Current Affairs 22 April 2026 | 22nd April 2026 Current Affairs | Daily GK Updates

1. Dearness Allowance Hiked to 60%

The Union Cabinet approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2026, raising it from 58% to 60%. The combined exchequer impact is ₹6,791.24 crore per annum, benefiting about 50.46 lakh employees and 68.27 lakh pensioners.

2. NHA Concludes Chintan Shivir 2026 in Pune

The National Health Authority concluded a two-day Chintan Shivir on AB PM-JAY and ABDM in Pune, Maharashtra, honouring States and UTs with 18 awards under AB PM-JAY and 5 awards under ABDM.

3. Ministry of Minority Affairs MoU with IIT Patna

The Ministry of Minority Affairs signed an MoU with IIT Patna under the PM VIKAS scheme to train minority youth, focusing on improving employability through technology-driven skill development.

4. Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026

The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in Lok Sabha as a supplementary bill extending provisions of the 131st Constitutional Amendment and Delimitation Bill, 2026 to UTs with legislatures.

5. Integrated Performance Monitoring Dashboard Launched

A new Integrated Performance Monitoring Dashboard replaced the OCMS-2006, built on the PAIMANA framework with 116 indicators, aimed at enabling data-driven governance and evidence-based policymaking.

6. India's Defence Exports Hit ₹39,000 Crore

Rajnath Singh highlighted a significant shift from import dependence to domestic production, stating that India has emerged as a defence exporter with shipments reaching approximately ₹39,000 crore.

7. India's Startup Record — 55,200+ in FY26

Under Startup India (launched 16 Jan 2016), the Government recognised the highest-ever count of over 55,200 startups in FY 2025–26, marking 51.6% YoY growth. Direct jobs rose 36.1%, from 3.66 lakh to 4.99 lakh. Cumulative recognised startups stand at over 23 lakh with over 36 lakh jobs created.

8. NICDC–Maharashtra MoU for Logistics Digitalisation

NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDSL) signed an MoU with Maharashtra to digitise logistics using the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), aiming to enhance visibility, streamline operations, and benefit MSMEs and exporters.

9. RELIEF Scheme Extended to Egypt and Jordan

The government expanded the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) Scheme to include Egypt and Jordan, extending coverage to the West Asia–North Africa (WANA) corridor amid maritime disruptions.

10. World Earth Day 2026 Observed

Earth Day 2026 was celebrated on April 22 with the global theme "Our Power, Our Planet," emphasising collective environmental responsibility and sustainable action.

11. Odisha — First State to Implement Marine Spatial Planning

Odisha became the first Indian state to implement Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in partnership with the National Centre for Coastal Research, marking a major step in integrated coastal and marine management.

12. National Biodiversity Authority 77th Meeting

The National Biodiversity Authority held its 77th meeting in Chennai, approving reforms to strengthen the Biological Diversity Act 2002 implementation, especially on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and repository guidelines.

13. India–South Korea Elevate Strategic Partnership

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's visit to India elevated the bilateral relationship, with both nations signing agreements and reaffirming their Special Strategic Partnership, targeting bilateral trade of $50 billion by 2030.

14. India–Africa Forum Summit 2026 Announced

New Delhi is set to host the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) 2026 in late May, a landmark event occurring more than a decade after the third summit in 2015, focusing on diplomatic expansion, capacity building, and strategic investment.

15. India–Singapore Green Shipping Roadmap

India and Singapore are preparing a roadmap for infrastructure cooperation in digital corridor collaboration and green shipping, as part of wider efforts aligned with global decarbonisation and maritime modernisation.

16. Pahalgam Terror Attack — First Anniversary

PM Narendra Modi paid homage to the 26 victims of the Pahalgam attack, stating:
"As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror."

17. Rajnath Singh's "Dot Dot Dot" Warning to Pakistan

Speaking at an event in Germany, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a veiled warning to Pakistan, saying:
"If a neighbour tries to create trouble, then dot, dot, dot... All neighbours are fine, only one is troublesome."

18. J&K Security Architecture Reviewed

The first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack prompted a comprehensive review of Jammu & Kashmir's security architecture, which shifted from urban containment to high-altitude terrain dominance.

19. MHA Receives Indigenous Satellite Imaging System "Prajna"

The Ministry of Home Affairs received the indigenous Satellite Imaging System "Prajna," designed to provide real-time imagery for security support, marking an important development in space-based surveillance and internal security infrastructure.

20. Aronyak Ghosh Becomes India's 95th Chess Grandmaster

Aronyak Ghosh became India's 95th Grandmaster at the Bangkok Chess Club Open, securing his final GM norm with an unbeaten performance.

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