2 May 2026 | Daily Current Affairs

World Press Freedom Index 2026: India Ranks 157, Key Issues Explained for UPSC

Context: World Press Freedom Index 2026

India ranks 157/180 in 2026, dropping 6 places from 151 (2025) in the World Press Freedom Index.

World Press Freedom Index 2026

Basics

  • Released by Reporters Without Borders
  • Assesses media freedom, independence & safety
  • Based on 5 indicators: political, legal, economic, sociocultural, safety

Key Facts

  • Eritrea ranks last (180th), reflecting the most restrictive press environment globally.
  • Rank 1: Norway

Issues with Indian Media

  • Legal pressure: UAPA, defamation, IT Rules → restrictions
  • Safety concerns: threats, harassment, online abuse
  • Political influence: limits editorial independence
  • Corporate ownership: ad dependence affects neutrality
  • Internet controls: shutdowns, content blocking
  • Self-censorship: due to fear of legal/economic consequences

GST collections April 2026: India Hits Record ₹2.43 Lakh Crore, Key Facts for UPSC

Context: GST collections April 2026

India records its highest-ever monthly Goods and Services Tax collection of ₹2.43 lakh crore in April 2026, reflecting strong economic activity and improved tax compliance.

GST collections April 2026
PYQ – 2017, Ans – A

Core Basics

  • Indirect, destination-based consumption tax (launched 1 July 2017)
  • Dual model: CGST + SGST (intra-state), IGST (inter-state)
  • Input Tax Credit (ITC) → removes cascading effect

Constitutional Framework

GST Council

  • Chairperson: Union Finance Minister

Decision Rules

  • Quorum: 50%
  • Majority: 75% weighted votes

Voting Weight

  • Centre: 1/3rd
  • States: 2/3rd

GST Slabs

  • Old: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28% + cess
  • Reform: 0%, 5%, 18%, 40% (12% & 28% merged; cess replaced)

Outside GST

  • Petroleum products (crude, petrol, diesel, ATF, natural gas)
  • Alcohol for human consumption

India peak power demand 2026: Record 256 GW, Coal Dominates Energy Mix for UPSC

Context: India peak power demand 2026

India met a record peak electricity demand of 256.1 GW (25 April 2026) amid rising summer demand, with supply dominated by coal-based thermal power and supported by solar.

India peak power demand 2026
India peak power demand 2026
India peak power demand 2026
India peak power demand 2026

Peak Demand & Grid

  • Peak demand: 256.1 GW
  • Grid frequency: 50.00 Hz

Source-wise Contribution (Peak — in GW)

  • Thermal (Coal): 174.6 GW (66.9%)
  • Solar: 56.2 GW (21.5%)
  • Hydro: 11.4 GW (4.4%)
  • Nuclear: 6.3 GW (2.4%)
  • Gas: 5.2 GW (2.0%)
  • Wind: 4.9 GW (1.9%)
  • Others + Storage: ~2.3 GW (~0.9%)

Thermal Power & Coal

  • Share in generation: 66.9%
  • Coal stock: ~200 million tonnes
  • Sufficiency: >83 days

Capacity Addition (Last 1 Year)

  • Solar capacity added (FY 2025–26): 44.61 GW
  • More than double the addition in the previous year

Core Insight

  • Coal remains backbone (~67%) for peak demand stability
  • Solar is second-largest (~21.5%) but still secondary to coal
  • Rapid solar capacity addition (44.61 GW) yet limited peak share reflects storage/grid constraints

Tuapse oil terminal strike: Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure, Key Facts for UPSC

Context: Tuapse oil terminal strike

Ukraine struck an oil terminal at Tuapse in Russia, marking the fourth attack on oil infrastructure in the region within about two weeks (earlier strikes on April 16, 20 and 28), indicating a sustained targeting of Russia’s energy assets.

Tuapse oil terminal strike
Tuapse oil terminal strike
Tuapse oil terminal strike
Tuapse oil terminal strike

Tuapse (in news)

  • Located in Krasnodar Krai, southwestern Russia
  • On the eastern coast of the Black Sea
  • Houses oil refinery and export terminal

India Vietnam relations 2026: Strategic Partnership, Trade and Defence Focus for UPSC

Context: India Vietnam relations 2026

To Lam is on a state visit to India (May 5–7)—his first after assuming office—with talks focused on trade, critical technologies and maritime defence, as both countries mark 10 years of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2016).

India Vietnam relations 2026
India Vietnam relations 2026
PYQ – 2022, Ans – C

India–Vietnam Relations

  • 1972: Diplomatic relations
  • 2007: Strategic Partnership
  • 2016: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
    → Among India’s closest partners in Southeast Asia under Act East Policy

Strategic & Defence Core

  • Strong focus on maritime cooperation (South China Sea)
  • Naval engagement, training, defence credit lines
  • Convergence on rules-based Indo-Pacific & freedom of navigation

Trade & Economic Linkages

  • Bilateral trade: ~$14.8 billion (2023–24)
  • Vietnam = one of India’s top ASEAN trade partners

Trade pattern

  • India exports: pharmaceuticals, iron & steel, machinery
  • India imports: electronics, telecom equipment, machinery

Present Visit — What Matters

Focus areas:

  • Trade expansion
  • Critical technologies
  • Defence cooperation (maritime)

Symbolic:

  • 10-year milestone of upgraded ties (2016)
  • Expanding engagement beyond diplomacy → strategic + economic depth

Tiger population in India 2026: Rising Numbers Raise Habitat and Conflict Concerns for UPSC

Context: Tiger population in India 2026

Madhya Pradesh has seen a sharp rise in tiger numbers (crossing ~1,000), creating pressure on habitat and corridors, and raising concerns about carrying capacity and conflict.

Tiger population in India 2026
Tiger population in India 2026
PYQ – 2012, Ans – B
Tiger population in India 2026
Tiger population in India 2026

Madhya Pradesh — Key Data

  • Tiger population rise: 308 (2014) → 785 (2022) | +155%
  • Human deaths (India): 224 (2014–19) → 418 (2020–25) | +87%
  • Bandhavgarh: 47% of tiger kills = livestock
  • Core issue: High growth + shrinking corridors → conflict & dispersal stress

Top States in Tiger Population (2022)

  • Madhya Pradesh | Karnataka | Uttarakhand

Highest Tiger Population

In Madhya Pradesh:
→ Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (highest density/population in state)

In India (overall):
→ Jim Corbett National Park
→ Highest tiger population among all reserves in India

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