Daily Current Affairs 21 April 2026: Suwari Festival, Nuclear Power & River Basin Scheme

UPSC Daily Current Affairs 21 April 2026 focuses on important developments in culture, governance, economy, and environment. It covers the Suwari Festival of Assam, Meghalaya’s decision to grant official status to Khasi and Garo languages, India’s ambitious nuclear energy expansion target, the Vishwasutra textile initiative, and the extension of the River Basin Management Scheme.

Topic Covered in Daily Current Affairs – 21 April 2026

This edition highlights key issues with strong UPSC relevance:

• Suwari Festival (Assam)
• Meghalaya Official Languages
• India’s Nuclear Power Expansion Target
• Vishwasutra Initiative
• River Basin Management Scheme

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Suwari Festival (Assam)

Suwari Festival is an important cultural festival celebrated in Assam, especially in Boko region of Kamrup district. It reflects the rich traditions of indigenous communities.

Key Features

• Celebrated by communities like Bodo, Rabha, and Koch-Rajbongshi
• Includes traditional dance, rituals, and cultural performances
• Known for traditional elephant fights as a unique event
• Coincides with Rongali Bihu

Mains Angle

• Role of festivals in preserving tribal culture
• Ethical concerns related to animal-based traditions

Meghalaya Official Languages

Meghalaya has granted official language status to Khasi and Garo along with English.

Constitutional Background

• Article 343: Official language of Union (Hindi + English usage continues)
• Article 345: States can choose their own official languages
• Article 348: Language of Supreme Court and High Courts (English)

Language Families

• Khasi → Austroasiatic language
• Garo → Tibeto-Burman language

Mains Angle

• Linguistic diversity and inclusivity
• Demand for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule

India’s Nuclear Power Expansion Target

India aims to significantly increase its nuclear power capacity.

Current Status & Target

• Present capacity: ~8.8 GW
• Target: 100 GW by 2047

Key Initiatives

• Role of the Central Electricity Authority in planning
• Entry of private sector players
• Focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

Challenges

• Fuel security issues
• Public resistance
• Skilled manpower shortage

Mains Angle

• Clean energy transition
• Role of nuclear energy in achieving net-zero targets

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Vishwasutra Initiative (Textile Sector)

The Ministry of Textiles launched Vishwasutra: Weaves of India for the World to promote Indian textiles globally.

Key Concept: 5F Vision

• Farm → Fiber → Factory → Fashion → Foreign

Implementation

• Led by the Ministry of Textiles
• Supported by the National Institute of Fashion Technology

Key Highlights

• Showcased during fashion events
• Promotes Indian handloom globally
• Enhances artisan income

Mains Angle

• Export promotion strategy
• Role in “Vocal for Local to Global”

River Basin Management Scheme

The River Basin Management Scheme has been extended till 2030-31 to ensure sustainable water resource management.

Nodal Ministry

• Ministry of Jal Shakti

Key Features

• Integrated management of rivers, tributaries, groundwater, and lakes
• Focus on basins like Brahmaputra, Barak, Teesta, and Indus
• Use of GIS, remote sensing, and LiDAR technology

Important Components

• Brahmaputra Board for flood control
• Central Water Commission for surveys and DPRs
• National Water Development Agency for planning

Mains Angle

• Integrated water resource management
• Flood and erosion control in Northeast India

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Daily Current Affairs – 21 April 2026 UPSC Prelims Quiz

Q1. Suwari Festival is associated with which state?
A. Meghalaya
B. Assam
C. Nagaland
D. Manipur
Answer: B

Q2. Khasi language belongs to which language family?
A. Indo-Aryan
B. Dravidian
C. Austroasiatic
D. Tibeto-Burman
Answer: C

Q3. Article 345 of the Indian Constitution deals with:
A. Language of Supreme Court
B. Official language of Union
C. State official languages
D. Scheduled languages
Answer: C

Q4. India’s nuclear power target by 2047 is:
A. 50 GW
B. 75 GW
C. 100 GW
D. 150 GW
Answer: C

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Q5. Vishwasutra initiative is related to:
A. Agriculture
B. Textile sector
C. Education
D. Health
Answer: B

Q6. River Basin Management Scheme is implemented by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Environment
B. Ministry of Power
C. Ministry of Jal Shakti
D. Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: C

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