News of The Day – 26th May 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Art & Culture)

• President Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Awards recognising distinguished contributions in various fields.
• Padma Awards: Among India’s highest civilian honours announced annually on Republic Day.
• Categories include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
• Violin maestro N. Rajam is known for contributions to Hindustani classical music and the “Gayaki Ang” style on violin.
• The awards recognise excellence in arts, literature, science, public affairs, medicine and social service.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• The Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report, 2024 highlights India’s continuing demographic transition with falling fertility and changing mortality patterns.
• About SRS: Conducted by the Registrar General of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It is India’s largest demographic survey system for estimating birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate (IMR), maternal mortality and fertility indicators.
• The report indicates declining fertility rates and rising ageing population trends in many States. Greying population refers to an increasing elderly population due to lower fertility and higher life expectancy.
• Demographic changes have implications for healthcare, pensions, workforce participation and social security systems.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• CBSE’s digital evaluation process faced criticism due to technical glitches affecting answer-sheet accessibility and payment systems.
• About CBSE: Central Board of Secondary Education functions under the Ministry of Education.
• Digital evaluation aims to improve efficiency, transparency and faster result processing.
• Challenges include digital infrastructure gaps, cybersecurity concerns and implementation bottlenecks.
• The issue highlights the importance of robust digital governance and capacity building in education administration.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Peri-urban areas are transitional zones between rural and urban regions facing rapid land-use and water-use changes.
• These areas often suffer from groundwater depletion, pollution, weak institutional coordination and unequal water access.
• Rapid urbanisation increases pressure on lakes, wetlands and local aquifers.
• Governance challenges arise due to overlapping jurisdictions between rural panchayats and urban local bodies.
• Sustainable peri-urban water governance requires integrated planning, watershed management, wastewater recycling and community participation.
• The issue is important for urban resilience, climate adaptation and sustainable development.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Kerala announced a dedicated department for senior citizens in response to increasing ageing population trends.
• Kerala has one of India’s highest elderly population shares due to demographic transition and higher life expectancy.
• The department will focus on healthcare, social security, mental health, pensions and elderly care services.
• Ageing populations create challenges related to healthcare expenditure, dependency ratios and social protection systems.
• The issue is important for inclusive welfare governance and human development.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• The government notified rules under the National Sports Governance framework to improve transparency and accountability in sports administration.
• The reforms aim to streamline governance of National Sports Federations (NSFs), athlete welfare and dispute resolution.
• National Sports Tribunal: Intended to provide specialised adjudication of sports-related disputes.
• The initiative aligns with global standards of sports governance, ethics and athlete rights.
• It is important for improving India’s sports ecosystem and Olympic preparedness.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• India emphasised Artificial Intelligence-driven tourism management and sustainable tourism practices during the BRICS tourism meeting.
• BRICS currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and newly inducted members.
• India highlighted digital tourism platforms, smart infrastructure and green tourism initiatives.
• Sustainable tourism focuses on balancing economic benefits with environmental conservation and local cultural preservation.
• Tourism cooperation among BRICS nations supports people-to-people ties and economic growth.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) warned that geopolitical tensions and declining funding are affecting UN peacekeeping operations.
• About SIPRI
  • Established in 1966 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
• It researches conflict, arms control, military expenditure and global security trends.
• UN peacekeeping missions face challenges including funding shortages, civil conflicts and great-power rivalry.
• India is one of the largest contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping supports conflict resolution, civilian protection and humanitarian stability.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Depreciation of the Indian Rupee is linked to global economic uncertainty, rising crude oil prices, capital outflows and strengthening of the US Dollar.
• India imports a large share of crude oil, making the rupee sensitive to energy prices.
• Rupee depreciation increases import costs and inflationary pressures but may improve export competitiveness.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) manages excessive volatility through forex interventions and monetary measures
• Exchange-rate stability is important for trade, investment and macroeconomic management.

(GS-3: Economy)

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released implementation guidelines for the BHAVYA Scheme.
• The scheme aims to strengthen innovation, startup ecosystems and manufacturing competitiveness.
• It focuses on technology adoption, entrepreneurship support and industrial value-chain integration
• DPIIT functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and promotes industrial development and investment facilitation.
• The initiative aligns with Startup India, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched a major biomedical innovation platform to promote indigenous healthcare technologies and research collaboration.
• About ICMR: India’s apex body for biomedical research under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The platform aims to support startups, medical devices, diagnostics, vaccines and translational research.
• It seeks to strengthen India’s healthcare innovation ecosystem and reduce import dependence.
• Biomedical innovation is important for public health preparedness, disease surveillance and affordable healthcare solutions.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• Tamil Nadu announced a dedicated Ministry for Artificial Intelligence to support AI governance, innovation and digital transformation.
• AI applications include governance, healthcare, education, agriculture and manufacturing.
• Dedicated AI governance structures aim to improve policy coordination, skilling, ethical regulation and investment promotion.
• The development reflects growing competition among Indian States to become AI and technology hubs.
• AI governance is increasingly important for economic competitiveness and digital public infrastructure.

(Miscellaneous)

• India secured 10 medals at the Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Weightlifting is governed internationally by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
• Sporting achievements improve India’s international sporting reputation and support Olympic preparedness.
• Government initiatives such as Khelo India and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) aim to strengthen athlete training and infrastructure.
• Hosting international sporting events also boosts sports tourism and infrastructure development.