Daily filter — 17 April 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🏛️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
MCA Invites Public Comments on Companies Act Framework
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is seeking public comments on proposed amendments to the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.
- MCA invites comments on the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2026.
- The draft notification was prepared vide a public notice dated 8th April, 2026.
- Comments on the rules are due by 9th May, 2026.
- MCA seeks inputs via IICA for rationalising Companies Act, 2013 compliance.
- Inputs on the filing framework are due by 15th May, 2026.
💡 MCA reviews Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 and Companies Act, 2013 filing framework, with two separate public consultation deadlines.
Source: Ministry of Corporate Affairs · PIB PRID 2252805
🗳️ Polity & Governance · UPSC track
Delimitation Bill, 2026: Balancing Representation and Empowerment
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the Lok Sabha on Bills aimed at delimitation, women's reservation, and UT law amendments.
- The Delimitation Bill, 2026, Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were discussed.
- Nari Shakti Vandan Act ensures women's reservation in delimitation post-2026 Census.
- The number of seats has been frozen since 1971, leading to 127 constituencies with over 2 million voters.
- The current Census, originally scheduled for 2021, will include caste enumeration.
- Delimitation aims to implement “one person, one vote, one value” and increase seats for SCs/STs.
💡 For the exam: Remember the year 2026 marks the end of the seat freeze, tying into delimitation and women's reservation after the caste-based Census.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2253186
🗳️ Polity & Governance · UPSC track
PM urges MPs to vote for Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Amendment
The Prime Minister urged MPs to support the **Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam** amendment for women's representation, ahead of a Lok Sabha vote.
- Discussion on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam amendment continued until 1 AM.
- PM noted that women's reservation has been debated for four decades.
- The PM called for supporting the amendment to ensure rightful representation for women, half of the country's population.
- Voting in the Lok Sabha was expected shortly on the amendment.
💡 The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam aims to ensure rightful representation for half of India's population after four decades of debate.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2252922
🌿 Environment · LAW track
NBA Streamlines ABS Fund Use, Revises Repository Guidelines
The **National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)** has approved measures to strengthen the **Biological Diversity Act, 2002**, particularly for **Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)** funds.
- The NBA approved measures in its 77th meeting on 23rd March 2026.
- ABS funds for unidentified beneficiaries will support socio-economic development of resource areas.
- 25-40% of ABS funds go to institutions for conservation when source is identifiable.
- 60-75% of ABS funds are distributed to local communities via SBBs/UTBCs.
- Revised guidelines for designated repositories strengthen custody and management of specimens.
- Digitisation of voucher specimens is promoted for accessibility, per revised guidelines.
💡 For the exam: Remember the NBA's dual focus on ABS fund distribution and repository guidelines, especially the 25-40% institution/60-75% community split.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2253157
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Director Arrested for Rs. 8 Crore Fraudulent ITC Availment
A director was arrested by **CGST Delhi South** for fraudulently availing/utilising **Input Tax Credit (ITC)** exceeding **Rs. 8 crore**.
- The arrest was made on 16.04.2026 by CGST Delhi South Commissionerate.
- The director admitted controlling company transactions under Section 70 of the CGST Act, 2017.
- The fraud involved ineligible ITC without underlying supply, violating Section 16 of the CGST Act, 2017.
- He faces cognizable and non-bailable offences under Section 132(1)(b) & Section 132(1)(c).
- Remanded to judicial custody until 30.04.2026 by Patiala House Court.
💡 Remember: CGST Delhi South arrested a director for Rs. 8 crore ITC fraud under CGST Act, 2017 violations.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2253107
⚛️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
SHANTI Act, 2025 Workshop for 100 GW Nuclear Power Goal
A workshop by **CEA** focused on operationalizing the **SHANTI Act, 2025** to achieve India's 100 GW nuclear power target.
- The SHANTI Act, 2025 aims to scale India’s nuclear capacity to 100 GW.
- It allows private participation in the nuclear sector for clean power generation.
- Workshop discussions included private sector participation and a graded liability framework.
- CEA, Ministry of Power, DAE, and NTPC Limited organized the workshop.
- More than 150 delegates attended the workshop on April 17, 2026.
💡 The SHANTI Act, 2025 opens nuclear power for private participation, targeting 100 GW.
Source: Ministry of Power · PIB PRID 2253013
⛏️ Economy · UPSC track
15th Commercial Coal Mine Auction Round Launched for Energy Security
The Ministry of Coal launched the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions and held a stakeholder consultation on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat: Coal for Energy Security' on April 17, 2026.
- A total of 11 coal blocks are offered in the 15th round.
- This includes 7 fully explored and 4 partially explored mines.
- 3 mines are under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.
- 8 mines are under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
- 1 coking coal block and 10 non-coking coal blocks are available.
- 6 coal mines are also offered from the 2nd attempt of the 13th round.
- The Ministry has auctioned 135 coal mines across 13 rounds so far.
💡 Remember: The 15th round offers 11 blocks (7 fully, 4 partially explored), mostly non-coking coal, under CMSP 2015 and MMDR 1957.
Source: Ministry of Coal · PIB PRID 2253054
🚢 Economy · UPSC track
RELIEF Scheme Expanded for MSME Exporters in West Asia
The government expanded the **RELIEF** scheme to support Indian exporters affected by geopolitical disruptions in West Asia, adding two new eligible countries.
- The RELIEF scheme was launched on March 19, 2026.
- It supports exporters facing high freight, insurance, and war-related risks.
- ECGC is the nodal agency implementing the scheme.
- Egypt and Jordan are newly added eligible countries.
- Policy Circular dated April 15, 2026, clarified Component II eligibility.
- Exporters with new ECGC policies from March 16, 2026, are eligible.
💡 RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) expanded coverage to Egypt and Jordan on April 17, 2026, implemented by ECGC, aiding MSME exporters.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2253096
📈 Economy · UPSC track
Startup India Initiative Achieves Record Growth in FY 2025-26
The Startup India initiative has marked its highest-ever recognition of startups and significant job creation in FY 2025-26.
- Over 55,200 startups were recognized in FY 2025-26, highest since Startup India launch.
- Total recognized startups crossed 2.23 lakh as of March 31, 2026, creating 23.36 lakh direct jobs.
- The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups increased guarantee cover from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore.
- More than 19,400 patent applications have been filed by startups since inception.
- Over 38,600 startups are onboarded on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for public procurement.
💡 Remember key figures: 55,200 new startups in FY26, 2.23 lakh total, 23.36 lakh jobs, and ₹20 crore CGSS guarantee.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2253019
📈 Economy · UPSC track
Reforms to Fast-Track Advance Authorisation for Exporters
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry strengthened Norms Committees under DGFT to improve processing of duty-free import applications for exporters.
- DGFT administers Advance Authorisation (AA) and Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) schemes.
- AA and DFIA allow duty-free import of inputs for export products.
- Seven Norms Committees fix input-output norms for these schemes.
- Total Technical Authorities increased from 12 to 22 by April 2026.
- Between January 2026 and April 7, 2026, 1,770 cases were disposed of.
💡 Remember: DGFT's Norms Committees facilitate duty-free imports (AA/DFIA) for exporters, now with more technical members for faster processing.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2253000
⚕️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
NHA Convenes Chintan Shivir, Unveils New Digital Health Initiatives
The National Health Authority (NHA) held a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune to review and accelerate AB PM-JAY and ABDM implementation.
- The NHA convened a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune on AB PM-JAY and ABDM.
- New guidelines, the NHCX Strategy Paper, and ABDM Index Reference Guidebook were released.
- The NHA Digital Health Academy was launched for a future-ready healthcare workforce.
- Key initiatives SAHI and BODH were identified for the next phase of ABDM.
💡 Remember NHA's Pune Chintan Shivir focused on AB PM-JAY & ABDM, launching NHCX strategy, ABDM Index, and Digital Health Academy with SAHI and BODH.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2253117
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Five Additional Judges appointed as Permanent Judges in Chhattisgarh High Court
The President of India has appointed five Additional Judges as Permanent Judges in the Chhattisgarh High Court.
- The President of India made the appointments after consulting the Chief Justice of India.
- The appointments were made using powers conferred by the Constitution of India.
- Sachin Singh Rajput and Radhakishan Agrawal are among the appointed judges.
- Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal, Bibhu Datta Guru, and Amitendra Kishore Prasad were also appointed.
- The appointments are for the Chhattisgarh High Court.
💡 President appoints 5 Chhattisgarh High Court Additional Judges as Permanent Judges after CJI consultation.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2253094