PIB’s April 2026 backgrounders and New India Samachar issues (Vol 6, Issues 19-20) cover a landmark month: the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor’s first criticality, 11 years of MUDRA, the biggest decriminalisation bill yet, the panchayat report card, the Naxal-free milestone and National Maritime Day.
Features in This Edition
- PFBR Attains First Criticality - India enters Stage 2 of the three-stage nuclear programme (April 6); second country after Russia with a commercial fast breeder
- 11 Years of PM MUDRA Yojana - 57.79 crore loans, Rs 40.07 lakh crore sanctioned; women hold ~60 percent of accounts
- Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 - 784 provisions across 79 Acts and 23 Ministries decriminalised or eased
- Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0 + 6 Years of SVAMITVA - 2.59 lakh GPs scored on 150 indicators; 2.65 crore+ property cards
- From Red Corridor to Green Growth Corridor - LWE districts down from 126 (2014) to 11 (December 2025); incidents down 88 percent since 2010
- National Maritime Day Special - Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: about Rs 80 lakh crore investment, 1.5 crore jobs; India 22nd on LPI international shipments
Key Data at a Glance
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| PFBR Kalpakkam | 500 MWe; first criticality April 6, 2026; BHAVINI-built, IGCAR-designed |
| Nuclear trajectory | 8.78 GW now; 22.38 GW by 2031-32; 100 GW by 2047 (Nuclear Energy Mission) |
| MUDRA at 11 | 57.79 crore loans; Rs 40.07 lakh crore; Tarun Plus ceiling Rs 20 lakh |
| Jan Vishwas 2026 | 79 Acts, 23 Ministries, 784 provisions (2023 Act: 42 Acts, 183 provisions) |
| PAI 2.0 | 2,59,867 GPs; 3,635 Front Runners; zero Achievers |
| SVAMITVA at 6 | 2.65 crore+ property cards; 3.29 lakh villages drone-surveyed |
| Naxal-free push | 126 districts (2014) to 11 (Dec 2025); deadline March 31, 2026 |
| Maritime 2047 | ~Rs 80 lakh crore investment; LPI international shipments 44th to 22nd |
| JJM 2.0 (Cabinet) | Rs 8.69 lakh crore outlay; extended to December 2028; 19.36 crore households |
UPSC GS Relevance
- GS2: governance reform (Jan Vishwas), Panchayati Raj (PAI, SVAMITVA)
- GS3: nuclear energy, financial inclusion, internal security, ports and logistics
