Current Affairs 09 May 2026

National Affairs

Overview of Vietnam President To Lam's Visit to India from May 5–7, 2026

To Lam, President of Vietnam, undertook a 3-day official visit to India from May 5–7, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defence, trade, and critical technologies.

In New Delhi: PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with President To Lam at Hyderabad House, reviewing bilateral cooperation in defence, security, trade, science and technology, maritime affairs, renewable energy, atomic energy, space, and people-to-people ties. President To Lam also met President Droupadi Murmu and Union Minister (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T).

In Mumbai: Visited the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) and participated in the India-Vietnam Business Forum, during which both Vietnamese and Indian firms exchanged a total of 27 cooperation agreements.

Key MoUs: India and Vietnam signed 13 MoUs across sectors including digital technologies, culture, health regulation, education, tourism, and public sector cooperation.

Major Announcements:

• Elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)
• Expand bilateral trade to USD 25 billion by 2030

NCRB's Crime in India 2024: Crime Rate Declined by 6%; Delhi Recorded Highest Cognisable Offences

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), released its annual report titled "Crime in India 2024". India recorded 58.86 lakh cognisable crimes in 2024, marking a 6% decline compared to 62.41 lakh cases in 2023.

Crime Rate: Declined from 448.3 (2023) to 418.9 (2024) per lakh population.

Maximum Cognisable Offences: Among all 19 metropolitan cities, Delhi topped with more than 2.7 lakh cases (2,75,402), with the lowest charge-sheeting rate.

Suicides (ADSI 2024 Report): A total of 1,70,746 suicide cases registered in 2024. Bengaluru (Karnataka) recorded over 2,313 (2022), 2,370 (2023), and 2,403 (2024) suicides, with a suicide rate close to 20 per lakh population through the 3-year period.

MoS&PI Updates State GDP Calculation with 2022–23 as New Base Year

The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoS&PI), notified uniform guidelines for compiling Gross State Value Added (GSVA), with 2022–23 as the new base year to ensure a standardised framework and comparability across all states.

Background: MoS&PI has updated the base year of National Accounts to 2022–23, incorporating modern data sources and improved estimation practices with evolving international standards.

GSDP Revision: States and Union Territories (UTs) are required to adopt the new base year for compilation of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Current Base: At present, 34 states and UTs compile GSDP estimates using 2011–12 as the base year, except Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH&DD).

NITI Aayog Releases Policy Report on School Education System in India

Suman K. Bery, former Vice Chairman, and Nidhi Chhibber, interim CEO of NITI Aayog, released a policy report titled 'School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement' in New Delhi, Delhi.

The report provides a decade-long (2014–25) assessment of India's school education system.

Top Performers:

• Jharkhand: Achieved 0% primary school dropout rate in 2024–25, improved from 6.41% in 2014–15.

Zero-Enrolment Schools: Highest in West Bengal (3,812) and Telangana (2,245), followed by J&K (146) and Punjab (13).

MIF Signs Agreements with IITs and IMU to Promote Atmanirbhar Bharat

The Maritime India Foundation (MIF), implementing agency for the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), signed MoUs with IIT Madras (Chennai, TN), IIT Bombay (Mumbai, Maharashtra), and the Indian Maritime University (IMU) Chennai (TN) to establish Maritime Innovation Hubs (MIH).

The ceremony was presided over by S. Viswanathan, MD, MIF and Chairperson of the Chennai Port Authority (ChPA), in Chennai.

Implementation: The MoU advanced the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative into execution phase, with selected institutions serving as MIH to mentor 36 startups working on 40 priority innovation projects addressing critical challenges in the Indian maritime sector.

Impact: Aims to develop advanced technology transformation, modernise the sector, and promote indigenous innovation under Atmanirbhar Bharat and 'Make in India, Make for the World'.

PSA & FICCI Sign MoU to Foster R&D Ecosystem

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the GoI and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) signed an MoU to strengthen India's Research and Development (R&D) and innovation ecosystem.

Signed by Dr. Preeti Banzal, Scientist-G, Adviser, PSA, and Sumeet Gupta, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI, at Kartavya Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi.

Objective: Create a robust R&D ecosystem by strengthening collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions.

Collaboration: Facilitate structured engagement by strengthening industry–academia linkages and connecting stakeholders across India's R&D ecosystem.

Diversification: Promotes technology sharing across sectors like energy, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture; focuses on expanding solar energy and green batteries, increasing global R&D participation, and strengthening indigenous technologies.

MBDA & IAF Sign Pact to Set Up MICA Missile MRO Facility in India

European multinational missile manufacturer MBDA signed an agreement with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish Maintenance, Repair and Mid-Life Overhaul (MRO) capability for MICA (Missile d'Interception, de Combat et d'Autodéfense) air-to-air missiles in India, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The facility will be set up, operated, and maintained by the IAF with technical support, machinery, training, and data packages provided by MBDA.

Missile: MICA is a multi-mission "fire-and-forget" air-to-air missile used on Dassault Rafale and Dassault Mirage 2000 with both Beyond Visual Range (BVR) and short-range combat capability.

Seekers:

Sustainment: Focuses on long-term missile lifecycle sustainment through MRO, mid-life overhaul extending missile service life by 10–15 years, and domestic servicing infrastructure.

Readiness: Improves missile readiness, increases combat-ready availability, eliminates dependence on overseas servicing, reduces replacement costs, and enhances operational preparedness of the IAF.

DRDO Inaugurates CBRN Field Training and Demonstration Centre in Delhi

Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, DDR&D, and Chairman, DRDO, inaugurated a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Field Training and Demonstration Centre at Burari plains in New Delhi, Delhi.

The centre aims to strengthen preparedness for radiological and nuclear emergencies through a DRDO-CBRN Centre of Excellence (CoE) equipped with advanced test bed, heavy ion research, emergency medical response, and real-time field response facilities.

Framework: Operates under the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) with MoD support.

Training: Multi-agency training and workshops for responders from MoD, MHA, NDMA, Indian Armed Forces, emergency medical teams, civil defence agencies, and specialised response organisations.

Preparedness: CBRN emergency simulation, hazard detection drills, radiation analysis, medical countermeasure preparedness, real-time disaster response exercises, and coordinated field operations under simulated high-risk conditions.

Research: Focuses on heavy ion research, radiation studies, nuclear safety validation, and advanced emergency response technologies.

Awards & Recognitions

JGU Becomes India's 1st IoE to Receive Data Science Council of America Accreditation

O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in Sonipat, Haryana, became India's first Institute of Eminence (IoE) to be accredited by the Data Science Council of America (DASCA), an international standards body for data science and AI.

Awarded Under: The World Data Sciences & AI Initiative (WDSAI), an international platform led by DASCA supporting universities in adopting internationally benchmarked standards.

Accredited Programmes: Seven of JGU's flagship AI and Data Science-related programmes, including M.Sc. in AI & Data Science, B.A. in AI & Law, and BBA Hons. in Business Analytics, among others.

Validity: Through 2031; covers residential, non-residential, and online delivery formats.

Appointments & Resignations

Govt Appoints Shashi Shekhar Vempati as CBFC Chairperson

The Government of India (GoI) appointed Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former CEO of Prasar Bharati (PB), as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), under MIB, for three years. He succeeds Prasoon Joshi, who has been appointed Chairman of PB.

FICCI Nominates Priyanka Mittal as Co-Chair of Saudi-India Business Council

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) nominated Priyanka Mittal, Director, KRBL (Khushi Ram & Behari Lal) Limited, as Co-Chair of the Saudi-India Business Council (SIBC). Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman of Eram Holdings, has been nominated as the Chair of the Indian side.

About SIBC: Jointly formed by FICCI and the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC), promoting trade, investment, and economic cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.

Acquisitions & Mergers

KMBL Gets RBI Nod to Buy 9.99% Each in AU SFB & Federal Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) secured approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to acquire up to 9.99% stakes of the paid-up share capital or voting rights each in AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) and Federal Bank Limited.

Acquirer: KMBL along with its subsidiaries, funds/schemes managed by subsidiaries, collectively referred to as 'Kotak Mahindra Group'.

Compliance With:

• Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949
• RBI's Commercial Banks (Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights Directions, 2025)
• Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, and other applicable rules

Regulatory Cap: Allows KMBL to hold sizeable minority stakes in both banks within RBI's 10% ownership limit.

Science & Technology

DRDO & IAF Successfully Conduct Maiden Flight-Trial of Indigenous TARA Glide Weapon

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the maiden flight-trial of Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon off the coast of Odisha.

TARA is India's first indigenous glide weapon system to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons.

Development: Designed and developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, Telangana.

TARA Glide Weapon Capabilities: Converts 250 kg, 450 kg, and 500 kg conventional bombs into guided munitions using:

• Inertial Navigation System (INS)
• GPS (Global Positioning System)
• Electro-optical guidance

Pixxel Secures USA's NRO Contract for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Development

Pixxel, a space technology company, secured a contract from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), USA, under the Commercial Systems Program Office (CSPO) to develop advanced hyperspectral remote sensing capabilities using its Firefly satellite constellation.

Contract: Secured under the Strategic Commercial Enhancements Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) programme to evaluate and integrate commercial hyperspectral data into USA remote sensing architecture.

Execution: By Pixxel Federal under the leadership of Allyson Jenkins, Vice President of Pixxel.

Firefly: Pixxel's constellation comprising six hyperspectral satellites launched in 2025, demonstrating high-resolution global Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) capabilities.

HSI: Enables advanced spectral analysis of materials, conditions, and activities beyond conventional imaging — supporting defence, environmental monitoring, agriculture, energy, and intelligence applications.

Obituary

Former India Midfielder Mohan Singh Passes Away

Former India midfielder Mohan Singh passed away at the age of 78 in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB), on 7 May 2026. He was born in 1948.

International Career: Made his India debut against Burma on 22 March 1972 during the Pre-Olympic Tournament in Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar); earned three international caps during the 1972 Pre-Olympic campaign.

Clubs: Represented East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting Club during the 1970s, scoring 11 goals for East Bengal and three for Mohun Bagan.

Achievements:

Important Days at a Glance

Current Affairs 09 May 2026