Current Affairs Today — April 24, 2026

Today’s Top Stories

1. Pakistan Withdraws from SAFF Women’s Championship 2026

Pakistan officially withdrew from the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship hosted by India, citing failure to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from relevant authorities amid India-Pakistan tensions following the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. The tournament will now proceed with six teams — India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives — at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa, from May 25 to June 6, 2026.

Key Facts:

• Tournament: SAFF Women’s Championship 2026
• Host venue: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa
• Dates: May 25 – June 6, 2026
• Teams remaining: 6 (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives)
• Reason for withdrawal: No NOC issued; India-Pakistan diplomatic strain
• Organiser: South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)

2. ReNew Energy’s 6.5 GW Solar Ingot-Wafer Facility in Anakapalli, AP

ReNew Energy Global announced investment of ₹4,200 crore to establish a 6.5 GW solar ingot-wafer manufacturing facility in Anakapalli district (near Visakhapatnam), Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone. The facility is part of ReNew’s ₹82,000 crore commitment to Andhra Pradesh and is expected to create 2,100+ direct and indirect jobs when commissioned within 24 months.

Key Facts:

• Company: ReNew Energy Global Plc
• Investment: ₹4,200 crore
• Capacity: 6.5 GW solar ingot-wafer manufacturing
• Location: Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh
• Foundation stone: CM N. Chandrababu Naidu
• Jobs: 2,100+ direct and indirect
• Part of: ₹82,000 crore total AP commitment by ReNew

3. NSO Launches First-Ever ASISSE Services Sector Survey

The National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), launched the first-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) covering all States and Union Territories with a reference period of FY 2024–25. With a sample of ~1.21 lakh enterprises, it will generate data on India’s services sector which contributes more than 50% of GDP.

Key Facts:

• Survey: Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)
• Launched by: NSO / MoSPI
• Coverage: All States and UTs
• Reference period: FY 2024–25
• Sample size: ~1.21 lakh enterprises
• Entities covered: Companies under Companies Act 1956/2013 and LLP Act 2008
• Services sector share: 50%+ of India’s GDP

4. Manipur Conflict — Three-Year Mark: 217 Killed, 58,800+ Displaced

The Manipur ethnic conflict, which began on May 3, 2023 between the Meitei community (valley) and Kuki-Zo groups (hills), has entered its third year with 217 deaths and over 58,800 persons displaced as of March 2026. Fresh violence in April 2026 included the killing of a 5-year-old boy and his 6-month-old sister in Bishnupur district. The state government lifted restrictions across five Valley districts on April 18, 2026.

Key Facts:

• Conflict: Manipur ethnic violence (Meitei vs Kuki-Zo)
• Duration: Since May 3, 2023 (3 years)
• Deaths: 217 (as of March 2026)
• Displaced: 58,821 persons
• Recent violence: Bishnupur district (children killed, April 2026)
• Restrictions lifted: Five valley districts, April 18, 2026

5. IMD Issues Severe Heatwave Warning for North and Central India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a severe heatwave warning for North and Central India from April 23–27, 2026, with temperatures projected at up to 44°C — 4–5°C above normal. East and West Uttar Pradesh are under “severe heatwave” alerts; Vidarbha region of Maharashtra faces an “extreme heat warning.” The IMD’s April–June 2026 seasonal forecast warns of above-normal heatwave days across East, Central, Northwest, and Peninsular India.

Key Facts:

• Alert: Severe heatwave, April 23–27, 2026
• Peak temperature: Up to 44°C (4–5°C above normal)
• Worst-hit: East/West UP (severe); Vidarbha, Maharashtra (extreme)
• Forecast: Above-normal heatwave days across most of India (Apr–Jun)
• Issuing authority: India Meteorological Department (IMD)
• Risk groups: Elderly, children, outdoor workers

6. State of India’s Environment 2026 Report — CSE

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released the State of India’s Environment 2026 annual report highlighting that seven of nine planetary boundaries have been breached globally; extreme weather caused 4,419 deaths in India in 2025; only 15% of India’s population lives within 10 km of an air quality monitoring station; and the invasive plant Lantana camara now occupies nearly 50% of forest scrublands, intensifying human-wildlife conflict.

Key Facts:

• Published by: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
• Planetary boundaries breached globally: 7 of 9
• Extreme weather deaths in India (2025): 4,419
• Air quality monitoring coverage: Only 15% of population within 10 km
• Lantana camara: ~50% of forest scrubland occupied — intensifying tiger conflict
• Ocean acidity increase: 30–40% since industrial era

7. Poshan Pakhwada 8th Edition Concludes

The Ministry of Women and Child Development concluded the 8th edition of Poshan Pakhwada (April 9–23, 2026) with the theme “Maximising Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life.” The campaign focuses on early childhood nutrition under the POSHAN 2.0 framework and aligns with NEP 2020’s emphasis on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) as foundational to learning outcomes.

Key Facts:

• Campaign: Poshan Pakhwada, 8th Edition
• Duration: April 9–23, 2026
• Theme: “Maximising Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life”
• Ministry: Women and Child Development
• Framework: POSHAN 2.0
• Relevance: ECCE, NEP 2020, stunting and wasting reduction targets

Quick Bites

• NARIT-AI: Gujarat Police launched NARIT-AI (Narcotics Analysis and RAG-based Investigation Tool) — an AI tool built on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology to assist in NDPS case analysis and improve conviction rates
• India GDP Rank: India slipped to 6th globally ($3.9–4.2 trillion nominal) due to rupee depreciation — India remains 3rd largest by PPP
• UN Economic Survey: India’s economy projected to grow 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027 (UN Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026)

Facts Corner