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Vietnam President To Lam undertook a 3-day official visit to India (5–7 May 2026) at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in defence, trade, and critical technologies.
- Bilateral meeting: PM Modi–President To Lam summit at Hyderabad House, New Delhi; To Lam also met President Droupadi Murmu and MoS&T Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.
- Mumbai visit: To Lam visited NSE and participated in the India-Vietnam Business Forum; 27 cooperation agreements were exchanged.
- MoUs signed: 13 MoUs covering digital technologies, culture, health regulation, education, tourism, and public sector cooperation.
- Major outcome: Bilateral ties elevated to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP); bilateral trade target set at USD 25 billion by 2030.
Vietnam President To Lam visited India 5–7 May 2026. Ties elevated to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 13 MoUs + 27 agreements exchanged. Trade target: USD 25 billion by 2030. Meeting venue: Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
In May 2026, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), released its annual report ‘Crime in India 2024’. India recorded 58.86 lakh cognisable crimes in 2024 — a 6% decline from 62.41 lakh in 2023.
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cognisable Crimes | 62.41 lakh | 58.86 lakh |
| Crime Rate (per lakh population) | 448.3 | 418.9 |
| IPC/BNS Offences | — | 35.44 lakh |
| SLL Offences | — | 23.41 lakh |
- Delhi: Topped metros with 2,75,402 cognisable cases; lowest charge-sheeting rate.
- Suicides (ADSI 2024): 1,70,746 suicides recorded in India in 2024.
- Bengaluru: ‘Silicon Valley of India’ recorded 2,403 suicides — rate of ~20 per lakh population.
- NCRB: National Crime Records Bureau; operates under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
NCRB released ‘Crime in India 2024’ (May 2026). Crime rate fell from 448.3 to 418.9 per lakh — a 6% decline. Delhi topped metro cognisable offences (2,75,402). Total suicides: 1,70,746 (ADSI 2024). NCRB under MHA.
In May 2026, the National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoS&PI), notified uniform guidelines for compiling Gross State Value Added (GSVA) with 2022-23 as the new base year for National Accounts.
- Purpose: More accurately capture India’s current economic structure; align with modern data sources and international standards.
- GSDP revision: States and UTs required to adopt the new base year for Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) compilation.
- Current base: 34 states/UTs currently use the 2011-12 base year (exceptions: Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and others).
- MoS&PI: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; NSO compiles National Accounts Statistics.
NSO / MoS&PI revised GDP base year to 2022-23 (from 2011-12). Applies to GSVA and GSDP compilation by states/UTs. 34 states/UTs currently use 2011-12 base. Full form: MoS&PI = Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
On 9 May 2026, three flagship ‘Jan Suraksha’ schemes of the Government of India completed 11 years. They were launched by PM Narendra Modi on 9 May 2015 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
| Scheme | Full Form | Coverage | Enrolments (Apr 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMJJBY | Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana | Life insurance (death from any cause) | 27.43 crore |
| PMSBY | Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana | Accidental death/disability (up to ₹2 lakh) | 58.09 crore |
| APY | Atal Pension Yojana | Pension for unorganised sector workers | 9.04 crore |
- PMJJBY: Premium < ₹2/day; administered by LIC; ₹21,512.50 crore paid for 10,75,625 claims.
- PMSBY: Premium < ₹2/month; administered by Ministry of Finance (MoF) via PSGICs (Public Sector General Insurance Companies).
- APY: Managed by PFRDA under the National Pension System (NPS).
Launched 9 May 2015, Kolkata; completed 11 years on 9 May 2026. PMJJBY: life insurance; LIC; 27.43 cr. PMSBY: accidental cover ₹2 lakh; PSGICs; 58.09 cr. APY: pension, unorganised sector; PFRDA; 9.04 cr.
Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Rajnikant Patel inaugurated the second edition of the India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit (IALFS 2.0) at GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Presided by: Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (MoCA — Ministry of Civil Aviation).
- Organised by: MoCA in partnership with IFSCA (International Financial Services Centres Authority) and FICCI.
- Key target: India to become the world’s 3rd-largest civil aviation market by 2035; fleet of ~2,250 aircraft.
- New announcement: Seaplane operations to begin soon in UT Lakshadweep.
- Report released: KPMG–MoCA–FICCI: ‘Advancing the aircraft leasing ecosystem in India’.
- MoUs signed: Among IFSCA, FICCI, Air India, IndiGo, Star Air, Bank of India (BOI), Akasa Air.
IALFS 2.0 at GIFT City, Gandhinagar. Inaugurated by Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel; presided by Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (Civil Aviation). India targets 3rd-largest civil aviation market by 2035. Seaplanes planned for Lakshadweep. Organised by MoCA + IFSCA + FICCI.
🛡️ Defence & Security
On 9 May 2026, ICGS Achal — the latest vessel in the new-generation Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) series — was commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 51 metres |
| Engines | Two 3000 kW diesel engines |
| Top Speed | 27 knots |
| Endurance | 1500 nautical miles |
| Crew | 5 officers + 34 personnel |
| Armament | 30 mm CRN-91 gun; two 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns |
| Home Port | Vadinar, Gujarat |
- Commissioned by: A. Anbarasu, IAS, Additional Secretary & DG (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- Builder: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) — entirely indigenous; >50% indigenous components; under Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
- Stationed at: Vadinar, Gujarat; under Commander, Coast Guard Region (North West); commanded by Commandant (JG) Naveen Kumar.
- Series: 5th in a series of 8 FPVs being built by GSL; ICG fleet target: ~200 surface platforms by 2030.
- Name meaning: ‘Achal’ = ‘Firm’ or ‘Immovable’ in Sanskrit.
ICGS Achal commissioned 9 May 2026 at GSL, Goa. Adamya-class FPV; 5th of 8 vessels. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). Speed: 27 knots; stationed at Vadinar, Gujarat. ICG target: ~200 surface platforms by 2030. ‘Achal’ = Firm/Immovable.
👔 Appointments
On 9 May 2026, GoI appointed Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd.) as India’s 3rd Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) + Secretary, DMA, and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the 27th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Both will take charge on 31 May 2026.
| Appointee | New Role | Succeeds | Charge Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani | 3rd CDS + Secretary, DMA | Gen Anil Chauhan (tenure ends 30 May 2026) | 31 May 2026 |
| Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan | 27th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) | Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi | 31 May 2026 |
- Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (CDS): Currently Military Adviser, NSCS (since 1 Sept 2025); Garhwal Rifles; commissioned December 1985; decorated with PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM.
- Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan (CNS): Currently FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, Mumbai (since 31 July 2025); specialist in Communication & Electronic Warfare; commissioned 1 July 1987.
- CDS history: 1st CDS — Gen Bipin Rawat (appointed Dec 2019, died Dec 2021); 2nd CDS — Gen Anil Chauhan.
Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani = India’s 3rd CDS (from 31 May 2026); succeeds Gen Anil Chauhan. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan = 27th CNS; succeeds Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi. 1st CDS: Gen Bipin Rawat; 2nd CDS: Gen Anil Chauhan. Subramani belongs to Garhwal Rifles; Swaminathan specialist in Communication & Electronic Warfare.
🔬 Science & Technology
On 9 May 2026, Kuljeet Kaur Marhas was elected a Fellow of The Meteoritical Society for 2026 — becoming the first Indian woman to receive this prestigious international honour.
- The Meteoritical Society: International scientific society dedicated to meteorites, planetary science, and the origin of the solar system; founded in 1933.
- Significance: The Fellowship recognises outstanding contributions to meteoritics and planetary science; Marhas is the first Indian woman Fellow in the society’s history.
Kuljeet Kaur Marhas = first Indian woman elected Fellow of The Meteoritical Society (2026). Society founded 1933; focuses on meteorites and planetary science. Milestone: first Indian woman in the society’s history to receive this honour.
📅 Important Days
International Thalassaemia Day (ITD) is observed annually on 8 May to raise awareness about thalassaemia — an inherited blood disorder causing low haemoglobin levels and chronic anaemia.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 2026 Theme | ‘Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen’ |
| 2025 Theme | ‘Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients’ |
| Organised by | Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) |
| Founded | 8 May 1994 by TIF President Panos Englezos |
| Global carriers | ~280 million people worldwide |
| Severe forms | ~4,39,000 people |
Thalassaemia is an inherited (genetic) blood disorder in which the body produces insufficient or abnormal haemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. It causes chronic anaemia, requiring regular blood transfusions in severe cases.
World Thalassaemia Day: 8 May (annually). 2026 Theme: ‘Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen’. Organised by TIF (Thalassaemia International Federation). First observed: 8 May 1994; founded by Panos Englezos in memory of his son George Englezos. ~280 million carriers globally; ~4,39,000 with severe forms.
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