NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
RITES–CRISIL Partnership for Data-Driven Infrastructure Consultancy
- RITES Limited signed an MoU with CRISIL Limited to develop data-driven, analytics-led infrastructure consultancy solutions.
- The partnership combines RITES’ expertise in transport infrastructure and engineering with CRISIL’s strengths in analytics, market intelligence, ratings, and advisory services.
- Focus Areas: Railways and metro rail, Urban transport systems, Energy and hydropower, Urban transport systems, Energy and hydropower etc.
- RITES: It is a Navratna PSU with over 50 years of experience. It executed projects in 55+ countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, and Latin America. Specializes in transport infrastructure consultancy and project execution.
AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: 29 May
- International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed on 29 May to honour UN peacekeepers and commemorate those who lost their lives in the service of peace. The official 2026 observance at the United Nations Headquarters will be held on 5 June 2026.
- Theme 2026: “Invest in Peace”.
- Background: Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002. 29 May marks the deployment of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, the first UN peacekeeping mission (1948, Middle East), created by the United Nations Security Council.
World Digestive Health Day: 29 May
- World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) is observed annually on 29 May to promote awareness of digestive health and related diseases.
- History: It was launched in 2004 by World Gastroenterology Organization and commemorates 45th anniversary of the organisation’s founding.
- Theme 2026: “Chronic Diarrhea: Don’t Flush the Signs Away”
World Congress of Gastroenterology 2026 (WCOG 2026):
- Organised by the World Gastroenterology Organization and Indian Society of Gastroenterology. This is the 20th edition and first time being hosted in India.
- Theme: “Transforming Gastrointestinal Health, Preserving Nature”
International Everest Day: 29 May
- The 73rd International Everest Day was observed on 29 May 2026, commemorating the first successful climb of Mount Everest in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay (Nepal) and Edmund Hillary (New Zealand).
Background:
- Officially declared by Nepal in 2008 following Edmund Hillary’s death
- Highlights Everest’s importance to Nepal’s tourism and economy
- Mount Everest stands at 29,029 feet above sea level.
World No Tobacco Day: 31 May
- World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on 31 May by World Health Organization and its partners to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure.
- Theme WNTD 2026: “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction”
- Background: Initiated in 1987 by WHO Member States to highlight the global tobacco epidemic.
- Tobacco Control Initiatives in India: National Tobacco Quitline: 1800112356; mCessation Service: Missed call to 011-22901701 for quitting support through text messages. These initiatives provide behavioural support and guidance to help individuals quit tobacco.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
West Bengal Begins Annapurna Yojana Enrolment Process
- Annapurna Yojana (also called Annapurna Bhandar Scheme) is a women-centric welfare initiative launched by the Government of West Bengal.
- Benefit: It will provide ₹3,000 per month to eligible women through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and will be implemented from 1 June 2026.
- Key Features: Earlier known as Matri Shakti Bharosa Scheme. It replaces the existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
- Objectives: Financial empowerment of women; Improvement in household income and living standards; Better access to healthcare and social security; Reduction of economic burden on families.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
India’s First Indigenous Super Pressure Balloon Launched
- India achieved a major milestone in near-space technology with the launch of its first indigenous Super Pressure Balloon (SPB), named VISTA, by Red Balloon Aerospace.
- Launched From: Indira Gandhi Stadium and reached an altitude of about 25 km in the near-space region.
- SPB: A high-altitude balloon that maintains internal pressure above external atmospheric pressure, enabling stable, long-duration operations in the stratosphere (20–40 km).
Mission Highlights:
- Carried commercial payloads from seven national and international partners
- Current flight duration: ~24 hours
- Long-term objective: SPBs capable of remaining airborne for months
- Planned launches: 12–16 balloons in the current financial year
- Supports rideshare and dedicated payload missions
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Launches Advanced Ocean Engineering Research Facility
- IIT Madras inaugurated a state-of-the-art Circulating Water Tunnel facility at its Discovery satellite campus in Thaiyur near Chennai, strengthening India’s ocean engineering research ecosystem.
- Funded with ₹4.5 crore CSR support from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, the facility is fully operational.
- Features: a stable, uniform-flow test section for precise hydrodynamic experiments
- The facility enhances both research capabilities and practical training in the Department of Ocean Engineering.
Research Applications:
- Testing of ship models, propellers, and bluff bodies
- Studies on marine vehicles, offshore systems, and underwater structures
- Advanced fluid dynamics research
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Taiwan Overtakes India as World’s Fifth-Largest Stock Market
- Taiwan has surpassed India to become world’s fifth-largest stock market by market capitalization, driven by strong gains in technology and semiconductor sectors.
- Global Ranking In Order: United States, Japan, China (Mainland China), Hong Kong, Taiwan, India
- Key Driver: Rapid growth of AI-linked and semiconductor companies. Rising global demand for AI chips boosted investor confidence and market valuation.
- Major contributor: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest semiconductor foundry
Indian Air Force Partners with IIT Bombay for Su-30MKI Predictive Maintenance System
- IAF signed three contracts with IIT Bombay to develop an advanced predictive maintenance system for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet.
- Objective: Develop a ‘health index’ for every engine undergoing midlife maintenance and Reduce maintenance costs and enhance aircraft availability and operational life
- AI Digital Twin Technology: IIT Bombay is developing an AI-based digital twin for gas turbine engines.
- Digital Twin: It is a virtual replica of a physical system that uses AI to:Optimize performance in real time, Diagnose faults (diagnostics) and Predict failures (prognostics).
- Predictive Maintenance Approach: Focus on prognostic maintenance (predicting failures before they occur) and Enables prescriptive maintenance by recommending corrective actions based on data-driven analysis.