May 15 CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. India’s First Semiconductor unit Lanched in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan

Operator: Sahasra Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd.

Location: Salarpur, Khushkhera, Bhiwadi (Rajasthan)

Investment: ₹150+ crore for the initial phase

Facility Size: Spread over 57,000 square feet featuring Class 10K and 100k

The facility falls under the Ministry of Electronics and IT's SPECS scheme and is a direct beneficiary of the Rajasthan Semiconductor Policy launched earlier in March 2026.

Schemes such as the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC), India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programmes are helping build the country’s semiconductor ecosystem in partnership with state governments and industry players.

2. INDIA APPROVES FIRST MEGA GREENFIELD SHIPYARD PROJECT AT THOOTHUKUDI

India has signed a landmark agreement to develop its first Mega Greenfield Shipyard at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.

The project is part of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and aims to significantly enhance India's shipbuilding capacity and global maritime competitiveness.

1. Tripartite MoU signed between HD KSOE of South Korea NSHIP-TN and Sagarmala Finance Corporation.

2. It is a Part of India-Republic of Korea maritime cooperation framework known as VOYAGES.

3. World-class facility established at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu as strategic coastal hub.

4. Proposed annual shipbuilding capacity of 2.5 million gross tonnage as major global facility.

Significance Of Project

Aligns with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 to modernise maritime infrastructure capabilities.

Supports India's ambition to become one of top five shipbuilding nations globally by 2047

Shipyard will serve as core hub of Thoothukudi Shipbuilding Cluster enabling ecosystem growth

Cluster received in-principle approval under National Shipbuilding Mission for coordinated development.

Economic And Industrial Impact

Expected to create nearly 15000 direct employment opportunities in shipbuilding and allied sectors.Stimulates growth of supporting industries like marine engineering logistics and manufacturing

Encourages adoption of sustainable energy-efficient and digitally enabled shipbuilding technologies.

Supports India's broader industrialisation goals under maritime development and self-reliance strategy.

3. Assam Cabinet Approves Draft Uniform Civil Code Bill

The State Government of Assam has approved the draft Uniform Civil Code Bill, marking a major legal and political development in the state.

The decision was taken by the Assam Cabinet led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The Bill is expected to be introduced in the Assam Legislative Assembly on May 26.

The proposed law will cover key civil matters, including:

Marriage

Divorce

Property succession

Live-in relationships

Compulsory marriage registration

Mandatory divorce registration

With this move, Assam becomes one of the few states moving towards a state-level Uniform Civil Code framework.

A Uniform Civil Code refers to a common set of civil laws applicable to all citizens irrespective of religion, covering areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and succession.

At present, these matters are largely governed by religion-based personal laws in India.

4. International Day of Families 2026 Observed on 15 May

International Day of Families is celebrated every year on 15 May to raise awareness about the importance of families in society.

The theme for 2026 is “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing.”

The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 and was first observed in 1994.

The observance highlights the role of families in areas such as health, economic well-being, work-life balance, and women’s rights.

In 2026, the day marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Families.

5. CCPA Imposes Penalty on Coaching Institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has passed final orders against Motion Education Pvt. Ltd., imposing a penalty of ₹10 lakh, and against Career Line Coaching (CLC), Sikar, imposing a penalty of ₹5 lakh, for indulging in misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, and violation of consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The decision was taken to protect and promote the rights of consumers as a class and to ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made in respect of any goods or services in contravention of the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

After observing that the coaching institutes made tall claims and prominently used the names, photographs, and achievements of successful candidates in IIT-JEE and NEET examinations while concealing important information regarding the specific courses opted by such candidates.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 confers upon consumers the right to be informed, which includes the right to receive truthful and accurate information enabling them to make informed choices

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 is a comprehensive law aimed at safeguarding consumer rights and establishing efficient dispute redressal mechanisms

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)

The Central Consumer Protection Authority was established to enforce consumer rights and address unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.

Functions of CCPA

Investigate violations of consumer rights and prosecute offenders.

Order the recall of hazardous goods, reimbursement, or discontinuation of unfair practices.

Regulate misleading advertisements and impose penalties.

Issue safety notices to consumers

Consumer Dispute Redressal Commissions (CDRCs)

The Act mandates the establishment of CDRCs at district, state, and national levels. These bodies address complaints regarding unfair trade practices, defective goods or services, and overpricing.