UPSC Current Affairs 09 April 2026

 
Contents
1. PM Mudra Yojana
2. Spacecraft Mission Operations: SMOPS-2026
3. Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers
4. INDIA – EGYPT JOINT SPECIAL FORCES EXERCISE CYCLONE
5. NHAI Arogya Van
6. Shellear fish
7. Sanderling
8. Umred–Pauni–Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary
9. INS Sunayna
 
 

 
Why in News?
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has officially completed 11 successful years of operation on April 8, 2026.
 
Key Points

• Launched by the Government of India on April 8, 2015, to provides collateral-free loans up to ₹20 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro enterprises. 

• Massive Milestone: Since its inception, the scheme has sanctioned over 57.79 crore loans.
• Economic Impact: A total of more than ₹40.07 lakh crore has been disbursed to small entrepreneurs across the country.
• Loan Limit Hike: The news highlights the recent implementation of the Tarun Plus category, which increased the loan limit from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh for eligible borrowers.
• Financial Inclusion: Latest data shows that 67% of beneficiaries are women and roughly 50% belong to SC/ST/OBC categories, reinforcing the theme of "inclusive growth". 

Purpose & Objective

• Funding the Unfunded: To provide formal financial support to small business owners who previously lacked access to bank credit.
• Employment Generation: To encourage self-employment and micro-enterprise growth in manufacturing, trading, and service sectors.
• Collateral-Free: One of the biggest highlights is that borrowers do not need to provide any security or collateral for these loans. 

Loan Categories (The 4 Stages)
The scheme is divided based on the growth stage of the business: 

• Shishu: Loans up to ₹50,000 (For startups/small vendors).
• Kishore: Loans from ₹50,001 to ₹5 lakh (For existing businesses needing capital).
• Tarun: Loans from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh (For established units looking to expand).
• Tarun Plus: Loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh (For those who have successfully repaid previous Tarun loans). 

Eligibility

• Who can apply? Indian citizens including individuals, sole proprietorships, partnership firms, and small private/public companies.
• Sectors: Non-farm income-generating activities in manufacturing, trading, services, and agriculture-allied activities (like dairy, poultry, and beekeeping).
• Age: Generally between 18 to 65 years. 

How to Apply?

• Lending Institutions: Loans are available through Public/Private Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks, NBFCs, and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs).
• Online Application: Borrowers can apply directly through the Udyamimitra Portal or the websites of various Member Lending Institutions.
• Mudra Card: A RuPay debit card is provided for the working capital portion, allowing flexible cash withdrawals and payments. 

Performance Metrics

• Average Ticket Size: Has nearly tripled over the decade, reaching approximately ₹1.25 lakh in FY26.
• Low NPAs: Despite being unsecured, the default rate (NPAs) remains relatively low at around 3.5%.
• Top States: Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka lead in terms of total loan disbursal.

 
 
   
Why in News?
Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS-2026) is the second edition of an international conference recently being held in Bengaluru, India from April 8 to 10, 2026. 
 
Theme & Organizers

• Theme: "Innovative Operations for Smart and Sustainable Space Mission Management – Next Generation."
• Organizers: Jointly organized by ISRO, the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), and the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).
• Host Hub: Led by the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), the nerve centre for India’s deep space missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1. 

Core Topics & Focus Areas
The conference covers 11 major tracks addressing futuristic space techniques: 

• Automation & AI: Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for more autonomous and efficient mission control.
• Human Spaceflight: Managing the complex life-support and mission protocols for the upcoming Gaganyaan missions.
• Space Sustainability: Managing large satellite constellations and addressing the growing threat of space debris (projected to reach 1 lakh objects by 2030).
• Interplanetary Exploration: Operations for lunar and deep-space missions.
• Cybersecurity: Protecting space systems against modern risks and countermeasures. 

Event Highlights

• Academic Impact: Over 400 technical papers and 120 oral presentations are being discussed to benefit the student and startup community.
• New Technologies: Discussion on Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and the integration of cloud-based systems into mission control.
• Special Workshop: A dedicated session for students and young professionals is scheduled for the final day (April 10) to foster the next generation of space engineers. 

Support for Startups

• Ecosystem Synergy: The conference serves as a platform for Indian space startups to interact with international service providers and established agencies.
• Policy Focus: Specific sessions are dedicated to the Indian Space Policy to help new companies enter the space ecosystem. 

 
 
   
Why in News?
The Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers are recently in the news because the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a major subsidy hike on April 8, 2026, to protect farmers from global price volatility. 
 
About

• Subsidy Hike: The Cabinet approved a ₹41,533.81 crore outlay for the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme.
• Response to Conflict: The 12% increase (₹4,317 crore more than last year) was specifically designed to shield farmers from rising costs caused by the West Asia conflict, which has disrupted supply chains for potash and sulphur.
• Price Shield: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the government will absorb the international price shocks so that the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for farmers remains affordable. 

The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme 

• Launch: Implemented on April 1, 2010, to move away from product-specific subsidies.
• Mechanism: The government provides a fixed subsidy per kilogram of nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and Sulphur (S).
• Coverage: It applies to 28 grades of P&K fertilizers, including the widely used Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and various NPK complexes.
• Retail Pricing: Unlike Urea (which has a fixed MRP), P&K fertilizer prices are "decontrolled," but the government monitors them to ensure they are "reasonable." 

New Subsidy Rates (Kharif 2026)
The revised per-kilogram subsidy rates for the current season are:

• Nitrogen (N): ₹47.32 per kg
• Phosphate (P): ₹52.76 per kg
• Sulphur (S): ₹3.16 per kg
• Potash (K): ₹2.38 per kg (held steady) 

Global Dependency

• Import Reliance: India is heavily dependent on imports for P&K fertilizers. It imports roughly 100% of its Potash (MOP) and over 90% of its Phosphatic raw materials.
• Key Suppliers: Major imports come from Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Canada, and Belarus.
• Strategic Buffers: To ensure supply, the government has entered long-term agreements with countries like Morocco and Saudi Arabia for nearly 4 million tonnes of imports annually. 

Major Achievements & Impact

• Production Growth: Domestic production of P&K fertilizers has increased by over 50% since 2014, reaching approximately 168 LMT.
• Soil Health: The scheme promotes balanced fertilization, which has helped increase average foodgrain yields from 1,930 kg/hectare in 2011 to over 2,578 kg/hectare today.
• Self-Reliance: Efforts are being made to promote Potash Derived from Molasses (PDM) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) to reduce dependency on foreign imports.

 
 
   
Why in News?
Exercise Cyclone-IV, the fourth edition of the joint Special Forces exercise between India and Egypt, it commenced on April 9, 2026, and will run until April 17, 2026 in Egypt. 
 
About

• Location: The exercise is being hosted at the Rangers Forces Headquarters, Anshas, Egypt.
• Contingent Departure: The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 25 personnel from elite Special Forces units (Parachute Regiment), departed for Egypt on April 8, 2026.
• Growing Synergy: This follows the successful 3rd edition held in Rajasthan, India, in February 2025, showing the increased frequency and regularity of high-end military training between the two countries.

Purpose & Scope

• Interoperability: To enhance the ability of both Special Forces to operate together in unconventional and high-pressure scenarios.
• Terrain Specialisation: Focused strictly on desert and semi-desert terrain, which is relevant to both North African and Indian subcontinent landscapes.
• Tactical Exchange: Sharing of best practices in Special Operations Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). 

Core Training Activities
The exercise is structured to cover high-intensity combat skills: 

• Counter-Terrorism: Rehearsing surgical strikes on terrorist hideouts and neutralising threats in built-up areas.
• Advanced Skills: Training includes sniping, combat free fall, reconnaissance, and surveillance.
• Special Missions: Practicing raids, hostage rescue scenarios, and small-team precision operations.
• IED Awareness: Training on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), counter-IED measures, and combat first aid. 

Evolution of Exercise Cyclone

• Edition I (2023): The inaugural exercise was held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.
• Edition II (2024): Conducted at Anshas, Egypt, focusing on the UN Charter's special operations framework.
• Edition III (2025): Held at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
• Edition IV (2026): Currently underway in Anshas, Egypt. 

Strategic Significance

• Defence Diplomacy: Acts as a pillar for India's Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision and its expanding footprint in West Asia and North Africa.
• Indigenous Technology: These exercises often serve as a platform for India to showcase indigenous military equipment and weapon systems to the Egyptian military. 

 
 
   
Why in News?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched a new green initiative on April 8, 2026, called "Arogya Van." This project involves developing thematic plantations of medicinal trees on vacant land parcels along National Highways. 
 
Project Scope & Scale (Phase 1)

• Area Covered: 17 land parcels spanning over 62.8 hectares.
• Plantation Target: Approximately 67,462 medicinal trees will be planted in the first phase.
• Future Expansion: NHAI has already identified another 188 hectares for the upcoming monsoon season to ensure higher survival rates. 

Geographic Reach (11 States)
The first phase covers several states across India: 

• North: Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan.
• Central: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.
• West: Gujarat, Maharashtra.
• South: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
• East: Odisha. 

Tree Species Selected
Around 36 species have been identified based on local agro-climatic suitability.

• Neem & Amla: For high medicinal value.
• Jamun & Imli (Tamarind): For ecological and nutritional benefits.
• Lemon, Gular, & Maulsari: Specifically chosen for traditional healing properties. 

Strategic Locations
To maximize public visibility and awareness, plantations will be prioritised at: 

• Toll Plazas
• Wayside Amenities
• Interchanges & Cloverleaf Junctions
• Prominent Highway Stretches 

Core Objectives

• Ecological: Support pollinators, birds, and microfauna to strengthen ecosystem resilience.
• Educational: Serve as "knowledge hubs" to educate the public about India’s rich heritage of Ayurveda.
• Environmental: Improve air quality and reduce "heat island" effects along road corridors.
• Sustainability: Align with the National Highway Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) for scientific monitoring of greenery.

 
 
   
Why in News?
Shellear fish (Parakneria thysi) recently gained attention for their remarkable ability to climb 15-meter (50-foot) vertical waterfalls in Congo (Luvilombo Falls) using specialized fins, a behaviour filmed for the first time after 50 years of local legends.
 
Anatomy & "Climbing Gear"

• Microscopic Hooks: Their pectoral and pelvic fins are covered in tiny, unicellular hook-like projections called unculi that act like "velcro" to grip wet, slippery rock.
• Muscle Power: They possess hypertrophied muscles and a specialized skeletal structure (pectoral/pelvic girdles) that allow them to support their weight against gravity.
• Locomotion: They don't jump; they use a "swimming-like" lateral wiggle of their rear bodies to push themselves vertically up the rock face. 

The Arduous Journey

• Duration: The climb takes approximately 10 hours for a 15-meter ascent.
• Rest Periods: The fish are "sprinters," not marathoners. They move for only about 15 minutes total, spending the rest of the time resting on horizontal ledges to recover energy.
• Size Constraint: Only small individuals (37–48 mm) can make the climb. Once they grow larger (up to 96 mm), they become too heavy for their fins to support their weight. 

Purpose of the Migration

• Escaping Predators: Moving upstream allows them to avoid downstream predators like the silver butter catfish.
• Food & Habitat: The climb helps them reach areas with less competition for food and reoccupy habitats after being washed downstream by seasonal floods.
• Seasonal Timing: The migration typically occurs during the major floods at the end of the rainy season in April and May. 

Conservation Threats

• Illegal Fishing: Fish are highly vulnerable to being caught with fine-mesh mosquito nets while they wait at the base or during their slow climb.
• Water Diversion: Irrigation projects and dams that divert river water could dry up the waterfalls, essentially "closing the road" for this migratory species.

   
Why in News?
The Sanderling (Calidris alba), a small migratory shorebird, is recently in the news because of a record-breaking re-sighting of a tagged individual on India's remote Narcondam Island (Andaman and Nicobar) after flying over 7,400 km from South Australia.
 
Physical Characteristics

• Appearance: During winter, they are the palest sandpipers, appearing nearly white with a dark shoulder patch.
• Summer Change: In breeding season, their face and throat turn a striking brick-red.
• Unique Anatomy: Unlike most sandpipers, they have only three toes on each foot (lacking the hind toe).
• Size: Small and plump, weighing between 40 and 100 grams and measuring about 18–20 cm. 

Migratory Behaviour

• Distance: They are "complete migrants," traveling between 3,000 to 10,000 km each way.
• Breeding Grounds: They breed in the high Arctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Wintering Sites: During the northern winter, they are found on sandy beaches globally—from South America to Africa and Australia. 

Feeding & Habitat

• "Wave Chasers": Known for their iconic behaviour of running madly behind receding waves to catch small invertebrates before the next wave hits.
• Diet: Primarily eat aquatic invertebrates like small crabs, crustaceans, insects, and horseshoe crab eggs.
• Environment: Preferred habitats include tidal sand flats, mudflats, and well-drained gravel slopes. 

Conservation Status

• IUCN Status: Recently listed as "Least Concern".
• Primary Threats: Habitat loss due to wetland destruction, climate change affecting Arctic breeding, and pesticide pollution. 

 
 
   
Why in News?
The Umred–Pauni–Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UPKWS) is in the news following the rare sighting of a melanistic (black-coloured) spotted deer (chital).
 
 Location & Geography

• State: Located in Maharashtra.
• Districts: Spread across the Nagpur (Umred, Kuhi, Bhivapur talukas) and Bhandara (Pauni taluka) districts.
• Area: Approximately 189 sq. km.
• Water Bodies: Bounded by the Wainganga River and the Gose Khurd Dam to the northeast. 

Ecological Importance

• Vital Corridor: It acts as a critical wildlife link between major tiger reserves: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (to the south), Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, and Pench Tiger Reserve (to the northwest).
• Satellite Core: It was recently notified as a "satellite core" for the Bor Tiger Reserve.
• Tiger Source: It has emerged as a major breeding ground for tigers in the "Greater Tadoba" landscape. 

Flora & Fauna

• Vegetation: Primarily tropical dry deciduous forests dominated by Teak (60% of composition), Bamboo, Tendu, and Mahua.
• Key Mammals: Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Indian Gaur (Bison), Sloth Bears, and Wild Dogs (Dhole).
• Rare Species: Home to Honey Badgers, Pangolins, Flying Squirrels, and the recently sighted melanistic chital.
• Birdlife: Over 90 species recorded, including several endangered and migratory varieties. 

• Legacy: The sanctuary gained global fame through "Jai", a massive male tiger who migrated 130 km from Nagzira to this sanctuary in 2013.

   
Why in News?
On April 6, 2026, the ship arrived at Male, Maldives, marking its first operational port call. The visit includes a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the MNDF Coast Guard.
 
About

• IOS SAGAR 2026 Mission: On April 2, 2026, INS Sunayna was flagged off from Mumbai as the flagship for the second edition of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative.
• Multinational Crew: For the first time, the ship is operating with a combined crew of Indian Navy personnel and sailors from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs), including two officers from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
• Strategic Signal: The deployment is a response to escalating West Asia tensions and threats to global oil flows, reinforcing India’s role as a "net security provider". 

Mission Objectives (IOS SAGAR)

• "One Ocean, One Mission": The 50-day mission (April 2 – May 20, 2026) aims to foster regional trust and interoperability.
• Training Hub: Serves as a "floating training platform" for international crews in areas like firefighting, damage control, and VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) operations.
• Route: The mission includes strategic stops at Colombo (Sri Lanka), Phuket (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia), Singapore, Chittagong (Bangladesh), and Yangon (Myanmar). 

Vessel Specifications

• Class: Second ship of the Saryu-class Offshore Patrol Vessels.
• Origin: Indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
• Tonnage & Speed: Weighs approximately 2,300 tonnes and is capable of speeds exceeding 25 knots.
• Capabilities: Optimized for ocean surveillance, escort duties, and monitoring Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs). It can also carry ALH Dhruv or Chetak helicopters. 

Historical Significance & Roles

• MAHASAGAR Vision: Part of the broader "Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions" framework.
• Humanitarian Missions: Famously participated in Operation Nistar (2018) to evacuate stranded Indians from Socotra Island after a cyclone.
• Security Operations: Involved in Operation Sankalp (2019) to protect Indian flagged vessels in the Gulf of Oman.

 
 
 
 
Question & Answer
 
Q1. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) was launched in which year?
A. 2010
B. 2012
C. 2015
D. 2018

Answer: C
 
 
Q2. Under PMMY, the maximum loan limit after the introduction of Tarun Plus is:
A. ₹10 lakh
B. ₹15 lakh
C. ₹20 lakh
D. ₹25 lakh

Answer: C
 
 
Q3. Which category under PMMY provides loans up to ₹50,000?
A. Kishore
B. Tarun
C. Shishu
D. Tarun Plus

Answer: C
 
 
Q4. SMOPS-2026 is being held in which city?
A. Hyderabad
B. Bengaluru
C. Chennai
D. Mumbai

Answer: B
 
 
Q5. The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme was implemented in which year?
A. 2005
B. 2008
C. 2010
D. 2012

Answer: C
 
 
Q6. India imports approximately what percentage of its Potash requirement?
A. 50%
B. 70%
C. 85%
D. 100%

Answer: D
 
 
Q7. Exercise Cyclone-IV is conducted between India and which country?
A. USA
B. Egypt
C. France
D. Israel

Answer: B
 
 
Q8. The “Arogya Van” initiative is launched by which organization?
A. ISRO
B. DRDO
C. NHAI
D. ICAR

Answer: C
 
 
Q9. The Sanderling bird primarily breeds in which region?
A. Tropical forests
B. Arctic tundra
C. Desert regions
D. Coastal wetlands

Answer: B
 

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