Current Affairs Roundup: May 2026
A comprehensive guide for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSC Aspirants.
National Current Affairs (India)
1. Assam Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026
On May 27, 2026, the Assam Legislative Assembly passed The Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026. Assam became the first state in Northeast India and the third in the country (after Uttarakhand and Gujarat) to implement a common civil framework.
- Key Provisions: Minimum marriage age fixed at 18 for women and 21 for men.
- Ban on Polygamy: Strict prohibition of bigamy and polygamy with up to 7 years of imprisonment.
- Live-in Relationships: Mandatory registration of live-in partnerships within one month.
- Exemptions: Scheduled Tribes (STs) are completely exempted to protect their customary practices.
2. Expansion of Supreme Court Strength
The Government issued an ordinance to increase the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 37 (including the CJI). This move aims to reduce the mounting case pendency in the apex court.
3. West Bengal's Political Shift
On May 9, 2026, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal, marking a significant change in the state's political landscape.
4. NITI Aayog’s Semiconductor Roadmap
NITI Aayog released a new roadmap for India’s semiconductor industry, aiming for $100 billion in domestic production by 2030. The policy focuses on "Design in India" and talent development.
International Current Affairs
1. India AI Impact Summit 2026
Hosted in New Delhi under the "IndiaAI Mission," the summit concluded with the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. It was the first global AI summit hosted by a nation from the Global South.
- Theme: "AI for All: People, Planet, and Progress."
- Outcome: 88 countries signed the declaration to promote responsible and inclusive AI.
2. BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
The BRICS Foreign Ministers met on May 14, 2026, under India's Chairship. The focus was on "Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability" (BRICS 2026 theme).
3. 79th World Health Assembly
The assembly concluded in Geneva with a focus on "Health for All" and pandemic preparedness. Member states agreed on a new global framework for rapid vaccine distribution during future health emergencies.
Economy & Banking
1. RBI Surplus Transfer
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved a record surplus transfer to the Central Government for the fiscal year 2025-26, providing a significant boost to the government's non-tax revenue.
2. Global Economic Outlook
The UN mid-year report (WESP 2026) projected global growth at 2.5%. However, it warned of "Middle East energy shocks" that could keep inflation higher for longer.
3. ECLGS 5.0
The Union Cabinet approved the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0, specifically targeting MSMEs and the aviation sector to manage rising operational costs.
Appointments & Awards
| Category | Name / Details | Position / Award |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani | Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) |
| Appointment | Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan | Chief of Naval Staff |
| Appointment | Tushar Mehta | Solicitor General (Reappointed) |
| Award | Major Abhilasha Barak | UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year |
| Award | Havildar Sanjay Singh | Dag Hammarskjöld Medal (Posthumous) |
| Award | Tamil Nadu farmer Valluvan | FAO Soil Farmer Hero |
Science & Technology
- Shenzhou-23: China successfully launched the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft to its Tiangong Space Station.
- Hydrogen Trains: Indian Railways approved the pilot run of the first indigenous Hydrogen-Powered Train on the Jind-Sonipat section.
- New Species: Scientists discovered the 'Kali Night Frog' in the Western Ghats and 'Humboldtia nairiana' (a rare plant) in Kerala.
Important Days & Dates (May 2026)
| Date | Day | Significance / Theme |
|---|---|---|
| May 1 | International Labour Day | Celebrating workers' rights |
| May 3 | World Press Freedom Day | Theme: "A Press for the Planet" |
| May 11 | National Technology Day (India) | Commemorating Pokhran-II tests |
| May 21 | National Anti-Terrorism Day | Death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi |
| May 31 | World No Tobacco Day | Protecting children from tobacco industry interference |
Sports Highlights
FIFA 2026 The final countdown for the 2026 Men's FIFA World Cup (hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico) began in May. This edition will be the first to feature 48 teams.
IPL 2026 The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) concluded in late May with a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.