This is the current affairs 24 April 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Record 84% voting in Tamil Nadu and 93% in West Bengal
– April 23, 2026 proved to be a historic day in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
– This is because the highest-ever voter turnout in the state assembly elections was recorded in Tamil Nadu – 84.69% (till 8 PM on April 23).
– Meanwhile, in West Bengal, 93% voting was recorded (till 8 PM on April 23) in 152 seats in the first phase.
– If the same pattern continues in the second and final phase of 142 seats in West Bengal, it will be the highest voter turnout ever in the state.
– In the 2021 assembly elections, the turnout was 82%.
Reason
– Before the elections, around 9.1 million voters’ names were removed through SIR. After this, the number of registered voters in West Bengal decreased from 76.6 million to 67.5 million, a decline of 11.8%.
– One argument is that the number of people voting remains almost the same, but the total number of voters has decreased. Therefore, the voter turnout percentage appears higher.
– According to VoteVibe founder and election analyst Amitabh Tiwari, to match the number of voters who voted in 2021, at least 86% turnout is required this time, which itself is a record.
– According to psephologist Jai Mrig, due to SIR, voters feel that if they do not vote, their names might be removed. A sense of fear about their existence has developed among people.
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2. In which state is the Shekha Lake Bird Sanctuary located, which has been included in the list of global Ramsar sites?
a. Bihar
b. Punjab
c. Uttar Pradesh
d. West Bengal
Answer: c. Uttar Pradesh
– It is located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
– Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced its inclusion as a Ramsar site on April 22, 2026.
– ‘Shekha Lake Bird Sanctuary’ is the 99th Ramsar site of the country.
– It is the 12th Ramsar site of Uttar Pradesh.
Shekha Lake
– Its present form developed after the construction of the Upper Ganga Canal in 1850.
– In 1977, renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali identified its ecological importance during a visit to AMU, after which it became a major destination for bird lovers.
– It was declared a bird sanctuary in 2016.
– Spread over about 40.309 hectares, the lake is considered an important stop on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.
– During winter, bar-headed geese, painted storks, and various species of ducks arrive here in large numbers.
– The lake is a favorite destination for migratory birds coming from countries like China, Russia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Poland, and Siberia.
– These birds travel distances of 4,000 to 10,000 kilometers every year to reach here.
Major Ramsar sites of Uttar Pradesh (till April 2026):
1) Upper Ganga River (from Brijghat to Narora) (2005): Bulandshahr/Amroha (largest)
2) Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary) (2019): Unnao
3) Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (2019): Gonda
4) Samaspur Bird Sanctuary (2019): Raebareli
5) Sandi Bird Sanctuary (2019): Hardoi
6) Saman Bird Sanctuary (2019): Mainpuri
7) Sarsai Nawar Lake (2019): Etawah
8) Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) (2020): Agra
9) Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary (2021): Sant Kabir Nagar
10) Haiderpur Wetland (2021): Muzaffarnagar/Bijnor
11) Patna Bird Sanctuary (2026): Etah (smallest)
12) Shekha Lake Bird Sanctuary (2026): Aligarh
What is a wetland?
– It is a type of land where water accumulates during rainfall.
– Such areas also host a large variety of bird species.
– Many sites have been included in the Ramsar list in recent years, and UNESCO helps in their conservation.
Why are they called Ramsar sites?
– Ramsar is a city in Iran.
– On February 2, 1971, countries of the world signed the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands there.
– Hence, it is called the Ramsar Convention; it is also known as the Wetland Convention.
– It came into force in 1975.
– Its formal name is “Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat.”
– It is an intergovernmental treaty that provides guidelines for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
– India signed this convention in 1982.
– In India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal ministry for wetland conservation.
India’s 99 Ramsar sites (as of April 23, 2026):
1) Ashtamudi Wetland – Kerala
2) Beas Conservation Reserve – Punjab
3) Bhitarkanika Mangroves – Odisha
4) Bhoj Wetlands – Madhya Pradesh
5) Chandra Taal Wetland – Himachal Pradesh
6) Chilika Lake – Odisha
7) Deepor Beel – Assam
8) East Kolkata Wetlands – West Bengal
9) Harike Lake – Punjab
10) Hokersar Wetland – Jammu & Kashmir
11) Kanjli Lake – Punjab
12) Keoladeo National Park – Rajasthan
13) Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve – Punjab
14) Kolleru Lake – Andhra Pradesh
15) Loktak Lake – Manipur
16) Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary – Gujarat
17) Nandur Madhameshwar – Maharashtra
18) Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary – Punjab
19) Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh
20) Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh
21) Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
22) Pong Dam Lake – Himachal Pradesh
23) Renuka Wetland – Himachal Pradesh
24) Ropar Lake – Punjab
25) Rudrasagar Lake – Tripura
26) Saman Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh
27) Samaspur Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh
28) Sambhar Lake – Rajasthan
29) Sandi Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh
30) Sarsai Nawar Wetland – Uttar Pradesh
31) Sasthamkotta Lake – Kerala
32) Sundarbans Wetland – West Bengal
33) Surinsar-Mansar Lakes – Jammu & Kashmir
34) Tso Moriri Lake – Ladakh
35) Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora) – Uttar Pradesh
36) Vembanad-Kol Wetland – Kerala
37) Wular Lake – Jammu & Kashmir
38) Asan Conservation Reserve – Uttarakhand
39) Kanwar (Kabar Tal) Lake – Bihar
40) Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) – Uttar Pradesh
41) Lonar Lake – Maharashtra
42) Tso Kar Wetland Complex – Ladakh
43) Sultanpur National Park – Haryana
44) Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary – Haryana
45) Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary – Gujarat
46) Wadhvana Wetland – Gujarat
47) Haiderpur Wetland – Uttar Pradesh
48) Khijadia Bird Sanctuary – Gujarat
49) Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh
50) Karikili Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
51) Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest – Tamil Nadu
52) Pichavaram Mangroves – Tamil Nadu
53) Pala Wetland – Mizoram
54) Sakhya Sagar Wetland – Madhya Pradesh
55) Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
56) Satkosia Gorge – Odisha
57) Nanda Lake – Goa
58) Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve – Tamil Nadu
59) Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary – Karnataka
60) Vembannur Wetland Complex – Tamil Nadu
61) Vellode Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
62) Sirpur Wetland – Madhya Pradesh
63) Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
64) Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
65) Tampara Lake – Odisha
66) Hirakud Reservoir – Odisha
67) Ansupa Lake – Odisha
68) Yashwant Sagar – Madhya Pradesh
69) Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
70. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex – Tamil Nadu
71) Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
72) Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
73) Thane Creek – Maharashtra
74) Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve – Jammu & Kashmir
75) Shallabugh Wetland Conservation Reserve – Jammu & Kashmir
76) Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve – Karnataka
77) Aghanashini Estuary – Karnataka
78) Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve – Karnataka
79) Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
80) Longwood Shola Reserve Forest – Tamil Nadu
81) Nagi Bird Sanctuary – Bihar
82) Nakti Bird Sanctuary – Bihar
83) Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
84) Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
85) Tawa Reservoir – Madhya Pradesh
86) Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
87) Therthangal Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
88) Khecheopalri Wetland – Sikkim
89) Udhwa Lake – Jharkhand
90) Menar Wetland Complex – Rajasthan
91) Khichan Wetland – Rajasthan
92) Gokul Reservoir – Bihar
93) Udaypur Lake – Bihar
94) Gogabil Lake – Bihar
95) Kopra Reservoir – Chhattisgarh
96) Siliserh Lake – Rajasthan
97) Patna Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh
98) Chhari-Dhand Wetland – Gujarat
99) Shekha Lake – Uttar Pradesh
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3. Which Northeastern state recognized Khasi and Garo as official state languages?
a. Meghalaya
b. Assam
c. Arunachal Pradesh
d. Sikkim
Answer: a. Meghalaya
– The Meghalaya state cabinet approved the Meghalaya State Language Ordinance, 2026 on April 16, 2026.
– The state officially recognized Khasi and Garo as state languages alongside English.
– By granting official status to these languages spoken by the largest tribal communities, the government aims to strengthen cultural roots.
– It also aims to include them in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
– Currently, 22 languages are recognized in the Eighth Schedule.
– Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stated that with this historic decision, Khasi and Garo can be used in official government communication.
– Amendments will also be made in related laws, including the Meghalaya State Legislature (Conduct of Business in English) Act, 1980.
– After these amendments, legislators will be able to speak and debate in Khasi and Garo along with English in assembly sessions.
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4. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2026, who is the richest person in Asia?
a. Cyrus Poonawalla
b. Mukesh Ambani
c. Gautam Adani
d. Shiv Nadar
Answer: c. Gautam Adani
– Indian industrialist and Adani Group founder Gautam Adani has overtaken Mukesh Ambani of Reliance.
– According to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index data, Adani’s net worth has increased to $92.6 billion.
With this, he has secured the top spot in Asia.
– He is ranked 19th globally.
– Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of $90.8 billion, is now second in Asia and 20th globally.
– Only two Indians—Adani and Ambani—are in the global top 50 richest list.
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5. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2026, who is the world’s richest person?
a. Elon Musk
b. Larry Page
c. Jeff Bezos
d. Smriti Mandhana
Answer: a. Elon Musk
Top richest in the world:
– Elon Musk: Owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). Net worth: $656 billion
– Larry Page: Co-founder of Google. Net worth: $286 billion
– Jeff Bezos: American businessman and founder of Amazon.com. Net worth: $269 billion
Bloomberg Billionaires Index
– It is a daily ranking that tracks the wealth of the world’s 500 richest individuals.
– It is published by Bloomberg News.
– It updates billionaires’ net worth at the end of each business day based on stock market data in New York.
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6. Name the player who became India’s highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals, breaking Rohit Sharma’s record in April 2026.
a. Richa Ghosh
b. Smriti Mandhana
c. Harmanpreet Kaur
d. Deepti Sharma
Answer: b. Smriti Mandhana
– Smriti Mandhana is the vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team.
– She scored 13 runs in the first T20 match of the series against South Africa in Durban on April 17, 2026, to achieve this record.
– She has scored 4,244 runs in 161 T20 International matches at an average of 30.31.
– This includes 1 century and 33 half-centuries.
– Former Indian men’s team captain Rohit Sharma had scored 4,231 runs in T20 Internationals.
– Rohit scored 4,231 runs in 159 matches at an average of 32.05, including 5 centuries and several half-centuries.
– Rohit retired from T20 Internationals after winning the 2024 World Cup.
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7. When is World Liver Day celebrated?
a. April 19
b. April 20
c. April 21
d. April 22
Answer: a. April 19
Theme for 2026
– Solid Habits, Strong Liver
Why is the liver important?
– Fights infections and diseases
– Removes toxins from the body
– Regulates cholesterol levels
– Produces several essential proteins
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8. Who was honored as a ‘Young Global Leader’ (YGL) 2026 by the World Economic Forum?
a. Raghav Channa
b. Arthur Law
c. Ajay Vijay
d. Ipsita Gupta
Answer: b. Arthur Law
– Arthur Law was announced on April 21, 2026.
– He is the co-founder and managing director of Storefriendly Asia.
– He is known for addressing urban density and space management issues in Asian cities through technology-based storage solutions.
– He has been honored for his innovative “space solutions” transforming urban living.
– Arthur Law is an Oxford-educated mathematician.
– He has worked with Goldman Sachs and HSBC.
– Later, he led private equity operations in Asia before entering entrepreneurship.
What is ‘Young Global Leaders’ (YGL)?
– It is an initiative that identifies individuals shaping the future across industries and societies.
– Thousands of candidates are nominated globally every year.
– Only 100 exceptional leaders under the age of 40 are selected.
– In 2026, 118 leaders from 55 countries were selected.
– They joined a network of more than 1,400 members and alumni.
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9. When is National Civil Services Day celebrated?
a. April 23
b. April 22
c. April 21
d. April 20
Answer: c. April 21
– This day is dedicated to civil servants working for the progress of the country.
– On April 21, 1947, India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed newly appointed administrative service officers.
– His speech was delivered in New Delhi, where he described civil servants as the “steel frame of India.”
– This means civil servants act as the supporting pillars of the administrative system at various levels of government.
– Earlier, during British rule, the civil services were called the Indian Civil Service, later transformed into All India Services.
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10. Which country enacted a law to ban the purchase of tobacco-related products for life for people born after 2008, effective from 2027?
a. Spain
b. Ireland
c. United Kingdom
d. France
Answer: c. United Kingdom
– The UK has taken strict steps to curb smoking.
– The bill has been passed by Parliament and is awaiting formal approval from King Charles III to become law.
– The government introduced this bill in 2024.
– The new law will come into effect from January 1, 2027.
How the law will work by age
– From January 1, 2027, the minimum age for buying tobacco will increase by one year every year.
– For example, if the age limit is 18 in 2027, it will be 19 in 2028, 20 in 2029, and so on.
– People born in 2009 or later will never be able to legally buy cigarettes.
– Shopkeepers must check the age of every customer.
Selling to minors will result in penalties.
– Tobacco sellers must register.
– Strict restrictions will be imposed on advertising and promotion.
– UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated that this generation will be the first smoke-free generation protected from addiction and harm.
Stricter rules on e-cigarettes
– Vaping (e-cigarettes) will also face stricter regulations.
– Smoking and vaping will be banned in schools, hospitals, and children’s play areas.
– Vaping in a car with a person under 18 will also be illegal.
– Vaping involves heating a liquid to create vapor, which is inhaled.
Over 76,000 deaths annually
– Smoking remains a major health risk in the UK.
– Government data shows that over 76,000 people die every year from smoking-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and lung problems.
– The government says most people start smoking at a young age.
– It becomes difficult to quit later, so it is important to prevent the new generation from starting.
– Around 75% of smokers in the UK wish they had never started.
New Zealand was the first to propose such a law
– New Zealand was the first country to propose that people born after a certain year would never be able to buy cigarettes.
– In December 2022, New Zealand passed a smoke-free environment law banning tobacco for those born after 2008.
– Later, the law was repealed in 2024 after a change in government.
– The government argued it would help generate revenue for tax cuts.
Ireland was the first to ban smoking
– According to WHO, Ireland became the first country in 2004 to ban smoking in workplaces, restaurants, and bars.
– By 2007, only 10 countries had indoor smoking bans.
– By 2023, about 71% of the world’s population (around 5.6 billion people) was covered under some form of smoke-free policy.
Rules in India
– Smoking is not completely banned in India, but strict laws regulate it.
– Under the COTPA Act 2003, selling tobacco to minors below 18 years is illegal.
– Sale of tobacco is prohibited within 100 meters of schools/colleges.
– Smoking is banned in public places (offices, malls, bus stands).
– Health warnings covering up to 85% of cigarette packs are mandatory.
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11. When is World Earth Day celebrated?
a. April 24
b. April 23
c. April 22
d. April 21
Answer: c. April 22
Theme for 2026:
– Our Power, Our Planet
– This day is observed to raise awareness among millions of people about environmental challenges such as climate change, global warming, pollution, and biodiversity conservation.
– Observing large-scale deforestation in the 1960s–70s, US Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin announced this day during a conference in Seattle, Washington in September 1969.
– Later, in 1972, the United Nations recognized it as an international day.
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12. The founder of which company, Shivratan Agarwal, passed away on April 23, 2026?
a. Dabur
b. Bikaji
c. Hindustan Unilever Limited
d. Britannia Industries
Answer: b. Bikaji
– Bikaji CMD Shivratan Agarwal, aged 74, was in Chennai regarding his wife’s surgery.
– He passed away suddenly after his health deteriorated there.
Company founded in 1986 from Bikaner
– After a business split, Shivratan Agarwal decided to start his own business separate from the family business “Haldiram.”
– He went to Bikaner and started a bhujia-making business under the name “Shivdeep Food Products.”
– This led to the emergence of Bikaji as one of the largest brands in the Indian snack market.
– The name comes from Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner city.
– The city of Bikaner itself is named after Rao Bika.
In 2022, Bikaji was listed on the stock market.
– Shivratan Agarwal had studied only up to class 8.
– Through his creative vision, he built Bikaji into a major brand.
– Earlier, bhujia was made manually by hand.
– Shivratan introduced a machine-based production setup.
– Bikaji became the first brand in India to produce bhujia using machines.
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