Current Affairs - April 21, 2026 Current Affairs

The 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award was presented to Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao in recognition of his significant contributions to climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable natural resource management. Serving as the Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), he has played a key role in developing district-level contingency plans to address climate challenges in agriculture. His efforts in scaling resource conservation technologies across vast agricultural areas have strengthened India’s food security. The award, instituted to honor excellence in agricultural science, also marked the birth centenary of M.S. Swaminathan, a pioneer of India’s Green Revolution.

The Union Cabinet approved the extension of PMGSY-III to ensure the continued development of rural road infrastructure across India. The revised timeline allows for the completion of roads and bridges in plain areas, as well as roads in hilly regions, by March 2028. This extension supports the scheme’s goal of improving rural connectivity, facilitating access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities. With an increased financial outlay of ₹83,977 crore, the initiative emphasises reducing transportation costs and boosting economic activities in rural areas, while also addressing pending works sanctioned before March 2025.

The agreement involved a major collaboration between POSCO Group of South Korea and JSW Steel of India to establish a large integrated steel plant in Odisha. The project, valued at $7.3 billion, is a significant step toward boosting India’s steel production capacity. Both companies will hold equal stakes of 50 per cent in the joint venture, highlighting a balanced partnership. The plant is expected to produce 6 million tons of steel annually and will cover the entire production process at a single site. This initiative aligns with India’s long-term goal of increasing its steel production capacity under the National Steel Policy.

Odisha has been selected as the location for India’s first advanced 3D semiconductor packaging unit, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push toward self-reliance in high-end electronics manufacturing. The project, established at Info Valley with an investment of around ₹2,000 crore, will introduce cutting-edge 3D heterogeneous integration technology. This initiative supports sectors such as artificial intelligence, 5G, defence electronics, and high-performance computing. It also aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening domestic semiconductor capabilities, reducing import dependence, generating employment, and positioning Odisha as a major hub in India’s growing technology ecosystem.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs collaborated with IIT Patna under the PM VIKAS scheme to enhance skill development among minority youth in Bihar. The initiative aims to train 600 individuals in advanced and industry-relevant fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics. This partnership reflects the government’s focus on bridging the skill gap and improving employability through modern technological education. IIT Patna, established in 2008, is one of India’s premier institutions and plays a key role in delivering high-quality technical training, thereby supporting sustainable livelihood opportunities for underrepresented communities.

The Odisha Steel Producers' Association (OSPA), a key body representing major steel and mining companies in the state, elected Asit Tripathy as its President. A former Chief Secretary of Odisha and currently an advisor to Jindal Steel, he brings extensive administrative and industrial experience to the role. The association includes leading companies such as Tata Steel and JSW Steel, and plays a vital role in promoting collaboration, policy engagement, and sustainable industrial growth. His leadership is expected to strengthen Odisha’s position as India’s leading steel and iron ore-producing state while encouraging employment and economic development.

The GreenPro ecolabel certification, awarded by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), recognises environmentally sustainable products and manufacturing practices. Rathi Steel And Power Limited earned this certification for its Fe 550 Grade TMT rebars, marketed under the brand Rathi Powertech. This achievement highlights the company’s commitment to green steel production, reduced carbon emissions, and environmentally responsible construction materials. The certified products also contribute to green building standards by offering credits under LEED and aligning with Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) norms, reinforcing sustainable infrastructure development in India.

The milestone of successfully landing a reused New Glenn booster marks a significant advancement in reusable rocket technology. This achievement demonstrates progress toward reducing the cost of space missions by enabling booster recovery and reuse. The mission was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and showcased the booster named “Never Tell Me the Odds,” which landed safely after liftoff. Despite this success, the mission had a setback as the onboard BlueBird 7 satellite failed to reach its intended orbit. Overall, the accomplishment strengthens the company’s position in the competitive space industry alongside other reusable launch system developers.

Indian Railways has expanded accessibility measures for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) by allowing the use of the UDID (Unique Disability ID) Card as valid identification for travel in designated unreserved Divyangjan coaches. Issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the UDID card serves as a standardised national identity for individuals with disabilities and enables them to avail concessional fares and reserved facilities. This initiative simplifies travel procedures and ensures inclusivity. It also helps in maintaining proper verification while preventing unauthorised entry into these specially designated compartments under the Railway Act, 1989.

India and South Korea agreed to significantly enhance their economic partnership by setting a bilateral trade target of $50 billion by 2030 during a high-level summit in New Delhi. This initiative aims to nearly double their existing trade volume of $27 billion. The two countries also decided to resume negotiations to upgrade their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), originally signed in 2009. Additionally, they established new mechanisms like the Industrial Cooperation Committee to boost collaboration in key sectors such as clean energy, semiconductors, and defence manufacturing, strengthening their strategic and economic ties.