Updates on 10 May 2026
All of May 2026 →Kuljeet Kaur Marhas becomes first Indian woman Fellow of The Meteoritical Society
On May 9, 2026, Kuljeet Kaur Marhas, a professor at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, was elected Fellow of The Meteoritical Society, becoming the first Indian woman to receive this prestigious honor. She is the third Indian scientist overall to receive this distinction in the society's 93-year history, recognized for her significant contributions to meteoritics and planetary science.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Achal Commissioned at Goa Shipyard
On 9 May 2026, the Indian Coast Guard commissioned ICGS Achal, an Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel, at Goa Shipyard Limited. The 51-metre vessel designed and built indigenously features over 50% Indian components, highlighting the Make in India initiative. Powered by two 3000 kW diesel engines, it has a top speed of 27 knots and an operational endurance of 1500 nautical miles. Stationed at Vadinar, Gujarat, ICGS Achal will undertake coastal surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, anti-smuggling, and pollution control. The induction strengthens India's maritime security and advances Atmanirbhar Bharat in naval manufacturing.
US Department of Labor proposes raising minimum wages for H-1B visa and PERM labor certification programs
On March 27, 2026, the US Department of Labor (DOL) proposed a major revision to the prevailing wage rules for foreign workers under the H-1B, H-1B1, E-3 visa programs and permanent labor certification (PERM). The proposal aims to raise minimum salary thresholds significantly by updating wage percentiles based on the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For instance, entry-level wage levels will rise from the 17th to the 34th percentile, almost doubling cost burdens for employers. The rule intends to protect American workers by reducing incentives to replace them with lower-paid foreign workers, aligning foreign worker wages more closely with market rates. The proposal is open for public comment until May 26, 2026, before finalization.