National and International Affairs
Census 2027: self-enumeration opens in Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh and Puducherry
17 May 2026 | Press Information Bureau
PIB said on 17 May 2026 that the self-enumeration facility for Census 2027's Houselisting and Housing Census began in Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Puducherry and will remain available till 31 May 2026. Field operations there will run from 1 to 30 June 2026. More than 1.44 crore households have completed self-enumeration.
Field operations commenced in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and the MCD area of Delhi. Self-enumeration in Uttar Pradesh continues till 21 May, with field operations from 22 May to 20 June.
Key facts- Phase: Houselisting and Housing Census, Phase I of Census 2027
- Self-enumeration opened 17 May in Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh, Puducherry; till 31 May
- Households completed self-enumeration: over 1.44 crore
- UP: self-enumeration till 21 May; field work 22 May to 20 June
Exam takeaway: Self-enumeration lets households fill census details online before enumerators visit.
Quick revision: Census 2027 HLO: self-enumeration in Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh, Puducherry till 31 May; 1.44 crore households done (PIB, 17 May).
Press Information Bureau original sourceAppointments, Awards and Important Days
PM Modi receives Sweden's Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross
17 May 2026 | Government Offices of Sweden
The Swedish Government said that on Sunday 17 May 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, by Crown Princess Victoria in Gothenburg, in the presence of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The Order of the Polar Star was instituted in 1748 and is awarded to individuals for their personal endeavours for Sweden or Swedish interests. The Hindu reported that Mr Modi arrived in Sweden for a two-day visit and that the honour is the highest given to a Head of Government.
Key facts- Award: Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross
- Presented by: Crown Princess Victoria, Gothenburg, 17 May 2026
- Order instituted: 1748
- Swedish PM: Ulf Kristersson
Exam takeaway: The Order of the Polar Star is a Swedish royal order instituted in 1748.
Quick revision: Modi receives Sweden's Royal Order of the Polar Star (Commander Grand Cross), 17 May 2026 (Govt of Sweden).
Government Offices of Sweden original sourceAppointments, Awards and Important Days
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, 17 May: 'digital lifelines' theme
17 May 2026 | United Nations
The UN page says World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated every year on 17 May and commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency for digital technologies.
The 2026 observance calls on governments, industry and communities to strengthen 'digital lifelines' - terrestrial networks, submarine cables, satellites and data systems - so that networks can withstand shocks and recover quickly.
Key facts- Day: WTISD, 17 May
- Marks: founding of the ITU
- 2026 focus: resilient digital lifelines
- Lifelines: terrestrial networks, submarine cables, satellites, data systems
Exam takeaway: The ITU is the United Nations agency for digital technologies.
Quick revision: WTISD 17 May 2026: strengthen digital lifelines; marks ITU founding (UN).
United Nations original source