Prelims Current Affairs includes Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth – Vice Chief Of Army Staff, Ins Malwan:  Next-Gen Anti-Submarine Vessel, Yuvika Program, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, Green State Of India – Sikkim, Imf-World Bank Annual Meetings 2026, India Pharma 2026 Conference, Indonesia Bans Social Media For Under-16 Users & Haiti

APPOINTMENTS

1. LT GEN DHIRAJ SETH – VICE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

Current Context: Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth has assumed the position of the 49th Vice Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army.

ABOUT LT GEN DHIRAJ SETH

• Alma Mater:National Defence Academy (NDA)
• Commissioned into:Armored Corps (December 1986) 

DEFENCE

2.  INS MALWAN:  NEXT-GEN ANTI-SUBMARINE VESSEL

Current Context: INS Malwan, India’s latest anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft, was delivered to the Indian Navy on March 31, 2026 in Kochi, strengthening coastal defence with advanced sonar, weapons, and over 80% indigenous content.

ABOUT INS MALWAN

• Type:Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC)
• Built by:Cochin Shipyard Limited (Kochi)
• Position:Second vessel in planned fleet of eight ASW SWCs (first vessel: INS Mahe)
• Technical Specifications:
  • Length:Approximately 80 metres
• Operational Capabilities:
  • Mine laying and mine detection
  • Coastal patrolling and surveillance
• Purpose:
  • Designed for littoral (shallow water) operations where larger warships are less effective
  • Acts as first line of defence against underwater threats near India’s shores
  • Aims to replace ageing Abhay-class corvettes
• Naming Significance:
  • Named after Malwan, a historic coastal town in Maharashtra
  • Associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (known for strong navy)

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

3. YUVIKA PROGRAM

Current Context: The Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting scientific temper among youth through initiatives like the Yuva Vigyani Karyakram.

ABOUT YUVIKA PROGRAM

• Full Name:Yuva Vigyani Karyakram
• Launched by:ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
• Launch Year:2019
• Target Group:Students studying in Class 9 across India
• Reservation:15% reservation for students from rural and remote areas
• Objectives:
  • Promote early interest in space science and technology
  • Provide basic knowledge on space technology, science, and applications to school children
  • Encourage students to pursue STEM fields

POLITY

4. FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION (REGULATION) AMENDMENT BILL, 2026

Current Context: The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha

ABOUT FCRA AMENDMENT BILL, 2026

• Amends:Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA)
• Previous Amendments:2016, 2018, and 2020
• Key Provisions:
  • Identifies operational and legal gaps regarding FCRA registration cancellation, surrender, or cessation
  • Establishes a designated authority to manage foreign contributions and assets
  • Grants Central government power to appoint this authority
  • Clause 16A (7) ensures religious character of places of worship is maintained
  • Allows organizations to regain control of assets if they regain certificates
• Controversy:
  • Opposition concerned Bill could target Christian minority institutions
  • Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan requested withdrawal, citing potential misuse
  • Rahul Gandhi criticized Bill, claiming it benefits RSS and leaves welfare organizations vulnerable

STATE NEWS

5. GREEN STATE OF INDIA – SIKKIM

Current Context: Sikkim has earned the title of “Green State of India” due to its forests, clean air, natural beauty, and organic farming practices.

ABOUT SIKKIM – GREEN STATE OF INDIA

• Forest Cover:45-50% of state’s area covered with forests
• Additional Title:India’s first fully organic state (since 2016)
• Reasons for the Title:
  • India’s first organic state (2016) – supports 66,000 farming families in natural farming
  • 45-50% forest cover
  • Plastic bags banned since 1998
  • State Green Mission launched
• Eco-friendly practices including biodegradable materials

SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

6. IMF-WORLD BANK ANNUAL MEETINGS 2026

Current Context: Thailand is gearing up to host the prestigious IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in October 2026

ABOUT IMF-WORLD BANK ANNUAL MEETINGS 2026

• Last Hosted by Thailand:1991 (35 years ago)
• Event Scale:
  • Often described as the “Olympics of Finance”
  • Over 15,000 participants expected from 191 countries
  • Brings together finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers, and global stakeholders
• Theme:“Thailand’s New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience”
• Key Focus Areas: Inclusive growth, Digital finance, Job creation, Economic resilience, Financial stability, Development priorities

SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

7. INDIA PHARMA 2026 CONFERENCE

Current Context: The 9th edition of India Pharma 2026 will be held on April 13-14, 2026, in New Delhi

ABOUT INDIA PHARMA 2026 CONFERENCE

• Organized by:Department of Pharmaceuticals
• Partners:FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance
• Theme:“Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation”
• Key Focus Areas:
  • Drug discovery
  • Advanced research
  • Complex generics
  • Biosimilars
  • Global supply chain strengthening
• Objectives:
  • Strengthen India’s position as a global leader in pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing
  • Promote collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders
  • Highlight India’s shift from volume-based producer to value-driven innovator

INTERNATIONAL

8. INDONESIA BANS SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UNDER-16 USERS

Current Context: Indonesia has become the first Southeast Asian country to prohibit under-16 users from accessing social media platforms to protect them from online risks and harmful content.

ABOUT INDONESIA

• Capital:Jakarta
• Currency:Rupiah
• Official Language:Indonesian
• President:Prabowo Subianto
• Ban Details:
  • First Southeast Asian nation to impose under-16 social media ban
  • Platforms covered: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, Roblox
  • Follows Australia (first nation globally to impose similar restrictions in December)

PLACES IN NEWS

9. HAITI

Current Context: 70 people were killed and 30 injured in a brutal armed gang attack in the Artibonite region of Haiti.

ABOUT HAITI

• Capital:Port-au-Prince
• Type:Island country between Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean
• Location:Occupies western one-third of island of Hispaniola
• Neighbouring Countries:
  • Dominican Republic (east)
  • Jamaica (west)
  • Cuba (northwest)
• Independence:Won independence from France in 1804
• Geographical Features:
  • Name “Haiti” means “land of the mountains”
  • Climate: Tropical
  • Vulnerable to strong earthquakes (located on tectonic plate edge)

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