4.5/5
Current Affairs 26th April 2026
1. Parminder Singh appointed CEO of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited
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Joint Venture Leadership: Singh has been appointed as the founding CEO of REIL, a strategic 70:30 joint venture between Reliance Industries Limited (70%) and Meta Platforms (30%). The venture aims to accelerate the adoption of enterprise-level Artificial Intelligence across India.
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Tech Veteran Background: He brings over 30 years of experience in the global technology sector, having held senior leadership positions at major firms including Google (MD, Display Network APAC), Twitter (MD, SEA, India & MENA), Apple, and IBM.
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Strategic Focus: Under his leadership, REIL will combine Meta's AI capabilities with Reliance’s massive compute infrastructure and Jio’s nationwide connectivity to provide scalable and "sovereign" AI solutions specifically tailored for Indian businesses.
2. US Announces Heavy Anti-Dumping Duty on Solar Cells and Panels
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Significant Tariff Rates: The US Department of Commerce has imposed a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 123.04% on solar cells and panels imported from India. Additionally, duties were announced for Indonesia (35.17%) and Laos (22.46%), following allegations that these products were being sold below fair market value.
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Total Duty Burden: This new anti-dumping duty (AD) is in addition to the countervailing duties (CVD) of over 125% announced in February. Combined, most Indian solar exporters now face a total tariff burden of approximately 234%, effectively pricing them out of the US market.
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Targeted Companies & Timeline: The investigation identified "critical circumstances" for major firms including Mundra Solar PV, Kowa, and Premier Energies. A final determination from the Commerce Department is expected by July 13, 2026, with the International Trade Commission (ITC) scheduled to make a final injury ruling by October 2026.
3. Meghalaya launches CM-INSPIRE scheme for the UPSC Qualifiers
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Tiered Financial Incentives: The scheme provides direct monetary assistance to UPSC aspirants from Meghalaya based on exam milestones. Candidates receive ₹50,000 for clearing the Preliminary stage and ₹1,00,000 for clearing the Mains examination.
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Addressing Representation: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma introduced the initiative to reverse the declining representation of the state's youth and indigenous communities in the national civil services, ensuring that economic constraints do not hinder talented candidates.
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Application & Eligibility: Managed by the Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute (MATI), the scheme is available to permanent residents of Meghalaya. Eligible candidates can apply through the official MATI portal by providing their UPSC admit cards and result documentation.
4. Upendra Dwivedi Inducted into US Army War College International Hall of Fame
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Historic Achievement: General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), became only the third Indian Army Chief to receive this prestigious honor. He follows in the footsteps of former Chiefs General V.K. Singh (2013) and General Bikram Singh (2014).
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Alumnus and Distinguished Fellow: The induction took place at the Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania. General Dwivedi is an alumnus and a "Distinguished Fellow" of the US Army War College, and during his visit, he addressed faculty and international student officers on leadership and evolving security dynamics.
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Strengthening Defence Ties: This recognition highlights the deepening India-US strategic partnership and military-to-military exchanges. It occurred during the General's official visit to the US, where he also engaged with leadership at the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) headquarters in Hawaii to discuss regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
5. Virat Kohli Becomes First Player in IPL History to Hit 800 Boundaries
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Historic Milestone: During an IPL 2026 match against the Gujarat Titans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Virat Kohli became the first player in IPL history to hit 800 fours. He reached the mark by driving Kagiso Rabada to the long-on boundary and finished the innings with a career total of 807 fours.
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Dual Record Achievement: In the same match, Kohli also became only the third player to hit 300 IPL sixes (joining Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma). Notably, he is the first player to achieve this six-hitting milestone for a single franchise (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
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Dominant Statistical Lead: Kohli now holds a significant lead over other boundary-hitters; the next closest active player is Shikhar Dhawan (retired with 768 fours), followed by David Warner (663) and Rohit Sharma (653). Following his 81-run knock in this match, Kohli also claimed the Orange Cap as the leading run-scorer of the 2026 season.
6. Rajesh Kumar Agarwal Takes Charge as Director at Power Finance Corporation
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Elevation to Board Level: Effective April 23, 2026, Rajesh Kumar Agarwal has taken charge as Director (Finance) of Power Finance Corporation Limited. He was previously serving as the Executive Director (Finance) at the same organization since January 2024.
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Extensive Sector Experience: He brings over 31 years of experience in the power and financial sectors. Before joining PFC in 2009, he worked with other major power sector entities including NTPC Limited, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and Delhi Transco Limited.
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Key Specializations: A member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, Agarwal has been instrumental in spearheading digital reforms and enhancing financial reporting frameworks. His expertise spans corporate accounts, taxation, fund management, and the implementation of power sector reforms.
7. Veteran Economist Ashok Lahiri Set to Become Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog
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Succession and Appointment: On April 25, 2026, the Union Government appointed eminent economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri as the Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog. He succeeds Suman K. Bery, who had held the position for four years. This change is part of a broader reconstitution of the think tank, which includes the appointment of four new full-time members.
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Distinguished Career: Lahiri is a veteran economist with over four decades of experience. He served as India’s Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) from 2002 to 2007 under the tenures of Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. Additionally, he was a member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission and has held senior roles at the World Bank and the IMF.
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Political and Academic Background: Beyond his economic expertise, Lahiri is currently a BJP MLA from the Balurghat constituency in West Bengal (though he opted not to contest the 2026 state assembly polls).
8. Former Andhra Pradesh CM Nadendla Bhaskara Rao Passed Away
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Brief but Historic Tenure: Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, who passed away on April 22, 2026, at the age of 90, holds the record for the shortest tenure as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh. He served for just 31 days in 1984 after a political coup while then-CM N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) was away in the US for medical treatment.
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Political Career and Affiliations: He was a co-founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) alongside NTR in 1982 and served as its first Finance Minister. Over his long career, he was also a member of the Congress party and a Lok Sabha MP from Khammam (1998). In his later years, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019.
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Family and Legacy: He is survived by his son, Nadendla Manohar, who is a prominent leader in the Jana Sena Party and currently serves as a Cabinet Minister in the Andhra Pradesh government.
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