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Current Affairs 13th May 2026
What India Borrowed from Different Countries in Constitution
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UK: Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Cabinet system, Parliamentary privileges, Single citizenship
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USA: Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Impeachment of the President, Post of Vice President
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Ireland: Directive Principles of State Policy, Method of election of the President
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Canada: Federal system, Residuary powers to the Centre, Strong central government
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Australia: Concurrent List, Freedom of trade & commerce, Joint sitting of both Houses
1. Dr. Thiyam Suresh Literary Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 Conferred on AK Sheram
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Recipient: The award was conferred on AK Sheram, a prominent Manipuri writer based in Bangladesh. He is widely recognized for his immense contribution to Manipuri literature and for bridging the cultural gap between Manipuri communities in India and Bangladesh.
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Significance of the Award: This lifetime achievement award is presented by the Sahitya Seva Samiti, Kakching, one of the oldest and most influential literary organizations in Manipur. It honors individuals who have dedicated their lives to the enrichment of Manipuri letters and culture.
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Key Contributions: AK Sheram is celebrated for his poetry, essays, and organizational work. He has played a pivotal role in promoting the Meetei Mayek (the Manipuri script) and preserving the ethnic identity of Manipuris living outside the state of Manipur.
2. Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan received highest accolade
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Recognition of Long-term Service: The award recognizes Dr. Balakrishnan’s more than two decades of steadfast partnership with the Labour Movement. Since 2001, he has served as an advisor to multiple unions across diverse sectors, including oil and petrochemicals, integrated resorts, and the teaching profession.
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Advocacy for Workers' Welfare: He was lauded for his "quiet resolve" and principled approach to industrial relations. Key achievements noted include supporting workers through major transitions at Shell, advocating for responsible employment during divestments, and initiating the Progressive Wage Model for cleaners in 2014.
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Strategic National Impact: Beyond labor relations, the accolade honors his role as Foreign Minister in safeguarding Singapore’s global standing. His work in strengthening international trade and investment has been vital in creating the quality jobs that the Singaporean workforce depends on.
3. Dr Vinod J Bahade appointed as next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Colombia
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New Role: Dr. Vinod J. Bahade, a career diplomat of the 2007 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), has been officially appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Colombia.
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Current Transition: He is currently serving as a Minister at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in Geneva. He is expected to take up the new assignment in Bogotá shortly.
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Bilateral Focus: His appointment comes at a time when India and Colombia are looking to strengthen ties in sectors such as energy, information technology, and pharmaceuticals, marking a strategic move to enhance India's diplomatic footprint in Latin America.
4. Indian Army Inducts Indigenous ULPGM and AGNIKAA VTOL-1 Kamikaze Drone
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Capabilities of ULPGM: The UAV-Launched Precision Guided Munition (ULPGM) is India’s first indigenous loitering munition in its category. It features an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker for day-and-night precision, a strike range of 2.5 km, and a 2 kg warhead with an accuracy of one meter (Circular Error Probable).
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Features of AGNIKAA VTOL-1: This is India’s first First-Person View (FPV) kamikaze drone in its class. It is designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), making it ideal for rugged terrain and confined urban spaces. It has a 5 km range, 30-minute endurance, and a 5-meter lethality radius against personnel and soft-skinned vehicles.
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Operational Resilience: Both systems have been rigorously tested for high-altitude performance and resilience in GPS-denied and electronic warfare (EW) environments.
5. Judiciary Launches One Case One Data, Su Sahay
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One Case One Data (OCOD): This is a unified digital infrastructure project designed to integrate judicial records across all levels—from Taluka and District courts to High Courts and the Supreme Court. It creates a single, interconnected "digital trail" for every case, ensuring that updates at any level are reflected nationwide, which reduces data fragmentation and improves case management.
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Su Sahay (AI Chatbot): Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in collaboration with the Supreme Court Registry, Su Sahay is an AI-powered assistant integrated into the Supreme Court website. It serves as a 24/7 digital helpdesk, providing litigants and citizens with guidance on filing processes, case statuses, and court protocols in a user-friendly, conversational format.
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Core Objective: These initiatives aim to enhance transparency and speed within the judiciary by moving away from "siloed" operations. By leveraging e-governance and AI, the Supreme Court seeks to democratize legal information and address the persistent challenge of judicial pendency (backlog) through better data-based decision-making.
6. Dr. Harvansh Chawla appointed as Chairman of BRICS CCI
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Transition from BRICS CCI: Dr. Chawla stepped down as the Chairman of the BRICS CCI to take on this broader mandate. His move signifies a shift from a focus solely on BRICS+ nations to a more expansive global economic framework.
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Expanded Global Mandate: Under his leadership, BRISEC (which is recognized by NITI Aayog) aims to facilitate trade and investment across a wider range of international markets and economic corridors, moving beyond traditional regional blocs to include both emerging and developed economies.
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Strategic Objectives: His chairmanship will focus on strengthening cross-border trade opportunities, fostering innovation across key sectors, and facilitating high-level policy dialogues to enable smoother global business engagement and sustainable growth.
Footnotes: BRICS’s Chairman: Narendra Modi, Estd: 2009
7. CII & NUS-ISS Sign MoU to Strengthen AI Governance and Digital Leadership
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Focus on AI Governance: The partnership aims to establish robust frameworks for Ethical AI and Governance. It focuses on helping Indian and Singaporean businesses navigate the complexities of AI implementation while ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with emerging global standards.
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Building Digital Leadership: A core component of the MoU is the creation of specialized training programs designed to upskill senior executives. These programs focus on Digital Leadership, equipping leaders with the tools to manage large-scale technological shifts and data-driven decision-making within their organizations.
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Cross-Border Collaboration: The agreement fosters a "knowledge bridge" between India and Singapore. By sharing best practices in Industry 4.0 and Cybersecurity, the collaboration intends to create a more resilient digital ecosystem and strengthen bilateral business ties in the tech sector.
8. Former Mohun Bagan President Swapan Sadhan Bose passed away
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Long-standing Leadership: Swapan Sadhan Bose served as the President of the iconic Mohun Bagan club for several decades. Under his stewardship, the club transitioned into the professional era, winning multiple National Football League (NFL) and I-League titles, further cementing its status as a powerhouse of Indian football.
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Media and Business Titan: Beyond sports, he was a prominent figure in the media industry as the owner and editor of the Sangbad Pratidin group. He also served as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) representing the All India Trinamool Congress, reflecting his significant influence in the political and social spheres of West Bengal.
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Passion for the "Mariners": He was known for his deep emotional and financial commitment to the club, often stepping in personally to ensure the welfare of the players and the development of club infrastructure. His passing marks the end of an era for the "Mariners" and the broader Indian sporting community.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY
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International HummusDay: May 13
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Theme 2026: "Global Innovation & Sustainable Nutrition."
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It is celebrated as a unique culinary bridge that fosters cultural exchange and peaceful dialogue between nations.
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