UPSC current affairs · Monday

Current Affairs, 20 April 2026

9 issues picked from 41 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

SMILE Scheme (Beggary Rehabilitation). SMILE rehabilitates transgender persons and people who beg, with ₹390 crore spent over 2021-26.
NSS Household Social Consumption. NSS 80th round health survey shows more insurance, near-universal hospital births, and rising lifestyle diseases.
India-Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership. India and South Korea set a five-year vision for their Special Strategic Partnership, 2026-2030.
Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI). Core industries output fell 0.4% in March 2026; FY26 growth was 2.6%.
Section 135C, Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Dry Day). ECI orders dry days under Section 135C for 2026 Assembly polls and counting day.
Aadhaar Offline Verification and OVSEs (UIDAI). 100 entities onboard UIDAI's consent-based, paperless Aadhaar offline verification system within three months of roll-out.
Raw Jute Stock Limits and Jute MSP. Raw jute traders and balers must sell all stock to mills to curb hoarding.
India Cooling Action Plan. Minister says India Cooling Action Plan is in over 250 cities; urges balanced, equitable cooling.
Wheat Export Policy. India permits 25 LMT more wheat exports, totalling 50 LMT, citing strong output and stocks.

Scheme

SMILE Scheme (Beggary Rehabilitation)

GS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 April 2026, PIB published a feature on SMILE, reporting progress under both its transgender welfare and beggary rehabilitation sub-schemes as of March 2026.
What it is: SMILE stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. It is an umbrella Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. One sub-scheme deals with the comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging, through shelter, skills, education, healthcare and counselling.

Full name and ministry: SMILE is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as an umbrella scheme for marginalized individuals.
Coverage in cities: The beggary component works in 216 cities now. The target is 295 cities by FY 2030-31, with focus on metros, religious, tourist and historical places.
Who implements: Delivery is through the Centre, States, UTs, district administrations, urban local bodies, municipal corporations and implementing agencies, using a convergence approach.
Digital monitoring: The SMILE-Beggary National Portal registers and tracks rehabilitation centres and shelter homes.
Event: The guidelines were unveiled at a Chintan Shivir with States/UTs held in Chandigarh from 24 to 26 April 2026.
Coverage areas: The framework covers preventive healthcare and sanitation, infrastructure, nutrition and food safety, vocational training, legal aid, child and gender sensitivity, and accountability and oversight.
Convergence: The guidelines stress convergence with Central and State schemes to bring uniform implementation across States and UTs.
Implementation: The Ministry urged States and UTs to implement the guidelines in letter and spirit.
Scheme type: SMILE is a Central Sector scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Launch and ministry: SMILE was launched on 12 February 2022 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Beggary sub-scheme coverage: The beggary sub-scheme is operational in 181 selected cities, with Implementing Authorities such as district administrations and urban local bodies.
Transgender health cover: Transgender persons get health cover in convergence with PM-JAY, including gender-reaffirmation procedures at empanelled hospitals.
National Council for Transgender Persons: The Council is a statutory body that advises the Centre on policy and legislation and monitors welfare schemes.
Beggary sub-scheme reach: The beggary rehabilitation sub-scheme is operational in 181 selected cities.
Rehabilitation numbers: As on 31 January 2026, 30,257 persons were identified as begging and 8,129 were rehabilitated.
Monitoring: Centres and shelter homes are registered and monitored on the SMILE-Beggary National Portal; Garima Grehs are geotagged.
Goal: The objective is Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat (Begging-Free India).
Skilling gap: No beneficiary from the begging or transgender community was certified under PM-DAKSH in 2024-25.

Don’t confuse with Model guidelines vs law: Model guidelines are advisory for uniform practice; they are not a statute. Begging is dealt with under State laws, often based on the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959.

Don’t confuse with SMILE vs PM-DAKSH: SMILE is the umbrella rehabilitation scheme; PM-DAKSH is a skill-training scheme for several groups that SMILE uses for transgender persons.

Don’t confuse with Garima Greh vs beggary shelter homes: Garima Grehs are shelters for transgender persons; the beggary sub-scheme uses separate shelter homes for rescued persons.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Why it matters

Gives a rehabilitation route, not just punishment, for a vulnerable group, in line with dignity under Article 21.
Gives States a common standard for shelter homes, which could improve dignity and quality of care for a vulnerable group.
Links shelter homes to health, skilling and legal aid schemes, supporting rehabilitation over punishment.
Gives marginalised groups one framework covering identity, health, skills, shelter and livelihood.
Supports the goal of a begging-free India and gives effect to the 2019 Transgender Act.
Gives a rights-based, rehabilitative approach to begging and transgender welfare instead of a punitive one.

Problems

Begging is still criminalised under many state anti-begging laws, which conflicts with a rehabilitation approach.
Guidelines are not binding; implementation rests with States, so uptake may vary.
Shelter homes often face weak funding, staff and monitoring.
Beggary sub-scheme reach is modest: 9,935 rehabilitated against 31,055 identified, in only 181 cities.
Stigma, lack of documents and weak state enforcement, such as cells set up in only 20 States/UTs, limit outcomes.
Only about 27% of identified persons are rehabilitated, and coverage is limited to 181 cities.
Zero PM-DAKSH certifications show weak convergence with skilling schemes.

Way forward

Decriminalise begging and tie rehabilitation to skilling, housing and social security convergence.
Tie guidelines to regular audits and public reporting by States.
Convergence with skilling, health and housing schemes with clear funding.
Expand coverage beyond selected cities and speed up documentation through the National Portal.
Build follow-up, de-addiction and job linkages, and ensure every State sets up protection cells and welfare boards.
Link beneficiaries to skilling, health and ID schemes, and expand shelters, including Garima Grehs, with portal-based monitoring.

Put in your answer

SMILE scheme: Umbrella Central Sector scheme with a sub-scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging.

Model guidelines 2026: Framework with accountability and oversight, legal aid and child and gender sensitivity for shelter homes.

NALSA judgment: The Supreme Court in NALSA v Union of India (2014) recognised transgender persons as a third gender with constitutional rights.

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB Headquarters, 20 Apr, 10:53 IST · Release 288047

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Report or index

NSS Household Social Consumption: Health (2025)

GS2 HealthGS3 StatisticsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 April 2026, MoSPI released the report 'Household Social Consumption: Health', based on the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (January–December 2025). It shows higher reported illness, 96% institutional births and health insurance coverage of nearly half the population.
What it is: The NSS Household Social Consumption: Health survey is a periodic national household survey run by MoSPI's National Sample Survey. It measures illness, hospitalization, childbirth, health insurance and out-of-pocket spending. It is a main source of data on how Indians use healthcare and what they pay for it.

Survey round and period: The health survey was done in the 80th NSS round during January–December 2025, and MoSPI published it as a report.
Previous health surveys: The first full-scale morbidity survey was in the 28th round (1973–74). Six more health surveys followed before this one.

Don’t confuse with NSS vs NSO: NSS is the survey programme; the National Statistics Office under MoSPI runs it.

Don’t confuse with NSS health survey vs NFHS: NFHS is run by the Health Ministry through IIPS. NSS health is run by MoSPI.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, 20 Apr, 16:00 IST · Release 288057

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

International relations

India-Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership

GS2 International relations: bilateral groupingsGS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea made a State Visit to India on 19-21 April 2026. On 20 April the two leaders announced a Joint Strategic Vision for the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership for 2026-2030.
What it is: The India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership is the bilateral framework that raised ties between the two Asian democracies to a strategic level. It covers political, defence, trade, technology and cultural cooperation. It links India's Act East Policy with Korea's New Southern Policy.

Time frame: The Joint Strategic Vision covers 2026-2030 and will add content to the Special Strategic Partnership.
Indo-Pacific link: Korea joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), which India welcomed.
ISA and GGGI: Korea joined the International Solar Alliance as a member, and India joined the Global Green Growth Institute.
Climate cooperation: An MOC under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement sets a cooperative approach for investment-driven mitigation projects.
Defence industry: The K9-Vajra howitzer joint venture is on its second production batch.

Don’t confuse with Act East Policy vs New Southern Policy: Act East is India's policy for the Indo-Pacific and East Asia. The New Southern Policy is Korea's outreach to ASEAN and India.

Don’t confuse with ISA vs GGGI: The International Solar Alliance is an India-led solar treaty body. The Global Green Growth Institute is a separate green growth organisation that India has now joined.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Prime Minister's Office, 20 Apr, 22:53 IST · Release 288084

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)

GS3 Economy: industry and infrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 April 2026, the Commerce Ministry released the Index of Eight Core Industries for March 2026. The combined index fell 0.4% (provisional) year on year, and the April 2025 to March 2026 growth was 2.6%.
What it is: The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) tracks the output of eight key infrastructure industries. It uses base year 2011-12=100. These industries make up a large share of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and give an early signal of industrial trends.

Eight industries: ICI covers coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement and electricity.
Share in IIP: The eight industries carry 40.27% of the weight of items in the IIP.
Smallest weight: Fertilizers have the lowest weight at 2.63%; they fell 24.6% in March 2026.
Renewables: Since April 2014, electricity generation from renewable sources is also included.
Weight in IIP: The eight core industries make up 40.27 per cent of the weight of items in the IIP.
Renewables included: Since April 2014, electricity generation from renewable sources is also included.
Revision: The latest month's data is provisional and is revised or finalised later; December 2025 data was final.

Don’t confuse with ICI vs IIP: ICI covers eight industries and is a subset in terms of items; IIP covers mining, manufacturing and electricity broadly and is released by MoSPI.

Don’t confuse with Weights in ICI vs in IIP: The ICI weights are the IIP weights scaled pro rata so that they add up to 100, so they differ from the weights in IIP.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 20 Apr, 17:00 IST · Release 288064

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Section 135C, Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Dry Day)

GS2 Elections and electoral lawPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On April 20, 2026 the Election Commission directed dry days under Section 135C of the RP Act, 1951 for the 2026 Assembly polls (Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal). The ban covers 48 hours before poll close and also the counting day, May 4, 2026.
What it is: Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 bars the sale, gift or distribution of liquor in a polling area for 48 hours ending with the close of poll. It is meant to keep voters free from inducement and to preserve public order during elections. States notify the dry day under their own excise laws.

Who notifies: The dry day is declared and notified under the relevant State or UT laws, as the statute itself does the prohibiting.
Re-poll: The dry day also covers the date of any re-poll.
Scope of ban: Clubs, star hotels and restaurants with liquor licences also cannot serve liquor on these days.

Don’t confuse with Section 135C vs Section 126 (RPA 1951): Section 135C bars liquor for 48 hours before poll close. Section 126 bars public meetings and election propaganda in the same 48-hour period.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting provision with a 48-hour rule, but it is a minor part of electoral law; the file already holds a related Section 135B issue.

Source: PIB, Election Commission, 20 Apr, 15:02 IST · Release 288055

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Science and technology

Aadhaar Offline Verification and OVSEs (UIDAI)

GS3 Digital governance and technologyGS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 April 2026, the Ministry of Electronics & IT said at least 100 entities have onboarded as Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSEs) with UIDAI within three months of the roll-out.
What it is: Aadhaar offline verification lets a person prove identity using a QR code or a digitally signed document, without the verifier connecting to UIDAI's central database in real time. An entity that wants to verify Aadhaar this way registers with UIDAI as an Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE). The model is built on user consent and sharing only the minimum data needed.

Who the OVSEs are: They include central and state government departments, fintechs, hospitality and event firms, education and exam bodies, and identity and background verification firms.
Methods used: Verification uses QR code-based checks and secure digitally signed documents, summed up as "Show, Share, and Verify".
Data minimisation: Aadhaar number holders share only the minimum necessary data, which strengthens privacy.
Regulator: UIDAI is the statutory authority that issues Aadhaar. It was set up under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, and works under the Ministry of Electronics and IT.

Don’t confuse with Offline verification vs online authentication: Offline verification checks a QR code or signed document without a live query to UIDAI's database. Online authentication (including e-KYC) sends a live request to UIDAI's database for a yes/no or data response.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting governance and privacy topic, but the release gives few facts a statement can turn on.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Electronics & IT, 20 Apr, 15:58 IST · Release 288059

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

Raw Jute Stock Limits and Jute MSP

GS3 Agriculture: pricing and marketsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 April 2026 the Ministry of Textiles cut stock limits for raw jute traders and balers to nil. Raw jute prices had stayed well above the 2025-26 MSP, and mills faced shortages.
What it is: Raw jute is the fibre from the jute plant. It feeds jute mills that make sacking and packaging, and it is covered by an annual MSP. The Jute Commissioner regulates the sector, and stock limits are a market tool under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, used to check hoarding when prices spike.

Revised limit for traders and balers: Registered balers with a baling press on premises, and other stockists, now have a nil stock limit. Registered balers must sell all stock by 5 May 2026 and complete physical delivery by 15 May 2026.
Limit for mills: Jute mills and processing units may hold stock up to 45 days of consumption at current production rates.
Reason: Raw jute prices rose sharply over several months and stayed well above the 2025-26 MSP, which raised concerns about availability.
Reporting duty: All stocking entities must declare and update stock positions fortnightly on the Jute SMART portal.

Don’t confuse with Stock limit vs MSP: A stock limit caps how much a trader or mill may hold to stop hoarding. MSP is a price floor that protects farmers. Here prices were above MSP, so the problem was supply, not low prices.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A stock-limit order against hoarding, linked to MSP; a lasting market-regulation topic with few testable facts.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Textiles, 20 Apr, 17:55 IST · Release 288070

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Environment

India Cooling Action Plan

GS3 Environment: climate and energy efficiencyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 April 2026, Dr Jitendra Singh told the Global Heat and Cooling Forum that the India Cooling Action Plan is already implemented in over 250 cities, and urged responsible cooling use.
What it is: The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is a national plan to provide sustainable cooling across sectors while cutting the energy and climate cost of cooling. It was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2019. It looks at space cooling, refrigeration, transport air conditioning and the refrigerants used.

Reach claimed: The Minister said the plan is already implemented in over 250 cities.
Forum: The Global Heat and Cooling Forum was organised with DST, NDMA, CDRI, NRDC and other partners.
Customised approach: The Minister argued that India's mix of extreme heat and extreme cold needs customised strategies, not uniform global models.
Equity and use: He called for equitable access to cooling and responsible consumption, such as optimal temperature settings, to cut energy demand.
Launching ministry: ICAP was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Don’t confuse with ICAP vs Kigali Amendment: ICAP is a domestic national plan on cooling demand. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is an international treaty to phase down HFC refrigerants.

Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting climate-policy plan, but this release is a speech with few new facts for a statement.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 20 Apr, 18:08 IST · Release 288072

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

Wheat Export Policy

GS3 Agriculture: food security and tradePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 April 2026, the Government approved export of an additional 25 LMT of wheat, taking permitted wheat exports to 50 LMT. The decision follows a review of production, stocks and prices.
What it is: India's wheat export policy is a calibrated, quota-based opening of exports after a ban that had been in place since May 2022. The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) allows exports in tranches, set against production, stock and price trends. The aim is to balance farmer incomes with consumer price stability and food security.

Rabi 2026 acreage: Wheat area rose to about 334.17 lakh hectares from 328.04 lakh hectares last year.
Production estimate: The Second Advance Estimates of 10 March 2026 put 2025-26 wheat production at 1202 LMT.
Total permitted exports: After the latest round, 50 LMT of wheat and 10 LMT of wheat products are permitted for export.
Price support: MSP is the assured price at which the government procures wheat, announced by the Centre on the CACP's recommendation.

Don’t confuse with Wheat vs wheat products: The approvals count them separately: 50 LMT of wheat and 10 LMT of wheat products, such as flour.

Don’t confuse with Advance Estimates vs final estimates: Advance Estimates are early crop projections issued during the season. Final estimates come later and may differ.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting export-policy topic with stock and price context; the release gives mostly quantity figures.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, 20 Apr, 19:08 IST · Release 288078

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

A BSIP-led study finds Jamun (Syzygium) has an East Gondwanan origin about 80 million years ago, with India a major centre of early diversification.
India's Samriddh Gram initiative, built on BharatNet, is a nominee for WSIS Prizes 2026 in the Enabling Environment category (Action Line C6).
NCB secured 73 convictions in 35 cases in Jan-Mar 2026; its conviction rate rose from 60.5% (2024) to 65.5% (2025) and 68.6% in Q1 2026.

Source: PIB, 20 Apr

What we left out: 29 of 41 releases

Speeches without a decision (3)
Ceremonies and campaigns (5)
Same issue as another release (9)
Routine condolence and relief (1)
Routine MoUs (2)
Routine defence events (2)
Routine operations data (1)
Routine data releases (2)
Briefings without a decision (1)
Routine performance reviews (1)
Routine enforcement actions (1)
Routine operational clarifications (1)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1SMILE Scheme (Beggary Rehabilitation)MCQ · 6 true or false
2NSS Household Social ConsumptionMCQ · 4 true or false · Mains
3India-Republic of Korea Special Strategic PartnershipMCQ · 6 true or false · Mains
4Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)MCQ · 8 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The SMILE scheme, reviewed by PIB in April 2026, offers a unified framework for the rehabilitation of transgender persons and persons engaged in begging. Examine the key provisions of the scheme and discuss the challenges in achieving its objectives of inclusion and livelihood for these marginalised groups.

From: SMILE Scheme (Beggary Rehabilitation)

Write and get it marked

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