Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (30th April, 2026)

National News

West Bengal Records Highest-Ever Poll Participation Since Independence

• West Bengal recorded its highest-ever voter turnout in Assembly elections, with a remarkable 92.47% participation across two phases, according to the Election Commission of India. Phase-I saw 93.19% turnout, while Phase-II recorded 91.66%, surpassing the previous record of 84.72% in 2011.
• The data highlights strong inclusivity, with female voter turnout (92.28%) slightly higher than male participation (91.07%), and notable participation from the third gender as well.
• Advanced monitoring through ECINET, along with initiatives like live webcasting, improved voter slips, and mobile facilities, ensured transparency and accessibility.
• Overall, this record participation reflects rising voter awareness, effective election management, and strengthening democratic engagement in India.

3,635 Gram Panchayats Emerge as Front Runners in PAI 2.0 Report

• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 on National Panchayati Raj Day, covering 2.59 lakh Gram Panchayats with a high 97.3% participation rate.
• A total of 3,635 Panchayats were ranked as Front Runners (A grade), while nearly 45.7% fell under the Performer category, reflecting improved grassroots governance.
• The report highlights strong progress in livelihoods and health, with thousands of Panchayats achieving top grades in poverty reduction, employment, and healthcare outcomes.
• PAI 2.0 uses 150 indicators across 9 themes, offering a data-driven framework to assess rural development and guide targeted policy interventions.

State News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launches Ganga Expressway Project in Uttar Pradesh

• Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi on April 29, 2026. Spanning about 594 km, it is one of India’s longest greenfield expressways, built at a cost of ₹36,230 crore.
• The six-lane (expandable to eight) corridor will significantly improve connectivity between western and eastern Uttar Pradesh, reducing travel time and easing transportation.
• The project is expected to boost regional economic growth, strengthen logistics infrastructure, and enhance trade and industrial development across the state.

Bengaluru Police Introduce AI Multilingual Feature in Namma 112 Helpline

• The Bengaluru Police has introduced an AI-powered multilingual feature in the Namma 112 emergency helpline, becoming the first police unit in India to adopt such technology for real-time emergency communication.
• Built on the VANKI (Voice AI for Nationwide Key Interventions) platform with tech partners, the system supports over 10 languages—including Indian languages like Bengali, Gujarati, and Malayalam, and foreign languages such as French, Spanish, and Arabic—alongside Kannada, Hindi, and English.
• This innovation addresses language barriers in a global city like Bengaluru, where thousands of daily calls include diverse linguistic needs, improving clarity, response time, and accessibility.
• The initiative is expected to enhance public safety, ensure inclusive emergency services, and set a model for AI-driven policing across India.

International News

US Fed Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged, Signals Policy Uncertainty

• The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50%–3.75% in its April 29, 2026 meeting, reflecting a cautious stance amid persistent inflation and global uncertainties.
• The decision saw a rare 8–4 split, with policymakers like Neel Kashkari and others differing on whether to hold or cut rates, highlighting deep divisions on balancing inflation control and growth.
• Rising global oil prices and geopolitical tensions—especially in the Middle East—continue to fuel inflation concerns, even as the US labour market remains stable.
• The move comes near the end of Jerome Powell’s term, with Kevin Warsh likely to take over, adding uncertainty to the future monetary policy direction.

Banking News

RBI New Loan Restructuring Guidelines for Disaster-Hit Areas From July 1, 2026

• The Reserve Bank of India has issued revised guidelines for loan restructuring in disaster-hit areas, effective July 1, 2026, to enable faster financial relief for affected borrowers.
• Under the new framework, banks and NBFCs can proactively restructure loans without waiting for borrower requests, while borrowers get a 135-day opt-out window after disaster declaration.
• A mandatory 5% provisioning requirement ensures lenders set aside funds to manage risk, balancing relief measures with financial stability.
• The rules apply only to standard accounts (not overdue beyond 30 days), with strict timelines—resolution within 45 days and implementation within 90 days—to ensure timely support.

SEBI PaRRVA System Goes Live From May 4, 2026 After Pilot Phase

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India has operationalized the PaRRVA system (Past Risk and Return Verification Agency), which will be fully functional from May 4, 2026, to improve transparency in financial markets.
• PaRRVA verifies and standardizes past performance data of financial service providers, helping investors access accurate and reliable information before making investment decisions.
• CARE Ratings Limited has been designated as the PaRRVA agency, while National Stock Exchange of India will act as the data centre to manage and validate records.
• The system enhances investor protection, reduces misleading claims, and allows entities like investment advisers and research analysts to showcase verified performance, boosting trust and accountability.

New EPFO Digital Platform to Help Users Recover Dormant PF Accounts

• The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation is set to launch the E-PRAAPTI digital platform, announced by Mansukh Mandaviya, to help users trace and reactivate dormant EPF accounts.
• E-PRAAPTI (EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts) will allow individuals to access old or unclaimed accounts using Aadhaar authentication—even without a UAN—reducing dependence on employers.
• The platform will initially use Member ID-based access and later expand to support users who lack account details, making it more inclusive for job-switchers and inactive account holders.
• This initiative strengthens EPFO’s digital transformation, improving transparency, faster claim settlements, and user-friendly services across India.

Defense News

India and Sri Lanka Conduct IN–SLN DIVEX 2026 to Strengthen Maritime Cooperation

• IN–SLN DIVEX 2026, the fourth edition of the bilateral diving drill between Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy, was conducted in Colombo from April 21–28, 2026. The exercise featured participation from the specialized vessel INS Nireekshak and focused on advanced underwater operations.
• Key highlights included deep-sea diving beyond 55 metres, mixed gas diving drills, and operations near historic wrecks like SS Worcester and SS Perseus. These activities demonstrated high technical expertise and operational coordination.
• The exercise strengthened interoperability, maritime security, and joint readiness in the Indian Ocean Region, a crucial global trade corridor. It also enhanced cooperation in disaster response and maritime safety.
• Beyond drills, initiatives like beach clean-ups, sports events, yoga sessions, and humanitarian aid under the Aarogya Maitri programme highlighted strong defence diplomacy and growing India–Sri Lanka partnership.

DRDO and Indian Navy Successfully Test Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR)

• India achieved a major defence milestone as DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully conducted the maiden salvo launch of the NASM-SR missile from a helicopter over the Bay of Bengal.
• Two missiles were fired in quick succession, demonstrating rapid strike capability and achieving all mission objectives, including precise waterline targeting using advanced tracking systems at Chandipur.
• The missile features indigenous technologies like fibre-optic navigation, advanced seekers, two-way data link, and solid propulsion, ensuring high precision and reliability in maritime combat.
• Developed by Research Centre Imarat with multiple DRDO labs, the NASM-SR strengthens India’s self-reliance and capability in modern naval warfare systems.

Science & Technology News

Gaganyaan Programme Expands With Civilian Astronaut Selection Plan

• The Indian Space Research Organisation is preparing to select the second batch of astronauts for the Gaganyaan program, expanding eligibility beyond Air Force test pilots to include civilian STEM experts.
• Around 10 candidates are expected, combining military pilots with scientists, engineers, and medical specialists to strengthen research and mission capabilities in space.
• A dedicated committee is designing selection criteria, training modules, and long-term astronaut management, building on experience from the first batch trained with Roscosmos.
• This move aligns with India’s long-term vision of a space station and a human Moon mission by 2040, marking a major step toward a robust human spaceflight ecosystem.

Maharashtra Cabinet Approves AI Policy 2026 to Boost Investment and Jobs

• The Government of Maharashtra, led by Devendra Fadnavis, has approved the Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026 to position the state as a leading AI hub.
• The policy targets over ₹10,000 crore in investments and aims to create 1.5 lakh jobs by 2031, reflecting AI’s growing impact on industry and employment.
• It focuses on building strong infrastructure, including 5 AI Innovation Cities, a 2,000-GPU computing backbone, and “Compute-as-a-Service” to support research and development.
• With initiatives like training 2 lakh youth, a ₹500 crore startup fund, MSME subsidies, and incentives for investors, the policy promotes innovation, skilling, and inclusive AI-driven growth.

Important Days News

India Observes Ayushman Bharat Diwas to Promote Universal Healthcare

• Ayushman Bharat Diwas is observed every year on 30 April to mark the success of India’s flagship health scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, launched in 2018 to expand affordable healthcare access.
• The scheme provides cashless coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually and benefits over 10 crore families across India, supporting hospitalization for secondary and tertiary care.
• It offers portability across hospitals, covers pre-existing diseases from day one, and includes more than 1,900 medical procedures, making it one of the world’s largest public health insurance systems.
• The day highlights India’s progress toward universal health coverage, financial protection in healthcare, and equitable access aligned with global health goals.

Current Affairs Today | 30th April 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam