April 2026 Current Affairs for Competitive Exams with 100 Practice MCQs

Organizations & Committees

1. NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)

• Name of the organization: NITI Aayog
• Founded/established year: January 1, 2015 (replaced the Planning Commission)
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Formed by: Government of India (Executive Resolution)
• Purpose/objective: To foster cooperative federalism and act as a “Think Tank” for the government.
• Head/Chairperson: PM Narendra Modi (Ex-officio Chairperson)
• Vice Chairperson: Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri (Appointed in April 2026)
• Type: National (Apex public policy think tank)
• Key functions/roles: Formulating long-term policies, promoting innovation (Atal Innovation Mission), and monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Important reports: SDG India Index, Composite Water Management Index, India Innovation Index.
• Recent updates (April 2026): In April 2026, NITI Aayog released a new strategic roadmap for “Viksit Bharat @2047,” focusing on digital agriculture and green energy transitions.

2. World Health Organization (WHO)

• Name of the organization: WHO
• Founded/established year: April 7, 1948
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Purpose/objective: To direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system.
• Members: 194 Member States
• Director-General: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
• Type: International (UN Specialized Agency)
• Important reports: World Health Report, World Malaria Report.
• Recent updates (April 2026): On World Health Day (April 7, 2026), the WHO launched a global initiative to tackle “AI-driven health misinformation” and highlighted the 2026 theme: “Together for Health: Stand with Science.”

3. Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• Name of the organization: ANRF
• Founded/established year: 2023 (Operationalized fully in 2024-25)
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Purpose/objective: To provide high-level strategic direction for scientific research in India according to the National Education Policy (NEP).
• President: Prime Minister of India (Ex-officio)
• Type: National (Statutory Body)
• Key functions/roles: Seeding, growing, and facilitating research in universities and colleges.
• Recent updates (April 2026): In April 2026, ANRF announced its first massive grant cycle of ₹10,000 crore dedicated to “Deep Tech” startups and university-led research in 6G and Quantum computing.

4. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

• Name of the organization: ITU
• Founded/established year: 1865 (Oldest UN specialized agency)
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Purpose/objective: To coordinate global telecommunications networks and services.
• Secretary-General: Doreen Bogdan-Martin
• Type: International
• Key functions/roles: Setting technical standards (like 5G/6G), managing global radio spectrum, and improving ICT access.
• Recent updates (April 2026): In April 2026, the ITU’s WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society) nominated India’s “Samriddh Gram” project for its prestigious digital innovation prizes.

5. Committee on Railways Safety (Kavach Implementation Committee)

• Name of the committee: Special Committee on Kavach 4.0 Rollout
• Formed by: Ministry of Railways
• Purpose/objective: To oversee the rapid installation of the indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
• Head/Chairperson: Member (Infrastructure), Railway Board.
• Type: National (Inter-departmental Committee)
• Key functions/roles: Coordinating between RDSO and Zonal Railways to ensure technical standards are met during the 2026 expansion.
• Important recommendations: Suggested a 3,200 km Optical Fibre (OFC) expansion in Northern India.
• Recent updates (April 2026): In April 2026, the committee approved a ₹1,364 crore budget for installing the Kavach 4.0 version across 232 more locomotives.

6. WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)

• Name of the organization: WADA
• Founded/established year: November 10, 1999
• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
• Purpose/objective: To promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against doping in sports.
• President: Witold Bańka
• Type: International (Independent foundation)
• Recent updates (April 2026): WADA co-organized a major intelligence conference in New Delhi in April 2026 to strengthen global investigations into performance-enhancing drug trafficking.

7. FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry)

• Name of the organization: FICCI
• Founded/established year: 1927
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Founders: G.D. Birla and Purshottamdas Thakurdas (on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi)
• Purpose/objective: To articulate the views of Indian industry and influence policy.
• Secretary General: Anant Swarup (Appointed in April 2026)
• Type: National (Non-government, not-for-profit)
• Recent updates (April 2026): Under new leadership in April 2026, FICCI submitted a proposal to the government for a new “Green Manufacturing” incentive scheme.

8. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

• Name of the organization: SIPRI
• Founded/established year: 1966
• Headquarters: Solna (Stockholm), Sweden
• Purpose/objective: To provide data, analysis, and recommendations on armed conflict, military expenditure, and arms trade.
• Type: International (Independent institute)
• Important reports: SIPRI Yearbook, Trends in World Military Expenditure.
• Recent updates (April 2026): SIPRI released its highly anticipated report on April 27, 2026, ranking India as the world’s 5th largest military spender with a budget of $92.1 billion.

Important Festivals

1. Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

• Name of the festival: Ugadi (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka) / Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra)
• Date/time: April 18, 2026 (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada)
• State/country: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.
• Religion/community: Hindu.
• Purpose/significance: It marks the Hindu New Year and the first day of the Chaitra month.
• Historical or mythological background: It is believed that Lord Brahma started the creation of the universe on this day.
• Key rituals and traditions: In Maharashtra, a Gudi (decorated pole) is hoisted. In South India, people draw colorful Muggulu (Rangoli).
• Special foods/dress: Ugadi Pachadi (a mixture of six tastes representing different life emotions) and Puran Poli (in Maharashtra).
• Duration: One day.
• Type: Religious / Cultural / New Year.
• Special facts: It follows the Luni-Solar calendar.

2. Baisakhi (Vaisakhi)

• Name of the festival: Baisakhi
• Date/time: April 14, 2026
• State/country: Punjab and Haryana.
• Religion/community: Sikhism and Hinduism.
• Purpose/significance: Marks the Punjabi New Year and is a major Harvest Festival.
• Historical or mythological background: Commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
• Key rituals and traditions: Nagar Kirtan (processions), Bhangra and Gidda dances, and visiting Gurudwaras.
• Duration: One day.
• Famous places: Golden Temple (Amritsar) and Anandpur Sahib.
• Type: Harvest / Religious / New Year.
• Special facts: It also marks the solar new year in several parts of India.

3. Vishu

• Name of the festival: Vishu
• Date/time: April 14, 2024
• State/country: Kerala and Mahe.
• Religion/community: Hindu (Malayali community).
• Purpose/significance: The Malayalam New Year and the spring equinox.
• Key rituals and traditions: Vishu Kani (the first thing people see in the morning—a collection of auspicious items like gold, rice, flowers, and fruits).
• Special foods: Vishu Sadhya (a grand feast) and Vishu Kanji.
• Duration: One day.
• Type: Religious / Cultural / New Year.
• Special facts: Giving money to children and servants is a tradition called Vishu Kaineetam.

4. Bihu (Rongali/Bohag Bihu)

• Name of the festival: Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu)
• Date/time: April 14–20, 2026
• State/country: Assam.
• Religion/community: Assamese community (all religions).
• Purpose/significance: Marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the seed-sowing season.
• Key rituals and traditions: Bihu Dance (performed by men and women in traditional attire), and cattle worship (Goru Bihu).
• Special foods/dress: Mekhela Chador (traditional dress), Pitha (rice cakes), and Laroo.
• Duration: Seven days.
• Type: Harvest / Cultural / New Year.
• Special facts: It is the most important of the three Bihu festivals in Assam.

5. Puthandu (Tamil New Year)

• Name of the festival: Puthandu
• Date/time: April 14, 2026 (First day of the month Chithirai)
• State/country: Tamil Nadu and Puducherry; also celebrated by Tamils in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore.
• Religion/community: Hindu (Tamil community).
• Purpose/significance: The Tamil New Year.
• Key rituals and traditions: People view the Kanni (auspicious tray) in the morning and draw Kolams (Rangoli) at the entrance of houses.
• Special foods: Mangai-Pachadi (made of raw mango, jaggery, and neem flowers to signify different life experiences).
• Duration: One day.
• Type: Religious / Cultural / New Year.

6. Maha Vishuba Sankranti (Pana Sankranti)

• Name of the festival: Pana Sankranti
• Date/time: April 14, 2026
• State/country: Odisha.
• Religion/community: Hindu (Odia community).
• Purpose/significance: The Odia New Year and the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.
• Key rituals and traditions: Placing a small pot with a hole (Basundhara Theki) over a Tulsi plant so that water drips on it.
• Special foods: Pana (a sweet drink made from wood apple, fruits, and yogurt).
• Duration: One day.
• Type: Religious / Cultural / New Year.

7. Poila Baisakh

• Name of the festival: Poila Baisakh
• Date/time: April 15, 2026
• State/country: West Bengal, Tripura, and Bangladesh.
• Religion/community: Bengali community.
• Purpose/significance: The Bengali New Year.
• Key rituals and traditions: Cleaning the house, wearing new clothes, and traders opening new account books called Haal Khata.
• Special foods: Traditional Bengali meal involving fish (Ilish), sweets like Rosogolla, and Sandesh.
• Duration: One day.
• Famous places: Kolkata (Kalighat Temple and Dakshineswar).
• Type: Cultural / New Year.

8. Thrissur Pooram

• Name of the festival: Thrissur Pooram
• Date/time: April 27, 2026
• State/country: Kerala.
• Religion/community: Hindu.
• Purpose/significance: To pay homage to Lord Vadakkunnathan (Shiva).
• Key rituals and traditions: Kudamattom (fast-paced changing of brightly colored umbrellas atop elephants) and a massive fireworks display.
• Duration: Celebrated over 7 days, with the main event on the 6th day.
• Famous places: Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur.
• Type: Religious / Cultural.
• Special facts: It is considered the “Mother of all Poorams” and features a spectacular parade of 30 caparisoned elephants.

9. Easter

• Name of the festival: Easter
• Date/time: April 5, 2026 (First Sunday after the first full moon of Spring)
• State/country: Pan-India / International.
• Religion/community: Christianity.
• Purpose/significance: To celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
• Historical or mythological background: It marks the victory of life over death and the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Messiah.
• Key rituals and traditions: Attending Easter Mass, decorating Easter Eggs, and the Easter Bunny tradition.
• Duration: One day (following Holy Week).
• Type: Religious.

10. Mahavir Jayanti

• Name of the festival: Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
• Date/time: March 31 – April 1, 2026 (Chaitra Sud 13)
• State/country: Pan-India (Significant in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Bihar).
• Religion/community: Jainism.
• Purpose/significance: To celebrate the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara.
• Key rituals and traditions: Abhisheka (ceremonial bath) of Mahavira idols, processions, and distributing food to the poor (Dana).
• Duration: One day.
• Type: Religious.
• Special facts: Promotes the core Jain principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satya (truth).

April 2026 Current Affairs – 100 Practice MCQs 

1. Which Vande Bharat Express route was inaugurated on April 30, 2026, to link the two capitals of J&K?

A) Srinagar – Leh

B) Jammu Tawi – Srinagar

C) Katra – Delhi

D) Jammu – Baramulla

Answer: B) Jammu Tawi – Srinagar

2. As of April 2026, what is the physical progress percentage of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project?

A) 45.2%

B) 50.0%

C) 59.1%

D) 65.4%

Answer: C) 59.1%

3. Which safety system’s 4.0 version was approved for expansion across 232 locomotives in April 2026?

A) Rakshak

B) Kavach

C) Drishti

D) Gati

Answer: B) Kavach

4. The Amrit Bharat Express launched in April 2026 uses which specific technology?

A) Maglev

B) Distributed Power

C) Push-Pull Technology

D) Steam Recovery

Answer: C) Push-Pull Technology

5. Which railway station in West Bengal saw major structural completion under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in April 2026?

A) Howrah

B) Haldia

C) Siliguri

D) Durgapur

Answer: B) Haldia

6. What is the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar via the new Vande Bharat Express?

A) 3 hours

B) 5 hours

C) 8 hours

D) 10 hours

Answer: B) 5 hours

7. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) connects Dadri in UP to which port in Maharashtra?

A) Mundra

B) Kandla

C) JNPT (Navi Mumbai)

D) Mormugao

Answer: C) JNPT (Navi Mumbai)

8. Which organization is responsible for the technical development of the Kavach safety system?

A) ISRO

B) RDSO

C) HAL

D) NITI Aayog

Answer: B) RDSO

9. How many coaches are typically found in the non-AC Amrit Bharat Express trains?

A) 12

B) 18

C) 22

D) 26

Answer: C) 22

10. In April 2026, which city hosted the Government Railway Police (GRP) Chiefs’ Conference?

A) Mumbai

B) New Delhi

C) Bengaluru

D) Hyderabad

Answer: B) New Delhi

11. What is India’s rank in the World Press Freedom Index 2026?

A) 142nd

B) 151st

C) 157th

D) 161st

Answer: C) 157th

12. Which country topped the Henley Passport Index (Q2 2026) with access to 192 destinations?

A) Japan

B) Singapore

3) Germany

D) France

Answer: B) Singapore

13. According to the SIPRI report released in April 2026, what was India’s military expenditure?

A) $75.5 Billion

B) $82.4 Billion

C) $92.1 Billion

D) $101.2 Billion

Answer: C) $92.1 Billion

14. Which nation has been ranked as the “Happiest Country” for the 7th consecutive year in 2026?

A) Denmark

B) Norway

C) Finland

D) Iceland

Answer: C) Finland

15. India’s rank in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2026 is ________.

A) 30th

B) 38th

C) 44th

D) 52nd

Answer: B) 38th

16. Which organization releases the World Happiness Report?

A) World Bank

B) WEF

C) UN SDSN

D) WHO

Answer: C) UN SDSN

17. In the Global Firepower Index 2026, what is India’s position?

A) 2nd

B) 3rd

C) 4th

D) 5th

Answer: C) 4th

18. The Henley Passport Index ranks India at which position in April 2026?

A) 75th

B) 80th

C) 85th

D) 90th

Answer: B) 80th

19. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is headquartered in which city?

A) Geneva

B) Paris

C) New York

D) London

Answer: B) Paris

20. Which country is the world’s largest military spender according to SIPRI 2026?

A) China

B) Russia

C) USA

D) India

Answer: C) USA

21. Where was the 11th Heads of Mission (HoM) Conference held in April 2026?

A) Goa

B) Varanasi

C) New Delhi

D) Srinagar

Answer: C) New Delhi

22. Which city has been confirmed as the host for the Quad Leaders’ Summit 2026?

A) Tokyo

B) Brisbane

C) Washington D.C.

D) New Delhi

Answer: B) Brisbane

23. What was the theme for the 11th Heads of Mission Conference?

A) Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

B) Reforming Indian Diplomacy for 2047

C) Digital India Global Outreach

D) Neighborhood First Policy

Answer: B) Reforming Indian Diplomacy for 2047

24. Which international agency co-organized the Anti-Doping Intelligence Conference in New Delhi?

A) FIFA

B) WADA & INTERPOL

C) IOC

D) WHO

Answer: B) WADA & INTERPOL

25. France formally invited India as a guest country for which upcoming 2026 summit?

A) G20

B) G7

C) BRICS

D) ASEAN

Answer: B) G7

26. Which country currently holds the Chairmanship of BIMSTEC in 2026?

A) India

B) Thailand

C) Sri Lanka

D) Bangladesh

Answer: B) Thailand

27. The 52nd G7 Summit (June 2026) will be held in which French city?

A) Paris

B) Lyon

C) Évian-les-Bains

D) Nice

Answer: C) Évian-les-Bains

28. Who addressed the closing session of the 11th HoM Conference?

A) S. Jaishankar

B) Narendra Modi

C) Droupadi Murmu

D) Amit Shah

Answer: B) Narendra Modi

29. The “3Ts” strategy discussed in Indian diplomacy stands for:

A) Train, Tech, Trade

B) Trade, Technology, Tourism

C) Trust, Transparency, Trade

D) Transport, Trade, Tourism

Answer: B) Trade, Technology, Tourism

30. Which agreement did BIMSTEC countries finalize in April 2026?

A) Free Trade Agreement

B) Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement

C) Digital Visa Agreement

D) Space Research Pact

Answer: B) Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement

31. India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) attained “first criticality” in April 2026. Where is it located?

A) Tarapur

B) Kalpakkam

C) Narora

D) Rawatbhata

Answer: B) Kalpakkam

32. Which NASA mission, carrying the first woman and person of color to orbit the moon, launched in April 2026?

A) Artemis I

B) Artemis II

C) Apollo 18

D) Gateway I

Answer: B) Artemis II

33. What is the estimated range of India’s Agni-VI missile?

A) 3,000 – 5,000 km

B) 5,000 – 8,000 km

C) 8,000 – 12,000 km

D) 15,000+ km

Answer: C) 8,000 – 12,000 km

34. The SARAL AI platform, launched in April 2026, is primarily designed for:

A) Space Navigation

B) Defense Encryption

C) Scientific Research Simplification

D) Stock Market Prediction

Answer: C) Scientific Research Simplification

35. Which two space agencies are collaborating on the Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) mission?

A) ISRO & NASA

B) ISRO & ESA

C) ISRO & JAXA

D) ISRO & Roscosmos

Answer: C) ISRO & JAXA

36. Who is the current Chairman of DRDO (as of April 2026)?

A) S. Somanath

B) Samir V. Kamat

C) G. Satheesh Reddy

D) Ajit Doval

Answer: B) Samir V. Kamat

37. What cooling agent is used in the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam?

A) Heavy Water

B) Liquid Sodium

C) Liquid Nitrogen

D) Helium Gas

Answer: B) Liquid Sodium

38. On which date is World Quantum Day observed?

A) April 1

B) April 7

C) April 14

D) April 22

Answer: C) April 14

39. Which rover identified new organic molecules on Mars in April 2026?

A) Perseverance

B) Curiosity

C) Opportunity

D) Zhurong

Answer: B) Curiosity

40. India’s first Quantum Computing Testing Facility was announced in which city?

A) Bengaluru

B) Amaravati

C) Pune

D) Gurugram

Answer: B) Amaravati

41. Who was appointed as the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog in April 2026?

A) Suman Bery

B) B.V.R. Subrahmanyam

C) Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri

D) Arvind Panagariya

Answer: C) Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri

42. The WHO theme for World Health Day (April 7, 2026) was:

A) My Health, My Right

B) Together for Health: Stand with Science

C) Health for All

D) Universal Health Coverage

Answer: B) Together for Health: Stand with Science

43. Which organization is the oldest specialized agency of the United Nations?

A) WHO

B) ITU

C) UNESCO

D) ILO

Answer: B) ITU

44. Who is the current Secretary General of FICCI as of April 2026?

A) Subhrakant Panda

B) Anant Swarup

C) Shailesh Pathak

D) Uday Shankar

Answer: B) Anant Swarup

45. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is headed by whom as Ex-officio President?

A) President of India

B) Prime Minister of India

C) Science & Tech Minister

D) UGC Chairman

Answer: B) Prime Minister of India

46. Where is the headquarters of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) located?

A) Lausanne, Switzerland

B) Montreal, Canada

C) Paris, France

D) Vienna, Austria

Answer: B) Montreal, Canada

47. Which organization released the “Viksit Bharat @2047” roadmap for digital agriculture in April 2026?

A) NABARD

B) ICAR

C) NITI Aayog

D) Ministry of Agriculture

Answer: C) NITI Aayog

48. Doreen Bogdan-Martin is the Secretary-General of which organization?

A) UNESCO

B) ITU

C) UNICEF

D) IMF

Answer: B) ITU

49. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is located in which country?

A) Switzerland

B) Sweden

C) Finland

D) Denmark

Answer: B) Sweden

50. FICCI was established in 1927 on the advice of which leader?

A) Jawaharlal Nehru

B) Mahatma Gandhi

C) Sardar Patel

D) B.R. Ambedkar

Answer: B) Mahatma Gandhi