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Daily Current Affairs 2 April 2026 covers the 15th Finance Commission grants for rural local bodies, detailing tied and untied funds. The Samrat Samprati Museum honors the Maurya ruler's promotion of Jainism. CMS COP 15 addressed global migratory species conservation, outlining threats and species status. Check UPSC Mains angles and a Prelims quiz for exam preparation.
Daily Current Affairs 2 April 2026 highlights key developments such as the 15th Finance Commission has released grants for rural local bodies, crucial for local infrastructure development. UPSC IAS Current Affairs 2 April 2026 also explores the Samrat Samprati Museum, honoring the Maurya ruler’s promotion of Jainism.
Further UPSC Daily Current Affairs 2 April 2026 topics include the Nyay Setu AI Chatbot for legal access, Exercise Dweep Shakti for military coordination, and the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS COP 15) for global conservation efforts.
This edition of Daily Current Affairs 2 April 2026 covers important topics from Polity, Governance, Defence, Environment, and Art & Culture, relevant for both UPSC Prelims and Mains.
The 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Arvind Panagariya, has issued recommendations applicable from April 1, 2026, for five years until March 31, 2031. Concurrently, the Union Government has released grants from the preceding 15th Finance Commission for the financial year 2025-26 to Rural Local Bodies.
Types of Grants by Finance Commission:
| Feature | Tied Grants | Untied Grants |
| Purpose | Funds are fixed for specific purposes. | No specific spending restrictions. |
| Restrictions | Local bodies cannot use funds for other purposes. | Local bodies have flexibility to address local needs. |
| Examples | Mandatory use for drinking water supply or solid waste management. | Can be used for a wide range of issues such as water supply, sanitation, drainage, transport, infrastructure, storm water management, energy, or green spaces, as deemed necessary by the local body. |
Rural Local Bodies received 60% as Tied Grants and 40% as Untied Grants from the Central Finance Commission. These funds are typically released in two installments annually. Panchayat Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies utilize these funds for infrastructure development and local problem-solving.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti recommend the allocation, which is then released by the Ministry of Finance.
The Samrat Samprati Museum was recently inaugurated in Kobatirtha, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, by the Prime Minister. The museum celebrates the legacy of Samrat Samprati.
About Samrat Samprati:
Museum Features:
The Nyay Setu AI Chatbot has been launched to enhance access to justice for common citizens, particularly those in rural areas and marginalized communities. Its objective is to bridge the gap between ordinary people and the legal system by providing legal information and explanations of laws and terminology in simple, accessible language.
Developed by the Digital India Bhashini Division under the Department of Justice, the chatbot is aligned with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. The mascot Dashika was unveiled to promote awareness about the chatbot.
The Bhashini platform is India’s AI-powered language technology platform that uses Automatic Speech Recognition and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to translate and provide information across various languages. It is overseen by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The Nyay Setu AI Chatbot is part of the DISHA Program (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice.
The program aims to ensure justice reaches all citizens, leveraging technology and innovative solutions. Other initiatives under DISHA include Nyay Bandhu (providing pro bono legal services for those unable to afford them) and Tele-Law.
Exercise Dweep Shakti is a Tri-Service Military Exercise conducted by the Indian Armed Forces, comprising the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. Its objective is to enhance coordinated operations among the three services.
The operations covered include amphibious assaults, maritime operations, and beach landings, which are crucial for projecting power and responding to threats in island territories.
Conducted under the Andaman & Nicobar Command, this exercise improves India’s capability to protect its coastal regions and respond effectively to potential conflicts through integrated military actions.
The Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, is a significant international environmental treaty signed in Bonn, Germany, in 1979. It is a legally binding treaty operating under the umbrella of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The objective of CMS is to foster international cooperation to protect migratory species and their habitats across their range states, aiming to prevent their extinction.
The CMS classifies migratory species into two appendices based on their conservation status:
| Appendix | Appendix I | Appendix II |
|---|---|---|
| Species Type | Endangered migratory species. | Migratory species requiring international cooperation for conservation. |
| Protection Need | Requires strict protection (e.g., critically endangered, extinct in the wild, or endangered as per IUCN classification). | Less threatened than Appendix I species, but still benefit from coordinated efforts among range states. |
| Action Required | Range states must prohibit the taking of these species and conserve their habitats. | Range states are encouraged to conclude international agreements for conservation and management. |
A key output of CMS, the report highlights critical concerns:
The CMS COP 15 was held in Campo Grande, Brazil, with over 130 participating countries. Held every three years, its theme was “Connecting Nature to Sustain Life“. Key outcomes included the addition of 40 migratory species to CMS Appendices, such as the Striped Hyena and Giant Otter.
Specifically, Great Hammerhead Sharks were included in Appendix I, and Patagonian Narrow-nosed Smooth-hound in Appendix II. Regional action plans and initiatives to combat illegal trade were also adopted.
GITO aims to curb the illegal “taking” of migratory species through coordinated efforts of governments, local communities, and organizations. The term “taking” encompasses all forms of direct human impact on migratory species, such as hunting, fishing, capturing, and trapping (including for medicinal purposes).
GITO’s functions include data collection, tracking illegal migration, and raising public awareness. Partner organizations include CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity), UNEP, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), and TRAFFIC (a global network monitoring wildlife trade).
Recent IUCN Status Updates for Migratory Species:
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Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
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Tied Grants are funds fixed for specific purposes, meaning local bodies cannot use them for other objectives (e.g., drinking water supply, solid waste management). Untied Grants have no specific spending restrictions, offering local bodies flexibility to address a wide range of local needs.
Samrat Samprati was a Maurya ruler and the grandson of Emperor Ashok, reigning from 224-215 BCE. His major contribution was promoting Jainism across the Indian subcontinent, advocating non-violence (Ahimsa), building temples and stupas, and supporting Jain monks.
The main objective of the Nyay Setu AI Chatbot is to enhance access to justice for common citizens, particularly those in rural and marginalized communities, by providing legal information and explanations of laws in simple, accessible language.
Exercise Dweep Shakti is a Tri-Service Military Exercise conducted by the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) to enhance coordinated operations. It covers amphibious assaults, maritime operations, and beach landings, and is conducted under the Andaman & Nicobar Command.
The Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), or Bonn Convention, is a legally binding treaty under UNEP. Its primary goal is to foster international cooperation to protect migratory species and their habitats across their range states, aiming to prevent their extinction.
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