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.