May 2026 Current Affairs Compilation — Hindi & English

Why in news: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh (IAS) was given additional charge as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and Chairman of DRDO, effective 31 May 2026. KEY FACTS • The change followed the retirement of Dr. Samir V. Kamat, who had led DRDO since August 2022. • DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) is India's premier defence-research agency under the Ministry of Defence. • It develops missiles (such as Agni and, jointly, BrahMos), radars, and other defence systems. EXAM ANGLE: Remember DRDO = India's defence R&D body; note this leadership change and that the Defence Secretary held additional charge.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) reported improvements in institutional deliveries, child nutrition, immunisation and health insurance coverage, while flagging concerns such as rising obesity and non-communicable diseases.

NITI Aayog released a semiconductor roadmap that aims to build a domestic chip ecosystem worth USD 120–150 billion by 2035, strengthening India's position in global semiconductor manufacturing and design.

Why in news: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) completed 10 years on 29 May 2026. KEY FACTS • Enacted in 2016, the IBC provides a single, time-bound process to resolve the insolvency of companies and individuals. • Regulator: the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). • Adjudicating authority: the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for companies, and Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) for individuals/partnerships. EXAM ANGLE: Link "IBC = 2016", regulator = IBBI, company tribunal = NCLT. A high-frequency economy/polity fact.

The Central Government and the Government of Tripura launched "Mission Queen Pineapple" to develop the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple into a globally recognised brand through a three-year farm-to-global-market programme (FY 2026 to FY 2028).

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to ₹365 per quintal for the 2026-27 season — a 2.81% rise over the previous ₹355 per quintal.

India and Singapore held the 16th Defence Policy Dialogue to review and deepen bilateral defence cooperation. Ties between the two nations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024.

At the Third India–Nordic Summit held in Oslo, India and the Nordic countries upgraded their relationship into a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership focused on renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainability.

The 2nd Hockey India Masters Cup 2026 was held in Pune, Maharashtra in May 2026, featuring veteran (masters) hockey players from across the country.

Why in news: India and Italy elevated their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership during the Prime Minister's visit to Rome. KEY FACTS • Target: scale bilateral trade to about 20 billion euro by 2029. • Includes defence industrial co-production, critical minerals, and the INNOVIT hub for AI and quantum-computing startups. • Adds momentum to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). EXAM ANGLE: Italy is a G7 member; IMEC is a connectivity corridor linking India, the Gulf and Europe.

Why in news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the FAO Agricola Medal in Rome. KEY FACTS • He became the second Indian Prime Minister to receive it, after Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2008. • The recognition cited India's food-security efforts, including PMGKAY (free foodgrains to about 800 million people) and PM-KISAN. • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) is a UN specialised agency, headquartered in Rome. EXAM ANGLE: Link FAO = Rome, food and agriculture; the award aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

In May 2026, India and Norway elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Green Strategic Partnership," focusing on climate collaboration, clean technology, renewable energy and the blue economy.

India inaugurated its first SME-led semiconductor packaging facility in Gujarat in May 2026, virtually launched by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The plant strengthens India's self-reliance in chip manufacturing under the India Semiconductor Mission.

Why in news: The President promulgated an Ordinance increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India) from 33 to 37. KEY FACTS • Issued under Article 123, which lets the President promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session. • An ordinance must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of its reassembly, or it lapses. • With the CJI, the total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court rises accordingly. EXAM ANGLE: Link Article 123 (ordinance power) and Article 124 (establishment of the Supreme Court). The number of SC judges is fixed by Parliament, not the Constitution directly.

Why in news: India and the Netherlands elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership with a Roadmap for 2026-2030. KEY FACTS • Cooperation areas: semiconductors, green hydrogen, critical minerals, and maritime/Indo-Pacific security. • Cultural highlight: Chola-era copper plates (royal charters from the 9th-13th centuries) were repatriated from Leiden University, Netherlands. EXAM ANGLE: The Netherlands is a major European trade and investment partner; the Chola copper plates relate to South Indian (Tamil) history under Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I.

Why in news: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). KEY FACTS • The strain involved is the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola. • A PHEIC is the WHO's highest level of alarm, declared under the International Health Regulations (2005). • Ebola spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids; outbreaks need quick containment. EXAM ANGLE: Remember PHEIC = WHO's top global health alert; the WHO is headquartered in Geneva.

Why in news: The Union Cabinet approved a Coal and Lignite Gasification Promotion Scheme. KEY FACTS • Financial outlay: about Rs 37,500 crore, with incentives up to 20% of plant and machinery cost. • Target: a large jump in surface coal gasification capacity by 2030. • Aim: cut import dependence on natural gas, methanol and ammonia by turning coal into "syngas". EXAM ANGLE: Gasification converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas) for cleaner industrial use — a step toward energy self-reliance.

Why in news: India and IFAD launched the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for 2026-2033. KEY FACTS • An eight-year framework to modernise rural livelihoods through market-oriented, climate-resilient farming. • Focus on strengthening grassroots institutions such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs). • IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) is a UN specialised agency, headquartered in Rome, focused on rural poverty. EXAM ANGLE: Remember IFAD = UN agency, Rome, rural development. COSOP runs 2026-2033.

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani was appointed as India's new Chief of Defence Staff in May 2026. The CDS is the single-point military adviser to the government and heads the Department of Military Affairs, working to improve coordination ("jointness") among the Army, Navy and Air Force.

India and Qatar set a target to double their bilateral trade to USD 28 billion by 2030, deepening cooperation in trade, investment and energy.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences launched "Mission Mausam" in May 2026 to make India "weather-ready" and "climate-smart" through better weather forecasting, observation networks and research.

Noted lyricist and adman Prasoon Joshi was appointed the new Chairman of Prasar Bharati in May 2026. Prasar Bharati is India's public service broadcaster, operating Doordarshan (television) and All India Radio (Akashvani).