World Current Affairs — Last 6 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Sun, 19 Apr 2026
DSC A23, fourth of five Diving Support Craft for the Navy, launched at Titagarh, Kolkata
DSC A23 (Yard 328), the fourth of five Diving Support Craft being built for the Indian Navy by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, was launched at Titagarh, Kolkata, on 19 April 2026.
DGGI Ahmedabad arrests alleged mastermind of ₹1,825 crore GST refund fraud at Delhi airport
The Ahmedabad Zonal Unit of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence arrested Kapil Chugh, alleged mastermind of a GST refund fraud of about ₹1,825 crore, at IGI Airport, Delhi, on 19 April 2026 on his return from Dubai.
IIFT's CTIL holds panel on WTO ruling on transnational subsidies in EU–Indonesia stainless steel dispute (DS 616)
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade held a panel discussion in New Delhi, announced on 19 April 2026, on the WTO panel ruling on transnational subsidies in dispute DS 616 between the EU and Indonesia.
'Vishwa Sutra' showcases 30 Indian handloom weaves through 30 countries' styles at 61st Femina Miss India
The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and NIFT unveiled 'Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World', a collection of 30 state handloom weaves reinterpreted through 30 countries' styles, at the 61st Femina Miss India in Bhubaneswar, the Textiles Ministry said on 19 April 2026.
Sat, 18 Apr 2026
Budget Session 2026 ends; both Houses adjourned sine die with Lok Sabha productivity at about 93%
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die on 18 April 2026, ending the Budget Session that began on 28 January, with 31 sittings, 9 Bills passed and productivity of about 93% in the Lok Sabha and about 110% in the Rajya Sabha.
Cabinet extends PMGSY-III till March 2028 with revised outlay of ₹83,977 crore
The Union Cabinet on 18 April 2026 approved continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) beyond March 2025 up to March 2028, raising its outlay to ₹83,977 crore from ₹80,250 crore.
Cabinet approves Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with ₹12,980 crore sovereign guarantee
The Union Cabinet on 18 April 2026 approved a domestic 'Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool' (BMI pool), backed by a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore, to keep maritime insurance available for Indian trade even through volatile sea corridors.
PIB backgrounder: ASI protects 3,686 centrally protected monuments; India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A PIB backgrounder of 18 April 2026 on monument conservation said the Archaeological Survey of India safeguards 3,686 centrally protected monuments and that India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Maratha Military Landscapes.
INS Sudarshini concludes port call at Casablanca, Morocco, during Lokayan 26
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini concluded a port call at Casablanca, Morocco, on 18 April 2026 as part of its Lokayan 26 deployment, and then sailed for Las Palmas, Spain.
CCEA approves two rail multitracking projects of ₹24,815 crore in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 18 April 2026 approved 3rd and 4th lines on Ghaziabad–Sitapur and Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)–Visakhapatnam (Duvvada), adding about 601 km to Indian Railways at about ₹24,815 crore.
Cabinet raises Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief by 2 percentage points to 60% from 1 January 2026
The Union Cabinet on 18 April 2026 approved an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners from 1 January 2026, raising the rate by 2% over the existing 58% of basic pay/pension.
Dr K.S. Somashekhar appointed Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat
Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan appointed Dr K.S. Somashekhar as Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat with effect from 18 April 2026.
MeitY constitutes Technology and Policy Expert Committee to advise India's AI governance group
The Ministry of Electronics and IT on 18 April 2026 announced the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC), a standing advisory body chaired by the MeitY Secretary to support the newly constituted AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG).
Women make up over 31% of candidates recommended in Civil Services Examination 2025
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on 18 April 2026 that 299 of the 958 candidates recommended in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 are women, over 31% of the total.
Centre approves procurement of 20 lakh tonnes of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh under Market Intervention Scheme
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 18 April 2026 approved procurement of 20 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh under the Market Intervention Scheme at ₹6,500.9 per tonne, along with chana procurement in Andhra Pradesh and an extension of tur procurement in Karnataka.
Mizoram holds 'Run for Nutrition' half marathon under 8th Poshan Pakhwada
A 'Run for Nutrition' half marathon was organised in Mizoram on 18 April 2026 under the 8th Poshan Pakhwada, with about 500 adults and children taking part.
National Health Authority concludes two-day Chintan Shivir on AB PM-JAY and ABDM in Pune
The National Health Authority on 18 April 2026 concluded a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune, Maharashtra, on Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, where states presented best practices.
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.