1 Shivraj Chauhan’s book on PM Modi, ‘Apnapan’, will be released on May 26.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written a book, ” Apnapan, ” based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi . The book will be released in Delhi on May 26. Sharing a video on Instagram, the Agriculture Minister wrote that working with PM Modi in various roles and responsibilities over more than three decades of public life has given him the opportunity to closely understand his personality, leadership, service, organization, good governance, and dedication to the nation. He has attempted to capture these experiences, feelings, and life values in his book, “Apnapan.”
2 Army and Navy sign agreement to strengthen joint military capabilities
To further strengthen the nation’s security, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy have approved a Memorandum of Association on Affiliation . The Memorandum of Association was signed between the two armies on Thursday, May 14th. The agreement aims to promote better coordination, mutual understanding, and joint operations between the Army and Navy . Given the changing nature of warfare, it is considered a crucial step towards future military preparedness. According to the armed forces, this agreement is a significant milestone towards establishing jointness, integration, and better coordination among the Indian Armed Forces. Its objective is to develop modern, integrated, and multi-dimensional military capabilities to meet future challenges. This step is also considered significant in strengthening the nation’s security system.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the launch of the ” Annapurna Bhandar ” scheme in West Bengal during the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed BJP government . Under the scheme, eligible women will receive ₹3,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It is expected to be implemented from June 1, 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen the economic independence of women, especially those from low- and middle-income families. This new scheme will replace the ” Lakshmi Bhandar ” scheme launched by the previous government, which provided ₹1,500 to general category women and ₹1,700 to SC/ST beneficiaries. The cabinet also approved free travel for women on state-run buses and announced the implementation of several central welfare schemes in the state, including Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Vishwakarma Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana . Other decisions include implementing the ‘ Beti Bachao Beti Padhao ‘ scheme, expanding ‘ Ujjwala Yojana 3.0 ‘ and transferring land to the BSF for fencing the Bangladesh border .
4 VD Satheesan will be the new Chief Minister of Kerala.
Finally, after a long period of uncertainty, the top leadership of the Congress party has announced its candidate for the Chief Minister of Kerala . The party has finalized VD Satheesan for the post. He will be the state’s 13th Chief Minister . Satheesan, a lawyer by profession, entered politics in 2001 by winning the assembly elections from Paravur. He has since established himself as one of the Congress’s sharpest and most influential speakers.
5 India-Singapore collaboration for treatment of multiple myeloma
The Technology Development Board (TDB) has signed a significant agreement with Helix Cell Therapeutics Private Limited , taking a major step towards strengthening India’s advanced biotechnology and cell therapy ecosystem . The project focuses on developing advanced dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapies for the treatment of multiple myeloma, a serious blood cancer . The project will be implemented in partnership with Singapore-based company BioCell Innovations under the India-Singapore Collaborative Framework under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) . Multiple myeloma is considered a serious and currently incurable blood cancer. Existing CAR-T therapies targeting BCMA have shown positive results in treating patients. The new project aims to improve treatment efficacy and duration of remission by simultaneously targeting both BCMA and CD19 markers. Under the project, Helix Cell Therapeutics will develop, manufacture, and evaluate next-generation dual-targeting CAR-T cells through Phase 1 clinical trials. This therapy is being developed specifically for patients who have previously undergone multiple treatments and have limited therapeutic options left.
6 Pratibha Parkar has been appointed as India’s ambassador to Panama.
IFS Batch 2000 officer Pratibha Parkar was appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Panama on Thursday . According to information shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, she is currently holding the position of Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and is expected to take up the new assignment shortly. Pratibha began her diplomatic career with the Foreign Service at the Indian Embassy in Russia. Prior to this, on May 27, 2020, she was appointed India’s Ambassador to Angola. She also served as First Secretary in Indonesia. She also served as Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Between 2006 and 2008, she handled diplomatic relations for the Myanmar desk.
7 India designated as Chair of Common Criteria Development Board till April 2028
India has been appointed Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) , a position from April 2026 to April 2028. This significant responsibility reflects the country’s growing role in international information technology security standard-setting . The decision for this high-level position was made during the first quarterly meeting of the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA), held in Tokyo, Japan, from April 14 to 16, 2026. The Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) is a fundamental international agreement that provides for mutual recognition of IT security certifications across borders. In addition to high-level policy committees, the CCRA operates through specialized working groups and administrative protocols designed to maintain the integrity of the Common Criteria Portal, which serves as the “single source of truth” for certified security IT products worldwide.
8 Latvian Prime Minister Evrika Silina announced her resignation.
Latvian Prime Minister Evrika Silina announced her resignation , calling it the right decision in the current situation. The government will continue to function until a new cabinet is formed.
Union Home and Minister of State for Cooperation Amit Shah addressed the ceremony in Ghaziabad , Uttar Pradesh, to present the ‘ President’s Colours ‘ to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the chief guest. Amit Shah congratulated all NDRF personnel for earning the nation’s trust through their courage, dedication, and hard work over the last 20 years. He said that the NDRF has saved the lives of more than 1.5 lakh people and evacuated more than 9 lakh people to safer places.
10 NIA reveals details of Delhi blasts; terrorists’ intentions were even more dangerous; conspiracy codenamed ‘Operation Heavenly Hind’
Several shocking revelations have emerged regarding the car bomb blast that occurred on the evening of November 10, 2025, near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station . The NIA investigation has revealed that Umar Un Nabi and other doctors were associated with the terrorist organization ” Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind ” (AGUH). Their goal was not to carry out the blast in Delhi, but to establish a large-scale jihadist network in India and challenge the democratic system. They codenamed this operation ” Operation Heavenly Hind . ” On Thursday , the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a 7,500-page charge sheet against 10 accused in the special court at Delhi’s Patiala House Court. The main accused, Umar Un Nabi, died in the blast. Nine other accused have been named in the charge sheet. The agency claimed that triacetone triperoxide (TATP) explosive was used in the Delhi blast. The accused prepared explosives like TATP from readily available chemicals.
11 Akash Ambani appointed Managing Director of Jio Platforms
On May 13 , Reliance Industries ‘ digital arm, Jio Platforms , announced the appointment of Akash Ambani as the company’s Managing Director (MD) . Jio Platforms is a digital services platform and a subsidiary of Reliance Industries. Akash Ambani’s term is effective April 9, 2026, and he will serve for five years. Jio Platforms also works on technology, including AI-based services like JioPC and the machine learning platform JioBrain. Akash Ambani has been on the board of Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL) since October 2014 and has been involved in the group’s digital and telecom strategy. Jio Platforms Limited (JPL) includes Reliance Jio Infocomm (telecom), MyJio, JioCinema, JioSaavn, and other digital apps. Reliance Industries owns a 66.43% stake in Jio Platforms.
12 Saudi scientists develop electricity-free cooling technology
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia have introduced NESCOD (Sustainable Cooling without Power and Requirements) , a new passive cooling technology . This innovative system addresses the growing global need for cooling solutions without relying on power-hungry air conditioners . Technically, NESCOD leverages the thermodynamic properties of endothermic disintegration , providing an environmentally friendly alternative for communities that are disconnected from the power grid or live in extremely hot areas. It captures solar energy and stores it for later use for cooling; this represents a major step forward in environmental engineering. It uses an endothermic chemical process, dissolving ammonium nitrate in water , to absorb heat , significantly reducing temperatures without the need for a compressor or constant power . This technology can significantly reduce temperatures; According to reported results, the temperature dropped from 25 degrees C to 3.6 degrees C within 20 minutes . The NESCOD system operates through a two-stage thermodynamic cycle: dissolution cooling and solar-powered solute regeneration . In the cooling/dissolution cycle, a specific salt, ammonium nitrate, is dissolved in water . This chemical reaction is endothermic, meaning it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment to break the ionic bonds in the salt, rapidly lowering the temperature of the liquid.
13 Indian Wushu player Aparna Dahiya won gold medal in the 11th Sanda World Cup
Indian wushu player Aparna Dahiya won the gold medal in the women’s 52 kg weight category at the 11th Sanda World Cup in Macau . Aparna defeated reigning world champion Thi Phuong Nga Ngo of Vietnam in straight sets in the final. This was India’s first gold medal in the tournament, which began on May 12. Previously, Aparna had lost to the same opponent in the final of the World Wushu Championships held in Brazil in September 2025. Competitive wushu is divided into two major categories: Taolu and Sanda. Taolu combines gymnastics and martial arts, and competitors are scored based on their movements, while Sanda is a modern, unarmed competition that primarily utilizes punching, kicking, throwing, grappling, and defensive techniques.
Recognizing the universal importance of the family, the United Nations took a visionary and significant initiative in 1993. The United Nations General Assembly declared May 15th of each year as ” International Family Day ” to highlight the importance of the family institution globally. The purpose of this day is not limited to a formal celebration, but rather serves as a powerful means of raising awareness among the global community about the current state of families, the multifaceted challenges they face, and their socio-economic contribution.