April 21, 2026 - Current Affairs

Fertiliser Crisis in India Amid Global Supply Disruptions

Context

India is facing a significant fertilizer challenge due to rising global prices and supply disruptions triggered by geopolitical tensions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz amid the US–Israel vs Iran conflict.

Nature of the Crisis

Sharp Increase in Prices: Urea prices have nearly doubled within a short period, increasing from around $508 per tonne in February to about $935 per tonne in April.

Input materials such as sulphur and ammonia have also witnessed steep price increases, significantly raising fertiliser production costs.

High Import Dependence: India annually consumes 39-40 million tonnes (mt) of urea, of which 25% is imported.

India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership

Context

Recently, India and South Korea have taken a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations by deciding to resume negotiations for upgrading the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Key Outcomes of the Bilateral Meeting

Strategic Vision: Adoption of a Joint Strategic Vision for deepening the Special Strategic Partnership. Focus areas include:

Chips to Ships (semiconductors to shipbuilding)

Talent to Technology

Science Behind Smart Washbasins

In Context

Smart washbasins have gained widespread adoption across high-traffic public spaces like multiplexes, airports, metro stations, and malls.

What Is a Smart Washbasin?

A smart washbasin is an automated plumbing fixture that uses electronic sensors to control water flow without any physical contact.

It belongs to the broader family of phygital devices (physical + digital integration) that combine mechanical infrastructure with digital sensing technology to enhance hygiene, water efficiency, and user experience in public and private spaces.

India’s Forest Carbon Storage May Nearly Double by 2100

Context

A recent study published in Environmental Research: Climate highlights that India’s forests could store nearly twice as much carbon by 2100 under different climate change scenarios.

Carbon storage by India's forests

India’s forests act as a significant carbon sink by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in biomass and soil.

According to the Forest Survey of India, the total forest carbon stock increased from 6.94 billion tonnes in 2013 to 7.29 billion tonnes in 2023.

The carbon stock includes carbon stored in above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, dead wood, litter, and soil organic carbon.

News In Short 21-04-2026

Context

Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka have urged India to sustain pressure for full implementation of the Indo-Lanka Accord.

Indo–Lanka Accord (1987)

The Indo-Lanka Accord was a bilateral agreement signed in July 1987 between Rajiv Gandhi and J. R. Jayewardene to address the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

Objectives: The Accord aimed to resolve the long-standing conflict between the Sinhalese-majority government and Tamil minorities.

Key Provisions: It sought to ensure the devolution of political powers to provinces in order to provide greater regional autonomy.