UPSC current affairs · Wednesday

Current Affairs, 8 April 2026

11 issues picked from 46 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

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY). PMMY completes 11 years: 57 crore loans, ₹40.07 lakh crore, collateral-free credit to micro units.
Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme. Cabinet fixes Kharif 2026 NBS rates for P&K fertilizers at about Rs 41,534 crore.
National Quantum Mission. NQM demonstrates 1,000-km quantum key distribution network and backs nine more startups, total 17.
From Borrowers to Builders. Women hold Rs 76 lakh crore, 26% of system credit, up 4.8 times since 2017.
Circular Economy in India's Textile Sector. Navi Mumbai's municipal textile recovery facility sorts and upcycles waste, creating women-led livelihoods under SBM-Urban 2.0.
HPCL Rajasthan Refinery (HRRL), Barmer. CCEA nearly doubles HRRL Barmer refinery cost to Rs 79,459 crore; commissioning targeted July 2026.
NHAI Arogya Van. NHAI will plant medicinal trees on vacant highway land parcels to boost biodiversity and awareness.
Arunachal Pradesh Hydropower Projects (Kamala and Kalai-II). CCEA clears Rs 26,069.50 crore Kamala hydro project in Arunachal, with central support for flood moderation.
Biomass Co-firing Rules for Thermal Power Plants (CAQM). CAQM fines six NCR-area power plants Rs. 61.85 crore for missing biomass co-firing targets.
Skills Outcomes Fund. Government begins building a blended-finance fund that pays for skilling only against verified job outcomes.
Satellite Communication Network Authorisation (Telecommunications Act, 2023). TRAI seeks stakeholder views on authorisation and spectrum rules for satellite communication networks.

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)

GS3 Economy: Inclusive growth and MSME creditGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026, PIB marked 11 years of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, reporting ₹40.07 lakh crore disbursed across 57 crore+ loan accounts as of 27 March 2026.
What it is: PMMY was launched on 8 April 2015 to give collateral-free institutional credit to non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises. MUDRA Ltd. does not lend directly. It refinances banks, NBFCs and MFIs, which lend to borrowers. Loans are grouped by size into Shishu, Kishor, Tarun and Tarun Plus.

Tarun Plus: Newest category, started in 2024. It is for borrowers who repaid earlier Tarun loans and have a stable business record.
Three-tier structure: MUDRA Ltd., Member Lending Institutions (SCBs, RRBs, SFBs, NBFCs, MFIs) and borrowers. MUDRA gives refinance support.
Credit guarantee: CGFMU, run by NCGTC, guarantees PMMY loans and lowers lenders' credit risk.
Lenders: Loans are given by Member Lending Institutions: scheduled commercial banks, NBFCs and MFIs.
Loan categories: Shishu up to Rs 50,000; Kishor above Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh; Tarun above Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh; Tarun Plus above Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
Tarun Plus eligibility: Only borrowers who earlier took and repaid a Tarun loan can get Tarun Plus, introduced in 2024-25.
Jan Samarth portal: Jan Samarth hosts 15 credit-linked schemes with self or assisted application journeys.
MUDRA Ltd role: MUDRA Ltd. refinances lenders and does not lend directly to borrowers.

Don’t confuse with MUDRA Ltd. vs lending institutions: MUDRA Ltd. refinances. Banks, NBFCs and MFIs are the ones that lend to borrowers.

Don’t confuse with CGFMU vs PMMY: PMMY is the lending scheme. CGFMU is a separate guarantee fund that backs its loans.

Don’t confuse with PMMY vs Stand-Up India: PMMY gives loans up to Rs 20 lakh to non-farm micro enterprises. Stand-Up India gives Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore loans to SC/ST and women first-time entrepreneurs.

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.

Test yourselfMains

True or false?

1 of 12

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.Under PMMY, MUDRA Ltd. provides refinance support to lending institutions rather than lending directly to most borrowers.
2.Loans under the Kishor category of PMMY are those above ₹50,000 and up to ₹5 lakh.
3.Non-Banking Financial Companies and Micro Finance Institutions are eligible to lend under PMMY as Member Lending Institutions.
4.The Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units, which covers PMMY loans, is administered by SIDBI.
5.PMMY loans are meant for non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises, including allied agricultural activities such as dairy and poultry.
6.Under PMMY, collateral-free loans up to Rs 20 lakh can be extended to eligible borrowers.
7.Only scheduled commercial banks can act as Member Lending Institutions under PMMY.
8.Kishor loans cover amounts above Rs 50,000 and up to Rs 5 lakh.
9.Tarun loans cover amounts above Rs 5 lakh and up to Rs 20 lakh.
10.Tarun Plus is open to any applicant, including first-time borrowers.
11.PMMY loans can be used for activities allied to agriculture as well as manufacturing, trading and services.
12.MUDRA Ltd. lends directly to borrowers under PMMY.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 8 Apr, 12:36 IST · Release 287600

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme

GS3 Agriculture: Subsidies and fertilisersPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Nutrient Based Subsidy rates on P&K fertilizers for Kharif 2026 (1 April to 30 September 2026), with a budget of about Rs 41,533.81 crore.
What it is: The Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme gives a fixed per-kg subsidy on the nutrients N, P, K and S in phosphatic and potassic fertilizers. It is run by the Department of Fertilizers and the subsidy is paid to manufacturers and importers, not to farmers directly. Rates are set separately for each season, so that companies sell fertilizers at affordable prices.

Kharif 2025 budget: The budget for Kharif 2025 was Rs 37,216.15 crore.
Grades covered: 28 grades of P&K fertilizers, including DAP and NPKS grades, are made available at subsidized prices.
Who receives the subsidy: The subsidy goes to fertilizer companies as per notified rates.
Implementing department: The scheme is run by the Department of Fertilizers, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
What it subsidises: A fixed subsidy on phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, including DAP. Rates depend on each fertilizer's nutrient content and are revised periodically.
Nutrients covered: The scheme promotes balanced use of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur.
Current rates period: The approved NBS rates for Rabi 2025-26 apply from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Fortified fertilizers: P&K fertilizers fortified or coated with micronutrients such as boron and zinc are eligible for subsidy, and they get an additional per-tonne subsidy.
Urea outside NBS: Urea is not under NBS. Its price is controlled separately, and it is neem-coated.
Who runs it: The Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, administers NBS. The subsidy goes to manufacturers and importers, not directly to farmers.
Start date: NBS came into effect on 1 April 2010 and links subsidy to nutrient content.
Profit caps: Reasonable profit over cost of production is up to 8% for importers, 10% for manufacturers and 12% for integrated manufacturers. Excess is recovered.
Overcharging: Charging above the printed MRP is punishable under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Don’t confuse with NBS vs Urea subsidy: NBS gives per-kg nutrient-based subsidy on P&K fertilizers. Urea has a fixed maximum retail price, and the government pays the difference to producers.

Don’t confuse with NBS vs Soil Health Card: NBS is a price subsidy to fertilizer companies. The Soil Health Card gives farmers plot-wise soil test results and fertilizer advice.

Don’t confuse with iFMS vs DBT: iFMS is the web portal that tracks fertilizer production, movement and stock. NBS subsidy goes to companies, not as a farmer cash transfer.

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

Keeps DAP and NPK fertilizers affordable for farmers as global prices change.
Supports food security and sustains crop output in Kharif.
Links subsidy to nutrient content, which encourages balanced use of N, P, K and S rather than urea alone.
Fortification incentives promote micronutrient use, helping soil health.
Promotes balanced use of N, P, K and S, helping soil health.
Keeps fertilizer affordable for farmers while letting prices reflect global trends.
Supports domestic P&K output and self-reliance.

Problems

Rising global fertilizer prices increase the subsidy bill and strain the fiscal position.
Imbalanced use of N, P and K continues, with excess urea use harming soil health.
Urea stays far cheaper than P&K fertilizers, so nitrogen-heavy use continues and nutrient imbalance persists.
The subsidy bill depends on global fertilizer prices and import dependence for P&K inputs.
Urea stays cheaper than P&K, so N-heavy use and nutrient imbalance persist.
Heavy dependence on imported raw materials and DAP exposes the subsidy bill to global prices.
Subsidy goes to companies, so leakage, diversion and weak targeting of farmers remain risks.

Way forward

Promote balanced fertilizer use through soil health cards and nano fertilizers.
Improve targeting and move gradually towards direct benefit transfer.
Move towards soil-test-based fertilizer advice, using Soil Health Cards, with subsidy linked to nutrient need.
Rationalise urea and P&K prices to reduce distortion and the fiscal burden.
Move towards a uniform nutrient-based policy including urea, with soil-health-card-based advice.
Expand domestic capacity and diversify import sources.
Use iFMS and direct benefit transfer to improve targeting and cut diversion.

Put in your answer

NBS outlay: More than ₹2.04 lakh crore was allocated between 2022-23 and 2024-25 for indigenous and imported P&K fertilizers.

Soil Health Card reach: Over 25.55 crore soil health cards had been distributed as of mid-November 2025.

PM-PRANAM incentive: States that cut chemical fertilizer use get incentives equal to 50 percent of the subsidy savings.

Foodgrain yield: Foodgrain yields rose from 1,930 kg/ha in 2010-11 to 2,578 kg/ha in 2024-25.

Allocation: More than ₹2.04 lakh crore was allocated under NBS from 2022-23 to 2024-25.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Cabinet, 8 Apr, 16:18 IST · Release 287610

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

National Quantum Mission

GS3 Science and technology: quantumPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026, a DST review told Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh that a 1,000-km quantum communication network had been demonstrated under the National Quantum Mission, and that startup support had grown to 17.
What it is: The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a Government of India mission to build indigenous capability in quantum technologies. It works through four Thematic Hubs at leading institutions, covering computing, communication, sensing and metrology, and materials and devices. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2023 for 2023-24 to 2030-31 with an outlay of about Rs 6,003 crore.

Four Thematic Hubs: The hubs cover quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
Hub hosts: Computing hub is at IISc Bengaluru with C-DAC; communication hub is at IIT Madras with C-DOT; sensing and metrology hub is at IIT Bombay; materials and devices hub is at IIT Delhi.
Governance: Implementation is monitored by the Mission Governing Board, the Mission Technology Research Council and other expert committees.
DRDO products: DRDO has transferred technology for Quantum Random Number Generators and an RFSoC-based Controller for Quantum Computer Processors to industry.
Qniverse: MeitY built Qniverse, a unified quantum computing platform integrated with HPC systems.
Nodal department: NQM is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology.
1,000-km QKD network: A 1,000-km quantum communication network has been demonstrated under the mission, against a target of 2,000 km over eight years.
Who built it: The network used indigenous technology from QNu Labs, a startup supported under the mission that works on quantum-safe cybersecurity.
Startup support: Nine more startups are now supported, taking the total to 17.
RDI fund managers: TDB and BIRAC act as second-level fund managers under the Research, Development and Innovation funding framework.

Don’t confuse with Qubit vs classical bit: A bit is 0 or 1; a qubit can be in a superposition of both until measured.

Don’t confuse with PQC vs QKD: Post-Quantum Cryptography uses classical algorithms resistant to quantum attacks; QKD uses quantum physics to distribute keys.

Don’t confuse with QKD vs post-quantum cryptography: QKD uses quantum physics to share keys. Post-quantum cryptography uses classical algorithms designed to resist quantum computers.

Don’t confuse with Quantum computing vs quantum communication: Computing uses qubits to process information. Communication secures the transfer of information, for example with QKD.

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.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 13

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Quantum Communication Thematic Hub under the National Quantum Mission is hosted by IIT Madras.
2.The Quantum Sensing and Metrology Thematic Hub is hosted by IIT Kanpur.
3.The Mission is monitored by bodies including the Mission Governing Board and the Mission Technology Research Council.
4.The four Thematic Hubs comprise 14 Technical Groups and 17 Project Teams.
5.Qniverse, a quantum computing platform integrated with HPC systems, was developed by DRDO.
6.Quantum Key Distribution allows two parties to share an encryption key whose interception by an eavesdropper can be detected.
7.A qubit can exist only in the state 0 or 1 at a given time, like a classical bit.
8.The National Quantum Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2023 with an outlay of about Rs 6,003 crore.
9.The mission's target is to achieve a quantum communication network of 2,000 km over an eight-year period.
10.Quantum key distribution relies on classical mathematical complexity, such as factoring large numbers, to keep keys secure.
11.The National Quantum Mission has four Thematic Hubs, covering computing, communication, sensing and metrology, and materials and devices.
12.The Technology Development Board and BIRAC act as first-level fund managers under the RDI funding framework.
13.The National Quantum Mission is administered by the Department of Atomic Energy.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 8 Apr, 17:58 IST · Release 287630

Issue page →

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

Report or index

From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India's Evolving Credit Market

GS3 Economy: Financial inclusionGS1 Women's empowermentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 7 April 2026, NITI Aayog CEO Nidhi Chhibber released the second edition of the report 'From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India's Evolving Credit Market' in New Delhi (announced 8 April 2026).
What it is: The report tracks women's access to and progression within India's formal credit system using credit bureau data. It is prepared under NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) by TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting. The second edition adds microfinance data.

Publisher and authors: Released by NITI Aayog under its Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP). TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting prepared it.
Size of women's credit: Women borrowers hold Rs 76 lakh crore, 26% of total system credit.
Data base: The report uses credit bureau data on about 16 crore credit-active women and primary research with 161 rural women nano-entrepreneurs.
Origin of the collaboration: It builds on a WEP collaboration begun in 2025 under the Financing Women Collaborative (FWC) to fill gaps in sex-disaggregated credit data.

Don’t confuse with WEP vs Mahila Samman or SHG schemes: WEP is a NITI Aayog platform for women entrepreneurs. It is not a lending scheme. The report is a data study, not a programme.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Reports are only 14 of 327 news-linked Prelims questions and mostly ask about the publisher. Worth reading for the credit data but unlikely to be set.

Source: PIB, NITI Aayog, 8 Apr, 13:15 IST · Release 287601

Issue page →

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

Economy

Circular Economy in India's Textile Sector

GS3 Industry and EnvironmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026, the Ministry of Textiles highlighted Navi Mumbai's Textile Recovery Facility, which turns post-consumer textile waste into upcycled products under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
What it is: A circular economy keeps materials in use through reuse and recycling, and so cuts waste and emissions. In textiles, India applies this at four stages: inputs, production, waste management and market promotion. Much of the recovery runs through informal collection and sorting networks and recycling clusters such as Panipat.

Indian Carbon Market: Textiles now come under the ICM compliance mechanism, with emission intensity targets notified under the CCTS. Entities that beat their targets earn Carbon Credit Certificates, which they can trade.
Textile waste generated: The Ministry's 2026 mapping study puts India's annual textile waste at about 7,073 kilo tonnes, from pre-consumer and post-consumer streams.
Imported waste: Imported post-consumer waste is only about 7% of the volume. It is regulated under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
Pre-consumer recovery: Nearly 97% of pre-consumer textile waste, such as factory scrap, is recycled.
Environmental gain from recycling: An IIT Delhi life cycle study using Panipat data found recycling cuts key impacts by 30–40% compared with virgin fibre.
ACTRS Panipat: The Atal Centre of Textile Recycling and Sustainability, set up at Panipat by IIT Delhi under the National Technical Textiles Mission, developed a process to recycle aramid fibre waste.
Regulatory framework: Recycling units need consent from State Pollution Control Boards under the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981.
Scale of textile waste: India generates nearly 7.8 million tonnes of post-consumer textile waste a year.
Sorting streams and technology: Textiles are split into reusable, recyclable, upcyclable, down-cyclable and reject streams. A KOSHA handheld scanner identifies fibres in real time.
Next phase: A permanent, higher-capacity facility is planned at Koparkhairane.

Don’t confuse with Scope 1 vs Scope 2 emissions: Scope 1 is direct emissions from sources the organisation owns or controls. Scope 2 is indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat or cooling.

Don’t confuse with Pre-consumer vs post-consumer textile waste: Pre-consumer waste is factory scrap, such as cutting waste, and about 95% of it is recovered. Post-consumer waste is discarded used clothing, and about 55% of it is diverted from landfill.

Don’t confuse with Pre-consumer vs post-consumer waste: Pre-consumer waste is factory scrap from manufacturing. Post-consumer waste is clothing and textiles discarded after use.

Don’t confuse with Mechanical vs chemical recycling: Mechanical recycling shreds fabric back into fibre. Chemical recycling recovers fibre at the molecular level, enabling textile-to-textile reuse.

Don’t confuse with Upcycling vs downcycling: Upcycling turns waste into a product of higher value. Downcycling turns it into a lower-value material, such as filling or rags.

Don’t confuse with Post-consumer vs pre-consumer textile waste: Post-consumer waste is discarded clothing and linen after use. Pre-consumer waste arises in manufacturing, such as cuttings and offcuts.

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.

Why it matters

Circularity cuts the sector's use of water, energy and chemicals, and it helps exporters meet global buyers' green demands.
The recovery ecosystem supports about 40-45 lakh livelihoods, many of them women from marginalised communities.
Recycling supports livelihoods and cuts the emissions and resource use of virgin fibre production.
Higher recovery of waste advances circular economy goals and reduces landfilling.
Diverts textile waste from landfills and cuts emissions, supporting SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production.
Creates green jobs and income for women's self-help groups, and offers a model other cities can copy.

Problems

Much collection and sorting is informal, which limits traceability and worker protection.
Post-consumer recovery (about 55%) lags pre-consumer recovery (about 95%), and high-value textile-to-textile recycling needs better material separation.
Micro and small units, which make up most of the sector's capacity, face cost and technology barriers to green upgrades.
Collection of post-consumer waste is weak and feedstock aggregation is fragmented.
Blended and synthetic textile waste is hard to recycle, and small informal units often fall short on environmental compliance and worker safety.
Citizens resist bin placement and know little about textile segregation.
Mixed-fibre fabrics are hard to sort and recycle, and the market for upcycled products is small.

Way forward

Formalise and integrate informal collectors into municipal and cluster-level recovery systems, as at the Navi Mumbai facility.
Strengthen traceability, eco-labelling and public procurement of upcycled goods, and expand finance for MSE green upgrades.
Formalise informal units and enforce pollution and labour norms through State Pollution Control Boards.
Promote cleaner technology, better sorting and chemical recycling to raise the value recovered.
Scale up through permanent, higher-capacity facilities and link them with recyclers and formal markets.
Build awareness drives and fibre-scanning tools into urban local body waste rules.

Put in your answer

Navi Mumbai recovery facility: India's first Municipal Textile Recovery Facility, in Belapur, integrates collection, sorting, upcycling and livelihoods.

Stockholm Convention: India ratified this global treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2006.

Value of waste ecosystem: The FICCI roadmap estimates the textile waste ecosystem is worth about ₹22,000 crore a year.

Tiruppur ZLD: Tiruppur's dyeing and processing units are cited as near-universal adopters of zero-liquid discharge systems.

Waste volume data: About 7.8 million tonnes of post-consumer textile waste a year shows the size of the problem.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic of textile waste and circular economy under SBM-Urban 2.0, but a city-level case with few testable facts.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Textiles, 8 Apr, 13:26 IST · Release 287603

Issue page →

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

Economy

HPCL Rajasthan Refinery (HRRL), Barmer

GS3 Infrastructure: EnergyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs raised the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery project cost from Rs 43,129 crore to Rs 79,459 crore. It also approved Rs 8,962 crore more equity from HPCL.
What it is: HRRL is a 9 MMTPA greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Pachpadra, Balotra district, Rajasthan. It is built by HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited, a joint venture of HPCL and the Government of Rajasthan. It is designed to use locally available Mangala crude and to make petrochemicals alongside fuels.

Cost revision: Project cost goes up from Rs 43,129 crore to Rs 79,459 crore.
Ownership: HRRL is a joint venture of HPCL (74%) and the Government of Rajasthan (26%).
Capacity: The refinery is a 9 MMTPA greenfield complex with 2.4 MMTPA of petrochemical capacity.
Product slate: It is a highly complex refinery with a petrochemical share of more than 26%, making polypropylene, LLDPE, HDPE, benzene, toluene and butadiene.
Commissioning date: The Scheduled Commercial Operation Date is 1 July 2026.
Crude source: The refinery will use locally available Mangala crude.

Don’t confuse with Cost vs equity: The Rs 79,459 crore is the total project cost. The Rs 8,962 crore is only HPCL's additional equity; its total equity becomes Rs 19,600 crore.

Don’t confuse with Refinery capacity vs petrochemical capacity: 9 MMTPA is the crude processing capacity. 2.4 MMTPA is the petrochemical output capacity.

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: Project cost revision with a petrochemical focus. A project-specific item, unlikely to be set in Prelims or Mains.

Source: PIB, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), 8 Apr, 16:21 IST · Release 287611

Issue page →

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

Environment

NHAI Arogya Van

GS3 Environment: Biodiversity and conservationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways announced that NHAI will develop 'Arogya Van', thematic medicinal tree plantations on vacant land along National Highways.
What it is: NHAI Arogya Van is a thematic plantation model. It uses medicinal tree species on vacant land parcels along National Highways. It combines roadside greening with public awareness of traditional medicine such as Ayurveda.

First phase: An action plan covers 17 land parcels over 62.8 hectares, with about 67,462 medicinal trees.
Species: About 36 medicinal species, such as Neem, Amla, Jamun and Imli, were identified. They will be planted according to the agro-climatic zone.
Site priority: Priority goes to parcels near toll plazas, wayside amenities and interchanges to maximise public awareness.
Wider plantation drive: NHAI has identified about 188 hectares of vacant land for plantation in the coming monsoon season.
Aim: The initiative supports pollinators, birds and microfauna, and strengthens ecosystem resilience.

Don’t confuse with Arogya Van vs. Green Highways Policy: Arogya Van is an NHAI thematic medicinal plantation on vacant parcels. The Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015 is the broader policy for highway plantation.

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 biodiversity and highways initiative, but few facts a statement could turn on.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, 8 Apr, 16:26 IST · Release 287614

Issue page →

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

Economy

Arunachal Pradesh Hydropower Projects (Kamala and Kalai-II)

GS3 Infrastructure: EnergyGS1 Geography of NortheastPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved Rs 26,069.50 crore for the 1720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh.
What it is: Kamala HEP is a 1720 MW run-of-the-river style hydropower project planned in Kamle, Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey districts of Arunachal Pradesh. It will be built by a joint venture of NHPC Limited and the state government. It is part of the push to use the Brahmaputra basin's hydro potential in the north-east.

Capacity and output: Installed capacity is 1720 MW (8 x 210 MW and 1 x 40 MW), expected to generate 6870 MU of energy.
Implementation: It will be built through a Joint Venture Company between NHPC Limited and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Central budgetary support: The Centre will give Rs 4,743.98 crore for flood moderation, Rs 1,340 crore for enabling infrastructure, and Rs 750 crore as Central Financial Assistance for the state's equity share.
Benefits to the state: The state gets 12% free power and an additional 1% for the Local Area Development Fund.

Don’t confuse with Free power vs LADF: Free power (12% of generation) goes to the host state. The LADF is a separate 1% share of project revenue for local area development.

Don’t confuse with MW vs MU: MW is installed capacity (power at an instant). MU is million units of energy generated over a period.

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: Hydropower in the Northeast with flood moderation and free power to the state, but project-specific, so UPSC is unlikely to set a question.

Source: PIB, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), 8 Apr, 16:26 IST · Release 287615

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Biomass Co-firing Rules for Thermal Power Plants (CAQM)

GS3 Environment: Pollution controlPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026, CAQM imposed about Rs. 61.85 crore Environmental Compensation on six thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi for not meeting biomass co-firing norms for 2024-25.
What it is: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is the statutory body that regulates air quality in the Delhi region. The Environmental (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023 require coal-based plants to burn biomass pellets or briquettes with coal. The aim is to cut paddy straw burning by using the straw outside the field (ex-situ).

Co-firing norm: Coal-based thermal plants must use a 5% blend of paddy-straw biomass pellets or briquettes with coal under the 2023 Rules.
Interim threshold: For FY 2024-25 a minimum of 3% co-firing was prescribed to avoid Environmental Compensation.
Review committee: A committee of CAQM, CEA, SAMARTH and CPCB members reviewed the plants' representations and recommended compensation.
Statutory Direction: CAQM issued Statutory Direction No. 42 on 17.09.2021 on co-firing and has monitored compliance since.
CAQM legal basis: CAQM was set up under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

Don’t confuse with CAQM vs CPCB: CAQM is a statutory commission for the NCR and adjoining areas with power to issue binding directions. CPCB is the national pollution regulator and here only sits on the review committee.

Don’t confuse with Ex-situ vs in-situ crop residue management: Ex-situ means the straw is removed from the field and used elsewhere, as in power plant co-firing. In-situ means it is managed in the field, for example by incorporating it into the soil.

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: Links to the CAQM and crop-residue issue, with the 5% blend rule and Environmental Compensation. Moderate relevance; no strong question hook today.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 8 Apr, 16:56 IST · Release 287624

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Skills Outcomes Fund

GS2 Social justice: Skill developmentGS3 EmploymentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026, MoS (IC) Skill Development Jayant Chaudhary launched a campaign to build a Skills Outcomes Fund, chairing the first funder roundtable in the series, hosted by the British Asian Trust.
What it is: The Skills Outcomes Fund is a proposed fund, to be anchored by NSDC under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It would pool public and private money to scale outcomes-based financing, where payment depends on verified results such as job placement and retention, not enrolment or certification. It builds on the Skill Impact Bond, India's first outcomes-based skilling initiative.

Anchor agency: NSDC will anchor the fund under MSDE, with not-for-profit and philanthropic partners.
Financing model: Blended finance: MSDE government funding supplemented by private sector funding.
Skill Impact Bond results: Up to Cohort-6: 92% certified, 76% placed, 62% retained in jobs.
Target sectors: Employer-led, demand-driven skilling in IT-ITeS, BFSI, automotive, healthcare, logistics, green jobs and electronics.
Policy link: The draft National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2026 lists outcome orientation as a core principle.

Don’t confuse with Skill Impact Bond vs Skills Outcomes Fund: The Bond is the 2021 pilot of about ₹130 crore; the Fund is the proposed scale-up with blended finance.

Don’t confuse with Outcomes-based financing vs input-based funding: OBF pays on verified results like placement and retention; input-based funding pays on enrolment or training delivered.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: New outcomes-based financing initiative anchored by NSDC. Only a campaign launch with few details so far, so no question yet.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 8 Apr, 17:40 IST · Release 287627

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Satellite Communication Network Authorisation (Telecommunications Act, 2023)

GS3 Science and technology: CommunicationsGS2 RegulationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 April 2026, TRAI released a consultation paper on a framework for Satellite Communication Network authorisation and spectrum assignment. Comments are due by 6 May 2026 and counter-comments by 20 May 2026.
What it is: The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced the older telegraph and wireless laws and lets the Centre grant authorisations for telecom services and networks. Satellite communication network (SCN) authorisation is a proposed new category under it. TRAI, the sector regulator, gives recommendations on terms and conditions, and the government (DoT) takes the final decision.

Legal provision: DoT proposes the SCN authorisation under Section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Who asked, and for what: DoT asked TRAI for terms and conditions of the authorisation, including spectrum assignment for both feeder links and user links.
TRAI's role: TRAI is a statutory regulator set up under the TRAI Act, 1997. Its recommendations on licensing terms are advisory to the government.

Don’t confuse with Feeder link vs user link: The feeder link connects the satellite to the gateway earth station. The user link connects the satellite to end-user terminals.

Don’t confuse with TRAI vs DoT: TRAI recommends terms and conditions. DoT, for the Centre, grants authorisations and assigns spectrum.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Consultation on a satcom authorisation under Section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Useful regulatory background, but only a consultation stage.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Communications, 8 Apr, 18:59 IST · Release 287637

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

India is the world's second-largest crude steel producer; FY2025-26 output rose about 10.7% to around 168.4 million tonnes, and India became a net steel exporter again.
India ranks third globally in installed renewable capacity (IRENA Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, data to Dec 2025), ahead of Brazil.
Cabinet approved Jaipur Metro Phase-2: a 41 km corridor with 36 stations from Prahladpura to Todi Mod, costing Rs 13,037.66 crore.
Exercise Cyclone-IV, the India-Egypt Joint Special Forces exercise, runs 9-17 April 2026 at Anshas, Egypt.

Source: PIB, 8 Apr

What we left out: 31 of 46 releases

Same issue as another release (12)
Ceremonies and campaigns (4)
Routine naval visits and exercises (2)
Tributes and anniversaries (2)
Meetings and consultations (1)
Visits and reviews (2)
Workshops and meetings (4)
Visit schedules (1)
Courtesy meetings (2)
Temporary relief measures (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)MCQ · 12 true or false
2Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) SchemeMCQ · 11 true or false · Mains
3National Quantum MissionMCQ · 13 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana completed 11 years in April 2026, with ₹40.07 lakh crore disbursed across more than 57 crore loan accounts. Examine the provisions of the scheme and discuss its significance for financial inclusion and micro-enterprise growth. Also assess the challenges in ensuring credit quality and enterprise sustainability.

From: Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)

Write and get it marked

Keep reading

The day before

Tuesday, 7 April 2026Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and Three-Stage Nuclear Programme · Designated Repositories under Biological Diversity Act, 2002 · Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Regulations, Delhi and 2 more

The day after

Thursday, 9 April 2026Methanol Bunkering at Kandla Port

All days

Practice · 3 Mains question