Current Affairs - April 26, 2026 Current Affairs

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Fractal, has been appointed as the Chairperson of Nasscom. He succeeds Sindhu Gangadharan and brings extensive experience from his prior role as Vice Chairperson and Executive Council member for over six years. Under his leadership, Nasscom is expected to focus on advancing enterprise AI, agentic AI, and autonomous multi-agent systems. His appointment reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in India’s technology sector. Along with Vice Chairperson Kishor Patil and President Rajesh Nambiar, he will help shape the strategic direction of the IT industry.

Parminder Singh has been appointed as the CEO of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited, a joint venture focused on advancing enterprise artificial intelligence in India. The company combines Reliance’s infrastructure and connectivity with Meta’s AI capabilities to drive digital transformation. Parminder Singh brings extensive global experience, having held leadership roles at major technology companies such as Google, Apple, Twitter, and IBM. He has also served as Chief Commercial and Digital Officer at Mediacorp and co-founded AI-focused initiatives like ClayboxAI and WeKamp, making him well-equipped to lead REIL’s AI-driven strategy.

Abhishek Sharma achieved a historic milestone in the IPL by becoming the first Indian cricketer to score multiple centuries in under 50 balls. His remarkable 135-run unbeaten innings against the Delhi Capitals came off just 47 balls, showcasing exceptional batting prowess. He had earlier scored a 40-ball century in IPL 2025, reinforcing his consistency in high-impact performances. His innings included 10 fours and 10 sixes, maintaining a strike rate above 200. This achievement places him among the elite T20 players globally and highlights his growing stature in Indian cricket as a dynamic and aggressive opener.

The UK Parliament passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as part of a long-term public health strategy to create a smoke-free generation. The law introduces a generational ban, ensuring that individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, will never be legally allowed to purchase tobacco products. It also tightens regulations on vaping, including restrictions on advertising, flavours, and usage in public places. The policy aims to reduce smoking-related diseases, ease the burden on the National Health Service, and improve overall life expectancy by prioritising prevention over treatment.

National Panchayati Raj Day is observed every year on April 24 to mark the constitutional recognition of Panchayati Raj institutions in India through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. This reform established a structured three-tier system of local governance, empowering rural communities and promoting decentralisation. The day highlights the importance of grassroots democracy, ensuring the participation of local populations in decision-making. It also emphasises inclusivity through reservations for women and marginalised groups. Celebrations include recognising best-performing Panchayats and promoting initiatives that strengthen transparency, accountability, and sustainable rural development.

Rajesh Kumar Agarwal has been appointed as the Director (Finance) of Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) with effect from April 23, 2026. He previously served as Executive Director (Finance) at PFC and brings over 31 years of experience in the power and finance sectors. His professional journey includes roles in major organisations such as NTPC Limited, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, and Delhi Transco Limited. Since joining PFC in 2009, he has handled critical areas like corporate accounts, taxation, and fund management, making him well-suited for this leadership role.

World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to raise global awareness about malaria and promote coordinated efforts to combat the disease. Established by the World Health Organisation, the day emphasises prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment strategies. It also highlights advancements such as vaccines and improved healthcare systems while addressing ongoing challenges like transmission in vulnerable regions. Governments, NGOs, and communities participate through awareness campaigns, free testing, and distribution of preventive tools like mosquito nets. The observance reinforces the importance of sustained global cooperation to achieve the goal of malaria elimination.

Pay Point India Network achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first private-sector fintech to gain direct access to the RBI’s Centralised Payment System. This allows it to operate independently within RTGS and NEFT networks without depending on partner banks. The development marks a shift from the earlier system, where only banks and select institutions could participate. With direct membership, Pay Point benefits from reduced transaction costs, faster settlements, and enhanced data security. This move also reflects the RBI’s evolving approach to integrating fintech players into core financial infrastructure.

Rocklink India established the country’s first integrated lithium-ion battery and rare earth recycling facility in Sikandrabad, located in Uttar Pradesh. The plant is equipped to recycle 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries annually and process rare-earth materials efficiently. Using advanced in-house R2 technology, it achieves a recovery rate exceeding 98% for key metals. The facility supports sustainable waste management and strengthens India’s electric mobility ecosystem. It also follows Extended Producer Responsibility norms, ensuring environmentally responsible recycling practices and contributing to the development of a circular supply chain in the country.

Eveready Industries established India’s first alkaline battery manufacturing facility in Jammu as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on imported finished goods. The greenfield plant, built with an investment of around ₹200 crore, has a production capacity of about 360 million batteries annually. This move strengthens domestic manufacturing and positions the company as the sole producer of finished alkaline batteries in India. It also helps improve profit margins and market share while supporting the rapidly growing alkaline battery segment, which is expanding much faster than traditional carbon-zinc batteries in the country.

Punjab National Bank collaborated with fintech platform Kiwi to introduce a credit-on-UPI card, marking an important development in digital payments. The card operates on the RuPay network and is designed to extend formal credit access to the bank’s vast customer base. It offers benefits such as zero joining and annual fees, cashback on transactions, and seamless digital onboarding with UPI integration. This initiative also represents Kiwi’s first partnership with a public sector bank, highlighting a growing trend of collaboration between traditional banks and fintech firms to expand digital financial services in India.