Current Affairs 13 May 2026
National Affairs
Overview of PM Narendra Modi's Visit to Gujarat on May 10–11, 2026
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Gujarat on 10–11 May 2026 to participate in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat.
Somnath Amrut Mahotsav: PM Modi performed Vishesh Maha Puja, Kumbhabhishek consecration rituals, and Dhvajarohan (ceremonial flag hoisting). He released a commemorative stamp and a ₹75 coin to commemorate 1,000 years of Somnath's enduring faith and 75 years of the temple's post-Independence reconstruction.
Inaugurations:
- Sardardham Hostel in Vadodara, Gujarat — developed at a cost of ₹150 crore
- Dr. Dushyant and Daksha Patel Complex
- Launched the Sardar Dham Education Support Yojana with an outlay of ₹500 crore to provide financial assistance, mentorship, and academic guidance to economically weaker students
- Virtually laid the foundation stone for the Dharamshi Harji Mordiya Girls Chhatralaya Phase-2 project
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches PMGSY-IV in Sehore, MP to Mark Silver Jubilee of PMGSY
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launched Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) on the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations of PMGSY at Bhairunda, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh (MP), on 10 May 2026.
Key Allocations for MP:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| PMGSY-IV Roads | 973 roads covering 2,117.52 km at ₹1,763.08 crore |
| PMAY-G Mother Sanction | ₹2,055 crore handed to CM Dr. Mohan Yadav |
| Vidisha Constituency | 259 roads covering 600.393 km |
| PM-JANMAN | Road projects worth ₹261.81 crore covering 384.34 km |
Awards: Union Minister felicitated several large states for exceptional performance under PMGSY over the last 25 years.
Urban Unemployment Rate Declined to 6.6%: PLFS January–March 2026
The National Statistics Office (NSO), under MoSPI, released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Quarterly Bulletin: January–March 2026 (Q4 FY26), the 4th in the series covering both rural and urban areas.
The urban unemployment rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above declined to 6.6%, down from 6.7% in the previous quarter.
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) — Age 15+ Years:
| Area | Q4 FY26 | Q3 FY26 (Oct–Dec 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 55.5% | 55.8% |
| Rural | 58.2% | 58.4% |
| Urban | 50.2% | 50.4% |
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates Bhimmandali Eco Heritage Site in Sambalpur, Odisha
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), led the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony of the Bhimmandali Eco Heritage Site under the Naktideul Block of Sambalpur district in Odisha.
The GoI has sanctioned more than ₹8.30 crore for the development of the site.
Other Key Launches:
- Inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 304 projects, including a new Nursing College at Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital, with an investment of ₹580 crore
- Launched the Panchayati Raj Samikshya portal to improve transparency in rural governance
- Odisha CM distributed work orders to 50,000+ beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana (AGY)
- Announced Odisha will receive 10 lakh additional houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
JP Nadda & Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launch 'SEHAT Mission' to Link Agriculture with Public Health
Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Chemicals and Fertilisers, and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development, launched the 'SEHAT Mission' (Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation) to connect agriculture, nutrition, and public health through scientific collaboration in Delhi.
The mission has been jointly launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under MoA&FW to build a framework for 'Healthy Food, Healthy Farms and a Healthy India'.
Objective: Improve nutrition, reduce lifestyle diseases, support farmer health, and promote sustainable food systems through science-based policies.
Significance: Aims to shift healthcare from a treatment-based approach to a preventive approach focused on nutrition, early detection, and continuous care.
CJI Surya Kant Announces 'One Case One Data' Initiative; Launches AI Chatbot 'Su Sahay'
Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India (CJI), announced the launch of the 'One Case One Data' initiative along with an AI-powered judicial assistance chatbot named 'Su Sahay' to strengthen data integration, transparency, and efficiency in court case management across all levels of the judiciary.
One Case One Data: Integrates multi-level information from all high courts, district and taluka courts into a unified system. Each case assigned a single unique digital identity (ID); all related documents — orders, arguments, judgments — consolidated into one continuous digital case file.
Chatbot Su Sahay: AI-powered assistance chatbot integrated with the Supreme Court (SC) website to facilitate easier access to justice and court-related services for litigants. Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) under MeitY in collaboration with the Supreme Court Registry.
CII & NUS-ISS Sign MoU to Strengthen AI Governance and Digital Leadership in India
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and National University of Singapore Institute of Systems Science (NUS-ISS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen AI governance and digital leadership capabilities among Indian enterprises.
The MoU was exchanged at the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi, in the presence of N. Chandrababu Naidu, CM of AP; Simon Wong, Singapore High Commissioner to India; Rajiv Memani, President, CII; and Dr. Suchitra Ella, Vice-President, CII.
Objective: Equip board members, CXOs, and senior decision-makers with strategic and practical expertise in AI, digital governance, cybersecurity, innovation leadership, and emerging technologies.
Programme: Jointly offer the 'Leadership Programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Governance', a specialised certification programme for industry leaders.
DYPIU and Dassault Systèmes Sign MoU to Establish Experience Centre in Pune
D Y Patil International University (DYPIU), Pune (Maharashtra), signed an MoU with Dassault Systèmes, a French multinational software corporation, to establish an advanced Digital Engineering and Digital Manufacturing Experience Centre at its campus in Akurdi, Pune — one of the first of its kind in Maharashtra.
Supports "Make in India", Industry 4.0, and industry-academia collaboration in manufacturing innovation.
Infrastructure: The Centre will feature:
- NextGen Product Innovation Lab
- Intelligent Production System Lab
- Virtual Twin and Simulation Lab with VR capabilities — incorporating virtual twin technology, generative design, multi-physics simulation, digital manufacturing workflows, and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform (3DX)
Training: Live projects, internships, certifications, industry exposure, faculty training, curriculum enhancement, and a 3-year Training of Trainers (ToT) programme aligned with global industry standards.
Dhash Defence & IIT Ropar-DRIF Sign MoU for Indigenous Defence Mobility Platforms
Dhash Defence Systems Private Limited (DDS) and IIT Ropar's Defence Research and Innovation Foundation (DRIF), Punjab, signed an MoU to jointly develop advanced indigenous defence mobility systems.
Objective: Strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing, develop advanced mobility and autonomous platforms, and integrate academic research with defence production.
Key Focus Areas: Autonomous platforms, indigenous defence solutions under 'Make in India', AI-driven mobility systems, and multi-domain operational capabilities across diverse terrains.
Planned Defence Systems:
- All-terrain mobility platforms
- Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)
- Robotic Combat Vehicles (RCVs)
- Specialised defence mobility systems under the IDDM category
Banking & Finance
SEBI Proposes 'GARUDA Mechanism' to Speed Up AIF Scheme Launches
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed a new regulatory framework titled 'Green-Channel: Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) Rollout Upon Document Acknowledgement (GARUDA) mechanism' to accelerate the launch and approval process of AIF schemes in India.
Purpose: Streamline processing of Placement Memorandums (PPMs) filed with SEBI and further ease fundraising by AIFs.
| Category | Current Timeline | Under GARUDA |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Accredited Investor Schemes | 30 working days | 10 working days |
| Angel Funds & AI-Only Schemes | — | Almost immediately after filing |
Launch Permission Norms: For first-time schemes, launch permission granted either from the date of SEBI registration or after 10 working days from filing, whichever is later.
Economy & Business
Moody's Lowers India's GDP Growth Forecast to 6% for CY26
American rating agency Moody's Ratings released its latest "Global Macro Outlook – May 2026 Update", revising India's GDP growth forecast for Calendar Year 2026 (CY26) downward by 80 basis points (bps) to 6%.
Driven mainly by weak private consumption, slower capital formation, and subdued industrial activity amid higher energy costs.
| Indicator | Projection |
|---|---|
| CY26 GDP | 6% (down 80 bps) |
| CY27 GDP | 6% (down 50 bps from previous estimate) |
Potential Risks: Prolonged USA–Iran confrontation and ongoing shipping blockades in West Asia expected to threaten supply of crude oil and LNG — India imports about 60% of its LPG usage, of which 90% passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Future Scenario: Consistently high energy costs expected to keep inflation elevated, compress profits, weaken investment, and strain public finances.
Appointments & Resignations
Dr. Harvansh Chawla Appointed as Chairman of BRISEC CCI
Legal expert Dr. Harvansh Chawla was appointed as the Chairman of the BRISEC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRISEC CCI), after stepping down as Chairman of the BRICS CCI.
BRISEC CCI: Established in May 2026 and recognised by NITI Aayog; focuses on promoting global trade, investment, innovation, and wider economic cooperation beyond the BRICS framework.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Founder | Founder & Managing Partner of K.R. Chawla & Co. Advocates since 1994 |
| Expertise | Infrastructure, privatisation (including port privatisation), banking transactions (ABN-AMRO & Bank of America deal) |
| Memberships | International Bar Association (IBA), Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), Indo-USA Business Council |
| Previous Role | Chairman, BRICS CCI since May 2025 |
Science & Technology
Indian Army Inducts Indigenous ULPGM & AGNIKAA VTOL-1 Kamikaze Drone from Adani
The Indian Army (IA) inducted two indigenous combat systems under Emergency Procurement-6 (EP-6) from Adani Defence & Aerospace Limited in Hyderabad, Telangana, following successful high-altitude and Electronic Warfare (EW) trials.
ULPGM (UAV-Launched Precision Guided Munition):
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Development | Co-developed by DRDO and Adani Defence |
| Distinction | India's first indigenous loitering munition in its category |
| Capability | Equipped with Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker; launched from UAVs to strike stationary and moving targets |
AGNIKAA VTOL-1 (FPV Kamikaze Drone):
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distinction | India's first FPV kamikaze drone in its category |
| Purpose | Anti-personnel precision-strike platform for urban warfare, confined spaces & open battlefields |
| Range | Up to 5 km |
| Endurance | 30 minutes |
| Max Speed | 60 kmph |
| Lethality Radius | 5 m against personnel and soft-skinned vehicles |
Sports
Shanghai Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 2: India Women's Recurve Team Wins Gold
(Covered in previous edition)
Obituary
(No new entries in this edition)
Books & Authors
(No new entries in this edition)
Important Days at a Glance
| Date | Event | Key Theme / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| May 1 | International Day of Vesak / Buddha Purnima | Observed on the Full Moon day in Vaisakha (May), commemorating Gautama Buddha's birth (623 BC), enlightenment & Parinirvana. Adopted via UNGA Resolution A/RES/54/115 (15 December 1999), co-sponsored by 34 countries including India. First observed in 2000. China hosts the 2026 edition — the 21st UN Day of Vesak. |
| May 11 | National Technology Day | Theme 2026: "Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth". 28th National Technology Day commemorating India's Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear tests (1998) and maiden flight of indigenous Hansa-3 aircraft. Declared by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999. First celebrated on 11 May 1999 by the Council for Technology. Organised by Technology Development Board (TDB) under DST, MoS&T. |
| May 12 | International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) | Theme 2026: "Plant Biosecurity for Food Security". Adopted via UNGA Resolution A/RES/76/256 (March 2022), co-sponsored by Bolivia, Finland, Pakistan, Philippines, Tanzania & Zambia. First observed on 12 May 2022. Organised by FAO and International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). |
State News
Punjab CM Bhagwant Maan Launches 'Meri Rasoi Yojana' for Free Food Kit Distribution
Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, launched 'Meri Rasoi Yojana (My Kitchen Scheme)' in Bhalwan village, Sangrur district, Punjab, to provide free food kits to around 40 lakh economically weaker families across the state, under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
Objective: Reduce kitchen expenses of poor families, improve nutrition, strengthen food security, and support underprivileged households through access to essential food items.
Kitchen Kit Contents (once every 3 months):
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Moong-Chana Dal | 2 kg |
| Sugar | 2 kg |
| Iodised Salt | 1 kg |
| Turmeric | 200 grams |
| Mustard Oil | 1 litre |
Priority Beneficiaries: Special provisions for families with differently abled members, senior citizens, and single-parent households.
Implementation & Distribution: Kits assembled by the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (MARKFED) and distributed through the Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Punjab.
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