National Affairs

PM Narendra Modi Virtually Launches 'Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah 2026' for Civil Servants

On April 2, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the 'Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah 2026', a national learning week initiative under Mission Karmayogi celebrating its five-year milestone, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC), New Delhi.

• Organiser: Sadhana (Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement) Saptah, one of India's largest collaborative civil services capacity-building efforts, is organised by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) from April 2 to 8, 2026.
• Pillars: The programme is built on three pillars: Technology, Tradition, and Tangible Outcomes, and includes workshops, masterclasses, and institutional deliberations to strengthen a future-ready governance ecosystem.
• Key Initiatives Launched:
• Karmayogi Geet
• Kshamata Connect
• Kartavya Karyakram
• Peer Assessment Framework
• AI-powered Case Study Suite (AGK)

CBDT Launches 'Kar Saathi' Website to Simplify Tax Filing

In April 2026, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF), launched a new website and an AI-powered assistant called 'Kar Saathi' to simplify the procedure of tax filing.

The launch coincides with a nationwide awareness campaign, Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat (PRARAMBH 2026).

• Tax Filing: The portal offers round-the-clock support to assist taxpayers with queries and compliance under the Income Tax Act, 2025. It includes an AI chatbot providing instant tax-related information in both Hindi and English.
• Unified Platform: Consolidates all information related to income tax, including forms, filing procedures, and guidelines, in a unified platform.
• Key Progress: Since the inception of the PRARAMBH programme in March 2026, rules have been reduced from 510 to 333 and forms from 399 to 190, thereby eliminating requirements for more than six crore transactions.

UIDAI and MapmyIndia Partner to Enable Authorised Aadhaar Centres on Mappls App

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), signed an agreement with MapmyIndia to integrate authorised Aadhaar service centres into the Mappls Application (app).

• Objective: To improve public convenience, ensure seamless access to Aadhaar services, and reduce misinformation regarding unauthorised centres.
• Features: The app allows users to filter searches by specific Aadhaar services and navigate to authorised centres with accurate results. It enables identification of centres offering services such as adult enrolment, child enrolment, and updates to address or mobile number.
• Coverage: The initiative will include Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs) along with other authorised Aadhaar centres, ensuring distinct and accurate listings.

Microsoft Establishes AI Skill Center in Chandigarh University to Enhance Employability

Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chandigarh University (CU), Punjab, to set up a state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skill Center at its Mohali campus, aimed at enhancing digital skills and employability.

The centre was inaugurated by Sanjay Dhingra, Director of Public Sector at Microsoft, alongside officials from byteXL and senior leadership from Chandigarh University.

• Certifications: Globally recognized Microsoft certifications in AI, Machine Learning (ML), Cloud Computing (CC), Data Science, and Cybersecurity, including AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals), DP-900 (Data Fundamentals), and AI-900 (AI Fundamentals).
• Training: Access to over 4,400 Microsoft learning modules linked to job roles, with hands-on lab-based training, virtual labs on Microsoft Azure, and real-world project experience.
• Collaboration: CU will launch a specialized Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Computer Science Engineering (CSE) with AI specialization, online Master of Computer Applications (MCA) courses, and partner with byteXL for AI, ML, and Generative AI (GenAI)-focused programs.
• Initiative: Microsoft's courses and certifications will be made accessible to all students, supporting the 'AI for All' initiative.

Israel's PLR Systems Delivers First Batch of NEGEV LMGs to India

On 1 April 2026, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) announced the delivery of the first batch of 2,000 NEGEV 7.62x51 Light Machine Guns (LMGs) to India. The delivery was carried out by PLR Systems, a joint venture (JV) between IWI and the Adani Group, marking a significant milestone under the 'Make in India' initiative with technology transfer.

The delivery is part of a larger August 2024 contract for 41,000 LMGs, with another 4,000 units to be supplied by end-2026.

• Manufacturer: PLR Systems, India's first private-sector company to manufacture small arms and ammunition, is producing the NEGEV LMGs at its facility in Malanpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Weapon: The NEGEV 7.62x51 LMG, used by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), fires 7.62 mm ammunition, supports semi- and fully automatic modes, and is effective against fortified targets in high-intensity and urban combat.
• Features: Lightweight, highly reliable in harsh conditions, equipped with Picatinny rails and tritium night sights, NATO-compliant, and adaptable for use on helicopters, vehicles, and naval platforms.
• Additional Contract: PLR Systems has also secured a contract to supply 1,70,000 Close-Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines, with the first batch of 18,000 units expected to be delivered in 2026.

Banking & Finance

IRDAI Designates LIC, GIC Re, and NIACL as D-SIIs for FY26

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) designated Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), The New India Assurance Company Limited (NIACL), and General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) as Domestic-Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for FY 2025-26.

IRDAI has clarified that the list of D-SIIs remains unchanged from the previous financial year.

• Definition: D-SIIs refer to insurers of large size, market importance, and domestic and global inter-connectedness whose distress or failure would cause a significant impact on the domestic financial system. D-SIIs are perceived as insurers that are 'too big or too important to fail' (TBTF).
• Key Parameters: Size of operations in terms of total revenue (including premium underwritten and value of assets under management) and global activities across more than one jurisdiction.

Economy & Business

NSE and IGX Partner to Launch India's First Domestic Benchmark Natural Gas Derivatives

On April 1, 2026, the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) announced a strategic collaboration with Indian Gas Exchange Limited (IGX), India's first automated national-level gas trading platform, to launch India's first exchange-traded natural gas derivatives based on a domestic benchmark.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the initiative, with the launch date to be announced soon.

• Product: NSE will introduce Indian Natural Gas Futures contracts based on the Gas IndeX of India (GIXI) developed by IGX, with pricing linked to actual trades on the IGX platform.
• Benefits: Efficient risk management tools for producers, consumers, financial institutions, brokers, and investors, while enhancing market efficiency, liquidity, and transparency in India's gas market.
• About IGX: Operating under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), it facilitates natural gas trading and price discovery, supporting NSE's expansion into domestically benchmarked commodity derivatives.

Awards & Recognitions

Uttarakhand & Odisha Police Honoured with the Prestigious President's Police Colours

The President of India Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of the prestigious President's Police Colour (Nishaan), the highest national honour for a state police force, on the Uttarakhand Police (2 April 2026) and Odisha Police (30 March 2026).

Uttarakhand Police:

• Award: Honoured for recognising bravery, discipline, professional excellence, and long-term dedication to the nation during the Silver Jubilee Year of statehood.
• Leadership: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and DGP Deepam Seth guided the force, acknowledged for service in disaster management, notably the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy, and managing large-scale events like the Maha Kumbh and Char Dham Yatra.

Odisha Police:

• Award: Conferred for recognising exceptional discipline, service excellence, bravery, professionalism, and long-term institutional contribution, coinciding with the 90th Police Foundation Day (Utkal Divas).
• Leadership: DGP Y B Khurania and ADG Prateek Mohanty led the force, operational since 1936, acknowledged for anti-Maoist operations, crime prevention, and citizen-centric initiatives.

Appointments & Resignations

Myanmar Parliament Elects Min Aung Hlaing as President

Min Aung Hlaing, Senior General and former Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces of Myanmar), was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union), the legislature of Myanmar.

• Election: Took place in a parliament dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and appointed armed forces representatives.
• Outcome: Min Aung Hlaing won 429 of 584 votes. Nan Ni Ni Aye (regional MP from Karen State) and U Nyo Saw were elected as Vice-Presidents of Myanmar.

Krishna Kumar Singh Takes Additional Charge as SAIL CMD Following Amarendu Prakash's Resignation

Krishna Kumar Singh, Director (Personnel) at Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), took additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) for a three-month interim period (2 April to 1 July 2026).

This followed the resignation of Amarendu Prakash, effective 1 April 2026, approved by the Ministry of Steel (MoS).

Other Appointments:

• The board of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) approved the appointment of Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan as its CMD, with tenure effective from April 1, 2026 until superannuation on July 31, 2030, as per the Ministry of Power (MoP). He succeeds Dr. Ravindra Kumar Tyagi, who demitted office on March 31, 2026.

Science & Technology

Union Minister Rajnath Singh Commissions Advanced Stealth Frigate 'INS Taragiri' in Visakhapatnam, AP

Union Minister Rajnath Singh (MoD) formally commissioned the advanced stealth frigate Indian Naval Ship (INS) Taragiri (F41) into the Indian Navy (IN) at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan; Admiral Dinesh Kumar (DK) Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS); and Captain Jagmohan (Retd.), CMD of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), were among those present.

• Arms and Ammunition: Supersonic Surface-to-Surface missiles; Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM); advanced anti-submarine warfare system; and advanced indigenous Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) systems.

NSIL and Dhruva Space Sign MoU for Solar Panel Collaboration

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with aerospace company Dhruva Space Private Limited to forge a collaboration in the design, manufacture, testing, and supply of solar panels for global satellite manufacturers.

• Key Role: The strategic partnership will enable Dhruva Space to use NSIL's programme management and product assurance expertise to scale manufacturing of space-grade solar panels.
• About NSIL: A wholly owned GoI company, established on 6 March 2019 under the Companies Act, 2013, functioning under the Department of Space (DoS), responsible for producing, assembling, and integrating launch vehicles with industry support.
• Market Growth: According to the Space Solar Cells Market Report 2026, the market is expected to grow from USD 1.38 billion (2025) to USD 1.55 billion (2026), at a CAGR of 12.3%.

Sports

South Africa Batter Rassie van der Dussen Announces Retirement from International Cricket

South African top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen (37) announced his retirement from international cricket and will continue to play for the Lions and mentor young players.

• Achievements: Among the leading run-scorers in the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Named in the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2021.

Important Days at a Glance