WBPSC WBCS Current Affairs — Last 12 months
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.
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.
Thu, 16 Apr 2026
Constitution (131st Amendment), Delimitation and UT Laws Bills introduced in Lok Sabha after a 251–185 division
Three linked Bills, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha on 16 April 2026 after the motion for introduction was carried by 251 votes to 185 in a division.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visits India; agreements on audiovisual co-production, military cooperation and vocational training
Federal Chancellor of Austria Christian Stocker visited India on 16 April 2026, the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor in 40 years, and the two sides signed an audiovisual co-production agreement, letters of intent on military matters and counter-terrorism, and launched an India–Austria Working Holiday Programme.
FIU-India signs MoUs with SEBI and PFRDA to fight money laundering
The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) signed separate MoUs with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on 16 April 2026 for information sharing against money laundering and terror financing.
PM Modi and President Macron discuss West Asia, agree on restoring freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron on 16 April 2026, and the two leaders agreed on the urgent need to restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
MeitY constitutes AI Governance and Economic Group as apex inter-ministerial body on AI
The Ministry of Electronics and IT on 16 April 2026 constituted the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG), a high-level inter-ministerial body chaired by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, as India's central mechanism for AI governance policy.
India hosts WADA GAIIN final conference; Sports Minister says criminal provisions against doping traffickers planned
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the inaugural session of the Final Conference of WADA's Global Anti-Doping Intelligence & Investigations Network (GAIIN) in New Delhi on 16 April 2026 and said the government is working on criminal provisions against those who traffic or administer prohibited substances.
MoSPI launches Performance Monitoring Dashboard for infrastructure under PAIMANA
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation said on 16 April 2026 that it has launched a Performance Monitoring Dashboard to track infrastructure performance across key sub-sectors, building on its PAIMANA platform.
Wed, 15 Apr 2026
Operational Guidelines launched for ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund and its Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal launched the Operational Guidelines of the Urban Challenge Fund, with ₹1 lakh crore of central assistance meant to catalyse about ₹4 lakh crore of urban investment, along with a Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme, on 15 April 2026.
Census 2027: Houselisting field operations to begin on 16 April in eight States/UTs; about 12 lakh households used Self-Enumeration
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 15 April 2026 that Houselisting and Housing Census field operations, Phase I of Census 2027, would begin on 16 April in eight States/UTs and parts of Delhi, after a 15-day Self-Enumeration window that about 12 lakh households had used.
India hosts first BRICS Health Working Group meeting of 2026; adds Healthy Lifestyle and Mental Wellness as priorities
The Union Health Ministry chaired the first BRICS Health Working Group meeting of 2026 in New Delhi, where India, as BRICS Chair, introduced 'Healthy Lifestyle' and 'Promotion of Mental Wellness' as two new priority areas.
DoT and SEBI sign MoU to share telecom intelligence against securities market frauds
The Department of Telecommunications and SEBI signed an MoU on 15 April 2026 under which DoT will share its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator and Mobile Number Revocation List with SEBI, and SEBI will flag telecom resources linked to fraud.
WPI inflation rises to 3.88% in March 2026
Annual inflation based on the All India Wholesale Price Index rose to 3.88% (provisional) in March 2026 from 2.13% in February, driven mainly by crude petroleum and natural gas, other manufacturing, non-food articles, basic metals and food articles.
India's total exports for FY 2025-26 estimated at US$ 860.09 billion, up 4.22%
India's total exports of merchandise and services for FY 2025-26 were estimated at US$ 860.09 billion, 4.22% higher than US$ 825.26 billion in FY 2024-25, according to Ministry of Commerce data released on 15 April 2026.
PLFS monthly bulletin: unemployment rate 5.1% and LFPR 55.4% in March 2026
The Periodic Labour Force Survey bulletin for March 2026, released by MoSPI on 15 April 2026, put the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above at 5.1% and the labour force participation rate at 55.4%.
NHAI directs FASTag issuer banks to validate vehicle registration numbers ahead of Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling
The National Highways Authority of India directed all FASTag issuer banks on 15 April 2026 to validate the vehicle registration numbers linked to their FASTags and blacklist tags linked to incorrect or invalid numbers.
Tue, 14 Apr 2026
135th birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar observed at Prerna Sthal, Parliament House complex
The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment marked the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on 14 April 2026 at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House premises, where the Vice-President, Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker paid floral tributes.
PM Modi receives call from US President Trump; leaders discuss West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from US President Donald Trump on 14 April 2026; the leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and stressed keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.
2,926 candidates in the fray for the two-phase West Bengal Assembly election
The Election Commission of India said on 14 April 2026 that, after withdrawals, 2,926 candidates are contesting the West Bengal Assembly election: 1,478 in 152 constituencies in Phase I and 1,448 in 142 constituencies in Phase II.
MoRTH notifies new fee structure for overloaded vehicles on National Highways from 15 April
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, effective 15 April 2026, levying no fee for up to 10% excess load, twice the base rate for over 10% to 40%, and four times above 40%.
NAAS brainstorming session charts roadmap for self-reliance in fertilizers
The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences held a brainstorming session on 14 April 2026 on a roadmap for Atmanirbharta in fertilizers; DARE Secretary and ICAR Director General M.L. Jat said India consumes nearly 33 million tonnes of fertilizers a year, a significant share of it imported.