🔆 Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)

📍 Why in News?
Keytruda is increasingly being used worldwide for the treatment of lung, cervical, renal cell and aggressive breast cancers.

📍 About Keytruda
▪️ Keytruda is the brand name of pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy medicine used against several cancers.
▪️ Manufactured by Merck & Co. (MSD).

📍 Type of Drug
✅ It belongs to a class of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors.
✅ It is also a monoclonal antibody.

▪️ Checkpoint inhibitors remove the “brakes” on the immune system, allowing T-cells to attack cancer cells.
▪️ Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made molecules designed to target specific proteins.

📍 How Keytruda Works
▪️ Pembrolizumab binds to PD-1 receptors present on T-cells.
▪️ This blocks the interaction between PD-1 on T-cells and PD-L1 on cancer cells.
▪️ As a result, the immune system can recognise and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

📍 Uses
✅ Used globally to treat:
▪️ Lung cancer
▪️ Cervical cancer
▪️ Renal cell carcinoma
▪️ Breast cancer

📍 Dosage and Cost
▪️ Recommended dose: 200 mg once every 3 weeks.
▪️ Each 100 mg vial costs more than ₹1.5 lakh.

📍 Availability in India
✅ Available in tertiary care hospitals across India.
✅ India has also developed its first indigenous CAR-T cell therapy, NexCAR19, by ImmunoACT.

🔆 About Immunotherapy

▪️ Immunotherapy is a treatment that strengthens or trains the immune system to fight diseases, especially cancer.
▪️ It is often combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery.

📍 Immunotherapy vs Chemotherapy
✅ Chemotherapy directly kills cancer cells but may also harm healthy cells.
✅ Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system selectively identify and destroy cancer cells while largely sparing healthy cells.

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🔆 Kamba Ramayana

📍 Why in News?
The South Zone Cultural Centre has launched an initiative to preserve and promote Kamba Ramayana recitals in Tamil Nadu.

📍 About Kamba Ramayana
▪️ Kamba Ramayanam, also known as Ramavataram, is a 12th-century Tamil retelling of the Ramayana.
▪️ It was composed by Kambar.

📍 Patronage
✅ Patronised by Sadayappa Vallal of Thiruvannainallur.
✅ As a mark of gratitude, Kambar mentioned his patron’s name after every 1,000 verses.

📍 Characteristics
▪️ It is a Tamil adaptation of the Ramayana of Valmiki.
▪️ Kambar introduced artistic and literary modifications while retaining the core story.
▪️ It is regarded as one of the greatest works of Tamil literature.

📍 About Kambar
▪️ Also known as “Kavichakravarthy Kamban” meaning “Emperor of Poets”.
▪️ He flourished during the reign of Kulothunga III in the Chola Empire.
▪️ He received royal recognition and the title “Kavi Chakravarthy”.
▪️ His work reflects the influence of Ramanuja and later Vaishnavite traditions.

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🔆 CURRENT AFFAIRS — 20 APRIL 2026

🔆 INTERNATIONAL

📍 Semiconductor Supply Chains
✅ Philippines joins US-led “Pax Silica” initiative
✅ Aim: strengthen global supply chains for semiconductors, AI and advanced electronics
✅ Initiative led by United States and supported by partner nations in Indo-Pacific

📍 Strait of Hormuz Maritime Initiative
✅ Around 40 countries, including India, join Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative
✅ Co-chaired by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron in Paris
✅ Aim: ensure freedom of navigation and secure global energy supply chains

📍 Mars Mission
✅ National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces that SpaceX will launch Rosalind Franklin Rover to Mars in 2028
✅ Rover is part of ExoMars mission of European Space Agency
✅ Objective: drill 2 metres below Martian surface and search for signs of past or present microbial life

🔆 NATIONAL

📍 DA Hike for Central Employees
✅ Union Cabinet approves 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR)
✅ DA/DR rises from 58% to 60%
✅ Effective from 1 January 2026
✅ Benefits:
➡ 50.46 lakh Central Government employees
➡ 68.27 lakh pensioners

📍 Punjab Deploys AI-Based Crime Tracking
✅ Punjab government partners with Indian Institute of Technology Ropar
✅ Launches AI system for real-time crime tracking
✅ Will help identify crime patterns, track criminal networks and support anti-drug campaigns like “Yudh Nashiyan Virudh”

🔆 IMPORTANT DAYS

📍 World Liver Day 2026
✅ Observed on 19 April
✅ Theme: “Solid Habits, Strong Liver”
✅ Focus: healthy lifestyle and preventive care for liver health

📍 World Heritage Day 2026
✅ Observed on 18 April every year
✅ Aim: celebrate and protect cultural and natural heritage across the world

🔆 AWARDS / EVENTS

📍 Miss Sake India 2026
✅ Nishita Yogesh Antarkar wins Miss Sake India 2026 title
✅ Event held in Mumbai on 17 April
✅ Focus: strengthening India–Japan cultural ties and promoting Japanese sake culture

🔆 SPORTS

📍 ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026
✅ International Cricket Council launches inaugural Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026
✅ Venue: Kigali, Rwanda
✅ Participating teams: Rwanda, Italy, Nepal, USA and Vanuatu
✅ Tournament to be held from 18 April to 2 May 2026

📍 Golf
✅ Shubhankar Sharma wins inaugural Boulders Classic 2026
✅ Event held at Boulder Hills Golf & Country Club, Hyderabad
✅ Prize money: ₹1 crore

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🔆 Personality in News: Srimanta Shankar Dev (1449–1568)

📍 Why in News?
✅ The redevelopment project of Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Shankar Dev, has recently been inaugurated.

📍 About Srimanta Shankar Dev
▪️ Born at Aali-Pukhuri in the present-day Nagaon district.
▪️ He was a saint-scholar, social-religious reformer, poet, dramatist and cultural icon of Assam.
▪️ He played a leading role in shaping the Bhakti movement in North-East India.

📍 Religious Contributions
✅ Propounded a new form of Vaishnavism called Eka-Sarana Hari-Nama Dharma.
▪️ It was a monotheistic faith centred on devotion to Lord Krishna.
▪️ It emphasized:
✅ Equality
✅ Devotion over rituals
✅ Opposition to caste discrimination

📍 Institutions Established
▪️ Founded:
✅ Namghars – community prayer halls
✅ Sattras – monastic and cultural institutions

▪️ These became centres of:
✅ Religious learning
✅ Cultural activities
✅ Social reform and community life

📍 Social Reforms
▪️ He opposed caste hierarchy and untouchability.
▪️ He advocated greater dignity and participation for women.
▪️ His teachings promoted:
✅ Equality
✅ Tolerance
✅ Truthfulness
✅ Humanism

📍 Literary and Cultural Contributions
▪️ He was a prolific writer and composer.
✅ Major works include:
▪️ Kirtana Ghosha
▪️ Bhakti Pradipa

▪️ He enriched Assamese culture through:
✅ Borgeet – devotional songs
✅ Ankia Naat – one-act plays
✅ Bhaona – theatrical performances
✅ Sattriya – classical dance form of Assam

📍 Ethical Values Associated with Him
✅ Social conscience and humanism
✅ Harmony and fraternity
✅ Religious tolerance
✅ Service to society

▪️ His teachings deeply influenced the spiritual and social life of the people of North-East India and continue to remain relevant today.

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🔆 PMGSY-III Extended till March 2028

📍 Why in News?
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase III till March 2028.

📍 About PMGSY
▪️ Launched on 25 December 2000.
▪️ It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development.

📍 Objective
✅ Provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations.

▪️ Eligibility:
✅ Population of 500 or more in plain areas
✅ Population of 250 or more in:
▪️ North-Eastern States
▪️ Himalayan States
▪️ Desert areas
▪️ Select backward and tribal districts

📍 Phases of PMGSY

▪️ Phase I (2000)
✅ Focused on connecting eligible unconnected habitations with all-weather roads.

▪️ Phase II (2013)
✅ Upgraded 50,000 km of existing rural roads to improve connectivity with markets and economic centres.

▪️ Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Areas (2016)
✅ Targeted 44 LWE-affected districts across 9 states.
✅ Aimed to improve development as well as movement of security forces.

▪️ Phase III (2019)
✅ Upgradation of 1,25,000 km of Through Routes and Major Rural Links.
✅ Links villages with:
▪️ Gramin Agricultural Markets
▪️ Higher Secondary Schools
▪️ Hospitals

✅ This phase has now been extended up to March 2028.

▪️ Phase IV (2024–25 to 2028–29)
✅ Will construct 62,500 km of roads.
✅ Targets connectivity for 25,000 previously unconnected habitations.

📍 Impact of PMGSY
▪️ By 2025:
✅ More than 8.25 lakh km of rural roads sanctioned
✅ Nearly 95% completion achieved

📍 Socio-Economic Benefits
✅ Increase in non-farm employment and women’s workforce participation
✅ Better market access and price realisation for farmers
✅ Improved access to:
▪️ Hospitals and institutional deliveries
▪️ Immunisation services
▪️ Schools and colleges
▪️ Banks and financial services

📍 Other Features
▪️ District-level planning through District Rural Roads Plan prepared by Panchayats.
▪️ Uses technology and sustainability measures such as:
✅ e-MARG monitoring system
✅ GPS tracking
✅ Green construction materials like waste plastic and fly ash

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🔆 Japan

📍 Why in News?
✅ A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the north coast of Japan.
✅ Japan frequently experiences earthquakes because it lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

📍 Political Features

▪️ Japan is an island nation in East Asia, located in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
▪️ Capital: Tokyo
▪️ It has no land borders.
▪️ Japan is an archipelago of more than 14,000 islands.

✅ Four major islands (North to South):
▪️ Hokkaido
▪️ Honshu
▪️ Shikoku
▪️ Kyushu

📍 Maritime Boundaries

▪️ East – Pacific Ocean
▪️ North – Sea of Okhotsk
▪️ West – Sea of Japan (also called East Sea)
▪️ Southwest – East China Sea

📍 Why is Japan Prone to Earthquakes?
✅ Japan lies at the junction of several tectonic plates:
▪️ Pacific Plate
▪️ Philippine Sea Plate
▪️ Eurasian Plate
▪️ North American Plate

✅ Their interaction makes Japan one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries.

📍 Geographical Features

▪️ Climate ranges from subarctic in the north to humid subtropical in the south.

✅ Highest Peak:
▪️ Mount Fuji

✅ Major Rivers:
▪️ Shinano River
▪️ Tone River
▪️ Kiso River

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Shekha Lake - Now recognized as a Ramsar Site (99th in India), it’s a vital hub for biodiversity, climate balance & local livelihoods

International Mother Earth Day

🔆 Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art.

The Gandhara Art developed in the north-western region of the Indian subcontinent under the patronage of Indo-Greeks, Scythians, Parthians and Kushanas. It represented a fusion of Indian themes with Greco-Bactrian and Central Asian artistic traditions.

📍 Greco-Bactrian Elements

▪️ Anthropomorphic representation of Buddha was inspired by Greek and Roman traditions.
▪️ Buddha was shown with an Apollo-like youthful face, sharp nose and idealized body.

▪️ Distinct Hellenistic features included:
✅ Wavy hair tied in a topknot
✅ Deep-set eyes and calm expression
✅ Muscular body and realistic anatomy
✅ Thick drapery with natural folds resembling Greek robes covering both shoulders

▪️ Decorative motifs borrowed from Greco-Roman art included:
✅ Vine scrolls
✅ Cherubs carrying garlands
✅ Tritons and centaurs

▪️ Use of perspective, smooth surface treatment and naturalistic expressions also reflected Greco-Bactrian influence.

📍 Central Asian Elements

▪️ Scythians and Kushanas introduced Central Asian features into Gandhara art.

▪️ Figures are often shown wearing:
✅ Conical or pointed caps resembling Scythian headgear
✅ Heavy boots and long tunics

▪️ The halo behind Buddha’s head resembles solar symbolism from Persian and Central Asian traditions.

▪️ Frequent depiction of fire altars and fire worship indicates Iranian influence.

Thus, Gandhara art became a unique syncretic style combining Indian spirituality with Greco-Bactrian realism and Central Asian motifs.

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🔆 Need for Multilateralism in Outer Space Governance

📍 Why in News?
✅ The launch of the Artemis II and the renewed “space race” have revived debate over governance of outer space.

📍 Present System of Outer Space Governance

▪️ Governed mainly through UN-led treaties, especially:
✅ Outer Space Treaty (OST)
✅ Rescue Agreement (1968)
✅ Liability Convention (1972)
✅ Registration Convention (1975)
✅ Moon Agreement (1979)

▪️ Core principles of the OST:
✅ Outer space is the “province of all mankind”
✅ No national sovereignty over celestial bodies
✅ Peaceful use of outer space
✅ States are responsible for activities of private entities

📍 Why Existing Frameworks Are Inadequate

▪️ The OST was framed when only governments operated in space.
▪️ It lacks detailed rules for:
✅ Private companies
✅ Space mining
✅ Commercial lunar activities
✅ Space tourism and settlements

▪️ Enforcement mechanisms remain weak and largely dependent on state compliance.

📍 Key Challenges Necessitating Multilateralism

▪️ Space Resource Exploitation
✅ The Artemis Accords permit “safety zones” around lunar activities.
▪️ These may gradually become exclusion zones, allowing early movers to dominate lunar resources.

▪️ Geopolitical Rivalry
✅ Competition is growing between:
▪️ US-led Artemis programme
▪️ China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)

▪️ This may fragment outer space into rival blocs.

▪️ Militarisation of Space
✅ Dual-use satellites and anti-satellite weapons increase strategic mistrust.
✅ Space may become a new arena for military competition.

▪️ Risk of De Facto Sovereignty
✅ As states establish long-term presence on the Moon and other celestial bodies, there is a danger of indirect territorial control despite the OST prohibition.

📍 Why Multilateralism Is Necessary

✅ To ensure equitable access to outer space and its resources.
✅ To create universally accepted rules on mining, safety zones and commercial activities.
✅ To prevent conflict, militarisation and monopoly by a few countries.
✅ To strengthen global cooperation under the UN framework.

📍 Way Forward

▪️ Strengthen the role of United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
▪️ Develop a new international treaty on space resources and private actors.
▪️ Ensure transparency, dispute-resolution mechanisms and benefit-sharing.

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🔆 Personality in News: Adi Shankaracharya

📍 Why in News?
✅ The Prime Minister paid tribute to Adi Shankaracharya on his Jayanti.

📍 About Adi Shankaracharya
▪️ Born in 788 CE at Kalady.
▪️ He was one of the greatest philosophers and spiritual reformers of India.
▪️ He played a major role in reviving Hindu philosophy and integrating diverse traditions.

📍 Philosophy: Advaita Vedanta
✅ He propounded the doctrine of Advaita (non-dualism).

▪️ According to him:
✅ Atman (individual soul) and Brahman (ultimate reality) are one and the same.
✅ The apparent distinction between them is due to Maya (illusion).
✅ Liberation or Moksha is attained through knowledge of this oneness.

📍 Key Teachings
▪️ Emphasized Jnana Marg (path of knowledge).
▪️ Advocated unity of all existence.
▪️ Opposed ritualism and sectarian divisions.
▪️ Promoted spiritual harmony and philosophical inquiry.

📍 Four Mathas Established by Him
✅ To preserve and spread Advaita philosophy, he established four Mathas in four directions of India:

▪️ Sringeri Sharada Peetham – South
▪️ Dwarka Sharada Peetham – West
▪️ Govardhan Math – East
▪️ Jyotir Math – North

📍 Literary Works
✅ Major works include:
▪️ Bhaja Govindam
▪️ Atma Shatakam
▪️ Saundarya Lahari
▪️ Commentaries on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras.

📍 Significance
✅ Adi Shankaracharya unified India culturally and spiritually through his philosophy and travels.
✅ His teachings continue to influence Indian philosophy, ethics and spirituality.

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🔆 Personality in News: Saint Basaveshwara (Basavanna)

📍 Why in News?
✅ The Vice President called upon society to emulate the philosophy of Basaveshwara.

📍 About Basaveshwara
▪️ 12th-century philosopher, Kannada poet and social reformer.
▪️ Founder of the Lingayat (Veerashaiva) movement.
▪️ Born in 1131 CE in Karnataka.
▪️ Served as a minister under Bijjala I, giving institutional support to reforms.

📍 Core Philosophy

▪️ Ishtalinga Concept
✅ Personal worship of Shiva through a linga worn by devotees.
❌ Rejected priestly intermediaries and ritual hierarchy.

▪️ Kayaka and Dasoha
✅ Kayaka – Work is divine (dignity of labour)
✅ Dasoha – Wealth must be shared equitably

▪️ Equality & Social Justice
✅ Rejected caste, gender discrimination and superstitions
✅ Emphasised dignity of all forms of labour

▪️ Spiritual Principles
✅ Arivu (true knowledge)
✅ Ethos (right conduct)
✅ Anubhava (divine experience)

📍 Institutional Contribution

▪️ Founded Anubhava Mantapa
✅ Considered the first spiritual parliament
✅ Platform for free dialogue on ethics, equality and spirituality

📍 Cultural & Literary Contributions

▪️ Spread ideas through Vachanas (poetic compositions in Kannada)
✅ Simplified spiritual teachings for the masses
▪️ Works include: Shat-sthala vachana, Kala-jnana vachana, etc.

📍 Social Impact

▪️ Promoted caste-free, egalitarian society
▪️ Advocated respect for women and social inclusion
▪️ Linked Bhakti movement ideals with social reform

📍 Legacy

✅ Basava Jayanti celebrated annually
✅ Statues at Basavakalyan and Gadag symbolize his ideals
✅ His philosophy inspired modern democratic values like dialogue, equality and collective wisdom

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🔆 Designer Rice

📍 Why in News?
✅ Scientists at CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology have developed “designer rice”.

📍 What is Designer Rice?
▪️ A type of functional food designed to meet specific nutritional and health needs.
▪️ Developed in Thiruvananthapuram.
▪️ Technology transferred to Tata Consumer Products Limited for large-scale production.

📍 Aim
✅ To combat malnutrition and improve nutritional intake at scale.

📍 How is it Made?
▪️ Broken rice is ground into flour.
▪️ Enriched with:
✅ Protein
✅ Fibre
✅ Starch
✅ Micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12)
▪️ Re-shaped into rice-like grains using food-processing (extrusion) technology.

📍 Designer Rice vs Regular Rice

▪️ Regular Rice
❌ Mostly carbohydrates
❌ High Glycemic Index (GI) → rapid blood sugar spikes

▪️ Designer Rice
✅ Higher protein (~20% vs 6–8%)
✅ Low GI (<55) → slow energy release
✅ Nutritionally fortified

📍 Benefits

✅ Helps manage diabetes due to low GI
✅ Improves satiety and nutritional balance
✅ Tackles anaemia via iron, folic acid, Vitamin B12 fortification
✅ Supports public health nutrition programs

📍 Significance
▪️ Promotes food-based solutions to malnutrition
▪️ Supports India’s nutrition mission and public distribution reforms
▪️ Scalable and cost-effective innovation

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