• 03 Apr 2026

Ashwini Bhide Becomes First Woman BMC Commissioner in Mumbai

Why in News? 

Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Ashwini Bhide has been appointed as the first woman Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), marking a historic milestone in the civic body’s over 160‑year history.  

Key Points 

• Appointment: Ashwini Bhide has been appointed as the Municipal Commissioner of the BMC, becoming the first woman to hold this top administrative post in the civic body’s history. 
• Predecessor: She succeeds Bhushan Gagrani. 
• Role: She will oversee critical civic functions including urban infrastructure, sanitation, traffic management, disaster preparedness, and public services in Mumbai — one of India’s largest metropolitan cities. 
• Background: She has held several key administrative roles and served as Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office before taking up the BMC post. 
  • She continues to head the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), supervising the ongoing metro expansion projects (City’s first-ever underground metro corridor, stretching from Colaba to Seepz.). 
  • She is popularly known in Mumbai’s administrative and infrastructure circles as the “Metro Woman of Mumbai.” 
  • She started her service in Kolhapur and served as CEO of the Nagpur and Sindhudurg Zilla Parishads. 
  • Held positions at Raj Bhavan, worked as Additional Commissioner at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). 
• Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC): 
  • Operates under the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1888. 
  • Headed by the Municipal Commissioner.

Andhra Pradesh to Launch India’s First Quantum Computer

Why in News? 

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that the State will launch India’s first quantum computer on 14th April 2026.  

Key Points 

• Launch: The first quantum computer in India is scheduled to be launched in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.  
  • The initiative is part of the broader Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) project 
  • The launch aligns with India’s National Quantum Mission. 
• Global Ambition: AQV is expected to help position Andhra Pradesh among the top five global quantum technology hubs by 2030.  
• Objective: The State aims to reduce reliance on imports by developing key technologies locally, including cryogenics, photonics, advanced electronics, and quantum devices. 
  • The focus is on building end-to-end capabilities encompassing design, innovation, testing, and complete system development, rather than merely assembling imported components. 
• Technology Integration: The initiative focuses on the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, real-time data systems, and digital health platforms to drive innovation and efficiency in governance and service delivery. 
  • The State is planning AI-driven services such as AI doctors, AI tutors, and AI agronomists to enhance governance and improve public service delivery across sectors. 

Read More: Amaravati Quantum Valley, National Quantum Mission, Artificial intelligence 

PM‑KUSUM Scheme Deadline Extended to March 2027

Why in News? 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline for completion of the projects under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM‑KUSUM) scheme to 31st March 2027. 

Key Points 

• PM‑KUSUM: The scheme was launched in 2019 to promote solar energy adoption in the agricultural sector, decentralise power generation, reduce diesel dependence, and improve farmers’ energy security. 
• Extended Deadline: MNRE has extended the completion deadline for eligible PM‑KUSUM projects to 31st March 2027, applicable to projects whose Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) were issued on or before 31st December 2025.  
• PM-KUSUM 2.0: The proposed upgraded version of the scheme aims to incorporate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for storing excess daytime solar power and releasing it during evening peak hours to enhance grid stability. 
• Objective: The scheme aims to enhance farmers’ energy security, reduce dependence on diesel-powered irrigation pumps, and increase the share of renewable energy in agriculture. 
• Scheme Components: Three Major Components: 
  • Component-A: Installation of decentralised grid-connected solar power plants on barren or fallow land. 
  • Component-B: Installation of stand-alone solar-powered agricultural pumps for farmers. 
  • Component-C: Solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps. 

Read More: PM‑KUSUM 

New ‘Kali Night Frog’ Species Discovered in the Western Ghats

Why in News? 

Researchers have discovered a new frog species named the Kali Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus kali) in the Kali Tiger Reserve of Karnataka in the Western Ghats. 

Key Points 

• Scientific Name: Nyctibatrachus kali, named after the Kali River. 
• Cryptic Species: It is classified as a cryptic species, meaning it closely resembles another species—Kumbara Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus kumbara)—but differs genetically and acoustically. 
  • The frog produces a distinct call resembling the sound of wood being chopped, which helped researchers identify it in the field. 
• Habitat: Found in the humid, rain-drenched corridors of the Castle Rock region in the Kali Tiger Reserve in Western Ghats. 
  • Almost two out of five species are currently threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, and emerging diseases. 
• Diversity: India currently hosts over 470 amphibian species, representing about 5% of the world’s amphibian diversity. 

Read More: Western Ghats,  Kali Tiger Reserve 

NASA’s Artemis II Mission Launched

Why in News? 

NASA successfully launched the Artemis II mission, sending four astronauts on a historic crewed journey around the Moon. 

Key Points 

• Mission: Artemis II is the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft under NASA’s Artemis programme, designed to test deep-space exploration systems before future lunar landings. 
  • Artemis II will not land on the Moon; instead, the spacecraft will perform a lunar flyby, in which astronauts will travel around the Moon and return to Earth without landing on the lunar surface. 
  • NASA’s last mission to the Moon was Apollo 17, which was launched in December 1972. 
• Launch Details: The mission lifted off on 1st April 2026 aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. 
• Mission Duration: The mission is expected to last about 10 days, following a free-return trajectory around the Moon before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.  
• Crew Members: The four-member crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency.  
  • Jeremy Hansen will make history by becoming the first Canadian astronaut and the first non-American to travel to the Moon. 
  • Victor Glover (Pilot) will become the first person of color to travel beyond low-Earth orbit. 
  • Christina Koch will be the first woman to travel to the Moon’s vicinity. 
• Objective: The mission aims to test life-support systems, spacecraft performance, and deep-space navigation, paving the way for future lunar landing missions under the Artemis programme. 

Read More: Artemis II Mission, Artemis I mission 

Varkala Included in the United Nations Global ‘Zero Waste City’ List

Why in News? 

Varkala in Kerala has been included in the “20 Cities Towards Zero Waste” initiative led by the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, with support from UN-Habitat and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 

Key Points 

• Recognition: Varkala has been selected among 20 cities worldwide demonstrating innovative and ambitious approaches to waste reduction and sustainable urban development. 
• Objective:  
  • Recognises city leadership and innovative initiatives. 
  • Encourages the exchange of best practices and lessons learned. 
  • Motivates other cities to speed up their transition toward a zero-waste model. 
  • Promotes the adoption of circular economy practices at the local level. 
• Contribution to SDGs: The initiative contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG-12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG-13 (Climate Action). 
• International Day of Zero Waste:  
  • The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 14 December 2022, during its 77th session 
  • The Day is observed annually on 30 March across the world. 
  • The observance is facilitated by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme. 
  • 2026 Theme: Food Waste. 

Read More: UNEP, United Nations 

AERB Approves Excavation for Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project

Why in News?

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has approved excavation work for Units 1 and 2 of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP), marking an important step in the construction of the nuclear power plant in Rajasthan.

Key Points

• Approval: The AERB granted permission to start excavation activities for Units 1 and 2 of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project.
  • The project is being developed by Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI), a joint venture between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and NTPC Limited.
• Foundation: The foundation stone of the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2025.
  • The project is estimated to cost around ₹42,000 crore.
• Location: The Mahi Banswara Atomic Power Project is located in Banswara district of Rajasthan, near the Mahi River.
• Project Capacity: The nuclear power project will have four units of 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) with a total installed capacity of about 2,800 MW.
  • PHWRs use natural uranium as fuel, while heavy water (deuterium oxide) acts as both the coolant and the moderator.
• Fleet Mode Programme: The project is part of India’s “fleet mode” nuclear programme, which aims to build multiple reactors of the same design across the country to reduce costs and speed up construction.
• Energy Security: The project is expected to strengthen India’s nuclear power capacity and support long-term energy security while promoting clean energy generation.

Read More: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Nuclear Energy