LEGAL NEWS

President Nominates Harivansh to Rajya Sabha

• President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Harivansh, former Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as a Rajya Sabha member.

• His earlier tenure as a Rajya Sabha MP ended on 9 April 2026.

• This nomination was made after a vacancy arose due to the retirement of former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi from the Upper House.

• Harivansh has already served two terms in the Rajya Sabha representing Bihar.

• Under Article 80 of the Constitution, the President can nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha.

• These nominated members are chosen for special expertise in literature, science, art, and social service.

• Nominated MPs enjoy the same rights as elected members, but they cannot vote in Presidential elections.

• The first nominated woman member of the Rajya Sabha was Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, and the nomination concept was inspired by the Irish Constitution.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Homeopathy Day 2026 (10 April)

• World Homoeopathy Day is observed every year on 10 April.

• It is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homoeopathy.

• The theme for World Homoeopathy Day 2026 is “Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health”.

• The theme supports global health priorities like Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

• It also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

• India has one of the largest homoeopathic systems in the world.

• Nearly 2.5 lakh registered homoeopathic practitioners are present in India.

• The day highlights the role of homoeopathy in promoting accessible and sustainable healthcare.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India–US to Expand Cooperation Under Pax Silica and Technology Sectors

• India and the United States have agreed to deepen cooperation under Pax Silica and broader economic and technology partnerships.

• Key areas of collaboration discussed include Artificial Intelligence (AI), critical minerals, and advanced technology supply chains.

• The discussion took place during talks between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Under Secretary of State (Economic Affairs) Jacob S. Helberg.

• Vikram Misri was on a three-day official visit to the United States during which these talks were held.

• India officially joined Pax Silica on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

• Pax Silica is a US-led strategic coalition launched in December 2025 to strengthen supply chains of critical minerals, semiconductors, and AI technologies.

• The initiative aims to reduce global dependence on single-source suppliers and promote a trusted digital and technological infrastructure.

• The founding members of Pax Silica include USA, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Israel, the UK, and the UAE.

NATIONAL NEWS

NSTFDC Celebrates 25th Foundation Day in New Delhi

• The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) celebrated its 25th Foundation Day on 10 April in New Delhi.

• The event was attended by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Minister of State Durga Das Uikey.

• During the programme, NSTFDC honoured successful Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs from different parts of India.

• These entrepreneurs were recognised for building sustainable enterprises with support from NSTFDC-linked government schemes.

• NSTFDC is an apex organisation established in 2001 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

• Its main objective is the economic empowerment of Scheduled Tribes through financial support for income-generating livelihood activities.

• The corporation provides funding to promote self-employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development among tribal communities.

• NSTFDC is governed by a Board of Directors, including representatives from the Central Government, State Channelizing Agencies, NABARD, IDBI Bank, TRIFED, and eminent persons from Scheduled Tribe communities.

STATE NEWS

VP C P Radhakrishnan Interacts with J&K Youth Delegation Under “Watan Ko Jano”

• Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed a youth delegation from Jammu and Kashmir at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

• Around 250 youth members participated in the event under the “Watan Ko Jano” programme.

• The programme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the J&K Government.

• Its main objective is to promote national integration by allowing J&K youth to travel and explore different regions of India.

• The Vice President stated that such programmes strengthen a shared national identity among young citizens.

• He highlighted that the initiative also builds confidence, awareness, and aspirations among the youth.

• The programme was linked with the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”, encouraging unity and cultural bonding.

• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was launched on 31 October 2015 by PM Narendra Modi to promote unity in diversity through cultural, linguistic, and social exchanges.

SPORTS

India Wins 5 Medals in Greco-Roman at Asian Wrestling Championships 2026

• Indian Greco-Roman wrestlers delivered a strong performance at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

• Nitesh Siwach won a silver medal for India in the Greco-Roman category.

• Wrestler Prince secured a bronze medal, adding to India’s medal count.

• Sachin Sehrawat also claimed a bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling.

• With these achievements, India’s total Greco-Roman medal tally rose to five medals.

• Earlier in the tournament, Lalit Sehrawat won a silver medal in the 55 kg category.

• Sunil Kumar added another medal by winning bronze in the 87 kg category.

• India has fielded 30 wrestlers overall, competing across women’s freestyle, men’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman events.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

ELECRAMA 2027 Launched in New Delhi

• The 17th edition of ELECRAMA 2027 has been launched in New Delhi, being recognised as the world’s largest electrical industry exhibition.

• The event is being organised by the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA).

• The launch was conducted by Ghanshyam Prasad, who highlighted India’s growing strength in the energy sector.

• India’s hydro pump storage potential was discussed, with the possibility of surpassing nations like the USA and Japan.

• India’s current hydro pump storage capacity is around 7.5 GW.

• The electrical industry was urged to achieve 100% self-reliance in manufacturing and supply chains.

• ELECRAMA 2027 will focus on sustainability, innovation, automation, quality, safety, and reliability.

• The five-day exhibition will be held from 20 to 24 February 2027 in Greater Noida, featuring around 1,100 exhibitors, targeting 25,000 B2B meetings, with Germany as the partner country.