1) 🇮🇳National NEET UG 2026 Admit Cards: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the admit cards for the NEET UG 2026 exam scheduled for 3 May 2026. The exam will be held across 552 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. Vande Mataram 150th Anniversary: The Ministry of Culture launched 'VM Frames', a national filmmaking competition to mark 150 years of India’s national song, Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Khasi and Garo Official Status: The Meghalaya cabinet has formally approved the indigenous Khasi and Garo languages as official languages of the state alongside English. Sovereign AI Platform: BharatGen Technology Foundation and L&T have signed an MoU to develop India's first end-to-end Sovereign AI compute platform, featuring a 30 MW data centre in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. 2) 🌍International India-Maldives Currency Swap: The Government of India approved a ₹30 billion currency swap facility for the Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework (2024–2027) to support the island nation's foreign exchange reserves. India-Czech Republic Cooperation: Union MoS Jitin Prasada co-chaired the 13th India-Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation in Prague to strengthen B2B linkages and trade. Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Global shipping remains under pressure as naval mine threats in the Strait of Hormuz continue to affect trade routes following geopolitical escalations in the Middle East. 3) 💰Economy Apple Hits $4 Trillion: As of April 2026, Apple Inc. has become the first company to reach a market capitalisation of $4 trillion, marking a historic milestone in the global tech industry. Jio-Allianz Joint Venture: Jio Financial Services (JFSL) and Germany's Allianz Europe have entered a 50:50 joint venture to enter the general and health insurance sectors in India. RBI Forex Rules: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) eased certain restrictions on forex dealers in the Offshore Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDF) market to manage rupee volatility more effectively. 4) 🗓️Date’s importance World Design Day: Observed on 27 April to recognise the role of design in improving the world and to celebrate the birthday of the International Council of Design (ico-D). South Africa Freedom Day: Commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held on this day in 1994, marking the end of racial segregation. 5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day Samuel Morse: Born on 27 April 1791, he was the American inventor who developed the electric telegraphand co-developed the Morse Code, revolutionising long-distance communication. 6) 🏅Sports World Record in Marathon: Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe became the first person to officially break the two-hour barrier in a marathon, winning the London Marathon with a timing of 1:59:30. IPL 2026 Updates: Matches are entering a crucial phase as teams fight for the top four spots in the playoffs (check latest points table for team standings). 7) 🏆Awards Business Excellence India Awards 2026: Held in Kolkata, several leaders were honoured, including Abhik Mitra as the 'Financial Leader of the Year' and Renatus Wellness as the 'Best Nutraceutical Brand'. NMDC Achievement: National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) was recognised for its record-breaking production of 53.15 million tonnes of iron ore in FY26. 8) ⭐️Other important significance BATMMAAN: A new financial acronym is trending in global markets—BATMMAAN (representing leaders in AI, Chips, and Platforms)—replacing the older FAANG/MAG7 groupings. Census 2026: India’s nationwide Population Census 2026 is currently in its primary data collection phase, involving over 3 million officials. 📚Word of the day Capitulate: (Verb) - To cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; to surrender. Example: "The troops were forced to capitulate after being surrounded for weeks."  

1) 🇮🇳National Lithium Battery Recycling: Uttar Pradesh has inaugurated India’s first integrated recycling facility for lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets in the UPSIDC Industrial Area, Sikandrabad.     Population Census 2026: India has officially commenced its nationwide Population Census 2026, a massive administrative exercise involving over 3 million officials.     Noida Airport Leadership: Nitu Sarma has been appointed as the interim CEO of Noida International Airport following recent regulatory directions.     Maharashtra Biogas Policy: The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the "State Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy 2026" to promote clean energy and effective waste management.     2) 🌍International UNGA President Visit: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Annalena Baerbock is scheduled to visit India next week to discuss multilateral cooperation and global governance.     Panda Diplomacy: China has announced the resumption of its panda diplomacy by sending two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta in the United States.     Scientific Discovery: A new study reveals that sperm whales use complex communication patterns, known as "codas," which show structures similar to human language.     3) 💰Economy Forex Reserves: India’s foreign exchange reserves have surged to $703.31 billion for the week ended 17 April 2026, marking a record high.     GDP Projections: The United Nations has projected India’s economy to grow by 6.4% in 2026, maintaining its status as a leading major economy.     Green Energy Deal: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has signed a long-term agreement with Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation to supply 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually.     4) 🗓️Date’s importance World Malaria Day (25 April): Observed annually to raise awareness about the global effort to control and eliminate malaria.     Theme 2026: "Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must." Significance: Established by the World Health Assembly in 2007 to mobilize resources and political will for malaria prevention.     5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day General Upendra Dwivedi: The Chief of Army Staff has been inducted into the prestigious International Hall of Fame of the US Army War College in Pennsylvania, becoming one of the few Indian officers to receive this honour.     6) 🏅Sports Asian Wrestling Championships: Indian wrestlers have secured multiple podium finishes in the ongoing continental championships, strengthening India’s position in the regional rankings. Shooting World Cup: The Indian contingent has topped the medal tally at the latest ISSF World Cup stage, showcasing dominance in rifle and pistol events. 7) 🏆Awards UNIDO GEM Award: Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has won the 4th Gender Equality Mobilisation (GEM) Award in Vienna for its excellence in promoting gender-inclusive urban development.     8) ⭐️Other important significance Reproductive Rights Ruling: The Supreme Court of India reaffirmed reproductive autonomy as a fundamental right under Article 21, allowing a minor to terminate a late-stage pregnancy under specific medical conditions.     📚Word of the day Tintinnabulation: (Noun) Meaning: A ringing or tinkling sound, typically of bells. Usage: The distant tintinnabulation of the temple bells signaled the start of the evening prayers.

🇮🇳National National Census 2026: India has officially commenced the nationwide Population Census 2026, involving over 3 million officials in one of the largest data collection exercises globally.  Eco-Sensitive Zone Declaration: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified 408.7 square kilometres around the Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).  CUET PG Results: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is scheduled to release the CUET PG 2026 resultstoday, 24 April, on its official portal. 🌍International Artemis II Mission: NASA’s Artemis II crew has successfully returned to Earth after a record-breaking lunar flyby, marking a major milestone in deep-space exploration.  China's AI Framework: International observers are closely monitoring China's new coordinated bid for AI technological supremacy, contrasting it with recent Western regulatory frameworks.  💰Economy FY 2026-27 Policy Implementation: The new financial year has entered its peak implementation phase, with fresh fiscal planning and government budget allocations coming into full effect this week. E-Mandate Regulations: New guidelines for e-mandate registration and recurring transaction caps have been implemented by the RBI to enhance digital payment security.  🗓️Date’s importance National Panchayati Raj Day: Observed annually on 24 April to commemorate the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which came into force in 1993, institutionalising Panchayati Raj in India. World Day for Animals in Laboratories: An international day of recognition for the plight of animals used in testing.  👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day Sachin Tendulkar: Born on 24 April 1973, the "Master Blaster" celebrates his birthday today. He remains a significant figure in Indian sports history, holding the record for the most runs in international cricket. Daniel Defoe: The famous English novelist (author of Robinson Crusoe) passed away on this day in 1731.  🏅Sports SCAC Championships: The 2026 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin today in Abilene, Texas.  Patriot League Golf: The 35th Patriot League Men's Golf Championship, hosted by Army, kicks off its first round at West Point.  🏆Awards SCAC Weekly Awards: Rabbit Barnes and Allison Barker were named the Male and Female Track Athletes of the Week for their record-breaking performances in recent meets.  ⭐️Other important significance Library of Congress: Established on this day in 1800 by U.S. President John Adams with an initial appropriation of $5,000.  Hubble Space Telescope: Launched into orbit on 24 April 1990, revolutionising our understanding of the universe.  📚Word of the day Panchayat: A village council or local government body in India (derived from Sanskrit pañca 'five' and ayatana'assembly').