April 2026 marks a month in the West Asia conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Amid the drone and missile strikes on targets in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, reports indicate that a power and water desalination plant in Kuwait was hit in an Iranian attack on 3 April, resulting in serious damages. The attack raises concerns as Kuwait relies on desalination for nearly 90 per cent of its drinking water. Another Iranian drone attack targeted fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport.
Meanwhile, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has operationalised India's first Port of Refuge (PoR) at Dighi Port (Arabian Sea) and Gopalpur Port (Bay of Bengal) to enhance maritime safety and support distressed vessels along the 11,000-km coastline. On 1 April, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) partnered with the Indian Gas Exchange to launch India's first exchange-traded natural gas derivatives.
The Lok Sabha, on 2 April 2026, passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to officially designate Amravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. On the same day, PM Narendra Modi launched 'Sadhana Saptah' under Mission Karmayogi, also known as the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building. On 4 April 2026, Gaganyaan astronauts began the training phase of the 'Mission Mitra' in Ladakh.
While these were some of the many national and international developments that made the headlines, now let us have a look at the key terms in the news this week.
Current Affairs Terms in News This Week (29 March-4 April 2026)
1. Western Disturbances
Why in news? The India Meteorological Department, on 4 April 2026, spotted a massive 1,000-km-long cloud band across parts of India and Pakistan. The IMD reported two strong western disturbances across North and Central India during the week, issuing a yellow alert.
What is it?
Western disturbances are extratropical low-pressure systems originating in the Mediterranean regions. The system collects moisture particularly from the Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea, Black Sea, and the Arabian Sea and brings rainfall and snow in the Indian subcontinent.
Key points
- Western disturbances in India are eastward-moving, raining bearing, low-pressure cyclonic systems that originate over the Mediterranean region.
- The system, embedded in the high-altitude, west-to-east subtropical westerly jet stream, moves eastward, picking up moisture and bringing non-monsoonal rainfall to the Indian subcontinent.
- In March 2026, India experienced eight western disturbances, more than the average of five or six.
2. INS Aridhaman
Why in news? Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on 3 April 2026, formally commisisoned the indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Aridhaman into the Indian Navy.
What is it?
INS Aridhaman is a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, and India's third indigenously developed vessel in the Arihant-class nuclear submarines, after INS Arihant (2016) and INS Arighat (2024).
Key Points
- INS Aridhaman commissioning date is 3 April 2026. INS Aridhaman was launched on 23 November 2021.
- The 7,000-tonne INS Aridhaman, developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, features 8 vertical launching system tubes which aids in carrying K-15, K-4, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
- The INS Aridhaman strengthens India's nuclear triad, the ability to launch nuclear weapons from land (Agni missiles), air (Rafale, Su-30MKI), and sea.
3. Artemis II
Why in news? Artemis II, launched on 1 April 2026, from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, is on its way to the Moon to conduct a 10-day flyby around the Moon. Four astronauts aboard the spacecraft are testing the Orion spacecraft life-support systems in deep space.
What is it?
Artemis II is the first crewed flight to the Moon in over 50 years since the Apollo Mission in 1972. The mission serves as a key flight test of the Orion capsule's life support systems before a future landing mission.
Key Points
- Artemis is NASA's flagship human space exploration program, with the aim to return astronauts to the Moon. The series of Artemis missions include Artemis I (2022), Artemis II (2026), Artemis III (2027), Artemis IV (2028), and Artemis V (2028).
- In the series of Artemis missions, Artemis I was the uncrewed mission launched on 16 November 2022 that successfully tested the SLS (Speace Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft around the Moon.
- The Artemis II mission marks the first time a woman will travel to the Moon.
4. Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2026
Why in news? The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, was passed in Parliament on 2 April 2026, marking a step towards enhancing Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living in the country. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, was introduced in Lok Sabha on 27 March 2026.
What is it?
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, aims at the fostering a trust-based governance framework by removing criminal penalties for a number of minor offences and replacing them with civil penalties or administrative mechanisms.
Key Points
- The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, proposes amendment in 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries, covering 784 provisions across multiple sectors.
- The Bill includes including 717 provisions proposed for decriminalisation and 67 provisions aimed at improving ease of living. The Bill also reduces compliance burden for MSMEs and businesses.
- The Bill introduces amendments to improve ease of living, including reforms under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994, and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
5. Census 2027
Why in news? The first phase of Census 2027 was launched on 1 April 2026, after a gap of 16 years. The Census 2027, world's first largest digital population count, will be conducted entirely on smartphones and online portals. The Government of India commenced the Phase I of Census 2027 - Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO).
What is it?
A census takes count of a country's population and key information of the citizens. Census 2027 is India's 16th census and the 8th since independence. In Census 2027, citizens can log into a secure portal to fill out self-enumeration.
Key Points
- The Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases. The Phase I is the House Listing and Housing Census from April to September 2026. Phase II is Population Enumeration, scheduled for February 2027.
- Eleven states and Union Territories including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, NDMC area and Delhi Cantonment Board of the National Capital, will undertake the HLO process.
- For the first time, the 2027 Census will be conducted digitally with the option of Self-Enumeration.
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