07 May 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper 1 – Geography

Mahi River

📰 Why in News

• Two persons, including an eight-year-old child, went missing after a boat

overturned in the Mahi River in Rajasthan’s Banswara district.

📖 About the River

• The Mahi is an important west-flowing interstate river of India.

• It flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

• Due to its wide spread, the river is also popularly known as “Mahisagar.”

🏔 Origin and Course

• The river originates from the northern slopes of the Vindhya Range in Madhya

Pradesh.

• Initially, it flows southward within Madhya Pradesh for around 120 kilometres.

• It then enters southeastern Rajasthan, particularly the Vagad region.

• While passing through Rajasthan, the river forms a distinctive U-shaped loop

before entering Gujarat.

• Finally, it empties into the Arabian Sea through an estuary near the Gulf of

Khambhat.

🌿 Tributaries

• Major tributaries of the Mahi River include Eru, Nori, Chap, Som, Jakham, Moran,

Anas, Panam, and Bhadar.

🏞 Important Dams

• Significant dams built on the river include the Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam, Kadana

Dam, and Panam Dam.

• These projects play a crucial role in irrigation, hydroelectricity generation, and

water resource management.

GS Paper 2 – Polity & Governance

Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026

📰 Why in News

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister,

has approved the introduction of the

Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill,

2026 in Parliament.

📖 Objective of the Bill

• The amendment seeks to modify the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act,

1956.

• It proposes increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from

33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.

• The move aims to improve judicial efficiency and reduce pendency of cases.

⚖ Constitutional and Legal Basis

• The original Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 was enacted under

Article 124(1) of the Constitution.

• Article 124 empowers Parliament to determine and increase the number of

judges in the Supreme Court through legislation.

🏛 Historical Expansion of Supreme Court Strength

• The strength of the Supreme Court has been revised several times through

amendments.

• It was increased to 13 judges in 1960.

• The number rose to 17 judges in 1977.

• It was expanded to 25 judges in 1986.

GS Paper 3 – Economy

Viability Plan 2.0

📰 Why in News

• The Department of Financial Services has approved

Viability Plan 2.0 to improve financial stability and

operational performance of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

📖 What is Viability Plan 2.0?

• Viability Plan 2.0 is a revised three-year strategic framework designed to

strengthen the financial sustainability and long-term competitiveness of Regional

Rural Banks.

🏛 Implementing Authority

• The plan is being implemented by the Department of Financial Services (DFS)

under the Ministry of Finance.

⏳ Duration of the Plan

• The framework will operate for a three-year period from 2025–26 to 2027–28.

• The earlier viability framework covered the period from FY 2021–22 to FY 2024–25.

🎯 Objectives of the Plan

• To improve the financial sustainability of Regional Rural Banks.

• To enhance operational efficiency and governance reforms.

• To strengthen the long-term competitiveness of RRBs in the banking sector.