Updates on 28 May 2026
All of May 2026 →Supreme Court Upholds Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of Bihar Electoral Rolls
On 27 May 2026, the Supreme Court of India affirmed the constitutional validity of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Bihar electoral rolls. The ruling confirmed the ECI's authority under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, to conduct such revisions to ensure accurate and reliable voter lists. The court clarified that while the ECI can examine citizenship status for electoral purposes, it cannot make final decisions on citizenship, which remain under the Citizenship Act's jurisdiction. Deleted names on grounds of non-citizenship must be referred to competent authorities for confirmation and restoration if found eligible. The SIR covered approximately 7.9 crore registered voters, finalized to 7.42 crore in Bihar, emphasizing the exercise’s role in preserving electoral integrity.
Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Five Names for Elevation as Judges in 2026
On 27 May 2026, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the elevation of five persons to the Supreme Court of India, including four High Court Chief Justices and one Senior Advocate, following the increase in sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges as per the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Union Cabinet Approves SARTHAK-PDS Scheme to Modernize Public Distribution System
On 27 May 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the SARTHAK-PDS scheme with a central outlay of ₹25,530 crore to operate from April 2026 to March 2031. This umbrella scheme merges two existing programs to streamline intra-state foodgrain transport, enhance fair price shop (FPS) dealer margins, and digitize the Public Distribution System (PDS). It integrates advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Blockchain to create a unified, transparent, and citizen-centric PDS architecture. Key initiatives include real-time beneficiary registry (Nirmal), AI-driven grievance redressal (ASHA), and supply chain management with QR and GPS tracking (Saksham). The scheme aims to serve over 81 crore NFSA beneficiaries, minimize leakages, and optimize foodgrain logistics under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
Sikkim Declared Fully Literate State Under ULLAS Programme in 2026
On 27 May 2026, Sikkim was officially declared India's fifth fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, recording a literacy rate of 99.82%, exceeding the Ministry of Education's 95% benchmark. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang during the 7th convocation of Sikkim University with President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Om Prakash Mathur in attendance. The ULLAS programme, launched in November 2022 in Sikkim, certified over 14,000 previously non-literate adults through foundational literacy and numeracy assessment, aided by more than 4,000 volunteer teachers. This achievement ranks Sikkim alongside Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh as fully literate states or UTs under ULLAS.
Siddaramaiah Resignation in May 2026: Key Facts
A historical account of Siddaramaiah’s May 2026 resignation report, with corrected notes on Articles 164 and 168 and Karnataka’s bicameral legislature.
D.K. Shivakumar to Succeed Siddaramaiah as Karnataka Chief Minister
On 28 May 2026, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced his decision to resign, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take over as Chief Minister for the remaining two years of the term. This leadership change follows political negotiations within the Indian National Congress after their 2023 Assembly election victory. Siddaramaiah, in office since May 2023, is expected to submit his resignation to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. The Governor will then appoint Shivakumar as Chief Minister according to Article 164 of the Indian Constitution, which details the process for appointing state ministers.
United Nations Adds Israeli Entities to Sexual Violence Blacklist Alongside Hamas
On 28 May 2026, the United Nations included Israeli entities, notably the Israeli Prison Service, in its 2026 annex of parties accused of conflict-related sexual violence. This annual blacklist features state and non-state actors credibly accused of perpetrating sexual violence during armed conflicts. Israel's inclusion followed scrutiny sparked by allegations concerning abuse against Palestinian prisoners. Previously, Hamas had been blacklisted in August 2025 for sexual violence linked to its attacks on 7 October 2023. Israel has condemned the UN's decision, freezing relations with the UN Secretary-General's office and canceling visits by UN representatives. The listing remains valid for a minimum of one year, subject to subsequent reviews.
Telangana Inaugurates India’s First Women-Operated 1 MW Solar Power Plant under Indira Mahila Shakti Scheme
On 27 May 2026, Telangana inaugurated India’s first solar power plant operated by women’s self-help groups, located in Venkatapuram village, Khammam district. With a capacity of 1 MW and a cost of ₹3 crore, the project is expected to generate monthly revenue of approximately ₹4.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh for the participating SHGs. This initiative forms part of the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme, promoting women’s empowerment and sustainable energy, supported by state government subsidies and power purchase agreements with DISCOMs. Telangana’s broader solar power target is 20,000 MW by 2030, with plans to replicate women-led solar projects in other districts.
Two Indian Peacekeepers to Receive Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Posthumously
On 5 June 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan, Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving in UN missions, will posthumously receive the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal. Both served under UN peacekeeping missions—MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and UNMISS in South Sudan respectively. The medal commemorates military, police, and civilian personnel who died in the line of duty for the UN. Major Abhilasha Barak will also be honoured on this date with the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year award for significant contributions to gender advocacy in peace operations.
Prominent Urdu Poet Bashir Badr Passes Away at 91
Dr. Bashir Badr, an esteemed Indian Urdu poet known for his modern ghazals, passed away on 28 May 2026 in Bhopal at the age of 91. Born Syed Muhammad Bashir on 15 February 1935 in Faizabad (now Ayodhya), Uttar Pradesh, he was a celebrated teacher and head of the Urdu Department at Meerut College for 17 years and also taught at Aligarh Muslim University. Badr's poetic style is noted for its simplicity and depth, making Urdu ghazals accessible to contemporary audiences. He received prestigious honors including the Sahitya Akademi Award and Padma Shri in 1999. His unpublished works were largely lost in the 1987 Meerut communal riots, after which he relocated to Bhopal. He leaves behind a legacy of over 18,000 couplets and numerous collections published in multiple scripts, with his poetry continuing to be recited widely.
Supreme Court Upholds Retrospective 28% GST on Online Gaming Platforms
On May 27, 2026, the Supreme Court of India upheld the retrospective imposition of 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online gaming companies. The Court ruled that online gaming platforms are not mere intermediaries but supply 'actionable claims' taxable under GST laws. The judgment applies retrospectively including transactions before October 1, 2023, validating GST demands on past revenues. The Court dismissed the distinction between games of skill and chance for GST purposes when monetary stakes are involved, encompassing casinos and turf clubs within the taxable betting and gambling domain. The ruling affects major online gaming companies and could lead to a GST demand estimated around ₹1.5 trillion.
Rediscovery of Gynacantha khasiaca in Arunachal Pradesh after 110 Years
The dragonfly species Gynacantha khasiaca, known as the Long-tailed Duskhawker, was rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh's Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve during a biodiversity survey in October 2024. This marks the first confirmed sighting in the state since the Abor Expedition of 1914, ending a gap of 110 years. The species is characterized by pale blue-green eyes, a bright green thorax with dark stripes, transparent amber-tinted wings, and a long black-tipped abdomen. It inhabits forest edges with dense vegetation and has also been recorded in Assam, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, besides Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.