06 May2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper 1 – History & Indian Diaspora

Girmitiya

📰 Why in News

• India’s External Affairs Minister is on a three-nation Caribbean visit aimed at strengthening ties with countries connected through the Girmitiya heritage.

📖 Definition

• Girmitiyas were Indian indentured labourers who migrated to British colonies

during the mid and late nineteenth century for employment.

• Their migration increased after the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which

created labour shortages in plantation economies.

📝 Origin of the Term

• The word “Girmit” emerged from the mispronunciation of the English word

“Agreement.”

• It referred to the labour contracts signed between workers and British

authorities.

• Girmitiyas were also known as Jahazis or Jahajis.

📍 Source Regions in India

• Most labourers migrated from the eastern parts of the United Provinces

(present-day Uttar Pradesh) and Bihar.

• Migration was driven by poverty, unemployment, and adverse agricultural

conditions.

🌐 Major Destinations

• Labourers were transported to plantation economies in Fiji, Mauritius, South

Africa, and Caribbean colonies.

• Important Caribbean destinations included Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana,

Suriname, and Jamaica.

GS Paper 3 – Economy

Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)

📰 Why in News

• The National Stock Exchange of India

has introduced Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) as a new trading segment.

📖 What are Electronic Gold Receipts?

• Electronic Gold Receipts are dematerialised securities representing ownership of physical gold.

• The gold backing these receipts is stored in SEBI-regulated vaults.

• Investors can hold EGRs in their demat accounts, similar to shares and

exchange-traded funds.

🏦 Storage and Regulation

• The physical gold linked to EGRs is securely kept in authorised vaults.

• Vault managers are specialised entities registered with SEBI for providing

vaulting services.

• Every EGR is backed by actual physical gold, ensuring authenticity and

standardisation.

• The entire framework functions under the regulatory supervision of SEBI.

⚙ Working Mechanism

• The process begins with the deposit of physical gold in accredited vaults.

• The deposited gold is converted into Electronic Gold Receipt units.

• These units are credited to the investor’s demat account.

• Investors can buy and sell EGRs on stock exchanges like other securities.

GS Paper 3 – Environment & Ecology

Great Himalayan National Park

📰 Why in News

• The Ministry of Environment has notified

an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of

326.69 sq. km around the

Great Himalayan National Park.

📍 Location and Extent

• The Great Himalayan National Park is a high-altitude protected area located in

the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.

🏔 Geographical Features

• The park lies in the western part of the Himalayan mountain system.

• It encompasses four major valleys — Tirthan Valley, Sainj Valley, Parvati Valley,

and Jiwa Nal Valley.

• The region is surrounded by steep mountain ridges and permanent snowfields

on several sides.

🌲 Nearby Protected Areas

• The park shares boundaries with Pin Valley National Park.

• It is situated close to the Rupi-Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Nearby protected regions also include the Tirthan and Sainj Wildlife Sanctuaries.

🌄 Topography

• The landscape includes dense coniferous forests, alpine meadows, glaciers, and

high mountain peaks.

• The area displays remarkable ecological diversity due to variations in altitude

and climate.