1. The first petroglyph conservation park in the country will be built.
On April 18 , the foundation stone was laid for the country’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park to preserve Ladakh’s ancient heritage . The park will be built on the banks of the Indus River in Leh . Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena inaugurated the Petroglyph Conservation Park. the foundation stone for Park. Petroglyphs are prehistoric images and symbols carved on stone surfaces . There are approximately 400 sites in Ladakh where these rock paintings have been found. The decision to preserve this heritage has been made due to tourism and rapid construction. Petroglyphs located along the Indus and Zanskar rivers are at greater risk. This park will preserve these rock paintings and display them for tourists. The Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) signed an MoU for heritage conservation. Ladakh’s petroglyphs are from various eras, believed to be between 2,000 and 5,000 years old. Some of the earliest paintings are dated to the Bronze Age (2nd to 3rd millennium BCE), while later paintings are dated to the early Tibetan period of the 8th to 10th centuries CE. Petroglyphs are also found in Africa, Siberia, Scandinavia, Australia, and southwestern North America. The oldest petroglyphs are believed to be at Murujuga in Western Australia, which are 40,000–50,000 years old. In India, the oldest petroglyphs and prehistoric paintings are found primarily at Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh, which are about 30,000 years old.
2 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to go on a three-day visit to Germany
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will begin a three-day visit to Germany on April 21. The Defence Ministry stated that during this visit, discussions will be held to review existing defence cooperation proposals and explore new opportunities for cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries. Shri Rajnath Singh will hold talks with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius . The discussions will focus on enhancing defence industrial cooperation, strengthening military ties, and discussing emerging areas such as cyber security, artificial intelligence, and drones. A Defence Industrial Cooperation Framework and an Implementation Arrangement for cooperation in training for UN peacekeeping operations are expected to be signed during the visit.
3 Two multi-tracking railway projects worth ₹24,815 crore approved
On April 18 , the Union Cabinet approved two multi-tracking railway projects worth ₹ 24,815 crore . These projects will cover 15 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh , adding approximately 601 km to the existing Indian Railways network. . The projects include the Ghaziabad-Sitapur third and fourth lines and the Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) third and fourth lines. . The Ghaziabad-Sitapur project will cost an estimated ₹14,926 crore (approximately $1.4 billion USD) and will construct 403 km of track, covering a distance of 403 km. The Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) project will cost ₹9,889 crore (approximately $1.9 billion USD) and will cover a distance of 198 km. The Ghaziabad-Sitapur project will also include the development of six new stations. This includes New Hapur, New Moradabad, New Rampur, New Bareilly, New Shahjahanpur, and New Sitapur. Completion of this project will enable the movement of an additional 36 million tons of freight annually. This will reduce logistics costs by ₹2,877 crore annually. The Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) project has a five-year timeframe and includes a 4.3-km rail bridge over the Godavari River.
4 Harivansh Narayan Singh creates history with third term as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman
Harivansh has been elected unopposed to the post of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for the third consecutive term. This is a historic moment, as he . This is a historic moment, as he becomes the first nominated member to hold this position . This election reflects broad consensus among various political parties and the recognition of his experience in parliamentary functioning. His previous term ended on April 9, 2026, leaving the position vacant; this vacancy has now been filled without any hindrance. This election is particularly historic, as Harivansh is the first nominated member of the Rajya Sabha to become Deputy Chairman. Traditionally, this position has been held by elected members. Harivansh is a journalist-turned-politician, known for his calm and balanced approach to parliamentary proceedings. He is a former editor of ‘Prabhat Khabar’.
5 Uttarakhand: Chardham Yatra 2026 begins
The doors of Shri Yamunotri Dham and Shri Gangotri Dham will open on Sunday on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya , which marks the beginning of the annual Char Dham Yatra. The temples have been beautifully decorated with flowers, and elaborate security arrangements have been made. After special prayers and rituals, the palanquin (doli) of Goddess Ganga has departed from her winter residence in Mukhba village. Meanwhile, the palanquin of Goddess Yamuna has also departed from her winter residence in Kharsali village. Meanwhile, Shri Kedarnath Dham will open on April 22 , after which Shri Badrinath Dham on April 23 .
6 Sadhvi Sail from Goa is the winner of Femina Miss India World 2026
Sadhvi Sail of Goa was crowned the winner of Femina Miss India World 2026 at the Grand Finale in Bhubaneswar , Odisha . She was awarded the Grand Finale’s highest honor and the opportunity to represent India at the Miss World competition . Rajnandini of Maharashtra was named first runner-up and the combined representative of the Union Territories. , and Sriadvaita, was declared the second runner-up.
7 Ministry of Textiles launches initiative ‘Vishwa Sutra – India’s Weaves for the World’
The Ministry of Textiles has launched an initiative called ” Vishwa Sutra – India’s Weaves for the World .” A special collection by designers was presented at the 61st Femina Miss India pageant in Bhubaneswar, Odisha . The initiative was launched by the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology. It aims to showcase existing Indian handlooms on a global platform. Thirty special handloom weaves representing different states have been identified under this initiative.
8 Punjab: Anti-sacrilege Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Reception Amendment Bill, 2026 approved
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has approved the anti-sacrilege Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Samman (Amendment) Bill, 2026. His support now formally entitles the bill to implement its provisions with immediate effect. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed this by sharing a copy of the signed file in a social media post. This bill amends the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Samman Act, 2008, which deals with sacrilege and conspiracy to sacrilege the Guru Granth Sahib. It provides for a punishment of up to ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹2.5 million . Previously, the bill was unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly on April 13th.
9 BCCI extends the contract of selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar for one year
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended the contract of senior selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar for one year. This decision was taken keeping in mind the preparations for the 2027 One Day Cricket World Cup . Under Agarkar’s leadership, the Indian teams selected between October 2023 and March 2026 reached the finals of four ICC tournaments. These included two T20 Cricket World Cups and one ICC Champions Trophy final victory.
10 MCA becomes first state cricket association to award contracts to 10 domestic players
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced the introduction of a Player Contract System from the 2026-27 domestic season . The decision was approved at the recent Apex Council meeting, with meeting, making the MCA the first state cricket association in India to implement such a structured remuneration model . The initiative aims to provide financial stability to domestic players, especially those who are unable to participate in high-paying leagues like the IPL or international cricket. A graded system (Grade A, B, C) similar to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) contracts has been introduced. This initiative builds on earlier reforms such as a 100% pay hike for Ranji Trophy players (2024) and aims to strengthen domestic cricket and support emerging talent.
11 Senior BJP leader Balbir Punj passes away
Senior BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Punj passed away on April 18th . He was 76 years old. Punj began his career in journalism . He started working with The Motherland newspaper in 1971. In 1990, Punj entered active politics and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Punj served as a Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh for the first time from 2000 to 2006 and from Odisha for the second time from 2008 to 2014. Punj also served as the BJP’s National Secretary, in-charge of Punjab, Gujarat, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh, and a member of the National Executive . In 2013 , he was appointed National Vice President of the Punjab BJP . However, he never contested elections in Punjab. Punj wrote several books in his career, among which ” Samvaad from Ayodhya ” is one of his most popular. In this book, he explains the history of the Ayodhya dispute in a simple manner.