1) 🇮🇳National

• National Technology Day: Today marks the anniversary of the 1998 Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti) nuclear tests. It also commemorates the first flight of India's indigenous aircraft, Hansa-3, and the test firing of the Trishul missile.

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• CUET UG 2026 Commencement: The National Testing Agency (NTA) begins the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG today. The exams are scheduled to run until May 31, 2026, across India and 15 international cities.
• UPSC Results Update: The Union Public Service Commission recently declared the results for NDA/NA (1)and CDS (1) 2026. A total of 8,826 candidates qualified for the SSB interview stage.

2) 🌍International

• Global Energy Crisis: The ongoing West Asia crisis continues to disrupt global shipping routes. Analysts report that Brent crude prices have remained above $100 per barrel for over two months, impacting energy-importing nations significantly.
• Space Cooperation: South Korea's CAS500-2 satellite, launched recently, has successfully begun transmitting Earth-observation data, strengthening independent surveillance capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

3) 💰Economy

• GDP Growth Projections: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised India's growth forecast to 6.3%for the current fiscal year (shaving off 0.6%) due to elevated oil prices, though domestic demand remains a strong counter-buffer.
• Forex Conservation: The Government of India has hinted at measures to curb non-essential imports, specifically targeting gold and silver, to protect the current account deficit (CAD) from further widening.

4) 🗓️Date’s importance

• National Technology Day (11 May): Established in 1999 to celebrate India's entry into the elite club of nuclear-armed nations and to honour the contribution of scientists and engineers to national growth.

5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The former Prime Minister is remembered today for his bold leadership during the 1998 nuclear tests and for coining the slogan "Jai Vigyan" (Hail Science) to accompany "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan."

6) 🏅Sports

• IPL 2026 Match Today: Punjab Kings will face Delhi Capitals at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala (Match 55 of 74).
• Archery World Cup: Indian archers secured two podium finishes at the recent World Cup stage, marking a strong start to the 2026 international outdoor season.

7) 🏆Awards

• Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award: This new national honour, inaugurated recently in Coimbatore, recognises exceptional excellence in National Security, Science, and Social Service.
• Pulitzer Prizes 2026: The winners of the 2026 Pulitzer Prizes were announced last week, with a significant focus on investigative journalism related to the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence.

8) ⭐️Other important significance

• Mission Mausam: The Ministry of Earth Sciences has fast-tracked the deployment of X-band Doppler radarsacross the Himalayan belt to enhance precision in monsoon forecasting for 2026.

📚Word of the day

• EXIGENCY (Noun)
• Meaning: An urgent need or demand; a situation requiring immediate action.
• Usage: The government’s call for fuel restraint was prompted by the economic exigency caused by the sudden spike in global oil prices.