{"id":72063,"date":"2026-04-22T18:36:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T13:06:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=72063"},"modified":"2026-04-22T18:36:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T13:06:44","slug":"news-in-short-22-04-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/22-04-2026\/news-in-short-22-04-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 22-04-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Adi Shankaracharya<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Adi Shankaracharya on his Jayanti.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Adi Shankaracharya<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adi Shankaracharya (approximately 788\u2013820 CE) was a philosopher, theologian, and saint born in Kalady, Kerala.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shankaracharya&#8217;s defining contribution to <strong>Indian philosophy is Advaita Vedanta<\/strong>, the <strong>doctrine of non-dualism.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He taught that <strong>Atman (individual soul)<\/strong> and <strong>Brahman (universal consciousness) <\/strong>are identical, not two separate entities. The world&#8217;s apparent reality is <strong>Maya (illusion)<\/strong> which dissolves upon attaining <strong>Jnana (true knowledge).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He also introduced the <strong>Shanmata system<\/strong> organising worship of<strong> six primary deities (Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Muruga, and Surya)<\/strong> under a single philosophical umbrella\u00a0 presenting each as a valid path to Brahman and reducing sectarian conflict across Hindu traditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shankaracharya wrote authoritative Bhashyas (commentaries) on the Prasthanatrayi \u2014 the three foundational texts of Vedanta:<strong> the Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and 12 major Upanishads.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He composed over 72 devotional hymns including <strong>Soundarya Lahari, Sivananda Lahari, and Nirvana Shatakam.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: PIB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">SMILE Scheme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The SMILE Scheme is transforming lives across India by promoting inclusive rehabilitation and social reintegration of vulnerable communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Launched in<strong> 2022<\/strong>, the Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) is implemented by the <strong>Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is <strong>India\u2019s first unified national framework<\/strong> designed to support vulnerable groups at every stage, from identification and rescue to healthcare, rehabilitation, education, counselling, skill development, and long-term economic independence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Components:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>One of its components was the sub-scheme to <strong>identify, profile, and rehabilitate individuals <\/strong>engaged in the act of begging with their consent.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The other component of the scheme is for the <strong>empowerment of transgender persons.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives: <\/strong>Make religious, tourist, and historical urban spaces &#8220;beggary-free&#8221;.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Progress: <\/strong>As of January 2026, a total of 30,257 individuals have been identified as engaged in the act of begging, and 8,129 individuals have been rehabilitated in different cities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=158259&amp;ModuleId=3&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary Designated as New Ramsar Sites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India designated<strong> Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh <\/strong>as its <strong>99th<\/strong> Ramsar Site, with Uttar Pradesh now having <strong>12th<\/strong> sites on the list.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a <strong>freshwater<\/strong> wetland ecosystem, formed by the <strong>Upper Ganges Canal <\/strong>in <strong>Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a key habitat for migratory birds on the <strong>Central Asian Flyway <\/strong>and wintering ground for species such as<strong> Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork <\/strong>and<strong> various species of ducks and waterfowl.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>India&#8217;s Latest Additions in Ramasar site&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan):<\/strong> 95th Ramsar site<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kopra Jalashay (Chhattisgarh): <\/strong>96th Ramsar Sites<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh):<\/strong> 97th Ramsar Sites<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve (Gujarat): <\/strong>98th Ramsar Sites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>What is the Ramsar Convention?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A Ramsar site is a <strong>wetland designated <\/strong>as one of <strong>international importance<\/strong> under the Ramsar Convention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Ramsar Convention is one of the oldest<strong> inter-governmental accords<\/strong> signed by member countries to preserve the ecological character of their wetlands of international importance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was signed on <strong>February 2, 1971<\/strong> in <strong>Ramsar, Iran <\/strong>and came into force in 1975.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India became a signatory to the <strong>Ramsar Convention in 1982.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2254357&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is deploying advanced safety systems like <strong>Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs)<\/strong> to enhance safety on National Highways.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>TMAs are specially designed impact-absorbing safety devices that play a critical role in protecting both workers and road users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the event of a collision, these systems <strong>absorb and dissipate kinetic energy<\/strong>, reducing the force of impact. This helps:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Protect maintenance crews working ahead of the vehicle;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce injury risks for occupants of the impacting vehicle;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimize the severity of accidents in highway work zones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In many ways, TMAs act like an<strong> invisible shield<\/strong> \u2014 standing between danger and human life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>deployed TMAs<\/strong> are equipped with high-intensity wig-wag warning lights, enhancing visibility in low-light and foggy conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"676046\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #676046;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-137.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-72064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-137.png 602w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-137-300x212.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2254153&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">TRAWL Assembly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Defence signed contracts with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Private Limited for the procurement of <strong>TRAWL Assembly for T-72 and T-90 tanks.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <strong>TRAWL Assembly<\/strong> is a mine-clearing device mounted on the front of a battle tank to safely detect and detonate anti-tank mines before the tank rolls over them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<strong> T-72 (Ajeya) is a Soviet-era main battle tank<\/strong> that entered service in 1973, with approximately 25,000 units built globally.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<strong> T-90 (Bhishma)<\/strong> is a Russian main battle tank that entered service in 1992 \u2014 designed as a modernised evolution of the T-72 with significantly upgraded fire control systems, composite armour, and electronic countermeasures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">World Earth Day 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Earth Day is observed annually on <strong>April 22<\/strong> to promote environmental protection and sustainable practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>History: <\/strong>The idea of observing Earth Day was proposed by <strong>Gaylord Nelson<\/strong>, after environmental concerns gained prominence following incidents like the<strong> Santa Barbara oil spill.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Earth Day was first observed in <strong>1970 in the United States <\/strong>as a response to rising environmental degradation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>United Nations General Assembly <\/strong>officially designated <strong>22 April <\/strong>as International Mother Earth Day through a resolution adopted in <strong>2009.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Theme for 2026: <\/strong>\u201cOur Power, Our Planet\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2254023&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Breakthrough Prizes 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ S&amp;T<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Breakthrough Prize Foundation announced the 2026 laureates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Breakthrough Prizes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Breakthrough Prizes were<strong> established in 2012 by<\/strong> Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Julia and Yuri Milner, and Anne Wojcicki to recognise <strong>transformative contributions in fundamental sciences.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The prizes cover<strong> life sciences, fundamental physics, and mathematics, and each award carries $3 million<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often referred to as the <strong>\u201cOscars of Science,\u201d <\/strong>they have awarded over $340 million since inception.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Life Sciences Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stuart Orkin <\/strong>and<strong> Swee Lay Thein<\/strong> were recognised for <strong>advancing treatments for sickle cell disease <\/strong>and<strong> beta-thalassemia,<\/strong> leading to the development of <strong>Casgevy<\/strong>, the first CRISPR-based therapy that edits patients\u2019 blood stem cells.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jean Bennett, Katherine High, <\/strong>and<strong> Albert Maguire<\/strong> were also awarded Life Sciences Prize for developing the first FDA-approved gene-replacement therapy that restores vision in <strong>Leber congenital amaurosis<\/strong>, with long-lasting benefits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rosa Rademakers and Bryan Traynor<\/strong> were honoured for identifying a key genetic mutation responsible for ALS and frontotemporal dementia, enabling genetic testing for affected families.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mathematics Prize<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Frank Merle<\/strong> was awarded for <strong>advancing the understanding of dynamic systems and wave evolution<\/strong>, including proving that certain equations can become infinite in finite time, overturning earlier assumptions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fundamental Physics Prize<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Collaborations at CERN, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Fermilab<\/strong> were recognised for <strong>precision measurement <\/strong>of the <strong>muon\u2019s magnetic moment<\/strong>, testing the limits of existing physical theories.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>Special Breakthrough Prize <\/strong>was awarded to <strong>David Gross <\/strong>for lifetime contributions, including work on the strong nuclear force.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Salween River<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Places in News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alarming levels of arsenic contamination have been detected in the Salween River.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxic metalloid that leaches into river systems from geological formations, mining activities, and industrial discharge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the River<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Salween is one of Asia&#8217;s great rivers known by different names across the countries it flows through: Nu in China, Thanlwin in Myanmar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is the second longest river in Southeast Asia after the Mekong, and the longest free-flowing river without a dam in Southeast Asia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The river originates from the Tanggula (Tangula) Mountains on the Tibetan Plateau.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: TOI<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Samriddh Gram Initiative &amp; WSIS Prizes 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Awards\/Miscellaneous<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, Samriddh Gram Initiative was nominated for the <strong>WSIS Prizes 2026<\/strong> under <strong>Action Line AL C6: Enabling Environment. <\/strong>This marks the global recognition of India\u2019s use of digital infrastructure for inclusive rural development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Samriddh Gram Initiative<\/strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"blob:https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/efaf3f5e-063a-46ac-9f1d-094decc2dc32\" width=\"278.27027027027026\" height=\"321.6351606805293\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model,<\/strong> enabled by BharatNet, is an initiative of the <strong>Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As a pilot initiative, Samriddh Gram integrates <strong>physical and digital (\u2018phygital\u2019) <\/strong>service delivery to provide multiple citizen services in rural areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The initiative is supported by the <strong>Digital Empowerment Foundation<\/strong> for field operations and community mobilisation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recently, India\u2019s first Samriddhi Kendra was inaugurated at <strong>Umri village in Guna, Madhya Pradesh.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>World Summit on the Information Society and WSIS Prizes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1.The World Summit on the Information Society is a global multi-stakeholder platform established in 2004 to advance digital development and inclusive information societies.<br>2.The <strong>WSIS Prizes, launched in 2012<\/strong> under the WSIS Stocktaking Process, recognise <strong>ICT-driven projects<\/strong> contributing to sustainable development and the <strong>Sustainable Development Goals.<\/strong><br>3.The prizes serve as a global mechanism to identify and promote impactful digital initiatives, recognising stakeholders as winners and champions for advancing WSIS Action Lines and the Global Digital Compact.\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong><br \/>\nIn News<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\nThe Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Adi Shankaracharya on his Jayanti.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<p>About Adi Shankaracharya<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"\t>\nAdi Shankaracharya (approximately 788\u2013820 CE) was a philosopher, theologian, and saint born in Kalady, Kerala.\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\nShankaracharya&#8217;s defining contribution to Indian philosophy is Advaita Vedanta, the doctrine of non-dualism.\n<\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/22-04-2026\/news-in-short-22-04-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72063"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72063\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72066,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72063\/revisions\/72066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}