Stay updated with the crucial current affairs from March 29 to April 4, 2026, essential for your competitive exam preparation. This weekly digest covers significant national and international developments, policy changes, and key appointments. Master these facts to boost your General Knowledge and score higher in exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and Railways.

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National

• IONS Maritime Exercise Held — The Indian Navy hosted the IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX) TTX 2026 in Kochi. The exercise aimed to address non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and involved 12 member nations. India also assumed the IONS Chairmanship for 2026-2028.
• Nitish Kumar Resigns LC Seat — Nitish Kumar resigned from his Bihar Legislative Council seat following his unopposed election to the Rajya Sabha on March 16, 2026. Constitutional provisions require resignation from state legislature within 14 days of becoming an MP.
• EPFO, ESIC for Informal Workers — The Union Government is considering extending social security benefits, including pension and insurance, to approximately 32 crore unorganised, gig, and platform workers by bringing them under EPFO and ESIC coverage.
• IBC Amendment Bill Passed — The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by Lok Sabha, introduces reforms like strict timelines and out-of-court settlement to expedite insolvency resolution and maximise stakeholder value.
• Census 2027 Digital Phase 1 — The first phase of Census 2027, the House Listing and Housing Census, starts April 1, 2026. This will be India's first digital census, featuring a self-enumeration option in 16 languages.
• Waste Segregation Rules — India's Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, came into effect on April 1, mandating four-stream waste segregation at source and enforcing Extended Producer Responsibility principles.
• Samprati Museum Inaugurated — Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Sangrahalay, a Jain Heritage Museum dedicated to Emperor Samprati and Jain culture, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
• Nalanda Temple Stampede — A stampede at the Maa Sheetla Mata Temple in Nalanda, Bihar, during a fair coinciding with Mahavir Jayanti, resulted in the deaths of 8 women and injuries to several others due to a crowd surge.
• INS Sanshodhak Delivered — The Indian Navy received INS Sanshodhak, the fourth and final indigenous Survey Vessel (Large) from GRSE, Kolkata, enhancing its maritime survey and data collection capabilities.
• INS Dunagiri Inducted — The Indian Navy inducted the indigenous stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the fifth Project 17A vessel built by GRSE, Kolkata, marking a significant step in defence indigenisation.
• FCRA Amendment Bill — The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in Lok Sabha, proposing a designated authority to manage foreign contributions and assets of associations whose FCRA registration is cancelled.
• Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana — The Delhi Government launched the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana on April 1, 2026, to provide financial support for girls' education and empowerment, replacing the older Ladli Scheme.
• Amaravati Declared Capital — Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, legally designating Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, ending years of uncertainty.
• Jan Vishwas Bill Passed — Both Houses of Parliament passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, which decriminalises 784 provisions across 79 Acts to boost Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
• NCERT Deemed University — The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been declared an Institution Deemed to be University under a distinct category by the Ministry of Education, aligning with NEP 2020.
• Sudarshan Pattnaik for Census — Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been appointed the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027 to promote awareness and participation in India's first digital census.

International

• Nepal's Youngest PM Sworn In — Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician, became Nepal's youngest Prime Minister after his Rastriya Swatantra Party secured a landslide victory in the general elections.
• K.P. Oli Arrested — Nepal's former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli was arrested in connection with the deadly crackdown on the September 2025 Gen-Z protests, following recommendations by a government inquiry commission.
• Earth Hour 2026 Celebrated — The 20th Earth Hour was celebrated globally on March 28, 2026, encouraging millions to switch off lights and dedicate time to positive environmental actions for the planet.
• Pakistan to Host West Asia Talks — Pakistan announced its readiness to host and facilitate talks between the United States and Iran to de-escalate the conflict in West Asia, with diplomatic efforts underway in Islamabad.
• Yemen's Houthis Join Iran War — Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on Israel, entering the conflict and raising concerns over global energy supplies and maritime trade disruptions.
• Indonesia Restricts Child Social Media — Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian nation to enforce nationwide restrictions on social media access for children under 16, targeting high-risk platforms.

Economy

• IBC Amendment Bill Passed — The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by Lok Sabha, introduces reforms like strict timelines and out-of-court settlement to expedite insolvency resolution and maximise stakeholder value.
• Jan Vishwas Bill Passed — Both Houses of Parliament passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, which decriminalises 784 provisions across 79 Acts to boost Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.

Science & Tech

• Census 2027 Digital Phase 1 — The first phase of Census 2027, the House Listing and Housing Census, starts April 1, 2026. This will be India's first digital census, featuring a self-enumeration option in 16 languages.
• INS Sanshodhak Delivered — The Indian Navy received INS Sanshodhak, the fourth and final indigenous Survey Vessel (Large) from GRSE, Kolkata, enhancing its maritime survey and data collection capabilities.
• INS Dunagiri Inducted — The Indian Navy inducted the indigenous stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the fifth Project 17A vessel built by GRSE, Kolkata, marking a significant step in defence indigenisation.

Appointments

• Nepal's Youngest PM Sworn In — Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician, became Nepal's youngest Prime Minister after his Rastriya Swatantra Party secured a landslide victory in the general elections.
• Sudarshan Pattnaik for Census — Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been appointed the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027 to promote awareness and participation in India's first digital census.

Awards & Honours

• NCERT Deemed University — The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been declared an Institution Deemed to be University under a distinct category by the Ministry of Education, aligning with NEP 2020.

Important Days

• Earth Hour 2026 Celebrated — The 20th Earth Hour was celebrated globally on March 28, 2026, encouraging millions to switch off lights and dedicate time to positive environmental actions for the planet.

Quick One-Liners — Memorise These

• IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX) TTX 2026 hosted by Indian Navy in Kochi.
• Nitish Kumar resigned from Bihar Legislative Council after Rajya Sabha election.
• Govt considers EPFO/ESIC for 32 crore informal workers.
• IBC Amendment Bill 2026 passed to speed up insolvency resolution.
• Census 2027 Phase 1 begins April 1, 2026; first digital census.
• New Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 effective April 1.
• Samrat Samprati Museum inaugurated in Gandhinagar.
• 8 dead in Nalanda temple stampede on Mahavir Jayanti.
• INS Sanshodhak, final indigenous survey vessel, delivered.
• Indigenous stealth frigate INS Dunagiri inducted.
• FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha.
• Delhi Govt launches Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana for girls.
• Amaravati declared sole capital of Andhra Pradesh by Parliament.
• Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2026 passed, decriminalising 784 provisions.
• NCERT declared 'Institution Deemed to be University'.
• Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik appointed Brand Ambassador for Census 2027.
• Balendra Shah sworn in as Nepal's youngest PM.
• Former Nepal PM K.P. Oli arrested.

Key Full-Forms & Terms

• IONS: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium
• IMEX TTX: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Maritime Exercise Tabletop Exercise
• IOR: Indian Ocean Region
• MLC: Member of the Legislative Council
• JD(U): Janata Dal (United)
• EPFO: Employees' Provident Fund Organisation
• ESIC: Employees' State Insurance Corporation
• IBC: Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
• AA: Adjudicating Authority
• NCLAT: National Company Law Appellate Tribunal
• PPIRP: Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process
• HLO: House Listing and Housing Census
• PE: Population Enumeration
• SE: Self-Enumeration
• SWM: Solid Waste Management

Compiled and rewritten by Rozgar Update for study reference. Facts are summarised from publicly available weekly current-affairs material; always verify from official sources.