23 May2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS 1 Indian Art & Culture

Rupa Tarakasi

📰 Why in News

• Recent restrictions on silver imports along with rising silver prices have negatively

impacted the livelihoods of artisans engaged in the traditional Rupa Tarakasi craft in Cuttack.

✨ What is Rupa Tarakasi?

🪙 Definition

• Rupa Tarakasi is a renowned silver filigree craft tradition practised in Cuttack,

Odisha, which is popularly called the “Silver City of Odisha.”

• It is famous for its delicate silver wirework and intricate artistic designs.

🏛 Origin and Historical Background

📜 Historical Significance

• The craft has a rich heritage dating back nearly to the 12th century.

• It received major patronage during the Mughal period.

• Over time, the art evolved according to changing dynasties and cultural

influences.

🧵 Meaning of the Name

📘 In Odia Language

• “Tara” means wire.

• “Kasi” refers to design or craftsmanship.

GS 3 Infrastructure & Energy

Velimalai Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project

📰 Why in News

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently granted Terms of

Reference (ToR) clearance to the Velimalai Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project located in Kanniya kumari district, Tamil Nadu.

⚡ What is the Velimalai Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project?

💧 Definition

• The Velimalai Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project is a proposed 1,100 MW

pumped hydropower storage project planned at Velimalai in Kanniyakumari

district of Tamil Nadu.

🤝 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model

🏗 Project Structure

• It is the first project in Tamil Nadu to be developed under the Public-Private

Partnership (PPP) model on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis under

Section 63 of the Electricity Act.

🔋 Nature of the Project

🌊 Key Features

• The project is designed as a closed-loop off-river pumped storage system.

• It aims to improve peak power management in the state.

• The project will also support round-the-clock integration of renewable energy

sources into the power grid.

GS 3 Defence Technology & Internal Security

Suryastra Rocket System

📰 Why in News

• India recently achieved a major milestone in indigenous defence technology after NIBE

Limited successfully tested the Suryastra Rocket System at Chandipur.

🚀 What is the Suryastra Rocket System?

📘 Definition

• The Suryastra Rocket System is India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre

rocket launcher system.

🏭 Development Agencies

🤝 Developed By

• The system has been developed by Pune-based NIBE Limited in collaboration

with Elbit Systems.

🎯 Operational Role

⚔ Purpose of the System

• The rocket system has been designed to carry out precision strikes against:

• Enemy positions.

• Command centres.