Daily Current Affairs May 1, 2026

Current Affairs and GK updates 01/05/2026

Here is the Daily current affairs and GK updates of the day for UPSC,SSC,IBPS,RRB,NTPC and other competitive exams preparations.This updates particularly focus on news updates from1st May 2026.

National

• Third Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference commences in Surat:The third Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference commenced at AURO University in Surat today. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and CR Patil were present on the occasion.
• Mizoram launches ‘Khuarel’ app to boost real-time disaster response:In a significant step towards strengthening disaster response, Mizoram has launched the “Khuarel” mobile application, a real-time disaster incident reporting and management system designed to enhance coordination and information flow during emergencies.
• Houselisting and Housing Census 2027 Phase-1 field operations commence in six States and UTs-Field operations for Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO), under Phase 1 of Census 2027, have commenced from today in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. This follows the completion of the notified 15-day Self-Enumeration period in these States and Union Territories.The Census of India is structured into two distinct operational phases: the Houselisting and Housing Census, and the Population Enumeration.
• Phase 1: Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) Conducted over a 30-day continuous period (often preceded by an optional 15-day self-enumeration window) between April and September 2026, enumerators map and collect data on every building and house in the country. 
• Data collected: Housing conditions, household amenities (drinking water, toilets, electricity, internet access, cooking fuel), and asset ownership (TV, two-wheelers, etc.).
• Purpose: It establishes the essential national database and layout required to conduct the subsequent population count accurately. 
• Phase 2: Population Enumeration (PE)-Typically scheduled for February 2027, this phase executes the actual, direct counting of India's citizens. 
• Data collected: Detailed demographic, socio-economic, cultural, migration, fertility, and occupation particulars, alongside caste enumeration.
• Exceptions: In the Union Territory of Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, this phase occurs earlier, in September 2026. 
• Sikkim becomes country’s first paperless judiciary state-Sikkim has been declared the country’s first paperless judiciary state. Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, declared this today in a conclave held at Gangtok.
• Seven-year-old Ishank Singh becomes youngest swimmer to cross Palk Strait:A seven-year-old boy from Jharkhand has become the youngest swimmer to cross the Palk Strait, completing the 29-km stretch between Sri Lanka and India in a record time for his age category.
• Mahendragiri, sixth ship of Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) delivered to Indian Navy-Mahendragiri, the sixth ship of Nilgiri-class (Project 17A), was delivered to the Indian Navy at Mumbai.Designed by the Warship Design Bureau and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Mumbai), P17A frigates reflect a generational leap in indigenous ship design, stealth, survivability, and combat capability.

International

• Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met a delegation from the African Union Commission, led by Willy Nyamitwe, Chairperson of AU Permanent Representative Committee and Ambassador of Burundi.

Economy and banking

• GST collections hit all-time high of over ₹2.42 lakh crore in April:The Goods and Services Tax (GST) gross collections in April last month registered a record all-time high, growing 8.7 per cent as compared to the same period last year.
• The Ministry of Finance has said that the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) has emerged as a key pillar in the nation’s stressed asset resolution framework, supporting the strengthening of the banking sector’s balance sheets.During the 25-26 FY, the company has realised four thousand 3 hundred 64 crore rupees, accounting for around 70 percent of its cumulative recoveries.
• UPI emerges as world’s largest real-time payments platform-A decade after its launch, UPI has transformed from a fledgling digital experiment into the world’s largest real-time payments platform, powering nearly half of global instant payment transactions .
• Launched on April 11, 2016, UPI today stands as the backbone of India’s digital economy – driving financial inclusion, enabling seamless commerce and setting global benchmarks in digital public infrastructure.
• Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to launch PMGSY-IV in Odisha:Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be on a visit to Odisha today. During his visit, Mr Chouhan will participate in a programme being organised by the Ministry of Rural Development in Rayagada. 

Appointments

• Vishvajit Sahay assumes charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) in Ministry of Defence:A 1990 batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service Vishvajit Sahay, today assumed the charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Controller General of Defence Accounts

Sports and culture

• Durand Cup Society reviews preparations for 135th edition of tournament:The Annual General Body Meeting of the Durand Football Tournament Society was successfully conducted in New Delhi.
• Badminton: Indian team storms into semi-finals of Thomas Cup 2026:In Badminton, India won the first two opening matches in the quarter-final of the Thomas Cup against Chinese Taipei at Horsens in Denmark today. Lakshya Sen beat Chou Tien Chen 18-21, 22-20, 21-17 after saving two match points.

Days Observed

• "May 1" (often written as May 1 or May Day) is globally observed as International Workers' Day (Labour Day) to honor labor movements and workers' rights.
• Maharashtra Day & Gujarat Day: Observed on May 1 to commemorate the formation of these two states in 1960 under the Bombay Reorganisation Act.
• Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is a major festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. In 2026, it was observed on Friday, May 1.

Static GK for exam preparations

• The Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest football tournament and the third-oldest club football competition in the world. Founded in 1888 in Shimla by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, it serves as the traditional curtain-raiser for the Indian football season. The tournament features top clubs and teams from India's armed forces.
• Project 17A (P-17A) is a major ₹45,000-crore Indian Navy initiative to build seven advanced stealth guided-missile frigates. These warships feature radar-absorbent coatings, BrahMos supersonic missiles, and over 75% indigenous components to enhance India's self-reliance in naval defense.