CURRENT AFFAIRS 19-20 April, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19-20 April, 2026

1. STARTUP INDIA’S RECORD GROWTH IN FY 2025–26 –

• Recently, the government reported that over 55,200 startups were recognized in FY 2025–26, the highest ever in a single year since the launch of the Startup India initiative, reflecting strong growth in innovation, funding and employment.
• Total recognized startups have crossed 2.23 lakh, generating over 23.36 lakh direct jobs.
• Startup recognition grew by 51.6%, while employment increased by 36.1% in FY 2025–26.

Startup India Initiative

• About: Launched on 16th January 2016, the Startup India Initiative aims to support entrepreneurs, strengthen the startup ecosystem, and shift India from a job-seeking to a job-creating economy.
• A startup is a small, new, or young company founded by entrepreneurs to introduce a new product or service, disrupt an existing market, or even create a new one.
• The Startup India Initiative is implemented by a dedicated Startup India team under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• Key Objectives: To nurture innovation, promote entrepreneurship by easing regulations and supporting founders, enable access to investment, and drive sustainable economic growth with large-scale job creation.

2. CONSTITUTION (131ST AMENDMENT) BILL 2026: KEY PROVISIONS, DEFEAT REASONS & IMPLICATIONS –

• The defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha has reignited debate on women’s reservation in Parliament. While the principle commands broad support, the episode highlights that constitutional reform in India requires consensus, credibility, and careful institutional design.

Need for the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026

• Restore Equal Representation: Realign seats with population to uphold “one person, one vote, one value” after decades of freeze.
• Correct Delimitation Distortions: Address unequal constituencies and voter imbalance caused by delayed delimitation since 1971 (extended by 42nd & 84th Amendments).
• Enable Women’s Reservation: Facilitate timely operationalisation of 33% reservation in legislatures.
• Ensure Flexibility in Delimitation: Empower Parliament to decide timing and census base, reducing procedural delays.
• Expand Lok Sabha Capacity: Increase seats to match population growth and improve representational adequacy.

3. LADAKH TO GET INDIA’S FIRST PETROGLYPH CONSERVATION PARK TO SAFEGUARD CULTURAL HERITAGE –

• India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park is set to be developed at the Sindhu Ghat in Ladakh. The foundation stone was laid on the April 18th, 2026 and the event coinciding with World Heritage Day and it was laid by Vinai Kumar Saxena. This initiative aims to protect the centuries-old rock carvings which is known as petroglyphs. As they are under threat from the environmental factors and human activities and marks the significant step to preserving the India’s ancient cultural legacy.

India’s First Petroglyph Conservation Park

• The proposed Petroglyph Conservation Park will serve as the dedicated space to conserve and display the prehistoric rock carvings which are found across Ladakh. These carvings are etched onto the rocks thousands of years ago and they provide the valuable insights into early human life, culture and beliefs.

This park will,

• Protect endangered petroglyphs and relocate the vulnerable artefacts from isolated locations and also create the educational and curated environment for visitors.
• This initiative positions Ladakh as the key centre for the archaeological and cultural heritage conservation in India.

4. RELOS PACT COMES INTO FORCE: INDIA AND RUSSIA STRENGTHEN MILITARY LOGISTICS COOPERATION –

• To boost the strategic cooperation in defense India and Russia have operationalized the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) in the April 2026. It was originally signed in the February 2025 and this pact allows both countries to access the each other’s military bases, ports and airfields along with deploying the troops and assets. This step marks the significant step in strengthening the bilateral defense ties and enhanced the India’s global strategic reach and particularly in the emerging regions like the Arctic.

RELOS Pact Operational: Key Features of the Agreement

• The India-Russia RELOS agreement is designed to provide the mutual logistical support and it operational flexibility to both nations armed forces.

Under the pact,

• Both the countries can deploy up to the 3,000 military personnel on the each other’s territory.

Also the access is granted to army bases, naval port and air bases

Deployment also includes up to 5 warships and 10 fighter aircraft each

The agreement is valid for five years and also with an option for extension

5. INDIA’S NEW AI TOOL ‘ABHAY’ IS HERE TO PROTECT YOU FROM ONLINE SCAMS –

• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has introduced the AI-powered chatbot named ‘Abhay’. This platform will help citizens to verify official notices and avoid falling victim to the digital scams. The initiative comes at that time where the digital arrest frauds cases are increasing and the scammers impersonate thmeselves as the officials to extort money. This chatbot will be officially launched by the Honorable Chief Justice of Supreme Court Surya Kant and marks the significant advancement in the use of the artificial intelligence for public safety and the cybercrime prevention.

What is the ‘Abhay’ AI Chatbot?

• The ‘Abhay’ chatbot is the digital tool which is developed by the CBI to allow the individuals to verify the authenticity of notices which are allegedly issued by the agency.
• This system is designed to help the citizens which instantly check whether a notice is genuine or fake, prevent panic caused by the fraudulent communications and reduce the risk of the financial exploitation.
• This chatbot addresses the growing concern where the fraudsters misuse the name of law enforcement agencies to create a fear and manipulate victims.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III). The primary objective of PMGSY is to:

1. a) Develop national highways across urban areas
2. b) Build expressways connecting major cities
3. c) Promote inland water transport in villages
4. d) Provide all-weather road connectivity to rural habitations

Q2.  Astra Mark-2 missile is developed by which organisation ?

1. a) Indian Space Research Organisation
2. b) Defence Research and Development Organisation
3. c) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
4. d) Bharat Electronics Limited

Q3.  The Chenchu tribe is primarily found in which forest region ?

1. a) Sundarbans Forests
2. b) Nallamala Forests
3. c) Western Ghats Forests
4. d) Aravalli Forests

Q4.  With reference to the proposed G20 Satellite Mission, recently announced by ISRO, consider the following statements:

1. The satellite is scheduled to be launched in 2027 under the leadership of India.
2. Its primary objective is to facilitate real-time military surveillance among G20 nations.
3. The mission aims to support climate change monitoring, pollution tracking, and improved weather forecasting.

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that India is leading the development of the G20 satellite, with a projected launch in 2027.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The G20 satellite is designed for environmental monitoring—specifically climate change, air pollution, and weather forecasting—not for military surveillance.
• Statement 3 is correct: The mission is focused on providing shared data on environmental challenges, aiming to assist member nations in climate governance.

Q5.  With reference to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India, consider the following statements:

1. The WPI measures the average change in prices of both goods and services at the first point of bulk sale.
2. The ‘Manufactured Products’ group holds the highest weightage in the index basket, accounting for over 60%.
3. It is compiled and released on a monthly basis by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
4. A significant rise in WPI can lead to “cost-push” inflation in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over time.

         Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is Incorrect: WPI captures the price of goods only. Unlike the Consumer Price Index (CPI), it does not include the services sector (such as health, education, or transport services).
• Statement 2 is Correct: The WPI basket is divided into three major groups:
• Manufactured Products: 64.23% (Highest weight)
• Primary Articles: 22.62%
• Fuel & Power: 13.15%
• Statement 3 is Incorrect: WPI is published by the Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The NSO is responsible for the CPI and IIP.
• Statement 4 is Correct: Since WPI reflects “producer-side” or input costs (like sulfuric acid, copper, and energy), a surge in these prices often forces manufacturers to pass on costs to consumers. This creates cost-push inflation, eventually driving up the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Answer Key