NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee: The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, constituted the Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee on 12-13 May 2026 for a nationwide roadmap on court infrastructure. The committee is linked to judicial administration, court facilities, computerisation, and financial planning for infrastructure across India. The committee is headed by Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar. Its members include Justice Debangsu Basak of the Calcutta High Court, Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan of the Bombay High Court. The Director General of the Central Public Works Department and the Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India are also members, and the Secretary General serves as Member Secretary. The committee has been tasked with identifying constraints in infrastructure and recommending facilities for judges, lawyers, litigants, and court staff. It is also required to examine computerisation of courts and propose citizen-centric services for reducing the digital divide in court access.
2. Karnataka Drafts Gram Panchayat Climate Action Plans: Karnataka has started drafting individual climate action plans for 5,994 gram panchayats and 340 urban local bodies. The initiative is linked to the revised State Action Plan on Climate Change Version 2, which was updated in 2024 and aligned with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. The Gram Panchayat-Level Climate Plan is designed for local bodies at the village level in Karnataka. The state has 5,994 gram panchayats, and the framework is intended to extend climate planning to the grassroots level. The plan covers local actions such as water-use efficiency, cultivation of drought-resistant crops and millets, agroforestry, energy efficiency, and plantation drives. Karnataka has also set a target of planting five crore saplings across different land categories. Karnataka is monitoring 105 climate targets across 15 departments for the 2025-2030 period. The departments include agriculture, energy, and rural and urban development, and monthly reviews are conducted by an apex committee led by the chief secretary. District-level training programmes for government officials, academic institutions, and industry bodies are being conducted in 2026 to support the rollout of the plans. The state has also recorded more than 50% renewable energy generation.
3. India Bans Sugar Exports Till 30 September: India prohibited the export of raw, white and refined sugar with immediate effect from 14 May 2026 until 30 September 2026 or until further orders. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade amended the export policy for sugar from “restricted” to “prohibited” under specific ITC (HS) codes. India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer, and sugar is a major agro-based commodity in the country’s trade basket. Sugar export policy in India is regulated through the Foreign Trade Policy and notifications issued under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. The current restriction covers raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar, which are standard commercial grades in international trade. The policy change applies to exports from India during the notified period and remains valid until further orders.
4. Rajnath Singh, Chandrababu Naidu Lay Foundation Stone for AMCA Project: The foundation stone for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme infrastructure is being laid on 15 May 2026 at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh. The project has an estimated infrastructure investment of ₹15,803 crore and covers about 650 acres. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, is India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet programme. The programme is associated with the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Aeronautical Development Agency. The event also includes the launch of multiple defence, aerospace, and drone manufacturing projects in Andhra Pradesh. Rajnath Singh is also laying the foundation stone for a new Naval Systems Manufacturing Facility for Bharat Dynamics Limited at T Sirasapalli village in Anakapalli district.
5. India’s Wholesale Inflation Rises to 8.3%: India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose to 8.3% in April 2026, the highest level in 42 months. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released the WPI data on 14 May 2026, and the April figure was higher than 3.88% in March 2026. The Wholesale Price Index measures the average change in prices of goods at the wholesale level in India. WPI inflation is used to track price movements in primary articles, fuel and power, and manufactured products. Inflation in manufactured products increased to 4.62% in April 2026 from 3.39% in March 2026. The rise affected chemicals, textiles, machinery, and basic metals, which are major components of the manufacturing basket. Retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), stood at 3.48% in April 2026 and remained below the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% comfort target. The rupee averaged 93.6 per US dollar in April 2026, compared with 92.8 in March 2026.
6. Mizoram Ginger Mission Launched With Rs 189 Crore Outlay: The Centre launched the Mizoram Ginger Mission on 13 May 2026 with an outlay of Rs 189.79 crore. The project is also named the Mizoram Ginger Unique Selling Proposition (USP) – Sustainable Cultivation & Value Chain Development Project. Mizo Ginger is a Geographical Indication (GI)-certified agricultural product from Mizoram. The mission includes a plan to promote pharma-grade Mizo Ginger in international markets. The mission covers sustainable cultivation, quality control, food safety, farm mechanisation, solarisation, post-harvest management, and processing. The Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region approved Rs 30.13 crore for post-harvest management and processing infrastructure under the North Eastern Council’s Focused Development Component.
7. V.D. Satheesan Named Kerala Chief Minister: On 14 May 2026, the Congress party announced V.D. Satheesan as the Chief Minister of Kerala after the United Democratic Front won 102 of 140 seats in the Kerala Assembly elections. Satheesan, born on 31 May 1964, became the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala and had served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2021 to 2026. The United Democratic Front is a political alliance in Kerala led by the Indian National Congress. It has been one of the two major electoral fronts in the state, alongside the Left Democratic Front. The Kerala Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the state of Kerala. It has 140 elected members, and the majority mark is 71 seats.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Chairs BRICS in 2026: India assumed the BRICS Chairmanship on 1 January 2026 and hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 14 May 2026. India’s 2026 chairship works under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. BRICS is an intergovernmental grouping of major emerging economies. The original members were Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and the grouping later expanded to include new members in 2024 and 2025. India holds the BRICS presidency for the fourth time in 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on 14 May 2026 that India’s chairmanship will focus on multilateralism, sustainable development, economic resilience and a more inclusive world order.
2. PFAS Detected in 98.8% of Human Blood Samples: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of more than 15,000 synthetic chemicals that resist degradation in the environment and in the human body. A U.S. study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene in April 2026 detected PFAS in 98.8% of 10,566 human blood samples. PFAS are fluorinated organic compounds used in industrial and consumer products. Their carbon-fluorine bonds give them high thermal stability and resistance to water, oil, and stains. PFHxS, or perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, is one PFAS compound used in textiles, furniture, and adhesives. The study analysed serum and plasma samples from 10,566 people. Multiple PFAS types were found in 98.5% of the samples, and only 0.18% of samples contained a single PFAS chemical. The testing panels identified more than 70 unique PFAS combinations.
3. LEADS 2025 Report Released in New Delhi: The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal released the LEADS 2025 Report in New Delhi and felicitated the winners of the LEAPS 2025 Awards. LEADS stands for Logistics Ease Across Different States and serves as India’s annual assessment and benchmarking tool for the logistics sector across States and Union Territories. LEADS 2025 is the seventh edition of the report. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry publishes the report for States and Union Territories. The framework assesses logistics ecosystems on policy and institutional framework, infrastructure quality, reliability of services, and operating environment. The 2025 edition uses a four-tier performance structure instead of the earlier three-tier format.
4. Pakistan Explores Islamic NATO Defence Cooperation: Pakistan has discussed an expanded regional defence and economic arrangement with Gulf nations, including Qatar and Turkiye, under the idea of an “Islamic NATO”. The proposal follows the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025, under which aggression against one side is treated as an attack on both. Discussions on the inclusion of Qatar and Turkiye in the arrangement are at different stages of completion. Turkiye has a large defence industry and a long record of military modernisation, while Qatar has been part of several regional security discussions in West Asia. The proposed grouping is linked to regional stability, reduced dependence on external powers, and collective security cooperation. The arrangement is not described as being directed against any specific country. The idea of an “Islamic NATO” gained attention after a 2025 Israeli strike on Doha. The incident raised questions about deterrence and the security of Gulf states in West Asia. Pakistan also maintained official neutrality during the 2026 Iran war. It condemned attacks from all sides and took part in mediation efforts.
5. Tri-Service Women Crew Nears Global Sailing Homecoming: The Indian Army Sailing Vessel IASV Triveni, crewed by 10 women officers from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, is sailing from Cape Town to Mumbai after a global circumnavigation that began on 11 September 2025. The 50-foot yacht was built in Puducherry and is expected to complete the expedition in June 2026. The voyage, named Samudra Pradakshina, started from Mumbai and covered more than 23,000 nautical miles by 8 May 2026. The crew stopped at Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Cape Town during the circumnavigation. IASV Triveni is a 50-foot sailing yacht used by an all-women tri-service crew from the Indian Armed Forces. The expedition leader is Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, and Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju serves as Deputy Expedition Leader.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Kalam & Kavach 3.0 Inaugurated in New Delhi: Kalam & Kavach 3.0, India’s defence and strategic dialogue platform, was inaugurated on 14 May 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The third edition carried the theme “Taking JAI Forward With I²”, where JAI stands for Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation, and I² stands for Indigenisation and International Collaboration. Kalam & Kavach is a defence dialogue platform associated with strategic and military discussions in India. The 2026 edition used the theme “Taking JAI Forward With I²”, which combines three defence concepts and two industrial concepts in one framework. The discussions covered future warfare and emerging technologies relevant to modern military systems. The topics included AI-enabled warfare, autonomous systems, hypersonic technologies, quantum-enabled C4ISR capabilities, and challenges in low-earth orbit. Integrated theatre commands formed part of the discussion on joint military planning and command structures. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit stated at the conclave that Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation are interlinked in defence capability development.
2. India Seeks Extension to Russian Oil Waiver From US: India has approached the United States for an extension of the waiver that allows imports of Russian crude oil already loaded on ships. The request comes amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz for 75 days and a rise in Brent crude prices from 80 to 120 per barrel between 2 March and 9 March 2026. The current US authorisation for India covers Russian crude oil that was already loaded onto vessels. This authorisation is set to expire on 16 May 2026. Washington has urged India to reduce purchases of discounted Russian crude in the context of the war in Ukraine. Russian oil is not under a blanket US sanctions regime. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is one of the most important routes for global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions in this passage affect tanker traffic, freight costs, and regional supply chains.
3. Indian-flagged merchant ship attacked off Oman coast: An Indian-flagged commercial vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman on 13 May 2026. All Indian crew members aboard the ship were reported safe after the incident. Merchant ships are commercial vessels used for the transport of cargo and passengers across sea routes. Civilian mariners are non-combatant seafarers employed on commercial vessels, and they operate under maritime safety and shipping regulations. Oman lies on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula and borders the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The sea lanes near Oman connect the Indian Ocean with the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key maritime chokepoint for global trade and energy transport.
SPORTS
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Kaal Bhairava AI Combat Aircraft to Be Made in Portugal: Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace announced on 14 May 2026 that its Kaal Bhairava AI combat aircraft will be manufactured in Portugal. The project involves SKETCHPIXEL LDA, a European company that works on fighter jet simulation systems, and it is described as the first overseas production node for an Indian-designed autonomous combat aircraft. Kaal Bhairava is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance, or MALE, autonomous combat aircraft. It has a stated range of 3,000 km and an endurance of more than 30 hours. The aircraft includes AI-driven target recognition, swarm coordination, and encrypted communication systems.
2. India EV Battery Demand May Reach 200 GWh by 2032: India’s electric vehicle battery demand is projected to rise from 20 GWh in 2025 to 200 GWh by 2032. The estimate was placed in a study linked to the Indian Energy Alliance and Customized Energy Solutions, and the study is scheduled for release at the 12th India Energy Storage Week in New Delhi from 8 to 10 July. India’s EV sales crossed 2.5 million units in 2025. Electric two-wheelers accounted for 1.5 million units, and electric three-wheelers accounted for 0.7 million units in the same year. Electric two-wheelers remain the largest volume segment in India’s EV market. Passenger electric cars and light commercial fleets are expected to form the next phase of demand growth. NMC, or nickel manganese cobalt, currently holds a 70 per cent market share in the electric two-wheeler battery segment. LFP, or lithium iron phosphate, is gaining market share in other EV segments. The study also covers LMFP, solid-state, sodium-ion, and other cell technologies through 2032. In motor technology, BLDC motors account for 71 per cent of the two-wheeler market, while PMSM motors hold more than 90 per cent market share in electric passenger vehicles.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India Enters Revised EU Draft List for Aquaculture Exports: European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905 requires exporting countries to ensure that animals and animal products sent to the EU are free from antimicrobial medicinal products used for growth promotion. The same regulation also covers antimicrobials reserved for human treatment. India was included in a revised draft list published by the European Union on 12 May 2026 for continued exports of aquaculture products to the 27-member bloc. The draft list is linked to export continuity beyond September 2026 for Indian aquaculture shipments to the EU market. India was omitted from the EU implementing regulation (EU) 2024/2598, issued on 4 October 2024. That regulation had not authorised India for exports of products of animal origin for human consumption to the EU from September 2026.
2. SEBI Proposes Changes to Municipal Bond Framework: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a consultation paper on 13 May 2026 proposing amendments to the SEBI (Issue and Listing of Municipal Debt Securities) Regulations, 2015. The proposal covers refinancing of existing debt, disclosure norms, pooled financing through Special Purpose Vehicles, and changes in the face value of privately placed municipal bonds. Municipal debt securities are bonds issued by urban local bodies for raising funds from the capital market. Urban local bodies in India include municipal corporations, municipalities, and notified area committees under the constitutional framework for local self-government. As of 31 March 2026, 22 municipal corporations in India had raised ₹4,540 crore through 31 issuances of municipal debt securities. Public comments on the consultation paper are open until 3 June 2026.
3. Assam Cabinet Approves Draft Uniform Civil Code Bill: On 13 May 2026, the Assam Cabinet approved the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in its first meeting of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s second term. The bill is scheduled for introduction in the Assam Legislative Assembly on 26 May 2026, the concluding day of the session that begins on 21 May. The Assam draft UCC Bill covers marriage and divorce registration, prohibition of polygamy, property rights for girls, and rules on live-in relationships. Tribal communities in hill and plain areas are kept outside the purview of the proposed law, and customary laws, traditional rituals, and religious rituals of Assam’s people are exempted from its scope.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. St Stephen’s College appoints first female principal: St Stephen’s College in Delhi appointed Professor Susan Elias as its first female principal on 12 May 2026. She will take charge as the 14th principal of the 145-year-old college on 1 June 2026. St Stephen’s College was founded in 1881 and is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Delhi. Women students were admitted to the college from 1975, while the principal’s office remained male-led until 2026. The principal is the head of a college and is responsible for academic administration, faculty coordination, and institutional governance. Professor Susan Elias succeeds Professor John Varghese, whose tenure included administrative disputes between the college and the University of Delhi.
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