Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day Of Families 2026, India Launches $1.5 Billion Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool, Indian Ocean Rim Association (Iora), India Becomes World’s 3rd Largest In Renewable Energy Capacity, India’s First Orbital Data Centre Satellite: Pathfinder, Jute Crop Information System (Jcis), Kevin Warsh Set To Lead Us Federal Reserve As Next Chair, R. Mukundan Succeeds Rajiv Memani As Cii President For 2026-27 & Lavan Island

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES 2026

Current Context: The International Day of Families is observed every year on 15 May to highlight the importance of families in society and raise awareness about issues affecting family wellbeing across the world.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES

• Theme 2026: “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing”
• Proclaimed by: UN General Assembly in 1993 (following International Year of the Family in 1989)
• Focus Areas: Child wellbeing and development, affordable childcare and education, paid parental leave, access to healthcare and digital services, reducing poverty and social inequalities, supporting vulnerable and marginalized families
• UN SDG Linkage: Ending poverty, quality education, gender equality, good health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities, decent work and economic growth

ECONOMY

2. INDIA LAUNCHES $1.5 BILLION BHARAT MARITIME INSURANCE POOL

Current Context: India has launched a $1.5 billion Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) to strengthen the shipping and trade ecosystem.

ABOUT BHARAT MARITIME INSURANCE POOL

• Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP)
• Launched in 2025 to strengthen India’s marine insurance sector. Earlier, many Indian shipping companies bought marine insurance from foreign insurers.
• Objective: Reduce dependence on foreign marine insurers.
• Provides insurance coverage for ships and maritime trade
  • Total Size: $1.5 billion
  • Backed by: $1.4 billion sovereign guarantee
  • Approved by: Union Cabinet (April 2026)
  • First Insurance Covers Issued to: Vedanta Sterlite Copper Ltd, Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd, Hoger Offshore and Marine Pvt Ltd

Coverage Types:

• Hull and Machinery (H&M): Damage to ships and onboard systems
• Cargo Insurance: Protection of goods during transit
• Protection & Indemnity (P&I): Third-party liabilities (oil spills, crew injuries, collision liabilities, wreck removal)
• War Risk Insurance: Coverage in conflict-prone or high-risk maritime zones

INTERNATIONAL

3. INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION (IORA)

Current Context: The 10th edition of the Indian Ocean Dialogue was organised in New Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the IORA Secretariat.

ABOUT IORA

• It is an inter-governmental organization of countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
• Established in 1997.
• Headquarters: Ebene, Mauritius.
• Objective: Promote regional cooperation, maritime security, trade, blue economy, disaster management, and sustainable development.
• Formerly known as: Indian Ocean Rim Initiative, Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)
• Member States: 23 member states + 12 dialogue partners
• Apex Body: Council of Foreign Ministers (COM) – meets annually
• Six Priority Areas: Trade and Investment, Maritime Safety and Security, Fisheries Management, Disaster Risk Management, Blue Economy
• Key Members from Asia: India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, Yemen
• Dialogue Partners: China, Egypt, EU, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Türkiye, UK, USA

ENVIRONMENT

4. INDIA BECOMES WORLD’S 3RD LARGEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY CAPACITY

Current Context: As of December 2025, India has become the world’s third-largest country in terms of installed renewable energy capacity, overtaking Brazil in global rankings.

ABOUT THE RENEWABLE ENERGY STATISTICS

• Report: “Renewable Energy Statistics 2026” by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
• India’s Total Non-fossil Fuel Capacity (as of 31 March 2026): 283.46 GW
• Target by 2030: 500 GW from non-fossil sources
• Global Rankings (Capacity in GW):

About International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

• Established in 2009.
• Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Objective: Promote the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

5.  INDIA’S FIRST ORBITAL DATA CENTRE SATELLITE: PATHFINDER

Current Context: India is preparing to enter a completely new era of space technology with its first orbital data centre satellite called Pathfinder.

ABOUT PATHFINDER SATELLITE

It is India’s first orbital data centre satellite (edge computing in space)

• Objective: Store and process data directly in space instead of relying completely on Earth-based data centres.
• Works as a space-based computing and data storage platform.
• Helps in faster satellite data processing and reduces dependence on ground infrastructure.
• Developed by: Pixxel (Bengaluru-based space startup) in partnership with Sarvam AI
• Expected Launch: Fourth quarter of 2026
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
• Applications: Crop monitoring, climate analysis, weather forecasting, infrastructure mapping, disaster management

AGRICULTURE

6. JUTE CROP INFORMATION SYSTEM (JCIS)

Current Context: The National Jute Board has stepped up implementation of the Jute Crop Information System (JCIS).

ABOUT JCIS

• It provides accurate and real-time information on jute cultivation and production.
• It uses satellite imagery, GIS, and digital technology to monitor jute crop area and health.
• Helps estimate jute production and acreage more efficiently.
• Developed in collaboration with: ISRO and Jute Corporation of India
• Implemented since: 2023
• Digital Tools:
• BHUVAN JUMP: Mobile application for field-level monitoring
• PATSAN: Web-based analytics platform for surveillance and crop-related assessments
• National Jute Board
  • Established in 2008 under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
  • Formed by merging: Jute Manufacturers Development Council (JMDC) and National Centre for Jute Diversification (NCJD)
  • Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal.
  • Objective: Promotion, development, and modernization of the jute industry in India.

APPOINTMENTS

7. KEVIN WARSH SET TO LEAD US FEDERAL RESERVE AS NEXT CHAIR

Current Context: Kevin Warsh has been appointed as Governor of the Federal Reserve by the US Senate and is set to become the next Chair of America’s central bank.

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT

• Previous Experience: Served as Fed Governor during 2008 global financial crisis
• Background: Stanford University graduate, Harvard Law School alumnus, Hoover Institution fellow
• To Replace: Jerome Powell (current 4-year term as Chair set to end in upcoming months)

APPOINTMENTS

8. R. MUKUNDAN SUCCEEDS RAJIV MEMANI AS CII PRESIDENT FOR 2026-27

Current Context: R Mukundan has assumed office as President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the 2026-27 term, succeeding Rajiv Memani.

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT

• Vice-President: Shashwat Goenka (RP-Sanjiv Goenka business group)
• About CII: India’s leading industry association, plays major role in industry policy advocacy, economic reform discussions, investment climate recommendations

PLACES IN NEWS

9. LAVAN ISLAND

Current Context: The UAE secretly carried out military strikes on Iran during the recent Middle East conflict, including an alleged attack on a refinery at Iran’s Lavan Island.

ABOUT LAVAN ISLAND

• Location: Persian Gulf, near Strait of Hormuz (Hormozgan Province, Iran)
• Also known as: “Hidden Pearl Island”
• Dimensions: 25 km length, about 5 km width
• Historical occupation: Pearl fishing
• Current occupation: Oil and fishing industry; one of most important oil export terminals in Iran
• Operating base for: Iran’s three offshore fields – Salman, Resalat, and Reshadat

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