Wednesday, May 06

Daily Current Affairs: 6 May 2026

Daily current affairs for 6 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: 6 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. Government of India (GoI) records 5.12% growth in net direct tax collections reaching ₹23.40 lakh crore
  2. National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launches Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)
  3. Fire Safety Week to strengthen awareness and preparedness in healthcare facilities
  4. Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS 5.0) Approved with ₹2.55 Lakh Crore Credit Flow
  5. Rail Multi-Tracking Projects Approved with ₹23,437 Crore Outlay
  6. Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 to increase judge strength to 37

Government of India (GoI) records 5.12% growth in net direct tax collections reaching ₹23.40 lakh crore

Key Updates:

  • India’s net direct tax collections reached approximately ₹23.40 lakh crore as of 31 March.
  • The net direct tax collection figure represents a 5.12% increase compared to the previous period.
  • Gross direct tax collections for the financial year grew by 4% year-on-year to reach ₹28.1 lakh crore.
  • Tax refunds witnessed a decline of approximately 1% compared to the previous year.
  • The dip in refund payouts contributed to a stronger net revenue position despite moderate growth in gross receipts.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launches Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)

Key Updates:

  • The NSE launched EGRs on May 4, 2026, to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and formalisation to the gold market.
  • EGRs are dematerialised securities representing ownership of physical gold stored in Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) accredited vaults.
  • The NSE successfully demonstrated the dematerialisation of a 1000-gram gold bar into a secure and tradable digital instrument as part of the launch.
  • Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) of the NSE, stated that the platform aims to reduce dependence on fragmented benchmarks.
  • The exchange stated that EGRs will allow investors to participate with smaller quantities and enable seamless conversion between physical and digital formats.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Fire Safety Week to strengthen awareness and preparedness in healthcare facilities

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will observe a nationwide Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10, 2026.
  • The initiative focuses on prevention, mitigation, and emergency response mechanisms within hospitals and related facilities.
  • Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava will inaugurate the week-long observance at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi.
  • A nationwide pledge on fire safety in health facilities will be administered during the opening ceremony to reinforce safety protocols.
  • The programme will include awareness campaigns, mock drills, and capacity-building exercises for healthcare workers and administrators.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

International Firefighters Day observed globally on May 4 (Start of May)

International Firefighters Day is observed annually on May 4 to recognise the commitment and bravery of firefighters who protect lives, property, and the environment. The establishment of this day was prompted by a…

National Fire Service Day observed on April 14 (Mid of April)

National Fire Service Day is observed every year on April 14 across India. The day commemorates the Bombay Dock Explosion that occurred on April 14, 1944, at Victoria Dock in Mumbai.

Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS 5.0) Approved with ₹2.55 Lakh Crore Credit Flow

Key Updates:

  • The Union Cabinet approved the fifth version of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS 5.0) to provide financial support to businesses facing liquidity pressures due to the West Asia crisis.
  • The scheme aims to facilitate a total additional credit flow of ₹2.55 lakh crore, which includes a specific earmark of ₹5,000 crore for the airline sector.
  • Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will receive 100 per cent guarantee coverage on additional credit, while non-MSMEs and scheduled passenger airlines will be covered up to 90 per cent.
  • Eligible borrowers include MSMEs and airlines with standard accounts as of March 31, 2026, with credit caps set at ₹100 crore for general borrowers and ₹1,500 crore for airlines.
  • The loan tenure is fixed at five years for MSMEs and seven years for the airline sector, with the scheme remaining applicable for loans sanctioned until March 31, 2027.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Rail Multi-Tracking Projects Approved with ₹23,437 Crore Outlay

Key Updates:

  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved three multi-tracking railway projects worth ₹23,437 crore to expand the national rail network by 901 kilometres.
  • Managed by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), the projects cover 19 districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
  • The approved corridors include the Nagda–Mathura 3rd and 4th Line, Guntakal–Wadi 3rd and 4th Line, and Burhwal–Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line, with a completion target of 2030–31.
  • Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), the projects aim to provide connectivity to 4,161 villages and handle an additional 60 million tonnes of freight per annum.
  • The initiative is expected to reduce oil imports by 37 crore litres and cut carbon emissions by 185 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting approximately 7 crore trees.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 to increase judge strength to 37

Key Updates:

  • The Union Cabinet approved a proposal to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
  • The decision facilitates the introduction of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to revise the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
  • Article 124 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of the Supreme Court and empowers Parliament to determine the number of judges.
  • The expenditure on salaries, staff, and associated infrastructure for the additional judges will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.
  • The judicial strength has been revised multiple times since Independence, including increases to 10 judges in 1956, 13 in 1960, 17 in 1977, 25 in 1986, 30 in 2008, and 33 in 2019.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Uttar Pradesh Action Plan for Cow Dung-Based Economy to Boost Farm Incomes

Key Updates:

  • The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing a comprehensive action plan to integrate agriculture with animal husbandry and expand the production of cow dung-based products.
  • Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh directed the Animal Husbandry and Agriculture departments to transform cow shelters into production centres for compost, biogas, Jeevamrit, and Ghanamrit.
  • The project aims to restore soil fertility and reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers by promoting the scientific use of cow dung for large-scale organic manure production.
  • The state government is reviewing successful biogas and organic manure models in Jhansi, Chandauli, Farrukhabad, Kanpur, and Barabanki for statewide expansion.
  • The plan includes standardising cow dung-based manure by setting norms for packaging and moisture content while ensuring distribution through cooperative societies.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

MTP Act: SC suggests amendment to remove gestational limits for minor rape survivors

Key Updates:

  • The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, last amended in 2021, prescribes a general upper limit of 20 weeks for termination.
  • Termination may extend up to 24 weeks for categories including survivors of rape or sexual assault, minors, women facing change in marital status, women with disabilities or mental illness, and cases of substantial foetal abnormalities.
  • Beyond 24 weeks, termination is allowed only to save the life of the woman or for significant foetal abnormalities diagnosed by a state-level Medical Board.
  • The Supreme Court suggested amending the MTP Act to remove time limits for unwanted pregnancy due to rape of a minor girl, citing delays in reporting and trauma.
  • The Court clarified that statutory gestational limits do not constrain constitutional courts under Article 142, and that a medical institution cannot override the minor's autonomy.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone to Commence Operations from June 1, 2026

Key Updates:

  • South Coast Railway (SCoR) is the 18th zone of Indian Railways (IR), with its headquarters located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
  • The zone was established under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014 and received ex post facto approval from the Union Cabinet on February 7, 2025.
  • SCoR comprises four divisions, namely Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam, created by carving areas from East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Central Railway (SCR).
  • A total of ₹184 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of the zonal headquarters on 52.2 acres of land at Mudasarlova.
  • Operations for the new zone are expected to commence from June 1, 2026, to manage railway projects worth approximately ₹1,06,000 crore currently underway in Andhra Pradesh.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Cell Broadcast Alert System launched for real-time disaster warnings

Key Updates:

  • Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, launched the Cell Broadcast Alert System under the guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah.
  • The system was developed with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to deliver critical information related to disasters and public safety directly to mobile phones.
  • The indigenous Integrated Alert System SACHET, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), powers the alerts based on the Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
  • A nationwide test of the system was successfully conducted on 2 May 2026 by the NDMA, where mobile users received emergency alerts in the form of flash SMS accompanied by a loud alarm tone and a flashing message.
  • Following the testing phase, the NDMA will operationalise the system to provide alerts for tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes, and man-made hazards like gas leaks or chemical incidents in multiple Indian languages.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0: Sustainable rural tap water coverage

Key Updates:

  • Reform-linked memoranda of understanding (MoUs) under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 were signed on 29 April with Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Tripura.
  • The JJM 2.0 is extended until December 2028 to achieve complete rural tap water coverage, shifting focus from infrastructure creation to sustainable service delivery.
  • Karnataka has established 88.06 lakh functional household tap connections out of 101.31 lakh rural households, achieving 87 per cent progress.
  • Uttarakhand has achieved 98 per cent coverage with 14.20 lakh connections out of 14.48 lakh rural households and conserved over 6,500 water sources and 3.5 million cubic metres of rainwater harvesting through its Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority.
  • Tripura's tap water coverage rose from 3 per cent in 2019 to 86 per cent, providing piped water to 4,319 schools and 8,585 Anganwadi centres.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Telangana Government acquires 100% equity of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited for ₹1,461.47 crore

Key Updates:

  • The Telangana government acquired 100 per cent equity shares of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMRHL) through Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL) for ₹1,461.47 crores.
  • The debt of LTMRHL, amounting to ₹13,538.53 crores as of April 30, 2026, will be refinanced with a guarantee issued by the Government of Telangana.
  • LTMRHL has operated Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase I since November 2017, which spans three corridors with a total network length of 69 km.
  • The Metro Rail network currently serves an average daily ridership of approximately 4.5 lakh passengers and has recorded about 86 crore passenger trips since its inception.
  • The acquisition aims to ensure closer strategic alignment between the existing Phase I and the proposed Phase II network for better integration in planning, execution, and service delivery.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Japan and Philippines Enhance Security Cooperation During Balikatan Exercise on 5 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Manila on 5 May 2026 to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and discuss the potential transfer of used Japanese destroyers.
  • The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) signed in 2024 allows Japan to deploy 1,400 military personnel as regular participants in the annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises.
  • Japan is evaluating the transfer of up to six Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines to enhance maritime patrol capabilities after scrapping its ban on lethal weapons exports on 21 April.
  • During the exercise in Paoay, Japanese forces will utilise Type 88 missiles in a mock attack on a decommissioned warship alongside units from the United States (US) and Canada.
  • Representatives from 16 countries, including India and Australia, are expected to witness the live-fire maneuvers involving Philippine, US, Japanese, and Canadian firepower.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India and Vietnam discuss BrahMos missile sale during President To Lam's visit from 5 May to 7 May

Key Updates:

  • Vietnamese President To Lam is visiting India from 5 May to 7 May to discuss expanding defence ties and the potential purchase of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
  • BrahMos is a joint venture between Indian and Russian government entities, and India has previously sold these missiles to the Philippines and signed a contract with Indonesia in March.
  • A potential deal with Vietnam for the missiles could be valued at approximately 60 billion rupees ($629 million), including training and logistical support.
  • Bilateral trade between India and Vietnam exceeded $16 billion in the last fiscal year, with both nations seeking to further expand economic cooperation.
  • India previously gifted the indigenously built missile corvette Kirpan to the Vietnamese military in 2023 and continues to provide military training.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Vietnamese President To Lam to visit India from May 5-7 (Start of May)

Vietnamese President To Lam will undertake a State visit to India from May 5 to 7 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced. President To Lam, who also serves as…

India and Japan Hold 3rd Joint Committee Meeting on Healthcare on 05 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • The 3rd Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Healthcare between India and Japan was convened on 05 May 2026.
  • The meeting was co-chaired by Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Kimi Onoda, Minister in charge of Healthcare Policy, Japan.
  • The JCM was conducted under the framework of the India-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in Healthcare and Wellness.
  • The platform aims to advance the bilateral partnership through regular dialogue, deeper mutual understanding, and constructive deliberations.
  • The cooperation is guided by a shared vision of strengthening health systems, improving accessibility, and promoting innovation for better health outcomes.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

BioAsia 2026 begins in Hyderabad with record 4,000 delegates (Mid of February)

BioAsia 2026, Asia's premier life sciences and health-tech forum, commenced in Hyderabad on 17 February 2026. The two-day event drew over 4,000 delegates and more than 500 companies, marking its largest edition to date.

Canada's Cape Breton University (CBU) signs three MoUs during India outreach from 27 April to 2 May

Key Updates:

  • A delegation from Canada's Cape Breton University (CBU), led by President David C Dingwall, visited New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad to deepen higher education partnerships.
  • CBU signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BML Munjal University's School of Engineering and Technology to facilitate student and faculty exchanges and joint research initiatives.
  • The university designated the National Education Forum (NEF) as its official convening partner in India and formalised a partnership with Lok Jagruti Kendra University in Gujarat.
  • Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood discussed an Educity model with the delegation, involving an integrated campus framework for global universities to share infrastructure in the capital.
  • The delegation met Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi to discuss talent pipelines in emerging sectors including semiconductors, renewable energy, and automotive manufacturing.
  • Discussions were held with Parul University and Navrachana University to expand collaborations and build a regional academic network focused on student mobility and jointly developed programmes.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India and Jamaica Strengthen Strategic Ties as MEA S. Jaishankar Hands Over BHISHM Cubes in Kingston

Key Updates:

  • Minister of External Affairs (MEA) S. Jaishankar met Jamaican Prime Minister (PM) Andrew Holness in Kingston to explore ways to deepen political, economic, and people-to-people cooperation.
  • India handed over 10 Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) Cubes, which are mobile hospital units designed for rapid deployment during disasters and emergencies.
  • The handover of the BHISHM Cube system occurred in the presence of Jamaica’s Health Minister Christopher Tufton and Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith.
  • As part of the shared cricketing heritage, India gifted a new scoreboard to the Sabina Park stadium in Kingston to symbolise the enduring friendship between the two nations.
  • The visit to Jamaica is part of a nine-day tour of the Caribbean by the MEA, which includes official stops in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India Urges Asian Development Bank (ADB) to Scale Up Lending and Implement Reforms

Key Updates:

  • Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary addressed the annual board of governors meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
  • India urged the ADB to scale up its lending capacity to address global challenges including energy insecurity, food shortages, rising debt levels, and supply chain disruptions.
  • The Minister proposed capital expansion measures, such as hybrid and callable capital, to ensure exposure limits do not constrain the development financing of larger Developing Member Countries (DMCs).
  • India called for reforms in Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to deliver on the billions to trillions agenda by increasing risk appetite and improving balance sheet utilisation.
  • The government underscored the role of the ADB as a knowledge partner in supporting digital public infrastructure and mobilising private sector participation for climate transition.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India deploys 'Aarogya Maitri' health cube in Jamaica for humanitarian emergency response

Key Updates:

  • India has deployed the Aarogya Maitri portable healthcare infrastructure in Jamaica for humanitarian emergency response.
  • The deployment was coordinated under the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework, guided by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and executed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
  • The initiative utilizes an indigenously developed modular medical system, such as the BHISHM Cube, designed for rapid deployment in disaster and emergency scenarios.
  • RailTel Corporation of India Limited, a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking, and Green Genome India Pvt Ltd are the partners responsible for implementation and portable diagnostics.
  • The deployment is part of India's broader outreach to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to enhance healthcare, disaster resilience, and capacity building.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Researchers from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) identify bacteriophage to treat drug-resistant infections

Key Updates:

  • Researchers Sovon Acharya and Parmanand Kushwaha, mentored by Prof Gyaneshwar Chaubey of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), identified a bacteriophage capable of killing hospital-linked bacteria.
  • The newly discovered virus targets Proteus mirabilis, a bacterium known for causing severe urinary tract infections and resisting treatment through protective biofilms.
  • The bacteriophage has been named Proteus phage ram_arti_1324 in memory of the researcher Parmanand Kushwaha's late mother.
  • The scientific breakthrough was published in the journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology by the publisher Springer.
  • The research provides a potential solution for drug-resistant infections that are typically difficult to treat due to the bacterial ability to form biofilms.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Secures Order for Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Plant in Odisha

Key Updates:

  • Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been awarded a large contract by Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) to construct a coal-to-ammonium nitrate plant in Odisha.
  • Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) is a joint venture established by Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL).
  • The facility is designed with a production capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day (TPD) to convert coal into chemicals for the mining and infrastructure sectors.
  • India aims to achieve 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to enhance industrial self-reliance.
  • The gasification technology will be used to produce value-added products including ammonium nitrate, methanol, ammonia, Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), and fertilisers.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Astronomers Identify 27 Potential Circumbinary Planets Using NASA TESS Data

Key Updates:

  • Astronomers have discovered 27 potential circumbinary planets, which are planetary bodies that orbit two stars.
  • The discovery was made using data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which was launched in 2018.
  • The researchers employed a technique called apsidal precession, which involves studying the wobble in stars that orbit and eclipse each other to detect a third body.
  • The candidate planets are located between 650 and 18,000 light years from Earth and range in size from Neptune-like planets to bodies ten times the mass of Jupiter.
  • The study was led by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Launches AI Pathogen Tool and New Clinical Trial Mandates

Key Updates:

  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven pathogen detection tool designed to predict the spread of serious diseases and future pandemics.
  • A new mandate from the ICMR requires medical clinical trials to prioritise Indian body types and lifestyles to ensure greater accuracy in health data.
  • The ICMR has commenced human trials for an improved vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), an infectious disease prevalent in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra.
  • The ICMR announced a syndromic surveillance plan that uses priority-wise categorisation of pathogens to identify and catch potential outbreaks before they spread.
  • Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General (DG) of the ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR), advocated for a robust One Health approach to strengthen India's pandemic preparedness.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Indian journalists R.K. Anand and Suparna Sharma win Pulitzer Prize on May 4, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Indian journalists R.K. Anand and Suparna Sharma won the Pulitzer Prize in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category.
  • The award was conferred for their work highlighting digital surveillance and cyber fraud through a project titled trAPPed.
  • The journalists shared the prestigious honour with Natalie Obiko Pearson of Bloomberg.
  • The winning entry narrates the account of a neurologist in India who was held under a digital arrest through her phone.
  • The Pulitzer Prize Board announced the winners of the 2026 awards on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

World Press Freedom Index 2026 released on 30 April 2026

Key Updates:

  • Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), also known as Reporters Without Borders, is a Paris-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that publishes the annual World Press Freedom Index.
  • The first World Press Freedom Index was produced by RSF in 2002, and the 2026 report notes that global press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years.
  • Norway, the Netherlands, and Estonia are the top three of only seven countries to achieve a good rating in the 2026 index, which evaluates 180 nations.
  • India is ranked 157th in the index, which also lists Egypt (169th), Georgia (135th), Turkiye (163rd), and Hong Kong (140th) as examples of state-imposed crackdowns.
  • Russia (172nd) and Iran (177th) are ranked in the bottom ten, while other rankings include France at 25th, the United States at 64th, Argentina at 98th, Israel at 116th, and El Salvador at 143rd.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

World Asthma Day observed on 5 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • World Asthma Day 2026 was observed on 5 May with the theme Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma - still an urgent need.
  • The event is organised by The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with professional and patient organisations to raise awareness of asthma and asthma treatment.
  • Asthma affects over 360 million people worldwide and caused 442,000 deaths in 2023, with 96% of global asthma deaths occurring in low-middle income countries.
  • The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) implements the Asthma Right Care change programme, which includes practical tools such as the Reliever Reliance Test and the short-acting beta2 agonists (SABA) Slide Rule.
  • Since January 2025, npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine has served as the official journal of the IPCRG, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, José Luis Castro.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

No Smoking Day 2026 observed on March 11 (Mid of March)

No Smoking Day 2026 is observed on March 11, the second Wednesday of March. The theme for 2026 is 'A Smoke-Free Life Starts With A Smoke-Free Day'.

Assembly Election Results 2026

Key Updates:

  • The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crossed the magic number of 148 seats in West Bengal, where Suvendu Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency by 15,105 votes.
  • In Assam, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a third term by winning 81 seats in the 126-member Assembly, while the Indian National Congress (INC) secured 15 seats.
  • The TVK party emerged as the single largest party in Tamil Nadu with 76 seats, and its chief Vijay won the Perambur seat by a margin of over 49,000 votes.
  • The United Democratic Front (UDF) won the Kerala Assembly elections by crossing the 71-seat halfway mark, with the INC alone securing 63 of the 140 available seats.
  • The NDA is set to form the government in Puducherry after the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) secured 10 seats and the BJP won four seats.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

World Migration Report 2026 released by International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

Key Updates:

  • The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a United Nations (UN) agency, released the World Migration Report 2026, stating that 304 million people lived outside their country of birth as of mid-2024.
  • The Mexico-to-United States (US) corridor remains the largest migration route globally with 11 million people, followed by Afghanistan-to-Iran (3.7 million) and Syria-to-Turkiye (3.5 million).
  • The India-United Arab Emirates (UAE) corridor is the fifth-largest globally, with over three million Indians residing in the UAE, making them the top nationality in that country.
  • The India-US corridor is the sixth-largest globally with 3.2 million migrants, and the report highlights the influence of the United States-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) on bilateral trade and defence cooperation.
  • Other significant India-centric routes in the top 20 international corridors include the Bangladesh-India corridor at the 11th spot and the India-Saudi Arabia corridor at the 14th spot.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

World Tuna Day observed on 2 May 2026 with theme 'Advocating for Tuna Conservation'

Key Updates:

  • World Tuna Day is observed globally on 2 May 2026.
  • The theme for World Tuna Day 2026 is 'Advocating for Tuna Conservation'.
  • The United Nations (UN) officially recognised World Tuna Day in 2016.
  • The first global observance of World Tuna Day took place in 2017.
  • Pacific island nations, particularly members of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, played an important role in pushing global recognition of the day.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

World Water Day 2026: Water and Gender (End of March)

World Water Day 2026 is observed on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The official theme for 2026 is 'Water and Gender' with the campaign slogan 'Where water flows, equality grows'.

International Leopard Day observed on May 3

Key Updates:

  • International Leopard Day is observed on May 3.
  • The day was celebrated with a nature walk at Etawah Safari Park, organised by the safari park and the Society for Conservation of Nature.
  • Etawah Safari Park currently houses 26 leopards rescued from various parts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • The distinctive black markings on a leopard's body are rose-shaped and known as rosettes.
  • India is home to several leopard types, including the Indian leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, and black leopard.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

World Penguin Day observed on April 25 (End of April)

World Penguin Day is observed on April 25. The African penguin is the only penguin species endemic to the coastlines of South Africa and Namibia.

World Day for Laboratory Animals observed on April 24 (End of April)

World Day for Laboratory Animals, also known as World Day for Animals in Laboratories or World Lab Animal Day, is observed annually on April 24. The day was established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society…

Runiel Debbarma Appointed Chief Executive Member of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC)

Key Updates:

  • Runiel Debbarma was appointed as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) by the TIPRA Motha party (TMP).
  • Debbarma replaced the former CEM Purna Chandra Jamatia.
  • Bhaba Ranjan Reang was appointed as the chairman of TTAADC, replacing Jagadish Debbarma.
  • The TTAADC polls were held on April 12 and recorded a voter turnout of over 83%.
  • The TMP won 24 out of 28 seats in the TTAADC polls, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won four seats.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Claire Mazumdar named successor to Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Key Updates:

  • Biocon founder and chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw named her 37-year-old niece Claire Mazumdar as her successor for the biotechnology company.
  • Claire Mazumdar is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bicara Therapeutics, a National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) listed firm with a market capitalisation of over $1.6 billion.
  • Claire Mazumdar holds degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University, including a PhD in cancer biology.
  • Shreehas Tambe has taken over as the CEO and Managing Director (MD) of Biocon Biologics, while Siddharth Mittal is set to lead Syngene International from 1 July.
  • Biocon has merged its generics and biologics businesses, with biosimilars currently accounting for approximately 60% of its revenue.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

BioAsia 2026 begins in Hyderabad with record 4,000 delegates (Mid of February)

BioAsia 2026, Asia's premier life sciences and health-tech forum, commenced in Hyderabad on 17 February 2026. The two-day event drew over 4,000 delegates and more than 500 companies, marking its largest edition to date.

Anand RK, Suparna Sharma, and Natalie Obiko Pearson Win 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary

Key Updates:

  • Mumbai-based artist Anand RK and freelance journalist Suparna Sharma, along with Bloomberg’s Natalie Obiko Pearson, won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary for their work titled trAPPed.
  • The winning entry, published by Bloomberg, is a visually driven investigative report that exposes a sophisticated cyber-fraud network targeting a neurologist in India.
  • The Pulitzer Prizes, established in 1917 and administered by Columbia University, awarded The Washington Post the Public Service prize and The New York Times the Investigative Reporting prize.
  • Other journalism winners include Saher Alghorra for Breaking News Photography, the Minnesota Star Tribune for Breaking News, and the Associated Press (AP) for International Reporting.
  • In the arts and letters categories, Daniel Kraus won for fiction with Angel Down, Bess Wohl for drama with Liberation, and Jill Lepore for history with We the People.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Ayesha Karim won Veergatha 5.0 Super 100 title. (Mid of February)

Ayesha Karim, Class IV student of Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti, Amingaon, Guwahati, secured place in Veergatha 5.0 Super 100 winners. She created a sketch depicting Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Ashok Chakra, during 2008 Mumbai…