UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 23 May 2026

Sanghmitra Patrol Vessel

May 23, 2026

Sanghmitra Patrol Vessel Latest News

Recently, Indian Navy’s next generation offshore patrol vessel ‘Sanghmitra’ launched at GRSE Kolkata.

About Sanghmitra Patrol Vessel

It is indigenously built the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV).
It was built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
It is part of the Indian Navy’s ambitious programme to build 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels simultaneously at two shipyards.
It is named ‘Sanghmitra’, after the daughter of King Ashoka.
The crest design of the ship depicts the constellation of Ursa Major and a red and white coloured lighthouse.
Features
- The vessel measures around 113 metres in length and 14.6 metres in width, with a displacement of 3,000 tonnes
- The ship, they added, has an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots and can achieve a maximum speed of 23 knots.
- Capabilities: It has a capability in surveillance and defence in area of interest, search and rescue, protection of offshore assets, HADR, and anti-piracy missions.

Source: DD News

Sanghmitra Patrol Vessel FAQs

Q1: What are the key capabilities of the NGOPV as per recent Defence Ministry releases?

Ans: It is capable of Surveillance, search & rescue, HADR, anti-piracy, protection of offshore assets

Q2: The crest design of the upcoming NGOPV depicts which constellation?

Ans: Ursa Major

Staten Island

May 23, 2026

Staten Island Latest News

A civilian has died and around 36 people have been injured following a fire and 2 powerful explosions at a shipyard on Staten Island in New York City.

About Staten Island

It is an island located in New York City, United States.
It lies in New York Harbor south of Manhattan and between New Jersey and Brooklyn.
It is connected with Manhattan by the Staten Island Ferry, which carries passengers and automobiles; with New Jersey by several bridges; and with Brooklyn by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
Roughly triangular, the island has about 56 km of waterfront and an area of almost 155 sq.km.
Historically, Staten Island was home to Native American Lenape people before European settlement by the Dutch and English.
Located in the geographic center of the island, historic Richmond town includes 30 restored buildings dating back to the 17th century, including houses, farms and schools.
It is often called the “Borough of Parks” because a large portion of its land is covered by parks, forests, and green spaces.

Source: REP

Staten Island FAQs

Q1: Where is Staten Island located?

Ans: Staten Island is located in New York City, United States.

Q2: Staten Island is situated between which two regions?

Ans: Staten Island is situated between New Jersey and Brooklyn.

Q3: Which Native American community historically inhabited Staten Island?

Ans: The Lenape people historically inhabited Staten Island.

Q4: Why is Staten Island called the “Borough of Parks”?

Ans: Staten Island is called the “Borough of Parks” because much of its land is covered by parks, forests, and green spaces.

Fort St. George

May 23, 2026

Fort St. George Latest News

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister toured the Secretariat campus and several iconic places within the historic Fort St. George complex recently.

About Fort St. George

It is a historic fort located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Built by the British East India Company in 1644, it was the first English fortress in India.
It became both a trading base and a defensive outpost, protecting their interests along the Coromandel coast.
It is made of brick & stone and has thick, tall walls to protect against attacks.
The fort has a rectangular shape with strong, tall gates at the entrance.
It includes important buildings like St. Mary’s Church, which is the oldest Anglican church in India, and the Fort Museum, which displays artifacts from the colonial period.
The fortified settlement that grew around it served as the nucleus of Madras, which, in time, expanded and evolved into modern Chennai.
Currently, it serves as the administrative centre of Tamil Nadu, with the Secretariat, Legislative Assembly, and other government offices housed within.

Source: TH

Fort St. George FAQs

Q1: Where is Fort St. George located?

Ans: Fort St. George is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Q2: Who built Fort St. George?

Ans: Fort St. George was built by the British East India Company in 1644..

Q3: Which is the oldest Anglican church in India located inside the Fort St. George?

Ans: St. Mary's Church

Q4: What role does Fort St. George serve today?

Ans: It serves as the administrative centre of Tamil Nadu.

Lake Kariba

May 23, 2026

Lake Kariba Latest News

After a decade of erratic rains and heatwaves that devastated Lake Kariba’s levels, new inflows from the upper Zambezi are lifting the reservoir and restoring hope.

About Lake Kariba

It is located in central Africa, along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It is located on the Zambezi River, about halfway between the river's source and mouth.
It can be found 1300 kilometers upstream from the Indian Ocean.
It is the world’s largest artificial lake and reservoir by volume and the fourth largest by surface area.
It is over 220 kilometers long and up to 40 kilometers in width. It covers an area of 5,200 sq.km.
- Lake Kariba was filled between 1958 and 1963 after the completion of the Kariba Dam, which flooded the Kariba Gorge on the Zambezi River.
- The Kariba Dam consists of a double-arch wall.
- The dam wall is 128 m high and 617 m (2029 feet) long when measured along the horizontal arch of the wall.
It provides considerable electric power to both Zambia and Zimbabwe and supports a thriving commercial fishing industry.
The lake encompasses a total of 102 islands, including well-known ones like Chete Island and Spurwing Island.
Chete Island boasts the world’s largest expanse of protected, undeveloped wetlands and hosts the largest single population of African elephants.

Source: DTE

Lake Kariba FAQs

Q1: Where is Lake Kariba located?

Ans: Lake Kariba is located in central Africa along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe

Q2: On which river is Lake Kariba situated?

Ans: Lake Kariba is situated on the Zambezi River.

Q3: What distinction does Lake Kariba hold among artificial lakes?

Ans: It is the world’s largest artificial lake and reservoir by volume.

Q4: What type of structure is the Kariba Dam?

Ans: The Kariba Dam consists of a double-arch wall.

Ethiopia

May 23, 2026

Ethiopia Latest News

Recently, India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral accession protocol in the context of Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.

About Ethiopia

It is a landlocked country in East Africa.
It lies entirely within tropical latitudes.
Bordering Countries: It is bordered by six countries namely Eritrea (North), Djibouti (Northeast), Somalia (East), Kenya (South), South Sudan and Sudan (West).
Capital City: Addis Ababa

Geographical Features of Ethiopia

Topography: The five major topographic features of the country are the Rift Valley, Western and Eastern Highlands, and Western and Eastern Lowlands.
Climate: Most of Ethiopia has a tropical climate.
Highest Point: Mount Ras Dejen which is 4,533 m high
Major Rivers: The three main rivers in Ethiopia are the Blue Nile, the Omo River, and the Awash River.
Lakes: Lake Tana which is located in the northwest of the Ethiopian Highlands.
Natural Resources: It has reserves of precious metals and other natural resources such as gold, potash, natural gas, copper, and platinum.

Source: PIB

Ethiopia FAQs

Q1: The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is built on which river?

Ans: Blue Nile

Q2: What is the Capital city of Ethiopia?

Ans: Addis Ababa

Agni-1 Missile

May 23, 2026

Agni-1 Missile Latest News

Recently, India successfully tested the short-range ballistic missile Agni-1 from the Integrated Test Range in Balasore, Odisha.

About Agni-1 Missile

It is a single-stage, solid-fuel missile.
It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a heavy payload but can travel up to 1200 km with lighter payloads, which makes it a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).
Range: 700 km- 1200 km
It is powered by a solid-propellant booster based on the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) SLV-3.
Its nuclear-capable road-mobile missile was first deployed by the Indian Army's Strategic Forces Command in 2007.
The Agni-I is designed to be launched from rail-based platforms or road-mobile transporter erector launchers (TELs).
- The Agni missile series includes missiles I–V, with the most advanced, Agni-V. In addition to the Agni-V, India currently has the following Agni missiles: Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, and Agni-IV and Agni Prime.
- The Agni-I originated from India’s 1983 Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).

Source: TH

Agni-1 Missile FAQs

Q1: Which organization developed the Agni-1 missile?

Ans: Defence Research and Development Organisation

Q2: What is the operational range of Agni-1 missile?

Ans: 700-900 km

Myopia

May 23, 2026

Myopia Latest News

Recently, Myopia has become a major global public health concern and it was estimated that nearly half the world’s population are expected to be myopic by 20250.

About Myopia

It is a common vision condition in which close objects look clear but far objects look blurry. The medical term for nearsightedness is myopia.
How does it occur?
- For people with normal vision, light passes through the clear cornea at the front of the eye and is focused by the lens onto the surface of the retina.
- People who are having myopic typically have eyeballs that are too long from front to back.
- As a result, light entering the eye is focused too far forward, in front of the retina instead of on its surface.
- It is this change that causes distant objects to appear blurry.
- The longer the eyeball is, the farther forward light rays will be focused and the more severely nearsighted a person will be.
Eye experts are still unsure of the exact cause of myopia, but believe it to be a mix of hereditary and environmental factors.
It usually begins in childhood or adolescence.
It tends to worsen with age until adulthood, when it may stop getting worse (stabilize). In some people, nearsightedness improves in later adulthood.
Symptoms: Nearsightedness can lead to squinting, eyestrain, headaches, and significant visual impairment.
Treatment
- Glasses or contact lenses can correct myopia in children and adults.
- For adults only (with rare exceptions for children), there are several types of refractive surgeries that can also correct myopia.
- Negative (minus) powered lenses are used to correct nearsightedness.

Source: TH

Myopia FAQs

Q1: In a myopic eye, where is the image of a distant object formed?

Ans: In front of the retina

Q2: Which type of lens is used to correct myopia?

Ans: Concave lens

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

May 23, 2026

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Latest News

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has achieved a major milestone with over 100 crore health records successfully linked with Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA).

About Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

It was launched to build a comprehensive digital health ecosystem for the country.
The mission aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country.
Time Period: The flagship scheme was launched with an outlay of ₹1,600 crore for 5 years from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026.
It is implemented by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Key Components of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) Number: It is a 14 digit health ID for hassle-free method of accessing and sharing your health records digitally.
Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR): It is a comprehensive repository of all healthcare professionals involved in delivery of healthcare services across both modern and traditional systems of medicine.
Health Facility Registry (HFR): It includes both public and private health facilities including hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories and imaging centers, pharmacies
Health Information Exchange and Consent Manager (HIE-CM): It empowers citizens to securely access and share their health records, ensuring that data exchange is driven by informed consent.
Unified Health Interface (UHI): It is envisioned as an open protocol for various digital health services. UHI Network will be an open network of End User Applications (EUAs) and participating Health Service Provider (HSP) applications.
National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX): It enables exchange of standardized health claim-related information between payers, providers, beneficiaries, and other relevant entities.

Source: PIB

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission FAQs

Q1: Which organization is the implementing agency for ABDM?

Ans: National Health Authority

Q2: What is the main objective of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?

Ans: To create a digital health ecosystem with longitudinal health records.

Sickle Cell Disease

May 23, 2026

Sickle Cell Disease Latest News

A recent study by the AIIMS Bhopal has stressed the need for early and advanced health screening in children suffering from sickle cell disease (SCD).

About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

It is a group of inherited blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells (RBCs) that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body.
SCD can cause episodes of severe pain and lead to life-threatening complications.
The most common and severe type of SCD is sickle cell anemia.
How Does it Affect Blood Flow?
- Normally, RBCs are disc-shaped and flexible enough to move easily through the blood vessels.
- People with SCD have atypical hemoglobin molecules called hemoglobin S, which can distort RBCs into a sickle, or crescent, shape.
- When RBCs sickle, they do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow to the rest of the body.
- The sickle-shaped cells can also stick to vessel walls, causing a blockage that slows or stops the flow of blood.
What causes it?
- The cause of SCD is a defective gene, called a sickle cell gene.
- A person will be born with SCD only if two genes are inherited—one from the mother and one from the father.
- If you are born with one sickle cell gene, it's called sickle cell trait. People with sickle cell trait are generally healthy, but they can pass the defective gene on to their children.
Symptoms:
- Signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease usually begin in early childhood.
- Early stage: Extreme tiredness or fussiness from anemia (low number of RBCs), painfully swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.
- Later stage: Severe pain, anemia, organ damage, and infections.
Treatments:
- A bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant) can cure SCD.
- However, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, lessen complications, and prolong life.
- Gene therapy is also being explored as another potential cure.
- The UK recently became the first country to approve gene therapy treatment for SCD.

Source: NDTV

Sickle Cell Disease FAQs

Q1: What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?

Ans: Sickle Cell Disease is a group of inherited blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Q2: What is the function of hemoglobin in the body?

Ans: Hemoglobin delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body.

Q3: How do sickle-shaped red blood cells affect blood flow?

Ans: Sickle-shaped red blood cells can block blood flow by not bending or moving easily through blood vessels.

Q4: What are some early symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?

Ans: Early symptoms include extreme tiredness, fussiness, swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.

Q5: Which treatment can cure Sickle Cell Disease?

Ans: A bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant) can cure SCD.

Pashupatinath Temple

May 23, 2026

Pashupatinath Temple Latest News

India recently gifted a special type of sandalwood to the Nepal government to be used at the Pashupatinath temple on Kathmandu’s outskirts.

About Pashupatinath Temple

It is a Hindu temple located on both banks of the Bagmati River on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal.
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form as Pashupati, protector of animals.
There has been a religious foundation here since at least the 5th century BCE, though the oldest recorded temple dates from 400 CE.
The original, mainly wooden, buildings were eaten by termites and replaced by the current stone and metal structures in the 15th century CE.
In 1979, the temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pashupatinath Temple Features

The main temple is designed in the Nepalese pagoda style, with a tiered roof and plinth.
It is a cubic construction with four main doors, all covered with silver sheets.
The two-storied roof is made from copper and is covered with gold.
The temple has two interior rooms where the Pashupatinath idol is placed.
One of the most astonishing decorations of the temple is the huge golden statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull.

Source: DEVD

Pashupatinath Temple FAQs

Q1: Where is the Pashupatinath Temple located?

Ans: It is located on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Q2: Which river flows beside the Pashupatinath Temple?

Ans: The Bagmati River flows beside the temple.

Q3: In which year was the Pashupatinath Temple declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Ans: The temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Q4: In which architectural style is the Pashupatinath Temple designed?

Ans: The main temple is designed in the Nepalese pagoda style.