Daily Current Affairs- 7th May 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 7th May 2026

Centre Moves to Grant Vande Mataram Anthem Like Legal Status on 150th anniversary

In the News: The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, granting the National Song Vande Mataram legal protection equivalent to that enjoyed by the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The decision, announced shortly after the BJP's sweeping victory in the West Bengal Assembly polls, comes as the country is currently observing the 150th anniversary of the song, which was originally written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875.

Key Points:

• Cabinet Proposal: The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to place Vande Mataram on the same legal footing as the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The amendment would make acts of disrespect or disruption during the singing of Vande Mataram a cognisable offence.
• Historic Anniversary: The proposal coincides with 150 years since Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875. The song was originally composed in Sanskritised Bengali and first appeared in Chattopadhyay's celebrated novel Anandamath, published in 1882.
• Existing Legal Framework: Currently, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act prescribes penalties including imprisonment, fines, or both, for insulting the National Flag and the Constitution of India, and for disturbing or preventing the singing of the National Anthem. However, no specific legal provisions exist for Vande Mataram, despite its status as the National Song.
• Section 3 Amendment: To implement the change, Section 3 of the Act, which currently deals with disruptions to the National Anthem and is punishable by up to three years in jail, a fine, or both, would be amended to include Vande Mataram within its scope. The Act also attracts at least one year of jail term for repeated offences.
• Constitutional Status: When India became a republic in 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted Jana Gana Mana as the National Anthem while granting Vande Mataram the status of National Song. Although both songs were considered symbols of equal national respect, only the National Anthem received explicit legal protection under existing laws until now.
• Possible Penalties: If the amendment is implemented, penalties under the Act could include imprisonment of up to three years, a monetary fine, or both. Repeated offences may attract a minimum of one year of imprisonment, mirroring the existing framework applicable to disrespect towards the National Anthem.
• Acts Considered Disrespectful: Under the proposed framework, deliberate interruption of the song during official functions, mocking or parodying the song in a derogatory manner, planned organising of disruptions during formal events, and intentional disrespect during institutional or government events could potentially be treated as violations.
• About Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1838 to 1894) was a celebrated Bengali novelist, poet, and journalist who is regarded as one of the key figures of the Bengal Renaissance. Beyond Anandamath, his other notable works include Durgeshnandini, Kapalkundala, and Devi Chaudhurani, which collectively shaped modern Bengali literature.
• About the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act: The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, is a legislation enacted to prevent insults to national symbols and honour, including the National Flag, the Constitution, and the National Anthem. The proposed amendment would expand its protective ambit to include Vande Mataram, marking the most significant legislative change to the Act since its enactment.

Government names Vempati as new CBFC chief, succeeds Prasoon Joshi

In the News: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the appointment of Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former Prasar Bharati CEO, as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for a period of three years from the date of joining. Vempati succeeds Prasoon Joshi, the renowned screenwriter and lyricist who helmed the CBFC since 2017 and has now been appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati on May 2, 2026.

Key Points:

• Appointment Announcement: Shashi Shekhar Vempati has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He will hold office for a period of three years from the date of joining, bringing with him extensive experience in media, broadcasting, and public communication.
• Succession from Prasoon Joshi: Vempati succeeds Prasoon Joshi, who has been named the new Chairman of Prasar Bharati on May 2, 2026. Joshi, a renowned screenwriter, lyricist, and advertising professional, had helmed the CBFC since 2017, completing nearly nine years at the helm of the certification body.
• Vempati's Prasar Bharati Tenure: Shashi Shekhar Vempati served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Prasar Bharati from 2017 to 2022, where he led significant modernisation and digitisation efforts at India's public broadcaster. His tenure was marked by initiatives to expand the digital footprint of Doordarshan and All India Radio.
• Diverse Professional Background: Following his Prasar Bharati tenure, Vempati served in various capacities at the University Grants Commission (UGC), the television ratings agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), and the Department of Science and Technology, gaining wide-ranging experience across regulatory, research, and policy domains.
• Expansion of Censorship Scope: During Joshi's tenure, film censorship expanded into key areas such as the mention of political personalities and scrutiny of religious themes in cinema. Hundreds of hours of footage were impacted by censorship from 2018 to 2022, a period during which cut lists were readily available, before the CBFC shut off ready access to cut lists last year.
• CBFC Certification Categories: The CBFC certifies films under categories including U (Universal), UA (Parental Guidance for children below 12), A (Adults only), and S (Restricted to specialised audiences). The board ensures that films comply with content guidelines before public exhibition in cinemas.

India Marks One Year Since Operation Sindoor With Military Tribute

In the News: India marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the calibrated cross-border military operation launched on May 7, 2025, against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Indian Army, and the Indian Air Force paid tribute to the valour and sacrifices of the armed forces, with the IAF and Army releasing commemorative videos under the message "India forgets nothing, India forgives nothing," reaffirming the country's resolve against terrorism.

Key Points:

• First Anniversary Commemoration: The Indian Army released a special commemorative video on May 7, 2026, marking exactly one year since Operation Sindoor was launched. The video opened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address declaring that India will "identify, track and eliminate terrorists and their backers," describing it as the country's national resolution.
• Defence Minister's Tribute: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saluted the valour and sacrifices of the armed forces in a post on X, stating that their actions during the operation reflected unmatched precision, seamless jointness, and deep synergy across services, setting a benchmark for modern military operations.
• Symbol of National Resolve: Rajnath Singh described Operation Sindoor as a powerful symbol of national resolve and preparedness, demonstrating that India's armed forces are always ready to act decisively when it matters most. He also highlighted that the operation stands as a testament to India's steady advance towards Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence.
• IAF Anniversary Message: The Indian Air Force posted a video with the message "India forgets nothing, India forgives nothing." The IAF stated, "Precise in action, eternal in memory, Operation Sindoor continues," reinforcing the message of strategic memory and continued vigilance against terrorism.
• Operation Sindoor Background: Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by terrorists who infiltrated a tourist area in Kashmir. The attack triggered nationwide outrage and intensified calls for strong counter-terror measures.
• Targets of the Operation: Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in Pakistan and PoJK. The strikes were carried out in approximately 25 minutes, demonstrating exceptional precision and coordinated military planning.
• Tri-Service Synergy: Operation Sindoor showcased seamless jointness across the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, marking a significant milestone in India's journey towards integrated theatre commands and unified military operations. The synergy demonstrated has been cited as a benchmark for future operations.

Bengaluru Records Highest Suicide Rate Among Indian Cities

In the News: According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) reports released in May 2026, Bengaluru has recorded the country's highest suicide rate among major metros, with the city's suicide rate remaining close to 20 per lakh population across 2022, 2023, and 2024. The trend has been linked by mental health experts to urban isolation, work pressure, migration stress, rising living costs, and weakening social support systems associated with the city's rapid urban expansion.

Key Points:

• Bengaluru's Highest Suicide Rate: Bengaluru recorded the highest suicide rate among major Indian cities, with the rate remaining close to 20 per lakh population through 2022, 2023, and 2024. This consistently high rate places the city at the top among major Indian metros on this critical mental health indicator.
• Three-Year Suicide Trend in Bengaluru: The city recorded over 2,313 suicides in 2022, 2,370 in 2023, and 2,430 in 2024, showing a steady year-on-year increase. The rising absolute numbers, combined with the high per-capita rate, indicate a deepening mental health crisis in India's tech capital.
• Comparison with Other Metros: Delhi reported higher absolute suicide numbers, crossing 3,204 cases in 2024, but its suicide rate remained far lower at 9.8 per lakh population due to its much larger population base. Mumbai's suicide rate stayed below 7 per lakh, with 1,447 suicidal deaths, while Chennai had 1,562 deaths and Hyderabad had 1,311 deaths in 2024.
• Karnataka State Picture: The overall suicide count in Karnataka continued to rise between 2022 and 2024, with Bengaluru alone accounting for a disproportionately large share of deaths in the State. This reflects the concentration of suicide-related distress in the urban capital relative to the rest of the State.
• Causes Linked to Urban Suicides: Mental health experts have repeatedly linked urban suicides in Bengaluru to isolation, work pressure, migration stress, rising living costs, and weakening social support systems. These factors are increasingly associated with Bengaluru's rapid urban expansion and its status as a major IT and migration hub.
• Previous Year Data: The NCRB's 2023 data, released in September 2025, placed Bengaluru at 2,370 reported suicide deaths, higher than the 2,313 suicides recorded in 2022. The pattern of incremental increases suggests that interventions so far have not been able to reverse the upward trajectory.
• Mental Health Helplines: Citizens in distress or experiencing suicidal tendencies can reach out to dedicated 24/7 helplines, including KIRAN at 1800-599-0019, the national mental health helpline launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Arogya Sahayavani at 104 in Karnataka for immediate support and crisis intervention.

Telangana Tops Human Trafficking Cases in India

In the News: According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Crime in India 2024 report released in May 2026, Telangana recorded 423 human trafficking cases in 2024, the highest among all States and Union Territories in India. The State alone accounted for nearly 20 percent of the 2,135 human trafficking cases registered nationally during the year, with women forming an overwhelming majority of victims and sexual exploitation for prostitution emerging as the dominant motive behind trafficking.

Key Points:

• Telangana Tops the List: Telangana registered 423 human trafficking cases in 2024, the highest among all States and Union Territories. Maharashtra followed with 337 cases, Odisha with 141, Bihar with 138, and Karnataka with 115. Telangana alone accounted for nearly 20 percent of all human trafficking cases registered across India in 2024.
• Sharp Rise in Cases: The 2024 figures reflect an increase of around 25.9 percent compared to 336 cases registered in 2023. When compared to 391 cases recorded in 2022, the 2024 numbers represent an overall increase of around 8.2 percent, indicating a worrying upward trajectory in trafficking incidents in the State.
• National Trafficking Numbers: India registered a total of 2,135 human trafficking cases in 2024. The country had recorded 2,250 human trafficking cases in 2022, showing a marginal decline at the national level even as Telangana's numbers continued to rise sharply.
• Highest Crime Rate in Country: Telangana recorded a human trafficking crime rate of 1.1 cases per lakh population in 2024, the highest in the country and significantly above the national average of 0.2 cases per lakh population. This indicates that the State faces a disproportionately severe trafficking problem relative to its population.
• Victim Profile: A total of 814 victims were identified in Telangana in 2024, of whom 765 were adults above 18 years of age and 49 were minors below 18 years. Women accounted for an overwhelming majority of victims, with 792 of the 814 identified being female, highlighting the gendered nature of the crime.
• Strong Charge-Sheeting Rate: Telangana's charge-sheeting rate stood at 99 percent in 2024, considerably higher than the national average of 90.8 percent. This reflects efficient case registration and investigation by the State police, even though conviction rates remain a concern.
• Previous Year Comparisons: In 2023, Telangana had registered 336 human trafficking cases and ranked second after Maharashtra, which recorded 388 cases. Telangana also topped the list in the Crime in India 2022 report with 391 cases, indicating a consistent pattern of high trafficking incidence in the State.

Trump pauses Project Freedom: What this means for US-GCC alliance, Strait of Hormuz

In the News: US President Donald Trump announced the pause of Project Freedom, an initiative launched on May 4 to escort stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The operation, halted just two days after its launch with only two of thousands of stranded ships guided through, exposed deep divisions within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and strained Washington's ties with key Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The development comes amid a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war that began on February 28, 2026.

Key Points:

• Project Freedom Launch and Pause: US President Donald Trump announced Project Freedom on May 4, 2026, aimed at escorting commercial vessels stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation was paused on May 6 "for a short period of time," with Trump citing requests from Pakistan, which has acted as an intermediary between the US and Iran, and progress in ceasefire negotiations as the official reasons.
• Real Reason Behind the Pause: According to an NBC report, the reversal was triggered by strong backlash from Gulf allies who were caught unaware about the plan. Saudi Arabia restricted the US military's access to the Prince Sultan Airbase and its airspace, while Kuwait similarly denied Washington the use of its bases and airspace, making it impossible for US aircraft to protect ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
• Strait of Hormuz Significance: The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint through which approximately 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas usually passes. Iran blocked this waterway in response to the US-Israeli air strikes that began on February 28, 2026, under Operation Epic Fury, severely disrupting global energy supplies.
• Operation Epic Fury Concludes: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the initial US-Israeli offensive in Iran, named Operation Epic Fury, was over after achieving its objectives. The US and Iran reached a ceasefire in early April 2026, under which Iran ended its drone and missile strikes on Gulf countries, though the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in place.
• Saudi Arabia's Firm Stand: The Kingdom emerged as the strongest opponent of Project Freedom within the GCC. A direct call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman failed to resolve the dispute, signaling that Riyadh has drawn a clear line on unilateral US military actions in the region without prior consultation.
• UAE's Divergent Position: Unlike Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates appeared aligned with Project Freedom. The UAE had recently exited the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), with the linked assumption that it would increase oil production and leverage spare capacity, which required the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened for exports through its Fujairah pipeline.

Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2026: Celebrating the Timeless Legacy of India’s Nobel Laureate Poet

In the News:  India observed the 165th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the celebrated poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate. The day is marked nationally on May 7 as per the Gregorian calendar, while West Bengal, Tripura, and Bangladesh observe it on the 25th day of Boishakh (Pochishe Boishakh) according to the Bengali calendar, which falls on May 9 in 2026.

Key Points:

• Dual Observance: Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti is celebrated twice each year due to the coexistence of the Gregorian and Bengali calendars. The Gregorian date remains fixed on May 7, while the Bengali calendar date (Pochishe Boishakh) shifts annually as it follows a lunisolar system, usually falling on May 8 or May 9.
• Birth and Background: Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861, at Jorasanko Thakurbari in Kolkata, to Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi. A literary prodigy, he began writing at a young age and went on to become one of India's most influential cultural figures, earning the title "Bard of Bengal."
• Nobel Prize Achievement: In 1913, Tagore became the first non-European and the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded for his celebrated poetry collection Gitanjali. This recognition placed Indian literature on the global stage and remains a milestone in the country's cultural history.
• Author of National Anthems: Tagore authored Jana Gana Mana, the national anthem of India, and Amar Sonar Bangla, the national anthem of Bangladesh. His work is also believed to have influenced the composition of Sri Lanka's national anthem, making him uniquely linked to three South Asian nations.
• Educational Vision: He founded Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan in West Bengal to promote holistic education that blended creativity, nature, and culture, moving beyond rigid conventional systems. The institution remains a centre of learning rooted in his philosophy.
• Notable Associations: Tagore is credited with conferring the title "Mahatma" on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He also engaged in famous intellectual exchanges with Albert Einstein, discussing topics ranging from science to spirituality.