NATIONAL NEWS

Menaka Guruswamy Becomes India’s First Openly Queer MP

• Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy has created history by taking oath as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, becoming India’s first openly queer MP.

• Her entry into Parliament has been widely recognised as a landmark step for LGBTQ+ representation in Indian governance.

• Menaka Guruswamy is a renowned senior advocate and constitutional law expert, known for her contributions to civil liberties and equality jurisprudence.

• She played a significant role in the 2018 Supreme Court verdict that decriminalised homosexuality in India, which transformed the legal status of LGBTQ+ rights.

• Her induction is seen as a breakthrough moment that strengthens inclusivity and diversity in policymaking.

• The development is expected to bring a new perspective to parliamentary debates and public discourse, reflecting growing acceptance of diverse identities in public life.

Divya Singh Becomes First Indian Woman to Cycle to Everest Base Camp

• Divya Singh has become the first Indian woman to reach the Mount Everest Base Camp by bicycle.

• She is also the second woman in the world to achieve this rare feat.

• Divya Singh is 28 years old and works as a teacher in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

• Her expedition began from Kathmandu (Nepal) and was completed in 14 days.

• The Everest Base Camp is located at an altitude of about 17,560 feet.

• During the journey, she faced extreme weather conditions, with temperatures falling to –12°C.

• Challenges such as low oxygen levels and strong mountain winds made the expedition more difficult.

• She cycled for nearly 10 to 12 hours daily, covering steep climbs and rugged terrain.

• Her route passed through Salleri, Surke, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep.

• After completing the difficult route, she successfully reached the Everest Base Camp.

• She prepared for the expedition through self-training, using limited resources.

• Her journey was officially flagged off from Vikas Bhawan, Gorakhpur.

STATE NEWS

Uttarakhand High Court Stays Oak Tree Felling in Mussoorie

• The Uttarakhand High Court has recently stayed the felling of oak trees in Mussoorie due to environmental conservation concerns.

• The stay was issued in response to proposed tree-cutting activities planned by the Municipal Council for construction and urban development purposes.

• The decision highlights the ecological importance of oak forests in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

• Oak trees belong to the genus “Quercus” under the Fagaceae family.

• Oaks are widely found across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, growing in temperate and subtropical regions.

• In India, oak forests are dominant climax species in the moist temperate Himalayan forests.

• Around 35 oak species are found in India, mainly between 800 and 3,000 metres above sea level.

• Major oak species in Uttarakhand include Banj oak, Moru oak, Kharsu oak, Rianj oak, and Phaliath oak.

• Oak trees are adapted to temperate climates, surviving cold winters and warm summers.

• They require well-drained soil, but can tolerate sandy, loamy, and clayey soils.

• Oak forests play a vital role in soil conservation, water retention, and biodiversity protection.

• They support local livelihoods and help maintain environmental stability in mountainous regions.

• Oak ecosystems also support plant groups like lichens, bryophytes, and pteridophytes, forming rich ecological networks.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

Tri-Service Seminar ‘Ran Samwad’ on Multi Domain Warfare

• The Tri-Service seminar ‘Ran Samwad’ will be conducted on 9–10 April 2026 at the Air Force Training Command, Bengaluru.

• The seminar has been conceptualised as a structured platform for dialogue on the changing nature of warfare.

• The theme for this edition is “Multi Domain Operations: An Imperative for Addressing Conventional and Irregular Threats.”

• Discussions will focus on preparing India’s Defence Forces for conflicts across land, air, sea, cyber, space, and cognitive domains.

• Key deliberations will include the evolution of multi-domain warfare and global trends shaping modern battlefields.

• The seminar will explore the importance of a Whole-of-Nation approach, using national resources for defence preparedness.

• Emphasis will be placed on doctrinal changes, training reforms, and modern operational strategies for stronger command and control.

• The concept of civil-military fusion in multi-domain operations will also be discussed.

• The initiative was conceptualised by Anil Chauhan to strengthen strategic dialogue among defence professionals.

GOVERNMENT SCHEME

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana Completes 11 Years (8 April 2026)

• The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) completed 11 years on 8 April 2026.

• The scheme was launched on 8 April 2015 as a flagship programme of the Government of India.

• It was introduced to provide financial support to micro-enterprises and small businesses that lack access to formal credit.

• The scheme promotes collateral-free loans and simplifies the loan application process.

• It has helped strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and local innovation.

• PMMY provides an alternative to traditional banking credit systems, especially for small borrowers.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised the scheme, stating that it has transformed access to credit for MSMEs and individual entrepreneurs.

• The scheme is aligned with the vision of achieving a ‘Developed India’ by 2047.

• Around 58 crore loans have been sanctioned under the scheme.

• The total value of loans sanctioned has crossed ₹40 lakh crore.

• Nearly two-thirds of the beneficiaries are women, highlighting its role in women empowerment.

• Around one-fifth beneficiaries are first-time entrepreneurs, supporting new business creation.

• The scheme provides loans up to ₹20 lakh without collateral.

• Loans are offered under four categories: Shishu, Kishore, Tarun, and Tarun Plus, based on the stage of business growth.

SPORTS

India Wins Gold in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team at ISSF World Cup (Granada)

• Palak Gulia and Mukesh Nelavalli won the gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the ISSF World Cup held in Granada, Spain.

• The Indian duo created history by setting a new Junior World Record in the final.

• They scored 487.7 points, breaking the previous record of 481.3 points.

• The earlier record was set at the Asian Shooting Championships by a team from Uzbekistan.

• In the record-breaking final, Palak Gulia scored 243.0 points, while Mukesh Nelavalli scored 244.7 points.

• This was Mukesh’s first World Cup medal and also his debut on the senior international stage.

• The pair had finished second in the qualification round, scoring 581 points, including 17 inner tens.

• China won the silver medal with a score of 484.8 points.

• Hungary secured the bronze medal with 414.9 points.

• Palak Gulia had earlier won individual gold at the 2023 Asian Games, along with a team silver, and also earned a quota spot for the Paris Olympics 2024.

• Mukesh Nelavalli is considered a rising star in Indian shooting and is also a Junior World Champion in pistol shooting.