News In Short 13-05-2026

Sardar Vallabhai Patel

Syllabus: GS1/History 

In News 

• Recently, the Prime Minister  paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Somnath Temple during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the temple’s reconstruction.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• He was known as the “Iron Man of India” and was a major leader in India’s freedom struggle.
• Early life: He was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad.
  • He studied law in England, became a barrister, and later started a successful law practice in India.
• Contributions in freedom struggle: Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, he joined the Indian independence movement.
  • He led important movements like the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) and Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) against British policies and taxes.
  • His leadership earned him the title “Sardar,” meaning leader or chief.
  • He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and actively participated in movements like the Quit India Movement (1942).
• Post independence role : After Independence in 1947, he became India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
  • His greatest achievement was integrating more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union, helping unite the country.
  • He also contributed to building India’s administrative system and maintaining national unity and security.
• Death and legacy:  He passed away on December 15, 1950.
  • His legacy continues through monuments like the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue.
  • He is remembered as a symbol of strength, unity, and dedication to the nation.

Source:DD

Speedy Trial a ‘Human Right’

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court of India, while hearing a criminal case pending for nearly 35 years in Uttar Pradesh, declared that the right to speedy trial is not only a constitutional guarantee under Article 21 but also a human right.

Article 21 of the Constitution

• Article 21 guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
• Judicial interpretation has expanded Article 21 to include fair trial, legal aid, humane prison conditions, and  speedy justice.

Judicial Evolution

• Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar: The Supreme Court first recognised speedy trial as a fundamental right under Article 21. The case highlighted the plight of undertrial prisoners languishing in jails for years.
• A.R. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak: The Court laid down principles to determine violation of the right to speedy trial. It clarified that delays caused by systemic inadequacies also violate constitutional rights.

Source: TH

PCOS Renamed as PMOS

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• A global medical consensus has renamed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) after nearly 14 years of scientific consultations involving doctors, researchers, and patient advocacy groups across the world.

What is PMOS?

• PMOS, earlier known as PCOS, is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age. 
• It impacts the endocrine system, metabolism, reproductive health, and mental well-being.
• The disorder affects nearly one in eight women globally and is among the leading causes of infertility and menstrual irregularities.
• Symptoms of PMOS: 
  • Risk of Diabetes: Insulin resistance can lead to Type-2 diabetes mellitus.
  • Cardiovascular Risks: Women with PMOS are more vulnerable to hypertension and heart diseases.
  • Fertility Challenges: The disorder affects ovulation and reproductive health.
  • Mental Health Concerns: Long-term stress, body image issues, and hormonal imbalance may contribute to psychological disorders.

Why Was PCOS Renamed?

• The earlier name Polycystic Ovary Syndrome was considered scientifically inaccurate and misleading, as many women diagnosed with the condition do not actually develop ovarian cysts.
• The earlier term primarily associated the disorder with reproductive organs, whereas the condition also significantly affects metabolism, hormones, cardiovascular health, and mental health.

Source: ET

DRDO Conducts Long-Duration Scramjet Combustor Test in Hyderabad

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

Context

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted an extensive, long-duration test of its Actively Cooled Full-Scale Scramjet Combustor in Hyderabad.

About

• The test was conducted at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) Facility.
• It achieved a sustained runtime of more than 1,200 seconds, improving upon the earlier 700-second test conducted in January 2026.

What is a Scramjet Engine?

• A Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) is an advanced air-breathing propulsion system designed for hypersonic speeds.
• It compresses incoming air using its high speed, allowing fuel combustion to occur in supersonic airflow. It uses oxygen present in the atmosphere for combustion.

Significance of achievement

• The successful test strengthens India’s capability in developing indigenous hypersonic cruise missiles.
• It marks progress in advanced aerospace and next-generation defence technologies.

Source: AIR

Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• The Union Ministry of Education has issued a fresh reminder regarding the pending implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme to West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme

• Aim: The scheme aims to turn existing government schools into model schools.
  • The scheme is for existing elementary, secondary, and senior secondary schools run by the central government and state and local governments around the country.
• Funding: It is a Centrally sponsored scheme with a total project cost of 27,360 crore for the period of five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for transforming nearly 14,500 schools across the country.
• It  will showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020, act as exemplary schools and also offer mentorship to other schools in their vicinity.
• A ‘School Quality Assessment Framework’ is being developed to measure the progress and performance of these schools.

Key features of PM SHRI Scheme

• Development of ‘Green schools’: These will be equipped with solar panels, LED lights, nutrition gardens, and waste management, water conservation and harvesting systems. 
• Modern facilities: Schools will include ICT (information and communication technologies) facilities, smart classrooms, library, digital library, science labs and vocational labs etc.
  • Schools will also get science and math kits and annual school grants for libraries or sports.
• Mother tongue and local languages to be encouraged.

Source: TH

Study on Malaria Vaccine 

Syllabus: GS2/Health

In News 

• A major study published in the Lancet found that the world’s first approved malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01E, reduced overall child deaths by 13% in parts of Africa.

Malaria

• It is a serious, life-threatening disease caused by parasites and spread mainly through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito.
• It is common in tropical regions and does not spread directly from person to person, though it can rarely spread through infected blood or needles.

Symptoms 

• Malaria usually starts with fever, headache, and chills about 10–15 days after infection. 
• Early symptoms can be mild, so testing is important. If it becomes severe, it may cause confusion, seizures, breathing problems, jaundice, bleeding, and dark urine, and can be life-threatening.

Prevention and Treatment 

• Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites using nets, repellents, coils, screens, and protective clothing, and by taking preventive medicines when travelling to high-risk areas.
• Early testing and treatment are essential. Malaria is treated with specific medicines depending on the parasite type and patient factors. Common treatments include Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) for P. falciparum, chloroquine for P. vivax (where effective), and primaquine to prevent relapse.

India Specific Data 

• In India, malaria cases and deaths have declined sharply between 2015 and 2023:
  • 80.5% reduction in cases
  • 78.3% reduction in deaths
  • More than 122 districts reported zero malaria cases
• India exited the WHO High Burden to High Impact group in 2024.
  • It aims to achieve Zero indigenous malaria cases and deaths by 2027 and Complete malaria elimination by 2030.

Suggestions 

• Experts stressed that continued surveillance, mosquito control, and strong public health measures are essential to maintain progress. 

Source:IE

National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 to nurses at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

About the Award

• Named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, it was instituted in 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• It recognizes meritorious services of nurses and nursing professionals who contribute significantly to society.
• A total of 15 awards are given in the category of Registered Auxiliary Nurses & Midwife, Registered Nurses and Midwife and Registered Lady Visitor. 
• Eligible recipients include nursing personnel working in Central/State Governments, Union Territories, and Voluntary Organizations, whether in hospitals, community settings, educational institutions, or administration.
• Each award consists of a Certificate of Merit, Cash Award of Rs.1,00,000/- and a medal.

Source:AIR