Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) signs pact with DBS Bank India for green dealer financing programme
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Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) signed a pact with DBS Bank India to launch a sustainability-linked dealer financing programme.
The collaboration aims to incentivise authorised M&M dealers to adopt sustainable business practices.
DBS Bank India will offer favourable interest rates on loans for the purchase of passenger and commercial vehicles.
The initiative is designed to support the M&M Green Dealership Programme.
The framework assesses dealerships on environmental performance criteria including public EV charging facilities, eSUV sales, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and rainwater harvesting.
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Next Gen CG Dial-112 and Mobile Forensic Science Vans launched in Chhattisgarh
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the upgraded Next Gen CG Dial-112 service at the Police Training School parade ground in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
The service, operating under the theme “Ekke Number, Sabbo Bar”, has been expanded from 16 districts to all 33 districts of Chhattisgarh.
The Dial-112 network integrates police, fire services, ambulance support, women and child helplines, disaster response, and highway emergency assistance.
400 next-generation vehicles equipped with smartphones, Global Positioning System (GPS), wireless radio systems, cameras, mobile NVR units, and solar backup systems were inducted.
32 mobile forensic science laboratory vans, costing approximately ₹65 lakh each, were launched under the theme 'science on wheels – towards faster justice'.
The forensic vans are equipped with evidence collection and sealing kits, fingerprint detection systems, narcotics testing kits, ballistic examination tools, gunshot residue testing facilities, and digital forensic equipment.
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Coffees of Nagaland Mission: ₹175 Crore Outlay
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Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched the ₹175-crore "Coffees of Nagaland" mission to transform Nagaland into a premium specialty coffee destination.
The initiative is led by the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (MDoNER) and adopts a cluster-based Coffee Value Chain Development approach.
Two pilot coffee clusters have been identified: Tuophema village in Kohima district for Arabica coffee and Ghotovi village in Niuland district for Robusta coffee.
The mission integrates plantation development, post-harvest processing, branding, exports, tourism, and capacity building to build a globally competitive coffee ecosystem.
The initiative envisions creating "Brand North East – Coffees of Nagaland" by incorporating organic certification, GI tagging, digital traceability, and coffee farm stays.
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Maharashtra signs MoUs for 25,400 MW nuclear power projects
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The Maharashtra government signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four companies for nuclear power generation projects with a total capacity of 25,400 MW and investments amounting to ₹6.5 lakh crore.
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited will invest ₹1 lakh crore to generate 7,200 MW of power.
Adani Power Ltd and Coastal-Maha Atomic Energy Ltd proposed a 6,000 MW nuclear power project at Barsu in Ratnagiri district with an estimated investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore.
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) proposed Bharat Small Reactors, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and nuclear power reactors at Purnagad in Ratnagiri district with an investment of up to ₹2 lakh crore to generate 7,200 MW of power.
Lalitpur Power Generation Company Limited (Bajaj Industries Group) will invest ₹2 lakh crore to generate 5,000 MW of power.
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India declares Bastar Naxal-free during 26th Central Zonal Council meeting on 19 May 2026
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared Bastar Naxal-free during the 26th Central Zonal Council meeting held in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.
The Indian government set a target to completely eradicate Naxalism from India by 31 March 2026.
Under the 'Seva Dera' model, 70 of 200 security camps will be transformed into 'Veer Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Deras' to provide banking, skill development, and Anganwadi services.
The government will establish Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and village dairies to provide one cow and one buffalo to every tribal citizen in Bastar.
The 'Bastar Pandum' initiative was launched to promote tribal culture, specifically dance, song, language, attire, cuisine, and handicrafts.
The 26th Central Zonal Council meeting was attended by Chief Ministers Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh), Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh), Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand), and Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh).
Two editions of the Bastar Olympics have been organised, with 3.94 lakh players participating.
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India and Vietnam sign AI and quantum technology pact on May 19, 2026
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India and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology in Hanoi.
The MoU was exchanged between India’s Military College of Telecommunication Engineering and Vietnam’s Tele Communications University.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the setting up of an AI laboratory at the Tele Communications University in Nha Trang.
A language laboratory was virtually inaugurated at Vietnam’s Air Force Officers’ College, established with Indian assistance.
The two nations discussed expanding cooperation in maritime security, defence industry, military training, regional stability, cybersecurity, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping, and high-level exchanges.
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Bharat Forge to set up India's first private-sector marine gas turbine MRO and development complex in Visakhapatnam on 20 May 2026
Key Updates:
Pune-based Bharat Forge signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish India's first private-sector marine gas turbine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and development complex in Visakhapatnam.
The facility will be situated on approximately 80 acres in the Andhra Pradesh Defence Manufacturing Corridor, near the Naval Dockyard, INS Eksila, and the Eastern Naval Command headquarters.
The first phase will comprise a full marine gas turbine repair and overhaul unit, hot section restoration for blades, vanes and combustion liners, component manufacturing, a non-destructive evaluation laboratory, and a 72-hour turnaround capability for the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
The second phase will include a marine gas turbine development and assembly hall, a full-spectrum hot test cell, and indigenous marine gas turbine development and qualification capability.
The complex is expected to function as a regional repair and overhaul hub for friendly foreign navies and create around 750 direct and indirect jobs.
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Indian Navy awards contract to Tonbo Imaging for High Power Microwave system integration
Key Updates:
Tonbo Imaging has been awarded a contract by the Indian Navy to integrate and commission a High Power Microwave (HPM) system for naval platforms.
The project is part of the Advanced Defence Technology Incubation (ADITI) 3.0 framework and is supported by the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative and the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) under the Ministry of Defence.
HPM systems are strategic non-kinetic defence capabilities designed to disrupt or degrade adversary electronics, sensors, and unmanned systems, serving as a countermeasure against drone swarms.
Tonbo Imaging utilises vacuum tube technologies to generate the high peak power and energy levels required for target coupling, which are not currently achievable by solid-state RF sources.
The engagement expands Tonbo Imaging's role from electro-optics into full-spectrum defence system integration, including advanced electronics, embedded software, and directed-energy systems.
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India receives fourth S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence squadron from Russia in May 2026
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India is receiving the fourth squadron of the S-400 Triumf air defence system, officially designated as Sudarshan Chakra by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The procurement of five squadrons was finalised in October 2018 for approximately US$ 5.43 billion (Rs 40,300 crore) from the Russian state-owned conglomerate Almaz-Antey.
The system employs a layered interceptor structure including the 40N6E (400 km), 48N6 (250 km), 9M96E2 (120 km), and 9M96E (40 km) missiles to engage diverse aerial threats.
It functions as a central node within the IAF Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), integrating data from Netra and Phalcon airborne early warning systems.
Operational squadrons are strategically deployed at the Siliguri Corridor, Pathankot, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to protect the western and northern frontiers.
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India and Vietnam Strengthen Defence and Strategic Ties During Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi on May 20, 2026
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and General Phan Van Giang reviewed the bilateral partnership in maritime security, defence industry, training, and regional stability in Hanoi.
The ministers virtually inaugurated a language lab at the Air Force Officers’ College in Vietnam, which was established with assistance from India.
An artificial intelligence (AI) lab will be set up at Telecommunications University in Nha Trang, following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between India’s Military College of Telecommunications Engineering and Vietnam’s Telecommunications University.
India previously gifted the indigenously built missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in July 2023 and handed over 12 high-speed guard boats in June 2022.
The bilateral defence engagement is guided by the Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership Towards 2030 and an MoU on mutual logistics support.
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India and Vietnam discuss deepening defence ties in Hanoi on 20 May 2026
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met General Phan Van Giang in Hanoi to discuss maritime security, defence industry, training, and regional stability.
The two nations identified cooperation areas including military training, defence industry collaboration, maritime security, capacity building, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping, and cyber security.
In June 2022, India and Vietnam signed a Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership Towards 2030 and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on mutual logistics support.
India gifted the indigenously built missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in July 2023.
The Military College of Telecommunications Engineering (India) and Telecommunications University (Vietnam) signed an MoU in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology.
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United States clears $428 million military support packages for India
Key Updates:
The United States (US) cleared two military support packages worth $428 million for India through the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) mechanism.
A package estimated at $198 million provides sustainment support for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, covering contractor engineering, technical support, personnel training, and logistics support services.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates 22 Apache helicopters, while the Indian Army operates six.
A package estimated at $230 million provides sustainment support for M777A2 ultra-light howitzers, including ancillary items, spare parts, repairs, training, and programme support.
The M777 howitzers are deployed along the Chinese and Pakistani borders and were utilised with Excalibur ammunition during Operation Sindoor.
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United States to host G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Atlanta on October 30-31
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The United States (US) will host the Group of Twenty (G20) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Atlanta on October 30-31.
The meeting will be chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and will focus on global economic challenges, resilient supply chains, and international cooperation.
President Donald Trump will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit from December 14-15 at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida.
The G20 Leaders' Summit will take place as the US marks its 250th anniversary.
The G20 includes the United States, India, China, Russia, Japan, Germany, France, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Australia, and the European Union (EU), representing around 85% of global GDP and nearly two-thirds of the world's population.
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United States imposes travel restrictions on three African nations due to Ebola outbreak
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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced travel restrictions on people without US passports who have been in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past three weeks.
At least 131 people have died from the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to health minister Samuel Roger Kamba.
One death has been reported in neighboring Uganda, as per the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The travel order does not apply to US citizens, green-card holders, or US service members.
The CDC stated that the outbreak poses a low immediate risk to the US general public and the order is in effect for 30 days.
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Sweden and Norway Partner with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for Space Cooperation
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Sweden has joined India's Venus orbiter mission, popularly known as Shukrayaan, with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics developing the Venusian Neutrals Analyser (VNA) to study the interaction of solar charged particles with the atmosphere and exosphere of Venus.
Approved in 2024 with an outlay of ₹1,236 crore, the mission will launch a spacecraft via an LVM-3 rocket on a 112-day journey, expected to reach the planet by July 2028.
The spacecraft will carry 19 payloads and settle into a Venusian orbit with a periapsis of 500 km and an apoapsis of 60,000 km, following the completion of its Preliminary Design Review in April 2026.
The mission's objectives include studying Venus' dense atmosphere, volcanic surface, weather systems, super-rotating clouds, and investigating if the planet once possessed conditions suitable for liquid water.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Norwegian Space Agency to enhance cooperation in understanding climate change and protecting fragile ecosystems under the India and Norway's Green Strategic Partnership.
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Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) to launch Automated People Mover (APM)
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Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) will implement an Automated People Mover (APM) to link Terminals 3/2, T1, Aerocity, and cargo city.
The project is estimated to cost between ₹3,000 crore and ₹4,000 crore and will be funded through internal accruals by DIAL.
The APM is expected to be operational within 30 months, by or in 2029.
The service will be free of charge for transit flyers, while non-passengers will be required to pay for usage.
The project involves track and station construction by an Indian company, with tariffs to be determined by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA).
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BCCI wins ruling to remain outside RTI ambit
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The Central Information Commission (CIC) ruled that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not qualify as a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The order, passed by Information Commissioner P R Ramesh, reverses a 2018 ruling by former commissioner M Sridhar Acharyulu.
The CIC found that the BCCI is a private society registered under Tamil Nadu law and is not created by Parliament or any state legislature.
The ruling relied on Section 2(h) of the RTI Act and Supreme Court judgments including Zee Telefilms v Union of India, Thalappalam Service Cooperative Bank v State of Kerala, and Dalco Engineering v Satish Prabhakar Padhye.
The BCCI generates revenue through sponsorships, international broadcasting deals, IPL media rights, and distributions from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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Transporters' strike in Delhi-NCR from May 21 to May 23
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The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing 68 unions, announced a three-day strike in Delhi-NCR from May 21 to May 23.
The strike is a protest against the increase in Environment Compensation Cess (ECC) by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the ban on BS-IV commercial vehicles effective from November 1.
Under the revised ECC rates, charges for light motor commercial vehicles (2-axle trucks) increased from ₹1,400 to ₹2,000, while charges for bigger trucks rose to ₹5,200 per trip, including a ₹1,200 MCD tax.
The AIMTC stated that ₹1,753.2 crore was collected under ECC until December 4, 2025, of which ₹971.8 crore remains unused.
The key demands of the protest include the immediate withdrawal of the ECC hike, the roll back of the BS-IV commercial vehicle ban, and the exemption of BS-VI vehicles from the ECC levy.
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Supreme Court (SC) ruling on euthanasia for rabid stray dogs on Tuesday
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The Supreme Court (SC) of India allowed euthanasia for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs for the first time on Tuesday.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria issued directions to manage the rising population of stray dogs and the threat to human life.
The SC mandated that euthanasia and other legal measures must be taken in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023.
Every district in the country is required to establish at least one fully functional Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre equipped with surgical facilities, trained personnel, and supporting logistics.
The SC directed states and Union Territories to ensure that dogs picked up from public places for vaccination or sterilisation are not returned to the same spot.
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Squadron Leader Saanya Became First Woman Cat-A Flying Instructor of Indian Air Force (IAF)
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Squadron Leader Saanya became the first woman officer to earn the Category-A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) qualification.
The achievement was announced by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh felicitated the officer for this milestone.
The IAF stated that the achievement serves as an inspiration for aspiring aviators across the nation.
The announcement was made via a post on X by the IAF on 18 May 2026.
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B C Khanduri, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, passed away
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B C Khanduri, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, passed away on Monday.
He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dehradun at the time of his death.
He was widely known for his focus on development and good governance.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over his demise via a Facebook post.
Dhami described Khanduri as a disciplined, hardworking, and visionary leader.
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MJK Smith Dies Former England Test Captain
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MJK Smith, the former England Test captain, died at the age of 92.
He played 50 Tests for England and captained the side on 25 occasions.
He made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1958 and played his final Test against Australia in 1972.
He scored nearly 40,000 first-class runs with 72 centuries, including three in Test cricket.
He served as the chairman of Warwickshire County Cricket Club from 1991 to 2003 and was also a rugby union international who earned one cap against Wales in 1956.
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Saurabh Vijay appointed CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
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Saurabh Vijay has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UIDAI.
He is a 1998-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Maharashtra cadre.
Vijay is a civil engineer from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.
He previously served as the Principal Secretary in the Finance Department for the state of Maharashtra.
He has served as the Director at the President’s Secretariat and as an Advisor to the Executive Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka at the World Bank.
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B C Khanduri passes away as former Uttarakhand Chief Minister
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Major General (Retd) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri passed away on Tuesday at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Dehradun.
He was a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He served as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand twice, from 2007 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2012.
He represented the Garhwal constituency in the 16th Lok Sabha.
He was a former officer in the Indian Army.
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Tushar Kumar becomes Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood
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Tushar Kumar has become the youngest Indian-origin Mayor in the United Kingdom (UK).
He took charge as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council.
Kumar is a Labour councillor who previously served as the Deputy Mayor of the town.
The outgoing mayor was Dan Ozarow, and Councillor Linda Smith has been appointed as the new Deputy Mayor.
He previously served as a Policy Advisor at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
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Squadron Leader Saanya became first woman Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor of Indian Air Force (IAF)
Key Updates:
Squadron Leader Saanya became the first woman officer to achieve the Category-A (Cat-A) Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) qualification in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Cat-A is the highest grade in the IAF instructional expertise system, enabling the pilot to train other instructors and assess advanced flight skills.
The IAF instructional ranking system includes Cat-C for trainee or probationary instructors and Cat-B for those capable of standard flying instruction.
Squadron Leader Saanya was commissioned into the Flying branch on June 20, 2015, from the 42 SSC (W) FP Course.
She was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in 2017 and to Squadron Leader in 2021.