• Formation: June 2, 2014
• Capital: Hyderabad
• Official Language: Telugu
• Second Language: Urdu
• Major Rivers: Godavari and Krishna
• Bordering States: Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
• Major Festivals: Bathukamma, Bonalu
• Major Crops: Rice, Cotton, Chillies, Tur (Pigeon Pea)

• Economy: Agriculture, IT Industry, Minerals
• Important Sites: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Warangal Fort, Ramappa Temple
• World Heritage Site: Ramappa Temple (UNESCO)
• Political Party: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS; formerly TRS)
• Industries: Hyderabad – Cyber ​​City, Biotech Hub

Cabinet Ministers:

• Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary: Former BJP State President and Member of the Legislative Council (MLC).
• Manoj Kumar Pandey: MLA from Unchahar in Rae Bareli, considered a rebel within the Samajwadi Party (SP).
• Ministers of State – Independent Charge:
• Ajit Pal Singh: Promoted from his position as a Minister of State.
• Somendra Tomar: Promoted from his position as a Minister of State.

Ministers of State:

• Krishna Paswan: MLA from the Khaga constituency in Fatehpur.
• Surendra Diler: MLA from Khair in Aligarh.
• Hansraj Vishwakarma: A BJP leader from Varanasi.
• Kailash Rajput: MLA from Tirwa in Kannauj.
• With this expansion, the strength of the Council of Ministers has reached 60 out of the 403 members of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, which constitutes the maximum permissible number of ministers.
• Maximum Limit of the Council of Ministers: According to the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act (2003), the size of a State Council of Ministers cannot exceed 15% of the total membership of the Legislative Assembly.
• Appointment Process: Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister (Article 164).

• Administering the Oath: Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oaths of office and secrecy to him.
• Cabinet: Along with Vijay, 9 other ministers were also sworn in, including N. Anand, Adhav Arjun, and S. Keerthana (the sole female minister).

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections 2026:

• Polling Date: April 23, 2026 (held in a single phase)
• Total Seats: 234
• Voter Turnout: 84.69%—the highest voter turnout recorded in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu.
• Results (May 4, 2026): No single party secured a clear majority (118 seats), resulting in a 'Hung Assembly' situation in the state for the very first time.
• Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK): 108 seats; the party founded by actor-turned-politician Vijay emerged as the single largest party.
• DMK+ (Ruling Alliance): 73 seats; Chief Minister M.K. Stalin lost the election, and the DMK subsequently lost its status as the principal opposition party.
• AIADMK+ (Opposition Alliance): 53 seats; the alliance between the AIADMK and the BJP secured 53 seats.
• Relevance: Article 163 (Discretionary Powers) and the *S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India* (1994) judgment, which emphasizes the necessity of a Floor Test (a test of majority support) on the floor of the House.

• Tenure: N. Rangasamy will assume office as Chief Minister for a record fifth time.
• Swearing-in: His swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for May 13, 2026.
• Constitutional Process: As Puducherry is a Union Territory (UT), the Chief Minister is appointed by the President following the issuance of a Warrant of Appointment. The Lieutenant Governor (LG) invites the leader to form the government only after receiving the President's approval.
• Role of the Lieutenant Governor: Following the official notification from the President, the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, K. Kailashnathan, invited Mr. Rangasamy to form the government.
• Details of Majority: In the 30-member Puducherry Legislative Assembly, the NDA holds the support of 18 MLAs.
• The majority mark stands at 16.

Project Details:

• SEEDS Initiative: This center has been developed under India's SEEDS (Supply of Equipment for the Efficient Development of SMEs) initiative.
• Objective: Its primary objective is to process locally grown crops (fruits, vegetables, and tubers) and transform them into value-added products, thereby strengthening Trinidad and Tobago's food security and economic resilience.
• Promotion of Small Industries (SMEs): This facility will bolster the country's Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) ecosystem and provide fresh impetus to farmers.
• Modi's Commitment: This center is part of a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2025, which was fulfilled during Dr. Jaishankar's visit.
• Shared Heritage: During the inauguration ceremony, both leaders also visited Nelson Island, the site where the first 'Girmitiya' (indentured) Indian migrants arrived in 1845. India has also supported a 'Quick Impact Project' (QIP) for the preservation of cultural heritage on this island.
• Other Agreements: During this visit, a total of 8 agreements were signed across sectors such as tourism, healthcare (establishment of an Ayurveda Chair), and renewable energy (solarization of the Ministry of External Affairs building).

Trinidad and Tobago:

• Location: It is an island nation situated in the Caribbean Sea.
• Capital: Port of Spain
• Currency: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD)
• Neighboring Country: Its closest mainland neighbor is Venezuela. Pitch Lake: The world's largest natural asphalt lake is located right here in Trinidad.
• Independence: It gained independence from the United Kingdom on August 31, 1962.
• Indian Connection: Approximately 35–40% of the population here is of Indian origin, considered to be descendants of 'Girmitiya' (indentured) laborers.
• Musical Styles: Calypso and Soca music originated here. The region's famous musical instrument is the 'Steelpan'.
• UPI Agreement: Trinidad and Tobago is the first country in the Caribbean to sign an agreement to adopt India's UPI (Unified Payments Interface).

The Caribbean Region:

• It is a vast archipelago situated southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and north of South America.
• Greater Antilles: This group includes large islands such as Cuba (the largest island), Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico.
• Lesser Antilles: This is a long chain of islands extending from the Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Tobago.
• Lucayan Archipelago: This includes the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
• Deepest Point: The deepest point in the Caribbean Sea is the Cayman Trough, with a depth of approximately 7,686 meters.
• Sovereign Nations: There are 13 independent island nations in this region. The 13 Independent Countries of the Caribbean and Their Capitals:
• Antigua and Barbuda: St. John's
• The Bahamas: Nassau
• Barbados: Bridgetown
• Cuba: Havana
• Dominica: Roseau
• Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo
• Grenada: St. George's
• Haiti: Port-au-Prince
• Jamaica: Kingston
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: Basseterre
• Saint Lucia: Castries
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Kingstown
• Trinidad and Tobago: Port of Spain
• CARICOM (Caribbean Community): This is an organization comprising 15 member states, headquartered in Guyana. It promotes economic integration and cooperation within the region.
• Historical Name: It is also referred to as the West Indies because, upon reaching this region in 1492, Christopher Columbus mistakenly believed it to be India.

• Duration: In this test, the combustor was operated for over 1200 seconds (20 minutes), marking a significant technical achievement.
• Location: This test was conducted at the state-of-the-art Scramjet Connected Pipe Test (SCPT) facility located in Hyderabad.
• Technical Advancement: This represents a major leap forward compared to the previous successful test of 700 seconds conducted in January 2026.
• Key Technologies: This test successfully validated indigenously developed liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel, high-temperature thermal barrier coatings (TBC), and advanced manufacturing processes.

Scramjet Engine:

• Supersonic Combustion: In this system, fuel combustion takes place within an airflow moving at supersonic speeds (faster than the speed of sound).
• Hypersonic Speed: This technology enables missiles to attain speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
• Functionality: Unlike conventional rockets, it draws oxygen from the atmosphere, thereby eliminating the need to carry an onboard oxidizer and consequently enhancing payload capacity.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):

• Formation: January 1, 1958
• Headquarters: DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi
• Ministry: It functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence.
• Motto: 'Balasya Mulam Vigyanam' (The source of strength is Science).
• Current Chairman (2026): Dr. Samir V. Kamat (Serving since August 2022).

Salient Features:

• Indigenous Construction: It has been entirely indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). It incorporates over 50% indigenous components.
• Dimensions and Speed: The vessel is 51 meters in length and possesses a maximum speed of 27 knots.
• Technical Capability: It is equipped with advanced 3000 kW diesel engines, an indigenously developed 'Controllable Pitch Propeller' (CPP), and high-precision gearboxes.
• Weapon Systems: It is armed with a 30 mm CRN-91 gun and two 12.7 mm remote-controlled guns.
• Range: Its operational endurance is 1500 nautical miles.
• Deployment: It will be deployed at Vadinar in Gujarat, falling under the jurisdiction of the North West Coast Guard Region.
• Key Missions: Coastal and offshore surveillance, maritime border security, anti-smuggling operations, Search and Rescue (SAR), and marine pollution control.

Indian Coast Guard (ICGS):

• Establishment: February 1, 1977 (Interim) and August 18, 1978 (Formal).
• Foundation Day: 'Indian Coast Guard Day' is celebrated annually on February 1st.
• Ministry: It operates under the Ministry of Defence. (Note: Many students mistakenly assume it falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs).
• Motto: 'Vayam Rakshamah' — "We Protect."
• First Director General: V. A. Kamath (V. A. Kamath)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• There are 5 regional headquarters: Gandhinagar (West-North), Mumbai (West), Kochi (South-West), Chennai (East), Kolkata (North-East).

• Mission Name: This first test of the advanced technology was conducted under the banner of 'Mission Divyastra' (the inaugural test took place in March 2024).
• Full Form of MIRV: Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (This implies launching multiple warheads from a single missile in different directions).
• Missile Type: It is a surface-to-surface Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
• Strike Capability (Range): It has a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers.
• Test Site: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha (formerly known as Wheeler Island).
• Developing Agency: DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).
• Propulsion: It utilizes a three-stage solid-fuel engine.
• Special Achievement: India has become the 6th country in the world to develop this technology (the others being: the USA, Russia, China, France, and the UK).

Agni Missiles:

• A family of ballistic missiles ranging from medium to intercontinental range, developed by India.
• Developed by: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
• The Agni missiles derive their name from the Sanskrit word "Agni," meaning "Fire."
• These missiles constitute a pivotal component of India's strategic and nuclear deterrence capabilities.
• First Missile: The development of Agni-I began in 1989, and it became operational in the 1990s.

• Imposing Authority: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Fine on Yes Bank: ₹31.80 Lakhs (Reason: Violation of KYC norms)
• Fine on Hinduja Housing Finance: ₹1.80 Lakhs (Reason: Changes exceeding 30% in the Board of Directors without prior approval)
• Banking Regulation Act: 1949 (Fines are imposed on banks under this very Act)

Reserve Bank of India (RBI):

• Establishment: April 1, 1935, based on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission
• Act: Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
• Nationalization: January 1, 1949
• Headquarters: Initially located in Kolkata; permanently shifted to Mumbai in 1937
• First Governor: Sir Osborne Smith
• First Indian Governor: C.D. Deshmukh
• Current Governor (2026): Sanjay Malhotra (26th Governor), who assumed office in December 2024

Hinduja Housing Finance Limited:

• Establishment: Founded in April 2015
• Parent Company: It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 'Hinduja Leyland Finance' (HLF)
• Headquarters: Located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Management: Sachin Pillai is its current Managing Director
• Registration: It is a Housing Finance Company (HFC) registered with the National Housing Bank (NHB)

Yes Bank Limited:

• Establishment: 2004, by Rana Kapoor and Ashok Kapoor
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Tagline: Experience our Expertise.
• Managing Director (MD) and CEO: Prashant Kumar (Former SBI official)

• This Year's (2026) Theme: "Make Lupus Visible"
• Origin: Initiated in 2004 through the collaboration of 'Lupus Canada' and lupus organizations across 13 countries.

Lupus:

• Type of Disease: It is an autoimmune disease.
• Systemic Impact: It is also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) because it affects multiple organs of the body (joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs).
• Distinctive Symptom (Malar Rash): A butterfly-shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks is its most characteristic sign.
• The Great Imitator: It is often referred to as "The Great Imitator" because its symptoms resemble those of other diseases (such as arthritis or infections).
• Diagnosis/Tests: The ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) test is primarily used for its diagnosis.
• Affected Demographic: Statistically, it is found more frequently in women than in men (at a ratio of approximately 9:1), particularly within the 15 to 45 age group.
• Symptoms: It is often called "The Great Imitator" because its symptoms mimic those of other diseases.

• Total Winners: A total of 42 Panchayats have been awarded this year.
• Most Successful State: Karnataka secured the top spot by winning the highest number of awards—6 in total.
• It was followed by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, which received 5 awards each.
• Best District Panchayat: Sepahijala, Tripura.
• Best Block Panchayat: Harippad, Kerala.
• Best Gram Panchayat: New Napam, Assam.
• Award Presentation Date: These awards will be presented on June 3, 2026.
• Nodal Ministry: These awards are conferred by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• Theme-based Awards: The principal awards—the ‘Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar’ (DDUPSVP)—were presented across 9 distinct themes.
• Special Category (Climate): In the ‘Climate Action’ category, the Davva S. Panchayat in Maharashtra secured the first position.
• Panchayati Raj Day: Note that National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated annually in India on April 24 (commemorating the 73rd Constitutional Amendment).
• The winning Panchayats will receive financial incentives ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore, based on their category and tier.

• Initiative: The 'Sundays on Cycle' campaign was launched in December 2024 by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
• Nodal Ministry: It is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI).
• Significance: This campaign is part of the 'Fit India Movement,' which aims to combat issues such as obesity and pollution by promoting cycling as a sustainable and eco-friendly form of exercise.