Assam
Politics and Governance
1. Assembly Election Results and New Government
Assam’s Legislative Assembly elections held on 9 April 2026 returned the BJP-led NDA to power with a decisive win. BJP won 82 out of 126 seats, while the NDA total stood at 102. Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as Chief Minister on 12 May 2026.
In its first cabinet meeting on 13 May 2026, the new government pledged to implement all 31 manifesto promises fully. Key decisions included moving forward on a state-level Uniform Civil Code and forming a task force to fill 200,000 government jobs over five years.
BJP won 82 of 126 seats in the April 2026 Assam Assembly elections.
Economy and Infrastructure
2. Development Projects Review
On 14–15 May 2026, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed major development initiatives, with special emphasis on Assam’s 24×7 power goal. He noted that summer peak electricity demand is expected to reach about 3,100 MW, up from 2,950 MW last year, and directed speedy completion of thermal, solar and hydro projects.
Progress on the Maa Kamakhya Corridor, a pilgrimage access project, was also reviewed, with legal clearances nearly completed. Over 60% of the ₹5 lakh crore in Advantage Assam 2.0 investment commitments made in February 2025 are now in advanced implementation, promising new industries in the state.
Assam’s summer peak power demand is projected at 3,100 MW in 2026.
Rural Development
3. National Panchayat Awards
Assam’s New Napam Gram Panchayat received a national award at the National Panchayat Awards 2025, announced on 12 May 2026, for excellence in rural governance. It was one of 13 best Gram Panchayats honoured nationwide.
This recognition highlights Assam’s success in grassroots administration and rural development. It also reflects the growing importance of local governance institutions in improving service delivery and rural development outcomes.
New Napam Gram Panchayat was named among the best gram panchayats in the National Panchayat Awards 2025.
Agriculture and Exports
4. Baksa Honey Export under ODOP
Assam’s agriculture sector saw a milestone when 20 tonnes of premium Baksa honey, an ODOP product, were exported to the USA in 2026. The One District One Product scheme had identified Baksa honey from the Bodoland region as a signature product.
APEDA helped set up testing and processing systems to meet export standards. This export is expected to raise beekeepers’ incomes by about 43% over local prices.
20 MT of Assam’s ODOP Baksa honey were exported to the USA in 2026.
India
Education and Examinations
5. NEET-UG Re-Examination
The NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance exam, scheduled for 3 May, was cancelled due to a question-paper leak. On 15 May 2026, the government announced a re-examination on 21 June 2026 for around 22 lakh affected candidates.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also announced that from 2027, the exam will be fully computer-based instead of pen-and-paper to prevent leaks. The re-test fee was waived, and students were given a week to choose exam centres.
NEET-UG 2026 re-examination was set for 21 June 2026.
Economy and Trade
6. Widening Trade Deficit
India’s merchandise trade deficit surged to $28.38 billion in April 2026, compared to $20.67 billion in March. The rise was mainly due to high oil prices triggered by the Middle East conflict, which pushed imports to $71.9 billion while exports stood at $43.6 billion.
The Iranian crisis pushed Brent crude oil above $120 per barrel, straining India’s import bill and weakening the rupee. The government has urged fuel conservation and limiting non-essential imports to manage this shock.
India’s April 2026 merchandise trade deficit stood at $28.38 billion.
Energy and Industry
7. Coal Gasification Scheme
On 13 May 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹37,500 crore Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification scheme. It aims to convert about 75 million tonnes of coal/lignite into synthesis gas for power, fertiliser and petrochemicals.
The scheme supports cleaner use of India’s vast coal reserves of around 401 billion tonnes and aims to reduce dependence on imported inputs. It offers capital subsidies of up to 20% of plant cost and extends coal linkages to 30 years for these projects.
The scheme funds ₹37,500 crore to gasify about 75 MT of coal/lignite.
Defence and Technology
8. Hypersonic Scramjet Test
DRDO achieved a major breakthrough on 9 May 2026 by conducting a long-duration test of an actively cooled scramjet combustor in Hyderabad. The engine ran continuously for over 1,200 seconds, or 20 minutes, showing that it can sustain extreme heat for future hypersonic missiles.
The Defence Ministry said this places India at the forefront of advanced aerospace capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called it a solid foundation for India’s hypersonic cruise missile programme.
DRDO’s scramjet combustor ran for over 1,200 seconds during the test.
9. Coast Guard Vessel Commissioning
The Indian Coast Guard commissioned the Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Achal on 9 May 2026 at Goa. Achal is 51 metres long, has a top speed of 27 knots, and is the fifth of eight new Adamya-class FPVs built by Goa Shipyard.
It will be based in Gujarat and perform patrol, search-and-rescue, anti-smuggling and pollution-control duties. With over 50% indigenous systems and advanced sensors and weapons, the vessel reflects India’s Make in India push in defence.
ICGS Achal, an Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel, was commissioned on 9 May 2026.
Finance and Policy
10. Monetary Policy Stance
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, addressing an international conference on 13 May 2026, noted that India’s monetary policy can absorb temporary inflation shocks but must remain ready to act if oil-driven inflation becomes entrenched.
India’s consumer inflation for April 2026 was a modest 3.48%. He said higher global oil prices due to the Iran crisis might require the government to hike domestic fuel prices eventually. For now, RBI has paused rate hikes and is emphasising data-driven decisions.
India’s consumer inflation stood at 3.48% in April 2026.
Renewable Energy
11. World’s Third-Largest Renewable Energy Capacity
By 2026, India became the world’s third-largest country in installed renewable energy capacity. Non-fossil electricity capacity has exceeded around 262.7 GW, accounting for over 50% of total power capacity.
This growth has been driven by rapid solar and wind installations. Solar module manufacturing capacity expanded from around 38 GW in 2024 to 74 GW in 2025. However, India still imports 60–80% of critical solar inputs such as wafers from abroad.
India’s renewable capacity is around 262.7 GW in 2026.
World
Geopolitics
12. US–China Beijing Summit
U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on 13 May 2026 for a summit aimed at easing tensions. Key topics included trade disputes, the Iran war, and Taiwan.
Trump hinted at a possible arms sale to Taiwan, which China criticised, while Xi warned that Taiwan tensions could spark conflict. Both sides agreed to pressure Iran against nuclear armament and ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The talks were viewed as an attempt to stabilise relations, though major resolutions remained limited.
The Trump–Xi summit was held on 13 May 2026 in Beijing.
Asia Security
13. North Korea Missile Launches
In mid-April 2026, reported globally in May, North Korea test-fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan. This marked Pyongyang’s seventh missile launch of 2026 and fourth in April.
The launches violated UN sanctions and led to emergency consultations by South Korea and Japan. Japan scrambled fighter jets, while the United States and South Korea pledged to analyse and respond. The timing was also noted in connection with the lead-up to the US–China summit.
North Korea fired its seventh ballistic missile of 2026 in April.
Environment and Climate
14. Global Wildfires and Climate Measures
UN agencies reported that January–April 2026 saw a record 150 million hectares burned by wildfires worldwide, which was 20% above the previous high. Africa recorded around 85 million hectares burned, while Asia recorded around 44 million hectares, including fires in India and Myanmar.
El Niño conditions were predicted to emerge by May 2026, raising concerns of even more extreme fires, especially in Australia. In climate policy, the European Union proposed extending its Emissions Trading Scheme to include outbound international flights, aiming to reduce aviation emissions globally.
January–April 2026 wildfires burned around 150 million hectares globally, 20% above the previous record.
Science and Technology
15. NASA’s Psyche Mars Flyby
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft performed a close flyby of Mars on 15 May 2026 at around 4,500 km altitude to gain a gravitational slingshot toward its target asteroid. Travelling at around 19,848 km/h, Psyche used the pass to receive a velocity boost and took thousands of engineering photos of Mars.
The mission now heads to the asteroid belt to study Psyche, a 278 × 232 km metal-rich asteroid believed to be an exposed planetary core. Scientists will use the Mars images to calibrate instruments before arrival at the asteroid in 2029.
Psyche spacecraft flew by Mars on 15 May 2026.