Daily filter — 5 May 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Supreme Court Judge Strength to Increase to 37
The Union Cabinet has approved a bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges to 37, excluding the Chief Justice.
- The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 was approved.
- It amends The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
- Judge strength increases by 4, from 33 to 37 (excluding CJI).
- Expenditure will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Article 124(1) allows Parliament to prescribe judge numbers.
- Last increase was in 2019, from 30 to 33.
💡 The 2026 Amendment Bill increases SC judge strength to 37 (excluding CJI) from 33.
Source: Cabinet · PIB PRID 2258131
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Supreme Court Judge Strength Increased to 37
The Union Cabinet approved increasing the number of Supreme Court judges to enhance efficiency and ensure speedy justice.
- The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 was approved.
- The judge strength will increase by 4, from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice).
- This amendment will modify The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
- Expenditure will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.
💡 Remember: The 2026 Bill increases SC judges by 4, from 33 to 37, funded by the Consolidated Fund.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2258133
💰 Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Cotton Productivity Mission for Global Competitiveness
The Union Cabinet approved a Rs.5659.22 crore mission to boost cotton productivity and achieve self-sufficiency by 2030-31.
- The Mission for Cotton Productivity has an outlay of Rs.5659.22 crore.
- It aims to achieve 498 lakh bales of cotton by 2031.
- The mission will enhance lint productivity from 440 kg/ha to 755 kg/ha.
- It will benefit approximately 32 lakh farmers.
- Kasturi Cotton Bharat will brand Indian cotton with traceability and certification.
- The mission includes diversifying India’s fiber base with flax, ramie, sisal, milkweed, bamboo, and banana.
💡 For the exam: Remember the Cotton Mission's Rs.5659.22 crore outlay, 32 lakh farmer beneficiaries, 2031 target, and Kasturi Cotton Bharat branding.
Source: Cabinet · PIB PRID 2258111
🌱 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Cotton Productivity Mission Approved with ₹5,659.22 Crore Investment
The Union Cabinet has approved a Cotton Productivity Mission to revive India's cotton sector, aiming to boost farmer incomes and production.
- The Union Cabinet approved the Cotton Productivity Mission on 2026-05-05.
- Total provision for the mission is ₹5,659.22 crore.
- Aims to increase cotton productivity from 440 kg/hectare to 755 kg/hectare by 2031.
- Targets cotton production rise from 297 lakh bales to 498 lakh bales by 2031.
- Will cover 24 lakh hectares across 140 districts in 14 cotton-producing states.
- Benefitting around 32 lakh farmers, connecting them with modern research.
💡 For the exam: The Cotton Productivity Mission, with its ₹5,659.22 crore outlay, aims to significantly boost cotton yield and production by 2031.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2258187
🌱 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Cotton Productivity Mission with ₹5659.22 Crore Outlay
The Union Cabinet has approved a new mission to boost India's cotton productivity and global competitiveness by 2030-31.
- Cabinet approved Mission for Cotton Productivity with ₹5659.22 crore outlay.
- The mission runs from 2026–27 to 2030–31 to enhance productivity and quality.
- It aligns with Government of India's 5F vision (Farm to Foreign).
- Target: 498 lakh bales by 2031; lint productivity from 440 kg/ha to 755 kg/ha.
- Focuses on HYV seeds, HDPS, Kasturi Cotton Bharat, and farmer empowerment.
💡 Remember: ₹5659.22 Cr for Cotton Productivity Mission by 2030-31 aims for 498 lakh bales and 755 kg/ha lint.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2258120
💡 Economy · UPSC track
Two more semiconductor units approved under India Semiconductor Mission
The Union Cabinet has approved two new semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Gujarat with a cumulative investment exceeding Rs. 3,900 crore.
- Two new projects were approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) on 05 May 2026.
- These include India’s first commercial Mini/Micro-LED display facility based on GaN technology.
- The facilities, by Crystal Matrix Limited and Suchi Semicon Private Limited, will be in Gujarat.
- The total approved projects under ISM now number 12, with Rs. 1.64 lakh crore investment.
- One facility will manufacture 72,000 sq. meters of display panels annually.
- The other will produce 1033.20 million chips per annum.
💡 Remember: 2 new semiconductor units, total 12 under ISM, located in Gujarat, with GaN tech for Mini/Micro-LEDs.
Source: Cabinet · PIB PRID 2258116
💰 Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0
The **Union Cabinet** approved **ECLGS 5.0** to provide credit guarantee coverage to support businesses, especially **MSMEs** and airlines, amidst the **West Asia Crisis**.
- ECLGS 5.0 offers 100% guarantee for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs/airline sector.
- The scheme targets an additional credit flow of Rs.2,55,000 crore, including Rs.5,000 crore for airlines.
- Loans sanctioned under ECLGS 5.0 are valid until March 31, 2027.
- Airline sector loans have a tenor of 7 years, including a 2-year moratorium.
💡 Remember ECLGS 5.0: 100% MSME guarantee, 90% airline/non-MSME, Rs.2,55,000 crore credit, valid till March 31, 2027.
Source: Cabinet · PIB PRID 2258114
🌾 Economy · UPSC track
Sugarcane FRP for 2026-27 Approved, Benefiting Farmers
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane for the 2026-27 sugar season.
- The FRP for 2026-27 is set at Rs. 365/qtl for a basic recovery rate of 10.25%.
- This FRP is 100.5% higher than the cost of production (Rs. 182/qtl) for 2026-27.
- It will benefit 5 crore sugarcane farmers and 5 lakh sugar mill workers.
- A premium of Rs. 3.56/qtl applies for every 0.1% increase in recovery above 10.25%.
- Farmers with recovery below 9.5% will receive Rs. 338.3/qtl without deduction.
💡 The 2026-27 Sugarcane FRP is Rs. 365/qtl at 10.25% recovery, impacting 5 crore farmers.
Source: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) · PIB PRID 2258113
💰 Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Sugarcane FRP for 2026-27 Season
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane for the 2026-27 sugar season.
- The FRP for Sugar Season 2026-27 is set at Rs. 365/qtl for 10.25% basic recovery.
- This benefits 5 crore sugarcane farmers and 5 lakh sugar mill workers.
- It is 100.5% higher than the production cost of Rs. 182/qtl.
- Farmers with recovery below 9.5% will receive Rs. 338.3/qtl without deduction.
💡 Remember 2026-27 Sugarcane FRP is Rs. 365/qtl (10.25% recovery), benefiting 5 crore farmers.
Source: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution · PIB PRID 2258142
💡 Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Two New Semiconductor Manufacturing Units in Gujarat
The Union Cabinet approved two new semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission, bolstering domestic manufacturing capabilities.
- Two new semiconductor projects approved by the Union Cabinet.
- Cumulative investment of around Rs. 3,936 crore in Gujarat.
- Projects expected to generate employment for 2,230 skilled professionals.
- One unit by Crystal Matrix Limited (CML) for Mini/Micro-LED displays in Dholera.
- Another unit by Suchi Semicon Private Limited (SSPL) for OSAT in Surat.
- Total 12 projects now approved under the India Semiconductor Mission.
- Total cumulative investments under ISM reach around Rs. 1.64 lakh crore.
💡 Remember: The two new semiconductor projects, with over ₹3,900 crore investment, boost India's Mini/Micro-LED and OSAT capabilities in Gujarat.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2258119
📈 Economy · UPSC track
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0 Approved by Cabinet
The Cabinet approved **ECLGS 5.0** to provide credit guarantee coverage to lenders for additional credit support to businesses.
- ECLGS 5.0 provides 100% guarantee for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs.
- It targets additional credit flow of Rs. 2,55,000 crore, including Rs. 5,000 crore for airlines.
- Loans sanctioned until March 31, 2027, are covered, with nil guarantee fee.
- Airline loans have a 7-year tenor, including 2 years moratorium (up to Rs. 1,500 crore).
- The scheme helps businesses, especially MSMEs and airlines, due to the West Asia situation.
💡 Remember ECLGS 5.0 offers 100% guarantee for MSMEs, 90% for others, targets ₹2.55 lakh crore credit, and covers loans until March 31, 2027.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2258140
🚆 Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Three Indian Railways Multitracking Projects
The CCEA approved three multi-tracking projects for Indian Railways worth Rs 23,437 crore, increasing the network by 901 Kms.
- The CCEA approved 03 Ministry of Railways projects on May 05, 2026.
- Total estimated cost is Rs 23,437 crore, to be completed by 2030-31.
- Projects include Nagda – Mathura, Guntakal – Wadi, and Burhwal – Sitapur 3rd and 4th lines.
- They cover 19 Districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
- The projects will add approximately 901 Kms to the existing rail network.
- Projects are planned under PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
💡 Remember: 3 projects, Rs 23,437 Cr, 6 states, 901 Kms new lines by 2030-31 under PM-Gati Shakti.
Source: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) · PIB PRID 2258123