Current Affairs · 27 Apr – 3 May 2026
TNPSC current affairs for the week of 27 Apr – 3 May 2026, grouped by day.
3 May 2026
2 storiesWorld Press Freedom Day Observed (3 May)
World Press Freedom Day was observed on 3 May to highlight the importance of a free press and the safety of journalists.
51 artists received Sangeet Natak Akademi honours in Lucknow in 2026
Fifty-one artists were honoured by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in Lucknow, a national-level awards fact.
2 May 2026
13 storiesWorld Tuna Day Observed (2 May)
World Tuna Day was observed on 2 May to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable tuna fisheries and ocean conservation.
Whitley Award went to Parveen Shaikh for Indian Skimmer conservation; species population is about 3,000
Parveen Shaikh won the Whitley Award for conservation work on the Indian Skimmer.
QS MBA Rankings 2026 placed IIM Bangalore 64th globally and first in India
IIM Bangalore ranked 64th globally and retained the top position in India in QS MBA Rankings 2026.
Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Foundation Day were observed on 1 May 2026 under Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960
Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Foundation Day were observed on 1 May 2026, marking the 1960 formation of both states.
India and Italy exchanged 2026-27 Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan in New Delhi
Rajnath Singh and Guido Crosetto exchanged the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan 2026-27 on 30 April 2026 in New Delhi.
Indian Navy received Mahendragiri, sixth Project 17A frigate with 75% indigenous content
The Indian Navy received Mahendragiri, the sixth Project 17A stealth frigate, from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders on 30 April 2026.
Meghalaya began Census 2027 self-enumeration awareness drive under Ministry of Home Affairs
Meghalaya launched a state-wide campaign on 2 May 2026 to promote the digital self-enumeration portal for Census 2027.
Mizoram launched Khuarel app, India’s first Northeast real-time disaster information-sharing network
Mizoram launched the Khuarel mobile app as a real-time disaster reporting and alert system.
Bharat Khera took charge as MSME Secretary; ministry is governed by MSMED Act, 2006
Bharat Khera assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of MSME on 1 May 2026.
Ashutosh Gowariker appointed Festival Director for 57th IFFI to be held in Goa in November 2026
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting appointed Ashutosh Gowariker as Festival Director for the 57th International Film Festival of India.
Ministry of Mines cleared 58 firms under ₹1,500 crore scheme to recycle lithium-ion batteries and e-waste
The Ministry of Mines approved 58 companies under a ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme for recycling lithium-ion batteries and e-waste.
India convened BRICS Women’s Working Group preparatory meeting under 2026 chairship ahead of Kochi July meetings
India held the first BRICS Women’s Working Group preparatory meeting virtually on 30 April 2026 under its 2026 chairship.
India–Tanzania JTC 5th session in Dar es Salaam reviewed USD 9.02 billion trade and local-currency settlement
The 5th India–Tanzania Joint Trade Committee met in Dar es Salaam on 29–30 April 2026 and reviewed trade, infrastructure and digital cooperation.
1 May 2026
12 storiesInternational Workers' Day (May Day) Observed (1 May)
International Workers' Day was observed on 1 May to honour the contributions of workers and the labour movement worldwide.
Chitra Pournami Celebrated in Tamil Nadu (1 May)
Chitra Pournami, the full-moon day of the Tamil month Chithirai, was celebrated in Tamil Nadu with temple observances honouring Chitragupta.
International Labour Day 2026 observed on 1 May with psychosocial health theme
International Labour Day was observed on 1 May 2026 with the ILO theme on a healthy psychosocial working environment.
RBI to phase in OTC FX derivatives reporting from July 2027
The RBI will introduce a phased reporting framework for rupee-linked OTC foreign exchange derivatives from 1 July 2027.
BHEL and DRDO sign technology transfer pact for naval GT-IRSS
BHEL signed a licensing agreement with DRDO’s NSTL on 28 April 2026 for the naval LM2500 Gas Turbine Infrared Suppression System.
DGCA clears India’s first commercial seaplane service for Lakshadweep
DGCA granted an Air Operator Certificate to SkyHop Aviation on 1 May 2026 for India’s first dedicated commercial seaplane service.
Google begins work on $15 billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam
Google laid the foundation for a ₹1.35 lakh crore AI hub in Visakhapatnam with a 1-gigawatt data centre ecosystem.
Synergy Quantum appoints Lt Gen Madhavan Nair as Strategic Defence Advisor
Synergy Quantum named former National Cyber Security Coordinator Lt Gen Madhavan Unnikrishnan Nair as Strategic Defence Advisor.
Indian women win sixth straight Asian Beach Games kabaddi gold
India’s women won beach kabaddi gold and the men won silver at the Asian Beach Games 2026 in Sanya, China.
FIFA amends rules to allow Afghan women players in international matches
On 29 April 2026, FIFA changed its Governance Regulations to permit Afghan female players in international matches.
MoSPI summit in Bhubaneswar focuses on harmonising administrative data
MoSPI held a national summit in Bhubaneswar on 29-30 April 2026 and released Women and Men in India 2025 indicators.
IPPB launches SHG Savings Account for women-led rural groups
India Post Payments Bank launched a zero-balance SHG Savings Account on 30 April 2026 with doorstep banking support through the postal network.
30 April 2026
12 storiesInternational Jazz Day Observed (30 April)
International Jazz Day was observed on 30 April, a UNESCO-designated day celebrating jazz and its role in promoting dialogue and cultural understanding.
Bangladesh begins fuel loading at Rooppur nuclear power plant Unit 1
Bangladesh began uranium fuel loading at Rooppur Unit-1 on 28 April 2026.
France announces fossil fuel phaseout roadmap to 2050
France unveiled a national roadmap on 29 April 2026 to phase out fossil fuels by 2050.
J P Nadda opens 10th National Summit on public health innovations in Chandigarh
J P Nadda inaugurated the 10th National Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Systems on 30 April 2026.
NMC removes MBBS seat cap and population norm in 2026 amendment
The National Medical Commission amended its regulations on 27 April 2026 to remove the MBBS seat cap.
APEDA sets up second BEDF basmati training centre in Uttar Pradesh
APEDA acquired 7 acres in Pilibhit on 28 April 2026 to establish a basmati and organic training centre.
FSSAI draft norms target eco-friendly pan masala packaging in 2026
FSSAI issued a draft amendment on 28 April 2026 to regulate pan masala packaging materials.
Oxford and Serum Institute license R78C malaria vaccine candidate in April 2026
The University of Oxford licensed the R78C malaria vaccine candidate to Serum Institute of India on 25 April 2026.
CERT-In hosts SAMVAAD 2026 cybersecurity conference in Goa
CERT-In organised SAMVAAD 2026 in Goa from 27 to 29 April 2026 to strengthen India’s cyber audit ecosystem.
Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0 covers 2,59,867 Gram Panchayats
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released PAI 2.0 for FY 2023-24 on 24 April 2026.
MoSPI releases Women and Men in India 2025 with 50 indicators
MoSPI released the 27th edition of Women and Men in India 2025 on 29 April 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
RBI Mission SAKSHAM to train 1.40 lakh UCB participants in 2026
RBI launched Mission SAKSHAM on 29 April 2026 to build capacity in the urban cooperative banking sector.
29 April 2026
11 storiesNITI Aayog Releases 'DPI@2047' Digital Infrastructure Roadmap
NITI Aayog released 'DPI@2047 for Viksit Bharat', a phased roadmap for digital public infrastructure to support India's $30 trillion economy target by 2047.
Hemant Burman Wins Silver at ISSF Junior World Cup; India Tops Tally
Indian shooter Hemant Burman won silver in the Men's 50m Rifle 3-Position at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 in Cairo, where India topped the medal tally with 16 medals.
IRCTC Launches 'Bharat-Bhutan' Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train
IRCTC announced a 14-day 'Bharat-Bhutan Mystic Mountain' Bharat Gaurav tourist train from Delhi, covering Northeast India and Bhutan via the Phuentsholing border.
IITM inaugurates Mahabaleshwar X-band Doppler radar and signs ISRO SAC MoU
On 24 April 2026, IITM inaugurated an X-band Doppler Weather Radar at Mahabaleshwar and signed an MoU with ISRO’s SAC.
MoEFCC-NBA launch five-year biodiversity governance project in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya
A five-year project from 2025 to 2030 was launched on 26 April 2026 to strengthen biodiversity governance in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya.
India becomes the world’s fifth-largest military spender in 2025, SIPRI says
SIPRI data released on 28 April 2026 showed India spent $92.1 billion in 2025 and ranked fifth globally in military expenditure.
RBI clears MobiKwik’s NBFC plan; new lending arm to serve Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
On 27 April 2026, RBI approved One MobiKwik Systems Ltd’s NBFC application and the company announced MobiKwik Financial Services Private Ltd.
PV Sindhu elected BWF Athletes’ Commission Chair with voting seat on BWF Council
PV Sindhu began her term as Chair of the BWF Athletes’ Commission on 27 April 2026 and gained a full voting seat on the BWF Council.
Ladakh gets five new districts: Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass
On 27 April 2026, Ladakh notified five new districts, taking the Union Territory total to seven districts.
IRCTC’s Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC train to Bhutan: 14-day Delhi–Phuentsholing tourist circuit
IRCTC announced a 14-day Bharat-Bhutan Mystic Mountain Tour from 5 to 18 May 2026 using a Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist train.
India’s 2035 NDC update to UNFCCC: 60% non-fossil power and 47% lower emissions intensity
India submitted updated NDCs for 2031-2035 to the UNFCCC on 24 April 2026 with quantified clean-energy and carbon-sink targets.
28 April 2026
11 storiesIndia Becomes World's Fifth-Largest Military Spender (SIPRI)
According to SIPRI data, India spent $92.1 billion on defence in 2025, an 8.9% rise, making it the world's fifth-largest military spender, accounting for 3.2% of global expenditure.
PM Modi Marks 50 Years of Sikkim's Statehood with ₹4,000 Crore Projects
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 30+ development projects worth about ₹4,000 crore in Gangtok marking Sikkim's 50th statehood anniversary, including the state's first railway line.
Indian Army Hosts First Multilateral Exercise 'Pragati' in Meghalaya
The Indian Army launched Exercise Pragati at Umroi, Meghalaya, the first multilateral military exercise involving 11 nations, focused on Indian Ocean Region security.
Raghu Rai, Padma Shri photojournalist and first Indian in Magnum Photos, died in April 2026
Eminent photojournalist Raghu Rai died in New Delhi on 26 April 2026 at the age of 83.
Kathua’s six border villages added to Vibrant Village Programme-II in April 2026
Six villages in Kathua district were brought under Vibrant Village Programme-II on 25 April 2026 for saturation of central schemes.
Akashvani and Prasar Bharati launch 2026 signature tune and jingle contests on MyGov
Akashvani and Prasar Bharati launched nationwide tune and jingle contests on 25 April 2026 with cash prizes and MyGov submissions.
DoP and DTDC sign 2026 logistics MoU to use 1.64 lakh post offices for parcel delivery
The Department of Posts and DTDC signed an MoU in New Delhi on 27 April 2026 to integrate networks for parcel delivery.
India-Africa Forum Summit IV website, logo and theme launched for May 2026 New Delhi summit
S. Jaishankar launched the logo, theme and website for the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled in New Delhi on 31 May 2026.
Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development launched in Pune in April 2026
Jayant Chaudhary launched Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pune.
Supreme Court-backed ICU standards set 3-level hospital classification and nurse ratios in April 2026
On 28 April 2026, the Supreme Court endorsed minimum ICU guidelines and asked States and UTs to submit compliance plans by 18 May 2026.
India–New Zealand FTA signed in April 2026: tariff cuts, 5,000-visa quota and 100% duty-free access
India and New Zealand signed an FTA on 27 April 2026 with tariff liberalisation, services access and a 5,000-visa quota.
27 April 2026
11 storiesFive New Districts Created in Ladakh
Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor notified five new districts — Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass — raising the Union Territory's district count to seven.
PV Sindhu Becomes Chair of BWF Athletes' Commission
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu took charge as Chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission, gaining voting rights on the BWF Council.
RBI Grants NBFC Licence to MobiKwik
The RBI approved MobiKwik's wholly-owned NBFC subsidiary, MobiKwik Financial Services Pvt Ltd, to offer secured and unsecured lending focused on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Jio Financial Services and Allianz sign 50:50 insurance joint venture in India
JFSL and Allianz signed a binding agreement in April 2026 to create a 50:50 primary insurance joint venture and a reinsurance entity.
BharatGen and L&T subsidiaries to build India’s sovereign AI compute platform in Kanchipuram
BharatGen Technology Foundation partnered with L&T subsidiaries on a fully indigenous AI compute platform under the IndiaAI mission.
Jaipur workshop advances cooperative reform drive and PACS expansion in April 2026
The Ministry of Cooperation held its first regional workshop in Jaipur to push the Sahkar se Samriddhi reform agenda.
NITI Aayog-backed report proposes directly elected mayors for million-plus cities in 2026
A NITI Aayog report released in April 2026 proposed governance reforms for million-plus cities, including directly elected mayors.
HUDCO marks 56th Foundation Day with UiWIN and Urban Challenge Fund in April 2026
HUDCO celebrated its 56th Foundation Day and launched new urban finance initiatives under MoHUA in April 2026.
DRDO unveils Advanced Armoured Platforms at VRDE, Ahilyanagar in April 2026
DRDO unveiled new tracked and wheeled Advanced Armoured Platforms at VRDE in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.
DPIIT issues ₹10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 guidelines in April 2026
DPIIT released operational guidelines for the ₹10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 to support startup capital deployment.
NMBA 2.0 and SMILE-Beggary apps launched by Social Justice Ministry in April 2026
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched two digital tools in April 2026 for drug-demand reduction and beggary survey monitoring.