CURRENT AFFAIRS 01 April, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 01 April, 2026

1. INDIA’S FIRST QUANTUM COMPUTER TO BE LAUNCH IN AMARAVATI: CHANDRABABU NAIDU ANNOUNCES –

• For the major leap in the advanced technology as the Andhra Pradesh will launch the India’s first quantum computer on the April 14, 2026 in Amaravati. It was announced by the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naid and this initiative is part of the state’s ambitious Amaravati Quantum Valley project. The program was backed by the strong industry partnerships and the National Quantum Mission. And with this it aims to position the India as the global leader in next-generation computing and the innovation.

India’s First Quantum Computer

• The launch of the India’s first quantum computer is the transformative step in the country’s technological journey.
• Unlike the traditional computers this quantum computers use the principles of quantum mechanics to solve high complex problems at un-precedented speeds.
• This initiative will place the Andhra Pradesh as the leader in the emerging technologies and it will strengthens India’s position in the global digital economy.

2. INDIA’S FISCAL DEFICIT REACHED RS 12.52 TRILLION BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2026, ACCOUNTING FOR 80.4% OF THE ANNUAL BUDGETARY TARGET. IT IS NOTABLY LOWER THAN THE 85.8% RECORDED DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN 2024-25 –

• For the full 2025-26 fiscal year, the Centre has set a fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of the GDP, amounting to an absolute value of Rs 15.58 trillion.
• These monthly accounts were compiled and released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), which functions under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Fiscal Deficit

• About: Fiscal Deficit is the difference between a government’s total expenditure and its total revenue (excluding borrowings). It represents the total borrowing requirement of the government.
• Equation: It is calculated as the Total Expenditure minus (Revenue Receipts + Non-debt Capital Receipts), effectively showing the gap the government must fill through borrowing.
• Expenditure accounts for both Revenue Expenditure (recurring costs like salaries and interest) and Capital Expenditure (productive investments in infrastructure like roads and bridges).
• Revenue includes Tax and Non-tax revenue (dividends/fees) and Non-debt Capital Receipts (disinvestment proceeds and loan recoveries).

3. DUNAGIRI 5TH SHIP OF PROJECT 17A –

• The Indian Navy has received ‘Dunagiri (Yard 3023)’ marking a significant leap forward in India’s pursuit of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in advanced warship design and maritime security.
• Historical Legacy: The ship is a reincarnation of the original INS Dunagiri (a Leander-class frigate), which served the Indian Navy for 33 years from 1977 to 2010.
• Indigenous Design & Push: Designed entirely by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), the project boasts an indigenous content of 75%.
• This has significantly boosted the domestic defense ecosystem by involving over 200 MSMEs and generating massive direct and indirect employment.
• Advanced Propulsion Strategy: The frigate operates on a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plant, driving a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft, managed by a state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
• Strategic Combat Capabilities: It is equipped with a highly potent weapon and sensor suite, including BrahMos Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM), MFSTAR radar, the MRSAM complex, and specialised rockets and torpedoes for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
• Project 17A (Nilgiri Class): ‘Dunagiri’ is the 5th ship of the Project 17A frigates and the second to be constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata.

4. KHELO INDIA TRIBAL GAMES (KITG) 2026 –

• India is hosting its first national multi-sport event for tribal athletes, Khelo India Tribal Games (25th March – 3rd April 2026) in Chhattisgarh (Raipur, Jagdalpur and Surguja), bringing tribal athletes from across the country onto a national platform.
• About: The Games are jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, SAI, IOA, National Sports Federations and the Chhattisgarh government, with international-level technical standards.
• Objective: It aims to integrate tribal talent into mainstream sports by providing exposure, structured competition and pathways for future development.
• The Games are part of the Khelo India programme, which promotes grassroots participation, talent identification and inclusive expansion of India’s sporting ecosystem.
• Mascot: “Morveer” symbolises tribal pride, identity and bravery.
• Sports Included: The Games feature seven medal sports—athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling—along with indigenous sports like kabaddi and mallakhamb, with over 60,000 athletes competing for 338 medals.
• Selection Process: Athlete selection follows a two-stage process: state/UT trials followed by national-level trials by sports federations, ensuring merit-based participation.
• A dedicated Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC) scouts promising athletes for further training under the Khelo India framework.

5. HOW MANY NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN INDIA –

• Nuclear Energy plays an important role in India’s electricity production. It is one of the major sources of power after thermal, hydro and renewable energy. But the centers where this nuclear energy is produced are terms as Nuclear Power Plants. Now the question is how many nuclear power plants are there in India, did you know the answer of this question? Let’s know the answer of this question with other useful information about nuclear power plants.

Nuclear Power in India

• India currently has 22 nuclear reactors working across 7 states. These reactors together produce about 6780 Megawatt (MWe) of electricity.

Most of these reactors are of two types:

• Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) – 18 reactors
• Light Water Reactors (LWRs) – 4 reactors
• All these plants are operated by the Nuclear Power Corporations of India (NPCIL), which is controlled by the Government of India.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Which city has been included in the inaugural “20 Cities Towards Zero Waste” initiative ?

1. a) Varkala, Kerala
2. b) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
3. c) Pune, Maharashtra
4. d) Jaipur, Rajasthan

Q2.  Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is located in which state ?

1. a) Maharashtra
2. b) Karnataka
3. c) Kerala
4. d) Tamil Nadu

Q3.  Recently, India conducted Exercise Dweep Shakti, a high-intensity tri-service drill to strengthen coastal and island defence capabilities. The exercise was conducted in which of the following regions ?

1. a) Lakshadweep Islands
2. b) Mumbai Coast
3. c) Gujarat Coast
4. d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Q4.  Consider the following statements with reference to the Census in India:

1. The Census is a statutory process.
2. It is conducted every 10 years.
3. It is conducted by State Governments.

         Choose the correct answer:

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 and 3 only
3. c) Only 1 and 3
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• In India, the Census is a statutory process, which is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, therefore statement 1 is correct.
• It is generally conducted every 10 years, hence statement 2 is also correct.
• However, the Census is conducted by the Central Government, specifically through the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, and not by State Governments; therefore statement 3 is incorrect.
• In the current context, the upcoming Census 2027 is planned to be conducted as India’s first digital Census, which may include provisions such as data collection through mobile applications, self-enumeration facilities, and real-time data processing. After the delay in the 2021 Census due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this exercise has become even more important, as it directly impacts policy making, resource distribution, welfare schemes, and the delimitation process.

Q5.  Which of the following countries are the initial signatories of the Abraham Accords ?

1. United Arab Emirates
2. Bahrain
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Morocco

         Choose the correct answer:

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1, 2 and 4 only
3. c) 2, 3 and 4 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• The Abraham Accords are important agreements signed in the year 2020 with the objective of establishing peace in the Middle East region and normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab countries.
• Under these accords, initially the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalized their relations with Israel, while later Morocco also joined this process. Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct.
• On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is not a formal signatory of these agreements, although it has taken some indirect cooperative steps; therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.
• In the current context, amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia, especially conflicts related to Iran, the United States is putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, which has once again brought this issue to the center of international discussions.

Answer Key