24 April 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-3: Agriculture / Economy

⭐ Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)

⭐ Why in News

• The Ministry of Agriculture has announced procurement of ~20 lakh metric

tonnes of potatoes under MIS.

⭐ Nature of the Scheme

• MIS operates under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-

AASHA).

⭐ Scope & Coverage

• Implemented on the request of States/UTs.

• Covers perishable crops like tomato, onion, and potato.

• Applicable to commodities not covered under Minimum Support Price (MSP).

⭐ Objective

• To stabilise market prices and prevent distress sales by farmers.

• Activated during bumper production and peak arrivals, when prices fall sharply

below viable levels.

⭐ Financial Assistance Pattern

• Losses are shared between Centre and States:

• 50:50 for most states

• 75:25 (Centre:State) for North-Eastern states

⭐ Implementing Authority

• Implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

GS Paper-3: Environment / Biodiversity

⭐ Limnonectes Motijheel (Frog Species)

⭐ Why in News

• Indian researchers have discovered a rare

mud-nesting frog species, Limnonectes

motijheel, in Namdapha Tiger Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh).

⭐ Taxonomy & Identity

• A newly identified frog species belonging to the genus Limnonectes.

• This genus now comprises six known species in India.

⭐ Naming Origin

• Named after Motijheel Lake, known for its rich amphibian diversity.

⭐ Group Characteristics

• Belongs to the group commonly called “fanged frogs.”

• Named due to small fang-like projections in the lower jaw of males.

• These structures likely aid in feeding or territorial behaviour.

⭐ Distribution of the Group

• Found across South and Southeast Asia.

• Known for their distinct reproductive strategies.

⭐ Unique Breeding Behaviour

• Unlike typical frogs, this species does not lay eggs in water.

• Builds mud nests beneath leaf litter on the forest floor.

• Such nesting behaviour is first recorded in this group in India.

GS Paper-2: Governance / Regulation

⭐ Online Gaming Authority of India

⭐ Why in News

• The Government of India has set up the Online Gaming Authority of India, a

six-member body to regulate the online gaming sector.

⭐ Legal Basis

• Established under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

⭐ Institutional Setup

• Functions as a digital office under the Ministry of Electronics and Information

Technology (MeitY).

• Expected to become operational from May 1.

⭐ Nature and Role

• Will act as the central regulatory authority for online gaming in India.

• Brings online games, including esports, under a formal framework of

registration and classification.

⭐ Core Functions

• Responsible for registration and categorisation of online games.

• Determines whether a game qualifies as a real-money (money-based) game.

• Handles grievances of users and stakeholders.