SIR Phase 3, West Bengal Assembly Speaker & Mizoram Ginger Mission 16 Key Stories

National News

Centre Launches ₹189.79 Crore Mizoram Ginger Mission to Boost Exports

The Centre launched the ₹189.79 crore Mizoram Ginger Mission to transform Mizoram ginger into a globally recognized premium product.
Backed by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, the mission focuses on farmer income growth, processing infrastructure, export readiness, and international branding.
The initiative was launched by Jyotiraditya Scindia and Lalduhoma. Mizo ginger is gaining attention due to its high 6-8% oleoresin content, much higher than the global average, making it valuable for food, pharma, cosmetics, and herbal industries.
The mission is built on four pillars value addition, branding, market integration, and convergence and will establish processing hubs while connecting nearly 20,000 farming households. GI-tagged varieties like Thingpui Ginger and Thinglaidum Ginger are expected to strengthen global branding and export potential.

ECI Begins Phase III of Special Intensive Revision Covering 36.73 Crore Voters

The Election Commission of India (Election Commission of India) has launched Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across 16 states and 3 Union Territories, covering around 36.73 crore electors.
The exercise aims to ensure accurate voter rolls through house-to-house verification, addition of new voters, deletion of duplicates, and correction of records to strengthen electoral transparency and democracy.
The revision process involves nearly 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 3.42 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs), who will conduct field verification and ensure political oversight. Key stages include draft roll publication, claims and objections, and final electoral roll release between July and December 2026.
This large-scale exercise covers major states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, Delhi, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and several Northeast states, making it one of India’s most extensive voter list updates.

Bhupender Yadav Launches ‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Programme at Sasan Gir

Bhupender Yadav launched the Lion Species Spotlight Programme at Sasan Gir ahead of the International Big Cat Alliance Summit 2026. The programme highlighted India’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, lion protection, and international cooperation among lion-range countries through educational events, films, and expert discussions.
Bhupendra Patel described Gir as a model where wildlife conservation and economic development coexist successfully with strong community participation. India’s Asiatic lion population reportedly reached 891 in 2025, showing a 32% increase since 2020, making it a major global conservation success story.
India will host the first IBCA Summit in New Delhi on June 1–2, 2026. The alliance focuses on conserving seven major big cat species, including lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas.
The government’s Project Lion, launched in 2020, supports habitat expansion, scientific monitoring, and ecological resilience to ensure the long-term survival of the Asiatic lion.

India Plans ₹40,000 Crore Subsea Gas Pipeline from Oman to Gujarat

India is planning a ₹40,000 crore subsea gas pipeline connecting Oman to Gujarat to strengthen long-term energy security after the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis disrupted global oil and LNG flows.
The proposed 2,000-km deep-sea pipeline will bypass the vulnerable Strait of Hormuz route and directly transport natural gas from Oman to India.
The project is expected to take 5–7 years after approval and may become operational between 2033 and 2035. Major Indian PSUs involved include GAIL, Engineers India Limited, and Indian Oil Corporation. GAIL will lead feasibility planning and pipeline operations.
The move comes after India reportedly suffered massive losses during the Hormuz disruption, exposing heavy dependence on a single maritime energy corridor.
The pipeline is expected to reduce LNG import risks, improve supply stability, support industrial growth, and strengthen India’s strategic energy infrastructure.

State News

Vinai Kumar Saxena Inaugurates High-Altitude Irrigation Canal at 14,000 Feet in Ladakh

Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the Mahey Tokpo-Raldho irrigation canal in the high-altitude Changthang region of Ladakh.
Built at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, the 2.10 km canal is designed to carry water from Yaya Lake to farmland in Mahey, improving irrigation in one of India’s harshest and most remote regions.
The project is expected to support around 100 acres of agricultural land, helping farmers who earlier depended on seasonal glacier melt and unpredictable water sources. Its completion marks a significant engineering achievement in extreme Himalayan conditions, with reinforced structures to withstand low oxygen, freezing temperatures, and difficult terrain.
Alongside the inauguration, a 15,000-tree plantation drive was launched to support soil conservation, slope stability, and ecological restoration in the fragile Changthang ecosystem.

Rathindra Bose Elected Unopposed as West Bengal Assembly Speaker

Rathindra Bose was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the 18th West Bengal Legislative Assembly, becoming the first legislator from North Bengal to hold the post in post-Independence history. Bose, MLA from Cooch Behar Dakshin, was nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
His name was proposed in the Assembly by Suvendu Adhikari, and pro tem Speaker Tapas Roy conducted the voice vote.
All 207 BJP MLAs supported his candidature, while the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) did not field a candidate.
The BJP currently holds a dominant majority in the 294-member Assembly, and Bose’s appointment is seen as a significant political message to North Bengal, a key BJP support base in the state.

International News

European Union Clears India for Continued Marine Product Exports

The European Union (European Union) has included India in its updated list of countries eligible to export marine products, ensuring that Indian seafood exports will continue beyond September 2026.
This decision prevents a potential trade disruption and strengthens India’s access to a high-value global market, as the EU accounts for about 19% of India’s seafood exports.
Earlier, India risked exclusion due to stricter EU norms on antimicrobial residues and compliance standards, but it was retained after demonstrating improved monitoring systems and food safety compliance.
The approval reflects growing global trust in India’s export quality framework.
India’s marine exports reached around $8.43 billion in FY26, growing by about 14% year-on-year, making seafood a key contributor to the country’s export economy and coastal livelihoods.

India’s Passport Ranked 78th in Henley Passport Index 2026: Full Details

India’s passport slipped to 78th position in the latest Henley & Partners Passport Index 2026, falling three places from its earlier rank of 75. According to the index, Indian passport holders currently have access to 56 destinations through visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa facilities.
The International Air Transport Association data-based ranking evaluates global passports by travel freedom. Despite the recent decline, India’s long-term position has improved from 90th rank in 2021 and 85th in 2025, indicating gradual progress in global mobility.
Indian travellers continue to enjoy easier access to countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Singapore retained the world’s strongest passport ranking with access to 192 destinations.

India Assumes Chair of Common Criteria Development Board for 2026–2028

India has assumed the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for the 2026–28 term, following a decision at the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) Meeting held in Tokyo. The move highlights India’s growing influence in shaping global cybersecurity and IT security standards.
The Common Criteria Development Board is the technical body that develops and updates international standards for evaluating the security of IT products. It supports the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement, a global agreement that allows member countries to mutually recognize cybersecurity certifications, reducing the need for repeated testing across nations.
India has been part of the CCRA since 2013 through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and its certification body STQC Directorate. This leadership role strengthens India’s position in global digital trust, secure technology certification, and international cybersecurity cooperation.

Afghanistan Signs $46 Million Deal with Indian Company for Customs Infrastructure

The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has signed a $46 million agreement with Indian company TCRC to develop customs laboratory infrastructure across the country.
The five-year project will establish laboratory centres in Kabul and nine customs facilities, along with installing advanced testing equipment and upgrading existing systems.
The project aims to improve Afghanistan’s trade quality control, product testing, and certification capabilities. It will also strengthen the Afghanistan Standards and Quality Authority, helping exports meet international standards and improving the country’s trade credibility.
The agreement includes training programs for Afghan technical staff, collaboration with foreign experts, and efforts to obtain International Organization for Standardization certification standards.
For India, the deal reflects continued economic engagement with Afghanistan through private-sector participation, while for Afghanistan it supports long-term trade infrastructure and economic development.

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Banking News

HDB Financial Services appoints N Srinivasan as new Chairman

HDB Financial Services has appointed Natarajan Srinivasan as its Independent Director and Non-Executive Chairman.
The appointment comes as the company expands operations and focuses on its long-term growth strategy. Srinivasan brings extensive leadership experience from the Murugappa Group, where he held several senior management roles.
Meanwhile, Capri Global Capital announced that its lending arm, Capri Loans, has crossed 1,000 gold loan branches across India. The expansion strengthens access to quick and transparent gold-backed credit in urban, semi-urban, and rural markets.
Since launching its gold loan business in 2022, Capri Loans has grown rapidly, with assets under management (AUM) exceeding ₹16,960 crore, supporting the company’s broader financial inclusion goals.

Economy News

India’s Wholesale Inflation Jumps to 8.3%, Highest in Nearly 3.5 Years

India’s Wholesale Price Index (Wholesale Price Index) surged to 8.3% in April 2026, its highest level in nearly 3.5 years, mainly driven by a sharp rise in fuel and energy prices due to West Asia tensions and global crude oil disruptions.
The fuel & power segment saw inflation jump to 24.71%, with major spikes in petrol (32.40%), diesel (25.19%), and LPG (10.92%), reflecting rising global crude costs and supply uncertainty.
Primary articles inflation also rose to 9.17%, while manufactured products inflation increased to 4.62%, showing broad-based price pressures across the economy.
Since WPI tracks producer-level costs, sustained high inflation may eventually pass through to consumers, raising retail prices and increasing pressure on India’s overall inflation outlook.

Books & Authors News

Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Launch ‘Apnapan’ with Personal Insights on PM Modi

Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced his upcoming book Apnapan, based on his 35-year association with Narendra Modi.
The book will offer personal insights into PM Modi’s leadership style, governance approach, political strategy, and personal values.
According to Chouhan, the book is more than a political memoir and reflects experiences from organizational politics, state governance, and national leadership.
One important section recalls the 1991 Ekta Yatra, where Chouhan says Modi viewed the movement as a mission to inspire national unity and patriotism among youth.
The book also highlights Modi’s qualities such as strategic thinking, technology-driven governance, discipline, and emotional sensitivity toward citizens and party workers.
The official launch of Apnapan will take place on May 26, 2026, at the NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, in the presence of leaders including M. Venkaiah Naidu and H. D. Deve Gowda.

Defense News

India’s AI-Powered Combat Aircraft Kaal Bhairava to Be Manufactured in Portugal

India achieved a major defence innovation milestone with the AI-powered combat aircraft ‘Kaal Bhairava’, developed by Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace, set to be manufactured in Portugal.
It is India’s first overseas production of an autonomous combat aircraft and part of the broader Operation 777 initiative.
The MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) aircraft features a 3,000 km range, 30+ hours endurance, AI-based target recognition, swarm coordination, and secure encrypted communication systems.
It is designed for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and precision combat missions in modern warfare.
Production in Portugal will take place through a partnership with SKETCHPIXEL LDA, while FWDA will handle design and autonomous systems.
Operation 777 aims to expand Indian defence manufacturing across 77 countries and 7 continents, strengthening India’s global defence technology presence.

India’s First Privately Manufactured Military Aircraft Nears Final Rollout in Gujarat

India’s first privately manufactured military aircraft, the Airbus C-295, is nearing final rollout from the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara. Built through a partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems, the project marks a major milestone for India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat defence goals.
Under the 2021 defence deal, India will receive 56 C-295 aircraft, with 16 imported from Spain and 40 manufactured in India. The final assembly line in Gujarat was inaugurated in 2024 by Narendra Modi and Pedro Sánchez.
The C-295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft used for troop transport, cargo movement, medical evacuation, and special operations. It can operate from short and rugged airstrips and carry over 9,000 kg payload or around 71 personnel.
The project is expected to strengthen India’s aerospace ecosystem, expand private-sector defence manufacturing, reduce import dependence, and build advanced domestic supply chains.

Sports News

Sahdev Yadav Elected President of South Asian Weightlifting Federation

Sahdev Yadav has been elected unopposed as President of the South Asian Weightlifting Federation (SAWF), strengthening India’s role in South Asian sports governance.
He currently serves as President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation and holds key international positions including Treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association and Vice President of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation, reflecting his global administrative experience.
Alongside this, Sabina Yadav has been appointed CEO of SAWF. She is associated with the International Weightlifting Federation’s Innovation Committee and serves as Joint Secretary of the Indian Weightlifting Federation.
The SAWF plays a key role in promoting regional tournaments, athlete development, and cooperation among South Asian nations, while also preparing athletes for global competitions like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.