4 April 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-1: Ancient History

⭐ Samrat Samprati

⭐ Why in News

The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gujarat.

⭐ Historical Background

• Samprati ruled between 224 BCE and 215 BCE as a Mauryan ruler.

• He was the grandson of Emperor Ashoka.

⭐ Other Names

• Also known as Indrapalit, Sangat, and Vigatashok.

⭐ Religious Contributions

• Known for his strong patronage of Jainism.

• Promoted the ideals of non-violence(Ahimsa).

⭐ Literary References

• His life is mentioned in Jain texts such as:

• Sampratikatha

• Parishistaparva

• Prabhavakacharita

⭐ Expansion of Jainism

• Credited with spreading Jainism beyond India, including regions like:

• Iran

• Arab areas

GS Paper-3: Economy / Science & Technology

⭐ Antariksh Venture Capital Fund

⭐ Why in News

The Union Government has indicated that investments under the Antariksh Venture

Capital Fund are likely to commence from Q1 of FY2027.

⭐ Nature of the Fund

• A close-ended fund registered with SEBI.

• Classified as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).

⭐ Key Investor

• The principal investor is the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization

Centre (IN-SPACe) under the Department of Space.

⭐ Sponsoring Entity

• Sponsored by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited.

⭐ Purpose

• Designed to provide financial backing to companies in the space sector across

different stages of growth.

⭐ Strategic Objectives

• Supports scaling up operations and commercialization of space technologies.

• Aims to strengthen India’s overall space ecosystem and capabilities.

⭐ Investment Criteria

• Investments are limited to Indian space sector enterprises.

• Eligible companies must have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or above.

GS Paper-3: Environment / Biodiversity

⭐ Rice’s Whale

⭐ Why in News

Scientists have cautioned that expansion of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of America

(Gulf of Mexico) could further threaten Rice’s whale populations, pushing them closer

to extinction.

⭐ Taxonomic Classification

• Belongs to the baleen whale family (Balaenopteridae).

• Closely related to Bryde’s whales.

⭐ Species Recognition

• Recognised as a distinct species in 2021, separate from Bryde’s whales.

⭐ Physical Features

• Characterised by three prominent ridges in front of the blowhole.

• Has a streamlined body with slender, pointed pectoral fins.

⭐ Colouration

• Upper body is uniformly dark grey.

• Underside varies from pale to pinkish shades.

⭐ Habitat

• A medium-sized whale present throughout the year.

• Typically found at depths of 100–400 metres in the northeastern Gulf region.