Preparation Notes and Pdfs

RBI issues e-mandate framework for digital payments In April 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the new ‘Digital Payments – E-mandate Framework, 2026’ consolidating the existing regulations while introducing stricter safeguards, clearer notification and greater flexibility for users.

FedEx, IIT-M Completes India’s 1st Intra-City Drone Delivery In April 2026, Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), Chennai(Tamil Nadu, TN), successfully completed India’s first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

MoEFCC Declares Area Around UP’s Barasingha WLS as ESZ In April 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) through its official notification declared an area of 408.7 square kilometres (sq. km) around the Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in Uttar Pradesh (UP), as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

MHA receives Indigenously Developed Satellite Imaging System ‘Prajna‘ for real-time security support In April 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) received an indigenously developed satellite imaging system ‘Prajna’, aimed at enhancing the real-time decision support for the security agencies.

Cabinet Approvals on April 18, 2026 On 18th April 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for Central Government employees and pensioners, and also cleared railway multitracking projects worth Rs 24,815 crore in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Andhra Pradesh (AP).

Union Cabinet approves the extension of PMGSY-III till March 2028 On 18 April 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – III (PMGSY – III) beyond its original March 2025 deadline, extending it up to March 2028.

MeitY Selects 10 Startups for Cohort II of ISG Under IndiaAI Mission In April 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), announced the selection of 10 Indian Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups for the second cohort of the IndiaAI Startups Global(ISG) Acceleration Programme under the IndiaAI Mission.

Indian Botanist N. Alim Yusuf Wins WWF Award For Invasive Plants Detection App In April 2026, Indian botanist from Kerala, N. Alim Yusuf was honoured with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) National Award at the National ECHO Youth Innovation Summit 2026, held as part of the International Youth Biodiversity Conference, in Hyderabad, Telangana.

World Bank Launches ‘Water Forward’ Initiative to Improve Water Security for 1 Billion People On 15 April 2026, President of the World Bank Group (WBG) Ajay Banga announced that WBG in collaboration with multilateral development banks and development finance institutions, launched ‘Water Forward’, a global platform to improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030.

SEBI extends NPO registration validity for SSE and lowers minimum subscription for ZCZP In April 2026, the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) relaxed key norms for the Social Stock Exchange (SSE), extending the registration validity for Not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) and lowering the minimum subscription requirement for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments.

IMF’s WEO 2026: USA Topped, India Slips to 6th Spot in Global GDP Rankings In April 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its latest April 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled “Global Economy in the Shadow of War”. As per the data, India has slipped from the 4th spot to 6th spot in global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rankings, despite the country being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

MoHFW Hosts First BRICS Health Working Group Meeting in New Delhi On April 15, 2026, Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) chaired the First Health Working Group (HWG) Meeting under the BRICS(Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) framework for 2026, in New Delhi, Delhi

MoC&I Notified India’s First Chip Fabrication Plant at Dholera SEZ, Gujarat In April 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) notified India’s first chip fabrication plant, a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be established by Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited (TSMPL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, at Dholera SEZ, Gujarat, with a proposed investment of Rs 91,000 crore.

DoT & SEBI Sign MoU to Combat Financial Fraud by Misuse of Telecom Resources On April 15, 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communication, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi, Delhi.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Operational Guidelines for Urban Challenge Fund In April 2026, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), launched the Operational Guidelines for Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) along with the Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme (CRGSS) in New Delhi, Delhi, to strengthen urban infrastructure financing and make cities investment-ready.