Daily GK Update- 7th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Timor Green Pigeon Faces Extinction Risk: The Timor Green Pigeon (Treron psittaceus) is an endemic bird species of Timor Island and nearby islands such as Rote, Semau, Atauro and Jaco. A study published in Oryx in May 2026 assessed the species using fieldwork conducted over 1,400 days between 2002 and 2025. The Timor Green Pigeon belongs to the genus Treron, which includes green pigeons found in parts of Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. The species is recorded mainly in Timor-Leste, with most sightings concentrated in Lautem District and Nino Konis Santana National Park. In Indonesia, the species is regarded as functionally extinct, with no sightings in West Timor since 2005. The study estimated the global population at about 100 to 500 individuals, compared with earlier estimates of up to 2,000. Hunting for meat is the main threat to the species, along with habitat loss caused by deforestation and land conversion. The bird has also been recorded only in small numbers on Rote Island over the past two decades.

 

2. Buff-tip Moth Threatens Ladakh Farm Economy: Phalera cf. bucephala, commonly called the buff-tip moth, is a moth species in the order Lepidoptera. The species has been linked with agricultural concern in Ladakh, a high-altitude cold desert region in India where farming depends on short growing seasons and limited irrigation. The buff-tip moth belongs to the family Notodontidae. Adult moths of this group are known for wing patterns that provide camouflage, and the buff-tip moth is named for its pale, buff-coloured wing tips. The scientific name uses the abbreviation “cf.”, which is used in taxonomy to indicate a probable identification that needs confirmation. Ladakh lies in the Trans-Himalayan region and includes districts such as Leh and Kargil. Agriculture in the region depends on barley, wheat, peas, and vegetables grown during a short summer season. Farming in cold desert areas often uses glacier meltwater, spring water, and small irrigation channels.

 

3. Centre Launches Free Health Check-up Scheme for Workers Above 40: The Union Labour Ministry launched a nationwide free annual health check-up scheme for workers above 40 years of age on 7 May 2026. The initiative operates through Employees’ State Insurance Corporation hospitals and affiliated facilities under the Code on Social Security, 2020. The scheme provides annual health screening for insured workers above 40 years of age. It covers early detection of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and occupational illnesses. Treatment and medicines identified during the check-ups are also provided through ESIC facilities. The launch took place at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Basaidarapur, Delhi, and was observed simultaneously at 11 other ESIC hospitals across India. ESIC hospitals and affiliated centres conduct the screenings under the social security framework for workers covered by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation.

 

4. Bengaluru Records Highest Suicide Rate Among Indian Cities: Bengaluru recorded one of the highest suicide counts among Indian cities in the National Crime Records Bureau’s Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India series. The city’s suicide rate remained close to 20 per lakh population in 2022, 2023 and 2024, placing it at the top among major Indian cities on this measure. The National Crime Records Bureau is a central agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It publishes the annual Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India report, which compiles data on accidental deaths, suicides and related causes across States, Union Territories and selected cities. In 2024, Bengaluru recorded 2,403 suicides in the 53 mega-cities category, while Delhi recorded 2,905 suicides. Delhi had a lower suicide rate of 9.8 per lakh population because of its larger population base. The NCRB’s 2023 data, released in September 2025, placed Bengaluru at 2,370 reported suicide deaths. This figure was higher than the 2,313 suicides recorded in 2022.

 

5. Telangana Tops Human Trafficking Cases in India: Telangana recorded 423 human trafficking cases in 2024, the highest among all States and Union Territories in the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Crime in India 2024 data. India registered 2,135 human trafficking cases in 2024, and Telangana accounted for nearly 20% of the national total. Human trafficking is recorded as a cognisable offence under the Indian Penal Code and related special laws in police statistics. The NCRB compiles state-wise crime data through the annual Crime in India report, which covers registered cases, victims, arrests, chargesheets, and convictions. In Telangana, 814 victims were identified in 2024, including 792 females. Of these, 770 victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation for prostitution. In 2023, Telangana police rescued 626 persons, including 604 women, from human trafficking. The conviction rate in Telangana stood at 3.7% in 2023, with nine convictions out of 1,058 arrests and 873 chargesheeted individuals.

 

6. Odisha Records Highest Violent Crime Rate: Odisha recorded the highest rate of violent crimes in India in 2024, with 161.6 victims per lakh population, as per the Crime in India-2024 data released by the National Crime Records Bureau. Bihar ranked second in violent crime rate in 2024 with 83 victims per lakh population, while Odisha also reported 75,403 violent crime cases in absolute terms. Violent crime rate is usually measured as the number of victims or cases per lakh population. In 2024, Odisha ranked first in this category, while Bihar ranked second despite a lower rate and a higher absolute count of some offences in comparison with smaller states. Odisha registered 75,403 violent crime cases in 2024, which placed it fourth in India after Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The state had 43,566 violent crime cases in 2022 and 31,749 in 2023, before the sharp rise in 2024.

 

7. Supreme Court Links FGM to POCSO Act: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is under examination before a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India in a Public Interest Litigation filed against the practice, which is associated with the Dawoodi Bohra community. In earlier hearings in July 2018, a three-judge bench observed that FGM prima facie appeared to violate the right to privacy and appeared to be an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. FGM refers to the partial or total removal or injury of female external genitalia for non-medical reasons. In India, the practice has been examined in relation to bodily injury, child protection, health, dignity, and religious freedom under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has recorded that FGM causes irreversible physical and mental trauma to minor girls. The practice has also been discussed in relation to the protection of children from sexual offences, since Section 3 of the POCSO Act defines penetrative sexual assault against a child.

 

8. Bengaluru Records Highest Cybercrime Cases: Bengaluru registered 17,561 cybercrime cases in 2024, the highest among metropolitan cities in India, as per the National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India 2024 data. The city also recorded a cybercrime rate of 206.6 cases per one lakh population in 2024. Cybercrime is an offence committed using computers, digital devices, networks, or online platforms. In the metropolitan category, Bengaluru accounted for more than half of the cyber offences reported in 2024. Karnataka reported 21,993 cybercrime cases in 2024, which placed it among the leading states in cybercrime registration. Across India, cybercrime cases rose to 1,01,928 in 2024 from 86,420 in 2023, marking a 17.9% increase.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Canada Bill C-22 and Encryption Debate: Canada’s Bill C-22, formally called the Supporting Authorized Access to Information Act (SAAIA), is a proposed law under debate in the House of Commons in 2026. Apple and Meta have opposed the bill over provisions linked to encryption, metadata retention, and possible government access to electronic service providers’ systems. Bill C-22 is linked to lawful access powers in Canada and includes provisions on electronic service providers, metadata retention, and investigative powers. Part 2 of the bill can allow the Public Safety Minister to order retention of metadata for up to one year, including transmission data, device data, routing data, and location data. Encryption is a method of converting readable information into coded form, and end-to-end encryption is used in messaging and cloud services. Apple stated on 6 May 2026 that the bill could allow the Canadian government to force companies to break encryption by inserting backdoors into products. Meta’s Canada policy officials stated on 7 May 2026 that the bill could require companies to build or maintain capabilities that break, weaken, or circumvent encryption.

 

2. India-EU Free Trade Agreement to Take Effect in 2027: The India-European Union Free Trade Agreement was politically concluded on 27 January 2026 after nearly two decades of negotiations. The agreement is expected to take effect in early 2027 after legal vetting and ratification in the European Union and India. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement is a bilateral trade pact between India and the European Union, which is a 27-member economic and political bloc. The agreement is intended to liberalise trade in goods and services, expand investment flows, and provide a framework for regulatory cooperation. The European Union ratification process usually takes about one year. It requires approval by the Council of the European Union and consent from the European Parliament. EU legal teams are examining the negotiated text, and this scrutiny is expected to conclude by July 2026.

3. India and UAE Review Strategic Partnership: India and the United Arab Emirates reviewed the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s official visit to Abu Dhabi on 7 May 2026. The visit included meetings on trade, investment, energy, connectivity, defence, technology, and regional issues in West Asia. The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a bilateral framework that covers political, economic, energy, security, and people-to-people cooperation. India and the UAE elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017. The UAE is one of India’s major trading partners in West Asia. Bilateral cooperation includes crude oil, liquefied natural gas, renewable energy, ports, logistics, and digital infrastructure. Vikram Misri met Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the UAE, to review cooperation across multiple sectors. He also met Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Investment Company, on investment and technology cooperation. 

 

4. Life Found Two Metres Underground in Atacama Desert: A microbial ecosystem containing bacteria, archaea and DNA was found two metres below the surface of Chile’s Atacama Desert. The Atacama Desert is the driest hot desert in the world and is often used in astrobiology studies because of its Mars-like conditions. Microbial life in the Atacama has been recorded below the surface, where soil moisture and temperature conditions can differ from the upper layer. Earlier studies had identified microbial life mainly within the top 30 centimetres of soil, while later findings extended the known depth to at least 4 metres in some locations. The Atacama Desert lies in northern Chile and includes regions such as the Yungay Valley. Its hyper-arid climate, high solar radiation and low organic content make it one of the most studied terrestrial analogues for Mars.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. DRDO and IAF Conduct Maiden TARA Flight Trial: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the maiden flight trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system on 7 May 2026 off the coast of Odisha. The system was released from a Jaguar aircraft, and TARA is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system. TARA stands for Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation. It is a modular range extension kit that converts unguided warheads into precision-guided munitions. The system is designed to improve the range, accuracy, and lethality of low-cost weapons against ground-based targets. DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad developed TARA with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners. Production activities for the system have already started with Development cum Production Partners (DcPP) and other Indian industries.

 

2. India Discusses BrahMos Missile Sale to Vietnam: India and Vietnam discussed the sale of the BrahMos missile system during the state visit of Vietnamese President To Lam to India from 5 May to 7 May 2026. The visit took place at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and both sides elevated their ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India and Vietnam identified defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of their bilateral relationship. The two sides agreed to establish a 2+2 ministerial dialogue involving the foreign and defence ministers of both countries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Phan Van Giang, in New Delhi on 6 May 2026. The discussions covered joint military exercises, staff talks, maritime security, information sharing, and joint research and co-production of defence technologies.

 

3. DRDO Plans Aircraft Integration Complex in Puttaparthi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) plan to establish an Aircraft Integration and Flight Testing Complex in Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh. The project has in-principle approval from the Ministry of Defence and is linked to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme and other indigenous combat aircraft and unmanned aerial systems. An aircraft integration and flight testing complex is a specialised aviation facility used for assembly, systems integration, ground checks, and flight trials of aircraft. Such facilities usually include runways, hangars, air traffic control systems, navigational aids, and meteorological support infrastructure.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Archery World Cup: India Reaches Women’s Recurve Final: The Indian women’s recurve team defeated South Korea 5-1 in the Archery World Cup Stage 2 at Shanghai, China, on 7 May 2026 and entered the final. The team included Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Kumkum Mohod. The recurve bow is the only archery discipline included in the Olympic Games. A recurve team event in international archery usually consists of three archers, and each match is decided by set points. South Korea has won 10 Olympic gold medals in women’s archery and remains one of the strongest teams in the recurve format. India’s win over South Korea was its fourth victory against the South Korean women’s recurve team in international competition. The Archery World Cup is organised in stages across different host cities, and Stage 2 was held in Shanghai in 2026. The competition includes individual, team and mixed team events in recurve and compound archery.

 

2. India to Participate in FIFA ASEAN Cup: India has signed a participation agreement with FIFA for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, which is scheduled for the international window from 21 September to 6 October 2026. The All India Football Federation has accepted the invitation and is awaiting further tournament details. The FIFA Council approved the FIFA ASEAN Cup on 20 March 2026. The tournament will use a two-division format, with Indonesia hosting Division 1 and Hong Kong hosting Division 2. The event is expected to include 14 teams from Southeast Asia and invited nations such as China and Hong Kong. Division 1 winners of the FIFA ASEAN Cup are set to receive US1 million, while Division 2 winners are set to receive US300,000. All 14 participating teams are guaranteed a participation fee of US$125,000.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Royal Enfield to Set Up Manufacturing Hub in Andhra Pradesh: Royal Enfield, a two-wheeler manufacturer owned by Eicher Motors, plans to invest ₹2,200 crore in a new manufacturing facility and vendor park in Andhra Pradesh. The project will come up at Satyavedu in Tirupati district, near the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border, and will be Royal Enfield’s first major production expansion outside Tamil Nadu. The Andhra Pradesh government has allocated about 267 to 450 acres of land across Vanelluru and Rallakuppam villages in Satyavedu mandal for the project. Satyavedu is a mandal in Tirupati district and lies close to the inter-state boundary with Tamil Nadu.

 

2. NASA Tests Plasma Engine for Mars Travel: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California tested a lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster on 24 February 2026. The prototype reached 120 kilowatts of power, which is the highest-power electric propulsion system tested in the United States to date. A magnetoplasmadynamic thruster is an electric propulsion device that uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate ionised propellant. The tested prototype used lithium metal vapour as fuel and produced a plume during operation. The 120-kilowatt output is 25 times higher than the electric thrusters used on NASA’s Psyche mission. During the test, the central tungsten electrode exceeded 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, or 2,800 degrees Celsius.

 

3. Plastic Waste Converted into Hydrogen Fuel Using Sunlight: Plastic waste conversion into hydrogen fuel uses solar-driven photoreforming, a process in which light-sensitive photocatalysts break down polymers at low temperatures to produce hydrogen and industrial chemicals. Research in 2026 included systems that used plastic waste, solar power, and corrosive battery acid to generate clean fuel and chemical by-products. Photoreforming is a photocatalytic process that uses sunlight or artificial light to drive chemical reactions on organic materials. In plastic photoreforming, polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene are converted into hydrogen, syngas, acetic acid, and hydrocarbon products. The process operates at ambient temperature and pressure in some laboratory systems. It differs from conventional water splitting because plastics are easier to oxidise than water, which can reduce the energy requirement for hydrogen generation.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NITI Aayog Proposes Standards for Tyre Pyrolysis Oil: NITI Aayog has proposed new standards for tyre pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black, two products obtained from the thermal decomposition of waste tyres in the absence of oxygen. Tyre pyrolysis is an industrial process used to convert end-of-life tyres into oil, gas, char, and steel, and recovered carbon black is a solid carbon-rich material obtained from the process. Pyrolysis is a thermochemical conversion method that breaks down organic material at high temperatures without combustion. In the case of waste tyres, the process generally produces tyre pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon black, steel wire, and pyro-gas. The process is used in waste management and material recovery for used tyres.

 

Daily GK Update- 6th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sikkim Becomes India’s First Fully Paperless Judiciary: Sikkim becomes the first state in India to achieve a fully paperless judiciary, announced by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at a conclave in Gangtok. A paperless judiciary system enables e-filing, virtual hearings, digital records, and real-time case tracking, ensuring faster, transparent, and efficient justice delivery.

 

2. Rajnath Singh Inaugurates North Tech Symposium in Prayagraj: Rajnath Singh inaugurated the North Tech Symposium in Prayagraj. The event is jointly organised by the Indian Army Northern Command, Indian Army Central Command, and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. The symposium, themed “Raksha Triveni Sangam”, features participation from 284 companies, including MSMEs, startups, and defence tech firms showcasing indigenous technologies.

 

3. Govt Approves Appointment of R. Balasubramaniam and Joram Aniya as Full-Time NITI Aayog Members: Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the appointment of Balasubramaniam and Joram Aniya as full-time members of NITI Aayog. Joram Aniya’s appointment is historic, as she is the first woman from the Nyishi community to earn a PhD and the first person to obtain a doctorate in Hindi in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

4. 4 May – Coal Miners’ Day: Coal Miners’ Day is observed every year on 4 May to honour the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices of coal miners across the world. The day recognises the important role of coal miners in industrial development and energy production, especially in countries like India.

 

5. 16th Century Telugu Inscription Found in Tadipatri: A Telugu inscription dated to the 16th century has been found in Tadipatri, a town in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Such inscriptions are primary sources for the study of regional history, language, religion, administration, and temple patronage in peninsular India. Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions engraved on durable materials such as stone, metal, and copper plates. Telugu inscriptions are important for reconstructing the history of the Telugu language, script development, and political authority in the Deccan region. The 16th century in South India covered the late Vijayanagara period and the rise of several regional powers. Inscriptions from this period often record grants, donations, temple construction, land revenue arrangements, and religious endowments.

 

6. R. Balasubramaniam and K.V. Raju Join NITI Aayog: R. Balasubramaniam and K.V. Raju have been appointed as members of NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s policy think tank. NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015 to replace the Planning Commission and to support cooperative federalism and strategic policy formulation. NITI Aayog is a non-constitutional and non-statutory body under the Government of India. It functions as an advisory institution on economic policy, long-term development strategy, and coordination between the Union and State governments. NITI Aayog is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. Its structure includes a Vice-Chairperson, full-time members, ex-officio members, special invitees, and chief executive officers appointed by the Union government.

 

7. Mission Mausam Urban Testbed Launched: Mission Mausam Urban Testbed has been launched in India to improve monsoon prediction through urban-scale weather observation and modelling. The initiative is linked with atmospheric science, numerical weather prediction, and city-level meteorological data collection. Mission Mausam is a weather and climate initiative associated with the Indian Meteorological Department and the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It focuses on improving forecasting of monsoon rainfall, extreme weather events, and local atmospheric conditions. An urban testbed is a controlled field setup used to study weather processes in a city environment. It generally includes automatic weather stations, rain gauges, radar inputs, and data from surface observations for high-resolution analysis.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Madame Tussauds London Launches ‘Icons of India’ Exhibition Featuring Amitabh Bachchan & Sachin Tendulkar: Madame Tussauds London launched a special “Icons of India” exhibition at its headquarters, showcasing Indian cultural icons. The exhibition features 13 wax figures of Indian celebrities from cinema and cricket, including Amitabh Bachchan and Sachin Tendulkar. Some figures were brought from global locations, such as Virat Kohli (Bangkok) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (New York).

 

2. 3 May 2026 – World Laughter Day: World Laughter Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of May to promote happiness, peace, and overall well-being through laughter. This year was celebrated on 3 May. It was started in 1998 by Dr Madan Kataria, the founder of the Laughter Yoga movement.

 

3. Ted Turner, CNN Founder, Dies at 87: Ted Turner, the American media entrepreneur who founded Cable News Network (CNN), died at the age of 87. He was known for establishing one of the first 24-hour television news channels and for building Turner Broadcasting System in the United States. Ted Turner founded CNN in 1980 as a 24-hour cable news channel. CNN became the first television network in the United States to provide continuous news coverage throughout the day and night. Turner Broadcasting System was a major American media company associated with Ted Turner. The company expanded cable television in the United States and later became linked with channels such as CNN, TNT, and Cartoon Network.

 

4. Netherlands Partners with Indian Spice Industry on Sustainability: The Netherlands has partnered with the Indian spice industry on sustainability-related cooperation in the spices sector. India is a major global producer, consumer, and exporter of spices, and the Netherlands is a key European trade and logistics hub. India grows a wide range of spices, including black pepper, cardamom, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chilli, and ginger. The country has a long history of spice cultivation, processing, and export, and spices form an important part of agricultural trade. The Netherlands is one of Europe’s largest import and re-export centres for agricultural commodities. Rotterdam Port and the Dutch food-processing ecosystem support trade in herbs, spices, and other agri-products across the European market.

 

5. India and Japan Sign Quantum and Health Research Pacts: India and Japan have signed agreements in the fields of quantum technology and health research. Quantum technology uses principles of quantum mechanics, including superposition and entanglement, for applications in computing, communication, sensing and cryptography. Health research covers biomedical studies, public health, clinical trials and collaborative work on disease prevention and treatment. India and Japan maintain bilateral cooperation in science and technology through joint research, academic exchange and innovation partnerships. The two countries have previously worked together in areas such as advanced materials, information technology, space science and clean energy.

 

6. India to Host First International Big Cat Alliance Summit Summit in New Delhi: India will host the first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit on 1-2 June 2026 in New Delhi. The summit will bring together Heads of State or Government from member and observer countries, along with more than 400 conservationists, policymakers, scientists, and other representatives. The summit theme is “Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem”. The summit will adopt the Delhi Declaration on big cat conservation, which will set shared priorities and strengthen transboundary cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the summit, and the winners of the Global Big Cats Photography Competition 2026 will be felicitated on 2 June 2026.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. INS Sindhukesari Arrives at Colombo for Operational Turnaround: INS Sindhukesari arrived at the port of Colombo for Operational Turnaround, strengthening India–Sri Lanka maritime cooperation. INS Sindhukesari is a Sindhughosh-class diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy, known for its stealth and combat capabilities.

 

2. Navy Chief Meets Myanmar Naval Leadership: The Chief of the Naval Staff of India met Myanmar’s naval leadership to discuss maritime security cooperation. The meeting formed part of bilateral defence engagement between India and Myanmar, which share a land boundary of about 1,643 km and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. India and Myanmar are connected through the Bay of Bengal and the eastern Indian Ocean region. Myanmar is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and lies on India’s eastern flank, adjoining the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Maritime security cooperation between two navies can include information sharing, coordinated patrols, search and rescue, and training exchanges. India’s naval diplomacy in the Bay of Bengal region is linked with the Indian Ocean Region and the Act East Policy.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Pixxel & Sarvam AI Partner to Launch India’s First Orbital Data Centre Satellite ‘Pathfinder’ by 2026: India’s space-tech startup Pixxel has partnered with AI firm Sarvam AI to develop the country’s first orbital data centre satellite, “Pathfinder.” The ~200 kg satellite, expected to launch by end of 2026, will enable training and operation of AI models directly in space, marking a major step in space technology and AI integration.

 

2. Archaeopteryx Fossil Sheds Light on Bird Evolution: Archaeopteryx is a genus of feathered dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, and its fossils are among the most studied specimens in vertebrate palaeontology. A 150-million-year-old Archaeopteryx fossil provides evidence for the transition between non-avian dinosaurs and birds. Archaeopteryx lived about 150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period. The genus is known from limestone deposits in southern Germany, especially the Solnhofen region, which has yielded several exceptionally preserved fossils. Fossils of Archaeopteryx are used to study the origin of flight and the evolution of avian traits. The specimen combines reptile-like skeletal features with bird-like feather structures, which makes it important in comparative anatomy.

 

3. IIT Madras Launches California Centre for Deep-Tech Startups: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation established its first United States centre in Menlo Park, California, on 6 May 2026. The centre became operational on 24 April 2026 and is located near Silicon Valley for startup incubation, technology commercialisation, and deep-tech research. The Menlo Park centre serves as a hub for Indian deep-tech startups to connect with global markets, investors, and technology ecosystems. It also supports collaboration between educational institutions and industries for the translation of laboratory technologies into commercial products. The project has a planned investment of USD 7.5 million. This includes a USD 4.5 million greenfield investment from IITM Global for startup incubation and deep-tech research. The centre was established in partnership with CA Startups and functions as a strategic anchor for IITM Global’s United States operations. IITM Global has also planned a second centre on the United States East Coast.

 

4. Scientists Discover Rare Giant Tree Species in Andes: Scientists have identified a rare giant tree species in the Andes, a major mountain range in South America that extends through seven countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The discovery adds to the known plant diversity of the Andean region, which contains multiple ecological zones from tropical forests to alpine habitats. The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world, stretching for about 7,000 km along the western edge of South America. It includes high-altitude ecosystems such as cloud forests, páramo grasslands and montane forests, which support many endemic plant and animal species. The Andes is one of the world’s major biodiversity hotspots and contains a large number of endemic species found nowhere else. High elevation variation, isolated valleys and diverse rainfall patterns create distinct habitats for plant evolution and species differentiation.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NARCL recovers Rs 4,364 crore in FY26: National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) recovered ₹4,364 crore in FY 2025–26, contributing nearly 70% of its total recoveries so far. As per the Finance Ministry, cumulative recoveries have reached ₹76,345 crore, showing a strong acceleration in bad loan resolution. The government-backed “bad bank” has acquired 33 borrower entities with a total debt exposure of ₹1.65 lakh crore.

 

2. CBDT Reports 5.12% Growth in Net Direct Tax Collections to ₹23.4 Lakh Crore in FY26: India’s net direct tax collections grew by 12% in FY 2025–26, reaching ₹23,40,406 crore, as per data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. The gross direct tax collections stood at ₹28,11,936 crore, showing a 4.03% year-on-year increase compared to FY 2024–25.

 

3. ADB Unveils $70 Billion Asia-Pacific Connectivity Plan for Power Grid and Digital Infrastructure by 2035: The Asian Development Bank announced a $70 billion regional connectivity plan for electricity and digital infrastructure across Asia-Pacific by 2035. The announcement was made by Masato Kanda at the 59th annual meeting held in Samarkand. The plan includes two key components: $50 billion Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative and $20 billion Asia-Pacific Digital Highway.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Indian Journalists Anand RK & Suparna Sharma Win Pulitzer Prize for Cybercrime Exposé: Indian journalists Anand RK and Suparna Sharma, along with Natalie Obiko Pearson, won the Pulitzer Prize in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category for a Bloomberg report exposing cybercrime in India. Aniruddha Ghosal won in the International Reporting category for investigating the US Border Patrol’s use of mass-surveillance tools developed in Silicon Valley and China. The Pulitzer Prize, administered by Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, is regarded as the highest journalism honour in the United States.

 

Daily GK Update- 5th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nepal Promulgates Constitutional Council Ordinance: Nepal’s President promulgated the Constitutional Council Ordinance, which is a legal instrument used to amend or introduce provisions with immediate effect under the country’s constitutional framework. The Constitutional Council is a statutory body in Nepal that deals with appointments to key constitutional offices. The Constitutional Council in Nepal is a high-level body formed under the Constitution of Nepal, 2015. It is associated with recommendations for appointments to constitutional positions such as the Chief Justice, heads of constitutional bodies, and other senior officials. Nepal adopted a federal democratic republican constitution in 2015. The Constitution provides for separation of powers among the executive, legislature, and judiciary, and it also establishes constitutional bodies for governance and oversight.

 

2. Veteran Producer R.B. Choudary Dies in Road Accident: Veteran film producer R.B. Choudary died in a road accident. He was associated with Indian cinema and was known in the film production field. Film production in India covers the financing, development, and making of motion pictures in languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi. Producers manage budgets, casting, scheduling, and distribution arrangements for films. Road accidents are a major public safety issue in India and are governed by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and related traffic regulations. Common causes include speeding, rash driving, poor road conditions, and violation of traffic rules.

 

3. Cabinet Launches Cotton Productivity Mission: The Union Cabinet has launched the Cotton Productivity Mission to improve cotton yield and strengthen the cotton value chain in India. Cotton is a major commercial crop and a key raw material for the textile sector, which uses both long-staple and medium-staple varieties. Cotton is a fibre crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions. India is one of the largest cotton producers in the world, and cotton cultivation is concentrated in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab. The Cotton Productivity Mission focuses on higher productivity, better quality fibre, and improved farm-level practices. It also covers the use of scientific methods, improved seeds, and better agronomic techniques for cotton cultivation.

 

4. Cabinet Approves Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0: The Union Cabinet has approved Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0, which belongs to the family of credit guarantee measures used in India for liquidity support to eligible borrowers. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, or ECLGS, was first introduced in 2020 as a pandemic-era measure for collateral-free additional credit to stressed businesses. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme is a government-backed credit guarantee framework for lending institutions. It was designed to provide additional working capital support through guaranteed loans to eligible entities, including micro, small and medium enterprises, and certain other borrower categories notified under the scheme. Micro, small and medium enterprises form a major borrower segment under Indian credit support programmes. Credit guarantee schemes in India are used to improve access to formal finance by covering a part of the lender’s default risk.

 

5. Cabinet Approves Multitracking Railway Projects: The Union Cabinet has approved multitracking railway projects across 19 districts in India. Railway multitracking refers to the construction of additional railway lines on existing or new corridors to increase line capacity, reduce congestion, and improve train movement on busy routes. The approved works cover railway connectivity across 19 districts. Multitracking projects are generally taken up on saturated routes where single or double lines face heavy traffic and operational constraints. Indian Railways uses multitracking to expand capacity on trunk routes, freight corridors, and suburban sections. Such projects are usually executed by the Ministry of Railways through its zonal railways and construction units.

 

6. Tripura Appoints Runiel Debbarma as TTAADC Chief Executive Member: Tripura appointed Runiel Debbarma as the Chief Executive Member of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The TTAADC is a Sixth Schedule autonomous district council in Tripura and functions under the provisions of the Constitution of India. The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council was created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides for autonomous district councils in certain tribal areas of the North-East. The council administers tribal-majority areas in Tripura and has powers related to local governance, land, forests, and customary practices. The Chief Executive Member is the head of the executive committee of an autonomous district council. The office is similar to the leader of a local executive body and is associated with administration, implementation of council decisions, and coordination of departments under the council.

 

7. Cabinet Approves Supreme Court Judge Strength Increase from 33 to 37: The Union Cabinet approved on 5 May 2026 a proposal to increase the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. With the Chief Justice of India included, the total strength of the Supreme Court will rise from 34 to 38 judges. The strength of the Supreme Court is governed by The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The proposed change will require an amendment through The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which will be introduced in Parliament. The Supreme Court has more than 92,000 pending cases. The increase in judge strength is linked to the functioning of more benches at the same time, since the court hears matters through division benches and larger constitutional benches.

 

8. UP Approves Cow Dung Economy Push: Uttar Pradesh has approved a policy push linked to the use of cow dung for income generation in the farm sector. The initiative is connected with gaushalas, organic manure production, and rural livelihood activities in the state. Cow dung is used in India for compost, biogas, bio-slurry, and traditional fuel applications. In rural areas, cow dung-based products are linked with cattle rearing, dairy activity, and organic farming practices. Gaushalas are shelters for cattle and are present in several Indian states. They are often associated with fodder management, animal care, dung collection, and production of manure-based inputs.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India and Africa Seek Stronger Cooperation: India and African countries are preparing for deeper cooperation ahead of the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), a multilateral platform for dialogue between India and African states. The India-Africa partnership covers political, economic, developmental, and institutional engagement across the Indian Ocean and the African continent. The India-Africa Forum Summit is the main institutional mechanism for India’s engagement with Africa at the summit level. The first IAFS was held in 2008 in New Delhi, and it brought together India and African Union member states for collective discussions. The summit format has been used to discuss trade, capacity building, development assistance, and regional cooperation. India and Africa share historical links through the Indian Ocean trade network, anti-colonial movements, and the Indian diaspora in East and Southern Africa. India has supported African capacity building through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme, which began in 1964.

 

2. India Among Top Migration Corridors: India remained one of the largest migration corridors in the world in 2024, and remittances to India reached $134 billion in the same year. Remittances are cross-border personal transfers sent by migrant workers to households in their home countries. A migration corridor is a route between a country of origin and a country of destination for migrant workers and other migrants. India has large migration links with the Gulf region, North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Remittances are recorded in balance of payments statistics and are classified as personal transfers in many international datasets. India has ranked among the largest remittance-receiving countries for several years because of its large overseas workforce.

 

3. India and Japan Hold Healthcare Cooperation Meeting: India and Japan held a healthcare cooperation meeting in Delhi to discuss bilateral engagement in the health sector. Such meetings between two countries usually cover public health systems, medical technology, disease control, and capacity-building frameworks. India and Japan maintain a Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which covers economic, security, and people-to-people cooperation. Health cooperation forms part of wider bilateral engagement between the two countries. Healthcare cooperation between countries can include hospital management, digital health, telemedicine, pharmaceuticals, and training of medical professionals. Japan has a strong healthcare system with advanced medical technology, while India has a large public health network and a major pharmaceutical industry.

 

4. Cape Breton University Signs MoUs with Indian Institutions: Cape Breton University, a public university in Nova Scotia, Canada, has signed memoranda of understanding with Indian institutions for academic cooperation. A memorandum of understanding, or MoU, is a formal agreement used by universities for collaboration in areas such as student exchange, research, and joint academic activities. Cape Breton University is located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, in eastern Canada. It is a public university and is known for programmes in business, engineering, health, and arts. Canadian universities often use MoUs to create institutional links with foreign universities and colleges. An MoU is a non-binding document that records areas of cooperation between two or more institutions. In higher education, MoUs commonly cover faculty exchange, student mobility, joint seminars, credit transfer, and collaborative research. Such agreements are used by universities in Canada, India, and other countries.

 

5. India Gifts 10 BHISHM Cube Units to Jamaica: India has gifted 10 BHISHM Cube mobile hospital units to Jamaica as part of bilateral cooperation in health support. BHISHM stands for Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, and the system is designed for rapid medical response in emergencies and disaster zones. BHISHM Cube is a modular mobile medical unit developed for field deployment. It can be transported to affected areas and used for triage, emergency care, and short-term treatment. The system is intended for use in disaster relief, mass casualty situations, and remote locations with limited medical infrastructure. India and Jamaica maintain diplomatic relations through the Commonwealth framework and wider South-South cooperation. India has extended assistance to several countries through medical aid, disaster relief supplies, and capacity-building support in public health.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Navy Chief Meets Myanmar Naval Leadership: The Chief of the Naval Staff of India met Myanmar’s naval leadership to discuss maritime security cooperation. The meeting formed part of bilateral defence engagement between India and Myanmar, which share a land boundary of about 1,643 km and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. India and Myanmar are connected through the Bay of Bengal and the eastern Indian Ocean region. Myanmar is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and lies on India’s eastern flank, adjoining the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Maritime security cooperation between two navies can include information sharing, coordinated patrols, search and rescue, and training exchanges. India’s naval diplomacy in the Bay of Bengal region is linked with the Indian Ocean Region and the Act East Policy.

 

2. Japan and Philippines Deepen Defence Ties: Japan and the Philippines have expanded defence cooperation through joint exercises and wider military engagement. Both countries are maritime states in the Indo-Pacific region and maintain security partnerships with several regional and extra-regional powers. Japan and the Philippines have strengthened defence ties through bilateral military exercises, port calls, and defence dialogue. The two countries are members of the Indo-Pacific security architecture and share concerns related to maritime security in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Japan has also provided defence equipment and capacity-building support to the Philippines under its security assistance framework. Joint exercises between the two countries include naval and air force coordination, search-and-rescue drills, and interoperability training. Such exercises are used to improve communication, operational readiness, and coordination in maritime domains. The Philippines has also conducted exercises with the United States, Australia, and other regional partners.

 

3. India May Discuss BrahMos Sale to Vietnam: India may discuss the sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to Vietnam. BrahMos is a joint venture missile system developed by India and Russia, and it is used by the Indian Armed Forces. BrahMos is a two-stage supersonic cruise missile with a range that has been extended in different variants. It can be launched from land, sea, air, and submarine platforms in specific configurations. The missile derives its name from the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. India and Vietnam have maintained defence cooperation through training, maritime security, and capacity-building activities. Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia and has a long coastline along the South China Sea. Defence ties between the two countries have included naval interactions and strategic dialogue. BrahMos is among the most advanced missile systems associated with India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. India has pursued defence exports to several countries under its broader export promotion framework. The missile is known for supersonic speed and precision strike capability.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Scientists Discover Rare Giant Tree Species in Andes: Scientists have identified a rare giant tree species in the Andes, a major mountain range in South America that extends through seven countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The discovery adds to the known plant diversity of the Andean region, which contains multiple ecological zones from tropical forests to alpine habitats. The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world, stretching for about 7,000 km along the western edge of South America. It includes high-altitude ecosystems such as cloud forests, páramo grasslands and montane forests, which support many endemic plant and animal species. Tree species are woody perennial plants with a single main stem or trunk and a height generally above 5 metres at maturity. Botanical identification uses features such as leaf shape, bark texture, flower structure, fruit type and seed morphology, along with genetic analysis in modern taxonomy.

 

2. Scientists Discover Virus That Kills Drug-Resistant Bacteria: Scientists have identified a virus that can infect and kill drug-resistant bacteria. Such viruses are known as bacteriophages, or phages, and they target specific bacterial cells rather than human cells. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and replicate inside them. They were first discovered in the early 20th century and have been studied as alternatives to antibiotics in bacterial infections. Drug-resistant bacteria survive treatment with one or more antibiotics. This condition is linked to antimicrobial resistance, a global public health concern that affects common infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and wound infections.

3. L&T to Develop Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project: Larsen & Toubro, commonly known as L&T, will develop a coal-to-ammonium nitrate project in Odisha. Ammonium nitrate is an industrial chemical used mainly in fertilisers and in controlled industrial applications. Coal-to-ammonium nitrate projects use coal as a feedstock for chemical conversion. Such projects are linked to coal gasification, a process in which coal is converted into synthesis gas, or syngas, through controlled reaction with oxygen, steam, or air. Ammonium nitrate has the chemical formula NH4NO3. It is a white crystalline salt and is widely used in agriculture as a nitrogen fertiliser. It is also used in mining and quarrying as an industrial explosive component under regulated conditions.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NSE Launches Electronic Gold Receipts: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) as a market instrument for gold trading in India. EGRs are electronic records that represent ownership of gold stored in a vault or approved depository system. Electronic Gold Receipts are tradable instruments backed by physical gold of specified purity and weight. They are designed for use in the regulated gold ecosystem and can be traded on recognised stock exchanges. EGRs are linked to vaulting, assaying, and settlement mechanisms that operate under a regulated framework. The instrument allows gold to be held in dematerialised form, which is a feature used in securities and commodity markets.

 

2. India Pushes ADB for Reforms: India has called for reforms in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and for stronger financial support from the Manila-based multilateral lender. The ADB was established in 1966 and has 69 members, including 50 from Asia and the Pacific and 19 from outside the region. The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank that finances projects in Asia and the Pacific. Its headquarters are in Manila, Philippines, and its core functions include sovereign lending, private sector financing, technical assistance, and policy support. The ADB provides loans, grants, equity investments, and guarantees for infrastructure, social sector, climate, and regional cooperation projects. Its ordinary capital resources and concessional Asian Development Fund are the main financial windows used for development assistance.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Anand RK, Suparna Sharma Win 2026 Pulitzer Prize: Indian illustrator Anand RK, freelance investigative journalist Suparna Sharma, and Natalie Obiko Pearson of Bloomberg won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category on 4 May 2026. The winning work, titled trAPPed, is a visual investigation into India’s digital arrest scam. The Pulitzer Prize is an annual set of awards administered by Columbia University in New York. The Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category recognises work that combines visual storytelling with reporting. trAPPed examines a case involving a neurologist in India who was placed under digital arrest through her phone. The project was published by Bloomberg and deals with online fraud, surveillance, and scam networks.