Welcome to Daily Current Affairs for 26 April 2026. In this article, you will get the most important national and international current affairs with short explanations. Additionally, you will find exam-important one-liners and MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways and State government exams.
1️⃣ Skyroot’s Vikram-1 Moves to Sriharikota for India’s First Private Orbital Launch
India’s private space sector reached a major milestone as Skyroot Aerospace dispatched the Vikram-1 flight hardware from Hyderabad to Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, in the presence of Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Moreover, Vikram-1 is designed to become India’s first privately built orbital rocket capable of placing small satellites into low Earth orbit. The launch is expected in June 2026 under IN-SPACe authorisation with ISRO technical oversight. Therefore, India’s space sector is moving from state-led missions to startup-led launch capability. Vikram-1 uses carbon composite structures and 3D-printed engines, which reduce cost and assembly time. This is important because private launch systems will expand India’s role in the global small-satellite market.
2️⃣ NITI Aayog Reconstituted with Ashok Kumar Lahiri as Vice Chairperson
The Government of India has reconstituted NITI Aayog, appointing noted economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri as its new Vice Chairperson, replacing Suman K. Bery. Moreover, Lahiri is widely known for contributions in fiscal policy, tax reform, and public finance, and he earlier served in senior positions in the Finance Ministry and as Chief Economic Adviser. Therefore, his appointment is significant because NITI Aayog guides long-term economic strategy, cooperative federalism, and sectoral reform design. NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015 and functions as the government’s premier policy think tank. This development is important because institutional leadership often influences policy direction in areas such as manufacturing, agriculture, and digital governance.
3️⃣ Digital Panels Restore Recognition to 33,000 Indian Soldiers at Basra Memorial
More than 33,000 Indian Army soldiers who died during World War I and were missing from the Basra Memorial in Iraq have now been formally recognised through new digital memorial panels installed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Moreover, these soldiers served in the Mesopotamia Campaign, where Indian troops formed a major part of British imperial military operations in West Asia. Therefore, this initiative corrects a long-standing historical omission and restores archival dignity to forgotten Indian war casualties. The Basra theatre remains historically important because Indian soldiers fought extensively in Iraq, Palestine, and Persia during World War I. This matters for exams because India’s military contribution to global wars often appears in modern history and international relations questions.
4️⃣ India Extends Lead in ISSF Junior World Cup with More Shooting Medals
India continued its strong performance at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Cairo by winning one gold and one bronze medal on the seventh day of competition. Vanshika Chaudhary and Chirag Sharma secured gold in the 10 metre air pistol mixed team event, while Mohini Singh and Himanshu Rana won bronze. Moreover, India now leads the medal tally with five gold, five silver, and four bronze medals. Therefore, India’s junior shooting pipeline remains one of the strongest globally. Egypt has increasingly hosted major ISSF competitions because of its modern shooting infrastructure. This development is important because junior success often predicts Olympic-level medal depth in future cycles.
5️⃣ Hockey Veteran Gurbax Singh Grewal Remembered for Olympic Legacy.
Veteran Indian hockey player Gurbax Singh Grewal passed away at the age of 84 after a heart attack. Moreover, he was part of India’s 1968 Mexico City Olympic bronze medal-winning team, a period when India was transitioning from global dominance to stronger international competition. Therefore, his death marks the loss of an important link to India’s classical hockey generation. After retirement, he served in Indian Railways and actively supported grassroots hockey in Mumbai. His contribution reflects the long-standing role of public sector institutions in nurturing Indian sports talent. This is important because former Olympians often shaped the sports ecosystem beyond active competition.
UPSC-Level Prelims MCQs
1. Consider the following statements about Vikram-1 rocket:
1. Vikram-1 is being developed by Skyroot Aerospace.
2. It will be India’s first privately built orbital launch vehicle.
3. The launch will take place from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
4. The rocket is designed only for geostationary satellite launches.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
Vikram-1 is a private orbital rocket developed by Skyroot Aerospace and will launch from Sriharikota for placing small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Statement 4 is incorrect.
2. With reference to NITI Aayog, consider the following statements:
NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015.
The Prime Minister of India serves as its Chairperson.
The Vice-Chairperson is appointed by the President of India.
NITI Aayog functions as a policy think tank for cooperative federalism.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
✅ Answer: A
Explanation:
The Vice Chairperson is appointed by the Prime Minister, not the President. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the Basra Memorial:
It commemorates soldiers who died during the Mesopotamia Campaign in World War I.
It is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Recently, digital panels were installed to recognise previously unrecorded Indian soldiers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Explanation:
The Basra Memorial in Iraq honours soldiers from the Mesopotamia Campaign (WWI). The CWGC installed digital panels to recognise about 33,000 Indian soldiers.
4. Consider the following statements about the ISSF Junior World Cup:
It is organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation.
The competition includes events like air pistol, rifle and shotgun disciplines.
Egypt has recently hosted the ISSF Junior World Cup in Cairo.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 2 and 3 only
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
The ISSF Junior World Cup is organised by ISSF and includes multiple shooting disciplines. Cairo hosted the recent edition where India led the medal tally.
5. Consider the following statements about Gurbax Singh Grewal:
He was part of the Indian hockey team that won a bronze medal at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
He played as a forward in Indian hockey.
After retirement, he contributed to grassroots hockey development.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Explanation:
Gurbax Singh Grewal was a forward in the Indian hockey team, won Olympic bronze in 1968, and later contributed to grassroots hockey development.FAQ – Daily Current Affairs 26 April 2026
Q1. Which exams require daily current affairs preparation?
UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence and State PSC exams require daily current affairs preparation.
Q2. How can I revise current affairs quickly?
You should revise one-liners daily and practice MCQs regularly for better retention.
Q3. Is this current affairs useful for UPSC prelims?
Yes, it is useful for UPSC prelims as it includes national, international, economy, schemes and sports updates.
✅ Conclusion
Daily Current Affairs 26 April 2026 provides important news updates with exam-focused revision points and MCQs. Keep visiting our website daily for the latest updates and PDF notes.Images are not actual its AI generated for better informative.