Current Affairs 30 April 2026

India Becomes the 5th-Highest Defense Spender Worldwide.

• India is 5th largest military spender ($92.1 billion in 2025).
• Top Spenders: United States, China, Russia, Germany.
• Growth: India’s defence spending up 8.9%, ~3.2% of global share.
• Arms Imports:
• 2nd largest importer (8.2% share).
• Shift from Russia to France, Israel, United States.
• Defence Budget 2026–27: ₹7.85 lakh crore; capital outlay ₹2.19 lakh crore.
• Global Spending: $2,887 billion (2025), 2.5% of global GDP.
• Data by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

India Places 6th Globally in Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals Count.

• India ranks 6th globally in UHNWI population (19,877 in 2026; 2.8% share).
• Growth: UHNWI population up 63.4% (2021–2026).
• Billionaires: 207; 3rd globally after United States and China.
• Projections (2031):
• UHNWI: 25,217 (+27%).
• Billionaires: 313 (+51%).
• Top Cities: Mumbai (35.4%), Delhi (22.8%), Chennai rising share.
• Global UHNWI: 713,626 in 2026.
• Definition: Net worth >$30 million (~₹282 crore).

Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates NRAI Mobile App and Shooting Initiative.

• Mansukh Mandaviya launched the National Rifle Association of India Athlete App and a nationwide grassroots shooting programme.
• Target: 7.5 lakh students (schools & colleges) ahead of 2028 Olympics.
• Talent identification module: 10-shot experience programme.
• Implementation through CBSE, KVS, universities, and state boards.
• Digital platform for registration, onboarding, certification, and performance tracking.
• NRAI positioned as India’s first fully digital sports federation.
• Announcement of Shooting League of India (franchise-based format).

IITM Inaugurates Mahabaleshwar Weather Radar and Signs MoU with ISRO.

• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology installed X-Band Doppler Weather Radar at Mahabaleshwar under Mission Mausam.
• Located at 1400 m altitude (Western Ghats).
• Under Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Radar enables 3-hour nowcasting for Maharashtra coastal regions.
• Advanced features: dual-polarization, cloud and rainfall tracking.
• MoU signed with Space Applications Centre for satellite + ground data integration.

India Submits Updated Climate Commitments to the United Nations.

• India submits updated NDCs (2031–2035) to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• 60% non-fossil fuel power capacity target by 2035.
• 47% reduction in emission intensity from 2005 levels.
• 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes CO₂ carbon sink through forests and tree cover.
• Aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Progress: 52.5% non-fossil capacity achieved; 36% emission intensity reduction; 2.29 billion tonnes carbon sink created.
• Requires climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building support from developed countries.