1. China Unveils World’s First Zero-Emission Coal Fuel Cell

In a potential game-changer for fossil fuel sustainability, researchers at Shenzhen University, China, have developed the world’s first zero-emission coal-fired fuel cell.

• The Technology: Unlike traditional power plants that burn coal (combustion), this system uses a Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (DCFC) to electrochemically oxidize coal.
• Key Achievement: It generates electricity with roughly 40% efficiency while capturing $CO_2$ directly rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. The captured carbon can then be converted into useful industrial chemicals.
• Impact: This breakthrough aims to utilize deep coal reserves without the environmental penalty of traditional greenhouse gas emissions, though scalability remains the next major challenge.

2. Stealth Frigate 'Mahendragiri' Delivered to Indian Navy

On April 30, 2026, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered Mahendragiri, the seventh and final stealth frigate of Project 17A (Nilgiri-class), to the Indian Navy.

• Project Details: Project 17A involves a total of seven ships (4 by MDL and 3 by GRSE). Mahendragiri is the final ship constructed by MDL.
• Stealth & Power: The frigate features advanced stealth features, improved survivability, and a 75% indigenous content ratio, involving over 200 Indian MSMEs.
• Capabilities: It is equipped with a comprehensive weapons suite, including supersonic BrahMos missiles and Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, powered by a CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) propulsion system.

3. Parveen Sheikh Wins Whitley Award 2026 ('Green Oscar')

Indian conservationist Parveen Sheikh has been honored with the prestigious Whitley Award 2026 for her dedicated work in protecting the Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis).

• The Mission: Sheikh, associated with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), has led community-driven efforts to protect the nesting sites of the Indian Skimmer along the Chambal River.
• Success: Her work has helped stabilize the population of this "vulnerable" bird species by involving local riverbed farmers in monitoring and protection activities.
• Significance: The Whitley Award is often referred to as the "Green Oscar" and provides critical funding to grassroots environmental leaders.

4. EPFO Launches 'e-PRAAPTI' Digital Platform

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched the e-PRAAPTI (EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts) to help members recover "lost" savings.

• Purpose: The portal allows individuals to trace and reactivate dormant or inoperative PF accounts, even if they do not have or remember their Universal Account Number (UAN).
• Mechanism: It uses Aadhaar-based authentication to securely link old member IDs to current UANs, minimizing the need for manual paperwork or employer intervention.
• Context: The initiative follows a record settlement of 8.31 crore claims in FY 2025–26, reflecting the EPFO's push toward total digital transparency.

5. MoSPI Releases 'Women and Men in India 2025' Report

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 26th edition of the Women and Men in India 2025 report, highlighting a mixed bag of progress and persistent gaps.

• Key Progress:
• Sex Ratio at Birth: Improved from 904 (2017–19) to 917 (2021–23).
• Maternal Mortality (MMR): Significant decline from 254 to 88 per lakh live births.
• Education: Gender parity achieved across all school levels; female Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education rose to 30.2 (surpassing males at 28.9).
• Lingering Challenges:
• Health Screening: Only 1.7% of women have undergone cervical cancer screening.
• Workforce: While rural female labor participation rose to 45.9%, urban participation remains stagnant, and women still shoulder the vast majority of unpaid care work.

6. DRDO Launches 'Vikram VT-21' Combat Platforms

The DRDO has officially unveiled the Vikram VT-21, its next-generation Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) program, on April 29, 2026.

• Replacement: Designed to replace the Indian Army’s aging fleet of Soviet-era BMP-2 Sarath vehicles.
• Variants: Launched in both tracked (for high-altitude/rugged terrain) and wheeled (for urban/plains mobility) versions.
• Specifications: Features a 30mm crewless turret, AI-driven target tracking, and the ability to fire Nag Mark 2 anti-tank missiles. It is fully amphibious and expected to begin induction by 2029.