Current Affairs Today — April 22, 2026

Top Stories — April 22, 2026

1. World Earth Day 2026 — “Our Power, Our Planet”

April 22 marks the 56th Earth Day with the global theme “Our Power, Our Planet”, calling for a tripling of global clean electricity generation by 2030. India announced expansion of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) to include a “Net-Zero Households” incentive scheme — covering rooftop solar, rainwater harvesting, and waste segregation for BPL families. India’s major tech firms also pledged 100% renewable energy supply chains by 2030. Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970 in the United States. The UNFCCC COP process and Paris Agreement are the primary international legal frameworks for climate action.

2. Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance 2026

The Meghalaya Cabinet approved an ordinance granting Khasi and Garo languages full official status alongside English in the state. This is significant as Khasi and Garo are among the 22 scheduled languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Meghalaya is the only state where both Khasi (an Austroasiatic language) and Garo (a Tibeto-Burman language) coexist as dominant languages. The move addresses long-standing demands from tribal communities. Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution protect minority language rights.

3. AI in Policing — From Reactive to Predictive Investigation

A government policy paper on AI integration in law enforcement highlights how machine learning and CCTV analytics are transforming policing from reactive crime response to predictive investigation. Pilot programmes in Delhi and Hyderabad use AI to identify crime hotspots, match suspects via facial recognition, and manage case evidence digitally. Key concerns: algorithmic bias, privacy rights (Personal Data Protection Act, 2023), and accountability frameworks for AI-aided arrests.

4. Kankaria Coaching Depot — India’s First Water-Neutral Railway Facility

Ahmedabad’s Kankaria Coaching Depot has achieved water-neutral status — the first such railway facility in India — through a combination of rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and solar-powered water treatment. The depot now meets 100% of its water needs from recycled and harvested sources. This aligns with Indian Railways’ Green Mission targets and the broader National Water Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

5. India Post FY2025-26 — Record ₹15,296 Crore Revenue

India Post recorded its highest-ever revenue of ₹15,296 crore in FY2025-26, driven by growth in financial services (Post Office Savings Bank, postal life insurance) and logistics (parcel and e-commerce delivery). The PLI (Postal Life Insurance) scheme for food processing emerged as a key growth vertical. India Post operates the world’s largest postal network — ~1.65 lakh post offices across India, with ~90% in rural areas.

6. Core Sector Output — Warning Signs for the Economy

India’s eight core sector industries (coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement, electricity) showed a contraction in March 2026, signalling a potential slowdown in industrial momentum. The core sector accounts for ~41% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Cement and electricity showed the sharpest declines, raising concerns ahead of the RBI’s monetary policy review.

7. DRDO’s Prajna Satellite Imaging System — MHA Integration

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has integrated DRDO’s Prajna satellite imaging system into its national security surveillance infrastructure. Prajna provides real-time high-resolution imaging of sensitive border areas and conflict zones, enabling faster intelligence-to-action cycles. This is part of India’s broader Space-based Surveillance Programme and aligns with the Defence Space Agency (DSA) mandate. Prajna works alongside the RISAT and Cartosat satellite constellations.

Key Facts at a Glance