UPSC Current Affairs 07 May 2026

• Holistic Governance: Aims to bridge the gap between students, parents, teachers, and the community to improve school governance.
• Unified Structure: Introduces a single SMC for all classes from Balvatika to Class 12 to ensure continuity in decision-making.
• NEP 2020 Alignment: Translates the vision of the National Education Policy 2020 into action across 15 lakh schools.
• Social Audit: Emphasises social audit mechanisms to enhance transparency and financial oversight.
• Foundational Literacy: Strengthens the role of SMCs in achieving universal Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN).

• The SMC is designed to be a participatory body where parents hold the majority of power.

• Parent Majority: At least 75% of the committee must be parents or guardians of students currently enrolled.
• Gender Balance: At least 50% of the members must be women.
• Inclusive Representation: Proportional representation is given to parents of children from disadvantaged groups and weaker sections.
• Remaining 25%: Composed of local authority members, school teachers, and educationists/students.
• Leadership: The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are elected from among the parent members, while the Principal/Head Teacher serves as the Member Secretary.
• Tenure: Typically, the committee is reconstituted every two years.

• Monitoring: Oversees the daily working of the school, including teacher and student attendance.
• School Development Plan (SDP): Prepares and recommends a three-year development plan for school improvement.
• Financial Oversight: Monitors the utilization of government grants and ensures no financial irregularities occur.
• Academic Review: Monitors children's learning outcomes and academic progress without interfering with teaching freedom.
• Social Duties: Encourages 100% enrolment, prevents dropouts, and monitors the implementation of the Mid-day Meal scheme.
• Infrastructure & Safety: Ensures the availability of basic facilities like clean water, sanitation, and school safety.

• Inaugurated by: Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Developed by: The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the flagship "Mission Mausam" initiative.
• Launch of CASRI: Alongside the observatory, the Centre for Atmospheric Science Research and Innovation (CASRI) was also launched to foster academic and scientific synergy.

• Investment: Houses sophisticated instruments valued at over ₹60 crore.
• Data Tracking: Equipped with approximately 15 advanced instruments designed to monitor nearly 50 different atmospheric parameters.
• Core Technology: Includes a Ceilometer, SODAR, and Micro Rain Radar to provide continuous 3D observations of wind, aerosols, and clouds.
• Future Expansion: Plans include deploying 100 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) across Chennai and additional X-band radars.

• Aerosol Study: Analysing the size, speed, and nature (organic/inorganic) of airborne particles to predict their specific impact on local weather.
• Sea-Land Breeze Interactions: Studying how the transition between sea and land breezes affects urban heat and precipitation.
• Improved Forecasting: Enhancing "Nowcasting" (short-term forecasts) and monsoon predictions for climate-vulnerable coastal cities.
• Climate Resilience: Providing vital short-term data on global warming to assist in long-term urban planning and disaster management.

• Mission Mausam: Part of a larger national mission to make India a "Weather-Ready and Climate-Smart Nation".
• Academic Synergy: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IITM and SRMIST to facilitate joint research and student training in climate sciences.
• Data Integration: The data will be fed into India Meteorological Department (IMD) models to provide hyper-local, high-resolution weather intelligence for the public.

• Inauguration Site: The main event took place at the ESIC Medical College & Hospital in Basaidarapur, New Delhi.
• Nationwide Scale: Simultaneous launch events were held across 11 other ESIC hospitals in various states.
• Legal Framework: This initiative is a core component of the New Labour Codes (specifically the Code on Social Security, 2020), which aim to transform worker welfare.
• Vision: It aligns with the "Shramev Jayate" (Labour Triumphs) framework, focusing on the dignity and health of the workforce.

• Age-Based: Mandatory annual check-ups for all workers aged 40 years and above.
• Hazardous Work: Workers in hazardous industries (handling chemicals, toxic substances, or heavy machinery) are entitled to these check-ups irrespective of age.
• ESIC Beneficiaries: Primarily targets the millions of workers covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme.

• Diagnostics: Covers essential tests such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and organ function screenings.
• Occupational Health: Specific screenings for diseases related to the worker's specific industry environment.
• Digital Records: Results are maintained in Digital Health Records to allow for long-term health tracking and medical support.

• ESIC Network: Conducted through the vast network of ESIC hospitals and dispensaries nationwide.
• Private Tie-ups: Eligible workers can also avail services at Ayushman Bharat empanelled private hospitals in certain regions.
• Employer Responsibility: Under the new codes, the legal responsibility for ensuring these check-ups is provided lies with the employer.

• Digital Connectivity: MoU between NIPL (India) and NAPAS (Vietnam) on cross-border QR code interoperability.
• Culture & Education: Cultural Exchange Programme (2026–2030) and a partnership between Nalanda University and Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA).
• Health & Technology: Regulation of medical products (CDSCO-DAV) and cooperation in IT between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (India) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (Vietnam).
• Audit & Tourism: Cooperation in public sector auditing and a memorandum in tourism.
• Scientific & Regional Ties: Agreements on rare elements research (IREL-ITRRE) and a sister city pact between Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City.

• Strategic Pillar: Defence remains the strongest pillar. India provides extensive training for Vietnamese Su-30MKI pilots and submarine crews.
• BrahMos Deal: Discussions are in final stages for a ₹5,800 crore (~$700 million) deal for India to supply the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to Vietnam.
• Hardware Support: India previously gifted the active-duty missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in 2023, the first such gift of a functional warship to any country.
• Lines of Credit: India has provided multiple Defence Lines of Credit (LoC) for the procurement of patrol boats and other military equipment.

• Adani Port Project: The Adani Group is moving forward with a $2 billion investment in the Lien Chieu Port in Danang. Construction of "Component B" (private container berths) is expected to begin in early 2026.
• Investment Priority: Indian investments in Vietnam total over $1.9 billion across 340+ projects in sectors like energy, mineral exploration, and IT.
• Agriculture: New market access agreements will allow Indian grapes and pomegranates into Vietnam, while Vietnamese pomelos and durians will enter the Indian market.

• Oil & Gas: India’s ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) maintains a long-standing presence in offshore oil blocks in the South China Sea, partnered with PetroVietnam.
• Critical Minerals: A new MoU signed in May 2026 focuses on cooperation in rare earth elements and emerging technologies.
• Space & IT: Cooperation includes a satellite tracking and data processing facility being implemented by India in Vietnam.

• Ancient Links: Deeply rooted in Buddhism and the Cham civilization (Hindu influences in central Vietnam).
• Archeological Cooperation: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been instrumental in restoring the My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam.
• Modern Solidarity: Vietnam’s founding father Ho Chi Minh and India’s Mahatma Gandhi shared mutual respect, forming the bedrock of modern political trust.

• ASEAN Anchor: Vietnam is a key pillar for India’s engagement with the ASEAN bloc.
• South China Sea: Both nations advocate for the UNCLOS 1982 (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) to ensure freedom of navigation.
• Supply Chain Diversification: As global companies look for "China Plus One" strategies, India and Vietnam are collaborating to build resilient electronics and semiconductor supply chains.

• Digital Tax Collection: Enables UPI-based online payments for property taxes and other local levies.
• Demand Generation: Automatically generates demand notices for taxpayers, reducing manual errors and leakages.
• Asset Mapping: Maintains a digital register of all Panchayat-owned assets (buildings, lands, etc.) to ensure better lease and rent management.
• Real-time Monitoring: Provides a centralized dashboard for district and state officials to track revenue collection and financial health across all blocks.
• Property Mapping: Links property records with local revenue systems to ensure every eligible property is taxed transparently.

• Simplified Admin: Reduces paperwork for Gram Panchayat Secretaries and officials through automated tax registers.
• Citizen Services: Residents can log in to view their dues, pay taxes online, and instantly download payment receipts.
• Financial Accountability: Digitization seals "leakage points" where revenue might previously have gone unrecorded.

• Origin: Northern slopes of the Vindhya Range in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.
• States Covered: It is an interstate river flowing through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• Unique Feature: It is the only river in India that crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice.
• U-Turn: The river makes a characteristic 'U' shaped loop in Rajasthan (Vagad region) before heading southwest into Gujarat.
• Mouth: It empties into the Gulf of Khambhat (Arabian Sea) through a wide estuary.

• Total Length: Approximately 583 km.
• Major Tributaries: Som, Jakham, Anas, Panam, Bhadar, and Moran.
• Siltation: The river carries significant silt, which has contributed to the thinning of the Gulf of Khambhat over centuries.

• Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam (Rajasthan): A major multipurpose project providing irrigation and hydropower (140 MW).
• Kadana Dam (Gujarat): Built to harness water for irrigation and power generation in Gujarat.
• Wanakbori Weir: Another key water management structure located in Gujarat.

• Centralized Search: Users no longer need to visit multiple bank websites; they can search across multiple banks simultaneously.
• Search Parameters: You can search using your name and at least one valid ID (PAN, Voter ID, Passport, or Aadhaar).
• Claim Process: While the portal helps identify the money, the actual claim/payout still happens at the specific bank branch where the account was held.
• No Charges: The service is completely free of cost to the public.

• Individuals: To find their own forgotten savings or current accounts.
• Legal Heirs/Nominees: To search for deposits belonging to deceased family members.
• NRIs: Useful for Indian citizens living abroad who may have lost track of old domestic accounts.

1. Register: Visit the UDGAM Portal and create an account using your mobile number.
2. Enter Details: Provide the name of the account holder.
3. Provide ID: Enter details from a government-issued ID (e.g., PAN Card).
4. Select Banks: You can search "All Banks" or select specific ones from the list.
5. Review Results: If a match is found, the portal will display the bank name and account details.

• Launched by: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) during COP27.
• Agency: It operates under the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO).
• Technology: It uses high-resolution satellite data (from NASA, ESA, and Italian satellites) to detect atmospheric methane concentrations.

1. Detection: Satellites scan the globe for methane "hotspots."
2. Attribution: Scientists pinpoint the exact facility (mine, pipeline, or landfill) responsible for the leak.
3. Notification: MARS sends a direct private alert to the relevant government or company, offering technical support to fix it.
4. Monitoring: The system continues to watch the site to see if the leak has been stopped.

• Potency: Methane is over 80 times more powerful at trapping heat than Carbon Dioxide (CO2) over a 20-year period.
• Short-Lived: It stays in the atmosphere for only about 12 years, meaning cutting methane leads to rapid cooling effects on the planet.

• Fossil Fuels: Leaking pipelines, "venting" at oil wells, and coal mine vents.
• Waste Management: Massive emissions from uncontrolled landfills.
• Agriculture: Livestock and rice cultivation (though satellite detection is more challenging here than at industrial points).

• Location: The Eastern Ghats, specifically within the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Researchers: A collaborative effort involving the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and local university botanists.
• Conservation Status: All three species have been provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered based on IUCN Red List criteria.
• Major Threats: Habitat loss due to forest fires, stone quarrying, and over-collection by local communities for food.

• This species belongs to the "Lantern Flower" family and is particularly significant for its traditional uses.

• Morphology: A tuberous herb with a twiners habit (climbing nature).
• Flowers: Features distinctive "lantern-like" tubular flowers designed to temporarily trap pollinators.
• Tuber Usage: The plant produces underground tubers roughly the size of small potatoes, which are edible.
• Local Threat: Local tribal communities often harvest these tubers for consumption, which, combined with its narrow geographic range, puts the species at severe risk of extinction.
• Habitat: Restricted to specific rocky slopes and scrub forests in Andhra Pradesh.

• The researchers identified two distinct new species belonging to the Euphorbia genus (commonly known as spurges).

• Euphorbia sivarajanii:
  • Named in honour of the late renowned botanist Prof. V.V. Sivarajan.
  • It is a dwarf, succulent species adapted to arid, rocky terrains.
• Euphorbia telanganensis:
  • Named after the region, highlighting its endemic nature to the Deccan plateau and Eastern Ghats fringe.
• Scientific Value: Both species produce a milky sap (latex) which is known in related species to have medicinal properties, though these specific plants require further phytochemical study.
• Ecological Role: These plants play a vital role in preventing soil erosion in rocky, dry habitats where other vegetation fails to thrive.

• River: Being built on the Kurichhu River in eastern Bhutan.
• Geography: Situated across the Mongar and Lhuentse districts.
• Type: A run-of-the-river scheme with a 139.5-meter concrete-gravity dam.
• Infrastructure: Includes a 15 km headrace tunnel and an underground powerhouse.

• Installed Capacity: 1,125 MW.
• Annual Generation: Expected to produce 4,500 GWh of clean electricity annually.
• Energy Impact: Will increase Bhutan’s national energy generation by nearly 40%.

• Total Cost: Estimated at approximately $1.7 billion (₹13,100 crore).
• Joint Venture: Managed by Dorjilung Hydro Power Limited (DHPL), where DGPC holds 60% and Tata Power holds 40% equity.
• Innovative Financing: Combines multilateral grants, concessional credits, and private capital to minimize sovereign debt for Bhutan.
• Target Completion: Slated for commissioning by September 2031 or early 2032.

• India’s Energy Security: Nearly 80% of the generated power will be exported to India, helping meet peak demand during summer.
• Bhutan’s Economic Growth: Projected to increase Bhutan's GDP by 2.4% and generate $4 billion in revenue over 30 years.
• Climate Action: Expected to displace 3.3 million tons of CO2 annually, supporting the region's carbon-negative commitments.
• Winter Stability: Will address Bhutan's seasonal power shortages during the winter months.

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