Current Affairs 13 April 2026

NASA PACE Satellite Introduces New Atmospheric Pollution Product.

• NASA released a new high-resolution pollution-tracking product from the PACE satellite (Feb 24, 2026).
• The tool is designed to monitor Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) pollution globally.
• It uses the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) to detect pollutants via spectral signatures from ultraviolet to near-infrared light.
• Calibrated using data from ESA’s Sentinel-5P (TROPOMI) satellite.
• Provides high-resolution mapping, enabling detection of emissions from factories and highways.
• Data is available on the NASA Earthdata platform for research and planning use.

India Moves to FASTag and UPI-Only Payments at Toll Plazas, Ending Cash Transactions from April 11.

• India is moving toward a fully digital toll system on National Highways from April 11, 2026.
• Payments will be accepted only through FASTag and UPI, ending cash transactions.
• The move aims to improve transparency, reduce congestion, and enhance convenience.
• The rollout has been temporarily paused due to elections.

Supreme Court of India Clarifies Legal Standing of Voting and Election Participation Rights.

• The Supreme Court of India ruled that the right to vote and contest elections are statutory, not fundamental rights.
• The judgment was delivered on April 11, 2026 in a case related to cooperative society elections in Rajasthan.
• The Court stated that these rights are governed by laws such as the Representation of the People Act.
• It clarified that voting rights are subject to legal conditions, qualifications, and disqualifications.

Patent Applications in India Rise 30.2% in FY 2025–26, Reaching Record High.

• India’s patent filings rose 30.2% to 1,43,729 in FY 2025–26, marking a historic high.
• Data was shared by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
• The surge reflects India’s growing focus on research, innovation, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Delhi Government Releases Draft Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0.

• Delhi Government released Draft EV Policy 2.0 to promote electric mobility.
• 100% waiver on road tax and registration fees for EVs (up to ₹30 lakh) till 2030.
• Ban on new petrol two-wheelers from April 1, 2028, and full shift to EV three-wheelers by 2027.
• Incentives provided for EV adoption across two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and goods vehicles.
• Scrappage benefits offered for replacing older BS-IV or earlier vehicles.