Prelims Current Affairs includes India, Netherlands Sign Pact For Kalpasar Project, Supreme Court Judge Strength Raised To 37, Committee On Empowerment Of Women, Ccpa Issues Notices To Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Jiomart, Forests At The Centre Of Global Climate & Biodiversity Action, Project Saksham Expands Across India, Pm Modi Receives Sweden’s Royal Order Of Polar Star, Pm Modi Congratulates Ali Falih Kadhim Al-Zaidi As Iraq Pm & Kami Rita Sherpa Climbs Everest For 32nd Time

ECONOMY & INFRASTRUCTURE 

1. INDIA, NETHERLANDS SIGN PACT FOR KALPASAR PROJECT

Current Context: India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management signed a Letter of Intent on 17 May 2026 for technical cooperation on Gujarat’s Kalpasar Project.

ABOUT KALPASAR PROJECT

• Kalpasar (Gulf of Khambhat Development Project) is a major multipurpose infrastructure project proposed by the Government of Gujarat.
• Planned across the Gulf of Khambhat between South Gujarat and Saurashtra.
• Components: Freshwater reservoir by constructing a dam across Gulf of Khambhat, tidal power generation, irrigation facilities, transport connectivity between Saurashtra and South Gujarat
• Freshwater source: Traps freshwater from seven rivers that flow into the Gulf of Khambhat
• Netherlands’ involvement: Technical expertise based on Dutch engineering experience with Afsluitdijk Dam (32-km-long dam converting a saline gulf into freshwater reservoir)
• Framework: India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership on Water

India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership on Water

• India and the Netherlands cooperate under the Strategic Partnership on Water to strengthen collaboration in water management and related sectors.
• Partnership launched in 2016.
• Improve water management, flood control, sanitation, and climate resilience.
• Promote sustainable and efficient use of water resources.

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

2. SUPREME COURT JUDGE STRENGTH RAISED TO 37

Current Context: The Supreme Court of India’s sanctioned strength of judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, has been increased from 33 to 37 through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION

• Article 124 of the Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of the Supreme Court of India.
• Originally, the Supreme Court consisted of:
• 1 Chief Justice of India (CJI)
• Up to 7 other judges
• Parliament can increase the number of judges through legislation under Article 124(1).
• The strength of judges is regulated by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. 

ABOUT THE CHANGE

• Previous strength (excluding CJI): 33 judges
• New strength (excluding CJI): 37 judges
• Total strength (including CJI): 38 (increased from 34)
• Legal instrument: Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026

Article 123 of the Indian Constitution

• Article 123 gives the President of India the power to promulgate Ordinances. Ordinance can be issued only when:
• Parliament is not in session.
• Immediate action is necessary.

Features

• Ordinance has the same force and effect as a law passed by Parliament.
• Issued on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers.
• Must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of reassembly of Parliament.
• If not approved, the ordinance lapses.

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

3. COMMITTEE ON EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Current Context: The Lok Sabha Speaker has recently constituted the Committee on Empowerment of Women.

ABOUT THE COMMITTEE

• To review and report on measures taken by the government for welfare and empowerment of women.
• Examine implementation of constitutional and legal safeguards for women.
• Studies policies, programmes, and schemes related to women empowerment.
• Examines reports of the National Commission for Women (NCW).
• Suggests measures for improving the status and rights of women.
• First constituted: 29 April 1997 (during 11th Lok Sabha)
• Composition: 30 Members total
• 20 nominated by Lok Sabha Speaker from amongst Lok Sabha members
• 10 nominated by Rajya Sabha Chairman from amongst Rajya Sabha members
• Term: Does not exceed one year, re-constituted annually
• Working: Members work together for women’s empowerment across party lines

Constitution of Committees by the Speaker of Lok Sabha

• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha constitutes and appoints members to various Parliamentary Committees of the Lok Sabha.
• Parliamentary Committees are constituted under:
• Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha
• Directions issued by the Speaker

ECONOMY

4. CCPA ISSUES NOTICES TO AMAZON, FLIPKART, MEESHO, JIOMART

Current Context: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued notices to Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and JioMart on 16 May 2026 over the alleged sale of herbicide products.

• Reason: Alleged online sale of herbicide products, raising concerns over consumer safety and regulatory compliance.

ABOUT CCPA

• Established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• Functions: Deals with unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, consumer rights violations
• Penalty details (16 January 2026):
  • Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Meta Platforms Inc.: ₹10 lakh each
  • JioMart, Talk Pro, Chimiya, MaskMan Toys: ₹1 lakh each

ENVIRONMENT

5. FORESTS AT THE CENTRE OF GLOBAL CLIMATE & BIODIVERSITY ACTION

Current Context: In the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) held at the UN Headquarters in New York City.

Key findings of Global Forest Goals Report 2026:

• More than 40 million hectares of forest lost globally between 2015 and 2025
• Only 7 of 26 forest-related targets have been broadly met
• Financing for sustainable forest management remains far below needed levels
• Highlights forests’ role in climate action, biodiversity, livelihoods, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Calls for urgent global action before the 2030 deadline.

ABOUT UNFF21

• Session: 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21)
• Location: UN Headquarters, New York City
• UNFF established: 2000
• Key achievements of UNFF: Established Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), facilitated first UN Forest Instrument, adopted UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030
• Six Global Forest Goals:

1. Reversal of forest cover loss
2. Improvement of forest benefits and livelihoods
3. Protection of forest and sustainable use of forest products
4. Mobilization of resources
5. Promotion of inclusive forest governance
6. Cooperation and work across sectors

SCHEMES

6. PROJECT SAKSHAM EXPANDS ACROSS INDIA

Current Context: NHAI’s Project Saksham is empowering rural women through skill development and job placements.

ABOUT PROJECT SAKSHAM

• Objective: Provide industry-relevant skills, promote financial independence, create access to formal employment opportunities
• Launched by: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in collaboration with Vertis Foundation
• Focus: Rural women
• Major Achievements:
  • 12 training centres across India
  • Over 6,000 youth trained
  • More than 4,000 job placements
  • 80% beneficiaries are women
• Unique feature: Connects infrastructure growth (communities near national highways) with livelihood opportunities

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• NHAI stands for National Highways Authority of India.
• Established in 1988 under the NHAI Act, 1988.
• Functions under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

AWARDS & HONOURS

7. PM MODI RECEIVES SWEDEN’S ROYAL ORDER OF POLAR STAR

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, on 17 May 2026 in Gothenburg during his visit to Sweden.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Award: Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross
• Instituted: 1748 in Sweden
• Conferred by: Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
• PM Modi’s international honours: 31st international honour

INTERNATIONAL APPOINTMENTS

8. PM MODI CONGRATULATES ALI FALIH KADHIM AL-ZAIDI AS IRAQ PM

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Iraq on 16 May 2026. 

ABOUT IRAQ’S POLITICAL SYSTEM

• Type: Federal parliamentary republic
• Head of Government: Prime Minister
• Head of State: President
• Legislature: Council of Representatives (unicameral)
• Cabinet approved: Partial cabinet of 14 ministers and government programme on 14 May 2026
• Coordination Framework: Influential alliance of Shia political parties in Iraq that nominated Al-Zaidi
• Popular Mobilisation Forces: Umbrella of armed groups formed in Iraq in 2014

PERSON IN NEWS

9. KAMI RITA SHERPA CLIMBS EVEREST FOR 32ND TIME

Current Context: Kami Rita Sherpa, a 56-year-old Nepali Sherpa guide, scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd time on 17 May 2026.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Name: Kami Rita Sherpa
• Age: 56 years
• Born: 17 January 1970 in Thame, Solukhumbu, Nepal
• First Everest summit: 1994 (age 24)
• 32nd summit date: 17 May 2026 (10:12 a.m. Nepal time)
• Mount Everest elevation: 8,848.86 metres
• First confirmed ascent: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (1953)

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