25th & 26th APRIL CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. World Malaria Day 2026-April 25

Theme "Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.

WHO prequalified Coartem® Baby (artemether-lumefantrine), the first malaria drug designed specifically for newborns and infants weighing 2–5 kilograms.

Developed by Novartis and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), it solves a long-standing treatment gap for babies previously treated with adult-formulation doses

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites (Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium Falciparum, Plasmodium Malariae and Plasmodium Ovale).

It is transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Currently, Malaria is a notifiable disease in 33 States and Union Territories in India.

India was the only high-burden, high-impact country in the South- East Asia region to report a decline in malaria cases in 2020 as compared to 2019.

But India witnessed an 1% decline in malaria cases and 83.36% decline in deaths during 2015-2022.

The National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME), launched in 2016, provided a clear roadmap for achieving zero indigenous malaria cases by 2027.

The world's first malaria vaccine is RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix), developed by GSK and recommended by the WHO in October 2021.

Primarily for children in sub-Saharan Africa, it targets P. falciparum—the deadliest malaria parasite

AdFalciVax is India’s first indigenous, recombinant, multi-stage malaria vaccine, developed by the ICMR

2Ashok Lahiri as the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog

The Union government is set to appoint former Chief Economic Adviser Ashok Lahiri as the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, replacing Suman Bery

NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission.

PM -exofficio Chairman

The Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog is appointed by the Prime Minister of India.

Ashok Lahiri also served as a member of the 15th Finance Commission of India.

3.Social Media Ban For Children

Recently, Australia has become the first country to enforce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16 under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024.

Ban initially covers 10 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch.

Turkey Passes New Law to Restrict Social Media Access for Children Under 15

Indonesia,Spain, France, UK and some European countrieshave recently banned the access for children under 16 to certain digital platforms.

In India

On March 6, 2026,Karnataka,announced a social media ban for all children under the age of 16. Within hours, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister also announced the introduction of similar restrictions targeting children under 13, within a 90-day timeframe.

4. T.N. Launches 3rd Synchronised Nilgiri Tahr Survey-2026

Tamil Nadu has launched the third synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr under Project Nilgiri Tahr, covering the species’ entire range in the state from April 24 to 27

Aims to accurately estimate the population of Tamil Nadu’s state animal across the shared landscape of the Western Ghats.

The third survey this year is larger in scale, spanning 14 forest divisions, 177 survey blocks over more than 3,100 km. It covers habitats from Ashambu Mottai in Kanyakumari district in the south to Tavalamalai in Gudalur in the north

The first synchronised survey in 2024estimated the Nilgiri Tahr population in TN at 1,031. The second survey in 2025recorded 1,303 individuals

For the first time, the Forest Department is using a dedicated mobile application called ‘Varudai’ for real-time data collection, GPS-based tracking

Nilgiri Tahr

Endangered (IUCN), Schedule-I (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972)

Government of Tamil Nadu has launched its ambitious flagship" Project Nilgiri Tahr” on October 12, 2023.

October 7th will be celebrated as the Nilgiri Tahr Day in honour of Dr.E.R.C.Davidar whose Birthday falls on this day.

Dr. Davidarpioneered one of the first studies on Nilgiri Tahr in 1975.

5. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

(formerly WFIRST), scheduled for launch in late 2026, is a NASA flagship infrared observatory designed to study dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.

With a 2.4-meter mirror—same as Hubble—but 100 times the field of view, it will rapidly survey the universe, acting as a "100x Hubble" for vast cosmic mapping.

Its Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey will focus on the Milky Way

Telescope plans to capture this by taking an image every 15 minutes around the clock for about two months.

This process will be repeated six times over Roman’s five-year primary mission

6. NAMASTE Scheme achieves milestone in advancing dignity and safety of sanitation workers

The National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) is a joint scheme (launched July 2023) by India's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

It aims to achieve 100% mechanized cleaning of sewers/septic tanks, ensuring safety, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods for sanitation workers (SSWs)

During the programme, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits will be distributed to sanitation workers to improve occupational safety and reduce health risks associated with hazardous cleaning activities.

Ayushman Cards will also be provided to eligible beneficiaries

7.World Intellectual Property Day- APRIL 26

The 2026 celebration focuses on "IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!"

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) designated this day in 2000 to highlight the significance of Intellectual Property in daily life.

The date was chosen to commemorate the day on which the convention establishing WIPO came into force in 1970

Key Protection Types: Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Geographical Indications (GI Tags), Industrial Designs.

India adopted its first National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy in 2016

Global Innovation Index 2025 released by (WIPO) - India Ranked 38th out of 139 economies.