🇮🇳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').