Prelims Current Affairs includes Labour Day 2026 (International Labour Day), China Expands Zero-Tariff Access For Africa, France Sets 2050 Deadline To End Fossil Fuels, Niti Aayog Launches Dpi@2047 Roadmap, Prashast 2.0 To Screen 21 Disabilities, Indian Army Hosts Exercise Pragati In Meghalaya, Drdo Conducts Maiden Nasm-Sr Salvo Missile Launch, Chandrayaan-5 Launch Site Assessment Begins In Japan & Former Army Chief Manoj Naravane Releases New Book

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. LABOUR DAY 2026 (INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY)

Current Context: Labour Day 2026 will be observed on May 1, also known as International Labour Day or World Labour Day, honoring workers and recognizing their contributions to society.

ABOUT LABOUR DAY

• History:Originated from the 1886 Chicago workers’ protest for an eight-hour workday (8 hours work, 8 hours rest, 8 hours personal time) → Haymarket Affair
• Labour Day in India:
• First celebrated on May 1, 1923
• Held in Chennai
• Organized by the Labour Kisan Party
• Key Themes for Labour Day 2026:
• “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment”. This theme addresses modern workplace challenges like mental health, stress management, digital “always-on” fatigue, and promoting inclusive, safe, and fair working conditions globally

INTERNATIONAL

2. CHINA EXPANDS ZERO-TARIFF ACCESS FOR AFRICA

Current Context: China has announced zero-tariff treatment for all African countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Beijing, starting from May 1, 2026.

ABOUT THE POLICY

• Coverage:53 African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing
• For 20 non-LDC African countries:Policy effective from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028 (preferential tariff rates)
• Background:33 least developed African countries already received zero tariffs from December 1, 2024
• China-Africa Total Trade (2025):USD 348 billion
• Chinese exports to Africa: USD 225 billion
• African exports to China: USD 123 billion

INTERNATIONAL

3. FRANCE SETS 2050 DEADLINE TO END FOSSIL FUELS

Current Context: France has unveiled a detailed national roadmap to phase out fossil fuels by 2050, becoming one of the first countries to set clear deadlines for ending coal, oil, and gas.

ABOUT THE ROADMAP

• Phased Timelines:

• Announced at:International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia
• France’s Carbon Neutrality Target:2050
• Emissions Reduction Target:5% annually (2024-2028)
• Key Context:France relies heavily on nuclear energy for electricity

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

4. NITI AAYOG LAUNCHES DPI@2047 ROADMAP

Current Context: NITI Aayog has officially launched the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), DPI@2047 for Viksit Bharat roadmap, a strategic initiative to propel India from foundational digital inclusion to a high-productivity, livelihood-led growth trajectory.

ABOUT DPI@2047 ROADMAP

• Developed by:NITI Frontier Tech Hub (FTH) in partnership with EkStep Foundation and Deloitte
• Two-Phase Approach:

• Target Sectors:MSMEs, agriculture, education, healthcare
• Economic Impact Projection:DPI initiatives could contribute up to 4% of India’s GDP by 2030
• Viksit Bharat Vision:$30 trillion economy with per capita income of $18,000

SCHEMES

5. PRASHAST 2.0 TO SCREEN 21 DISABILITIES

Current Context: The Union government is set to launch Prashast 2.0, an upgraded digital platform designed to identify 21 types of disabilities in children and improve support for Children With Special Needs (CWSN).

ABOUT PRASHAST 2.0

• Target Group:Children With Special Needs (CWSN)
• Key Features:
• Early identification through schools (by school heads, teachers, special educators)
• Simplified certification process
• Linked with Samagra Shiksha Scheme for inclusive education
• Launched by: Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India

DEFENCE

6. INDIAN ARMY HOSTS EXERCISE PRAGATI IN MEGHALAYA

Current Context: The Indian Army will host the first edition of the multilateral military exercise ‘Pragati’ at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.

ABOUT EXERCISE PRAGATI

• Edition:First
• Participating Countries:11 friendly countries
• Full Form:Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region
• Purpose:Enhance interoperability, mutual trust, and defence cooperation
• Significance:Reflects India’s Act East Policy and growing strategic importance of Northeast India

DEFENCE

7. DRDO CONDUCTS MAIDEN NASM-SR SALVO MISSILE LAUNCH

Current Context: India achieved a significant milestone with the successful maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) from a helicopter platform off the Odisha coast. 

ABOUT NASM-SR

• Full Form:Naval Anti-ship Missile – Short Range
• Type:Air-launched anti-ship missile
• Launch Platform:Helicopter
• Developed by:Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad (in collaboration with multiple DRDO laboratories)
• Key Indigenous Technologies:
  • Solid propulsion booster and long-burn sustainer
  • Fibre-optic gyroscope-based inertial navigation system
  • Radio altimeter, advanced seeker
  • High-bandwidth two-way data link
  • Jet-vane control and advanced guidance algorithms
• Testing Range: Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

8. CHANDRAYAAN-5 LAUNCH SITE ASSESSMENT BEGINS IN JAPAN

Current Context: India’s upcoming lunar mission, Chandrayaan-5, has entered a crucial preparatory phase as ISRO initiates launch site assessments in Japan.

ABOUT CHANDRAYAAN-5

• Type:Indo-Japanese collaborative lunar mission
• Collaboration:ISRO (India) and JAXA (Japan)
• Current Phase:Launch site assessment in Japan
• ISRO’s Previous Lunar Missions:
  • Chandrayaan-1
  • Chandrayaan-2
  • Chandrayaan-3

BOOKS & AUTHORS

9. FORMER ARMY CHIEF MANOJ NARAVANE RELEASES NEW BOOK

Current Context: Manoj Mukund Naravane has released a new non-fiction book titled ‘The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries’.

ABOUT THE BOOK

• Book Title:The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries
• Author:Manoj Mukund Naravane (former Army Chief)
• Type:Non-fiction

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