Daily filter — 28 April 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves MAIF 4 India 2's Acquisition of Maple Entities
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved a significant acquisition in India's infrastructure sector by an investment vehicle.
- MAIF 4 Investments India 2 Pte. Ltd. (Acquirer) is a new investment vehicle of Macquarie Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Fund 4.
- Acquisition includes 42.5% of Maple IM, 40.0% of Maple PM, and up to 37.5% of Maple Trust units.
- Maple Trust is an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) owning and operating road assets in India.
💡 Remember: CCI approved MAIF 4 India 2 acquiring stakes in Maple IM, PM, and Trust (an InvIT for road assets).
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2256396
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Mizuho Securities' Acquisition in Avendus Capital
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved **Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd.'s** acquisition of equity in **Avendus Capital Private Ltd.**
- Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. is part of Mizuho Financial Group, Japan.
- Mizuho Securities has 20 offices globally and operates across four business segments.
- It is present in India via its subsidiary, Mizuho Securities India Private Limited.
- Avendus Capital Private Ltd. is a SEBI-registered merchant banker.
- ACPL operates in four countries, including India, Singapore, USA, and UK.
- ACPL provides M&A advisory and private equity syndication services in India.
💡 Remember: CCI approved Mizuho's equity acquisition in Avendus, both SEBI-registered merchant bankers.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2256395
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Merger of Four Agri-Global Entities
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved a significant merger in the edible oil sector, consolidating four companies.
- CCI approved the merger of A1 Agri Global, B.N. Agritech, and Salasar Balaji Overseas Pvt Ltd.
- All three entities will merge into BN Agrochem Limited, which will be the sole surviving entity.
- The merger was approved via a board resolution on 28th June 2025.
- The entities are involved in procurement, refining, and trading of various edible oils.
💡 For the exam: Remember CCI facilitates mergers; this one involved four companies in the edible oil sector merging into BN Agrochem.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2256394
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of Bharuch chemical factory fire
The NHRC, India took suo motu cognizance of a chemical factory explosion in Bharuch, Gujarat, injuring 16 workers.
- The NHRC, India took suo motu cognizance of a factory fire on April 23rd, 2026.
- The incident occurred at a chemical factory in Bharuch district, Gujarat, injuring 16 workers.
- Notices were issued to the Chief Secretary, Gujarat and SP, Bharuch for a report within two weeks.
💡 NHRC (suo motu) in Bharuch for 16 injured, seeking report from Gujarat officials.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2256278
🌡️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC Directs States on Heatwave Protection for Vulnerable
The **NHRC, India** has directed **21 states** and **NCT-Delhi** to implement advance relief measures against heatwaves.
- NHRC asked 21 states and NCT-Delhi to protect vulnerable populations.
- Heatwaves disproportionately affect economically weaker sections and the homeless.
- 3,712 people died from heat/sunstroke in India between 2019-23.
- States must use existing SOPs or NDMA guidelines to mitigate impact.
💡 NHRC (21 States + NCT-Delhi) → Advance Heatwave Action → Vulnerable Protection (SOPs/NDMA) → 3712 deaths (2019-23).
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2256123
🏋️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
3-Year IP Fee Waiver for Sports Innovations
To boost innovation in sports, the government announced a three-year fee exemption for all sports-related IP registrations.
- Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal announced a 3-year fee waiver for all sports-related IP registrations.
- This includes trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, traditional knowledge, and GIs.
- The waiver is effective immediately from April 28, 2026, for World IP Day.
- The Kashmir willow bat is highlighted as India's only sports-related GI-tagged product.
- The Viksit Bharat Digital Matrix 2026 Design Hackathon on smart wearables was also launched.
💡 Remember: A 3-year fee waiver on all sports IP was announced on World IP Day 2026 for innovation.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2256352
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
GST Fraud: ₹60.59 Crore ITC Fraud Detected, One Arrested
CGST Delhi South Commissionerate detected fraudulent availment of Input Tax Credit (ITC) worth ₹60.59 crore using bogus invoices.
- CGST Delhi South Commissionerate detected ITC fraud of ₹60.59 crore.
- Bogus invoices valued at ₹397.23 crore were used in the scheme.
- A non-functional entity passed inadmissible ITC without actual supply.
- The son of the director of the beneficiary entity was arrested.
- The offence is punishable under Section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017.
- The accused was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
💡 Remember CGST Delhi South for the ₹60.59 crore ITC fraud under Section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2256404
🔗 Defence & Security · LAW track
India Secures Return of Notorious Drug Trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) secured the return of a wanted drug trafficker from **Turkiye**, reflecting India's zero-tolerance policy against narco-syndicates.
- Mohammad Salim Dola (59 yrs) was brought back to India on April 28, 2026.
- He was wanted in multiple narcotics trafficking cases in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
- An INTERPOL Red Notice was issued at India’s request in March, 2024.
- The operation, named ‘Operation Global-Hunt’, involved NCB, international and Indian agencies.
- His son Tahil Salim Dola was arrested in 2025 after deportation/extradition from the UAE.
💡 Remember 'Operation Global-Hunt' and Mohammad Salim Dola's return from Turkiye via INTERPOL Red Notice for anti-narcotics efforts.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2256189
🚀 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
NITI Aayog Launches DPI@2047 Roadmap for Inclusive Growth
NITI Aayog unveiled **DPI@2047** on 27th April 2026, a strategic roadmap for India's Digital Public Infrastructure to drive inclusive growth.
- The roadmap was unveiled by Shri Suman Bery and Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood.
- It was developed with EkStep Foundation and Deloitte.
- The roadmap has two phases: DPI 2.0 (2025–2035) and DPI 3.0 (2035–2047).
- DPI 2.0 focuses on livelihood-led growth and eight sectoral transformations.
- The goal is extending digital rails beyond identity, payments, and welfare.
💡 Remember DPI@2047 as NITI Aayog's two-phase roadmap (DPI 2.0 then 3.0) for India's digital public infrastructure leading to Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Source: NITI Aayog · PIB PRID 2256122
📝 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations: Comments Date Extended
**TRAI** has extended the deadline for comments on a draft amendment to the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations, 2026.
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the draft on 7th April 2026.
- The original deadline for written comments was 28th April 2026.
- The new deadline for comments is extended to 5th May 2026.
- Counter comments on the draft amendment can be submitted until 12th May 2026.
💡 Remember: TRAI's Telecom Regulations have deadlines of May 5th for comments, May 12th for counter-comments.
Source: Ministry of Communications · PIB PRID 2256245
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
IICA concludes first Arbitrator Qualifying Assessment Program (AQAP)
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) successfully completed the inaugural assessment cycle of its Arbitrator Qualifying Assessment Program (AQAP).
- The first AQAP assessment was held from April 24-26, 2026 at IICA Campus, Manesar.
- It's a 3-tier rigorous assessment for arbitrator certification, organized by CEADR.
- The program aims to create world-class arbitrators and make India an international arbitration hub.
- Justice (Retd.) Hemant Gupta presided over the assessment.
- IICA also runs IICA Certified Mediator Program (23rd batch) and IICA Certified Arbitration Professional (2nd batch).
💡 Remember AQAP from IICA for certifying arbitrators, aiming to make India an arbitration hub for Viksit Bharat.
Source: Ministry of Corporate Affairs · PIB PRID 2256276
🚆 Economy · LAW track
South Coastal Railway Zone Notified, Andhra Pradesh Modernisation Surges
Andhra Pradesh sees major railway expansion, budget allocation, and infrastructure development, boosting connectivity and economic growth.
- South Coastal Railway Zone gazette notification issued, effective June 1, 2026.
- Andhra Pradesh achieved 100% electrification of its Railway Network.
- Record railway budget allocation of ₹10,134 crore for Andhra Pradesh.
- 74 railway stations in Andhra Pradesh are undergoing reconstruction.
- 1,759 km of railway track completed, 3,300 km under construction.
- 16 Vande Bharat and 22 Amrit Bharat trains serve the state.
- East Coast Railway Corridor upgraded to four-line network.
💡 For the exam: Remember South Coastal Railway Zone notification (June 1, 2026), 100% electrification and record budget for Andhra Pradesh.
Source: Ministry of Railways · PIB PRID 2256199