Prelims Current Affairs includes World Homoeopathy Day 2026, Pm Mudra Yojana Marks 11 Years, World Bank Projects India To Drive South Asia Growth , India Withdraws Its Plan To Host Cop33 Summit In 2028, Gurgaon Tops India’s Most Polluted Cities In March 2026, Uae Launches World’s First 10g U6ghz Internet Network, India Participates In ‘Sea Dragon 2026’ Exercise & Ancient Takri Script Gets Digital Lifeline In Himachal’s Salooni College

DEFENCE

1. EXERCISE BRAHMASTRA – INDIAN ARMY SHOWCASES APACHE FIREPOWER

Current Context: The Indian Army recently demonstrated its advanced combat capabilities during Exercise Brahmastra at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.

ABOUT EXERCISE BRAHMASTRA

• Key Highlight:Deployment of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters (“tanks in the air”)
• Weapons Used:AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, rockets, and onboard guns
• Apache Helicopter Features:
  • Precision strike capabilities
  • Low altitude operations across desert terrain
  • Advanced sensors and fire control systems
• Focus:Air-land integration, close air support, network-centric warfare

DEFENCE

2. INDIA-EGYPT JOINT SPECIAL FORCES EXERCISE CYCLONE-IV

Current Context: The Indian Army has deployed a contingent to Egypt for the fourth edition of the India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise, Cyclone-IV, from April 9-17, 2026, at Anshas.

ABOUT EXERCISE CYCLONE-IV

• Type:Bilateral special forces exercise (held annually, alternately in both countries)
• Indian Contingent:25 Special Forces personnel
• Objectives:
  • Improve interoperability between armed forces
  • Strengthen joint mission planning capabilities
  • Share best practices in special operations
  • Enhance coordination in counter-terrorism scenarios
  • Improve adaptability in harsh desert environments
• Terrain Challenges:Extreme temperatures, limited water resources, difficult navigation conditions

DEFENCE

3.  TRI-SERVICE ‘RAN SAMWAD’ SEMINAR IN BENGALURU

Current Context: The Tri-Service seminar ‘Ran Samwad’ will be held on April 9-10 in Bengaluru, focusing on evolving warfare strategies.

ABOUT RAN SAMWAD

• Organised by:Ministry of Defence
• Theme:“Multi-Domain Operations”
• Focus Domains:Land, air, sea, cyber, space, and cognitive domains

PERSON IN NEWS

4.  CD GOPINATH, INDIA’S OLDEST TEST CRICKETER, PASSES AWAY AT 96

Current Context: CD Gopinath, India’s oldest Test cricketer and the last surviving member of India’s first Test victory team against England (1952), passed away at the age of 96 in Chennai.

ABOUT CD GOPINATH

• Born:March 1, 1930
• Historic Achievement:Part of Indian team that secured India’s first-ever Test victory against England in Chennai (Madras) in 1952; contributed 35 runs in that match

ECONOMY

5. GLOBAL TRADE HITS NEW HIGH IN 2025 – INDIA RANKS 19TH

Current Context: Global trade surged in 2025 with exports hitting $26.3 trillion, up 7% YoY, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

ABOUT GLOBAL TRADE 2025

• Global Exports:$26.3 trillion
• Growth Rate:7% year-on-year
• Top 10 Countries Share:6% of global exports

Top 10 Exporting Countries (2025):

• India’s Rank:19th
• India’s Export Value:$445,278 million
• India’s Global Share:7%

STATE NEWS

6. UTTAR PRADESH LAUNCHES ‘SAFE MOBILITY PROGRAM’

Current Context: The Uttar Pradesh Government has launched the ‘Safe Mobility Program’ to promote women empowerment and create employment opportunities.

ABOUT SAFE MOBILITY PROGRAM

• Key Feature:Trains women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to become e-rickshaw drivers
• Target:Around 1,000 e-rickshaws operated exclusively by female drivers
• Beneficiaries:School-going girls and working women

STATE NEWS

7.  ODISHA LAUNCHES ‘MUKHYAMANTRI ANNAPURNA YOJANA’

 Current Context: The Odisha Government has launched the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana (MAPY) to strengthen food security for over 10 million vulnerable families.

ABOUT MUKHYAMANTRI ANNAPURNA YOJANA (MAPY)

• Beneficiaries:Over 10 million vulnerable families covered under NFSA and State Food Security Scheme
• Benefit:Additional 5 kg free rice per person per month (increasing total allocation to 10 kg)
• Implementation Period:2026-27 onwards
• Significance:One of the largest state-funded expansions of Public Distribution System (PDS) in India

SCHEMES

8.  AROGYA VAN INITIATIVE BY NHAI

Current Context: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a new initiative called ‘Arogya Van’.

ABOUT AROGYA VAN INITIATIVE

• Nodal Ministry:Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
• Purpose:Develop thematic medicinal tree plantations on vacant land parcels along National Highways
• Objectives:
  • Enrich biodiversity along National Highways
  • Introduce medicinal tree species that support pollinators, birds, and microfauna
  • Strengthen ecosystem resilience
• First Phase:Covers 17 land parcels in states: Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh
• Priority Areas:Land parcels near toll plazas, wayside amenities, interchanges, cloverleaf junctions

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