Online Current Affairs Test - Current Affairs Test - Random (Last 4 months)

The Reserve Bank of India approved Ketan Merchant as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Fino Payments Bank for a temporary period of three months. The decision was taken after the arrest of the bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Rishi Gupta, in connection with an alleged GST-related case. Ketan Merchant was serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the bank at the time of his appointment. His role as interim CEO ensures leadership continuity and smooth functioning of the bank’s operations during the transition period. The appointment allows the bank’s board and regulatory authorities to review the situation and decide on the long-term leadership arrangement.

Nidhi Chhibber has taken additional charge as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog following the completion of BVR Subrahmanyam’s three-year term in February 2026. A 1994-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, she currently serves as Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) under NITI Aayog. She has also previously held the position of Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education. Her extensive experience in policy monitoring, evaluation, and education sector reforms positions her to strengthen data-driven governance and performance assessment within India’s premier policy think tank.

Punjab National Bank collaborated with Tripura Gramin Bank to launch the nation’s first co-branded RuPay Credit Card by a regional rural bank. This initiative marked a significant milestone in advancing digital financial inclusion, especially for customers in rural and semi-urban areas. By leveraging the RuPay ecosystem, the partnership aims to enhance access to secure credit facilities while promoting digital payment adoption. The launch, coinciding with Tripura Gramin Bank’s Golden Jubilee, sets a new benchmark for regional rural banks in offering modern banking products and supports the broader goal of expanding inclusive and technology-driven financial services across the country.

Karnataka Bank has integrated Khajane‑2 e-receipt payments into its Internet banking platform, allowing citizens to pay Karnataka state taxes and fees securely. The system operates via the Khajane‑2 IFMS and RBI’s e-Kuber infrastructure, ensuring safe and efficient online transactions. This initiative enhances digital convenience by providing seamless access for customers to fulfill their government payment obligations. By adopting this technology, Karnataka Bank supports the government’s push for digitization, simplifies payment processes, and strengthens the accessibility of state financial services for residents.

BMW Ventures Limited secured a ₹36 crore contract to supply fabricated steel products for a major project executed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The order signifies the company’s strategic expansion into large-scale infrastructure and power sector projects, moving beyond its traditional operational scope. The contract includes the supply of structural steel fabrication and related critical components essential for thermal or industrial infrastructure initiatives. The execution timeline is estimated at 12–18 months, enhancing the company’s order book strength, revenue visibility, and positioning within India’s rapidly growing infrastructure and energy sector.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket, designated as LRGR-120, in December 2025. The LRGR-120 demonstrated a maximum range of 120 km with high precision and in-flight manoeuvrability, meeting all mission objectives. Developed by multiple DRDO laboratories, the rocket is compatible with existing Pinaka launchers, enhancing operational flexibility. The successful test validated the accuracy, reliability, and stability of the LRGR-120, significantly strengthening India’s indigenous rocket artillery capabilities and boosting the combat readiness of the armed forces.

December 27 is observed annually as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, highlighting the global importance of preventing and responding effectively to infectious disease outbreaks. The observance was established following a United Nations General Assembly resolution and was first marked in 2020. It draws attention to the need for strong health systems, early warning mechanisms, trained health workers, and international cooperation. Lessons from outbreaks such as Ebola, SARS, and COVID-19 underline that epidemics can rapidly escalate into major health, economic, and security crises. The day reinforces preparedness as a continuous global responsibility rather than a reactive measure.

India achieved a remarkable feat in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by doubling its top 50 entries from 12 in 2024 to 27 in 2026. This significant improvement reflects India’s growing academic strength and global competitiveness in higher education. Premier institutions such as the IITs, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, JNU, and BITS Pilani contributed to this surge with strong performances across various disciplines. The rankings evaluate universities based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research output, and international collaboration, highlighting India’s momentum in quality and competitiveness.

In April 2026, India entered into an agreement with Bhutan to sign the Punatsangchhu-II export tariff protocol and establish a framework for reactive energy accounting. The Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project, with a capacity of 1,020 MW, plays a crucial role in bilateral energy cooperation, with Bhutan exporting surplus electricity to India. This agreement strengthens the long-standing partnership between the two countries in the hydropower sector. Additionally, both nations continue to collaborate on other projects such as Punatsangchhu-I, reflecting their shared commitment to sustainable energy development and regional cooperation.

Indian Railways has set a clear long-term target to double the originating train capacity in 48 major cities by the year 2030. This timeline aligns with broader efforts to modernise rail infrastructure and address rapidly growing passenger demand in urban and peri-urban areas. The plan includes expanding terminals, constructing new platforms, developing additional stabling and maintenance facilities, and upgrading signalling systems. By setting 2030 as the milestone, the initiative aims to future-proof the rail network, reduce congestion at busy stations, improve punctuality, and enhance overall passenger comfort while supporting sustainable economic growth.

Narendra Bhooshan, a senior IAS officer of the 1992 Uttar Pradesh cadre, assumed charge as the Secretary of the Department of Land Resources on April 6, 2026. With over three decades of administrative experience, he has held several key positions at both state and central levels. His previous roles include Additional Chief Secretary for Energy and Technical Education in Uttar Pradesh, as well as leadership positions in infrastructure, science and technology, and urban governance. His extensive experience is expected to contribute significantly to land resource management and rural development initiatives in India.

The 5th Tri-Services Veterans Day parade was organised at Marine Drive and witnessed the participation of over 500 veterans, including gallantry award recipients. The event was flagged off by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and attended by senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Mumbai is notable for being the only city in India to host a city-level Veterans Day parade. The parade commemorates the retirement of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa in 1953, honouring the contributions and sacrifices of veterans across the three services.

Phase-II of the specialised cancer care training programme for BIMSTEC countries was launched at Visakhapatnam, reflecting India’s commitment to regional health cooperation. The programme is hosted at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and aims to strengthen cancer care capacities among participating nations. Health professionals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal are being trained to address the growing cancer burden and disparities in access to treatment. Implemented by the Tata Memorial Centre with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the initiative underscores India’s role in promoting healthcare collaboration across the BIMSTEC region.

The ₹30.01 crore Electronic Warfare project awarded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation to Unistring Tech Solutions will be executed in Hyderabad. The project focuses on developing an advanced EW system with RF signal sensing and processing capabilities tailored to the operational needs of the Indian Armed Forces. Carried out in technical coordination with DRDO laboratories, the initiative supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing and enhancing the country’s electronic warfare preparedness and strategic capabilities.

Gujarat has marked a major milestone in India’s space and aerospace journey with the launch of the country’s first integrated private satellite manufacturing unit at Sanand. The facility, established by Azista Space, will enable end-to-end satellite manufacturing under one roof, reducing dependence on imports and promoting indigenous innovation. The project supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and reflects strong state government backing for advanced technologies. It is expected to generate high-skilled employment, attract advanced investments, and position the state as a growing hub for space technology and high-tech manufacturing in India.

Andhra Pradesh is preparing to launch the ambitious Amaravati Quantum Valley project with the objective of positioning the state as a global centre for quantum research and innovation. The initiative focuses on key areas such as quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum-safe technologies, supported by collaborations with industry leaders like IBM and Tata Consultancy Services and prominent academic institutions. By creating specialised infrastructure, encouraging public–private partnerships, and nurturing skilled talent, the project aligns with India’s broader push toward emerging technologies and aims to strengthen national capabilities in strategic and future-oriented domains.

Gujarat marked a significant milestone by successfully launching its first sounding rocket near Dholera on March 15, 2026. Developed by Ahmedabad-based Omspace Rocket and Exploration Pvt Ltd, the rocket reached an altitude of about 3 kilometers and carried a mini satellite payload for weather data collection. This achievement highlights the growing role of private startups in India’s space sector and reflects the state’s commitment to innovation through its Spacetech Policy 2025–2030. The mission also demonstrated advancements in propulsion, avionics, and lightweight composite materials, strengthening India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology.

Punjab has launched its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana as a pilot initiative aimed at improving animal welfare while addressing public safety concerns related to stray dogs. The sanctuary is designed to manage stray dog populations in a humane and structured manner, following Supreme Court guidelines and Animal Birth Control rules. The initiative focuses on sheltering, sterilisation, vaccination, and controlled management to reduce dog bite incidents in urban areas. As a pilot project, it will help assess effectiveness before being replicated across other districts, creating a sustainable and legally compliant model for stray animal management.

IIT Guwahati has developed an advanced predictive framework to assess glacial hazards in the Eastern Himalayas, addressing rising risks linked to climate change and glacier retreat. By combining high-resolution satellite imagery with digital elevation models, researchers identified 492 locations where glacial lakes may form in the future. The study used sophisticated predictive models, including Bayesian Neural Networks, to improve accuracy and handle uncertainty in complex mountainous terrain. This research supports early warning systems for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, strengthens disaster preparedness, and aids climate-resilient planning, making it valuable for policymakers, disaster managers, and infrastructure planners in fragile Himalayan regions.

Razorpay has collaborated with Sarvam AI to launch innovative voice-first conversational commerce solutions in India. This initiative enables users to search for products, place orders, and complete payments using natural voice interactions in multiple Indian languages, improving accessibility and user experience. The system leverages Sarvam AI’s advanced “agentic stack” to interpret user intent and execute transactions seamlessly without traditional navigation. Early adopters such as Swiggy and The Derma Co have begun integrating this technology, highlighting its scalability and potential to transform digital commerce across diverse linguistic demographics in India.