CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 April, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 April, 2026

1. ANDHRA PRADESH CM CHANDRABABU NAIDU LAUNCHES AQRF TO BOOST INDIA’S QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM –

• Honorable Chief Minister of the Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu has launched the Amaravati Quantum Reference Facility (AQRF) on the 14th April, 2026 which is the country’s first indigenously built open access quantum computing platform. This initiative is aims to build the sovereign quantum hardware ecosystem and to accelerate the domestic innovation. It is developed with the strong collaboration among the top scientific institutions and this facility is expected to position India as the global leader in quantum technology.

What is Amaravati Quantum Reference Facility (AQRF)?

• The AQRF is the cutting-edge facility which is designed to support the quantum computing research, testing and manufacturing in India.
• It also includes the Amaravati 1S and Amaravati 1Q which are the India’s first indigenously developed quantum computers.
• It is built under the Amaravati Quantum Valley initiative.
• And main thing it was designed, assembled and tested entirely within India.
• This AQRF makes the landmark achievement as it focus to in India’s journey towards the Atmanirbhar Bharat.

2. IMF RAISES INDIA GROWTH FORECAST TO 6.5% FOR FY27, CITING STRONG DOMESTIC PERFORMANCE –

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) have raised the growth forecast for the FY27 to 6.5%. This revision indicates the strong domestic performance and steady economic performance. The IMF has also issued the warning that rising geopolitical tensions in the West Asia could disrupt the global markets and push up the oil prices and it will create inflationary pressure on the economy which may affect the growth in the near future.

India’s Positive Growth Outlook

• As per the latest IMF’s assessment it highlights that India set to continues to be remain as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.
• The upward revision in the growth is largely supported by the strong domestic demand, improved trade conditions and the consistent economic performance.
• For the FY25 India’s growth has been revised significantly higher to the 7.6% which have indicated the better than expected performance across the multiple sectors.
• This strong base have carried forward into the FY26 and FY27 where growth is to be stabilized at 6.5%.

3. SAMRAT CHOUDHARY SWORN IN AS THE NEW CM OF THE BIHAR –

• Samrat Choudhary sworn in as the New Chief minister of the Bihar and created the history by becoming the first CM from BJP. He taken the oath after the Nitish Kumar has resigned from the post. The oath-taking ceremony was held in the Patna and it was attended by the several senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Also the two other leaders from the Janta Dal United has sworn in as the Deputy CM post.

New Deputy Chief Ministers of State

• Alongside with the Samrat Choudhary two senior from JD(U) leaders
• Bijendra Prasad Yadav
• Vijay Kumar Choudhary
• have taken the oath as the Deputy Chief Ministers .
• This indicates that the NDA alliance remains strong despite the leadership change at the higher level.

4. ECONOMIC CORRIDOR BETWEEN DELHI AND DEHRADUN INAUGURATED BY PM MODI: A NEW ERA FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT –

Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor: A Major Infrastructure Achievement

• This newly inaugurated Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor is the world class expressway which is designed to enhance the regional connectivity and economic activity.
• The project showcase the country’s growing focus on the modern infrastructure development as the foundation for the long-term growth.
• This corridor connects the key cities across Uttarakhand and its nearby regions and makes the travel smoother and more efficient.
• It is not just the road project but it is also the multi-dimensional development initiative.

5. LOK SABHA EXPANSION PLAN: WHAT THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT COULD CHANGE IN INDIA’S POLITICAL STRUCTURE –

What is the New Constitutional Amendment Bill About?

• The Union government has introduced The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026 which proposes,
• To increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 members.
• Also revised the provisions related to delimitation of constituencies.
• And enabling faster implementation of women’s reservation as per the bill passed by the Lok Sabha.
• The Bill is expected to be discussed during the special session of the Parliament which was scheduled for April 16-17.

Proposed Changes in Lok Sabha Composition

• This amendment seeks to modify the Article 81 of the Constitution like
• The maximum of 815 members to be elected from States of India.And up to 35 members from Union Territories.
• This expansion shows the India’s growing population and also aims to ensure better representation of the citizens.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Lake Neuchatel, that was recently seen in news, is located in which country ?

1. a) Malaysia
2. b) Indonesia
3. c) Switzerland
4. d) Australia

Q2.  Recently, the Ganges river dolphin was in the news due to habitat shifts caused by reduced water flow in the Chambal River. The Ganges river dolphin is recognised as which of the following in India?

1. a) National Animal
2. b) National Aquatic Animal
3. c) National Protected Animal
4. d) National Heritage Animal

Q3.  Recently, a 1,500-year-old stepped reservoir was unearthed on Elephanta Island by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Elephanta Island is primarily known for which of the following ?

1. a) Buddhist monasteries
2. b) Rock-cut cave temples dedicated to Lord Shiva
3. c) Mughal-era forts
4. d) Ancient Jain temples

Q4.  With reference to the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), consider the following statements:

1. It is the official National Aquatic Animal of India and the State Aquatic Animal of Assam.
2. It is a strictly freshwater species that is functionally blind and relies entirely on ultrasonic echolocation for navigation and hunting.
3. Its natural habitat is restricted exclusively to the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems in India.
4. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, it is listed under Schedule I, providing it the highest level of legal protection.

         Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: The Ganges River Dolphin was declared the National Aquatic Animal of India in 2009 to raise awareness for its conservation. It is also recognized as the State Aquatic Animal of Assam.
• Statement 2 is correct: As a freshwater cetacean, it has adapted to murky river waters where vision is limited. Evolutionarily, its eyes lack lenses, making it effectively blind; it navigates and hunts by emitting ultrasonic sound waves (echolocation).
• Statement 3 is incorrect: While the Ganges and Brahmaputra are its primary habitats in India, the species is not restricted exclusively to India. Its range extends to the Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems, covering parts of Nepal and Bangladesh as well.
• Statement 4 is correct: To prevent poaching and habitat degradation, it is placed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Internationally, it is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and in Appendix I of both CITES and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

Q5.  With reference to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, consider the following statements:

1. The gathering at Jallianwala Bagh was held to peacefully protest the arrest of Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal under the Rowlatt Act.
2. The firing was ordered by Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer without any warning to the crowd to disperse.
3. The Hunter Commission, appointed to investigate the incident, recommended strict criminal prosecution and imprisonment for General Dyer.
4. Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood as a mark of protest against the atrocity.

         Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: The gathering on Baisakhi day (April 13, 1919) was a protest against the repressive Rowlatt Act and the secret arrest of prominent Punjabi leaders, Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal, on April 9, 1919.
• Statement 2 is correct: General Dyer arrived with troops, blocked the only narrow exit of the enclosed ground, and opened fire for roughly 10 minutes without any warning to disperse, firing 1,650 rounds.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The Hunter Commission (Disorders Inquiry Committee) was established on October 14, 1919. While it condemned Dyer’s actions as a “grave error” and noted he overstepped his authority, it did not recommend strict criminal prosecution or imprisonment. Dyer was merely relieved of his duty and forced to retire, and he faced no formal punishment.
• Statement 4 is correct: In a letter to Viceroy Lord Chelmsford dated May 31, 1919, Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood (received in 1915) to express shock and protest against the brutality in Punjab. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi returned his ‘Kaiser-i-Hind’ medal.

Answer Key