Prelims Current Affairs includes Sujeet Kalkal And Abhimanyu Mandwal Grab Gold At Asian Wrestling Championships 2026, Sinner Stuns Alcaraz To Win Monte Carlo Masters 2026, Sawan Barwal Breaks India’s Oldest Marathon Record, Ub Pravin Rao Appointed Chairperson Of Nasscom Foundation, Sagarmala Programme – 845 Projects Worth ₹6.06 Lakh Crore, Kali Tiger Reserve, Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, The Lanjia Saora Community, Himachal Day 2026

SPORTS

1. SUJEET KALKAL AND ABHIMANYU MANDWAL GRAB GOLD AT ASIAN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026

Current Context: Indian wrestlers delivered a strong performance at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek securing gold medals in freestyle wrestling. 

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Total Medals for India:14 (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 8 Bronze)
• Sujeet Kalkal – Gold in 65kg Category:
• Defeated Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov (8-1 victory)
• Abhimanyu Mandwal – Gold in 70kg Category:
• Defeated Mongolia’s Olympian Tomor Ochiryn Tulga (5-3)

 SPORTS

2. SINNER STUNS ALCARAZ TO WIN MONTE CARLO MASTERS 2026

Current Context: Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the Monte Carlo Masters 2026, securing his first title at the event and reclaiming the World No. 1 ranking.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Sinner’s 2026 Achievements:
  • Third ATP Masters 1000 title of the year (after Indian Wells and Miami)
  • Extended winning streak to 17 matches
  • Joined legends Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as one of the few to win four consecutive ATP 1000 titles
• Significance of Monte Carlo Masters:Prestigious clay court tournament, serves as preparation for French Open (Roland Garros)

 SPORTS

3. SAWAN BARWAL BREAKS INDIA’S OLDEST MARATHON RECORD

Current Context: India’s long-distance runner Sawan Barwal scripted history by breaking the country’s longest-standing national record at the Rotterdam Marathon 2026.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Time:2:11:58
• Previous Record:Shivnath Singh – 2:12:00 (set in 1978, stood for 47 years)
• Finishing Position:20th (debut marathon)

ABOUT MARATHON

• Official Distance:195 kilometres
• Rotterdam Marathon:World Athletics Gold Label Road Race

APPOINTMENTS

4. UB PRAVIN RAO APPOINTED CHAIRPERSON OF NASSCOM FOUNDATION

Current Context: NASSCOM Foundation has appointed U B Pravin Rao as its new Chairperson, succeeding Rostow Ravanan after completion of his tenure.

ABOUT UB PRAVIN RAO

• Previous Roles:
  • Vice-Chairperson and Chairman within NASSCOM (since 2014)
  • Chief Operating Officer of Infosys (2014 to 2021)
• Vision:Guide Foundation’s strategic vision aligned with Viksit Bharat

SCHEMES

5. SAGARMALA PROGRAMME – 845 PROJECTS WORTH ₹6.06 LAKH CRORE

Current Context: The Sagarmala Programme is implementing 845 projects worth ₹6.06 lakh crore, with 315 projects worth ₹1.57 lakh crore completed.

ABOUT SAGARMALA PROGRAMME

• Launched:March 2015
• Objective:Promote port-led development
• Goal:Improve logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs, support trade by increasing use of coastal shipping and inland waterways

Five Pillars:

1. Port Modernization and New Port Development
2. Port Connectivity Enhancement
3. Port-Led Industrialization
4. Coastal Community Development
5. Coastal Shipping and Inland Waterways Transport

ENVIRONMENT

6. KALI TIGER RESERVE

Current Context: The Union environment ministry proposes an Eco-Sensitive Zone around Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve, spanning 663.32 sq km.

ABOUT KALI TIGER RESERVE

• Location:Central portion of Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district, Karnataka
• Composition:Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (475.018 km²) + Anshi National Park (339.866 km²)
• River:Kali River flows through the reserve (hence the name)
• Borders:
  • North: Bhimghad Wildlife Sanctuary (connected to Radhanagari and Koyna sanctuaries in Maharashtra)
  • West: Five protected areas in Goa

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

7.  PUNATSANGCHHU-I HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

 Current Context: Work on Bhutan’s Punatsangchhu-I hydropower project has resumed after a seven-year suspension.

ABOUT PUNATSANGCHHU-I HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

• Capacity:1,200 MW (run-of-the-river scheme)
• Location:Left bank of Punatsangchhu River, Southern Himalayas, about 80 km east of Thimphu (Bhutan’s capital)
• Status:Largest hydropower project under construction in Bhutan
• Implementing Authority:Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA) – autonomous body of Royal Government of Bhutan and Government of India
• Funding by Government of India:40% Grant + 60% Loan at 10% annual interest (repayable in 12 equated annual installments)
• Power Export:All surplus power will be exported to India

ART & CULTURE

8. THE LANJIA SAORA COMMUNITY

Current Context: The Lanjia Saora community is in the news for its resilient efforts to preserve its unique visual heritage while adapting customs to modern lifestyles.

ABOUT LANJIA SAORA COMMUNITY

• Category:Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
• Habitat:Rayagada and Gajapati districts, southern Odisha (forested, hilly terrains)
• History:Mentioned in Ramayana (associated with Shabari) and Mahabharata
• Key Characteristics:
  • Earrings:Large, thick circular metal earrings fixed into stretched earlobes
  • Tattoos:Intricate geometric patterns for spiritual protection (dying tradition)
  • Livelihood:Shifting cultivation (Podu Chasa), foraging, small-scale farming
  • Artistic Heritage:Saora paintings (Idital) – wall murals using red ochre and rice paste
  • Social Structure:Egalitarian society with communal resource sharing

HIMACHAL NEWS

9. HIMACHAL DAY 2026

Current Context: Himachal Day is celebrated annually on April 15 to commemorate the formation of the state of Himachal Pradesh in 1948.

ABOUT HIMACHAL DAY

• Significance:Marks the creation of the province of Himachal Pradesh on April 15, 1948
• 2026 Event Location:Reckong Peo, Kinnaur district
• Celebrations:
• Grand state-level parade
• Cultural performances
• Honouring of awardees including:
  • Himachal Gaurav Puraskar
  • Civil Service Awards

IMPORTANT NOTE

• Himachal Day (April 15):Commemorates formation of Himachal Pradesh as a province (1948)
• Statehood Day (January 25):Marks Himachal Pradesh’s elevation to India’s 18th state

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos