Current Affairs Quiz — May 3, 2026

SIPRI’s 2026 report places India 5th globally with $92.1 billion in military spending for 2025 — an 8.9% year-on-year increase. The top five are USA, China, Russia, Germany, and India, accounting for 58% of global military spending.
India overtook Saudi Arabia and UK to enter the top five. Global military spending reached $2,887 billion — the 11th consecutive annual increase.

World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3 every year — declared by UNESCO’s General Conference in 1993 and endorsed by UNGA. The 2026 conference theme is “Shaping a Future at Peace.” It should not be confused with “Information as a Public Good” (2021 theme). RSF (Reporters Sans Frontières) releases the World Press Freedom Index on this date annually.

India was ranked 157th out of 180 countries in the RSF World Press Freedom Index 2026 — a six-place drop from 151st in 2025 (which was itself an improvement from 159th in 2024). RSF cited judicial harassment of journalists, use of criminal defamation and national security laws, and concentrated media ownership.
India ranks below Pakistan (153rd), Bangladesh (149th), and Sri Lanka (139th) in South Asia.

On May 3, 2026, a Guinness World Record was set for the tallest underwater human stack — 22.3 metres tall, formed by 14 people including Lt. Governor D.K. Joshi, sustained for 3 minutes underwater. This followed May 2’s record for the largest national flag unfurled underwater: a 60×40m (2,400 sq m) Tricolour at Radhanagar Beach (Swaraj Dweep / Havelock Island), involving 223 divers.

The LR-AShM is a boost-glide hypersonic system — it uses a rocket to boost the missile to high altitude and speed (up to Mach 10), then glides at hypersonic speeds (Mach 5+) to the target. This is distinct from: a supersonic cruise missile like BrahMos (ramjet propulsion, ~Mach 3); a ballistic re-entry vehicle (parabolic arc); or a loitering munition (kamikaze drone).
Hypersonic is defined as Mach 5 or above.

WRI’s 2026 report found that 4.3 million hectares of tropical primary forest are being lost annually — equivalent to the area of Denmark — at a rate of 11 football fields per minute. This is a 36% decline from the 2024 peak, largely due to Brazil’s 41% reduction under stricter enforcement.
The rate is still 70% above the pace needed to meet the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration target of halting deforestation by 2030 (COP26).

Rohit Jain was appointed Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a three-year term effective May 3, 2026, succeeding T. Rabi Sankar (who retired in April 2026). Jain previously served as Executive Director at RBI. M. Rajeshwar Rao and Swaminathan J. (S. Swaminathan) are other serving RBI Deputy Governors.
Michael Patra is the Deputy Governor responsible for monetary policy.

Article 371© is the special constitutional provision for Manipur — it empowers the President to ensure the Governor has a special responsibility for the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), a legislative committee of elected MLAs from hill constituencies. The Sixth Schedule (which provides Autonomous District Councils with legislative and judicial powers) does NOT apply to Manipur.
Article 371(A) = Nagaland; Article 371(B) = Assam; Article 244 covers Fifth and Sixth Schedule generally.

The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) conducted a “Tribal Solidarity March” in Churachandpur on May 3, 2023, protesting against the proposed Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community. The march turned violent, triggering the broader ethnic conflict.
Thadou Inpi Manipur is the apex body of the Thadou-Kuki community. United Naga Council represents Naga interests.
Meitei Leepun is a Meitei community organisation.

The “duck curve” refers to the daily demand pattern in grids with high solar penetration: solar generation reduces midday net demand (the “belly” of the duck), but when the sun sets, ~150 GW of solar goes offline simultaneously while cooling demand remains high, creating a steep evening ramp (the “neck” of the duck) that thermal plants must meet quickly. India hit 256.11 GW peak demand on April 25, 2026.
The CEA targets 47 GW of BESS + 27 GW pumped hydro storage by 2031-32 to address this.

India (at $92.1 billion, 2025 data) displaced both Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom to enter the global top five military spenders for the first time. The new top five are: (1) USA ~$954 billion, (2) China ~$336 billion, (3) Russia ~$190 billion, (4) Germany ~$114 billion, (5) India $92.1 billion.
India’s 8.9% year-on-year increase was driven by accelerated procurement post-Operation Sindoor and broader modernisation commitments. Global military spending reached $2,887 billion — the 11th consecutive annual increase — with the top 5 accounting for 58% of total.

RSF (Reporters Sans Frontières) is headquartered in Paris, France and means “Reporters Without Borders” in English. Founded in 1985 by Robert Ménard, it is a non-profit organization that advocates for freedom of information and defends journalists facing persecution.
RSF publishes the annual World Press Freedom Index (released on May 3 = World Press Freedom Day) ranking 180 countries. Norway has topped the index for multiple consecutive years.
The index measures five indicators: political context, legal framework, economic context, socio-cultural context, and safety. India ranked 157th in 2026 — six places below 2025 (151st).

Prasar Bharati is India’s statutory public service broadcaster established under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990. It operates two major broadcasting services: (1) Doordarshan (DD) — public television; founded 1959; covers 90%+ of India’s population; includes DD National, DD News, DD Sports, regional channels; (2) All India Radio (AIR) / Akashvani — public radio; founded 1936; 500+ radio stations; reaches 99%+ of India’s geography.
Prasar Bharati News Service (PBNS) is a news agency within the network, not a separate entity. Prasoon Joshi — lyricist (“Taare Zameen Par”), writer, and former CBFC Chairman — was appointed Prasar Bharati Chairman in May 2026.

Radhanagar Beach (on Swaraj Dweep, formerly Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands) holds the prestigious Blue Flag certification — awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Blue Flag is awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators that meet 33 strict criteria across 4 categories: Environmental Education & Information, Water Quality, Environmental Management, and Safety & Services.
As of 2025, India has 13 Blue Flag certified beaches, managed under the BEAMS programme (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Service) by the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) under MoEFCC. Radhanagar is consistently rated one of Asia’s best beaches.

The Press Council of India (PCI) is the statutory self-regulatory body for print media in India, established under the Press Council Act, 1978. Its functions include: adjudicating complaints against newspapers for violating journalistic ethics, maintaining press freedom, setting standards for journalism, and censuring newspapers that publish objectionable content.
PCI is a quasi-judicial body — its rulings are binding on newspapers but it cannot impose criminal penalties. It has a Chairman (traditionally a retired SC judge) and 28 members (editors, journalists, academics, MPs).
PCI has NO jurisdiction over electronic media (TV, radio, digital) — those fall under MIB, TRAI, and self-regulatory bodies like NBA, IBF.

BNS Section 152 replaced IPC Section 124A (sedition). The text of BNS 152 covers “acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India” — it is broader than the old sedition provision in that it covers exciting disaffection against India (similar to IPC 124A) but also electronic communication and financial support to secession.
The government claimed to have abolished sedition but RSF and civil liberties organizations argue BNS 152 has even broader scope. Key distinction: IPC 124A required “disaffection” against the government specifically; BNS 152 covers acts against India’s sovereignty/unity more broadly.
IPC 124A was struck down for enforcement purposes by the Supreme Court (2022 interim stay) before BNS replaced it. BNS 150 covers acts against unity/integrity but is a different provision.

The Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use was signed at COP26 (Glasgow, November 2021) by over 145 world leaders, including India. The commitment: “Halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.” This is distinct from a 50% reduction target — it aspires to net zero loss or net positive gain.
The WRI 2026 Global Forest Watch report found that tropical primary forest loss (4.3 million hectares/year) remains 70% above the pace needed to meet this 2030 goal. Brazil’s 41% reduction (under President Lula’s enforcement policies) is the most significant positive development toward this goal.
India’s NDC: additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent sink through forests by 2030.

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India has projected a need for 47 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) + 27 GW of pumped hydro storage by 2031–32 to manage the “duck curve” problem in India’s power grid. The duck curve arises because: (a) Solar generation reduces midday net demand (belly of the duck); (b) When sun sets, ~150 GW of solar drops off simultaneously; © Evening cooling demand remains high; (d) Thermal plants must ramp up rapidly in the “neck” of the duck.
BESS charges during the midday solar surplus and discharges during the evening ramp — effectively storing cheap solar energy and shifting it to peak hours. India’s PLI for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) batteries (₹18,100 crore) supports domestic BESS manufacturing.

The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a travel permit required for non-residents (those from outside the protected area) to enter certain northeastern states. For Manipur, it protects against unrestricted in-migration and demographic change — outsiders need ILP to live and work in Manipur.
ILP is issued under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 (a colonial-era law originally intended to protect tribal communities from exploitation by outsiders and British commercial interests). Manipur received ILP in December 2019 (just before CAA).
States with ILP: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur (added 2019). ILP does NOT protect land rights in hill areas (which is what Kuki-Zo communities want via Sixth Schedule status).

The ethnic violence in Manipur, which began on May 3, 2023 and entered its third year in 2026, has displaced approximately 58,800 people (government figures, March 2026). The primary communities involved are: Meitei (predominantly Hindu, ~53% of Manipur’s population, concentrated in the Imphal Valley) and Kuki-Zo (various Christian tribal communities in the hill districts).
The immediate trigger was the protest against the proposed Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community — Kuki-Zo groups feared this would allow Meiteis to acquire land in constitutionally protected hill areas. Over 250 people have died.
The conflict has also drawn in Naga communities in some areas. Manipur remains under heightened security presence.

DRDO’s HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle), tested on September 7, 2020 from Wheeler Island (Odisha), uses scramjet propulsion — a Supersonic Combustion Ramjet that is air-breathing and maintains combustion at supersonic internal airflow speeds. This is the technology used in Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCM).
In contrast, the LR-AShM (Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile) tested in 2026 is a boost-glide system — a rocket boosts the missile to hypersonic speeds, then it glides unpowered on a depressed trajectory. Both are “hypersonic” (Mach 5+) but the propulsion mechanism is fundamentally different: HSTDV = air-breathing scramjet; LR-AShM = rocket boost + glide.

REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation in developing countries — plus the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The “+” specifically refers to these three additional elements beyond just reducing deforestation.
REDD+ operates under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and was formally established at COP13 (Bali, 2007) and operationalised at COP19 (Warsaw, 2013) with the Warsaw Framework for REDD+. Countries that conserve or expand forests receive results-based payments (typically in carbon finance).
India has developed a National REDD+ Strategy and is eligible for forest carbon finance from international sources.

India’s defence expenditure of $92.1 billion represents approximately ~2.1% of GDP (FY2025 GDP ~$3.9 trillion). India’s defence spending as a share of GDP has been relatively stable at 1.9–2.3% over the past decade — above the 1.5% of many developing nations but below the NATO alliance’s 2% benchmark (which all NATO members are now expected to meet).
By comparison: USA (~3.5% of GDP), Russia (~6–7%), Israel (~5%), Pakistan (~4%). Germany recently crossed 2% driven by post-Ukraine rearmament.
China’s official defence budget (~1.3% of GDP) is considered an underestimate by SIPRI due to off-budget spending in R&D, paramilitary, etc.

The ECI’s QR code-based Photo Identity Card system for counting centres is integrated with ECINET — the Election Commission’s integrated digital platform for election management. The system creates a three-tier security framework: (1) Outer perimeter — general access control; (2) Middle zone — candidate/agent check; (3) Inner counting hall — mandatory QR scan for all authorised personnel including Returning Officers, counting agents, and candidates.
The aim is to replace manual ID verification and maintain a digital log of all who enter counting halls. SVEEP is ECI’s voter awareness programme; cVIGIL is a mobile app for reporting electoral code violations; 1950 is the voter helpline.

The Inner Line Permit (ILP) system was established under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 — a British colonial law enacted to protect tribal communities in the northeastern frontier regions from encroachment by outsiders, and also to protect British commercial interests (tea gardens, rubber plantations) from external interference. The regulation empowered the colonial government to restrict movement of “British subjects” into these “protected areas.” Post-independence, India retained the ILP system, applying it to: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram (original three) and Manipur (added December 2019 via an amendment notification).
The Manipur ILP was a key demand of civil society before CAA was passed.

Primary tropical forest = naturally regenerated native species forest with no clearly visible signs of human activity. This definition (used by WRI’s Global Forest Watch and FAO) distinguishes it from: (a) Secondary forest — regrowth after clearing; stores less carbon, lower biodiversity; (b) Plantation forest — monoculture trees for timber/pulp; minimal biodiversity value; © Degraded forest — still standing but heavily logged or burned.
Primary tropical forest is the most ecologically critical because: it stores centuries of carbon (release when cleared is irreversible in human timescales); contains 50–80% of known terrestrial biodiversity; regulates water cycles, prevents soil erosion. WRI found 4.3 million ha of primary tropical forest lost annually — primarily in Brazil (44%), DRC (11%), Bolivia (7%), Indonesia (5%).

SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) is headquartered in Solna, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, and was founded in 1966 — on the initiative of the Swedish Parliament, to commemorate Sweden’s 150 years of unbroken peace (1814–1964). SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research on conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.
Its key publications: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database (annual), SIPRI Yearbook (annual), SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, SIPRI Arms Industry Database. While physically in Solna/Stockholm, it is conventionally referred to as a “Stockholm-based” institute.
Note: Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE, which awards Blue Flag) is in Copenhagen — a common confusion.

Manipur has a stark geographic-demographic paradox: the Imphal Valley constitutes only ~10% of the state’s land area but contains approximately ~90% of the state’s total population — dominated by the Meitei community (the valley’s majority group). The Hill districts cover ~90% of Manipur’s geographic area but hold only ~10% of the population — home to Kuki-Zo, Naga, and other tribal communities.
This extreme imbalance creates political tension: Meiteis dominate the state assembly (valley constituencies are more), while hill communities feel underrepresented and fear demographic swamping of their constitutional land protections. The Meitei demand for ST status would potentially allow them to buy/settle in tribally protected hill land — which Kuki-Zo communities vigorously oppose.