Daily Current Affairs – 02-05-2026

National News

Record GST Collection in April 2026

In April 2026, India recorded its highest-ever monthly Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection of ₹2.43 lakh crore, surpassing the previous record of ₹2.36 lakh crore in April 2025. Revenue from domestic transactions increased by 4.3% to ₹1.85 lakh crore, while revenue from imports rose significantly by 25.8% to ₹57,580 crore. The total refunds issued stood at ₹31,793 crore, marking a 19.3% increase, and the net GST revenue grew by 7.3% to reach ₹2.11 lakh crore. After the GST rate rationalization in September 2025 to two slabs (5% and 18%), prices of around 375 items were reduced. Monthly GST collections following this change were ₹1.89 lakh crore (September 2025), ₹1.96 lakh crore (October 2025), ₹1.70 lakh crore (November 2025), ₹1.74 lakh crore (December 2025), ₹1.93 lakh crore (January 2026), ₹1.83 lakh crore (February 2026), and ₹2,00,064 crore (March 2026).

India’s First Barrier-Free Toll Plaza in Gujarat

India’s first multi-lane free-flow (barrier-free) toll plaza system was launched in Gujarat at the Choryasi toll plaza located on the Surat–Bharuch stretch of National Highway-48 (NH-48). The system enables toll collection without stopping vehicles by integrating technologies such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and FASTag, using cameras and QR codes. The initiative was announced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Earlier, at the 2nd Logistics Power Summit and Awards 2026, it was stated that the Central Government plans to implement similar barrier-free toll systems from December 2026 at selected locations.

DGHS Directs Use of Generic Medicines in Central Hospitals

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued a directive that only generic medicines must be prescribed to patients in Central Government hospitals. Earlier, the National Medical Commission (NMC) released ethical guidelines in 2023 for doctors registered with the Indian Medical Council, mandating the prescription of generic medicines and warning of legal action for violations. Following objections regarding drug quality, including concerns raised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the implementation of these rules was temporarily deferred. In the current directive, DGHS has instructed that the 2023 guidelines be followed, hospital administrations must monitor compliance, and reports must be submitted every three months.

Re-polling Ordered in West Bengal Elections

Following complaints of irregularities during the second phase of elections in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India ordered re-polling in 15 polling stations. The decision was taken under the direction of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, after inspection by Special Observer Subrata Gupta. Complaints were reported from Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies, and based on the findings, the polling held on April 29 in these stations was declared void under Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Accordingly, re-polling was scheduled on May 2, 2026, in 11 polling stations in Magrahat Paschim and 4 polling stations in Diamond Harbour, to be conducted from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with guidelines issued by the State Chief Electoral Officer.

Record GST Collection in April Without Compensation Cess

In April 2026, India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection reached a record ₹2.42 lakh crore, marking an 8.7% growth compared to ₹2.33 lakh crore in April of the previous financial year, and this milestone was achieved without compensation cess. According to GST portal data, revenue from domestic sources exceeded ₹1.85 lakh crore with a 4.3% increase, while import revenue rose by 25.8% to over ₹57,000 crore. The total refunds increased by 19.3%, resulting in a net GST collection of around ₹2.11 lakh crore, reflecting a 7.3% growth over the previous year. The increase in collections was supported by imported goods and year-end stock clearances, and major contributing states included Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.

Ravi K Appointed as 22nd CMD of HAL

Ravi K has assumed charge as the 22nd Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru, succeeding D.K. Sunil, who retired on April 30, 2026. He has over 30 years of experience in aerospace, defence, manufacturing, and electronics sectors and previously served as Director (Operations) at HAL, contributing to strategic planning and achieving Maharatna status for the company. He has held key positions including Executive Director, General Manager of LCA Tejas Division, and Executive Director (Corporate Planning). During his tenure, contracts were signed for the supply of 180 LCA Tejas aircraft to the Indian Air Force and 156 LCH Prachand helicopters to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, and he played a role in operationalising the LCA Tejas fleet. He also contributed to improving serviceability, establishing data communication with Indian Air Force bases, implementing Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for customer support, enhancing localisation in the LCA Tejas programme, and expanding production capacity in Nasik, along with promoting manufacturing partnerships and diversification into civil manufacturing and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul).

IMD Forecast on El Niño and Monsoon 2026

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that El Niño conditions may develop during the 2026 monsoon season and could persist until January 2027, potentially leading to below-normal rainfall (92% of long-period average) and affecting both Kharif and Rabi cropping seasons. The southwest monsoon is expected to set in over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 14–16, 2026. Although Positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions may partially offset the impact, the influence of El Niño is expected to dominate. The IMD has also predicted above-normal rainfall in May 2026 in some regions, while heatwave conditions are likely in parts of the Himalayan foothills, East Coast states, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The El Niño conditions may lead to delayed sowing, pest and disease risks, and potential disruption in agricultural inputs like methanol and ammonia, affecting farming activities.

Force Majeure Relief for Government Contracts

The Government of India has recognized the ongoing West Asia situation as a “Force Majeure” event, allowing relief for government contracts affected by supply chain disruptions. As per the Ministry of Finance – Department of Expenditure office memorandum dated April 29, 2026, procuring entities can invoke Force Majeure provisions under government procurement rules, treating the situation as “war”. Accordingly, contractual obligations due on or after February 28, 2026 can be extended by 2 to 4 months without penalties or additional charges. The extension will be decided on a case-by-case basis, and no penalty (liquidated damages) will be imposed if delays are not due to the fault of suppliers, contractors, or service providers. However, this relief is applicable only to contracts that were not in default as of February 27, 2026.

RBI Repatriates Over 100 MT Gold for Third Consecutive Year

In 2025-26 financial year, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repatriated 168.06 metric tonnes (MT) of gold to India, marking the third consecutive year of bringing over 100 MT gold domestically. During the second half of 2025-26, 104.23 MT of gold was brought from abroad, including holdings in the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements, in addition to 63.83 MT repatriated in the first half. RBI’s total gold reserves stood at 880.52 MT, valued at $122 billion (as of April 17), with 77% stored domestically, compared to 38% in March 2023. The trend of increasing domestic storage is linked to global shifts after the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, which led to freezing of foreign exchange reserves. According to the World Gold Council’s Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey 2025, 59% of central banks preferred domestic storage in 2025, compared to 35% in 2023 and 28% in 2019.

Blackbuck Population Increases in IIT Madras Campus

At Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) in Chennai, the population of Blackbuck increased from 12 in 2021 to 77 in 2026 within its 611-acre campus, which forms part of the Guindy National Park ecosystem. The population had earlier declined to less than 20 in 2003 from several hundred in the 1980s. Measures such as removal of fences, control of stray dogs, and closure of open wells and pits helped stabilise the population. Following wildlife casualties in 2024, the institute reduced the vehicle speed limit to 20 kmph, with penalties up to ₹1 lakh and vehicle seizure for violations. The institute also created 4 acres of grassland by removing Prosopis juliflora, and adopted indigenous plant species, reducing water usage by 40%. The campus hosts 298 plant species, 35 animal species, 51 bird species, 51 butterfly species, and around 250 spotted deer. The Green Committee (2023) was formed to implement a Climate Action Plan.

Study on Women Representation in NSE Companies

A study based on data from 2,647 companies listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) reveals that 48% of companies have no women in key managerial positions in 2024-25, with an average of 0.64 women per company, and only 10% of firms employing more than one woman in such roles. According to a report by the Udaiti Foundation, women’s representation in the formal workforce stands at 18%, declining from 2020-21, while among employees earning above ₹18,000 per month, it decreased from 21% (2020-21) to 12% (2024-25). In contrast, women’s share in lower-paid jobs increased from 19% to 23% under the Code on Wages framework. Sector-wise, women’s participation is highest in hospitals and laboratory services (48%), followed by textiles (37%), consumer services (34%), and information technology (34%), while it is 26% in banking, 21% in FMCG, and only 2% in construction, as per Close the Gender Gap (CGG) data. The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS 2025) indicates that women constitute 24% of regular wage employees, with 57% lacking formal job contracts, and earning ₹18,353 per month compared to ₹24,217 for men.

Vishvajit Sahay Appointed as Secretary (Defence Finance)

Shri Vishvajit Sahay, a 1990-batch Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer, assumed charge as Secretary (Defence Finance), Ministry of Defence on May 1, 2026. Prior to this, he served as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). He is an alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, and a law graduate, with over three decades of experience in defence finance and public administration. He has held key positions including Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Science and Technology, Joint Secretary in the Department of Heavy Industries, Finance Manager (Acquisition Wing) in the Ministry of Defence, and Director in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In the Defence Accounts Department, he served as Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), Prayagraj, Joint CGDA, and Special CGDA. He has also represented India at international forums including the University of Cambridge (UK) and the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies (Germany).

Indigenous Stealth Frigate ‘Mahendragiri’ Delivered to Indian Navy

The ‘Mahendragiri’ (Yard 12654), the sixth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) and the fourth ship built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on April 30, 2026, in Mumbai. The ship is designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and represents a milestone in Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in warship construction. The Project 17A frigates are equipped with stealth technology, advanced weapons and sensors, and feature CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) propulsion system and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). These ships have enhanced capabilities compared to P17 (Shivalik-class) frigates, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare systems. The first ship ‘Nilgiri’ was delivered on December 20, 2024, and within 17 months, six ships have been delivered. The project includes 75% indigenous content, involves over 200 MSMEs, and has generated employment for about 4,000 people directly and 10,000 indirectly.

Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) Inaugurated in Visakhapatnam

The Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) was established by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences at Andhra University (AU), Visakhapatnam, with land allocated by the university. The open-field observatory was inaugurated on May 1, 2026, by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, in the presence of Prof. G.P. Raja Sekhar, Vice-Chancellor of AU, and Dr. Suryachandra Rao, Director, IITM. The facility is a key milestone under the Mission Mausam initiative aimed at strengthening weather observation and prediction systems. The testbed is equipped with instruments such as Disdrometer and 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Station (3D-PAWS), and future additions include Wind Lidar, Radars, and Mass Spectrometer. The facility will function as a national user facility to support monsoon research, improve weather prediction models, and enhance early warning systems for cyclones and extreme weather events.

Bharat Khera Assumes Charge as MSME Secretary

Shri Bharat Khera, a 1995-batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, has assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) on May 1, 2026. Prior to this, he served as Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs. He earlier worked as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence (2014–2020) handling Indian Air Force matters and coordinating Republic Day national events, and also served as a Board member of Mazagon Dock and Hindustan Shipyard. He later served as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, handling Commerce, Industry and Technology sectors, and contributed to policy decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. He holds an Electronics Engineering degree from BITS Pilani and a Master’s in Public Administration from Syracuse University, with advanced training from ISB and London School of Economics. The MSME sector contributes over 30% to India’s GDP and is linked to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

States’ News

Punjab AAP Government Wins Confidence Motion

On May 1, 2026, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a confidence motion during a one-day special session held in Chandigarh. The motion was moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The development followed the defection of 7 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), raising concerns about government stability. During the session, opposition parties including Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) did not participate fully, with some boycotting or staging walkouts, including Independent MLA Rana Inder Pratap Singh along with Congress MLAs. No votes were cast against the motion, and with the support of 94 MLAs in the 117-member Assembly, the motion was passed unanimously.

Sikkim Declared India’s First Paperless Judiciary

At Gangtok on May 1, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant announced that Sikkim has become India’s first paperless state judiciary, marking a milestone in the integration of technology into judicial processes. The declaration was made during the inaugural session of a two-day National Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education. The initiative is part of the broader e-Courts project, which focuses on digitizing judicial systems and reducing dependence on physical records. This development highlights the transition of the Indian judiciary from traditional paper-based systems to a digital ecosystem, enabling easier access to legal services and reducing geographical barriers for litigants.

Conservation Study on Critically Endangered Peacock Tarantula in Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, a conservation study has been initiated on the rare spider species Peacock Tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica), which is endemic to a limited forest region in the state. The study is being conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department in collaboration with the Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society at the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). The species is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The survey aims to collect baseline data on its population, distribution, and habitat. The study is supported technically by the Wingham Wildlife Park, United Kingdom. The species depends on old-growth trees and is sensitive to habitat changes, making conservation efforts significant.

Karnataka Launches Portal for Gig Workers’ Grievance Redressal

The Karnataka Government has operationalised a specialised grievance redressal mechanism for gig workers through the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS) portal, developed by the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers’ Board in collaboration with the Department of e-Governance, marking the first such initiative in India. Under this system, gig workers can file complaints related to wages, working conditions, and platform-specific disputes, and these grievances will be automatically routed to the respective companies’ Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC) for resolution within a fixed timeframe. As per the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act and Rules, it is mandatory for every aggregator platform to establish an IDRC. The government will act as a central monitoring authority to ensure transparency and effective communication between workers and platforms. According to G. Manjunath, Additional Labour Commissioner and CEO of the Board, data of about 12 lakh gig workers has been collected, and further welfare schemes will be discussed in upcoming board meetings.

Economy News

Bank of Baroda Introduces Indian Sign Language Service

Bank of Baroda launched Indian Sign Language (ISL) support service for hearing and speech impaired customers in the Indian banking sector. The service enables customers to access banking services through video calls with the assistance of sign language experts. It is available across platforms such as the bank’s website, mobile application, WhatsApp banking, and AI chatbot. The bank has deployed customer service officers trained in Indian Sign Language, and the service operates from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The initiative was introduced under the leadership of Managing Director and CEO Debadatta Chand.

UPI Records High Daily Transactions in April 2026

According to data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processed 22.35 billion transactions worth ₹29.03 lakh crore in April 2026, slightly lower than March 2026 figures of 22.64 billion transactions worth ₹29.53 lakh crore. Despite the marginal decline, year-on-year growth remained strong with 25% increase in transaction volume and 21% increase in value. The average daily transactions reached a new record of 745 million in April, compared to 730 million in March, with an average daily transaction value of ₹96,766 crore. In terms of market share, PhonePe led with around 45% share and over 10 billion transactions, followed by Google Pay with about 7.5 billion transactions, while Paytm handled approximately 1.7 billion transactions.

Tamil Nadu News

Birth Anniversary of Vallal Athiyaman Observed in Tamil Nadu

The birth anniversary of Vallal Athiyaman, one of the Kadeyezhu Vallalgal (Last Seven Patrons) and ruler of Tagadur (present-day Dharmapuri), was observed by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Athiyaman is historically known for gifting Nellikani (gooseberry) to the poetess Avvaiyar. The government has established a memorial named Athiyaman Kottam at Athiyaman Kottai in Dharmapuri, and the event is organized annually by the Tamil Nadu Information and Public Relations Department. The 2026 celebration was held at Athiyaman Kottam, presided over by District Collector Re. Sathish, who paid tribute to the statues of Vallal Athiyaman and Avvaiyar, with participation from District Revenue Officer R. Kavitha, Nallampalli Tehsildar Prasanna, and Block Development Officer Govindasamy.

Approval for Kochi–Thoothukudi Natural Gas Pipeline Project

Permission has been granted to Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to implement the Kochi–Kanyakumari–Thoothukudi Natural Gas Pipeline (KDKPL) project as part of the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) across India by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The project involves laying a 425 km pipeline from the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at Kochi to Thoothukudi, with a capacity of 6.84 Million Metric Standard Cubic Meters per Day (MMSCMD). The project includes design, implementation, and expansion by IOCL, and is targeted for completion by 2030. It aims to facilitate the shift of industries in Thoothukudi region from fuels like furnace oil and coal to natural gas, and enable piped natural gas supply to households in southern districts such as Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari. IOCL has already implemented a Ramanathapuram–Thoothukudi pipeline project, supplying gas to the SPIC plant and nearby residential areas, and infrastructure development for PNG supply is ongoing in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli.

Anna University Launches Train-the-Trainer Programme

In Chennai, Anna University, through its Centre for Academic Courses (CAC), has introduced ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programmes to enhance the skills of faculty members in affiliated engineering colleges. The initiative aims to align engineering education with future industry requirements, particularly in areas such as chip design, VLSI, EV systems, and semiconductor technologies. The move follows an increase in engineering intake from 1.80 lakh to 2.02 lakh seats, with over 1,100 additional seats added in electronics and related streams. As part of the programme, a training titled ‘RTL to GDS II VLSI Design Flow Using Open Source EDA Tools’ will be conducted from May 25 to May 30 at the College of Engineering, Guindy. Another programme focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in Electric Vehicle (EV) technology is scheduled from June 8 to June 13, with participation of industry experts.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Consumer Rights Activist Dijo Kappan Passes Away

Dijo Kappan (68), a noted consumer rights activist, passed away at Pala in Kottayam district, Kerala, after undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in a car accident in October (previous year) in Thiruvananthapuram. In 1988, he founded the Centre for Consumer Education, aimed at protecting the rights of consumers and farmers, and served as its trustee while leading several legal initiatives. His interventions covered issues such as electricity tariff hikes, road tax increases, waste management in Kochi, and advertisement boards on public roads. He also led a prolonged legal effort addressing issues in insurance claims for road accident victims. Additionally, he served as the Chairman of the Sabari Railway Central Action Council and was active in civil rights movements.

Anugraha Narayana Das Appointed as CGDA

Shri Anugraha Narayana Das, a 1991-batch Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer, assumed charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on May 1, 2026. He has over three decades of experience in defence financial management and public service. He is an alumnus of Utkal University, Bhubaneswar and ICPE, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), and has received advanced training from institutions including IIM Bengaluru and Duke University. During his career, he has contributed to areas such as procurement policy, audit and oversight mechanisms, budgeting, and expenditure monitoring. He has held key positions including Director in the Ministry of Water Resources, Additional Financial Adviser and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Principal Integrated Financial Adviser in Army Headquarters, and Special CGDA in CGDA Headquarters.

International News

Indian Navy Chief Visits Myanmar

Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), is on an official visit to Myanmar from May 2 to May 5, 2026. During the visit, he is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with General Ye Win Oo (Commander-in-Chief, Myanmar Armed Forces), General U Htun Aung (Defence Minister of Myanmar) and Admiral Htein Win (Chief of Myanmar Navy). The visit includes engagements with the Myanmar Navy’s Central Naval Command, Naval Training Command and No. 1 Fleet, and paying tribute at the Myanmar Armed Forces War Memorial. The discussions focus on maritime security, defence cooperation, training and capacity building. India and Myanmar maintain naval cooperation through India-Myanmar Naval Exercise (IMNEX), Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR), Defence Cooperation Meetings, Staff Talks, training exchanges, port visits and hydrography surveys. Myanmar also participates in multilateral naval events such as Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), MILAN, International Fleet Review and Goa Maritime Conclave.

Important Days

World Tuna Day

The United Nations officially recognized this day in 2016 to raise awareness about the importance of tuna and the need for sustainable management of tuna stocks. It is observed annually on May 2 to highlight the role of tuna in food security and nutrition worldwide.