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NATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2025

Mar 2025

May 15, 2026

Periasamy Kumaran Becomes India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

Periasamy Kumaran assumed charge as India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on 14 May 2026, presenting his credentials to Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps Scott Furssedonn-Wood. An Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1992 batch, Kumaran was most recently Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs. He succeeds Vikram Doraiswami, who has become India's Ambassador to China. Kumaran was welcomed on arrival by Deputy High Commissioner Kartik Pande and Gordon Wetherell, CMG, Special Representative of UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. His term formally begins after he presents his letters of credence to King Charles III in a ceremony expected in the coming weeks.

Appointed High Commissioner to the UK; credentials presented 14 May 2026.
1992-batch IFS officer; previously Secretary (East) in MEA.
Succeeds Vikram Doraiswami, now India’s Ambassador to China.
Greeted by Deputy High Commissioner and UK officials on arrival.
Term begins after presenting credence to King Charles III.

May 13, 2026

Rangasamy sworn in as Puducherry CM for fifth term

On 13 May 2026, N. Rangasamy was sworn in as Puducherry Chief Minister for the fifth time, with the NDA retaining power in the union territory after the assembly elections. The 76-year-old leader has previously served as CM from 2001 to 2006 and again from 2006 to 2008, later founding the All India NR Congress and heading the AINRC-BJP alliance from 2021 to 2026. In the polls, Rangasamy won from Thattanchavady by 4,441 votes over E Vinayagam of Neyam Makkal Kazhagam and from Mangalam by 7,050 votes over DMK’s S. S. Rangan. The oath was administered by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan at Lok Nivas, Puducherry, marking his fifth term as CM. ([indiatoday.in](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/puducherry/story/n-rangasamy-sworn-in-puducherry-chief-minister-fifth-time-nda-win-2911064-2026-05-13?utm_source=openai))

Date of oath: 13 May 2026 (Wednesday) at Lok Nivas, Puducherry
Rangasamy is 76 years old and previously served as CM in 2001–2006, 2006–2008
Election wins: Thattanchavady by 4,441 votes; Mangalam by 7,050 votes
Party/coalition: NDA government led by AINRC
Oath administered by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan

May 11, 2026

C. Joseph Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

On 10 May 2026, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath in a ceremony attended by senior party leaders, legislators, film personalities, and thousands of supporters. Vijay now leads a government that ends nearly six decades of two‑party rule by DMK and AIADMK, marking a significant shift in Tamil Nadu politics. The event was followed by celebrations among TVK supporters across the city. National leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, attended, signaling broader attention to the state’s new administration.

Date and venue: 10 May 2026, Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai
Oath administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
End of six decades of DMK‑AIADMK two‑party rule
Vijay leads a coalition including regional allies
Attendance included TVK supporters and national leaders
Rahul Gandhi present, indicating national attention

India signs eight MoUs with Trinidad and Tobago during Jaishankar's Caribbean visit

During External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago on 8 and 9 May 2026, India and the Caribbean nation signed eight Memoranda of Understanding. The agreements cover tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, Ayurveda, vector control, and digital support for education. The MoUs also include solarisation of the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs building and infrastructure upgrades for Nelson Island. An Indian Chair on Ayurveda will be established at the University of the West Indies under these agreements. India and Trinidad and Tobago have had diplomatic relations since 1962, when the islands gained independence, and Trinidad and Tobago is a member of CARICOM.

Eight MoUs spanned tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, Ayurveda, vector control, and digital education support.
Solarisation of the Foreign Affairs complex and infrastructure upgrades for Nelson Island were included.
An Indian Chair on Ayurveda will be created at the University of the West Indies.
Diplomatic ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago date from 1962; both are CARICOM members.

Suvendu Adhikari Becomes West Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister

West Bengal entered a new political era on 9 May 2026 as Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state’s first BJP Chief Minister since India’s independence. The ceremony at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other NDA leaders. Adhikari was unanimously elected the BJP Legislative Party leader, paving the way for government formation after the party secured 207 seats in the 294‑member Assembly, crossing the majority mark. The Trinamool Congress won 80 seats. Analysts view this result as a major regional realignment, expanding BJP influence in eastern India and ending a long TMC dominance in the state.

Date and place: 9 May 2026, Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata
Oath of Suvendu Adhikari as CM
Prime Minister Modi and NDA leaders attended
BJP won 207 of 294 seats; TMC 80
Significance: first BJP government in West Bengal
Impact: potential regional realignment in eastern India

May 10, 2026

Sikkim SSDMA Receives Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award 2026

Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) has been conferred the Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award for 2026 in recognition of its outstanding contributions to disaster management. The announcement was welcomed by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who congratulated the Authority and described the honour as reflecting the dedication and professionalism of the entire team in strengthening disaster preparedness, response, and resilience across the state. He acknowledged officers, staff, volunteers and stakeholders for their significant role in safeguarding lives and enhancing community resilience. The award highlights Sikkim’s ongoing commitment to effective disaster management and public service delivery.

SSDMA awarded Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award 2026.
Award recognizes leadership in disaster preparedness, response, and resilience.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang congratulated SSDMA team.
Appreciation extended to officers, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.
Award underscores focus on strengthening disaster management in Sikkim.
Public safety and resilience gains highlighted by the award.

PM Modi to Visit Gujarat on 10–11 May 2026 for Somnath Amrut Mahotsav

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on 10–11 May 2026 to participate in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years since the Somnath temple’s reopening. The PM is expected to release a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion and to address attendees at the Somnath venue. The visit underscores the government’s public‑spirit initiatives and regional cultural celebrations. Security, logistical arrangements, and programme details are coordinated with state authorities to ensure a smooth visit that highlights national heritage and ongoing development works connected with the Brahminical corridor and religious tourism in Gujarat.

PM Modi to visit Gujarat on 10–11 May 2026.
Participation in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav for the temple’s 75th anniversary.
PM to release commemorative stamp and coin.
Event linked to regional heritage and religious tourism.
Visit coordinated with state authorities for security and logistics.
Highlights national heritage in ongoing development initiatives.

May 09, 2026

PM Modi to visit Karnataka and Telangana on 10 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Karnataka and Telangana on 10 May 2026. In Bengaluru, he will attend The Art of Living’s 45th Anniversary celebrations. In the afternoon, he will travel to Hyderabad to lay foundations for multiple development projects worth around ₹9,400 crore, dedicate Sindhu Hospital, and inaugurate PM MITRA Park at Warangal. Other planned activities include the four-laning of National Highway-167 and the Zaheerabad Industrial Area development, part of a broader economic and infrastructure push. The visits reflect ongoing efforts to accelerate regional growth and multi-sector investment in the south.

Dates: 10 May 2026
Locations: Bengaluru (Karnataka) and Hyderabad (Telangana)
Key events: Art of Living anniversary; multiple project launches
Investment: ~₹9,400 crore in Hyderabad area
Projects: NH-167 four-laning; Zaheerabad Industrial Area; PM MITRA Park
Policy aim: Regional infrastructure and investment growth

Prime Minister to visit Gujarat on 10-11 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on 10-11 May 2026. He is scheduled to participate in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at Somnath Temple around 10:15 AM on 11 May and later travel to Vadodara to inaugurate Sardardham Hostel at about 6 PM. The visit includes addressing gatherings and releasing a commemorative stamp and coin. The Somnath event commemorates the restored temple’s 75th anniversary. The PM's itinerary also features public events and ceremonial engagements tied to cultural heritage and educational infrastructure development in Gujarat.

Dates: 10-11 May 2026 (Gujarat trip)
Event: Somnath Amrut Mahotsav; Somnath Temple
Time: 11 May, ~10:15 AM
Location: Somnath, then Vadodara
Inauguration: Sardardham Hostel (Vadodara)
Extras: Commemorative stamp and coin release

PM pays tributes to Maharana Pratap on his Jayanti

On Maharana Pratap Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the great warrior, praising his bravery, steadfastness, and dedication to the motherland. The PM highlighted Pratap’s symbolic value as a guardian of national pride and resilience. The remarks reinforce a message of patriotism and historical legacy, and the government underscored principles of courage and duty in contemporary public life. The tribute aligns with annual commemorations of India’s historical figures and their influence on national identity and public values.

Date: 9 May 2026 (Jayanti)
Subject: Maharana Pratap
Message: Bravery and national pride
Context: Commemoration of historical figures
Impact: Reinforcement of patriotic values
Audience: General public and students

PM Modi pays tributes to Rabindranath Tagore on Pochishe Boishakh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore on the occasion of Pochishe Boishakh. He highlighted Tagore’s roles as a writer, thinker, poet, philosopher, educator, and cultural voice of India. The PM emphasized Tagore’s enduring influence on humanity, creativity, and national identity, and expressed hope that Tagore’s thoughts will continue to illuminate minds and guide national efforts. The tribute was shared on social media, aligning with annual commemorations of Tagore’s life and contributions to Indian culture and education.

Occasion: Pochishe Boishakh (Tagore Jayanti context)
Speaker: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Focus: Tagore’s philosophy, culture, and education
Message: Tagore’s ideas illuminate national progress
Platform: Public remarks and social media
Impact: Reinforces cultural and educational legacy

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