- On May 1, 2026, the Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) Observatory was inaugurated at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Established by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Mission Mausam, it is a ₹180-crore facility designed to strengthen coastal weather monitoring and forecasting.
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- Tamil Nadu has overtaken Gujarat as India’s top marine fish producer in 2025, according to CMFRI data. TN recorded 6.85 lakh tonnes of marine fish landings, while Gujarat slipped to second place with 6.43 lakh tonnes after a 15% decline due to adverse weather, extended fishing bans, and cyclonic disturbances.
- On May 1, 2026, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari officially launched India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat.
- On May 1, 2026, Sikkim became India’s first fully paperless state judiciary, a landmark in legal modernization. The announcement was made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at the National Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education in Gangtok. With e-filing, digital case management, and paperless courtrooms, the judiciary now ensures efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.
- On May 2, 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the Cell Broadcast System (CBS) in New Delhi. Developed by C-DOT with NDMA, this indigenous technology delivers real-time multilingual disaster alerts to mobile phones—even without internet—marking a shift to proactive disaster management in India.
- On May 1, 2026, the Government of Karnataka launched India’s first State-led Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Space Technology in Bengaluru. The CoE will act as a hub for startups, academia, and industry, focusing on satellite design, AI-driven applications, and geospatial analytics. It aims to boost research, skill development, and commercialization of space technologies.
- On May 2–4, 2026, during his official visit to Jamaica, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) emergency medical units under the Aarogya Maitri project. These mobile units are designed for rapid emergency care during disasters and humanitarian crises.
- On May 3, 2026, Bengaluru-based space startup GalaxEye successfully launched its flagship satellite Drishti aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA. This marks the debut of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, combining optical imaging and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in a single platform.
- On 30 April 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its Special 301 Report on global intellectual property (IP) protection. India was again placed on the Priority Watch List, with concerns over patents, enforcement gaps, and piracy. Vietnam was designated a Priority Foreign Country (PFC)—the first in 13 years—triggering possible trade action.
- Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered the sixth Project-17A stealth frigate, Mahendragiri, to the Indian Navy on 30 April 2026 in Mumbai. This Nilgiri-class guided-missile frigate strengthens India’s indigenous naval capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- India successfully conducted the second test of its DRDO-developed Long-Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) with a strike range of 1,500 km off the Odisha coast on May 2, 2026. The missile achieved speeds up to Mach 10, marking a major leap in India’s maritime strike capability.
- Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) in Odisha on May 1, 2026, with an outlay of nearly ₹1,700 crore. The initiative will deliver 827 new road projects covering 1,701 km, connecting 898 habitations across eight districts.
- World Tuna Day 2026 was observed on Saturday, May 2 as a UN‑recognized awareness day. It was established in 2016 and first celebrated in 2017 to highlight the economic and ecological importance of tuna and the need for sustainable fisheries. The 2026 theme was “Sustaining Tuna, Sustaining Nations”.
- International Leopard Day 2026 was observed on May 3, established at the Global Leopard Conference in 2023. Leopards, known as the “silent shadows” of the wild, are highly adaptable apex predators. The 2026 theme was “Coexistence and Wild Spaces”.
- On May 2, 2026, the Government of India appointed Dr. R. Balasubramaniam and Dr. Joram Aniya as full-time members of NITI Aayog, raising the total membership to seven. This marks a significant expansion of the think tank’s leadership .
- On May 4, 2026, the Government appointed Prasoon Joshi as the new Chairman of Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster. A noted lyricist, advertising professional, and former CBFC Chairman, Joshi brings rich experience in creative communication. His appointment signals a push to modernize Doordarshan and All India Radio in the digital era.
- Veteran Tamil film producer R.B. Choudary, founder of Super Good Films, tragically died in a road accident near Udaipur, Rajasthan, on May 5, 2026, at the age of 76. His sudden demise has left the South Indian film industry in deep mourning.
Questions:
Q.1 Which state became India’s first fully paperless judiciary in May 2026?a) Kerala
b) Sikkim
c) Karnataka
d) Maharashtra
Answer: b) Sikkim achieved full digitization with e-filing and paperless courts.
Q.2 India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system was launched at which location?
a) Delhi–Meerut Expressway
b) Mumbai–Pune Expressway
c) Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48
d) Ahmedabad–Vadodara Expressway
Answer: c) Nitin Gadkari officially launched India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat.
