Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 01 April 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 01 April 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs- 01 April 2026

On 1 April 2026, global attention remained on the West Asia crisis, impacting energy and food security, while India began FY 2026–27 with major tax, census, defence, and regulatory updates.

National

• Income Tax Act 2025 Implemented: The new Income Tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act from FY 2026–27. Tax slabs remain largely unchanged, but cities eligible for 50% HRA benefits now include Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad.

• IMD Summer Forecast 2026: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted above-normal heatwaves in East, Central, Northwest India, and Southeast Peninsula, while North India may experience cooler-than-normal summer due to western disturbances.

• Food Security Status: India holds strong food reserves with 23.6 million tonnes of wheat and 36.5 million tonnes of rice, ensuring protection from immediate inflation risks.

• New Financial & Banking Rules: Key changes include the FASTag annual pass fee increased to ₹3,075, revised ATM/UPI transaction norms, and stricter documentation for new PAN applications.

• Maoist Activity Decline in Bastar: Around 42,000 sq km of Bastar region reported largely free from Maoist activity, though IED threats remain.

• Census 2027 Phase-1 Begins: India launched Phase-1 (House Listing & Housing Census) of the first fully digital census on 1 April 2026.

• 16th Census overall, 8th after Independence
• Uses mobile apps and self-enumeration portals
• Phase-1: April–September 2026
• Phase-2: February 2027

• Solid Waste Management Rules 2026: New four-way waste segregation rules implemented from 1 April 2026, replacing the 2016 SWM Rules.

International Affairs

• Suriname President Passes Away: President Chandrikapersad Santokhi died at 67. He had Indian roots (Bihar)and was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

• Italy Denies US Base Access: Italy refused US access to Sigonella Air Base (Sicily) for operations related to the West Asia conflict.

• IndiGo Leadership Change: Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, announced as new CEO of IndiGo.

Global Geopolitical Crisis

• Gulf Infrastructure Damage: Airstrikes damaged a desalination plant on Iran’s Qeshm Island, while aluminium plants in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi were hit by missile and drone attacks.

• US Military Withdrawal Statement: US President Donald Trump stated US forces could withdraw from the Middle East in 2–3 weeks, depending on developments.

Defence

• Launch of NGOPV ‘Shachi’: Goa Shipyard Limited launched ‘Shachi’, the first of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels, featuring 75% indigenous content and support from 200+ MSMEs.

• Naval Deliveries: Indian Navy received ASW craft ‘Malwan’ and stealth frigate ‘Dunagiri’, strengthening naval capabilities.

• US Naval Reinforcement: USS Tripoli deployed with 3,500 US sailors and marines to enhance maritime security in the Middle East.

Science & Technology

• Artemis II Mission Details: NASA confirmed the trajectory for Artemis II, a 10-day lunar flyby mission—the closest human approach to the Moon since 1972.

• Digital Twin Initiative: Tech Mahindra and IIT Bombay signed an MoU to develop a Digital Twin model of the campus for infrastructure planning.

• Nyaya Setu AI Chatbot ‘Dishika’: Launched under DISHA Programme, enabling multilingual translation using the Bhashini platform.

Sports

• Youngest F1 Championship Leader: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (19) won the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, becoming the youngest Formula-1 championship leader.

• Praggnanandhaa at Candidates: Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa made a strong start at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 (Cyprus).

Global Observance

• PMAY-G Completes 10 Years: Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) completed 10 years since restructuring in 2016, marking major rural housing achievements.

• RBI Foundation Day: The Reserve Bank of India celebrated its foundation

Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs

• Telangana: Passed Gig Workers Welfare Bill, 2026 for social security coverage.
• Gujarat: PM inaugurated Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar, dedicated to Jain heritage.
• Rajasthan: AERB approved excavation for the Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project.
• Bihar: Maize yields projected to reach record levels.
• NPCI: RuPay Platinum cardholders lost lounge access benefits.
• Energy: India working to decarbonise the fertiliser sector.
• SVEEP: Continued nationwide voter awareness campaigns.
• IT Regulation: Government reviewing social media news regulation under IT Rules.