UPSC current affairs · Saturday

Current Affairs, 9 May 2026

6 issues picked from 29 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture. NMSA backs climate-resilient farming through rainfed development, micro-irrigation, soil health and climate research; PIB gives progress figures.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). PMGSY completes 25 years; PMGSY-IV launches nationally with Rs 18,907 crore allocation for 2026-27.
Agni MIRV Technology. India successfully tests Advanced Agni missile carrying multiple independently targeted warheads from Odisha.
Scramjet Engine and Hypersonic Cruise Missile. DRDO ground-tests an actively cooled scramjet combustor for over 1,200 seconds, a base for hypersonic cruise missiles.
National Pension System and Atal Pension Yojana. PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY complete 11 years with large enrolments and claim payouts.
National Panchayat Awards. Panchayati Raj Ministry names 42 winning Panchayats for NPA-2025, with cash prizes up to Rs 5 crore.

Scheme

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

GS3 AgriculturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 9 May 2026, PIB published a explainer on the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), with progress figures on rainfed area development, micro-irrigation, soil health cards and climate-resilient varieties.
What it is: The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is one of the missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. It aims to make Indian farming more resilient to climate variability, with a focus on rainfed areas, water-use efficiency and soil health. Its main components are Rainfed Area Development, Per Drop More Crop and Soil Health Management.

Rainfed Area Development (RAD): RAD promotes agro-climatic zone-specific Integrated Farming System models developed by ICAR, combining cropping with horticulture, livestock and fisheries.
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): PDMC promotes micro-irrigation, mainly drip and sprinkler, through subsidies. It has run since 2015-16 and covered about 109 lakh hectares.

Don’t confuse with NMSA vs NICRA: NMSA is a Government of India mission under NAPCC. NICRA is an ICAR research programme from 2011 that supports it.

Don’t confuse with PDMC vs PMKSY: PDMC is the micro-irrigation component of PMKSY, while NMSA also hosts it as an intervention in this release's framing; the two should not be mixed up.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB Headquarters, 9 May, 11:29 IST · Release 288682

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 InfrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 9 May 2026 the Rural Development Ministry announced that the 25-year celebrations of PMGSY and the national launch of PMGSY-IV will be held on 10 May 2026 at Bhairunda, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh.
What it is: PMGSY is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, launched in December 2000. It aims to give all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations. It is run by States through State Rural Roads Development Agencies, with technical support from NRIDA.

FY 2026-27 target: ₹18,907 crore is earmarked for 26,474 km of rural roads under PMGSY and related initiatives.
RCPLWEA: The Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas was reviewed along with PMGSY because of its strategic importance in LWE districts.
PM-JANMAN and PVTGs: States were told to finish remaining unconnected habitations under PMGSY-I and PM-JANMAN, with attention to PVTG habitations.
e-MARG: e-MARG is the Electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads platform. It allows real-time monitoring of maintenance, performance assessment and payment tracking.
Implementing agencies: State Rural Roads Development Agencies implement the scheme. NRIDA is the national agency coordinating it with States and the Ministry.
Launch: PMGSY was launched in December 2000 as a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Event: The silver jubilee of PMGSY and the national launch of PMGSY-IV will be held on 10 May at Bhairunda, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh.
PM-JANMAN roads: Over 384 km of road projects under PM-JANMAN will be approved, benefiting 168 backward habitations.
Nature of scheme: PMGSY is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, launched in December 2000.
Implementation: States implement it through State Rural Roads Development Agencies, with technical support from NRIDA.
Odisha PMGSY-IV package: 827 road projects covering 1,701.84 km will be taken up at a cost of Rs 1,698.04 crore.
Habitations covered: 898 habitations will get all-weather road connectivity for the first time.
Odisha's progress so far: Under PMGSY components, 17,963 roads (74,725 km) and 707 bridges are sanctioned in Odisha; 17,760 roads (71,742 km) and 658 bridges are completed.
Nodal ministry and launch year: PMGSY is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, launched in December 2000.
Extension: PMGSY-III is continued beyond March 2025 up to March 2028.
Focus of PMGSY-III: It consolidates Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations to GrAMs, Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals.
Outlay: The outlay is revised to Rs 83,977 crore from Rs 80,250 crore.
Bridges in hilly areas: Bridges in hilly areas get more time, till March 2029.
Long Span Bridges: 161 Long Span Bridges costing Rs 961 crore on alignments of sanctioned roads may be sanctioned and tendered.
Launch and agency: PMGSY was launched in December 2000 under the Ministry of Rural Development; NRIDA gives technical support.

Don’t confuse with PMGSY vs RCPLWEA: PMGSY is the general rural roads scheme. RCPLWEA is a separate project for roads in Left Wing Extremism affected areas.

Don’t confuse with NRIDA vs SRRDA: NRIDA is the national agency supporting the scheme. SRRDAs are State-level agencies that execute it.

Don’t confuse with PMGSY vs PM-JANMAN: PMGSY gives rural road connectivity; PM-JANMAN is a separate mission for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, with roads as one component.

Don’t confuse with PMGSY vs Bharatmala: PMGSY covers rural roads under the Rural Development Ministry; Bharatmala deals with national highways under the Road Transport Ministry.

Don’t confuse with PMGSY vs PMAY-G: PMGSY gives road connectivity to habitations. PMAY-G gives pucca houses to rural poor households. Both are Rural Development Ministry schemes.

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.

Why it matters

All-weather roads link villages to markets, schools and health care, which supports rural incomes and inclusion.
Roads in LWE and tribal areas extend State presence and services to remote habitations.
All-weather roads improve rural access to markets, schools and health care.
Connectivity helps include remote and backward habitations in development.
All-weather roads link remote habitations to schools, hospitals and markets, and support local trade and jobs.
Better rural roads improve market access, cut transport time and costs, and raise farm incomes.
Better access to schools and hospitals helps remote areas.

Problems

Delays from land acquisition and forest clearance slow projects.
Roads can deteriorate without proper quality control and maintenance.
Maintenance of roads after construction and quality control remain concerns.
Difficult terrain and delays in clearances slow work in remote areas.
Quality and maintenance of roads, especially in hilly, forested and flood-prone tribal areas, can lag behind construction.
Delays in awarding works led to repeated timeline extensions and cost revision.
Hilly terrain makes bridges slower to build.

Way forward

Use digital tools such as e-MARG for monitoring and payment tracking, and strengthen field inspections.
Fast-track DPRs and clearances, and coordinate Centre, States and NRIDA.
Use new technology and better materials for durable, climate-resilient roads.
Strengthen quality monitoring and funded maintenance by States.
Strengthen quality monitoring and long-term maintenance, with convergence with local planning, so that roads stay usable in all seasons.
Faster tendering and monitoring to meet the new deadlines.
Focus on road quality and maintenance along with new construction.

Put in your answer

e-MARG: Example of digital governance improving transparency and accountability in rural road maintenance.

FY 2026-27 allocation: Data point: ₹18,907 crore earmarked for 26,474 km of rural roads.

PMGSY-IV allocation 2026-27: Rs 18,907 crore announced for PMGSY for 2026-27, to support rural connectivity.

Odisha PMGSY progress: 17,760 of 17,963 sanctioned roads in Odisha are complete, showing high delivery under the scheme.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 11

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.PMGSY was launched in December 2000 as a centrally sponsored scheme.
2.PMGSY is administered by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
3.The national launch of PMGSY-IV and the silver jubilee event of PMGSY is scheduled at Bhairunda in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh.
4.An allocation of Rs 18,907 crore for PMGSY has been announced for the financial year 2026-27.
5.PMGSY is implemented directly by NRIDA, without any State-level agencies.
6.PMGSY-III has been extended up to March 2028.
7.PMGSY-III consolidates Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets, Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals.
8.The revised outlay of PMGSY-III is Rs 80,250 crore.
9.The Cabinet allowed 161 Long Span Bridges lying on alignments of already sanctioned roads to be sanctioned and tendered.
10.PMGSY was launched in December 2000 as a scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development.
11.PMGSY is implemented directly by the Union Ministry, with no role for State agencies.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Rural Development, 9 May, 15:49 IST · Release 288685

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Defence and security

Agni MIRV Technology

GS3 Defence technologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On May 8, 2026, India flight-tested an Advanced Agni missile with a MIRV system from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha; the Ministry of Defence announced it on May 9, 2026.
What it is: A MIRV is a missile payload with several warheads. Each warhead can be aimed at a separate target after the missile's boost phase. Agni is India's family of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, developed by DRDO and used by the Strategic Forces Command. Agni-V was first tested with MIRV technology under Mission Divyastra in March 2024.

Multiple targets: The missile carried several payloads aimed at different targets spread over a large area of the Indian Ocean Region.
Tracking: Ground and ship-based stations tracked the missile from lift-off until all payloads hit.
Developer: DRDO laboratories developed the missile with support from industry across the country.
Earlier MIRV test: India's first MIRV test was Mission Divyastra with Agni-V, in March 2024.

Don’t confuse with MIRV vs MRV: MRV warheads share a general target area and are not individually aimed. MIRV warheads can be directed to separate targets.

Don’t confuse with Ballistic vs cruise missile: Ballistic missiles follow a ballistic arc after the boost phase. Cruise missiles are powered and fly within the atmosphere, like BrahMos.

Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 9 May, 16:48 IST · Release 288689

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Science and technology

Scramjet Engine and Hypersonic Cruise Missile

GS3 Defence technologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On May 9, 2026, DRDO's DRDL ran its actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor for over 1,200 seconds at the SCPT facility in Hyderabad, up from over 700 seconds in January 2026.
What it is: A scramjet is a supersonic combustion ramjet, an air-breathing engine with no moving compressor. It takes oxygen from the atmosphere at hypersonic speed (above Mach 5) and burns fuel in supersonic airflow. DRDL, Hyderabad, is building it for India's Hypersonic Cruise Missile programme.

Fuel: The engine uses an indigenously developed liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel. Such a fuel absorbs heat, which helps cool the engine.
Who built it: DRDL designed and developed the combustor, and industry partners realised it.
Purpose: The test is a foundation for the Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Program.
Hypersonic speed: Hypersonic means speed above Mach 5. A scramjet works only at such speeds and needs a booster to reach them.

Don’t confuse with Scramjet vs ramjet: A ramjet burns fuel in subsonic airflow after slowing the air. A scramjet burns it in supersonic airflow and works at higher Mach numbers.

Don’t confuse with Hypersonic cruise missile vs hypersonic glide vehicle: A cruise missile is powered by an air-breathing engine throughout flight. A glide vehicle is boosted by a rocket and then glides unpowered.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 9 May, 21:30 IST · Release 288701

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

National Pension System and Atal Pension Yojana

GS3 Economy · Social security and pensionsGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 9 May 2026 the Finance Ministry marked 11 years of the three Jan Suraksha schemes (PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY), releasing cumulative enrolment and claims data.
What it is: Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed pension scheme, mainly for unorganised-sector workers. It is run by PFRDA under the National Pension System and is delivered through banks and the Department of Posts. It was launched in 2015 along with PMJJBY and PMSBY to widen social security cover.

Regulator: PFRDA runs APY. Banks, State Level Bankers' Committees (SLBCs) and the Department of Posts deliver it.
Record enrolment: APY added 1.35 crore subscribers in FY 2025-26, its highest annual enrolment.
Cumulative reach: Gross enrolments crossed 9.10 crore as of 18 May 2026, covering all States and UTs.
Launch: APY was launched on 9 May 2015 as part of the Jan Suraksha schemes.
APY eligibility: Open to bank account holders aged 18 to 40 who are not income tax payers.
APY administrator: APY is run by PFRDA under the National Pension System architecture.
APY pension slabs: Guaranteed monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 after age 60, depending on contributions.
NPS two-tier structure: Tier I is the primary retirement account with withdrawal restrictions. Tier II is a voluntary savings account with more liquidity.
NPS Vatsalya: NPS Vatsalya (2024) lets parents or guardians open a pension account for a minor. It converts to a regular NPS account when the minor reaches majority.
Launch date: APY was launched on 9 May 2015.
Administered by: PFRDA administers the scheme.
Eligibility: Open to Indian citizens aged 18 to 40, except current or past income tax payers.
Pension benefit: Guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after age 60.
Delivery channels: Banks of all types and the Department of Posts enrol subscribers.

Don’t confuse with APY vs NPS: APY is a fixed-pension scheme within NPS aimed at unorganised workers. NPS is the wider market-linked pension system.

Don’t confuse with APY vs PMJJBY/PMSBY: PMJJBY and PMSBY are one-year renewable insurance covers. APY is a long-term pension scheme.

Don’t confuse with PMJJBY vs PMSBY: PMJJBY covers death from any cause (ages 18-50, Rs 436). PMSBY covers accidental death and disability (ages 18-70, Rs 20).

Don’t confuse with NPS vs UPS: NPS gives no assured payout and depends on market returns, with 14% government contribution. UPS is an option within NPS with an assured payout and a pool corpus.

Don’t confuse with EPS vs NPS: EPS (1995) is EPFO-run, pooled and formula-based for organised private workers. NPS is an individual-account scheme regulated by PFRDA.

Don’t confuse with APY vs PMJJBY and PMSBY: PMJJBY and PMSBY are life and accident insurance schemes launched alongside APY in 2015; APY is a pension scheme.

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.

Why it matters

Extends old-age income security to unorganised workers who lack formal pensions.
Rising women and youth enrolment shows growing awareness of retirement planning.
Gives low-cost insurance and pension cover to poor and unorganised-sector workers through bank and post office accounts.
Digital enrolment through the Jan Suraksha Portal and faster claim settlement widen reach.
Extends old-age income security beyond government employees to informal workers.
Contributory schemes support fiscal sustainability and build long-term savings.
Record enrolments show growing reach through banks and post offices.

Problems

Subscriber persistency: many may stop contributing, which the Secretary flagged.
Reaching the urban informal sector remains limited.
Cover is one-year and needs yearly renewal by auto-debit, so lapses can occur.
APY excludes income tax payers and gives a fixed pension whose real value may fall with inflation.
Market-linked NPS gives uncertain payouts, and low-income informal workers may not save regularly.
Social pensions under NSAP are small, averaging about ₹1,000 a month in most States/UTs.
Contributions are voluntary, and many subscribers may stop paying or drop out.
Fixed pension amounts may lose real value over decades through inflation.

Way forward

Strengthen financial literacy and subscriber engagement through banks and SLBCs.
Expand outreach among urban informal workers.
Strengthen awareness and ease renewal and claim processes, especially in rural areas.
Review pension slabs and cover amounts periodically against inflation.
Raise social pension amounts and widen enrolment of informal and gig workers through digital outreach.
Keep strengthening PFRDA oversight and subscriber awareness on annuity choices.
Improve retention through auto-debit reminders and financial literacy.
Review pension levels and incentives so that benefits keep pace with inflation.

Put in your answer

APY scale: APY has over 9 crore gross enrolments and AUM above ₹54,000 crore, showing the reach of the pension scheme.

Persistency focus: The DFS Secretary stressed persistency, financial literacy and urban informal outreach as priorities.

Claims paid under PMJJBY: Rs 21,512.50 crore paid for 10,75,625 claims as on 29.04.2026.

Claims paid under PMSBY: Rs 3,667.52 crore paid for 1,84,662 claims as on 29.04.2026.

Women in APY: Females are around 49% of APY enrolments, showing gender inclusion.

Multi-pillar pension system: India's pensions combine defined-benefit, contributory, statutory payroll-linked and tax-funded social pensions.

NSAP top-ups: As of August 2025, States/UTs top up NSAP by ₹50 to ₹3800 a month per beneficiary.

Code on Social Security, 2020: It provides enabling provisions to extend social security, including pension-linked benefits, to gig and platform workers.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Jan Suraksha schemes are a lasting syllabus topic; this release is an anniversary with enrolment data. Issue already on file with its own card.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance, 9 May, 09:07 IST · Release 288677

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

National Panchayat Awards

GS2 Local governancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 9 May 2026, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj announced the National Panchayat Awards 2025 winners: 42 Panchayats. The award ceremony is set for 3 June 2026 in New Delhi.
What it is: The National Panchayat Awards are given every year by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to the best-performing Panchayats. They are given under the Incentivization of Panchayats component of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA). Since 2023 the awards are aligned with the nine themes of Localisation of SDGs.

Two main award categories: Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (thematic, Gram Panchayats) and Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (best overall at District, Block and Gram level).
Scheme basis: Awards are given under the Incentivization of Panchayats scheme, a component of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
Prize money: Financial incentives range from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 crore per awardee, depending on tier and category.
Special category awards: Climate Action Special Panchayat Award, Atma Nirbhar Panchayat Special Award and Panchayat Kshamta Nirman Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar were conferred in April 2025 on National Panchayati Raj Day.

Don’t confuse with DDUPSVP vs NDSPSVP: DDUPSVP is thematic and for Gram Panchayats only. NDSPSVP is for overall best performance at District, Block and Gram level.

Don’t confuse with Incentivization of Panchayats vs RGSA: IoP is a component of RGSA, the parent Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It is not a separate scheme.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Panchayat awards and the Panchayat Advancement Index are a lasting topic, but awards almost never reach Mains and Prelims chance is low.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, 9 May, 15:53 IST · Release 288686

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd) appointed Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs; Gen Anil Chauhan's tenure ends 30 May 2026.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan appointed Chief of the Naval Staff; Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi retires 31 May 2026.
ICGS Achal, an Adamya-class fast patrol vessel built by Goa Shipyard with over 50 percent indigenous content, was commissioned into the Coast Guard on 9 May 2026.
APEDA facilitated the first-ever export of 20 tonnes of ODOP honey from Baksa, an Aspirational District in Assam, to the USA on 9 May 2026.

Source: PIB, 9 May

What we left out: 19 of 29 releases

Ministerial visits and field interactions (2)
Tributes and ceremonies (3)
Visit schedules (4)
Same issue as another release (2)
Inaugurations with nothing new (1)
Hackathons and webinars (1)
Routine inspection drives (1)
Review meetings and campaigns (1)
Conferences and inaugurations (2)
Speeches without a decision (1)
Routine MoUs (1)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1National Mission for Sustainable AgricultureMCQ · 8 true or false
2Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)MCQ · 11 true or false
3Agni MIRV TechnologyMCQ · 7 true or false
4Scramjet Engine and Hypersonic Cruise MissileMCQ · 6 true or false

Keep reading

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Friday, 8 May 2026Somnath Temple

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Sunday, 10 May 2026PM MITRA Parks

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