Weekly Current Affairs Test : 1st to 7th May 2026

The Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian Navy conducted the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR) off the Bay of Bengal near Odisha. NASM-SR is India’s first indigenous helicopter-launched anti-ship missile, replacing the Sea Eagle missile. It has been developed by Research Centre Imarat with other DRDO labs. The missile has a range of about 55 km and supports fire-and-forget capability in all weather conditions. It uses a solid booster and long-burn sustainer propulsion system.

Scientists discovered two new firefly species named Diaphanes meghalayanus and Diaphanes mawlynnong. They were found in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. This marks the first formal documentation of firefly species from the state. The name meghalayanus reflects its regional distribution, while mawlynnong is named after Mawlynnong. The naming also acknowledges the local Khasi community. Both species thrive in dark, humid environments with minimal human disturbance. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Northeast India.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation is launching the E-PRAAPTI Portal (EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts). The portal aims to identify, track, and activate inoperative EPF accounts. It uses Aadhaar-based authentication for secure access to old accounts. It enables linking of old EPF accounts with the Unique Account Number (UAN). In the initial phase, access will be member ID-based for easier rollout. Later, it will also help users retrieve accounts even without member ID details.

Scientists discovered new fossils of an ancient platypus species in South Australia showing it had teeth, unlike modern platypuses. The Platypus is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia. It belongs to a rare group of mammals called monotremes (egg-laying mammals). It inhabits freshwater systems ranging from tropical Queensland to Tasmania and the Australian Alps. It spends much of its time in burrows along riverbanks. Its conservation status is Near Threatened (IUCN).

The sacred Piprahwa Relics of Gautam Buddha were recently brought to Leh, marking a major spiritual event in the region. These relics were originally discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh by William Claxton Peppé. They include bone fragments believed to belong to Buddha, along with crystal caskets, gold ornaments, and gemstones. An inscription in Brahmi script links the relics to the Sakya clan, confirming their historical authenticity. The Piprahwa site is associated with ancient Kapilavastu. The recent transfer of relics to Ladakh highlights their continuing religious, cultural, and diplomatic significance in Buddhism.

A recent study suggests the Rongorongo script of Easter Island developed independently before European arrival. Easter Island is a dependency of Chile located in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the easternmost part of the Polynesian island region and is extremely isolated. The island was discovered in 1722 by Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday. It has a tropical rainforest climate and three extinct volcanoes: Terevaka, Poike, and Rano Kau. There are no permanent rivers, but three crater lakes exist.

Forest officials arrested four suspected poachers in the Baliguda forest division of Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha. Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kandhamal district of Odisha in the Eastern Highlands region. It is classified as a moist deciduous forest ecosystem with rich biodiversity. The sanctuary includes tribal communities such as Kutia Kondh and Desia Kondh living within or near forest areas.

A tigress and four cubs died in Kanha Tiger Reserve, raising concern over Canine Distemper. It is a highly contagious disease caused by Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) affecting respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It mainly infects dogs, especially unvaccinated ones and puppies below four months. CDV is a multi-host pathogen affecting wildlife such as carnivores, big cats, marine mammals, and primates. Transmission occurs through direct contact or airborne exposure. Infected animals can shed the virus for months despite low environmental survival. There is no specific cure or antiviral treatment available. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure.

INS Mahendragiri is the sixth Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) stealth frigate delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 April 2026. It was constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, marking progress in indigenous warship building. Project 17A frigates are advanced multi-mission warships with improved stealth, survivability, and combat capabilities. The ship was designed by the Warship Design Bureau using an integrated construction approach. It uses Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion along with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP).

North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation launched the Padma Doree textile initiative under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER). Padma Doree combines Eri (Ahimsa) silk of Northeast India with Chanderi weaving tradition of Madhya Pradesh. It reflects the vision of Narendra Modi under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. It promotes sustainable and ethical textile production using indigenous knowledge systems. The initiative integrates traditional craftsmanship with innovation and modern market relevance.

Udayan Fort is a historic site dating back nearly 2,500 years to the era of the Vatsa Mahajanapada. It is located in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. The fort is associated with King Udayana, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. King Udayana was known for his military strength, diplomacy, and patronage of culture. The fort is now set for restoration to preserve its historical and cultural significance.

The SVAMITVA Scheme is gaining attention after a survey by Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad highlighted its positive impact on rural India. The study finds that the scheme is helping in formalising residential land ownership in villages. It is improving the financial position of Gram Panchayats through better property tax assessment. The SVAMITVA Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. It was launched nationwide on April 24, 2021, on National Panchayati Raj Day. The scheme aims to provide legal property ownership cards to rural households.

The Korowai tribe is being re-examined as earlier myths about cannibalism are being challenged. The tribe lives in the southeastern region of Papua, Indonesia, and remained isolated until the 1970s. The Korowai people are known for building treehouses high above the ground for safety and survival. They depend on forests for hunting, gathering, and daily livelihood. Their culture reflects a deep connection with nature and traditional practices. The tribe was often sensationalised in media for alleged cannibalism. Historical evidence suggests such practices were limited and linked to social and spiritual beliefs.

DAMPE Satellite has made observations on the acceleration of cosmic rays. The findings show that the intensity of cosmic radiation decreases sharply beyond a certain high-energy threshold. DAMPE stands for Dark Matter Particle Explorer and is also known as “Wukong.” It was developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It is China’s first astronomical satellite designed for high-energy observations. The satellite was launched in 2015 into a polar sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 500 km. It detects high-energy gamma rays, electrons, and cosmic rays.

Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary has witnessed a demand from a committee of monks to remove its eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) status. The eco-sensitive zone status was notified about ten years ago to protect the region’s fragile ecosystem. The demand aims to allow unrestricted organisation of religious activities in the Girnar hills. The sanctuary is located in Junagadh district of Gujarat in the Saurashtra region. It is an ecologically important area that supports around 54 Asiatic lions.

A suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a Netherlands-based cruise ship has caused deaths and illnesses. Hantavirus is a rodent-borne virus transmitted to humans through inhalation of airborne particles from rodent droppings, saliva, or urine. It causes two major diseases: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), affecting the lungs, and Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), affecting the kidneys. Symptoms begin with flu-like signs such as fever and fatigue, followed by respiratory distress after a few days. There is no specific treatment, and management mainly involves supportive care such as rest and fluids.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has published standards for medical assistive technologies under the National List of Essential Assistive Products (NLEAP) initiative. BIS is the national standards body of India established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. It aims to ensure standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods in India. It represents India in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). BIS functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and is headquartered in New Delhi.

The Maharashtra Forest Department has reviewed a proposal to increase the annual ticket rates for Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is located near Borivali, Maharashtra, spanning Thane and Mumbai Suburban districts. Initially called Krishnagiri National Park, it was renamed Borivali National Park in 1974 and later Sanjay Gandhi National Park in 1981. It covers about 103 square kilometres, forming nearly 20% of Mumbai’s total geographical area. The Kanheri Caves (9th century Before Common Era to 1st century Before Common Era) are ancient Buddhist rock-cut structures.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from areas south of Manila after the eruption of Mayon Volcano. Mayon Volcano is an active stratovolcano located in Albay province on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and is formed due to the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Philippine Mobile Belt. The volcano rises to about 2,462 metres above the Albay Gulf and is known for its highly symmetrical cone shape. It lies within Mayon Volcano National Park and has a summit crater with steep upper slopes.

International Firefighters’ Day is observed annually on 4th May to honor firefighters worldwide. It was established in 1999 following a tragic wildfire incident in Victoria, Australia, in 1998 that killed five firefighters. The day recognizes the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of firefighters in protecting lives and property. It serves as a global platform to express appreciation for their critical role in emergency response.

EonSpacelabs developed India’s first germanium-free thermal imaging payload, Lumira_E40I50, for drones. It is an Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) system designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It detects humans up to 2 km and vehicles up to 8 km using Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI). It replaces germanium with chalcogenide glass, reducing dependence on Chinese supply chains. It operates in −20°C to +55°C, suitable for varied terrains. It supports Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with features like 40× zoom and infrared sensors.

National Stock Exchange (NSE) launched Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) as a new trading segment. Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) are dematerialised securities representing ownership of physical gold, held in Demat (Dematerialised) accounts. The underlying gold is stored in Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-regulated vaults. A SEBI-registered Vault Manager (VM) ensures safe storage and standardisation. Each EGR is backed by actual gold, ensuring authenticity. Physical gold is deposited and converted into EGR units, which are tradable on exchanges. Investors can reconvert EGRs into physical gold.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, revealed key wildlife data through the annual Machan Census on Waterholes. The census involves forest staff observing animals from elevated platforms (machans) near water sources.Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is located in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra and is the state’s largest and oldest tiger reserve. It covers about 1,727 square kilometres and was established in 1955. The reserve comprises Tadoba National Park (TNP) and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. The name “Tadoba” comes from a local tribal deity, while “Andhari” refers to the Andhari River.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi approved the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0 to provide financial relief to businesses. The scheme offers credit guarantee support through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs). It provides 100% guarantee coverage for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and 90% for non-MSMEs and the airline sector. The scheme allows additional credit up to 20% of peak working capital, with limits for airlines up to ₹1,500 crore. The scheme is valid till March 31, 2027 and aims to address liquidity issues arising from the West Asia crisis.

The conference on Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) titled “Expanding Neural Frontiers & Its Strategic Implications” was inaugurated by Anil Chauhan in New Delhi. It was jointly organised by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS). The event brought together military leaders, scientists, policymakers, academia, and start-ups to discuss BCI’s defence and civilian applications. The conference emphasized collaboration to harness BCI for national security, operational efficiency, and societal benefits.

United Nations Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) announced the expansion of the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) to include coal mines and waste facilities. MARS is the world’s first public global satellite-based methane detection and notification system. It was launched by the UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). The system was announced at the Conference of Parties (COP) 27 in 2022 and entered pilot phase in 2023.

Scientists recently discovered three new plant species in the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh. Euphorbia ananthapuramensis is a shrubby plant species found in Nigidi Forest of Sri Sathya Sai district, where it grows among granite rocks. Euphorbia chalamensis is a small annual herb discovered in Chalama Forest of Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary. Both Euphorbia species possess medicinal properties and are used by tribal communities to treat wounds, skin diseases, and digestive disorders. Ceropegia andhrica is a dwarf tuberous herb discovered in the Paderu Forest Division of Alluri Sitharamaraju district. The plant flowers after the first rains between May and June and later produces edible potato-like tubers.

The Reserve Bank of India informed the Supreme Court that 30 banks have been integrated into the UDGAM portal to help legal heirs trace funds of deceased account holders. UDGAM stands for “Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway to Access inforMation” and is an online portal developed by the Reserve Bank of India. The portal was developed in collaboration with Reserve Bank Information Technology Private Limited (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services (IFTAS), and selected banks. UDGAM enables registered users to search unclaimed deposits and accounts across multiple banks through a single centralized platform.

Scientists recently discovered a new species of freshwater crab named Indopotamon alipurduarense in the sub-Himalayan Dooars region of West Bengal. The discovery marks only the second species recorded under the Indopotamon genus. With this finding, the total number of known freshwater crab species in India has increased to 183. These crabs are highly secretive and spend most of the year hidden underground. They emerge mainly during the heavy rainy season and are usually visible between May and August. The species name “alipurduarense” honours the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, where the crab was discovered.

The Bhutan government and the World Bank signed financing agreements worth 515 million US dollars for the 1,125 Megawatt (MW) Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project. The Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project is a run-of-river hydroelectric project being constructed on the Kurichhu River in eastern Bhutan. The Kurichhu River is a tributary of the Drangmechhu River, which enters India as the Manas River. The project includes a concrete-gravity dam and an underground powerhouse with six Francis turbines. The project is financed by the World Bank and is being developed by Dorjilung Hydro Power Limited.