Daily filter — 7 April 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚔️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
CDS (II) 2025: Merit Order Revised for Accuracy
The UPSC has issued a revised merit list for **Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025**.
- Final results for CDS (II), 2025 were initially declared on 30th March, 2026.
- A total of 302 candidates were initially recommended across three academies.
- Revision is due to a new Rule 8 on rounding off marks to two decimal digits.
💡 Remember: CDS (II) 2025 merit list revised due to Rule 8 on rounding off marks.
Source: UPSC · PIB PRID 2249848
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
CCI Halts Bid Rigging in Assam Police Electrification Tenders
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) directed 17 parties to stop anti-competitive practices in Assam Police Housing Corporation tenders.
- CCI issued an order on 07.04.2026 under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002.
- The order directed 17 Opposite Parties to cease and desist from anti-competitive conduct.
- Practices involved bid rigging and manipulating tenders for “Internal and External Electrification works” for Assam Police.
- The case arose from a 10.08.2020 complaint by the Accountant General (Audit), Assam.
💡 CCI acted under Competition Act Sections 3(1), 3(3)(d), 27, and 48 against 17 parties for bid rigging in Assam Police electrification tenders.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2249853
⛏️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
New Mineral Auction Rules to Accelerate Mine Operationalisation
The Ministry of Mines has notified the Mineral (Auction) Second Amendment Rules, 2026 for faster operationalisation of mines and ease of doing business.
- Mineral (Auction) Second Amendment Rules, 2026 were notified on 30th March, 2026.
- Portions of mineral blocks with less than 25% resources, deemed unfeasible, can be excluded.
- A unified mining portal will be implemented for streamlined processes and automatic issuance of LoI.
- Additional two years for Mining Lease execution is only for blocks involving forest land.
- Notified Private Exploration Agencies (NPEAs) can now bid on all types of blocks they explore.
- Critical and strategic minerals (excluding Graphite, Phosphate, Potash) get auction premium exemption if resources are less than 10%.
💡 Remember: 2026 amendments aim for faster mine ops via unified portal, less red tape, and boosted exploration participation.
Source: Ministry of Mines · PIB PRID 2249750
🏨 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Lemon Tree Hotels Group Restructuring and Acquisition
The **Competition Commission of India (CCI)** has approved a significant internal restructuring and equity acquisition within the **Lemon Tree Hotels group**.
- CCI approved the acquisition of equity shares in Fleur Hotels Limited (FHL) by Coastal Cedar Investments B.V.
- The approval also covers the internal restructuring of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited (LTH) group via amalgamation and demerger.
- Coastal Cedar Investments B.V. is an investment holding company managed by Warburg Pincus Group.
- FHL is a subsidiary of LTH, owning and leasing hotels.
- Various LTH wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Hamstede Living Private Limited, are involved in the amalgamation/demerger.
- LTH is a hospitality company catering to diverse customer segments.
- The approval was announced on 07 APR 2026.
💡 Remember: CCI gave the green light for Warburg Pincus's Coastal Cedar to invest in Fleur Hotels and for Lemon Tree Hotels to restructure on APR 7, 2026.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2249855
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves KNR SPVs Acquisition by Indus Infra Trust
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved a significant acquisition in the infrastructure sector.
- CCI approved the acquisition of 100% equity of KNR SPVs.
- Indus Infra Trust (an InvIT) is the acquirer, operating via GR Highways Investment Manager.
- KNR Constructions Ltd. is the seller of the KNR SPVs.
- The KNR SPVs hold NHAI concession agreements for HAM projects.
💡 Remember: CCI cleared Indus Infra Trust's (InvIT) 100% acquisition of KNR SPVs from KNR Constructions, involving NHAI HAM projects.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2249854
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Citrus Investment's Acquisition of Hitachi Construction Stakes
The **Competition Commission of India (CCI)** has approved **Citrus Investment LLC's** acquisition of additional shares in **Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (HCM)** and sole control of **HCJI Holdings K. K.**
- Citrus will acquire an additional 0.4% shareholding in HCM.
- Citrus will gain sole control of the 50:50 joint venture, HCJI Holdings K. K.
- The acquisition of HCM shares will be through market purchases on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
- Sole control of HCJI will be achieved via a share buyback of 50% shareholding.
💡 For the exam: Remember CCI approved Citrus Investment's increased stake in HCM and full control of HCJI on April 7, 2026.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2249852
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves **Torrent Power** Acquisition of **Nabha Power**
The Competition Commission of India has approved **Torrent Power Ltd.'s** acquisition of **Nabha Power Ltd.**
- Torrent Power Ltd. will acquire 100% equity and preference shares in Nabha Power Ltd.
- The acquisition is from L&T Power Development Limited (Seller).
- Nabha Power Ltd. operates a 2x700 Megawatt thermal power plant in Punjab since 2014.
- Torrent Power Ltd. is engaged in power generation, transmission, and distribution.
💡 Remember: Torrent acquires Nabha Power; CCI approved 100% acquisition.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2249851
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Indriya's Acquisition in Aditya Birla Housing Finance
The **CCI** has greenlit **Indriya Ltd.'s** acquisition of a 14.286% stake in **Aditya Birla Housing Finance Ltd.**
- CCI approved Indriya Limited's acquisition.
- Indriya acquired 14.286% of Aditya Birla Housing Finance.
- Acquisition was via preferential issue on private placement basis.
- Aditya Birla Housing Finance is a housing finance company.
- Indriya is an investment holding company with no India operations.
💡 Remember: CCI approval for Indriya taking 14.286% of Aditya Birla Housing Finance.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2249850
⚛️ Science & Tech · UPSC track
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor Achieves First Criticality
India's 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on April 6, 2026, marking a significant step.
- The PFBR achieved first criticality on 6th April 2026 at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
- It has a capacity of 500 MWe and was indigenously designed by IGCAR.
- Built and commissioned by BHAVINI, it uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel.
- The reactor produces more fuel than it consumes and will eventually use Thorium-232.
💡 Remember: PFBR at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on April 6, 2026, for India's nuclear energy strategy.
Source: Department of Atomic Energy · PIB PRID 2249537
📞 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
TRAI Mandates New Voice-SMS Special Tariff Vouchers
**TRAI** released the **Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026** to mandate more voice and SMS-only packs.
- TRAI issued the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026.
- It mandates telecom providers to offer corresponding voice and SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs).
- These STVs must align with unique validity periods of existing voice, SMS, and data packs.
- This follows the Telecom Consumer Protection (twelfth Amendment) Regulation, 2024.
- Stakeholders can provide comments until 28th April, 2026.
💡 TRAI's 13th Amendment (2026) mandates proportional voice/SMS-only packs for all validity periods.
Source: Ministry of Communications · PIB PRID 2249824
🌿 Environment · LAW track
Two Institutions Designated as Biological Diversity Repositories
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has designated two new institutions as repositories under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Referral Centre Bhavasagara at CMLRE, Kochi focuses on deep-sea biodiversity.
- MACS Collection of Microorganisms and National Fungal Culture Collection at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune are now designated.
- This adds to 18 existing national repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- The designation strengthens documentation and conservation of biological resources.
💡 Remember Kochi's marine and Pune's microbial/fungal additions enhance national biodiversity conservation under the 2002 Act.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2249838
🏛️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Delhi Unauthorised Colonies Regularised on 'As-Is, Where-Is' Basis
The Government has decided to regularise 1511 unauthorised colonies in Delhi, providing relief and legal rights to 45 lakh residents.
- PM-UDAY scheme was launched on 29.10.2019 to confer ownership rights in unauthorised colonies.
- 1511 out of 1731 unauthorised colonies will be regularised on an 'as-is, where-is' basis.
- This decision removes the requirement for approved layout plans for regularisation.
- Applications on the SWAGAM portal for regularisation begin on 24.04.2026.
- Conveyance Deeds or Authorisation Slips will be issued within 45 days of application.
💡 For the exam: Remember PM-UDAY (2019) now regularises 1511 Delhi colonies on an 'as-is, where-is' basis, streamlining property rights from April 24, 2026.
Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · PIB PRID 2249686