06 May 2026 Daily Current Affairs | Today’s News for UPSC & Exams
India’s Steel Sector: Advances Toward Self-Reliance
1. Global Rankings & Production
- World Rank: India has maintained its position as the 2nd largest producer of crude steel globally since 2018.
- Production Growth: Crude steel output reached 168.4 MT in FY 2025-26, showing a 10.7% year-on-year increase.
- Consumption: Finished steel consumption grew by 7.6% to reach 163.7 MT, driven by infrastructure and urbanization.
2. Key Policy Frameworks
- National Steel Policy (2017): Targets a capacity of 300 MTPA by 2030-31. Currently, India has achieved ~66% of the production goal.
- PLI Scheme (Specialty Steel): An investment of ₹23,022 crore has been realized to boost high-value downstream steel production.
- DMI&SP Policy: Revised in 2025 to mandate preference for domestic iron and steel in government procurement.
- Melt and Pour Rule: Ensures the entire manufacturing process happens within India to promote true self-reliance.
3. Green Steel & Decarbonization
- Net Zero Goal: Commitment to reach net-zero emission intensity by 2070.
- Green Steel Standards: India is the first country to introduce a Green Steel Taxonomy (CO2 intensity < 2.2 tonnes per tonne of steel).
- Budgetary Support: ₹20,000 crore allocated for Carbon Capture (CCUS) technologies over 5 years.
4. Trade Performance (FY 2025-26)
- Exports: Witnessed a robust growth of 35.8%.
- Imports: Successfully declined by 46.47%, indicating reduced foreign reliance.
- Key Markets: Vietnam, Belgium, and Taiwan remain the top export destinations.
📌 Quick Exam Facts:
| Mission Coking Coal: | Targeting 140 MT domestic production by 2029-30. |
| PM GatiShakti: | 2,100+ steel units geo-tagged for logistics planning. |
| Steel Zones: | 12 major zones including Vizag, Rourkela, and Jamshedpur. |
200 Years of Hindi Journalism
Special Issue of ‘Sanchar Madhyam’ Released by IIMC
1. Historical Context
• First Hindi Newspaper: The first Hindi newspaper ever published was ‘Udant Martand’.
• Commencement: It was first published in 1826 from Calcutta (Kolkata).
• Significance: This publication marked the official dawn of Hindi journalism in India.
2. About IIMC & ‘Sanchar Madhyam’
• IIMC: An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
• Sanchar Madhyam: A flagship research journal by IIMC that tracks media trends and transformations.
3. Major Highlights & Vision
- Viksit Bharat 2047: Innovation and research are key pillars for a developed India.
- Skill-Driven Era: Emphasis on continuous learning and adapting to new technology beyond formal education.
- Journalism’s Duty: To bridge the gap between information and the marginalized sections of society.
📌 Key Exam Points
Occasion: 200 Years (1826-2026)
First Paper: Udant Martand
Journal: Sanchar Madhyam
VC, IIMC: Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur
🏆 Exam Champs
06 May 2026 Daily Current Affairs | Today’s News for UPSC & Exams (PDF)
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