8th APRIL 2026 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Temporary Ceasefire Between the US and Iran
- US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday night that he was abruptly halting a massive military strike planned against Iran. With just two hours remaining before the deadline set by the White House expired, this two-week temporary ceasefire—secured through the mediation of Pakistan and diplomatic pressure from China—has averted a major crisis.
- Following this decision by the US, its military operations have been temporarily suspended. Furthermore, a preliminary agreement has been reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway of critical importance to the global economy.
- RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced today that the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its bi-monthly monetary policy statement for April 2026, has unanimously decided to keep the Repo Rate unchanged at 5.25 percent.
- This decision aligns with market expectations. The decision was taken unanimously, and the Reserve Bank's monetary policy stance remains 'neutral.' The Reserve Bank released these announcements in its first monetary policy statement for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
- In the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, the first phase of the Metro Rail project—spanning 11.64 km has already been completed; Metro trains are currently operational, serving 11 stations that include key commercial and residential areas.
- The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday (April 8) approved Phase 2 of the Jaipur Metro Rail project, covering a distance of approximately 41 km along the North-South corridor at an estimated cost of ₹13,037.66 crore.
- Following this approval, it has been stated that the construction work for this new metro rail project is scheduled to be completed by the year 2031, with the Central Government and the State Government each contributing 50 percent of the funding towards the project's cost.
- Notably, it was previously announced that 60,000 people travel daily on the metro trains currently operating over a distance of 11.64 km in Jaipur.
- The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for KHARIF Season, 2026 (from 01.04.2026 to 30.09.2026) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.
- The tentative budgetary requirement for Kharif season 2026 would be approximately Rs.41,533.81 crore. This is approximate Rs. 4,317 crore more than the budgetary requirement for Kharif 2025 season. The budget for Kharif 2025 was Rs.37,216.15 crore.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved investment of Rs.14,105.83 crore for construction of Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project (HEP) on Lohit river in Anjaw District of Arunachal Pradesh. The estimated completion period for the project is 78 months.
- The project with an installed capacity of 1200 MW (6 x 190 MW & 1 x 60 MW) is expected to generate 4852.95 MU of energy annually. As the first hydro project in the Lohit Basin, it will strengthen power supply in the State, support in peak demand management, and contribute to balancing the national grid.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved investment of Rs.26,069.50 crore for construction of Kamala Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Kamle, Kra Daadi & Kurung Kumey Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The estimated completion period for the project is 96 months.
- The project with an installed capacity of 1720 MW (8 x 210 MW & 1 x 40 MW) is expected to generate 6870 MU of energy. The power generated from the Project will strengthen power supply position in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, support in peak demand management, contribute to national grid balancing and will provide flood moderation benefit in the Brahmaputra valley.
- In addition to Kamala HEP, other hydropower projects—Subansiri Lower (2000 MW), Dibang Multipurpose (2880 MW) is under construction, and Etalin (3097 MW) is planned for development by NHPC Limited in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the revision of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) project cost from Rs.43,129 Crore to Rs.79,459 Crore and additional equity investment of Rs.8,962 Crore by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). The total equity investment of HPCL after increment will be Rs.19,600 Crore.
