Wednesday, May 13

Daily Current Affairs: 13 May 2026

Daily current affairs for 13 May 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams.

Editorial note for exam revision Last updated: 13 May 2026. This briefing is structured for current affairs revision, with key updates and related coverage links to help readers connect recurring topics across days.

Today at a glance

Top current affairs to revise

  1. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) Reduces Royalty Rates for Domestic Oil and Gas Production
  2. Central Government notifies 1 per cent construction worker welfare cess
  3. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and European Central Bank (ECB) sign MoU on central banking cooperation
  4. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Airtel Payments Bank launch co-branded RuPay National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC)
  5. State Bank of India (SBI) projects India's real GDP growth at 7.2% for Q4FY26
  6. Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): 125 Days Work Guarantee

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) Reduces Royalty Rates for Domestic Oil and Gas Production

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) notified revised royalty rates on May 8 to incentivise domestic exploration and reduce import dependence.
  • Under the revised framework, the effective royalty on onshore crude oil production is reduced to 10%, while royalty on offshore crude production is lowered to 8%.
  • Natural gas production will attract an effective royalty rate of 8% based on a new flat deduction formula for calculating the well head price.
  • Fixed deductions for post well-head costs are set at 20% of the sale price for nomination regime blocks and 15% for all other regimes to determine royalty payments.
  • Blocks under the Discovered Small Field (DSF) Policy and Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) will attract zero royalty for the first seven years in deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Central Government notifies 1 per cent construction worker welfare cess

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) notified a 1 per cent construction worker welfare cess on total construction costs, excluding land and compensation costs, effective from May 1.
  • The cess must be paid within 30 days of project completion, with a penalty of 2 per cent interest per month for delayed payments.
  • The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 has been replaced by the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
  • As of September 30, 2024, approximately 5.73 crore construction workers were registered across India.
  • Out of the total ₹1,17,507 crore collected as cess, ₹67,670 crore was spent on welfare schemes, leaving ₹49,800 crore unutilised.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and European Central Bank (ECB) sign MoU on central banking cooperation

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the European Central Bank (ECB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the field of central banking.
  • The agreement was signed by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra and ECB President Christine Lagarde.
  • The signing took place on the sidelines of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) meetings in Basel.
  • The MoU updates an earlier agreement signed between the two central banks in 2015.
  • The framework establishes regular exchange of information, policy dialogue, and technical cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Airtel Payments Bank launch co-branded RuPay National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC)

Key Updates:

  • DMRC has partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to launch co-branded RuPay On-The-Go NCMC.
  • The NCMC is an open-loop card designed to enable seamless payments across metro systems, buses, and other transit networks nationwide.
  • The cards will be available at all DMRC stations within 10 days and can be recharged digitally through the DMRC and Airtel applications.
  • This initiative aims to advance the One Nation One Card ambition by allowing commuters to use a single card for travel in multiple cities.
  • The launch ceremony was attended by DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar and Airtel Payments Bank MD and CEO Anubrata Biswas.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

State Bank of India (SBI) projects India's real GDP growth at 7.2% for Q4FY26

Key Updates:

  • State Bank of India (SBI) expects India's real GDP growth to reach nearly 7.2 per cent in the final quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
  • The SBI projects the full-year GDP growth for FY26 to be 7.5 per cent and for FY27 to be 6.6 per cent.
  • Nominal GDP growth is estimated at 12.2 per cent for Q4FY26 and approximately 11 per cent for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected India's growth at 6.5 per cent for 2026-27 and the world growth forecast at 3.1 per cent for 2026.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has indicated it will actively intervene to manage liquidity amid inflation volatility caused by crude oil prices and possible El Nino conditions.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): 125 Days Work Guarantee

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Rural Development announced the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from July 1, 2026.
  • VB–G RAM G increases the statutory rural employment guarantee from 100 days under MGNREGA to 125 days per year for eligible rural households performing unskilled manual work.
  • The government has allocated ₹95,692.31 crore for the programme in FY27, with the total outlay including states' contributions expected to exceed ₹1.51 lakh crore.
  • Wages will be paid via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank or post office accounts on a weekly basis or within 15 days of muster roll closure.
  • The framework emphasises rural infrastructure creation, livelihoods, and village-level productivity, positioning Gram Panchayats at the centre of implementation.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Kartavya-KAAMS Launched for AI-Enabled Attendance of Karnataka School Staff

Key Updates:

  • The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) of Karnataka launched the Karnataka Advanced Attendance Management System (Kartavya-KAAMS).
  • The Kartavya-KAAMS is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Geographic Information System (GIS) enabled facial recognition mobile application.
  • It is mandatory for permanent teaching and non-teaching staff to register attendance twice a day via the app starting from the academic year 2026-27.
  • Employees must register using their Karnataka Government Insurance Department (KGID) number registered in the Human Resource Management System (HRMS).
  • The app will monitor attendance at schools, training programmes at State, District, and Block levels, and Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) evaluation centres.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

National Panchayat Awards 2025: Financial Incentives up to ₹5 Crore

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) announced the National Panchayat Awards 2025, selecting 42 Panchayats for honours.
  • Karnataka secured the highest number of awards with six Panchayats, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with five awards each.
  • Awards are conferred under two categories: the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar and the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar.
  • The Deen Dayal Upadhyay awards selected 34 Gram Panchayats from 17 States and Union Territories for performance in poverty-free livelihoods, health, water sufficiency, sanitation, women-friendly governance and social justice.
  • The Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar selected eight Panchayats, including three district Panchayats, two block Panchayats and three Gram Panchayats.
  • Winning Panchayats will receive financial incentives ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore under the Incentivization of Panchayats scheme of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
  • The award distribution ceremony will be held in New Delhi on the 3rd of next month.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

National Panchayati Raj Day observed on April 24 (End of April)

National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated annually on April 24. The theme for National Panchayati Raj Day 2026 is “Sashakt Panchayat, Sarvangeen Vikas" (Empowered Panchayats, Holistic Development).

India Rejects Sanctioned Russian Liquefied Natural Gas Cargoes Amid West Asia Energy Crisis on 12 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • India has declined an offer from Russia to purchase Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sourced from sanctioned projects, specifically Portovaya LNG and Arctic LNG 2.
  • The decision was discussed during a meeting on 30 April between Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin and India’s Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
  • An LNG shipment aboard the tanker Kunpeng, originating from the Portovaya plant, was unable to discharge at the Dahej LNG terminal in Gujarat and was later tracked near Singapore.
  • The United States (US) has intensified sanctions on Russian energy exports, which are easier to monitor than crude oil due to advanced satellite tracking systems for LNG vessels.
  • Russia is pursuing long-term supply agreements with India for LNG and fertilisers, including potash, phosphorus, and urea, to address energy security risks in the West Asia region.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Russia to ban gasoline exports from 1 April 2026 (End of March)

Russia plans to ban gasoline exports for the nation’s producers from 1 April 2026. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak ordered the Energy Ministry to prepare draft legislation barring gasoline exports starting next…

Indian Coast Guard conducts girder laying ceremony for indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles in Goa

Key Updates:

  • The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the girder laying ceremony for the fourth, fifth, and sixth Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) at the Rassaim Yard of Chowgule Shipyard in Goa.
  • The ACVs are being manufactured under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with approximately 50 per cent indigenous content.
  • A contract for six indigenously designed and constructed ACVs was signed between the ICG and Chowgule & Company Private Limited in October 2024.
  • The ACVs will be used for high-speed coastal patrolling, reconnaissance in shallow waters and marshy terrain, deep-sea operations, interception and interdiction missions, and search and rescue activities.
  • The vessels are intended to assist ships and boats in distress and enhance the operational capabilities of the ICG across India's coastal areas.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India and South Africa strengthen scientific collaboration with banner handover at South African Astronomical Observatory on May 8, 2026

Key Updates:

  • On May 8, 2026, High Commissioner of India to South Africa Prabhat Kumar formally handed over a banner of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) at the Royal Observatory in Cape Town.
  • The IUCAA banner will be displayed at the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), symbolising the growing partnership between India and South Africa in astronomy and scientific research.
  • SAAO Managing Director Rosalind Skelton highlighted SALT's achievements over its 20-year history and noted the development of a new camera detector and controller in partnership with Indian collaborators.
  • India holds the 2026 BRICS chairship, under which a series of astronomy-related engagements are being organised, with the SAAO actively participating in the BRICS astronomy working group meeting and SALT workshop in India later this year.
  • South Africa's Tebogo Makoma from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation stated that the partnership is predicated on an agreement signed between the two countries in 1995 and that South Africa participates in 13 BRICS working groups.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Scientists discover dwarf galaxy 'Loki' that was absorbed by the Milky Way billions of years ago

Key Updates:

  • Scientists discovered a dwarf galaxy named Loki, after the Norse god of trickery, that was likely consumed by the Milky Way billions of years ago.
  • The findings were published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
  • The discovery was made by examining 20 metal-poor stars located on the Milky Way's galactic plane.
  • The stars' chemical composition and orbital movements differed from other metal-poor stars, and they contained traces of heavy elements from supernovas and neutron star mergers but no white dwarfs.
  • Researchers concluded the stars originated from a short-lived dwarf galaxy, but noted that a larger dataset is required to fully confirm Loki's existence and structure.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieves 1,200-second scramjet runtime

Key Updates:

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a 1,200-second runtime of its actively cooled scramjet full-scale combustor.
  • The test was conducted at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad.
  • The hypersonic cruise missile is capable of exceeding five times the speed of sound, which is over 6,100 km per hour.
  • The engine utilises an indigenously developed liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel jointly developed by DRDL and industry partners.
  • An advanced ceramic Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) capable of operating beyond the melting point of steel was jointly developed by DRDL and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Related Current Affairs Coverage

AIFF and Odisha renew MoU to expand elite youth football

Key Updates:

  • The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS), Government of Odisha, signed a renewed five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand elite youth football.
  • The partnership strengthens the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy under the Talent Development Scheme of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
  • The MoU was signed by Dr. Vijay Yeddula, Director of Sports, DSYS, and Mr. M. Satyanarayan, Deputy Secretary General, AIFF.
  • AIFF will lead the technical and operational aspects of player development, while DSYS will provide institutional, financial, and infrastructure support.
  • Achievements from the first cohort include a semi-final finish in the U17 AIFF Elite Youth League 2024-25, four players in the India U17 national team setup, and one Odisha girl in the India U19 Women’s National Team.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India selected for FIFA Women's Development Programme (End of April)

India is one of 12 countries selected by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for its Women's Development Programme. The other selected nations are Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland, Canada…

India women's recurve team defeats China to win Archery World Cup Stage 2 gold

Key Updates:

  • India's women's recurve team won the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai by defeating China 5-4 (28-26) in a shoot-off.
  • The gold-winning Indian team comprised Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Kumkum Mohod.
  • This victory marks India's first Archery World Cup stage gold medal since 2021.
  • The Indian women's recurve team defeated the South Korea women's national archery team in the semifinals.
  • Pravin Jadhav won a bronze medal in the compound individual event.
  • Sahil Jadhav secured a bronze medal in the men's individual compound competition by defeating Martin Damsbo of Denmark 147-144.
  • Simranjeet Kaur advanced to the semifinals of the women's recurve individual event.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Delhi awarded second leg of Asia Cup Archery 2027 (Mid of March)

Delhi has been awarded the hosting rights for the second leg of the Asia Cup archery tournament in 2027. The decision was finalised following approvals from World Archery Asia during a meeting held in Kolkata.

Supreme Court Ruling on SC/ST Act Public View Requirement on May 11, 2026

Key Updates:

  • The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that caste-based abuse occurring inside a private residence without public presence or visibility does not attract offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
  • A bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N V Anjaria held that the expression in any place within public view is a mandatory ingredient for offences under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Act.
  • Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act pertains to intentional insult or intimidation with intent to humiliate a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe in any place within public view.
  • Section 3(1)(s) of the Act deals with abusing any person belonging to a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) by caste name in any place within public view.
  • The SC reiterated the landmark ruling in State of Haryana v Bhajan Lal, stating that a First Information Report (FIR) must be quashed if its contents fail to disclose the necessary ingredients of a cognisable offence.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

PM Modi visits Karnataka and Telangana on May 10, 2026

Key Updates:

  • The Art of Living, founded in 1981 by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, celebrated its 45th anniversary and the 70th birthday of its founder at the Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru.
  • The PM MITRA Park at Warangal, also known as the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park, is India's first fully functional PM MITRA Park operationalising the 5F vision of Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
  • The Zaheerabad Industrial Area in Sangareddy district is being developed under the Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor (HNIC) as part of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of National Highway-167 (NH-167) from Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar on the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor.
  • Sindhu Hospital in Hyderabad was dedicated to the nation as a 1,500-bed, cancer-focused, multi-super speciality quaternary care not-for-profit institution.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

PM Modi rolls out ₹16,686 crore infra push in Rajasthan (Start of March)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ajmer, Rajasthan on 28 February 2026 and launched 43 projects worth ₹16,686 crore across urban development, drinking water, roads, railways, irrigation, energy and industrial…

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launches books by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on May 10, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched two books authored by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in New Delhi on 10 May 2026.
  • The titles of the launched books are 'The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre' and 'The Lawful and the Awful'.
  • The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Shri Surya Kant.
  • The books were released on the occasion of Mother's Day.
  • Tushar Mehta dedicated the books to his mother.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Sindhi Bhasha Diwas observed on 10 April 2026 (Mid of April)

Sindhi Bhasha Diwas is observed annually on 10 April. Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Vice-President of India, released the updated version of the Constitution of India in the Sindhi language on 10 April 2026.

CM unveils two books by Bishwabhushan Harichandan (Mid of February)

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled the Odia book 'E Mati Katha Kahe' and the English book 'Buxi Jagabandhu: The Great Commander' written by former Governor Bishwabhushan Harichandan on 8 February 2026 in Bhubaneswar.…

World Migratory Bird Day observed in May and October with theme Power of Community Science

Key Updates:

  • World Migratory Bird Day is observed twice annually in May and October to align with migration patterns in both hemispheres.
  • The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2026 is the power of Community Science.
  • The campaign is coordinated by a network including Environment for the Americas (EFTA), The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership.
  • The 2026 ambassador species selected to represent global flyways are the American Oystercatcher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Barn Swallow, Cinnamon Teal, and Merlin.
  • The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is currently listed as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

World Penguin Day observed on April 25 (End of April)

World Penguin Day is observed on April 25. The African penguin is the only penguin species endemic to the coastlines of South Africa and Namibia.

World Sparrow Day observed on March 20 (End of March)

World Sparrow Day is observed annually on March 20 to raise awareness and encourage conservation efforts for the house sparrow. The initiative was first introduced in 2010 by Nature Forever, a bird conservation…

International Day of Argania observed on May 10

Key Updates:

  • The International Day of Argania is observed every year on May 10 to recognise the cultural, environmental and socio-economic importance of the argan tree.
  • The day is celebrated under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).
  • The UNESCO-recognised Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco spans more than 2.5 million hectares.
  • The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognises Morocco's argan-based production system under its Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiative.
  • In 2025, the Cooperative Cultural Heritage (CCH) programme of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) included the argan ecosystem and its women's cooperatives on its List of Tangible Cooperative Cultural Heritage.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Rotaract Festival scheduled for March 14 in Uganda (Mid of March)

The Rotaract Festival is scheduled to take place on March 14 at the Legends Rugby Grounds to mobilise resources for community development projects. The event marks the conclusion of the annual Rotaract Week, which is…

Lalenthangi Hnamte Awarded National Florence Nightingale Nurses Award

Key Updates:

  • President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Nurses Award to Lalenthangi Hnamte, also known as Maeni, in New Delhi.
  • The award ceremony was held on International Nurses Day to recognise exceptional contributions to the nursing profession.
  • Lalenthangi Hnamte serves as a health worker at the Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) located in the Lunglei district of Mizoram.
  • She was honoured for her significant role and dedication in delivering healthcare services at the grassroots level.
  • Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh highlighted the achievement as an inspiration for healthcare workers across the country.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): ₹5 Lakh Health Coverage (Start of May)

Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated annually on April 30 to recognise the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). PM-JAY was launched on September 23, 2018, in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Ashok Kumar Panda assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

Key Updates:

  • Ashok Kumar Panda has taken over as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
  • Prior to his elevation, he served as Director (Finance) and held the additional charge of Director (Commercial) for approximately nine months.
  • He joined SAIL as a Management Trainee (Technical) in 1992.
  • He holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, a specialisation in Finance from XIM, Bhubaneshwar, and a Ph.D. in Business Finance.
  • He is credited with reducing borrowings by ₹20,000 crore through deleveraging efforts.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Mal Anderson Dies Aged 91

Key Updates:

  • Mal Anderson was an Australian tennis player who died at the age of 91.
  • He was the first unseeded player to win the US Open men's singles title, achieving the victory in 1957.
  • Anderson won three major doubles titles during his career.
  • He won the Davis Cup twice.
  • After retirement, he mentored young Australian players, including former world number one Pat Rafter.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

France defeats India in Thomas Cup 2026 semi-finals (Start of May)

The Indian men's badminton team secured a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup 2026 after losing to France in the semi-finals. This achievement marks India's second medal in the history of the tournament, following their gold…