5 April 2026 · Daily Current Affairs

Banking and RBI

RBI's Benchmark Issuance Strategy for State borrowings: Telangana joins

5 April 2026 | The Hindu and The Hindu BusinessLine

The Reserve Bank of India decided to introduce a Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) for State market borrowings on a pilot basis in nine States from FY 2026-27, based on their concurrence, The Hindu BusinessLine reported on 3 April 2026. The nine States are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

Under BIS, States issue securities in specific benchmark tenor buckets as per a pre-announced calendar. The aim is larger, more liquid benchmark bonds, better price discovery and clearer visibility of supply in the State bond market.

The Hindu reported on 5 April that Telangana, in line with BIS, had sent an indent to raise Rs 18,900 crore in the first quarter of 2026-27, with tenures from six years to over 25 years. It plans Rs 3,000 crore in three tranches on 22 April.

Exam takeaway: State Development Loans (SDLs) are bonds issued by State governments to raise market borrowings.

Quick revision: RBI BIS pilot for 9 States from FY27; Telangana joins.

Banking and RBI

RBI's Trade Relief Measures Directions, 2026 for exporters

5 April 2026 | Reported by Cooperative Banks India

Cooperative Banks India reported on 5 April 2026 that the RBI has issued the Trade Relief Measures Directions, 2026 to ease debt servicing pressure on exporters caused by geopolitical tensions. The directions offer temporary relief and aim to keep export financing smooth.

The export credit period can be extended to a maximum of 450 days for qualifying entities. Packing credit can be liquidated through domestic sales proceeds or by substituting other export orders.

The directions apply to commercial banks, primary (urban), state and central co-operative banks, NBFC-Factors and All-India Financial Institutions.

Exam takeaway: Packing credit is short-term finance given to an exporter before shipment.

Quick revision: RBI Trade Relief Measures Directions 2026: export credit up to 450 days.

Appointments, Awards and Important Days

63rd National Maritime Day finale held in Mumbai on 5 April

5 April 2026 | Press Information Bureau (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways)

PIB reported on 6 April 2026 that the Grand Finale of the 63rd National Maritime Day Celebrations 2026, marking the culmination of Merchant Navy Week, was held on 5 April 2026 at the Bharatratnam Auditorium, Andheri, Mumbai. The theme was 'Maritime India, Empowering Progress.'

Merchant Navy Week began with the ceremonial lapel pinning of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Awards and special recognition certificates were presented for excellence in the maritime sector. Shri Deepak Shetty, former Director General of Shipping, was the Guest of Honour.

Exam takeaway: National Maritime Day is observed on 5 April every year.

Quick revision: 63rd National Maritime Day: 5 Apr 2026; theme 'Maritime India, Empowering Progress'.

Appointments, Awards and Important Days

International Day of Conscience, 5 April

5 April 2026 | DailyConnects current affairs briefing

DailyConnects lists the International Day of Conscience as observed every year on 5 April. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day in 2019.

The site gives the 2026 theme as 'Acting with Conscience for a Peaceful and Sustainable World'. This theme is as reported by DailyConnects; we did not find it on a UN page.

Exam takeaway: Days observed by the UN are common static current affairs questions.

Quick revision: International Day of Conscience: 5 April; UNGA 2019.