Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates April 24, 2026

Current Affairs and GK updates 24/04/2026

Here is the Daily current affairs and GK updates of the day for UPSC,SSC,IBPS,RRB,NTPC and other competitive exams preparations.This updates particularly focus on news updates from 24th April 2026.

National

• Mehar Baba Competition-3 (MBC-3)-The Indian Air Force has launched the third edition of the Mehar Baba Competition-3 (MBC-3). The Ministry of Defence informed that the theme of MBC-3 is Collaborative Drone-Based Surveillance Radars. It also said that the competition aims to encourage innovation in advanced drone and radar technologies. It said that meritorious participants will receive development funding from the Indian Air Force, and the top three winners will be honored with awards. The registration for MBC-3 is commencing on Monday.
• Toll free No for Census 2027:The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner has said that the national toll-free helpline number 1855 is now operational across all States and Union Territories for the Census 2027. It provides guidance on the Houselisting and Housing Census in regional languages and English.
• In Bihar, the NDA government, led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, secured a victory in the trust vote in the Legislative Assembly today. During the one-day special session of the House, the trust motion was passed by voice vote, as no formal division of votes was required.
• NAMASTE Scheme-The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem Scheme has marked a significant milestone in advancing dignity, safety and sustainable livelihoods for sanitation workers across the country.-The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said that under the scheme, a total of more than 90 thousand sewer and septic tank workers have been profiled, out of which 89,248 have been validated. It also said that under the scheme, 87,037 workers have been provided with PPE kits, while more than 76 thousand workers have been covered under various health insurance schemes.

International

• 7th edition of India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise Dustlik culminates at Namangan in Uzbekistan.The aim of Exercise DUSTLIK is to strengthen military cooperation and enhance the ability to conduct joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain. The exercise emphasises a high level of physical fitness, coordinated planning, joint tactical drills, and the fundamentals of special arms skills.
• India emerges as Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing export destination in Q1 2026:India emerged as Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing major export destination in the first quarter of 2026, with shipments rising 12.02% year-on-year to $287.49 million, underscoring a growing regional trade pivot.
• Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2026-Acute food insecurity and malnutrition levels remain alarmingly high and deeply entrenched, according to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2026, released today by an international alliance. In its 10th edition, the GRFC shows that acute hunger has doubled over the past decade.
• Secretary (South), External Affairs Ministry, Dr. Neena Malhotra chaired the meeting of BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa (BRICS MENA) in New Delhi today. The participants had a constructive exchange of views on the current regional developments.
• INS Sudarshini arrives at Las Palmas, Spain -The Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Las Palmas, Spain, as part of her ongoing transoceanic deployment under Lokayan 26. The Defence Ministry said that the port call to the Canary Islands archipelago is significant as it marks the maiden visit of an Indian naval ship to the archipelago.
• India has approved the first withdrawal of 30 billion rupees for the Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework, reinforcing its ongoing financial support to the island nation.The Indian High Commission in Male said the funds are being released as part of the first drawdown under the framework agreed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Maldives government during President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to New Delhi in October 2024.
• President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Annalena Baerbock will visit India next week and hold several bilateral meetings with government officials.

Economy and banking

• India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by 2.3 billion US dollars, reaching over 703 billion dollars for the week ending April 17. According to the Reserve Bank of India, foreign currency assets, the largest component of the reserves, increased by 1.48 billion to over 557 billion US dollars during the week. 
• The Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the banking licence issued to Paytm Payments Bank Limited. In a statement, the RBI said the bank is prohibited to conduct any business from immediate effect. The apex bank has, however, clarified that Paytm Payments Bank Limited has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon winding up operations.

Sports and culture

• Indian shooters continued their dominance at the ISSF Junior Shooting World Cup in Cairo, Egypt, by winning a gold medal today. In the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event, Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar and Divyanshu Shailendra Dewangan secured the gold medal. India is currently at the top of the medal tally with four gold, five silver, and three bronze medals.

Days Observed

• National Panchayati Raj Day is being observed today. The day commemorates the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system as a formal structure of local self-governance. It marks the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which came into force in 1993.