Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 31 May 2026, Daily Roundup
Current Affairs – 31 May 2026
National Affairs
High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC): The Ministry of Home Affairs formed a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar to study illegal migration, population changes, and demographic issues, especially in border areas.
D.K. Shivakumar to Become Karnataka CM: After Siddaramaiah resigned, the Congress Legislature Party elected D.K. Shivakumar as its new leader. He will take oath as Chief Minister on 3 June 2026.
NFHS-6 Health Survey Released: The National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) showed improvements in healthcare and nutrition.
- Institutional deliveries: 90.6%
- Full child immunisation: 87.1%
- Child stunting: Declined significantly
Ayushman Bharat Digital Milestone: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) crossed 90 crore ABHA health accounts, strengthening India’s digital health system.
Khet Bachao Abhiyan: The Agriculture Ministry announced a month-long “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” from 1 June to encourage balanced fertiliser use and soil conservation.
New Railway Zone: Indian Railways launched the South Coast Railway (SCoR) as India’s 18th railway zone, headquartered at Visakhapatnam, from 1 June 2026.
200 Years of Hindi Journalism: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia released a commemorative stamp marking 200 years of Hindi journalism, honouring Udant Martand, India’s first Hindi newspaper.
Goa Statehood Day: Goa celebrated its 40th Statehood Day, remembering its transition to statehood in 1987.
International Current Affairs
Myanmar President Visits India: Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrived in India on a five-day visit, visited the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, and discussed regional cooperation and security.
India–US Trade Talks: India and the United States prepared for trade negotiations starting 1 June in New Delhi to discuss tariffs and market access under an interim trade deal.
India Important for Indo-Pacific Stability: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called India a key pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific, praising India’s military modernisation.
India’s First Rock Check Dam: India inaugurated its first Rock Check Dam in Ladakh under the Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan to improve water storage and irrigation.
Global Geopolitical Crisis
US Warning to Iran: The US warned it may restart military action against Iran if diplomatic talks fail despite ongoing ceasefire efforts in the Strait of Hormuz region.
Russia–Ukraine War: Russia reported Ukrainian drone attacks damaging oil depots in the Rostov region, increasing tensions.
Ebola Crisis in Congo: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Congo, where an Ebola outbreak has caused 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths.
AUKUS Maritime Security Plan: The US, UK, and Australia announced a joint project under AUKUS to develop underwater drones for protecting undersea communication cables.
Defence
Army Ready for “Operation Sindoor 2.0”: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said Indian Armed Forces remain ready for Operation Sindoor 2.0 if needed.
Changes in Defence Leadership:
- General Anil Chauhan completed his term as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
- Lt Gen N.S. Raja Subramani became the new CDS.
- Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar became Vice Chief of Naval Staff.
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan took charge of Western Naval Command.
Nausena Shaurya Vatika Opened: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an open-air naval museum in Lucknow.
UN Honours Indian Peacekeepers: The United Nations honoured Indian soldiers Harbhajan Singh and Sujit Kumar Pradhan posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal.
Captain Abhilasha Barak, India’s first woman combat helicopter pilot, won the UN Military Gender Advocate Award 2025.
INS Sudarshini Voyage: Indian Navy ship INS Sudarshini completed a historic trans-Atlantic journey and reached Antigua and Barbuda.
Science & Technology
Bamboo Technology Diploma: Maharashtra’s Bamboo Research and Training Centre (BRTC) received approval to start a 3-year Diploma in Bamboo Technology from 2026–27.
Digi Yatra Milestone: The Digi Yatra app crossed 10 crore seamless airport journeys, making travel easier and paperless.
Semiconductor Mission: India strengthened its Semiconductor Mission to promote chip manufacturing and attract investment.
Sports
IPL 2026 Final: The IPL 2026 final between RCB and Gujarat Titans was scheduled at Ahmedabad.
India Women Lose to England: England Women defeated India Women by 26 runs in the 2nd T20I at Bristol.
Asian U-20 Athletics: India won 8 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) and stood second after China.
Sports Complex in Meghalaya: A new Integrated Multipurpose Sports Complex was inaugurated in Shillong.
Global Observance
World No Tobacco Day (31 May): Observed with the theme: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”
Vesak Poya Day: Sri Lanka celebrated Vesak Poya Day, marking the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.
Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs
- The Election Commission held a legal conference to improve election systems.
- Odisha started the revision of voter lists covering 3.33 crore voters.
- Gujarat intensified protection of the Asiatic Lions.
- Cotton imports are exempted from customs duty till 31 October 2026.
- Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai became the first woman judge from Sikkim to head a High Court (Patna HC).
- Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary announced ₹4 lakh compensation for lightning victims’ families.
- Delhi Police arrested 8 operatives linked to the Pak ISI–Mumbai underworld network.
