Welcome to Daily Current Affairs for 21 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 Manipur Recalls World War II Legacy Through 1943 Japanese Bombing Memorial
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh unveiled a memorial stone at Khurai Chingambam Leikai, Imphal East, remembering civilians killed in the Japanese bombing of 20 April 1943. Moreover, Imphal became strategically important during World War II because Japanese forces attempted to enter India through Burma. Therefore, this memorial reconnects present-day India with the historic Battle of Imphal, which later became one of the most decisive Allied victories in Asia. This event is important because Northeast India’s wartime role often appears in UPSC questions on military history.
2️⃣ PM VIKAS Skill Partnership Expands Through IIT Patna Collaboration
The Ministry of Minority Affairs signed an MoU with IIT Patna under PM VIKAS to strengthen skill development among minority youth. Moreover, PM VIKAS means Prime Minister’s Virasat Ka Samvardhan, designed to integrate modern technical skills with employability support. Therefore, premier technical institutions are now directly linked to inclusive social development. The scheme covers entrepreneurship, vocational certification, and digital learning. This is important because targeted skilling improves economic participation and supports social inclusion in national development planning.
3️⃣ India’s First Petroglyph Conservation Park Begins in Ladakh
India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park will come up at Sindhu Ghat, Ladakh, where ancient rock engravings preserve prehistoric cultural evidence. Moreover, petroglyphs in Ladakh reflect early trade movements, symbolic art, and trans-Himalayan civilisation links. Therefore, this conservation project formally protects archaeological heritage in a sensitive frontier region. The foundation stone was laid on World Heritage Day, highlighting global heritage preservation values. This point is important because ancient rock art increasingly appears in heritage-related competitive exam questions.
4️⃣ Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao Receives Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award
Agricultural scientist Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao received the 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award in Hyderabad for major contributions to climate-resilient agriculture. Moreover, his work focuses on soil health, adaptive farming systems, and sustainability under changing climatic stress. Therefore, the award gains importance because Indian agriculture now requires productivity under uncertain rainfall and temperature conditions. The recognition coincides with the birth centenary of Dr M.S. Swaminathan, known as the father of India’s Green Revolution.
5️⃣ CBI Launches AI Chatbot ‘Abhay’ Against Digital Fraud
The Central Bureau of Investigation launched AI chatbot ‘Abhay’ to help citizens verify official notices and detect fraudulent digital communications. Moreover, cyber criminals increasingly misuse fake summons, legal threats, and forged documents. Therefore, AI now enters public-facing fraud prevention. The chatbot was unveiled by Chief Justice Surya Kant, showing institutional emphasis on legal technology. This is important because cyber fraud has become one of India’s fastest-growing internal security challenges.
6️⃣ India and South Korea Strengthen Strategic Partnership During Presidential Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed South Korean President Lee Jae-myung during his first state visit to India. Moreover, discussions covered trade, electronics, supply chains, semiconductors, and Indo-Pacific cooperation. Therefore, bilateral engagement gains strategic importance because South Korea is a major technology partner for India. South Korea’s capital is Seoul, currency is Won, and it remains one of Asia’s major industrial economies. This development is important because India–Korea ties increasingly influence semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
7️⃣ ICMR Designs Special Astronaut Diet for Gaganyaan Mission
The ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition developed a specialised nutrition plan for astronauts preparing for Gaganyaan, India’s first human space mission. Moreover, astronaut food must maintain microbial safety, nutritional density, and physiological stability under confined conditions. Therefore, biomedical science now directly supports India’s space programme. Gaganyaan aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit through an indigenous crew module. This point is important because UPSC often links science missions with institutional roles.
8️⃣ Blue Origin Achieves New Glenn Booster Landing Milestone
Blue Origin successfully landed the reused booster of its New Glenn rocket for the first time after launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Moreover, although the onboard satellite failed to reach target orbit, reusable booster recovery remains a major engineering achievement. Therefore, the mission strengthens private-sector competition in reusable space launch systems. New Glenn is designed for heavy-lift missions and future deep-space deployment. This is important because reusable launch technology reduces long-term space mission cost.
9️⃣ SBI Research Projects India’s FY27 Growth at Above 6.8 Percent
SBI Research projected India’s GDP growth between 6.8 and 7.1 percent for FY27, despite oil shocks and West Asia instability. Moreover, the report notes India enters this period after recording 7.6 percent growth in FY26, showing domestic resilience. Therefore, India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies globally. Growth continues to depend on consumption, public investment, manufacturing, and services strength. This point is important because economic projections frequently appear in UPSC prelims and mains.
🔟 Odisha Steel Producers’ Association Elects Asit Tripathy as President
The newly formed Odisha Steel Producers’ Association (OSPA) elected former Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy as its first President. Moreover, Odisha remains India’s leading mineral-rich steel-producing state because of abundant iron ore, coal, and industrial corridors. Therefore, this industry body may influence future policy dialogue on mining, logistics, and green steel transition. Odisha hosts major steel clusters in Kalinganagar, Angul, and Jharsuguda. This is important because industrial associations increasingly shape sectoral policy.
✅ 10 Important MCQs with Description
1. The 1943 Japanese bombing memorial recently unveiled is located in:
A) Kohima
B) Imphal East
C) Aizawl
D) Dimapur
✅ Answer: B) Imphal East
Description: The memorial recalls the 20 April 1943 Japanese air bombing in Manipur during World War II. Imphal later became central to the Battle of Imphal.
2. PM VIKAS scheme mainly targets:
A) Defence research
B) Minority skill development
C) Crop insurance
D) Port modernisation
✅ Answer: B) Minority skill development
Description: PM VIKAS means Prime Minister’s Virasat Ka Samvardhan and focuses on skilling minority youth.
3. India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park is being developed in:
A) Spiti
B) Ladakh
C) Kutch
D) Hampi
✅ Answer: B) Ladakh
4. Prof. M.S. Swaminathan is best known for:
A) White Revolution
B) Green Revolution
C) Space Programme
D) Nuclear Policy
✅ Answer: B) Green Revolution
5. CBI’s AI chatbot launched for fraud prevention is named:
A) Rakshak
B) Abhay
C) Suraksha
D) Nyaya
✅ Answer: B) Abhay
6. South Korea’s capital is:
A) Busan
B) Seoul
C) Incheon
D) Daegu
✅ Answer: B) Seoul
7. Gaganyaan astronaut diet was developed by:
A) DRDO
B) ICMR–NIN
C) ISRO alone
D) CSIR
✅ Answer: B) ICMR–NIN
8. New Glenn rocket belongs to:
A) NASA
B) SpaceX
C) Blue Origin
D) ESA
✅ Answer: C) Blue Origin
9. SBI Research projected India’s FY27 growth at:
A) 5.8–6.1%
B) 6.8–7.1%
C) 7.5–8.2%
D) 4.9–5.5%
✅ Answer: B) 6.8–7.1%
10. Odisha Steel Producers’ Association elected which former official as President?
A) Naveen Patnaik
B) Asit Tripathy
C) Suresh Prabhu
D) Samir Mohanty
✅ Answer: B) Asit Tripathy
UPSC Prelims Model Expected Questions with Description
1. Consider the following statements regarding PM VIKAS:
1. It is implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs.
2. It focuses on skill development and entrepreneurship.
3. IIT Patna has recently joined implementation support.
Which are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2 and 3
D) 1 only
✅ Answer: C) 1, 2 and 3
Description: PM VIKAS integrates minority skill development under a single framework.
2. Petroglyphs refer to:
A) Ancient metal inscriptions
B) Rock engravings made by early humans
C) Palm-leaf manuscripts
D) Temple murals
✅ Answer: B) Rock engravings made by early humans
Description: Petroglyphs help archaeologists study prehistoric human culture.
3. Which of the following correctly matches institution and function?
A) ICMR–NIN — Space nutrition research
B) SBI Research — Election monitoring
C) CBI — Satellite mapping
D) IIT Patna — Currency printing
✅ Answer: A) ICMR–NIN — Space nutrition research
4. Reusable booster landing is important mainly because:
A) It improves customs clearance
B) It reduces launch cost
C) It increases satellite weight
D) It replaces astronauts
✅ Answer: B) It reduces launch cost
5. Which battle is historically associated with Manipur during World War II?
A) Battle of Plassey
B) Battle of Imphal
C) Battle of Panipat
D) Battle of Kohat
✅ Answer: B) Battle of Imphal
Description: The Battle of Imphal was one of the most decisive Allied victories in Asia.
FAQ – Daily Current Affairs 21 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 21 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.