News of The Day – 28th May 2026

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• The government approved the SARTHAK Public Distribution System (PDS) scheme to strengthen food security delivery mechanisms.
• The scheme aims to improve efficiency, transparency and technology integration in the Public Distribution System.
• PDS operates under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, providing subsidised food grains to eligible beneficiaries.
• Reforms focus on digitisation, portability, leak reduction and better beneficiary targeting through technology-driven systems such as One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC).

(GS-2:Polity and Governance)

• PM-AJAY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2021-22 for socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes (SCs)
• It merged three earlier schemes — Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, Special Central Assistance to SCSP and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.
• The scheme focuses on village development, skill training, livelihood generation and hostel construction for SC students.
• Recently, the PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile App were launched to improve transparency, geo-tagging and monitoring of welfare projects.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• The Supreme Court upheld the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission (EC).
• The Court held that accurate and pure electoral rolls are essential for free and fair elections.
• It clarified that the EC can verify citizenship only to the limited extent necessary for inclusion or exclusion from electoral rolls.
• The Court directed the EC to refer names deleted on grounds of non-citizenship to the Centre under the Citizenship Act.
• Citizenship falls under the Union List and is governed through Articles 5–11 of the Constitution.
• The judgment has implications for future electoral roll revisions and debates on citizenship verification.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar.
• The Court observed that free and fair elections depend not only on polling but also on the integrity of electoral rolls.
• It rejected arguments that the exercise was a “backdoor citizenship screening” mechanism.
• The ruling reaffirmed the constitutional powers of the Election Commission under Article 324 regarding preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• The case highlights issues relating to electoral integrity, citizenship and democratic accountability.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• The article discusses the persistence of the dowry system despite legal prohibitions and social reform efforts.
• Dowry is prohibited under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
• The practice is associated with gender inequality, violence against women, economic exploitation and patriarchal social norms.
• Dowry-related harassment and deaths remain major social concerns in India.
• Constitutional principles under Articles 14, 15 and 21 promote gender equality and dignity.
• The issue highlights the need for legal enforcement, social awareness and behavioural change.

• The National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates provide data on healthcare expenditure patterns in India.
• The report is prepared by the National Health Systems Resource Centre under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Key indicators include Government Health Expenditure (GHE), Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) and share of health spending in GDP.
• India has witnessed declining OOPE and increasing public health expenditure due to schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission.
• NHA estimates are important for assessing progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

(GS-2: International Relations)

• India and the United States signed a framework agreement to strengthen cooperation on critical supplies and strategic technologies.
• The framework focuses on resilient supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and emerging technologies.
• The G4 grouping also supports reforms in global governance and strategic cooperation.
• Such agreements aim to reduce vulnerabilities arising from geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions.
• The initiative aligns with India’s strategic partnerships, economic security and technology resilience objectives.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Adani Green Energy commissioned a large-scale battery energy storage system aimed at improving renewable energy integration and grid stability.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) store electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind for later use.
• Energy storage is crucial for addressing intermittency challenges associated with renewable energy.
• Such projects support India’s clean energy transition, energy security and net-zero commitments.
• India is expanding renewable capacity under initiatives aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission and climate goals.

(GS-3: Science and Technology)

• Experts recommended adoption of quantum-safe encryption to protect critical infrastructure from future cyber threats posed by quantum computing.
• Quantum computers may potentially break conventional encryption systems.
• Critical sectors include banking, defence, telecommunications, energy and digital governance infrastructure.
• Quantum-safe or post-quantum cryptography involves advanced cryptographic methods resistant to quantum attacks.
• India has been promoting quantum technologies through the National Quantum Mission.
• Cybersecurity preparedness is increasingly important for digital sovereignty and national security.

• The rare dragonfly Gynacantha khasiaca (long-tailed duskhawker) was rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha National Park after more than a century.
• Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the order Odonata and are important indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.
• India hosts around 504 species of Odonata, while Arunachal Pradesh has about 110 species.
• The rediscovery highlights the biodiversity significance of northeastern India and the importance of habitat conservation and ecological monitoring.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Scientists reported discovery of a rare new tree species in Kerala’s forest ecosystems, highlighting the biodiversity richness of the Western Ghats.
• The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
• Discovery of endemic species underscores the importance of conservation, ecological surveys and habitat protection.
• Biodiversity loss due to deforestation, climate change and habitat fragmentation remains a major environmental challenge.