Current Affairs - May 13, 2026 Current Affairs

Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda assumed charge as the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) on 09 May 2026. Before his elevation, he served as Director (Finance) and also handled the additional responsibility of Director (Commercial) in the company. Dr. Panda began his career with SAIL in 1992 as a Management Trainee (Technical), showcasing a long and experienced association with the organisation. SAIL is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Steel and plays a major role in India’s steel production and industrial development.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai achieved the prestigious Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) Platinum – Class I Rating on May 12, 2026. The recognition was awarded by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for successfully diverting more than 99 percent of airport waste away from landfills. This achievement highlights the airport’s strong commitment to sustainable waste management and environmental conservation. CSMIA is also one of India’s busiest airports, handling over 50 million passengers annually. The airport is operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited, where Adani Airport Holdings Limited holds the majority stake.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj announced the National Panchayat Awards 2025, recognising 42 Panchayats from 17 States and Union Territories for their outstanding contributions to rural development and local governance. These awards are presented under the Incentivization of Panchayats component of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA). The awards encourage Panchayati Raj Institutions to improve governance, social welfare, women's empowerment, child welfare, water conservation, and livelihood opportunities. Cash incentives ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore are provided to winning Panchayats. Karnataka secured the highest number of awards, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The National Conference on Laboratory Animal Welfare was organised in New Delhi by the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) on May 11, 2026. The conference focused on promoting ethical research practices and ensuring animal welfare in scientific experiments. It was conducted under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying with the theme “Policies and Best Practices of Research on Animals and their Welfare.” The event highlighted humane treatment of animals during vaccine development and drug discovery trials while also encouraging institutions to align with international animal welfare standards and responsible scientific research practices.

Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat, has been selected as the host venue for the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships. The event is scheduled to take place from May 11 to 17, 2026, and it marks a significant milestone as India will organise the championship after a gap of 44 years. Around 180 athletes from 28 countries are expected to participate in the tournament. The championship is also important because it serves as a qualifying event for major international competitions like the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, highlighting India’s growing role in hosting international sporting events.

China developed an advanced Artificial Intelligence-driven electrochemical process to transform nitrate-polluted wastewater into sustainable agricultural ammonia. The innovation uses machine learning to identify the most effective Dual-Atom Catalyst (DAC) for nitrate electroreduction. This technology operates at room temperature with renewable electricity and achieves nearly three times the efficiency of earlier methods. The process is environmentally significant because it helps reduce water pollution, limits eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems, and lowers carbon emissions associated with traditional ammonia production. It also serves as an eco-friendly alternative to the conventional Haber-Bosch process, which requires fossil fuels, high temperatures, and extreme pressure.

Mumbai is hosting the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting 2026 from May 11 to May 14, 2026, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. India assumed the Chair of the Kimberley Process on January 1, 2026, focusing on the theme of credibility, compliance, and consumer confidence in the natural diamond sector. The meeting includes representatives from 86 countries and the European Union. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established to prevent conflict diamonds from entering legitimate global markets. India’s role as a major global hub for diamond cutting and polishing further strengthens its importance in the international diamond trade and regulatory framework.

DRDO, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, successfully carried out a major long-duration test of an Actively Cooled Full Scale Scramjet Combustor for hypersonic missile technology on May 09, 2026. The test was conducted at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test Facility in Hyderabad and achieved a continuous engine runtime of more than 1,200 seconds, surpassing the earlier benchmark set in January 2026. The project involved advanced indigenous technologies such as liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel and high-temperature thermal barrier coatings. This achievement strengthens India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Program and highlights the country’s growing capability in advanced aerospace and missile technologies.

The Girder Laying Ceremony for the 4th, 5th, and 6th Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) of the Indian Coast Guard was conducted in Goa on May 11, 2026. The ceremony took place at the Rassaim Yard of Chowgule Shipyard. These hovercrafts are being built with 50% indigenous material under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The ACVs are specially designed for high-speed coastal patrolling, reconnaissance, interception, and search-and-rescue missions in shallow waters, marshy terrains, and deep sea regions. The project highlights India’s growing focus on strengthening coastal security and indigenous defence production.

The Annapurna Bhandaar scheme was announced in West Bengal on May 11, 2026, by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The scheme aims to provide direct financial support of ₹3,000 per month to eligible women through bank transfers. It replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which offered lower financial assistance to women from the general and SC/ST categories. Along with financial aid, the state government also introduced free travel for women on state-run buses. The initiative reflects the government’s focus on women’s welfare, social security, and economic empowerment while integrating several central government schemes within the state.