April

current affairs
for all defence
exams
 "Sankalp se Siddhi" - Village and Digital connect
Drive Launched by TRIFED Under Ministry of Tribal
Affairs.
"Sankalp se Siddhi" - Village and Digital
Connect Drive started on the first day of April
month. It will continue for 100 days.
The drive aims to activate the Van Dhan Vikas
Kendras in villages. It will cover 100 villages in
each region and 1500 villages in the country.
Under this drive, the teams will identify Van
Dhan Kendras for Clustering as TRIFOOD and
SFURTI Units.
SFURTI stands for Scheme of Fund for
Regeneration of Traditional Industries.
TRIFOOD Scheme is a joint initiative of the
Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry
of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED. It was started in
August 2020.
 Pradhan Mantri Mudra
Yojana completed six years.
It was launched on 8th
April 2015
Under the scheme, Rs 10
lakh is provided as loans
to non-corporate, non-
farm small/micro-
enterprises.
‘Shishu’,’Kishore’ and
‘Tarun are three
categories under PMMY.
NITI Aayog launched ‘Poshan Gyan’, a Digital Repository on Nutrition Information.
NITI Aayog, in collaboration with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and
Center for Social and Behaviour Change, Ashoka University launched ‘Poshan
Gyan’.
 India handed over the Fast Patrol Vessel to Seychelles.
The name of the Fast Patrol Vessel is PS Zoroaster and this is the fourth ship to
be gifted by India to Seychelles. PS Topaz(2005), PS Constant (2014), Patrol
Boat Hermes (2016) are the other ships gifted to Seychelles.
 Noura al-Matroushi will become the first female astronaut of the UAE.
The United Arab Emirates has announced the name of the first female
astronaut. Noura al-Matroushi will become the first female astronaut of the
UAE.
Valentina Tereshkova is the first female astronaut to go into space. Russian
Yuri Gargarian is the first man to go in space.
Singapore became first country to ratify
the mega free trade agreement RCEP
Singapore has become the first nation
to ratify the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP)
agreement.
10 ASEAN economies and Australia,
China, Japan, New Zealand, and South
Korea are part of RCEP.
The RCEP is the World's Largest free
trade agreement led by China.
India did not accept this agreement.
The US is also not a part of this trade
agreement.
In November 2020, 15 participating
countries had signed the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP) agreement at a regional summit
in Hanoi, Vietnam.
 India and Russia agreed to establish a “2+2 ministerial dialogue”
India and Russia have agreed to establish a “2+2 ministerial dialogue”
between foreign and defence ministers.
So far, India has established “2+2 ministerial dialogue” with United States,
Japan, and Australia
Rajasthan government announced a ‘Jan Anushasan Pakhwara’ after Corona
cases increased
The Rajasthan government has announced the Jan Anushasan Pakhwara (JAP)
or the Public Discipline Fortnight after the rapid increase in the Corona Cases.
It is the extension of the weekend curfew. However, the Government hasnot
named it Lockdown or Curfew.
Indian Army Participated in Multinational
Military Exercise ‘Shantir Ogroshena
-2021’
Indian Army participated in Military
Exercise ‘Shantir Ogroshena -2021’ in
Banglasdesh.
30 personnel of Dogra regiment of the
Indian Army will participate in this
exercise. Bhutan, Sri Lankan and
Bangladesh armies will also participate
in this exercise.
“Robust Peacekeeping Operations” is
the theme of this military exercise.
The USA, UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait and Singapore will be the
Military observers of this exercise.
Military Exercise in News:
Ex-Desert Knight 21:
India - France Military
exercise.
Vajra Prahar 2021:
India and US
Special force of India
and US conducted
military exercise “Vajra
Prahar 2021” in
Himachal Pradesh
 Military Exercise in News:
Joint Military exercise ‘Exercise
Kavach’ : Indian Army, Indian Navy,
Indian Air Force and Indian Coast
Guard
Joint Military Exercise ‘Dustlik-2’: India
and Uzbekistan
 Military Exercise in News:
Exercise Desert Flag: Air Force
of United Arab Emirates, United
States if America, France,
Saudi Arabia, South Korea,
India and Bahrain
 India and Kyrgyzstan started the eighth edition of Exercise “Khanjar”.
Special forces of India and Kyrgyzstan started the eighth edition of the exercise
“Khanjar” on 16th April. It is being Organised in Bishkek.
The first edition of the “Khanjar” exercise was started in 2011. It is a joint
military exercise.
World military spending rose 2.6% from
last year.
According to the Stockholm International
Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) report,
the United States, China, India, Russia,
and the United Kingdom were the five
biggest military spenders in 2020.
China, India, Russia, and the United
Kingdom account for 62% of the total
military spending in the world.
India’s military Expenditure in 2020 was
2% higher than the last year. India is the
third largest military spender in the
World.
NASA shares data of its Mars Mission with
space agencies in India, China, UAE and
with European Space Agency
This step of data sharing has been
taken to lower the risk of collision
between spacecraft orbiting red planet
The first Asian country to send
spacecraft successfully to Mars is India.
Mangalyaan has been orbiting around
Mars since 2014. The names of mars
mission of other agencies are given
as,in table.
Mars is also known as the Red Planet.
Its two satellites are Phoebes and
Demos.
 China’s First Mars rover will be named Zhurong
China has announced that its first Mars rover will be
named Zhurong after a traditional fire god
 President appointed Justice N V Raman as 48th CJI of India
Chief Justice of India:
As per Article 124(2), the President of India appoints the Chief Justice of
India and other judges of the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice of India remains in office till he attains the age of 65 Years.
Harilal J Kania was the first CJI
 Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam issues India’s first municipal green bonds.
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) has issued India’s first Municipal green
bonds.
India’s first Green Municipal Bond issue has been successfully raised and
listed by Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
Green Bonds are financial instruments designed to fund environment
related and climate related projects.
 Biggest floating solar power plant of India will be set up in
Telangana.
The world’s largest floating solar farm will be constructed in
Singapore.
 Tropical cyclone Seroja hits the Western Coast of Australia
A tropical cyclone ‘Seroja’ hits the western coast of Australia. It has
damaged an area of 1000km along the west coast of Australia
 A new Species of Bird added to India’s Bird List.
A new species of bird has been found in Arunachal Pradesh. It
has been added as the 1340th Species in India’s Bird list.
The three-banded rosefinch is generally found in Southern
China and Bhutan
 Saudi Arabia will become part of ‘Net Zero Producers Forum’
Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude exporter, will join the ‘Net Zero Producers
Forum’ on Climate change’.
Saudi Arabia, the United States, Canada, Norway, and Qatar will form a new
platform for Oil and Gas producers.
The main aim of this forum is to discuss how they will support each other in the
Implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
In this forum, member countries will discuss how to achieve the net-zero carbon
emission targets by 2050.
Modi Inaugurates 6th edition of Raisina Dialogue
“ViralWorld: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of Control” is the theme of this year’s Raisina Dialogue.
Raisina Dialogue :
It is being held annually since 2016
It is a multilateral conference organized to discuss international issues.
It is a flagship conference of India on geopolitics and geoeconomics.
It is organised by the Ministry of Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation.
 Indian Air Force Commander’s Conference 2021 held in New Delhi
The Indian Air Force Commander’s Conference 2021 concluded in New Delhi.
The theme of the conference was ‘Reorienting for the Future’.
 UNESCO releases its “World in 2030: Public Survey Reports”.
On 31st March, UNESCO released its “World in 2030: Public Survey report”.
As per the report, climate change and loss of biodiversity were by far the most
selected challenges
 India retained 142nd rank in the World Press Freedom Index 2021.
India has been placed at 142nd position out of 180 countries in the World Press
Freedom Index 2021
India’s rank depicts that it is one of the worst countries for journalists.
In the World Press Freedom Index 2021, Norway is in the top position. Finland
and Denmark are in second and the third position. Eritrea is at the bottom.
World Press Freedom Index: It is released by report without borders. As per
World Press Freedom Index 2020.
 India got 87th rank in the global energy transition index 2021
The global energy transition index gives ranking to countries based on the
performance of their energy systems.
Sweden is on the top position in the global energy transition index 2021, it is
followed by Norway and Denmark.
The global energy transition index is being released by the World Economic
Forum (WEF).
 Suresh Raina’s memoir ‘Believe’ to be released in May 2021
Suresh Raina’s autobiography ‘Believe: What Life and Cricket Taught Me’ will be
unveiled in May 2021
Amitav Ghosh’s new book name “The Living Mountain: A Fable for Our Times”.
He has written his memoir with Bharat Sudaresan.
 Filmfare Awards 2021: The Winners of the award have been announced
Best Film: Thappad
Best Actor Lead Role (Male) : Irfan Khan (Angrezi Medium)
Best Actor Lead Role (Female): Taapsee Pannu (Thappad)
 Rajnikanth will be awarded Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2019.
Dada Saheb Phalke Award: The Award is given at the National Film Festival to a
person for his outstanding contribution to the development of Indian Cinemas.
The Award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a
cash prize of INR 10,00,000.
It was first given in 1969 to actress Devika Rani.
 Kalinga Ratna award has been presented to Andhra Pradesh Governor
Biswabhusan Harichandan.
Vice-President M.Venkaiah Naidu conferred the Kalinga Ratna Award to Andhra
Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan for 2021.
Kalinga Ratna Award is presented to writers for their outstanding literary work.
 Oscar awards winners 2021 announced
The first Academy Awards was presented in 1929.
Best Director - Chole Zhao for “Nomadland”
Best Picture - Nomadland
Best Actor - Anthony Hopkins for “The Father”
Best Actress - Frances McDormand for Nomaland
Best International Feature - Another Round
 Uttar Pradesh Bagged e-panchayat award
The Uttar Pradesh government has won the “E-Panchayat Puraskar
2021”. It has got the first rank in category I.
This award is given to states by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for
the maximum use of Information Technology.
Chandra Nayudu, India’s
first female cricket
commentator, died at age
88
Chandra Nayudu was
the first woman cricket
commentator who
passed away recently at
the age of 88 after
battling a prolonged
illness.
She was the daughter
of India's first test
captain, C K Nayudu.
Former Chief Election Commissioner GVG Krishnamurthy passed
away.
Former Election Commissioner GVG Krishnamurthy died at the
age of 86
Former Indian Hockey player Balbir Singh Junior passed
away.
Indian Hockey player Balbir Singh Junior passed away at the age of 88.
He was a member of the silver medal-winning 1958 Asian Games Indian
hockey team.
He joined the Indian Army as an emergency commissioned officer in 1962.
 Former CBI Director Ranjit passed away.
Former CBI Director Ranjit Sinha died at the age of 68.
Under his tenure, supreme court called the CBI a “caged parrot”
DGP Shabir Hussein appointed as Anti-Corruption unit chief of BCCI
ahead of IPL 2021
The former Gujarat DGP Shabir Hussein Shekhadam Khandwala
has been assigned as the head of the anti corruption unit of the
Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI).
 Shushil Chandra appointed as Chief Election commissioner of India
The President has appointed Sushil Chandra as the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Election Commission of India : It is an autonomous constitutional body.
Articles 324 to 329 of the constitution deals with the powers, functions, tenure, eligiblity, etc.,
of the Election Commission and its members. It is the body responsible for the conduct of Union
and State election procedures in India.
The Commission consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners
are appointed by the President.
Lt. Gen Manjinder Singh assumed charge as Chief of Staff, Western Command
Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh took charge as the Chief of Staff (CoS)
of the Western Command.
 Indian Army Commands:
Eastern Command (Headquarter -
Kolkata)
Central Command (Headquarter -
Lucknow)
Northern Command (Headquarter -
Udhampur)
Southern Command (Headquarter -
Pune)
South Western Command
(Headquarter - Jaipur)
Western Command (Headquarter -
Chandigarh)
Training Command (Headquarter -
Shimla)
2023 Men’s boxing World Championships to be organised in Uzbekistan capital
Tashkent.
2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships will take place from 10 April to 24 April
in Belgrade, Serbia.
Hubert Hurkacz of Poland wins
Miami Open title
Hubert Hurkacz of Poland has
won the Miami open title after
defeating Jannik Sinnner of
Italy. In women's singles,
World No 1 Ashleigh Barty
won the Miami Open title by
defeating Bianca Andreescu.
Miami Open: It is also known
as Miami Open. It is a tennis
tournament usually held
between March to April in
Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Union Sports Minister inaugurated Khelo India State Centre of Excellence for
Rowing Srinagar.
He also announced that the Women Football league would be organised in
Jammu and Kashmir.
 Wisden Cricketers Almanack 2021 winners were announced
In the 2021 Edition of the Wisden Cricketers Almanack, Virat Kholi has been
announced the One Day International cricketer of the decade for the 2010s.
Max Verstappen won Emilia Romagna F1 Grand Prix 2021
 RBI Foundation Day: 1 April
The Reserve Bank of India was
nationalized on 1January 1949.
Shaktikanta Das is the Current
RBI Governor.
Functions of RBI,
Issues of Currency notes
Lend Money to Commercial
Bank and Government
Control Money Supply in the
Market
Regulates the banking system
of India
National Maritime Day : 5
April
National Maritime day is
celebrated to create
awareness regarding
support to intercontinental
commerce and worldwide
economy
World Maritime Day is
observed every year on
the Thursday of last week
in September.
 World Health Day 2021 : 7 April
World Health Day is Celebrated every year on 7 April. The World Health
Organization was established on this day in 1948.
The Year 2020 was declared as the International Year of Nurse and
Midwife by the World Health Assembly.
Theme for World Health Day 2021- “building a fairer, healthier world of
everyone”
National Safe Motherhood
Day : 11 April
The National Safe
Motherhood Day is
celebrated annually on
April 11.
The theme of Safe
Motherhood Day 2021 is
‘Stay at home during
coronavirus, keep mother
and newborn safe from
Coronaviruses.
 World Heritage Day: 18 April
It is celebrated every year on 18 April to spread awareness about the
protection and conservation of rich cultural heritage.
Civil Services Day : 21 April
Civil Services Day is
observed every year in India
on 21 April.
On this day in 1947, Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel addressed
the newly appointed
Administrative Services
Officers at the Metcalf House
in Delhi.
Lord Cornwillis is called the
Father of civil service in
India.
 World Earth Day : 22 April
World Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April to demonstrate support
for environmental protection.
The theme of 2021 World Earth Day is “Restore our Earth”.
 National Panchayati Raj Day 2021 : 24 April
Every year National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on 24th April.
It is celebrated to Mark the importance of Panchayats in the local
administration.The day was First celebrated in 20210.
On this Occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launched the SVAMITVA (Survey
of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme.
 World Immunization Week 2021 : 24-30 April
World Immunization Week is celebrated every year in the last week of April.
‘Vaccines bring us closer’ is the theme of this year’s World Immunization Week.
 World Intellectual Property Day : 26 April
The day was started by the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) in
2000.
The theme of this year’s World Intellectual Property Day is “Intellectual
Property and Small businesses: Taking big ideas to Market”.
Priyanka Mohite becomes first Indian woman to climb Mt.Annapurna
Tamizh Puthandu, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi festivals are celebrated in
different parts of the country.
President Ram Nath Kovind greeted people on the occasion of Tamizh Puthandu,
Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha and Vaisakhadi
These are the names of the New Year festivals in the Different parts of the country.