| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Assam UCC Bill tabled in state assembly |
| Date | 25 May 2026 |
| Introduced by | Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora |
| CM | Himanta Biswa Sarma (2nd consecutive term) |
| Constitutional Backing | Article 44 — Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) |
Key Provisions at a Glance:
Why It Matters:
If enacted, Assam will become the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to have a UCC law. Opposition — Congress, Raijor Dal, and Trinamool Congress — demanded wider stakeholder consultation before passage.
** Exam Tip:** Article 44 is a DPSP, not a Fundamental Right — courts cannot enforce it directly. The UCC is also listed under GS-II (Polity). Scheduled Tribe exemptions are constitutionally backed under the 5th and 6th Schedules.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Person | Neelam Meena |
| Post | Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal |
| IAS Batch | 1998 |
| Cadre | West Bengal |
| Date of Appointment | 25 May 2026 |
** Exam Tip:** The CEO of a state oversees elections under the Election Commission of India. Remember that Neelam Meena is a 1998 batch IAS officer.
| Platform | Purpose | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Kautilya | Command Intelligence | AI dashboards + NLP-based interfaces |
| Q-FORCE | Logistics & Sustainment | Supply chain & inventory management |
About Kautilya:
About Q-FORCE:
Bigger Picture:
The Indian Army has declared 2026 as the Year of Networking and Data Centricity, with full AI integration targeted by 2027. Earlier, during Operation Sindoor, 23 AI applications including ECAS and TRINETRA were deployed under Project SANJAY.
** Exam Tip:** NLP is a subfield of Artificial Intelligence. Project SANJAY and Operation Sindoor are frequently asked in Defence Current Affairs. Full AI integration into Indian Army ops is projected for 2027.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | National AI Summit on Water 2026 |
| Host | Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB) |
| Co-organiser | Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd. |
| Date | 27 May 2026 |
| Venue | Bengaluru |
| Inaugurated by | CM Siddaramaiah & Dy CM D.K. Shivakumar |
Focus Areas:
BWSSB's Digital Initiatives:
Five Panchasutras Framework:
AI | Data-driven governance | Smart infrastructure | Sustainable investments | Climate-resilient water security
** Exam Tip:** BWSSB = Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board. SCADA = Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. The summit brings together 400+ stakeholders from policy, tech, research & industry.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) |
| Original Launch | 2020 |
| Custodian | Capacity Building Commission (CBC) |
| Digital Platform | iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) |
Key Statistics (as of April 2026):
Recent Initiatives:
What's New in 2.0:
Mission Karmayogi 2.0 broadens the scope to states, frontline institutions, and organisational capacity, moving beyond individual-level learning. India has begun sharing this framework with partner countries internationally.
Exam Tip: Mission Karmayogi uses role-based, competency-linked training. CBC was created under this mission. iGOT is the delivery platform. Frequently asked in GS-II (Governance) and Banking exams.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |
| Issued | 25 May 2026 |
| Applicable to | Urban Co-operative Banks & Rural Co-operative Banks |
| Requirement | Mandatory 3-year cooling-off period for outgoing directors before re-appointment |
Why This Matters:
The RBI's directive aims to prevent concentration of power and ensure governance reforms in the co-operative banking sector, which has historically faced issues of mismanagement and insider control.
** Exam Tip:** RBI regulates co-operative banks under the Banking Regulation Act. Cooling-off norms are part of corporate governance reforms — relevant for Banking/Finance exams.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Applies to | Requests received by Income Tax Department from foreign tax authorities |
| Objective | Structured framework for exchange of tax-related information with other countries |
Significance:
This framework supports India's commitments under international tax cooperation agreements and helps combat tax evasion, base erosion, and profit shifting (BEPS) at a global level.
** Exam Tip:** BEPS = Base Erosion and Profit Shifting. India is a member of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS. Relevant for Economy (GS-III) and Banking exams.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Achievement | India is the global leader in issuing IRCCs |
| Full Form | Internationally Recognised Certificate of Compliance (IRCC) |
| Protocol | Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) |
| Data Period | March–April 2026 |
| India's Share | Highest number of IRCCs issued globally |
About Nagoya Protocol:
** Exam Tip:** Nagoya Protocol → CBD → Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022). ABS = Access and Benefit-Sharing. Highly relevant for Environment (GS-III) and UPSC Prelims.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | World Apnea Pool Championship |
| Venue | Budapest, Hungary |
| Dates | 2 June 2026 onwards |
| Team Size | 3 athletes |
| Notable Athlete | Archana Thiagarajan |
Significance:
India is fielding its first-ever official freediving team at an international world-level competition. Freediving (also called Apnea) involves diving to depth or duration on a single breath without breathing apparatus.
** Exam Tip:** Apnea = Freediving. World Apnea Pool Championship is the top-tier event for this sport. Remember venue: Budapest, Hungary.