Current Affairs Quiz - April 2026

Notes:
China conducted military drills, including live-fire exercises, near Luzon Island, highlighting regional strategic tensions. Luzon is the largest and most important island of the Philippines, located in its northern part. It hosts over half of the country’s population, making it the political and economic centre. The capital city Manila is situated on Luzon. The island is bordered by the Philippine Sea (east), South China Sea (west), and Sibuyan Sea (south). The Luzon Strait lies to its north, separating it from Taiwan.

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International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed annually on April 26 to honor victims and raise awareness of the 1986 nuclear disaster. The disaster occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine (then Soviet Union), caused by a reactor explosion during a safety. It is regarded as the world’s worst nuclear disaster.

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Researchers from Central University of Rajasthan discovered a new cyanobacterium species named Pushkarmema curajae from Pushkar Lake, Rajasthan. The genus and species names honor Pushkar Lake and the university’s contribution to research. P. curajae has potential applications in pharmaceuticals, biofertilizers, and nutrient-rich supplements that enhance immunity and health. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic, microscopic organisms found in aquatic environments worldwide.

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INS Kalpeni is a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy and recently visited Gan, strengthening India–Maldives maritime cooperation. It belongs to the Car Nicobar class Waterjet Fast Attack Craft built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. It was commissioned on 14 October 2010. The ship is named after Kalpeni Island of Lakshadweep. It is based at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command. Its roles include coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling, boarding operations, and search and rescue.

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Kerala is upgrading its snake-response platform amid rising snakebite cases during a heat wave. The SARPA (Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App) helps report snake sightings and coordinate rescue operations. The upgraded version will integrate doctors and snake experts for real-time emergency guidance. It aims to reduce fatalities by improving response time and first-aid decision-making. The app will provide dedicated login access for doctors to guide responders remotely. The initiative strengthens coordination between rescue teams and healthcare facilities.

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The first edition of Exercise ‘Pragati’ is scheduled to take place at Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 18–31, 2026. Exercise Pragati (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region) involves 11 friendly countries. It aims to enhance defence cooperation, interoperability, and mutual trust among participating nations. The exercise reflects a shared commitment to regional security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

Notes:
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India is the 5th largest military spender in the world in 2025. India spent 92.1 billion on defence, marking an 8.9% increase from the previous year. It accounts for 3.2% of global military expenditure. The top four spenders are United States, China, Russia, and Germany. Global military spending reached a record 2,887 billion (2.5% of global GDP). India remains the second-largest arms importer despite a decline in imports.

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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 Report (FY 2023–24) on National Panchayati Raj Day. PAI 2.0 acts as a performance report card for Gram Panchayats, evaluating grassroots governance. Around 3,635 Gram Panchayats were classified as Front Runners, while 1,18,824 (≈45.7%) were Performers. Participation reached 97.3%, covering over 2.59 lakh Gram Panchayats across 33 States/UTs. The index uses 150 indicators and 230 data points aligned with Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).

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Ayushman Bharat Diwas is observed every year on April 30 to promote affordable healthcare. It is linked to the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The day highlights India’s commitment to universal health coverage and accessible treatment. In 2026, special focus is on senior citizens above 70 years, who will receive free health insurance up to ₹5 lakh per family. A special campaign (Jan 15–Apr 15, 2026) ensured Ayushman cards for all eligible beneficiaries.

Notes:
Scientists have reported that light pollution is threatening the dark skies of the Atacama Desert, one of the best locations for astronomy. The desert is known for its extremely clear atmosphere and minimal artificial light, making it ideal for observatories. The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world, located in northern Chile. It lies between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The region receives extremely low rainfall, with some areas recording no rain. It is known for its clear, dark skies, making it ideal for astronomical observations. Recent concerns highlight that light pollution is threatening its pristine night skies.