INS Malwan: Second ASW Shallow Water Craft Delivered

🗞️ Why in News The Indian Navy received ‘Malwan,’ the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC), built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at Kochi on March 31, 2026.

Key Facts

  • Part of a series of 8 ASW SWCs under Aatmanirbhar Bharat; over 80% indigenous content
  • Equipped with torpedoes, multi-function anti-submarine rockets, advanced radar and sonar
  • Named after the historic coastal town of Malwan (Maharashtra) associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
  • Capable of Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine warfare

📌 Facts Corner

  • Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi
  • Indigenous content: >80% by cost
  • Classification: DNV rules
  • Malwan: Coastal town in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra

INS Sanshodhak: Survey Vessel (Large) Programme Complete

🗞️ Why in News GRSE, Kolkata delivered INS Sanshodhak, the fourth and final Survey Vessel (Large) to the Indian Navy on March 30, 2026, completing the four-ship SVL programme.

Key Facts

  • Contract for 4 SVL ships signed: October 30, 2018
  • Sister ships: INS Sandhayak (Feb 2024), INS Nirdeshak (Dec 2024), INS Ikshak (Nov 2025)
  • 110 metres long; ~3,400 tonnes; equipped with autonomous underwater vehicles and digital side-scan sonar
  • Designed by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau; >80% indigenous content

📌 Facts Corner

  • Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
  • Displacement: ~3,400 tonnes; Length: 110 m
  • Capability: Hydrographic, oceanographic surveys; port/harbour approach surveys

IRDAI Makes Ind AS Mandatory for Insurers

🗞️ Why in News IRDAI made Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) mandatory for all insurers, life, general, health, and reinsurers, effective April 1, 2026.

Key Facts

  • Aligns India’s insurance financial reporting with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)
  • Key standard: Ind AS 117 for insurance contracts
  • Two-year parallel reporting period permitted; one-year forbearance given for initial non-compliance
  • Ind AS originally notified in 2015 by MCA; now extended to insurance sector

📌 Facts Corner

  • Ind AS: India’s version of IFRS; mandatory for large listed companies since 2016
  • Ind AS 117: Insurance contract accounting standard (equivalent to IFRS 17)
  • IRDAI: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India; established 1999

India Approved First Dengue Vaccine: Qdenga (TAK-003)

🗞️ Why in News India’s drug regulator approved Takeda’s tetravalent dengue vaccine Qdenga (TAK-003) for individuals aged 4–60 years, India’s first approved dengue vaccine.

Key Facts

  • Developed by Japan’s Takeda; 2 doses, 3 months apart; no pre-vaccination screening needed
  • Unlike Sanofi’s Dengvaxia, Qdenga does not require prior dengue infection history
  • Expected cost: Rs 3,000–6,000 per dose (private sector)
  • Lower efficacy against DENV-3 and DENV-4 in seronegative individuals
  • Indian candidate DengiAll (Panacea Biotec + ICMR) in Phase III trials; expected ~2027

📌 Facts Corner

  • Dengue serotypes: 4 (DENV-1 to DENV-4); infection with one doesn’t protect against others
  • Dengvaxia (Sanofi): Requires prior infection; increases severity risk in seronegative recipients
  • Qdenga: Tetravalent; live attenuated; no prior infection needed

India Declared Effectively “Naxal-Free”

🗞️ Why in News Home Minister Amit Shah declared India effectively “Naxal-free” on March 30, 2026, citing security operations that neutralised Maoist strongholds across 180+ districts.

Key Facts

  • 4,839 Maoists surrendered; 2,218 arrested; 706 neutralised in security encounters
  • At peak, Naxalites operated across 180+ districts in mineral-rich tribal areas
  • Development push: schools, Aadhaar, ration cards, state presence in formerly affected areas
  • Experts urge implementation of PESA and Forest Rights Act for lasting peace

📌 Facts Corner

  • Naxalbari (1967): Origin of Naxal movement, West Bengal
  • LWE peak: ~180 districts in 9 states (Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, AP, Telangana, Maharashtra, MP, Bihar, WB)
  • PESA, 1996: Extends Gram Sabha powers to tribal (Schedule V) areas

RoDTEP Scheme Extended to September 2026

🗞️ Why in News The government extended the RoDTEP scheme for six months (April 1 – September 30, 2026) amid West Asia trade disruptions, via DGFT Notification No. 74/2025-26.

Key Facts

  • Covers Central, State, and Local taxes not refunded under GST or Duty Drawback
  • Rates unchanged at 0.3%–3.9% of FOB value; budget allocation FY27: Rs 10,000 crore
  • Replaces MEIS scheme which faced WTO challenges from the US
  • e-scrip valid for 2 years and transferable; administered by DGFT

📌 Facts Corner

  • RoDTEP: Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products; launched January 2021
  • MEIS: Merchandise Exports from India Scheme; discontinued after WTO dispute
  • DGFT: Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Ministry of Commerce

Rare Earth Corridors: Budget 2026-27

🗞️ Why in News Union Budget 2026-27 announced dedicated Rare Earth Corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu for integrated mining, processing, and manufacturing.

Key Facts

  • Targets reducing India’s ~90% dependence on Chinese rare earth processing
  • Builds on November 2025 scheme for Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (Rs 7,280 crore)
  • Key sectors: electronics, renewables, EVs, and defence
  • A Joint Working Group to develop SOPs for corridor development

📌 Facts Corner

  • Rare Earth Elements (REEs): 17 elements (lanthanides + Sc, Y); critical for EVs, defence electronics, wind turbines
  • China’s share: ~90% of global REE processing
  • India’s REE deposits: Monazite beach sands in AP, TN, Kerala, Odisha (2nd largest thorium reserves globally)

Raja Ravi Varma’s “Yashoda and Krishna”: Rs 167.2 Crore Record

🗞️ Why in News Raja Ravi Varma’s oil painting “Yashoda and Krishna” sold for Rs 167.2 crore at Saffronart’s Spring Live Auction, the highest price ever paid for an Indian artwork at auction.

Key Facts

  • Surpasses previous record of ~Rs 118 crore (MF Husain’s “Untitled, Gram Yatra”)
  • Estimated at Rs 80–120 crore; bought by Cyrus Poonawalla (Serum Institute)
  • Painted in the 1890s; Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906), from Kilimanoor, Travancore, Kerala
  • His lithographic press (est. 1894) mass-produced oleograph prints of Hindu deities
  • Works classified as National Treasures; cannot be permanently exported

📌 Facts Corner

  • Raja Ravi Varma: Father of modern Indian art; first Indian artist to use European oil technique on Indian mythological themes
  • Famous works: Shakuntala, Saraswati, Hamsa Damayanti, Yashoda and Krishna
  • Lithographic press (1894): Democratised religious imagery; standardised Hindu deity iconography across India

S-400 Triumf: Final Deliveries Ahead of Schedule

🗞️ Why in News Russia’s remaining two S-400 Triumf squadrons contracted by India are set to arrive ahead of the original 2027 schedule, one in April 2026, the last by November 2026.

Key Facts

  • India contracted 5 S-400 squadrons in a $5.43 billion deal signed October 2018
  • S-400 intercepts aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at ranges up to 400 km
  • Delivery delayed due to Russia–Ukraine conflict impacting Russian defence exports

📌 Facts Corner

  • S-400: Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile system
  • CAATSA risk: US Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act; India given waiver
  • Deal value: ~$5.43 billion (2018); 5 squadrons total

e-GramSwaraj Crosses Rs 3 Lakh Crore Cumulative Payments

🗞️ Why in News India’s Gram Panchayats have routed over Rs 3 lakh crore in payments through e-GramSwaraj; SabhaSaar meeting tool now available in 23 Indian languages.

Key Facts

  • FY26 alone: Rs 53,342 crore transferred via e-GramSwaraj-PFMS interface
  • 2,55,254 Gram Panchayats uploaded development plans; 2,50,807 made online payments in FY26
  • SabhaSaar (AI-powered voice-to-text meeting summarisation) expanded from 13 to 23 languages

📌 Facts Corner

  • e-GramSwaraj: Digital platform for Panchayat planning and accounting; Ministry of Panchayati Raj
  • PFMS: Public Financial Management System for direct benefit transfers
  • SabhaSaar: AI meeting summarisation tool in 23 Indian languages

Bodhana Sivanandan: Britain’s Top Female Chess Player

🗞️ Why in News Eleven-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan (Indian-origin) became Britain’s number one ranked female chess player in April 2026, surpassing four-time British Women’s Champion Lan Yao.

Key Facts

  • FIDE rating: 2366; ranked 72nd among women globally
  • Took up chess during COVID lockdown
  • Beat former Women’s World title holder GM Mariya Muzychuk at European Club Cup (Rhodes)
  • Became the youngest female player to beat a grandmaster (beat GM Peter Wells, aged 10)

📌 Facts Corner

  • FIDE: Fédération Internationale des Échecs; world chess governing body; HQ: Lausanne, Switzerland
  • GM title: Highest FIDE title; requires rating ≥2500 + 3 GM norms
  • Bodhana: Studies in Harrow, London; parents of Indian origin

Indonesia Earthquake (Magnitude 7.4–7.6): Molucca Sea

🗞️ Why in News A 7.4–7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Molucca Sea on April 1–2, 2026, triggering a tsunami warning for Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia.

Key Facts

  • Waves up to 75 cm recorded; warning lifted after threat subsided; one killed
  • Nearly 50 aftershocks; buildings damaged in Manado
  • Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations

📌 Facts Corner

  • Molucca Sea: Part of the western Pacific Ocean; between Sulawesi and Maluku islands
  • Ring of Fire: ~40,000 km horseshoe arc; 75% of world’s volcanoes; 90% of earthquakes
  • Indonesia: 4th most populous country; 17,000+ islands; sits at junction of 3 tectonic plates

Thailand to Host IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings 2026

🗞️ Why in News Thailand will host the 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok (October 12–18), its second time hosting after 1991.

Key Facts

  • Venue: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok
  • 15,000+ participants from 191 member countries expected
  • Theme: “Thailand’s New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience”

📌 Facts Corner

  • IMF: International Monetary Fund; 191 members; HQ: Washington D.C.; MD: Kristalina Georgieva
  • World Bank: 189 members; HQ: Washington D.C.; President: Ajay Banga (Indian-origin)
  • Annual Meetings: Held jointly every year; once every 3 years outside Washington

Odisha Police: President’s Police Colour

🗞️ Why in News The President of India approved the President’s Police Colour, the highest honour for a police force, to Odisha Police on April 1, 2026, the force’s 91st Foundation Day.

Key Facts

  • Recognition for achievements in anti-Naxal operations, cybercrime, and narcotics control
  • Officers entitled to wear a special emblem on the left sleeve as mark of distinction

📌 Facts Corner

  • President’s Police Colour: Highest honour for a police force in India; conferred by President
  • Odisha Police: Founded 1936; HQ: Cuttack

NAAC Reforms and UGC Regulations 2026

🗞️ Why in News New UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education) Regulations 2026 make NAAC accreditation or 60% NBA-accredited programmes mandatory for colleges to receive UGC grants.

Key Facts

  • NAAC established 1994 as autonomous institution under UGC
  • CBI arrested NAAC inspection committee members in Feb 2025 for bribery in A++ accreditation
  • Regulations notified January 13, 2026; uses outcomes-based, data-driven assessment

📌 Facts Corner

  • NAAC: National Assessment and Accreditation Council; autonomous body under UGC; HQ: Bengaluru
  • NBA: National Board of Accreditation; programme-level accreditation (engineering, management)
  • Accreditation grades: A++, A+, A, B++, B+, B, C, D (failing)

GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Drugs: India Crackdown

🗞️ Why in News India’s drug regulators inspected 49 businesses selling GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs amid concerns about non-medical use and counterfeit products.

Key Facts

  • GLP-1 drugs approved for Type 2 diabetes and obesity; can only be prescribed by specialists
  • Originally developed by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly; now widely copied by generics manufacturers
  • Concerns: weight-loss trend-driven misuse and counterfeit products

📌 Facts Corner

  • GLP-1: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1; hormone that stimulates insulin secretion and reduces appetite
  • Examples: Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), Liraglutide (Victoza), Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
  • Mechanism: Slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite, controls blood sugar

Contempt of Court: Constitutional Framework

🗞️ Why in News Recent high-profile cases involving NCERT textbooks and police reform compliance have highlighted India’s contempt powers under Articles 129 and 215.

Key Facts

  • Civil contempt: wilful disobedience of court order
  • Criminal contempt: scandalising the court or obstructing justice
  • Punishment: imprisonment up to 6 months, fine up to Rs 2,000, or both
  • Truth added as valid defence through 2006 amendment (must serve public interest)

📌 Facts Corner

  • Article 129: SC is a court of record; power to punish for contempt
  • Article 215: High Courts are courts of record; similar contempt power
  • Contempt of Courts Act, 1971: Defines civil and criminal contempt; statutory safeguards
  • Inherent powers: SC’s contempt power is self-derived, not delegated by Parliament

FCRA Amendment Bill 2026

🗞️ Why in News The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 seeks to tighten oversight of foreign assets when NGO registrations are cancelled, with a new Designated Authority for asset management.

Key Facts

  • Distinguishes provisional vesting (reversible) and permanent vesting (transferred to government)
  • Expands prohibitions to individuals engaged in news production/broadcast
  • Reduces maximum imprisonment for violations from 5 years to 1 year
  • Appeals allowed to District Judge within 90 days

📌 Facts Corner

  • FCRA, 2010: Regulates foreign contributions to NGOs, associations, and individuals
  • Administered by: Ministry of Home Affairs
  • FCRA purpose: Prevent foreign interference in domestic affairs through funding channels

YUVIKA 2026: ISRO’s Programme for Young Scientists

🗞️ Why in News ISRO’s YUVIKA 2026, a two-week residential space science programme for Class 9 students, is scheduled for May 11–22, 2026 across seven ISRO centres.

Key Facts

  • Fully sponsored: lodging, boarding, course materials, II AC train fare reimbursement
  • Hosted at VSSC, SDSC (Sriharikota), URSC (Bengaluru), SAC (Ahmedabad) and others
  • Selection: academic performance, science Olympiads, NCC/NSS/sports achievements

📌 Facts Corner

  • YUVIKA: YUva VIgyani KAryakram; for Class 9 students; started 2019
  • VSSC: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • SDSC: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (launch site)

Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary: Snow Leopard Research

🗞️ Why in News New research documented snow leopard presence in Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, producing the first photographic evidence.

Key Facts

  • Second largest wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh
  • Located in Bharmour, Chamba district; altitude 2,195–5,040 metres
  • Hosts snow leopards, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan tahr, musk deer

📌 Facts Corner

  • Snow Leopard: Panthera uncia; Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act); Vulnerable (IUCN)
  • Kugti WLS: ~400 sq km; part of the Great Himalayan biodiversity zone
  • Himachal Pradesh largest WLS: Pin Valley National Park / Great Himalayan National Park (UNESCO WHS)

Sadhna Saptah 2026: Mission Karmayogi

🗞️ Why in News PM launched Sadhna Saptah 2026, a week-long national capacity-building programme for civil servants using the iGOT platform.

Key Facts

  • Organised by DoPT; aligns civil service with Viksit Bharat 2047
  • Covers AI, technology, governance reforms, and indigenous knowledge systems
  • Uses iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) digital platform

📌 Facts Corner

  • Mission Karmayogi: National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building; launched 2020
  • iGOT: Integrated Government Online Training Karmayogi platform
  • DoPT: Department of Personnel and Training under Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions

📌 Combined Facts Corner: April 2, 2026

Naval deliveries: INS Malwan (ASW SWC #2, CSL) + INS Sanshodhak (SVL #4, GRSE), both >80% indigenous Dengue vaccine: Qdenga (TAK-003, Takeda), India’s first; 2 doses; no prior screening needed Naxalism: 4,839 surrendered; 2,218 arrested; 706 neutralised, declared effectively “Naxal-free” RoDTEP: Extended April 1 – September 30, 2026; rates 0.3–3.9% of FOB value Rare Earth Corridors: Odisha, Kerala, AP, Tamil Nadu, reduces China’s ~90% processing monopoly Raja Ravi Varma: “Yashoda and Krishna” sold Rs 167.2 cr (record); born Kilimanoor, Kerala, 1848 S-400: $5.43 bn deal (2018); 5 squadrons; final 2 to arrive April–November 2026 Qdenga vs Dengvaxia: Qdenga, no prior infection needed; Dengvaxia, requires seropositivity Contempt of Court: Articles 129 (SC) + 215 (HC); Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Source: Current Affairs Today: 2 April 2026 — Ujiyari.com | Free UPSC & State PCS Current Affairs