National Affairs

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor
On April 14, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh to launch major infrastructure projects, headlined by the inauguration of the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor.

• Project Specs: A 213-km, six-lane corridor developed at a cost of over ₹12,000 crore.
• Travel Impact: Significantly reduces travel time between Delhi and Dehradun; includes 10 interchanges and 12 wayside amenities.
• Wildlife Protection: Features a 12-km elevated wildlife section (one of Asia’s longest), 8 animal passages, and 2 elephant underpasses to protect the local ecosystem near Daat Kali Temple.

MoC&I Notifies ₹10,000 Crore Startup India Fund of Funds (FoF) 2.0
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has established the Startup India FoF 2.0 to bolster deep tech and manufacturing startups.

• Corpus: ₹10,000 crore to be utilized across the 16th and 17th Finance Commission cycles.
• Mechanism: Invests in SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which then fund DPIIT-recognized startups.
• Implementation: SIDBI serves as the primary Implementation Agency.
• Governance: Monitored by an Empowered Committee chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia (Secretary, DPIIT).

India’s 1st Open-Access Quantum Reference Facility (AQRF) Opened in Amaravati
On World Quantum Day (April 14), AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Amaravati Quantum Reference Facility (AQRF), a major leap for India's high-tech ecosystem.

• Locations: Comprises Amaravati 1S (SRM University, Neerukonda) and Amaravati 1Q (Medha Towers, Gannavaram).
• Technical Edge: India’s first indigenous full-stack quantum system with 85% domestic components, operating near absolute zero (-273°C).
• Consortium: Developed by a national team including TIFR, IISc Bengaluru, DRDO, and IIT Bombay.

NITI Aayog Releases Reports to Boost India’s R&D Ecosystem
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh released two pivotal reports: "Ease of Doing Research & Development in India" and a corresponding survey report.

• Pillars of Reform: Funding, Governance, Regulatory Frameworks, and Research Translation.
• Key Goals: Boosting private sector investment in R&D and simplifying administrative processes for scientists.
• Data Source: Insights gathered from over 850 scientists and 400 institutional leaders.

Indian Army Launches ‘Radio Sikkim Sundari’ for Border Connectivity
The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army launched Radio Sikkim Sundari (88.4 FM) in East Sikkim, marking the state’s first border village community radio station.

• Objective: Part of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) to strengthen last-mile connectivity and promote local culture, agriculture, and education.
• Infrastructure: Powered by UPS and Solar backup, with streaming available via a dedicated Google Play Store app.

IAF and GE Aerospace Partner for F404 Engine Depot in India
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and GE Aerospace have signed an agreement to establish an in-country depot for F404-IN20 engines, used in the Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft).

• Scope: Enhances domestic Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
• Deal Value: Follows HAL’s USD 1 billion deal for 113 F404 engines.
• Supply Chain: GE Aerospace aims to deliver 20 engines by December 2026 to stabilize supply.

International Affairs

9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026) held in Mauritius
The conference was held in Port Louis with the theme: “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.”

• Organizers: India Foundation (IF) in association with the Government of Mauritius.
• India’s Stance: EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized regional cooperation under the SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) framework.

Banking & Finance

Worldline Report 2025: UPI Hits 228.5 Billion Transactions
The "India Digital Payments Report - Year 2025 in Review" highlights the massive growth of UPI as the preferred payment mode.

• Transaction Volume: 228.5 billion (33% Y-o-Y increase from 2024).
• Total Value: ₹299.74 trillion.
• Infrastructure: UPI QR codes increased by 15% to reach 731.38 million.
• Small Ticket Trend: The Average Ticket Size (ATS) for merchant payments declined to ₹592, indicating rising digitization of small daily purchases.

HDFC Bank & Visa Launch ‘FIFA World Cup 2026 Pixel Credit Card’
HDFC Bank and Visa introduced a limited-edition digital credit card themed around the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

• Access: Available via the PayZapp app for Pixel Play customers.
• Rewards: Includes "Spend & Win" incentives like match tickets, travel packages, and official merchandise.

Economy & Business

IMF Raises India’s FY27 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.5%
The IMF's April 2026 World Economic Outlook ("Global Economy in the Shadow of War") has marginally upgraded India's economic prospects.

Appointments & Resignations

Nizar Amedi Elected as 9th President of Iraq
The Iraqi Parliament elected former Environment Minister Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amedi as the new Head of State.

• Background: A member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK); succeeds Abdul Latif Rashid.
• Election Details: Secured 227 votes in the second-round runoff against Muthanna Amin Nader.

Science & Environment

New Gecko Species ‘Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis’ Discovered in Assam
Researchers have identified a new species of bent-toed gecko in the Raimona National Park region of Assam.

• Name: Commonly known as the Raimona bent-toed gecko.
• Features: Distinguished by its rounded body and bluntly conical head, with a max snout-vent length of 71.1 mm.

Sports

Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Ayush Shetty Wins Silver
The 43rd edition of the tournament was held in Ningbo, China.

• Historic Feat: 20-year-old Ayush Shetty (World No. 25) became the first Indian in 61 years to reach the men’s singles final, securing a Silver Medal.
• Standings: 1. South Korea (3 Gold), 2. China (2 Gold), 3. Thailand.

Important Days at a Glance

State News

Maharashtra and Vietnam’s Vingroup Sign $6.5 Billion Investment Pact
Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, Vingroup, has committed to a massive multi-sector investment in Maharashtra over the next two years.

• Urban Development ($5 Billion): Development of integrated smart townships ("Mumbai 3.0") covering 1,000 hectares.
• Electric Mobility ($1.5 Billion): Deployment of 60,000 electric taxis (MaaS) and a statewide charging network through GSM India.
• Goal: Aligns with Maharashtra’s target of becoming a $1 trillion economy.