16 April 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-1: Indian Culture

⭐ Baisakhi

⭐ Why in News

Baisakhi is being celebrated across Punjab with great enthusiasm, devotion, and a

strong sense of community.

⭐ Nature & Significance

• Also known as Vaisakhi, it is a major spring harvest festival.

• Prominently celebrated in North India, especially among Sikh and

Punjabi communities.

⭐ Date & Calendar Basis

• Observed on the first day of Vaishakha month as per the Hindu solar calendar.

• Usually falls on April 13 or 14.

• Also marks the Sikh New Year.

⭐ Agricultural Importance

• Celebrates the harvesting of the rabi crop.

• Farmers express gratitude for a successful harvest.

• Symbolises prosperity, hard work, and the start of a new agricultural cycle.

⭐ Religious Significance (Sikhism)

• Holds deep importance in Sikh history.

• In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth (order of the pure).

• The Khalsa was formally founded at Anandpur Sahib before a large gathering.

GS Paper-3: Environment & Biodiversity

⭐ Cyrtodactylus

⭐ Why in News

A new species of bent-toed gecko,

Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, has been

discovered in Assam.

⭐ Taxonomy & Classification

• Belongs to the group of bent-toed geckos.

• Falls under the genus Cyrtodactylus, one of the largest gecko genera

worldwide.

⭐ Discovery & Naming

• Identified near Raimona National Park in the Kokrajhar district of Assam.

• Named after the location of its discovery, i.e., Raimona.

⭐ Physical Characteristics

• Medium-sized species with a maximum snout-vent length of ~71 mm.

• Features rounded, bluntly conical, and weakly keeled dorsal tubercles.

⭐ Adaptive Features

• Possesses distinct curved (bent) toes that help in gripping surfaces.

• These adaptations enable efficient movement on vertical surfaces like moss-

covered rocks and tree trunks in tropical evergreen forests.

GS Paper-3: Internal Security

⭐ INS Dhruv

⭐ Why in News

INS Dhruv has been deployed by the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea, amid

regional security developments.

⭐ Nature & Classification

• India’s first specialised vessel for nuclear missile tracking and ocean

surveillance.

• A key strategic asset in India’s missile defence architecture.

⭐ Commissioning & Development

• Commissioned on 10 September 2021.

• Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in collaboration with:

• DRDO

• National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO)

⭐ Key Functions

• Capable of mapping the ocean floor and supporting maritime research.

• Enhances detection and tracking of enemy submarines.

• Tracks ballistic missiles and provides early warning of threats.

• Collects electronic intelligence (ELINT) for defence purposes.

• Helps in calibrating missile defence systems by analysing trajectory and re-

entry behaviour.

⭐ Technical Features

• Displacement: ~15,000 tonnes

• Powered by two diesel engines (Combined Diesel configuration)

• Each engine: ~9,000 kW power

• Maximum speed: ~21 knots