Daily Current Affairs- 9th April 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 9th April 2026

Supreme Court holds Sajjadanashin, Mutawalli are distinct offices under Waqf

In the News: The Supreme Court of India, in a bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Vipul M Pancholi, ruled on April 2, 2026, that the offices of Sajjadanashin and Mutawalli are distinct and separate positions under the Waqf framework, even if the same person may hold both roles simultaneously.

Key Points:

• The Ruling: The Supreme Court held that a Sajjadanashin is the spiritual head of a Waqf shrine, and the declaration of a Sajjadanashin is a religious affair. A Mutawalli, by contrast, is solely responsible for the administration and management of the Waqf. The two offices, though sometimes held by the same person, are legally and functionally distinct.
• Who is a Sajjadanashin? The term derives from "sajjada" (prayer mat) and "nasheen" (one who sits on it). The Sajjadanashin leads prayers, preserves the spiritual lineage (silsila) of the shrine, guides disciples (murids), and conducts religious ceremonies such as Urs and Sandal. Succession to this office is determined through nomination rooted in the institution's own traditions, typically through a formal document called a Khilafatnama.
• Who is a Mutawalli? The Mutawalli is a statutory office regulated under the Waqf Act, 1995. The role involves managing the waqf's land, income, and accounts, and ensuring properties are used for their intended religious purposes. The Waqf Board has authority to appoint, remove, inspect, and direct Mutawallis — but this authority does not extend to spiritual succession.
• Key Legal Provision — Section 64(2), Waqf Act, 1995: The Court relied on Section 64(2), which states that removal from the office of Mutawalli does not affect a person's rights as a Sajjadanashin. Since the two offices are mentioned distinctly in the same provision, they are treated as separate offices in law.
• The Shivanasamudra Case: Peer Pasha Khadri, the Sajjadanashin of Hazarath Mardane-e-Gaib Dargah in Karnataka, had nominated his eldest grandson through a 1981 Khilafatnama. His youngest son challenged this, relying on a power of attorney, an affidavit, and an earlier handwritten Khilafatnama. The Court dismissed the uncle's appeal, holding that a power of attorney ceases upon death of the grantor and cannot confer rights of succession to a religious office, and that an affidavit alone lacks the formality required for a valid nomination.

Exercise Cyclone 2026 Strengthens India-Egypt Defence Cooperation

In the News: An Indian Army contingent departed for Egypt on April 8, 2026, to participate in the fourth edition of the India–Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise, Cyclone-IV, scheduled to be conducted at Anshas, Egypt, from April 9 to 17, 2026.

Key Points:

• About Exercise Cyclone: Exercise Cyclone is a bilateral joint military exercise conducted between the special forces of India and Egypt. It is held on a rotational basis, alternately in India and Egypt. The 2026 edition, Cyclone-IV, is the fourth iteration of this exercise and follows the previous edition successfully held in India.
• Venue and Duration: The exercise is being conducted at Anshas, Egypt, from April 9 to 17, 2026, in desert and semi-desert terrain that simulates realistic operational conditions relevant to both countries' strategic environments.
• Indian Contingent: The Indian side comprises 25 personnel drawn from elite Special Forces units of the Indian Army, who will train alongside their Egyptian counterparts in a realistic operational setting.
• Objectives: The primary aim of the exercise is to enhance joint mission planning capabilities and improve interoperability between the two forces. It also focuses on the exchange of best practices in special operations, including specialised tactics, techniques, and procedures suited to desert warfare conditions.
• Broader Context: Bilateral military exercises such as Cyclone are a key facet of India–Egypt defence cooperation, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between the two nations and contributing to building mutual trust between their armed forces.

Is Trump practising the madman theory? An Expert Explains

In the News: Amid US President Donald Trump's escalatory rhetoric during the ongoing conflict in West Asia — including threats to "end a whole civilisation" and strike Iran's power plants and bridges — experts and analysts have raised the question of whether Trump is deliberately deploying the "Madman Theory" as a foreign policy strategy.

Key Points:

• What is the Madman Theory? The Madman Theory is a foreign policy strategy in which a leader deliberately projects an image of irrationality and unpredictability, making adversaries believe they might take extreme or even catastrophic actions. The theory argues that being perceived as irrational gives a leader a coercive bargaining advantage in international crises. The phrase originated from former US President Richard Nixon, who was recorded as cultivating such a reputation to pressure adversaries during wartime negotiations.
• Two Types of 'Madness': According to Professor Roseanne McManus of Pennsylvania State University, two forms of perceived madness can make a leader's threats more credible — unpredictability (the sense that a leader might do anything) and extremism (indifference to the consequences of war, including casualties). Trump's inconsistent statements and willingness to make extreme threats despite domestic and global backlash reflect both types.
• Trump vs. Other Leaders: Nixon sought a madman reputation but was inconsistent in projecting it — the Soviets even considered him their most preferred US president to work with. George W. Bush was seen as a hawk but not as unpredictable or extremist. Vladimir Putin's madman image faded when he refrained from using nuclear weapons despite setbacks in Ukraine. Kim Jong Un, through extreme threats and dramatic actions, built the strongest madman reputation — and is considered the closest analogy to Trump.
• Limitations of the Theory in the Information Age: Establishing a credible madman reputation requires consistent projection of irrational behaviour, which is harder in the modern era when every statement and action is instantly decoded and dissected across multiple information sources. Additionally, perceived madness that boosts the credibility of threats simultaneously undermines the credibility of peace commitments — adversaries may resist demands, believing conflict is inevitable regardless, which may partly explain Iran's reluctance to negotiate with the US.

UAE Introduces World’s First 10G Internet Network Using U6GHz Spectrum

In the News: The United Arab Emirates has launched the world's first commercial upper 6GHz (U6GHz) internet network, announced at the SAMENA Council Leaders' Summit 2026. The rollout was led by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), marking a landmark moment in global digital connectivity.

Key Points:

• What is the U6GHz Spectrum? The U6GHz band operates in the frequency range of 6425–7125 MHz. It is often referred to as the "golden spectrum" because it uniquely combines wide coverage with high-speed data transmission. It can handle large volumes of data simultaneously without slowing down, making it well-suited for modern, data-heavy internet demands.
• Speed and Technical Capabilities: The network offers download speeds of up to 10 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 1 Gbps under advanced 5G technology. It also features low latency — meaning minimal delay — which is critical for real-time applications such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, virtual reality, and online gaming.
• Development Timeline: The U6GHz spectrum was first allocated for mobile services in the UAE in 2024. Field tests conducted in 2025 successfully demonstrated speeds of up to 10 Gbps. The network was commercially deployed in 2026, making the UAE the first country in the world to achieve this milestone.
• Key Partners and Stakeholders: The commercial rollout has been supported by global technology companies including Huawei, Nokia, and GSMA, along with UAE telecom operators du and e&. Their collaboration enabled the transition from testing to full-scale commercial deployment.

National Quantum Mission Achieves 1,000 km Secure Communication Breakthrough

In the News: Under the National Quantum Mission, India has successfully demonstrated a 1,000-km quantum communication network — one of the longest in the world — within less than two years of the mission's launch in October 2024. The milestone was highlighted during a review of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) chaired by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on April 8, 2026.

Key Points:

• The Milestone: A 1,000-km Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network has been successfully demonstrated using indigenous technology developed by QNu Labs, a startup supported under the National Quantum Mission focused on quantum-safe cybersecurity solutions. DST Secretary Dr. Abhay Karandikar described it as "a landmark advancement in secure quantum communication," noting that it reflects progress ahead of envisaged timelines. The mission's overall target is to achieve a 2,000-km quantum communication network over an eight-year period.
• About the National Quantum Mission: Launched by the Department of Science and Technology, the National Quantum Mission has a total outlay of ₹6,003 crore for the period 2023–24 to 2030–31. It is one of the nine key initiatives under the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). The mission is implemented through four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) operating on a Hub-Spoke-Spike model to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and research organisations.
• Four Focus Areas of the Mission: Quantum Computing is led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Quantum Communication is spearheaded by IIT Madras in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), New Delhi. Quantum Sensing and Metrology is led by IIT Bombay, and Quantum Materials and Devices are coordinated by IIT Delhi.
• Startup Ecosystem Expansion: The government has extended support to nine additional startups under the mission, taking the total number of supported ventures to 17. The newly supported startups — including Sense-XT, QuBeats, Quantum Biosciences, GDQ Labs, and others — are working on areas such as quantum biosensors for disease detection, photon sensing, quantum positioning systems, atomic memory, and precision electronic systems.
• RDI Funding Progress: Under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) funding framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) has received over 100 proposals within two months of issuing a call, while BIRAC has received nearly 200 applications including projects in cancer research, gene therapy, and bio-manufacturing.

Deep Jariwala Appointed as US Governor’s Chair

In the News: Indian-origin scientist Deep Jariwala has been appointed as the UT-ORNL Governor's Chair for Quantum Devices, a joint position between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He will officially assume the role in January 2027.

Key Points:

• The Appointment: Deep Jariwala, currently an associate professor and Peter and Susanne Armstrong Distinguished Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, has been named the UT-ORNL Governor's Chair for Quantum Devices. He will hold a joint appointment at UT's Tickle College of Engineering and at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
• The Governor's Chair Programme: The programme is designed to align the strengths of the University of Tennessee and ORNL to advance research and talent development, and to attract accomplished researchers to the region. It combines academic teaching with high-level scientific research.
• Research Focus: Jariwala specialises in quantum materials, microelectronics, and next-generation computing technologies. His work aims to make AI more energy-efficient by improving microchips — either by structuring chips to mimic the human brain or by leveraging the unique physics of quantum materials in computing.
• Academic Contributions: He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications and serves as associate editor for ACS Nano Letters. He has received honours from the American Physical Society, IEEE, and Optica.
• Entrepreneurship and Industry Connect: As co-founder of Agni Semiconductor, Jariwala brings an entrepreneurial dimension to his academic role. At UT, he plans to establish a new research laboratory at the Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, located at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm — a hub for UT, ORNL, and industry collaboration.