
Daily Current Affairs Today 2 April 2026 brings together the most important updates you need for SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, RRB Group D, NTPC, ALP , Railway and other competitive exams. From international relations and environmental agreements to space missions, defence developments, and major awards, this set of current affairs is designed to help you revise quickly and effectively.
Today’s highlights include a major geopolitical move by Spain, India’s global leadership in biodiversity efforts, and key advancements in space missions like Artemis II. Along with this, important static GK links such as Utkal Divas and international organizations are also covered.
It offers a comprehensive overview of geopolitical shifts, national observances, international environmental protocols, and significant advancements in space and defense. It also covers cultural events, research initiatives, and notable appointments, providing crucial information for aspirants of SSC and Railway exams, ensuring a strong foundation in contemporary events.
Spain has taken a firm stance by closing its airbase to US planes, citing the US-led war against Iran as "illegal" and causing extensive damage. This action prevents US aircraft involved in the conflict from utilizing Spanish territory. Spain, located on the Iberian Peninsula, shares borders with Portugal, France, and Andorra, and is flanked by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Its major rivers include the Tagus River, on which Madrid is situated, and the Ebro River. The strategic Strait of Gibraltar lies between Spain and Morocco. In related context, former US President Donald Trump had indicated a willingness to disengage from Iran, regardless of existing deals, highlighting a shift in aggressive postures.
Utkal Divas, also known as Odisha Day, is celebrated annually on April 1st, commemorating the formation of Odisha. This state was granted statehood in 1936 after separating from the Bihar and West Bengal Presidency, following a three-decade-long struggle driven by linguistic identity. The State Reorganization Act of 1956 is pivotal in this historical context.
Historically, the coastal region was known as the Utkal Coast, and its ancient name was Kalinga.
The renowned Kalinga War, fought around 261 BCE by Ashoka the Great, led to his subsequent adoption of Buddhism. Tributes are paid to key personalities like Gopa Bandhu Das and Madhusudan Das for their contributions.
Recent changes include the renaming of Orissa to Odisha and Oriya to Odia in 2011. Notable figures like Sudarshan Patnaik, a renowned sand artist, serve as ambassadors for initiatives such as the digital Census 2026-27.
Odisha is home to prominent religious sites like the Jagannath Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Tara Tarini Temple, and the Konark Sun Temple, particularly in the famous city of Puri.
Natural sites include Bhitarkanika National Park and Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary, known for Olive Ridley Turtles. Other significant features are Paradeep Port, Chilika Lake, and APJ Abdul Kalam Island.
The Mahanadi River is considered the "lifeline" of Odisha, featuring the Hirakud Dam, one of the largest earthen dams with its vast Hirakud Reservoir. While initially Cuttack, the capital is now Bhubaneswar, located on the Eastern Coast of India.
India has emerged as a global leader in implementing the Nagoya Protocol, an international agreement focused on Biological Diversity.
The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in Nagoya, Japan, on October 29, 2010, and effective since 2014, primarily addresses Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). It facilitates the issuance of certificates to countries demonstrating commitment to environmental and biological diversity efforts.
|
Protocol |
Focus |
|---|---|
|
Kyoto Protocol |
Climate Change |
|
Paris Agreement |
Climate Change |
|
Nagoya Protocol |
Biological Diversity |
|
Montreal Protocol |
Ozone Layer |
India's contribution is significant, holding the number one global rank in issuing ABS certificates, accounting for 56.63% of the total, with 3561 certificates issued. India officially joined this group in 2012.
Other leading countries in ABS certificates include France and Spain. With a total of 142 countries participating, India recently submitted a report on the Nagoya Protocol through the Ministry of Environment. This protocol builds upon foundational efforts like the Earth Summit (Rio Summit) in 1992, which was crucial for biological diversity conventions.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully launched the Celest-e mission, primarily designed for navigation purposes. This mission involves two satellites, named IOD-1 and IOD-2, where IOD stands for In Orbit Demonstrator.
Despite being a European mission, its launch took place in New Zealand. The satellites are targeted for the Ionosphere layer and operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), at an altitude of 400-500 km from Earth's surface. The mission utilizes both L-band and S-band frequency bands for its navigation functionalities. ESA plans to launch an additional 11 satellites by 2027 as part of this program.
|
Space Agency |
Country/Region |
|---|---|
|
NASA |
US |
|
ISRO |
India |
|
ESA |
European countries |
|
Roscosmos |
Russia |
The INS Sanshodhak, a new Survey Vessel, has been officially launched and handed over to the Indian Navy on March 30, 2026. This vessel is part of a project initiated in 2018 to construct four Survey Vessels for the Navy.
Their primary purpose is surveillance and hydrographic projects, focusing on measuring and mapping the physical features of oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes, including depths and seabed shapes.
The INS Sanshodhak was developed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
|
Survey Vessel |
Launch Year |
|---|---|
|
INS Sandhayak |
2014 |
|
INS Nirdeshak |
2024 |
|
INS Ikhshak |
2025 |
|
INS Sanshodhak |
2026 |
The Purvanchal Mahotsav, also known as the "Mati" (Soil) festival, is a vibrant cultural festival dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of India's North-East region. The festival showcases traditions through diverse dance and folk songs. The event was attended by Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, whose constituency is Bundi Kota, Rajasthan.
The Purvanchal Region refers to the Himalayan region, encompassing the North-Eastern states of India, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
|
Hill Range |
Location |
|---|---|
|
Daphla Hills |
Arunachal Pradesh |
|
Abor Hills |
Arunachal Pradesh |
|
Saramati Hills |
Nagaland |
|
Mizo Hills |
Mizoram |
|
Lushai Hills |
Mizoram |
|
Phawngpui |
Mizoram |
|
Garo, Khasi, Jaintia Hills |
Meghalaya |
|
Mikir Hills |
Assam |
|
Mishmi Hills |
Arunachal Pradesh |
|
Barail Range |
Nagaland and Manipur |
NASA has launched the Artemis II mission, a significant manned mission to the Moon. Launched on April 1, 2026, this mission follows its predecessor, Artemis I, which was sent in 2022.
Artemis II carries four astronauts, marking it as a human project designed to orbit the Moon without landing on its surface. The mission is scheduled for a 10-day duration and was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Key components include the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and the Orion Spacecraft. The Orion spacecraft will perform a flyby close to the lunar surface before returning to orbit Earth.
In historical context, NASA's Apollo 11 Mission (1972) was the first to land humans on the Moon, famously placing Neil Armstrong as the first person on its surface. India also has a robust lunar program with the successful Chandrayaan 3 Mission, the planned Chandrayaan 4 Mission for 2028, and the pioneering Chandrayaan 1 Mission (2008, ISRO), which notably contributed to the discovery of water molecules on the Moon.
The Bhav Sagar Center has been inaugurated as a National Deep Sea Fauna Repository, dedicated to the crucial task of studying undersea species and deep-sea fauna. Located in Kochi, Kerala, it serves as India's national-level repository for this specialized research.
The center was established by the CMLRE (Central Marine Living Resources and Ecology) and operates under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act 2002. Its strategic proximity to the Arabian Sea significantly aids in the study of marine life.
A joint meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank is scheduled for 2026 in Thailand. This significant event, dubbed the "Olympics of Finance," last occurred in 1991, marking a gap of 35 years. (Both the World Bank and IMF are often referred to metaphorically as "sisters" due to their close association and common origin.)
|
Feature |
World Bank |
International Monetary Fund (IMF) |
|---|---|---|
|
Origin |
Bretton Woods Agreement |
Bretton Woods Agreement |
|
Formation Year |
1944 |
1945 |
|
Operational Year |
1945 |
1945 |
|
Head |
Ajay Banga |
Kristalina Georgieva |
|
Headquarters |
Washington D.C. |
Washington D.C. |
|
Primary Goal |
Poverty eradication, not solely loan provision. |
Providing financial assistance (e.g., to Pakistan recently). |
|
Special Feature |
Offers Special Drawing Rights (SDR) for five currencies. |
|
|
India's Relation |
Receives funds from both organizations. |
Receives funds from both organizations. |
Thailand, a South Asian country, has its capital in Bangkok.
Renowned musician A.R. Rahman has been appointed as the brand ambassador for Yamaha Music. Yamaha, a company with origins in Japan, has partnered with Rahman to promote music.
A.R. Rahman is globally recognized for his achievements, including an Oscar Award for the original song "Jai Ho" from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. He has also served as a BAFTA Ambassador.
Also Read:
Author Arundhati Roy has been honored with the US Book Critics Award for her book, "My Mother Mary Comes to Me." She holds the distinction of being the First Indian to receive the prestigious Booker Award for her highly significant novel, "The God of Small Things."
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