Prelims Current Affairs includes World Health Day 2026, National Maritime Day 2026, International Day Of Sport For Development And Peace 2026, Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (Ucc) Bill, 2026  , Barnawapara Sanctuary – Blackbuck Reintroduction, Jiyo Parsi Scheme, Cbse New Curriculum, Ghatak Stealth Ucav Programme & Himachal Pradesh Sets Target To Increase Forest Cover To 32% By 2030

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. WORLD HEALTH DAY 2026

Current Context: World Health Day 2026, observed on 7 April, calls on people everywhere to stand with science under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.”

ABOUT WORLD HEALTH DAY 2026

• First Celebration:
• The first World Health Day was observed on July 22, 1949, but was moved to April 7 in 1950 to coincide with the founding anniversary of the WHO.
• Campaign Focus:
  • Strong focus on the One Health approach(protecting health of people, animals, plants, and the planet)
• Major Global Moments:
  • International One Health Summit (April 7):Hosted by Government of France under French G7 Presidency

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. NATIONAL MARITIME DAY 2026

Current Context: India observes National Maritime Day annually on April 5 to commemorate its rich maritime heritage and underline the critical role of the shipping sector.

ABOUT NATIONAL MARITIME DAY

• Historic Event:April 5, 1919 – Indian-owned ship SS Loyalty embarked on maiden voyage from Mumbai to London (operated by Scindia Steam Navigation Company)
• India’s Maritime Sector:
  • Over 90% of trade by volume carried through sea routes
  • Coastline: Approximately 7,500 km
  • 12 major ports and over 200 non-major ports

 IMPORTANT DAYS

3. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE 2026

Current Context: The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is celebrated worldwide on April 6 every year.

ABOUT IDSDP

• Declared by:United Nations in 2013
• First Observed:2014
• Connection:Marks opening of first modern Olympic Games in 1896
• Theme for 2026:“Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers”
• Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games:First Olympic event hosted in Africa (October 31 – November 13, 2026)

STATE NEWS

4. GUJARAT UNIFORM CIVIL CODE (UCC) BILL, 2026

Current Context: Gujarat has passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, becoming the second state in India after Uttarakhand to adopt the UCC.

ABOUT THE BILL

• Objective: Establish common legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, equal inheritance rights, and live-in relationships, irrespective of religion
• Exemption:Not applicable to Scheduled Tribes and certain groups whose customary rights are protected under the Constitution
• Goa currently has a common civil code under the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867.
• Key Provisions:
  • Bigamy prohibited– individual cannot enter into second marriage while spouse is still alive
  • Mandatory registration required for live-in relationships

ABOUT UNIFORM CIVIL CODE (UCC)

• Constitutional Basis: Article 44 of the Constitution (Directive Principles of State Policy) directs state to strive for UCC for all citizens
• Need for UCC in India:
  • Equality before law:Uniform laws replace community-based personal laws (Hindu Marriage Act, Muslim Personal Law, etc.)
  • Supreme Court judgments:Shah Bano Case (1985), Sarla Mudgal Case (1995) highlighted need for UCC

ENVIRONMENT

5. BARNAWAPARA SANCTUARY – BLACKBUCK REINTRODUCTION

Current Context: Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh has witnessed the reintroduction of blackbucks into the Rampur grassland, marking an important conservation step.

ABOUT BARNAWAPARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location:Northern part of Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh
• Area:Approximately 245 sq. km
• Rivers:Balamdehi River (western boundary), Jonk River (northeastern edge), tributaries of Mahanadi

SCHEMES

6. JIYO PARSI SCHEME

Current Context: The Jiyo Parsi Scheme has gained attention following the successful conduct of a Universal Parsi Registration Drive facilitation camp by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, with around 300 new registrations completed.

ABOUT JIYO PARSI SCHEME

• Launched:2013-14
• Type:Central Sector Scheme
• Objective:Arrest the declining population of the Parsi community in India
• Key Components:
  • Medical assistance for fertility treatments and pregnancy-related care
  • Financial aid for childcare and care of elderly dependents
  • Advocacy initiatives (counselling, awareness campaigns, outreach programmes)

EDUCATION

7. CBSE NEW CURRICULUM

Current Context: CBSE has introduced a revised curriculum aligned with National Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.

ABOUT CBSE NEW CURRICULUM

• Compulsory Third Language:From Class 6, third language mandatory
• AI and Computational Thinking (CT):
  • Compulsory from Class 9 starting 2027-28 academic session
  • First board examinations in 2029
• Advanced Mathematics and Science:
  • Optional advanced assessments for Class 10
  • First cohort for advanced-level assessments in 2028
• Art and Physical Education:Made compulsory with new textbooks
• Three-Language System:Languages taught at R1, R2, and R3 proficiency levels; R3-level textbooks from Class 6 in 2026-27 session
• New Languages Added:Maithili, Santhali, Dogri, and Konkani

DEFENCE

8. GHATAK STEALTH UCAV PROGRAMME

Current Context: India has taken a significant step towards strengthening its air combat capabilities with the planned induction of indigenous stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) under the ‘Ghatak’ programme.

ABOUT GHATAK UCAV

• Earlier Name:AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft)
• Developed by:DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment
• Key Features:
  • Weight class:13-tonne class
  • Configuration:Tailless flying-wing (reduces radar cross-section, enhances stealth)
  • Airframe material:80-90% carbon-fibre prepreg composites
  • Engine:Indigenous Kaveri engine
  • Weapons capacity:Up to 1.5 tonnes in internal bays
• Strategic Role:
  • Deep strike missions
  • Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD)
  • Coordinated operations with manned fighter aircraft (LCA Tejas)

HIMACHAL NEWS

9. HIMACHAL PRADESH SETS TARGET TO INCREASE FOREST COVER TO 32% BY 2030

Current Context: The Himachal Pradesh government has set a target to increase the state’s forest cover from the existing 29.50 per cent to 32 per cent by the year 2030 under ‘Mission 32 Per Cent’.

ABOUT MISSION 32 PER CENT

• Announced in:Budget for 2026-27 fiscal
• Vision:“Making Himachal a green Himalayan state”
• Objectives:
  • Enhance biodiversity
  • Address climate change
  • Maintain ecological balance
  • Ensure sustainable development

Key Initiatives:

• Mukhyamantri Van Vistaar Yojana
  • Aims to convert barren and unproductive hills into green landscapes
  • First year: Plantation on nearly 600 hectares of barren land
  • 60% of saplings planted are fruit-bearing
• Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana
  • Focuses on rejuvenation of forest areas
  • Large-scale plantation on forest land
  • Financial provision: ₹1.20 lakh per hectare for plantation and maintenance
  • Implemented through self-help groups, Mahila Mandalas, and youth groups
  • Generates employment and strengthens rural economy

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