3rd MAY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. Medical And Wellness Tourism In India

India as a Global Healing Destination

Across the world, rising healthcare costs, long waiting times, and the growing burden of lifestyle diseases are driving patients to seek treatment abroad.

This global shift has led to the emergence of a multi-billion-dollar Medical Value Travel (MVT) industry.

The global Medical Value Travel market was valued at about USD 115.6 billion in 2022.

It is projected to reach around USD 286.1 billion by 2030. The market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 10.8%.

“Heal in India” initiative

Through thisinitiative, the Government is positioning the country as a premier destination for integrated and holistic healthcare.

Medical Tourism: It focuses on curative interventions such as complex surgeries, organ transplants, and advanced diagnostic care provided by specialised hospitals and healthcare institutions.

Wellness Tourism: It centres on preventive and holistic well-being through traditional systems such as Yoga, Ayurveda, Naturopathy and other AYUSH practices. It offers therapies that promote physical, mental and spiritual health.

Together, these two pillars form the foundation of India’s Medical Value Travel ecosystem.

According to the Medical Tourism Index 2020–21:

India ranks 10th among the top 46 medical tourism destinations globally

12th among the world’s top 20 wellness tourism markets

5th among the top 10 wellness destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Primary Hubs:

Chennai: Known as the "Healthcare Capital of India," handling roughly 45% of international health tourists.

Delhi NCR: A major center for organ transplants and advanced tertiary care.

Mumbai: Specialized in neurology, cardiology, and cosmetic surgery

2.Government launches indigenous Cell Broadcast System for instant disaster alerts

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, today launched the Cell Broadcast Alert System, developed indigenously by C-DOT in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), under the guidance of Home Minister

The system is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) as recommended by the UN body International Telecommunication Union.

It is currently operational across all 36 States and Union Territories of India and delivers disaster and emergency-related alerts via SMS to mobile users within geo-targeted areas.

Cell Broadcast (CB) technology has been introduced alongside SMS, enabling alerts to be transmitted to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area simultaneously, ensuring near-real-time delivery

3. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reconstitutes four Parliamentary Committees for 2026–27

Committee of Estimates

Lok Sabha BJP MP Dr Snajay Jaiswal has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee of Estimates

Itcomprising 30 members of the Lower House.

The Committee on Public Undertakings

The Committee on Public Undertakings will be headed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda.

It comprising total 22 members ( 15 members from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha )

Public Accounts Committee.

Congress MP from Lok Sabha, K C Venugopal as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.

It includes 15 members from Lok Sabha and 7 members from Rajya Sabha,Totally 22 members

The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

It will be headed by Lok Sabha BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste.

It comprised of 20 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.

The term of these Committees will be from 1st of this month to 30th of April next year.

4. Sikkim becomes country’s first paperless judiciary state

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay has expressed happiness as Sikkim has been declared the country’s first paperless judiciary state.

Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, declared this today in a conclave held at Gangtok.

Chief Minister Golay termed it a historic step towards building a faster, transparent, and technology-driven justice system.

Significance: It marks a major shift towards a sustainable, tech-driven, and faster justice delivery system in India.

Implementation: The system enables digital filing and management of cases, eliminating physical documentation.

5. World Press Day -3rd May

Today, 3 May 2026, marks World Press Freedom Day. This annual event highlights the essential role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and human rights.

2026 Theme: "Shaping a Future at Peace"

The theme for 2026 emphasizes how independent journalism contributes to global peace and stability by providing accurate information and encouraging public trust.

Prize Winner: The 2026 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize was awarded to the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate for their courage in reporting under extremely dangerous conditions.

Global Decline: The World Press Freedom Index reports that the average global score has hit its lowest level in 25 years.

Rising Threats: Journalists face increasing risks from AI-generated disinformation, digital surveillance, and physical violence.

Deadly Record: 2025 was recorded as the deadliest year for journalists, with 130 media workers killed in the line of duty.

2026 World Press Freedom Index

published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Current Rank: India is ranked 157th out of 180 countries, slipping from 151st in 2025.

Status: India remains in the "very serious" category due to legal pressures, concentrated media ownership, and safety risks for reporters.

India currently ranks lower than several neighbors, including Nepal (87), Sri Lanka (134), and Pakistan (153)

Core Missions:

Celebrating the fundamental principles of press freedom.

Defending media independence from external attacks

National Press Day (16 November) marks the establishment of the Press Council of India in 1966 under the Indian Press Council Act, 1965.

The 1965 Act was later repealed in 1975, and a new Act, was subsequently enacted