{"id":72123,"date":"2026-04-23T18:21:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T12:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=72123"},"modified":"2026-04-23T18:25:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T12:55:00","slug":"news-in-short-23-04-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-04-2026\/news-in-short-23-04-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 23-04-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Atal Pension Yojana Crosses 9 Cr. Enrolments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing total gross enrolments of <strong>\u201c9 crore\u201d <\/strong>subscribers on 21st April, 2026.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Atal Pension Yojana<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a flagship social security scheme of the Government of India, administered by the <strong>Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme, launched in <strong>2015,<\/strong>\u00a0 is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme primarily focused on the <strong>poor, the underprivileged, and workers in the unorganized sector.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is open to all Indian citizens between the age of <strong>18 and 40 years, <\/strong>except those who are or have been income tax payers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It guaranteed monthly pension ranging from <strong>\u20b91,000 to \u20b95,000 <\/strong>for subscribers after attaining <strong>60 years of age.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c0b6a4\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"452\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-142.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-72124\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c0b6a4; aspect-ratio:1.2768940415206256;width:370px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-142.png 452w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-142-300x235.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/atal-pension-yojana-crosses-9-crore-enrolments-records-highest-annual-subscriber-addition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DD News<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>The Druzhba Pipeline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The resumption of Russian oil flows through the Ukrainian section of the <strong>Druzhba pipeline<\/strong> has prompted Hungary to lift its veto on a <strong>critical \u20ac90 billion EU loan to Ukraine.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> Druzhba (&#8220;Friendship&#8221;) pipeline<\/strong> is one of the world&#8217;s longest crude oil pipeline networks, serving as the primary overland energy artery connecting Russian oil fields to refineries across Central and Eastern Europe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Constructed by the Soviet Union<\/strong>, the pipeline became operational in 1964 with the explicit purpose of integrating the economies of Eastern Europe with Soviet energy supply, primarily serving member states of the <strong>Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON)<\/strong>, the Soviet-era economic bloc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The pipeline originates in the <strong>Almetyevsk region of central Russia<\/strong>, where crude flows converge from Siberia, the Urals, and the Caspian Sea. It then passes through Belarus before splitting into two major branches:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Northern Branch \u2192 Poland \u2192 Germany<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Southern Branch \u2192 Ukraine \u2192 Hungary \u2192 Slovakia \u2192 Czech Republic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/druzhba-pipeline-restarts-russian-oil-flows-to-europe-unblocking-eu-loan-for-kyiv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Government of India has released the revised guidelines for the Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The revised scheme has been launched with a total outlay of <strong>\u20b9203 crore<\/strong> for the period 2026\u201331.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives: <\/strong>The scheme aims to enhance India\u2019s participation and influence in <strong>global telecom standard-setting processes.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It seeks to <strong>promote indigenous research, development, and innovation<\/strong> in next-generation telecom technologies such as <strong>5G Advanced and 6G.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The scheme provides financial support<\/strong> to Indian stakeholders for participation in global telecom bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and oneM2M.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expanded Scope for Ecosystem Participation: <\/strong>The revised guidelines significantly expand the scope of the scheme to include <strong>startups, MSMEs, academia, research institutions, telecom service providers and industry players.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Institutional Framework:<\/strong> The scheme will be implemented through institutions such as the Telecommunications Standards Development Society India (TSDSI), Telecom Centres of Excellence India (TCoE), and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2254633&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\"><strong>RBI Partially Eases Curbs on Rupee Derivative Trades<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Reserve Bank of India <strong>partially rolled back restrictions on rupee derivative transactions<\/strong> that were introduced earlier to prevent excessive volatility and depreciation pressures linked to the West Asia crisis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDFs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NDFs are <strong>cash-settled foreign exchange derivative contracts<\/strong> where the underlying currency is not physically delivered at maturity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Settlement occurs in a <strong>convertible currency (usually US dollars)<\/strong> based on the difference between agreed forward and prevailing spot rates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These contracts are mainly traded offshore in financial centres such as Singapore, London, Hong Kong, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are <strong>used for hedging currency risk and speculative positions<\/strong> in partially convertible currencies like the rupee.<\/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\"><strong>Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train to get ballastless track system<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Railways<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, <strong>India&#8217;s first bullet train projec<\/strong>t, is going to deploy the <strong>J-Slab ballastless track system<\/strong>, adapted from <strong>Japan&#8217;s Shinkansen technology.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The J-Slab is a pre-cast concrete slab track system used in high-speed rail infrastructure.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unlike conventional railway tracks<\/strong> that rest on loose gravel (ballast), J-Slab tracks are embedded on a rigid concrete base eliminating ballast entirely.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The system is the foundational track technology of <strong>Japan&#8217;s Shinkansen (&#8220;bullet train&#8221;) network<\/strong>, now being transferred to India under the MAHSR project.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Maglev Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"3c5f7b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-143-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-72127\" style=\"--dominant-color: #3c5f7b; aspect-ratio:0.6670071027343206;width:331px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-143-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-143-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-143-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-143.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maglev (magnetic levitation) bullet trains use powerful electromagnets to hover and propel vehicles without touching the track, eliminating friction and enabling speeds over 600 km\/h.<\/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\"><strong>India\u2013Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>INS Nireekshak arrived in Colombo to participate in the fourth edition of the India\u2013Sri <strong>Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>DIVEX is a <strong>bilateral naval exercise<\/strong> focused on specialised underwater operations and submarine rescue training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to enhance interoperability, operational coordination, and the exchange of best practices between India and Sri Lanka.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The exercise reflects deepening maritime cooperation and supports regional stability in the Indian Ocean Region, aligned with <strong>India\u2019s MAHASAGAR vision.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/ins-nireekshak-arrives-in-colombo-for-indiasri-lanka-diving-exercise\/article70893493.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Methane Emissions from Landfills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Two of India\u2019s waste landfills are among the top 25 global emitters of methane in the waste sector, according to a study by the University of California, Los Angeles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Findings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Secunderabad (Telangana) site ranked <strong>4th<\/strong>, while the Mumbai (Maharashtra) site ranked <strong>12th<\/strong> globally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The highest emitter is near Buenos Aires (Argentina), releasing about <strong>7.6 tonnes of methane per hour<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Globally, <strong>2,994 methane plumes<\/strong> were detected from <strong>707 waste sites<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Landfills Emit Methane<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Landfills release methane when organic waste decomposes in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions), making unmanaged dumpsites major emission hotspots.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Methane<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, responsible for nearly <strong>30% of global warming<\/strong> since the Industrial Revolution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Over a 20-year period, it is about <strong>86 times more effective<\/strong> at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It remains in the atmosphere for a shorter duration (~12 years), but has a <strong>high short-term warming impact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/waste\/satellite-data-shows-secunderabad-and-mumbai-among-worlds-biggest-methane-emitting-landfill-sites-in-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Dolphin Friends Initiative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Forest Department, Prayagraj has launched the Dolphin Friends volunteer network to strengthen conservation of the Gangetic dolphin through community participation and river monitoring.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Gangetic Dolphin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica)<\/strong> is one of the world&#8217;s few obligate freshwater dolphin species, officially described in 1801.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It <strong>inhabits the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems<\/strong> and their tributaries across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are uniquely adapted to turbid river environments, the Gangetic dolphin lacks a crystalline eye lens rendering it functionally blind. It navigates and hunts entirely through a highly developed <strong>echolocation system, emitting ultrasonic sounds to locate prey.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ecological Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The dolphin sits at the apex of the aquatic food chain, regulating fish and crustacean populations and maintaining trophic balance.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its presence in a river stretch is a reliable bioindicator of clean, healthy freshwater\u00a0 earning it the title <strong>&#8220;Tiger of the Ganges.<\/strong>&#8221; The Government of India declared it the <strong>National Aquatic Animal in 2009 <\/strong>on this basis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Steps Taken<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Project Dolphin (2020)<\/strong>: Launched on the lines of Project Tiger; focuses on dolphin and aquatic habitat conservation using technology \u2014 covering pollution reduction, sustainable fishery practices, and community involvement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Ganga River Dolphin Day:<\/strong> Observed on 5 October annually \u2014 the date in 2009 when the species was declared National Aquatic Animal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS):<\/strong> Located in Bhagalpur, Bihar, the only dedicated dolphin sanctuary in India. Approximately half the total Gangetic dolphin population is found here.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conservation Action Plan (2016): <\/strong>Prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India; identifies key threats and maps habitat quality, prey-base depletion, and river traffic impacts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>WPA Schedule I: <\/strong>Same protection tier as tigers and elephants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing total gross enrolments of \u201c9 crore\u201d subscribers on 21st April, 2026.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Atal Pension Yojana <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It is a flagship social security scheme of the Government of India, administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The scheme, launched in 2015,\u00a0 is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme primarily focused on the poor, the underprivileged, and workers in the unorganized sector. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It is open to all Indian citizens between the age of 18 and 40 years, except those who are or have been income tax payers. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-04-2026\/news-in-short-23-04-2026 \" 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-72123","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\/72123","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=72123"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72130,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72123\/revisions\/72130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}