1 Amaravati Project: World Bank releases $340 million
Amaravati ‘s development projects are receiving significant financial support from international financial institutions . The World Bank has so far released US$340 million for Amaravati Capital Phase 1. An additional $130 to $150 million is expected by the end of April. This funding is part of a joint World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) plan, which aims to invest a total of $1,600 million ($800 million from each institution). The plan aims to transform Amaravati into a modern, investment-attractive, and job-generating city. To achieve this, efforts are underway to strengthen governance and develop urban infrastructure. Infrastructure development, including road networks, housing projects, water supply, sewage, and drainage systems, is being rapidly undertaken.
2 Birth Anniversary of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar
Every year on April 14 , India celebrates ” Ambedkar Jayanti ,” marking the birth anniversary of Bhimrao Ambedkar. He was a visionary leader, social reformer, and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution . Dr. Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh . He faced severe discrimination in his early life. Despite these hardships, he received higher education from prestigious institutions such as Columbia University and the University of London. Over time, his followers began celebrating his birth anniversary to honor his contributions. Today, Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated not only throughout India but also internationally, reflecting his global influence. His major contributions include:
- He was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Indian Constitution.
- He was also the first Law Minister of independent India.
- He was a strong supporter of Dalit rights and social reforms.
- She also advocated for education, workers’ rights and gender equality.
3 Sawan Barwal breaks 48-year-old Indian marathon record at Rotterdam Marathon 2026
India’s Sawan Barwal has broken the country’s longest-standing marathon national record , ending a 48-year-old record previously held by Shivnath Singh . This historic feat was achieved on April 12, 2026, at the prestigious NN Marathon Rotterdam . This achievement has added another important chapter to India’s athletics journey. At the Rotterdam Marathon, 28-year-old Indian runner Sawan Barwal clocked 2:11:58 to break the 48-year-old national marathon record . The previous record (2:12:00) , held by Shivnath Singh since 1978 , was the oldest national record in Indian athletics.
4 Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma named Wisden’s ‘Leading Cricketers in the World’ for 2025
In a global recognition of the cricketing world, Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma have been named the ” World’s Leading Cricketers ” by the prestigious Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack Awards . The awards honor outstanding performances during the year 2025, and the winners were announced just before the release of Wisden’s 163rd edition . Starc, 36, took 55 wickets in 11 Tests this year at an average of 17.32, including a career-best haul of six wickets for just nine runs against the West Indies. Deepti Sharma, 28, was India’s Player of the Tournament. India won the 50-over World Cup for the first time, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final in Navi Mumbai. Throughout the tournament, she scored 215 runs at an average of 30.71 and took 22 wickets at an average of 20.40. In the final, he played a crucial innings of 58 runs and took five wickets to win the match. Indian male cricketers also received significant recognition in the Almanack this year. Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj were included in Wisden’s ” 5 Best Cricketers of the Year .” The fifth player is Haseeb Hameed.
5 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor , a historic moment in the development of Uttarakhand and the wider region. It connects Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Its opening will reduce the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from six hours to approximately two and a half hours . The 213-km-long, six-lane Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Corridor is an access-controlled corridor built at a cost of ₹12,000 crore . The PM also inspected Asia’s longest 12-km elevated wildlife corridor , built between Dehradun and Saharanpur . Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami were also present. The corridor is built using eco-friendly technology. Underpasses and sound barriers have been installed to protect wildlife. This corridor will boost tourism in Uttarakhand and reduce congestion on existing highways. The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway project was launched in February 2021.
6 ‘e-SafeHER’ – Cyber Security Awareness Training Programme to Empower 10-Lakh Cyber Sakhis in Rural India
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad, a scientific organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) , Government of India , and Reliance Foundation announced the launch of ‘e-SafeHER ‘, a cybersecurity awareness training program aimed at enabling one million women in rural India to participate safely and confidently in the digital ecosystem . The initiative is operated through the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad, under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) program of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) , which enables the dissemination of content and training resources. Reliance Foundation will promote its dissemination in rural communities across India, especially through women’s self-help groups. This initiative is another important step towards empowering digital inclusion for women. ‘e-SafeHER’ aims to strengthen cybersecurity awareness at the last mile, especially among women in rural India who are increasingly using digital platforms for financial transactions, livelihoods, and access to essential services.
7 Government notifies Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a corpus of ₹10,000 crore to raise capital for startups
The government has notified the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (Startup India FoF 2.0) with a total corpus of ₹10,000 crore , aimed at mobilizing venture and growth capital for the country’s startup ecosystem . Startup India FoF 2.0 builds on the strong performance of the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS 1.0) , which was launched in 2016 under the Startup India Action Plan to address the funding gap and catalyze domestic capital for startups. Startup India FoF 2.0 will have a total corpus of ₹10,000 crore for commitments from eligible Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) during the 16th and 17th Finance Commission periods. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will commence operations of the scheme as the implementing agency from the date of notification .
8 Odisha celebrates Pana Sankranti with traditional fervor
Odisha is celebrating Pana Sankranti with traditional fervor . Also known as Maha Bishuba Sankranti , this festival marks the beginning of the New Year . It is celebrated with the publication of the Hindu calendar , Panjika . Devotees are offering prayers and taking baths in temples, rivers, and water bodies across the state today. Pana, a special drink made from wood apple, jaggery, and other ingredients, is prepared on this occasion. Special rituals and traditional wrestling demonstrations are also being held at many places in Odisha, especially Puri. This festival reflects Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.
9 Nitish Kumar resigns as Chief Minister of Bihar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned from his post . He formally submitted his resignation to Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain at the Raj Bhavan. The Governor accepted his resignation and directed him to continue as acting Chief Minister until a new government is formed. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Samrat Chaudhary will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of the state .
10 Union Communications Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia unveiled the Philatelic Exhibition showcasing India’s heritage at the Prime Minister’s Museum
The Department of Posts , in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Museum , is organizing a philatelic exhibition titled ” Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat: Celebrating India’s Unity and Democracy through Postage Stamps ” from April 14-17, 2026. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Posts and the Museum to strengthen cooperation in promoting India’s cultural and postal heritage through exhibitions, awareness programs, and jointly branded philatelic products. The partnership will also explore the possibility of establishing a dedicated India Post counter at the Museum. This event is an important milestone towards strengthening coordination between cultural institutions and postal heritage. Shri Scindia noted that a special stamp has also been released on the occasion, depicting the Constitution , Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar , and the Foundation Day of the Prime Minister’s Museum .
11 Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney forms a majority government after winning a by-election.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has won a by-election, forming a majority government. The Liberal Party will no longer have to rely on other parties to pass legislation. Defections by MPs from the Conservative Party and other opposition parties also helped the Liberal Party secure a majority. As a result, Carney’s government could remain in power until 2029 .
12 Romuald Wadagny wins landslide victory in Benin presidential election, securing over 94% of the vote
Benin ‘s Finance Minister Romuald Wadagny has won Sunday’s presidential election, securing more than 94 percent of the vote . National Electoral Commission chief Saka Lafia announced this last night. Benin’s Constitutional Court will confirm the final results. The sole opposition candidate, Paul Hounkpe, received about six percent of the vote.
13 Israel appoints Roman Gofman as head of Mossad
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Major General Roman Gofman as the next head of the Mossad . The confirmation, effective April 13, 2026, comes at a crucial time as Israel faces complex regional security challenges. He will officially take office on July 2, 2026, and succeed David Barnea, whose term ends in June.