Current Affairs — 20 April 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Mon, 20 Apr 2026
NSS health survey 2025: 96% institutional deliveries; 13.1% report ailments, up from 7.5% in 2017–18
MoSPI released the 'Household Social Consumption: Health' survey of the NSS 80th round (January–December 2025) on 20 April 2026, showing 96% institutional deliveries and wider health insurance coverage.
India and South Korea adopt Joint Strategic Vision during President Lee Jae Myung's State Visit; CEPA upgrade talks to resume
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks in New Delhi on 20 April 2026 and announced a Joint Strategic Vision for the India–ROK Special Strategic Partnership for 2026–2030.
Eight core industries index falls 0.4% in March 2026; FY 2025–26 growth at 2.6%
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries fell 0.4% (provisional) in March 2026 from a year earlier, with cumulative growth of 2.6% in FY 2025–26, the Commerce Ministry said on 20 April 2026.
Government cuts raw jute stock limits for traders and balers to zero; mills capped at 45 days' consumption
The Ministry of Textiles said on 20 April 2026 that raw jute stock limits for traders and balers have been cut to nil, requiring them to sell their entire stock to mills by 5 May 2026, after prices rose well above MSP.
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma launches multi-scheme farm package in Tura; Ginger Mission to cover 15,000 more farmers
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma rolled out a multi-scheme agricultural support package at Tura on 20 April 2026, including an expansion of the state's Ginger Mission to more than 15,000 additional farmers.
Department of Posts earns ₹15,296 crore in FY 2025–26, up 16%; Parcels grow 69%
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on 20 April 2026 that the Department of Posts earned ₹15,296 crore in FY 2025–26, 16% more than the ₹13,218 crore of FY 2024–25.
Minority Affairs Ministry signs MoU with IIT Patna under PM VIKAS to train 600 minority youth of Bihar in AI and analytics
The Ministry of Minority Affairs signed an MoU with IIT Patna under the PM VIKAS scheme, announced on 20 April 2026, to train 600 minority youth from Bihar in roles such as AI Technocrat and Business Analytics Executive.
NITI Aayog's seventh Trade Watch Quarterly focuses on gems and jewellery; India holds 7.8% of world exports
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery released the seventh edition of 'Trade Watch Quarterly', covering Q3 FY26 (October–December 2025), in New Delhi on 20 April 2026, with a thematic focus on gems and jewellery.
DoT's BharatNet-based Samriddh Gram initiative nominated for WSIS Prizes 2026
Samriddh Gram, the Department of Telecommunications' BharatNet-enabled 'phygital' rural service model, has been nominated for the WSIS Prizes 2026 under Action Line C6: Enabling Environment, DoT said on 20 April 2026.
Bus plunges down hillside in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 21; PM announces ex-gratia
An overcrowded passenger bus travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur rolled down a hillside near Kagort village in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 20 April 2026, killing 21 people.
Government allows additional 25 lakh tonnes of wheat exports; total permitted rises to 50 LMT wheat and 10 LMT products
The Centre approved on 20 April 2026 the export of an additional 25 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, taking total permitted exports to 50 LMT of wheat and 10 LMT of wheat products.
ECI directs dry days for 48 hours before poll close and on counting day, 4 May, under Section 135C of the RP Act
The Election Commission of India directed on 20 April 2026 that dry days be declared in polling areas for 48 hours ending with the close of poll, and on the counting day of 4 May 2026, under Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
BSIP study traces Jamun's origin to East Gondwana about 80 million years ago, using fossils from Himachal's Kasauli Formation
A study led by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, reported by the Science Ministry on 20 April 2026, points to an East Gondwanan origin of the Jamun genus Syzygium about 80 million years ago, with India a major centre of early diversification.