MAY01,2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
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Capacity Building for Energy Efficiency - SHIKSHAM Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched Mission SAKSHAM, a mission-mode, sector-wide, all-India capacity-building training initiative for UCBs (Urban Co-operative Banks). » UCBs are subset of cooperative banks operating primarily in urban and semi-urban areas. Mission SAKSHAM » It aims to conduct a large number of training programmes (in-person and e-learning courses) for UCBs. » Covers Various Target groups including Board Members, Senior Management, Heads of Risk, Compliance and Audit functions, and employees working in IT functions and other critical areas. » Designed in consultation with Umbrella Organisation of UCBs and National / State Cooperative Federations. |
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Citizenship Rules 2026 Issued by Home Ministry Key Highlights » Dual Passport Ban for Minors: A new proviso mandates that a minor child cannot at any time hold the passport of any other country while also holding the Indian passport. o Under the 2009 rules, parents registering the birth of a child born outside India at an Indian consulate had to declare that the child did not hold any other country''s passport. » e-OCI: OCI status can now be issued in an electronic format (e-OCI) alongside traditional physical cards. » Mandatory Online OCI Applications: OCI processes, including registration, are now completely online via a designated portal (ociservices.gov.in). » Digital Renunciation: Streamlines renunciation and cancellation procedures of OCI, including mandatory surrender of physical cards and digital acknowledgment. » Fast Track Immigration (FTI) Consent: OCI applicants may now consent to share biometric data for automatic registration under the Fast Track Immigration Programme. » Appellate Mechanism: Revisions against OCI-related orders will now be handled by an authority one rank higher than the original deciding authority. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme » Introduced via the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005 of the Citizenship Act, 1955. o In 2015, the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme was merged with it. » Eligibility: o Who were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 or there after or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 o Exceptions: Who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the government may specify. » Benefits: o Multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa to visit India. o Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay. o Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties. » Does not confer political rights such as voting or holding constitutional posts. » OCI is a privilege, not an entitlement, and is liable to cancellation for violations of Indian law. |
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Global Push to Transition Away from Fossil Fuels Key Takeaways from First Conference On Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands in Santa Marta, Columbia. Key Takeaways » Institutional continuity: Countries agreed to convene second conference in 2027, co-hosted by Tuvalu and Ireland. » New coordination architecture: Bring together stakeholders working on different aspects of transition, while linking 30th Conference of Parties to UNFCCC or COP30 processes. » Workstreams Launched: Three tracks on transition roadmaps, finance reforms, and producer–consumer coordination. » Integration with global climate processes: Conference outcomes to feed into COP30 Presidency roadmap, contribute to second Global Stocktake under Paris Agreement. » Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition: Launched to guide countries with evidence-based pathways aligned with 1.5°C target. |
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Hepatitis : Global Liver Health Challenge Global Hepatitis Report 2026 released by World Health Organization (WHO). » As per the report, India is among top contributors to global hepatitis deaths, particularly from hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis » It is an inflammation of the liver, caused majorly by Hepatitis viruses, however, other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause it. » 5 main hepatitis viruses: Type A, B, C, D and E. o Types B and C lead to chronic disease and are most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer. o Hepatitis A and E typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food/water. o Hepatitis B, C and D occur usually due to parenteral contact with infected body fluids. |
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India’s Aarogya Maitri Aid & Tourism Recovery Jamaica (Capital: Kingston) India deployed its flagship Aarogya Maitri portable healthcare infrastructure in Jamaica. » ''Aarogya Maitri'' project is a humanitarian initiative that extends India''s commitment to global health and disaster relief. » Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM), part of Aarogya Maitri, contains compact, portable "mini cubes" filled with essential medicines and equipment. Political Features » Location: Island country of West Indies; » Neighbouring Countries: Haiti (East); Cuba (North). Geographical Features » Third largest island in Caribbean Sea, after Cuba and Hispaniola. » Major Mountains: Blue Mountains, John Crow Mountains, Don Figuero Mountains, Santa Cruz, etc. » Major Rivers: Rio Minho (longest) Black River, Rio Cobre, etc. |
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IS‑PCMR: Boosting India’s Critical Mineral Recycling Ministry of Mines approved 58 companies under IS-PCMR as eligible for participation. IS-PCMR » Notified on October 2025, scheme is a part of National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). » Ministry: Ministry of Mines » Aim: Develop domestic recycling capacity for critical minerals reducing import dependence, and supporting clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors. » Tenure: 6 years (from FY 2025-26 till FY 2030-31). » Financial Outlay: ₹1,500 crore. » Eligible Feedstock: E-waste, Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) scrap, and scrap other than e-waste & LIB scrap e.g. catalytic convertors in end-of-life vehicles. |
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Nilgiri Hills: Biodiversity Hotspot Nilgiris forest fire contained in Tamil Nadu. Nilgiris Hills » The Nilgiris are among the oldest mountain ranges in India. » They are named as Blue Mountains, linked to the seasonal bloom of kurinji flowers. » Located at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, they form part of the Western Ghats. o Major hill stations include Ooty, Coonoor, and Kotagiri. » Diversity: Includes tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, montane sholas and grasslands. » Key Fauna: Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, tiger, elephant, and gaur. » Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: 1st in India; Part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. |
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Prosopis juliflora: Invasive Species Prosopis juliflora » Leguminous tree highly resistant to drought and salinity, recognized as one of the world''s most dominant invasive species. » Native to Mexico, first introduced by British in 1920s to ‘green’ Delhi and by Gujarat forest department in 1961. » Ecological Impacts: o It is a Phreatophyte, a deep-rooted plant that absorbs water from the phreatic zone below water table, exacerbating hydrological drought. o Reduces native plant diversity, posing a serious threat to Phyto diversity. |
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RBI Notes Dip in Net FDI Amid Strong Gross Inflows As per RBI, gross FDI amounted to $88.3 billion, while net FDI inflows were $6.3 billion (April 2025- February 2026). Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) » Meaning: Investment through equity instruments by a person resident outside India in an unlisted Indian company; or in 10% or more of the post issue paid-up equity capital on a fully diluted basis of a listed Indian company. » Regulation: Consolidated FDI Policy (2020); Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules, 2019. » Gross and Net FDI o Gross FDI: Total investment made by foreign entities directly into productive assets of India. o Net FDI: Difference between inward FDI flows and outward FDI flows (Repatriation by foreign firms + Outward FDI by Indian firms). Key Reasons for Lower Net FDI » Rising Repatriation: Including disinvestment by foreign investors limiting net inflows; repatriation is a sign of mature market where investors can enter/exit smoothly. » Higher Overseas Direct Investment (ODI): Overseas expansion of domestic firms and their integration into global value chains; stronger corporate balance sheets, liberalised ODI framework (2022). » Geopolitical Headwinds: Geopolitical strife and tightening financial conditions have cooled greenfield project announcements globally. Key Measures to Increase FDI in India » Sectoral Reforms: Increased FDI caps in Sectors like Defence, Insurance, Pension, Coal Mining, Civil Aviation, etc. o Almost 90% of FDI is through automatic route. » Improving Business Environment: Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024 rankings; Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024; Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, etc. » Global Partnerships: India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA); India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA); etc. |
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Regulatory Push: TRAI’s V2X Consultation Paper » 2X relies on two main wireless technologies: Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) and C-V2X. o DSRC uses Wi-Fi whereas C-V2X is a more comprehensive standard, leveraging cellular networks. V2X Communication » V2X refers to a communication system where a vehicle exchanges real-time information (E.g. position, speed) with other vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians, and networks using short-range and/ or direct communications. » It is a core component of Intelligent Transport Systems and connected mobility. Significance of V2X » Road Safety: Enables safety applications like collision avoidance, intersection management, and emergency vehicle warning systems, reducing accidents and fatalities. o SDG 3.6 aims to halve global road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. o E.g. Forward Collision Warning System (USA) showed a 9% decrease in rate of forward collision conflicts. » Traffic Efficiency: Optimizes traffic flow and reduces congestion through smart signal coordination. » Autonomous Vehicle Support: Enhances decision-making for self-driving systems with external data inputs. » Environmental Benefits: Lowers fuel consumption and emissions contributing to UN SDGs. 5G & Smart City Integration: Enables low-latency communication for connected urban mobility systems. |
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Standard Model: Framework of Fundamental Particles & Forces New study finds the Standard Model of Particle Physics remains accurate, with no discrepancy. » Refined theoretical calculations have resolved the muon (subatomic particle similar to electron but heavier) "anomaly" which challenged the Standard Model. Standard Model of Particle Physics » Basic building blocks of matter: The Standard Model classifies all visible matter using quarks (which build protons and neutrons) and leptons (such as electrons). » Fundamental Forces: It describes how three of nature''s forces (electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear) govern subatomic behavior. » Force-carrying particles: It explains interactions through bosons (which act as force carriers), such as photons (electromagnetism), W and Z bosons (weak force), and gluons (strong force). |
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Strengthening India’s Healthcare Framework The Union Health Minister launched key health initiatives at the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity. New Initiatives Launched » Swasth Bharat Portal: A one-stop integrated platform designed to bring multiple national health programmes onto a single digital interface. o It is ABDM-compliant and integrates with ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account). » JANANI Portal (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care): Tracks Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCH) data and adopts a lifecycle approach to ensure continuum of care. » Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 & Guidance document on Diabetes in Children and adolescent: Updated guidelines (from 2013) addressing evolving child health needs, including emerging conditions and non-communicable diseases among children.
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Unified Payments Interface Completes a Decade Demonstrating extraordinary scale and momentum, UPI has emerged as backbone of India’s digital payments ecosystem. UPI » Launched: April 2016 by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under Regulatory Oversight of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). » Meaning: System that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood. Key Achievements of UPI » Annual Transaction Volume: From 2 crore in FY 2016-17 to 24,162 crore in FY 2025-26. o In 2025, it processed approximately 22,000 crore transactions, with a daily average of about 60 crore transactions. » Banks Onboarded on UPI: Increased from 44 banks in FY 2016-17 to 703 banks by FY 2025-26 covering public sector, private, small finance, payments, cooperatives, etc. » Global Reach: UPI accounts for nearly 49 % of world’s real-time payment transaction volume (2024), a feat recognized by IMF. o Operationalised in Countries including UAE, Singapore, France, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Qatar. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) » About: Umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. » Initiative of: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). » Legal Framework: Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. » Nature: “Not for Profit” Company under Section 8 of Companies Act 2013. » Key Products offered by NPCI: Immediate Payment Service (IMPS); National Automated Clearing House (NACH); Unified Payments Interface (UPI); RuPay; Aadhaar enabled Payment System (AePS); etc. |
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Whitley Award: Green Oscars for Conservation Barkha Subba and Parveen Shaikh won the Whitley Awards for protecting the Himalayan salamander and Indian skimmer habitats. Whitley Award » Given by the Whitley Fund for Nature, a UK-based nature conservation charity. » Purpose: Supports conservationists in protecting wildlife and ecosystems. » Recognition: Known as the Green Oscars, awarded each year. Himalayan salamander » It is a rare, semi-aquatic amphibian found in the Eastern Himalaya. o Endemic to India, Nepal and Bhutan, also found in Myanmar, Thailand, etc. » Classified as vulnerable by IUCN. » Salamanders return to their natal site to breed and lay eggs, a process known as philopatry. Indian Skimmer » It is one of the three bird species that belong to the skimmer genus Rynchops. » Classified as Endangered by IUCN. » India is home to more than 90% of the global population, especially in Chambal River. » Known for their bright orange bills, they skim the surface of rivers by inches to catch fish. They nest on sandbars, mid river islands that appear seasonally. |
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Windfall Tax: Levy on Unexpected Profits Centre cuts windfall tax on diesel & jet fuel exports in line with the price fluctuations in the international market due to the West Asia war. Windfall Tax » It is a government levy on extraordinary profits earned by companies or individuals due to unexpected circumstances. » This occurs when global events, such as geopolitical tensions or commodity price surges, lead to windfall gains for certain sectors (E.g. oil and gas). » Objective: To capture a portion of these unexpected gains to fund public projects, reduce deficits, or redistribute wealth. |