Current Affairs Quiz - April 2026

Notes:
World Creativity and Innovation Day is observed annually on April 21 to highlight the role of creativity and innovation in addressing global challenges. Recognized by the United Nations, it emphasizes that creativity is crucial for sustainable development, economic growth, and social progress beyond just art. The 2026 theme, “Harnessing Creativity for Global Progress,” promotes innovative thinking in technology, entrepreneurship, and social development. The concept originated in 2002 and was formally adopted by the UN in 2017, with global observance starting in 2018. The day aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, encouraging inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven societies.

Notes:
Atal Pension Yojana crossed 9 crore enrolments (April 2026), with a record 1.35 crore added in Financial Year (FY) 2025–26. It was launched in 2015. It is administered by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. It is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme targeting unorganized sector workers. It is eligible for Indian citizens aged 18–40 years (excluding income tax payers). It ensures guaranteed pension of ₹1,000–₹5,000 after 60 years of age.

Notes:
Recently, Indian scientists discovered a new fanged frog species named Limnonectes motijheel in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal pradesh, highlighting rich biodiversity in Northeast India. It is a newly identified species belonging to the genus Limnonectes, which now has six known species in India. The frog is named after Motijheel Lake, an area known for high amphibian diversity. It belongs to the group called fanged frogs, where males possess small fang-like projections in the lower jaw, possibly used for feeding or territorial behaviour. These frogs are generally found across South and Southeast Asia and show unique reproductive traits.

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Recently, India launched indigenously developed Silicon Photonics solutions at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, marking progress in technological self-reliance. The launch was led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Two key innovations were introduced: Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit (PDK) and Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit (PPIC) Test Engine. These were developed at the Centre of Excellence for Compound Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits Systems (CoE-CPPICS). The initiative supports research, industry, startups, and defence sectors as a shared national facility.

Notes:
Lisa Gill was sworn in as the first woman Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The oath of office was administered by S. Abdul Nazeer in a ceremony held in Vijayawada. The ceremony included the formal reading of the President’s warrant. The event was attended by senior judges, officials, and dignitaries. This appointment marks an important milestone for gender equality in India’s judicial system.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has begun the third synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr. Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain ungulate endemic to the southern Western Ghats. It is also called Nilgiri Ibex and locally known as Varayaadu. It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India. It inhabits montane grasslands of the Western Ghats, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

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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:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will observe Nationwide Fire Safety Week 2026 from 4th to 10th May. The initiative focuses on strengthening fire safety in healthcare facilities across India. The theme for 2026 is “Safe School, Safe Hospital and Fire Safety Aware Society – Together for Fire Prevention.” It aims to promote awareness, improve compliance, and build a safety culture among healthcare workers and the public.

Notes:
The Department of Telecommunications and National Disaster Management Authority are strengthening mobile-based disaster communication systems. The Integrated Alert System SACHET (System for Advanced Communication for Hazard Early-warning and Emergency Transmission) is operational across all States and Union Territories. It was developed by Centre for Development of Telematics and is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) recommended by the International Telecommunication Union. The system sends geo-targeted SMS alerts in multiple languages during disasters.