Updates on 11 May 2026
All of May 2026 →Supreme Court Clarifies Anticipatory Bail under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
In May 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the statutory bar on anticipatory bail under Section 18 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, cannot be applied mechanically. Courts must conduct a prima facie examination of the FIR and related materials to determine if offences under the Act are properly made out before denying anticipatory bail. The ruling reiterates that anticipatory bail is generally barred under Section 18 but provides an exception where the FIR lacks prima facie evidence of an offence under Section 3 of the Act. This nuanced judgment balances protection for vulnerable communities with safeguards against false accusations.
Chief Justice Surya Kant launches Supreme Court's ‘One Case, One Data’ initiative and AI chatbot ‘Su Sahay’
On 11 May 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant launched the 'One Case, One Data' initiative and the AI-powered chatbot 'Su Sahay' aimed at modernizing and digitizing India’s judicial system. The initiative integrates judicial data from Supreme Court, High Courts, district courts, and taluka courts into a unified digital system for streamlined case management and improved transparency. 'Su Sahay', developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Supreme Court Registry, provides AI-based assistance to citizens using Supreme Court services digitally, enhancing access to justice.
VB-GRAMG Act 2025 to Replace MGNREGA from July 1, 2026
The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAMG) Act, 2025 has been notified to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) across India from 1 July 2026. The new Act enhances the guaranteed wage employment from 100 to 125 days per financial year for eligible rural households and continues the demand-based work provision. It operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a funding pattern of 60:40 between Centre and States for most states, and 90:10 for North Eastern, Himalayan states and Union Territories. The Act focuses on productive asset creation, climate resilience, and convergence with other schemes, aligned with India's Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
India to Host Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit 2026 in New Delhi
India will host the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) in New Delhi from 28 to 31 May 2026, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, marking the return of the forum after over a decade since the last summit in 2015. The summit aims to deepen India-Africa strategic partnership across diverse sectors under the theme "IA SPIRIT: India-Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation." It will focus on areas including trade, investment, digital transformation, agriculture, health, education, climate action, defence, space technology, energy, and critical minerals, aligning India’s vision for 2047 with Africa’s Agenda 2063.
National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI) Formed to Unite Christian Denominations
On 8 May 2026, the National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI) was officially launched at the Fourth National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship Meeting held at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru. Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), was appointed the first Chairman. The NFCI serves as an ecumenical umbrella body uniting Catholic, Protestant mainline denominations, evangelical groups, independent churches, and Pentecostal communities to present a single voice on matters of common concern, especially amidst challenges like anti-conversion laws and attacks on Christians in India.
Government Revises BOT Guidelines to Boost Private Investment in Highway Projects
On May 11, 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) revised guidelines for Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) highway projects to allow large institutional investors—including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, infrastructure funds, private equity, and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)—to participate under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Previously, such big funds could only bid for Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) projects. The revised framework assesses bidders mainly on financial strength, easing technical requirements that can be fulfilled post-award by engineering partners. This revision aims to attract private investment after four highway projects worth approximately ₹22,000 crore failed to attract bids under earlier BOT norms and seeks to increase BOT projects' share in total national highway awards from under 5% to 25% within two years.
India Adds Record 44 GW Solar Capacity in 2025, Total Reaches 150 GW
In 2025, India added an unprecedented 44 GW of solar electricity generation capacity, raising its total installed solar capacity to 150.26 GW by March 2026. This achievement positions India as the world's third-largest solar power producer, following China and the United States. Key government schemes such as PM Surya Ghar, PM-KUSUM, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) initiative have been instrumental in this expansion. Renewable energy accounted for over 51.7% of India's total installed power capacity by early 2026, reflecting the country's strong commitment to sustainable energy.
Pune to Establish India's First Low Emission Zone in Shivajinagar
Pune Municipal Corporation, supported by ITDP India, is planning to create India's first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Shivajinagar, a heavily polluted area in Pune’s central business district. The initiative targets Bharat Stage-III and older vehicles (registered before 2011), aiming to restrict their access or impose daily pollution charges, enforced via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. Autorickshaws, public buses, and emergency vehicles are exempt. This LEZ aligns with the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce vehicular pollution in the city.
India and Trinidad and Tobago Sign Eight MoUs in May 2026
On 8-9 May 2026, during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, India and the Caribbean nation signed eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) enhancing cooperation in tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, Ayurveda, vector control, and digital education support. Key initiatives include solarisation of the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs building, upgrading Nelson Island infrastructure, and establishing an Indian Chair on Ayurveda at the University of the West Indies. Additional activities included handing over 2,000 laptops to schoolchildren and inaugurating an agro-processing facility. These agreements build on diplomatic ties established in 1962 and progress from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2025 visit.
Himanta Biswa Sarma to Take Oath as Assam Chief Minister for Second Term on May 12, 2026
Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term on May 12, 2026. This follows the decisive victory of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Assam Legislative Assembly elections, where they secured 102 seats out of 126, surpassing the majority mark of 64. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya appointed Sarma as Chief Minister on May 10, 2026. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at Veterinary College Field, Khanapara, Guwahati, with prominent leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expected to attend.
Tamil Nadu Launches 'Singappen Special Task Force' Under CM Joseph Vijay for Women's Safety
On 11 May 2026, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the formation of the 'Singappen Special Task Force', a dedicated police unit focused on enhancing women's safety and preventive protection throughout the state. This task force operates under the direct supervision of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, reflecting one of his first initiatives after taking oath on 10 May 2026.
India Activates 165-Lab Network for Hantavirus Surveillance
In response to the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship linked to the Andes strain, India has activated its nationwide Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory Network comprising 165 specialized labs equipped with RT-PCR technology. Coordinated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), this network enables early detection and confirmation of suspected hantavirus cases across the country. The Health Ministry collaborates closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) to monitor viral threats. Despite the human-to-human transmission potential of the Andes virus, WHO assesses the public health risk in India as low. This preparedness enhances India's capability to manage emerging infectious diseases by leveraging advanced laboratory infrastructure and inter-institutional cooperation.
Rajasthan's Promotion of Breast Milk Donation through Yashoda Mothers Programme
Rajasthan has established a network of human milk banks including the Mother Milk Bank at Barmer District Hospital and the Jeevan Dhara milk bank in Jaipur to support newborns deprived of maternal breast milk. The Yashoda programme, under the Norway-India Partnership Initiative since 2008, promotes breast milk donation and neonatal care through counseling and exclusive breastfeeding support. The Barmer bank, started on 4 March 2018, has collected nearly 30,000 units of milk and supported over 3,165 newborns, with safe processing including HIV screening and storage at minus 19°C for up to six months. This initiative aims to reduce infant mortality and enhance neonatal health in Rajasthan.
Pakistan Declares May 10 as Marka-e-Haq Day to Commemorate 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict
Pakistan has officially declared May 10 every year as 'Marka-e-Haq Day', commemorating its military response during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, particularly marking the anniversary of 'Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos'. This observance honors Pakistan's armed forces and their role in the conflict that lasted from April 22 to May 10, 2025. The day is not a public holiday but involves state ceremonies, including events held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad as a symbol of national unity and military valor.
National Technology Day: Commemorating India's Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests
National Technology Day is observed annually on 11 May to commemorate India's successful series of nuclear tests conducted at the Pokhran Test Range, Rajasthan, in 1998. Known as Operation Shakti, these tests established India as the sixth nuclear-armed state. The day also honours the indigenous technological advancements made, including the first test flight of the Hansa-3 aircraft and the test-firing of the Trishul missile. Declared by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999, the day celebrates indigenous innovation, scientific achievement and India's journey towards self-reliance in technology.
Bihar Vigilance Investigation Cadre Merged with Bihar Police in 2026
On 5 May 2026, the Bihar Cabinet approved the abolition of the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Cadre, integrating its Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), Inspectors, and Sub-Inspectors into the regular Bihar Police force. This restructuring aligns vigilance and policing functions to enhance administrative coordination. The merger is governed under the Bihar Police Act, 2007, which provides the legal framework for the police administration in Bihar. Officers retained service continuity and were placed after the last officers in their respective batches for seniority purposes.