Current Affairs

Current Affairs — 23 April 2026

23 April 2026

Registration now mandatory for e-sports; Online Gaming Authority of India established

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified new rules making registration mandatory for e-sport games and their operating firms, effective May 1. These rules serve as subordinate legislation for the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which previously prohibited real money gaming. The Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) has been established as a digital organization within MeitY, including representatives from Home Affairs and Law Ministries. While e-sports registration is mandatory, registration for 'online social games' will only be required upon specific notification by the Centre. The rules also include provisions for future age classification and a 'code of practice' for video games to address addiction.

  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has mandated registration for e-sport games and their operating firms.
  • These rules, effective May 1, are subordinate legislation for the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which banned real money gaming.
  • The Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) has been established as a digital organization within MeitY to oversee these regulations.
Exam Points
  • Rules notified by MeitY, effective May 1.
  • Act: Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
  • Authority: Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) under MeitY.
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India's post-LWE future: From red sun to new dawn, focusing on governance and trust

This article analyzes India's transition from Left Wing Extremism (LWE) to a future of peace and development, emphasizing that security gains alone are insufficient. True peace requires credible governance, empathetic leadership, and inclusive transformation built on state legitimacy and trust in previously affected regions. The authors propose a framework focusing on stronger rights, justice, functioning institutions, and visible opportunities, alongside a structured, region-specific transformation action plan. It advocates for community-centred economic strategies, fair procurement of forest produce, and sustained administrative presence. The piece highlights the need to address the historical marginalization of tribal citizens and ensure that the state shows up reliably, treating people as rights-bearing stakeholders.

  • India has significantly reduced Left Wing Extremism (LWE), transitioning from a period of violence to one of peace and development.
  • Beyond security gains, sustained peace requires credible governance, empathetic leadership, and inclusive transformation built on state legitimacy and trust.
  • The article advocates for community-centred economic strategies, fair procurement of forest produce, and incentives for local enterprises.
Exam Points
  • Prime Minister Manmohan Singh identified LWE as the most serious internal security threat in 2009.
  • Proposed governance framework: AIEEEE (accountability, innovation, evidence, equity, empathy, efficiency).
  • Schemes mentioned: PM-JANMAN, DAJUGA, Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan.
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Beyond trade deals: India needs new architecture for global partnerships in a geopolitically driven world

The article argues that India's traditional approach of managing relationships with major powers through bilateral trade deals is inadequate in a global landscape where geopolitics increasingly dictates access to critical goods. It highlights India's vulnerabilities due to supply chain dependencies for items like computer chips, APIs, and rare earth minerals, which major powers can weaponize. The authors propose a shift towards 'sectoral plurilateralism' – building smaller, focused partnerships with a few countries in specific sectors to set standards, develop capabilities, and create real interdependence. This strategy aims to build lasting leverage and influence, enabling India to move from a reactive to a proactive global player by setting its own terms and creating alternatives to dominant models.

  • Global trade is increasingly influenced by geopolitics, making traditional bilateral trade deals insufficient for India's strategic needs.
  • India faces vulnerabilities due to dependencies on critical supply chains from major powers for items like computer chips, APIs, and rare earth minerals.
  • The article advocates for 'sectoral plurilateralism,' forming smaller, focused partnerships in specific sectors to build capabilities and interdependence.
Exam Points
  • Examples of critical dependencies: computer chips (Taiwan), APIs (China), rare earth minerals.
  • Historical precedent: European Coal and Steel Community (1951).
  • India's digital public goods: UPI payment system, Aadhaar identity system, DigiLocker platform.
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Government adds 14 seaports for e-visa entry, significantly widening immigration access

The Union Home Ministry has designated 14 additional seaports as immigration check posts for foreign nationals holding e-visas, significantly expanding India's immigration access. This brings the total number of seaports with e-visa facilities to 37, out of 114 total immigration check posts across various routes including air, sea, land, rail, and river. E-visa facilities have been operational since March 19 at several seaports across Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. E-visas are available to citizens of 207 countries (excluding China, Pakistan, Yemen, and Iran) for various categories like tourist, business, medical, and student, with validity ranging from one month to five years. The Ministry also revised modalities for granting tourist visas to Chinese nationals and resumed direct flights between India and China after a five-year gap.

  • The Union Home Ministry has designated 14 new seaports for e-visa entry, increasing the total to 37 seaports with e-visa facilities.
  • India now has 114 immigration check posts (ICPs) across air, sea, land, rail, and river routes for international traffic.
  • E-visa facilities are available to citizens from 207 countries, excluding China, Pakistan, Yemen, and Iran, covering various categories and validities.
Exam Points
  • Union Home Ministry designated 14 new seaports for e-visa.
  • Total seaports with e-visa facilities: 37.
  • Total immigration check posts (ICPs): 114.
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Pahalgam terror attack anniversary: J&K leaders pay tributes, pledge against terrorism and for peace

The first anniversary of the Pahalgam massacre, which resulted in 26 civilian deaths in Jammu and Kashmir, was observed with goodwill gestures, rallies, and silent tributes. Political leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, paid homage and reiterated their commitment to eradicating terrorism. Security forces were on high alert, and locals demonstrated solidarity with tourists, offering free entry to gardens and extra pony rides. While pledging against terrorism, leaders also drew attention to other past massacres in Kashmir, emphasizing the need for joint efforts from the elected government, Union government, and security apparatus to ensure lasting peace and prevent future tragedies, aspiring for non-violence and dignity through talks.

  • The first anniversary of the Pahalgam massacre, which killed 26 civilians, was observed with tributes and rallies in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • J&K leaders, including the Chief Minister and chief cleric, paid homage and reiterated a strong commitment to combating terrorism.
  • Locals showed solidarity with tourists, offering free services, while security forces maintained high alert.
Exam Points
  • Event: First anniversary of Pahalgam massacre.
  • Location: Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Casualties: 26 civilians.
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