Daily Current Affairs- 29th May 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 29th May 2026

India’s Fertility Rate Drops Below Replacement

In the News: India’s latest Sample Registration System Statistical Report 2024 recorded the country’s Total Fertility Rate at 1.9 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1. The report was released by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The trend marks a major demographic transition, with regional differences continuing across states and Union Territories.

Key Points:

• Total Fertility Rate: Total Fertility Rate refers to the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years. India’s TFR was recorded at 1.9 in 2024, while the replacement level is generally taken as 2.1.
• Regional Pattern: Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 2.9, while Delhi recorded the lowest TFR at 1.2. Only six states remained above the replacement level: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
• Rural-Urban Difference: Rural India recorded a higher fertility level than urban India. The rural TFR stood at 2.1, while the urban TFR was 1.5, showing a clear rural-urban demographic gap.
• Source of Data: The Sample Registration System provides annual estimates of fertility and mortality indicators. It is one of India’s key demographic data systems and supports planning in health, population policy and welfare administration.

Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar Becomes 48th Vice Chief of Naval Staff

In the News: Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on May 29, 2026. He took over after serving in several major operational, command and staff appointments in the Indian Navy. His appointment is significant for naval leadership, maritime security and tri-service operational coordination.

Key Points:

• New Appointment: Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, PVSM, AVSM, NM, became the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. On assuming charge, he paid homage at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
• Professional Background: He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1988. He is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Systems.
• Command Experience: He has commanded Indian Naval Ships Nashak, Vibhuti and Kirpan. He was also the Commissioning Commanding Officer of INS Trikand and commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
• Recent Assignments: Before becoming Vice Chief, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. He earlier served as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, during a challenging security situation in the Western Maritime Theatre.
• Decorations: Vice Admiral Kochhar has received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026. His career includes major operational, training, warship acquisition and policy roles.

UN to Honour Two Fallen Indian Peacekeepers on International Day of UN Peacekeepers

In the News: The United Nations announced that two fallen Indian peacekeepers would be honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal around the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan were named for the honour. Major Abhilasha Barak of India is also set to receive the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.

Key Points:

• Indian Peacekeepers Honoured: Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan will receive the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously. The medal honours UN personnel who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping operations.
• UN Missions: Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh served with MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan was deployed with UNMISS in South Sudan.
• International Day: The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed every year on May 29. It honours the service, sacrifice and professionalism of UN peacekeeping personnel across missions.
• Major Abhilasha Barak: Major Abhilasha Barak serves with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as Commander of the Female Engagement Team. She became the third Indian recipient of the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
• India’s Role: India remains one of the major contributors to UN peacekeeping operations. Indian personnel serve in several UN missions, including deployments in Africa, West Asia and other conflict-affected regions.

India-China 35th WMCC Meeting

In the News: India and China held the 35th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs in Beijing on May 27, 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia), while the Chinese side was led by Hou Yanqi. The talks focused on border areas, peace and tranquillity, delimitation, border management and cross-border cooperation.

Key Points:

• About WMCC: WMCC stands for Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs. It is a diplomatic mechanism used by both countries to discuss border-related matters and maintain communication.
• Delegation Leaders: The Indian delegation was led by Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs. The Chinese delegation was led by Hou Yanqi, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department.
• Main Issues Discussed: The two sides discussed delimitation, border management, mechanism building and cross-border cooperation. India also stressed an early meeting of the next Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers.
• Border Situation: Both sides reviewed the situation in India-China border areas and expressed satisfaction with progress in maintaining peace and tranquillity. This was linked with gradual normalisation of bilateral relations.

Rajesh Kumar Singh Gets Additional Charge as DRDO Chairman

In the News: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was given additional charge as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The assignment follows the completion of the extended tenure of outgoing DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat. The charge is effective from May 31, 2026, until a regular appointment is made or further orders are issued.

Key Points:

• Additional Charge: Rajesh Kumar Singh will hold charge as DRDO Chairman along with his current role as Defence Secretary. The order covers both the post of Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman, DRDO.
• Predecessor: Dr Samir V. Kamat’s extended tenure as DRDO Chairman ends on May 31, 2026. The temporary arrangement has been made after completion of his tenure.
• Administrative Authority: The order was issued through the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet mechanism. Such appointments relate to senior positions in the Union Government and strategic departments.
• About DRDO: DRDO functions under the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for defence research and development. Its work covers missiles, aeronautics, electronics, combat vehicles, naval systems and other strategic technologies.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Ground Test Ahead of Satellite Launch

In the News: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a static fire ground test at Launch Complex 36 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on May 28, 2026. The test was being conducted ahead of a planned satellite launch in early June. Blue Origin confirmed an anomaly, while reports said all personnel were safe and the cause was under investigation.

Key Points:

• About New Glenn: New Glenn is Blue Origin’s heavy-lift launch vehicle. It is designed for orbital missions and is central to the company’s commercial satellite and lunar mission plans.
• Ground Test Failure: The explosion occurred during a static fire test, where engines are fired while the rocket remains fixed on the launch pad. Such tests are used to check propulsion and launch readiness before flight.
• Launch Site: The incident took place at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The site is Blue Origin’s main launch facility for New Glenn missions.
• Planned Satellite Mission: The rocket was being prepared for a launch connected with Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit internet satellite network. Reports said the planned mission involved a batch of Amazon satellites.
• Space Programme Impact: The incident may affect Blue Origin’s near-term launch schedule and commercial heavy-lift plans. It is also relevant because Blue Origin has contracts linked with NASA’s lunar and Artemis-related missions.

Sikkim Police Awarded Prestigious President’s Police Colour by President Droupadi Murmu

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu presented the President of India’s Police Colour to the Sikkim Police in Gangtok on May 28, 2026. The ceremony was held at Paljor Stadium during the President’s visit to the state. Sikkim became the 15th state in India and the third from the Northeast to receive this honour.

Key Points:

• President’s Police Colour: The President’s Police Colour is a prestigious ceremonial honour given to police forces for distinguished service. It is also known as Nishaan.
• Sikkim Police Recognition: The honour recognises the service of Sikkim Police in maintaining peace, security and justice in the state. The President noted the force’s long institutional history since its establishment in 1897.
• Ceremony Venue: The award ceremony was held at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. Police personnel participated in the Alankaran Parade during the presentation.
• National Position: Sikkim became the 15th state police force in India to receive the President’s Police Colour. It also became the third police force from the Northeast to receive the honour.

Birth Anniversary of Veer Savarkar

In the News: The birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, was observed on May 28, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Savarkar’s courage, patriotism and contribution to social reform. Several public tribute programmes were also held to mark his 143rd birth anniversary.

Key Points:

• Birth Details: Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883, at Bhagur near Nashik in Maharashtra. He is remembered as a freedom fighter, political thinker, writer and social reformer.
• Public Tributes: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Savarkar on his Jayanti. The tribute highlighted his courage, patriotism, intellect and role in social reform.
• Parliamentary Recognition: Floral tributes to Savarkar have been traditionally paid at his portrait in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. Parliamentarians and dignitaries have participated in such commemorative events.
• Freedom Movement Link: Savarkar was associated with revolutionary nationalist activities against British rule. He also founded organisations aimed at mobilising young Indians for the cause of independence.
• Literary and Social Role: Savarkar is also remembered as a poet, writer and social reformer. His public memory is linked with debates on nationalism, revolutionary politics and social change in colonial India.