NATIONAL NEWS

ECI Launched ‘Know Your Candidates’ Feature on ECINet Platform

The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the ‘Know Your Candidates (KYC)’ feature on the ECINet platform ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, aiming to enhance transparency and enable voters to access verified candidate information.

The feature has been introduced in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.

The Know Your Candidates module enables voters to access comprehensive background details of contesting candidates, supporting informed electoral decision-making.

Through this feature, voters can verify criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities, educational qualifications, and verified social media profiles of candidates.

The platform also allows users to download the official Form 26 affidavit, which is mandatorily submitted by candidates during the nomination process.

The ECINet platform is described as the world’s largest electoral service interface, integrating more than 40 applications and portals into a single digital system.

ECINet provides multiple voter-centric services, including voter registration, electoral roll search, application status tracking, grievance redressal, and download of digital voter identity card (electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card – e-EPIC).

The platform also integrates tools such as cVIGIL, which enables citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Another integrated tool is Saksham app, which assists persons with disabilities in accessing election-related services.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NewSpace India Limited Signed MoU with Dhruva Space Private Limited

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dhruva Space Private Limited to collaborate on the design, manufacture, testing, and supply of space-grade solar panels for global satellite manufacturers.

Under the agreement, Dhruva Space Private Limited will leverage NSIL’s programme management and product assurance expertise to scale up manufacturing of space-grade solar panels.

NewSpace India Limited is a wholly owned Government of India company, established on 6 March 2019 under the Companies Act, 2013.

NSIL functions under the Department of Space (DoS) and is responsible for producing, assembling, and integrating launch vehicles with industry support, along with commercialising space-based technologies and services.

As per the Space Solar Cells Market Report 2026, the global space solar cells market is projected to grow from United States Dollar 1.38 billion in 2025 to United States Dollar 1.55 billion in 2026, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.3%, indicating rising demand for satellite solar power technologies globally.

 

BANKING

SEBI to Launch ‘SEBI SETU’ Digital Platform

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is set to launch a digital platform called SEBI SETU to expand the base of Investment Advisers (IAs) in India.

SEBI SETU will act as a single-window interface to simplify registration and compliance processes for advisers.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between over 22 crore demat accounts and less than 1,000 registered investment advisers, highlighting the need for a larger advisory base.

The platform will provide end-to-end regulatory guidance, from registration to ongoing compliance, making it easier for professionals to enter the advisory space.

The move comes amid a surge in retail investor participation, necessitating better access to regulated financial advice.

The SETU will offer simple and comprehensive compliance support to advisers.

SEBI has introduced regulatory relaxations, including allowing advisers to share past performance data using standardised templates approved by ICAI/ICMAI professionals.

Advisers can provide second opinions on financial products, with fees capped at 2.5% of Assets Under Advice (AUA), subject to client consent and disclosures.

Eligibility norms have been simplified, allowing any graduate with certification from the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) to register as an adviser.

Documentation requirements have been reduced, removing the need for CIBIL reports and detailed asset-liability disclosures, easing entry barriers.

SEBI aims to bring more professionals into the regulated advisory framework and reduce the compliance burden on existing participants.

CBDT Launches New Income Tax Portal And Artificial Intelligence-Based ‘Kar Saathi’

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched a new income tax website and an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered assistant ‘Kar Saathi’ to simplify tax filing procedures.

The launch coincides with the nationwide awareness campaign PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat).

The ‘Kar Saathi’ portal provides 24×7 assistance to taxpayers for queries and compliance under the Income Tax Act, 2025.

It features an AI chatbot offering real-time responses and tax-related information in Hindi and English, improving user accessibility.

The new website acts as a unified platform, consolidating income tax forms, filing procedures, and guidelines in one place.

The portal helps taxpayers understand processes like filing returns, updated provisions, and form navigation without relying on in-person support.

Since the launch of PRARAMBH in March 2026, the number of rules has been reduced from 510 to 333 and forms from 399 to 190, simplifying compliance.

These reforms have eliminated requirements for over 6 crore transactions, reducing complexity and compliance burden.

PRARAMBH 2026 is being implemented through print, radio, television, digital platforms, social media, and workshops to enhance taxpayer awareness.

The initiative reflects the government’s focus on process simplification, digitalisation, and taxpayer-friendly reforms under the new tax regime effective April 1, 2026.

NSE and IGX Limited To Introduce India’s First Domestic Benchmark Natural Gas Derivatives

India’s leading stock exchange,the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has announced a strategic collaboration with Indian Gas Exchange Limited (IGX) to launch India’s first exchange-traded natural gas derivatives based on a domestic benchmark with an aim to improve risk management in the gas market.

The initiative has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

NSE will introduce Indian Natural Gas Futures contracts based on the Gas IndeX of India (GIXI) developed by IGX.

The pricing of these derivatives will be linked to actual trades on the IGX platform, ensuring transparent price discovery.

The initiative aims to provide efficient risk management tools for producers, consumers, financial institutions, brokers, and investors.

It will enhance market efficiency, liquidity, and transparency in India’s natural gas market.

Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) is India’s first automated national-level gas trading platform, operating under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).

The collaboration supports NSE’s expansion into domestically benchmarked commodity derivatives, strengthening India’s energy trading ecosystem.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

‘Yashoda and Krishna’ by Raja Ravi Varma Became India’s Most Expensive Artwork

The painting Yashoda and Krishna by Raja Ravi Varma became the most expensive artwork ever sold in India, after being auctioned for ₹167.20 crore (approximately United States Dollar 17.98 million) in Mumbai.

The painting was created in the 1890s and the sale has set a new benchmark for Indian artworks at global auction markets, highlighting the growing international recognition of India’s artistic heritage.

The record surpassed the previous benchmark set by artworks of Maqbool Fida Husain, whose paintings earlier dominated high-value auctions in India.

The painting was purchased by Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman of Serum Institute of India, who described the painting as a national treasure and expressed commitment to preserve it and make it available periodically for public viewing.

Raja Ravi Varma is regarded as one of India’s greatest painters, known for introducing European oil painting techniques into Indian art and blending them with Indian mythological themes.

He played a transformational role in shaping modern Indian art by making mythological depictions more realistic and relatable to the public.

 

DEFENCE

Border Roads Organisation Project Chetak Marks Its 47th Raising Day

Project Chetak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 47th Raising Day at Bikaner, Rajasthan on April 4, 2026.

The project was raised in 1980 and has completed over four decades of dedicated service in the strategically important western sector.

Project Chetak plays a crucial role in infrastructure development and maintenance across Rajasthan, Punjab, and northern Gujarat, enhancing border connectivity and national security.

With the motto ‘Chetak ka Prayas, Desh ka Vikas’, it is one of the largest BRO projects in terms of geographical coverage.

The project covers over 4,000 km of road network and 214 km of Ditch Cum Bund, supporting defence and border management.

It provides critical feeder roads to the International Border, aiding the Defence Forces in strategic mobility.

Continuous efforts are underway to upgrade these roads to National Highway Double Lane specifications, improving infrastructure standards and operational readiness.

INS Sunayna Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR mission boosts maritime cooperation in IOR

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian Navy launched a major maritime initiative to strengthen regional security and maritime cooperation.

The ship INS Sunayna has been flagged off as the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR from Mumbai, reflecting India’s commitment to a free, open, and stable Indian Ocean Region.

The mission was flagged off by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi.

The initiative highlights India’s focus on freedom of navigation and safeguarding critical sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is witnessing increasing maritime competition, extending beyond oil and energy resources to include rare earth elements, seabed minerals, fishing resources, and data infrastructure.

The region is facing growing security challenges such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, armed robbery at sea, and narco-trafficking.

Around 3,700 maritime incidents were reported in the region last year, while narcotics seizures exceeded $1 billion in 2025, indicating rising maritime threats.

The IOS SAGAR mission includes participation from personnel of 16 foreign countries, highlighting strong multilateral maritime cooperation.

The ship will undertake port calls at Colombo, Phuket, Jakarta, Singapore, Chittagong, Yangon, and Male, before concluding at Kochi.

The mission focuses on capacity building and training, including seamanship, navigation, communication, maritime safety, firefighting, damage control, and VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) operations.

The initiative strengthens India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and promotes maritime stability and regional partnership under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

           

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Min Aung Hlaing Elected As President By Myanmar Parliament

Min Aung Hlaing, former Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces), was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union).

The election was held in a parliament dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and appointed armed forces representatives.

Min Aung Hlaing secured 429 out of 584 votes, achieving a clear majority to become President of Myanmar.

Nan Ni Ni Aye and U Nyo Saw were elected as Vice-Presidents of Myanmar.

The elections, held in December–January, were widely criticised by the United Nations and Western governments as a sham to legitimise military rule.

The USDP won over 80% of parliamentary seats, strengthening military influence in governance.

Min Aung Hlaing (69 years) has been the de facto leader of Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, which overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Aung San Suu Kyi was later sentenced to 27 years in prison, drawing widespread international condemnation.

Min Aung Hlaing stepped down as Commander-in-Chief before the election and handed over charge to Ye Win Oo, his close ally.

Uchral Nyam-Osor Elected as Prime Minister of Mongolia

Uchral Nyam-Osor, former Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia and leader of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), was elected as the new Prime Minister of Mongolia.

He became the country’s third Prime Minister in nine months, reflecting ongoing political instability and economic challenges.

The State Great Khural (parliament) voted on March 30, 2026, with 107 of 126 lawmakers participating in the election.

Uchral Nyam-Osor secured 88 votes (82.2%), winning the election to become Mongolia’s Prime Minister.

He succeeded Zandanshatar Gombojav, who resigned on 27 March 2026 to address the political crisis.

At 39 years old, Uchral Nyam-Osor is among the younger leaders in Mongolia’s political landscape.

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan Released Sudha Murty’s Book

Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book ‘Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament’ authored by Sudha Murty, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, at Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi.

The book was published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat and documents the visual archives of the Parliament of India, showcasing India’s civilizational journey through parliamentary murals in an accessible format.

The book covers 124 mural panels, including 58 mural panels commissioned in 1954, tracing India’s history from Indus Valley Civilization (Mohenjo-daro) to Independence in 1947.

The murals highlight India’s traditions of dialogue, diversity and continuity, portraying Bharat as the ‘Mother of Democracy’, rooted in ancient democratic systems such as Vaishali and the Kudavolai system.

The book also explains the significance of heritage symbols such as the Sengol, reflecting the concept of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”, linking India’s cultural traditions with modern governance practices.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Maritime Day 2026

National Maritime Day 2026 was observed across India on 5 April 2026 to recognise the contribution of the maritime sector and seafarers in facilitating India’s trade and commerce globally.

The day is celebrated annually to honour seafarers who spend long durations at sea supporting India’s international shipping and trade operations.

The observance commemorates the historic voyage of SS Loyalty, the first Indian-owned ship, which sailed from Mumbai to the United Kingdom on 5 April 1919.

The ship was operated by Scindia Steam Navigation Company Limited, marking the beginning of India’s modern maritime shipping legacy.

India became a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1959.

The International Maritime Organization is responsible for ensuring maritime safety and security and preventing marine pollution from ships at the global level.