Daily Current Affairs- 28th April 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 28th April 2026

Reconstitution of NITI Aayog

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes on the reconstitution of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. Ashok Kumar Lahiri was appointed as Vice Chairperson, while five individuals were named as Full-Time Members of the reconstituted body.

Key Points:

• Reconstitution Announced: The Cabinet Secretariat issued a notification dated April 24, 2026, formally approving the reconstitution of NITI Aayog in continuation of an earlier notification dated July 16, 2024. All appointments take effect from the date of assumption of charge.
• New Vice Chairperson: Ashok Kumar Lahiri has been appointed as Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog. He will serve on the same terms and conditions applicable to the post, until further orders.
• Five Full-Time Members Appointed: The five newly appointed Full-Time Members are Rajiv Gauba, Prof. K. V. Raju, Prof. Gobardhan Das, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, and Dr. M. Srinivas. All appointments are on the standard terms applicable to Full-Time Members of NITI Aayog.
• Ex-Officio Members Unchanged: The Ex-officio Members and Special Invitees of NITI Aayog remain the same as those listed in the original July 2024 notification, ensuring continuity in the institution's broader composition.
• PM's Remarks on NITI Aayog: PM Modi described NITI Aayog as a vital pillar of India's policy-making architecture, highlighting its role in fostering cooperative federalism, advancing key reforms, and improving the Ease of Living for citizens across the country.
• Strategic Role Reaffirmed: NITI Aayog continues to function as a platform for innovation and long-term strategic thinking across sectors, reflecting the government's emphasis on evidence-based, forward-looking governance.

Symbiosis University Launches Asia’s First UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development

In the News: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated Asia's first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, during the International Conference on "Women Leading the Future of Work."

Key Points:

• UNESCO Chair Launch: The UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development was formally inaugurated at SSPU, Pune, marking the first such chair in Asia. The launch took place in collaboration with UNESCO as part of the International Conference on "Women Leading the Future of Work."
• Key Dignitaries Present: The inauguration was attended by Aditi Tatkare, Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra; Monica Nagelgaard, Consul General of Norway; and Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Pro-Chancellor, SSPU, who spearheads the UNESCO Chair initiative.
• About the UNESCO Chair: The Chair is anchored at SSPU, which has developed an industry-integrated skilling model focused on training underprivileged girls in future-ready skills. Under this initiative, 10,000 girls have already been trained in sunrise sectors such as robotics, automation, semiconductor technology, advanced manufacturing, and defence technology, with each participant receiving job offers upon completing the course.
• Conference Themes: The International Conference brought together global institutions, policymakers, industry leaders, and academia. It focused on women's participation in emerging sectors including Defence Technology, Robotics, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Semiconductors, and Global Capacity Centres. Over 40 industry leaders participated as keynote speakers and panellists.
• Global Participation: Key international speakers included Mary Overington (Trade and Investment Commissioner, South Asia), Gabriel Bordado (Skills Specialist, International Labour Organization), Soledad Patino (UNESCO Global Skills Academy, Paris), and Priscilla Wanjiku Gatonye (UNESCO-UNEVOC, Germany).

Ending Live-In Relationship Is Not a Crime: SC

In the News: The Supreme Court of India ruled that voluntarily ending a live-in relationship does not constitute a criminal offence. A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan made this observation while hearing the plea of a woman who had lived with a man for 15 years, had a child with him, and sought criminal proceedings after he married someone else.

Key Points:

• The Case: A woman who had been in a live-in relationship for 15 years sought criminal action against her former partner on grounds of sexual harassment and exploitation after he married another woman, despite a child having been born from their relationship. The matter was heard by a bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan.
• Court's Ruling on Criminal Liability: The Supreme Court refused to permit criminal proceedings, holding that walking out of a consensual live-in relationship is not a criminal offence. The bench observed that emotional hardship alone cannot convert a consensual relationship into a case of sexual assault or exploitation.
• No Legal Binding in Live-In Relationships: The court noted that unlike marriage, live-in relationships carry no legal binding on either party. It cautioned that individuals must be mindful of the legal limitations and uncertainties inherent in such relationships.
• Woman's Argument: The woman's counsel stated that she had entered the relationship at the age of 18 as a widow, was allegedly misled by a false promise of marriage, and that the man had married multiple times. The court, however, said it could only examine the legal issue at hand and not adjudicate on personal moral conduct.
• Child's Maintenance Protected: While declining to allow criminal prosecution, the court clarified that the woman retains the right to seek maintenance for her eight-year-old child born from the relationship. The bench affirmed that a child's rights remain protected regardless of the legal status of the parents' relationship.

NITI Aayog Launches DPI@2047 Plan, Targets $30 Trillion Economy and $18,000 Per Capita Income

In the News: NITI Aayog released its "Vision for Viksit Bharat @ 2047: An Approach Paper," outlining India's ambitious target of becoming a USD 30 trillion economy with a per capita income of USD 18,000 by 2047, coinciding with the centenary of India's independence.

Key Points:

• The Vision Document: NITI Aayog's "Vision for Viksit Bharat @ 2047: An Approach Paper" lays out a comprehensive roadmap for India to attain high-income status by 2047. The twin targets are a GDP of USD 30 trillion and a per capita income of USD 18,000.
• Sustained Growth Requirement: To achieve these targets, India must maintain a GDP growth rate of 7-10% over the next 20-30 years. The document acknowledges that sustaining such growth over this duration is a feat few countries have managed historically.
• Avoiding the Middle-Income Trap: A central concern of the document is the risk of India falling into the Middle-Income Trap, a situation where a country's growth stagnates after reaching a moderate income level. The paper stresses the need for structural reforms to ensure India transitions to high-income status.
• Structural Challenges to Address: The document identifies key structural bottlenecks that must be resolved, including upgrading manufacturing capabilities, improving logistics infrastructure, and bridging the rural-urban income divide.
• Energy, Security, and Sustainability: The vision emphasises balancing India's energy security needs with sustainability goals, while simultaneously enhancing industrial competitiveness to support long-term economic expansion.
• Per Capita Income Growth Outlook: Separately, the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2024-33 projects India to record the highest per capita income growth globally at 5.4% annually between 2024 and 2033, lending external validation to India's growth ambitions.

The UAE’s exit from OPEC, and its possible impact on global oil prices

In the News: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its withdrawal from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ alliance, with the exit set to take effect from May 1, 2026. The UAE's state news agency cited Abu Dhabi's long-term economic vision as the primary reason, with the ongoing US-Iran war serving as a significant trigger.

Key Points:

• About OPEC: Founded in September 1960 at the Baghdad Conference, OPEC was originally established by five founding members: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. Created to counter the dominance of Western multinational oil companies (the "Seven Sisters"), OPEC coordinates the petroleum policies of its member states to ensure stable returns. The UAE formally joined OPEC in 1967. In 2016, OPEC+ was formed by onboarding 10 major non-OPEC producers led by Russia, producing roughly 40% of the world's crude oil and accounting for 60% of internationally traded petroleum.
• UAE's Exit: The UAE announced its withdrawal from OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance on April 28, 2026, effective May 1, 2026. This ends a membership of over 50 years. The UAE's state news agency cited Abu Dhabi's longer-term economic vision as the stated reason for the exit.
• Role of the US-Iran War: The ongoing US-Iran war has significantly disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled roughly one-fifth of the world's oil transport. The conflict has damaged oil refinement and production facilities across Gulf nations. With Iran being a founding OPEC member, the alliance's consensus-based decision-making had restricted the UAE's ability to independently secure its exports and forge new strategic partnerships for its own defence.
• Production Capacity Constraints: Beyond the war, the UAE had long been dissatisfied with OPEC's strict production quotas. State-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), backed by a USD 150 billion investment, had targeted maximum sustainable crude oil production of five million barrels per day by 2027. OPEC's quotas had left the UAE underutilising both its infrastructure and natural reserves.
• Economic Diversification Goals: The UAE's exit is also tied to its broader vision of transitioning from a fossil-fuel-dependent economy to a knowledge-based economy. The country has been expanding into sectors such as education and technology, and ironically, pumping more oil is necessary to accumulate the capital required to fund this transition.
• Impact on OPEC: The UAE's exit significantly weakens OPEC by reducing the organisation's collective spare capacity, which had largely been held by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This will pressure OPEC to compete with the UAE as an independent oil producer, and raises the possibility of other members such as Saudi Arabia also abandoning their own quotas.

P. V. Sindhu Gets Voting Role in BWF Council, Becomes Voice of Athletes in Global Badminton

In the News: Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu has assumed a full voting position on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council, following her election as Chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission in December 2024. She made her first appearance before the global badminton membership at the Annual General Meeting held in Horsens, Denmark, on April 25, 2026.

Key Points:

• New Role: Sindhu has been appointed as a voting member of the BWF Council, one of badminton's most significant governance bodies. Her entry into the Council follows her election as Chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission in December 2024, after which she completed the formal vetting process and officially joined the Council at the end of 2025.
• Significance of the Role: Sindhu's position is particularly notable as it remains rare for an active athlete competing at the highest level to simultaneously hold a full voting position within badminton's global governance structure. Her presence ensures that elite players' voices, experiences, and priorities are directly represented in the sport's highest decision-making forums.
• Role and Responsibilities: As a voting member of the BWF Council, Sindhu will participate in discussions and decisions that shape the strategic direction and future of badminton worldwide. She will serve as a bridge between the global athlete community and BWF's leadership, bringing the perspectives of players from across the world into governance discussions.
• First Official Appearance: Sindhu made her formal debut before the global badminton membership at the BWF Annual General Meeting held in Horsens, Denmark, on April 25, 2026, marking the official beginning of her active tenure on the Council.
• BWF President's Welcome: BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul welcomed Sindhu to the Council, recognising her exceptional skill, grace, and spirit on the court, and describing her as an outstanding role model to represent the voice of athletes within the organisation.

Virat Kohli Becomes First Player to Reach 9000 IPL Runs in Historic Milestone

In the News: Indian cricketing legend Virat Kohli became the first player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to score 9,000 runs, achieving the milestone during a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Key Points:

• Historic Milestone: Virat Kohli became the first cricketer ever to score 9,000 runs in IPL history, cementing his status as the most dominant and consistent batter in T20 franchise cricket. The milestone was achieved during RCB's match against Delhi Capitals.
• Match Details: Kohli reached the landmark in his 275th IPL match, needing just 11 runs before the game began. He completed the feat with a single in the sixth over, having faced a total of 6,732 balls to accumulate 9,000 IPL runs.
• IPL's All-Time Highest Run-Scorers: Kohli leads the IPL run-scoring charts by a significant margin. The list of highest run-scorers in IPL history stands as follows: Virat Kohli (9,000+ runs), Rohit Sharma (7,183 runs), Shikhar Dhawan (6,769 runs), David Warner (6,565 runs), and KL Rahul (5,580 runs).
• Records Within Reach: Kohli is approaching two additional potential world-firsts in IPL cricket. He is closing in on becoming the first player to score 1,200 T20 runs against a single team (Delhi Capitals). He is also nearing 8,000 IPL runs scored on Indian soil, which would be another unprecedented achievement.

India Launches First Official F1 Sim Racing Championship

In the News: Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) announced the launch of India's first Official F1 Sim Racing Championship, titled the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, on April 28, 2026. The initiative marks the first time Formula 1 has introduced a programme of this nature exclusively for India, aimed at creating a structured pathway from virtual racing to professional motorsport.

Key Points:

• Championship Launch: Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited have jointly announced the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, India's first official Formula 1-sanctioned sim racing competition. Mumbai Falcons has been granted the rights to host the championship, establishing a national competitive platform for emerging motorsport talent across the country.
• Competition Format: The championship will be played on F1 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, featuring identical circuits, competitive formats, and team liveries as the global series. Participants can compete via PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. Registrations open on April 30, 2026, through the MFRL App (available on Play Store and Apple Store).
• Tournament Structure: The competition will follow a multi-stage format, beginning with online qualifiers, progressing to city-based simulator rounds, and culminating in a national final in Mumbai in November 2026.
• Regulatory and Policy Context: The launch coincides with esports being officially recognised under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, lending institutional legitimacy to competitive gaming initiatives such as this championship. India currently has 78.8 million Formula 1 fans, reflecting the sport's massive and growing domestic base.
• Narain Karthikeyan's Endorsement: India's first Formula 1 driver, Narain Karthikeyan, backed the initiative, stating that with a generation raised on F1 gaming and a booming fan base, the time is right for an official competitive sim racing championship in India. He described the initiative as globally unique and a new benchmark for talent development.
• Mumbai Falcons' Track Record: Founded in 2019, Mumbai Falcons became the first Indian team to win an FIA-accredited international racing championship. The organisation has previously supported the early careers of several drivers who reached the pinnacle of the sport, including Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Jehan Daruvala, and Kush Maini, among others.