Current Affairs - April 27, 2026 Current Affairs

Paytm Payments Bank is the entity whose licence was cancelled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) using its powers under Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The cancellation led to a complete prohibition on conducting all banking activities, including those defined under Sections 5(b) and 6 of the Act. This action resulted in an immediate halt to its operations. Payments banks in India are designed to facilitate digital transactions and accept limited deposits, but they cannot issue loans or credit cards, making regulatory compliance crucial for their functioning.

Jaipur served as the venue for the first regional workshop under the national cooperative reform drive organised by the Ministry of Cooperation. The workshop focused on advancing the vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” by strengthening the cooperative sector. Key areas discussed included decentralised grain storage infrastructure, expansion of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), and development of dairy and fisheries cooperatives. Representatives from major organisations like NABARD and FCI participated. The event also emphasised initiatives such as the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan and integration of PACS with the WDRA framework to enhance efficiency and rural economic growth.

Malaria is the disease targeted by Coartem Baby, the first WHO-prequalified drug specifically designed for newborns and infants. Developed by Novartis in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), this medication addresses a critical gap in pediatric treatment. It uses an artemether-lumefantrine combination and is suitable for infants weighing between 2 to 5 kilograms. The disease remains a major global health concern, causing millions of cases and deaths annually, especially among children under five in Africa, making this innovation a significant breakthrough.

Maharashtra approved the ₹500 crore Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy 2026 aimed at converting organic waste into clean fuel and energy. The policy includes financial support through viability gap funding and promotes execution via Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). It targets municipal solid waste from numerous urban local bodies and agricultural residues like Napier grass, particularly in Marathwada. Additionally, the policy is aligned with the GOBARdhan scheme, ensuring efficient utilisation of organic byproducts as manure, thereby enhancing sustainability and waste-to-energy conversion.

In the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), headquartered there, undertook the initiative to add 33,000 missing Indian soldiers to a digital memorial. These soldiers had previously been excluded from proper recognition and were only commemorated numerically. The update is linked to the Basra Memorial in Iraq and relates to casualties from the Mesopotamia Campaign during World War I. This effort corrects historical inequalities by individually naming the soldiers and integrating them into the broader record of over 46,000 Commonwealth personnel remembered for their service.

Guntur is the city whose municipal corporation received the 4th Gender Equality Mobilisation (GEM) Award from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Vienna. The recognition was given for its innovative approach to gender inclusion and sustainable waste management. The corporation deployed over 200 women as electric auto drivers for garbage collection, helping integrate informal workers into the formal economy. This initiative, implemented under the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot (SCIAP), highlights the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability, women's empowerment, and efficient urban governance practices.

Vivek Tripathi was appointed as the Whole-Time Director of AU Small Finance Bank, marking an important addition to the bank’s leadership structure. As a Whole-Time Director, he becomes part of the full-time executive management, contributing to strategic and operational decisions. Such appointments in banking institutions require regulatory oversight and alignment with provisions under the Companies Act, 2013. AU Small Finance Bank, headquartered in Jaipur, has evolved from a Non-Banking Financial Company into a Scheduled Commercial Bank, and leadership appointments like this play a key role in guiding its growth and governance.

Nitu Samra was appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport following regulatory requirements set by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). She has served as the Chief Financial Officer since October 2021, bringing financial and administrative experience to the role. The appointment aligns with BCAS norms mandating that the CEO of an Indian airport must be an Indian national. This leadership change is part of the broader development of the airport, which is being built under a Public-Private Partnership and is expected to significantly expand passenger handling capacity in the coming years.

Ashok Kumar Lahiri was appointed as the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, the premier policy think tank of the Government of India. He succeeded Suman K. Bery and took charge following the reconstitution of the institution. Lahiri, a noted economist, brings extensive experience in economic policy and governance. His appointment is part of a broader restructuring that also introduced new full-time members to the Aayog. NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in shaping India’s development agenda through cooperative federalism and strategic policy planning, making this leadership change significant for governance and policymaking.

Rajneesh Karnatak and Debadatta Chand were granted three-year extensions as Managing Directors and CEOs of Bank of India and Bank of Baroda, respectively, by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. These extensions ensure leadership continuity in two major public sector banks. The approvals were based on proposals from the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance. Such extensions reflect the government’s confidence in its leadership and performance. Stable executive leadership is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency, implementing reforms, and strengthening the banking sector in a competitive financial environment.