National Technology Day 2026 – Vigyan Tech at Bharat Mandapam
Why in News India observed the 28th National Technology Day on May 11, 2026, with the three-day Vigyan Tech 2026 showcase at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, commemorating the Pokhran-II nuclear tests of May 11, 1998 (Operation Shakti).
Key Points
- Pokhran-II: three simultaneous detonations at Pokhran, Rajasthan, May 11, 1998
- National Technology Day declared in 1999 by PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- Theme 2026: “Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth”
- Vigyan Tech 2026: 3,000+ stakeholders, 500+ technologies, 14 scientific ministries, 9 DST-backed deep-tech showcases
- Focus areas: AI, quantum computing, green hydrogen, semiconductors – aligned with Viksit Bharat@2047
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti): May 11, 1998; 3 devices on Day 1, 2 more on May 13; led by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (DRDO) and Dr R Chidambaram (DAE). India declared a nuclear-weapon state. Sanctions imposed; lifted 2001-2008. National Technology Day instituted 1999.
CJI Launches “One Case One Data” and AI Chatbot Su-Sahayak
Why in News On May 11, 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant (52nd CJI) launched “One Case One Data” – a unified case-data platform – and Su-Sahayak, an AI chatbot, under eCourts Phase III.
Key Points
- “One Case One Data”: automates retrieval and verification of case information across Supreme Court, High Courts, district and taluka courts; reciprocal data access between HCs
- Su-Sahayak: NIC + Supreme Court Registry developed AI chatbot, assists citizens accessing case status and SC services
- Part of eCourts Phase III – 2023 Cabinet-approved, Rs 7,210 crore outlay
- Builds on earlier National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) and e-filing platforms
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
eCourts Project: Phase I (2010-2015); Phase II (2015-2023); Phase III approved 2023 with Rs 7,210 crore. NJDG: National Judicial Data Grid – pendency dashboard. Article 39A: Equal justice and free legal aid. CJI Surya Kant: 52nd CJI, in office since 2025 (assumed office November 24, 2025).
Supreme Court Directives on Expeditious Bail Disposal
Why in News A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi on May 11, 2026 issued directives for expeditious bail disposal, observing that “nothing is more important than bail” given the Article 21 right to personal liberty.
Key Directives
- Fresh bail pleas: listed within a week or on alternate days
- Status reports filed before first hearing
- Counsel must serve advance copies on the Advocate General
- High Courts urged to set outer timelines and institutionalise weekly/fortnightly listings; automatic listing every two weeks
- Anchored in Article 21 jurisprudence on liberty
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
Bail jurisprudence: “Bail is the rule, jail is the exception” – State of Rajasthan v. Balchand (1977). Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty. Section 480 BNSS, 2023 (in force since 2024, replacing the old Section 437) governs bail in non-bailable offences. Undertrials = ~75% of India’s prison population (NCRB Prison Statistics).
VB-GRAMG Act Notified – Replaces MGNREGA from July 1, 2026
Why in News The Centre on May 11, 2026 notified the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-GRAMG), which will replace MGNREGA from July 1, 2026.
Key Features
| Parameter | MGNREGA (2005) | VB-GRAMG (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Days guaranteed | 100 per household | 125 per household |
| Centre-State share | 75:25 (wages 100% Centre) | 60:40 (NE/Himalayan higher; UTs 100%) |
| Source of works | Gram Sabha shelf | Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan |
| Budget 2026-27 | – | Rs 95,692 crore |
| Tech features | Aadhaar-linked, NMMS | AI fraud detection, GPS, biannual social audits |
- Seasonal pause permitted up to 60 days (sowing/harvest)
- Critics: budget inadequate for 125 days; legal guarantee diluted; burden shifted to states
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
MGNREGA: Enacted 2005; right to work; 100 days; Schedule 9 wage notification by Ministry of Rural Development. VB-GRAMG: passed Parliament December 18-19, 2025; effective July 1, 2026. Article 41: State to secure right to work (DPSP).
Somnath Amrit Mahotsav – 75 Years of Reconstruction
Why in News Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav on May 11, 2026 at Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat, marking 75 years since the temple was reopened on May 11, 1951 by President Rajendra Prasad.
Key Points
- Reconstruction driven by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel post-Independence
- Original temple destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE; repeatedly rebuilt
- One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva
- PM performed Mahapuja, Jal Abhishek, Dhwaj Puja; released a commemorative stamp and coin
- First-ever Kumbhabhishek ceremony of the present temple
- IAF Suryakiran Aerobatic Team display
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
Somnath Temple: Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath, Gujarat; first of 12 Jyotirlingas; Maru-Gurjara (Chaulukya) architecture. Reconstruction: K M Munshi led the trust; reopened May 11, 1951 by President Rajendra Prasad. Somnath Trust formed 1949. Mahmud of Ghazni’s raid: 1026 CE.
One Year of Operation Sindoor – Doctrinal Consolidation
Why in News The Armed Forces held an anniversary press conference in Jaipur on May 11, 2026 reviewing one year of Operation Sindoor (May 7-10, 2025), with the Government framing it as the new template for sub-conventional offensive deterrence.
Key Points
- Trigger, as background since 2025: Pahalgam attack, April 22, 2025 (Baisaran meadow, 26 civilians killed)
- 9 terror sites struck across Pakistan and PoJK
- Targets included JeM HQ Bahawalpur and LeT HQ Muridke
- Weapons: Rafale + SCALP, HAMMER PGMs, drones, electronic warfare; tri-service
- One-year review: institutionalisation of cross-domain coordination, EW + ISR investments
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
Operation Sindoor: Launched in 2025 (May 7-10, 2025); 9 sites; 4-day kinetic phase; Rafale + SCALP / HAMMER PGMs deployed. Bahawalpur (JeM) and Muridke (LeT) HQs struck. Ceasefire since 2025: via DGMO call, May 10, 2025, 17:00 IST. Pahalgam attack as background since 2025: April 22, 2025; TRF (LeT proxy) claimed.
India’s First MLFF Barrier-less Tolling Launched
Why in News Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on NH-48 (Surat-Bharuch), Gujarat on May 1, 2026 – with the MoRTH this week confirming the 2026-end MLFF rollout target across the National Highway network.
Key Points
- Combines Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) + FASTag
- Day-1 throughput: ~41,500 vehicles
- Phase 1: 25 NH plazas in 2026; Phase 2: ~200 plazas in FY 2026-27
- E-Notice system for missed payments
- Implementing agency: NHAI
- Benefits: travel time, fuel, emissions, no queueing
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
MLFF: Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling; no barriers; ANPR + FASTag (RFID, NPCI-managed). NH-48: Delhi-Mumbai golden quadrilateral spur (was NH-8). NHAI: established under NHAI Act, 1988; under MoRTH. FASTag: launched 2014; mandatory pan-India since 2021.
Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius – India’s Surveillance Response
Why in News A Hantavirus cluster aboard cruise ship MV Hondius in the Atlantic prompted WHO and US CDC alerts; India’s ICMR-NIV stated through May 11, 2026 that two Indian nationals aboard remain asymptomatic and under observation.
Key Points
- 8 cases, 3 deaths (as of May 8, 2026); 6 lab-confirmed as Andes virus (ANDV)
- Transmission: rodent (especially Sigmodontinae) excreta inhalation; limited person-to-person for ANDV
- India NIV chief: “no immediate public health threat”
- VRDL Network: 165 labs nationwide doing RT-PCR
- India: hantavirus strains circulate in rodents but human cases rare
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
Hantavirus: Family Hantaviridae; rodent reservoir; causes HPS (Americas) and HFRS (Eurasia). Andes virus – only hantavirus with documented person-to-person spread. ICMR-NIV Pune: India’s apex virology lab. VRDL: Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories; 165+ under DHR-ICMR. International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005: governs WHO alerts.
10th Indian Ocean Dialogue – SAGAR at a Decade
Why in News The 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD 2026) – decadal milestone – was held in New Delhi on May 7-8, 2026, themed “Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World.”
Key Points
- Organised by Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and Ministry of External Affairs
- Aligned with SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) – announced 2015
- Focus: maritime security, blue economy, IORA cooperation, climate resilience
- Preceded by the 56th Sapru House Lecture by Vietnamese President To Lam (May 6, 2026)
- Reinforces India’s role as net security provider in the IOR
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
IORA: Indian Ocean Rim Association; founded 1997; 23 member states; HQ Mauritius. SAGAR: vision announced March 2015 by PM Modi at Mauritius. ICWA: India’s oldest IR think-tank; founded 1943 by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru. Sapru House: ICWA’s New Delhi HQ.
Combined Facts Corner
Topic Key Fact National Technology Day Pokhran-II May 11, 1998; Day declared 1999; Theme: Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth One Case One Data + Su-Sahayak CJI Surya Kant; eCourts Phase III (Rs 7,210 cr); NIC + SC Registry SC Bail Directives CJI Surya Kant + J Bagchi; fresh pleas within a week; Article 21 anchor VB-GRAMG Act Replaces MGNREGA from July 1, 2026; 125 days; 60:40 share; Rs 95,692 cr Somnath Mahotsav 75 years of 1951 reopening; PM Modi Mahapuja + Kumbhabhishek; commemorative stamp + coin Operation Sindoor anniversary May 7-10, 2025; 9 sites; Bahawalpur + Muridke HQs; Rafale + SCALP / HAMMER MLFF Tolling Chorayasi NH-48, Gujarat; ANPR + FASTag; 25 plazas Phase 1 in 2026 Hantavirus MV Hondius 8 cases / 3 deaths; Andes virus; 2 Indians asymptomatic; VRDL 165 labs IOD 2026 10th edition; ICWA + MEA; SAGAR vision; theme “IOR in a Transforming World”
