Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (28th April, 2026)

National News

IRCTC Launches 14-Day Bharat–Bhutan Mystic Mountain Tour from New Delhi

• Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has launched the “Bharat-Bhutan Mystic Mountain Tour,” a 14-day rail-cum-road journey starting from New Delhi aboard the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train.
• The tour covers Northeast destinations like Guwahati, Shillong, and Cherrapunji, before entering Bhutan via Phuentsholing and extending to Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro.
• It offers premium facilities including deluxe cabins, dining, guided sightseeing, hotel stays, and transport, with packages starting around ₹1.16 lakh per person.
• The initiative promotes tourism, enhances India–Bhutan connectivity, and offers a seamless luxury travel experience across scenic and cultural destinations.

NITI Aayog Launches DPI@2047 Plan, Targets $30 Trillion Economy and $18,000 Per Capita Income

• NITI Aayog has unveiled the “DPI@2047: The Roadmap to Prosperity,” aiming to transform India into a $30 trillion economy by 2047 through Digital Public Infrastructure.
• The strategy outlines two phases—DPI 2.0 (2025–2035) to build digitally empowered citizens, and DPI 3.0 (2035–2047) to drive innovation-led growth and global competitiveness.
• Building on successes like Aadhaar and Unified Payments Interface, it focuses on MSMEs, agriculture, jobs, education, and healthcare.
• Aligned with the Viksit Bharat vision, the roadmap emphasizes inclusion, productivity, and innovation to boost incomes and long-term economic growth.

Safe Highway Travel is Fundamental Right Under Article 21, Rules Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court of India has ruled that safe travel on National Highways is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.
• The court held that the right to life includes safe and secure movement, making the state responsible for preventing avoidable road accidents caused by poor infrastructure or negligence.
• It ordered strict measures, including removal of illegal roadside dhabas and encroachments, and a ban on unauthorized parking on highways except at designated areas.
• The judgment came after fatal accidents exposed major safety gaps and also mandates stronger institutional enforcement for highway safety.

Symbiosis University Launches Asia’s First UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development

• Symbiosis Skills and Professional University has launched Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development, aiming to boost women’s participation in future-focused industries.
• The initiative, inaugurated by Jayant Chaudhary in collaboration with UNESCO, focuses on sectors like AI, robotics, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.
• Led by Swati Mujumdar, it has already trained over 10,000 girls and promotes mentorship, research, and industry collaboration.
• This move positions India at the forefront of global efforts to bridge gender gaps in skills and prepare women for high-growth careers.

State News

Ladakh to Get Five New Districts, Boosting Decentralised Governance and Development

• Ladakh will have five new districts—Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass—expanding its total from two (Leh and Kargil) to seven, following approval by Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena.
• The move is aimed at strengthening decentralized governance, improving administrative efficiency, and addressing long-standing local demands in remote regions.
• It is expected to enhance public service delivery, boost infrastructure, and create economic opportunities through better regional planning and development.
• This step is part of broader reforms after the Article 370 revocation, focusing on improved governance and growth in border areas.

International News

India and New Zealand Sign Landmark Trade Deal to Boost Investment and Exports

• The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement was signed at Bharat Mandapam by Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay, marking a major step in strengthening bilateral economic ties.
• The agreement grants 100% duty-free access to Indian exports in New Zealand, benefiting sectors like textiles, leather, engineering goods, and processed foods, especially boosting MSMEs and job creation.
• India has opened about 70% of its tariff lines while protecting sensitive sectors like dairy and agriculture, ensuring balanced trade with safeguards such as quotas on select imports.
• It also expands opportunities in services, investment, and skilled mobility, while promoting MSMEs, agriculture, and cultural exchange, laying a strong foundation for long-term trade growth.

Banking News

MobiKwik Receives RBI NBFC Approval, Set to Enter Digital Lending Space

• One MobiKwik Systems has received NBFC approval from the Reserve Bank of India, enabling it to enter the regulated lending space.
• The company will launch MobiKwik Financial Services Private Limited to offer loans and expand its credit portfolio.
• This marks a strategic shift from payments to full-scale financial services, backed by its large user base and tech-driven risk systems.
• The move strengthens MobiKwik’s growth prospects and highlights the rising role of NBFCs in expanding digital credit access in India.

Business News

Visa Appoints Suresh Sethi as Group Country Manager for India and South Asia

• Visa Inc. has appointed Suresh Sethi as the Group Country Manager for India and South Asia, marking a key leadership move to drive digital payments growth in the region.
• Based in Mumbai, he will oversee operations across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan, reporting to Stephen Karpin.
• He succeeds Sandeep Ghosh, at a time when digital payments are rapidly expanding across South Asia.
• Previously, as CEO of Protean e-Gov Technologies, Sethi played a major role in advancing digital governance and fintech innovation.

Awards News

Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards 2026 Honour Sumitra Guha, Laxman Krishnarao Pandit

• The Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards were held in New Delhi on April 17, 2026, honoring stalwarts of Indian classical music.
• Renowned artists Sumitra Guha and Laxman Krishnarao Pandit were recognized for their lifelong contributions to preserving musical heritage.
• Organized in memory of Jyotsna Darda, the awards aim to promote classical traditions and encourage emerging talent across India.
• The ceremony at Dr Ambedkar International Centre featured dignitaries and performances by Kailash Kher, with the event expanding to multiple cities nationwide.

Appointments News

Steel Authority of India Names Dilip Kumar as Chief Vigilance Officer

• Dilip Kumar has taken charge as the Chief Vigilance Officer of Steel Authority of India Limited on April 27, 2026, aiming to strengthen transparency and accountability within the PSU.
• A senior officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers, he brings over two decades of experience in operations, maintenance, and human resource management across Indian Railways.
• He has held key roles in East Central Railway and contributed to innovations like ISO-certified trains and advanced wagon maintenance techniques.
• An alumnus of IIT BHU with global training exposure, he has also received national awards for service and innovation.

Sports News

Virat Kohli Becomes First Player to Reach 9000 IPL Runs in Historic Milestone

• Virat Kohli created history in the Indian Premier League by becoming the first player ever to score 9,000 IPL runs, achieving the milestone during a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
• He reached the landmark in his 275th match, completing it with a single in the sixth over and further extending his dominance as the league’s most consistent batter.
• Kohli now stands far ahead of other IPL legends in total runs and continues to set new benchmarks in franchise cricket with unmatched consistency.
• He is also close to several other records, including becoming the first player to score 1,200 T20 runs against a single team and reaching 8,000 IPL runs in India.

P. V. Sindhu Gets Voting Role in BWF Council, Becomes Voice of Athletes in Global Badminton

• P. V. Sindhu has joined the Badminton World Federation Council as a voting member after being elected Chair of the Athletes’ Commission.
• She made her debut at the BWF Annual General Meeting in Horsens, representing players at the highest decision-making level.
• As a council member, Sindhu will help shape global badminton policies while voicing athletes’ interests, marking a rare instance of an active player holding such influence.
• BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul welcomed her inclusion, emphasizing the importance of athlete representation in governance.

Important Days News

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026: Focus on Safer Work Environments

• World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed on April 28 and led by the International Labour Organization to promote safe, healthy, and dignified working conditions worldwide.
• The 2026 theme, “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organizations,” emphasizes mental well-being, stress reduction, fair workload distribution, and supportive leadership in workplaces.
• The day traces its origins to worker safety movements and was formally established by the ILO in 2003, building on earlier global efforts to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities.
• It highlights both physical and mental safety, encouraging governments and employers to strengthen occupational health standards and prevent workplace risks.

Current Affairs Today | 28th April 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam