Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (2nd May, 2026)

National News

Received NDMA Alert? India Tests New Cell Broadcast Emergency Warning System

• India has launched a nationwide Cell Broadcast Alert System, with a trial conducted on May 2, 2026 at around 11:42 AM under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), sending flash alerts to mobile users across regions. The message clearly stated it was a test, requiring no action from citizens.
• The system uses cell broadcast technology to instantly send location-based emergency alerts to all phones in a defined area without needing phone numbers, making it faster and more reliable than SMS even during network congestion.
• Developed under the SACHET Integrated Alert System by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) along with the Department of Telecommunications and NDMA, it supports multiple languages and has already delivered billions of alerts during disasters.
• This system is designed to strengthen India’s disaster response for events like earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and heatwaves by ensuring rapid, wide-reaching, and timely public warnings.

Om Birla Reconstitutes Parliamentary Committees for 2026-27: Full Details

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reconstituted four key Parliamentary Committees for 2026–27, with one-year tenures from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, aimed at strengthening accountability, financial oversight, and welfare governance.
• The Committee of Estimates, chaired by Sanjay Jaiswal, will review government expenditure and suggest efficiency improvements in fund utilization. The Public Accounts Committee, led by K. C. Venugopal, examines government spending based on CAG reports and upholds financial checks and balances.
• The Committee on Public Undertakings, chaired by Baijayant Panda, evaluates the performance of PSUs, while the Committee on Welfare of SCs and STs, led by Faggan Singh Kulaste, focuses on safeguarding the rights and welfare of marginalized communities.
• These committees, rooted in Articles 105 and 118 of the Constitution, play a crucial role in legislative oversight, policy evaluation, and ensuring transparent governance.

Government Notifies New Citizenship Rules, Streamlines OCI and Application Processes

• The Government of India, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, updating the Citizenship Rules, 2009 to streamline citizenship and OCI-related processes with a stronger digital focus.
• A key change clarifies that minor children cannot hold both Indian and foreign passports simultaneously, reinforcing citizenship norms. The rules also mandate complete online submission for OCI registration and renunciation, eliminating manual paperwork.
• The introduction of e-OCI allows applicants to receive either a physical or digital OCI registration, while simplifying procedures by removing duplicate document requirements.
• Additionally, OCI renunciation now requires online declaration and card surrender, and applicants may opt into biometric-based fast-track immigration for quicker and more secure entry processing.

International News

Indonesia’s Mount Dukono Spews Ash in Fresh Eruption on Halmahera Island

• Mount Dukono in Halmahera Island erupted on April 20, 2026, sending a dense ash plume 1.4 km above its summit, with continuous emissions observed and ash drifting eastward.
• The eruption showed moderate but sustained activity, with seismic readings indicating ongoing unrest, while authorities maintained Alert Level II (Waspada), signaling heightened vigilance without immediate large-scale danger.
• Residents have been advised to avoid a 4 km radius around the Malupang Warirang crater and use masks due to unpredictable ashfall and health risks.
• Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Mount Dukono is among Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, reflecting the country’s high volcanic activity with over 100 active volcanoes.

Banking News

Reserve Bank of India Says 98.47% of ₹2,000 Notes Returned to Banking System

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reported that 98.47% of ₹2,000 currency notes have been returned to the banking system, marking a major milestone in the phased withdrawal process initiated in 2023.
• The RBI had announced on May 19, 2023, the withdrawal of ₹2,000 notes from circulation as part of its currency management strategy, without declaring them invalid. At that time, about ₹3.56 lakh crore worth of notes were in circulation.
• Latest data shows the value has now dropped sharply to ₹5,451 crore as of April 30, 2026, indicating most notes have been deposited or exchanged through banking channels and RBI regional offices.
• While still legal tender, the move reflects RBI’s effort to improve currency quality, reduce high-value cash dependence, and encourage cleaner circulation and digital transactions.

Centre Appoints Rohit Jain as Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India

• The Government of India has appointed Rohit Jain as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a three-year term starting May 3, 2026, following approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. He succeeds T. Rabi Sankar, whose tenure recently concluded.
• Rohit Jain brings nearly three decades of experience within the RBI, having served as Executive Director since December 2020, where he handled supervision, risk analytics, and financial system vulnerability assessments. His career spans banking supervision, regulation, risk management, and human resource functions.
• Academically, he holds postgraduate degrees in Commerce and Business Administration, along with professional certifications like CAIIB and ICBRR, reflecting strong domain expertise.
• His appointment is expected to strengthen RBI’s leadership, particularly in tackling challenges such as financial stability, digital payments, and evolving global economic risks.

Appointments News

Vishvajit Sahay Takes Charge as Defence Finance Secretary on May 1, 2026

• Vishvajit Sahay, a 1990-batch IDAS officer, assumed charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence on May 1, 2026, bringing over three decades of experience in public administration and defence finance.
• He previously served as Controller General of Defence Accounts and held key roles across ministries, including Finance Manager (Acquisition Wing) and Joint Secretary in the Department of Heavy Industries.
• An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College with a law degree, he combines strong academic grounding with administrative expertise.
• His international exposure at institutions like University of Cambridge enhances his role in strengthening India’s defence financial governance and strategic decision-making.

Anugraha Narayana Das Takes Charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts

• Anugraha Narayana Das, a 1991-batch IDAS officer, has taken charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), bringing over three decades of experience in defence finance and public administration.
• An alumnus of Utkal University, he has also studied at the University of Ljubljana and trained at premier institutes like IIM Bangalore and Duke University.
• He has held key roles including Director in the Ministry of Water Resources and Principal Integrated Financial Adviser at Army Headquarters.
• As CGDA, he will focus on strengthening financial transparency, auditing, budgeting, and accountability in defence expenditure and procurement systems.

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker Named Festival Director for 57th International Film Festival of India

• Ashutosh Gowariker has been appointed Festival Director for the 57th International Film Festival of India, scheduled in November 2026 in Goa, aiming to enhance its global stature and creative vision.
• A celebrated filmmaker with deep ties to IFFI since 1984, he earlier served as Jury President for International Cinema in 2024, reflecting his strong global cinematic engagement.
• Established in 1952, IFFI is among Asia’s oldest film festivals, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and National Film Development Corporation.
• IFFI 2026 will feature international competitions, masterclasses, and tributes, with Goa providing a vibrant cultural setting for global artistic exchange.

Bharat Khera Appointed Secretary of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

• Bharat Khera, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), bringing over three decades of administrative experience.
• He previously served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs and held key central roles in the Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Secretariat, and defence production sectors.
• At the state level, he has worked as Home Secretary and Principal Secretary in multiple departments in Himachal Pradesh, including Public Works and State Taxes.
• An engineering graduate from BITS Pilani with advanced management training from ISB and a Master’s from Syracuse University, he will focus on strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem, which contributes significantly to economic growth.

Sports News

India Creates History Again, Enters Thomas Cup 2026 Semifinals With 3–0 Win

• India’s men’s badminton team produced a commanding performance at the Thomas Cup 2026 in Horsens, Denmark, defeating Chinese Taipei 3–0 to reach the semi-finals and secure a medal, marking only their second-ever last-four finish after the historic 2022 title win.
• Lakshya Sen led the charge with a gritty comeback victory over world No. 6 Chou Tien-chen, winning 18–21, 22–20, 21–17 after saving two match points.
• In doubles, the pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty outplayed their opponents 23–21, 19–21, 21–12 to extend their dominance, while debutant Ayush Shetty sealed the tie with a straight-games upset over All England champion Lin Chun-Yi.
• The victory highlights India’s growing depth and continued rise in global badminton following their landmark 2022 Thomas Cup triumph.

Current Affairs Today | 2nd May 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam