Daily Current Affairs – 30-05-2026

National News

Supreme Court Fixes Time Limit for Reserved Judgments

The Supreme Court of India issued guidelines on 29 May 2026 directing all High Courts to deliver judgments in cases where hearings have concluded and judgments have been reserved within three months. The directions were issued by a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi while hearing a writ petition related to delayed judgments in the Jharkhand High Court. The guidelines mandate that bail petitions should normally be decided on the same day, with orders uploaded to the court website immediately, and if reserved, decided the following day. Orders granting bail or suspending sentences must be promptly communicated to prison authorities for release of eligible prisoners on the same day or the next day. High Courts must upload reasoned judgments within 24 hours, and where only the operative portion of a judgment is pronounced, the detailed judgment must be uploaded within 7 days, extendable up to 15 days in exceptional circumstances. If a reserved judgment is not delivered within 3 months, the matter must be brought to the notice of the Chief Justice of the High Court, and if delays continue, the case may be transferred to another Bench for fresh hearing. Parties may file a petition if judgment is not delivered within 3 months, and may seek transfer of the case to another Bench if no judgment is delivered within 4 months. High Courts were also directed to update their websites and notify litigants and advocates through email when judgments are uploaded.

Highest-Altitude Elephant Habitat Recorded in Arunachal Pradesh

A joint study conducted by WWF India and the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department from December 2024 to March 2026 has recorded the presence of elephants living at an altitude of more than 3,000 metres above sea level in Arunachal Pradesh. According to the report released from the study, this is the highest-altitude habitat of elephants in the world. The report also contains information related to human-elephant conflicts, crop damage caused by elephants, and human casualties associated with elephant interactions in the region.

IMD Revises South-West Monsoon Forecast for 2026

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised its 2026 South-West Monsoon forecast from 92% to 90% of the Long-Period Average (LPA), indicating below-normal rainfall. The Long-Period Average (LPA) is based on average rainfall data since 1971. According to the forecast, rainfall in 2026 is expected to be the lowest since 2015, when rainfall was 86% of LPA. The IMD has identified the possible emergence of El Niño and the impact of a western disturbance as key factors affecting the monsoon. IMD Director-General M. Mohapatra stated that the South-West Monsoon, which contributes more than 75% of India’s annual rainfall, is likely to reach the Kerala coast in early June. The forecast indicates below-normal rainfall in the South, Central and North-West regions, while the East and North-East regions are expected to receive normal rainfall (94–106% of LPA). The monsoon core zone, which includes most rain-fed agricultural areas of Central India, is also expected to receive less than 94% of LPA rainfall.

Government approves equity dilution in IIFCL

The Government has approved equity dilution in India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), as stated by its Managing Director and CEO Rohit Rishi, with the dilution expected in two tranches to reduce the government’s stake to 75 per cent, while the timing of the IPO has not been finalised. In FY26, IIFCL reported a net profit of ₹1,379 crore, lower than ₹1,590 crore in FY25, due to foreign exchange loss. The company recorded its highest-ever annual sanctions of ₹57,680 crore, an increase of around 13 per cent over the previous year, and annual disbursements rose 16 per cent to ₹32,972 crore. The net worth increased to ₹17,898 crore in FY26 from ₹16,395 crore in FY25, and the capital to risk-weighted assets ratio stood at 20.53 per cent as of March 31, 2026, above regulatory norms. The gross NPA ratio improved to 0.40 per cent from 1.11 per cent, while net NPA reduced to 0 per cent. Total infrastructure financing is estimated at ₹38,000 crore, including about ₹500 crore for social infrastructure, covering proposals such as hospitals and educational institutions.

Government Considers Expansion of BSF Jurisdiction along Western Border

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Central Government is considering a possible expansion of the operational jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF). He made the remarks during a visit to the sensitive Harami Nala and Sir Creek region in Kutch district, Gujarat, where he reviewed India’s western frontier security preparedness. The visit included inspection of border arrangements, inauguration of the newly built Border Outpost G-7, interaction with BSF personnel, and assessment of operational challenges in marshland terrain. Shah also visited the OP Tower 1170 control room and undertook a boat patrol in the Sir Creek region to review security conditions. A review meeting was held at the BSF Sector Headquarters in Bhuj, where border-related operational issues were discussed with senior officials. The Home Minister noted that the BSF is in its 60th year, and no final decision has been taken regarding expansion of jurisdiction, though the matter is under consideration.

CISF Establishes Mahila Commando Training Centre and Expands Security Preparedness

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has designated its 10th Reserve Battalion in Bengaluru as a dedicated Mahila Quick Reaction Team and Commando Training Centre to train women personnel for frontline security roles, as part of efforts to enhance operational preparedness. The CISF has also launched a phased Counter-Drone Training Programme in collaboration with the Indian Army to address low-altitude aerial threats, focusing on detection, tracking and neutralisation of unmanned aerial systems. An Operational Review Meeting chaired by CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan in Chandigarh reviewed preparedness across the North Sector and Airport Sector, along with coordination among agencies and adoption of advanced technologies for critical infrastructure protection. The meeting also reviewed airport modernisation measures including Digi Yatra, Aadhaar validation systems, CCTV video analytics, full-body scanners, perimeter intrusion detection systems, automated tray return systems and bomb detection systems. CISF is strengthening Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) across airports, with 659 personnel from 49 Aviation Security Groups completing Battle Inoculation Training, and plans to extend training to all 72 airports under CISF by 2026. The force is also conducting joint training with the Indian Army in counter-terrorism, disaster management and stress resilience programmes. CISF currently has around 12,500 women personnel, and a proposal for a CISF Aviation Security Academy is under consideration.

NFHS-6 – India Maternal and Child Health Indicators (2023–24)

The National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) conducted field work during 2023–2024 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and reported improvements in maternal and child health in India. The survey recorded that institutional deliveries increased from 88.6% (NFHS-5 period 2019–2021) to 90.6%, and 95.6% of infants under six months were breastfed. Child health indicators improved with stunting among children under five declining from 35.5% to 29.3%, severe wasting from 7.7% to 5.2%, and underweight children from 32.1% to 31.8%. Disease indicators also improved with acute respiratory infections falling from 2.8% to 1.9% and severe diarrhoea reducing to 0.5%. The survey reported that India’s total fertility rate remained at 2.0 (2023–24) and contraceptive prevalence increased from 66.7% to 69.1%. Maternal health improved with antenatal care coverage rising to 95.9%, including 76.2% in the first trimester, and four or more antenatal visits increasing from 58.5% to 65.2%. Maternal nutrition improved with iron-folic acid supplementation for 100+ days rising from 44.1% to 54.9% and for 180+ days from 26% to 37.8%. The survey recorded a rise in caesarean section deliveries from 21.5% to 27.2%, with urban areas reaching 40%, above the WHO recommended 10–15% threshold. Immunisation coverage improved with full vaccination among children aged 12–23 months rising from 83.8% to 87.1%, rotavirus vaccination increasing from 36.4% to 85.4%, and measles second dose coverage rising from 58.6% to 71.8%.

Operation Sindoor Commemorative Book Released

On 29 May 2026, the Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh released a commemorative book on Operation Sindoor, documenting personal testimonies of 100 officers, sailors, airmen, and soldiers who participated in the operation. The publication records experiences across the Indian Armed Forces including personnel from the Line of Control (LoC), air defence operators dealing with drones, pilots in combat missions, and naval personnel in operational readiness. The book includes accounts from the three Services and the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), covering combat aviators, naval watchkeepers, missile crews, special forces operators, signal units, logistics personnel, and medical officers. The release function was held in New Delhi and attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.

India – SkyCast Integrated Aviation Weather Monitoring System

The Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first SkyCast System on 29 May 2026 at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), New Delhi, under the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in association with Mission Mausam. India became the 19th country in the world to deploy an advanced integrated aviation weather monitoring system, with only 18 such systems existing globally earlier. The system is designed to provide real-time weather information to pilots, helping reduce flight delays, diversions, and cancellations caused by fog and turbulence. The next SkyCast facility is planned at Jewar Airport, followed by expansion across other airports in India. The system integrates advanced atmospheric technologies including Radar Wind Profiler, SODAR, Microwave Radiometer, Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS), and CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer, monitoring atmospheric conditions up to 3 km above ground level. It provides short-term advance alerts of around three hours for safer flight operations. The system was inaugurated at IGI Airport in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IMD, IITM, and GMR, strengthening aviation safety and runway monitoring for safer take-offs and landings.

NFHS-6 Report on Maternal and Child Health Progress

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released the National Family Health Survey–6 (NFHS-6) conducted during 2023–24 by International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, covering about 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts, providing data on population, health, nutrition, and family welfare indicators for evidence-based planning. The report shows improvement in key health indicators compared to NFHS-5 (2019–21), with institutional deliveries rising to 90.6%, antenatal care (ANC) coverage increasing to 95.9%, and early ANC registration in the first trimester rising to 76.2%. At least four ANC visits increased to 65.2%, and skilled health personnel-assisted births rose to 91.3%, while postnatal care within two days of birth increased to 85.3%. Maternal nutrition improved with iron-folic acid supplementation for 100+ days rising to 54.9% and 180+ days to 37.8%. Full immunization coverage increased from 83.8% to 87.1%, with over 96% of children aged 12–23 months receiving at least one vaccine and 95.6% receiving vaccines through public health facilities. Child nutrition indicators improved with stunting reduced by 17% and severe wasting reduced by 32%, while expanded health schemes including Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), JSSK, PMSMA, SUMAN, PMMVY 2.0 supported maternal and child healthcare outcomes.

4th Lavender Festival under CSIR-Aroma Mission in Jammu & Kashmir

The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu under the CSIR-Aroma Mission of the Ministry of Science & Technology organized the 4th Lavender Festival scheduled on 6–7 June 2026 at Government Degree College, Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmir under the theme “Lavender goes global”, highlighting the Purple Revolution. The event was announced by CSIR-IIIM Director Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, and the festival will be inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Vice President of CSIR. The programme is part of the CSIR-Aroma Mission, which has supported over 5,000 farmers and young entrepreneurs in lavender cultivation by providing free Quality Planting Material (QPM), training, value addition, marketing support, and installation of more than 50 distillation units across Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative has expanded lavender cultivation to regions including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the North-Eastern States, promoting rural entrepreneurship and women-led startups. The festival will feature startup exhibitions, technical sessions, buyer-seller meets, farmer–industry networking, and showcasing of value-added lavender products, strengthening the aromatic industry ecosystem and rural livelihoods.

India Introduces LPPI and Maritime Digital Reforms for Port Efficiency

India launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) 2024–25 and four major maritime digital initiatives during the 37th Foundation Day of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The initiatives were launched by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Mumbai to improve governance, transparency, efficiency and global competitiveness in the maritime sector. The LPPI, developed under the Sagar Aankalan framework, benchmarks Indian ports based on cargo handling, vessel turnaround time, berth idle time, pre-berthing waiting time, container dwell time and ship berth day output across dry bulk, liquid bulk and container cargo segments, aligning with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Along with LPPI, four digital initiatives by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) were launched, including 24x7 grievance redressal under e-Navik, ship registration module under e-Samudra, medical practitioner module, and unified ship recycling credit note portal. The reforms aim to simplify maritime governance, enhance seafarer welfare, strengthen ship registration systems, and promote India’s shipbuilding sector through a ₹70,000 crore maritime development package (2025) and ship recycling credit scheme offering 40% credit of scrap value for new shipbuilding projects.

English – Chandrayaan-2 DFSAR detects possible subsurface ice on Moon

Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad have analysed observations from the Chandrayaan-2 Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR) dated 27 May 2026 and identified evidence of possible subsurface ice in the lunar South Polar Region. The DFSAR instrument onboard Chandrayaan-2 orbiter operates in L- and S-band frequencies and is the first fully polarimetric SAR instrument used for lunar studies. The study focused on doubly shadowed craters within permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), which remain at extremely low temperatures of around 25K and are considered suitable for long-term preservation of water ice. Using radar polarimetric analysis, scientists identified signatures consistent with subsurface ice in four such craters. A radar-based criterion was proposed where a Circular Polarization Ratio (CPR) greater than 1 along with Degree of Polarization (DOP) below 0.13 indicates possible volumetric scattering associated with ice. The study highlighted the Faustini crater region, where a 1.1 km wide crater showed strong evidence of subsurface ice supported by radar observations and lobate-rim morphology.

English – ZSI Study on Cockroach Diversity in India

A study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) dated 27 May 2026 reported that India is home to 191 species of cockroaches, of which 119 species (over 60%) are endemic to India. Endemism refers to species restricted to a specific geographic region. The study titled “DNA barcodes and species delimitation reveal overlooked diversity in Indian cockroaches (Blattodea)” highlighted that India’s cockroach diversity is higher than previously recorded. Scientists from the ZSI and Prof Ramkrishna More College have developed the first and largest DNA barcode reference library for cockroaches of peninsular India, supporting species identification and biodiversity documentation.

States’ News

Kerala Announces Menstrual Leave Scheme for School Girls

In the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar announced the policy initiatives of the new Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Government headed by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. The government plans to introduce the “Menstrual Dignity” Scheme, under which school girls will be provided up to 3 days of menstrual leave per month, along with weekend classes to compensate for missed lessons. The government also announced that, under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, high-quality childcare centres will be made mandatory in government offices, industries, IT parks, and other establishments with more than 50 employees. A campaign to promote child adoption will be undertaken to make Kerala a state without destitute children. The government has also proposed measures for equal pay for women, improved women’s facilities in cities, and benefits for women in the unorganised sector. Under the “Indira Promises”, free travel for women in state government buses will begin from 15 June, while steps are being taken to implement a monthly assistance of ₹1,000 for female students and free health insurance up to ₹25 lakh per family. The government also announced the release of a White Paper on the state's financial position, including debts, arrears, and financial obligations.

Maharashtra Announces AI Infrastructure with 2,000 GPUs

The Maharashtra government, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, announced plans to provide innovators access to 2,000 GPUs under a compute-as-a-service model to support the development and training of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models. The initiative was announced at the Mumbai Tech Week event. The state also outlined its AI policy, which includes attracting ₹10,000 crore investment, creating 125 lakh (1.25 crore) jobs, and developing dedicated infrastructure to support startups and innovation. The plan includes establishing six Centres of Excellence in AI and creating AI Innovation Regions to promote research, development, and commercialisation. The government stated that the initiative aims to strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a major hub for startups and AI-driven innovation in India.

IIT Madras develops injectable hydrogel for chronic disease treatment

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) have developed an injectable biodegradable hydrogel for improved treatment of fibrosis and other chronic degenerative diseases. Developed by the institute’s Department of Biotechnology, the hydrogel enables targeted and sustained delivery of anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory drugs directly at affected sites. The formulation changes from liquid to gel at body temperature and allows a single localised dose to remain active for several days, reducing the need for repeated medication. The hydrogel is made using natural biomaterials derived from silk cocoons and seaweed, ensuring biocompatibility. Preliminary findings indicate that treatment costs for chronic fibrotic conditions may reduce from about $2,000–$3,000 per course to around $300. The technology has potential applications in treating diseases affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys and muscles, and has also shown promise in addressing sarcopenia, an age-related muscle loss condition for which no approved drug therapy currently exists.

Tamil Nadu News

Sachin Sharatachandra Kurve Appointed Chairman of Chennai Port

Sachin Sharatachandra Kurve, an IAS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, assumed charge as the Chairman of Chennai Port on 29 May 2026 following his appointment by the Union Ministry of Shipping. He was selected for the post through a process conducted by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Earlier, Sunil Paliwal, who served as Chairman of Chennai Port, was appointed as Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in November 2025, after which S. Viswanathan, Deputy Chairman of Chennai Port, held additional charge of the post. Sachin Sharatachandra Kurve, a native of Maharashtra, holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was selected to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 2003. He has served in the departments of Tourism, Revenue, Rural Development, and Industries in Uttarakhand, and has also worked as District Collector of Nagpur and Mumbai Suburban districts and as Secretary to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on deputation.

Economy News

RBI Annual Report on Currency Circulation

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Annual Report, the circulation of ₹500 notes increased by 11.2% during the 2025–26 financial year. The number of ₹500 notes in circulation rose from 6.34 lakh crore notes valued at ₹31.72 lakh crore in 2024–25 to 7.05 lakh crore notes valued at ₹35.27 lakh crore in 2025–26. The report also stated that the circulation of counterfeit ₹500 notes increased by 20% during the same period. As of 31 March 2026, ₹500 notes accounted for 41.2% of total currency circulation, making them the most circulated denomination, while ₹10 notes accounted for 16.1% and ranked second. During 2025–26, the overall value and volume of all banknotes increased by 11.9% and 10.5% respectively, while the value and volume of coins increased by 11.4% and 4.5% respectively. The withdrawal of ₹2,000 notes was announced in May 2023, and as of 31 March 2026, ₹2,000 notes worth ₹3.56 lakh crore, representing 98.45% of the total circulation, had been returned.

RBI Balance Sheet Reaches ₹91.97 Lakh Crore

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Annual Report, the size of the RBI’s balance sheet increased by 20.6% to ₹91.97 lakh crore at the end of FY 2025–26, compared to ₹76.25 lakh crore in FY 2024–25. During the period, domestic investments grew by 44.9%, gold holdings by 63.8%, and foreign investments by 7.9%. The share of domestic assets in total assets increased from 25.7% to 29.1%, while the share of foreign assets declined from 74.3% to 70.9%. RBI’s total income increased by 26.4%, expenditure increased by 102.4%, and surplus income rose by 6.7% to ₹2.86 lakh crore, of which ₹1.09 lakh crore was transferred to the Contingency Fund. The cost of printing banknotes declined from ₹6,372.82 crore to ₹4,875.20 crore, while staff and administrative expenses increased to ₹10,136.31 crore. RBI’s total gold reserves increased from 879.58 tonnes to 880.52 tonnes, with 312.32 tonnes held by the Issue Department and 568.20 tonnes held by the Banking Department.

RBI Plans Introduction of Polymer Currency Notes

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to introduce plastic (polymer) currency notes in India due to their longer durability and lower production cost. The cost of printing currency notes increased from ₹5,101.4 crore in FY 2024 to ₹6,372.8 crore in FY 2025 due to higher printing requirements. During the previous year, the RBI destroyed 23.8 billion damaged currency notes, which was 12.3% higher than the preceding year, with most of the damaged notes being ₹100 and ₹500 denominations. The RBI is considering issuing ₹100, ₹200, and ₹500 polymer notes. The Central Government had earlier decided in 2012 to introduce polymer currency, with a proposal to circulate 1 billion ₹10 notes on a trial basis. The project was not implemented at that time due to technical challenges. With the availability of modern technology, the RBI has revived the proposal, and the polymer notes are expected to be compatible with ATM distribution systems.

SEBI approves appointment of Upma Chawdhry as Chairperson of MSE

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the appointment of Upma Dada Chawdhry as the Chairperson of the governing board of the Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE). Prior to this appointment, she served as a Public Interest Director at the exchange. She is a 1983-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre and had previously retired as a Secretary to the Government of India. She has over 35 years of administrative and governance experience, with work exposure in sectors including finance, public sector reforms, education, and women’s empowerment.

Sagarmala Finance Plans India’s First Blue Bond Issue

The Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd (SMFCL), a state-owned maritime-focused non-banking finance company (NBFC) under the Government of India, has planned to issue India’s first blue bonds in the current financial year. The proposal includes raising up to ₹1,000 crore, consisting of a ₹500 crore base issue with a ₹500 crore green shoe option. The issue is intended to fund maritime sector projects and long-term infrastructure financing needs. The corporation has appointed Trust Capital, AK Capital, and Tipsons as advisers for the bond issuance. The benchmark 10-year government bond yield stood at 6.996%. SMFCL aims for cumulative disbursements of ₹60,205 crore by 2030–31 and has approval to raise up to ₹25,000 crore. The planned fundraising is intended to address asset-liability mismatch, where the corporation’s average borrowing maturity is about 3.5 years, while its loan assets have a gestation period of around 12 years.

International News

UN Blacklist Includes Israeli and Russian Forces

A United Nations (UN) report on conflict-related sexual violence has, for the first time, included the Israeli forces and Russian forces in its blacklist, which has been maintained for more than 15 years. The report lists 77 parties from 12 countries, including government and non-government entities, for involvement in sexual violence during armed conflicts. The report states that such incidents increased significantly in 2025 compared to 2024. Hamas, which was added to the blacklist following the 7 October 2023 attack, continues to remain on the list. The UN documented cases of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees in Gaza and the West Bank, and also verified 310 cases of sexual violence committed by Russian forces and security personnel in Ukraine. Separately, UNICEF reported that since the ceasefire announced on 16 April, 55 children have been killed and 212 children injured in Lebanon, while the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 27 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 25 deaths and 42 injuries.

Cyprus Shows Interest in Indian Defence Systems

During the recent visit of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides to India, Cyprus expressed interest in procuring BrahMos missiles and kamikaze drones such as Nagastra-1 and SkyStriker from India. The two countries also decided to cooperate in search and rescue operations. The proposed defence cooperation highlights growing strategic ties between India and Cyprus and includes discussions on the acquisition of Indian-developed defence equipment.

Intel–Odisha $3.3 Billion Semiconductor Substrate Project Signed in India

Intel Corporation, the Odisha Government, and 3DGS signed an MoU to bring semiconductor substrate manufacturing technology to India, with an estimated investment of $3.3 billion. The agreement was witnessed by Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The project will be set up in the Bhubaneswar–Khurda region and is the first Intel-engaged semiconductor substrate manufacturing project in India. It is scheduled for implementation over five to six years and is expected to generate more than 1,800 high-skilled direct jobs. The project will focus on manufacturing advanced packaging glass core substrates and high-density interconnect substrates, along with related semiconductor technologies, supporting capability development, ecosystem expansion, and export-oriented manufacturing in India. The initiative is part of broader semiconductor ecosystem development efforts in India.

Japan Demographic Decline – Census 2025 Update

Japan’s population declined to 123 million in 2025, marking the largest fall since census records began in 1920, down from 126.1 million in 2020. The population had peaked at 128 million in 2008 and is projected to fall further to 87 million by 2070. Demographic data shows a persistently low birth rate, with two deaths for every one birth. Out of Japan’s 47 prefectures, nearly all except two recorded population decline in 2025. The steepest decline was reported in Akita and Aomori prefectures, where the population fell by around 8% between 2020 and 2025. The Tokyo metropolitan region, including Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba, recorded a population of about 37 million in 2025, while Tokyo city alone reached 14.2 million. The national average fertility rate is about 1.1 children per woman, while Okinawa prefecture recorded a higher fertility rate of 1.5. Japan’s demographic trend indicates continued population contraction across most regions, with concentration of population in major urban centres.

India–Canada Trade and India–US Investment Engagements

India and Canada established the Canada–India Trade and Investment Forum in 2026 during the visit of India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal (May 25–28, 2026). He held a bilateral meeting with Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu in Canada. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and set a target to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026. Canada also agreed to send a Team Canada Trade Mission to India later in 2026. The discussions included strengthening connectivity, business mobility, people-to-people ties, and investment in priority sectors. In a separate engagement in the United States, Piyush Goyal held meetings in New York City on May 28, 2026, with over 50 business leaders and interacted with global industry figures including Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick, Warburg Pincus chairman Chip Kaye, and Amneal Pharmaceuticals co-founder Chintu Patel on investment, innovation, and supply chain cooperation. A US trade delegation is scheduled to visit India from June 1–4, 2026 to advance an interim trade pact and broader bilateral trade negotiations covering market access, non-tariff measures, and customs facilitation.

BRICS Fisheries High-Level Dialogue under India Chairship

Under India’s chairship of the BRICS Agricultural Working Group, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) conducted a High-Level Dialogue on Fisheries and Aquaculture on 28 May 2026 in virtual mode. The dialogue was co-chaired by Shri Sagar Mehra (Joint Secretary, Inland Fisheries) and Dr. Surabhi Rai (Joint Secretary, Marine Fisheries). Representatives from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE participated, along with FAO Country Representative for India Takayuki Hagiwara, ICAR Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) Dr. Joykrushna Jena, and BOBP-IGO Director Dr. P. Krishnan. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, with emphasis on sustainable development, food and nutritional security, resilient aquatic ecosystems, technology exchange, genetic improvement programmes, hatchery systems, and seaweed cultivation. It was noted that BRICS countries contribute nearly 70% of global aquaculture production and about 30% of global capture fisheries. Key issues highlighted included climate variability, biosecurity risks, and market volatility, along with the need for digital transformation, value chain strengthening, and farmer-centric approaches.

IIMC Launches AIME Academy for AI in Media and Entertainment

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi launched the AIME Academy (AI Academy for Media and Entertainment) on 29 May 2026 at its New Delhi campus to strengthen AI-based media education and capacity building in India. The initiative was inaugurated by Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Shri Chanchal Kumar, in the presence of IIMC Vice Chancellor Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur and Google DeepMind India Senior Director Dr. Manish Gupta. The Academy is designed as a national centre of excellence for AI in media and entertainment based on five pillars: capacity building, research, innovation and incubation, responsible AI policy development, and strategic collaboration. It aims to develop India-specific AI training modules for journalism, support applied research on AI in newsrooms, document AI adoption practices, and promote responsible use of AI in media. On the same occasion, a 10-week hybrid AI Skills Training Programme was completed successfully, training over 110 newsroom professionals, media educators, and students from more than 100 newsrooms and media institutions across 23 cities and 10+ Indian languages, including participants from Doordarshan, Akashvani (All India Radio), Press Information Bureau (PIB), Publications Division, and IIMC. The Academy is also positioned across six IIMC centres (New Delhi, Dhenkanal, Jammu, Aizawl, Amravati, and Kottayam) to strengthen multilingual AI capacity in Indian media.

English – 16th India–Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue

The 16th India–Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue was held in Singapore on 28 May 2026, co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Permanent Secretary (Defence), Singapore, Mr. Joseph Leong. The dialogue reviewed ongoing defence engagements and discussed strengthening cooperation in defence, military engagements, defence industry collaboration, capacity building, and regional security issues. Both sides explored new avenues to further strengthen strategic relations and expand collaboration, including industry-to-industry partnerships. Discussions also covered cooperation in emerging domains such as cyber security, artificial intelligence, maritime security, unmanned systems, and advanced defence technologies. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to an open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, highlighting the importance of innovation-driven partnerships to address evolving regional and global security challenges.

Environment News

India’s Southwest Monsoon Forecast Revised to 90% LPA (IMD Report)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised the forecast for the Southwest Monsoon (June–September 2026), reducing expected rainfall to 90% of the Long Period Average (LPA) from the earlier 92%, indicating below-normal rainfall and making it one of the driest monsoon seasons in a decade. The IMD stated that rainfall below 89% of LPA is classified as deficient, while 90–95% is below normal, with previous deficient years recorded in 2014 (88%) and 2015 (86%), and below-normal rainfall in 2018 (91%) and 2023 (94%). The monsoon onset, initially expected around May 26, has been delayed, with the normal onset date being June 1, and is now likely to reach the Kerala coast by early June, affected by a western disturbance and weak monsoon momentum. The IMD indicated that El Niño conditions may emerge, weakening monsoon activity, with a weak to moderate El Niño expected during the season. Regional rainfall distribution shows East and Northeast India at 94–106% (normal), while Central India, South Peninsula, and Northwest India are projected below 94%, and the monsoon core zone is expected below 94% of LPA, affecting rainfed agriculture and food security. The IMD also projected below-normal rainfall in June and an increase in heatwave days, with affected regions including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, while Rajasthan and Jharkhand may see below-normal heatwave days.

Personalities, Awards and Events

FSIB Recommends Lavanya Mundayur as CMD of New India Assurance

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Lavanya Mundayur, currently the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Agriculture Insurance Company of India, as the next head of New India Assurance Company Limited (NIACL). The recommendation was made after FSIB interviewed six eligible candidates on 28 May for the post. As per the official statement, she is expected to serve a tenure of around three years and will retire in May 2029 upon attaining the age of 60 years.

Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar Appointed Vice-Chief of Indian Navy

Vice-Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumed charge as the 48th Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff on Friday, marking a key appointment in the Indian Navy. He has served in the Navy for over 37 years and was commissioned on July 1, 1988. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune and a specialist in gunnery and missile systems. He played a leading role in naval combat readiness during Operation Sindoor. After assuming office, he paid tribute at the National War Memorial, New Delhi. Over his career, he has held several important command positions in the Indian Navy.

Sports News

ISSF World Cup Munich 2026 – Women’s 10m Air Pistol Results

At the ISSF World Cup in Munich (2026), India won two medals in the women’s 10m air pistol event, where Suruchi Inder Singh secured the gold medal with 242.1 points, successfully defending her title won in the previous year, and Esha Singh won the silver medal with 241.2 points. The bronze medal was won by Choo Gaeun of South Korea. With this performance, India achieved a total of two gold medals and one silver medal in the second leg of the ISSF World Cup 2026, with remaining mixed team rifle and pistol events scheduled to be held subsequently.

English – Taipei Capital Cup 2026 Achievements

Team India secured two Silver Medals and three Merit Awards at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026, an international skill competition held in Taipei, Taiwan from 26–28 May 2026, with participation from 15 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. The Indian contingent, supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), competed in five skill categories and demonstrated excellence in emerging and industry-relevant skills. Medal winners included Ms. Muskan (Silver – Painting and Decorating) and Mr. Arjun Sumathi Vijayabashkar (Silver – Mobile Applications Development). Merit Award winners were Mr. Mohamed Mafaz Poonaikannan Rabi Ahamed (Software Applications Development), Mr. Suresh Kumar Ganesan Meena (Digital Construction) and Mr. Md Seraj (Automobile Technology). Silver medallists received 8,000 Taiwan Dollars each and merit awardees received 5,000 Taiwan Dollars each. The competition served as a preparatory platform for future global events including WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and highlighted India’s growing skilling ecosystem and global competitiveness.

Important Days

ToFEI Digital App and SOP for Tobacco Control Launched on World No Tobacco Day

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched the pilot version of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Application under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2026 at Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi, by Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava on 29 May 2026. The digital initiative aims to strengthen implementation and monitoring of tobacco-free norms in schools and colleges through self-assessment, compliance monitoring, reporting, enforcement of signage requirements, prohibition of tobacco sales within 100 yards of educational institutions, and awareness activities for students and teachers. The application also supports standardized monitoring and compliance mechanisms for States/UTs and educational institutions, with pilot implementation in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Maharashtra to assess feasibility and future nationwide expansion. On the same occasion, the Ministry released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for tobacco product sample collection, establishing standardized processes for collection, handling, storage, transportation, and documentation to ensure regulatory compliance, surveillance, and quality assurance in tobacco control enforcement.