🌍 Important Days

• World Thalassaemia Day is observed every year on 8 May to spread awareness about thalassaemia and support patients suffering from the genetic blood disorder.
• World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day highlights humanitarian service and relief efforts carried out across the world.

• Victory Day is celebrated in Russia on 9 May to commemorate victory over Nazi Germany during the Second World War.
• National Technology Day recognises India’s scientific achievements and technological progress every year on 11 May.
• International Nurses Day honours the dedication and contribution of nurses in healthcare systems worldwide.
• Mental Health Awareness Week is being observed from 11–17 May 2026 to encourage conversations around emotional well-being and mental health.

🇮🇳 National & State Affairs

• India will host the first-ever International Big Cat Alliance Summit in New Delhi on 1–2 June 2026.
• The Union Cabinet proposed legal protection for Vande Mataram similar to the National Anthem through amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.
• India and the European Union launched a ₹169 crore initiative to improve electric vehicle battery recycling capabilities.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the JANANI platform to strengthen maternal and neonatal healthcare services.
• CSIR-Central Road Research Institute and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited developed India’s first road section using geocells made from plastic waste.
• Reliance Industries Limited announced plans to establish India’s largest AI-focused data centre cluster in Visakhapatnam.
• According to NCRB data, Bengaluru recorded the highest suicide rate among major Indian cities.
• India opened its pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in Venice.
• Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched a free annual health check-up programme for workers aged above 40 years.
• India will host the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting 2026 in Indore.
• Aizawl hosted its first Regional Cooperative Reform Conference under the “Sahkar se Samriddhi” vision.
• India introduced QR-code-based identity cards for Census 2027 enumerators to improve transparency and digital verification.
• Odisha emerged as the top-performing state under PMAY-Urban 2.0 house completions.
• Maharashtra approved the Compressed Biogas Policy 2026 to encourage renewable energy through waste-to-energy projects.
• Jharkhand achieved a zero primary school dropout rate in 2024–25.
• The Government launched the “Sehat Mission” in the national capital to strengthen healthcare services.
• India plans to introduce the “Made in India Brand Scheme” to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
• The Supreme Court of India launched the “One Case One Data” initiative and AI chatbot “Su-Sahayak”.
• The Government of West Bengal approved the Annapurna Bhandaar Scheme in its first Cabinet meeting under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
• India increased import duty on gold and silver to 15%.

🌐 International Affairs

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Jamaica, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to the country.
• Bangladesh began uranium fuel loading at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
• India’s High Commissioner handed over the IUCAA banner to the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town.

💰 Banking, Finance & Economy

• Jio Payments Bank partnered with Ezeepay to improve last-mile digital banking services in rural India.
• The Reserve Bank of India issued revised lending norms for Urban Co-operative Banks.
• National Stock Exchange of India crossed 13 crore unique registered investors.
• SEBI formed a cybersecurity task force named “Cyber-suraksha.ai” to address risks from advanced AI systems in financial markets.
• S&P Global and CRISIL Ratings reduced India’s FY27 GDP growth estimate to 6.6%.
• The Reserve Bank of India signed an MoU with the European Central Bank to strengthen central banking cooperation.
• Public Sector Banks reported strong profits, improved asset quality, and better capital positions during FY 2025–26.
• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to launch co-branded RuPay mobility cards.
• India Post expanded its network significantly, covering nearly 90% of India’s rural geography.
• Moody’s revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2026 downward to 6%.

🏆 Awards & Honours

• Educator Soma Mandal received the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2026 for contributions to climate and environmental education.
• President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

🧑‍💼 Appointments & Resignations

• Kumar Mangalam Birla became the Non-Executive Chairman of Vodafone Idea.
• Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was appointed Chief of the Naval Staff.
• Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal.
• NS Raja Subramani was appointed Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs.
• Joseph Vijay became the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

🤝 MoUs & Agreements

• Confederation of Indian Industry and NUS-ISS signed an MoU to improve digital leadership and AI governance.
• IndiaAI signed an MoU with the Indian Council of Medical Research to promote AI-driven healthcare innovation.
• The All India Football Federation partnered with the Odisha Government for youth football development.

📊 Rankings & Reports

• According to the World Migration Report 2026, India remained the world’s largest recipient of remittances in 2024, receiving more than USD 137 billion.

🚀 Science & Technology

• Startup Pixxel partnered with Sarvam AI to develop India’s first orbital data centre satellite.
• Unique Identification Authority of India partnered with NFSU to strengthen cybersecurity and digital forensics.
• Skyroot Aerospace became India’s first space-tech unicorn.
• India successfully tested an advanced Agni missile equipped with MIRV technology.