Current Affairs – 5 May, 2026
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📌 Defense & Military
Q.1) Who has taken charge as the Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence in May 2026?
Ans > Vishwajit Sahay
- Vishwajit Sahay — Secretary (Defence Finance): Vishwajit Sahay took charge as the new Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence. The Secretary (Defence Finance) is a senior IAS officer who heads the finance wing of the Ministry, overseeing budgetary planning, expenditure management, and financial oversight of all defence acquisitions, capital procurement, and revenue expenditure.
- Role & Responsibilities: The Secretary (Defence Finance) is the principal financial adviser to the Defence Minister and the Ministry, coordinating with the Finance Ministry and the three service headquarters on all fiscal matters. The role is critical in capital-intensive procurement decisions under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020).
- Strategic Importance: With India’s defence budget exceeding ₹6.21 lakh crore in 2024-25 (approximately 1.9% of GDP), the Secretary (Defence Finance) plays a pivotal role in ensuring financial discipline, optimising expenditure on modernisation, and supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence production.
- Other Options — Context: Anugrah Narayan Das is the newly appointed Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). Giridhar Aramane is the Defence Secretary. These are separate, equally important positions within the Ministry of Defence hierarchy.
📌 Defense & Military
Q.2) Ravi K has taken charge as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of which public sector undertaking?
Ans > Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- Ravi K — HAL CMD: Ravi K assumed charge as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Defence. HAL is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- HAL Overview: HAL is India’s premier aerospace and defence manufacturing company, responsible for the design, development, manufacture, repair, and overhaul of aircraft, helicopters, aero-engines, avionics, and related systems. Key programmes include the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT-40), and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.
- Strategic Programmes: HAL is actively involved in the manufacturing of 83 Tejas Mk1A fighters for the Indian Air Force, development of the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), and production of Apache, Chinook, and Light Utility Helicopter under various programmes. HAL also plays a key role in ISRO’s Human Space Flight Programme (Gaganyaan).
- Financial Scale: HAL reported revenue exceeding ₹28,000 crore in FY 2023-24 and holds one of the largest order books among Indian defence PSUs, exceeding ₹94,000 crore.
📌 Government & Policy
Q.3) Which policy has the Telangana government introduced to improve accountability in education supply distribution?
Ans > Centralized Procurement Policy
- Telangana Centralized Procurement Policy: The Telangana government introduced the Centralized Procurement Policy to improve accountability and transparency in education supply distribution across government schools in the state. The policy consolidates procurement of textbooks, notebooks, stationery, uniforms, and other school materials under a unified, centrally managed system.
- Objectives: The policy aims to eliminate irregularities, middlemen, and leakages in the supply chain; ensure timely delivery of quality materials to students; standardise product specifications; and achieve economies of scale through bulk procurement via government channels such as TSPSC and designated agencies.
- Governance Impact: Centralised procurement strengthens financial accountability by bringing expenditures under a unified audit trail, reducing scope for corruption in distributed procurement models where individual schools or districts previously purchased independently.
- Alignment with NEP 2020: The initiative supports the equitable access provisions of the National Education Policy 2020, ensuring all government school students, particularly those from disadvantaged communities, receive standardised learning materials without delay or disparity.
📌 Science & Technology
Q.4) Which is the world’s first OptoSAR satellite?
Ans > Mission Drishti
- Mission Drishti — World’s First OptoSAR: India’s Mission Drishti is the world’s first satellite to combine both Optical imaging and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities in a single integrated platform. This dual-sensor architecture on one spacecraft is termed OptoSAR — a first of its kind globally.
- Capabilities: Optical sensors provide high-resolution, colour imagery ideal for daytime, clear-sky conditions — useful for mapping, urban planning, and agricultural monitoring. SAR sensors use microwave radar to penetrate clouds, haze, and darkness, enabling all-weather, day-and-night imaging. Combining both eliminates the need for separate satellite missions for the two imaging modes.
- Strategic Significance: OptoSAR capability is critical for defence surveillance, border monitoring, disaster management (floods, cyclones), and persistent earth observation. Having both sensors on a single platform reduces satellite constellation cost and provides faster revisit times for critical areas.
- Context of Other Options: Cartosat-3 is a high-resolution optical imaging satellite. RISAT-2B is a SAR-only satellite. GSAT-30 is a communication satellite. None of these are OptoSAR platforms. Mission Drishti uniquely integrates both modalities.
📌 Science & Technology
Q.5) What is the name of the virus recently discovered by scientists that can destroy drug-resistant bacteria?
Ans > Bacteriophage
- Bacteriophage — Nature’s Bacteria Destroyer: Scientists have discovered a virus called a Bacteriophage (phage) that can selectively destroy drug-resistant bacteria. Bacteriophages are viruses that naturally infect and kill bacteria, without harming human cells. They are being explored as a breakthrough alternative to conventional antibiotics in the era of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
- AMR Crisis Context: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health threats. The WHO estimates that AMR could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Drug-resistant pathogens like MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), XDR-TB, and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella are rendering antibiotics ineffective.
- Phage Therapy Mechanism: Bacteriophages work by attaching to bacterial surface receptors, injecting their genetic material, hijacking bacterial cellular machinery to replicate, and ultimately lysing (bursting) the bacterial cell. They are highly host-specific, targeting only the bacteria they evolved with, which minimises collateral damage to the beneficial microbiome.
- Future Applications: Phage therapy is being actively researched globally for treating antibiotic-resistant infections in lungs, urinary tract, skin wounds, and biofilm-related infections. Unlike antibiotics, phages co-evolve with bacteria, potentially overcoming resistance mechanisms that defeat chemical drugs.
📌 Science & Technology
Q.6) India’s first AI-powered orbital data centre satellite ‘Pathfinder’ is being developed by whom?
Ans > Pixxel & Sarvam
- Pathfinder — AI Orbital Data Centre: India’s first AI-powered orbital data centre satellite named “Pathfinder” is being jointly developed by Pixxel (a Bengaluru-based space tech startup) and Sarvam (an Indian AI startup). The satellite aims to bring edge AI computing capabilities directly into orbit, enabling real-time data processing in space rather than sending raw satellite data to ground stations.
- About Pixxel: Pixxel is India’s leading earth observation startup, known for developing hyperspectral imaging satellites. It has already launched multiple satellites including Shakuntala and FireFly, providing high-resolution hyperspectral data for agriculture, mining, oil, and environmental monitoring.
- About Sarvam: Sarvam is a Bengaluru-based generative AI company focused on building multilingual AI models for Indian languages. The collaboration with Pixxel extends Sarvam’s AI capabilities into the orbital domain — a unique convergence of space technology and large-scale AI model deployment.
- Significance: On-orbit AI processing eliminates latency in satellite data pipelines, reduces bandwidth requirements for downlinking raw imagery, and enables autonomous decision-making in space. The “Pathfinder” mission positions India at the forefront of in-orbit computing — a rapidly growing commercial and strategic frontier.
📌 Government & Policy
Q.7) Startup Kadapa initiative has been launched in which state?
Ans > Andhra Pradesh
- Startup Kadapa — Andhra Pradesh: The Startup Kadapa initiative was launched in Andhra Pradesh, aimed at developing the startup ecosystem in Kadapa district (officially YSR Kadapa district). The initiative focuses on promoting entrepreneurship, providing mentorship, facilitating seed funding, and establishing incubation infrastructure for local youth and entrepreneurs.
- AP Startup Ecosystem: Andhra Pradesh has been actively building its startup ecosystem through the AP Innovation Society and dedicated startup policies. Key hubs include Visakhapatnam’s Fintech Valley, Amaravati’s startup corridors, and now Kadapa as an emerging tier-2 startup destination.
- Kadapa District Background: YSR Kadapa district in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh has historically lagged behind coastal AP in economic development. Startup Kadapa aims to leverage local talent from Kadapa’s engineering colleges and link them to state-level incubation support and mentoring networks.
- National Startup Mission Context: India has the 3rd largest startup ecosystem globally with over 1.2 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups. State-level initiatives like Startup Kadapa, Kerala Startup Mission, and Tamil Nadu StartupTN aim to decentralise the ecosystem beyond metro cities into tier-2 and tier-3 regions.
📌 Defense & Military
Q.8) Who inaugurated the conference ‘Brain-Computer Interface (BCI): Expanding Neural Frontiers & Its Strategic Implications’ held in New Delhi?
Ans > General Anil Chauhan
- CDS Gen Anil Chauhan — BCI Conference: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the national conference titled “Brain-Computer Interface (BCI): Expanding Neural Frontiers & Its Strategic Implications” in New Delhi. The conference was organised to explore the military, medical, and ethical dimensions of BCI technology for India’s defence and security ecosystem.
- What is BCI? Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are systems that establish a direct communication pathway between the human brain and external devices (computers, robotic limbs, communication systems) by reading electrical signals from neurons. Applications range from medical (restoring mobility in paralysed patients) to military (cognitive command interfaces, drone control, enhanced situational awareness).
- Strategic Military Implications: BCIs could revolutionise warfare by enabling soldiers to control UAV swarms, process battlefield data faster, and operate weapons systems through neural commands. The conference discussed India’s need to develop indigenous BCI capabilities to avoid strategic dependence and leverage the technology for national security.
- About CDS Gen Anil Chauhan: General Anil Chauhan is the 2nd Chief of Defence Staff of India, appointed in September 2022 after the demise of Gen Bipin Rawat. He oversees jointness, integration, and theaterisation of India’s Armed Forces. His inaugurating a BCI conference reflects the CDS office’s focus on future and disruptive technology integration.
📌 Government & Policy
Q.9) Which railway zone recorded best-ever performance in TRD assets in 2025-26?
Ans > Southern Railway
- Southern Railway — TRD Best Performance 2025-26: Southern Railway recorded the best-ever performance in Traction Rolling Stock and Distribution (TRD) assets during 2025-26. TRD encompasses the overhead electrification equipment, switching stations, feeding posts, and transformers that supply electric traction power to trains.
- What is TRD? TRD (Traction Rolling Stock and Distribution) refers to the electrical infrastructure for railway electrification: overhead equipment (OHE), sub-stations, feeding cable networks, and all associated high-voltage systems that enable electric loco and EMU operations. Maintaining TRD assets in top condition is critical for punctuality, energy efficiency, and safety.
- Significance: Best-ever TRD performance implies zero or minimal failures attributable to electrical traction assets, contributing to improved on-time performance, fewer delays due to OHE failures, and better energy efficiency across Southern Railway’s extensive suburban (Chennai, Bengaluru) and mainline network.
- Southern Railway Network: Southern Railway, headquartered in Chennai, covers over 5,100 route kilometres across Tamil Nadu, parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. It runs one of India’s busiest suburban rail networks (Chennai MRTS and suburban sections) and key intercity express corridors.
📌 Defense & Military
Q.10) In May 2026, from where did the Indian Navy conduct the second successful test of the Long Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM)?
Ans > APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha
- LR-AShM Second Test — APJ Abdul Kalam Island: The Indian Navy successfully conducted the second test of the Long Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) off the coast of Odisha in May 2026. The test validated the missile’s hypersonic terminal-phase velocity, extended range, and precision guidance against a simulated naval target.
- Missile Specifications: The LR-AShM is a land/ship/submarine-launched anti-ship missile designed for deep-strike capability against high-value naval targets, including aircraft carriers and destroyers, at extended ranges exceeding 500 km. The hypersonic terminal phase (Mach 5+) makes it extremely difficult to intercept using conventional point-defence systems.
- DRDO Programme: Developed by DRDO in collaboration with Indian Navy, LR-AShM builds on India’s hypersonic technology demonstrated through the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) programme. It complements the BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile family by offering greater range and terminal velocity.
- APJ Abdul Kalam Island: Formerly known as Wheeler Island, APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Bhadrak district, Odisha, is India’s premier integrated test range (ITR) for ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced weapons systems. Key missiles tested here include Agni series, BrahMos, Pralay, and Nirbhay.
📌 Science & Technology
Q.11) In May 2026, where did Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia launch India’s indigenous ‘Cell Broadcast System (CBS)’?
Ans > New Delhi
- Cell Broadcast System (CBS) Launch: Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia launched India’s indigenous Cell Broadcast System (CBS) in New Delhi in May 2026. CBS is a mass emergency alert technology that simultaneously sends alerts to all mobile phones present in a specified geographic area, without requiring users to be registered or connected to the internet.
- How CBS Works: CBS uses broadcast channels on mobile networks (2G/3G/4G/5G) to push geo-targeted text alerts directly to all active mobile devices in a cell or zone. Unlike SMS, CBS does not clog networks because it is a one-to-many broadcast, not individual messages. Phones receive CBS messages even without an active SIM data connection.
- Use Cases: CBS is used for tsunami warnings, earthquake alerts, flood warnings, cyclone advisories, industrial disaster notifications, AMBER alerts (missing children), and national security warnings. Countries like Japan (J-Alert), USA (Wireless Emergency Alerts), and South Korea have had CBS for over a decade.
- Indigenous Development: India’s indigenous CBS was developed to reduce dependence on foreign emergency alert platforms. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and telecom operators (Jio, Airtel, BSNL, Vi) collaborated on deploying CBS across all networks nationwide, ensuring universal coverage for disaster resilience.
📌 Finance & Economy
Q.12) Where is the 59th Annual Meeting of the ‘Asian Development Bank (ADB)’ scheduled to be held in May 2026?
Ans > Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- ADB 59th Annual Meeting — Samarkand, Uzbekistan: The 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is scheduled to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in May 2026. Samarkand, a historic Silk Road city, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia.
- About ADB: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional multilateral development bank established in 1966, headquartered in Manila, Philippines. It has 68 member countries (49 regional, 19 non-regional) and aims to promote social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific through loans, technical assistance, and investments.
- India & ADB: India is one of ADB’s largest borrowers and shareholders. ADB has co-financed significant infrastructure projects in India including urban transport (metro rail), road networks, clean energy, and water supply. India holds approximately 6.3% voting share in ADB.
- Annual Meeting Significance: The Annual Meeting is ADB’s flagship governance event, attended by finance ministers, central bank governors, and development leaders. It shapes ADB’s lending priorities, reviews the Annual Report, and discusses key development challenges in Asia — including climate finance, food security, and digitisation of economies.
📌 Government & Policy
Q.13) Which state government has launched a pilot programme for the restoration of ‘Sacred Groves’ (Kavu) and biodiversity conservation?
Ans > Kerala
- Kerala — Sacred Groves (Kavu) Restoration: The Kerala government launched a pilot programme for the restoration of Sacred Groves, locally known as Kavu, and biodiversity conservation. Sacred Groves are patches of natural forest traditionally protected by local communities for spiritual and cultural reasons, representing one of the oldest forms of community-based conservation in India.
- What are Kavus? In Kerala, Kavus (also called Sarpakkavu or Devi Kavu) are small groves dedicated to serpent deities (Nagaraja/Serpent Gods) or village goddesses. They range from a few trees to several acres and are found near temples, households, or community lands. These patches have been protected for centuries by social taboos against cutting trees or harming wildlife.
- Ecological Significance: Kavus function as biodiversity refugia — harbouring endemic species of plants, reptiles (especially snakes), birds, and insects that are absent from the surrounding agricultural landscape. They help maintain groundwater recharge, reduce soil erosion, and provide wildlife corridors in Kerala’s fragmented Western Ghats landscape.
- Pilot Programme Objectives: The programme aims to document existing Kavus, restore degraded ones with native plant species, engage local communities and temple trusts in conservation stewardship, and integrate Kavus into Kerala’s formal biodiversity conservation network. The initiative aligns with the Biodiversity Act 2002 and Kerala’s People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR).
📌 Sports
Q.14) Which country won the ‘Thomas Cup 2026’ title in May 2026?
Ans > China
- Thomas Cup 2026 — China Champions: China won the Thomas Cup 2026 (Men’s Badminton World Team Championship) title in May 2026, defeating their opponents in the final. China is historically the most successful nation in the Thomas Cup, having won the title numerous times since its inauguration in 1949.
- About the Thomas Cup: The Thomas Cup, also called the World Men’s Team Badminton Championships, is an international badminton competition held biennially by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). It is named after Sir George Alan Thomas, a former English badminton champion who donated the trophy in 1939. The event features national teams competing in a round-robin and knockout format.
- China’s Dominance: China has been the dominant force in Thomas Cup history, winning the title more than any other nation. Their team typically features the world’s top-ranked singles and doubles players, including Grand Slam and Olympic champions.
- India’s Thomas Cup Journey: India made history by winning the Thomas Cup 2022 for the first time, defeating 14-time champions Indonesia in the final in Bangkok — one of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history. India has continued to field strong squads with players like Lakshya Sen and H.S. Prannoy.
📌 Defense & Military
Q.15) Who has taken charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) in May 2026?
Ans > Anugrah Narayan Das
- Anugrah Narayan Das — CGDA: Anugrah Narayan Das took charge as the new Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) in May 2026. The CGDA heads the Defence Accounts Department (DAD), the premier financial and audit organisation of the Ministry of Defence, responsible for financial management, audit, and accounting services for the armed forces.
- Role of CGDA: The CGDA is responsible for maintaining accounts, pre-audit of defence expenditure, processing pay and allowances, managing pension disbursements for defence pensioners, and providing financial advice to the three services. The CGDA office ensures financial propriety across capital and revenue budgets of defence.
- Defence Accounts Department: The DAD employs about 20,000+ personnel across Principal Controllers of Defence Accounts (PCDAs) and Controllers of Defence Accounts (CDAs) across the country. It processes over ₹6 lakh crore in transactions annually, including salaries for 14+ lakh active defence personnel and pensions for 34+ lakh ex-servicemen.
- Significance: With India’s rapidly expanding defence modernisation and the introduction of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020), the CGDA plays an increasingly critical role in ensuring financial compliance, audit of Make-in-India defence contracts, and transparent fund utilisation under the capital budget.
📌 Science & Technology
Q.16) Mayon Volcano, which erupted in May 2026, is located in which country?
Ans > Philippines
- Mayon Volcano — Philippines: Mayon Volcano, which erupted in May 2026, is located in Albay Province, Luzon Island, Philippines. Mayon is considered one of the most active and perfectly cone-shaped stratovolcanoes in the world, known as the “Perfect Cone of the Philippines” due to its near-symmetrical conical shape.
- Geographical Details: Mayon stands 2,463 metres (8,081 feet) tall and is located approximately 15 km from Legazpi City. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire — the horseshoe-shaped tectonic zone around the Pacific Ocean responsible for approximately 90% of the world’s earthquakes and over 75% of its volcanic eruptions.
- Historical Eruptions: Mayon has erupted over 50 times in the past 400 years. Major eruptions include 1814 (most destructive, buried the town of Cagsawa), 1984, 2001, 2006, 2018, and 2023-2024 periods. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) monitors Mayon continuously.
- Eruption Impacts: Mayon eruptions pose serious hazards including lava flows, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), lahar (volcanic mudflows), and ashfall. Communities within the 6-8 km danger zone are regularly evacuated during elevated alert levels. Mayon is a major tourist attraction in the Philippines during dormant phases.
📌 Government & Policy
Q.17) Who has been reappointed as the Chairperson of the ‘Public Accounts Committee (PAC)’ in May 2026?
Ans > K.C. Venugopal
- K.C. Venugopal — PAC Chairperson: K.C. Venugopal (Indian National Congress MP, Rajya Sabha) was reappointed as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in May 2026. He is also the Congress party’s General Secretary (Organisation) and a prominent figure in the opposition.
- About PAC: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is one of the oldest and most important financial committees of the Indian Parliament, established in 1921 during British rule. It examines the Annual Audit Reports (Appropriation Accounts) submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India to ensure that government expenditure was made for the purpose it was sanctioned.
- Convention — Opposition Chair: By a long-standing parliamentary convention since 1967, the PAC Chairperson is always from the principal opposition party. This practice mirrors the Westminster model and ensures bipartisan oversight of government finances, preventing ruling party self-review.
- PAC Powers: PAC can examine accounts of all Union government ministries, public enterprises, and statutory bodies. It calls witnesses including secretaries and ministers, seeks explanations for financial irregularities, and submits Action Taken Reports (ATRs) to Parliament. Its reports form the basis of government financial accountability in India.
📌 Science & Technology
Q.18) Which state has launched India’s first state-led Space Technology Center of Excellence (CoE)?
Ans > Karnataka
- Karnataka — India’s First State-Led Space CoE: Karnataka became the first state in India to launch a dedicated Space Technology Center of Excellence (CoE), making it a pioneer in state-level space technology promotion. The CoE is designed to support Bengaluru-based ISRO, DRDO, and private space sector startups through research, incubation, and skill development.
- Bengaluru — India’s Space Capital: Karnataka’s Bengaluru is home to ISRO’s headquarters (Antariksh Bhavan), ISRO Satellite Centre (URSC), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), and major private space startups like Agnikul Cosmos, Skyroot Aerospace, Pixxel, Bellatrix Aerospace, and Dhruva Space. The city accounts for over 60% of India’s space sector employment.
- CoE Focus Areas: The Space Technology CoE will focus on satellite communications, Earth observation, launch vehicle technology, space-based agriculture, defence applications, space law and policy, and training the next generation of space engineers. It will function as a public-private partnership hub.
- National Space Policy 2023 Context: India’s National Space Policy 2023 opened the space sector to private players and mandated ISRO to focus on R&D while industry takes over operational missions. State-level CoEs like Karnataka’s are critical for building the talent pipeline and industrial capacity needed to support India’s target of capturing 9% of the global space economy (currently ~2%).
📌 Government & Policy
Q.19) Which state has become the first in India to launch a dedicated digital grievance redressal system for gig workers in May 2026?
Ans > Karnataka
- Karnataka — First Digital Gig Worker Grievance System: Karnataka became the first state in India to launch a dedicated digital grievance redressal system specifically for gig workers in May 2026. The platform enables gig workers (delivery agents, ride-hailing drivers, freelance platform workers, etc.) to formally register complaints against aggregator platforms, contractors, or employers regarding pay disputes, deactivations, or unfair treatment.
- Gig Economy in India: India has approximately 7.7 million gig workers as of 2024, expected to grow to 23.5 million by 2030 (NITI Aayog). The platform economy includes Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, Uber, Urban Company, Dunzo, and others. Bengaluru alone has over 5 lakh registered gig workers, making Karnataka’s move highly significant.
- Regulatory Context: The Code on Social Security 2020 for the first time extended social security benefits to gig and platform workers, but implementation has been slow. Rajasthan had earlier enacted the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act 2023, but Karnataka’s digital grievance portal is the first of its kind for dispute resolution specifically.
- Features of the Platform: The system allows workers to file complaints online via mobile app or web portal in Kannada and English, track complaint status, and escalate to Labour Department officials. Platform aggregators are mandated to respond within a specified timeframe, creating accountability in what was previously a largely unregulated space.
📌 Defense & Military
Q.20) What is the name of the seventh and final advanced stealth frigate built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project 17A, which was recently handed over to the Indian Navy?
Ans > INS Mahendragiri
- INS Mahendragiri — Project 17A Completion: INS Mahendragiri is the 7th and final advanced stealth frigate built under Project 17A. It was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and handed over to the Indian Navy in May 2026, completing India’s largest and most ambitious warship construction programme under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- Project 17A Overview: Project 17A (P-17A) Frigates are advanced follow-on ships of the Shivalik-class (P-17) with significantly improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors, and higher indigenous content (~75%). Seven frigates were ordered — four from MDL (Mumbai) and three from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- Key Features: P-17A frigates feature radar cross-section reduction through hull design and anechoic tiles, integrated stealth masts, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Barak-8 Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles (MRSAM), heavyweight torpedo tubes, advanced sonar suites, and Combat Management Systems with full network-centric warfare capability.
- P-17A Ships: The seven frigates are named after Indian mountain ranges: INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, INS Udaygiri, INS Dunagiri, INS Taragiri, INS Vindhyagiri (GRSE-built), and INS Mahendragiri. Mahendragiri mountains are located in Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border.
- National Significance: The completion of P-17A marks a watershed in India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding, demonstrating MDL’s capability to deliver complex stealth warships comparable to global benchmarks. It significantly enhances Indian Navy’s blue-water capability in the Indian Ocean Region.
📌 Quick Summary — Current Affairs 5 May, 2026
- Defense & Military: Vishwajit Sahay took charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence.
- Defense & Military: Ravi K took charge as CMD of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- Government & Policy: Telangana introduced the Centralized Procurement Policy to improve accountability in education supply distribution.
- Science & Technology: Mission Drishti is the world’s first OptoSAR satellite.
- Science & Technology: Scientists discovered a Bacteriophage that selectively destroys drug-resistant bacteria.
- Science & Technology: India’s first AI-powered orbital data centre satellite ‘Pathfinder’ is jointly developed by Pixxel and Sarvam.
- Government & Policy: Startup Kadapa initiative was launched in Andhra Pradesh to develop the entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem.
- Defense & Military: CDS General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the ‘Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)’ conference in New Delhi.
- Government & Policy: Southern Railway recorded the best-ever performance in TRD assets in 2025-26.
- Defense & Military: Indian Navy conducted the 2nd successful test of Long Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) from Odisha.
- Science & Technology: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched India’s indigenous Cell Broadcast System (CBS) in New Delhi.
- Finance & Economy: The 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is scheduled in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
- Government & Policy: Kerala launched a pilot programme for restoring Sacred Groves (Kavu) and biodiversity conservation.
- Sports: China won the Thomas Cup 2026 (Men’s World Badminton Team Championship) in May 2026.
- Defense & Military: Anugrah Narayan Das took charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA).
- Science & Technology: Mayon Volcano, which erupted in May 2026, is located in the Philippines.
- Government & Policy: K.C. Venugopal (Congress MP) was reappointed as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
- Science & Technology: Karnataka launched India’s first state-led Space Technology Center of Excellence (CoE).
- Government & Policy: Karnataka became India’s first state to launch a dedicated digital grievance redressal system for gig workers.
- Defense & Military: INS Mahendragiri, the 7th and final stealth frigate of Project 17A, was handed over to the Indian Navy.
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