Daily Current Affairs- 11th May 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 11th May 2026

India Just Launched Something Big in Warangal – Here’s Why It Matters

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated (virtually) India's first functional PM MITRA Park (Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Park) in Warangal, Telangana, as part of the launch of multiple development projects in Hyderabad. Built at a cost of ₹1,695.54 crore, the park is expected to attract over ₹6,000 crore in investments and generate more than 24,400 jobs, marking a historic milestone in India's textile growth journey and positioning Warangal as a global textile hub.

Key Points:

• About PM MITRA Scheme: PM MITRA (Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Park is a government-backed initiative to create world-class, integrated textile manufacturing hubs across India. The scheme operationalises the 5F vision, Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign, bringing the entire textile value chain from raw cotton to finished garments and exports under one ecosystem.
• Inauguration in Warangal: PM Modi inaugurated India's first functional PM MITRA Park in Warangal, Telangana, alongside other major development projects such as the Zaheerabad Industrial Area, the Indian Oil terminal at Malkapur, and key railway projects on the Kazipet–Vijayawada multi-tracking line.
• Project Cost and Scale: The Warangal PM MITRA Park has been built at a cost of ₹1,695.54 crore and is spread across 1,327 acres, with 62% of the land already allotted to industries. It is strategically located near NH-163 and the proposed Nagpur–Vijayawada Greenfield Expressway (NH-163G), ensuring multimodal connectivity for exports.
• Investment and Employment: The park is expected to attract investments of over ₹6,000 crore in textile and apparel units and generate more than 24,400 jobs, with thousands already created. A notable anchor tenant, Evertop Textile and Apparel Complex Pvt. Ltd., is investing ₹1,051 crore and is expected to employ 12,800 people with an annual turnover of ₹1,990 crore.
• Infrastructure and Sustainability: The park features an internal road network, a dedicated power substation, and assured water supply. Sustainability measures include a Common Effluent Treatment Plant upgraded to Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology, a planned 10 MW solar power plant, expanded worker dormitories, and common boiler facilities for processing units.
• Government Support and Incentives: Approved under the PM MITRA Scheme in March 2023, the Warangal park is eligible for ₹200 crore Development Capital Support and ₹300 crore Competitive Incentive Support (CIS). Units set up in the park can also avail benefits under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles.
• National Network of PM MITRA Parks: The Government of India has approved seven PM MITRA Parks across the country: Telangana (Warangal), Tamil Nadu (Virudhnagar), Gujarat (Navsari), Karnataka (Kalaburagi), Madhya Pradesh (Dhar), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow), and Maharashtra (Amravati), each strategically located to strengthen the textile ecosystem.

From Ruins to Glory: Somnath’s Incredible Journey Celebrated Nationwide

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Somnath Temple in Gujarat to mark 75 years since the inauguration of the restored temple by India's first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, in 1951. The visit, part of the ongoing 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv', also commemorates 1,000 years since the first recorded invasion of the Somnath Temple in 1026, celebrating the temple's remarkable journey from "Vidhvans" (destruction) to "Srijan" (creation) as a symbol of India's civilisational resilience and unity.

Key Points:

• About Somnath Temple: The Somnath Temple is located at Prabhas Patan on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat and is revered as the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple finds mention in ancient texts such as the Shiva Purana and the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram and is considered one of the holiest pilgrimage centres in India.
• Somnath Swabhiman Parv: The ongoing Somnath Swabhiman Parv commemorates two major historical milestones, 1,000 years since the first recorded invasion of the temple in 1026, and 75 years since the reopening of the reconstructed temple on May 11, 1951. The celebration reflects India's civilisational resilience and cultural confidence.
• Historical Journey: Between the 11th and 18th centuries, the Somnath Temple was repeatedly attacked and destroyed. The temple is associated with Lord Shiva and Chandra Dev (the Moon God). Ancient scriptures state that a Pradakshina of the divine Prabhasa (Somnath) is considered equivalent to a Pradakshina of the whole earth itself, highlighting its unique spiritual importance.
• Key Historical Figures: Several rulers and leaders contributed to rebuilding the temple, including Chakravarti Maharaja Dharasena IV of Vallabhi (Second Temple), Raja Bhoja, Karna Deva, Siddharaja Jayasimha, Bhava Brihaspati, King Kumarapala Solanki (12th century), the rulers of Junagadh (13th century), and Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, who consecrated the new temple in the 18th century. Brave personalities such as Veer Hamirji Gohil and Veer Vegdaji Bhil are remembered for their sacrifice in defending the temple.
• Inauguration in 1951: The restored Somnath Temple was ceremonially inaugurated on May 11, 1951, by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India. In his address, Dr Prasad described Somnath as a symbol of India's spiritual revival and stated that the temple proclaims to the world that anything with unparalleled faith and love cannot be destroyed.
• Architectural Highlights: The temple features a 155-foot Shikhar (spire), a 10-tonne Kalash atop the temple, a 27-foot Dhwajdand symbolising spiritual continuity, 1,666 gold-plated Kalash, and 14,200 Dhwajas installed within the complex, reflecting the grandeur of traditional Indian temple architecture along the Arabian Sea coastline.
• Special Pujas: As a tribute to the temple's thousand-year journey and the courage of those who defended it, special pujas will be conducted at Somnath for the next 1,000 days, with several devotees contributing donations for the same.

Supreme Court’s Latest 498A Ruling Explained Simply: What Families Should Know

In the News: In a recent ruling reported on May 11, 2026, the Supreme Court of India allowed criminal proceedings under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against a husband to continue but quashed the FIR against his family members, holding that the allegations against the in-laws were too general and lacked specific evidence. The judgment reflects the Court's evolving approach in balancing protection of women from cruelty and dowry harassment with safeguards against the misuse of Section 498A IPC.

Key Points:

• About Section 498A IPC: Section 498A was introduced in the Indian Penal Code in 1983 to protect married women from cruelty, harassment, and dowry-related abuse by their husbands or relatives. It prescribes imprisonment up to three years and a fine for any such offence. Cruelty under the section covers wilful conduct likely to drive a woman to suicide or cause grave injury to her life, limb, or health, as well as harassment to coerce unlawful demands for property or valuable security.
• Latest Supreme Court Ruling: In the recent case, the wife accused her husband and his family of cruelty and dowry harassment. The Court found direct allegations against the husband but held that the accusations against the in-laws were broad and lacked specific supporting details. Accordingly, it allowed proceedings against the husband to continue while quashing the FIR against the relatives, reinforcing the principle of individual accountability based on evidence.
• Judicial Concern over Misuse: The Supreme Court has repeatedly cautioned that vague or exaggerated allegations without specific evidence can lead to misuse of Section 498A. In Dara Lakshmi Narayana v. State of Telangana (2024), the Court held that mere reference to the names of family members in a matrimonial dispute, without specific allegations indicating their active involvement, should be nipped in the bud. In Archin Gupta v. State of Haryana (2025), it further stressed that Section 498A should not be applied mechanically.
• Need for Specific Allegations: In Kahkashan Kausar v. State of Bihar (2022) and Geddam Jhansi v. State of Telangana (2025), the Court held that husband's relatives cannot be forced to undergo trial in the absence of specific allegations of dowry demand or active involvement. The Court observed that criminal trials inflict severe scars even on those eventually acquitted, and that implicating all relatives without prima facie evidence amounts to abuse of the process of law.
• Constitutionality and Continuing Relevance: In Janshruti v. Union of India (2025), the Supreme Court rejected a petition challenging the constitutionality of Section 498A and seeking gender-neutral guidelines. The Court held that mere possibility or occasional misuse of a legal provision does not render it constitutionally infirm. It reiterated that Section 498A continues to serve as a vital instrument of protection against the deeply entrenched social evil of dowry, while courts must ensure prosecutions are supported by clear, specific evidence.

Why PM Modi’s call to save forex could slow down India’s growth

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a speech delivered in Jamnagar, Gujarat, urged Indians to save foreign exchange (forex) by curbing consumption of imported goods such as gold, crude oil, and edible oil amid the ongoing war in Iran and the resultant pressure on India's Balance of Payments and the rupee. While the appeal is aimed at protecting India's forex reserves, economists have cautioned that a sharp cut in consumption could slow down India's economic growth and may not be a sustainable solution.

Key Points:

• PM's Appeal to Save Forex: PM Modi has urged Indians to stop buying gold for a year, postpone foreign travel, work from home where possible to reduce consumption of imported crude oil, cut the use of edible oil in food by 10%, and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by half by shifting to natural farming. He also emphasised buying "Made in India" products and being "vocal for local".
• Context of the Appeal: The call comes in the wake of the war in Iran, which has triggered supply and price shocks in commodities like crude oil and fertilisers. Crude prices have crossed USD 100 per barrel, and the rupee has weakened against the dollar.
• Forex and Import Dependence: India's total import bill in FY26 stood at USD 775 billion, with four commodities alone accounting for over USD 240 billion: crude oil (USD 134.7 billion), gold (USD 72 billion), vegetable oils (USD 19.5 billion), and fertilisers (USD 14.5 billion). India is the world's second-largest gold buyer, and gold imports alone form nearly 10% of the total import bill.
• Balance of Payments Pressure: India's Balance of Payments (BoP) surplus has weakened since mid-2024. The current account deficit (CAD) is projected by the IMF to widen to USD 84.5 billion in 2026, around 2% of GDP. The capital account surplus has shrunk, and at times turned into a deficit, leaving India's BoP situation comparable to 2013, when India was labelled one of the "Fragile Five" economies by Morgan Stanley.
• Forex Reserves Status: India's forex reserves stand at around USD 690.69 billion. Reserves had risen close to USD 728 billion in February 2026 before slipping back to around USD 691 billion in April 2026 as global uncertainty intensified and the RBI drew down reserves to defend the rupee.
• Potential Forex Savings from Gold Cutback: A 30-40% fall in gold imports could save USD 20-25 billion, while a 50% fall could save USD 36 billion, nearly half of the projected current account deficit, thereby reducing dollar outflow significantly.
• Two Approaches to Tackle Forex Issue: There are two broad approaches to deal with the forex situation: reducing demand for dollars by cutting domestic consumption, or boosting India's ability to earn forex by improving domestic production and exports. PM Modi's suggestions focus exclusively on the first approach.

Centre Notifies 1% Construction Welfare Cess

In the News: The Government of India has notified a 1% cess on the total cost of construction incurred by employers for building and other construction works under the Code on Social Security, 2020. The notification, issued under Section 100(1) of the Code on Social Security, 2020, replaces an earlier notification dated 26 September 1996 and aims to fund welfare measures for construction workers in the unorganised sector.

Key Points:

• Legal Basis: The construction welfare cess has been notified under Section 100(1) of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which is one of the four labour codes of India. The new notification replaces the earlier notification dated 26 September 1996, updating the legal framework for the levy.
• Rate of Cess: The cess is levied at the rate of 1% of the total construction cost paid by employers for building and other construction works. The levy applies to commercial buildings regardless of the construction cost involved.
• Coverage and Exemptions: Under the new labour codes, individuals building houses costing less than ₹50 lakh are exempt from paying the building cess with effect from 21 November 2025. Earlier, the exemption threshold was much lower, applying to houses costing less than ₹10 lakh or properties above 100 square metres.
• Welfare Use: Collections from the cess are utilised for welfare measures for construction workers, including health benefits, financial aid, insurance, and educational support for workers' children. This ensures targeted social security coverage for workers engaged in the building and construction sector.
• Administration of Funds: The cess collections are managed through Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards, which function under the welfare framework for workers in the unorganised sector. These Boards administer welfare funds for construction workers in many States and Union Territories.
• Related Tax Exemption: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) granted Section 10(46) income-tax exemption to the West Bengal Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board on 14 January 2026, recognising its role as a statutory welfare body for construction workers.
• About the Code on Social Security, 2020: The Code on Social Security, 2020, is one of the four labour codes enacted by the Government of India to consolidate and amend laws relating to social security for workers in the organised and unorganised sectors, including construction workers.

DRDO successfully conducts long-duration scramjet combustor test in Hyderabad

In the News: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a long-duration test of its Actively Cooled Full-Scale Scramjet Combustor at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility in Hyderabad. The test achieved a run-time of over 1,200 seconds, surpassing the earlier 700-second test conducted in January 2026, marking a major breakthrough in India's hypersonic cruise missile development programme.

Key Points:

• About the Test: DRDO conducted an extensive long-duration ground test of the Actively Cooled Full-Scale Scramjet Combustor, achieving a run-time of over 1,200 seconds. The test built upon the earlier 700-plus second test carried out in January 2026, demonstrating significant progress in sustained scramjet operation.
• Test Facility: The test was conducted at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, which is the premier DRDO facility responsible for the design and development of state-of-the-art missile systems and technologies. The success also validated the capabilities of this state-of-the-art test facility.
• Hypersonic Cruise Missile Capability: The scramjet combustor is central to India's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme. Hypersonic cruise missiles are capable of exceeding five times the speed of sound, or over 6,100 km per hour, for extended periods, and have the potential to defeat air defence systems available with major military powers.
• Air-Breathing Engine: The high speed is achieved through a cutting-edge supersonic air-breathing engine, which utilises supersonic combustion to sustain long-duration flight. The scramjet combustor incorporates an innovative flame stabilisation technique that holds a continuous flame inside the combustor with an air speed of more than 1.5 km per second.
• Indigenous Endothermic Fuel: An indigenously developed liquid hydrocarbon endothermic scramjet fuel, jointly developed for the first time by DRDL and industry partners, is central to the breakthrough. The fuel offers dual benefits of significant cooling improvement and ease of ignition.
• Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC): A new advanced ceramic Thermal Barrier Coating with high thermal resistance, capable of operating beyond the melting point of steel, has been jointly developed by DRDL and Department of Science and Technology (DST) facilities. The TBC is designed to withstand extreme temperatures encountered during hypersonic flight.

AERB Clears Restart of Tarapur Unit-2

In the News: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) approved the restart and continued operation of Unit 2 of Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) following the successful completion of major refurbishment work undertaken by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). The permission allows the unit to operate for a further period of 10 years and marks a significant milestone in the safe life-extension of one of Asia's oldest commercial nuclear power plants.

Key Points:

• AERB Approval: The Board of AERB, on May 6, 2026, after reviewing the refurbishment, safety upgrades, inspections, and assessments through its multi-tiered safety review process, agreed to permit the restart of TAPS Unit-2 and its operation for a further period of 10 years. The formal permission was issued on May 7, 2026.
• About TAPS Units 1 & 2: Tarapur Atomic Power Station Units 1 and 2 are India's first nuclear power reactors and Asia's first commercial nuclear power plant units, based on the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) design. They were commissioned and commenced commercial operation in 1969. The plant is located at Tarapur, near Boisar in Palghar District of Maharashtra.
• Major Refurbishment Work: The refurbishment of Unit-2 included complete replacement of the reactor coolant recirculation piping with forged piping and fittings made of advanced corrosion-resistant Stainless Steel, enhancing the safety and reliability of the reactor.
• Ageing and Residual Life Assessment: During the ongoing outage, critical reactor components such as the reactor pressure vessel welds were inspected to assess ageing status and residual life. The evaluations confirmed that the reactor can continue safe operation with the normal maintenance and surveillance programme.
• TAPS Unit-1 Status: Earlier, TAPS Unit-1 underwent a similar refurbishment and review process, after which the AERB permitted its restart at the end of December 2025. The unit is currently operational at its rated power of 160 MWe.
• Regulatory Oversight: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) will continue to maintain regulatory oversight and monitor the safety performance of TAPS Units 1 and 2 to ensure safe operation throughout the extended operating period.

India’s 1st Indigenous Glide Weapon TARA

In the News: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the maiden flight-trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha. TARA is India's first indigenous glide weapon system, designed to convert conventional unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons for accurately engaging ground-based targets.

Key Points:

• About TARA: Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) is a modular range extension kit and India's first indigenous glide weapon system. It is designed to convert unguided warheads (gravity bombs) into precision-guided weapons, significantly enhancing the strike capabilities of the armed forces.
• Maiden Flight Trial: DRDO and the IAF jointly conducted the successful maiden flight-trial of the TARA weapon system off the coast of Odisha on May 7, 2026, marking a major milestone in indigenous defence technology.
• Strategic Objective: The system is aimed at improving the range, lethality, and strike accuracy of low-cost conventional aerial weapons, enabling them to engage targets over long distances with greater precision. TARA can be launched from multiple fighter aircraft in the IAF's inventory, which increases operational flexibility.
• Cost-Effectiveness: TARA is the first glide weapon to utilise state-of-the-art low-cost systems, making high-precision strikes more economically sustainable for the armed forces.
• Developmental Agency: The system has been designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Push: The project has been undertaken in collaboration with Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP) and Indian private industries, which have already commenced production activity, thereby strengthening the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.