Daily Current Affairs – 26-05-2026

Tamil Nadu News

AIADMK MLAs Resign and Join TVK

Following internal conflicts in AIADMK after the Assembly election defeat, the party functioned under two factions led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami and S.P. Velumani. During the confidence motion for the TVK Government, a group of 25 AIADMK MLAs led by S.P. Velumani, C.Ve. Shanmugam, and C. Vijayabaskar voted in support of the government, while the faction led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami voted against it. In this situation, Maduranthakam MLA Maragatham Kumaravel, Perundurai MLA Jayakumar, and Dharapuram MLA Sathyabama submitted their resignation letters to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on May 25. Their resignations were accepted on the same day. The three MLAs later joined the ruling TVK after meeting Public Works Department Minister Aadhav Arjuna at the Secretariat in Chennai. Earlier, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, who had won from Perambur and Trichy East constituencies, resigned from the Trichy seat. Due to these resignations, by-elections are expected to be conducted in four Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Crop Loan Waiver Scheme

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister S. Joseph Vijay announced a crop loan waiver scheme for farmers who obtained crop loans from Cooperative Banks between May 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026. The decision was taken during a review meeting held at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Chennai, in the presence of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister R. Vinodh, Cooperatives Minister V. Gandhiraj, and Finance, Planning and Development Minister N. Maria Wilson. The scheme was implemented based on the Reserve Bank of India’s model operating procedures for government debt waiver schemes issued on 28.11.2025. Under the scheme, marginal farmers receiving crop loans up to ₹50,000 will get a full waiver, while small farmers will receive a 50% waiver for the same amount. Different waiver amounts have been fixed for loans above ₹50,000. Other large farmers receiving crop loans through cooperative banks will receive a waiver of ₹5,000 each. The scheme is expected to benefit 14,22,555 farmers and will create an additional expenditure of ₹2,044.46 crore for the Tamil Nadu Government. The crop loan waiver was also one of the major election promises of the ruling TVK party.

National News

‘Sol Pudhithu’ Project Meeting

The 13th meeting of the ‘Sol Pudhithu’ Project organized by the Tamil Development Council was held in Chennai to finalize pure Tamil equivalents for English words. The meeting was chaired by M. Rajendran, President of the Tamil Development Council. Participants included professors M. Ramaswamy, S. Saravanan, Oppila Mathivanan, Vijayalakshmi, M. Elangovan, T. Kamali, R. Kasturiraja, Bharathi Balan, and journalists Rajkannan and Neerai Mahendran. During the meeting, 47 English words were given pure Tamil equivalents. Some of the finalized terms included Catastrophe – Perazhivu, Duffle Bag – Urulai-pai, Kitchen Cleaner – Adukkalai Thooimi, and Sedentary Lifestyle – Iyakkamilla Vazhkkai Murai.

IIT Madras Launches Maritime Research Facility

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) launched the ‘Circulating Water Tunnel Facility’, an advanced hydrodynamic testing and ocean engineering research facility, with CSR funding of ₹4.5 crore from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. The facility was inaugurated at the IIT-Madras satellite campus in Thaiyur near Chennai. The research facility is intended for advanced studies in ocean engineering and hydrodynamic testing.

ICMR Signs Public Health Technology Transfer Agreements

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) signed 41 public health technology transfer agreements with industry partners for the commercialisation of vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, and biomedical solutions. Of the total agreements, 39 were technology transfer agreements and 2 were biomaterial transfer agreements. The transferred technologies included vaccines and diagnostic tools for diseases such as typhoid, paratyphoid, Japanese Encephalitis, tuberculosis, and mpox. Biomaterials related to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) and Chandipura virus developed by ICMR’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) were also transferred. KFD is an infectious disease found in the Western Ghats region covering Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra. The event was organised in New Delhi by the Department of Health Research under the Union Health Ministry.

Revamped Index of Industrial Production (IIP) Series

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will release a revamped series of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) on June 1, updating the base year to 2022-23. Aligned with the National Industrial Classification (NIC-2025) framework, the new series tracks 1,042 products across 463 item groups, expanding coverage to include rare earth minerals, minor minerals, gas supply, waste management, and water/sewerage connections in 500 AMRUT cities. Based on the recommendations of a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), the revamped index will provide state-wise industrial data for all 36 states and Union Territories and introduce separate sub-indices for renewable and non-renewable electricity generation. The manufacturing basket has been restructured by adding 120 new item groups and removing 64. Furthermore, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) suggested replacing the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) with the Producer Price Index (PPI) for IIP calculations once the latter is available, while retaining the existing six use-based classification categories such as primary, capital, and consumer goods.

IIT Guwahati Develops New Coating to Enhance Green Hydrogen Production

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed a new coating technology to improve the efficiency and durability of solar-powered green hydrogen production systems, aiming to reduce costs and enhance reliability. The study, published in the journal Small, focuses on photo-assisted electrochemical (PAEC) water splitting, a process that uses sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, with green hydrogen being used for decarbonisation in sectors such as refining, fertilisers, steel, and heavy transport. A key issue in existing systems is the peeling of catalyst coatings from electrodes and the sticking of gas bubbles on electrode surfaces, which reduces efficiency. The IIT Guwahati team developed a composite coating using graphitic carbon nitride and a bubble-repellent hydrogel layer on porous nickel foam, embedding the catalyst within the coating structure to improve adhesion and performance. The new coating reportedly achieved 51% higher hydrogen production and 44% higher oxygen production compared to conventional systems.

Sharp Rise in Overseas Investments by Indian Investors under LRS in FY26

Due to prolonged weak performance in Indian equity markets, investors are increasingly diversifying into global markets, with data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showing a significant rise in overseas investments under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). In FY26, overseas equity and debt investments under LRS increased by 56% to $2.65 billion, compared to $1.7 billion in the previous financial year. Over five years, such investments have grown 5.6 times, and over ten years they have risen 8.3 times. Under the LRS framework, resident individuals, including minors, are permitted to remit up to $250,000 per financial year for permissible current or capital account transactions. Indian markets such as Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex have recorded negative returns of 5% and 7% respectively in the past year, while several global markets including the US, China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan delivered returns ranging from 20% to 200%. Investors are accessing global markets directly through international brokers or indirectly via mutual funds, with GIFT City emerging as a growing route for overseas investments.

Supreme Court Revives Sedition Proceedings Under Section 124A Amid Constitutional Challenge

The Supreme Court of India on May 21, 2026 allowed the revival of proceedings under Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, enabling courts to proceed against consenting accused persons, while noting concerns over its colonial origin and alleged oppressive nature. Earlier, a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court on May 11, 2022 had stayed all proceedings under Section 124A, citing its misuse and raising questions over its validity, with observations linked to the need to remove colonial-era laws. The provision, introduced in 1898, had been described as having a “chilling effect” on free speech, causing unnecessary legal constraints and reflecting a colonial mindset. The recent clarification stated that there would be no impediment for courts to decide such cases on merits and in accordance with law, while the constitutional validity of Section 124A remains under challenge in the case titled S.G. Vombatkere vs Union of India, involving questions related to fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, personal liberty, equality before law, and right to life.

Sports News

Kimi Antonelli Wins Canadian Grand Prix

Italian Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli of the Mercedes team won the Canadian Grand Prix held in Montreal, Canada on May 25. The victory marked the fourth consecutive win of the season for the 19-year-old driver. Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari secured second place, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished third. Verstappen, who won the Formula One World Championship consecutively from 2021 to 2024, entered the top three positions for the first time in the current season through this race. So far, five races have been completed in the season, with George Russell winning the opening race and Antonelli winning the next four races. During the 70-lap race, George Russell retired due to an engine failure, while Lando Norris of McLaren-Mercedes withdrew because of a gearbox issue.

Scotland Prints Commemorative Currency for World Cup Qualification

The Bank of Scotland issued a commemorative 20-pound currency note to celebrate the qualification of the Scotland Football Team for the FIFA World Cup after a gap of 28 years. Scotland last participated in the World Cup in 1998. The team secured qualification for the current World Cup by defeating Denmark by 4-2 in the qualifying match. During the match, Scottish player Scott McTominay scored a goal using a bicycle kick in the second minute. The commemorative currency note features this goal, which is regarded as one of the notable goals in Scotland’s football history. Only 100 commemorative notes were printed by the Bank of Scotland.

Pranati Nayak Wins Silver at FIG World Challenge Cup, Tashkent

Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak won the silver medal in the women’s vault event at the ongoing FIG World Challenge Cup held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, by scoring 13.025 points and securing 2nd place. The gold medal was won by Vietnam’s Thi Quynh Nhu Nguyen with a score of 13.375 points, while the bronze medal was won by Uzbekistan’s Shakhinabonu Yusufova with 12.950 points in the same event.

Cristian Mungiu Wins Second Palme d’Or at 79th Cannes Film Festival

At the 79th Cannes Film Festival, Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or for his film Fjord, becoming the 10th filmmaker in history to win the award twice. The film, starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, is based on Romanian Evangelicals who move to Norway and become involved in a child abuse investigation. Mungiu had earlier won the Palme d’Or in 2007 for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. The Grand Prix was awarded to Minotaur directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, set against the backdrop of the Russia–Ukraine war. The Best Director Award was shared by Pawel Pawlikowski for Fatherland and Spanish duo Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo for The Black Ball, while the Best Actress Award was shared by Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto. The Best Actor Award was jointly given to Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne. The Jury Prize went to Valeska Grisebach for The Dreamed Adventure, and the Camera d’Or for best first film was awarded to Marie Clémentine Dusabejambo for Ben’Imana.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Padma Awards Presented in New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu presented Padma Awards to 66 persons at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, including seven awardees from Tamil Nadu and one from Puducherry. For the current year, approval was given for 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, to be distributed in two rounds. From Tamil Nadu, cardiologist Dr. K.A. Palanisamy received the Padma Bhushan, while former Tamil Nadu Health Minister H.V. Hande received the Padma Shri. The Padma Shri announced for late tribal artist R. Krishnan (Kitna) from the Nilgiris was received by his wife Sheila. Other Padma Shri awardees from Tamil Nadu included retired IPS officer Vijay Kumar, writer Sivasankari, radio broadcaster Ramamurthy Sreedhar, Oduvar N. Swaminathan, and Silambam trainer Palanivel from Puducherry. The event was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Padma Awards 2026 – Presentation of Awards

The President of India conferred the Padma Awards 2026 at a ceremony held in New Delhi, where 66 awardees received honours in the first phase. For the year 2026, a total of 131 Padma Awards were approved, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, to be presented in two phases. The awards included recognition of eminent personalities such as former judge K. Vinod Chandran, singer S. Janaki, and other distinguished recipients. The awards were presented under the categories of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri for contributions in various fields.

Economy News

LIC Increases Stake in Central Bank of India

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) increased its shareholding in the public sector lender Central Bank of India from 3.16 per cent to 6.06 per cent through an open market purchase conducted on May 22. LIC purchased 26.26 crore shares, representing 2.901 per cent of the bank’s total equity shares. Following the transaction, LIC’s total equity holding in Central Bank of India increased to 6.06 per cent. The acquisition details were officially disclosed to the stock exchanges.

RBI Approves Federal Bank Chairman Appointment

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Elias George as the part-time Chairman of Federal Bank for a tenure of three years. Before this appointment, he had been serving as an independent director on the bank’s board since September 5, 2023. Elias George is a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and has served in various positions in Union Ministries and the Kerala State Government.

International News

Artificial Concrete Reefs Restore Marine Life in Malaysia’s Coral Triangle

A conservation initiative in the Coral Triangle region of the Pacific Ocean near Pom Pom Island in Malaysia is working to restore damaged coral ecosystems using artificial structures. The project is led by the Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC) and involves installing concrete reef structures in areas heavily damaged by illegal dynamite fishing over several decades. Each artificial structure weighs about half a ton and costs around $5,000, with more than 60 structures installed over the past two years. The Coral Triangle is identified as one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world. The project, supported by a $100,000 grant from a Saudi Arabian non-profit organization, has led to the return of marine species such as damselfish, groupers, and butterfly fish. Further expansion is planned to Tioman Island, though it is noted that concrete reefs cannot fully replicate natural reef ecosystems.

States’ News

Political Row in Kerala Over Appointment of Former CEO as CM’s Secretary

Rathan U. Kelkar, a 2003-batch IAS officer and former Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala, assumed charge as Secretary to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan in Thiruvananthapuram. The appointment triggered a political controversy with opposition from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP leader and MLA V. Muraleedharan raised objections citing earlier political remarks related to appointments of former election officials in administrative posts. The Congress leadership, including Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph, defended the appointment, describing Kelkar as an upright and efficient officer who handled multiple departments and stating that the Kerala appointment could not be compared with similar developments in other states.