Daily Current Affairs — 13 April 2026
27 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
Light Pollution: Rising Threat from Artificial Light at Night (ALAN)
Context A study published in the journal Nature has found that artificial light at night increased by 16% globally between 2014 and 2022. What Is Light Pollution? Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.
New Framework For Identifying Upper Layer NBFCs (NBFC-ULs)
In News The RBI released draft amendment directions to revise the methodology for identifying Non-Banking Financial Companies aiming to enhance transparency, simplicity, and regulatory parity. About The current Scale Based Regulatory (SBR) Framework for NBFCs prescribes a two-pronged methodology for identification of NBFC-UL viz. Top ten eligible NBFCs by asset size and parametric scoring methodology.
India’s Payment Revolution
Context Indias digital payment ecosystem hit a new milestone in January 2026, recording 21.70 billion transactions valued at ₹28.33 lakh crore, the highest ever logged. Background The early 2000s marked the beginning of digital transformation with systems like RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement-introduced in 2004) and IMPS (Immediate Payment Service-introduced in 2010). Although these systems enabled faster transactions, their benefits were limited to people already connected to the formal banking
Importance of Biotechnology in Traditional Farming Practices
Context With the agriculture industry projected to grow 2.5 times by 2033, biotech experts underscored the growing importance of agri-biotechnology in the coming years. What is Climate-resilient Agriculture (CRA)? Climate-resilient agriculture uses a range of biotechnology and complementary technologies to guide farming practices and reduce dependence on chemical inputs, while maintaining or improving productivity.
Reserve Bank of India Suggests New Safety Measures to Prevent Digital Frauds
Context In order to curb digital fraud, the Reserve Bank of India has released a discussion paper suggesting additional measures to prevent digital fraud. The RBI Measures: A time lag of 1 hour for the completion of digital payments of more than 10 thousand rupees. During this period, the payer’s bank would provisionally debit the customer’s account, and the Customer would retain the option to cancel the transaction for any reason.
PMAY houses on forest land: Govt tells SC about safeguards, duties under FRA
Source: Indian Express (Page7) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
Kashmir scientists crack cultivation of rare morel mushrooms
Source: Indian Express (Page13) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy)
India-UK FTA to come into force by mid-May
Source: Indian Express (Page13) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)/GS3(Economy)
Oak trees felling case: Their ecological importance for Himalayas
Source: Indian Express (Page18) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy/Environment)
Support women’s quota law amendments: PM to parties
Source: The Hindu(Page4) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
Peace talks fail: US will blockade Strait of Hormuz: Trump
Source: Indian Express (Page1) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)
Nature’s signals
Source: The Hindu(Page7) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
False claims': India rejects China's fictitious naming of places in Arunachal
Source: Indian Express (Page7) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)
Iran, U.S. blame each other as talks fail
Source: The Hindu(Page1) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)
How does Keytruda work — how to tell real from fake
Source: Indian Express (Page18) | Syllabus: GS2(Health)
Biotechnology can address challenges to traditional farming practices: experts
Source: The Hindu(Page4) | Syllabus: GS3(Science and Tech)
INDIAN NAVY TO HOST FIRST EDITION OF COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE – 2026 AT NEW DELHI
Source: PIB | Syllabus: GS3(Defence)
Study unravels why men experience more skin infections than women
Source: The Hindu(Page7) | Syllabus: GS2(Health)
Are biomass stoves a cleaner, cheaper alternative to LPG?
Source: The Hindu(Page10) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)/GS3(Economy/Environment)
Dear Babasaheb, those who sing paeans to you inflict wounds on your Constitution
Source: Indian Express (Page10) | Syllabus: GS1(History)
Why Iran energy shock hasn't spread to food, yet
Source: Indian Express (Page18) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)/GS3(Economy)
INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR INDIA- UZBEKISTAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE DUSTLIK
Source: PIB | Syllabus: GS3(Defence)
Amid war's lengthening shadows, the need to reform fertiliser policy
Source: Indian Express (Page11) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy)
Tapping fisheries in reservoirs
Source: The Hindu(Page9) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy)
Delimitation, and not women’s reservation, is the issue
Source: The Hindu(Page8) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
What's Keytruda why is it a big deal in India's cancer fight
Source: Indian Express (Page10) | Syllabus: GS2(Health)
Sabarimala reference: Modi govt vs Hindu outfits over control of temples
Source: Indian Express (Page7) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)