Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (11th April, 2026)

National News

Former Delhi HC Judge Yashwant Varma Tenders Resignation to The President Murmu

• Yashwant Varma resigned as a judge of the Delhi High Court after submitting his resignation to Droupadi Murmu amid controversy over alleged burnt cash recovered from his residence.
• The issue began in March 2025 following a fire incident, leading to an in-house inquiry ordered by then CJI Sanjiv Khanna.
• As no resignation initially followed, impeachment proceedings were initiated under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
• The case highlights that judges can be removed by the President under Articles 124 and 218 for “proven misbehaviour” or “incapacity,” requiring a special majority in Parliament.

CPA Zone VII Conference 2026 Concluded: It Calls for Inclusive Governance and Youth Engagement

• The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone VII Conference concluded in Goa with a strong focus on women’s representation, youth participation, and democratic strengthening.
• Addressing the event, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasized expanding women’s role in policymaking from grassroots to Parliament and highlighted the importance of inclusive governance for national development.
• The two-day conference brought together 51 legislators who discussed governance, trade, sustainable development, and the blue economy, with coastal states like Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat cited as key examples.
• The conference reinforced the role of state legislatures in achieving democratic progress and supporting India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Mundra Port Sets Record as India’s Largest Automobile Export Hub

• Mundra Port has become India’s largest automobile export hub after setting a national record by shipping 6,008 cars in a single vessel. Operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, the achievement highlights India’s growing strength in automobile exports and logistics efficiency.
• The milestone was enabled by the port’s advanced Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) terminal, which allows vehicles to be directly driven onto ships, reducing handling time, costs, and damage risks.
• This development reflects the strong alignment between India’s manufacturing growth and export infrastructure, boosting the country’s position in global automobile trade markets.

What Is Vantara University? India’s First Global Wildlife Institution Explained

• Vantara has announced the launch of Vantara University in Jamnagar, Gujarat, envisioned by Anant Ambani as the world’s first integrated global university dedicated to wildlife and veterinary sciences.
• Designed as a modern Gurukul, it aims to position India as a global leader in conservation, animal welfare, and veterinary education.
• The university will offer multidisciplinary programs in wildlife medicine, veterinary sciences, genetics, and conservation policy, combining research with field experience.
• With initiatives like scholarships and fellowships, it seeks to promote inclusive education while advancing ethical animal care, scientific innovation, and global collaboration in wildlife conservation.

State News

What Is the Telangana–Deakin University AI MoU? Key Details Explained

• Deakin University and the Government of Telangana signed a strategic MoU in Hyderabad in April 2026 to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem through joint research, innovation, and skill development.
• The agreement establishes the Aikam–Deakin Hub for Research in Intelligent Technology & Innovation (Aikam-DHRITI), aimed at converting AI research into real-world applications.
• The partnership focuses on building an AI-ready workforce through training programs, supporting startups with mentorship and infrastructure, and promoting ethical, scalable AI solutions for public services.
• It also reinforces Telangana’s position as a major AI and innovation hub, boosting collaboration between global academia and India’s digital ecosystem.

How NARIT AI Will Help Gujarat Police Handle Drug Cases Faster and Smarter

• Gujarat Police has launched ‘NARIT AI’ (Narcotics Analysis & RAG-based Investigation Tool), becoming the first law enforcement agency in India to use advanced AI for narcotics-related investigations under the NDPS Act, 1985.
• Introduced on April 10, 2026, the system uses Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) to analyze FIRs and generate structured investigation reports based on verified legal databases instead of open internet sources.
• Developed in collaboration with a Mumbai-based AI startup and Western Railway Police in Vadodara, the tool helps officers identify legal gaps, suggest evidence requirements, and ensure procedural compliance.
• NARIT AI aims to reduce errors in narcotics cases and strengthen investigation quality through accurate, court-aligned insights.

Banking News

What Is RBI’s Utkarsh 2029? Key Highlights of New Financial Strategy Explained

• The Reserve Bank of India has launched its medium-term strategy ‘Utkarsh 2029’ for April 2026–March 2029, aiming to build a future-ready financial ecosystem.
• The framework focuses on expanding digital finance, strengthening global integration of the rupee, and improving inclusive credit access using technologies like AI and quantum computing.
• Key initiatives include scaling up Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), promoting the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) for easier credit access, and modernizing currency systems through Project Sa-Mudra.
• Built on six pillars such as robust regulation, innovation, and global integration, the strategy aims to enhance financial stability, inclusion, and India’s position in global finance.

Science & Technology News

What Is AAKA Space Studio’s 3D-Printed Mars Radiation Shield? Explained

• AAKA Space Studio, based in Ahmedabad, has successfully developed and tested Asia’s first 3D-printed radiation shield for Mars habitats during an analog space mission.
• The innovation aims to protect astronauts from harmful cosmic and solar radiation, while also improving thermal stability and structural durability for long-term space habitation.
• Built using the concept of In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU), the project demonstrates how local Martian-like materials can be used for construction instead of transporting materials from Earth.
• Using Indian geological analogues and robotic 3D printing technology, the breakthrough highlights a scalable, cost-effective approach to building future Moon and Mars bases, strengthening India’s role in space innovation.

NASA Marks Historic Milestone With Successful Artemis II Crew Return

• NASA successfully completed the Artemis II with the safe splashdown of the Orion spacecraft on April 11, 2026, after a 10-day journey around the Moon.
• Carrying four astronauts, the mission marked the first crewed lunar mission in nearly 50 years, covering about 1.12 million km.
• The spacecraft reached a record distance of over 406,000 km from Earth, testing critical systems for deep-space travel without landing on the Moon.
• With high-speed re-entry and safe recovery in the Pacific Ocean, the mission validated technologies essential for future exploration.
• Artemis II sets the stage for upcoming missions like Artemis III, aiming for a human return to the lunar surface.

What Is Gaganyaan IADT-02? ISRO Conducts Key Air Drop Test Explained

• The second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for the Gaganyaan was successfully conducted at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on April 10, 2026, marking a key step toward India’s first human spaceflight mission.
• A 5.7-ton simulated crew module was dropped from about 3 km using a Chinook helicopter to test the parachute-based descent and recovery system.
• The test validated the deployment and sequencing of 10 parachutes, ensuring controlled deceleration before splashdown.
• The Indian Navy successfully recovered the module, with support from DRDO, demonstrating strong inter-agency coordination.
• This successful trial confirms the reliability of crew safety systems and moves India closer to the upcoming Gaganyaan G1 uncrewed mission.

Important Days News

Jyotirao Phule Jayanti 2026: India Begins 200th Birth Anniversary Year

• India observes the birth anniversary of Jyotirao Phule on April 11 every year, and 2026 marks the beginning of his 200th birth anniversary celebrations.
• Born in 1827 in Maharashtra, Phule was a pioneering social reformer who fought against caste discrimination, gender inequality, and social injustice, emphasizing education as a powerful tool for transformation. Along with Savitribai Phule, he established India’s first girls’ school in 1848.
• He later founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to promote equality, rational thinking, and social justice.
• His writings like Gulamgiri continue to inspire modern movements for inclusion, education, and equality in India.

National Safe Motherhood Day 2026: Why Maternal Health Is a National Priority

• National Safe Motherhood Day is observed in India on April 11 to promote maternal health, safe pregnancy, and quality childbirth care.
• The 2026 theme, “Equity in Maternal Healthcare: Leaving No Mother Behind,” highlights the need for equal access to healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• The day marks the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi and was initiated by the White Ribbon Alliance India, with official recognition in 2003. It emphasizes reducing maternal and infant mortality through better prenatal and postnatal care.
• Awareness campaigns, health camps, and educational programs are conducted nationwide to ensure safe and dignified healthcare for every mother.

Obituaries News

End of an Era: ‘Lion of Ladakh’ Col Sonam Wangchuk No More

• Sonam Wangchuk (Retd), a decorated Kargil War hero known as the “Lion of Ladakh,” passed away on April 10 at the age of 61 in Leh.
• A recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra, he played a crucial role during the Kargil War, leading troops in the Batalik sector under extreme conditions and securing key strategic positions.
• Commissioned in 1987, he served in the Assam Regiment and Ladakh Scouts, showcasing exceptional courage and leadership.
• His legacy lives on through his heroic contributions, inspiring generations with his dedication, bravery, and service to the nation.