NEWS 03-05-2026. News For 4th-May (Monday) National News 1. The 17th Old Seed Festival was held in the Araku region of Andhra Pradesh on April 28, 2026, where over 200 indigenous seed varieties were showcased to promote natural farming and biodiversity conservation. 2. The Andhra Pradesh government launched its first-ever Mushroom Mission in late April with an investment of ?13,000 crore, aiming to establish the state as India’s largest mushroom producer and create massive employment for self-help groups. 3. Under the PM VIKAS scheme, the Ministry of Minority Affairs signed a landmark MoU with IIT Patna on April 20, 2026, to provide specialized skill development and research opportunities for minority youth in emerging technologies. 4. On April 6, 2026, India successfully entered Stage-2 of its three-stage nuclear power programme as the 500-megawatt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality, paving the way for large-scale thorium utilization. 5. The Prime Minister inaugurated the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor on April 14, 2026, a strategic project that reduces the travel time between the two cities from over six hours to just two and a half hours. Defence News 1. According to the latest SIPRI report released in April 2026, India is now the world’s fourth-largest defence spender with a military expenditure of 92.1 billion dollars, reflecting an 8.9% increase over the previous year. 2. The Indian Navy commissioned INS Aridhaman, the nation's second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, at Visakhapatnam in April 2026, significantly strengthening the sea-based leg of India’s nuclear triad. 3. General Electric Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited finalized a technical agreement in April for the co-production of F414 jet engines in India, involving a historic 80% transfer of manufacturing technology. 4. The Indian Air Force initiated a major project on April 6, 2026, to develop hydrogen-powered autonomous airships capable of carrying 5,000 kg payloads at high altitudes for long-endurance surveillance. 5. The Indian Navy launched Operation Urja Suraksha in the Strait of Hormuz this April, deploying warships to escort and protect Indian-bound energy tankers amid rising regional maritime tensions. International News 1. India and New Zealand signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement on April 27, 2026, providing 100% duty-free access for Indian exports and securing a 20-billion-dollar investment commitment. 2. Annalena Baerbock, the President of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, arrived in New Delhi on April 28, 2026, for her first official visit to discuss India’s role in global diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. 3. In a significant diplomatic breakthrough this April, Iran and the United States accepted a two-week temporary ceasefire proposal brokered by Pakistan to de-escalate tensions in West Asia. 4. The Indian LPG tanker Vikram successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz in late April, becoming the first Indian-flagged vessel to navigate the route following the temporary ceasefire agreement. 5. India confirmed the resumption of Iranian crude oil purchases in April 2026 following a temporary pause in United States sanctions, marking a major development in India's energy security strategy. Sports News 1. Indian chess player R. Vaishali won the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament on April 22, 2026, becoming only the second Indian woman in history to qualify for the World Chess Championship match. 2. India topped the medal tally at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 in Cairo, finishing on April 27 with a total of 16 medals, including five gold, six silver, and five bronze. 3. Indian cricketer Sanju Samson was named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March, with the official announcement made in early April following his match-winning performances in the T20 format. 4. India finished first in the medal tally at the Bangkok 2026 World Archery Para series in late April, securing 13 medals including seven gold and three silver. 5. Indian badminton legends Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty reached the final of the Badminton Asia Championships in April, maintaining their status as one of the world's most dominant doubles pairs. < < Back