UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 6 May 2026

Samarth Panchayat Portal

May 6, 2026

Samarth Panchayat Portal Latest News

The central government is set to expand the rollout of its Samarth Panchayat portal to states including Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

About Samarth Panchayat Portal

It is a unified digital platform designed to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions with efficient governance tools.
Aim: It aims to digitally empower the panchayats to efficiently collect and monitor revenue under their own source revenue (OSR )Framework.
It enables seamless access to services, enhances transparency, and simplifies administrative processes for both citizens and officials.
It shall facilitate in strengthening of the financial capabilities and local governance of panchayats, ensuring improved quality of life for residents at the grassroots level.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Own Source Revenue (OSR) of Panchayats

It is the income generated by Gram Panchayats from local sources such as taxes, service charges, rents, leases, and fees.
Significance: A strong OSR provides financial independence, enabling Panchayats to build better infrastructure, improve water and sanitation, create greener public spaces, and deliver efficient services.

Source: LM

Samarth Panchayat Portal FAQs

Q1: Samarth Panchayat Portal is an initiative of which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Q2: What is the main objective of Samarth Panchayat Portal?

Ans: To digitally empower the panchayats to efficiently collect and monitor revenue.

Lake Chad

May 6, 2026

Lake Chad Latest News

At least 23 Chadian soldiers have been killed and 26 injured in a Boko Haram attack on a military post in Chad’s Lake Chad region recently.

About Lake Chad

It is a freshwater lake in the semi-arid Sahel region west-central Africa.
It is located in western Chad, with some of its parts extending into Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.
Lake Chad was once the sixth largest lake in the world, but prolonged drought and increased water use have shrunk the lake dramatically. It now spans less than a tenth of the area it covered in the 1960s.
The lake is endorheic (no outlet to the sea).
The 1,400-km-long Chari River is the main river feeding into the lake. It accounts for up to 90% of Lake Chad’s water.
The lake is shallow, with depth usually less than 10 meters.
Chad has several small islands, mud banks, and reed beds, which take up half of its area.
Around the lake, sand deserts and water meet in a complex network of meanders, which are sometimes cultivated.

Source: ALJ

Lake Chad FAQs

Q1: Where is Lake Chad located?

Ans: Lake Chad is located in the semi-arid Sahel region of west-central Africa.

Q2: Which countries share Lake Chad?

Ans: Lake Chad is shared by Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.

Q3: Is Lake Chad a freshwater or saltwater lake?

Ans: Lake Chad is a freshwater lake.

Q4: Which river is the main source of water for Lake Chad?

Ans: The Chari River is the main river feeding Lake Chad.

Indopotamon Alipurduarense

May 6, 2026

Indopotamon Alipurduarense Latest News

Scientists recently discovered a new species of freshwater crab named Indopotamon alipurduarense beneath the agricultural fields of West Bengal.

About Indopotamon Alipurduarense

It is a new species of freshwater crab.
It was discovered in the sub-Himalayan Dooars region of West Bengal.
It marks only the second species ever recorded in the Indopotamon genus and pushes the total number of known freshwater crab species in India to 183.
The crabs were discovered living in remarkably deep burrows, plunging up to 1.5 metres into the muddy soil of local rice fields.
These highly secretive animals spend the vast majority of the year hidden securely underground.
They only emerge from their subterranean homes during the region's heavy rainy season, making them visible to researchers and locals only between May and August.
The crab’s newly assigned scientific name, alipurduarense, is a direct nod to its origins, honouring the Alipurduar district of West Bengal.
Features:
- The new crab sports a striking greyish shell bordered with vibrant orange-red edges and claws.
- It boasts a visibly deeper and broader shell.
- The specialised male reproductive appendages, known as gonopods, are stouter with an abruptly narrowed section and a blunt tip, unlike the sharply pointed organs of its cousins.
- Similarly, the female’s reproductive openings (vulvae) are spaced much wider apart and are uniquely covered by a protruding sternal plate.

Source: RM

Indopotamon Alipurduarense FAQs

Q1: What is Indopotamon alipurduarense?

Ans: It is a newly discovered species of freshwater crab.

Q2: Where was Indopotamon alipurduarense discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in the sub-Himalayan Dooars region of West Bengal.

Q3: In what kind of habitat was Indopotamon alipurduarense found?

Ans: It was found in deep burrows in muddy soil of rice fields.

Q4: What is the colour pattern of Indopotamon alipurduarense?

Ans: It has a greyish shell with vibrant orange-red edges and claws.

Mahi River

May 6, 2026

Mahi River Latest News

Two persons, including an eight-year-old boy, went missing after a boat capsized in the Mahi River in Rajasthan’s Banswara recently.

About Mahi River

It is one of the major west-flowing interstate rivers of India.
It flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
The river is popularly described as “Mahisagar” due to its vastness.
Course:
- It originates in the northern slope of the Vindhya Mountain Range in Madhya Pradesh.
- After its birth, the river flows in the southerly direction of Madhya Pradesh for about 120 km.
- It enters the southeastern portion of Rajasthan, which is the Vagad region.
- Before entering Gujarat, the river makes a `U` shaped loop in Rajasthan.
- Finally, the river surrenders itself to the Arabian Sea by a wide estuary near Khambat.
Total Length: 583 km.
Its basin is bounded by the Aravalli Hills on the north and the northwest, by the Malwa Plateau on the east, by the Vindhyas on the south, and by the Gulf of Khambhat on the west.
The silt brought down by the Mahi River has contributed to the thinning of the Gulf of Khambat and the abandonment of its once-rich ports.
The riverbed lies considerably lower than the land level and is of little use for irrigation.
Tributaries: Eru, Nori, Chap, Som, Jakham, Moran, Anas, Panam, and Bhadar.
Major Dams: Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam, Kadana Dam, and Panam Dam are crucial for water management.

Source: TP

Mahi River FAQs

Q1: Through which states does the Mahi River flow?

Ans: The Mahi River flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Q2: Where does the Mahi River originate?

Ans: It originates from the northern slopes of the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh.

Q3: Where does the Mahi River drain into?

Ans: It drains into the Arabian Sea through an estuary near the Gulf of Khambhat.

Q4: What is the total length of the Mahi River?

Ans: The total length of the Mahi River is 583 km.

Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project

May 6, 2026

Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project Latest News

The Bhutan government and the World Bank recently signed financing agreements worth $515 million for the 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project, with nearly 80% of its 4,500 GWh annual generation set to be supplied to India.

About Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project

It is a run-of-river project to be built on the Kurichhu River in eastern Bhutan.
- The Kurichhu River is a tributary of the Drangmechhu River that flows into India as Manas River.
With a planned capacity of 1,125 MW, the project is expected to generate over 4,500 GWh of clean electricity annually.
At a height of approximately 139.5 m, the project involves a concrete-gravity dam and an underground powerhouse housing six Francis turbines.
At a total project cost of ₹13,100 crore, Dorjilung will be Bhutan’s second-largest hydropower project and the largest Public–Private Partnership (PPP) hydro project ever undertaken in the country.
The project is financed by the World Bank.
The project is being developed by Dorjilung Hydro Power Limited, a joint venture between Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and India’s Tata Power, with DGPC and Tata Power holding equity shares of 60% and 40%, respectively.
The project is slated for commissioning in September 2031, and 80% of its generation will be supplied to India.

Source: FE

Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project FAQs

Q1: Where is the Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project being built?

Ans: Kurichhu River in eastern Bhutan.

Q2: What is the planned installed capacity of the Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project?

Ans: The planned capacity is 1,125 MW.

Q3: Which international organization is financing the Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project?

Ans: It is financed by the World Bank.

Q4: Which companies are involved in developing the Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project?

Ans: It is being developed by Dorjilung Hydro Power Limited, a joint venture between Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and India’s Tata Power.

UDGAM Portal

May 6, 2026

UDGAM Portal Latest News

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently told the Supreme Court that 30 banks have been integrated into its centralised web portal, UDGAM, to enable legal heirs to trace funds belonging to deceased account holders.

About UDGAM Portal

UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway to Access inforMation) is an online portal developed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The RBI collaborated with Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS), and selected banks to develop this platform.
It facilitates the registered users to search unclaimed deposits/accounts across multiple banks at one place in a centralized manner.
There are 30 banks, which are part of UDGAM portal, and they cover around 90% of unclaimed deposits (in value terms) in the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund of RBI.
All unclaimed deposits/accounts that are part of the DEA Fund of RBI can be searched in the UDGAM portal.
It provides information related to both individual and non-individual category of unclaimed deposits.
Whether a user can settle/claim his/her unclaimed deposits through UDGAM portal?
- No, the UDGAM portal facilitates only
  - the search of unclaimed deposits/accounts across multiple banks at one place and
  - provides information on the claim/settlement process of each bank (which will be available in the search result).
- The unclaimed deposits can be claimed only from the respective bank.
What is the Unclaimed Deposit Reference Number (UDRN)?
- After registration on the UDGAM portal, a person will get UDRN, which is a unique number generated through Core Banking Solution (CBS) by banks and assigned to each Unclaimed account/ deposit transferred to the DEA Fund of RBI.
- This number is used so that the account holder or the bank branch where the account is maintained cannot be identified by any third party.
- The UDRN enables the bank branches to seamlessly settle claims received from the customers/depositors, who have made successful searches in the UDGAM portal.

What are Unclaimed Deposits?

According to RBI, “Unclaimed Deposits” refers to funds held in savings or current accounts that have remained inactive for a duration of 10 years, or in the case of fixed deposits (FDs), have not been withdrawn within 10 years from the maturity date.
Such amounts are transferred by banks to the "Depositor Education and Awareness" (DEA) Fund, which is maintained by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Source: TH

UDGAM Portal FAQs

Q1: What is the UDGAM Portal?

Ans: It is an online platform developed to search unclaimed deposits/accounts across multiple banks.

Q2: Who developed the UDGAM Portal?

Ans: It was developed by the Reserve Bank of India.

Q3: Can users directly claim or settle deposits through the UDGAM Portal?

Ans: No, the portal only facilitates search and provides claim procedures.

Q4: What is the Unclaimed Deposit Reference Number (UDRN)?

Ans: It is a unique number assigned to each unclaimed deposit/account.

Jim Corbett National Park

May 6, 2026

Jim Corbett National Park Latest News

Uttarakhand recently witnessed the death of Vikram, a 21-year-old Bengal tiger and one of the most well-known residents of Jim Corbett National Park.

About Jim Corbett National Park

It is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.
Spanning over 1,300 sq. km., it is a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and was later renamed in 1957 in memory of Jim Corbett, a famous hunter turned conservationist, who played a key role in the establishment of the park.
It is not only the first national park in India but also the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative.
It is spread over the Bhabar and lower Shivalik regions with a deep-water table.
The tract is porous with boulders and sand deposits.
Drainage:
- The Ramganga River (West) and its important tributaries - Sonanadi, Palain, and Mandal, constitute the primary water source for the region.
- Additionally, the Kosi River runs adjacent to the national park.
Vegetation: North Indian tropical moist deciduous forests and tropical dry deciduous forests:
Flora:
- In general, the park comprises sal and mixed forests, interspersed with grasslands and riparian vegetation.
- The grasslands are locally known as ‘Chaur’, which are an outcome of abandoned settlements or past clearings.
- Evergreen Sal and its combined trees, the Sheesham and the Kanju, are found extensively on the ridges.
Fauna: Tigers, elephants, leopards, sambar, hog deer, spotted deer, etc.

Source: NIE

Jim Corbett National Park FAQs

Q1: Where is Jim Corbett National Park located?

Ans: It is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.

Q2: What is the significance of Jim Corbett National Park in India’s conservation history?

Ans: It is the first national park in India and the first to come under Project Tiger.

Q3: Which geographical regions does the Jim Corbett National Park cover?

Ans: It lies in the Bhabar and lower Shivalik regions.

Q4: What type of vegetation is found in Jim Corbett National Park?

Ans: It has tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forests.

New Plant Species

May 6, 2026

New Plant Species Latest News

Scientists have identified three new plant species named Euphorbia ananthapuramensis, Euphorbia chalamensis, and Ceropegia andhrica, in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.

About Euphorbia Ananthapuramensis

It is a new shrubby plant species.
It was discovered in Nigidi Forest in the Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh.
It grows among granite rocks in scrub forests at elevations of 450 to 550 metres.
About 80 individual plants were recorded within an area of around 2.5 sq km.
It has medicinal properties and is used by local tribal communities to treat wounds, skin diseases, and digestive disorders.
The species faces threats from granite mining and forest fires.
IUCN Red List Classification: Critically Endangered

About Euphorbia Chalamensis

It is a small annual herb.
It was discovered in Chalama Forest in Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh.
It was found in dry deciduous forests at elevations of 300 to 500 metres.
Its population is limited to just over 100 individuals across about 2 sq km.
It has medicinal properties and is used by local tribal communities to treat wounds, skin diseases, and digestive disorders.
Forest fires and human activity have been listed among the major threats.
IUCN Red List Classification: Critically Endangered

About Ceropegia Andhrica

It is a dwarf tuberous herb.
It was discovered in Paderu forest division in Alluri Sitharamaraju district, Andhra Pradesh.
It was found in open forest edges at elevations above 1,000 metres.
About 200 individuals were recorded in less than one sq km.
The plant is leafless during flowering, which occurs after the first rains between May and June, and produces leaves later.
It produces edible tubers roughly the size of small potatoes.
Grazing, forest fires, and habitat loss threaten the species.
IUCN Red List Classification: Critically Endangered

Source: TOI

New Plant Species FAQs

Q1: What is Euphorbia ananthapuramensis?

Ans: It is a newly discovered shrubby plant species.

Q2: Where was Euphorbia ananthapuramensis discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in Nigidi Forest in Andhra Pradesh.

Q3: What type of plant is Euphorbia chalamensis?

Ans: It is a small annual herb.

Q4: Where was Euphorbia chalamensis discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in Chalama Forest in Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh.

Q5: What type of plant is Ceropegia andhrica?

Ans: It is a dwarf tuberous herb.

Methane Alert and Response System

May 6, 2026

Methane Alert and Response System Latest News

Recently, the UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) announced that its Methane Alert and Response System will be expanded to cover coal mines and waste facilities.

About Methane Alert and Response System

It is a data-to-action platform set up as part of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) mission.
It aims to put open, reliable and actionable data into the hands of those who can reduce emissions.
It is the first public global satellite detection and notification system providing actionable data on very large methane emissions around the world.
It was announced at the United Nations Climate Change Conference’s Conference of Parties (COP 27) in November 2022 and began its initial pilot phase in January 2023.
Objective: It uses satellites to scan the globe for major emission sources and alerts countries and companies so that they can take methane action and accelerate progress supporting the Paris Agreement and Global Methane Pledge.

Working of Methane Alert and Response System

Detection of large sources of human-caused methane emissions.
Notification of relevant countries and companies about these detected emissions.
Response from notified stakeholders to address the emissions.
Tracking progress of actions taken to reduce emissions and collaboration to prevent future methane.

What is the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO)?

It was launched at the G20 Leaders Summit in 2021.
It focused initially on emissions of Methane from the fossil industry.
It reconciles methane data from scientific measurement studies, satellites through the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), rigorous industry reporting through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), and national inventories.
- The Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) is UNEP’s flagship programme that includes a partnership of companies to improve the accuracy and transparency of methane emissions data from the oil and gas sector through a committed framework.

Source: DTE

Methane Alert and Response System FAQs

Q1: Methane Alert and Response System was launched by which organization?

Ans: UNEP

Q2: Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) was launched at which COP?

Ans: COP27 Sharm El-Sheikh, 2022

Caracal

May 6, 2026

Caracal Latest News

Recently, officials have confirmed the return of the rare caracal in the Thar Desert near the India-Pakistan border.

About Caracal

It is an elusive medium-sized wild cat species.
It is often referred to as the desert lyn;, however, they are more closely related to the African golden cat and the Serval.
In India, it is called siya gosh, a Persian name that translates as ‘black Ear’.
Appearance
- The caracal has a solid build, long legs, a short face, and tufted ears.
- The cat’s fur is generally a red-tan or sand, although some black caracals have also been seen.
Habitat: It can be found in many environments, such as semi-deserts, savannahs, shrublands, steppes, forests, and woodlands. It prefers dry areas with very little rainfall.
Distribution: It is native to Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, northwestern India (primarily in Rajasthan and Gujarat) and arid areas of Pakistan.

Characteristics of Caracal

They are remarkable jumpers and can jump up to 3 meters (10 feet) into the air to knock flushed birds down with their paw.
They can reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 kph) when in full flight.
Like most species of cat, the caracal is predominantly nocturnal.
They live in small herds and their shy and elusive nature makes them difficult to spot in the wild.
Diet: Caracals are carnivores

Conservation Status of Caracal

IUCN: Least Concern
Wildlife Conservation Act 1972: Schedule 1

Source: TH

Caracal FAQs

Q1: In India, Caracal is mainly found in which region?

Ans: Kutch, Rajasthan

Q2: Caracal is listed under which Schedule of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

Ans: Schedule I