Monday, May 04

Daily Current Affairs: 4 May 2026

Daily current affairs for 4 May 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams.

Editorial note for exam revision Last updated: 4 May 2026. This briefing is structured for current affairs revision, with key updates and related coverage links to help readers connect recurring topics across days.

Today at a glance

Top current affairs to revise

  1. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Chamber India Sign MoU to Globalise Startup Ecosystem
  2. NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) partners with Juspay to launch switch and SDK for Banking Connect platform
  3. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 expanded to include mental health conditions and non-communicable disease risk factors
  4. Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children: First-ever national guidelines with free comprehensive care package
  5. PMGSY-IV: ₹1,698-crore rural road projects to be launched in Rayagada, Odisha on May 1, 2026
  6. Women and Men in India 2025 report: Highlights progress in education, jobs and health

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Chamber India Sign MoU to Globalise Startup Ecosystem

Key Updates:

  • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chamber India to strengthen the nation's startup ecosystem and promote innovation-led growth.
  • Under the collaboration, DPIIT-recognised startups will receive a 50% discount on Chamber India's privileged membership fees.
  • The partnership provides access to services including export facilitation, intellectual property advisory, business matching opportunities, and participation in global delegations.
  • DPIIT has over 200,000 recognised startups in India, which have created more than 21 lakh jobs nationwide.
  • The MoU aims to bridge domestic innovation with international market opportunities through Chamber India's established network.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) partners with Juspay to launch switch and SDK for Banking Connect platform

Key Updates:

  • NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) partnered with Juspay to introduce a switch and software development kit (SDK) for its Banking Connect platform.
  • The solution provides a single integration layer for banks and partners.
  • It enables routing to a central switch and supports structured data delivery for risk and fraud monitoring systems.
  • The initiative is expected to reduce onboarding time and standardise integration processes.
  • The announcement was made on April 30, 2026.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 expanded to include mental health conditions and non-communicable disease risk factors

Key Updates:

  • The revised Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 guidelines expand child health screening to include mental health conditions and early risk factors for diabetes and hypertension among children aged 0-18 years.
  • The earlier focus on screening for birth defects, diseases, deficiencies and developmental delays (4Ds) has been broadened under the revised framework.
  • Screenings are conducted by Mobile Health Teams visiting anganwadi centres and schools for early identification of health conditions.
  • The revised framework introduces digital health cards for longitudinal tracking of a child's health status and real-time data systems.
  • A referral tracking mechanism has been introduced to ensure children receive diagnosis and follow-up treatment without dropping out of care.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children: First-ever national guidelines with free comprehensive care package

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare unveiled the 'Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children' at the National Summit on Best Practices in Public Healthcare Service Delivery.
  • The guidelines introduce universal screening for all children from birth to 18 years through schools and community-level health services.
  • Children diagnosed with diabetes will receive free care at public health facilities, including diagnostic tests, lifelong insulin therapy, glucometers, test strips, and regular follow-ups.
  • The guidelines highlight the '4Ts' for early detection: Toilet (frequent urination), Thirsty (excessive thirst), Tired (constant fatigue), and Thinner (sudden weight loss).
  • Training will be provided to families and caregivers on insulin use, blood sugar monitoring, emergency care, and daily disease management.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

PMGSY-IV: ₹1,698-crore rural road projects to be launched in Rayagada, Odisha on May 1, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) road projects worth ₹1,698.04 crore in Rayagada, Odisha on May 1, 2026.
  • A total of 827 road projects covering 1,701.84 kilometres will be undertaken, providing all-weather road connectivity to 898 habitations for the first time.
  • The launch programme will be held at the IACR Ground in Barijhola, Rayagada.
  • Chouhan will hand over the PMGSY-IV approval letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the event.
  • In Odisha, under previous PMGSY phases, 17,963 roads covering 74,725 kilometres and 707 bridges have been sanctioned, with 17,760 roads covering 71,742 kilometres and 658 bridges completed.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Women and Men in India 2025 report: Highlights progress in education, jobs and health

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 27th edition of 'Women and Men in India 2025' at the National Deliberative Summit on “Data for Development” in Bhubaneswar.
  • The sex ratio at birth improved from 904 in 2017-19 to 917 in 2021-23 at the all-India level.
  • Gender parity has been achieved across all levels of school education from primary to higher secondary.
  • Female labour force participation in rural areas increased from 37.5% to 45.9% between 2022 and 2025.
  • Women in managerial roles saw a 102.54% increase between 2017 and 2025, compared to 73.80% for men.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Centre approves 58 companies under critical mineral recycling incentive scheme with ₹1,500 crore outlay

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Mines approved 58 companies for participation under the incentive scheme for promotion of critical mineral recycling.
  • The scheme has an outlay of ₹1,500 crore and is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission.
  • It aims to develop domestic recycling capacity for critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries, e-waste, and industrial scrap to reduce import dependence and support clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
  • Participants have pledged capacity of about 850 thousand tonnes per annum and pledged investment of about ₹5,000 crore.
  • Selected companies represent segments including battery recycling, e-waste processing, and recovery from other waste, with the next stage being project execution.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

IPPB launches zero-balance SHG savings account for rural women's financial inclusion

Key Updates:

  • The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) launched a dedicated Self Help Group (SHG) savings account with zero balance and zero charges.
  • The account is aimed at strengthening financial inclusion and empowering women-led groups across rural India.
  • Key features include no minimum deposit requirement, no monthly average balance condition, maximum balance of ₹2 lakh, quarterly interest payouts, free cash deposits and withdrawals, and one free monthly statement.
  • IPPB will leverage its postal network of approximately 1.65 lakh post offices and doorstep banking services via postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks.
  • The initiative supports SHGs linked to the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and NABARD programmes, and aligns with IPPB's mission to make banking accessible.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Khuarel App launched to enhance real-time disaster reporting in Mizoram

Key Updates:

  • The Mizoram government launched the 'Khuarel' mobile application on 29 April 2026.
  • The app was unveiled by Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Lalnilawma in Aizawl.
  • The platform aims to enable instant communication between the public, government agencies, and disaster management authorities.
  • It allows people to quickly report disaster incidents and enables authorities to respond more efficiently.
  • The system will maintain structured and reliable disaster data.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India conducts second test of long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile off Odisha coast

Key Updates:

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the second flight test of its long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile (LR-AShM) off the Odisha coast.
  • The missile has a strike range exceeding 1,500 km and attains speeds up to Mach 10, with an average speed of Mach 5 during its glide phase.
  • The second trial focused on validating the LR-AShM's two-stage hypersonic glide vehicle configuration.
  • The LR-AShM can carry multiple payloads and strike both stationary and moving targets using indigenously developed sensors for precision targeting.
  • The missile programme was developed by laboratories under the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad in collaboration with multiple DRDO labs and industry partners.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

South Korea's CAS500-2 Earth-observation satellite successfully enters orbit via SpaceX Falcon 9

Key Updates:

  • A South Korean Earth-observation satellite, the Compact Advanced Satellite (CAS) 500-2, successfully entered low-Earth orbit after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
  • The satellite was carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that lifted off at 12 a.m. on Saturday (U.S. time) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California.
  • The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) confirmed that the satellite separated from the launch vehicle about one hour after liftoff and successfully entered orbit.
  • The CAS500-2 has a mass of 534 kilograms and features a ground resolution of 0.5 metres in black-and-white images and 2 metres in colour.
  • The satellite was developed for disaster monitoring and agricultural observation and will begin joint operations with CAS500-1 in the second half of the year after a four-month initial operation period.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

China launches Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 (Start of May)

China launched the Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi Province. The satellite was launched using a Long March-6 carrier rocket.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raises Alert Level 3 as Mayon Volcano erupts

Key Updates:

  • The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported strombolian activity and short-lived lava fountaining from Mayon Volcano, one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes.
  • Nearly 1,500 families were evacuated to relief centres after the eruption, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
  • Phivolcs recorded 32 volcanic earthquakes within 24 hours and maintained a permanent danger zone within a six-kilometer radius of the volcano's crater.
  • The Civil Aviation Authority issued a flight safety advisory imposing airspace restrictions above Manila due to potential hazards from volcanic ash and airborne particles.
  • Mayon, the most active among the Philippines' 24 volcanoes, has erupted nearly 50 times in the last four centuries, with its most destructive eruption in February 1841 killing 1,200 people.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

GalaxEye launches world's first OptoSAR satellite Mission Drishti

Key Updates:

  • GalaxEye successfully launched its Mission Drishti satellite, described as the world's first OptoSAR satellite.
  • The 190-kilogram satellite is the largest ever built by an Indian private company.
  • Mission Drishti integrates electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar sensors for all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation.
  • The satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California as part of the CAS500-2 rideshare mission.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) congratulated GalaxEye on the launch, calling it a major achievement.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) inaugurates Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) at Andhra University

Key Updates:

  • The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, established the Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam.
  • The Open-Field Observatory of C-ART was inaugurated on 1st May 2026 by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • This testbed is a key component of the Mission Mausam initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aimed at enhancing observational network and model prediction.
  • Instruments installed at the site include an impact disdrometer, 2-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD), 3D printed Automatic weather station (3D-PAWS), conventional AWS, and eddy covariance tower.
  • The C-ART will serve as a national user facility to improve early warning systems for cyclones and extreme weather, supporting disaster management.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Yashwant Gupta conferred with MP Birla Memorial Award (Mid of March)

The MP Birla Planetarium (MPBP) conferred the MP Birla Memorial Award on Yashwant Gupta, the director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). The biennial…

Ishank Singh becomes youngest to swim across Palk Strait, sets new world record

Key Updates:

  • Ishank Singh, a 7-year-old boy from Ranchi, Jharkhand, swam 29 km across the Palk Strait in 9 hours and 50 minutes on April 30.
  • He began his swim at Talaimannar in Sri Lanka and finished at Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu.
  • The Universal Records Forum recognised Ishank Singh as the youngest and fastest swimmer to cross the Palk Strait.
  • The previous record was held by Jay Jashwanth of Tamil Nadu, who completed the feat in 10 hours and 30 minutes at the age of 10 in 2019.
  • The swim covered a distance of 29 km across the Palk Strait, a challenging waterway known for strong currents and unpredictable weather.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Palak and Mukesh win gold at ISSF World Cup (Start of April)

Indian shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for rifle and pistol. The event was held in…

Ishank Singh becomes youngest and fastest swimmer to conquer Palk Strait

Key Updates:

  • Ishank Singh, a seven-year-old from Dhurwa, Ranchi, successfully swam across the Palk Strait covering 29 kilometres from Talaimannar (Sri Lanka) to Dhanushkodi (India).
  • He completed the crossing in 9 hours and 50 minutes on April 30, 2026.
  • The Universal Records Forum (URF World Records) awarded him a world record certificate as the Youngest and Fastest Palk Strait Swimmer.
  • Ishank trained for 4-5 hours daily at Ranchi's Dhurwa Dam under the guidance of coaches Aman Kumar Jaiswal and Bajrang Kumar.
  • Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren congratulated Ishank on his achievement.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Palak and Mukesh win gold at ISSF World Cup (Start of April)

Indian shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for rifle and pistol. The event was held in…

World Press Freedom Day observed globally on May 3

Key Updates:

  • World Press Freedom Day is observed globally on May 3 every year.
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993.
  • The recommendation for the day was adopted at the 26th Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference in 1991.
  • The Windhoek Declaration, produced by African journalists in 1991, is a benchmark for ensuring press freedom worldwide.
  • India ranked 157 in the World Press Freedom Index 2026, placing it in the 'very serious' category.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Global Soft Power Index 2026 released on 27 January 2026 (Start of February)

Brand Finance released the Global Soft Power Index 2026, which ranks 193 United Nations (UN) member states across 55 metrics. The United States (US) retained the top position with a score of 74.9 out of 100, despite…

Indian Railways rolls out 100th Vande Bharat train on May 3, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Indian Railways rolled out the 100th Vande Bharat train on May 3, 2026, from Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli.
  • The first Vande Bharat train was introduced in 2018 with only two such trains.
  • The 100th trainset is a 16-coach chair-car trainset and will undergo oscillation trials before regular passenger service.
  • Production of Vande Bharat trains started at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now been extended to Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala and MCF in Raebareli.
  • The MCF-manufactured trainset incorporates engineering and performance enhancements aimed at improving reliability and safety.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

CMFRI annual marine fish landing estimates for 2025 released

Key Updates:

  • Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is an institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
  • The Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics and Extension Division of CMFRI prepares the annual marine fish landing estimates.
  • Indian mackerel was the most landed marine fish resource in 2025 at 2.70 lakh tonnes.
  • Tamil Nadu overtook Gujarat to become the top state in marine fish landings with 6.85 lakh tonnes.
  • India's total marine fish production in 2025 was 35.7 lakh tonnes, a 3% increase over 2024.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Sikkim declared first paperless state judiciary in India

Key Updates:

  • Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant declared Sikkim as the first paperless state judiciary in the nation.
  • The declaration was made during the inaugural session of the two-day National Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education in Gangtok.
  • The CJI stated that digital reform is a practical necessity for sustaining the rule of law.
  • The e-Courts project has transformed the relationship between litigant and law, moving from paper trail to a digital ecosystem.
  • The CJI emphasised that integrating technology dismantles geographical barriers, helping litigants overcome terrain, finance, and distance.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Sikkim Development Package: ₹4,000 Crore Outlay (Start of May)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than ₹4,000 crore in Gangtok as part of Sikkim's 50th Year of Statehood celebrations. Transport infrastructure…

International Labour Day observed globally on May 1, 2026

Key Updates:

  • International Labour Day (also known as May Day) is observed globally on May 1, 2026.
  • Labour Day originated in the United States in the 1880s as a protest for an eight-hour workday.
  • The United States does not observe May 1 as a public holiday for Labour Day.
  • The European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, called for solidarity and protection of workers' rights.
  • The International Trade Union Confederation reported that at least four CEOs of major corporations each earned over $100 million in pay and bonuses last year.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Dr R Balasubramaniam and Dr Joram Aniya Appointed Full-Time Members of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)

Key Updates:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the appointment of Dr R Balasubramaniam and Dr Joram Aniya as full-time members of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog).
  • Dr Joram Aniya's inclusion marks a historic moment as she brings an eminent intellectual voice from Arunachal Pradesh to national policymaking.
  • She is the first woman from the Nyishi community to earn a PhD and the first in Hindi language in the state.
  • She has over 18 years of experience in teaching, research, and public policy and serves as an Associate Professor and member of the Arunachal Pradesh Private Educational Regulatory Commission.
  • The appointments take effect from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders, on terms applicable to full-time members.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Sudesh Kumar, actor and producer of 'Uljhan', passes away

Key Updates:

  • Sudesh Kumar, actor and producer, passed away at his residence in Mumbai at the age of 95.
  • He was best known for playing the tragic protagonist in the 1961 film 'Saranga' and for producing the 1975 thriller 'Uljhan'.
  • He was born in Peshawar in 1931 and later graduated in science from Elphinstone College in Bombay.
  • He acted in several successful Southern productions including 'Chhoti Bahen' (1959), 'Bharosa' (1963), and 'Khandan' (1965).
  • Before turning producer, he assisted director Raj Khosla in the film 'Do Badan' (1966).

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Rahul Arunoday Banerjee Passed Away Bengali Actor (End of March)

Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee passed away at the age of 43 due to accidental drowning at Talsari Beach in Digha. The incident occurred on Sunday, 29 March, near the Odisha-West Bengal border during the filming of…

Actor Pravina Deshpande passes away at 60. (Mid of February)

Pravina Deshpande died on 17 February 2026 after a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 60. Her cremation was held on 17 February 2026 at 3:00 pm at Hindu Crematorium, Chakala Parsiwada, Andheri East.

Madhu Malhotra passes away at 71. (Mid of March)

Madhu Malhotra died in Mumbai on Friday at the age of 71. She acted in over 100 Hindi films, mostly in minor roles, during the 1970s and 1980s.

E.A. Rajendran passes away at 71. (End of March)

E.A. Rajendran, veteran Malayalam actor-director, died at age 71 at his residence in Pattathanam, Kollam. He was a graduate of the National School of Drama and appeared in around sixty Malayalam films.