Current Affairs Quiz - April 2026

Notes:
The Tri-Service exercise “Dweep Shakti” was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force from March 24 to March 28. The exercise aimed to validate integrated capabilities for rapid response in coastal and island defence operations. It involved coordinated amphibious assaults, maritime dominance operations, and complex beach landing drills. Advanced next-generation equipment and drones were used, highlighting improved precision and interoperability among the three services. The exercise helped refine integrated tactics, techniques, and procedures, strengthening multi-domain operational capability.

Notes:
The Malwan has been delivered to the Indian Navy as part of efforts to strengthen coastal defence capabilities. It is the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited at Kochi, and is indigenously designed and constructed. The vessel is named after Malwan and carries forward the legacy of the former INS Malwan, a naval minesweeper that served until 2003. It is designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), coastal surveillance, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and mine warfare.

Notes:
C. P. Radhakrishnan, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, released the book “Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament.” The book is authored by Sudha Murty, a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). It has been published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The publication highlights India’s history and heritage through parliamentary murals, bringing cultural narratives to a wider audience.

Notes:
Costa Rica launched the ICP mobile app to help identify venomous snakes and improve public awareness. The app is developed by Universidad de Costa Rica through the Clodomiro Picado Institute. It enables identification of 25 venomous snake species using images and scientific descriptions. The app provides first-aid guidance for snakebites and safety instructions for users. It also allows users to record geographic location of snake encounters to assist medical response. The initiative addresses frequent misidentification and reduces unnecessary killing of non-venomous snakes. The app is freely available on Android and iOS, promoting accessible public health information.

Notes:
The Delhi government has launched the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, a financial empowerment scheme providing up to ₹1.2 lakh (inclusive of interest) to girls from birth through graduation to support their education and prevent early marriage. The scheme, aimed at low-income families, provides phase-wise payments, with maturity at age 18 or 21. The scheme becomes fully operational on April 1, 2026.

Notes:
Government approved RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) under Export Promotion Mission with ₹497 crore outlay to support exporters amid West Asia disruptions. RELIEF provides enhanced risk coverage through Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, offering up to 100% cover for existing shipments (Feb 14–Mar 15, 2026). For upcoming consignments (Mar 16–Jun 15, 2026), exporters get government-supported coverage up to 95% risk. MSME exporters without ECGC cover receive up to 50% reimbursement of freight and insurance costs (max ₹50 lakh). The scheme is part of the Export Promotion Mission (2025–31) to boost export competitiveness.

Notes:
Department of Biotechnology implements Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) since 2017 to connect lab research with farmers. The scheme established more than 50 Biotech-KISAN hubs across 25 States/UTs, covering diverse agro-climatic regions. It has benefited over 1 lakh farmers with 15–37% yield improvement through demonstrations and training. It promotes sustainable practices like biofertilizers, precision farming, integrated pest management, and residue-free cultivation.

Notes:
Snowy Owl has been granted international protection under the U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. It is a large white owl of the true owl family, mainly inhabiting Arctic tundra regions. It is found across Arctic areas of North America and Eurasia, and also in open habitats like grasslands and coastal dunes. Unlike most owls, it is active during both day and night and shows nomadic behaviour. It feeds on small mammals like lemmings and voles using a swooping hunting technique. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is classified as Vulnerable.

Notes:
Rajnath Singh laid the foundation of the Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam. NSTL is a premier lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) is a strategic facility for advanced hydrodynamic research and testing of naval systems. It will enable indigenous design, development, and testing of ships, submarines, and propulsion systems. It supports stealth, noise reduction, and next-generation underwater technologies. The facility allows both closed-loop (submarine) and free-surface (surface ship) simulations.

Notes:
INS Taragiri was commissioned into the Indian Navy on April 3, 2026, at Visakhapatnam by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is the fourth ship of the Project 17A class, designed by the Warship Design Bureau. It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, it has over 75% indigenous content with MSME support. The frigate features advanced stealth technology with reduced radar cross-section. It supports multi-role operations: combat, surveillance, anti-piracy, and humanitarian missions.