Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 26 April 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
So, here is the Top News of the Day for 26 April 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 26 April 2023
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2023 observed on 26 April
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2023 observed on 26 April: International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is held yearly on April 26 in memory and honour of those who died. The following are some of the most important facts concerning the incident. It is a day that will be remembered as the fateful day when the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, formally known as the Vladimir Lenin Nuclear Power Plant, suffered a systems test malfunction. The infamous Chernobyl disaster took place on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the former Soviet Union. The accident took place during a routine safety test of a nuclear reactor. As per the United Nations (UN), about 50 people got killed immediately.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 3940 persons died from cancer caused by radiation poisoning. International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed on April 26, annually, in memory and honour of those who lost their lives. Below are some of the key facts about the disaster.
History of the day:
Following the 30th anniversary of the disaster, on December 8, 2016, the United Nations passed a resolution designating April 26 as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. The General Assembly in its resolution recognised that even after three decades of the 1986 disaster, the long-term consequences remained seriously persistent and the affected communities and territories continued to experience the related needs.
SBI’s fourth startup branch opens in Mumbai BKC
SBI’s fourth startup branch opens in Mumbai BKC: In Mumbai’s BKC neighbourhood, SBI built its fourth branch specifically for entrepreneurs. SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara remarked during the launch ceremony that the branch’s main goal is to provide full help to startups throughout their journey, from creating their corporate entity to performing IPOs and FPOs.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
SBI’s fourth startup branch:
In addition to providing standard banking services to startups, the branch will also serve as a comprehensive resource for investment banking, treasury/forex, advisory, and other supplementary financial services offered by the bank’s subsidiaries, according to him. Reports suggest that SBI plans to cater not only to startups but also to the needs of private equity (PE), venture capital (VC), and alternative investment funds (AIFs).
Neobank Jupiter secures NBFC licence
Neobank Jupiter secures NBFC licence: Jupiter, a neobanking startup, has received a non-banking finance company (NBFC) licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), allowing it to extend loans using its own resources. According to Jitendra Gupta, the founder of Amica Financial Technologies Ltd., which operates Jupiter, the company will appoint a professional chief executive officer to manage the NBFC operations.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Significance of the NBFC licence:
Jupiter has been increasing its lending activities through partnerships with NBFCs, thus this is a big milestone. Jupiter will have more control over its lending activities with the NBFC licence and will be able to extend credit directly from its own books, allowing better flexibility and control over the lending process.
About Jupiter: A Neobank:
Jupiter is a neobank, a type of digital bank that operates entirely online without any physical branches. It was founded in 2019 by Jitendra Gupta, who previously co-founded Citrus Pay, a payment gateway company that was acquired by PayU in 2016.
About NBFCs:
NBFCs, or non-banking financial companies, are financial institutions that provide a range of financial services but do not hold a banking license. They are subject to various regulations and limits and are governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), but they are not permitted to accept demand deposits or issue cheques.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal passes away at 95
Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal passes away at 95: Parkash Singh Badal, a former Chief Minister of Punjab and leader of the Akali Dal, has passed away at the age of 95 in Mohali. He started his political career as a village sarpanch and went on to contest assembly elections for the first time in 1957 as a member of the Congress party. At the age of 43, he became Punjab’s youngest Chief Minister. Badal was born in Abul Khurana, a village in Punjab near the Rajasthan border, and attended Forman Christian College in Lahore.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Today’s programme on the demise of Parkash Singh Badal
- The Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government, declared two days of national mourning following the demise of former Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal.
- The government of Punjab has announced a public holiday on 26th April, in honour of the former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Political Career of Parkash Singh Badal
- In his seven-decade political career, Parkash Singh Badal has only lost two elections: one in 1967 and another in the 2022 Punjab assembly election.
- He was arrested during Operation Bluestar in June 1984, when the Indian Army entered the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar to flush out militants.
- Badal’s party ended its alliance with the BJP in 2020 due to the farmers’ agitation against new agricultural laws introduced by the Centre.
- In protest at the Central government’s treatment of protesting farmers, Badal returned the Padma Vibhushan award, the country’s second-highest civilian distinction, which he had earned in 2015.
- As a leader of the Akali Dal, Parkash Singh Badal strongly opposed the proposal for the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, which was intended to share river water with the neighboring state of Haryana. During his tenure, the Punjab state assembly passed the contentious Punjab Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal (Transfer of Proprietary Rights) Bill in 2016, which was led by Badal.
Parkash Singh Badal served as the Chief Minister of Punjab for the following five terms:
- 1970-1971
- 1977-1980
- 1997-2002
- 2007-2012
- 2012-2017
Life of Parkash Singh Badal
- Sukhbir Singh Badal and Preneet Kaur are the children of Prakash Singh Badal and Surinder Kaur. Surinder Kaur, his wife, died of sickness in 2011.
- Son- Sukhbir Singh Badal is an MLA from Fazilka constituency of Punjab and has also been the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab. Prakash
- Singh Badal’s daughter is married to the son of former Punjab Chief Minister Pratap Singh Kairon.
Belgium firm to launch biodiesel project in Ayodhya soon
Belgium firm to launch biodiesel project in Ayodhya soon: Ayodhya has been chosen for a two-year experimental project to produce biofuel from waste. Belgium-based company Vito is expected to launch the project in Ayodhya soon. According to officials, the company, which focuses on clean technology and sustainable development, has already begun working on the project.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Biodiesel project in Ayodhya: Key Points to Note:
- Belgium-based company Vito is set to launch a two-year pilot project aimed at producing biodiesel from waste in Ayodhya, India.
- Initially, one tonne of plastic waste will be used to make biodiesel.
- Vito officials have held meetings with Ayodhya administration officials and organised a workshop for the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation officials.
- The company will use the corporation’s material recovery facility for waste segregation before setting up its own facility.
- Ayodhya was chosen for the pilot project because of the anticipated rise in garbage generated by the increase in devotee footfall following the opening of the Ram temple in January 2022.
- The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has estimated a turnout of several lakhs of devotees every month, which will generate more waste and create a major garbage disposal issue for the corporation.
Zimbabwe to introduce gold-backed digital currency
Zimbabwe to introduce gold-backed digital currency: The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has revealed intentions to launch a gold-backed digital currency to combat the decreasing value of the Zimbabwean currency. The digital gold tokens will be a form of electronic money, backed by gold held at the RBZ. This will enable holders of small amounts of Zimbabwean dollars to exchange their money for tokens and protect themselves against exchange rate fluctuations.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Zimbabwe’s dual currency structure:
The Zimbabwean economy operates on a dual currency structure, with the Zimbabwean dollar and the U.S. dollar in use. According to the RBZ, the US dollar now dominates and accounts for over 70% of domestic trade. The RBZ issued gold coins in July 2022 in an effort to arrest the decline of the Zimbabwean currency and diminish demand for the US dollar.
The RBZ had re-introduced the Zimbabwean dollar in 2019, replacing the previous multiple currency system that had been in place since 2009, when the country abandoned its old local dollar due to years of hyperinflation.
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Zimbabwean government permitted individuals with free funds to use their foreign currency to make domestic payments for goods and services. This policy resulted in the current dual currency system, in which the Zimbabwean dollar and the US dollar are both used for domestic commerce.
Zimbabwe: Important Facts:
- Location: Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in southern Africa.
- Capital City: Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe.
- Population: The estimated population of Zimbabwe as of 2021 is around 15.2 million.
- Official Languages: Zimbabwe’s official languages are English, Shona, and Ndebele.
- Currency: The Zimbabwean dollar is the official currency of the country.
- President: The current President of Zimbabwe is Emmerson Mnangagwa.
UDAN Scheme: Transforming India’s Regional Air Connectivity
Why the scheme is in the news?
On April 21, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) started the fifth phase of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) to improve access to India’s regional districts. The MoCA has released a bid document, inviting airlines to bid on various routes as part of the fifth round of bidding for its regional connectivity scheme UDAN.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Ministry: – Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)
Launch Year: – 21 October 2016
Implementing Body: – Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADCL)
Objectives: –
- The operationalization and development of the country’s 425 underserved or unserved airports.
- Boost inclusive economic development by providing faster connectivity
- Development of air transport infrastructure in remote areas aiding job growth
The target of the Scheme: – Govt sets target to operationalize 100 airports by 2024
Beneficiaries: – Citizens of our country
Budget Allocation: – 1244 crore.
IIT Madras to set up its first international campus in Tanzania
IIT Madras to set up its first international campus in Tanzania: IIT Madras plans to open the first Indian Institute of Technology in Africa in Tanzania, with classes beginning in October. The planned campus in Zanzibar will be IIT Madras’s first international campus. V Kamakoti, the institute’s director, announced the plans during his address at IIT Madras’ 64th Institute Day. A team of five IIT Madras professors visited Tanzania in February to hold discussions with officials about setting up the new campus.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The setting up of the first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Africa is significant for several reasons:
- Strengthening India-Africa relations: The creation of IIT in Tanzania is an important step towards building links between India and Africa. It reflects India’s growing interest in the African continent and its commitment to promoting education and human resource development in Africa.
- Promoting technical education: IITs are well-known for providing high-quality technical education, and the building of an IIT in Tanzania will give African students with access to world-class technical education, allowing them to advance their careers and contribute to the development of their countries.
- Bridging the skill gap: There is a significant skill gap in Africa, and the establishment of IIT in Tanzania will help bridge this gap by providing African students with the technical skills and knowledge required to meet the demands of the industry.
- Encouraging innovation and research: IITs are known for their research and innovation, and the establishment of IIT in Tanzania will encourage research and innovation in the African continent, which will help drive economic growth and development.
Labour Minister Launches New Features on eShram Portal for Migrant Workers’ Welfare
Why the scheme is in news? – On Monday, Union Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav launched additional features on the eShram portal. One of the features will enable the capture of family details of migrant workers to provide them with access to child education and women-centric schemes.
The eShram portal now allows registered workers to connect with employment opportunities, apprenticeship programs, skilling initiatives, digital training, pension schemes, and state-specific schemes. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Labour, this action will facilitate workers’ access to numerous government benefits.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
- Ministry: – Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Launch Year: – August 26, 2021
- Implementing Body: – Government in States/UTs will conduct registration of unorganised workers across the country.
Objectives: –
- The creation of a centralised database of all unorganised workers (UWs) to be seeded with Aadhaar, including Construction Workers, Migrant Workers, Gig and Platform Workers, Street Vendors, Domestic Workers, Agriculture Workers, and so on.
- To improve the implementation efficiency of the social security services for the unorganized workers.(ii) Integration of Social Security Schemes meant for UWs being administered by MoLE and subsequently those run by other ministries as well.
- Sharing of information in respect of registered unorganised workers with various stakeholders such as Ministries/ Departments/ Boards/ Agencies/ Organisations of the Central & State Governments through APIs for delivery of various social security and welfare schemes being administered by them.
- Portability of the social security and welfare benefits to the migrant and construction workers.
- Providing a comprehensive database to Central and State Governments for tackling any National Crises like COVID-19 in future.
Target of the Scheme: – To register 38 crore unorganised workers such as construction labourers, migrant workforce, street vendors, and domestic workers, among others.
Beneficiaries:- An unorganised worker (UW)
Eligibility criteria: – An unorganised worker (UW)
- Age should be between 16-59 years.
- Not a member of EPFO/ESIC or NPS (Govt. funded).
SIPRI report on Trends in World Military Expenditure 2022 released
SIPRI report on Trends in World Military Expenditure 2022 released: A report on Trends in World Military Expenditure 2022, published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, stated that total global military expenditure increased by 3.7% in real terms in 2022 to reach a new high of $2240 billion.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The three largest spenders in 2022 are the USA, China, and Russia, accounting for 56% of the total world The US remains by far the world’s biggest military spender India’s spending of $81.4 billion was the fourth highest in the world.
