Daily Current Affairs & GK Updates

MoJS Signs Reform-Linked MoUs With Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Tripura Under JJM 2.0 In April 2026, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), through the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), virtually signed reform-linked Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Tripura under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0, to strengthen Gram Panchayat (GP)-led rural water governance and ensure sustainable drinking water supply.The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister C.R. Patil, MoJS and Minister of State (MoS) V. Somanna, MoJS, in New Delhi, Delhi.About Reform-Linked MoU:Target: Aims to achieve 100% functional rural household tap water coverage by December 2028 under JJM, building on over 15 crore connections delivered during 2019–2026 (Har Ghar Jal).Model: Adopts a GP-led, service-based model with Jan Bhagidari to ensure sustainable, quality water supply and effective Operation and Maintenance (O&M) under a cooperative federal framework.Reforms: Mandates District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings, creation of Sujal Gaon Identifications(IDs), establishment of District Technical Units (DTUs), village-level water tax collection, dashboard-based monitoring, and state responsibility for O&M and retrofitting.Coverage: Uttarakhand has achieved about 98% coverage, Karnataka has reached around 87% despite water stress; and Tripura has achieved 86%.

05 May, 2026

MoJS Signs Reform-Linked MoUs With Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Tripura Under JJM 2.0 In April 2026, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), through the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), virtually signed reform-linked Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Tripura under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0, to strengthen Gram Panchayat (GP)-led rural water governance and ensure sustainable drinking water supply.The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister C.R. Patil, MoJS and Minister of State (MoS) V. Somanna, MoJS, in New Delhi, Delhi.About Reform-Linked MoU:Target: Aims to achieve 100% functional rural household tap water coverage by December 2028 under JJM, building on over 15 crore connections delivered during 2019–2026 (Har Ghar Jal).Model: Adopts a GP-led, service-based model with Jan Bhagidari to ensure sustainable, quality water supply and effective Operation and Maintenance (O&M) under a cooperative federal framework.Reforms: Mandates District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings, creation of Sujal Gaon Identifications(IDs), establishment of District Technical Units (DTUs), village-level water tax collection, dashboard-based monitoring, and state responsibility for O&M and retrofitting.Coverage: Uttarakhand has achieved about 98% coverage, Karnataka has reached around 87% despite water stress; and Tripura has achieved 86%.

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India Deploys ‘Aarogya Maitri’ Healthcare Infrastructure in Jamaica In April 2026, the Government of India(GoI) deployed its Aarogya Maitri (BHISHM Cube) healthcare system in Jamaica, marking a key step in Humanitarian Diplomacy And Relief (HADR) framework and strengthening ties with Caribbean nations (CARICOM).The initiative was guided by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and implemented in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).About Arogya Maitri / BHISHM Cube:Overview: The BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cube is the world’s first portable, modular hospital designed for rapid deployment during disasters or in remote areas.Features: 72 mini-cubes forming specialized pods, equipped with an operation theatre, mini-ICU (Intensive Care Unit), ventilators, diagnostics, and basic utilities, and can be deployed in under 12 minutes to treat severe injuries of up to 200 patients for 48 hours.Deployment: RailTel Corporation of India focuses on technology-driven solutions and timely service delivery to strengthen disaster resilience. Green Genome India Private Limited will provide technical expertise for portable diagnostics and field deployment.

05 May, 2026

India Deploys ‘Aarogya Maitri’ Healthcare Infrastructure in Jamaica In April 2026, the Government of India(GoI) deployed its Aarogya Maitri (BHISHM Cube) healthcare system in Jamaica, marking a key step in Humanitarian Diplomacy And Relief (HADR) framework and strengthening ties with Caribbean nations (CARICOM).The initiative was guided by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and implemented in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).About Arogya Maitri / BHISHM Cube:Overview: The BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cube is the world’s first portable, modular hospital designed for rapid deployment during disasters or in remote areas.Features: 72 mini-cubes forming specialized pods, equipped with an operation theatre, mini-ICU (Intensive Care Unit), ventilators, diagnostics, and basic utilities, and can be deployed in under 12 minutes to treat severe injuries of up to 200 patients for 48 hours.Deployment: RailTel Corporation of India focuses on technology-driven solutions and timely service delivery to strengthen disaster resilience. Green Genome India Private Limited will provide technical expertise for portable diagnostics and field deployment.

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Karnataka Launches India’s first State-led CoE for Space Tech in Bengaluru In May 2026, the government of Karnataka launched India’s first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology (CoE SpaceTech Foundation) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation of space technologies.Key details of Launch:Collaboration: The center was established by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) in collaboration with the SatCom Industry Association of India (SIA-India) .Focus: The initiative promotes advanced space research, industry-aligned training, talent development, startup incubation, and supporting satellite constellations across agriculture, climate, disaster management, connectivity, life sciences, and national security.Strategic MoUs: The centre signed MoUs with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Helogen Corporation, Dassault Systèmes, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) to strengthen research, space biotechnology, startup incubation, and workforce development.Impact: The CoE will drive public-private collaboration, support startups and provide infrastructure and support to help commercialise innovations and reduce development costs.

05 May, 2026

Karnataka Launches India’s first State-led CoE for Space Tech in Bengaluru In May 2026, the government of Karnataka launched India’s first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology (CoE SpaceTech Foundation) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation of space technologies.Key details of Launch:Collaboration: The center was established by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) in collaboration with the SatCom Industry Association of India (SIA-India) .Focus: The initiative promotes advanced space research, industry-aligned training, talent development, startup incubation, and supporting satellite constellations across agriculture, climate, disaster management, connectivity, life sciences, and national security.Strategic MoUs: The centre signed MoUs with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Helogen Corporation, Dassault Systèmes, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) to strengthen research, space biotechnology, startup incubation, and workforce development.Impact: The CoE will drive public-private collaboration, support startups and provide infrastructure and support to help commercialise innovations and reduce development costs.

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EPFO to Launch E-PRAAPTI, Digital Platform To Track and Link Old EPF Accounts with UAN In May 2026, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) plans to launch ‘E-PRAAPTI(EPF Aadhaar-based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts)’, a new digital platform designed to facilitate identification, tracking, Universal Account Number (UAN) linking and activation of old EPF accounts.The new digital platform is expected to reduce manual intervention, minimise documentation, and improve transparency and efficiency.Key Details:Mechanism:The new digital initiative will provide a streamlined Aadhaar-based authentication mechanism, enabling members to securely access their old EPF account, which may not have an UAN linked with it and initiate the process for updating their member profile.Phase-wise Implementation: For the initial phase, the E-PRAAPTI will be member Identification (ID)-based and later the scope of the digital platform will be expanded to include members who may not be able to recall or access their old members IDs.Status of Inoperative EPFO accounts: A total of 31.83 lakh inoperative EPFO accounts, of which around 41% have been inoperative for over 5-10 years while nearly 22% are lying idle for more than 20 years.Claims Settled: As per the official data, EPFO has settled a total of 8.31 crore claims in Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) compared to 6.01 crore in FY25.Further, of the total claims settled, 5.52 crore claims were advance or partial withdrawals and 71.11% of advance claims were processed in auto mode (marking an increase of 59.19% in the previous year).

05 May, 2026

EPFO to Launch E-PRAAPTI, Digital Platform To Track and Link Old EPF Accounts with UAN In May 2026, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) plans to launch ‘E-PRAAPTI(EPF Aadhaar-based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts)’, a new digital platform designed to facilitate identification, tracking, Universal Account Number (UAN) linking and activation of old EPF accounts.The new digital platform is expected to reduce manual intervention, minimise documentation, and improve transparency and efficiency.Key Details:Mechanism:The new digital initiative will provide a streamlined Aadhaar-based authentication mechanism, enabling members to securely access their old EPF account, which may not have an UAN linked with it and initiate the process for updating their member profile.Phase-wise Implementation: For the initial phase, the E-PRAAPTI will be member Identification (ID)-based and later the scope of the digital platform will be expanded to include members who may not be able to recall or access their old members IDs.Status of Inoperative EPFO accounts: A total of 31.83 lakh inoperative EPFO accounts, of which around 41% have been inoperative for over 5-10 years while nearly 22% are lying idle for more than 20 years.Claims Settled: As per the official data, EPFO has settled a total of 8.31 crore claims in Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) compared to 6.01 crore in FY25.Further, of the total claims settled, 5.52 crore claims were advance or partial withdrawals and 71.11% of advance claims were processed in auto mode (marking an increase of 59.19% in the previous year).

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UNGA President Annalena Baerbock Visits India for Official Engagement Annalena Baerbock, the 80th President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) visited India on April 28, 2026, at the invitation of Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India (GoI).The visit aimed to reinforce India’s commitment to engaging with the United Nations (UN).Key Engagements:Paid Homage to Gandhiji: As part of her visit, Baerbock paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi, Delhi.High-level Meeting: During her visit, she held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Delhi.Both leaders discussed a wide range of global issues such as: UN reforms, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the West-Asia conflict.Other Key Meetings: During her visit to India, she held an interactive session with representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) focused on the governance and regulation of AI.She also met the UN team in India, headed by Resident Coordinator Stefan Priesnar.

05 May, 2026

UNGA President Annalena Baerbock Visits India for Official Engagement Annalena Baerbock, the 80th President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) visited India on April 28, 2026, at the invitation of Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India (GoI).The visit aimed to reinforce India’s commitment to engaging with the United Nations (UN).Key Engagements:Paid Homage to Gandhiji: As part of her visit, Baerbock paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi, Delhi.High-level Meeting: During her visit, she held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Delhi.Both leaders discussed a wide range of global issues such as: UN reforms, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the West-Asia conflict.Other Key Meetings: During her visit to India, she held an interactive session with representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) focused on the governance and regulation of AI.She also met the UN team in India, headed by Resident Coordinator Stefan Priesnar.

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Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Launches ‘Cell Broadcast System’ For Disaster WarningsIn May 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ministry of Communications, launched the ‘Cell Broadcast System (CBS)’, an indigenous technology to warn citizens about emergency and natural disasters in their area, during an event held in New Delhi, Delhi.About Cell Broadcast System (CBS):Developed by: The newly launched system has been developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).Technology: Cell Broadcast (CB) technology, introduced alongside Short Message Service (SMS), enables simultaneous alerts to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area, ensuring near real-time delivery.Integration: Integrated with the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-based Integrated Alert System SACHET, it enables rapid, standardised alert dissemination and ensuring quick, targeted communication to large populations.

05 May, 2026

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Launches ‘Cell Broadcast System’ For Disaster WarningsIn May 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ministry of Communications, launched the ‘Cell Broadcast System (CBS)’, an indigenous technology to warn citizens about emergency and natural disasters in their area, during an event held in New Delhi, Delhi.About Cell Broadcast System (CBS):Developed by: The newly launched system has been developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).Technology: Cell Broadcast (CB) technology, introduced alongside Short Message Service (SMS), enables simultaneous alerts to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area, ensuring near real-time delivery.Integration: Integrated with the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-based Integrated Alert System SACHET, it enables rapid, standardised alert dissemination and ensuring quick, targeted communication to large populations.

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MoPR launched PAI 2.0 GP Assessment for FY24; Tripura tops the IndexIn April 2026, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched the ‘Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0’ for the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) to assess the overall holistic development, performance and progress of Gram Panchayats (GPs).Tripura achieved a historic milestone by becoming the top-performing state in the index.HighlightsParticipation: PAI 2.0 recorded wide national participation, with 33 out of 36 States and Union Territories (UTs) taking part in the exercise.This included 27 out of 28 States (except West Bengal (WB)) and 6 out of 8 UTs (excluding Delhi and Chandigarh, which do not have GPs).GPs: A total of 2,59,867 GPs/Equivalent GPs, representing 97.30% of the total 2,66,999 Panchayats across participating States/UTs, submitted validated data on the PAI portal.Top States: Among the ‘Front Runner’ panchayats, 943 were in Tripura, which constituted 80% of the state’s total 1,176 rural local bodies.The state was followed by Kerala, where 10% of its 941 GPs have been assessed as ‘Front Runner’.Then Odisha at 3rd place, with 8% of its 6,794 GPs in the ‘Front Runner’ category.Top GP: The Jugal Kishore Nagar Village Committee in Tripura’s Sepahijala district was ranked as the top-performing Gram Panchayat nationwide, achieving a score of 88.44.

05 May, 2026

MoPR launched PAI 2.0 GP Assessment for FY24; Tripura tops the IndexIn April 2026, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched the ‘Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0’ for the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) to assess the overall holistic development, performance and progress of Gram Panchayats (GPs).Tripura achieved a historic milestone by becoming the top-performing state in the index.HighlightsParticipation: PAI 2.0 recorded wide national participation, with 33 out of 36 States and Union Territories (UTs) taking part in the exercise.This included 27 out of 28 States (except West Bengal (WB)) and 6 out of 8 UTs (excluding Delhi and Chandigarh, which do not have GPs).GPs: A total of 2,59,867 GPs/Equivalent GPs, representing 97.30% of the total 2,66,999 Panchayats across participating States/UTs, submitted validated data on the PAI portal.Top States: Among the ‘Front Runner’ panchayats, 943 were in Tripura, which constituted 80% of the state’s total 1,176 rural local bodies.The state was followed by Kerala, where 10% of its 941 GPs have been assessed as ‘Front Runner’.Then Odisha at 3rd place, with 8% of its 6,794 GPs in the ‘Front Runner’ category.Top GP: The Jugal Kishore Nagar Village Committee in Tripura’s Sepahijala district was ranked as the top-performing Gram Panchayat nationwide, achieving a score of 88.44.

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International Workers’ Day 2026 – May 1International Workers’ Day, also known as International Labour Day, is observed annually across the world on May 1, to honor workers’ contributions, recognize their struggles, and promote fair wages, better working conditions, and workers’ rights.In India, International Workers’ Day is also known as ‘May Day’, ‘Antar Rashtriya Shramik Divas’, and ‘Kamgar Din’. Background: Origin : The day traces back to the Haymarket Affair on May 4, 1886, when a peaceful rally demanding an eight-hour workday turned violent after a bomb explosion, marking a defining moment in the global struggle for workers’ rights.Global Recognition: In 1889, the Second International declared May 1 as International Workers’ Day to commemorate the Haymarket Affair and to advance labor rights worldwide.Observance in India: In India, the day was first observed on May 1, 1923, in Chennai (then Madras) by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan under the leadership of Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar, marking the beginning of the organized labor movement in the country.

04 May, 2026

International Workers’ Day 2026 – May 1International Workers’ Day, also known as International Labour Day, is observed annually across the world on May 1, to honor workers’ contributions, recognize their struggles, and promote fair wages, better working conditions, and workers’ rights.In India, International Workers’ Day is also known as ‘May Day’, ‘Antar Rashtriya Shramik Divas’, and ‘Kamgar Din’. Background: Origin : The day traces back to the Haymarket Affair on May 4, 1886, when a peaceful rally demanding an eight-hour workday turned violent after a bomb explosion, marking a defining moment in the global struggle for workers’ rights.Global Recognition: In 1889, the Second International declared May 1 as International Workers’ Day to commemorate the Haymarket Affair and to advance labor rights worldwide.Observance in India: In India, the day was first observed on May 1, 1923, in Chennai (then Madras) by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan under the leadership of Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar, marking the beginning of the organized labor movement in the country.

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Jharkhand’s Swimmer Ishank Singh Sets World Record for Youngest and Fastest Palk Strait Crossing On 30 April 2026, seven-year-old Ishank Singh from Ranchi, Jharkhand, set a world record by swimming about 29 kilometer (km) across the Palk Strait from Talaimannar (Sri Lanka) to Dhanushkodi (Tamil Nadu, TN) in 9 hours 50 minutes, becoming the youngest and fastest swimmer on this route and boosting India’s presence in global open-water swimming.About Ishank Singh’s Palk Strait Swim Achievement:Features: The swim involved a highly challenging route between TN (India) and Jaffna (Sri Lanka), known for strong currents, high waves, and unpredictable weather, connecting the Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mannar.Record: He was recognised by the Universal Records Forum (URF) as the Youngest and Fastest Palk Strait Swimmer, surpassing the previous record set by Jay Jashwanth (10 hours 30 minutes) in 2019.Significance: Demonstrates exceptional youth endurance, highlights emerging sports talent, and underscores the role of structured training in achieving high-level physical feats.

04 May, 2026

Jharkhand’s Swimmer Ishank Singh Sets World Record for Youngest and Fastest Palk Strait Crossing On 30 April 2026, seven-year-old Ishank Singh from Ranchi, Jharkhand, set a world record by swimming about 29 kilometer (km) across the Palk Strait from Talaimannar (Sri Lanka) to Dhanushkodi (Tamil Nadu, TN) in 9 hours 50 minutes, becoming the youngest and fastest swimmer on this route and boosting India’s presence in global open-water swimming.About Ishank Singh’s Palk Strait Swim Achievement:Features: The swim involved a highly challenging route between TN (India) and Jaffna (Sri Lanka), known for strong currents, high waves, and unpredictable weather, connecting the Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mannar.Record: He was recognised by the Universal Records Forum (URF) as the Youngest and Fastest Palk Strait Swimmer, surpassing the previous record set by Jay Jashwanth (10 hours 30 minutes) in 2019.Significance: Demonstrates exceptional youth endurance, highlights emerging sports talent, and underscores the role of structured training in achieving high-level physical feats.

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MDL Delivers Sixth Project-17A Stealth Frigate ‘Mahendragiri’ to Indian NavyIn April 2026, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking(PSU) under the Ministry of Defence(MoD), delivered the advanced stealth frigate ‘Mahendragiri (Y-12654)’ under the Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) to the Indian Navy (IN).The Acceptance Document was signed at MDL, Mumbai(Maharashtra), by Capt Jagmohan (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director(CMD) of MDL, and Rear Admiral Gautam Marwaha, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Eastern Naval Command, in the presence of MDL Directors and senior officers of the IN.About Stealth Frigate ‘Mahendragiri’:Induction: It is the sixth ship delivered under Project 17A to the Indian Navy and the fourth frigate built by MDL, marking the completion of all Project 17A warships constructed at MDL.The other ships already delivered to the IN include Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, INS Udaygiri, INS Taragiri, and INS Vindhyagiri.Naming: The ship is named after the Mahendragiri mountain peak located in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha.Design: It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team Mumbai, the project reflects the Indian Navy’s in-house expertise in advanced warship development.With this, WDB has achieved the milestone of designing and delivering its 100th vessel.

04 May, 2026

MDL Delivers Sixth Project-17A Stealth Frigate ‘Mahendragiri’ to Indian NavyIn April 2026, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking(PSU) under the Ministry of Defence(MoD), delivered the advanced stealth frigate ‘Mahendragiri (Y-12654)’ under the Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) to the Indian Navy (IN).The Acceptance Document was signed at MDL, Mumbai(Maharashtra), by Capt Jagmohan (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director(CMD) of MDL, and Rear Admiral Gautam Marwaha, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Eastern Naval Command, in the presence of MDL Directors and senior officers of the IN.About Stealth Frigate ‘Mahendragiri’:Induction: It is the sixth ship delivered under Project 17A to the Indian Navy and the fourth frigate built by MDL, marking the completion of all Project 17A warships constructed at MDL.The other ships already delivered to the IN include Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, INS Udaygiri, INS Taragiri, and INS Vindhyagiri.Naming: The ship is named after the Mahendragiri mountain peak located in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha.Design: It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team Mumbai, the project reflects the Indian Navy’s in-house expertise in advanced warship development.With this, WDB has achieved the milestone of designing and delivering its 100th vessel.

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