Daily Current Affairs – April 1, 2026

India will offer temporary customs duty relief for goods produced in special economic zones and sold domestically. The reduced duty rates, ranging from 5% to 12.5%, will be effective from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, benefiting businesses that commenced production by March 31, 2025.

Starting April 1, India has abolished the ₹10 lakh threshold on courier exports, a shift aimed at propelling e-commerce forward and supporting small enterprises. The introduction of a quick return mechanism for unclaimed parcels is also noteworthy, designed to alleviate shipping delays and enhance overall delivery efficiency for cross-border commerce.

From sargassum to sea grapes, native seaweed varieties are emerging as a sustainable and flavour-rich ingredient in India’s evolving restaurant kitchens

This is the first time ever that aviation turbine fuel prices have crossed the ₹2 lakh per kilolitre mark; domestic cooking gas LPG rates, which were last hiked by ₹60 per 14.2 kg cylinder on March 7, remain unchanged

In an economy that imports more than four-fifths of its crude oil, external shocks transmitted through energy prices, shipping route, and volatile commodity markets can significantly reshape fiscal arithmetic. In this context, India must rebalance toward income-led demand, more resilient revenue bases and greater energy diversification

The Sensex jumped 1,900 points, or 2.64%, to an intraday high of 73,847, while the NSE counterpart Nifty 50 rose by more than 550 points, or 2.5%, to the day's high of 22,902.

On April 1, banks in several Indian cities will be shut for closing their yearly accounts. While most branches suspend operations, essential services like ATMs and online banking remain accessible. Details here. 

As petrol pumps switch to 20% ethanol blended petrol nationwide, most vehicles on the road remain unprepared, raising concerns over fuel efficiency and engine wear.

The Indian boys team, which clinched bronze at the 2025 World Junior Team Championships in Egypt, was picked for the Men’s team award, according to the awardees list released by ASF on March 31

Australian import Williams marks his India debut with a strike in the fourth minute; Akash also finds the mark as Jamil’s men finish their Group C campaign on a fine, promising note