MAY 04,2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
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ADB: Key Regional Development Partner ADB launches $70 billion plan for energy, digital infrastructure in Asia-Pacific » It includes the Pan Asia Power Grid Initiative and the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway, connecting economies through energy and technology. Asian Development Bank (ADB) » Overview: It is a multilateral development bank that supports sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across the Asia-Pacific. » Present Members: From 31 members at its establishment in 1966 to 69 members, of which 50 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside. » Key Shareholders: Japan and the USA (each with 15.6% of total shares), China, India, and Australia. (As of 31 December 2024) » HQ: Manila, Philippines. |
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Border Connectivity & Geopolitics – Lipulekh Pass Nepal has officially objected to India resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Lipulekh Pass, a territory it claims based on the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. » India dismissed these claims as unjustified and historically unfounded, stating Lipulekh has been a long-standing yatra route. Lipulekh Pass: » Location: It is a high-altitude mountain pass located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, near the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China. » Connects: It connects the Indian state of Uttarakhand with the Tibet region of China. » Altitude: It lies at an altitude of approximately 5,334 meters (17,500 feet). |
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Cell Broadcast System to Strengthen Public Safety Ministry of Communications launched Cell Broadcast System (CBS). CBS » It is a telecom-enabled public warning system that enables authorities to broadcast simultaneous, geo-targeted alerts to mobile devices within a defined area. o It is integrated with the CAP-based SACHET platform. » It is an indigenous technology developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) » It overcomes the limitations of traditional SMS-based systems, ensuring that critical information can be disseminated quickly and efficiently to large populations within targeted areas. |
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Child Health Screening Gets a Boost with RBSK 2.0 » It involves screening of children from birth to 18 years for 4 Ds—Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, and Developmental delays Key Highlights of the Guidelines » Expands 4Ds Framework: It will include new-age health challenges including non-communicable diseases, mental health conditions, and behavioural concerns. » Promoted lifecycle-based approach in screening: It emphasizes continuous care at every stage of a child’s growth, rather than isolated interventions. » Others: Strengthened referral linkages and continuity of care, Digital health cards, multi-sectoral convergence, etc. National Health Mission » Ministry: A flagship programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. » Aim: To provide universal access to affordable, equitable, and quality healthcare, supporting States/UTs in strengthening public health systems. » Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme » Sub-missions: National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). Related News: Diabetes Mellitus » India has released its first-ever national guidelines for managing diabetes in children. » It establishes a standardized national framework for the treatment and long-term management of childhood diabetes for the first time. » About Diabetes mellitus o It is a metabolic disease, involving inappropriately elevated blood glucose levels. o Main subtypes: type 1 & type 2 Ø Type 1 Diabetes: This type results from insufficient insulin production by the body, necessitating daily insulin injections. Ø Type 2 Diabetes: In this condition, the body struggles to properly utilize insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. » Other types: Gestational Diabetes (develops specifically during pregnancy), neonatal diabetes, etc. |
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CINBAX Exercise: Strengthening India–Bangladesh Defence Ties Indian Army contingent departs to Cambodia for 2nd edition of India-Cambodia Bilateral Military (CINBAX) Exercise. CINBAX Exercise » Overview: Joint military exercise with Royal Cambodian Army. » Objective: To enhance interoperability, coordination and operational synergy between the two contingents. |
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Finance Ministry Relaxes FDI Rules under FEMA It allows overseas entities having a Chinese shareholding of up to 10% to invest in India under the automatic route. » In 2020, India had imposed curbs on FDI from nations with which it shares land borders. Other Change in FDI Rules: » 100% FDI in Insurance: In private insurance companies and intermediaries, such as brokers, without needing prior government approval (automatic route). o Foreign investment in the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) remains strictly capped at 20%. » These changes were officially implemented through the Foreign Exchange Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026. » Significance: Enhanced FDI inflows, ease of doing business, etc. » Regulatory Framework for FDI in India » It is done through the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA),1999. o Administered by: Reserve Bank of India. o Nodal Body: The Enforcement Directorate under Ministry of Finance. o Objective of FEMA: Ø Regulate and update foreign exchange laws. Ø Facilitate external trade, payments, and foreign investment. Ø Develop and maintain a stable foreign exchange market in India under Government policy. » Entry Routes for FDI in India: o Automatic route: Does not require the prior approval of the Government. o Government Route: Foreign investment received under this route shall be in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the Government in its approval. |
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Four Parliamentary Committees Reconstituted for 2026–27 Parliamentary Committees are panels of Members of Parliament formed to scrutinise the functioning of the government and to uphold executive accountability. » Two types: o Standing Committees (Permanent and Regular): Includes Financial Committees and 24 Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs). o Ad hoc Committees (Constituted for specific purpose and cease to exist on finishing their task): Includes Select and Joint Committees on Bills. Role of Parliamentary Committees » Continuous legislative oversight: Act as a vigilant mechanism to monitor executive actions beyond the limited time of Parliament sessions. » Detailed scrutiny of policies and laws: Enable clause-by-clause examination of bills, ensuring informed decision-making and reducing executive arbitrariness. » Performance evaluation of government bodies: Committees such as the Committee on Public Undertakings assess efficiency and functioning of PSUs. Issues with Parliamentary Committees » Non-binding recommendations: Committee reports are advisory in nature. » Short tenure and frequent reconstitution: Most committees like DRSCs, have a tenure of only one year. » Delay in constitution of committees: Disrupt their functioning and reduce efficiency. » Bypassing of committees: Important laws (e.g., abrogation of Article 370, Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Bill, 2023) were passed without committee examination. » Low attendance and absenteeism: Reduces effectiveness and depth of discussions. » Others: Absence of expert advisers (Venkatachaliah Commission). » Swiftness and Scale: Space amplifies weapon platforms by increasing velocities for missile trajectories, thus, enhancing speed and accuracy, potentially escalating conflicts. » Military Actions: Impair military operations like distant Drone operations, Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2/AD), and Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) missions, etc. » Debris: A minuscule fragment of wreckage from an obliterated satellite can harm spacecraft like International Space Station. » Disruption of Essential Services: Including GPS Systems, Banking and power grids causing blackouts, etc. Key Measures Preventing Warfare in Space » Outer Space Treaty (1967): Prohibits deployment of weapons of mass destruction into space. » The Liability Convention (1972): Expands upon Article 7 of Outer Space Treaty, establishing absolute liability for launching states for damages caused. » The Moon Agreement (1984): Moon and other celestial bodies be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. » Key Indian Initiatives: Defence Space Agency (DSA) to protect Indian interests in outer space; Guidelines for Space Cyber Security by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), etc. |
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Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in Focus The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has declared 21 people as fugitive economic offenders (FEOs) over the past seven years, according to its annual report. FEO: » Meaning: FEO is an individual against whom an arrest warrant has been issued for committing scheduled economic offenses exceeding ₹100 crore, who has left India to avoid prosecution or refuses to return to face trial. » It is defined under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. » Some of the offences listed in the act are: o Counterfeiting government stamps or currency. o Cheque dishonour. o Money laundering. o Transactions defrauding creditors. |
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Girmitiyas – Indians Taken Overseas as Labourers External Affairs Minister begins official visit to Jamaica, Suriname,Trinidad and Tobago » These nations have a special bond with India due to the Girmitiya communities. Girmitiyas » Girmitiyas were Indian indentured labourers who migrated to British colonies in the mid-to-late 19th century. o They filled the labour shortage caused by the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. o The term Girmit is a mispronunciation of Agreement, referring to their migration contracts. » Distribution: Mauritius, Fiji, West Indies, Mauritius, South Africa, Caribbean (mostly Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Jamaica). » Source Regions: Mostly from the eastern United Provinces and Bihar. » Significance: Deepen bilateral ties, enhance Soft power diplomacy etc. |
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IMF Highlights Digital Edge for Indian MSMEs It compared the productivity of MSMEs in states that have undertaken digitalisation reforms. » States that implemented more of these reforms recorded higher total factor productivity. o Total Factor Productivity is a measure of an economy’s ability to generate income from inputs- to do more with less. Significance of MSMEs » Economic: Contribute ~30% to India''s GDP and account for ~35% of the country''s manufacturing output. » Employment Generation: responsible for ~60% of total employment in India. » Export Promotion: account for ~45% of India’s total exports (in 2023-24). » Rural Revitalization: Agri-based and rural MSMEs strengthen village economies and curb distress-driven migration by creating local opportunities in agro-processing. » Women Empowerment: Women-led MSMEs drive gender-inclusive growth and social mobility. Government Initiatives for MSMEs: » PM Vishwakarma Scheme: to enhance the quality and reach of products and services by artisans and craftspeople, integrating them into domestic and global value chains. » Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): to provide employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector. » Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI): to organize traditional artisans into collectives or clusters. » Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises: mandates that 25% of annual procurement by Central Ministries and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) must be sourced from MSEs. |
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MRI System Enhances Diagnostic Capabilities AIIMS Delhi has introduced India’s first portable bedside Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. MRI System » MRI is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body. » MRI is a non-invasive way for a medical professional to examine your organs, tissues and skeletal system. o It produces high-resolution images of the inside of the body that help diagnose a variety of conditions. |
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National Broadcaster Prasar Bharati Prasar Bharti » Overview: It is an autonomous statutory body that serves as India’s public broadcaster. o It operates Doordarshan and Akashvani for domestic and international coverage. » Mission: To provide a fair and balanced information on matters of public interest, free from opinion or bias » Focus Areas: Education, literacy, agriculture, rural development, environment, health, and science. » Technique Used: Advanced Sweep SAR technology for high-resolution wide-swath imaging. |
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Philippines Current Affairs: Natural Disasters & Events Philippines (Capital: Manila) » Thousands of people evacuated in the Philippines after the eruption of Mayon Volcano. Political features » Location: Island country of Southeast Asia in western Pacific Ocean. » Water bodies: Philippine Sea (east), Celebes Sea (south), Sulu Sea (southwest), and South China Sea (west and north). Geographical features » Highest Point: Mount Apo. » Major Rivers: Cagayan River (Río Grande de Cagayán), Mindanao, Agusan etc. » Main islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. » Active Volcanoes: Mayon, Bulusan, Kanlaon. |
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World’s First OptoSAR Satellite ‘Drishti’ Takes Off Developed by Indian Space Start-up GalaxEye, launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, it is India''s largest privately built Earth Observation satellite. Mission Drishti » Uses OptoSAR: It is the first to combine Multispectral Imaging (MSI) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) on a single platform. » Orbit: Sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit (LEO). o LEO orbits around Earth at an altitude of about 160 km to 2,000 km. » Capability: All-weather, day-night, intuitive imaging capabilities. o It will promote space-based surveillance. » Resolution: Highest among Indian private players. OptoSAR » It is an end-to-end system of hardware and software designed to work in perfect harmony. » Technology Used: SyncFusion Stack » Addresses Limitations of Earlier Satellites: o Optical sensors: Deliver clear, intuitive images, but are limited by clouds and darkness. o SAR: Can see through cloud cover and operate day and night, but imagery is harder to interpret. Achievements of Indian Space Start-ups » Agnikul Cosmos: Built the world’s first 3-D printed rocket engine. » Skyroot: Tested India’s first privately built rocket. » InspeCity: Develops satellite life-extension technologies and serves as India’s first fully vertically integrated platform for in-orbit servicing. |