Prelims Current Affairs includes World Book And Copyright Day 2026, Shekha Jheel Becomes India’s 99th Ramsar Site, Ogai To Regulate India’s Online Gaming Sector From May, Uk Passes Law For Smoke-Free Generation, Pakistan Tests Taimoor Anti-Ship Cruise Missile, India Textile Exports Grow 2.1% To ₹3.16 Lakh Crore In Fy 2025-26, Tashkent To Host World Para Athletics Championships 2027 & Himachal Gets First Automated Driving Test Facility At Haroli

IMPORTANT DAYS

1.  WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY 2026

Current Context: World Book and Copyright Day 2026 is observed on 23rd April around the world every year, celebrating the power of books, authors, and reading culture.

ABOUT WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY

• Established by:UNESCO (1995)
• Purpose:Promote reading, publishing, and protection of intellectual property worldwide
• Theme for 2026:Multilingualism
• UNESCO World Book Capital 2026:Rabat, Morocco
• History:
  • Originated in Spain (1920s) as tribute to Cervantes
  • Inspired by Catalan tradition of exchanging books and roses

ENVIRONMENT

2. SHEKHA JHEEL BECOMES INDIA’S 99TH RAMSAR SITE

Current Context: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as India’s 99th Ramsar site.

ABOUT SHEKHA JHEEL

• Ecological Importance:
  • One of the most significant wetlands in western Uttar Pradesh
  • Important bird habitat
  • Major stopover on the Central Asian Flyway (one of world’s most important migratory bird routes)
• Bird Species:Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, several species of ducks
• Uttar Pradesh Ramsar Sites:Now 12 (highest among Indian states)

ABOUT RAMSAR CONVENTION

• Signed:1971 in Ramsar, Iran
• Purpose:Conservation and sustainable use of wetlands

POLITY & GOVERNANC

3. OGAI TO REGULATE INDIA’S ONLINE GAMING SECTOR FROM MAY

Current Context: India’s online gaming sector will come under a new regulatory framework as the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) becomes operational from May 1, 2026.

ABOUT OGAI

• Established under:Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025
• Under:Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Leadership:Chaired by Additional Secretary of MeitY
• Members include:Joint Secretary-level officials from:
  • Ministry of Home Affairs
  • Department of Financial Services
  • Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
  • Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
  • Department of Legal Affairs
• Key Functions:
  • Determining and registering online games (esports titles, skill-based gaming platforms)
  • Issuing directions on data retention and platform accountability
  • Monitoring user information, financial transactions, responsible gaming practices
• Exemption:Online games not involving real money will not require mandatory registration

INTERNATIONAL

4. UK PASSES LAW FOR SMOKE-FREE GENERATION

Current Context: The United Kingdom has passed a landmark tobacco and vapes bill that will permanently ban people born on or after 1 January 2009 from legally buying tobacco products.

ABOUT THE UK TOBACCO LAW

• Legal age for buying tobacco:Will keep rising each year (permanent restriction for younger generations)
• Smoking Statistics (England alone):
  • 64,000 deaths annually
  • Nearly 400,000 hospital admissions annually
  • NHS cost: ~£3 billion annually
  • Social cost (including lost productivity): ~£20 billion annually
• Additional Restrictions:
  • Extended smoking bans to children’s playgrounds, outside schools and hospitals
  • Stricter rules on vapes (branding, advertising, promotion targeted at children)
• Similar Model:New Zealand was among first countries to propose generational tobacco ban

INTERNATIONAL

5.  PAKISTAN TESTS TAIMOOR ANTI-SHIP CRUISE MISSILE

Current Context: Pakistan has announced the successful test of its indigenously developed anti-ship weapon system, the “Taimoor” air-launched cruise missile.

ABOUT TAIMOOR MISSILE

• Type:Air-launched anti-ship cruise missile
• Designed for:Engage and neutralise enemy sea-based threats at extended ranges
• Test Date:April 22, 2026 (first anniversary of Pahalgam terror attack)
• Announced by:Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)
• Previous Test (April 16, 2026):Anti-ship ballistic missile
• Timing Significance:Coincided with anniversary of Pahalgam terror attack, which led to India’s Operation Sindoor

ECONOMY

6. INDIA TEXTILE EXPORTS GROW 2.1% TO ₹3.16 LAKH CRORE IN FY 2025-26

Current Context: India’s textile exports grew by 2.1% in FY 2025-26 to ₹3,16,334.9 crore from ₹3,09,859 crore.

ABOUT TEXTILE EXPORTS PERFORMANCE

• Total Exports (FY 2025-26):₹3,16,334.9 crore (↑2.1%)
• Segment-wise Performance:

SPORTS

7. TASHKENT TO HOST WORLD PARA ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2027

Current Context: World Para Athletics has announced that Tashkent will host the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships in June 2027.

ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Edition:13th
• Venue:Olympic City Main Stadium
• Significance:First time Central Asia will host this event
• Previous Asian Hosts:Doha (2015), Dubai (2019), Kobe (2024), New Delhi (2025)
• Organized under:International Paralympic Committee

HIMACHAL NEWS

8. HIMACHAL GETS FIRST AUTOMATED DRIVING TEST FACILITY AT HAROLI

Current Context: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri inaugurated Himachal Pradesh’s first automated driving test track and traffic park at Rora village in the Haroli Assembly segment, built at a cost of Rs 9 crore.

ABOUT THE FACILITY

• Described as:Only facility of its kind in North India
• Technology Used:Sensor-based track with state-of-the-art cameras monitoring vehicle and driver movements in real time
• Tests for Light Motor Vehicles:
  • Parallel parking
  • Junction handling
  • Incline driving
  • Manoeuvrability checks
• Key Features:
  • Digitised system with online slot booking for applicants
  • Minimal human intervention for objective, technology-driven evaluation
  • Additional building with waiting area to be constructed

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