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April 9th Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – April 9th

Table of Contents

RBI Monetary Policy Committee keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, adopts ‘wait-and-watch’ approach amid global uncertainties

What happened?

  • The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India met in April 2026.
  • It did NOT change the repo rate → kept at 5.25%.

Policy stance remains “Neutral” (can increase or decrease rates later).

Why did MPC take this decision?

  1. Inflation under control
  • Inflation is currently moderate, so no need to increase rates.
  1. Support economic growth
  • India is still a fast-growing economy, so RBI wants to support growth.
  1. Global uncertainty (VERY IMPORTANT FOR UPSC)
  • Due to Middle East tensions / US-Iran conflict:
    • Oil prices may rise
    • Inflation risk may increase
    • Rupee may weaken

 So RBI is following a “wait and watch” strategy instead of changing rates.

Other Key Points

  • RBI will manage liquidity to keep interest rates stable.
  • GDP growth forecast ~ 6.9% and inflation ~ 4.6%.
  • Borrowing costs (loans/EMIs) → remain stable.

Prelims Points

  • MPC = 6 members (3 RBI + 3 external)
  • Meets every 2 months
  • Main objective → Control inflation (target ~4% ±2%)
  • Repo rate = rate at which RBI lends to banks

India’s Gaganyaan mission progresses steadily; ISRO prepares for first uncrewed test flight and astronaut training intensifies

What is today’s news?

  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has given a major update on the Gaganyaan Mission.
  • All preparations are going smoothly for the first uncrewed mission (Gaganyaan-1).
  • The launch is expected soon (2026) as part of step-by-step testing before sending humans.

Key Developments

  1. First uncrewed mission soon
  • India will first conduct 3 uncrewed missions before sending astronauts.
  • These missions will test:
    • Crew safety systems
    • Rocket reliability
    • Space environment conditions
  1. Astronaut training in extreme conditions
  • Special training (Mission MITRA) is being conducted in Ladakh.
  • Conditions simulate space:
    • Low oxygen
    • Extreme cold
    • Isolation

 Purpose: Prepare astronauts (Gaganyatris) physically & mentally.

  1. Focus on mission operations
  • ISRO emphasized that real challenge begins after launch (mission operations in space).

Why is this important?

  • Gaganyaan will make India:
    • 4th country to send humans to space (after USA, Russia, China)
  • Strengthens:
    • Space technology
    • Strategic capability
    • Global status

Prelims Points

  • Gaganyaan = India’s first human spaceflight mission
  • Launch vehicle = LVM3 (GSLV Mk III)
  • Crew = 2–3 astronauts
  • Low Earth Orbit (~400 km)
  • Includes Vyommitra (humanoid robot) for testing

“Respite for borrowers as RBI keeps repo rate unchanged”

What does “Respite” mean?

Respite = Relief (temporary relief from difficulty)

Today’s News

  • The Reserve Bank of India decided to keep the repo rate unchanged.
  • Because of this:
    • Loan EMIs will not increase
    • Interest burden on people remains stable

 So, this decision is called a “respite” (relief) for:

  • Home loan borrowers
  • Businesses taking loans
  • Middle-class families

Why is it called a respite?

  • If RBI had increased repo rate:
    • EMIs would ↑
    • Loans become costlier
  • But since it did not increase, people get relief

“Government expands Jan Vishwas framework to promote ease of doing business and decriminalise minor offences”

What is “Jan Vishwas”?

  • Jan Vishwas = “Trust in People”
  • It refers to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023
  • Aim: Reduce fear of punishment for small mistakes and build trust between government & citizens/businesses

Today’s News

  • Government is further implementing / expanding Jan Vishwas reforms
  • Focus is on:
    • Removing minor criminal penalties
    • Replacing them with fines (civil penalties)
  • This helps businesses work without fear of jail for small errors

Key Features

  1. Decriminalisation
  • Minor offences (like small compliance errors) → No jail
  • Only monetary penalty
  1. Ease of Doing Business
  • Reduces harassment of:
    • Startups
    • MSMEs
  • Encourages investment
  1. Covers many laws
  • The Act amended 40+ laws across sectors like:
    • Environment
    • Companies
    • Agriculture
    • IT

Why in News?

  • Government is pushing second phase / implementation
  • Linked to:
    • Economic growth
    • Investor-friendly environment
    • Reducing “compliance burden”

Prelims Points

  • Year: 2023
  • Nature: Amendment Act
  • Objective: Decriminalise minor offences
  • Promotes: Ease of Doing Business

“India’s textile sector faces cost pressures and global challenges; government pushes reforms to boost growth”

Today’s News

India’s textile industry is currently facing both challenges and opportunities:

  1. Rising costs & global crisis impact
  • Due to West Asia tensions, raw material prices (like oil-based fibres) have increased.
  • This is causing:
    • Higher production cost
    • Lower demand
    • Pressure on profits
  1. Power & supply issues
  • Textile mills (especially in Gujarat) are facing:
    • Power supply cuts
    • Increased dependence on expensive electricity
      👉 This affects production and profits
  1. Cotton shortage issue
  • Exporters are demanding removal of cotton import duty
    👉 Reason:
  • High cotton prices
  • Shortage affecting textile production
  1. Government support measures
  • Government reduced import duty on chemicals → lowers production cost
  • Expanding PLI scheme for textiles to:
    • Boost investment
    • Promote technical textiles & man-made fibres
  1. State-level push (Important)
  • Telangana aims to become textile hub of South Asia by 2047
  • Focus on:
    • Mega textile parks
    • Jobs & exports
    • Modern technology (AI, IoT)

Overall Understanding

 India’s textile sector is:

  • Labour-intensive & employment generator
  • Facing short-term problems (cost, demand, supply)
  • But has long-term growth potential due to:
    • Government support
    • Global demand
    • Shift to technical & sustainable textiles

Prelims Points

  • Textile sector = 2nd largest employment generator after agriculture
  • Major segments:
    • Cotton
    • Man-made fibres (MMF)
    • Technical textiles
  • Key schemes:
    • PLI Scheme
    • Mega Textile Parks (PM MITRA)

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