Current Affairs — 17 April 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fri, 17 Apr 2026
Government brings SAF-blended aviation fuel under the ATF Control Order
The Government amended the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 by a notification dated 17 April 2026, bringing ATF blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) under the ATF Control Order.
Lok Sabha negatives Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026: 298 in favour, 230 against, short of special majority
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to enlarge the Lok Sabha and tie women's reservation to a fresh delimitation, was negatived in the Lok Sabha on 17 April 2026 after 298 members voted for it and 230 against, short of the two-thirds of members present and voting required under Article 368(2).
Government adds Egypt and Jordan to RELIEF export support scheme amid West Asia disruption
The Commerce Ministry said on 17 April 2026 that Egypt and Jordan have been added to the eligible destinations under RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation), a time-bound intervention under the Export Promotion Mission.
First Naval Commanders' Conference of 2026 concludes; Indian Navy Maritime Security Strategy 2026 released
The first edition of the biannual Naval Commanders' Conference 2026 was held at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, from 14 to 17 April 2026, and the Indian Navy Maritime Security Strategy (INMSS-2026) was released during the conference.
IOS SAGAR (INS Sunayna) departs Phuket after PASSEX with Royal Thai Navy
Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR, INS Sunayna, departed Phuket, Thailand, on 17 April 2026 after a three-day operational turnaround that included a Passage Exercise with HTMS Klongyai of the Royal Thai Navy, and sailed for Jakarta.
Harivansh elected Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha unopposed for the third time
Harivansh was elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on 17 April 2026, his third election to the office, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan said in his felicitation remarks.
Election seizures cross ₹865 crore in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal
The Election Commission of India said on 17 April 2026 that seizures of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal since 26 February 2026 had crossed ₹865 crore.
Record 55,200 startups recognised in FY 2025-26; total crosses 2.23 lakh
The Commerce Ministry said on 17 April 2026 that more than 55,200 startups were recognised in FY 2025-26, the highest in any single year since Startup India began, taking the total past 2.23 lakh as on 31 March 2026.
Coal Ministry launches 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions with 11 blocks
The Ministry of Coal launched the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions on 17 April 2026, offering 11 coal blocks across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.
Kankaria Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad becomes India's first water-neutral coaching depot
The Ministry of Railways said on 17 April 2026 that the Kankaria Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has become India's first water-neutral coaching depot, saving about 1.60 lakh litres of water a day through phytoremediation-based wastewater treatment.
Scientific Conclave on Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 held at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, with CSIR, held a Scientific Conclave and Interactive Session on Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026 at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, on 17 April 2026.
CAQM Enforcement Task Force reviews 162 inspections and 64 violations across NCR
The 129th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), held on 17 April 2026, reviewed 162 inspections and 64 violations recorded between 27 March and 10 April 2026.
17th India–Austria Joint Economic Commission held in New Delhi
The 17th Session of the India–Austria Joint Economic Commission was held in New Delhi, the Commerce Ministry said on 17 April 2026, with both sides welcoming the conclusion of India–EU FTA negotiations.