NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. K.P. Dhanapalan Dies at 76: Senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament K.P. Dhanapalan died on 30 May 2026 at a private hospital in Paravur, Kochi, Kerala. He was 76 years old and was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. K.P. Dhanapalan represented the Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014. The Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament of India and has a maximum strength of 552 members under Article 81 of the Constitution. Dhanapalan served as president of the Ernakulam District Congress Committee. He was a prominent Congress leader in central Kerala and was associated with A.K. Antony, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress.
2. Andhra Pradesh Unveils ₹22,000 Crore Green Energy Corridor: Andhra Pradesh announced a ₹22,000 crore Green Energy Corridor plan on 29 May 2026 for integrating 18 gigawatts of renewable energy into the state power grid. The plan is part of Green Energy Corridor Phase-III and includes solar power, pumped storage projects, transmission infrastructure, and pooling stations. Green Energy Corridor is a transmission network designed to evacuate electricity from renewable energy projects to the main grid. In this plan, 11 GW of solar power and about 7 GW from pumped storage projects are proposed for grid integration. The project includes 2,261 km of new transmission lines and five major pooling stations with a combined capacity of 9,500 MW. The proposed pooling stations are at Mudigubba, Talupula, Ramayapatnam, Porumamilla, and Koppaka.
3. Rajesh Kumar Singh Gets Additional Charge as DRDO Chairman: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was given the additional charge of Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 29 May 2026. He will take up the additional responsibilities from 31 May 2026, after the completion of the tenure of Dr. Samir V. Kamat. The Defence Research and Development Organisation is India’s premier defence research agency under the Ministry of Defence. It works on military technology, weapons systems, and strategic research for the armed forces. Rajesh Kumar Singh will hold the additional charge until a regular incumbent is appointed or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Dr. Samir V. Kamat’s tenure as DRDO Chairman ended on 31 May 2026.
4. India Expands Rooftop Solar Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme: India’s clean-energy housing expansion is linked to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a central government scheme launched in February 2024 for residential rooftop solar installations. The scheme targets one crore households by the end of 2026-27 and provides direct subsidy support for eligible domestic consumers. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a rooftop solar programme for residential households. It provides a direct subsidy of up to ₹78,000 for installation of rooftop solar systems. The scheme also offers up to 300 units of free electricity per month for eligible households. The application process and subsidy disbursal under the scheme are fully digital. Subsidies are generally credited within 15 days of submission of the required documents.
5. 112 Emergency Helpline Set for Nationwide Expansion: The 112 emergency response system is India’s national emergency number and functions through the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0. The system integrates police, fire, ambulance, and disaster management services through a single helpline and digital response platform. The Ministry of Home Affairs has designated 112 as the national emergency number for India. The system is designed as a unified helpline for police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency services. On 28 May 2026, the Supreme Court directed all States and Union Territories to integrate existing emergency and ambulance helplines into 112 within three months. The helplines listed for integration include 100, 101, 108, 102, 1033, and 1091.
6. Kerala Announces Senior Citizens’ Welfare Department: Kerala issued an order on 20 May 2026 to create a separate Department for Senior Citizens’ Welfare. The state also proposed the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme, which provides up to ₹25 lakh annual health insurance coverage per family. The new department will frame and implement welfare schemes for elderly persons in Kerala. It will also coordinate existing programmes across the state and address issues linked to population ageing and social isolation among senior citizens. The Kerala State Cabinet approved the Kerala State Policy for Senior Citizens 2026 on 20 April 2026. The policy aims at dignity, welfare, and protection for the elderly population and refers to an inclusive age-friendly society.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Myanmar President Begins Official Visit to India: Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing began a five-day official visit to India on 30 May 2026. The visit runs from 30 May to 3 June 2026 and includes meetings in New Delhi, Bodh Gaya, and Mumbai. India and Myanmar share a land border of about 1,643 kilometres across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. The two countries have cooperation in trade, connectivity, border management, and defence under the framework of India’s Act East Policy. Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 June 2026 in New Delhi. He is also expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu during the visit, and he will visit Bodh Gaya on 30 May 2026 and Mumbai on 2 June 2026 for business and industry interactions.
2. China and Canada Restore Bilateral Relations: China and Canada announced the restoration of bilateral relations in May 2026 after a period of strained ties that began in 2018. The two countries agreed to resume high-level political and security talks, expand cooperation across multiple sectors, and continue dialogue on trade and national security. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Ottawa from 28 May 2026, which was the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Canada in ten years. On 29 May 2026, Wang Yi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand in Ottawa. The two sides agreed to resume consultations on political and security issues at the foreign ministry level. They also agreed to restart high-level dialogue on national security and the rule of law.
3. International Yoga Day 2026 Event in Kolkata: India will host the main International Day of Yoga 2026 event in Kolkata, West Bengal, on 21 June 2026. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav announced the venue on 27 May 2026 during Yoga Mahotsav 2026 at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Yoga Mahotsav 2026 was organised at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho. The event marked the beginning of the 25-day countdown to International Day of Yoga 2026. The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, under the Ministry of Ayush, organised the mass demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol. The United Nations General Assembly adopted 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014. The first International Day of Yoga was observed on 21 June 2015, and the day is marked annually on the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
4. Janez Janša Appointed as Prime Minister of Slovenia for Fourth Term: In May 2026, nationalist politician Janez Janša, the leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), was elected as the Prime Minister(PM) of Slovenia for a fourth term, securing 51 votes in Parliament and obtaining support to form a new coalition government. Janez Janša received 51 votes in the 90-member National Assembly, paving the way for the formation of a new government. His Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) formed a centre-right coalition with allied parties, ending the political deadlock that followed the 2026 parliamentary elections.
5. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2026 – May 29 : International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers, observed annually across the globe on 29 May to honours the dedication, service, and sacrifice of UN peacekeepers worldwide, while remembering those who lost their lives in the cause of peace. 29 May 2026 marks the 78th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping, which began in 1948 with the deployment of military observers to the Middle East under the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through Resolution 57/129 in 2002. The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) became the first UN peacekeeping mission, launched on 29 May 1948.
6. World Digestive Health Day 2026 – May 29 : World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) is observed on May 29 every year across the globe to raise awareness about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, initiated by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO). On May 29, 1958, the WGO was formally established at the last day of 1st World Congress of Gastroenterology in Washington, the United States of America (USA).
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. U.S.-Cuba Hold Rare Military Talks at Guantanamo Bay: United States and Cuban military officials held direct talks on 29 May 2026 at the perimeter of the United States Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The meeting involved General Francis Donovan, head of United States Southern Command, and Army Corps General Roberto Legra Sotolongo, First Deputy Minister of the Chief of the General Staff of Cuba. United States Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM, is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defence. SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
2. General Anil Chauhan Completes Tenure as CDS: General Anil Chauhan completed his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs on 30 May 2026. He received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block lawns in New Delhi on the same day. Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd.) was appointed as the next Chief of Defence Staff on 9 May 2026. The Chief of Defence Staff is the senior-most military appointment in India and functions as the principal military adviser to the Government of India. The office was created after the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee and the Group of Ministers process, and it was formally established in 2019. The CDS also serves as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs.
3. Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar Becomes 48th Vice Chief of Naval Staff: Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on 29 May 2026 in New Delhi. He paid homage at the National War Memorial and succeeded Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan in the post. Vice Admiral Kochhar was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1988 and has more than 37 years of service. Vice Admiral Kochhar is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Systems. His command appointments include INS Nashak, INS Vibhuti, INS Kirpan, frigate INS Trikand, and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He served as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, from 25 May 2024, and later held the appointment of Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, from 1 October 2025 to 25 May 2026.
SPORTS
1. Shrey Parikh Wins 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee: Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old Indian-origin student from Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee on 28 May 2026. The 98th annual competition was held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and included nearly 250 spellers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Defence Department schools, and five other countries. The winning word was “bromocriptine”, which Scripps defined as “a polypeptide alkaloid that is a derivative of ergot and mimics the activity of dopamine”. The champion received a 50,000 cash prize, the Scripps Cup, a commemorative medal, 2,500 from Merriam-Webster, $1,000 in flight credits from Delta Air Lines, and reference works from Encyclopaedia Britannica.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Three Chinese Astronauts Return After Seven-Month Mission: Three Chinese astronauts of the Shenzhou-21 mission returned to Earth on 29 May 2026 after 210 days in orbit. The crew consisted of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, and their landing took place at the Dongfeng landing site in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China. The Shenzhou-21 crew launched on 31 October 2025 to replace the Shenzhou-20 crew at Tiangong. The Shenzhou-21 astronauts were later relieved by the Shenzhou-23 mission, which launched on 24 May 2026. The return used the Shenzhou-22 vehicle because the original Shenzhou-21 spacecraft was used by the Shenzhou-20 crew to return to Earth on 14 November 2025 after capsule damage linked to space debris. The Shenzhou-21 crew remained on Tiangong until the arrival of Shenzhou-22.
2. Kerala startup unveils India’s first AI system-on-chip: Kerala-based fabless semiconductor startup Netrasemi launched its flagship AI system-on-chip, the A2000, after silicon bring-up in May 2026. The A2000 is designed in India and uses TSMC’s 12 nm process node for edge devices such as smart cameras, edge AI boxes, and intelligent video gateways. A fabless semiconductor company designs chips without owning a fabrication plant. Netrasemi was founded in 2020 by CEO Jyothis Indirabhai and is based in Kerala. The company has raised ₹125 crore from investors including Zoho and Unicorn India Ventures. The A2000 integrates in-house developed neural processing, vision processing, image signal processing, and crypto engines. The chip is intended for compact and power-efficient edge devices, which process data near the source rather than in a central cloud server.
3. Odisha signs semiconductor MoU with Intel and 3DGS: Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Intel and 3D Glass Solutions on 28 and 29 May 2026 to bring substrate manufacturing technology to India. The agreement is linked to semiconductor packaging and advanced glass-based integration at Info Valley in Bhubaneswar, Khordha district. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 1,943.53 crore. Central government fiscal support is Rs 799 crore, and additional state support is about Rs 399.5 crore. The facility is expected to produce about 70,000 glass substrates annually, 50 million assembled units, and nearly 13,000 advanced 3D heterogeneous integration modules.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. MoH&FW releases the 10th NHA estimates for FY23; GHE jumps to Rs 3.85 lakh Cr: The report highlighted that Government Health Expenditure (GHE) increased from Rs 1.30 lakh crore (Cr) in 2013-14 to Rs 3.85 lakh Cr in 2022-23, stating higher public investment in the health sector.
NHA: The NHA serves as a vital tool, offering comprehensive insights into the sources, scale, and patterns of health expenditure across various entities within India’s health system.
Prepared by: The report is prepared by the National Health Accounts Technical Secretariat (NHATS), National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), MoH&FW, using the System of Health Accounts (2011) framework. In May 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST) inaugurated two key initiatives namely: Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) system and Research Entrepreneurship for Translation, Innovation and NAvigation (RETINA), on the occasion of 150 years celebrations of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), one of India’s most iconic scientific institutions, at IACS’s campus in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).
2. DARPG Launches ‘NeSDA 2025 Portal’ to Assess Digital Public Service Delivery: In May 2026, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions(MoPP&P), launched the Portal for the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA), 2025 for comprehensive assessment of E-governance (electronic governance) Service Delivery. The framework covers a wide range of Government-to-Citizen (G2C) and Government-to-Business (G2B) services across key sectors including finance, labour and employment, education, local governance and utilities, social welfare, environment, tourism, public grievances and transport.
3. Japan’s DBJ partners HDFC Capital to invest in housing projects across India: In May 2026, Japanese financial institution Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) entered into a strategic partnership with HDFC Capital Advisors Limited (HDFC Capital ), one of India’s largest real estate private equity funds, to invest in real estate funds, with a total targeted corpus of USD 1 billion, for the construction of affordable and mid-income housing projects in India. The investment in H-DREAM is made via HDFC Capital’s offshore feeder fund structure, set up under the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) framework at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
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