Current Affairs 04 May 2026

Andhra Pradesh Announces Labour Addas and Worker Welfare Measures

N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that dedicated labour addas will be established across Andhra Pradesh to support workers and improve employment opportunities. Speaking at Pamidimukkala in Krishna district on International Workers’ Day, he said that 15 labour addas will be set up in the first phase.

These centres will function not only as worker gathering points but also as skill development hubs, where workers can upgrade their skills on days when work is unavailable.

Key announcements

• Shrama Shakti awards presented to outstanding workers and industrial managements
• ₹5 lakh financial assistance each given to 35 construction workers under the P4 initiative
• New ESI hospitals to be established at Achyutapuram, Guntur, Kurnool, Sri City, and Amaravati

Welfare support for construction workers

• ₹25,000 for marriage of workers and their daughters
• ₹20,000 upon childbirth
• ₹60,000 in case of natural death
• ₹20,000 for funeral expenses

The Chief Minister also stated that four labour courts are functioning to ensure speedy resolution of labour disputes.

ASI Restores 1,000-Year-Old Siddheswara Swamy Temple in Nellore

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has undertaken the restoration of the 1,000-year-old Siddheswara Swamy Temple in Krishnapatnam. The ancient temple now falls within the limits of the modern Krishnapatnam Port. Historically, the shrine served as a meeting place for feudatory rulers during the eighteenth century. At that time, the old port was known as Gandagopalapatnam.

ASI Unearthed a Tank Inscription in Nellore

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a historic tank inscription at Kullur in Kaluvoya mandal of Nellore. The inscription dates back to the reign of Venkatapathiraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. It records the renovation of the Anantasagaram tank and the construction of the eastern weir (Valuga) for tanks located in the villages of Kaluvoya and Kullur. The inscription also mentions that the region was historically known as Kulluri Seema.

Gudimallam Parasurameswara Temple — India’s Earliest Siva Shrine

The ancient Gudimallam Parasurameswara Swamy Temple near Tirupati has again come into focus as one of India’s earliest known Siva temples. Located about 21 km southeast of Tirupati, the shrine dates back to the 2nd century CE and is presently protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Its most remarkable feature is the 1.6-metre-tall Siva Linga, carved from dark brown igneous rock. The linga is noted for its unique iconography, representing Urdhvaretah (an erect male form), with a finely sculpted human figure of Parasurameswara standing on a crouching dwarf.

Archaeological excavations carried out in 1973 by I.K. Sarma revealed stone rings, pottery fragments, and a silver punch-marked coin, confirming the antiquity of the site. The shrine is believed to have originated during the later Satavahana period (1st–2nd century CE).

The temple also preserves inscriptions from the Bana dynasty, while major stone reconstruction took place during the Yadavaraya period in 1126–27 CE. In April 2026, the temple witnessed its first remembered Kumbhabhishekam, restoring its status as an active place of worship.

Andhra Pradesh’s ₹1 Lakh Crore Push in Aerospace & Defence

The State Cabinet, chaired by N. Chandrababu Naidu, approved the allocation of 350 acres at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district for a defence manufacturing facility under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

According to official sources, the proposed project is expected to attract nearly ₹1 lakh crore of investment in the aerospace and defence sector. It is likely to emerge as one of India’s largest aerospace and defence research hubs.

The project aligns with the Andhra Pradesh Aerospace and Defence Policy 4.0, introduced through G.O.Ms. No. 111 on 27 June 2025. The policy aims to make Andhra Pradesh a global hub for research, development, and manufacturing in aerospace and defence.

The policy targets:

• ₹1 lakh crore investment
• 1 lakh employment opportunities
• Development of MSME clusters under a hub-and-spoke model

Key focus areas include missile systems, aircraft manufacturing, naval production, drones, and robotics.

India–Cambodia Bilateral Military Exercise CINBAX-II 2026

The Indian Army contingent has departed for the second edition of the India–Cambodia Bilateral Military Exercise CINBAX-II 2026. The exercise will be held from 4 to 17 May 2026 at Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Prov Royal Cambodian Air Force Training Centre (Camp Basil) in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia.

Prasoon Joshi appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has appointed Prasoon Joshi as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described Prasoon Joshi as a distinguished creative figure whose work in advertising, literature, art, and cinema reflects Indian culture and values.

Educationist and philanthropist Meena Muthiah passes away

Meena Muthiah, noted educationist, philanthropist, and prominent citizen of Chennai, passed away in Ooty at the age of 91. For her contribution to promoting Tanjore painting, she received the Living Craft Treasure Award from Poompuhar.