• 07 Apr 2026

Sainik School Inaugurated at Sindhanur in Karnataka

Why in News? 

A new Sainik School was inaugurated at Sindhanur in Raichur district of Karnataka to strengthen defence-oriented education in the country. 

Key Points 

• Inauguration: The Sainik School at Sindhanur in Raichur was inaugurated by Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy along with Sanjay Seth and Nara Lokesh. 
• Objective: The establishment of the Sainik School aims to promote defence-oriented education and prepare students for careers in the Indian Armed Forces. 
  • The school has been established under the Government of India’s initiative to expand the Sainik Schools through partnerships with state governments and private institutions. 
• Navile Reservoir Issue: The Minister also called for cooperation between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh on the proposed Navile Reservoir project. 
• Regional Development:  
  • He even highlighted the need for the establishment of an AIIMS in Raichur. 
  • The Union Minister recalled the “Compete with China” initiative, which aims to promote balanced industrial growth in Karnataka by developing multiple industrial clusters.

Vice-President Addressed 3rd Convocation of Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari

Why in News? 

The Vice-President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the 3rd Convocation Ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Motihari, Bihar. 

Key Points 

• Convocation Event: The Vice-President addressed the 3rd convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Central University located in Motihari, East Champaran district of Bihar. 
  • He urged students to adopt the guiding principle of “Nation First”.  
• Historical Significance: He highlighted that Champaran holds a special place in India’s history as it was the site of the Champaran Satyagraha, where Mahatma Gandhi emerged as a mass leader rooted in villages. 
  • He stated that Bihar has historically been a center of great ideas, linked with personalities like Gautama Buddha, Chanakya, and institutions such as Nalanda University. 
• Education Initiatives: The Vice-President appreciated the university for implementing the National Education Policy 2020 and introducing integrated courses along with establishing an Indian Knowledge Systems Centre. 
• Tribute to Gandhiji: During the visit, the Vice-President paid floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha Memorial in Motihari, recalling Gandhiji’s ideals of truth, non-violence, and service to the nation. 

Read More: Mahatma Gandhi, National Education Policy 2020, Nalanda University 

Universal Parsi Registration Drive Organised in Mumbai

Why in News? 

A special facilitation camp under the Universal Parsi Registration Drive was organised in Mumbai to promote registration of the Parsi community under the Jiyo Parsi scheme. 

Key Points 

• Organised by: The Universal Parsi Registration Drive was organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under the Jiyo Parsi Scheme. 
• Jiyo Parsi Scheme: Jiyo Parsi Scheme is a flagship Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India to address the declining population of the Parsi community.  
  • The scheme was launched in 2013–14 with the objective of stabilising and increasing the Parsi population through structured interventions and scientific support.  
  • The scheme provides medical assistance for fertility treatments and pregnancy-related care, financial support for childcare and elderly care, and counselling and awareness programmes for the community. 
• Cultural Significance: The initiative aims to safeguard the rich cultural heritage and demographic sustainability of the Parsi community in India. 

Read More: Jiyo Parsi scheme 

New Visa Application Centre Opened in Bhubaneswar

Why in News? 

Global visa services provider VFS Global has opened a new Visa Application Centre in Bhubaneswar to improve access to visa services for residents of Odisha, marking its second centre in eastern India..  

Key Points 

• New Centre: VFS Global inaugurated a new visa application centre in Bhubaneswar to meet the rising demand for visa processing services in eastern India. 
  • The facility will initially serve 10 countries and aims to reduce dependence on Kolkata for visa submissions. 
• Inauguration: The centre was inaugurated by Mohan Charan Majhi along with Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer (South Asia) of VFS Global. 
  • In the initial phase, the centre will process visa applications for countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Estonia, Italy, Malta, Switzerland, Japan, Morocco and Egypt. 
• VFS Global:  
  • It was founded in 2001 by Zubin Karkaria.  
  • It provides visa processing and consular services to governments and diplomatic missions worldwide.

Punjab Announced Caste-Based Socioeconomic Survey

Why in News? 

The Punjab government has announced the launch of its first-ever caste-based socioeconomic survey starting April 1 to assess the living standards of different communities and support evidence-based policymaking. 

Key Points 

• First-Ever Survey: The state government will conduct its first caste-based socioeconomic survey to collect data on the social and economic conditions of various communities. 
  • The survey was announced by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann. 
• Objective: The survey aims to assess the living standards, economic status, and social conditions of all castes and sub-castes to frame targeted welfare policies. 
  • The survey aims to identify disparities among communities and ensure equitable distribution of development benefits. 
• Workforce Deployment: Around 28,000 enumerators will be deployed to collect data from households. 
  • The survey is expected to cover nearly 65 lakh families across the state. 
• Budget Allocation: The state government has allocated about ₹250 crore for conducting the survey across the state.  
• Time Frame: The data collection process is likely to be completed within about three months. 

Read More: Socioeconomic survey 

Historic 200-Year-Old Ramayana Manuscript Found in Ayodhya

Why in News? 

A rare over 200-year-old Ramayana manuscript will be preserved at the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya in Ayodhya, highlighting efforts to safeguard India’s cultural and religious heritage. 

Key Points 

• Manuscript: A more than 200-year-old manuscript of the Ramcharitmanas written in Nagari script (which later evolved into Devanagari) will be added to the museum’s collection in Ayodhya. 
• Preservation Initiative:  The museum urged scholars and institutions to donate rare Ramayana manuscripts in Sanskrit and other Indian languages. 
  • The initiative aims to create a national repository of Ramayan manuscripts, including regional versions, commentaries, and illustrated manuscripts on palm leaves or paper. 
  • Approval has been granted to establish a conservation centre at the museum to preserve and study these historic texts. 
• International Ram Katha Museum: 
  • It was established in 1988. 
  • Dedicated to the life and legacy of Lord Rama. 

Read More: Ramcharitmanas 

Bangladesh Defeated India in SAFF U20 Championship 2026 Final

Why in News? 

The Bangladesh men’s under‑20 football team defeated India in the final of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 through a penalty shootout, ending India’s defence of the title. 

Key Points 

• Organised by: It is an annual football tournament organised by the South Asian Football Federation. 
  • India remains the most successful team in the tournament’s history, having won four titles. 
• Venue: All matches were held in Malé, Maldives, at the National Football Stadium. 
• Title Winners: Bangladesh clinched the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026. 
  • Bangladesh defeated India 4–3 in a penalty shootout in the final. 
  • This marked Bangladesh’s second title, following their victory over Nepal in the 2024 final. 
• Runners-up: India 
• Top scorer: The tournament’s top scorers were Omang Dodum from India and Mohamed Ilan Imran of Maldives. 
• Best Goalkeeper: MD Ismail Hossain Mahin. 

Read More: SAFF Championship, South Asian Football Federation