Current Affairs 03 May 2026

China successfully launches Pakistan’s satellite PRSC-EO3.

• China launched Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 satellite.
• Used Long March-6 rocket for deployment.
• Launch conducted from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre.
• Satellite placed successfully into planned orbit on 26 April 2026.
• Strengthens space cooperation between China and Pakistan.

Bengaluru City Police launches a multilingual AI-based Namma 112 emergency response system.

• Bengaluru City Police launched India’s first multilingual AI-based emergency system for Namma 112.
• Named VANKI (Voice AI for Nationwide Key Interventions).
• Part of the Emergency Response Support System (112).
• Enables real-time translation and relay of distress calls without human intervention.
• Supports multiple Indian languages (Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese, etc.).
• Also supports foreign languages like Spanish, French, and Arabic.
• Improves speed and accuracy of emergency response services.

Flipkart, Axis Bank, and PayU introduce biometric-based payment services.

• Flipkart, Axis Bank, and PayU launched biometric-based payment authentication.
• Replaces SMS OTP system with fingerprint and Face ID verification.
• Enhances security against fraud, SIM-swap, and OTP interception attacks.
• Uses device-bound authentication technology for safer transactions.
• Merchant processing handled by PayU; issuer verification managed via Wibmo.
• Complies with RBI digital payment security guidelines (2025).

DGCA approves India’s 1st seaplane airline service for Lakshadweep.

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation approves India’s first commercial seaplane airline service.
• Operator: SkyHop Aviation (granted Air Operator Certificate).
• Service will connect Lakshadweep islands with the mainland.
• Uses 19-seater De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplane.
• First domestic conversion of a conventional aircraft into a seaplane using floats.
• Trial flights conducted at Ganga Barrage, Haridwar.
• Supported under UDAN scheme for regional connectivity and Viability Gap Funding (VGF).

Google initiates the development of an AI hub in Visakhapatnam.

• Google lays foundation for a ₹1.35 lakh crore ($15 billion) AI hub in Visakhapatnam.
• Developed in partnership with AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel.
• Spread across 601.4 acres in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.
• Will be a 1 GW large-scale AI data centre ecosystem for high-performance computing.
• Part of Google’s 2026–2030 India investment plan; operational target by September 2028.
• Expected to generate around 3,000 direct tech jobs.
• Supports digital infrastructure growth and AI ecosystem development in India.