Daily Current Affairs- 26th April 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 26th April 2026

Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary as India’s 99th Ramsar Site

In the News: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has designated Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, as a Ramsar site (Wetland of International Importance). The announcement was made by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, taking India's total Ramsar sites to 99 and Uttar Pradesh's tally to 12 — bringing India closer to a historic century of Ramsar designations.

Key Points:

• About Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary: Shekha Jheel is a 25-hectare freshwater perennial wetland in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. It came into existence in 1852 following the construction of the Upper Ganga Canal, which divides the lake into two parts. It now stands as India's 99th Ramsar site and Uttar Pradesh's 12th.
• About Ramsar Sites: Ramsar sites are wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention (1971) as Wetlands of International Importance, based on their ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological significance. The designation supports conservation, sustainable use, and international cooperation for wetland protection.
• Ecological Significance: The sanctuary serves as a crucial wintering habitat and stopover on the Central Asian Flyway for over 249 water bird species, including the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and various duck species during the winter season. Mammalian fauna includes the Blackbuck — a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act — and the Blue Bull (Nilgai).
• Flora and Vegetation: The dominant tree species in the sanctuary include Terminalia arjuna and Syzygium cumini. However, the native ecosystem is increasingly threatened by invasive alien species such as Lantana camara, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Water Hyacinth.
• Threats — Anthropogenic and Ecological: The wetland faces multiple threats including siltation caused by unscientific mound construction in 1991, loss of forest cover due to land distribution schemes, and increased poaching vulnerability due to nearby road construction. Aggressive water chestnut farming has also reduced foraging surface area for migratory birds.

1st Structured Pulse Procurement in Bihar

In the News: The Government of India has launched Bihar's first-ever structured pulse procurement initiative under the Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission, with organised procurement of masoor (lentil) being led by the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF). The move is part of broader efforts to strengthen Minimum Support Price (MSP)-based procurement under PM-AASHA and enhance India's self-reliance in pulse production.

Key Points:

• Bihar's First Structured Pulse Procurement: For the first time, organised MSP-based procurement of masoor (lentil) has been initiated in Bihar under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). The NCCF is leading procurement operations, while the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) is preparing to scale up operations through its cooperative network across the state.
• About PM-AASHA: Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) was launched in 2018 to ensure effective implementation of MSP and protect farmers from price volatility. It operates through three components — the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra; the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) to compensate farmers when market prices fall below MSP; and the Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS) to involve private players in procurement.
• Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission: Announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 and launched in October 2025, the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses over the period 2025–26 to 2030–31. It places specific emphasis on Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masoor — crops critical for daily consumption but currently facing production gaps.
• Key Objectives of the Mission: The mission focuses on reducing pulse imports, improving crop yields, promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices, enhancing farmers' incomes, and ensuring long-term nutritional security for the population.
• Chhattisgarh MSP Procurement — Parallel Expansion: Alongside Bihar, MSP-based procurement in Chhattisgarh is being driven by the NCCF through the E-Samyukti digital platform and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) centres spread across multiple districts, focusing on crops like chana and masoor with large-scale farmer participation.

7 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs quit party, set to merge with BJP

In the News: In a major political development, seven of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) ten Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament resigned from the party and announced their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The announcement was made at a press conference by AAP leader Raghav Chadha, accompanied by Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, with the required documentation submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

Key Points:

• The Defection: Seven of AAP's ten Rajya Sabha MPs — constituting more than two-thirds of the party's Upper House strength — resigned from AAP and declared their merger with the BJP. The MPs involved include Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikram Sahney. Signed letters and formal documentation were submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman on the day of the announcement.
• Reasons Cited: Raghav Chadha, who was recently removed as AAP's Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, stated that the party had "completely strayed from its principles, values and core morals." He accused AAP of working for its own benefit rather than for the country, adding that he had increasingly felt like "the right person in the wrong party." Sandeep Pathak similarly stated that after ten years with the party, he was parting ways with AAP.
• Anti-Defection Law — Constitutional Provisions: The anti-defection law, introduced through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment in 1985 and enshrined in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, bars elected representatives from switching parties without risking disqualification. However, mergers supported by at least two-thirds of a party's legislative members are protected from disqualification. The 91st Amendment of 2003 removed the earlier provision that allowed a "split" with one-third support, leaving merger as the only protected route.
• Legal Questions — Will They Face Disqualification?: Despite the two-thirds threshold being numerically met, legal experts have raised concerns. Former Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary clarified that numerical strength alone is insufficient — the original party (AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal) must formally merge with the BJP for the MPs to be protected under the anti-defection law. Since AAP as a party has not merged with the BJP, the seven MPs could still face disqualification proceedings.
• Historical Precedent: The first person ever disqualified under the anti-defection law was Lalduhoma, a Lok Sabha member from Mizoram, in 1988, for shifting political allegiance — a case that established a crucial precedent for the law's application. The final authority on disqualification petitions rests with the Speaker or Chairman of the respective House, a process often criticised for delays and political interpretation.

India among countries where Meta automatically blocks flagged  content

In the News: India has been identified as one of a limited number of countries where Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — automatically restricts content at scale based on local law requirements. The development follows Meta's large-scale compliance with takedown notices issued by State authorities and the Union government through the Sahyog portal, a Union Home Ministry initiative.

Key Points:

• Meta's Automatic Content Blocking in India: Meta has enabled automatic, large-scale content restriction on Facebook and Instagram in India in response to takedown notices from government and police authorities. Unlike most countries, India is now among a select group where such automatic blocking operates at scale based on local law requirements — with Meta instantaneously restricting access to flagged content without independent review.
• The Sahyog Portal: The Sahyog portal is a Union Home Ministry initiative that allows authorised police officials to issue bulk takedown orders and communicate directly with IT intermediaries through a simple online form. It automates and expedites content removal, often targeting political criticism and satirical content, while offering no independent review process. As per the MHA Annual Report 2024-25, over 1,11,185 pieces of suspicious online content were blocked under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act till March 31, 2025.
• Legal Basis and Controversy: The Sahyog portal operates under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, and Rule 3(1)(d) of the Intermediary Guidelines, 2021. Critics argue it circumvents Section 69(A) of the IT Act — which specifically governs blocking orders — and operates opaquely, granting authorities wide censorship powers without adequate legal safeguards or transparency.
• Safe Harbour Implications: Under the IT Act framework, social media platforms that fail to comply with government takedown notices risk losing "safe harbour" protection — meaning they could be held legally liable for user-generated content and forced to defend themselves in court alongside content creators whose posts have been flagged.
• Meta's Compliance Concerns: Experts have raised alarm over Meta's approach of removing content without adequate scrutiny. Pranesh Prakash, co-founder of the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), stated that Meta is removing content it is not even legally required to remove. More critically, Meta does not restore content that was taken down unlawfully on its own — it requires the government to issue a formal unblocking order.

Opposition parties moves fresh notice in RS seeking CECs removal

In the News: Opposition parties moved a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The notice was submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and TMC leader Sagarika Ghose, invoking constitutional provisions and relevant legislation — marking a renewed parliamentary effort after earlier notices were rejected by presiding officers of both Houses.

Key Points:

• The Fresh Notice: The notice calls for an address to the President seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, invoking provisions of the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (CEC) Act, 2023, and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. It has been signed by members of the Congress, TMC, SP, DMK, Left parties, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), RJD, IUML, and other like-minded parties.
• Nine Charges Against the CEC: The notice records nine specific charges against Gyanesh Kumar in detail, including the Election Commission's failure to act on complaints regarding PM Narendra Modi's address to the nation on April 18, 2026 — despite multiple complaints from political parties and citizens. The Opposition alleged that no show-cause notice, advisory, or public response was issued, in stark contrast to the speed of action taken on BJP complaints against Opposition leaders.
• "Straight Talk" Post Controversy: The notice highlights the Election Commission's post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 8, following a meeting with a TMC delegation, in which it claimed to have given a "straight talk" to the party. The Opposition described this as the first time in Indian constitutional history that an official communication channel of a constitutional body publicly named and denigrated a recognised political party during an ongoing electoral contest.
• Other Charges: Additional charges include an incident involving the alleged use of a BJP state unit's seal on an official Election Commission document in Kerala; concerns over large-scale deletion of voters from electoral rolls in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, described as "mass disenfranchisement"; and allegations that the transfer and posting of bureaucrats in poll-bound states exceeded the Election Commission's constitutional mandate.
• Constitutional Procedure for CEC Removal: Under the Constitution and the CEC Act, 2023, the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only through an address by both Houses of Parliament, passed with a special majority — similar to the procedure for the removal of a Supreme Court judge. The Opposition has urged the Rajya Sabha Chairman to admit the notice, constitute a three-member inquiry committee, and seek Kumar's recusal from election-related duties pending the inquiry's outcome.

India–Egypt Defence Cooperation

In the News: The 11th meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Defence Committee (JDC) was held in Cairo from April 20 to 22, 2026. The meeting resulted in the agreement of a bilateral defence cooperation plan for 2026-27, covering military exchanges, maritime security, joint exercises, and defence production collaboration — reaffirming the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.

Key Points:

• 11th JDC Meeting: The India-Egypt Joint Defence Committee convened its 11th meeting in Cairo from April 20–22, 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Shri Amitabh Prasad, with senior representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Forces. The Egyptian delegation was headed by senior officials from its Defence Forces and Ministry of Defence.
• Bilateral Defence Cooperation Plan 2026-27: Both sides agreed on a forward-looking defence cooperation plan for 2026-27, focusing on five key areas — expanding structured military interaction mechanisms, strengthening joint training exchanges, enhancing maritime security cooperation, increasing the scope and complexity of military exercises, and promoting collaboration in defence production and technology.
• Defence Industry Collaboration: The Indian delegation highlighted India's fast-growing defence manufacturing capabilities, noting that production has crossed US $20 billion and exports amount to approximately US $4 billion to over 100 countries. Both sides agreed to develop a dedicated defence industry cooperation plan, with defence manufacturing emerging as a key pillar of bilateral ties — including exploration of co-development and co-production opportunities.
• Air Force Engagement: The Indian delegation called on Commander of the Egyptian Air Force (EAF), Lieutenant General Amr Abdel Rahman Saqr, and acknowledged the close cooperation between the air forces of both nations.
• Milestones in India-Egypt Defence Relations: A landmark MoU on defence cooperation was signed in September 2022 during the visit of India's Raksha Mantri to Egypt. Bilateral ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023. The 11th JDC meeting reaffirmed the mutual commitment of both countries to regional security and stability.
• Tribute at War Memorial: The Indian delegation laid a wreath at the Heliopolis War Memorial in Cairo, paying homage to Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during World War I and World War II.

Shooting at White House-Trump event: How is the US President protected?

In the News: A gunman attempted to storm the ballroom of the Washington Hilton hotel during the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington D.C., where US President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and several senior cabinet members were present. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested after opening fire near a security checkpoint, marking the third assassination threat faced by President Trump.

Key Points:

• The Incident: At approximately 20:35 local time, gunshots were fired in the foyer of the Washington Hilton hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice-President JD Vance were swiftly evacuated by the Secret Service. A law enforcement officer was shot during the exchange of fire but was discharged from hospital after his bulletproof vest prevented a more serious injury.
• The Suspect: The alleged attacker, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, was carrying two guns and knives. A mechanical engineering graduate of the California Institute of Technology, he was charged in federal court with assault of a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI's criminal investigation and terrorism task force are investigating the case.
• Secret Service Response: The Secret Service successfully intercepted the gunman before he could reach the ballroom. President Trump praised his security detail as "great people," and the White House Correspondents' Association president Weijia Jiang thanked the Secret Service for actions that "protected thousands of guests." The Secret Service's swift evacuation of senior officials — including VP Vance, Health Secretary RFK Jr., Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and aide Stephen Miller — underscored the agency's protective protocols.
• Trump's Previous Assassination Threats: This was the third time President Trump faced an assassination threat — a bullet grazed his ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024, and a suspected gunman was spotted at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida in September 2024.

People born after 2009 to be banned from buying cigarettes: The UK’s new Bill, explained

In the News: The United Kingdom's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which bans anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 from ever legally purchasing cigarettes, has been passed by both Houses of Parliament and awaits Royal Assent. Described as the biggest public health intervention in a generation, the legislation aims to create a smoke-free generation in Britain.

Key Points:

• The Generational Smoking Ban: Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, it will be illegal for shops to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 — meaning anyone currently aged 17 or younger faces a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes. The restriction applies permanently, regardless of their age in the future.
• Origin of the Bill: The Bill was originally introduced in 2024 under then-Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who proposed raising the legal smoking age by one year every year. It has now been carried forward and passed into law under the current Labour Party government.
• Smoke-Free England by 2030: The legislation is part of the UK government's broader ambition, announced in 2019, to make England smoke-free by 2030 — defined as reducing smoking prevalence to below 5% of the total population. The UK was one of the first countries to ban smoking in public places (2007) and introduced plain packaging for cigarettes in 2016.
• Vaping Regulations: The Bill also grants ministers new powers to regulate vaping and nicotine products, including control over flavours and packaging. Vaping will be banned in cars carrying children, in playgrounds, outside schools, and at hospital premises — though it will remain permitted outside hospitals to support those attempting to quit smoking.
• Global Comparisons — Generational Bans: New Zealand had introduced a similar birth-year-based smoking ban in 2022 but scrapped key provisions in 2023 as part of a coalition deal, partly due to concerns over lost tobacco tax revenue. In November 2025, the Maldives became the only country to have implemented a full generational smoking ban, barring those born in or after 2007 from purchasing tobacco — applicable to tourists as well.