Prelims Current Affairs includes World Creativity And Innovation Day – April 21, English Language Day 2026, Ai-Powered ‘Prajna’ System Handed Over To Ministry Of Home Affairs, Japan Ends Ban On Lethal Weapons Exports, Vishwa Sutra Initiative, R-37m Missile, Laureus World Sports Awards 2026, Arthur Law Named 2026 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader  & Himachal E-Taxi Scheme: 50% Subsidy And 5-Year Employment Guarantee

IMPORTANT DAYS

1.  WORLD CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DAY – APRIL 21

Current Context: World Creativity and Innovation Day is observed on April 21, recognized by the United Nations to highlight the power of ideas in shaping a better world.

ABOUT WORLD CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DAY

• Theme for 2026:“Harnessing Creativity for Global Progress”
• Recognized by:United Nations (officially recognized in 2017)
• History:
  • Concept originated in 2002 by Marci Segal to inspire innovative thinking
  • First UN celebration: 2018

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAY 2026

Current Context: English Language Day 2026 will be celebrated on 23 April 2026 across the world to honour the English language and its global importance.

ABOUT ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAY

• Established by:United Nations (2010)
• Purpose:Promote multilingualism, cultural diversity, and use of English as a global communication tool
• Reason for April 23:Honours William Shakespeare (whose birth and death anniversary fall on the same day)
• Part of:UN Language Days initiative (celebrates one of six official languages of the UN)

DEFENCE & TECHNOLOGY

3. AI-POWERED ‘PRAJNA’ SYSTEM HANDED OVER TO MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Current Context: DRDO has developed an AI-powered satellite imaging system called ‘Prajna’, which has been handed over to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to enhance internal security.

ABOUT PRAJNA SYSTEM

• Purpose:Provide real-time visual intelligence to security forces
• Key Features:
  • Real-time monitoring and surveillance
  • Advanced image processing and data analysis
  • Detects unusual patterns and suspicious movements
  • Provides real-time alerts to security agencies
• Applications:Counter-terrorism operations, surveillance, decision-making

INTERNATIONAL

4. JAPAN ENDS BAN ON LETHAL WEAPONS EXPORTS

Current Context: Japan has approved a major shift in its postwar security policy by removing restrictions on the export of lethal weapons.

ABOUT THE POLICY CHANGE

• What Changed:Removal of restrictions on exports of lethal defence equipment (fighter jets, missiles, destroyers)
• Previous Policy:Japan largely banned export of military equipment under pacifist constitution; only allowed limited transfers for rescue, transport, surveillance, minesweeping
• Reason:Changing regional security environment (concerns related to China, North Korea, Indo-Pacific tensions)
• Export Destinations:Initially limited to 17 countries that have signed defence equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan
• Approval Required:National Security Council approval for every deal
• Joint Development:Next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy

SCHEMES

5. VISHWA SUTRA INITIATIVE

Current Context: The Ministry of Textiles has launched an initiative called ‘Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World’.

ABOUT VISHWA SUTRA INITIATIVE

• Initiative of:Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms)
• Collaboration with:National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
• Aim:Present Indian handlooms in a contemporary global design framework
• Scope:30 distinct handloom weaves from across the country (each representing a different state), reinterpreted with design inspirations from 30 countries
• Examples:
  • Odisha Ikat with Greek forms
  • Kanchipuram with Norwegian lines
  • Muga with Egyptian elements
  • Patola with Spanish influences
  • Banarasi with UAE-inspired ensembles
• Supports:5F framework (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign)

DEFENCE

6. R-37M MISSILE

Current Context: Moscow has greenlit the sale of its formidable R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missile to India.

ABOUT R-37M MISSILE

• Type:Long-range air-to-air missile
• Developed by:Russia
• Nickname:“AWACS Killer” (can target AWACS, refuelling tankers, jamming aircraft)
• Specifications:
  • Length: Approximately 4.2 metres
  • Weight: Nearly 600 kg
  • Warhead: 60 kg high-explosive fragmentation
  • Range: 300 to 400 km
  • Speed: Up to Mach 6 (hypersonic)
• Guidance:Inertial navigation + mid-course data-link updates + active radar homing (terminal phase)
• Indian Platform:Expected to be integrated with IAF’s Su-30MKI fighters

SPORTS

7.      LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS 2026

Current Context: The Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 were held in Madrid, Spain, celebrating global sporting excellence for 2025.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

• Complete Winners List:

• India’s Nomination:Indian Women’s Cricket Team (maiden ICC Women’s World Cup in November 2025) nominated for Best Team category

APPOINTMENTS

8. ARTHUR LAW NAMED 2026 WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM YOUNG GLOBAL LEADER

Current Context: Arthur Law, Co-founder and Managing Principal of Storefriendly Asia, has been selected as a 2026 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

ABOUT THE RECOGNITION

• Selection Criteria:Leaders under age 40 making significant contributions across business, public policy, science, and social impact
• Company Impact:Served more than 40,000 households and businesses in densely populated cities
• Background:Oxford-trained mathematician; began career in investment banking with Goldman Sachs and HSBC

ABOUT YOUNG GLOBAL LEADERS PROGRAMME

• Established by:World Economic Forum
• Selection (2026):118 individuals from 55 countries selected from thousands of nominations
• Global Network:Over 1,400 leaders including heads of state, Nobel Prize winners, business founders
• WEF Headquarters:Geneva, Switzerland

HIMACHAL NEWS

9. HIMACHAL E-TAXI SCHEME: 50% SUBSIDY AND 5-YEAR EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE

Current Context: The Himachal Pradesh government has issued new guidelines for e-taxis under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Startup Yojana-2023, offering up to 50% subsidy on ex-showroom price and 5-year employment guarantee.

ABOUT THE E-TAXI SCHEME

• Subsidy:Up to 50% of ex-showroom price
• Employment Guarantee:Minimum 5 years (extendable by 2 years with mutual consent)
• Beneficiary Eligibility:
  • Only Himachal bonafide youth
  • Age limit: 23 to 45 years
  • Unemployed with valid commercial driving license
  • Annual family income: Not exceeding ₹3 lakh
  • Only one member per family eligible
• Educational & Experience Criteria:
  • 10th pass: 7 years driving experience
  • Non-10th pass: 10 years driving experience
• Monthly Payment for Base Model (~₹10 lakh):₹55,000 + GST
• Vehicle Classification for Government Officials:

• Application Process:Online portal of Labour and Employment Department
• Agreement:Between beneficiary, concerned department, and bank
• Mandatory Condition:E-taxi must be driven by beneficiary themselves (except special circumstances for legal heir)
• Charging Expenses:To be borne by beneficiary, charging station arrangement by concerned department
• Penalty Provisions:Subsidy recovery and contract cancellation for rule violation or indiscipline

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