09 May 2026 Daily Current Affairs | Today’s News for UPSC & Exams
Somnath Temple: Key Highlights (Exam Point of View)
1. Historical Background & Significance
- Jyotirlinga: First among the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.
- Location: Prabhas Patan, Saurashtra coast, Gujarat.
- Destruction & Reconstruction: First major invasion in 1026. Rebuilt by King Kumarapala (12th Century) and Ahilyabai Holkar (18th Century).
- Modern Era: Reconstructed post-independence by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- Style: Built in the ‘Kailash Mahameru Prasad’ architectural style.
- Consecration: Dedicated on May 11, 1951, by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
2. Somnath Swabhiman Parv (2026)
- Milestones: Marks 1000 years of resilience (since 1026) and 75 years of reopening (1951).
- Veer Hamirji Gohil: Remembered for defending the temple in 1299; a symbol of ‘Rajadharma’.
- Centenary/Jubilee: Commemorates India’s civilizational resurgence and cultural continuity.
3. Architecture & Stats
- Shikhar: 150 feet high with a 10-tonne gold-plated Kalash.
- Dhwajdand: 27 feet tall flag pole.
- Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi: The government’s approach of balancing modern development with heritage.
4. Sustainability & Social Initiatives
- Mission LiFE: Recycling plastic waste into paver blocks.
- Miyawaki Forest: Carbon sequestration project within the temple complex.
- Somganga Jal: Bottling purified Abhishek water for devotees.
- Women Empowerment: Significant female workforce (363 women) in prasad and temple management.
Quick Revision Keywords:
1st Jyotirlinga Kailash Mahameru Style Prabhas Patan Sardar Patel 75th Anniversary 1026 AD
1st Jyotirlinga Kailash Mahameru Style Prabhas Patan Sardar Patel 75th Anniversary 1026 AD
PM-SETU & Aeronautics Centre of Excellence (Key Points)
1. PM-SETU Scheme
- Full Name: Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
- Primary Objective: Modernization of ITIs nationwide to align skill training with industry needs and boost employability.
- Executing Agency: Overseen by the Directorate General of Training (DGT).
2. National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) – Aeronautics
- Host Institute: National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Core Sectors: Aeronautics, Defence Aerospace, Civil Aviation, and Precision Engineering.
- Partnership: Envisioned with Indo-French bilateral support and industrial co-investment.
- Vision: Developing a skilled workforce for the aerospace ecosystem to achieve Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliance).
3. Hub-and-Spoke Model
- Component-I Strategy: Hub ITIs mentor a network of Spoke ITIs to upgrade regional skilling ecosystems.
- Identified Hub Clusters: Aliganj, Saket, Pandu Nagar (Kanpur), Muzaffarnagar, Agra, Naini (Prayagraj), Varanasi, and Chargawan.
- Operational Focus: Strengthening industry linkages and improving the quality of vocational training.
4. Major Stakeholders
- Public Sector Units (PSUs): Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
- Private Giants: Tata Advanced Systems, Dassault Aviation India, L&T Precision Engineering, Adani Skill Development Centre.
- Multilateral Support: World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Quick Revision Keywords:
PM-SETU Scheme NSTI Kanpur Aeronautics NCoE Hub-and-Spoke Model Indo-French Support MSDE
PM-SETU Scheme NSTI Kanpur Aeronautics NCoE Hub-and-Spoke Model Indo-French Support MSDE
BRICS MSME Cooperation: India’s Chairship 2026
1. Framework and Mandate
- BRICS PartNIR: India is leading cooperation under the Partnership on New Industrial Revolution framework.
- Mandated Events: As Chair, the Ministry of MSME will host three SME Working Group Meetings and the inaugural BRICS MSME Forum.
2. 1st SME Working Group Meeting (April 2024)
- Main Theme: “Access to Finance for MSMEs”.
- Bridging the Credit Gap: Focused on Financial Inclusion, Financial Literacy, and Credit Readiness.
- Fintech Innovation: Leveraging technology for expanded credit ecosystems and seamless Global Trade Payments.
3. Strategic Significance
- Economic Drivers: MSMEs are recognized as vital for employment generation, innovation, and inclusive growth within BRICS economies.
- The Credit Challenge: Timely and adequate access to finance remains the primary barrier identified by member nations.
- Collaborative Goals: Commitment to strengthening institutional capacities and promoting innovative financing mechanisms.
4. Essential Facts for Exams
- 2026 BRICS Chair: India.
- Member Nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (plus recently joined members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and UAE).
- Key Term: PartNIR – A platform for industrial growth and technological cooperation among BRICS members.
Quick Revision Summary:
India Chairship 2026 Access to Finance PartNIR Framework Credit Readiness Fintech Payments BRICS MSME Forum
India Chairship 2026 Access to Finance PartNIR Framework Credit Readiness Fintech Payments BRICS MSME Forum
TARA Weapon System: Maiden Flight-Trial
1. What is TARA?
- Full Name: Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation.
- System Type: It is a Modular Range Extension Kit.
- Core Function: India’s first indigenous system designed to convert conventional unguided warheads (dumb bombs) into Precision Guided Weapons (smart bombs).
2. Development and Design
- Nodal Laboratory: Designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, along with other DRDO labs.
- Manufacturing Partners: Developed with Development cum Production Partners (DcPP) and Indian private industries.
- Maiden Trial: Successfully conducted off the coast of Odisha on May 07, 2026.
3. Key Features & Benefits
- Precision & Accuracy: Enhances the accuracy of low-cost weapons to effectively neutralize ground-based targets.
- Innovative Tech: It is the first glide weapon to utilize state-of-the-art, low-cost indigenous systems.
- Strategic Vision: A major milestone for Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defense sector.
4. Quick Revision Points
- Agencies Involved: DRDO and Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Testing Site: Odisha Coast.
- Nodal Center: RCI, Hyderabad.
- Objective: Converting unguided warheads into precision-guided munitions.
Quick Revision Summary:
TARA Weapon RCI Hyderabad Glide Weapon DRDO & IAF Precision Guided Odisha Trial
TARA Weapon RCI Hyderabad Glide Weapon DRDO & IAF Precision Guided Odisha Trial
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