UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 10 May 2026

International Organisation for Standardisation

May 10, 2026

International Organisation for Standardisation Latest News

Recently, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) organised the 35th Plenary and Working Groups meetings of the subcommittee of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) ‘Space Systems and Operations’ (ISO TC 20 / SC 14) at New Delhi.

About International Organisation for Standardisation

It is an international nongovernmental organization established in 1947 and made up of national standards bodies.
It is made up of members from the national standards bodies of 177 countries.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Functions of ISO

The ISO plays a role in facilitating world trade by providing common standards of safety, reliability, and quality.
It develops and publishes standards for a vast range of products, materials, and processes.
It publishes technical reports, technical specifications, publicly available specifications, technical corrigenda, and guides.

Governance of International Organisation for Standardisation

General Assembly: It is the overarching organ and ultimate authority of the organization.
ISO Council: It is the core governance body of the organization and reports to the General Assembly. It meets three times a year and is made up of 21 member bodies
Technical Management Board : The management of the technical work is taken care of by the Technical Management Board, which reports to Council.

Source: PIB

International Organisation for Standardisation FAQs

Q1: ISO was established in which year?

Ans: 1947

Q2: Where is the headquarters of ISO located?

Ans: Geneva, Switzerland

Dhow

May 10, 2026

Dhow Latest News

An Indian sailor was killed and several others injured after their wooden dhow caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz recently.

About Dhow

A dhow is a traditional wooden sailing vessel used mainly in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and along the coasts of East Africa and the Middle East.
A dhow has a long, narrow hull and is propelled only by its sail.
Historians aren't sure who invented the dhow — Indians or Arabs — but they do know the first ones appeared before 600 C.E.
The dhow has been a central part of maritime trade, fishing, and culture for countries like Oman, Yemen, India, and coastal regions of East Africa.
Today the term generally refers to all sailing ships in that region with one or two masts and triangular or quadrilateral-shaped sails.
Bows are sharp, with a forward and upward thrust, and the sterns of the larger dhows may be windowed and decorated.

Key Facts about Beypore Uru

It is a wooden dhow handcrafted by skilled artisans and carpenters in Beypore town, Kozhikode district, Kerala.
Beypore urus are purely made of wood, without using any modern techniques, and traditional methods are used to launch these ships into the water.
The carpenters manually join each piece of wood to build the large boat.
Uru making in Beypore is a centuries-old tradition that was established since India began its maritime trade with Mesopotamia.
Arab traders were among the first major patrons of these vessels.
Usually an Uru is built by a team of fifty men over a period of at least four years.
No blueprints are made and the entire aspect of shipbuilding is embedded in the minds of the highly skilled shipwrights.
Khalasis are a group of people traditionally involved in the construction of Urus.

Source: TH

Dhow FAQs

Q1: What is a dhow?

Ans: A dhow is a traditional wooden sailing vessel used mainly in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and along the coasts of East Africa and the Middle East.

Q2: How is a traditional dhow propelled?

Ans: A traditional dhow is propelled only by its sail.

Q3: When did the first dhows appear?

Ans: The first dhows appeared before 600 C.E.

Q4: What type of sails are commonly found on dhows?

Ans: Dhows commonly have triangular or quadrilateral-shaped sails.

Trinidad and Tobago

May 10, 2026

Trinidad and Tobago Latest News

External Affairs recently held comprehensive talks with the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister to explore new ideas and initiatives for expanding bilateral cooperation between India and the dual-island nation.

About Trinidad and Tobago

It is an island country of the southeastern West Indies.
It is the 5th largest island country in the West Indies and the most industrialised and prosperous nation in the Caribbean.
Forming the two southernmost links in the Caribbean chain, it lies close to the continent of South America, northeast of Venezuela and northwest of Guyana.
It consists of two main islands—Trinidad and Tobago—and several smaller islands.
Trinidad – the larger of the two islands, is crisscrossed by mountain ranges; the most dominant of these is the Northern Range, which is a continuation of the Andes Mountains.
- It comprises beautiful waterfalls such as the famous 91-metre-high Blue Basin and Maracas Falls.
The country is home to the Pitch Lake, one of the world’s largest natural asphalt deposits.
It achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 and obtained membership in the Commonwealth and the United Nations that same year.
It became a republic in 1976.
The capital is Port of Spain, located on the northwestern coast of Trinidad.
The ethnic makeup of Trinidad is dominated by two groups, roughly equal in size:
- descendants of enslaved people, whose ancestors were brought in to work on cotton and sugar plantations beginning in the late 18th century, and
- Indo-Trinidadians, or East Indians, whose ancestors were primarily labourers who immigrated from the Indian subcontinent as plantation workers after the abolition of slavery in the mid-19th century.
Language:
- Although English is the official language, most people speak Trinidad English, a creole language.
- A few people, mostly in rural areas, speak a French-derived creole, Spanish, or Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi).

Source: DP

Trinidad and Tobago FAQs

Q1: Where is Trinidad and Tobago located?

Ans: It is located in the Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela and northwest of Guyana.

Q2: Which continent lies closest to Trinidad and Tobago?

Ans: South America lies closest to Trinidad and Tobago.

Q3: Which is the larger island of Trinidad and Tobago?

Ans: Trinidad is the larger island.

Q4: What is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago?

Ans: The capital is Port of Spain.

Q5: In which year did Trinidad and Tobago gain independence?

Ans: It achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1962.

Rainbow Clouds

May 10, 2026

Rainbow Clouds Latest News

Indonesia recently witnessed a breathtaking 'rainbow cloud' phenomenon, captivating residents and going viral online.

About Rainbow Clouds

A rainbow cloud can occur because of something called cloud iridescence.
Cloud iridescence occurs when sunlight is diffracted by extremely small water droplets or tiny ice crystals suspended in clouds.
Diffraction happens when light bends and spreads after encountering particles similar in size to the wavelength of visible light.
This process separates sunlight into multiple colours, creating the striking pastel shades and rainbow-like patterns seen across the clouds.
They form most clearly when cloud particles are unusually small and relatively uniform in size.

Why is the Phenomenon Relatively Rare?

Cloud iridescence does not appear frequently because several atmospheric conditions must align at the same time.
The clouds need to be thin enough for sunlight to pass through while also containing droplets or ice crystals that are nearly identical in size.
Even small differences between particles can weaken the colours or prevent the phenomenon from appearing altogether.
The position of the Sun and the observer’s viewing angle are extremely important.

Which Clouds Can Produce Iridescence?

Newly forming clouds and semi-transparent clouds are more likely to produce vivid iridescence because their particles tend to be more uniform.
It is commonly seen in altocumulus, cirrocumulus, cirrus, and lenticular clouds.
Lenticular clouds are especially known for dramatic iridescent displays because their smooth shape and stable airflow often allow highly uniform droplets to form.
These clouds typically develop at high altitudes where atmospheric conditions remain relatively stable, making it easier for sunlight to interact consistently with suspended particles.

Difference Between Rainbow Clouds and Real Rainbows

Despite the popular nickname, rainbow clouds are not technically rainbows.
Traditional rainbows form when sunlight is refracted, reflected, and dispersed inside raindrops after rainfall.
Cloud iridescence, on the other hand, is mainly caused by diffraction and interference involving microscopic droplets or ice crystals.
Iridescent clouds usually appear much closer to the Sun and often produce softer, less structured colour patterns than ordinary rainbows.
Instead of forming a large arc across the sky, the colours spread unevenly across sections of cloud.

Source: ET

Rainbow Clouds FAQs

Q1: What are rainbow clouds?

Ans: Rainbow clouds are clouds showing iridescent colours caused by cloud iridescence.

Q2: What causes cloud iridescence?

Ans: Cloud iridescence is caused by sunlight being diffracted by tiny water droplets or ice crystals in clouds.

Q3: How do rainbow-like colours appear in clouds?

Ans: The colours appear when diffraction separates sunlight into multiple colours.

Q4: Which particles are responsible for cloud iridescence?

Ans: Extremely small water droplets or tiny ice crystals are responsible for cloud iridescence.

Q5: What type of clouds are needed for iridescence to occur?

Ans: Thin clouds with nearly identical-sized droplets or ice crystals are needed.

Labeo kaage

May 10, 2026

Labeo kaage Latest News

Scientists from the PAGR Centre of ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR), Kochi, recently discovered a new freshwater fish species, Labeo kaage, from the Shivanasamudra stretch of the Cauvery River basin in Mandya, Karnataka.

About Labeo kaage

It is a new species of freshwater fish.
It was discovered from the Shivanasamudra stretch of the Cauvery River basin in Mandya, Karnataka.
The name kaage, derived from the Kannada word for crow, refers to the fish's dark body colour.
Locally, it is known as ‘kaage meenu' in Karnataka.
It is the latest in a series of dark-coloured Labeo species discovered in the Western Ghats.
Recent Findings:
- During 2025, the same team also discovered Labeo chekida from the Chalakkudy River and Labeo uru from the Chandragiri River of Kerala.
- While Labeo chekida is locally known as ‘kaka chekida', Labeo uru was named after the traditional wooden dhow (uru) of the Malabar coast due to its elongated sail-like fins.
- The scientists also clarified the identity of Labeo nigrescens, the enigmatic ‘Dark Labeo' originally described in 1870, resolving a long-standing taxonomic confusion surrounding the group.

Source: TOI

Labeo kaage FAQs

Q1: What is Labeo kaage?

Ans: Labeo kaage is a newly discovered species of freshwater fish.

Q2: Where was Labeo kaage discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in the Shivanasamudra stretch of the Cauvery River basin in Mandya, Karnataka.

Q3: Why was the fish named Labeo kaage?

Ans: The name kaage, derived from the Kannada word for crow, refers to the fish's dark body colour.

National Panchayat Awards

May 10, 2026

National Panchayat Awards Latest News

Recently, the winners of the National Panchayat Awards 2025 (NPA-2025) have been announced by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR).

About National Panchayat Awards

It is awarded by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj annually to recognize and incentivize best-performing Panchayats.
- The awards are given under the Incentivization of Panchayats (IoP) scheme, a central component of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
Background: These awards have been revamped and launched during the year 2022 aligning them with 9 Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) themes aggregating 17 SDGs.
Objective: To assess the performance of Panchayats in attainment of SDGs, promote competitive spirit among them and catalyze the process of LSDGs through Panchayati Raj Institutions for attaining LSDGs by 2030.
All the Panchayats are ranked based on their performance under each of the following 9 LSGD themes :
- Poverty free and enhanced livelihoods Panchayat
- Healthy Panchayat
- Child Friendly Panchayat
- Water Sufficient Panchayat
- Clean and Green Panchayat
- Self-sufficient infrastructure in Panchayat
- Socially Just and Socially secured Panchayat
- Panchayat with Good Governance
- Women-Friendly Panchayat
The awards are conferred under two distinct categories.
- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (DDUPSVP): Recognises outstanding Gram Panchayats for their performance across 9 Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) themes
- Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (NDSPSVP): It is conferred to the best-performing Panchayats at the District, Block, and Gram Panchayat levels on an overall basis.

Source: PIB

National Panchayat Awards FAQs

Q1: The revamped National Panchayat Awards are aligned with?

Ans: 9 Localization of SDG Themes

Q2: National Panchayat Awards are given by which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Panchayati Raj

ICGS Achal

May 10, 2026

ICGS Achal Latest News

Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICGS) commissioned ICGS Achal at Goa Shipyard Limited.

About ICGS Achal

The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Achal is the new-generation Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV).
It is named Achal, meaning firm.
It is the fifth one in a series of eight FPVs being constructed by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for the coast guard.
Features

- Propulsion: It is powered by two 3000 kW advanced diesel engines,
- Speed: The vessel delivers a top speed of 27 knots and an operational endurance of 1500 nautical miles.
- It has a suite of integrated technologies, including an Integrated Bridge System, Integrated Machinery Control System, and Automated Power Management System.
- It has 60% indigenous content, dual-class certification (ABS & IRS).
Functions: It will undertake a wide range of missions, including surveillance, interdiction, Search and Rescue (SAR), anti-smuggling operations, and pollution response.
The ship will be stationed at Vadinar, Gujarat, operating under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (North West)..

Source: PIB

ICGS Achal FAQs

Q1: Which shipyard built ICGS Achal?

Ans: Goa Shipyard Ltd

Q2: What is the primary role of ICGS Achal?

Ans: Coastal patrol, surveillance, anti-smuggling, SAR operations

Fjord

May 10, 2026

Fjord Latest News

A massive 500-meter megatsunami, the second-tallest ever recorded, recently struck Alaska’s Tracy Arm Fjord after a landslide dumped 64 million cubic meters of rock into the water.

About Fjord

A fjord is a long, narrow, deep body of water that stretches far inland from the coast.
A fjord was formed when a glacier made a U-shaped valley by segregation through several ice ages .
The valley was then filled with water from the sea once the glaciers melted .
The opening toward the sea is called the mouth of the fjord, and is often shallow.
The fjords can be long and quite deep and often surrounded by high mountains.
Typically, fjords reach their greatest depths farther inland, where the force of the glacier that formed them was the most potent.
Many fjords are actually deeper than the sea that feeds into it. The deepest fjords are up to 6300 feet (nearly 2000 m) deep.
Some features of fjords include coral reefs and rocky islands called skerries.
Epishelf Lakes:
- Another feature of some fjords is the presence of epishelf lakes. These lakes occur when melted fresh water becomes trapped under a floating ice shelf.
- This freshwater does not mix with the saltwater below, but rather floats on top of it.
Fjords are found mainly in Norway, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, Greenland, and the U.S. state of Alaska.
Sognefjorden, a fjord in Norway, is more than 160 kilometers (nearly 100 miles) long.

Source: WION

Fjord FAQs

Q1: What is a fjord?

Ans: A fjord is a long, narrow, deep body of water that stretches far inland from the coast.

Q2: How is a fjord formed?

Ans: A fjord is formed when glaciers carve a U-shaped valley that later fills with seawater after the glaciers melt.

Q3: Where do fjords usually reach their greatest depths?

Ans: Fjords usually reach their greatest depths farther inland.

Q4: In which countries are fjords mainly found?

Ans: Fjords are mainly found in Norway, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, Greenland, and Alaska in the United States.

Odonata Species

May 10, 2026

Odonata Species Latest News

Recently, the survey recorded 143 odonata species—76 dragonflies and 67 damselflies—of which 40 were endemic to the Western Ghats.

About Odonata Species

Odonata, popularly known as dragonflies and damselflies are primarily associated with wetlands and surrounding landscape.
The order Odonata is one of the ancient groups of insects.
Odonata is an insect order consisting of three groups: Anisoptera (which includes dragonflies), Zygoptera (which includes damselflies), and Anisozygoptera (a relict group represented by only two living species).
It is one of the ancient orders of insects.
Habitat: They are found in a variety of habitats, such as freshwater environments like ponds, rivers, and lakes.
Distribution
- They are globally distributed, from the tropics, where they are most numerous and varied, to the boreal forests of Siberia and North America.
- They are also found throughout the Southern Hemisphere, with the exception of Antarctica.

Features of Odonata Species

These species consist of minute antennae, extremely large eyes (filling most of the head), two pairs of transparent membranous wings with many small veins, a long slender abdomen, and an aquatic larval stage (nymph).
The abdomen is almost always longer than any of the wings.
More than 80% of their brain is devoted to analyzing visual information.
Behaviour: Large, active by day, and often strikingly coloured, they are usually seen flying near water.
Diet: Adult odonates are voracious predators, as are the aquatic larvae.

Source: TH

Odonata Species FAQs

Q1: Why are Odonata considered bio-indicators?

Ans: They are sensitive to water pollution and habitat change

Q2: The order Odonata includes which insects?

Ans: Dragonflies and damselflies

Litchi

May 10, 2026

Litchi Latest News

Recently, the Union Agriculture Ministry constituted a special expert task force to study the damage caused to litchi crops by the litchi stink bug.

About Litchi

It is a delicious juicy fruit belonging to the Sapindaceae family.

Required Climatic Conditions for Litchi

Climate: It is a sub-tropical fruit and thrives best under moist sub-tropical climate.
It usually prefers low elevation and can be grown up to an altitude of 800 m.
Soil: Deep, well drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter and having pH in the range of 5.0 to 7.0 is ideal for the crop.
Temperature: The temperature should not go beyond 40.5 0C in summer and below freezing point in winter.
Rain: Prolonged rain may be harmful especially at the time of flowering, when it interferes with pollination.
The young trees require protection against frost and hot winds for several years till they are firmly established.
It is sensitive to frost during winter and dry heat in summer.

Distribution of Litchis Cultivation

India is the second largest producer of litchi in the World after China. Other major producing countries are Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Madagascar and Florida in the US.
It is widely cultivated in India, especially in Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Assam...

Source: TH

Litchi FAQs

Q1: Which Indian state has GI tag for 'Shahi Litchi' and is the largest producer?

Ans: Bihar

Q2: Litchi cultivation requires which type of climate?

Ans: Sub-tropical with moist, frost-free winters