Welcome to today’s TNPSC Daily Current Affairs for April 17, 2026.
This comprehensive compilation covers all important events across national politics,
international relations, science & technology, economy, sports, and more.
Sourced from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, and other reputed media.
Perfect for TNPSC Group 1, Group 2, Group 2A, and Group 4 exam preparation.

📌 Read in Tamil: தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கே கிளிக் செய்யவும்

🏛️ National Politics & Government

1. Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Operational Guidelines for Urban Challenge Fund

• What happened: Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Operational Guidelines for Urban Challenge FundIn April 2026, Union MinisterManohar Lal Khattar,Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), launched theOperational Guidelines forUrban Challenge Fund(UCF)along with the Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme(CRGSS)in New Delhi, Delhi, to strengthenurban infrastructure financingand make cities investment-ready. About Urban Challenge Fund (UCF):Implementation:Implemented runs from Financial Year (FY) 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, extendable up to FY 2033–34.Finance:Total Central Assistance ofRs.
• Key details: 1 lakh croreis structured to catalyze nearly Rs. 4 lakh crore in total urban investments, with Central Assistance capped at 25% of project cost and at least 50% funding from market-based sources like municipal bonds, bank loans, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).Allocation:Rs. 90,000 crore is allocated for project funding and Rs.
• Key points: UCF aims to transform cities into financially sustainable growth hubs aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and broader urban transformation goals.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

2. MoC&I: Patent Application Filings in India Increase 30.2% to 1.43 Lakh in FY26

• What happened: MoC&I: Patent Application Filings in India Increase 30.2% to 1.43 Lakh in FY26In April 2026,Union Minister Piyush Goyal,Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), announced thatpatent application filingsin India increased by 30.2% to1,43,729in Financial Year 2025–26 (FY26), compared to 1,10,375 in FY25.About Patent Filings in India:Sector-wise Distribution:In FY26, the highest number of patent filings were recorded in computer-related fields, followed by mechanical engineering, chemistry, communication, and electronics sectors.Global Ranking:India ranks6thglobally in patent filings as per the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• Key points: Among foreign applicants, the United States of America(USA)leads, followed by Japan, South Korea, and China. However, their combined share is less than one-third of total filings in India.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

3. Rise in Domestic Filings:

• What happened: Rise in Domestic Filings:Domestic patent filings increased to99,721in FY26 from 68,201 in FY25, raising their share to 69.4% from 61.8%.
• Key points: Key contributors include states such asTamil Nadu(TN), Karnataka,andMaharashtra, along with increasing participation from educational institutions, startups, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Research and Development (R&D) institutions.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

4. IA Flags Off First Blue Water Sailing Expedition ‘Samudra Sahas’ from Mumbai

• What happened: IA Flags Off First Blue Water Sailing Expedition ‘Samudra Sahas’ from MumbaiOn April 13, 2026, the Indian Army(IA)’s Regiment of Artilleryflagged off its first blue water sailing expedition‘Samudra Sahas’from Marve, Mumbai(Maharashtra). AboutSamudra Sahas:Voyage Details:The expedition will cover about 520 nautical miles along the Konkan Coast using 21-foot Seabird class boats, divided into four legs: Mumbai–Vijaydurg (Maharashtra)–Goa–Vijaydurg–Mumbai.Sailing Conditions:Sailing around 7 nautical miles off the coast, the team will face varying wind speeds from 2–4 knots to 10–15 knots, requiring high levels of seamanship, endurance, and coordination.Team & Training: The expedition is led byKshitij NairandPrakash Funde,with ground support under Vardhan Shidhye.
• Key details: The crew underwent pre-expedition training at the Heavy Bridge Training Centre, Marve.Support: The expedition is supported administratively and operationally by the Indian Navy(IN) and the Indian Coast Guard(ICG).
• Key points: The voyage, inaugurated byN. S. Sarna,Commandant of the School of Artillery, marks the bicentenary (200 years) of the Regiment and pays tribute to the maritime legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

5. TDB Signs Agreement with

• What happened: TDB Signs Agreement withCasey Aviationfor Boost Electric Jump Take-Off ProjectsOn April 13, 2026, the Technology Development Board(TDB), under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T), signed an agreement withCasey AviationPrivate Limited for the project titled ‘Boost Electric Jump Take-Off (BE-JTO), in New Delhi, Delhi. AboutBE-JTO Project:Focus:The project aims to develop an advanced hybrid propulsion-based Jump Take-Off(JTO) systemfor unmanned and light aircraft.Test Bench Facility: As part of the project, Casey Aviation will establish a dedicated test bench facility to validate rotorcraft propulsion systems, one of the first of its kind in North India.Hybrid Propulsion System:The project integrates electric and conventional propulsion to develop a hybrid powerplant that enables aircraft to take off from short distances or achieve near-vertical climb, similar to a helicopter.Applications:The project will support regional connectivity in remote areas, enable disaster response, medical evacuation, and improve last-mile logistics through unmanned cargo delivery.
• Key details: DoT &SEBI Sign MoU to Combat Financial Fraud by Misuse of Telecom ResourcesOn 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. Key Details of MOU:Signatories: The MoU was signed by Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director General(DG), Artificial Intelligence(AI) & Digital Intelligence Unit (AI&DIU), DoT, and Sandip Pradhan, Whole Time Member, SEBI.Data Sharing Mechanism:The DoT will share the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) and Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) with the SEBI to identify suspicious mobile numbers and ensure SEBI-regulated entities such as brokers and asset management companies link investor accounts only with active numbers. DIP Support:The intelligence exchange will be facilitated through the DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which connects over 1,400 stakeholders and enables real-time sharing of actionable information across institutions.
• Key points: The project has been sanctioned a conditional grant under the India–United Kingdom(UK) Collaborative Research & Development (R&D) Programme for Industrial Sustainability, in partnership withARC Aerosystems Limited.; The partnership integrates telecom intelligence with financial surveillance to prevent financial crimes and curb the misuse of telecom infrastructure in securities fraud and investment scams.; SEBI will provide inputs on telecom resources linked to cyber fraud, impersonation, and money mule activities for swift action by telecom authorities.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

6. AP Government and NRSC Sign MoU to Reduce Lightning Deaths

• What happened: AP Government and NRSC Sign MoU to Reduce Lightning DeathsOn April 15, 2026, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority(APSDMA)signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC),a wing of Indian Space Researach Organization (ISRO), tostrengthen lightning forecasting, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness in AP. Key Details of MoU:Objective:The collaboration aims tominimise loss of lifeand property by improving preparedness and strengthening disaster response systems.Focus:The MoU focuses on leveraging satellite-based data and advanced weather monitoring systems to provide early warnings for lightning strikes and disaster response framework.Identification:As part of the initiative, the agencies will identify lightning-prone regions across the state and conduct detailed risk assessments.
• Key details: *******.
• Key points: The agreement was formalised by Prakhar Jain, Managing Director(MD), APSDMA; and Dr. Aparna, Deputy Director, NRSC, in Vijayawada, AP.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

7. Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)

• What happened: Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today).
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

8. Current Affairs 17 April 2026

• What happened: Current Affairs 17 April 2026Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Operational Guidelines for Urban Challenge FundMoC&I: Patent Application Filings in India Increase 30.2% to 1.43 Lakh in FY26IA Flags Off First Blue Water Sailing Expedition ‘Samudra Sahas’ from MumbaiTDB Signs Agreement with Casey Aviation for Boost Electric Jump Take-Off ProjectsDoT & SEBI Sign MoU to Combat Financial Fraud by Misuse of Telecom ResourcesTIME 100 2026: Ranbir Kapoor, Sundar Pichai Among World’s Most Influential PeopleIndia and Germany Launches Commemorative Logo to Mark 75 Years of Diplomatic TiesRBI Issues Amended Norms on Opening of Branches by NBFCsLIC Launches ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super Sales Saathi’ Mobile App to Enhance Customer ExperienceShriram Finance Arm Gets RBI Nod to Start Primary Dealer BusinessRazorpay Partners OpenAI to Enable Instant Payments in AI-built AppsChina Emerged India’s Top Trade Partner in FY26; Deficit Widens to USD 112 BillionSamrat Choudhary Sworn-in as New CM of Bihar After Nitish Kumar Steps DownInfosys Appoints Tennis Star Carlos Alcaraz as Global Brand AmbassadorISSF World Cup 2026 Granada: India Wins Mixed Team Pistol Gold with World RecordIndia’s R. Vaishali Wins FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026, Qualifies for World Championship 2026Siachen Day 2026– April 13Anniversary of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 2026 – April 13AP Government and NRSC Sign MoU to Reduce Lightning Deaths Aspirant:Does Affairscloud covers all the Current affairs topics related to examinations?Affairscloud:We Guaranteed All the Important topics related to examination are covered in Our Daily CA content and Daily CA Quizzes.Aspirant:Why is there a delayal in news?Affairscloud:As some of the major news sites doesn’t provide the required data on the exact day, we take extra time for important data to be presented to the aspirants on the examination basis to ensure nothing is missed.Example:In ‘Important Days’ topics the International Organisations publish their reports and Rankings in the evenings, to make sure every data is covered, we delay the topics to the next day.Candidates appearing for Competitive Exams.
• Key details: Kindly Share the General Awareness questions,which asked in their respective exams to“[email protected]”Dear Aspirants,We would like to inform you that, startingJanuary 2025,all Current Affairs Hindi Contentwill be accessible only through theCareersCloud app and CareersCloud.in website. Make sure to download the app or visit the website to continue accessing the content seamlessly.Thank you for your understanding and continued support! AffairsCloud Recommends Oliveboard Mock TestIBPS RRB Officer – Free Mock TestIBPS RRB Assistant – Free Mock TestSBI Clerk – Free Mock TestSBI PO – Free Mock TestIBPS Clerk – Free Mock TestRBI Grade B – Free Mock Test AffairsCloud Ebook – Support Us to GrowDownload Current Affairs APPWe are Hiring: Subject Matter Expert (English/Reasoning/Aptitude) – Freelancer/Full Time Govt Jobs by CategoryBank Jobs 2026- Various VacanciesGovernment Jobs 2026- Various VacanciesRailway Jobs 2026- Various VacanciesSSC Recruitment 2026- Various VacanciesSarkari Result 2026 Bank Jobs NotificationNIACL AO Recruitment 2024 – 170 Vacancies | Check Eligibility & Vacancy NowIOB Apprentice Recruitment 2024 – 550 Posts | Apply NowUnion Bank of India Apprentice Recruitment 2024 – 500 Posts | Apply NowIBPS SO 2024 Online Registration Last Date Extended – Check NowIBPS PO 2024 Online Registration Last Date Extended – Check Now.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

🌍 International Affairs

9. TIME 100 2026: Ranbir Kapoor, Sundar Pichai

• What happened: TIME 100 2026: Ranbir Kapoor, Sundar PichaiAmongWorld’s Most Influential PeopleIn April 2026,TIME,the 102-year-old global media brand, revealed the23rdedition of annual“TIME 100 Most Influential People 2026”in the world. Key Personalities on TIME 2026 List:Key Categories:The List has been divided into6 different categories: Leaders, Icons, Artists, Innovators, Pioneers and Titans, featuring a mix of heads of state, tech CEOs, celebrities, scientists, social-movement leaders, and rising global voices, with representation from over 25 countries.Leaders & Geopolitics:This year’s list features nearly 40% of the political figures, reflecting a year of high-stakes diplomacy and leadership transitions.Some of the prominent global leaders include: Donald Trump, President of the United States of America (USA) & Xi Jinping, President of China, appeared on the list for the record 14th time.Young Leaders:Zohran Mamdani,Indian-origin Mayor of New York City (the USA); Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old Prime Minister (PM) of Nepal.Other Key Names:National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander of the Artemis II mission, named in the ‘pioneers ‘category; Jennie (Blackpink) in artists category; famous American Actress Kate Hudson in ‘icons’ category; celebrated British fashion designer, businesswoman Victoria Beckham in ‘icons’ category, among others.
• Key points: 2026 list features only3 Indiansincluding: Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google and Alphabet, Chef Vikas Khanna and renowned actor Ranbir Kapoor.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: International Relations (GS Paper 2). Bilateral and multilateral agreements.

10. India and Germany Launches Commemorative Logo to Mark 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties

• What happened: India and Germany Launches Commemorative Logo to Mark 75 Years of Diplomatic TiesOn April 14, 2026,IndiaandGermanyofficially launched acommemorative logo,to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, during the India-Germany Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Berlin, Germany. Key Highlights:Logo:The logo was selected through a joint competition hosted on theMyGovplatform, inviting participants from both nations to symbolize the deep-rooted friendship.Strategic Review:During the consultations, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relations covering trade and investment, defence and security, technology, green and sustainable development, mobility, and people-to-people exchanges, and agreed to expand cooperation in emerging areas.
• Key points: The FOC was co-chaired by Vikram Misri, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs and Dr. Géza Andreas von Geyr, German State Secretary.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: International Relations (GS Paper 2). Bilateral and multilateral agreements.

💰 Economy & Banking

11. RBI Issues Amended Norms on Opening of Branches by NBFCs

• What happened: RBI Issues Amended Norms on Opening of Branches by NBFCsIn April 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the amended guidelines titledRBI (Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) -Branch Authorisation)Amendment Directions, 2026,introducing greater operational flexibility for NBFCs while maintaining regulatory safeguards.Key HighlightsEffective from:The amendment directions shall come into force with immediate effect.Application submission:Applications must be submitted through thePRAVAAH(Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation And AutHorisation) portal.Branch ExpansionConditions:The conditions for opening branches for Deposit taking – NBFCs are:Up toRs50 Crores (Cr):Deposit-taking NBFCs with net owned funds (NOF) up toRs50cror with lower credit ratings are permitted to open branches only within the state of their registered office.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

12. LIC Launches ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super Sales

• What happened: LIC Launches ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super SalesSaathi’ Mobile App to Enhance Customer ExperienceIn April 2026, Life Insurance Corporation of India(LIC) launched its two new digital initiatives namely,‘LIC’s Customer Application(MyLIC)’for policyholders and‘Super SalesSaathi app’ for sales intermediaries during an event held at Mumbai, Maharashtra. Key Details of Initiatives:MyLIC App:It is a next-generation digital platform designed for policyholders, enabling them to manage their entire insurance portfolio via a unified interface.Super SalesSaathi:This digital platform is designed to empower intermediaries of LIC with advanced digital tools.Accessible Through:Both these newly launched digital initiatives are delivered through LIC’s DIVE (Digital Innovation & Value Enhancement) digital transformation platform.
• Key points: The initiatives were formally unveiled by M. Nagaraju, Secretary of Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF), in the presence of R. Doraiswamy, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Managing Director (MD) of LIC.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

13. Shriram Finance Arm Gets RBI Nod to Start Primary Dealer Business

• What happened: Shriram Finance Arm Gets RBI Nod to Start Primary Dealer BusinessIn April 2026, Shriram Finance Limited announced that its wholly owned subsidiaryShriram Overseas Investments Limitedhas receivedin-principle approvalfrom the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)to commence Primary Dealer(PD) business, subject to certain conditions.About the Approval:PD Business:PD are specialised financial institutions authorised by the RBI to act as intermediaries between RBI and financial markets in the Government Securities (G-Sec) ecosystem.Functions:Participate in Government Securities (G-Sec) and Treasury Bills (T-Bills) auctions, underwrite issuances, and provide liquidity through active buying and selling in the secondary market.Regulation:Governed by RBI guidelines and disclosed under Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR)) Regulations, 2015 to stock exchanges.Status:Approval is not final and requires compliance with RBI’s operational, technical, and infrastructure conditions before commencement. RazorpayPartnersOpenAIto Enable Instant Payments in AI-built AppsIn April 2026,Razorpay,India’s omnichannel payments platform for businesses, entered into a strategic partnership withOpenAI,enabling developers to embed payments directly into applications (apps).
• Key details: Key Details:Platform:Under this strategic partnership, developers will use OpenAI’s coding platform,Codex,connecting Razorpay’s payment infrastructure directly within their apps.Key Role:The integration will enable the developers to start accepting payments instantly using Razorpay’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) server.Target Audience:This digital collaboration targets developers, student builders, solo founders, and early-stage startups.
• Key points: This move aimed to simplify monetisation for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-built products.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

14. China Emerged India’s Top Trade Partner in FY26; Deficit Widens to USD 112 Billion

• What happened: China Emerged India’s Top Trade Partner in FY26; Deficit Widens to USD 112 BillionIn April 2026, the Government of India (GoI)’s latest data showed thatChinaemerged asIndia’s largest trading partnerin Financial Year 2025-26(FY26),with bilateral trade reachingUSD 151.1 billion.However, India’s trade deficit with China widenedto USD 112.16 billionduring the period. Key Details:Export & Import from China:As per the official data, India’s exports to China surged 36.66% to USD 19.47 billion in FY26, while imports increased 16% to USD 131.63 billion during the same period.Major Trading Partners:The data revealed the major trading partners with which India registered negative exports growth in FY26: the Netherlands, the United Kingdom (UK), Singapore, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Australia, France, South Africa, and Malaysia.
• Key points: China has replaced the United States of America (USA) which was India’s largest trading partner for four consecutive years till FY25.; Further, India’s imports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Thailand, and Malaysia recorded positive growth in FY26.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

15. APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• What happened: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

16. Samrat Choudhary Sworn-in as New CM of Bihar After Nitish Kumar Steps Down

• What happened: Samrat Choudhary Sworn-in as New CM of Bihar After Nitish Kumar Steps DownOn April 15 2026,Samrat Choudharywas sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister(CM) of Bihar, becoming the first Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) leader to hold the post, with the oath administered byBihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnainat Raj Bhavan,in Patna (Bihar).Key Details:Leadership Transition:He succeededNitish Kumar,who resigned as CM of Bihar after being elected to the Rajya Sabha, bringing an end to his long tenure from February 2015 to April 2026.Dy CM: Vijay Kumar ChoudharyandBijendra Prasad Yadavwere sworn in as the Deputy Chief Ministers (Dy CM) of Bihar. Infosys AppointsTennis Star Carlos Alcarazas Global Brand AmbassadorOn April 15, 2026,Infosys,a technology company, has appointed men’s World No.
• Key details: 1 tennis playerCarlos Alcarazof Spain as its GlobalBrand Ambassador.This deal follows a successful history of Infosys partnering with tennis icons, including Rafael Nadal(Spain) and Iga Świątek(poland).Key Details of Partnership:Innovation:LeveragingInfosys Topaz(IT), Infosys will collaborate with Carlos Alcaraz and his coaching team to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven match analytics and personalised performance applications for match preparation and in-game strategy.Collaboration:The partnership will also extend beyond the court through joint initiatives between Infosys and the Carlos Alcaraz Foundation.About Carlos Alcaraz:Profile:Carlos Alcaraz Garfia is a Spanish professional tennis player. As of April 2026, he is placed in history by becoming theyoungest manto complete a Career Grand Slam (winning all four major titles).Achievements:He has won multiple Grand Slam titles, including the US Open and Wimbledon, became the youngest World No. 1 in the men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings in the modern era, and secured several ATP Masters 1000 titles, establishing himself as one of the leading players in international tennis.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

🏏 Sports

17. ISSF World Cup 2026 Granada: India Wins Mixed Team Pistol Gold with World Record

• What happened: ISSF World Cup 2026 Granada: India Wins Mixed Team Pistol Gold with World RecordIn April 2026,India’s Mukesh NelavalliandPalak Guliaclinched thegoldmedal in the mixed team 10 metre(m) air pistol event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup (Rifle/Pistol) 2026 held in Granada, Spain. Highlights of ISSF World Cup 2026:Medal Tally: Chinadominated the ISSF World Cup Rifle / Pistol Granada 2026, finishing first in the medal standings with a total of13 medals,including 8 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze, followed by Germany(1 Gold & 1 Silver) and India(1 Gold).Other Indian Performers:Sonam Uttam Maskar of India finished 5th in the women’s 10m air rifle final with a score of 188.5, exiting the competition after the 18th shot of the 24-shot final.
• Key details: India’sR. Vaishali Wins FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026, Qualifies for World Championship2026On April 15, 2026, Indian Chess Grandmaster (GM)R. Vaishalibecame thefirst Indian woman to win the International Chess Federation(FIDE) Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026,held in Pegeia, Cyprus from 28 March to 16 April 2026, after defeating Kateryna Lagno(Russia) in the final round to finish with 8.5 points from 14 rounds.
• Key points: Mukesh Nelavalli and Palak Gulia registered a score of 487.7 in the final,surpassing the previous world recordof 481.3 set by Uzbekistan’s Nigina Saidkulova and Mukhammad Kamalov at the Asian Shooting Championships 2026 held in New Delhi, Delhi.; It marked Mukesh Nelavalli’s first-ever ISSF World Cup medal, while Palak Gulia secured her maiden gold after previously winning a silver and a bronze.; Mehuli Ghosh finished 44th (627.3), while Akhil Sheoran ranked 22nd and Niraj Kumar 15th in Men’s 50m rifle 3 Positions (3P).; With this victory, R. Vaishali will challenge reigning five-time Women’s World ChampionJu Wenjunof China in the upcoming Women’s World Chess Championship 2026.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: Sports Current Affairs. Awards and achievements of sportspersons.

📘 General Knowledge & Miscellaneous

18. Siachen Day 2026– April 13

• What happened: Siachen Day 2026– April 13Siachen Dayis observed annually by the Indian Army (IA) on13 Aprilto commemorateOperation Meghdoot (1984), when Indian troops secured key positions at Bilafond La Pass on the Siachen Glacier, gaining a strategic advantage in the Kashmir region. About Operation Meghdoot:Launch:Operation Meghdoot was launched by the IA on 13 April 1984to secure theSiachen Glacier,marking the world’s longest ongoing military operation.Reason :The operation was initiated after intelligence inputs indicated that Pakistan was planning military action in the Siachen region.Leadership:The operation was led byManohar Lal Chibber, Prem Nath Hoon,andShiv Sharma.
• Key points: 13th April 2026 marks the 42nd year of IA’s presence at Siachen Glacier.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

19. Anniversary of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 2026 – April 13

• What happened: Anniversary of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 2026 – April 13Theanniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also known as the Amritsar Massacre, is observed annually across India on13 Aprilto commemorate the tragic incident that took place in 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab (then under British India, now in India). About Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:Massacre:Hundreds of unarmed people gathered at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, during Baisakhi.
• Key details: Hunter Commission:After the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, the British government set up the Hunter Commission in 1919, headed by William Hunter, to investigate the incident.
• Key points: 13 April 2026 commemorates the107th anniversaryof the massacre.; Reginald Dyerordered troops to fire on the peaceful crowd protesting theRowlatt Act. The firing continued until bullets ran low, killing at least 379 people (official count), though the real number was much higher.
• Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

📝 Practice Questions (MCQs)

Test your knowledge with these questions based on today’s current affairs:

Q1. Which of the following is related to: Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Operational Guidelines for Urban Challenge Fund?

(a) Option A – to be filled with specific details
(b) Option B – to be filled with specific details
(c) Correct answer from the news item
(d) Option D – to be filled with specific details

Q2. Which of the following is related to: MoC&I: Patent Application Filings in India Increase 30.2% to 1.43 Lakh in FY26?

(a) Option A – to be filled with specific details
(b) Option B – to be filled with specific details
(c) Correct answer from the news item
(d) Option D – to be filled with specific details

Q3. Which of the following is related to: Rise in Domestic Filings:?

(a) Option A – to be filled with specific details
(b) Option B – to be filled with specific details
(c) Correct answer from the news item
(d) Option D – to be filled with specific details

Q4. Which of the following is related to: IA Flags Off First Blue Water Sailing Expedition ‘Samudra Sahas’ from Mumbai?

(a) Option A – to be filled with specific details
(b) Option B – to be filled with specific details
(c) Correct answer from the news item
(d) Option D – to be filled with specific details

Q5. Which of the following is related to: TDB Signs Agreement with?

(a) Option A – to be filled with specific details
(b) Option B – to be filled with specific details
(c) Correct answer from the news item
(d) Option D – to be filled with specific details