Current Affairs - Places

India hosted the BRICS Senior Officials’ Meeting and Justice Ministers’ Meeting on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from May 19 to 22, 2026. Organised under India’s BRICS Chairship by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the meetings focused on strengthening institutional mediation, arbitration reforms, and digital dispute-resolution mechanisms. The initiative aimed to reduce court case backlogs and improve cross-border legal cooperation among BRICS nations. Participating ministers also worked toward adopting a joint declaration promoting capacity building in mediation and arbitration. The event highlighted India’s growing role in international legal cooperation and alternative dispute resolution frameworks.

The Metro Monday initiative was launched in New Delhi on May 19, 2026, by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The campaign was introduced under the broader “Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan” initiative to encourage fuel conservation and increase the use of public transportation amid concerns related to the West Asia conflict. Several administrative measures accompanied the initiative, including work-from-home arrangements for government employees, revised office timings, and a freeze on official foreign visits. Citizens were also encouraged to observe a weekly No Vehicle Day. The initiative highlights Delhi’s focus on sustainable urban mobility, energy conservation, and reducing traffic congestion and pollution.

Rajasthan's first semiconductor packaging facility and Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) were inaugurated in Bhiwadi on May 15, 2026. The project was developed by Sahasra Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd. and became India's first SME-led semiconductor unit to begin commercial chip production. Supported under the SPECS scheme, the facility received significant investments and aims to expand its annual packaging capacity from 60 million to 600 million units within three years. The cluster has also attracted major investments from multiple companies, creating thousands of employment opportunities and strengthening India’s domestic electronics and semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

The Million Minds Tech Park and GREMI City Campus were inaugurated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 17, 2026. The project is considered a major step toward strengthening Gujarat’s position as a leading hub for emerging technologies and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). The tech park’s first phase involves a large investment and is designed to accommodate thousands of professionals, while the GREMI City Campus focuses on modernising leadership and urban planning in the real estate sector. These initiatives are expected to generate significant employment opportunities and boost economic growth in the region.

Scientists from the CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) discovered a massive underground palaeo-channel stretching between Prayagraj and Kanpur in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab region. The channel, buried 10 to 15 metres below the surface and extending nearly 200 km, represents an ancient independent river system distinct from the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. The discovery was made using advanced Heliborne transient electromagnetic technology (H-TEM) along with confirmatory drilling. Researchers identified highly porous clay and sand layers within the channel, making it suitable for groundwater recharge projects. The initiative involved collaboration between CSIR-NGRI, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).