Daily Current Affairs Quiz 20th April 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 20th April, 2026

Q1. In April 2026, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) collaborated with which organization to organize a Scientific Conclave on the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026?

(a) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

(b) Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

(d) NITI Aayog

(e) Quality Council of India (QCI)

Answer: b

Solution:

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, organized a Scientific Conclave and Interactive Session on Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026.
The event was held on 17 April 2026 at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, located in Jammu.
The conclave brought together experts from regulatory bodies, academia, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Q2. In April 2026, Shri Surinder Bhagat was appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to which of the following countries?

(a) Nigeria

(b) Republic of Ghana

(d) South Africa

(e) Ethiopia

Answer: b

Solution:

In April 2026, Surinder Bhagat (IFS: 2007) has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Ghana.

Q3. In April 2026, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed which former Test captain as the head coach of the national test team?

(a) Misbah-ul-Haq

(b) Shahid Afridi

(d) Wasim Akaram

(e) Younis Khan

Answer: c

Solution:

In April 2026, the Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Sarfaraz Ahmed as the head coach of Pakistan National Test Team.
Sarfaraz Ahmed is a former Test captain of Pakistan and an experienced international cricketer.

Q4. What is the revised total outlay approved by the Union Cabinet for the continuation of PMGSY-III as of April 2026?

(a) ₹75,000 crore

(b) ₹80,250 crore

(d) ₹1,00,000 crore

(e) ₹83,977 crore

Answer: e

Solution:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) on 18 April 2026.
The scheme has been extended beyond March 2025 till March 2028.
PMGSY-III focuses on consolidation of through routes and major rural links, connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), higher secondary schools, and hospitals.
The revised outlay of the scheme has been increased to ₹83,977 crore from the earlier ₹80,250 crore.
The Cabinet approved extension of timelines till March 2028 for completion of roads and bridges in plain areas and roads in hilly areas.
The timeline for completion of bridges in hilly areas has been extended till March 2029.
Projects sanctioned before 31 March 2025 but not yet awarded will now be allowed to proceed for tendering and execution.
Additionally, 161 Long Span Bridges (LSBs) with an estimated cost of ₹961 crore, pending approval but located along already sanctioned road alignments, will now be sanctioned and taken up for execution.

Q5. In April 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the creation of which domestic insurance pool to provide continuous cover for maritime trade?

(a) Sagar Bima Suraksha Pool

(b) Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool)

(d) National Shipping Insurance Consortium

(e) Atmanirbhar Cargo Insurance Trust

Answer: b

Solution:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Narendra Modi, approved the creation of a domestic insurance pool named “Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool)” in April 2026.
The pool will be backed by a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore to ensure continuous and affordable maritime insurance coverage.
The initiative aims to support Indian trade and shipping, especially during transit through volatile maritime regions affected by geopolitical tensions.
It will provide insurance cover for Indian-flagged or controlled vessels, as well as vessels carrying cargo to and from India.
The BMI Pool will cover a wide range of risks, including Hull and Machinery, Cargo, Protection & Indemnity (P&I), and War risks.
The move addresses India’s high dependence on international insurers, particularly the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs, for liability insurance.
Rising global instability has increased insurance costs, risks, and uncertainty, necessitating a domestic risk coverage mechanism.
Policies will be issued by member insurers using a combined underwriting capacity of around ₹950 crore.
The initiative will help develop domestic expertise in marine underwriting, claims management, and legal frameworks tailored to Indian conditions.
A Governing Body will be constituted to oversee the functioning and implementation of the pool.

Q6. The “Water Forward” platform, aimed at enhancing global water security, was launched by which international financial institution in April, 2026?

(a) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

(b) World Bank Group

(d) New Development Bank (NDB)

(e) World Health Organization (WHO)

Answer: b

Solution:

The World Bank Group, in partnership with multilateral development banks and development finance institutions, launched a global platform named “Water Forward”.
The initiative aims to improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030.
The platform focuses on aligning policy reforms, financing, and global partnerships to enhance water access.

Q7. In April, 2026, which Kerala-based botany researcher was recently honored with the WWF National Award for developing an AI-powered app to identify invasive plant species?

(a) Dr. S. Damodaran

(d) N. Alim Yusuf

(e) P. V. Madhusudhanan

Answer: d

Solution:

N. Alim Yusuf has been awarded the WWF National Award by the World Wide Fund for Nature.
He is a researcher at the Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences, located in Kozhikode.
The award recognizes his development of an AI-powered mobile application.
The application is capable of identifying nearly 100 invasive plant species found in Kerala.
His innovation contributes to biodiversity conservation and ecological management.

Q8. Which of the following organizations led the expert group that prepared the “State of India’s Bats” report (2024-25)?

(a) Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

(b) Nature Conservation Foundation and Bat Conservation International

(d) World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

(e) Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)

Answer: b

Solution:

The first-ever national assessment, “State of India’s Bats (2024–25)”, highlights concerns regarding bat conservation in India.
India is home to around 135 species of bats, many of which are facing neglect due to limited research and data gaps.
The report identifies major threats such as urbanisation, deforestation, land-use changes, and climate impacts.
The study was prepared by experts led by the Nature Conservation Foundation in collaboration with Bat Conservation International.
It underscores the urgent need for enhanced research, monitoring, and conservation efforts.

Q9. In April 2026, which two world leaders jointly launched the “Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative”?

(a) Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron

(b) Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak

(d) Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi

(e) Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni

Answer: a

Solution:

In April 2026, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron jointly launched a new international initiative to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
The initiative, named the “Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative,” aims to ensure safe navigation and protection of commercial shipping.
It focuses on strengthening international cooperation to safeguard one of the world’s most critical maritime routes.
The launch took place during a virtual meeting attended by around 40 countries, including India.
The initiative comes amid geopolitical tensions and instability in the Middle East, which have raised concerns over maritime security.

Q10. In April 2026, Sushanta Kumar Mohanty took charge as the Executive Director of which Public Sector Bank?

(a) Punjab National Bank

(b) Bank of Baroda

(d) Canara Bank

(e) Indian Bank

Answer: c

Solution:

In April 2026, Sushanta Kumar Mohanty took charge as Executive Director of Bank of Maharashtra.
His appointment is for a three-year term.
Prior to this role, he served as Chief General Manager at Bank of Baroda.
Sushanta Kumar Mohanty brings over three decades of experience in the banking sector.