UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 29 May 2026

Sanchi Stupa

May 29, 2026

Sanchi Stupa Latest News

Recently, sacred relics belonging to two of Lord Buddha’s most prominent disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana from Sanchi Stupa are being sent to Mongolia.

About Sanchi Stupa

It was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the third century BC.
It enshrines religious relics or remains of the Buddha and his most revered disciples.
Its construction was overseen by Ashoka’s wife Devi.
The development of the Sanchi complex was supported by patronage from Vidisha’s mercantile community.
It was in abject ruins when it was “discovered” by British officer Henry Taylor in 1818.
Later on Alexander Cunningham led the first formal survey and excavations at Sanchi in 1851.

Structure of Sanchi Stupa

It is enclosed by a massive stone railing pierced by four gateways, which are adorned with elaborate carvings (known as Sanchi sculpture).
The stupa itself consists of a base bearing a hemispherical dome (anda), symbolizing the dome of heaven enclosing the earth.
It is surmounted by a squared rail unit (harmika) representing the world mountain, from which rises a mast (yashti), symbolizing the cosmic axis.
The mast bears umbrellas (chatras) that represent the various heavens (devaloka).

Source: News On Air

Sanchi Stupa FAQs

Q1: Sanchi Stupa is located in which state?

Ans: Madhya Pradesh

Q2: Sanchi Stupa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which year?

Ans: 1989

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin

May 29, 2026

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister for Rural Development released over ten thousand crore rupees to twelve states under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).

About Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin

It was launched in 2016 by restructuring the erstwhile rural housing scheme Indira Awaas yojana (IAY).
It aims to provide financial assistance to eligible rural households, including houseless families and those living in zero, one, or two-room kutcha houses, to construct pucca homes with basic amenities.
Target: the Government initially set a target of 2.95 crore houses for FY 2016–17 to FY 2023–24 and approved the continuation of the scheme for another 5 years (FY 2024–25 to FY 2028–29) with an additional target of 2 crore houses.
Minimum unit size: Each house must have at least 25 sq. m, including a dedicated hygienic cooking area.
Beneficiary Selection: It is carried out on the basis of housing deprivation parameters and exclusion criteria prescribed under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
Financial Assistance and Funding: The scheme provides direct financial support for house construction:
Unit Assistance: ₹1.20 lakh in plain areas and ₹1.30 lakh in hilly states (including North Eastern states, J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand).
Funding Pattern
- The cost is shared between the Central and State governments in the ratio 60:40 for plain areas and 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan states.
- For Union Territories without a legislature, the Centre provides 100% of the funding.
Monitoring: The entire process is managed through e-governance solutions like the AwaasSoft Management Information System (MIS) and the AwaasApp mobile application.

Source: News On Air

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin FAQs

Q1: PMAY-G was launched in which year?

Ans: It was launched on 20th Nov 2016.

Q2: Which ministry implements PMAY-G?

Ans: Ministry of Rural Development

Mission Queen Pineapple

May 29, 2026

Mission Queen Pineapple Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched the “Mission Queen Pineapple”.

About Mission Queen Pineapple

It is designed for promoting Tripura’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP) — the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple.
Objective: It has an objective of establishing an integrated pineapple value-chain ecosystem in the State.
The initiative aims to address structural gaps and unlock the premium market potential for Tripura's Queen Pineapple, transforming discarded leaves into wealth.
Time Period: The Mission is designed as a three-year implementation roadmap from Q2 FY2026 to Q4 FY2028 for promoting Tripura's Unique Selling Proposition (USP),
Nodal Ministry: Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region

Key Facts about Queen Pineapple

It is a spiny, golden-yellow variety known for its sweet taste, pleasant aroma, juicy flesh, and rich nutritional value.
It contains vitamins A, B, and C, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
The fruit has Total Soluble Solids (TSS), or sweetness, ranging from 13 to 17.2 degrees Brix and acidity levels between 0.6 and 0.8 per cent, giving it a balanced sweet-tart flavour.
It is also the state fruit of Tripura.
It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015.

Source: PIB

Mission Queen Pineapple FAQs

Q1: The "Queen" variety of pineapple is the state fruit of which state?

Ans: Tripura

Q2: Queen pineapple from Tripura received GI tag in which year?

Ans: 2015

Singapore

May 29, 2026

Singapore Latest News

Recently, India and Singapore explored new avenues to strengthen strategic ties during 16ᵗʰ Defence Policy Dialogue.

About Singapore

Location: It is an island country located off the coast of the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, between the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
Bordered by: It borders South China Sea to the east, the Strait of Malacca to the west, and the Riau Islands lie to the south.
It is separated from Malaysia by the Johor Strait (North) and from Indonesia by the Singapore Strait.
Capital City: Singapore
It is one of the member countries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Geographical Features of Singapore

Climate: It is in the equatorial monsoon region and its climate is characterized by uniformly high temperatures and nearly constant precipitation throughout the year.
Highest Peak: Its highest point is Timah Hill at 162 metres.
It is the largest port in Southeast Asia and one of the busiest in the world.

Source: PIB

Singapore FAQs

Q1: Singapore is located on which important waterway?

Ans: At the southern end of Strait of Malacca

Q2: Singapore is a member of which regional grouping?

Ans: Founding member of ASEAN, 1967

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

May 29, 2026

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Recently, the survey to estimate the population of the Indian giant squirrel has commenced in the ecologically sensitive Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Pune district.

About Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: It is located in the northern part of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra (spread over the three districts Pune, Thane and Raigad).
It is named after Lord 'Bhimashankar' (one of the twelve Jyotirlingas).
It was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1985.
Rivers: Two major tributaries of river Krishna namely Bhima and Ghod originate from this area.
Vegetation: Major forest types are western subtropical broad leaved hill forest to moist deciduous types with a few included small patches of evergreen forests.
Flora
- Sacred Groves (Deorais): The sanctuary has 14 unique sacred groves protected by socio-religious rules.
- It also consists of Bilschmiedia dalzellii, Mangifera indica, Olea dioica, Syzygium cumini, Carallia brachiata, Myristica malabarica, Diospyros malabarica, D. montana, D. sylvatica and Symplocos racemosa.
Fauna

- The main wild speies are Giant Indian squirrel (Ratufa indica elphinstoni), Panther (Panthera paradus), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Mouse Deer Tragulus memina, Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), Wild boar (Sus scrofa).

Source: Mid Day

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Bhimashankar WLS is famous for which endemic species?

Ans: Indian Giant Squirrel

Q2: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?

Ans: Maharashtra

Forest Advisory Committee

May 29, 2026

Forest Advisory Committee Latest News

Recently, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has granted in-principle approval for the diversion of over 3,000 hectares of forest land across several states for key infrastructure projects.

About Forest Advisory Committee

It is a statutory body established under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980.
Functions: It considers questions on the diversion of forest land for non-forest uses such as mining, industrial projects, townships and advises the state government on the issue of granting forest clearances.
Process of Transferring Forest Land
- Once the FAC is convinced and approves (or rejects a proposal), it is forwarded to the concerned State government where the land is located.
- The state government then has to ensure that provisions of the Forest Right Act, 2006, a separate Act that protects the rights of forest dwellers and tribals over their land, are complied with.
- The FAC approval also means that the future users of the land must provide compensatory land for afforestation as well as pay the net present value.
It is under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Source: HT

Forest Advisory Committee FAQs

Q1: Who chairs the Forest Advisory Committee?

Ans: DGF & Special Secretary, MoEFCC is the chairperson

Q2: Forest Advisory Committee is constituted under which Act?

Ans: Forest Conservation Act, 1980

National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment

May 29, 2026

National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment Latest News

Recently, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, launched the Portal for the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA), 2025.

About National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment

It is a biennial assessment framework developed by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG)
It measures the depth and effectiveness of existing e-Governance service delivery mechanisms from the citizen’s perspective.
Global Reference: It is based on the Online Service Index (OSI) of the UN e-Government Survey
It assesses the availability, accessibility and maturity of online service delivery across States, Union Territories and focus Central Ministries/Departments.
NeSDA serves as an important benchmarking exercise for improving online service delivery across the country.

NeSDA 2025 Framework Dimensions and Additions

Portal Coverage: All Government Portals assessed under NeSDA are classified into two categories, viz.
- State, UT, City and Central Ministry Portals
- State, UT, City and Central Ministry Service Portals
Focus Sectors and Mandatory Services Coverage: It covers G2C and G2B services across key sectors, viz., Finance, Labour & Employment, Education, Local Governance & Utility Services, Social Welfare, Environment (including Fire), Tourism, Public Grievance, Transport and Travel sectors.
- It proposes an expansion on focus sectors with the addition of services of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
- In NeSDA 2025, a total of 59 mandatory services are proposed to be assessed for every State & UT and 43 services to be assessed covering Central Ministries/Departments.
Assessment Parameters: It includes Security, Privacy, Open Government Data (OGD), E-Participation, Ease of Use, Emerging Technology

Source: PIB

National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment FAQs

Q1: NeSDA is released by which ministry?

Ans: Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances

Q2: What is the main objective of NeSDA?

Ans: Assess e-governance service delivery by states/UTs

Duttaphyrnus dhara

May 29, 2026

Duttaphyrnus dhara Latest News

Recently, a new species of toad recorded in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district has been named as Duttaphyrnus dhara.

About Duttaphyrnus dhara

It is a new toad species found in Meghalaya.
Habitat: It prefers forest-edge and semi-natural habitats.
It is clearly different from its closest known relatives, Duttaphrynus stuarti and Duttaphrynus chandai.
Features
- It is a small, forest-associated toad with adult males measuring only about 40-41.8 mm in snout-vent length.
- It has a compact body, wider head and absence of prominent cranial ridges.
- It has small but distinct tympanum, moderate toe webbing, and a rough dorsum covered with numerous pointed keratinised warts.
- It has a brown body with irregular black patches, a narrow pale mid-dorsal line, dark fingers and toes, and a creamy white underside marked with black blotches.

Source: TH

Duttaphyrnus dhara FAQs

Q1: Duttaphyrnus dhara was discovered in which state?

Ans: Meghalaya

Q2: Duttaphyrnus dhara belongs to which family?

Ans: Bufonidae, true toads family

Central Consumer Protection Authority

May 29, 2026

Central Consumer Protection Authority Latest News

Recently, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against several entities for violations of consumer rights and unfair trade practices in the e-commerce sector.

About Central Consumer Protection Authority

It was established under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which replaced the 1986 Act, was notified on August 9, 2019, and came into force on July 20, 2020.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Composition of CCPA
- Chief Commissioner: A Chief Commissioner heads the CCPA and has two other commissioners:
- One commissioner deals with goods-related issues.
- The other commissioner handles service-related complaints.

Functions and Powers of CCPA

The CCPA protects, promotes, and enforces the rights of consumers as a class under the Act.
It prevents unfair trade practices and curbs false or misleading advertisements.
It ensures that no one publishes or disseminates false or misleading advertisements.
It can initiate class-action suits, including recall, refunds, and cancellation of licenses, when necessary.
The CCPA can conduct inquiries and investigations through its investigation Wing, headed by a Director-General.
It can order the discontinuation of unfair practices, impose penalties on errant businesses, and enforce consumer welfare measures.

Source: News On Air

Central Consumer Protection Authority FAQs

Q1: CCPA was established under which Act?

Ans: Established under Section 10 of CPA, 2019

Q2: Where is the head office of CCPA is located?

Ans: New Delhi

Central Industrial Security Force

May 29, 2026

Central Industrial Security Force Latest News

Around 1,200 fishing harbours and fishing landing sites are all set to be brought under the oversight of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as part of the Union Home Ministry’s plan to fortify and secure India’s coastline.

About Central Industrial Security Force

It is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in India operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It provides security to various critical infrastructures and important national installations.
Headquarters: New Delhi
Motto: “Protection and Security”.

Establishment of Central Industrial Security Force

The idea of forming a specialised industrial security force gained urgency after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
The CISF came into existence in 1969 through the CISF Act 1968 with a sanctioned strength of only three battalions.
The original charter of CISF was to provide integrated security cover to certain sensitive public sector undertakings.
The Act was amended in 1983, declaring the CISF as an Armed Force of the Union.

Organisation Structure of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

It is headed by an Indian Police Service officer with the rank of Director-General, assisted by an IPS officer in the rank of Addl. Director-General.
The force is divided into seven sectors (Airport, North, North-East, East, West, South, and Training) and also has a Fire Service Wing.
The force consists of seven training institutes – six Recruit Training Centers and the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA).

Functions of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

It provides security to India’s most critical infrastructure facilities, like nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, etc.
In addition, the CISF also protects important government buildings, iconic heritage monuments, Delhi Metro, Parliament House Complex.
CISF personnel are trained in disaster management techniques, enabling them to actively respond to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and cyclones.
CISF is one of the largest Fire Protection Service providers in the country. CISF is the only force with a customized and dedicated fire wing.

Source: TH

Central Industrial Security Force FAQs

Q1: CISF was established in which year?

Ans: Established on 10th March 1969

Q2: CISF functions under which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Home Affairs