Daily Current Affairs 2026-English May 2026 Current Affairs – English

12 May 2026 Daily Current Affairs | Today’s News for UPSC & Exams

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Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Act, 2025

Transforming Rural Livelihoods & Infrastructure

Motto: “Rozgar Bhi, Samman Bhi” (Employment with Dignity)

1. Key Implementation Facts

Commencement: Nationwide implementation begins July 1, 2026.
MGNREGA Repeal: The 2005 Act will be repealed on the same date.
Enhanced Guarantee: Guaranteed work increased from 100 to 125 days per household.

2. Strategic Thematic Focus

Water Security: Irrigation, groundwater recharge, and rejuvenation of water bodies.
Core Infrastructure: Rural roads, schools, Anganwadi centers, and clean energy.
Livelihood Support: Storage facilities, markets, and food processing units.
Climate Resilience: Disaster management and flood protection infrastructure.

3. Technology & Governance

Attendance: Captured via NMMS and Face Authentication.
Payments: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) within 15 days of work.
Delay Penalty: 0.05% daily compensation for payments delayed beyond 16 days.
Planning: Integrated with PM Gati Shakti and GIS mapping.

4. Social Security & Welfare

Agri-Balance: A 60-day “Pause Period” for states during peak farming seasons.
Worksite Facilities: Mandatory drinking water, shade, and first-aid kits.
Gender Inclusion: Dedicated child-caretaker for worksites with 5+ young children.
Insurance: Coverage under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana for accidents.

Exam-Oriented Key Terminology:

VB-NRIS: Viksit Bharat – National Rural Infrastructure Stack.
VGPP: Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (Bottom-up spatial planning).
Normative Allocation: Standardized fund distribution based on objective parameters.

New Chairman & Managing Director of SAIL

Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda (Dr. A.K. Panda)

Key Professional Background

Assumed Charge: Officially took over as CMD on May 9, 2026.
Previous Roles: Served as Director (Finance) and held additional charge as Director (Commercial).
Career Journey: Joined SAIL in 1992 as a Management Trainee (Technical).
Education: Holds a B.E. in Electrical Engineering.

Strategic Priorities & Future Targets

Scale production capacity to 35 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).
Strengthen raw material security through domestic mining and overseas assets.
Sharp focus on Value-Added Products and brand reach.
Highest priority on Workplace Safety across all plants and units.

Static GK Related to SAIL (For Exams)

Status: A Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).
Ministry: Ministry of Steel, Government of India.
Headquarters: New Delhi.

Likely Exam Question: “Who has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in May 2026?”
Answer: Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda

National Technology Day 2026: ICMR Milestone

Transfer of 3 Indigenous Medical Technologies to Industry

1. Key Event Highlights

Occasion: National Technology Day (May 11, 2026).
Programme: ‘विज्ञान–Tech’ (Vigyan-Tech) held at BRIC-NII, New Delhi.
Approach: A “Whole-of-Government” collaboration involving 14 Scientific Ministries.
Inaugurated by: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (S&T).

2. Technology Transfer to Industry Partners

Technology	Developing Institute	Licensed To
PSP94 ELISA (Prostate Biopsy Decision Support)	ICMR-NIRWoH	Krishgen Labs Pvt. Ltd.
Factor VIII Inhibitor (Coagulation Disorder Diagnostic)	ICMR-NIRBID	Meril Life Sciences
Single-Tube RT-PCR (Detection of Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya)	ICMR-NIV	Vanguard Life Sciences

3. Major Innovations Showcased

Covaxin: India’s premier indigenous COVID-19 vaccine.
CRISPR-Cas TB Detection: Next-gen Tuberculosis diagnosis system.
Nipah Point-of-Care: Rapid assay for Nipah virus detection.
Biolarvicide: Eco-friendly solution for mosquito control.

Static GK Fact Box (For Competitive Exams)

National Technology Day: Observed on May 11 (Commemorates 1998 Pokhran-II tests).
Director General, ICMR: Dr. Rajiv Bahl.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Initiative: Medical Innovations Patent Mitra (Supporting IP and licensing).

Indian Coast Guard: Indigenous ACV Milestone

Girder Laying of 4th, 5th, & 6th Air Cushion Vehicles

1. Project Overview

Manufacturer: Chowgule & Company Private Limited, Goa.
Timeline: Contract signed on October 24, 2024; Girder laying held on May 11, 2026.
Indigenization: Built with 50% indigenous content under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Quantity: Part of a six-vessel indigenous fabrication project.

2. Operational Capabilities

Versatility: Capable of high-speed operations in shallow waters, marshy areas, and deep seas.
Role: Multipurpose maritime functions including coastal patrolling, reconnaissance, and interception.
SAR Readiness: Vital for Search and Rescue (SAR) missions and assisting distressed vessels.
All-Weather: Designed for both day and night operations to safeguard India’s dynamic coastal zones.

3. Strategic Significance for Exams

Self-Reliance: Reduces dependence on foreign OEMs for high-speed maritime platforms.
Geographic Advantage: Crucial for patrolling “Creek areas” (like Sir Creek) where traditional ships cannot navigate.
Operational Flexibility: Adds significant strategic mobility to the ICG fleet.

Static GK Fact Box (Defence Sector)

Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Established Feb 1, 1977 (Coast Guard Act 1978).
Motto: Vayam Rakshamah (We Protect).
Ministry: Ministry of Defence.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Event Coincidence: Ceremony held on National Technology Day (May 11).

India-Sri Lanka Relations & Women’s Empowerment

Interaction between Lok Sabha Speaker & Sri Lankan Women Parliamentarians

1. Bilateral & Civilizational Ties

Shared Heritage: Deep spiritual and cultural bonds evolving over centuries, anchored in a shared Buddhist heritage.
Parliamentary Exchange: Regular dialogues between parliamentarians are strengthening mutual understanding and bilateral momentum.

2. Shift to “Women-led Development”

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: The first historic legislation in the new Parliament, providing 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies.
Grassroots Empowerment: 50% reservation in local bodies in several states, leading to over 1.4 million elected women representatives.
Inclusive Growth: Transitioning from simple development to women leading the socio-economic transformation.

3. Economic & Humanitarian Support

Entrepreneurship: Initiatives like the Lakhpati Didi Scheme are creating financial self-reliance through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Neighborhood First: Sri Lanka expressed gratitude for India’s support during COVID-19 and natural disasters like Cyclone Ditwa.

Static GK Fact Box (International Relations)

Lok Sabha Speaker: Shri Om Birla.
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: 106th Constitutional Amendment Act.
Joint Military Exercise: Mitra Shakti.
Joint Naval Exercise: SLINEX.
Foreign Policy: Neighborhood First Policy (Prioritizing South Asian neighbors).