Monthly Edition · JKPSC · JKSSB · UPSC
April 2026 Current Affairs
Comprehensive monthly compilation — exam-focused, based on actual JKPSC & JKSSB question patterns
📅 April 1–30, 2026
🏔️ Exclusive J&K Section
📝 MCQs with Answer Key
🔴 Pahalgam Special Coverage
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45+Topics
50Prelims MCQs
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📋 Contents
- National Affairs
- Economy & Government Schemes
- International Affairs
- Science & Technology
- Environment & Ecology
- Sports
- Awards & Appointments
- Important Days
- J&K Special Affairs Most Important
- Practice MCQs
🔴 Pahalgam Terror Attack — First Anniversary & India's Response (HIGH PRIORITY)
- 22 April 2026 marked the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack (22 April 2025), in which 26 civilians were killed — 25 Indian nationals and 1 Nepali national — in Baisaran Valley, Anantnag district
- The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
- PM Narendra Modi paid tribute on the anniversary, stating "India will never bow to any form of terror"
- India's retaliatory military offensive Operation Sindoor was launched after the attack — striking terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan; India briefed envoys of 45 nations on the attack
- By April 2026, NIA formally took over investigation; India linked the attack to safe houses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi
- India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the attack; Home Minister Amit Shah declared the IWT "will never be restored"
- UN Security Council held emergency closed consultations on India–Pakistan under request from Pakistan
- Tourism in Pahalgam recovered by April 2026 — meadows reopened following security audit; 43 Tourist Observation Bases (TOBs) established across J&K
📊 India Census 2026 Launched Important
- India commenced the nationwide Population Census 2026 on 1 April 2026 — involving over 3 million officials, one of the largest data collection exercises globally
- Previous census was 2011; the exercise will update population data after a 15-year gap
- Census data will inform seat delimitation, welfare scheme targeting, and the Women's Reservation Bill implementation
🏛️ Delimitation Bill 2026 — Lok Sabha Expansion Proposed
- Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposed increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850
- Bill failed to pass on 17 April 2026 — did not clear the constitutional threshold
- The proposal was linked to implementing the Women's Reservation (33%) and reapportioning seats based on 2011 Census
- Article 81 of the Constitution sets the maximum Lok Sabha seats at 550 (elected)
⚖️ Supreme Court — Hate Speech Ruling
- The Supreme Court ruled that hate speech stems from an "us vs them" mindset undermining constitutional fraternity
- Court refused to mandate a new law — stressed effective enforcement of existing provisions under Section 196, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, which replaced IPC Section 153A
🏗️ DRDO Unveils Vikram VT-21 Infantry Combat Vehicle
- DRDO unveiled "Vikram VT-21" Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) as a contender for India's Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) programme
- Designed for modernisation of the Indian Army along China–Pakistan borders
- Part of India's broader Atmanirbhar Bharat defence self-reliance push
🚢 Mahendragiri — 4th Stealth Frigate Inducted (Project 17A)
- India inducted INS Mahendragiri — the 4th stealth frigate under Project 17A
- Strengthens India's maritime capabilities and blue-water navy ambitions in the Indian Ocean Region
📈 New Financial Year FY 2026–27 — Key Policy Launches
- FY 2026–27 commenced on 1 April 2026 — Union Budget 2026–27 provisions came into effect
- India recorded 55,200+ startups recognised in FY26 — the highest-ever under the Startup India Initiative
- India ranked 3rd by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) behind China and the US; projected to reach 3rd in nominal GDP by 2031
💰 DA Hike — 2% Increase for Central Government Employees Important
- Union Cabinet (18 April 2026) approved a 2% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR)
- DA/DR raised from 58% to 60% of basic pay/pension — effective 1 January 2026
- Follows 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) recommendations; linked to AICPI-IW
- Cabinet also cleared railway multitracking projects worth ₹24,815 crore in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh
🚜 PMGSY-III Extended Till 2028
- Union Cabinet extended Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Phase III until 2028 with an outlay of ₹83,977 crore
- Targets connecting remaining unconnected habitations with all-weather roads
🔑 Key Economy Data Points — April 2026
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| India GDP (nominal) rank slip | Fell from 4th to 6th due to 11% rupee depreciation vs USD in FY25–26 |
| Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool | Union Cabinet approved — major boost to maritime self-reliance |
| DPI@2047 Roadmap | NITI Aayog released strategy for Digital Public Infrastructure 2.0 for Viksit Bharat |
| Index of Service Production (ISP) | MoSPI proposed monthly services sector index, base year 2024–25 |
| DoP–DTDC MoU | Department of Posts & DTDC signed MoU to boost logistics & e-commerce delivery |
| US Russia oil sanction waiver | General License 134B extended waiver on Russian oil purchases through 16 May 2026 |
| Iran sanctions waiver | US ended the sanctions waiver for Iranian oil on 19 April 2026 |
| India–New Zealand FTA | Signed 27 April 2026 in New Delhi — 9th major FTA in ~6 years |
| Remittances tax | US imposed 1% tax on all remittances since Jan 2026 — India (world's largest remittance recipient in 2024) faces potential sizable loss |
| UAE exits OPEC/OPEC+ | UAE exit effective 1 May 2026 — signals structural shift in global oil governance |
🏥 Ayushman Bharat — Chintan Shivir 2026
- National Health Authority (NHA) concluded Chintan Shivir 2026 on AB PM-JAY and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in Pune, Maharashtra
- NHA awarded 18 states/UTs for outstanding implementation of AB PM-JAY and 5 under ABDM
⚔️ India–Pakistan Tensions — Post-Pahalgam Fallout (High Probability Exam Topic)
- Following the Pahalgam attack (April 2025), India accused Pakistan of having "cross-border linkages" and announced punitive measures: expelled Pakistani nationals, suspended Indus Waters Treaty, shut down airspace, exchanged fire across the LoC
- India's Operation Sindoor struck terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan; India organised 7 all-party delegations (51 MPs & ex-diplomats) to visit 33 capitals worldwide to brief on its counter-terror stance
- Pakistan's Senate passed a resolution calling the Pahalgam attack an "orchestrated campaign to malign Pakistan"; referred to India suspending the IWT as "water terrorism"
- UN Security Council held emergency closed consultations on 5 May following Pakistan's (current elected member) request
- Indian tanker Jag Vikram became the first Indian vessel to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran war ceasefire — arrived Mumbai by mid-April
🤝 India–South Korea Relations Elevated Important
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made a state visit to India — signed 4 MoUs covering: maritime skills, MSME cooperation, cultural/creative industries, and economic security
- Bilateral ties elevated to 'Special Strategic Partnership' (originally upgraded from 'Strategic Partnership' in 2015)
🇱🇰 India–Sri Lanka: VP Radhakrishnan's Visit
- VP C. P. Radhakrishnan completed a two-day visit to Sri Lanka — first bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President
- Handed over Phase III of the Indian Housing Project for Indian-origin Tamil plantation community
- Extended OCI eligibility for Indian-origin Tamils from 4th to 6th generation
- Sri Lanka joined India's International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
🌐 Other International Highlights
| Event | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| West Bengal Elections 2026 | Assembly elections held 23–29 April 2026 |
| India–New Zealand FTA | Signed 27 April 2026 in New Delhi — India's 9th major FTA in ~6 years; reflects proactive trade integration strategy |
| World Bank – Amaravati | World Bank released $340 million for Andhra Pradesh's Amaravati capital city project |
| US USTR Watch List | India included in USTR Priority Watch List 2026 over intellectual property protection concerns |
| FIDE joins IWGA | World Chess Federation (FIDE) joined the International World Games Association — opening path for chess in the World Games |
| US–Iran tensions | Iran halted US peace talks after Israeli strikes on Lebanon; Strait of Hormuz disruption continued to affect oil markets |
| UAE exits OPEC+ | Effective 1 May 2026 — signals long-term downward pressure on crude prices, significant for import-dependent India |
| Chernobyl Anniversary | 40 years since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (26 April 1986) — observed globally on 26 April 2026 |
📱 Key S&T Developments — April 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| India's 1st Quantum Computer — Amravati | India's first quantum computer project announced to be established in Amravati under the National Quantum Mission |
| 3D Semiconductor Unit — Odisha | Foundation stone laid for India's first advanced 3D semiconductor packaging unit at Info Valley, Odisha — ₹2,000 crore project |
| AI Tool 'Abhay' | India launched AI-powered tool 'Abhay' to protect citizens from online scams and cyber fraud |
| AI System 'Prajna' | AI-powered 'Prajna' system handed over to the Ministry of Home Affairs for security intelligence |
| Seaplane Service — Lakshadweep | SkyHop Aviation received DGCA Air Operator Certificate — India's first commercial seaplane service; initial ops in Lakshadweep using 19-seater De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter |
| LIC MyLIC & Super Sales Saathi Apps | LIC launched two mobile apps for customer service and digital accessibility |
| RBI Utkarsh 2029 | RBI released its new Utkarsh 2029 medium-term strategy for financial sector development |
| RBI UPI Payment Delay | RBI proposed a 1-hour delay on UPI payments above ₹10,000 to curb cyber fraud |
| Google 1 GW AI Data Centre | Google's subsidiary Raiden Infotech to build India's largest AI-focused data centre (1 GW capacity) in partnership with AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel |
| Karnataka Space Centre of Excellence | India's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology launched in Bengaluru |
| Russia — Soyuz-5 Rocket Test | Russia successfully test-launched the Soyuz-5 rocket — major advancement in its modernised launch vehicle programme |
| Memristor Technology | Memristors (memory resistors) gained attention in April 2026 as a potential breakthrough in neuromorphic computing |
🌊 India's 99th Ramsar Site — Shekha Jheel, Uttar Pradesh Important
- Shekha Jheel in Uttar Pradesh was included as India's 99th Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance) — 22 April 2026
- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971, Ramsar, Iran) — India has the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia
🐾 Wildlife & Ecology Highlights
- A rare Indian Giant Flying Squirrel spotted in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh — indicating range expansion and rich biodiversity
- Tamil Nadu Forest Department and Kerala conducted the third synchronized Nilgiri Tahr survey; Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is the only mountain ungulate in South India
- India's conservationist Parveen Shaikh received the prestigious Whitley Award 2026 for protecting the endangered Indian Skimmer through a community-led model
- Earth Day (22 April): Observed globally on the same day as the Pahalgam attack anniversary
- Venezuela became the first country to lose all its glaciers — a landmark climate change milestone observed globally
🏆 Sports Highlights — April 2026
| Event | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 🎯 | India topped medal tally — 16 medals (5 Gold, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze) at Cairo, Egypt (19–27 April 2026); India fielded largest contingent of 71 shooters from 25 federations |
| Thomas Cup 2026 🏸 | India defeated Chinese Taipei 3–0 to advance to semi-finals, assuring at least a bronze medal |
| Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 🏅 | Held in Madrid in April 2026 — recognizing the world's top athletes across multiple sports |
| Chess — Aronyak Ghosh ♟️ | Became India's 95th Chess Grandmaster after the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 — scored unbeaten 7/9; won National Rapid Chess Championship (March 2026) |
| R. Vaishali — Chess ♟️ | Won the Women's Candidates Tournament 2026, qualifying for the Women's World Championship |
| SAFF Women's Championship 2026 ⚽ | India announced as host — to be held 24 May–7 June 2026 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa; India's first time hosting since 2016 in Siliguri |
| All India Police Water Sports Championship 2026 🚣 | 25th edition held at Tehri Lake, Uttarakhand (8–12 April 2026) — organised by ITBP; 440+ athletes from 19 police teams |
| ICC Player of the Month (March 2026) 🏏 | Men: Sanju Samson (T20 World Cup heroics) | Women: Melie Kerr (New Zealand) |
| Mumbai Cricket Association | First cricket association in India to launch a structured player contract model |
| IPL 2026 🏏 | Season continuing through April 2026 across Indian venues |
🥇 Awards, Honours & Appointments — April 2026
| Award / Appointment | Details |
|---|---|
| Femina Miss India World 2026 | Sadhvi Satish Sail crowned Femina Miss India World 2026 |
| Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award (9th) | Awarded to Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao on 19 April 2026 in Hyderabad |
| Whitley Award 2026 | Indian conservationist Parveen Shaikh — for protecting endangered Indian Skimmer |
| Harvard South Asian Person of the Year | Bollywood actress Sayani Gupta (17 April 2026) |
| Laureus World Sports Awards | Held in Madrid — global sports excellence recognition |
| India's New High Commissioner to Bangladesh | Former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi appointed as India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh |
| 18th Civil Services Day 2026 | Held 21 April at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi; VP C. P. Radhakrishnan as Chief Guest; PM's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2025 conferred; Date significance: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 1947 address at Metcalfe House, Delhi |
| Raghu Rai — Obituary | Veteran photojournalist, Padma Shri 1972, known as "Father of Indian Photojournalism", passed away at 83; first Indian nominated to Magnum Photos by Henri Cartier-Bresson (1977) |
| NITI Aayog Reconstituted | NITI Aayog reconstituted in April 2026 with revised membership |
| J&K Transfers — 179 Officers | J&K government ordered transfer and posting of 179 officers in major administrative reshuffle (30 April 2026) |
| Date | Day / Occasion | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April | April Fools' Day | Odisha Day | Utkal Diwas — founding of Odisha state |
| 2 April | World Autism Awareness Day | UN, since 2008; theme: Advancing Neurodiversity |
| 4 April | International Day for Mine Awareness | UN, since 2006 |
| 5 April | National Maritime Day | First voyage of SS Loyalty (1919) |
| 6 April | International Day of Sport for Development and Peace | UN, since 2013 |
| 7 April | World Health Day | WHO, since 1950; marks WHO founding (7 April 1948) |
| 10 April | World Homeopathy Day | Birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann |
| 11 April | National Safe Motherhood Day | India; birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi |
| 13 April | Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Remembrance | 13 April 1919; also Baisakhi |
| 14 April | Ambedkar Jayanti (B.R. Ambedkar Birth Anniversary) | National holiday; father of the Indian Constitution |
| 17 April | World Haemophilia Day | World Federation of Hemophilia |
| 18 April | World Heritage Day | International Day for Monuments & Sites (ICOMOS/UNESCO) |
| 19 April | World Liver Day | Awareness on liver health and diseases |
| 21 April | National Civil Services Day | India, since 2006; VP Patel's 1947 address to ICS officers |
| 22 April | Earth Day | Since 1970; theme 2026: Our Power, Our Planet |
| 22 April | Pahalgam Attack Anniversary | 1st anniversary (22 April 2025 attack) |
| 23 April | World Book & Copyright Day | UNESCO, since 1995 |
| 24 April | National Panchayati Raj Day | 73rd Amendment enacted; 24 April 1993 |
| 25 April | World Malaria Day | WHO; highlights global malaria eradication efforts |
| 26 April | Chernobyl Disaster Anniversary | 40th anniversary (26 April 1986) |
| 26 April | World Intellectual Property Day | WIPO, since 2000 |
| 28 April | World Day for Safety and Health at Work | ILO |
| 29 April | International Dance Day | UNESCO/ITI, since 1982 |
| 30 April | Ayushman Bharat Diwas | India — celebrating PM-JAY health scheme |
🔴 Pahalgam Attack — First Anniversary: J&K Perspective
- 22 April 2026 — J&K observed the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack; security forces massively deployed across tourist spots in Kashmir
- CM Omar Abdullah had described the original attack as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years"
- Tourism in Pahalgam and the Valley recovered significantly by April 2026 — meadows reopened post-security audit; 43 TOBs (Tourist Observation Bases) established: 26 in Kashmir (October 2025) + 17 in Jammu (November 2025)
- Three universities in Kashmir ended their tie-up with the US-based Kashmir Care Foundation after adverse intelligence inputs
- An ISI-backed espionage module busted in April 2026 — 11 persons arrested; CCTV used to track Indian Army routes
💧 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — India's Continued Stand Important
- India suspended the IWT after the Pahalgam attack — Home Minister Amit Shah declared in early 2026 that the IWT "will never be restored"
- Pakistan called India's suspension of IWT as "water terrorism and an act of war" (Pakistan Senate resolution, April 2026)
- J&K has a total installed hydropower capacity of 3,540.15 MW, expected to rise to 5,164.15 MW by December 2026 after commissioning of Pakal Dul and Kiru projects
- J&K's hydropower potential is approximately 18,000 MW, of which 15,000 MW has been identified but only ~3,540 MW harnessed so far
- Projects on Chenab river accelerated: Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), Kwar (540 MW), Ratle (850 MW)
🏛️ J&K Administration — April 2026 Updates
- J&K Government ordered transfer and posting of 179 officers through Govt. Order No. 855-JK(GAD) dated 30 April 2026 — one of the largest administrative reshuffles
- LG J&K issued warning of asset seizure, Aadhaar cancellation, and lifetime penalties for drug smugglers in J&K
- School timings in Kashmir Division revised from 1 April (summer schedule in effect)
- 'Watan Ko Janoo' Youth Exchange Programme: Education Minister Sakeena Itoo flagged off students for national integration exposure tour — organised by J&K Rehabilitation Council in collaboration with Ministry of Home Affairs
- High Court of J&K quashed the PSA detention of Mehraj Malik
- April snowfall worsened crisis for migrating nomads (Gujjar-Bakarwal) in Bhaderwah and surrounding areas
⚡ J&K Hydropower & Infrastructure
- J&K hydropower capacity expected to see a 46% increase by end of 2026 due to accelerated project completions
- 12 MW Karnah Hydel Project expected to be completed by end of June 2026
- Total J&K installed capacity: 3,540.15 MW → target: 5,164.15 MW (Dec 2026)
- Flood threat eased in Kashmir valley — earlier GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) alerts monitored
- PM Modi launched the Ganga Expressway Project in Uttar Pradesh (30 April 2026) — relevant for infrastructure context
📚 J&K Education & Culture
- CM Omar Abdullah refused to cut an inaugural ribbon bearing the tricolour — instead untied it — highlighting respect for the national flag
- Families bid farewell at Srinagar's Hajj House as pilgrims departed for Saudi Arabia — 3 flights carrying 431 pilgrims scheduled
- NIFT Srinagar inauguration held with SSP Budgam Hariprasad K.K. and Director Dr. Monika Gupta
- International Pheran Day: PM Modi's Pheran-clad cutout became the highlight of celebrations
Based on April 2026 current affairs — modelled on actual JKPSC & JKSSB question patterns. ★ = High probability topics.
Q1★ The Baisaran Valley terror attack (Pahalgam, April 2025), in which 26 civilians were killed, was carried out by which terrorist group?
A) Jaish-e-Mohammed
B) The Resistance Front (TRF)
C) Al-Qaeda
D) Hizbul Mujahideen
Q2★ India's retaliatory military operation against Pakistan-based terror infrastructure after the Pahalgam attack was named:
A) Operation Bandar
B) Operation Mahadev
C) Operation Sindoor
D) Operation Vijay
Q3★ India's 99th Ramsar Site, added in April 2026, is located in which state?
A) Rajasthan
B) Assam
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Gujarat
Q4★ The DA/DR for central government employees was raised from 58% to what percentage in April 2026?
A) 59%
B) 60%
C) 62%
D) 65%
Q5★ Aronyak Ghosh became India's 95th Chess Grandmaster at which international tournament in April 2026?
A) Tata Steel Chess 2026
B) 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open
C) Candidates Tournament 2026
D) Asian Chess Championship
Q6★ The Indian Junior Shooting team's total medal count at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 in Cairo was:
A) 12
B) 14
C) 16
D) 18
Q7★ India's first commercial seaplane service (SkyHop Aviation) received DGCA approval to begin operations in which Union Territory?
A) Andaman & Nicobar
B) Puducherry
C) Daman & Diu
D) Lakshadweep
Q8★ India's Population Census 2026, launched on 1 April, involves approximately how many officials?
A) 1 million
B) 2 million
C) 3 million
D) 5 million
Q9★ National Civil Services Day is observed on 21 April to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's address to ICS officers in which year?
A) 1945
B) 1947
C) 1950
D) 1952
Q10★ J&K's total installed hydropower capacity in 2026 is expected to rise to approximately how many MW by December 2026?
A) 3,540 MW
B) 4,200 MW
C) 5,164 MW
D) 6,000 MW
Q11★ Which veteran photojournalist, known as the "Father of Indian Photojournalism" and Padma Shri awardee, passed away in April 2026?
A) Sunil Janah
B) Raghu Rai
C) Homai Vyarawalla
D) Pablo Bartholomew
Q12 The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, signed on 27 April 2026, was India's how manyth major FTA in approximately 6 years?
A) 6th
B) 7th
C) 8th
D) 9th
Q13 'Abhay' and 'Prajna', launched/handed over in April 2026, are examples of India's use of which technology?
A) Quantum computing
B) Blockchain
C) Artificial Intelligence
D) Satellite navigation
Q14★ The 'Watan Ko Janoo' Youth Exchange Programme in J&K is organised by J&K Rehabilitation Council in collaboration with which central ministry?
A) Ministry of Education
B) Ministry of Youth Affairs
C) Ministry of Home Affairs
D) Ministry of Culture
Q15 The SAFF Women's Championship 2026, which India is set to host, will be held at which venue?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi
B) Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata
C) Jawaharlal Nehru (Fatorda) Stadium, Goa
D) Vivekananda Yuba Bharati, Kolkata
✅ Answer Key
Q1 → B
Q2 → C
Q3 → C
Q4 → B
Q5 → B
Q6 → C
Q7 → D
Q8 → C
Q9 → B
Q10 → C
Q11 → B
Q12 → D
Q13 → C
Q14 → C
Q15 → C