Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 30th April 2026

Russia has approved the sale of the R-37M (Russian long-range air-to-air missile), also known as AA-13 Axehead (North Atlantic Treaty Organization reporting name), to India to enhance its air combat capability. The missile is designed for BVR (Beyond Visual Range) combat, allowing it to strike targets at very long distances without direct visual contact. It is developed to destroy enemy fighter jets, drones, and other aerial threats effectively. The missile is nicknamed an “AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) Killer” because it can target high-value aircraft like radar planes, refuelling tankers, and jamming systems.

The Salween River, also called the Nu River in China and Thanlwin in Myanmar, is a transboundary river shared by China, Myanmar, and Thailand, recently facing arsenic pollution from mining in Myanmar. It is about 2400 km long and is the longest free-flowing (undammed) river in mainland Southeast Asia. The river originates in the Tibetan region of the eastern Himalayas at around 4,000 meters and flows through Yunnan, Myanmar, and along the Myanmar–Thailand border before draining into the Gulf of Martaban in the Andaman Sea. Its upper course runs parallel to the Mekong and Yangtze rivers, forming the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan.

The Market Intervention Scheme is a component of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), under which the government recently approved procurement of 20 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes. The scheme is implemented at the request of State or Union Territory governments to procure perishable crops like tomato, onion, and potato that do not have a Minimum Support Price. Its objective is to protect farmers from distress sales during bumper production when market prices fall below the cost of production. It is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

The SMILE Scheme (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) has been allocated ₹390 crore by the Government of India for the period 2021–2026 to support marginalized groups. It was launched in 2022 by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It focuses on addressing beggary mainly in religious, tourist, and historical cities. The scheme also includes a sub-scheme for the empowerment of transgender persons.

A new plant species Stauranthera aureoglossa has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh. It grows in mid-elevation evergreen forests of Kamle and Upper Subansiri districts. The plant is a perennial herb found on damp rocks near streams and rivulets. It has a bell-shaped, bluish-purple flower with no basal spur (tubular projection). A unique yellow, tongue-like patch is present inside the flower. The term “aureoglossa” means golden tongue, describing this feature. Leaves are diamond or spear-shaped.

Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary has been designated a Ramsar Site, taking India’s total to 99. A Ramsar Site is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It is located in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh in the Gangetic plains. It is a typical monsoonal wetland with a freshwater, perennial water body.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMA). A Truck Mounted Attenuator is a crash-absorbing safety device fitted on trucks in work zones. It absorbs and dissipates kinetic energy during collisions, reducing impact force. TMAs protect road construction and maintenance workers ahead of the vehicle. They also reduce injury risk for occupants of the colliding vehicle. These devices minimize accident severity on highways, especially in work zones.

Archaeologists discovered a sky-observation structure at Áspero, revealing early scientific practices. Áspero is a Late Preceramic site of the Norte Chico (Caral-Supe) civilization, one of the oldest in the Americas. It is located in Peru near the Supe River, close to the Pacific Ocean. It flourished during the Late Archaic period (before 3000 Before Christ (BC) to around 1800 BC). It was a major fishing, trade, and urban centre linked to Caral. The site has platform mounds and sunken plazas showing advanced planning.

The Narcotics Analysis and Retrieval Augmented Generation-based Investigation Tool (NARIT-AI) is an Artificial Intelligence-based system launched by the Gujarat Police to handle complex narcotics cases. It is designed to assist investigations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, aiming to improve efficiency and conviction rates. The tool was developed by the Western Railway Police, Vadodara Division in collaboration with Gradiante Creative Services. It operates on a closed database including Supreme Court and High Court judgments and legal codes such as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

The Government of India has recently established the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 to regulate the growing online gaming sector. It functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and become operational from May 1, 2026. The authority will act as a central regulator for online games, including esports, by introducing a system for registration and classification. It will determine whether a game qualifies as a money game and handle public grievances related to online gaming.

The Santiaguito Volcano is an active volcano located in western Guatemala near the city of Quetzaltenango. It was formed after the major 1902 eruption of the Santa María Volcano. It consists of a lava-dome complex and is among the most active volcanic regions in the world. The volcano frequently emits ash and smoke, indicating continuous volcanic activity. Occasionally, it produces lava flows and dangerous pyroclastic flows. Recently, an eruption forced hikers to flee as rocks and volcanic material were ejected into the air.

Recently, Indian scientists discovered a new fanged frog species named Limnonectes motijheel in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal pradesh, highlighting rich biodiversity in Northeast India. It is a newly identified species belonging to the genus Limnonectes, which now has six known species in India. The frog is named after Motijheel Lake, an area known for high amphibian diversity. It belongs to the group called fanged frogs, where males possess small fang-like projections in the lower jaw, possibly used for feeding or territorial behaviour. These frogs are generally found across South and Southeast Asia and show unique reproductive traits.

Recently, the National Green Tribunal directed the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board to inspect the Lower Lake and submit a detailed report. The Lower Lake (Chhota Talaab) is a man-made lake located in Bhopal. It was built in 1794 by Chote Khan, a minister of Nawab Hayat Muhammad Khan. Along with the Upper Lake (Bada Talaab), it forms the Bhoj Wetland, which is a Ramsar site. The Lower Lake lies east of the Upper Lake and is separated by the Pul Pukhta (Lower Lake Bridge). Both lakes are arranged in a terraced system, with interconnected water levels.

Recently, the presence of the honey badger (ratel) was confirmed in the Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary. The honey badger is a small but extremely strong mammal belonging to the weasel family. It has a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Madhya Pradesh and is connected to Ratapani Tiger Reserve via wildlife corridors.

Recently, the Union Minister stated that the NAMASTE Scheme has shown measurable success in eliminating hazardous manual sanitation practices. NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) aims to improve the safety, health, and dignity of sanitation workers. It is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The implementing agency is National Safai Karmacharis Finance Development Corporation. The scheme runs from FY 2023–24 to FY 2025–26.

International Seed Day is celebrated on 26 April every year to promote seed sovereignty, biodiversity conservation, and farmers’ rights. It also recalls concerns over corporate control of seeds, particularly linked to Iraqi Order 81. In 2026, the focus is on local climate-resilient seeds and their role in tackling climate change. Traditional varieties like tangrashal paddy (West Bengal) and toor (red gram) in Maharashtra are highlighted. The day emphasises the role of pastoralists as custodians of biodiversity, helping in seed dispersal across regions.

The rare sea slug Discodorid cebuensis has been recorded in India for the first time at Haji Ali, Mumbai. Sea slugs, also called nudibranchs, are soft-bodied marine gastropods found from shallow waters to the deep sea. They lack shells and resemble naked snails, making them unique among molluscs. They are commonly found in coral reefs and serve as indicators of healthy marine ecosystems.

China has announced the discovery of a new lunar mineral named Cerium-Magnesium Changesite, adding to knowledge of extraterrestrial materials and lunar geology. The mineral was identified in a lunar meteorite called Pakepake 005, the first such meteorite found in China. This meteorite is a small spherical rock weighing about 44 grams with a dark molten outer layer. The mineral itself is colourless, transparent, and brittle, yet scientifically significant. It shows fluorescent properties, meaning it can emit light under certain conditions. This fluorescence has potential applications in advanced technologies like next-generation LED materials.

The Madras High Court has refused to lift the temporary ban on boating in Pykara Lake, highlighting environmental concerns. Pykara Lake is located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu and was formed by the construction of a dam on the Pykara River. The river originates from Mukurthi Peak and is the largest river in the district. It is considered sacred by the Toda tribe, an indigenous Adivasi community. The Pykara Dam hosts one of the oldest hydropower plants in South India, generating about 60 MW of electricity.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is launching Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) App 2.0 to strengthen monitoring under National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in 2020 and expanded to all districts by 2023. The mission aims to spread awareness about substance abuse through education, community outreach, and rehabilitation support. It focuses on schools, universities, and communities to identify and assist people affected by drug dependence. The programme also promotes counselling, treatment facilities, and capacity building for service providers.

Researchers from Central University of Rajasthan discovered a new cyanobacterium species named Pushkarmema curajae from Pushkar Lake, Rajasthan. The genus and species names honor Pushkar Lake and the university’s contribution to research. P. curajae has potential applications in pharmaceuticals, biofertilizers, and nutrient-rich supplements that enhance immunity and health. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic, microscopic organisms found in aquatic environments worldwide.

INS Kalpeni is a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy and recently visited Gan, strengthening India–Maldives maritime cooperation. It belongs to the Car Nicobar class Waterjet Fast Attack Craft built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. It was commissioned on 14 October 2010. The ship is named after Kalpeni Island of Lakshadweep. It is based at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command. Its roles include coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling, boarding operations, and search and rescue.

Israel recently conducted Operation Wings of Dawn to airlift members of the Bnei Menashe amid West Asia tensions. The Bnei Menashe, also called Shinlung, originate from Mizoram and Manipur and belong to Tibeto-Burman groups like Chin, Kuki, and Mizo. They claim descent from the Biblical tribe of Manasseh, one of the Ten Lost Tribes exiled by the Assyrian Empire in 722 BC. Initially Christians, they later adopted Judaism and celebrate festivals like Sukkot. Migration routes included Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet, and China before reaching India ~300–500 years ago.

Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology installed an X-band Doppler Weather Radar at Mahabaleshwar under Mission Mausam. Doppler Weather Radar uses the Doppler Effect to measure velocity and position of atmospheric objects. It emits radio waves; reflected signals from raindrops return to the antenna, helping detect distance and intensity. Time taken for signal return enables tracking of rainfall and cloud movement.

The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is a proposed 11,000 Megawatt hydropower project on the Siang River near Geku village in Upper Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. The Siang River is the upper course of the Brahmaputra River, making the project strategically significant. The project is envisioned as one of India’s largest hydropower reservoirs. It also serves as a strategic response to China’s proposed dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo. The project is being developed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation.

Scientists recorded a rare orchid species named Eulophia picta for the first time in central Andhra Pradesh. It is a medium-to-small, hot-growing terrestrial orchid commonly called the Nodding Swamp Orchid. It is distributed from India to Southeast Asia and Australia, occurring in moist grasslands, sandy coastal areas, and rainforests. It also grows in semi-deciduous and dry lowland forests up to about 1000 m elevation.

The Delhi High Court asked the Union government whether X Corp. must join the Sahyog Portal for cases involving trafficking and national security. The Sahyog Portal is an online platform launched in 2024 to enable quick removal of illegal content from the internet. It allows government agencies to send direct takedown notices to social media platforms and intermediaries. The portal is managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It provides centralised communication between agencies, nodal officers, and intermediaries.

Pompeii is a preserved Roman city near Naples, Italy, at the base of Mount Vesuvius. It was founded around the 6th century BCE by the Samnites and later became part of the Roman Empire. The city was destroyed and buried in 79 CE due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The eruption preserved the city under ash, providing a unique snapshot of Roman life. Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748, revealing buildings, artifacts, and human remains. It offers one of the most complete archaeological records of an ancient city. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recently, AI has helped reconstruct the face and final moments of a victim of the eruption.

The Department of Telecommunications and National Disaster Management Authority are strengthening mobile-based disaster communication systems. The Integrated Alert System SACHET (System for Advanced Communication for Hazard Early-warning and Emergency Transmission) is operational across all States and Union Territories. It was developed by Centre for Development of Telematics and is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) recommended by the International Telecommunication Union. The system sends geo-targeted SMS alerts in multiple languages during disasters.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organised the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity – Best Practices Shaping India’s Health Future in Chandigarh from April 30 to May 1, 2026. It is a flagship initiative to showcase innovative and impactful public health practices by States and Union Territories. The summit promotes cross-learning and replication of successful healthcare models.