DAILY GK 21-22 APR 2026

 DAILY GK 21-22 APR 2026

1.       SINGAPORE EMERGES AS TOP FDI SOURCE IN APR-DEC FY26

·         The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released data which showed that Singapore emerged as the top source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity in inflows in April-December of Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) at USD 17.6 billion, accounting for 37% of the total share of FDI.

·         The data further showed India received USD 47.87 billion of FDI equity inflows in April-December of FY26.

·         The United States of America (USA) (USD 7.8 billion) and Mauritius (USD 4.8 billion) were the next two largest sources of FDI, accounting for 16% and 10% of the total FDI inflows, respectively.

·         Maharashtra received the highest FDI inflows i.e. at USD 15.38 billion in April-December of FY26; followed by Karnataka (USD 11.15 billion) in the three quarters of FY26.

 


2.       USA UNVEILS SPACE NUCLEAR POWER PLAN

·         USA’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) formally launched the National Space Technology Memorandum-3 (NSTM-3), a national initiative to advance space nuclear power, targeting deployment of low- to mid-power reactors in orbit, on the Moon and Mars in the 2030s.

·         As per the newly launched nuclear space programme, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been tasked to start a programme within 30 days to develop a mid-power reactor with lunar surface version expected to launch by 2030.

 

3.       PERSON OF THE YEAR BY HARVARD SAA

·         Bollywood actress Sayani Gupta was named the South Asian ‘Person of the Year’ by the Harvard University South Asian Association (SAA),recognising her exceptional contribution to film, storytelling, and representation.

·         Person of the Year Award is an annual award, presented by Harvard University to individuals whose work has significantly influenced global perceptions of South Asian talent and identity.

·         It celebrates contributions across arts, leadership, activism, and public service.

 

4.       M.S. SWAMINATHAN AWARD 

·         Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, the Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), was conferred the 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award for 2024-25 in Hyderabad, Telangana.

·         The award was established to honour the legacy of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, regarded as the Father of India’s Green Revolution.

·         Established in 2004-05 by the Retired ICAR Employees Association (RICAREA) in collaboration with Nuziveedu Seeds Limited.

·         It recognizes eminent scientists whose lifetime contributions have made a measurable impact on India’s food security and agricultural sustainability by awarding a Gold Medal and a cash prize of Rs.2 Lakh.

 

5.       GLOBAL GREEN ICON AWARD

·         Joginapally Santosh Kumar, a former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament(MP) and prominent environmentalist, was conferred the ‘Global Green Icon’ during the World Climate Leaders Conclave 2026 held at House of Lords in London.

·         The award recognizes his pioneering role in the success of the Green India Challenge, mobilizing millions of citizens through massive afforestation and ecological restoration efforts.

·         He was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bharat RashtraSamithi (BRS), representing Telangana in 2018.

·         He is the founder of the Green India Challenge(GIC, 2018), one of the world’s largest citizen-led afforestation movements, and also serves as the Chairman of the Igniting Minds Organisation.

 

6.       GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE

·         The Goldman Environmental Foundation named 6 women as recipients of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the ‘Green Nobel’, marking the first time all winners were female

·         This year winners include:  IroroTanshi (Nigeria); Borim Kim (South Korea); Sarah Finch (the UK); Theonila Roka Matbob (Papua New Guinea); Alannah Acaq Hurley (the USA); Yuvelis Morales Blanco (Colombia).

·         The award was established in 1989 by philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman

·         The recipients are selected from each of the world’s 6 main regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands & Island Nations, North America, and South & Central America.

 

7.       LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS 2026

·         The Laureus World Sports Academy presented the 26th annual Laureus World Sports Awards at Cibeles Palace, in Madrid, Spain.

·         Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz won the Sportsman of the Year award while Belarusian tennis player ArynaSabalenka was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.

·         The awards recognized winners across 11 major categories.

·         Paris Saint-Germain won World Team of the Year.

·         Young Sportsperson of the Year: Lamine Yamal.

·         Lifetime Achievement Award: Nadia Comăneci.

 

8.       WEF’S YOUNG GLOBAL LEADERS CLASS OF 2026

·         The World Economic Forum(WEF) announced the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Class of 2026,  recognising 118 leaders from 55 countries for their contributions across sectors.

·         From India, the YGL Class of 2026 includes Jay Shah, Isha Ambani, Sumit Gupta, Abhishek Bansal, Ameve Sharma, Suhani Jalota, Aniket Doegar, Supriya Paul, Dr Edmond Clint Fernandes, and Natsuki Sugai.

 

9.       US ARMY WAR COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL HALL OF FAME

·         General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Indian Army(IA), was inducted into the International Hall of Fame (HoF) of the United States Army War College (USAWC) at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, USA.

·         He received the honour during his official visit to the United States of America(USA), making the occasion both professionally and personally significant.

·         General UpendraDwivedi became the third IA Chief to be inducted into the USAWC International Hall of Fame after General V. K. Singh and General Bikram Singh.

 

10.    INDIA’S 95TH CHESS GRANDMASTER

·         Aronyak Ghosh, from Kolkata, West Bengal, became India’s 95th Grandmaster (GM) after securing his third and final GM norm at the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club(BCC) Open 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand.

·         At the event, he scored an unbeaten 7/9 to tie for first place with a performance rating of 2584, having earlier earned GM norms at the Sants Open (2023) and Annemasse Masters (2024).