News of The Day – 23rd April 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Art and Culture)

• Tathagata holy sacred Relics associated with Gautama Buddha.
• Cultural and spiritual significance for Buddhist communities.
• Promotes tourism and cultural diplomacy.
• Strengthens ties with Himalayan Buddhist regions.

(GS-1: Art & Culture)

• Cultural continuity ensures preservation of traditions and identity.
• India’s diversity is unified by shared civilisational ethos.
• Role of institutions: Museums, archives, education systems.
• Threats: Globalisation, homogenisation, loss of languages.
• Importance for nation-building and soft power.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Aims to provide internship opportunities to youth in top companies.
• Focus: Skill development, employability, industry exposure.
• Targets bridging academia-industry gap.
• Aligns with Skill India & demographic dividend utilisation.

• Bilateral ties upgraded to Special Strategic Partnership.
• Areas: Trade, defence, technology, semiconductors.
• Concerns: Trade imbalance, supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Shared interest: Indo-Pacific stability, China’s rise.
• Cooperation platforms: Act East Policy + Korea’s New Southern Policy.

(GS-3: Security)

• Naval diving exercise conducted by Indian Navy.
• Focus: Underwater operations, salvage, rescue missions.
• Importance: Maritime security, disaster response capability.
• Enhances interoperability and preparedness.

(GS-3: Internal Security)

• Refers to decline of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxalism.
• Strategy: Security operations + development (roads, telecom, banking).
• The Aspirational District Programme boosted governance.
• Surrender & rehabilitation policy key.
• Challenges: Residual pockets, tribal alienation, land rights issues. • Way forward: Inclusive growth, forest rights, local governance strengthening.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Critique of indices like HDI, Ease of Doing Business, etc.
• Issues: Methodological bias, data gaps, Western benchmarks.
• India’s concern: Underestimation of informal economy and scale.
• Need: Context-specific indicators.
• Balanced approach: Use rankings cautiously along with domestic data.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Focus on value addition, reducing post-harvest losses.
• Schemes: PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME).
• Infrastructure: Mega Food Parks, cold chains.
• Benefits: Farmer income, exports, employment generation.
• Challenges: Fragmentation, logistics gaps, quality standards.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Report by the International Labour Organization highlights global occupational hazards.
• Causes: Long working hours, exposure to chemicals, stress, unsafe environments.
• Major diseases: Cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders, workplace injuries.
• India context: Large informal sector, weak enforcement of labour laws.
• Relevant laws: Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
• Significance: Links labour welfare with productivity and economic growth.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary added to Ramsar list.
• Ramsar Convention (1971): Conservation of wetlands.
• Importance: Biodiversity hotspot, migratory birds habitat.
• Benefits: International recognition, funding, conservation focus.
• Threats: Urbanisation, pollution, encroachment.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Impact of climate change on agriculture productivity.
  • Agencies involved: FAO, WFP.
• Effects: Crop failure, livestock stress, supply chain disruption.
• Regions at risk: Tropics, developing countries.
• Solutions: Climate-resilient crops, irrigation, early warning systems.