Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (6th May, 2026)

National News

Union Cabinet clears two new semiconductor projects under India Semiconductor Mission

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved two semiconductor projects in Gujarat under the India Semiconductor Mission with an investment of ₹3,936 crore.
• These include a Mini/Micro-LED fabrication unit in Dholera and an OSAT chip packaging facility in Surat, expected to create over 2,200 skilled jobs.
• The projects aim to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing and strengthen India’s position in global electronics supply chains.
• With this, the India Semiconductor Mission has reached 12 approved projects, advancing self-reliance in chip design, production, and innovation while supporting startups and academic institutions across the country.

Cabinet Approval Expands Maritime Ambitions With New Ship Repair Facility in Gujarat

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹1,570 crore state-of-the-art ship repair facility at Vadinar, Gujarat, under the Deendayal Port Authority and Cochin Shipyard Limited.
• The project will strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign shipyards for large vessel repairs.
• Located strategically near major ports and global shipping routes, Vadinar will feature modern dry docks and workshops capable of servicing ships up to 300 metres.
• The facility is expected to create over 1,400 jobs and boost MSMEs, aligning with Maritime India Vision 2030 and strengthening India’s position as a global maritime hub.

Centre approves ₹5,659 crore Mission for Cotton Productivity for 2026-31 cycle

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the ₹5,659.22 crore Mission for Cotton Productivity for 2026–27 to 2030–31 to boost yield, quality, and global competitiveness.
• The mission aims to transform the entire cotton value chain from farm to exports while improving farmer incomes and ensuring sustainability.
• It follows the 5F vision (Farm to Foreign) and focuses on high-yield seeds, modern farming, better processing, and stronger quality control systems.
• Covering 140 districts across 14 states, the mission targets higher production, improved productivity, reduced contamination, and stronger export potential for Indian cotton globally.

Cabinet approves ECLGS 5.0 to boost credit flow amid West Asia crisis

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved ECLGS 5.0 (Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme) with a total credit support of ₹2.55 lakh crore, including ₹5,000 crore for the airline sector.
• The scheme aims to provide liquidity support to MSMEs, non-MSMEs, and airlines affected by the West Asia crisis and global disruptions.
• It offers up to 100% government guarantee for MSMEs and up to 90% for others, enabling easier bank lending without collateral concerns.
• With flexible repayment and moratorium options, ECLGS 5.0 is designed to protect jobs, ensure business continuity, and stabilize the economy.

Centre Approves Proposal to Increase Supreme Court Judge Strength to 37

• The Union Cabinet, led by Narendra Modi, has approved increasing the strength of the Supreme Court of India from 33 to 37 judges (excluding the Chief Justice) through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026.
• This move aims to address the rising backlog of cases and improve the efficiency of the judiciary by enabling faster hearings and timely disposal.
• The proposal is based on Article 124 of the Constitution, which allows Parliament to determine the number of judges.
• The expansion is expected to strengthen judicial capacity and ensure quicker delivery of justice.

Centre notifies new South Coast Railway Zone with HQ at Visakhapatnam

• The Union Government has notified the creation of the South Coast Railway zone with headquarters at Visakhapatnam, operational from June 1, 2026.
• Formed by reorganizing East Coast Railway and South Central Railway, it includes Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, and part of Waltair division.
• This move aims to improve railway administration, enhance connectivity, and boost freight and passenger services in Andhra Pradesh.
• The restructuring is expected to strengthen regional development, support port-led growth, and increase overall efficiency in railway operations.

UIDAI & NFSU sign 5-year pact on cybersecurity and digital forensics

• UIDAI and NFSU have signed a 5-year MoU to strengthen cybersecurity, digital forensics, and research for India’s Aadhaar-based digital ecosystem.
• The partnership focuses on training, AI/blockchain research, deepfake detection, and forensic infrastructure development.
• It aims to boost cyber resilience and secure India’s digital public infrastructure amid rising cyber threats. The collaboration will also support skill development and student placements in cybersecurity fields.
• By enhancing detection and response systems, the initiative will help protect sensitive data, improve digital trust, and reinforce India’s capacity to handle emerging cyber risks effectively across governance and public service platforms.

NCERT rolls out PRASHAST 2.0 for early identification of disabilities in schools

International News

Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in May 2026: Surprising Names on the List

• Air pollution in 2026 has become an increasingly unpredictable global issue, with even smaller towns recording dangerous levels on the Air Quality Index.
• Unexpected locations like Cobh, Dungarvan, and Clonmel have reported severe AQI levels, while cities such as Bikaner and Patna in India continue to face unhealthy air conditions.
• Experts attribute this trend to factors like weather stagnation, reduced wind flow, dust, and local emissions, showing that pollution is no longer limited to major industrial hubs but influenced by climate and geography.
• Rising AQI levels pose serious health risks, including respiratory and heart problems, making air quality a critical global concern requiring urgent environmental action and awareness.

Santa Marta Climate Conference, Background, Objectives, Role

• The Santa Marta Climate Conference 2026, hosted by Colombia and Netherlands, brought together representatives from around 50 countries to accelerate action against fossil fuel dependence and climate change.
• Organised as an alternative to slow United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change processes, the summit focused on faster commitments, renewable energy cooperation, and national transition roadmaps.
• While major emitters were absent, the conference highlighted a shift toward flexible, action-oriented climate alliances and stronger global efforts for clean energy transition.

India–UAE, India–US among top global migration corridors: World Migration Report 2026

• The World Migration Report 2026 highlights India’s central role in global migration, with the India–UAE corridor ranked 5th and India–US ranked 6th worldwide.
• Over 3 million Indians live in the UAE and about 3.2 million in the US, reflecting strong labour and skilled migration flows. Globally, 304 million people lived outside their birth country in 2024.
• Migration is driven by job opportunities, education, and globalisation. The Indian diaspora continues to influence trade, diplomacy, and policy.
• The report underscores India’s dual role as both a major source and destination of international migrants in an increasingly mobile world.

Banking News

NSE of India launches Electronic Gold Receipts for digital gold trading

• The National Stock Exchange of India has launched Electronic Gold Receipts, offering a secure and digital way to invest in gold.
• EGRs are dematerialized securities backed by physical gold stored in SEBI-approved vaults, allowing investors to trade gold like shares while retaining ownership.
• This initiative improves convenience, safety, and liquidity by eliminating storage concerns and enabling easy trading in smaller quantities. Unlike Gold ETFs, EGRs allow physical delivery of gold.
• The move modernizes gold investment in India by combining traditional asset security with the efficiency of electronic markets.

Securities and Exchange Board of India proposes wider access to GIFT City investment products via OBPPs

• SEBI has proposed allowing Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) to offer GIFT City investment products regulated by IFSCA, including overseas debt securities and global instruments.
• This move aims to expand investment access, enhance retail participation, and strengthen GIFT City as a global financial hub. It will also create parity between OBPPs and stock brokers while boosting competition in digital bond markets.
• Additionally, SEBI has suggested including Section 54EC tax-saving bonds on OBPPs with strict compliance norms.
• Overall, the proposal is expected to improve investor choice, digital access, and integration with international financial markets.

Business News

Kumar Mangalam Birla appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Vodafone Idea Limited

• Kumar Mangalam Birla has been appointed as the Non-Executive Chairman of Vodafone Idea Limited, effective May 5, 2026, marking a key leadership transition.
• He succeeds Ravinder Takkar, who will now serve as Non-Executive Vice Chairman.
• This move is expected to strengthen investor confidence and support Vodafone Idea’s revival strategy amid intense competition and financial challenges.
• Birla’s leadership comes at a crucial time as the company focuses on improving financial stability, expanding network infrastructure, and regaining its position in India’s competitive telecom market.

Current Affairs Today | 6th May 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam