Current Affairs Today — April 25, 2026

Today’s Top Stories

1. Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 — 784 Provisions Decriminalised

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, passed by both Houses of Parliament, decriminalises 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 ministries — converting criminal penalties (imprisonment) into civil/administrative penalties for minor or technical defaults. Introduced in Lok Sabha on March 27, 2026 by MoS Commerce Jitin Prasada, the Act introduces graded enforcement: advisory for first contravention → warning for second → civil penalty for subsequent violations. It amends laws including the RBI Act, Food Safety Act, Motor Vehicles Act, Railways Act, and Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Key Facts:

• Acts amended: 79 Central Acts across 23 Ministries
• Provisions: 784 total — 717 decriminalised; 67 for ease of living
• Approach: criminal → civil/administrative penalties with graded enforcement
• Introduced: March 27, 2026 (Lok Sabha); MoS Commerce Jitin Prasada
• Follows: Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 (Phase 1 — 183 provisions, 42 Acts)
• Objective: Ease of Doing Business + Ease of Living; trust-based governance

2. World Bank South Asia Economic Update (April 2026) — India GDP 7.6% FY26

The World Bank’s South Asia Economic Update (April 2026), themed “Working with Industrial Policy”, projects India’s GDP growth at 7.6% for FY2025-26 — moderating to 6.6% in FY2026-27 due to Middle East conflict-driven energy price pressures. South Asia remains the fastest-growing EMDE (Emerging Market and Developing Economy) region globally, driven almost entirely by India. Key risks: geopolitical energy price shocks, weaker external demand, constrained fiscal space.

Key Facts:

• India GDP (FY26 estimate): 7.6% (fastest among major economies)
• India GDP (FY27 projection): 6.6% (moderation due to global headwinds)
• South Asia growth: 6.3% in 2026, down from 7% in 2025
• Report theme: Working with Industrial Policy
• Published: April 8, 2026
• Risk: Middle East conflict → higher energy prices → inflation pressure

3. India Welcomes Japan’s Defence Export Policy Shift — Mogami-Class Frigates Offered

India’s MEA welcomed Japan’s April 21 amendment to its Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology — effectively lifting blanket restrictions on defence exports. Japan has also offered India co-production of Mogami-class stealth frigates — advanced multi-role warships that could be built in Indian shipyards under a joint framework. Both countries also held the 8th India-Japan Army-to-Army Staff Talks in Tokyo (April 22–24).

Key Facts:

• Japan’s policy: Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology (amended April 21, 2026)
• Change: All defence equipment transfers now possible in principle
• Offer: Mogami-class stealth frigates — co-production in India
• Staff Talks: 8th India-Japan Army-to-Army Staff Talks, Tokyo, April 22–24
• Context: India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership
• Significance: Opens co-development, supply chain integration, tech transfer

4. India’s Landfills Among World’s Top Methane Emitters — Hyderabad 4th, Mumbai 12th

A UCLA study using data from Planet Labs’ Tanager-1 satellite and NASA’s EMIT instrument (on the International Space Station) found that India has two landfills among the world’s 25 highest methane-emitting waste sites in 2025:

• Jawaharnagar landfill (Secunderabad/Hyderabad): 4th globally — emitting 5.9 tonnes/hour; operator: Ramky Enviro Engineers
• Mumbai landfill: 12th globally — emitting 4.9 tonnes/hour; operator: Antony Waste Handling Cell Ltd A source emitting 5 t/hr of methane is equivalent to 1 million large SUVs or a 500 MW coal plant.

Key Facts:

• Study: UCLA; Report — Spotlight on the Top 25 Methane Plumes in 2025: Landfills
• Data sources: Tanager-1 (Planet Labs) + EMIT (NASA, aboard ISS)
• Hyderabad (Jawaharnagar): 4th globally — 5.9 t/hr; operator: Ramky Enviro Engineers
• Mumbai: 12th globally — 4.9 t/hr; operator: Antony Waste Handling Cell Ltd
• Equivalent warming: ~1 million SUVs or a 500 MW coal plant
• India in global top 25: 2 sites

5. SHANTI Act + India’s 100 GW Nuclear Target by 2047

CEA Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad announced India’s target to expand nuclear power capacity from 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047 (over 11x increase). The legal foundation — the SHANTI Act (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India), passed in Parliament in late 2025 — replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010, and opens the nuclear sector to private sector participation for the first time. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is not permitted.

Key Facts:

• SHANTI: Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India
• Passed: late 2025; replaces Atomic Energy Act 1962 + CLNDA 2010
• Key change: Private Indian companies can now build, own, operate nuclear plants (no FDI)
• Target: 8.8 GW → 100 GW by 2047 (CEA Chairman Ghanshyam Prasad)
• Bharat Small Reactors (BSR): 220 MW units; RFP from private sector issued
• Regulator: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) continues oversight

6. Thrissur Pooram Fireworks Tragedy — 15 Dead, Festival Goes Fireworks-Free

A fireworks assembly unit at Mundathikode, Thrissur district (Kerala), exploded on April 21, 2026 killing 15 people and injuring 40+, as workers assembled crackers for the Thrissur Pooram festival — one of India’s grandest temple festivals, organised by Thiruvambady Devaswom. Safety violations included: overcrowded unlicensed sheds, explosives exceeding permitted limits, no fire safety clearance, no access road for fire engines. Authorities decided to conduct Thrissur Pooram 2026 without fireworks and restricted public entry.

Key Facts:

• Incident: April 21, 2026; Mundathikode, Thrissur, Kerala
• Killed: 15; Injured: 40+ (5 critical)
• Purpose: Assembling fireworks for Thiruvambady Devaswom (Thrissur Pooram)
• Violations: No proper license, no fire safety clearance, overcrowded sheds, excess explosives
• Festival decision: Thrissur Pooram 2026 without fireworks; restricted public entry
• Regulator: PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation)

7. Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) — Rules Notified, Operational May 1

MeitY notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 on April 22, establishing the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) — operational from May 1, 2026. Under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROGA) Act, 2025, OGAI will be chaired by the Additional Secretary, MeitY, and include officials from MHA, Finance, I&B, Sports, and Law ministries. OGAI will register and monitor online games, oversee e-sports, and issue directions on user safety, data retention, grievance redressal, and financial transactions.

Key Facts:

• Authority: Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI)
• Parent Act: Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROGA) Act, 2025
• Rules notified: April 22, 2026; operational: May 1, 2026
• Ministry: MeitY (Electronics and Information Technology)
• Chair: Additional Secretary, MeitY
• Functions: Registration, monitoring, user safety, e-sports oversight, grievance redressal
• Registration: Mandatory for e-sports; optional for non-monetary social games

Quick Bites

• SCO Defence Ministers Meeting: Rajnath Singh to visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (April 28) for SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting — Pakistan’s Gen. Asim Munir also expected; India to raise cross-border terrorism
• Operation Sindoor Anniversary: On Pahalgam attack’s first anniversary (April 22), Indian Army reaffirmed “for acts against India, response is assured”; Operation Sindoor struck 9 terror camps in Pakistan/PoK on May 7–10, 2025 — killed 100+ terrorists
• Calamaria garoensis: New snake species discovered in Garo Hills, Meghalaya — a reed snake of the genus Calamaria, adding to NE India’s herpetofaunal diversity

Facts Corner