India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue hit an all-time high of ₹2.43 lakh crore in April 2026, marking an 8.7% increase over the previous year. This surge was primarily attributed to a nearly 26% growth in collections from imports, while domestic sales collections grew at a slower rate of 4.3%. Tax experts noted that April collections, reflecting March activity, typically peak due to financial year-end targets. Despite global uncertainties, this performance indicates a resilient GST regime, with net collections standing at ₹2.11 lakh crore after refunds.
GST revenue for April 2026 reached an all-time high of ₹2.43 lakh crore, showing an 8.7% year-on-year growth.
The significant growth was largely attributed to a nearly 26% increase in collections from imports.
Domestic sales collections grew at a slower rate of 4.3% to ₹1.85 lakh crore.
Exam Points
April 2026 GST collection: ₹2.43 lakh crore.
Year-on-year growth: 8.7%.
Gross collections from imports grew nearly 26% to ₹57,580 crore.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's latest peace proposal, delivered via Pakistan, aimed at ending the war between the countries. Trump stated he was "not satisfied" with the terms, indicating Iran was "asking for things I can't agree to." This rejection comes as the Revolutionary Guards warned American warships of retaliation if Iran is attacked. Following a previous ceasefire and direct talks in Pakistan that failed, Trump had announced a blockade of Iranian ports, which remains in place, further escalating tensions in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran's latest peace proposal, stating he was "not satisfied" with its terms.
Iran delivered the proposal through Pakistan, which is mediating between the two nations.
The Revolutionary Guards issued warnings of retaliation against American warships if Iran is attacked.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the 'Catch the Rain 2026' campaign, emphasizing the urgent need for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge to address the city's water crisis. The initiative, organized by the Delhi Jal Board, unveiled 'Neera' as its official mascot. Ms. Gupta highlighted that rising population and rapid urban development are increasing water demand, making rainwater harvesting a priority. Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh stressed that adopting rainwater harvesting is a collective responsibility for every household and residential society, not solely a government task.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the 'Catch the Rain 2026' campaign.
The campaign aims to prioritize rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge to combat the water crisis.
'Neera' was unveiled as the official mascot for the initiative.
Karnataka has operationalized India's first specialized digital grievance redressal mechanism for platform-based gig workers. Developed by the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers' Board in collaboration with the Department of e-Governance, this portal allows gig workers to lodge grievances regarding pay, working conditions, and platform-specific disputes through the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS) portal. This initiative aims to create a formal and transparent bridge between gig workers and aggregators, ensuring legal recourse and timely resolution. Labour Minister Santosh Lad highlighted that this system structures the gig economy, ensuring every worker's voice is heard.
Karnataka launched India's first digital grievance redressal mechanism for gig workers.
The portal, part of the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS), allows workers to lodge complaints.
Grievances cover issues like pay, working conditions, and platform-specific disputes.
Exam Points
State: Karnataka.
Portal name: Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS).
Act: The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act and Rules.
The 80th round of the National Statistical Office's health survey reveals expanded insurance coverage, largely due to PMJAY, but hospitalisation rates haven't recovered to 2014 levels, indicating access barriers and hidden costs persist. While public sector absorption of primary and secondary care costs has made healthcare more affordable, catastrophic costs remain high in some cases. The editorial highlights that PMJAY reimbursement rates are often below market rates, leading private hospitals to charge extra for diagnostics. The next phase of healthcare reform must focus on strengthening public sector hospital capacity to compete with the private sector for tertiary care and ensure universal access.
Insurance coverage has expanded threefold since PMJAY's launch, but hospitalisation rates remain below 2014 levels.
Hidden costs and below-market reimbursement rates for PMJAY lead to private hospitals charging patients extra.
The public sector has made primary and secondary care more affordable, yet catastrophic costs for some remain high.
Exam Points
Survey: 80th round of household social consumption (health) survey by National Statistical Office.
Scheme: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), launched in 2018.
Median Out-of-Pocket Expenses (OOPE) per hospitalisation: ₹11,285.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) unexpectedly announced its exit from OPEC on April 28, just days before the next OPEC meeting. This decision, made amid the ongoing double blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, is driven by the UAE's ambition to maximize oil sales before global oil demand reaches "Peak Oil." With 1.5 mbpd of unutilized spare capacity and an operational pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, Abu Dhabi seeks unfettered production. The move also reflects growing political and economic rivalry with Saudi Arabia and aims to assert regional autonomy, potentially favoring lower oil prices for consumers like India.
The UAE announced its exit from OPEC on April 28, surprising observers due to its timing and context.
The decision is motivated by the UAE's strategy to sell as much oil as possible before global oil demand reaches "Peak Oil."
The UAE has 1.5 mbpd of unutilized spare capacity and a pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, allowing it to increase production freely.
Exam Points
UAE exit date: April 28.
UAE oil and gas reserves: 113 billion barrels (world's sixth largest).
UAE oil production capacity target: 5 million barrels per day (mbpd).
Following Bangladesh's summoning of the Indian envoy over remarks by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding "infiltration," Indian officials clarified that Sarma's statements were "individual opinions" and do not reflect Delhi's official stance. India's neighbourhood policy remains focused on normalizing ties with Dhaka, especially after the political turbulence in Bangladesh in 2024. Sarma had spoken about an "aggressive policy" to push infiltrators back into Bangladesh through unmanned border areas, a tactic he claimed was not possible to process through the Centre. Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs termed these remarks "disparaging."
Indian officials distanced themselves from Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's remarks on "infiltration" from Bangladesh, calling them "individual opinions."
India's official foreign policy remains committed to normalizing ties with Bangladesh.
Sarma had described an "aggressive policy" of pushing infiltrators back into Bangladesh through unmanned border areas.
Amid fresh unrest, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Manipur State government resumed talks with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups, who are under a Suspension of Operations (SOO) pact. This marks the first such meeting since the restoration of an elected government in Manipur on February 4, led by Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh. The previous Biren Singh government had refused to extend the SOO pact in February 2024. Discussions focused on operational and security issues, with both sides agreeing to relocate some SOO camps to reduce friction with local populations and improve security.
The MHA and Manipur government resumed talks with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups under a Suspension of Operations (SOO) pact.
This was the first dialogue involving the Manipur government since the restoration of an elected government on February 4, 2026.
The previous Biren Singh government had refused to extend the SOO pact in February 2024.
Exam Points
State: Manipur.
Chief Minister: Y. Khemchand Singh (restored Feb 4).
The Indian Navy took delivery of Mahendragiri (Yard 12654), the sixth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) frigates and the fourth constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai. This delivery signifies a crucial milestone in India's pursuit of self-reliance in warship design and construction. Project 17A frigates are advanced multi-mission platforms engineered to address evolving maritime challenges. Designed by the Warship Design Bureau, these ships represent significant advancements in stealth, firepower, automation, and survivability, thereby reinforcing India's indigenous defense capabilities.
The Indian Navy received Mahendragiri, the sixth Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) frigate.
It is the fourth such frigate constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai.
The delivery marks a significant step towards India's self-reliance in warship design and construction.
The Union Home Ministry has notified changes to the Citizenship Rules, 2009, introducing a digital shift for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and citizenship applications. The amendments, known as the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, include a specific proviso for citizenship applicants: a minor child cannot hold a passport of any other country while also holding an Indian passport. The changes also introduce online initiatives for OCI cardholders, such as a digital application and renunciation process through an official portal, https://ociservices.gov.in.
The Union Home Ministry notified changes to the Citizenship Rules, 2009, introducing digital processes for OCI and citizenship applications.
A key proviso states that a minor child cannot hold a foreign passport while also holding an Indian passport.
The amendments are officially known as the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
India is preparing to meet increased energy demand during peak summers and potential El Nino effects by leveraging augmented solar capacity and traditional coal-powered thermal plants. On April 25, when peak demand hit 256.1 gigawatts, thermal plants contributed 66.9% of generation, while solar accounted for 21.5%. Despite solar power making up about 30% of India's installed capacity, its full utilization is limited by battery storage. Officials confirm stable coal supplies, sufficient for over 83 days. The India Meteorological Department predicts El Nino conditions, leading to weak monsoon rains and longer dry spells, but May temperatures are expected to be less searing with more rain in most parts, except eastern India.
India plans to meet rising summer power demand and potential El Nino impacts using both coal and augmented solar capacity.
On April 25, thermal plants contributed 66.9% and solar 21.5% to the peak demand of 256.1 GW.
India added a record 44.61 gigawatts of solar capacity in FY26, more than double the previous fiscal.
The Central government is considering rolling out a new electric bus scheme for States once the allocation of all 14,000 buses under the existing ₹10,900 crore PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme is complete. Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) has successfully tendered and allocated all 14,000 buses, which are expected to be delivered to States within 2-3 years. This initiative is a significant push for public transportation electrification. The official noted that absorbing such a large fleet presents challenges for operators regarding depot capacity and route planning.
The Centre plans to launch a new electric bus scheme after completing the allocation under the current PM E-DRIVE program.
All 14,000 buses under the ₹10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme have been tendered and allocated by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).
The allocated buses are expected to be delivered to States within the next 2-3 years.
Exam Points
Scheme name: PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE).
Scheme outlay: ₹10,900 crore.
Number of electric buses for procurement: 14,028.
Read more
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.