1 India’s first ‘Skycast’ system launched at IGI Airport
Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first integrated next-generation aviation weather and fog monitoring system, SkyCast, at New Delhi ‘s Indira Gandhi International Airport . The inauguration was conducted under Mission Mausam. He stated that this state-of-the-art system will provide pilots with real-time weather information, reducing flight delays, diversions, and flight cancellations caused by fog and turbulence. Dr. Singh noted that only 18 such modern systems exist in the world, and India has become the 19th country to install one. He stated that the second such facility, after Delhi’s IGI Airport, will be installed at Jewar Airport, followed by expansion to other airports across India. The SkyCast facility also includes advanced fog monitoring instruments, such as the Ground-Based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS), which provides detailed information about fog droplets, aerosols, and aerosol-fog interactions. The system also integrates a CL61 lidar-based ceilometer, which continuously monitors the vertical structure of fog. This helps understand the atmospheric conditions that influence fog formation, visibility reduction, and aviation operations. SkyCast integrates real-time measurements of fog, aerosols, turbulence, humidity, visibility, and atmospheric conditions into an advanced aviation weather information system. This system will provide accurate forecasting and early warning services to pilots, airlines, airport operators, and air traffic management agencies. SkyCast’s scientific foundation is the Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX), which was jointly conducted by IITM and IMD under the Ministry of Earth Sciences at IGI Airport in 2015.
2 India-Vietnam digital payments cooperation strengthened, RBI and SBV sign agreement
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 5, 2026, to enhance cooperation in the field of financial innovation and digital payments. The initiative aims to strengthen cross-border payment linkages between the two countries , expand QR code-based payment systems , and advance India’s position as a global fintech hub . This agreement between the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of Vietnam will further deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of financial innovation and digital payments. It will promote information sharing, regulatory coordination, and payment system connectivity, enabling cross-border transactions for QR code-based merchant payments between India and Vietnam.
3 India’s first ‘super pressure balloon’ launched
India’s first super-pressure balloon, the 2026, was launched on May 28th . Developed by Red Balloon Aerospace , it launched from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh . It is India’s first super-pressure balloon. The balloon platform , called VISTA , has been named ” Mission SANA .” The super-pressure balloon will be used for atmospheric research and meteorological data collection . It can remain at a constant altitude for extended periods of time and in the stratosphere. A super-pressure balloon is a high-altitude balloon designed to maintain internal pressure higher than the external atmospheric pressure. It can be used for telecommunications, Earth observation, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and strategic surveillance. Red Balloon Aerospace on Wednesday launched the country’s first indigenous super-pressure balloon (SPB), carrying commercial payloads from seven national and international partners. Launched from the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Vijayawada, the SPB (Vista) reached an altitude of approximately 25 km.
4 Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar takes over as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar , PVSM, AVSM, NM assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Indian Navy on 29 May 2026. Ajay Kochhar has specialization in Gunnery and Missile Systems . Vice Admiral Ajay was commissioned on 1 July 1988. Vice Admiral Ajay served as Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Ajay has also served as Commandant, National Defence Academy and Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command. In 2013, Ajay became the commissioning Commanding Officer of the stealth frigate INS Trikand. In 2017, he took command of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and became its third Commanding Officer. In 2021, Vice Admiral Ajay was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).
5 Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old Indian-American student from California, has won the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old Indian-American student from California , has won the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee competition . He won the title by correctly spelling 32 out of 35 words in 90 seconds. Eighth-grade student Shrey Parikh defeated 12-year-old Ishaan Gupta, a seventh-grade student. Shrey Parikh was also a finalist in the 2024 competition. With this victory, he received several prizes, including $50,000, a commemorative medal, and the Scripps Cup . The three-day competition featured 247 participants from across the 50 US states and several countries. The Spelling Bee competition was first held in 1925. Balu Natarajan became the first Indian-American student to win the competition in 1985. Over the past several decades, Indian-American students have performed exceptionally well in the competition. Five of this year’s nine finalists were of Indian origin.
The Sixth National Family Health Survey report released today states that India has made significant progress in maternal and child health, nutrition, and financial security. According to the report, 95.9% of pregnant women received antenatal care . The number of women receiving checkups in the first trimester of pregnancy has increased from 70% to 76.2%. The survey states that India’s total fertility rate remains at 2. More than 96% of children aged 12 to 23 months have received essential vaccinations. The report also states that deliveries in hospitals and health centers have increased from 88.6% to 90.6%. These improvements reflect the positive impact of the Mission Parivar Vikas and National Family Planning programs. The survey also documented improvements in women’s digital and economic status. The number of women using the internet has nearly doubled, from 33.3% to 64.3%.
7 MoUs signed for substrate manufacturing technology in India
The Government of Odisha , US multinational technology company Intel Corporation , and 3DGS Corporation, a leading US high-tech semiconductor company manufacturing advanced packaging substrate solutions and glass-based electrical circuits, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an Advanced Packaging Glass Core Substrate Manufacturing Center in Odisha . Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnav, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi, Intel CEO Lip-Boo Tan, and other dignitaries witnessed the signing of the MoU to establish the substrate manufacturing technology center in India. The plant will focus on advanced packaging glass core substrates, high-density interconnect substrates, and semiconductor technologies. Intel will provide technical knowledge and process expertise. This is expected to contribute to capacity development, ecosystem growth, and export-oriented manufacturing in India. This initiative, under the India Semiconductor Mission, builds on ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing, design ecosystems, and supply chain capabilities. This will position Odisha as one of the emerging global hubs for semiconductor manufacturing and digital infrastructure.
8 Department of Financial Services launched a common landing portal for unclaimed financial assets
The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance , launched the Common Landing Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets , developed in collaboration with PSB Alliance , to ensure easy access to information related to unclaimed financial assets. The portal, available at https://www.unclaimedassetsportal.in, is an integrated platform providing access to search facilities related to unclaimed bank deposits, insurance claims, shares, dividends and mutual funds across the financial sector. The portal was launched by Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, during the review meeting of Public Sector Banks held on May 29, 2026.
9 First digital FRA atlas of Northeast launched in Tripura
On May 29 , Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu launched the first digital ‘ Forest Rights Act ‘ (FRA) atlas. The Northeast’s first digital Forest Rights Act (FRA) was launched during the ‘ Janjati Garima Utsav 2026 – Birsa Lives in New India Week ‘ event held at Pragya Bhavan in Agartala . This atlas will help in managing land rights and forest rights of tribal communities. The digital FRA atlas was developed in collaboration with the Tripura Application Centre. This initiative aims to provide digital mapping and geospatial technology through the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. The digital FRA atlas helps in digital mapping of forest rights claims and land records.
10 TOFEI App launched on World No Tobacco Day
Union Health Secretary, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava , launched the pilot version of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) app during a national program organized at Kartavya Bhawan on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day (May 31), 2026. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for collecting tobacco product samples was also released on the occasion. The program was organized under the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) . TOFEI is a digital initiative aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of tobacco-free standards in schools and colleges across the country . The app will facilitate self-assessment and reporting by educational institutions, monitoring compliance with guidelines, adherence to tobacco control indicators, and prohibiting the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of the institution . It will also promote awareness and sensitization activities for students and teachers, and effectively implement tobacco-free measures on campus. Pilot implementation of the application will be conducted in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Maharashtra.
11 Karnataka: Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepts Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru . With this, the Council of Ministers has been dissolved with immediate effect. However, Mr. Siddaramaiah has been asked to remain in office as caretaker Chief Minister until alternative arrangements are made. He is prohibited from making any executive decisions during this period.
12 R. Praggnanandhaa beats Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess 2026
On May 28 , R. Praggnanandhaa defeated world No. 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess 2026. Praggnanandhaa won the third round of the Norway Chess 2026, held in Stavanger, Norway . Praggnanandhaa defeated Carlsen in classical chess . Praggnanandhaa is one of India’s youngest successful Grandmasters. He previously won the Norway Chess 2024. Praggnanandhaa first won the World Youth Chess Championship in the Under-8 category in 2013. Praggnanandhaa became the youngest International Master (IAM) in 2016 at the age of 10. In 2018, Praggnanandhaa became the world’s second-youngest Grandmaster at the age of 12. In 2019, Praggnanandhaa won the World Youth Under-18 Championship. Praggnanandhaa represented India at the 44th Chess Olympiad in 2022 and won bronze. During the 2022 tournament, Praggnanandhaa defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen in the rapid format. Praggnanandhaa was awarded the Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest sporting honor, in 2022. Praggnanandhaa won the FIDE Circuit 2025 and qualified for the Candidates Tournament 2026, becoming the first Indian to qualify through this route.
13 The Indian team performed brilliantly at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026, winning two silver medals and three merit awards in emerging and industry-driven skill areas.
Team India brought pride to the nation by winning two silver medals and three merit awards in various skill categories at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026, an international skills competition to be held in Taipei , Taiwan , from May 26 to 28, 2026. Competing against some of the best young skilled professionals from 15 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, the Indian contingent demonstrated exceptional excellence, reaffirming India’s growing reputation as a global skills power. The contingent was supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) , which provide India’s youth with access to world-class training, industry linkages, and internationally recognized opportunities. Team India’s achievements at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026 are as follows:
- Ms. Muskan – Silver Medal in Painting and Decoration
- Mr. Arjun Sumati Vijaybhaskar – Silver Medal in Mobile Application Development
- Mr. Mohammed Mafaz Poonaikkannan Rabi Ahmed – Merit Award in Software Application Development
- Mr. Suresh Kumar Ganeshan Meena – Merit Award in Digital Creation
- Mr. Mohammed Seraj – Merit Award in Automobile Technology