On May 21 , the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics ( AIAA) honored India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission with the Goddard Astronautics Award . India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra , received the award on behalf of ISRO at the AIAA ASCEND 2026 conference in Washington, D.C. On August 23, 2023 , Chandrayaan-3 performed the first soft landing near the Moon’s south pole , making India the first country to do so . The total budget for the Chandrayaan-3 mission was ₹1,062 crore . India is currently working on the Chandrayaan-4 lunar launch and the Gaganyaan mission. The Goddard Astronautics Award is one of the most prestigious honors in space science. The award was established by his wife in memory of rocket scientist Robert H. Goddard .
2 Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak selected for the 2025 UN Military Gender Equality Champion Award
Major Abhilasha Barak , an Indian Army officer serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon , has been selected for the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Equality Champion Award . Major Barak currently serves as the Commander of the Women’s Engagement Team in an Indian battalion within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Major Barak is also the Indian Army’s first female combat helicopter pilot . Major Barak becomes the third Indian peacekeeper to receive the award . Previously, Major Suman Gawani received the award in 2019 and Major Radhika Sen in 2023. Established in 2016 , the award is presented annually from nominations received by commanders and heads of missions of forces deployed in UN peacekeeping operations. India is one of the largest contributors of troops and police personnel to UN peacekeeping operations.
On May 22 , the Election Commission announced the dates for the Rajya Sabha elections . Elections will be held on June 18 for 26 Rajya Sabha seats across 12 states . The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, and one-third of its members retire every two years . Elections are held every two years to replace them. Twenty-four Rajya Sabha MPs are retiring between June 21 and July 19. These include Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge , senior leader Digvijay Singh , and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda . Elections will also be held for two vacant Rajya Sabha seats . These seats fell vacant following the resignations of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam . Rajya Sabha elections are conducted using the proportional representation system. Rajya Sabha members represent states in the House. States have a quota of seats in the Rajya Sabha based on their population. Only elected MLAs from a state vote to elect Rajya Sabha members. The total number of Rajya Sabha seats is 245. Of these, 233 seats are elected and the remaining 12 members are nominated by the President.
4 Successful testing of precision guided drones ‘Vayu Astra-1’
On May 22nd , the precision guided drone “Vayu Astra-1” was successfully tested. The drone was developed by Pune-based company Nibe Limited and is an indigenous drone. During the test, the drone was fitted with a 10-kilogram warhead , destroying a target 100 km away . The Astra-1 drone has a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 1 meter , meaning it never misses its target by more than 1 meter. If the target needs to be changed or an attack needs to be aborted during a mission, the operator can turn the drone back and launch it again later. The Vayu Astra-1 is equipped with a night anti-armor strike infrared (night-use camera), allowing it to attack at night. During the testing, the drone was also successfully transferred from the launch site to a forward control station 70 km away . This testing was done at Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan and Joshimath (Malari) in Uttarakhand .
5 Government to sell 8% stake in Central Bank of India
On May 22, the government decided to sell its 8% stake in Central Bank of India through a public offer (OFS) . An offer for sale (OFS) was issued, with a floor price of ₹31 per share . Retail investors and bank employees can bid for this issue until May 25, 2026. The government holds 89.27% of Central Bank of India . Under the offer, the government will sell the first 4%, or 36,20,56,051 equity shares . Central Bank of India is a major public sector bank in India, founded in 1911 by Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala, a Parsi banker inspired by the Swadeshi movement. If the government wishes to completely hand over a bank to a private buyer, it requires an amendment to the relevant bank’s law or a new law passed by Parliament.
6 BSF women’s team hoists tricolour on Mount Everest
On May 21 , the women’s team of Border Security Force ( BSF) hoisted the tricolor on Mount Everest and sang Vande Mataram . Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world, its height is 8,848.86 meters . The BSF team started the journey from New Delhi on April 6 on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the national anthem Vande Mataram . This was the first 100% women Everest mission in the history of BSF . This expedition was named ‘ Mission Vande Mataram ‘. Kausar Fatima from Ladakh , Munmun Ghosh from West Bengal , Rabeka Singh from Uttarakhand and Tsering Chorol from Ladakh were included in this mission.
7 CDSCO bans injection of cosmetic products
On May 21 , the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) banned the use of cosmetic products as injections . According to the CDSCO, injectable products do not fall under the legal definition of “cosmetic.” Beauty clinics and professionals will no longer be able to administer any beauty products through injections. Cosmetic products cannot be used in the name of treatment. This ban has been imposed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Cosmetic Rules 2020. This warning is specifically for beauty and wellness clinics that administer injections in the name of skin glow, anti-aging, or beauty treatments.
8. Agreement between NHAI and Norwegian Institute for cooperation in Tunnel Engineering and Slope Balancing
The National Highways Authority of India has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Geotechnical Institute of Norway for cooperation in tunnel engineering , slope balancing and capacity building . The agreement will be valid for five years . Under this, both organizations will collaborate in research and development related to natural disaster mitigation. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement that this collaboration reflects the authority’s commitment to develop the country’s national highways as per global standards.
The Jeevan mobile application for senior citizens has been launched in the country . It aims to strengthen support systems for senior citizens . Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, launched the app in New Delhi. The Jeevan app provides information on government welfare schemes , emergency assistance , and senior citizen housing . The Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment also launched the Shataayu dashboard to further strengthen care services for senior citizens.
10 Indian Army launches integrated logistics application ‘Q-Force’
The Indian Army has launched an integrated application, ” Q-Force, ” to streamline logistics and supply management . The application will strengthen supply chain and transportation management by integrating multiple logistics and inventory platforms, the Army said in a social media post. This will expedite operations across various operational areas.
11. The government will launch the Smart Border Project to make all borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan impenetrable.
The government will implement the Smart Border Project and make the entire border with Bangladesh and Pakistan impenetrable. Addressing the Border Security Force’s investiture ceremony and the Rustomji Memorial Lecture Series in New Delhi, Home Minister Amit Shah said that work is underway to integrate various technologies under the Smart Border concept. He said that the Home Ministry will soon implement the Smart Border Project, equipped with drones, radars, modern cameras, and other advanced technologies . Once this initiative is implemented, the work of the Border Security Force will become much easier and stronger. The Home Minister said that India will have to adopt new strategies to deal with cyber threats, hybrid warfare, and drone-related challenges.
12 The first AI-made film, “Hell Grind,” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
A new film made with Artificial Intelligence (AI) premiered at the Cannes Film Festival . This 95-minute film named ” Hell Grind ” was made by a team of 15 people in just 14 days . It cost around 5 lakh dollars . San Francisco startup Higgsfield AI also released the trailer of this film on Wednesday. The story of the film is based on gods and demons. Higgsfield founder Alex Mashrabov said that this is the first AI film . This film shows that AI can now maintain the continuity of characters, coherence of the world and the plot throughout an entire film.
The first International Big Cat Alliance Summit has been postponed. It was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 1st . The summit focused on seven big cat species and their conservation, including tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas.