Current Affairs, 6 May 2026

Architecture

It is an aggregator that integrates existing programme systems through an API-based federated architecture, not a replacement of them.

ABDM and ABHA link

The portal is ABDM-compliant and supports ABHA integration for secure exchange of patient health records.

Registries

It is meant to integrate further with the Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) and the Health Facility Registry (HFR).

Intended users

Frontline workers such as ASHAs, ANMs, CHOs and Medical Officers, who now juggle many reporting apps, are the users it targets.

Don’t confuse with Swasth Bharat Portal vs ABDM: ABDM is the national digital health mission that sets the ABHA, HPR and HFR standards. The Swasth Bharat Portal is a Ministry platform that aggregates programme apps and follows those standards.

Don’t confuse with ABHA vs HPR/HFR: ABHA is the health account of a citizen. HPR lists healthcare professionals and HFR lists health facilities.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2018Mains GS2 · Q7Community-level healthcare intervention as prerequisite for Health for All
2. 2021Mains GS2 · Q6Primary health structure: welfare moral imperative and sustainable development precondition
3. 2024Mains GS2 · Q17State's role in containing marketisation and extending grassroots public healthcare
4. 2022Prelims Q19Statements on Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: adoption, universal coverage, portability

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Partnership upgrade

Bilateral ties were raised to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Trade goal

A new bilateral trade target of USD 25 billion by 2030 was announced.

Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative

Vietnam is joining the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), India's initiative for cooperation on maritime issues in the Indo-Pacific.

Cross-border QR payments

NIPL (India) and NAPAS (Vietnam) signed an MoU on cross-border QR code interoperability for payments.

Cham manuscripts

An MoU covers survey, conservation and digitisation of Cham manuscripts of Indian origin preserved in Vietnam.

My Son

A Site Interpretation Centre will be set up at My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Don’t confuse with IPOI vs Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF): IPOI is an India-led, non-binding initiative on maritime cooperation announced in 2019. IPEF is a US-led economic framework launched in 2022.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

1. 2019Mains GS2 · Q9Comment on India-Japan building a strong global and strategic partnership
2. 2026Mains GS2 · Q9Critically assess IPMDA bridging SAGAR vision and Quad Indo-Pacific strategy
3. 2016Mains GS2 · Q18Evaluate economic and strategic dimensions of Look East Policy post Cold War
4. 2016Prelims Q77Which country group is RCEP associated with: G20, ASEAN, SCO, SAARC

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Who publishes it

The survey is run by the NSO under MoSPI. Its data feed policy for ministries such as MSME and Textiles, and the National Accounts.

Sectors covered

Unincorporated non-agricultural establishments in manufacturing, trade and other services; construction is excluded.

Number of establishments

Establishments rose from 7.34 crore (2023-24) to 7.92 crore (2025), a 7.97% rise.

Digital adoption

Internet use for business rose from 26.68% to 39.37% overall.

Don’t confuse with ASUSE vs PLFS: ASUSE measures enterprises (establishments, GVA, assets). PLFS measures household employment and unemployment. Both are by NSO.

Don’t confuse with Unincorporated vs unorganised: Unincorporated refers to the legal form of enterprise (proprietorship, partnership, etc.). Unorganised is a wider term, often defined by size or worker security.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

1. 2021Mains GS3 · Q1Explain differences in India's GDP computation methodology before and after 2015.
2. 2014Mains GS3 · Q1Why India's services grew faster than industry, and whether developed status needs industry.
3. 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Comment on government policies for manufacturing share in GDP, especially MSMEs.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

App usage

The ECINET app has crossed 10 crore downloads since its launch.

Poll-day load

On the poll days of 9, 23 and 29 April, ECINET recorded over 98.3 crore hits.

Cybersecurity

ECINET's protocols countered over 68 lakh malicious hits on counting day, from within India and overseas, aimed at key platforms including the results portal.

QR-code ID

A QR code-based Photo Identity Card system was used for the first time at counting centres in all States/UTs. Over 3.2 lakh QR codes were generated on counting day.

1. 2018Mains GS2 · Q1Challenges to ECI's election trustworthiness amid EVM controversy
2. 2023Mains GS2 · Q8Inadequacies hampering e-governance's effectiveness, transparency and accountability
3. 2024Mains GS2 · Q18Evaluate Interactive Service Model's role in e-governance transparency
4. 2017Prelims Q90Election Commission's composition, election schedule, and party dispute powers

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Shift in role

The earlier SMC framework, introduced after the RTE Act, was mostly limited to grant monitoring, infrastructure supervision and administrative processes.

New priorities

The Guidelines cover child safety, mental health, FLN, digital transparency, learning outcomes and community participation.

Legal basis of SMCs

SMCs originate from Section 21 of the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Don’t confuse with SMC vs PTA: SMCs are statutory bodies under the RTE Act with defined functions. Parent-Teacher Associations are generally informal school-level groups.

Don’t confuse with SMC Guidelines vs RTE Act: The Guidelines are an executive guidance document. The RTE Act is the law that creates SMCs.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2020Mains GS2 · Q18Critically examine NEP 2020's conformity with SDG-4 and restructuring
2. 2026Mains GS4 · Q5Balancing strict enforcement of school rules with children's educational rights
3. 2022Mains GS2 · Q18Whether RTE Act promotes incentive-based schooling without awareness generation
4. 2011Prelims Q84Which measures aid inclusive growth, including implementing the Right to Education Act
5. 2017Prelims Q88Purpose of Vidyanjali Yojana: private and community participation in schools
6. 2018Prelims Q21RTE Act teacher eligibility qualifications and TET requirements, correct statements

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Legal nature

IBCA is a treaty-based inter-governmental international organisation with headquarters in India.

Seven species

It covers lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.

Indian funding

India pledged an initial Rs 150 crore for five years, 2023-24 to 2027-28.

Membership

29 countries are members, 5 are Observers and 11 more have consented to become members.

Launch

It was launched in 2023 by the Prime Minister, at Mysuru, on the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.

Capacity building

Two ITEC capacity building programmes sponsored by MEA were held for foreign participants.

Species covered

IBCA covers seven big cats: Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.

Status and headquarters

IBCA is an inter-governmental organisation with its headquarters in India.

Launch year

IBCA was launched in 2023 on the initiative of PM Narendra Modi.

Summit theme

The first IBCA Summit has the theme 'Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem'.

Delhi Declaration

The Summit is to adopt the first-ever global declaration on big cat conservation, the 'Delhi Declaration', promoting a landscape-based approach and transboundary cooperation.

Don’t confuse with IBCA vs Global Tiger Forum: IBCA covers seven big cats and is treaty-based; the Global Tiger Forum is an older body focused only on tigers.

Don’t confuse with IBCA vs International Solar Alliance: Both are India-initiated alliances headquartered in India, but ISA works on solar energy, IBCA on big cats.

Don’t confuse with IBCA vs Project Tiger: IBCA is an international alliance launched in 2023. Project Tiger is India's national tiger conservation programme, started in 1973.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

1. 2026Mains GS3 · Q8Discuss aims of Kunming-Montreal framework and India's biodiversity commitments.
2. 2018Mains GS3 · Q17How biodiversity varies in India and how Biological Diversity Act aids conservation.
3. 2024Prelims Q25Which statements about lion, cheetah and leopard behaviour are correct?

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Location

NMHC is being built at Lothal, Gujarat, a Harappan-era site, with the aim of making it a global centre of maritime heritage, education and tourism.

Later phases

Phases 1B and 2 add a 5D Dome Theatre, Coastal States Pavilion, a Lighthouse Museum with DGLL, a Maritime Research Institute with IMU, a Museotel and an Eco Resort.

Excavation at Lothal

The Archaeological Survey of India is carrying out excavation at Lothal, now at 70 percent.

Lothal's dockyard

Lothal, a Harappan site in Gujarat, is known for its ancient dockyard, evidence of Indus Valley maritime trade.

Nodal ministry

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is building the complex. The minister also asked for closer work with the Ministries of Culture and Tourism.

Phase 1B

Phase 1B needs about ₹3,000 crore. It adds eight more galleries, a lighthouse museum and a 50-dome theatre.

International MoUs

Ten countries have signed MoUs: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, South Korea, UAE, Portugal, Vietnam, Oman, Israel and Thailand. Italy, France, Myanmar and Cambodia are likely to sign.

Don’t confuse with Lothal vs Dholavira: Both are Harappan sites in Gujarat. Lothal is known for its dockyard; Dholavira is known for its water management and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Places in the news: 26 Prelims questions since 2013, rising (12% of news questions in 2022–26); they test location and why it matters.

1. 2025Mains GS1 · Q1Salient features of Harappan architecture.
2. 2014Mains GS1 · Q1Extent Indus Valley urban planning informed present-day urbanisation.
3. 2002Prelims Q15Matches ancient sites with archaeological findings, including Lothal's dockyard.
4. 1998Prelims Q36Identifies correctly matched pairs, including Lothal as an ancient dockyard.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

PM-JANMAN target group

It is dedicated to the comprehensive development of 75 PVTGs.

DA-JGUA design

It integrates multiple Central sector schemes within the same tribal habitations, and is now in its third year.

Survey progress

About 2 lakh entries were done in 20 days, against a target of about 12 lakh by end-June 2026.

Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

Adi Sewa Kendras are village-level facilitation centres for grievance redressal and entitlement access. Adi Karmayogi Volunteers are local tribal youth acting as grassroots facilitators.

Outcome-based assessment

Performance will be judged on measurable outcomes, not expenditure alone; sector-wise quarterly targets are set for line ministries for FY 2026-27.

Don’t confuse with PM-JANMAN vs DA-JGUA: PM-JANMAN targets only PVTGs; DA-JGUA aims at saturation of tribal villages across the country through convergence.

Don’t confuse with Article 275(1) vs Article 244: Article 275(1) provides grants-in-aid from the Centre for tribal welfare; Article 244 provides for administration of Scheduled and Tribal Areas under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2016Mains GS1 · Q10Why tribals called Scheduled Tribes; constitutional provisions for their upliftment
2. 2026Mains GS2 · Q6Does tribal development policy reflect socially grounded, equity-based governance? Justify.
3. 2020Mains GS4 · Q9Tribal district poverty, youth migration, welfare programmes inadequately benefiting tribals
4. 2012Prelims Q4Constitutional provisions NGT Act consonant with; includes Article 275(1) grants
5. 2019Prelims Q51Statements on PVTGs: state count, criteria, number notified, Irular inclusion

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.