Government Schemes
National Chintan Shivir on social justice concludes in Chandigarh
26 April 2026 | Press Information Bureau (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)
The three-day National Chintan Shivir of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, announced in the 23 April edition, concluded in Chandigarh on 26 April 2026. States and UTs agreed on time-bound, actionable recommendations to strengthen last-mile delivery of social justice schemes under the theme 'Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb - Viksit Bharat@2047'.
Recommendations covered Antyodaya se Aatmanirbharata, Samaveshan-Pehchan-Ekikaran, economic empowerment, and accessibility and certification for persons with disabilities. PIB says the focus included inclusion of DNTs in Census-2027, strengthening of the SEED Scheme, economic empowerment of SCs and OBCs, comprehensive support for transgender persons, and 'Jagrukta se Sugamyata' (Awareness to Accessibility). Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar gave the concluding remarks.
Key facts- Event: National Chintan Shivir, Chandigarh, 24-26 April 2026
- Outcome: time-bound roadmap for States and UTs
- Focus: DNT inclusion in Census-2027, SEED Scheme, PwD certification
- Concluding remarks: Dr Virendra Kumar
Exam takeaway: DNTs are Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes.
Quick revision: Chintan Shivir (24-26 Apr 2026) ends with roadmap: DNTs in Census-2027, SEED Scheme, PwD certification.
Press Information Bureau (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) original sourceAppointments, Awards and Important Days
NITI Aayog reconstitution: who is new and who continues
26 April 2026 | The Hindu; The New Indian Express
Clarification to the 25 April edition. The Hindu reported that Ashok Kumar Lahiri, a former Chief Economic Adviser and West Bengal MLA, replaces Suman K. Bery, who had been Vice-Chairperson since May 2022. The full-time members of the reconstituted panel are K V Raju, M Srinivas (Director, AIIMS Delhi), Abhay Karandikar (Secretary, DST), Gobardhan Das and former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, who was a member of the outgoing panel as well.
The New Indian Express, which reported four new full-time members, named K V Raju, Gobardhan Das, Abhay Karandikar and M Srinivas, which fits with Gauba continuing. It also reported that Lahiri was CEA from 2002 to 2007, a Fifteenth Finance Commission member, and is MLA from Balurghat, not contesting the ongoing West Bengal election. The Hindu named Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Ramesh Chand, Vinod Kumar Paul and Arvind Virmani as other members of the outgoing panel.
Key facts- Vice-Chairperson: Ashok Kumar Lahiri (succeeds Suman K. Bery)
- Continuing full-time member: Rajiv Gauba
- New full-time members: Raju, Das, Karandikar, Srinivas
- Lahiri: CEA 2002-2007; Balurghat MLA
Exam takeaway: Full-time members of NITI Aayog are appointed by the Government and work alongside the Vice-Chairperson.
Quick revision: NITI Aayog: Lahiri VC; four new full-time members plus Gauba continuing (Hindu, NIE).
The Hindu; The New Indian Express original sourceAppointments, Awards and Important Days
World Intellectual Property Day 2026: IP and Sports
26 April 2026 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
World Intellectual Property Day is marked on 26 April each year. WIPO's 2026 theme is 'IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate'. The page says intellectual property protects and promotes the inventions, designs, brands and stories that drive sports, from equipment and team identities to broadcasts.
WIPO lists patents, designs, trademarks and copyrights as the IP rights involved, and runs a World IP Day 2026 Youth Video Competition on how IP fuels innovation in sport, with a top prize worth CHF 3,000.
Key facts- Date: 26 April 2026
- Theme: IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate
- IP rights named: patents, designs, trademarks, copyrights
- Organiser: WIPO
Exam takeaway: WIPO is the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Quick revision: World IP Day 26 Apr 2026: theme 'IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate' (WIPO).
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) original source