NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Government Forms High-Level Committee to Study Demographic Changes and Population Stabilisation: The Union Government has constituted a High-Level Committee to study demographic changes caused by illegal immigration and other abnormal factors, with a focus on population trends and national impact. The committee will also recommend an appropriate institutional mechanism for population stabilisation and has been asked to submit its report within one year, extendable by six months if required. The panel will be headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar and includes former IAS officer Durga Shanker Mishra, retired IPS officer Balaji Srivastava, Census officials, and economist Dr. Shamika Ravi. According to recent demographic data, India’s birth rate declined from 21 in 2014 to 18.3 in 2024, while the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) dropped to 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1.
2. Dr. Virendra Kumar Launches PM-AJAY Portal and Mobile App for Scheduled Caste Welfare: Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile App to improve the implementation and monitoring of Scheduled Caste welfare schemes. PM-AJAY stands for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana, a Central Government scheme aimed at the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes (SCs). The scheme focuses on poverty reduction, education improvement, skill development, self-employment, income generation, and infrastructure development in SC-dominated villages. Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a merger of three earlier Centrally Sponsored Schemes — Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).
3. Raghav Chadha Appointed Chairman of Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions After Panel Reconstitution: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Petitions in the Upper House after its reconstitution. The committee was restructured by Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, who nominated 10 members, including Raghav Chadha and other MPs from different parties. Separately, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat also announced the nomination of Dr. Menaka Guruswamy to the Joint Committee on the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
4. PT Usha Releases “India’s First Olympic Gold” Book Celebrating Historic 1928 Hockey Triumph: The book India’s First Olympic Gold was released by PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, and it highlights India’s historic Olympic achievement in hockey. It commemorates India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, won by the men’s field hockey team at the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Olympics. The 1928 team, then representing British India, defeated the host nation Netherlands to secure the historic gold medal.
5. Venkaiah Naidu and H.D. Deve Gowda Launch Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Book “Apnapan” on Governance and Public Welfare: The book “Apnapan: Narendra Modi sang mere anubhav”, written by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was launched in New Delhi by former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda. The book highlights the collaborative governance approach and experiences of working together for resolving state-level issues and public welfare initiatives.
6. Harsh Malhotra Appointed Delhi BJP President: Harsh Malhotra was appointed president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Delhi unit on 28 May 2026. He replaced Virendra Sachdeva in the organisational post, and the appointment formed part of a wider BJP reshuffle that also covered Haryana, Punjab and Tripura. The Bharatiya Janata Party is one of India’s major national political parties and has state and union territory units across the country. Party presidents at the state level head the organisational structure of the respective unit and coordinate party activities, membership and election work. Harsh Malhotra was 62 years old at the time of his appointment and served as Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Corporate Affairs in the Narendra Modi government. He won the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections as a first-time Member of Parliament.
7. Women-Led Solar Power Plant Inaugurated in Telangana: India’s first solar power projects operated by women’s self-help groups were launched in Telangana on 27 May 2026. A 1 MW solar power plant was inaugurated at Venkatapuram village in Errupalem mandal of Khammam district under the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme. Solar power is electricity generated from sunlight through photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems. The Khammam plant has an installed capacity of 1 MW and was developed at a cost of ₹3 crore. The project is managed by women’s self-help groups, which are community-based collectives formed for savings, credit, and livelihood activities.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 25 – 31 May – The International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories: The International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories (25–31 May) is observed annually by the UN General Assembly to support the rights of people living in remaining colonial territories. It focuses on 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, promoting their right to self-determination and encouraging their political, economic, and social development.
2. 25 May – World Football Day : World Football Day is observed globally on 25 May to celebrate the sport of football and its role in promoting unity, peace, and international cooperation among nations. The day marks the historic first international football tournament held on 25 May 1924 in Paris during the Olympic Games, involving teams from all regions. In 2024, the UN General Assembly officially declared 25 May as World Football Day through Resolution A/RES/78/281, recognizing football’s global cultural and developmental importance.
3. 27 May 2026 – World Otter Day: World Otter Day is observed on the last Wednesday of May every year to raise awareness about otters and the need for their conservation worldwide. In 2026, it was celebrated on 27 May. The day highlights the importance of protecting otter habitats, as many other species are threatened due to pollution, habitat loss, and illegal hunting.
4. Russia to Build Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Power Plant: Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on 28 May 2026 for the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. The project is estimated at about $16.5 billion, and Russia is expected to finance around 85% through an export loan. Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, will lead the project, which will use two VVER-1200 III+ reactors. The plant will be built in the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash in south-eastern Kazakhstan. The VVER-1200 is a pressurised water reactor design used in Russia and in several overseas nuclear projects. The III+ designation refers to a Generation III+ reactor class with enhanced safety systems. Construction is projected to begin in 2027. The first reactor is expected to be commissioned in early 2034 or in the mid-2030s. Kazakhstan has set a target of 2.4 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035. The country is the world’s largest uranium producer.
5. India, South Korea Advance IK CEPA Upgrade Talks: India and the Republic of Korea held the 12th round of negotiations for upgrading the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK CEPA) in New Delhi from 25 to 27 May 2026. The talks followed a Joint Declaration signed on 20 April 2026 during the South Korean President’s state visit to India. IK CEPA came into force in 2010 and provides the legal framework for trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. The 12th round was co-chaired by Kapil Chaudhary, Joint Secretary in India’s Department of Commerce, and Park Geun-oh, Director General for Trade Agreement Policy at South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The discussions covered Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures, Investment, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary standards.
6. UN Adds Israel to Sexual Violence Blacklist: The United Nations included Israeli entities, including the Israeli Prison Service, in its 2026 annex of parties accused of conflict-related sexual violence on 28 May 2026. The list forms part of the annual report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, which records parties accused of sexual violence in armed conflict. In August 2025, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres placed Israel on notice for possible inclusion on the list. The notice referred to concerns over alleged patterns of abuse against Palestinian prisoners. After the 28 May 2026 decision, Israel announced that it would freeze relations with the office of António Guterres and cancel a planned visit by Pramila Patten, the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Russia Signs Military Cooperation Pact with Afghanistan: Russia and the Taliban-led authorities in Afghanistan signed a military-technical cooperation agreement on 27 May 2026 during the International Security Forum in the Moscow region. The agreement was signed by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Afghan Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob. Military-technical cooperation is a form of state-to-state engagement that covers defence equipment, training, maintenance, logistics, and related security coordination. The exact contents of the Russia-Afghanistan document were not made public, and the agreement was described as a step in defence and security cooperation. The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country. Russia suspended the ban on Taliban activities in April 2025, and the Supreme Court removed the group from its list of terrorist organisations.
2. North Korea Rejects Quad Denuclearisation Call: North Korea rejected the denuclearisation call made by the Quad nations on 28 May 2026 and stated that it would not abandon its nuclear weapons programme. The Quad foreign ministers met in New Delhi, India, on 23 May 2026 and issued a joint statement on 26 May 2026 that referred to North Korea’s complete denuclearisation under relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, is a strategic forum of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. The grouping holds ministerial meetings and issues joint statements on security, maritime cooperation, technology, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. North Korea has conducted nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches since the 2000s. The country’s nuclear and missile programmes are linked to the Korean People’s Army and the state’s defence policy.
SPORTS
1. Gurindervir Singh Creates History with 10.09s 100m Run: Gurindervir Singh created history by becoming the fastest Indian ever, clocking 10.09 seconds in the 100m, and becoming the first Indian to break the 10.1-second barrier. His performance also bettered the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualifying mark (10.16s) set by the Athletics Federation of India and is currently the second-fastest time in Asia this season. In the same event, Vishal TK also made history by becoming the first Indian to run the 400m under 45 seconds, marking a double national record breakthrough in a single day.
2. Ahmedabad to Host 1st World Yogasana Championship 2026: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the 1st World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad marks a major step in promoting India’s traditional yoga practice as a global sporting discipline. He highlighted that Yogasana reflects India’s soft power, promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and healthy living, with participation expected from around 75 countries and over 500 participants.
The Minister emphasised global acceptance of yoga, noting its origin in India, and also launched the official mascot, jersey, and championship film for the 2026 event, aiming to boost international recognition.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India’s Total Fertility Rate Falls Below Replacement Level: India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) fell to 1.9 in 2024, as measured by the Sample Registration System (SRS). The replacement fertility level is 2.1 children per woman, which is the standard used to assess whether a population can replace itself from one generation to the next. In 2024, Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 2.9 among the states listed in the data. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand also remained above the replacement level, while Delhi recorded the lowest TFR at 1.2. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal each recorded a TFR of 1.3 in 2024. Rural India had a TFR of 2.1, while urban India had a lower TFR of 1.5.
2. ISRO Detects Possible Ice Beneath Moon’s Surface: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced evidence of possible subsurface ice in cold craters near the Moon’s south pole on 27-28 May 2026. The finding used data from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and analysis by scientists from the Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory (PRL). Strong evidence of subsurface ice was found in a 1.1-kilometre-wide crater inside the larger Faustini crater near the Moon’s south pole. The analysis focused on doubly shadowed craters, which are permanently shadowed regions that receive no direct sunlight for long periods. The identified craters showed Circular Polarization Ratio values greater than 1 and Degree of Polarization values lower than 0.13. These radar signatures are associated with volumetric scattering, a pattern used in lunar remote sensing studies of ice-bearing material.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Nirmala Sitharaman Launches SIDBI MachFin Mart, RRB Co-Lending Portal and MoRE Initiative to Strengthen MSME Ecosystem: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched multiple SIDBI initiatives in Mumbai during the 37th Foundation Day celebration of SIDBI to strengthen the MSME ecosystem. SIDBI launched the MachFin Mart, a digital platform that enables MSMEs to access machinery through a structured marketplace supporting price discovery, standardisation, and technology adoption. The RRB Co-Lending Portal was introduced to strengthen partnerships between SIDBI and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), improving credit flow to rural and underserved areas. SIDBI also launched the MoRE (Modernisation of Rural Enterprises) initiative to support 10,000 rural micro and artisanal units over the next three years through cluster-based interventions.
2. RBI Tightens Co-operative Bank Governance: Introduces 3-Year Cooling-Off Period for Directors After 10-Year Tenure: Reserve Bank of India has introduced a mandatory 3-year cooling-off period for directors of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) and Rural Co-operative Banks (RCBs) after completing 10 continuous years on the board. During the cooling-off period, directors are not barred from joining the board of another bank, provided they are otherwise eligible as per the RBI (UCBs & RCBs Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026. The rule has been introduced to strengthen governance and prevent circumvention of provisions under the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020.
3. AIIB Launches USD 10 Billion Facility to Support Member Nations Affected by West Asia Conflict : Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), where India is the second-largest shareholder after China, has launched a USD 10-billion fund facility to support member countries affected by the West Asia conflict. The facility, named Energy, Food Security and Economic Resilience Facility, provides time-bound financing over two years to address energy shortages, food security challenges, and economic instability. AIIB, established in 2016 with over 100 member countries, aims to strengthen resilience in developing economies by supplementing its regular financing instruments through this special support package.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Droupadi Murmu Confers Padma Awards 2026 to 66 Eminent Personalities at Rashtrapati Bhavan Civil Investiture Ceremony: Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Awards 2026 to 66 eminent personalities at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards. Out of 66 awardees, 2 were awarded Padma Vibhushan, 6 received Padma Bhushan, and 58 were conferred Padma Shri for distinguished contributions across various fields. Film actor Dharmendra Singh Deol was awarded Padma Vibhushan (posthumously), with the honour received by his wife and MP Hema Malini.
Renowned violin maestro N. Rajam was also honoured with Padma Vibhushan for her exceptional contribution to Indian classical music. Padma Bhushan recipients included Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Shatavadhani Dr R Ganesh, industrialist Uday Kotak, and Dr. Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaiswamy for their contributions in public affairs, art, trade, and medicine.
2. Cristian Mungiu Wins Palme d’Or 2026 for Norwegian Drama Fjord at Cannes Film Festival: Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or top prize at the Cannes Film Festival for the Norwegian drama Fjord, marking his second Palme d’Or victory. Mungiu previously won the Cannes top honour in 2007 for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days and has now become the 10th filmmaker to win the Palme d’Or twice. The Grand Prix second prize was awarded to political thriller Minotaur, directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, while this year’s jury was headed by South Korean director Park Chan-wook.
3. Two Indian Peacekeepers To Receive UN Honours: Two Indian peacekeepers, Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan, will receive the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously from the United Nations. The ceremony will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 5 June 2026, and Major Abhilasha Barak will receive the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year award on the same date. The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is a posthumous award given by the United Nations to military, police, and civilian personnel who die while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. The medal is named after Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, who died in 1961 in a plane crash in present-day Zambia.
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