Daily Current Affairs – 07-05-2026

National News

IIT Madras – Innovation Thinking Course 2026

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has commenced enrollment for the 2026 ‘Out of the Box Thinking’ Innovation Thinking Course from May 4, 2026. The course was launched four years ago as a pilot initiative by the problem-solving division of IIT Madras to promote creative problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and mathematical thinking among school students, college students, graduates, and working professionals. The programme is conducted as a free online course and the last date for registration is July 31, 2026. According to IIT Madras, more than 3,19,536 learners from various sections of society have completed the course so far.

Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project and FRA Rules

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration informed the Calcutta High Court that Gram Sabha meetings held for approval of the ₹92,000 crore Great Nicobar Island infrastructure project did not meet the 50% quorum requirement prescribed under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) rules. According to the administration’s affidavit, participation in the Gram Sabha meetings ranged between 2% and 15% of the village population, but the meetings were treated as valid. Under the FRA implementation rules issued by the Centre, at least 50% of Gram Sabha members, including one-third women, must be present for decisions. In the meetings held at Campbell Bay, Laxmi Nagar, and Govind Nagar Gram Panchayats, a total of 349 persons approved the project. The petitions filed in the High Court alleged that approval for the project was granted in violation of procedures under the Forest Rights Act and without proper consent from tribal communities.

First BJP Government in West Bengal

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to form its first government in West Bengal, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata. The meeting of newly elected MLAs will be held on May 8, 2026. The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Samik Bhattacharya, President of the West Bengal BJP unit, announced the schedule for the MLA meeting and oath-taking ceremony. Sovandev Chattopadhyay is likely to become the Leader of the Opposition.

Shashi Shekhar Vempati Appointed CBFC Chairperson

Former Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer Shashi Shekhar Vempati has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). He succeeds Prasoon Joshi, who has been appointed as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati. Prasoon Joshi, a screenwriter and lyricist, served as CBFC Chairperson from 2017 until his recent appointment. Shashi Shekhar Vempati served as CEO of Prasar Bharati from 2017 to 2022 and has also worked with the University Grants Commission (UGC), BARC, and the Department of Science and Technology. He is associated with AI4India and has also worked on Indian language-based AI models at IIT Bombay. During Prasoon Joshi’s tenure, the CBFC implemented digitalisation initiatives, including the e-Cinema project.

Semicon Mission 2.0 Investment Model

Under India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, the Government of India has decided to continue the “Pari Passu” model, under which government incentives are provided proportionately to the capital investment made by companies. Under ISM 1.0, the government committed 50% financial support for project costs after companies invested their own funds. The first phase of the mission was launched in 2021 with a total outlay of ₹76,000 crore. As of May 5, 2026, investment commitments under the scheme crossed ₹1.64 lakh crore, exceeding the target of ₹1.6 lakh crore. The mission aims to reduce dependence on imported semiconductors and promote domestic semiconductor manufacturing and packaging facilities. The next phase of the mission will focus on equipment, raw materials, specialty chemicals, design innovation, intellectual property, advanced displays, and skill development in the semiconductor sector.

Adani Ports Fleet Expansion

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has announced plans to invest between ₹11,000 crore and ₹13,000 crore from FY27 to FY31 to expand its global maritime business and enter the European maritime services market. The company aims to increase its fleet strength from 136 ships to around 200 ships by 2031. According to Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ, the company is restructuring its maritime strategy due to geopolitical disturbances in West Asia and plans to expand operations across West Asia, North Africa, West Africa, and Europe. In FY26, the company added 21 ships with an investment of ₹2,681 crore, and its maritime business recorded 134% year-on-year growth. APSEZ currently operates through Ocean Sparkle Limited, Astro Offshore, and Tahit (Adani Harbour International DMCC). The company operates 80 tugboats, 41 offshore support vessels (OSVs), 15 barges, 47 cargo ships, and 64 dredgers.

El Nino Likely Before July

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) of the United States has stated that there is a 61% chance of the emergence of El Nino between May and July. Although the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a neutral phase, signs of warming have been observed since February. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the monsoon in India may remain below normal this year. During the 2023 El Nino, India received only 94% of normal rainfall, leading to drought conditions and affecting the production of major Kharif crops such as oilseeds, pulses, and paddy. The IMD has also indicated that El Nino may continue till January 2027, raising concerns about Rabi cultivation. During the April–February period, the Ocean Nino Index (ONI) was recorded at -0.5°C, indicating the continuation of La Nina conditions. Global weather agencies have warned that the upcoming El Nino could be stronger than the 2023 El Nino, and drought-related weather conditions may affect the Indian Ocean region.

APEDA Launches AI-Based Basmati Survey

Union Minister of State for Commerce Jitin Prasada launched India’s first AI-based Basmati paddy crop survey (2026–2028). The survey will be conducted over nearly 4 million hectares. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) report of 2023, the Basmati cultivation area was around 2.14 million hectares, which is less than half of the proposed survey area. The survey has revived discussions regarding the Geographical Indication (GI) status of Basmati rice, including proposals to include Madhya Pradesh in the GI region. The project is being implemented with support from the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF). Exporters are collecting ₹70 per tonne for mandatory contract registration. The government stated that the survey aims to collect more than 1,50,000 data points and involve over 5,00,000 farmers for accurate crop estimation, variety identification, scientific advisory services, and improved export planning.

AI-Based Barrier-Free Tolling System

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched pilot projects for Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling systems on national highways using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The pilot projects are being implemented at Manoharpur in Rajasthan and Hyderabad in Telangana. The system uses LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and real-time remote sensing technologies to enable barrier-free toll collection. NHAI is working with Kran AI, which uses its senseEDGE platform to identify vehicles, classify vehicle types, capture number plates through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), and automatically collect toll charges in real time. The MLFF system is designed to handle around 30,000 to 35,000 vehicles per day at the pilot locations. India currently has about 1.46 lakh km of national highways, and the Government plans to gradually introduce the MLFF system at more than 1,100 toll plazas across the country.

Tamil Nadu News

Chennai Port and Indian Maritime University MoU

Chennai Port Authority, Indian Maritime University, and the Indian Maritime Foundation signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at Thiruvallur on May 6, 2026 for implementing maritime sector initiatives in Tamil Nadu. The initiative is based on the innovative technology programme under the Ministry of Shipping and Transport and linked to the ‘Vande Sundar 2047’ action plan of the Central Government. According to Chennai Port Chairman Ravi Chandran, more than 40 maritime projects have already been implemented through Chennai Port. MoUs were also signed with IIT Chennai and IIT Mumbai to support maritime innovation and start-up initiatives. The agreements aim to establish maritime innovation centres and implement more than 40 maritime start-up projects in India. Officials including N.V. Easwaran, K. Murali, Mala Rajan, and Sathish Narayanan participated in the event.

International News

India–Vietnam Trade Target 2030

India and Vietnam have set a target to increase bilateral trade to 25 billion US dollars by 2030. The decision was taken during talks held in New Delhi on May 6, 2026 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. During the meeting, both countries signed 13 agreements in sectors including medicine, education, banking, energy, culture, agriculture, tourism, rare minerals, and traditional medicine. The discussions also focused on trade, security, geopolitics, training, and energy cooperation. Bilateral trade between the two countries has increased to 16 billion US dollars over the last ten years. India also highlighted the importance of its Act East Policy and cooperation with the ASEAN grouping during the discussions.

India–Gabon Bilateral Relations

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Gabon on a five-day visit and held discussions with the President of Gabon on strengthening bilateral relations between India and Gabon. The discussions focused on economic cooperation, security, intelligence sharing, and cultural relations. During the visit, India highlighted the implementation of several projects in Gabon under India’s Line of Credit assistance scheme. It was also stated that projects worth 10 million US dollars were undertaken during the previous year. The meetings were held at Paramaribo on May 6, 2026.

North Korea Amends Constitution on South Korea

North Korea amended its Constitution on May 6, 2026, declaring that it has no intention of unifying with South Korea. According to the official announcement of the North Korean Parliament, the amendment changed the country’s policy regarding the Korean Peninsula and officially described South Korea as an enemy state. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated that reunification with South Korea was no longer possible. The constitutional amendment also separated South Korea and related organisations from the concept of a single Korean nation and emphasized measures related to North Korea’s security structure and administrative system.

India–Algeria Joint Defence Commission Meeting

India and Algeria held their first Joint Defence Commission Meeting in New Delhi on May 6, 2026 to strengthen bilateral defence relations. According to the Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on cooperation in training, joint military exercises, medical collaboration, and the defence industry. Both countries also signed the Rules of Procedure for implementing India–Algeria defence cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), and Major General Kaid Nour Eddine, Chief of Staff of the Algerian Naval Forces.

India to Host First Big Cat Summit

India will host the first summit of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) from June 1 to 3, 2026 in New Delhi, with participation expected from representatives of 95 countries. The summit is expected to release the first global declaration on big cat conservation, named the “Delhi Declaration”, focusing on conservation priorities, cross-border cooperation, and landscape-based protection of big cats and their habitats. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change confirmed the event details. The IBCA, launched in 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, includes countries associated with the conservation of seven big cats — Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. The alliance currently includes 24 member countries and 3 observer countries. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav is scheduled to launch the summit website and logo. The summit will be conducted under the theme “Protecting Big Cats, Preserving Humanity and Ecosystems.”

Russia’s Share in India’s Oil Imports Rises

India’s crude oil imports from Russia increased to 33.3% of total imports in March 2026, compared to 29% in February and 19% in January. The increase followed the West Asia crisis and supply disruptions in Gulf countries. India imported Russian oil at a 2.5% premium during this period, while in 2025–26 it had earlier received Russian oil at a 3.9% discount. Reports stated that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28 affected Gulf oil supplies and increased India’s dependence on Russian oil. India’s total crude oil imports in March 2026 stood at 15.8 million metric tonnes (MMT), which was 23% lower than February and 41% lower than the previous year.

ECLGS 5.0 for Airlines

SpiceJet and Akasa Air are expected to access financial support under ECLGS 5.0 (Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0) approved by the Union Cabinet for the aviation sector. The scheme provides a credit allocation of ₹5,000 crore for airlines, MSMEs, and non-MSME sectors. The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that loans under the scheme will receive 90% credit guarantee through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC). The scheme was introduced to reduce the impact of the West Asia crisis on the aviation sector and offers loans with a repayment period of seven years. Airlines can avail loans up to ₹1,500 crore, subject to conditions, and the scheme will remain operational until March 31, 2027. The scheme also allows additional borrowing up to 20% of peak working capital used during FY26 fourth quarter.

Google Translate Completes 20 Years

Google Translate completed 20 years since its launch in 2006. The platform supports translation in nearly 250 languages and more than 60,000 language pairs, including endangered languages. The application provides features such as pronunciation practice, instant translation during travel, and audio-based language assistance. The most used translation pair on Google Translate is English-Spanish. Other widely used languages include Indonesian, Portuguese, Arabic, and Turkish. In India, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam are among the most commonly used languages on Google Translate.

Sports News

Asian U15 and U17 Boxing Championship 2026

At the Asian U15 and U17 Boxing Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, India assured 27 medals in the competition on May 6, 2026. India secured 14 medals in the women’s category and 13 medals in the men’s category in the U15 division. Indian boxers including Shanta, Rithik, Swarnsingh, Shantu, Drobath, Sabir, Melish, and Mohammed Harris won matches in their respective weight categories to confirm medals for India.

Arsenal Reaches UEFA Champions League Final

In the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal advanced to the final for the first time in 20 years after defeating their semi-final opponent with an aggregate score of 2-1 on May 6, 2026, in London. The first-leg match ended in a 1-1 draw on April 30, while Arsenal won the second-leg match 1-0 to secure qualification for the final. Arsenal had previously reached the Champions League final in 2006. In the final, Arsenal is set to face either Paris Saint-Germain or another finalist team. Arsenal is also noted for winning the Premier League title 22 times.

Reports and Indices

NCRB Report 2024 on Crime and Cybercrime

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report released in 2024, the overall crime rate in India declined by 6% compared to 2023, while cybercrime cases increased by 17%. A total of 1,04,928 cybercrime cases were registered in 2024 against 86,420 cases in 2023. Among cybercrime cases, 72.6% were related to fraud with 73,987 cases, followed by sexual offences and extortion cases. Nationwide, 58.86 lakh criminal cases were registered, including 35.44 lakh cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and 23.41 lakh cases under Special and Local Laws. Crimes against the State increased by 6.6% with 5,194 cases registered, including cases under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The report also stated that crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) declined by 3.6%, while crimes against Scheduled Tribes (STs) declined by 23.1%. The NCRB reported 1,70,746 suicides in 2024, with higher numbers among daily wage workers, unemployed persons, students, homemakers, farmers, and agricultural labourers. Deaths due to drug abuse increased by 50%, with 978 deaths reported across India, including 313 deaths in Tamil Nadu.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Ted Turner Passes Away

Ted Turner, founder of CNN (Cable News Network), died at the age of 87 in New York. He founded CNN in 1980, which became the world’s first 24-hour television news network. Ted Turner played a major role in transforming global television journalism. CNN gained worldwide recognition for its live coverage of major international events, including the 1990-91 Gulf War, the fall of the Soviet Union, and the Tiananmen Square protests in China. Ted Turner was also known as an American businessman, philanthropist, and sailing enthusiast. He was suffering from Lewy Body Dementia, a brain disorder.

States’ News

Reliance Data Centre Project in Vizag

The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, approved Reliance Industries’ proposal to establish a data centre in Visakhapatnam with an investment of ₹1.08 lakh crore. The approval was granted in Amaravati. The SIPB also approved other investment projects, including the Adani Energy Hydro Energy Pump Storage Project worth ₹12,000 crore and a Royal Enfield motorcycle manufacturing plant in Tirupati worth ₹2,500 crore. The Reliance data centre project in Visakhapatnam will become the state’s second-largest data centre project. Earlier, construction of the Google Cloud AI Hub worth ₹15 lakh crore began in Anakapalli near Visakhapatnam.

Economy News

J&K Bank Records Highest Profit in FY26

Jammu and Kashmir Bank recorded its highest-ever net profit of ₹2,363.47 crore in FY26, marking the fourth consecutive year of record profit growth. The profit increased by 13% compared to ₹2,082.46 crore in FY25. The bank reported a loss of ₹179 crore from its investment in J&K Grameen Bank. During the January–March quarter, the bank posted a net profit of ₹584.54 crore. The bank’s Net Interest Margin (NIM) stood at 3.6%, while Return on Assets (RoA) increased from 1.44% to 1.78% during the quarter, with the full-year RoA recorded at 1.37%. The Return on Equity (RoE) was 16.85%, and the cost-to-income ratio was 56.18%. The bank’s total business increased by 13.61% to ₹2.9 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026. Deposits rose by 11.3% to ₹1.65 lakh crore, while net advances increased by 18% to ₹1.23 lakh crore. The CASA ratio reached 45.65%. The bank’s Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) declined from 3% to 2.5%, while Net NPA stood at 0.64%. The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) was recorded at 16.55%. The bank also announced plans to raise capital before implementing the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework from April 2027.