Daily Current Affairs — 23 April 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 23 April 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
📚 10 Topics
🎯 30 MCQs
🎬 3 Videos
🇮🇳 Hindi + English
🎯 30 MCQs
🎬 3 Videos
🇮🇳 Hindi + English
Economy: 9 · Polity: 1
▶ Start Here — UPSC-Standard Quiz
UPSC Current Affairs MCQ — 23 April 2026
10 UPSC-standard bilingual MCQs covering today's top stories · 10-sec timer per question
Score yourself as you go. Get a feel for how UPSC-level questions are framed around the day's news.
📰 Today’s Top 5 Current Affairs
#01
Economy
Economy
Industrial Disasters in India
📰 Why in News
The explosion in a fireworks unit in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar
✅ Quick Facts
- Industrial disasters in India stem from regulatory gaps
- They have wide-ranging impacts – economic (FDI loss
- The "Inspector Raj" Fallacy: While the government aims to end "Inspector Raj" to improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB)
- India's regulation of hazardous industries is fragmented across multiple laws and rules
- In a hyper-competitive MSME sector , this deregulation creates a monitoring vacuum where safety protocols are easily falsified.
- Local political influence frequently shields defaulting units
- These workers are never briefed on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Because they aren't on the formal rolls, companies often evade Absolute Liability by settling through "ex gratia" payments, bypassing the judicial…
- A localized fire instantly becomes a massive community disaster.
- Management views retrofitting these aging facilities with modern pressure sensors or automated fail-safes as a "dead investment," choosing instead to…
📊 Key Numbers & Data
- Vacuum." In many industrial states, over 40% of factory inspector posts remain vacant.
- Labor in High-Risk Zones: Nearly 50-70% of high-risk floor work, such as cleaning
- Implications: "Poverty Trap": Because 50-70% of hazardous floor work is done by
#02
Economy
Economy
Foreign Direct Investment in India
📰 Why in News
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) , India's net foreign direct investment (FDI) crashed from USD 10.1 billion in 202324 , and just USD 0.4 billion in 202425.
✅ Quick Facts
- The sharp decline in net FDI is mainly due to increased repatriation and disinvestment by foreign firms
- About: FDI refers to investment made by a person residing outside India through capital instruments in either an unlisted Indian company or in at…
- Automatic Route: An overseas investor is only required to inform the RBI after the investment is made
- Banking & Public Sector, Broadcasting Content Services , Food Products Retail Trading, Uploading/Streaming of 'News & Current affairs' through…
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
- RBI also plays a key role by enforcing the FDI Rules.
- Strong Gross FDI Inflows: Gross FDI rose to USD 81 billion in 202425 , up from USD 71.3 billion in 202324 and $71.4 billion in 202223
- Top investing countries Singapore , Mauritius , UAE , Netherlands , and the United States contributed over 75% of gross FDI.
- The sectors driving over 90% of OFDI growth included financial
- It mandates that entities from countries sharing a land border with India
📊 Key Numbers & Data
- an unlisted Indian company or in at least 10% of the post-issue paid-up equity capital
- services , together making up over 60% of total inflows. Top investing countries
- and the United States contributed over 75% of gross FDI. Outward FDI by Indian
- surged to USD 29.2 billion in 202425 , a 75% increase from 2023-24. Top destination
- billion in 202425 , a 75% increase from 2023-24. Top destination countries for Indian OFDI
- the Netherlands. The sectors driving over 90% of OFDI growth included financial, banking
🏛️ Key Stakeholders
RBIDPIITReserve Bank
#03
Economy
Economy
Industrial Accidents
📰 Why in News
Recently, an explosion in a chemical unit in Thane, Maharashtra, killed 11 people. Such industrial accidents in India and elsewhere in the world constitute a major problem for industrial establishments.
✅ Quick Facts
- Industrial Disaster: An industrial disaster is a significant accident at an industrial site that results in extensive damage, injuries, or fatalities
- Types: Chemical disasters, Explosions, Mining disasters, Falling objects, Radiological incidents.
- Inadequate Regulation and Monitoring: Redundant regulations, including 15 Acts and 19 rules, lack a unified approach for the chemical industry
- Lack of Comprehensive Chemical Risk Database: The lack of a central database on industrial chemicals and their risks creates a knowledge gap
- Insufficient Worker Training and Awareness: Boiler operation often falls to untrained
- IIT Kanpur study (2023) stresses the need for increased investment in worker safety to reduce industrial accidents.
- In the Neyveli incident , a boiler being revived unexpectedly blew out, despite not being operational and mainly involving a furnace and steam…
- Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) : The worst industrial disaster ever, a gas leak from a pesticide plant killed over 3,700 people and injured many more.
- Chasnala Mining Disaster (1975): An explosion in a coal mine caused by methane gas and a subsequent mine collapse led to the deaths of around 700…
- Jaipur Oil Depot Fire (2009) : A fire at an oil storage facility resulted in 12 deaths and the evacuation of over half a million people
📊 Key Numbers & Data
- property values in surrounding areas by 5-7%, further impacting the local economy.
- Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 UN Convention on the Transboundary Effects
#04
Economy
Economy
Loan Write-Offs and NPA Reduction in PSBs
📰 Why in News
A large-scale loan write-off by banks over the past few years has contributed to a significant reduction in non-performing assets (NPAs) .
✅ Quick Facts
- As a result, banks have achieved a 12-year low NPA ratio of 2.8% of advances by March 2024.
- Loan Write-Offs: Between FY2015 and FY2024 , Indian commercial banks wrote off loans amounting to Rs 12.3 lakh crore, with Rs 9.9 lakh cror e in the…
- The peak in loan write-offs occurred in FY2019 at Rs 2.4 lakh crore , following an asset quality review initiated in 2015.
- However, write-offs have decreased since then, with FY2024 recording the lowest at Rs 1.7 lakh crore, amounting to just 1% of the total bank credit.
- Public Sector Banks' Share: Public sector banks (PSBs) accounted for 53% ( Rs 6.5 lakh crore ) of the total loan write-offs in the last 5 years (FY…
- Despite loan write-offs, the recoveries from these write-offs have been relatively low, standing at only 18.7% (Rs 1.85 lakh crore) in the last 5…
- As of September 2024, the gross NPAs of PSBs and private sector banks (PSBs) stood at Rs 3.16 lakh crore and Rs 1.34 lakh crore , respectively.
- The NPA ratio as a percentage of outstanding loans was 3.01% for PSBs and 1.86% for private sector banks.
- A wilful defaulter is a borrower or guarantor who has intentionally failed to repay a loan , with an outstanding amount of Rs 25 lakh or more.
- A large defaulter refers to a borrower with an outstanding loan balance of Rs 1 crore or more
📊 Key Numbers & Data
- have achieved a 12-year low NPA ratio of 2.8% of advances by March 2024. What is the Key
- banks wrote off loans amounting to Rs 12.3 lakh crore, with Rs 9.9 lakh cror e in the last
- at Rs 1.7 lakh crore, amounting to just 1% of the total bank credit. Public Sector
- Public sector banks (PSBs) accounted for 53% ( Rs 6.5 lakh crore ) of the total loan
- have been relatively low, standing at only 18.7% (Rs 1.85 lakh crore) in the last 5 years
- in the last 5 years (FY 2020-2024). Over 81% of the written-off amount (over Rs 8 lakh
🏛️ Key Stakeholders
RBINCLTReserve Bank
#05
Economy
Economy
Operational License for Indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs
📰 Why in News
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted an operation licence for two indigenously developed (KAPS-3 and KAPS-4) 700 MWe (Megawatts…
✅ Quick Facts
- AERB , after 15 years of rigorous multi-tiered safety reviews, granted a 5-year Licence for Operation to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India…
- NPCIL owns and operates all nuclear power plants in India, except PFBR variants (owned by The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research).
- Established in 1983 under the Atomic Energy Act,1962 , AERB functions as an independent body under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) .
📚 🗺️ Core Subject Drill — Indian Geography
🗺️ Indian Geography MCQ Quiz · भारतीय भूगोल
10 bilingual MCQs · Indian Geography · Members Only on YouTube
Today's rotation: Indian Geography. Take this break between news topics to sharpen the core concept.
📖 More Current Affairs Coverage
#06
Economy
Economy
IoT Revolution and Smart Future
📰 Why in News
The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a transformative force , infusing intelligence into everyday things around us, thereby profoundly impacting our daily lives .
✅ Quick Facts
- About: The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices embedded with sensors
- Connectivity: It enables device communication over networks ( Wi-Fi , Bluetooth , 5G ), working with both wired and wireless connections.
- Automation & Intelligence: Devices make decisions autonomously , such as self-driving cars responding to traffic.
- Remote Monitoring: Users can remotely access and manage devices , such as viewing home security cameras on smartphones .
- Interoperability: Different devices work together using standardized protocols
- Scalability: Systems grow by adding devices like smart cities adding sensors and factories connecting machines.
- Data Analytics & AI Integration: It transforms raw data into actionable insights e.g., traffic analysis in smart cities.
- Customization & Personalization: It adapts to user preferences e.g., smart homes , wearable health devices , and personalized retail.
- Sensors & Actuators (The Physical Layer): These are the eyes and hands of IoT, interacting with the real world
- Actuators perform actions based on sensor data e.g., Smart locks that open via an app .
🎯 UPSC Relevance
The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a transformative force , infusing intelligence into everyday things around us, thereby profoundly impacting our daily lives .
#07
Economy
Economy
Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026
📰 Why in News
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Rules, 2026 , which will come into effect on 1 st May 2026.
✅ Quick Facts
- Drafted under the ambit of the landmark PROG (Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming) Act
- About: The PROG Rules, 2026 provide a structured regulatory framework for India's online gaming sector
- Objectives: The Rules seek to protect users, especially children, from financial loss and addiction , while ensuring regulatory certainty for the…
- Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI): The OGAI is established as an attached office of MeitY
- The Authority is tasked with maintaining public lists of banned money games
- This can be initiated by the Authority, service providers, or the government, based on factors like stakes, rewards, and monetisation.
- The process is to be completed within 90 days, with the final decision issued as a determination order for each game.
- Successful registration grants a digital certificate valid for up to 10 years .
- The rules explicitly mandate that an "online money game" is entirely ineligible for recognition or registration as an e-sport under the National…
- Service providers must disclose these safeguards and their grievance mechanisms during registration or determination.
#08
Economy
Economy
Regulating India’s Online Gaming
📰 Why in News
Many experts have highlighted the challenges of excessive regulation in online gaming , citing heavy taxation and legal uncertainties and urged the government to allow them to operate with greater freedom .
✅ Quick Facts
- Issues Arising Out of Design & Implementation of Policies
- Additionally, India's real money gaming (RMG) industry has collectively signed a code of ethics to establish ethical and transparent business…
- About: It includes platforms such as Dream11 and PokerBaazi
- Need of Code of Ethics: Legal Pressures: States like Tamil Nadu have attempted to impose strict regulations
- Lack of Central Regulation: The Union government's proposed rules for the RMG industry are yet to be enforced
- Industry Image: Self-regulation helps RMG companies demonstrate responsibility and legitimacy.
- Competition from Offshore Platforms: International gambling websites
- About: Online gaming refers to playing video games over the internet , allowing players to connect through computers, gaming consoles, or smartphones
- Skill-Based Games: They prioritize skill over chance and are legal in India. E.g., Game 24X7, Dream11, and Mobile Premier League (MPL).
- Games of Chance: Their outcome depends mainly on luck rather than skill and are Illegal in India
📊 Key Numbers & Data
- Tax (Amendment) Act, 2023 introduced a 28% tax on the full face value of entry amounts
- including skill-based games) are taxed at 30% (excluding surcharge and cess). What is the
- and growth. Preventing Capital Flight: The 28% GST places online gaming in the same
🏛️ Key Stakeholders
WHOSupreme Court
#09
Economy
Economy
National Sports Policy 2025
📰 Why in News
The Union Cabinet has approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 (Khelo Bharat Niti 2025), replacing the National Sports Policy, 2001 .
✅ Quick Facts
- Pillars of NSP 2025: Excellence on the Global Stage: Focuses on strengthening sports from grassroots to elite levels through early talent…
- Governance : NSP 2025 aims to establish a legal and regulatory framework to ensure transparency and accountability in sports administration.
- Private Sector Participation : Mobilize private investments via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
- Technology and Innovation : Use Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Monitoring and Evaluation : Set up a national framework with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and time-bound targets for regular progress tracking.
- Model Policy for States : Serve as a guide for States and Union Territories to create or update their own sports policies aligned with national goals.
- State of Sports in India Post-1947: India hosted the first Asian Games in 1951 , signaling its regional aspirations
- Despite limited state support, legends like Milkha Singh, Gurbachan Singh, Praveen Kumar Sobti, and Kamaljeet Sandhu brought India glory in athletics
- In 2000, it was elevated to a full-fledged Ministry, and later bifurcated into two departments as Youth Affairs and Sports.
- In 1984, India introduced its first National Sports Policy (NSP) that focused on infrastructure, mass participation, and elite excellence
📊 Key Numbers & Data
- and funding. In 2023, cricket dominated 87% of India's sports market, leaving just 13%
- 87% of India's sports market, leaving just 13% for all other sports like football, hockey
- infrastructure gaps, and social stigma. 49% of girls drop out of sports (six times
- lack of role models, and body image issues. 21% of women athletes report childhood abuse
🏛️ Key Stakeholders
UNESCOUnion Cabinet
#10
Polity
Polity
Information Technology(IT) Act, 2000
📰 Why in News
The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) organised a national workshop to streamline the issuance of notices under Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the…
✅ Quick Facts
- About: The Information Technology Act, 2000 , is the primary legislation in India governing cyber activities, including electronic commerce, digital…
- Key Features: Legitimizes electronic records and digital signatures.
- Establishes CERT-In as a nodal agency for cybersecurity.
- Defines responsibilities of intermediaries (e.g., social media platforms) .
- Enables formation of the Appellate Tribunal for dispute resolution.
- Section 69A: Empowers the government to block public access to any information through any computer resource if it threatens national security
- Section 79: Grants safe harbour protection to intermediaries, shielding them from liability for user-generated content.
- Section 79(3)(b): Removes safe harbour protection if an intermediary fails to block/remove unlawful content upon government notification.
- Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021: Specifies the due diligence to be observed by intermediaries , including the requirement to remove or disable…
- Section 66A: The Supreme Court , in the landmark case Shreya Singhal vs
🗞️ Wrap Up — Simple CA Quiz
Simple Current Affairs MCQ — 23 April 2026
10 accessible MCQs covering the same topics · great for quick revision
End your study session with these simpler MCQs to lock in recall of today's current affairs.
