9th APRIL DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1Indian Olympic Gold Medallist Named as a Torchbearer

Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra, a Beijing 2008 Olympic gold medallist, has been selected as a one of thetorchbearer for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Olympic Winter Games run from February 6–22, 2026, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6–15, 2026.

Norway topped the standings for the fourth successive Winter Olympics, setting a new record for the highest number of gold and total medals at a single Games.- 18 Gold, 12 Silver, 11 Bronze (41 Total)

The United States followed in second place (33 medals), with the Netherlands taking third, and host nation Italy securing fourth position.

2. Launch of NHAI's 'Arogya Van' Initiative

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced "Arogya Van" for planting medicinal trees along national highways

67,000Medicinal trees will be planted along different National Highway projects in across 11 states in its first phase of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh

Around 36 tree species with established medicinal properties such as Neem, Amla, Imli, Jamun, Lemon, Gular, Maulsari etc

3. India withdraws bid to host climate summit in 2028 -COP 33

In 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit, 154 countries signed a multilateral treaty called the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The treaty came into force two years later -1994

The COP is the decision-making body of the UNFCCC

COP- Conference of Parties

198 Member states

COP 31 - Will be held in place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9–20, 2026

COP32 (2027) will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking the first time a UN Climate Change Conference is hosted in East Africa.

India has formally withdrawn its bid to host the 33rd Conference of the Parties (COP33) on climate change in 2028

411 years of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) completed 11 years on April 8, 2026, a milestone that marks over a decade of collateral-free credit access to India Micro and small entrepreneurs

MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) was launched in8th April2015, to provide refinance support to financial institutions like banks, micro-finance institutions (MFIs), and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)

Loan Limits Under Various Categories(Shishu,Kishore,Tarun,Tarun plus)

5. Exercise Cyclone 2026

It is a joint special force exercise held between India – Egypt.

It is the fourth edition of this exercise.

It is an annual event conducted alternatively in India and Egypt.

Focus: It focuses on enhancing joint planning and interoperability in special operations through best-practice exchangesTroops will rehearse advanced special operational tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)

Other Military Exercises between India and Egypt: Exercise Desert Warrior (Air Force exercise between India and Egypt), Exercise Bright Star

6.Gorakhpur’s AI-based Flood Warning System

The Urban Flood Management Cell (UFMC) is India’s first AI-enabled urban flood early warning and decision support system, established in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

It combines artificial intelligence, real-time sensors, and hydrological modelling to predict rainfall, waterlogging, and flood risks in advance.

Key Features:

AI-based Rainfall Forecasting.

Sensor-based Water Monitoring

Automated Response Mechanism

24×7 Digital Control Room

7.Elephanta Island

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a 1,500-year-old T-shaped stepped reservoir on Elephanta Island, highlighting advanced ancient water management.

Elephanta Island, locally known as Gharapuri (City of Caves), is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Mumbai Harbour.

It is world-renowned for its majestic rock-cut cave temples

Local inhabitants called it Gharapuri

The most iconic sculpture on the island, a 20-foot high masterpiece depicting Shiva as the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer

Stepped Reservoir: A T-shaped massive structure (14.7m long) built with imported stone blocks.