Daily Current Affairs (01 – May – 26)

Daily Current Affairs (01 – May – 26)

1. Government of India Announces Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026  –

• The Government of India have officially announced that the 2026 Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will take place from the June to August. It will marks the another important step to restoring cross-border pilgrimage sites. It is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in the coordination with China and this yatra will proceed through the two key routes Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. It will offering the devotees the chance to undertake one of the most sacred journeys in the Asia.

Routes for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026

1. Lipulekh Pass Route (Uttarakhand)

• The Lipulekh Pass route is the traditional and more physically demanding route. The pilgrims trek via the Himalayan terrain and making it ideal for those seeking the spiritually intense and adventurous experience.

2. Nathu La Pass Route (Sikkim)

• The Nathu La Pass route offers the comparatively easier journey with the most of the travel done by vehicles. It is also suitable for elderly pilgrims or those who are unable to undertake long treks.

Batch Details and Participation

• This yatra will be conducted in the structured manner to ensure the safety and smooth coordination.
• 20 batches in total
• Each batch will have the total 50 pilgrims
• 10 batches via Lipulekh Pass
• 10 batches via Nathu La Pass
• This means around the 1,000 pilgrims will participate in the 2026 yatra.

2. International Labour Day 2026 –

• International Labour Day is the global event observed in the over 80 countries and it is often marked as the public holiday. It is associated with workers rights movements and the demand for the fair labour standards.
• The day also continues to highlight the key issues such as social justice, equality and the dignity of labour and making it highly relevant even in the modern economies shaped by automation and digital work.

History of May Day: From Protest to Global Movement

• The origins of Labour Day can be trace back to the historic Haymarket Affair in the United States.
• In the year 1886 the workers in Chicago went on to the strike demanding an 8-hour workday. The protest have turned  out the violent and drawing the global attention to labour rights.
• In the year 1889 this international socialist movement declared May 1 as Labour Day to honor these workers.

3. Gaganyaan Programme Expands With Civilian Astronaut Selection Plan –

• The Indian Space Research Organization started preparing to select the second batch of astronauts for the ambitious Gaganyaan program. Unlike the first batch which was chosen in 2020 this new selection is expected to include the civilian experts from the STEM fields alongside military personnel. This move also signals the India’s long-term vision of building the robust human spaceflight ecosystem and includes the future plans for the space station and a manned Moon mission by 2040.

ISRO Expands Astronaut Selection Beyond Test Pilots

• The upcoming astronaut selection will marks the significant shift in the India’s space strategy. The first batch of the astronauts for Gaganyaan Program was just limited to Indian Air Force test pilot which are chosen through the rigorous process which involves the medical, psychological and operational evaluations.

4. India Advances AMCA, Eyes 6th-Gen Fighter Collaboration –

• India is accelerating its defence modernisation efforts with progress on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme and plans to explore partnerships for sixth-generation fighter jets. Alongside aviation advancements, developments in missile technology, including the Agni-VI and hypersonic systems, highlight a comprehensive push to strengthen national security capabilities.

AMCA Programme Gains Momentum

• The procurement process for the AMCA project is moving forward, with a Request for Proposal (RFP) expected to be issued soon to shortlisted private sector players. The initiative marks a shift towards greater private participation in indigenous fighter aircraft production. The move aims to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on imports in the defence sector.

5. Maharashtra Approves AI Policy 2026 –

• The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026 with a planned investment of ₹10,000 crore to strengthen the state’s AI ecosystem. The policy aims to promote innovation, create jobs, support industries and position Maharashtra as a leading artificial intelligence hub in India.

Major Investment and Job Creation

• The policy targets the creation of 1.5 lakh employment opportunities across sectors linked to artificial intelligence. Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister Ashish Shelar said the main objective is large-scale employment generation and stronger economic growth through technology-driven development.

AI Excellence Centres and Innovation Cities

• Under the policy, the state will establish six AI Excellence Centres and five AI Innovation Cities. These centres will focus on research, skill development, startup support and industry collaboration. The innovation cities are expected to attract investments and strengthen Maharashtra’s digital economy.

MCQ Quiz

Q1. Recently, India launched its first official Formula 1 Sim Racing Championship. The national championship round of this competition is scheduled to be held in which of the following cities ?

1. a) Bengaluru
2. b) Delhi
3. c) Mumbai
4. d) Chennai

Q2. Recently, India achieved its highest-ever peak electricity demand. What was the approximate peak electricity demand successfully met by India on April 25, 2026 ?

1. a) 200 GW
2. b) 225 GW
3. c) 256 GW
4. d) 300 GW

Q3. Recently, India signed a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an arrangement for UN Peacekeeping Training cooperation with which of the following countries ?

1. a) Germany
2. b) France
3. c) Italy
4. d) Japan

Q4. With reference to NITI Aayog, recently in the news, consider the following statements:

• NITI Aayog was established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission as the Government of India’s public policy think tank.
• NITI Aayog is a constitutional body with statutory powers to allocate funds to states.

Which of the above given statements is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: NITI Aayog was indeed established on January 1, 2015, via a Cabinet resolution to replace the Planning Commission, serving as India’s premier public policy think tank focused on cooperative federalism.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: NITI Aayog is neither a constitutional body (not mentioned in the Constitution) nor a statutory body (not created by an Act of Parliament); it lacks statutory powers to allocate funds, which remains with the Finance Ministry.
• Correct option: [A] 1 only: Only the first statement holds true, making this a common UPSC-style question testing knowledge of NITI Aayog’s nature and formation.

Q5. With reference to the Anti-Defection Law, recently in the news, consider the following statements:

• A legislator can avoid disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law if at least two-thirds of the members of their legislative party agree to a merger with another party.
• The original provision allowing exemption in case of a split by one-third of members continues to remain valid.

Which of the above given statements is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation-

Statement 1 Analysis

• Correct: Under the 10th Schedule (Paragraph 4), a legislator avoids disqualification if at least two-thirds of their legislative party agrees to merge with another party; neither merging nor staying members face penalties.

Statement 2 Analysis

• Incorrect: The original one-third split exemption was deleted by the 91st Amendment (2003), leaving only the merger exception valid today.

Recent Context

• Rule invoked in recent political cases (e.g., Maharashtra), explaining its news relevance.