NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Nitin Gadkari Launches India’s First MLFF Barrier-Less Tolling System in Gujarat: Nitin Gadkari announced the launch of India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat. The MLFF system enables seamless toll collection without stopping, using technologies like Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and FASTag.
2. Government to Launch Prashast 2.0 for Early Identification of Disabilities in Children: The Government of India will launch Prashast 2.0, an upgraded digital platform to identify 21 types of disabilities in children and support Children With Special Needs (CWSN). The platform will enable early detection of disabilities at the school level by teachers and school heads, ensuring timely intervention and inclusive education. Developed by the Department of School Education and Literacy, the platform is currently under User Acceptance Testing in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi with participation from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
3. India Deploys Aarogya Maitri in Jamaica Under BHISHM Initiative to Boost HADR Outreach: India deployed the Aarogya Maitri in Jamaica under its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework, strengthening ties with Caribbean nations. The BHISHM Initiative (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) is an emergency medical aid programme featuring portable hospital systems for disaster situations. The BHISHM Cube (mobile hospital unit) includes medicines, ICU setup, and surgical equipment, capable of treating around 200 patients on the ground.
4. Department of Posts Signs MoU with DTDC Express Limited to Boost Logistics & E-commerce Delivery: The Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications signed an MoU with DTDC Express Limited to strengthen India’s logistics and e-commerce ecosystem. The partnership aims to combine DoP’s extensive nationwide network with DTDC’s logistics expertise to enhance parcel delivery services, building on their collaboration that began in 2025.
5. Anupinder Singh Grewal Appointed President of National Company Law Tribunal: Anupinder Singh Grewal has been appointed as the President of the National Company Law Tribunal for a 5-year term or until the age of 67, whichever is earlier. The National Company Law Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body under the Companies Act, 2013, dealing with corporate disputes, insolvency, and company law matters.
6. Rohit Jain Appointed as RBI Deputy Governor for Three-Year Term: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Rohit Jain as the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). His appointment is for a tenure of three years, and he succeeds T. Rabi Sankar. Prior to this role, he was serving as an Executive Director (ED) at the RBI.
7. India Launches Fire Safety Week in Hospitals: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is observing a nationwide Fire Safety Week from 4 May to 10 May 2026 across healthcare facilities in India. The observance covers hospitals, medical colleges, district hospitals, and multi-speciality hospitals. Fire safety in hospitals includes prevention, detection, evacuation, and emergency response systems for patients, staff, and visitors. Healthcare facilities use fire extinguishers, alarm systems, emergency exits, and evacuation plans as part of standard safety arrangements. Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava will inaugurate the observance at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi. A “Fire Safety in Health Facilities” pledge will be administered during the week to reaffirm compliance with safety norms and preparedness measures. Healthcare facilities have been advised to conduct fire safety assessments using an updated checklist and submit reports through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). The initiative is coordinated with the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. China Launches Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3: China successfully launched the Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre using a Long March-6 rocket on 26 April. The satellite was placed into its planned orbit, marking another milestone in space cooperation between China and Pakistan.
2. Ashutosh Gowariker Appointed Festival Director for 57th International Film Festival of India: Ashutosh Gowariker has been appointed as the Festival Director for the 57th edition of the International Film Festival of India, to be held in Goa. The International Film Festival of India, established in 1952, is South Asia’s oldest film festival. The festival is jointly organised by the National Film Development Corporation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Entertainment Society of Goa.
3. 2 May – World Tuna Day: World Tuna Day is observed every year on 2 May to raise awareness about the importance of tuna fish and sustainable fishing practices. Theme 2026 – Sustaining Tuna, Sustaining Nations and Advocating for Tuna Conservation The day highlights the need for conservation of tuna species and maintaining a balanced marine ecosystem.
4. 2 May – International Harry Potter Day: International Harry Potter Day is celebrated every year on 2 May to honour the legacy of the Harry Potter series. The day marks the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, a key event symbolising the victory of good over evil. It recognises the global impact of the Harry Potter books written by J. K. Rowling
5. 3 May – World Press Freedom Day: World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on 3 May to highlight the importance of press freedom and freedom of expression. Theme 2026 – Shaping a Future of Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation by UNESCO.
6. Singapore, New Zealand Sign Critical Goods Supply Chain Pact: Singapore and New Zealand signed a legally binding agreement on 4 May 2026 to strengthen supply chain resilience and maintain the flow of critical goods. The pact covers essential supplies such as food, fuel, healthcare products, chemical products, and construction products. Supply chain resilience refers to the ability of trade and logistics systems to continue functioning during shocks, shortages, or transport disruptions. The agreement commits both countries not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on essential goods, including during crises. The pact will be incorporated into the Agreement on a Closer Economic Partnership, the free-trade agreement between Singapore and New Zealand that came into force in January 2001. The two countries also signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2025, which covers six pillars of cooperation, including trade, security, and supply chain resilience.
7. Canada becomes First non-European Country to Attend an EPC Summit: Canada became the first non-European country to participate in a European Political Community (EPC) summit when Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the 8th EPC meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, on 4 May 2026. The EPC was created in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and brings together European Union members and other European states for political dialogue. The European Political Community is a political forum launched in 2022. It includes EU member states and non-EU European countries such as the United Kingdom, Turkey, Norway and Switzerland. The forum does not function as a membership body for the European Union. The 8th EPC summit was co-chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European Council President Antonio Costa. Nearly 50 heads of state and government took part in discussions on politics, security and infrastructure. Canada’s participation followed an invitation extended by Antonio Costa on 28 April 2026.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. INS Mahendragiri Delivered to Indian Navy: INS Mahendragiri, the sixth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A), has been delivered to the Indian Navy at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai. It is the fourth Nilgiri-class stealth frigate built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, enhancing India’s indigenous naval capabilities.
2. India-Cambodia CINBAX-II 2026 Military Exercise Begins: The second edition of the India-cambodia/">Cambodia Bilateral Military Exercise CINBAX-II 2026 began at Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Prov Royal Cambodian Air Force Training Centre, also known as Camp Basil, in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. The exercise is scheduled from 4 to 17 May 2026 and involves company-level joint training under Chapter VII of the UN mandate. CINBAX stands for Cambodia-India Bilateral Army Exercise. The 2026 edition is the second iteration of the exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Cambodian Army. The exercise is conducted in a sub-conventional environment, which is a military term used for counter-terrorism, internal security, and similar operations below the level of conventional war.
3. Balikatan 2026 Drills Continues in Philippines: Balikatan 2026 is a joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States that began on 20 April 2026 and is scheduled to end on 8 May 2026. The exercise involves more than 17,000 troops from the Philippines, the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand. About 10,000 United States personnel and 7,000 Filipino service members are taking part in the exercise. Japan and Canada are full-time participants in Balikatan 2026, and Japan’s Self-Defense Force has deployed active combat personnel for the first time since World War II. The United States Space Force is also participating for the first time in Balikatan. The exercise focuses on island defence, maritime security, and a simulated enemy invasion. A counter-landing live-fire drill was held in Laoag City on 4 May 2026, where United States forces used High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS. Japan fired its Type 88 ground-to-surface missile to sink a mock enemy ship.
SPORTS
Shreyas Iyer Named Brand Ambassador for F1 Programme in India: Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the F1 programme in India by Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited. The announcement coincided with the launch of the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, a national-level esports event aimed at identifying and nurturing digital racing talent.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Signs Tech Transfer Pact with DRDO for Naval GT-IRSS System: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited signed a licensing agreement (LAToT) with Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, a lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, for technology transfer. The agreement covers the Gas Turbine–Infrared Suppression System (GT-IRSS) for naval vessels, with BHEL responsible for fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the LM2500-based system developed by NSTL-DRDO.
2. Paranal solar ESPRESSO Telescope achieves first light: The Paranal solar ESPRESSO Telescope (PoET) achieved first light at the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The system completed test observations and acquired spectra of the full solar disc and selected solar regions. PoET operates with ESO’s ESPRESSO instrument, which is a high-resolution spectrograph used for precise astronomical measurements. The telescope is designed for daytime solar observations, while the Very Large Telescope (VLT) uses the same instrument at night. PoET includes a main telescope with a 60-centimetre mirror for observing specific solar regions such as sunspots. It also has a smaller telescope for collecting light from the entire solar disc. The system is managed remotely from the Centre for Astrophysics of the University of Porto in Portugal.
3. Pathfinder to be India’s First AI Orbital Data Centre Satellite: Pixxel and Sarvam announced Pathfinder on 3 May 2026 as India’s first AI-powered orbital data centre satellite. Pathfinder is a 200 kg-class demonstration satellite planned for launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. An orbital data centre satellite is a spacecraft that processes data in space instead of sending all raw data to Earth. Pathfinder is designed to analyse data in orbit and reduce the time between data capture and insight generation. Pathfinder will carry data centre-class Graphics Processing Units, which are used for high-performance computing. It will also carry Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging camera for real-time capture and processing of spectral data. The satellite will be developed at Pixxel’s Gigapixxel manufacturing facility in India, which is planned for satellite production of up to 100 units.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. GST collections in India hit a record ₹2.42 Lakh Crore in April 2026: India’s Goods and Services Tax collections reached an all-time high of ₹2.42 lakh crore in April 2026, reflecting strong economic activity. The collections recorded a Year-on-Year growth of 8.7% compared to April last year (₹2.33 lakh crore).
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