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May 2026

Current affairs for May 2026, newest first. Verified against independent sources.

  1. Obituaries

    Veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur dies at 891234

    Playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, known for her voice in Hindi and other films of the 1950s-70s, died on 31 May aged 89.

    • Veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur died in Mumbai on 31 May 2026, aged 89, after about a month of illness
    • Sang about 740 songs in 11 languages, including many duets with Mohammed Rafi; known for 'Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche' (Brahmachari, 1968)
    • Cremated with state honours; tributes from PM Modi and President Murmu
  2. Sports

    RCB win IPL 2026, beating Gujarat Titans for back-to-back titles5678

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at Ahmedabad on 31 May, chasing 156 with 161/5, to win a second straight title. Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 off 42 earned Player of the Match.

    • RCB beat Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets in the IPL 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (31 May 2026), winning back-to-back titles
    • GT made 155/8; RCB chased 156 in 18 overs for the loss of five wickets
    • Virat Kohli made an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls and was Player of the Match
    • Orange Cap: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals), 776 runs; Purple Cap: Kagiso Rabada, 29 wickets
  3. Appointments

    General N.S. Raja Subramani takes charge as India's third Chief of Defence Staff9101112

    Gen N.S. Raja Subramani took over as India's third CDS on 31 May, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan whose tenure ended on 30 May. He heads the Department of Military Affairs and is tasked with theatre commands and tri-service integration.

    • Gen N.S. Raja Subramani took charge as India's third Chief of Defence Staff on 31 May 2026, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan whose tenure ended 30 May
    • Appointment announced on 9 May; he is also Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs
    • Commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in 1985; Military Adviser at the NSCS from 1 September 2025; Vice Chief of Army Staff July 2024 to July 2025
    • Stressed tri-service integration; theatre commands are a key task
  4. Schemes

    Jitendra Singh launches 'Samadhan Didi' AI voice chatbot for CPGRAMS1314

    The AI voice assistant, built by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances with Bhashini, lets people file grievances by speaking and routes them to the right authority. It works in the 22 scheduled languages, and more regional languages are being added in phases.

    • Launched 30 May 2026 at Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi
    • Developed by DARPG with Bhashini
    • Supports all 22 scheduled languages; Bhojpuri, Garo, Khasi and others to follow
    • CPGRAMS grievances rose from about 2 lakh a year in 2014 to over 25 lakh a year now
  5. States

    Goa marks 40th Statehood Day with Vice President at Kala Academy1516

    Goa observed 40 years of statehood on 30 May 2026 at Kala Academy, Panaji, with Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan as chief guest. The programme included a Mario Miranda centenary stamp and special cover and the release of a coffee table book on the state's progress.

    • Goa became the 25th state of India on 30 May 1987
    • 40th Statehood Day held 30 May 2026 at Kala Academy, Panaji
    • Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan attended on his first official Goa visit as VP
    • Commemorative stamp and special cover for cartoonist Mario Miranda released
  6. Sports

    PSG retain Champions League, beating Arsenal on penalties171819

    Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in the Champions League final on 30 May to win a second straight title; Arsenal had earlier clinched the Premier League on 19 May.

    • Champions League final on 30 May 2026 at Puskas Arena, Budapest: PSG beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw (Havertz scored for Arsenal, Dembele equalised from the spot)
    • PSG retained the trophy, winning back-to-back titles
  7. Polity

    Election Commission begins Special Intensive Revision in Manipur20

    The Election Commission's SIR in Manipur ran its enumeration phase from 30 May 2026. A Supreme Court direction to accept EPIC cards, claimed in the draft, could not be confirmed.

    • ECI's Special Intensive Revision in Manipur began its enumeration phase on 30 May 2026 (to 28 June)
    • Kuki bodies raised displacement concerns, saying about 59,000 Kuki-Zo people are internally displaced
  8. Defence

    India's first multilateral army exercise PRAGATI-I ends in Meghalaya212223

    The maiden multilateral exercise PRAGATI-I 2026 concluded at Umroi, Meghalaya, with troops from 12 friendly countries rehearsing counter-terrorism in jungle and semi-mountainous terrain.

    • Exercise PRAGATI 2026, the first edition, ran from about 20 May and concluded on 30 May at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, with a 72-hour validation drill
    • Army contingents from 12 friendly foreign countries took part (13 nations including India), focusing on counter-terrorism in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain
    • Participants included Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam
  9. Defence

    India signs Rs 6,000 crore BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam242526

    India signed a deal worth about Rs 6,000 crore (USD 629 million) to supply BrahMos missiles to Vietnam on 30 May, including training and logistics, after Rajnath Singh's Hanoi visit on 19-21 May.

    • Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 30 May 2026 that India had signed a BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam; a similar deal with Indonesia is in final stages
    • Value not officially disclosed; an earlier source put it at about Rs 6,000 crore (USD 629 million) including training and logistics
    • Vietnam follows the Philippines as a BrahMos export customer
  10. Economy

    Sagarmala Finance Corporation plans India's first blue bond of up to Rs 1,000 crore272829

    Managing Director L. V. S. Sudhakar Babu told Reuters the Ports Ministry's lender plans a bond of up to Rs 1,000 crore, including a Rs 500 crore greenshoe, to fund maritime and coastal projects. Timing depends on market conditions and the tenor and coupon are not fixed.

    • Issue size up to Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 500 crore base plus Rs 500 crore greenshoe)
    • Advisers: Trust Capital, AK Capital and Tipsons
    • Company received an NBFC licence in June 2025
    • Existing term loans average 3.5 years against about 12 years on loans it disburses
  11. Supreme Court

    Supreme Court upholds DNA test order where paternity is directly in issue303132

    In CP v AP (2026 INSC 600), Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh dismissed an appeal against a trial court and Chhattisgarh High Court order for a DNA test in a suit seeking a declaration of paternity. The Court weighed privacy against the claimant's interest and stressed that such tests are not to be ordered routinely.

    • Judgment delivered 29 May 2026, citation 2026 INSC 600
    • Bench: Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh
    • Appeal dismissed; trial court and Chhattisgarh High Court orders upheld
    • Paternity was directly in issue in a civil suit; privacy and res judicata objections rejected
  12. Awards

    Indian teens named first Indian Global Winners of The Earth Prize with Plas-Stick333435

    Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal and Avyana Mehta, all 16, won The Earth Prize 2026 Global Winner title on 29 May after about 23,000 public votes. Their Plas-Stick is a powder from waste tamarind seeds that clumps microplastics so a magnet can remove them.

    • Named Asia Regional Winner on 14 May 2026, receiving USD 12,500
    • Crowned Global Winner on 29 May 2026 at the award ceremony
    • About 23,000 votes chosen from seven regional winners
    • First Global Winner from India
  13. Supreme Court

    Delhi High Court frames Right to be Forgotten rules for online court records363738

    Justice Sachin Datta held the right flows from informational privacy under Article 21 and set a de-indexing and masking framework for judicial records.

    • Delhi High Court (Justice Sachin Datta) held that the right to be forgotten is a facet of informational privacy under Article 21
    • 144-page judgment delivered on 29 May 2026 in a batch of writ petitions
    • Laid down a framework for de-indexing and masking personal information in online judicial records
    • Search engines cannot be perpetually allowed to show judicial records in name-based searches for private cases ending in acquittal, discharge, quashing or settlement
  14. Economy

    India's forex reserves fall to one-year low of about USD 681 billion3940

    India's forex reserves fell to about USD 681 billion in the week ended 22 May, a one-year low, as the RBI sold dollars to defend the rupee amid the oil shock and portfolio outflows.

    • RBI data for the week ended 22 May 2026: forex reserves fell USD 7.511 billion to USD 681.384 billion, a one-year low
    • Previous week's reserves were USD 688.894 billion
    • Gold reserves fell USD 4.53 billion to USD 114.786 billion; foreign currency assets fell USD 2.872 billion to USD 543.032 billion
    • Decline reflects rupee pressure and RBI dollar sales amid the Middle East conflict
  15. Environment

    IMD cuts monsoon forecast to 90 percent of LPA as El Nino builds; more heatwave days likely in June414243

    On 29 May 2026 IMD lowered its monsoon forecast to 90 percent of the long period average (down from 92 percent in April), citing a developing El Nino, and warned of more heatwave days in June.

    • IMD's 29 May 2026 update put monsoon rainfall at 90 percent of the long period average (plus or minus 4 percent), down from 92 percent in April
    • Below-normal rain expected over northwest, central and south peninsular India; near-normal in the northeast
    • El Nino expected to be weak in June, weak to moderate in July-August, and moderate to strong after September
    • IMD flagged above-normal heatwave days in June for states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Odisha and Gujarat
  16. International

    US and Iran reach tentative deal to extend ceasefire 60 days and ease Hormuz shipping444546

    On 28-29 May negotiators reportedly agreed to extend the US-Iran ceasefire by 60 days and ease limits on Hormuz shipping, pending Trump's approval; Iran disputed the framing.

    • Ceasefire between the US and Iran took effect in early April 2026
    • On 28-29 May 2026 Reuters-sourced reports said negotiators reached a deal to extend the ceasefire by 60 days, pending Trump's approval
    • Terms reported: unrestricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the US lifting its blockade of Iranian ports; Axios's draft had no tolls and Iran removing mines
    • Iran's Fars News disputed the framing, saying transits would return to pre-war levels, not free navigation
  17. Polity

    Siddaramaiah resigns as Karnataka CM; D.K. Shivakumar chosen successor47484950

    Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka chief minister on 28 May after the Congress high command's suggestion. Congress MLAs elected D.K. Shivakumar legislature party leader on 30 May and he was sworn in on 3 June.

    • Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka CM on 28 May 2026 under a Congress high-command power-sharing arrangement
    • D.K. Shivakumar elected Congress Legislature Party leader on 30 May
    • Shivakumar sworn in on 3 June 2026 at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru; Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath
    • G. Parameshwara sworn in as deputy CM; 13 cabinet ministers sworn in alongside
  18. Supreme Court

    Supreme Court upholds Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of rolls5152

    A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi upheld the validity of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar on 27 May, saying the Commission has power under Article 324. It said the ECI can examine citizenship for roll inclusion but not decide it finally.

    • Supreme Court on 27 May 2026 upheld the Election Commission's power to conduct the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls (bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi)
    • Power drawn from Article 324 read with the Representation of the People Act 1950
    • ECI may examine citizenship for roll inclusion but this is not a final determination of citizenship
    • Verdict had been reserved on 29 January 2026
  19. Supreme Court

    Supreme Court: police need Magistrate's leave for further probe after closure report5354

    In Paliniswamy Veeraraja v State of Karnataka (2026 INSC 561), Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh held that police must get the Magistrate's permission before further investigation after closure reports. The third round of investigation lacked it, so the FIR and chargesheet were quashed, and the dispute was seen as essentially civil.

    • Citation 2026 INSC 561; bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh
    • Leave requirement read into Section 173(8) CrPC
    • No permission on record for the third round of further investigation
    • Appeal allowed; FIR and chargesheet quashed as an abuse of process
  20. Defence

    IAF flies first night Bambi Bucket sorties to fight Kasauli forest fire555657

    A forest fire on Kasauli's western slopes in Himachal Pradesh on 26 May 2026 drew Mi-17 V5 helicopters that scooped water from Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. The IAF says it was its first Bambi Bucket operation at night using night vision goggles, with reports giving over 93,000 litres dropped in total.

    • Fire started about 3 pm on 26 May 2026 near Gilbert Trail and Upper Mall, Kasauli
    • Mi-17 V5 helicopters with Bambi Buckets drew water from Sukhna Lake
    • IAF calls it its first night Bambi Bucket operation, using night vision goggles
    • Each sortie carried about 2,000 to 2,500 litres; later reports total over 93,000 litres
  21. International

    Quad foreign ministers meet in New Delhi; maritime surveillance and critical minerals initiatives58596061

    Jaishankar hosted Rubio, Penny Wong and Toshimitsu Motegi on 26 May. The Quad launched an Indo-Pacific maritime surveillance initiative, a critical minerals framework, an energy security initiative and its first joint infrastructure project, a port in Fiji.

    • Quad foreign ministers met in New Delhi on 26 May 2026, hosted by S. Jaishankar with Marco Rubio, Penny Wong and Toshimitsu Motegi
    • Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to mobilise up to USD 20 billion, with a Quad Critical Minerals Framework
    • Indo-Pacific maritime surveillance initiative to boost maritime domain awareness and undersea cable safety
    • Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security; first joint infrastructure project, a port in Fiji
    • Statement looked forward to a Leaders' Summit but gave no host or date; called for uninterrupted shipping through Hormuz
  22. International

    India and US sign critical minerals and rare earths supply framework62636465

    India and the US signed a framework on securing supply in mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths on 26 May, covering mining, processing, recycling and investment.

    • India and the US signed a framework on critical minerals and rare earths on 26 May 2026 in New Delhi; exchanged by S. Jaishankar and Marco Rubio
    • Covers mining, processing, recycling and related investment, plus financing and management of rare earths scrap
    • Rubio said the two countries cannot leave foundational materials vulnerable to single-source monopolies
    • Signed during Rubio's visit for the Quad foreign ministers' meeting
  23. Polity

    Home Ministry sets up committee on demographic change from illegal immigration6667

    The Home Ministry on 26 May constituted a high-level committee chaired by retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar to study demographic change due to illegal immigration and recommend deportation and border management measures within a year.

    • Home Ministry constituted a high-level committee on demographic change in May 2026 (notification reported as 26 May)
    • Chair: Justice (retd) Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar (also spelled Naolekar)
    • Follows PM Modi's Independence Day 2025 announcement of a high-powered demography mission
    • Home Minister Amit Shah asked the panel for recommendations at the earliest
  24. Awards

    President presents first batch of Padma Awards 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan686970

    President Droupadi Murmu presented 66 of the 131 Padma Awards 2026 on 25 May in the first investiture, covering 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan and 58 Padma Shri.

    • President Droupadi Murmu presented the first batch of Padma Awards 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 25 May 2026: 66 awards (2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan, 58 Padma Shri)
    • 131 awards were announced on Republic Day eve: 5 Vibhushan, 13 Bhushan, 113 Shri
    • The second investiture was held on 23 June 2026
  25. International

    Iran restores internet after 87-day blackout717273

    Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the internet restored on 25 May, ending an 87-day national blackout that began during the war.

    • President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered international internet access reopened on 25 May 2026; partial restoration began on 26 May after about 88 days of near-total shutdown
    • Mobile internet stayed cut at first and many sites remained restricted; connectivity reached about 86 percent of pre-shutdown level on 28 May by NetBlocks' measure
    • Described as the longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history
  26. Sports

    Assam photojournalist Gitika Talukdar accredited for third men's FIFA World Cup7475

    Gitika Talukdar of Assam received FIFA accreditation to cover the 2026 men's World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, after Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Reports describe her as the only Indian woman photojournalist covering the tournament.

    • Third consecutive men's World Cup, after Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022
    • 2026 edition hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico
    • She has also covered the Women's World Cups of 2019 and 2023
    • Reported as the only Indian woman photojournalist at the event
  27. Sports

    Indianapolis 500 and Kentucky Derby winners decided767778

    Felix Rosenqvist won the 110th Indianapolis 500 on 24 May; Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby on 2 May.

    • Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Racing) won the 110th Indianapolis 500 on 24 May 2026 by 0.0233 seconds over David Malukas, the closest finish in the race's history
    • Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby on 2 May 2026; trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train a Derby winner
  28. Science and tech

    China launches Shenzhou-23 with Hong Kong's first astronaut79808182

    China launched Shenzhou-23 to the Tiangong space station on 24 May, carrying Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from Hong Kong to fly in space.

    • China launched Shenzhou-23 from Jiuquan on 24 May 2026 (11:08 pm Beijing time) with Zhu Yangzhu (commander), Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying
    • Lai Ka-ying is Hong Kong's first astronaut in space, a payload specialist and former police technical specialist
    • One of the crew is to begin a one-year stay in orbit, a first for China
  29. International

    Suicide car bomb hits military train in Quetta, killing at least 24838485

    A vehicle-borne suicide bomber hit a shuttle train carrying security personnel and their families near Chaman Phatak in Quetta on 24 May 2026; Reuters reported at least 24 dead and the Baloch Liberation Army claimed the attack.

    • On 24 May 2026 a vehicle-borne suicide bomb struck a shuttle train near Chaman Phatak, Quetta, carrying security personnel and their families
    • At least 24 killed and about 50-70 injured per early Reuters and Pajhwok reports; later counts were higher (47 per Wikipedia, unverified)
    • Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility; Reuters could not verify it
  30. Awards

    Cristian Mungiu wins second Palme d'Or at Cannes 2026868788

    Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d'Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 23 May for Fjord, his second.

    • Cristian Mungiu's Fjord won the Palme d'Or at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on 23 May 2026, with a jury headed by Park Chan-wook
    • Mungiu's second Palme after 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007); he is the tenth director to win two
    • Grand Prix: Andrey Zvyagintsev's Minotaur
  31. Other

    South Asian University extends 2026-27 application deadline to 15 June89

    South Asian University, the SAARC-backed institution in New Delhi, extended its application window for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes to 15 June 2026. Applications go through admissions.sau.int.

    • Last date extended to 15 June 2026
    • Covers UG, PG and PhD programmes for 2026-27
    • Applications via admissions.sau.int
  32. Science and tech

    SpaceX flies first Starship V3 on Flight 12 with mixed results909192

    SpaceX flew the first Starship V3 (Flight 12) on 22 May 2026. The ship reached space and splashed down in the Indian Ocean, but the booster missed its boostback burn and crashed in the Gulf of Mexico.

    • Starship Flight 12, the first flight of the V3 vehicle, launched on 22 May 2026 after a scrub the previous day
    • The ship deployed 22 payloads (20 dummy Starlink satellites and two real Starlink craft with imaging sensors) and splashed down in the Indian Ocean despite losing an engine
    • The Super Heavy booster lost an engine, failed its boostback burn and hit the Gulf of Mexico; the FAA later declared a mishap
  33. International

    Senegal's president dismisses Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko93949596

    Senegalese president Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed prime minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government on 22 May, appointing Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo on 25 May.

    • Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government on Friday 22 May 2026 after months of tension
    • Faye named economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, a former BCEAO official, as prime minister on Monday 25 May
    • Rift partly over debt policy: Faye favoured IMF negotiations, Sonko a more sovereign approach
  34. Supreme Court

    SC gives interim bail to two Delhi riots UAPA accused, refers question to larger bench979899

    A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan on 22 May granted six-month interim bail to Khalid Saifi and Tasleem Ahmad in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case and referred to a larger bench whether prolonged jail should outweigh UAPA's strict bail rules, after questioning a January ruling.

    • 22 May 2026: a Supreme Court bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P.B. Varale granted six-month interim bail (11 conditions) to Khalid Saifi and Tasleem Ahmed, accused in the Delhi riots larger-conspiracy case (FIR 59/2020)
    • The bench referred to a larger bench how Article 21 applies against the UAPA Section 43D(5) bail bar, citing divergent readings of Union of India v K.A. Najeeb (2021)
    • The reference followed a recent Nagarathna-Bhuyan bench judgment (Syed Iftikhar Andrabi v NIA) that questioned the January 2026 ruling in Gulfisha Fatima, which had denied bail to other accused
  35. Economy

    RBI board approves record Rs 2.87 lakh crore surplus transfer to government100101102

    The RBI Central Board on 22 May approved a record surplus of Rs 2,86,588 crore for FY26, above the Rs 2.69 lakh crore of FY25. The Contingent Risk Buffer was cut to 6.5 percent of the balance sheet, and the payout fell short of market hopes of Rs 2.9-3.2 lakh crore.

    • RBI Central Board, at its 623rd meeting chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, approved a surplus transfer of Rs 2,86,588.46 crore for 2025-26 on 22 May 2026
    • Highest ever; previous record was Rs 2.69 lakh crore for FY25
    • Contingent Risk Buffer set at 6.5 percent, down from 7.5 percent
    • Payout is below the Budget estimate of about Rs 3.16 lakh crore for dividends and surplus
  36. Legislation

    FSSAI notifies standard vegan logo, compulsory on approved packs from 1 July 2027103104

    The Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2026 require approved vegan products to carry a prescribed green VEGAN logo, with FSSAI approval needed before use. FSSAI publicised the rule on 5 June.

    • Amends the Vegan Foods Regulations, 2022
    • Notified 21 May 2026 (one outlet says 25 May)
    • Mandatory logo on approved vegan packs from 1 July 2027
    • Food business operators must get approval before using the logo
  37. International

    India-Africa Forum Summit postponed amid Ebola outbreak; India issues travel advisory105106107108

    India and the African Union postponed the India-Africa Forum Summit planned in New Delhi for 28-31 May as an Ebola outbreak spread in the DR Congo and Uganda, and India issued travel advisories for affected countries.

    • Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, due in New Delhi on 28-31 May 2026, was postponed on 21 May with no new date
    • Decision taken after consultation with the African Union, amid an Ebola (Bundibugyo strain) outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda
    • WHO had declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
    • India introduced health screening and advisories for arrivals from high-risk African countries
  38. Awards

    Chandrayaan-3 wins AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award109110111112

    ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission received the AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award at the ASCEND conference in Washington on 21 May for its 2023 lunar south-pole soft landing.

    • ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 received the 2026 AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award, presented on 21 May 2026 in Washington DC at the ASCEND 2026 conference
    • India's ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, accepted it for ISRO
    • Citation recognises the landing near the lunar south pole; the award is AIAA's highest honour for astronautics
  39. Other

    Anti-Terrorism Day observed on Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary113114

    India observed Anti-Terrorism Day on 21 May, the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

    • Anti-Terrorism Day was observed on Thursday 21 May 2026 with pledge-taking in government offices, e.g. Goa Secretariat and Puducherry
    • Marks the death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber on 21 May 1991 at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu
    • The observance began under the V.P. Singh government
  40. Environment

    UN General Assembly reaffirms climate obligations after ICJ advisory opinion115116117118

    On 20 May the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution reaffirming states' obligations to address climate change and recognising the ICJ's recent advisory opinion on the matter.

    • UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on 20 May 2026 endorsing the ICJ's July 2025 climate advisory opinion, by 141 votes to 8 with 28 abstentions
    • Tabled by Vanuatu (A/80/L.65) with about 90 co-sponsors
    • Against: Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Yemen; India was among the abstainers
    • Resolution is not itself binding
  41. International

    India and Italy elevate ties to Special Strategic Partnership119120121122

    PM Modi and Giorgia Meloni upgraded India-Italy ties on 19-20 May with 15 outcomes, a Defence Industrial Roadmap, a critical minerals MoU and a trade target of EUR 20 billion up from EUR 14 billion.

    • Modi and Meloni announced a Special Strategic Partnership in Rome on 20 May 2026, the final leg of Modi's five-nation tour
    • Meloni called it the highest level reached between the two countries; it builds on the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029
    • Trade target raised from about 14 billion euros to 20 billion euros by 2029
    • Priority areas include defence, critical minerals, agri-food, maritime transport and clean technologies
  42. Science and tech

    ICMR seeks partners for cervical cancer drug candidate SHetA2123124125

    ICMR invited expressions of interest on 20 May for technology transfer and commercialisation of SHetA2, an investigational drug candidate for HPV-induced cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.

    • ICMR invited expressions of interest for transfer of technology of SHetA2, an investigational drug for HPV-induced cervical dysplasia and cancer; last date 20 May 2026
    • Developed by Dr Showket Hussain (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr Doris Benbrook (University of Oklahoma)
    • Emcure Pharmaceuticals was later reported to have received the licence
  43. Defence

    DRDO completes final-configuration trials of ULPGM-V3 missile126127128

    DRDO completed developmental trials of the UAV-launched precision guided missile ULPGM-V3 in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes near Kurnool on 20 May.

    • DRDO completed final deliverable-configuration development trials of the ULPGM-V3 UAV-launched precision-guided missile near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, announced by the Defence Ministry on 19-20 May 2026
    • Tested in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes using an integrated ground control system
    • Production partners: Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence
  44. International

    Modi at 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, first PM visit to Norway in over four decades129130131132

    Modi visited Norway on 18-19 May, the first Indian PM trip in 43 years, elevating ties to a Green Strategic Partnership and attending the third India-Nordic Summit with the leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. He received Norway's Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.

    • Modi visited Norway on 18-19 May 2026 as part of a five-nation tour; first visit by an Indian PM to Norway in over four decades (Indira Gandhi in 1983)
    • India and Norway elevated ties to a Green Strategic Partnership (talks with PM Jonas Gahr Store)
    • Third India-Nordic Summit held in Oslo with leaders of Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden; ties elevated to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership
    • Earlier summits: Stockholm 2018 and Copenhagen 2022
  45. Awards

    International Booker 2026 goes to Taiwan Travelogue; Eurovision won by Bulgaria133134135136

    Yang Shuang-zi's Taiwan Travelogue, translated by Lin King, won the 2026 International Booker Prize on 19 May, while Bulgaria's Dara won the Eurovision Song Contest with Bangaranga on 16 May.

    • International Booker 2026 (announced 19 May at Tate Modern): Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi, translated by Lin King; first Mandarin Chinese winner; GBP 50,000 split between author and translator
    • Eurovision 2026 final on 16 May in Vienna: Bulgaria's Dara won with 'Bangaranga', 516 points, Bulgaria's first win; Israel second
    • Banu Mushtaq won the 2025 International Booker with Heart Lamp
  46. Obituaries

    Former Uttarakhand CM B.C. Khanduri dies at 91137138139

    Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, twice chief minister of Uttarakhand and former Union road transport minister, died on 19 May aged 91.

    • Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri died on 19 May 2026 at Max Hospital, Dehradun, aged 91, after a long illness
    • Uttarakhand CM 2007-09 and 2011-12; retired Major General and five-time MP
    • Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways in the Vajpayee government
  47. States

    West Bengal scraps religion-based welfare categories; Karnataka reverses 2022 hijab ban140141142143

    In mid-May 2026 West Bengal's new BJP government ended religion-based welfare schemes and scrapped the state OBC list, while Karnataka withdrew the 2022 hijab ban order on 13 May.

    • West Bengal cabinet (Monday 18 May 2026) decided to end state welfare schemes categorised by religion, running only to the end of May
    • It also scrapped the existing state OBC list, in line with the Calcutta High Court ruling, and will set up a panel to decide OBC quota eligibility; the struck-down list had 113 sub-groups, 77 of them Muslim
    • Karnataka withdrew its 2022 hijab ban order on 13 May 2026; a new School Education order permits limited faith-based symbols with the uniform
  48. Polity

    V.D. Satheesan sworn in as Kerala chief minister as UDF returns after a decade144145146

    V.D. Satheesan took oath as Kerala chief minister on 18 May at Thiruvananthapuram's Central Stadium with 20 ministers, returning the UDF to power after ten years. The Congress had named him leader on 14 May.

    • Sworn in 18 May 2026 at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram; Governor Rajendra Arlekar administered the oath
    • Congress won 63 seats; the UDF returned to power after a decade
    • Cabinet of 20 ministers (21 including the CM) sworn in together
    • Five IUML ministers incl. P.K. Kunhalikutty
  49. Defence

    Pakistan deploys troops and jets to Saudi Arabia under defence pact147148149150

    Pakistan deployed about 8,000 troops, HQ-9 air defence systems and a JF-17 fighter squadron to Saudi Arabia on 18 May under a mutual defence arrangement during the Gulf war.

    • Reuters reported that Pakistan has deployed about 8,000 troops, a JF-17 fighter squadron, two drone squadrons and a Chinese HQ-9 air defence system to Saudi Arabia (reports around mid-May 2026)
    • Jets arrived in early April; Riyadh pays for the equipment while Pakistani personnel operate it
    • Deployment rests on the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed on 17 September 2025; neither government commented
  50. International

    79th World Health Assembly ends in Geneva with 13 resolutions on stroke, precision medicine and more151152153

    The 79th World Health Assembly ran 18-23 May in Geneva under the theme 'Reshaping global health'. It adopted 13 resolutions, including the first-ever resolutions on stroke and precision medicine, the Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance 2026-2036 and an update of the health worker recruitment code.

    • 79th World Health Assembly met in Geneva for six days, ending 23 May 2026
    • Adopted 13 resolutions and more than 20 decisions
    • Topics covered included stroke, precision medicine, antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis, liver disease, emergency care, diagnostic imaging, radiation and health
    • Also advanced a Member State-led reform of global health architecture
  51. Sports

    Kami Rita Sherpa climbs Everest for record 32nd time154155156

    Nepali Sherpa Kami Rita summited Mount Everest for the 32nd time on 17 May, extending his own record.

    • Kami Rita Sherpa of Nepal reached the Everest summit for a record 32nd time on 17 May 2026 (about 10:12 am local time)
    • Previous record 31 summits in May 2025; closest rival Pasang Dawa Sherpa has 29
    • Lhakpa Sherpa made her 11th ascent the same day, the most by a woman
  52. International

    Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's Ituri spreads to Uganda157158159

    An Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's Ituri province reached Uganda in May, with treatment centres attacked by residents and several countries imposing travel restrictions; DR Congo's World Cup team cancelled a camp and was told to isolate.

    • DR Congo declared an Ebola outbreak (Bundibugyo virus) in Ituri province on 15 May 2026
    • WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May
    • Uganda confirmed an imported case on 15 May; a case was also confirmed in Goma on 17 May
    • No licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain
  53. Legislation

    President promulgates ordinance raising Supreme Court strength to 38 judges160161162

    Following Cabinet approval on 5 May, the President promulgated the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance on 16-17 May, raising judges excluding the CJI from 33 to 37 and total strength from 34 to 38 to tackle backlog.

    • Cabinet cleared the corresponding Bill on 5 May 2026
    • Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance 2026 promulgated 16 May (gazette), announced 17 May
    • Judges excluding CJI raised from 33 to 37; total strength from 34 to 38
    • Issued under Article 123; must be approved within six weeks of Parliament reassembling
  54. Polity

    CBSE makes three languages compulsory for Class 9 from 1 July 2026163164

    A CBSE circular of 15 May 2026 requires students to study three languages (R1, R2, R3), at least two of them native Indian languages, from 1 July 2026. The third language is assessed internally by schools, and no student is barred from the Class 10 board exam because of it.

    • Circular dated 15 May 2026
    • R1, R2, R3 structure; at least two must be native Indian languages
    • Effective 1 July 2026 for Class 9
    • R3 is assessed internally; Class 6 R3 textbooks used until dedicated books arrive
  55. International

    PM Modi visits UAE and Netherlands; Tata-ASML chip pact signed165166167168

    Modi visited the UAE on 15-16 May, signing five agreements including expanded UAE crude storage in India's reserves and a defence partnership framework. He then visited the Netherlands (15-17 May), elevating ties to a Strategic Partnership and witnessing a Tata Electronics-ASML pact for the Dholera fab.

    • Modi visited Abu Dhabi on 15 May 2026: pacts on defence, long-term LPG supply (IOC-ADNOC), shipping, and an MoU on storing up to 30 million barrels in India's strategic reserves
    • A framework for a Strategic Defence Partnership (industry, technology, training, maritime security) was finalised
    • Netherlands leg on 16 May: ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership with a roadmap; PM Rob Jetten held talks
    • Tata Electronics and ASML signed an agreement on 16 May for lithography tools for Tata's planned fab at Dholera, Gujarat (planned investment about USD 11 billion)
    • Part of a five-nation tour: UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Italy
  56. Polity

    CJI Surya Kant's 'cockroaches' remark sparks satirical Cockroach Janta Party169170171172

    During a hearing on 15 May CJI Surya Kant used the words 'cockroaches' and 'parasites' for some youth and activists; he later said he was misquoted and meant people with fake degrees. Abhijeet Dipke launched the satirical Cockroach Janta Party online on 16 May, which grew rapidly.

    • CJI Surya Kant made the remark on 15 May 2026 in a Supreme Court hearing on fake professional credentials, describing some unemployed youth as cockroaches
    • He later said he had been misquoted and meant holders of fake degrees
    • Abhijeet Dipke, a former AAP activist, launched the satirical Cockroach Janta Party on 16 May 2026
    • The movement grew rapidly on social media and was later linked to the NEET protests and talks with the Centre
  57. International

    Trump and Xi hold Beijing summit with business leaders173174175176

    Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Beijing on 14 May with business leaders from both countries, and Washington said both sides agreed on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and continuing earlier trade deals.

    • Trump arrived in Beijing on 13 May 2026 for a two-day summit with Xi Jinping (14-15 May), accompanied by business leaders including Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang
    • White House said both sides agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open for energy flows
    • Trump claimed China would buy soybeans, Boeing aircraft and US oil; China did not confirm purchase terms
    • Taiwan was the main point of disagreement; a 'board of trade' was agreed to institutionalise business dialogue
  58. Reports and indices

    Jaipur ranks 18th in Time Out's best cities for art and culture 2026177178

    Time Out's 2026 list of the world's 20 best cities for art and culture puts London first and Jaipur 18th, with local ratings of 77 percent for quality and 69 percent for affordability. The ranking draws on a survey of about 24,000 residents in over 150 cities plus an expert panel.

    • Jaipur 18th; scores 77% quality, 69% affordability
    • London first, Paris second
    • Survey of about 24,000 residents in over 150 cities
    • List published 13 May 2026
  59. Disasters

    Storms kill about 100 in Uttar Pradesh179180181182

    A powerful storm and heavy rain across about a dozen districts of Uttar Pradesh on 13 May killed more than 100 people, with early reports citing 96 deaths and similar tolls earlier in Bihar.

    • Storms and lightning hit Uttar Pradesh on 13 May 2026; an initial official count of 89 deaths rose to 111 in a later update, with about 72 injured
    • Prayagraj and Bareilly were among the places with damage
    • Chief Minister directed relief to reach affected families within 24 hours
  60. Schemes

    Cabinet raises Kharif MSP for 2026-27; paddy at Rs 2,441 per quintal183184185

    The Cabinet on 13 May raised kharif MSPs for 2026-27, taking common paddy up 3 percent to Rs 2,441 per quintal, with larger rises for jowar (9 percent), sunflower (8) and soybean and cotton (7 each). It also cleared a Rs 37,500 crore coal gasification scheme.

    • CCEA approved MSPs for 14 kharif crops for 2026-27 on 13 May 2026
    • Common paddy MSP Rs 2,441 per quintal, up Rs 72 (about 3 percent); Grade A Rs 2,461
    • Sunflower seed saw the steepest rise, Rs 622 per quintal; cotton up Rs 557
    • Hybrid jowar Rs 4,023 (up Rs 324); soybean (yellow) Rs 5,708 (up Rs 380)
    • Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal and Lignite Gasification Projects approved with Rs 37,500 crore outlay
  61. Polity

    NTA cancels NEET-UG 2026 over paper leak; CBI probe ordered186187188189

    The NTA cancelled the NEET-UG held on 3 May after allegations that a guess paper leaked, affecting about 22 lakh candidates. The Centre handed the case to the CBI and a re-exam was promised without fresh fee or registration.

    • NEET-UG 2026 was held on 3 May and cancelled by NTA on 12 May 2026 after a paper-leak row
    • Over 22 lakh candidates across more than 5,400 centres
    • CBI registered an FIR; the Centre ordered the probe
    • Re-exam held on 21 June 2026; no fresh registration, fees refunded
    • Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on 25 July 2026 over the row
  62. Polity

    Himanta Biswa Sarma sworn in for second term as Assam chief minister190191192

    Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath for a second consecutive term as Assam chief minister on 12 May, with PM Modi and senior Union ministers attending.

    • Sworn in 12 May 2026 at Veterinary College ground, Khanapara, Guwahati; Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath
    • Second consecutive term
    • NDA won 102 of 126 seats, BJP 82
    • Four ministers took oath with him; PM Modi and Amit Shah attended
  63. International

    Philippine VP Sara Duterte impeached for a second time193194195196

    The Philippine House of Representatives impeached vice president Sara Duterte for the second time on 11 May.

    • Philippine House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte for a second time on 11 May 2026, with about 255 votes in favour, 26 against and 9 abstentions (some reports say 257)
    • Charges include graft, corruption, bribery, unexplained wealth and threats against President Marcos
    • Case goes to the Senate; the first impeachment (2025) was voided by the Supreme Court in July 2025
  64. Science and tech

    National Technology Day marks Pokhran-II; CSIR transfers 13 technologies197198199

    India observed its 28th National Technology Day on 11 May, commemorating the 1998 Pokhran-II tests, with the theme 'Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth'. CSIR-CBRI Roorkee transferred 13 technologies to industry.

    • National Technology Day was marked on 11 May 2026 with the theme 'Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth'
    • Day commemorates the 1998 Pokhran-II tests; first observed in 1999
    • Main Delhi celebration was organised by Indraprastha Vigyan Bharati and the University of Delhi, addressed by LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu
  65. Polity

    Actor Vijay sworn in as Tamil Nadu chief minister, ending Dravidian duopoly200201202203

    TVK president C. Joseph Vijay took oath as Tamil Nadu chief minister on 10 May at Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, backed by about 120 MLAs including Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML support, ending roughly six decades of DMK-AIADMK rule.

    • Sworn in 10 May 2026 at Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai, with nine ministers
    • TVK won 108 of 234 seats; support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML took the backing to about 120
    • Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath
    • Governor asked him to seek a confidence vote on or before 13 May
  66. Polity

    Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister204205206207

    Suvendu Adhikari took oath as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister on 9 May at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata, with PM Modi and Amit Shah present, after the BJP's win ended 15 years of Trinamool rule.

    • Sworn in 9 May 2026 at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata
    • Oath administered by Governor R.N. Ravi
    • First BJP chief minister of West Bengal; BJP won 207 of 294 seats
    • PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah attended
    • Five BJP legislators (including Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul) sworn in as ministers the same day
  67. International

    Peter Magyar sworn in as Hungary's prime minister208209210211

    Peter Magyar of the Tisza Party took office as prime minister of Hungary on 9 May, ending Viktor Orban's 16-year tenure; his cabinet was sworn in on 12 May.

    • Peter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's prime minister on 9 May 2026, ending Viktor Orban's 16 years in power
    • His Tisza party won 141 of 199 parliamentary seats
    • Anita Orban is deputy prime minister and foreign minister; Andras Karman is finance minister
  68. Defence

    DRDO's scramjet combustor runs over 1,200 seconds in ground test212213214

    DRDL in Hyderabad achieved over 1,200 seconds of run time in an actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor on 9 May, up from 1,000 seconds in January.

    • DRDO ran a full-scale scramjet combustor for over 1,200 seconds at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test facility in Hyderabad on 9 May 2026 (Defence Ministry statement)
    • It beat the earlier January 2026 run of over 700 seconds; a sub-scale combustor had run over 1,000 seconds in April 2025
    • Designed by DRDL; uses indigenous liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel and active cooling
  69. Environment

    Kalai-II hydro project gets in-principle forest clearance despite heron habitat concern215

    The Forest Advisory Committee gave in-principle approval at its 8 May 2026 meeting to THDC's 1,200 MW run-of-the-river Kalai-II project on the Lohit in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh, involving felling of about 33,338 trees, despite conservation concerns for the White-bellied Heron. The bird is Critically Endangered, with roughly six to nine individuals estimated in Arunachal Pradesh.

    • The Forest Advisory Committee gave in-principle approval at its 8 May 2026 meeting to THDC's 1,200 MW run-of-the-river Kalai-II project on the Lohit in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh, involving felling of about 33,338 trees, despite conservation concerns for the White-bellied Heron
    • The bird is Critically Endangered, with roughly six to nine individuals estimated in Arunachal Pradesh
  70. International

    Rumen Radev sworn in as Bulgaria's prime minister216217218

    Former president Rumen Radev was elected prime minister by Bulgaria's parliament on 8 May by 124 votes to 70 after his coalition won the April election.

    • Rumen Radev was elected prime minister by Bulgaria's parliament on 8 May 2026, 124 votes to 70 with 36 abstentions
    • His Progressive Bulgaria won 131 of 240 seats in the 19 April snap election, the first outright majority in decades
    • It was Bulgaria's eighth general election in about five years
    • Radev, a former air force general, had been president
  71. Legislation

    Labour Ministry notifies central rules under the four Labour Codes219220221

    The Labour Ministry notified rules on 8 May to operationalise the four Labour Codes, capping weekly work at 48 hours, allowing women on night shifts with consent and giving platform workers social-security eligibility.

    • Labour Ministry notified central rules under all four Labour Codes on 8 May 2026 (Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, Occupational Safety)
    • Model Standing Orders 2026 for service, manufacturing and mining sectors also issued; a Worker Re-skilling Fund set up
    • Rules apply where the Centre is the appropriate government
    • The Codes subsume 29 central labour laws and came into force on 21 November 2025
  72. Defence

    First anniversary of Operation Sindoor marked222223224

    India marked one year since Operation Sindoor, launched 7-10 May 2025 after the Pahalgam attack of 22 April 2025, with commemorations stressing drone and multi-domain warfare lessons.

    • India marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2026
    • Operation Sindoor ran 7-10 May 2025, a response to the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians
    • On the anniversary MEA said the Indus Waters Treaty stays in abeyance until Pakistan credibly ends support for cross-border terrorism
  73. Schemes

    Cabinet approves ECLGS 5.0, cotton productivity mission and sugarcane FRP of Rs 365225226

    On 5 May 2026 the Union Cabinet approved ECLGS 5.0 for businesses hit by the West Asia crisis, a Rs 5,659 crore cotton productivity mission and a sugarcane FRP of Rs 365 per quintal.

    • Union Cabinet met on 5 May 2026
    • ECLGS 5.0: short-term liquidity support for firms hit by the West Asia crisis; guarantee cover 100 percent for MSMEs and 90 percent for non-MSMEs and airlines
    • Mission for Cotton Productivity: outlay about Rs 5,659 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31
    • Sugarcane FRP 2026-27: Rs 365 per quintal at 10.25 percent basic recovery, up Rs 10
    • Cabinet also cleared two semiconductor projects in Gujarat (about Rs 3,936 crore) and the Supreme Court strength Bill
  74. Appointments

    Rohit Jain takes charge as RBI Deputy Governor227228229

    Rohit Jain took charge as RBI Deputy Governor on 4 May for a three-year term, after which the RBI reassigned portfolios among its four deputy governors.

    • Rohit Jain took charge as RBI Deputy Governor on 4 May 2026 under a government notification of 2 May, for three years or until further orders
    • He succeeds T. Rabi Sankar, whose term ended in April 2026
    • Previously an RBI Executive Director in charge of supervision; joined RBI in 1991
  75. Awards

    Pulitzer Prizes 2026 announced230231232

    The 2026 Pulitzer Prizes in journalism, books, drama and music were announced on 4 May.

    • 2026 Pulitzer Prizes announced on 4 May 2026
    • Fiction: Daniel Kraus for Angel Down; History: Jill Lepore for We the People; Poetry: Juliana Spahr
    • Public Service: The Washington Post; Investigative Reporting: The New York Times staff
  76. Defence

    DRDO flight-tests long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile for the second time233234

    DRDO conducted the second flight test of its Long-Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile off the Odisha coast on 4 May, reportedly at hypersonic speed.

    • Reports from about 3-4 May 2026 say DRDO carried out a second (Phase-II) flight test of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile off the Odisha coast
    • Unofficial reports claim a Mach 10 initial speed and about 1,500 km range; the defence ministry and DRDO gave no details, and the only public statement came from BJP's social media account
  77. Polity

    Assembly poll results: BJP wins West Bengal, UDF takes Kerala, TVK emerges in Tamil Nadu235236237238239

    Counting on 4 May ended Trinamool's 15-year rule in West Bengal, where the BJP won about 207 of 294 seats and Mamata Banerjee lost Bhabanipur to Suvendu Adhikari. The Congress-led UDF returned to power in Kerala with Congress on 63 seats, Vijay's TVK won 108 of 234 in Tamil Nadu and the BJP retained Assam.

    • Counting date: 4 May 2026; Falta in West Bengal was re-polled on 21 May (BJP won)
    • West Bengal: BJP 207 of 294 (some reports say 206), TMC 80; Mamata Banerjee lost Bhabanipur to Suvendu Adhikari by about 15,100 votes
    • Kerala: Congress 63 seats; Congress-led UDF won roughly 100 of 140 (reports range 97 to 103); CPI(M) 26, IUML 22
    • Tamil Nadu: TVK 108 of 234, DMK 59, AIADMK 47; short of the 118 majority, allies took it to about 120
    • Assam: BJP 82 of 126, NDA 102; BJP retained power
    • Ended the DMK-AIADMK duopoly in Tamil Nadu
  78. Other

    World Press Freedom Day marked with 2026 theme on press freedom and peace240241242

    World Press Freedom Day on 3 May carried the theme 'Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security'.

    • World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2026 carried the UNESCO theme 'Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security'
    • UNESCO's global conference was held in Lusaka, Zambia on 4-5 May
    • UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2026 went to the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate
  79. Disasters

    Fire at Vivek Vihar residential building in Delhi kills nine243244245246

    A fire in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar, Shahdara district, Delhi on 2 May killed at least nine people.

    • Fire broke out around 3.48 am on 3 May 2026 at a four-storey residential building (B-13, Vivek Vihar Phase-I), Shahdara, East Delhi
    • Nine people died, including an infant; a family of five was among the dead
    • 14 fire engines were sent; fire on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors; cause not confirmed, a suspected AC blast
  80. Sports

    China retain Thomas Cup; South Korea win Uber Cup247248

    China beat France 3-1 to defend the Thomas Cup and South Korea beat China 3-1 to win the Uber Cup at Horsens, Denmark on 3 May.

    • Thomas & Uber Cup Finals at Horsens, Denmark, 24 April to 3 May 2026
    • Thomas Cup: China beat France 3-1 (China's 12th title; France's first final)
    • Uber Cup: South Korea beat China 3-1, Korea's third title after 2010 and 2022
  81. Appointments

    Prasoon Joshi named Prasar Bharati chairman; Shashi Shekhar Vempati CBFC chief249250251

    Lyricist Prasoon Joshi was appointed chairman of Prasar Bharati on 2 May, and former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati became CBFC chairperson on 6 May for three years.

    • Prasoon Joshi was appointed Prasar Bharati chairman (reported 2 May 2026), having chaired the CBFC for over eight years
    • Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former Prasar Bharati CEO (2017-2022), appointed CBFC chairperson by a ministry notification dated 6 May 2026, for three years
  82. Economy

    FDI cap in insurance raised to 100 percent under automatic route252253254

    The Finance Ministry notified FEMA rules on 2 May removing the 74 percent cap and permitting up to 100 percent foreign investment in insurers through the automatic route; LIC stays capped at 20 percent.

    • Foreign investment in insurance raised to 100 percent under the automatic route; notified 2 May 2026 via the FEMA Non-debt Instruments (Second Amendment) Rules 2026
    • Earlier cap was 74 percent
    • LIC stays under a separate framework with foreign investment capped at 20 percent
    • Foreign-owned insurers must still comply with the Insurance Act 1938 and need IRDAI approval
  83. Economy

    Gross GST collection hits record Rs 2.43 lakh crore in April 2026255256257258

    India's gross GST collection in April 2026 hit a record Rs 2.43 lakh crore, up 8.7 percent on a year earlier, helped by a 25.8 percent jump in GST on imports.

    • Finance Ministry data released 1 May 2026: gross GST collection for April 2026 was Rs 2,42,702 crore (about Rs 2.43 lakh crore), a record, up 8.7 percent year on year
    • Domestic gross revenue up 4.3 percent; GST on imports up 25.8 percent to Rs 57,580 crore
    • Refunds Rs 31,793 crore; net collection about Rs 2.11 lakh crore, up 7.3 percent
    • Previous record was April 2025 at over Rs 2.23 lakh crore

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  199. Press Information Bureau
  200. The Week
  201. Ada Derana
  202. All India Radio News
  203. Daily Pioneer
  204. The Quint
  205. The Tribune
  206. The Week
  207. The Statesman
  208. Al Jazeera
  209. Gulf Times
  210. Internazionale (Reuters)
  211. Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  212. ETV Bharat
  213. Morung Express
  214. Janes
  215. Scroll.in
  216. Bulgarian News Agency (BTA)
  217. bne IntelliNews
  218. Qatar News Agency
  219. Nishith Desai Associates
  220. DLA Piper
  221. Legal 500
  222. The Statesman
  223. WION
  224. India.com
  225. All India Radio News
  226. ThePrint
  227. Reserve Bank of India
  228. India TV
  229. Outlook Business
  230. The Pulitzer Prizes
  231. NPR
  232. OPB
  233. The Week
  234. Republic World
  235. India TV
  236. Scroll.in
  237. WION
  238. The Hitavada
  239. The Statesman
  240. WAM
  241. The Star (Kenya)
  242. Vatican News
  243. The Quint
  244. Scroll.in
  245. IANS
  246. The Kathmandu Post
  247. Badminton Planet
  248. Yonex (sponsor blog)
  249. Newslaundry
  250. Deccan Herald
  251. exchange4media
  252. IANS
  253. SCC Online
  254. Deccan Chronicle
  255. The Statesman
  256. All India Radio News
  257. Outlook Business
  258. Swarajya