NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Assam Becomes First Northeast State to Pass Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026: Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, making Assam the first North-Eastern state and the third state in India to adopt such legislation. The UCC Bill aims to create a common civil legal framework for matters like marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, while excluding Scheduled Tribes to protect constitutional safeguards and customary practices.
2. Sikkim Declared Fully Literate State Under ULLAS Initiative: Sikkim has been declared a fully literate state under the ULLAS initiative, becoming the third state in Northeast India and the fifth state in the country to achieve full literacy.The ULLAS initiative, launched by the Ministry of Education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focuses on adult education, functional literacy, and lifelong learning for people aged 15 years and above.
3. Indian Railways Approves First 10-Car Hydrogen Fuel Cell DEMU Train on Jind–Sonipat Route: The Ministry of Railways has approved the introduction of a 10-car Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based DEMU train on the Northern Railway Jind–Sonipat section, marking a major step towards green mobility in Indian Railways.The approved trainset is a 1200 KW Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based DPRS DEMU with a maximum operational speed of 75 kmph, aimed at promoting eco-friendly rail transport.This initiative is part of Indian Railways’ broader infrastructure push, which includes sanctioning 100 railway projects in FY 2025–26 with an investment of ₹1.53 lakh crore.
4. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Releases Second Edition of Novel “Bazaar” in Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the second edition of the novel “Bazaar”. The book is authored by Niranjan Dev Sharma and highlights key social and political events from 1971 to 1992.
5. Rusty-spotted Cat Recorded in Uttar Pradesh’s National Chambal Sanctuary: The Rusty-spotted Cat, scientifically named Prionailurus rubiginosus, was documented for the first time in the National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh in May 2026. This record is the first confirmed presence of the species in southern Uttar Pradesh and adds a new locality to its known range in the state. The National Chambal Sanctuary is a protected area in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan along the Chambal River. It is known for riverine habitats, gharials, mugger crocodiles, Gangetic river dolphins, and several bird species associated with alluvial plains and ravines.
6. Centre Plans Social Security for Gig Workers: India is preparing social security benefits for gig and platform workers, including accident insurance, health coverage, maternity support, and old-age protection. The framework links the Social Security Code, 2020, the e-Shram portal, and the National Social Security Board for Gig and Platform Workers. Gig workers are persons engaged in short-term, task-based, or platform-mediated work. Platform workers provide services through digital intermediaries such as ride-hailing, food delivery, and home-service applications. The Social Security Code, 2020, recognises gig workers as a distinct category for welfare coverage.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Kolkata to Host Main Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2026: The main celebration of International Day of Yoga 2026 will be held in Kolkata on June 21, as announced by Union Minister of State for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav.The theme for this year’s observance is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” emphasizing yoga’s importance in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, preventive healthcare, and balanced living.The announcement was made during Yoga Mahotsav 2026 at Khajuraho Group of Monuments, where thousands of participants joined a mass demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol.
2. 79th World Health Assembly Concludes in Geneva: The 79th World Health Assembly concluded in Geneva after six days, where member states adopted over 20 decisions and 13 resolutions on global health issues.The assembly, held under the theme “Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility,” focused on key areas such as tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, stroke, emergency care, and precision medicine.
3. 24 May -World Schizophrenia Awareness Day: World Schizophrenia Awareness Day is observed every year on 24 May to spread awareness about schizophrenia, a severe mental health disorder affecting thinking, emotions, and behaviour.The day aims to reduce stigma, promote early diagnosis, and encourage access to proper mental health treatment and support for patients and their families.
4. 28 May – International Day of Action for Women’s Health: International Day of Action for Women’s Health is observed every year on 28 May to advocate for women’s rights and equitable access to healthcare services worldwide.Theme 2026 – Essential, Not Optional: Strengthening Health Systems to Uphold Health Rights and SRHRJ in Times of PolycrisisThe day focuses on promoting bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and comprehensive healthcare access for women and girls across all regions.
5. UN Blacklist Adds Israel and Russia for Sexual Violence: The United Nations included Israeli armed and security forces and Russian armed and security forces in its annual blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence on 28-29 May 2026. The 2025 report listed 77 government and non-government parties across a dozen countries. Israel was included in the blacklist for the first time since the review began more than 15 years ago. The inclusion was linked to documented patterns of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Verified incidents included rape with objects, gang rape, physical violence to genitals, forced nudity, and abusive strip searches. The cases affected 14 men, seven women, nine boys, and one girl from Gaza and the West Bank.
6. US Designates PCC and Comando Vermelho as Terrorist Groups: The United States State Department announced on 28 May 2026 that Brazil’s two largest criminal organisations, Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), will be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) from 5 June 2026. Until the FTO designation takes effect, both groups are classified as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), a status that restricts financial transactions under United States sanctions rules. The FTO designation is used by the United States under immigration and counterterrorism law. It allows the United States to impose financial sanctions, travel restrictions, and law-enforcement measures against designated groups and associated persons.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. 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. United Nations Security Council Resolutions on North Korea include restrictions on arms transfers, missile-related materials, and financial support for prohibited programmes. UN member states are required to implement sanctions adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
2. 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.
3. 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.
SPORTS
1. Kimi Antonelli Wins Canadian Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli won the Canadian Grand Prix, securing his fourth consecutive Formula One victory and extending his championship lead to 43 points over teammate George Russell.The 19-year-old Mercedes driver finished over 10 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, while George Russell retired from the race due to engine failure after an intense battle for the lead.
2. Five-Time Olympian and Asian Games Gold Medallist Raja Randhir Singh dies: Renowned Indian shooter and five-time Olympian Raja Randhir Singh passed away, marking a major loss for the Indian sports community.He was an Asian Games gold medallist, Arjuna Awardee, and also served as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), later becoming its honorary member.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. First Hong Kong Astronaut Shenzhou-23 Launches to Tiangong space station on Historic Space Mission: China launched its latest space mission, Shenzhou-23, carrying a three-member crew to the Tiangong space station, marking the first time a Hong Kong astronaut has gone to space.The crew includes Li Jiaying, a 43-year-old police officer and payload scientist, along with two other astronauts, to conduct experiments on microgravity and human health in orbit.The mission is part of China’s broader space programme aiming for a crewed Moon landing by 2030, amid growing competition with the United States in space exploration.
2. IAF Signs Contracts with IIT Bombay for Su-30MKI Maintenance: The Indian Air Force signed three contracts with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on 27 May 2026 for predictive maintenance technologies for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet. The agreements cover prognostic and prescriptive maintenance systems for military aviation applications in India. Predictive maintenance uses sensor data, diagnostics, and analytics to estimate equipment condition and forecast failures before they occur. Prognostic maintenance refers to the estimation of remaining useful life, while prescriptive maintenance recommends maintenance actions based on data and system models.
3. India Ranks 4th in AI Performance, 5th in Digital Economy: India ranked 4th globally in Artificial Intelligence performance and 5th in digital economy rankings in the State of India’s Digital Economy 2026 report. India improved its digital economy position from 8th in 2025 to 5th in 2026, and it stood behind the United States, China and Singapore in AI performance. Developing countries accounted for 72% of global AI users, with India and China together making up nearly two-fifths of that total. A LinkedIn study cited in the Stanford University 2026 AI Index placed India first in AI skill penetration on LinkedIn and second in AI talent growth globally between 2019 and 2025.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. LIC Increases Stake in Central Bank of India to 6.06%: The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has increased its stake in Central Bank of India from 3.16% to 6.06% after acquiring 26.26 crore equity shares (2.901%) through market purchases. Following the transaction, LIC’s total shareholding rose to 6.06%, while promoter group continues to hold the majority stake of 89.27% in the bank.
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