LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court Judge Strength Increased (Ordinance 2026)

• Ordinance Issued: Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026

• Date of Promulgation: 16 May 2026 (by President Droupadi Murmu)

• The sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges (excluding CJI) has been increased from 33 to 37.

• The total strength including the Chief Justice of India has risen from 34 to 38.

• The ordinance was issued under Article 123 of the Constitution (President’s ordinance-making power).

• It amends Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, replacing “thirty-three” with “thirty-seven”.

• The ordinance was notified in the Gazette of India on 16 May 2026.

• The proposal was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi on 5 May 2026.

• The decision was taken due to huge pendency of cases (over 93,000 cases) in the Supreme Court.

• The last increase was in 2019, when judge strength was raised from 30 to 33 (excluding CJI).

SC Strikes Down Age Limit for Adoptive Maternity Leave (Hamsaanandini Nanduri Case)

• Judgment Date: 17 March 2026

• Case: Hamsaanandini Nanduri v. Union of India

• Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan

• The Supreme Court struck down Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020.

• Section 60(4) earlier allowed 12 weeks maternity benefit to adoptive mothers only if the adopted child was below 3 months.

• The Court held that adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks maternity leave irrespective of the child’s age at adoption.

• The Court ruled that the 3-month restriction violates Article 14 (equality before law).

• It also held that the restriction violates Article 21 (right to life and dignity).

• The Court recognised that adoption procedures take time, so limiting benefit based on the child’s age is unreasonable and discriminatory.

• The judgment strengthens the concept of social security and equal motherhood rights under labour law.

AWARDS

PM Modi Conferred Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star (2026)

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star (Commander Grand Cross).

• The honour was conferred on 17 May 2026 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

• It was presented by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

• The Royal Order of the Polar Star was instituted in 1748.

• It is awarded to foreign citizens for civic merits and devotion to duty.

• The award also recognises contributions in science, literature, and useful works.

• Modi’s honour was linked to strengthening the India–Sweden strategic partnership.

• India–Sweden bilateral trade reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi Becomes Prime Minister of Iraq (May 2026)

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on becoming the Prime Minister of Iraq on 16 May 2026.

• Al-Zaidi was sworn in as Prime Minister during a parliamentary session on 14 May 2026.

• Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic, governed under the 2005 Constitution.

• The Prime Minister is the head of government, while the President is the head of state.

• Iraq’s Council of Representatives is a unicameral legislature responsible for approving the government.

• Parliament approved a partial cabinet of 14 ministers along with the government programme on 14 May 2026.

• Approval of the remaining ministerial portfolios was delayed due to coalition negotiations and political bargaining.

• Al-Zaidi was nominated in April 2026 by the Coordination Framework, a major Shia political alliance, to resolve Iraq’s political deadlock.

NATIONAL NEWS

Kami Rita Sherpa Scales Mount Everest for Record 32nd Time (17 May 2026)

• Nepali Sherpa guide Kami Rita Sherpa (56 years) climbed Mount Everest for the 32nd time.

• He reached the summit on 17 May 2026 at 10:12 AM (Nepal time).

• The ascent was made through the Southeast Ridge route (standard Nepal route).

• The climb was part of an expedition led by 14 Peaks Expedition.

• The achievement was officially confirmed by Nepal’s Department of Tourism field office at Everest Base Camp.

• Mount Everest is the world’s highest peak with an elevation of 8,848.86 metres.

• Kami Rita first climbed Everest in 1994, starting his record-breaking journey.

• He also holds 40+ successful summits of 8,000-metre mountains, including Cho Oyu and Manaslu.

STATE NEWS

Rajasthan’s First Semiconductor Cluster Inaugurated (Bhiwadi)

• Inauguration Date: 15 May 2026

• Location: Bhiwadi (Salarpur–Khushkhera), Alwar district, Rajasthan

• Rajasthan’s first semiconductor cluster was launched at the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC), Bhiwadi.

• The unit was set up by Sahasra Semiconductors Pvt Ltd.

• The facility focuses on ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking & Packaging) and OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly & Test).

• It has an annual chip packaging capacity of 60 million units, mainly for memory products.

• The EMC Bhiwadi cluster has planned investments of over ₹1,200 crore from around 20 companies.

• The project is expected to generate employment for about 2,500–2,700 people.

• Rajasthan Semiconductor Policy was introduced in March 2026 to boost chip ecosystem development.

• The unit was inaugurated virtually by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, with over 60% production exported to countries like the USA, Germany, France, Eastern Europe, China, and Nepal.