In today’s report, we will provide an in-depth analysis of the significant national and international events of 13 May 2026. For competitive exam aspirants, following daily current affairs is essential. It not only broadens your general knowledge but also keeps you up-to-date with the latest happenings.
Table of Contents
National News
Hemanta Biswa Sarma’s Second Innings
Hemanta Biswa Sarma has taken the oath as the Chief Minister of Assam for the second consecutive term. In the 2026 assembly elections, the NDA alliance achieved a stellar victory, securing 102 out of 126 seats. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath under Article 164 of the Constitution. As the MLA from Jalukbari, Sarma becomes the first non-Congress Chief Minister in Assam to lead the state for two full terms.
Related Static GK
- Capital of Assam: Dispur.
- Parliamentary Seats: 14 Lok Sabha and 7 Rajya Sabha seats.
- National Parks: Kaziranga (famous for the one-horned rhino) and Manas National Park.
India’s First ‘Low Emission Zone’ in Pune
To combat air pollution, Pune is taking a bold step by establishing India’s first ‘Low Emission Zone’ in the Shivajinagar area. Initiated by the Pune Municipal Corporation, this project will either restrict entry for high-emission vehicles or impose additional taxes on them. This initiative will cover about 7 to 10% of the city’s total area.
Related Static GK
- Pune City: Located at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers.
- Institutions: Home to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).
Supreme Court’s ‘One Case One Data’ and ‘Su-Sahay’ Chatbot
To streamline the judiciary, the 53rd Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, has launched two key initiatives: ‘One Case One Data’ and the ‘Su-Sahay’ AI chatbot. The former aims to integrate case information, while the latter is designed to assist citizens with court protocols and services.
Related Static GK
- Supreme Court: Established on 28 January 1950.
- Constitution: Article 124 details the formation and powers of the Supreme Court.
1% Welfare Cess for Construction Workers
The central government has issued a notification under the ‘Code on Social Security 2020’ to implement a 1% ‘Construction Welfare Cess’. Employers must contribute 1% of the total construction cost to this fund. However, small projects costing under 50 lakh are exempted. The funds will be utilized for the health and education of workers.
Related Static GK
- Labour Ministry: The current Union Labour Minister is Bhupender Yadav.
- Cess: An additional tax levied on a base tax for a specific purpose.
International & Environment
Saudi Arabia Joins the International Big Cat Alliance
Saudi Arabia is set to become the 26th member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). Launched by India in 2023 in Mysuru, Karnataka, the alliance works to conserve seven big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
Related Static GK
- Saudi Arabia: Capital is Riyadh; currency is the Saudi Riyal.
- IBCA Secretariat: New Delhi, India.
Trinidad and Tobago: First Caribbean Country to Adopt UPI
Trinidad and Tobago has become the first Caribbean nation to embrace India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI). Indian tourists can now make payments using the ‘BHIM’ app there. Notably, the IMF has recognized UPI as the world’s largest real-time payment system.
Related Static GK
- Trinidad and Tobago: Capital is Port of Spain; currency is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar.
- NPCI: The National Payments Corporation of India was established in 2008.
Awards & Science
National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 upon 15 healthcare workers at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Ministry of Health has been presenting this award since 1973, which includes a cash prize of 1 lakh and a medal.
Related Static GK
- Florence Nightingale: Known as the mother of modern nursing.
- Nurses Day: International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on 12 May, marking her birth anniversary.
First Indian Woman Fellow of The Meteoritical Society
Professor Kuljeet Kaur Marhas of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, has been elected as a Fellow of ‘The Meteoritical Society’ for 2026. She is the first Indian woman scientist to receive this honor for her research on meteorites and the solar system.
Related Static GK
- PRL: Founded by Vikram Sarabhai in 1947.
- Meteorite: Celestial bodies that hit the Earth’s surface from space.
Defense & Energy
Extension for Tarapur Atomic Power Station
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has approved the extension of Unit-2 of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Palghar, Maharashtra, for another 10 years. Established in 1969 with US cooperation, the plant uses ‘Boiling Water Reactor’ (BWR) technology.
Related Static GK
- Nuclear Test: India’s first nuclear test was ‘Smiling Buddha’ (1974).
- AERB: Headquarters located in Mumbai.
Completion of ‘Samudra Pradakshina’
A team of women from the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces has successfully completed the ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ expedition. Sailing on the indigenous yacht ‘INSV Triveni’, they covered 26,000 nautical miles. The journey, which began on 11 September 2025 in Mumbai, concluded in May 2026.
Related Static GK
- INSV Triveni: A domestically built sailing yacht.
- Nautical Mile: A unit of measurement for distance at sea (1 nautical mile = 1.852 km).
Quick Recap (12 May 2026)
- Thalapathy Vijay: The election symbol for his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is a ‘Whistle’.
- National Technology Day: Celebrated on 11 May.
- TARA System: A glide weapon system developed by DRDO.
- Asian Weightlifting Championship: Hosted in India (Gandhinagar) after 44 years.
- NASSCOM: The number of Global Capability Centers in India has reached 2117 by 2026.
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