: The directive was issued under the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, within the Telecommunications Act, 2023 framework that replaced the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
SIM-Binding: SIM-binding requires OTT applications to remain continuously linked to a mobile number, preventing use without an active SIM and aiming to curb cybercrimes like digital arrest scams and financial frauds while enhancing user verification.

BCGCL and MCL Sign Land Lease Agreement for India’s First Indigenous Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project
On April 1 2026, Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), signed a landmark land lease agreement for setting up India’s first indigenous coal-to-ammonium nitrate project at Lakhanpur, Odisha.

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Mines(MoM) and Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, in New Delhi (Delhi).

About Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project:
Agreement: The project, designed as a 2,000 tonnes per day (TPD) ammonium nitrate facility, marks a significant milestone for India’s energy and chemical sectors.
Technology: The project will use indigenously developed gasification technology by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
Investment:  The project involves an estimated investment of Rs 25,000 crore with financial support of Rs 1,350 crore from the Ministry of Coal.
Execution: Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) is being implemented through Lump Sum Turnkey (LSTK) packages, with LSTK-1 and LSTK-2 awarded to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and LSTK-3 and LSTK-4 to Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
Coal Gasification: It converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas) for producing chemicals, fuels, and fertilizers.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

CMS COP15 Concluded Successfully in Brazil with 40 new Species Being Accorded Protection
The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was held under Brazil Presidency from 23 to 29 March 2026 in Campo Grande, Brazil.

• During the conference, a total of 40 species, subspecies, and populations were newly included or reclassified under Appendices I and II, of which 16 are found in Brazil.

About CMS COP15:
Overview: CMS COP15, a major global wildlife conservation meeting, brought together representatives from 132 countries and the European Union (EU) under the theme “Connecting Nature to Sustain Life.”
Global Concern on Migratory Species: According to the ‘State of the World’s Migratory Species Report 2026’, nearly 49% of migratory species populations are declining, around 24% face the risk of extinction.
Future Developments: Brazil assumed the presidency for the next three years to oversee the implementation of decisions, while Germany was announced as the host of COP16 in 2029 to mark the 50th anniversary of CMS.

BANKING & FINANCE

IRDAI Approves India AS Framework For Insurers From April 1
In March 2026, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved the IRDAI (Actuarial, Finance and Investment Functions of Insurers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 at its 135th Authority Meeting.
Key Highlights
Implementation: The amendments mandate the preparation and presentation of financial statements by insurers in accordance with applicable Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS), with effect from 1st April 2026.
Applicable to: The implementation will be applicable to all categories of insurers including Life, General Stand Along Health Insurers and Reinsurers.
Parallel Reporting: The regulations provide for parallel reporting for a period of 2 years, that is financial statements prepared in accordance with Ind AS and under existing accounting framework.
Expert Group
Joint Export: The IRDAI constituted a joint expert group on IndAS, chaired by the Whole Time Member (WTM) (Finance and Investment), IRDAI currently Mr. Rajay Kumar Sinha.  

• The group shall remain in force for a period of 2 years from the date of constitution.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth Assumes Charge as Vice Chief of the Army Staff
On April 1 2026, Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Dhiraj Seth assumed the office of the 49th Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) of the Indian Army (IA).

• Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth replaced Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh, who assumed command as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Western Command at Chandimandir near Chandigarh, Haryana.
• Meanwhile, Lt Gen V.M.B. Krishnan took over as GOC-in-C, Eastern Command at Fort William, Kolkata, West Bengal(WB).

Role of VCOAS:
Position Hierarchy: The VCOAS is the second-highest-ranking officer in the Indian Army and the senior-most Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).
Function: As the deputy professional head, the officer serves as a senior adviser to the Ministry of Defence(MoD) and manages strategic planning and operational logistics.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

RBI Approves Emirates NBD’s 60% Stake Acquisition in RBL Bank
In April 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Emirates NBD’s acquisition of a 60% stake in RBL Bank, through a preferential allotment of equity shares, in a deal valued at around Rs 26,853 crore.

• The approval also covers the merger of existing operations of Emirates NBD in India with RBL, subject to requisite regulatory clearances.

Key Details of Acquisition:
Acquisition Process: Emirates NBD will launch an open offer to buy a maximum 26% of RBL’s voting share capital at a price of Rs 280 per equity share.

• In addition, the mandatory offer, related to the planned acquisition will include around 415.58 million shares.

Key Change in Role: Upon completion of the transaction, Emirates NBD will be designated as a promoter of RBL Bank, which will become its largest subsidiary outside India.
Regulatory Status: While the RBI’s approval has advanced the process, the deal is now pending clearance from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
About RBL Bank: It formerly known as Ratnakar Bank Limited, is a private sector bank in India, established in 1943 and headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CSL Delivers Second ASW Shallow Water Craft ‘Malwan’ to IN
In March 2026, the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), a Schedule A Miniratna company under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways(MoPSW), delivered the second anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) ‘Malwan’ to the Indian Navy (IN).

• The handover ceremony included the signing of the protocol by Dr. Harikrishnan S, Director (Operations), CSL, and Commander Pravin Kumar Tiwari, Commanding Officer (Designate), Indian Naval Ship(INS) Malwan, at CSL, Kochi, Kerala.

About ASW-SWC Malwan: 
Design & Construction: The newly delivered vessel has been indigenously designed and built by CSL in accordance with naval specifications and complies with Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification standards.
Key Components:  80-metre (m)-long vessel, with displacement of 1,100 tonnes, is equipped with torpedoes, multifunctional anti-submarine rockets, and state-of-the-art sensors, including advanced radars and Sonar systems.
Operational Roles: The vessel is specifically designed for littoral or coastal zones  and will act as the first line of defence against submarine threats near Indian coastlines.

NASA Launched Four Astronauts on World’s First Crewed Lunar Mission ‘Artemis II’ 
In April 2026, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the Artemis II mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the United States of America (USA), using the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule, sending four astronauts on a crewed test flight to the Moon’s vicinity, marking the first human journey beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.

• The four-member crew includes Commander Reid Wiseman (USA), Pilot Victor Glover (USA), Mission Specialist Christina Koch (USA), and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canada, Canadian Space Agency).

About Artemis II Mission:
Aim: The mission aims to orbit the Moon and safely return to Earth while testing spacecraft systems, crew performance, deep-space operations, life-support systems, and safety in a high-radiation environment beyond Earth’s orbit.
Program: Artemis II is the first crewed mission under NASA Artemis program launched in 2017 to advance human lunar exploration and long-term Moon presence.
Achievement: Jeremy Hansen becomes the first Canadian astronaut to participate in a lunar mission, while Christina Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days) and Victor Glover becomes the first person of color on a lunar mission.
Mission: The mission will carry astronauts around the Moon and return to Earth in a nearly 10-day journey, traveling about 406,000 kilometer (km) (252,000 miles), the farthest distance for human spaceflight, surpassing Apollo 13.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Sudha Murty’s Book ‘Tides of Time’ on Parliamentary Murals
On April 1 2026, the Vice President (VP) of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Chandrapuram Ponnusami (C. P.) Radhakrishnan, released the book ‘Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament’ authored by Sudha Murty, Member of Parliament (MP), Rajya Sabha, at Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi (Delhi).

• The volume, published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, documents the visual archives of Parliament while showcasing India’s civilizational journey through its murals in an accessible manner.

About the Book:
Content: The book covers 124 mural panels (including 58 commissioned in 1954) tracing history from Mohenjo-daro of the Indus Valley Civilization to Independence in 1947.
Legacy: The murals reflect India’s traditions of dialogue, diversity, continuity and portraying Bharat as the ‘Mother of Democracy,’ rooted in systems like Vaishali and the Kudavolai system, with Parliament embodying debate, discussion, and dissent.
Symbolism: Heritage elements like the Sengol reflect “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi,” linking tradition with modern governance.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Autism Awareness Day 2026 – April 2
The United Nations (UN’s) World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is observed every year on April 2 to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and promote the rights and inclusion of autistic individuals.

• 2026 Theme:  “Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value.”

Background: 
Adoption: On 18 December 2007, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/62/139, officially declaring April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.
First Observance: WAAD was first observed on April 2, 2008.
Led by: The Switzerland-based Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), a neuro-minority–founded organisation operating in 40 countries, is leading the event in collaboration with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC).
Ribbon Symbol:The puzzle ribbon, adopted in 1999, features bright colours such as red, yellow, and blue and represents the complexity and diversity of autism.

STATE NEWS

Meghalaya Sign LoI with Starlink to Boost Digital Connectivity in Region
In April 2026, the Government of Meghalaya signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink India, a satellite internet service by SpaceX, aimed to boost internet connectivity across the state, particularly in remote areas.

• With this, Meghalaya became the 3rd Indian state after Maharashtra  and Gujarat to collaborate with Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture.

Key Details of LoI:
Signatories: The agreement was formally signed by Sampath Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Meghalaya and Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SpaceX in New Delhi, Delhi
Focus Areas: The state government plans to implement satellite-based internet services across key sectors such as education, healthcare, disaster management, and economic development.
Key Benefits: The MoU will boost economic opportunities and strengthen governance through improved digital connectivity.

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