28th APRIL CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. First UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development.

Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, has launched Asia’s first UNESCO Chair

The initiative was announced during the international conference titled “Women Leading the Future of Work”, organised in collaboration with UNESCO

The UNESCO Chair was formally inaugurated by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development

UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, founded in 1945 and headquartered in Paris.

2. 5-Year Project on Grassroots Biodiversity Governance in TN and Meghalaya

In April 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), launched a five-year project titled ‘Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments’ to be implemented in the Sathyamangalam landscape of Tamil Nadu (TN) and the Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

Support: The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with a grant of USD 4.88 million for 2025–2030.

Objective: The project integrates biodiversity into Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs), strengthens Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), and promotes community-led conservation with sustainable livelihoods.

3. Mission Jagrook

FM Nirmal Sitharaman delivers Keynote & Launched Mission Jagrook at 38th SEBI Foundation Day

Cyber Risk warning: The Union Minister urged SEBI to stay highly alert against rising cyber threats

Mission Jagrook: The Union Minister launched Mission Jagrook, a nationwide investor awareness campaign aimed at protecting retail investors from misinformation, fraud and manipulative financial content.

4. Mission Mausam

Mission Mausam is a 2024 Ministry of Earth Sciences initiative aiming to make India "weather-ready and climate-smart" by 2026, with a ₹2,000 crore budget.

Key Initiatives: Setting up India’s first cloud chamber at IITM Pune for cloud physics research and weather modification (rain/fog management).

It Improve monsoon prediction, enhance short-range (hourly) forecasts, and strengthen disaster management, agriculture, and aviation

Current Status

Over 37 Doppler Weather Radars have been installed across India to strengthen real-time monitoring capabilities.

The Mausam mobile app provides location-specific weather forecasts for 450 cities in India.

Seasonal prediction models have shown significant improvement under the National Monsoon Mission framework.

The Ministry has initiated specialised programs on urban flooding prediction and cyclone tracking.

5. The India–New Zealand Fee Trade Agreement

The India–New Zealand FTA provides 100% duty-free access, boosts MSMEs, services, mobility, and includes a USD 20 billion investment commitment, strengthening trade and economic ties.

It balances market access with domestic protection, enhances Indo-Pacific cooperation, and expands India’s global trade footprint under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

The FTA creates new pathways for Indians with 5,000 Temporary Employment Entry visas (up to 3 years) across sectors like IT, healthcare, and education.

This is India’s seventh FTA in the past five years, after agreements with Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, European Free Trade Association countries, the UK and Oman.