Current Affairs 21 April 2026

India and South Korea aim to reach a $50 billion trade milestone.

India and South Korea set a $50 billion trade target by 2030.
Current bilateral trade is about $27 billion.
Decision to upgrade CEPA agreement; talks to resume in May 2026 and conclude by 2027.
A new ministerial-level Industrial Cooperation Committee will be formed.
Focus on critical minerals, nuclear energy, and clean energy cooperation.
South Korea joined ISA and IPOI.
Expanded cooperation in semiconductors, shipbuilding, electronics, maritime, and defence sectors.

POSCO and JSW Steel signed a $7.3 billion steel project agreement in India.
Project will set up an integrated steel plant in Odisha.
Plant capacity will be 6 million tons annually with full production process at one site.
Target completion year: 2031.
50:50 joint venture between POSCO and JSW Steel.
POSCO to invest around 5.3 trillion won.
Deal announced during India–South Korea summit with 25 key outcomes.

Rathi Steel and Power Limited received CII GreenPro Ecolabel certification.
Certification awarded for Fe 550 grade TMT Rebars (Rathi Powertech brand).
It is a Type-1 ecolabel and first certification for the company’s steel product.
Products manufactured at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh plant.
Certified products support LEED and IGBC green building standards.
Promotes sustainable and low-carbon “Green Steel” production.

MeitY formed the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) on April 18, 2026.
Purpose: To create a rules-based framework for AI governance in India.
TPEC supports the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG).
Chaired by the Secretary of MeitY.
Members include experts from IIT Madras, IIT Gandhinagar, NASSCOM, DSCI, and MAIT.
Key role: Identify regulatory gaps and risks in AI systems.
Advises on global AI policy developments and India’s positioning.
Focus on converting technical AI developments into policy inputs.
Aim: Develop adaptive AI regulations aligned with global and domestic needs.

UIDAI onboarded 100 Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSEs) on April 20, 2026.
Achieved within 3 months of launch of Aadhaar offline verification framework.
Covers sectors like government, fintech, hospitality, education, and workforce verification.
Uses QR code-based and digitally signed document verification.
No need for real-time access to UIDAI database.
Enables paperless, consent-based, and privacy-focused identity verification.
Reduces costs and complexity of physical document verification.
Project overseen by MeitY.