DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 04-04-26

1.Earthshot Prize’s 2026 report

The report, ‘Champions of Change: How Cities and Regions are Designing a Low Carbon, Climate-Resilient Future’ highlights 11 public-sector innovations worldwide, selected from over 130 entries.

Tamil Nadu’s Climate Action for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies (CARES) initiative, implemented through the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC), is featured under the report’s ‘Protect & Restore Nature’ category

oEarthshot prize in other countries

Bogota’s urban mobility transformation;

Guangzhou’s electric bus transition;

Surat’s emissions trading scheme;

London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone;

Phoenix’s heat mitigation office;

Malmö’s climate-neutral city plan;.

The Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company TNGCC, a special purpose vehicle of the State government to coordinate climate action

TNGCC is chaired by Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary.

2.TN Wetland Mission - launchedin August 2022.

The Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission will identify and map 100 wetlands in 5 years.

Green TN mission- Increase the overall green cover of Tamil Nadu to 33%

TN-SHORE-launched in 2025, is a major initiative funded by the World Bank

Mission has four focus areas:

Enhancing coastal biodiversity;

Coastal protection;

creation of blue flag beaches and sustainable tourism

Pollution abatement.

A special purpose vehicle, named Tamil Nadu Blue Carbon Agency

3.The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project

Why in news ?

Great Nicobar Project: Draft plan to ‘relocate’ affected Nicobarese families creates confusion

The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project, conceived by the NITI Aayog and launched in 2021

Aimed at transforming the southernmost island of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago into a strategic and economic hub

It aligns with India's Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

Development requires mandatory consultation with tribal welfare bodies as per the Jarawa (2004) and Shompen (2015) Policies.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has approved the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar project

Consultation with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) under Article 338A(9) confirms tribal interests will be protected

oShompen & Jarawatribe-most isolated tribes on Earth.They are one of the least studied Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India.They reside in dense tropical rain forests of the Great Nicobar Island

oThe National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialised body for swift resolution of environmental and natural resource cases.

Established By National Green Tribunal Act 2010

Civil cases on environmental issues and rights

NGT deals with Civil Cases under

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Elephant corridors in India &TN

Indian elephants account for around 60% of the global Asian elephant population

Karnataka recorded the highest elephant population, followed by Assam and Kerala.

In terms of protected areas, Sathyamangalam forest division has the highest number of elephants

Project elephant -1992

India has 150 identified elephant corridors

TN identifies 42 elephant corridors in Tamil Nadu

India has 33 elephant reserves and Tamil Nadu as five elephant reserves

5 elephant reserves of Tamilnadu

Nilgiri Elephant Reserve

Coimbatore Elephant Reserve

Anamalai Elephant Reserve

Srivilliputhur Elephant Reserve

Agasthyamalai Elephant Reserve

.Sudarsan Pattnaik as the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027

The Government of India has appointed internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik as the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027

Received the Padma Shri in 2014 for his outstanding contribution to art and social awareness.

Holds a Guinness World Record by building the World’s tallest sand castle which is 48 feet and 8 inches at the Puri beach in Puri

Census 2027:

Census conducted under Census Act 1948.

Census 2027 is the First Census by digital means in country.

The official mascots of Census 2027 are “Pragati” (female) and “Vikas” (male

Census 2027 will be the 16th Census of India and the 8th after independence

4.PM KUSUM Scheme

Why in news?

(PM-KUSUM) scheme, launched by MNRE in 2019 and extended to March 31, 2027, aims to solarize the agricultural sector.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), launched in 2019,

Aims to promote solar energy use in agriculture and reduce dependence on diesel and grid electricity.

It seeks to ensure energy security for farmers while supporting India’s renewable energy targets

The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

The Government of India has taken various policy measures to fulfil its commitment made in Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 to have 40 per cent of installed power generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030

PM-KUSUM Scheme 2.0 may add battery storage to address solar demand mismatch, improve farm power reliability, boost efficiency, and support renewable energy goals

5.YUVIKA PROGRAM

The Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting scientific temper among youth through initiatives like the Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (YUVIKA).

Targets students studying in Class 9 across India.

Aims to promote early interest in space science and technology.

15 percent reservation has been allocated for students from rural and remote areas, promoting equitable access.

. YUVIKA), has benefitted a total of 1,320 students so far -Union Minister Jitendra Singh

6.Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana for Girl Children

Iniated by Delhi govt

Daughters in Delhi will receive a total assistance of 56 thousand rupees in instalments, starting from birth and continuing until the completion of their graduation.

After will mature, and the beneficiary will receive over one lakh rupees

Other states Iniatives-

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), which offers an attractive interest rate of 8.2% per annum for savings towards girls' education and marriage, alongside the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative

Thanga magal thittam(TN)-saving scheme for girls with 8.2%

Ladli Lakshmi Yojana in Madhya Pradesh

Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana (Uttar Pradesh)

7INS Sunayna

INS Sunayna is an offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy.

It was designed andconstructed indigenously bytheGoa Shipyard Limited.

It was commissioned at Kochi on 15th October 2013

. It is basedunder Southern Naval Command

8.The Khelo India Tribal Games

Took place in Chattisgarh

Held from March 25 to April 3, 2026

Prominent sports personalities like Mary Kom and Bhaichung Bhutia supported the initiative

Seven main disciplines included Archery, Athletics, Football, Hockey, Swimming, Weightlifting, and Wrestling

Karnataka emerged as the overall champion with an impressive tally of 23 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals.

Odisha secured second place &. Jharkhand finished third,

. Host state Chhattisgarh ranked ninth place