1) 🇮🇳National

• General Elections 2026: Single-phase polling commences today across Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. Key highlights include women voters outnumbering men in Kerala and Puducherry, making them the "kingmakers" of this election cycle.
• Census 2026: India’s first-ever Digital Census is in full swing. This massive exercise, involving over 3 million officials, aims to provide real-time demographic data to streamline government welfare schemes.
• Nuclear Triad Strength: India has officially commissioned its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridaman. This significantly bolsters the sea-based leg of India's nuclear triad alongside INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
• Uttarakhand Environmental Action: The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a stay on the felling of oak treesin Mussoorie, prioritising environmental conservation over urban expansion projects.

2) 🌍International

• West Asia Ceasefire: A significant two-week ceasefire has been announced between the US and Iran. This offers a critical "breathing space" for global maritime trade, especially for oil tankers navigating the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
• UAE’s Digital Leap: The United Arab Emirates has launched the world’s first commercial upper 6GHz (U6GHz) internet network, setting a new global benchmark for high-speed digital infrastructure.
• UNIFIL Security: India has strongly condemned recent attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon, urging all parties to respect the safety of UN personnel.

3) 💰Economy

• RBI Monetary Policy: The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has kept the Repo Rate unchanged at 5.25%. Governor Sanjay Malhotra cited the need to manage supply chain risks and inflation (projected at 4.6% for FY27) amidst geopolitical volatility.
• GDP Projections: The RBI has set India’s real GDP growth for FY27 at 6.9%, while some private agencies like CareEdge estimate it at 6.7% due to elevated energy prices.
• Manufacturing Relief: The Government has announced a customs duty exemption on specific petrochemical feedstocks to support sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components.

4) 🗓️Date’s importance

• Shaurya Diwas (CRPF Valour Day): Observed on 9 April to commemorate the 1965 battle at Sardar Post, Gujarat, where a small contingent of CRPF personnel successfully repulsed a Pakistani brigade.
• Winston Churchill Day: Marking the day in 1963 when Sir Winston Churchill became the first person to be proclaimed an honorary citizen of the United States.
• History (1865): The American Civil War effectively ended as General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant.

5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day

• Pinarayi Vijayan: The Kerala Chief Minister is in the spotlight today as he attempts to lead the LDF to a historic third consecutive term in the state’s assembly elections.
• Mohsina Kidwai: A veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister who passed away on 8 April 2026 at the age of 94. She was a significant figure in Indian politics for decades.

6) 🏅Sports

• Laureus Nomination: In a historic first, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team has been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award following their maiden World Cup title.
• IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans clinched a last-ball thriller against Delhi Capitals, winning by just 1 run. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi led RR to a rain-hit victory over Mumbai Indians.
• The Masters: The prestigious professional golf tournament begins today at the Augusta National Golf Club in the USA.

7) 🏆Awards

• Chetak Screen Awards 2026:
  • Best Film: Homebound (Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan).
  • Best Director: Aditya Dhar for the blockbuster spy thriller Dhurandhar.
  • Best Actor (Male): Ranveer Singh (Dhurandhar).
  • Best Actor (Female): Yami Gautam (Haq).

8) ⭐️Other important significance

• Space Science: NASA’s Artemis II mission is drawing comparisons to India's Chandrayaan-3, with experts highlighting different orbital strategies used for lunar transits.
• Migratory Birds: A tagged Sanderling bird was spotted on Narcondam Island after a remarkable 7,400 km migration from South Australia.

📚Word of the day

• FRATERNITY (Noun)
• Meaning: A group of people sharing a common profession or interests; also refers to friendship and mutual support within a group.
• Usage: Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia recently sparked a debate about whether the film fraternity truly supports its own during major award ceremonies.