Prelims Current Affairs includes International Nurses Day 2026, National Technology Day 2026, Yildirimhan Missile, Janani Digital Platform Launched, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (Pmegp), Delhi Launches Aftercare Scheme For Young Persons, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Drdo Conducts Long-Duration Scramjet Combustor Test, C. Joseph Vijay Sworn In As Chief Minister Of Tamil Nadu & Himachal Bird Census: 208 Species Recorded, 1,500+ Nature Enthusiasts Shared Data Via App

 DAY TO REMEMBER

1. INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2026

Current Context: International Nurses Day 2026 is observed on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, to recognize and appreciate the dedication, skill, and compassion of nurses worldwide.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY

• Date: 12 May every year (birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale)
• Theme 2026: “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”
• First Observed: International Council of Nurses began observance in 1965, 12 May officially selected in 1974
• Historical Background: Florence Nightingale transformed nursing through her work during the Crimean War, emphasizing hygiene, patient care, and proper training
• Florence Nightingale Quote: “Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion.”

 DAY TO REMEMBER

2. NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY 2026

Current Context: India celebrates National Technology Day on May 11, marking India’s successful nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran in 1998.

ABOUT NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY

• Significance: Marks India’s successful nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran in 1998, demonstrating India’s scientific and technological capabilities
• Evolution: Day evolved into broader celebration of innovation, research, engineering, and technological progress
• Key Technology Sectors in India: AI adoption, digital payments, semiconductor manufacturing, defence technology, space technology, cybersecurity, automation
• Government Initiatives: Digital India, Startup India

INTERNATIONAL

3. YILDIRIMHAN MISSILE

Current Context: Turkiye has unveiled a prototype of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Yildirimhan Missile as part of a push to become self-reliant.

ABOUT YILDIRIMHAN MISSILE

• Type: Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
• Range: 6,000 km (can hit targets across Europe, Africa, and Asia)
• Speed: Up to Mach 25 (extreme hypersonic speed)
• Engines: Four rocket propulsion engines; fuelled by liquid nitrogen tetroxide
• Warhead Capacity: Up to three tonnes; capable of carrying multiple warheads
• Launch Platform: Mobile wheeled launcher

POLITY & E-GOVERNANCE

4. JANANI DIGITAL PLATFORM LAUNCHED

Current Context: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care), a QR-enabled digital platform to track maternal and child healthcare services.

ABOUT JANANI

• Purpose: Track maternal and child healthcare services across India
• Coverage: Antenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, newborn care, family planning
• Integration: Upgraded version of existing RCH portal; integrates with U-WIN and POSHAN
• Registration Options: ABHA ID, Aadhaar (OTP/biometric), mobile numbers
• Current Status: 1.34 crore registrations, over 30 lakh pregnant women registrations, over 1 lakh biometric verifications

SCHEMES

5. PRIME MINISTER’S EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAMME (PMEGP)

Current Context: The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has facilitated the establishment of more than 4 lakh micro-enterprises and generated employment for over 36 lakh people during the 15th Finance Commission cycle.

ABOUT PMEGP

• Launched: August 2008
• Type: Central sector scheme, credit-linked subsidy scheme
• Administered by: Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
• Implemented by: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
• Objective: Create self-employment opportunities for first-generation entrepreneurs; promote sustainable livelihoods in manufacturing and services sectors, especially in rural areas
• Eligibility: Any individual above 18 years, no income ceiling, educational qualification of at least VIII standard pass for projects above ₹10 lakh (manufacturing) or ₹5 lakh (services)
• Eligible Entities: Self Help Groups (including BPL), Societies Registration Act institutions, Production Co-operative Societies, Charitable Trusts
• Ineligibility: Existing units that have availed government subsidy under any other scheme

STATE NEWS 

6. DELHI LAUNCHES AFTERCARE SCHEME FOR YOUNG PERSONS

Current Context: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Aftercare Scheme for Young Persons on 10 May 2026, with an allocation of Rs 3.5 crore for 2026-27.

ABOUT THE AFTERCARE SCHEME

• Launched by: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
• Budget Allocation: Rs 3.5 crore (2026-27)
• Legal Framework: Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• Implementing Department: Women and Child Development Department
• Beneficiaries: Young persons leaving childcare institutions and orphanages after attaining 18 years of age
• Support Components: Higher education, skill development, vocational training, internships, employment opportunities, monthly stipend, mentoring, counselling, career guidance, rehabilitation support
• Institutional Framework: State Aftercare Committee (headed by Secretary, WCD Department); District-level committees
• Delhi Data: 88 Child Care Institutions; 150-200 young adults leave these institutions every year; 2 aftercare homes (one for boys, one for girls)

ENVIRONMENT

7. TIPESHWAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Current Context: The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court sought responses from Maharashtra government, forest authorities, and resort operators over allegations of resort construction within eco-sensitive zone surrounding Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.

ABOUT TIPESHWAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location: Yavatmal district, Maharashtra
• Area: 148.63 sq km
• Name Derived from: ‘Goddess Tipai’ shrine in Tipeshwar village
• Known as: “Green Oasis of Eastern Maharashtra”
• Rivers flowing through: Purna, Krishna, Bhima, Tapti
• Soil Type: Basaltic soil (remnant of ancient volcanic activity)
• Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, Teak (Tectona grandis) dominates (~60% of area)
• Key Flora: Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus), Achar, Mahua, Lendia, Bhirra
• Fauna: Hyena, Chital, Black buck, Sambar, Jackal, Wild boar, Peacock, Monkey, Blue bull, Wild cat, Bear

DEFENCE

8. DRDO CONDUCTS LONG-DURATION SCRAMJET COMBUSTOR TEST

Current Context: DRDO has successfully conducted a long-duration scramjet combustor test in Hyderabad, achieving a runtime of over 1,200 seconds.

ABOUT THE SCRAMJET TEST

• Test Conducted by: Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad
• Achievement: Runtime of over 1,200 seconds (improvement over earlier 700-second test in January 2026)
• Type: Scramjet combustor test (actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor)
• Scramjet Engine: Allows missiles to travel at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5); uses oxygen from atmosphere during flight (reduces need to carry oxidizers, making system lighter and more efficient)
• Indigenous Technologies Used: Indian-developed liquid hydrocarbon fuel, advanced thermal barrier coatings, modern manufacturing techniques
• Significance: Major boost for India’s hypersonic cruise missile program

APPOINTMENT 

9. C. JOSEPH VIJAY SWORN IN AS CHIEF MINISTER OF TAMIL NADU

Current Context: Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 10 May 2026.

ABOUT THE TRANSITION

• TVK Performance: 108 seats (single largest party), coalition support from 120 MLAs
• Coalition Partners: Congress, CPI, CPI (M), VCK, IUML
• Significance: End of nearly six decades of two-party rule between DMK and AIADMK
• Tamil Nadu’s Cinema-Politics Tradition: M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and J. Jayalalithaa successfully transitioned from cinema to political leadership
• TVK Leaders Sworn as Ministers: ‘Bussy’ N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, C.T.R. Nirmalkumar, S. Keerthana

HIMACHAL NEWS

10. HIMACHAL BIRD CENSUS: 208 SPECIES RECORDED, 1,500+ NATURE ENTHUSIASTS SHARED DATA VIA APP

Current Context: Himachal Pradesh has set a new record in bird conservation and citizen science, with all 12 districts participating in the census and recording 208 bird species and 146 e-Bird checklists.

ABOUT THE BIRD CENSUS

• Event: Himalayan Bird Count 2026 and Global Big Day
• Year-wise Bird Species Recorded:
  • 2024: 166 species
  • 2025: 183 species
  • 2026: 208 species
• District-wise Performance:
  • Highest species count: Kangra district (126 species)
  • Highest public participation: Mandi and Kinnaur districts
  • Participants: Over 1,500 people including experts, students, forest officers, photographers, local villagers
  • Methodology: Participants uploaded at least 15-minute checklists on e-Bird mobile app
• Key Bird Species Observed:
  • Blue Whistling Thrush
  • Himalayan Ruby-throat
  • White-throated Tit
  • Himalayan Monal
  • Koklass Pheasant
  • Kalij Pheasant
  • Indian Peafowl
  • Himalayan Owl
  • Grey-crowned Goldfinch
  • Common Rosefinch
• Key Observations: Active breeding activities of several bird species in Himalayan regions – positive sign of healthy ecosystem

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