Daily Current Affairs (08 – Apr – 26)

Daily Current Affairs (08- Apr- 26)

1. Artemis II Surpasses Apollo 13 Distance Record –

• NASA’s Artemis II Mission has set a new record for the farthest distance travelled by humans in space, surpassing the Apollo 13 milestone of 1970. 
• The crew travelled beyond 248,655 miles from Earth, reaching a maximum distance of about 252,756 miles.

Artemis II Mission 

• About: Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 (1972) and the 1st human flight under the Artemis programme, aimed at advancing human space exploration.
• Collaboration: The mission includes four astronauts, three from NASA and one from the Canadian Space Agency, on board the Orion spacecraft.
• Mission Type: Launched on 1st April, using the Space Launch System (SLS), the spacecraft follows a free-return lunar flyby trajectory around the Moon.
• Key Events: The mission includes a close lunar approach (~4,067 miles), observation of the Moon’s far side, a solar eclipse, and a planned communication blackout.
• Significance: Data collected (images, telemetry, observations) will support future Artemis missions, including crewed lunar landings, and contribute to establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon.

2. Recently, the indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, attained criticality, marking progress in India’s nuclear energy programme –

• Criticality is the stage when a nuclear reactor achieves a self-sustaining chain reaction, indicating that the reactor core is functioning as designed and can proceed toward power generation. 

India’s 3-Stage Nuclear Programme 

• About: India’s nuclear programme is designed to utilise its limited uranium and abundant thorium resources through a sequential three-stage approach: PHWRs → Fast Breeder Reactors → Thorium-based reactors.
• Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs): They use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as coolant and moderator. They form the backbone of India’s current nuclear power capacity (8,180 MWe) and represent the first stage of the programme.
• India aims to produce 22,400 MWe of nuclear power by 2032 and expand PHWR capacity through fleet-mode construction.
• Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR): A Fast Breeder Reactor produces more fuel than it consumes by converting fertile material (like U-238) into fissile material (like plutonium). It uses MOX fuel and plays a critical role in expanding nuclear fuel availability.
• FBRs act as a bridge between uranium-based reactors and thorium-based reactors by generating plutonium and enabling the production of U-233, which is essential for the third stage.
• India’s prototype 500 MWe FBR at Kalpakkam is in advanced commissioning. Plans include six more FBRs of 600 MWe each, along with a dedicated fuel cycle facility.
• Once operational, India will be only the second country after Russia to run a commercial FBR, while many countries have discontinued such programmes due to safety concerns.

3. PM Mudra Yojana Marks 11 Years of Supporting Small and Micro Entrepreneurs –

• India is celebrating 11 successful years of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), a major government scheme that has helped millions of small entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Launched on April 8, 2015, by Narendra Modi, the scheme focuses on providing easy, collateral-free loans to people who were earlier unable to access formal banking services.

What is Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana?

• The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana is a government initiative that provides loans of up to Rs.20 lakh to small and micro businesses. It mainly supports non-corporate and non-farm sectors such as small shops, service providers and rural businesses.
• The main aim of the scheme is “Fund the Unfunded”, meaning to help those who were earlier ignored by banks and financial institutions.
• Importance of MSMEs in India
• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises plays a very important role in India’s economy. They:
• Create jobs for millions of people
• Support big industries
• Help in balanced development of cities and villages
• Meet both local and global market demands

4. Payal Nag Makes History by Becoming First Quadruple Amputee to Win an Archery Championship –

• In a recent inspiring sports news story, 18-year-old Payal Nag from Odisha has made history by winning a gold medal at an international archery event. Her achievement has surprised and inspired people across the world, as she became the first quadruple amputee to make such a great achievement in para archery.

A Life-Changing Incident

• Payal Nag was born in a small village in Balangir district, Odisha. Her family was very poor and her father worked as a daily-wage labourer. When she was just eight years old, her life changed forever due to a serious electric shock accident. Sadly, she lost both her arms and legs in this incident. After this tragedy, she had to stay in an orphanage, where she slowly started rebuilding her life.

5. RBI MPC Meeting 2026, Kept Repo Rates Unchanged at 5.25% –

• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India, in its 60th meeting held from April 6 to 8, 2026, decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%. The meeting was chaired by Sanjay Malhotra and reflects a cautious approach amid global uncertainties and domestic resilience.

Key Policy Decisions

• Repo Rate: Unchanged at 5.25%
• Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 00%
• Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Bank Rate: 50%
• Policy Stance: Neutral
• The MPC unanimously voted to maintain the current rates, emphasizing a “wait and watch” approach due to evolving global and domestic conditions.
• Growth Outlook for India

The Indian economy continues to show strong resilience:

• GDP Growth (2025-26): Estimated at 7.6%
• GDP Projection (2026-27): 9%

MCQ Quiz

Q1. India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is located in which state ?

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

Q2. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in which state ?

1. a) Bihar
2. b) Tamil Nadu
3. c) Odisha
4. d) Jharkhand

Q3. World Health Day is observed every year on which day ?

1. a) April 4
2. b) April 5
3. c) April 6
4. d) April 7

Q4. With reference to the MITRA Mission, consider the following statements:

1. It is a satellite-based mission launched to map space debris.
2. It studies human behaviour and teamwork in simulated space conditions.
3. It is being conducted in Leh, Ladakh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect: MITRA is not related to space debris mapping; it is a behavioural research mission.
• Statement 2 is correct: It focuses on human behaviour, stress response, and teamwork.
• Statement 3 is correct: The mission is conducted in Leh, Ladakh due to its high-altitude conditions.

Q5. Consider the following statements about ISRO:

1. It was established in 1969.
2. Its headquarters is in Bengaluru.
3. It was founded by Dr. Homi J. Bhabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• The correct statements about the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are:
• It was established in 1969: ISRO was established on August 15, 1969, replacing the earlier Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR).
• Its headquarters is in Bengaluru: The headquarters of ISRO is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• It was founded by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai: ISRO was founded under the leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who is considered the father of the Indian space program. Statement 3, attributing the founding to Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, is incorrect; Dr. Bhabha is known as the father of the Indian nuclear program.
• Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.