Thursday, May 21

Daily Current Affairs: 21 May 2026

Daily current affairs for 21 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: 21 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. ICRA Lowers India FY27 GDP Growth Estimate to 6.2 Per Cent
  2. United Nations (UN) cuts India's 2026 GDP forecast to 6.4 per cent
  3. Shyam Metalics awaits new West Bengal industry policy to deploy ₹10,000 crore
  4. Parallel Web systems launches Index platform for AI creator compensation
  5. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) discontinues Investment Fluctuation Reserve requirement for commercial banks
  6. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposes restrictions on Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd and penalty on Aurangabad District Central Co-operative Bank Limited

ICRA Lowers India FY27 GDP Growth Estimate to 6.2 Per Cent

Key Updates:

  • ICRA has lowered India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth estimate for FY27 to 6.2 per cent from an earlier projection of 6.5 per cent.
  • For FY26, ICRA projects GDP growth at 7.5 per cent, which is marginally lower than the National Statistical Office (NSO) Second Advance Estimate (SAE) of 7.6 per cent.
  • Global brokerage Morgan Stanley has projected India's GDP growth to be 6.8 per cent for 2026, supported by strong domestic demand and government-led capital expenditure.
  • ICRA expects crude oil prices to average USD 95 per barrel in FY27, adjusted from the previous estimate of USD 85 per barrel due to the West Asia crisis.
  • India's merchandise exports fell by 2.8 per cent on a Year-on-Year (YoY) basis in the March quarter of 2025-26, following a 1.4 per cent rise in the December quarter.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Nomura cuts India FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7 per cent (Mid of March)

Nomura has revised India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) downwards to 7.0 per cent from the earlier estimate of 7.1 per cent. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation…

United Nations (UN) cuts India's 2026 GDP forecast to 6.4 per cent

Key Updates:

  • The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has revised India's economic growth forecast for 2026 to 6.4 per cent from an earlier projection of 6.6 per cent.
  • UN DESA projects India's economic growth to be 7.5 per cent in 2025 and 6.6 per cent in 2027.
  • The revision is attributed to global uncertainties and economic shocks from the West Asia crisis, resulting in higher energy import costs and tighter financial conditions.
  • India's growth is driven by consumer demand, public investment, and strong performance in services exports.
  • Global GDP growth for 2026 is forecast at 2.5 per cent, which is 0.2 percentage points below the January projection.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Shyam Metalics awaits new West Bengal industry policy to deploy ₹10,000 crore

Key Updates:

  • Shyam Metalics has proposed a total investment of ₹20,000 crore in West Bengal, of which ₹10,000 crore is already committed to ongoing projects.
  • The company is investing ₹4,000 crore to set up a specialty steel and wagon manufacturing plant at Kharagpur, likely to be commissioned this year.
  • Another ₹6,000 crore is being invested in a hot-rolled coil facility at Jamuria, expected to be completed in the next two years.
  • The remaining ₹10,000 crore will be deployed after the West Bengal government unveils new land, industry and incentive policies.
  • Shyam Metalics aims to triple its revenue by 2031 from the current ₹20,000 crore, double production capacity from 16 million tonnes, and raise employment to 50,000 from 25,000.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Parallel Web systems launches Index platform for AI creator compensation

Key Updates:

  • Parag Agrawal, former Twitter CEO, has unveiled Index, a platform from his artificial intelligence (AI) startup Parallel Web systems.
  • The Index platform is designed to fairly compensate content creators when AI agents consume their work instead of humans.
  • The platform utilizes a compensation model based on Shapely value, a game theory concept that estimates each source's contribution to an AI agent's output.
  • Launch partners for Index include The Atlantic, Fortune, PR Newswire, PitchBook, Enigma, RocketReach, ZoomInfo, Alex Heath’s Sources, Packy McCormick’s Not Boring, and Mario Gabriele’s The Generalist.
  • The model ties compensation to the value of the agent's work and source contribution, contrasting with fixed-fee licensing deals used by OpenAI with the Associated Press, Axel Springer, and News Corp.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) discontinues Investment Fluctuation Reserve requirement for commercial banks

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) discontinued the requirement for commercial banks to maintain the Investment Fluctuation Reserve (IFR) effective from May 18, 2026.
  • The IFR served as an additional buffer to hedge against depreciation in the value of investments and was subject to mark-to-market (MTM) requirements.
  • Balances in the IFR as of May 17, 2026, shall be transferred to the Statutory Reserve, General Reserve, or Balance of Profit and Loss Account.
  • For foreign banks operating in India in branch mode, IFR balances shall be transferred to statutory reserves kept in Indian books or remittable surplus retained in Indian books.
  • The RBI amended guidelines for Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and Payments Banks (PBs) to clarify that transfers to IFR must be made from net profit after mandatory appropriations.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposes restrictions on Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd and penalty on Aurangabad District Central Co-operative Bank Limited

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued directions to the Etawah-based Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd restricting it from granting or renewing loans, making investments, or accepting fresh deposits without prior written approval.
  • Depositors of Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd are permitted to withdraw a maximum sum of ₹10,000 from savings, current, or other accounts.
  • Eligible depositors of Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd can receive insurance claims up to ₹5,00,000 from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) under the DICGC Act, 1961.
  • The restrictions on Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd are effective for six months from the close of business on May 18.
  • The RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹20,000 on the Aurangabad District Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Bihar, for non-compliance with directions on Credit Information Reporting.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Certifies VIYONA Fintech for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) Infrastructure

Key Updates:

  • Hyderabad-based fintech company VIYONA Fintech has secured NPCI certification for its technology and certification framework across multiple payment infrastructure layers.
  • The certification includes capabilities for UPI Acquirer, UPI Issuer, IMPS, and Interoperable Banking Mobile Banking (IBMB) integrations.
  • The completion of both UPI Acquirer and UPI Issuer capabilities allows the company to participate in merchant acceptance, Quick Response (QR) acquiring, and customer-side issuance infrastructure.
  • VIYONA Fintech is launching the ViyonaPay initiative to expand digital payment acceptance and banking accessibility across underserved and rural markets.
  • The company is expanding its portfolio with six upcoming offerings across merchant payments, rural acceptance infrastructure, Point of Sale (POS) ecosystems, and merchant enablement platforms.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

TVS Venu to acquire up to 9.9% stake in Jana Small Finance Bank (JSFB)

Key Updates:

  • TVS Venu will acquire up to a 9.9% equity stake in Jana Small Finance Bank (JSFB) on a fully diluted basis.
  • The acquisition will be executed through a combination of primary warrant issuance and secondary share purchase.
  • The investment includes a 4.9% stake for TVS Motor Company.
  • JSFB is a banking franchise based in Bengaluru.
  • TVS Venu has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 100% stake in PGIM India Asset Management.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Indian Railways approves ₹238 Crore Safety Upgrade for Jammu-Katra Rail Section

Key Updates:

  • Indian Railways (IR) has sanctioned ₹238 crore for safety upgrade works on the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section of Northern Railway (NR).
  • The project includes slope stabilisation measures, tunnel seepage treatment, and bridge protection interventions at vulnerable locations along the corridor.
  • Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the works were approved following a detailed assessment of cuttings, bridges, and tunnels.
  • The Ministry of Railways (MoR) noted that the upgrades aim to enhance the resilience of the route against difficult terrain, adverse geological conditions, and extreme weather.
  • The Jammu-Katra corridor is a strategically important rail route that serves millions of pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine annually.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Ethanol-blending programme: Standards notified for blends up to 30%

Key Updates:

  • The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notified specifications for E22, E25, E27, and E30 fuel blends.
  • The standards cover the admixture of anhydrous ethanol and motor gasoline for usage in positive ignition engine-powered vehicles.
  • The government has advanced the deadline for 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025-26.
  • The Union government is evaluating the feasibility of higher blends such as E85.
  • The initiative aims to reduce crude oil imports, support domestic agriculture through increased feedstock demand, and aid emission reduction in the transport sector.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Ayush Anudan Portal launched to strengthen digital governance and transparency in grant management

Key Updates:

  • Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Shri Prataprao Jadhav launched the Ayush Anudan Portal in New Delhi on 19 May 2026.
  • The portal, developed under the Ministry of Ayush's Ayush Grid initiative, aims to streamline the submission, processing, approval, and monitoring of grant proposals under various Central Sector Schemes.
  • It integrates with the NGO Darpan Portal to enable faster authentication, automated verification, and improved institutional credibility.
  • The portal is accessible through the Ministry's My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP) and includes scheme-wise application management and real-time application tracking.
  • The portal is expected to benefit educational institutions, research organisations, NGOs, healthcare institutions, and other Ayush-related bodies by enabling paperless and transparent grant management.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Swasth Bharat Portal: Integration of Digital Health Systems (Start of May)

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, launched the Swasth Bharat Portal on May 7, 2026, during the 10th National Summit on "Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India's…

Samriddh Gram Initiative nominated for WSIS Prizes 2026 (End of April)

The Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model is enabled by BharatNet, an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The initiative has been nominated for the World Summit on the…

West Bengal Approves 7th Pay Commission and Annapurna Bhandar Scheme

Key Updates:

  • The West Bengal government approved the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission to revise salaries, pensions, and allowances for lakhs of state government employees and retirees.
  • The decision was finalised during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to address long-standing demands from the state workforce.
  • The state cabinet proposed the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, which will be linked with beneficiaries of the existing Lakshmir Bhandar programme.
  • A new policy was approved to provide free travel for women in state-run buses starting from June 1.
  • The West Bengal government decided to discontinue all religion-based welfare assistance programmes starting from next month.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Uttarakhand Government to build Rishikesh-Neelkanth Mahadev Ropeway with ₹450 Crore outlay

Key Updates:

  • The Uttarakhand government is preparing to launch the 6.5 km Rishikesh-Neelkanth Mahadev Ropeway project.
  • The project has an estimated budget outlay of approximately ₹450 crore to improve access for pilgrims.
  • The ropeway will reduce the travel time between Rishikesh and the hill shrine from nearly three hours to 15 minutes.
  • The alignment passes through the Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR), which serves as a movement corridor for Asian elephants, leopards, sambar, cheetal, and several primates.
  • The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has issued directions for special protection measures, with forest land transfer pending an assessment by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Uttar Pradesh Development Projects: ₹6,350 Crore Outlay (Start of May)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh on April 28-29 to launch development projects worth approximately ₹6,350 crore. In Varanasi, the Prime Minister will dedicate 48 completed projects worth over ₹1,050…

Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024: Andhra Pradesh to Commission ₹3,000 Crore Solar Project

Key Updates:

  • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the commissioning of a 600 MW solar power project under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024.
  • The project has been developed with a total investment of ₹3,000 crore in the Rayalaseema region of the state.
  • Sustainable & Affordable Energy For Life (SAEL) completed the development of the solar power project in a record timeframe of 11 months.
  • The mega solar power project is scheduled to be inaugurated at Jammalamadugu in the Kadapa district on 22 May.
  • The Andhra Pradesh government aims to attract ₹10 lakh crore in green energy investments to position the state as the clean energy capital of India.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 tenure likely extension to 12 years

Key Updates:

  • The government is considering extending the tenure of the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to 12 years.
  • The current tenure of the ISM is five years.
  • The extension is intended to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing and supply chains.
  • The mission aims to develop domestic Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as suppliers for the world's largest semiconductor companies.
  • The extended timeline for incentives is designed to align with the longer gestation periods and handholding required for companies supplying raw materials to chip manufacturing and packaging units.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Fuel Blends up to E30 Standards to Reduce Crude Oil Imports

Key Updates:

  • The government notified new standards for higher ethanol-petrol blends, specifically E22, E25, E27, and E30, to enable blending beyond the current 20% level.
  • The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published the specifications on May 15 for fuel blends created by mixing anhydrous ethanol with motor gasoline for petrol-powered vehicles.
  • The petroleum ministry has tasked the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to conduct a detailed study on the impact of E25 blending on vehicles currently compliant with E10 and E20.
  • Fully E20-compliant vehicles are expected to enter the market only after April 2025.
  • The All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) stated that the move will advance the ethanol blending programme and reduce dependence on crude oil imports.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Ministry of Education and NIOS Initiative to Re-enrol 2 Crore Dropout Students

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Education (MoE) convened a high-level meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Sanjay Kumar, to reintegrate over two crore dropout children into the schooling system.
  • Citing the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the MoE noted that more than two crore children between the ages of 14 and 18 are currently not enrolled in any school.
  • The initiative aims to provide access to senior secondary education paired with employable skills through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) frameworks of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and State Open Schools.
  • The operational blueprint for the programme includes the systematic identification of out-of-school children, deployment of trained facilitators, and the use of app-based monitoring tools.
  • In the first phase, the initiative will be piloted across 10 districts in Odisha, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India becomes Bangladesh's second-largest trading partner in February 2026

Key Updates:

  • India emerged as the second-largest trading partner of Bangladesh by February 2026, marginally surpassing the United States (US).
  • According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), India accounted for 8.47 per cent or Tk 123.28 billion of the total external trade of Bangladesh.
  • China retained its position as the largest trading partner of Bangladesh, representing 21.21 per cent of the total trade, equivalent to Tk 308.79 billion.
  • Imports from India to Bangladesh primarily consist of essential commodities such as rice, onions, sugar, cotton, yarn, and industrial raw materials.
  • Indonesia and Brazil were ranked as the fourth and fifth-largest trading partners of Bangladesh respectively during the month of February.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September

Key Updates:

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September.
  • India, as the chair of the BRICS, will host the annual summit of the grouping in September.
  • President Putin last visited India in December 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
  • The BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Indonesia joining the collective in 2025.
  • The 11-member BRICS represents around 49.5 per cent of the global population, 40 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 26 per cent of global trade.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completes final trials of ULPGM-V3 on 19 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3.
  • The trials were conducted in Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at the Kurnool test range in Andhra Pradesh using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS).
  • The ULPGM-V3 is designed for anti-tank roles in Air-to-Ground mode and for targeting drones, helicopters, and other airborne targets in Air-to-Air mode.
  • The missile was developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) as the nodal lab, alongside the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) Chandigarh, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune.
  • Production partners for the system include Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) Hyderabad and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited Hyderabad, with integration on UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies Bengaluru.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India and Italy elevate ties to Special Strategic Partnership on 20 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • India and Italy upgraded bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership and set a target to increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.
  • Both nations reaffirmed support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and planned a ministerial meeting in 2026.
  • The leaders launched INNOVIT India, an innovation hub for collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, healthcare, logistics, and fintech.
  • A Defence Industrial Roadmap was adopted for the co-development and co-production of helicopters, naval systems, and electronic warfare.
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Italian Space Agency will expand cooperation in Earth observation, heliophysics, and space exploration.
  • Agreements were signed on critical minerals, agriculture, maritime transport, and ports, with investment pledges in automotive, semiconductors, clean technology, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, infrastructure, and critical minerals.
  • The joint declaration condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and discussed mechanisms to facilitate the movement of Indian nurses to Italy.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit India from May 23-26

Key Updates:

  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will undertake a four-day visit to India from May 23-26 to further cooperation in trade, defence, and energy.
  • The visit will include travel to the cities of Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi.
  • Secretary Rubio will hold meetings with senior Indian officials to discuss security, trade, energy, and defence cooperation.
  • In July 2025, Rubio hosted counterparts of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) to establish the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to secure and diversify supply chains.
  • India recently hosted foreign ministers of BRICS nations, including Sergei Lavrov of Russia and Abbas Araghchi of Iran.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

United States Senate advances War Powers Resolution regarding military force against Iran on 20 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • The United States Senate passed a procedural measure to advance a War Powers Resolution to prevent President Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without congressional authorisation.
  • The procedural vote to advance the resolution was passed by a margin of 50 to 47.
  • The war on Iran was launched by the United States and Israel in late February.
  • Under a 1973 US war powers law, a president can wage military action for only 60 days before requiring congressional authorisation or a 30-day extension.
  • To survive a presidential veto, the resolution must pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and secure two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India and Republic of Korea sign strategic defence MoU on 20 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 20 May 2026 to enhance cooperation in defence, cyber, and defence information.
  • The agreement was signed in Seoul by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and ROK Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-Back.
  • The MoU focuses on countering evolving cyber threats, protecting critical military infrastructure, sharing digital defence best practices, and enhancing institutional mechanisms for information sharing.
  • Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Seoul National Cemetery to pay tribute to South Korean servicemen and women.
  • The visit to South Korea from 19 May to 21 May 2026 was the second leg of a tour that included an official visit to Vietnam from 18 May to 19 May 2026.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Venezuela to release 300 prisoners under amnesty law by May 22, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Venezuela is releasing 300 prisoners between May 19 and May 22, 2026, under an amnesty law aimed at freeing political detainees.
  • The amnesty law was adopted in February as part of reforms by interim leader Delcy Rodriguez following the United States (US) ouster of Nicolas Maduro in January.
  • The release process includes minors, individuals over 70 years old, persons with medical conditions, and former police officials linked to the April 2002 overthrow of Hugo Chavez.
  • On May 19, 2026, 16 political prisoners accused of offenses in the oil industry were released.
  • The interior ministry stated that over 8,000 people have benefited from the amnesty, including 314 released from prison and others granted freedom after parole.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Jose Maria Balcazar Appointed Interim President of Peru (End of February)

Peru’s Congress elected Jose Maria Balcazar as the interim president of the country, succeeding Jose Jeri following his removal from office. Balcazar is an 83-year-old former judge and professor who represents the…

PM Modi and US President Trump expected to meet at G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France from June 15-17, 2026

Key Updates:

  • French President Emmanuel Macron invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 Summit during his official visit to India from February 17-19, 2026.
  • The G7 Summit is scheduled to be held in Evian-les-Bains, located in the French Alps, from June 15 to 17, 2026.
  • US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the summit; his last meeting with PM Modi took place on February 13, 2025 at the White House.
  • The G7 member nations are the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada; the European Union also participates in the summit.
  • According to a senior White House official, no formal signed agreements are expected; the focus will be on building consensus on artificial intelligence, trade, and global efforts to tackle crime.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India to host 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31 (Start of May)

India will host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31, marking the first such event in a decade. The theme of the summit is 'India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive…

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completes trials of ULPGM-V3 missile on 20 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes.
  • The trials were conducted at the DRDO test range near Kurnool using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS).
  • The ULPGM-V3 is designed for anti-tank operations in air-to-ground mode and for targeting drones, helicopters, and other airborne targets in air-to-air mode.
  • The missile system was integrated with unmanned aerial vehicles developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies, based in Bengaluru.
  • The missile was developed by the Research Centre Imarat as the nodal laboratory, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory.
  • DRDO partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence & Aerospace for production and manufacturing.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India Becomes Second-Largest Global Honey Exporter

Key Updates:

  • India has risen from the ninth to the second-largest honey exporter globally in five years, exporting over one lakh metric tonnes last year.
  • The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is supported by an investment of ₹500 crore.
  • India maintains a stable annual production growth of approximately 5% and a Minimum Export Price (MEP) of US$ 1,400 per metric tonne.
  • Native pollinator species in India include the Asian rock bee, the Indian honey bee, and stingless bees, the latter of which are critical for tropical plant communities in the Western Ghats.
  • The Madhukranti portal is used for residue monitoring, while the European Union (EU) banned the outdoor use of three major neonicotinoid insecticides in 2018.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Scientists Discover Thriving Microbial Ecosystem Beneath Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf

Key Updates:

  • Researchers discovered a diverse community of microbes living in complete darkness hundreds of metres beneath the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
  • A 2022 study published in Nature Communications revealed that these microorganisms form a functioning ecosystem independent of sunlight through the process of chemosynthesis.
  • The dominant organisms in this subglacial cavity include aerobic lithoautotrophic archaea and bacteria that generate energy from ammonium, nitrite, and sulphur compounds.
  • Scientists utilised advanced molecular methods such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to study the taxonomic characteristics of these unique microbial communities.
  • The ecosystem also contains endemic viruses that regulate nutrient cycling and population dynamics by infecting chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Ice Age Hunting Structures Discovered Beneath Lake Huron

Key Updates:

  • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) identified prehistoric hunting structures at the Alpena-Amberley Ridge beneath Lake Huron.
  • The site contains stone structures, artifacts, and environmental remains estimated to be at least 9,000 years old.
  • The discovered stone hunting drives and blinds were used for organised caribou hunts.
  • Researchers utilised multibeam sonar surveys, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and scuba divers to map and inspect the lake floor.
  • The project aims to create virtual reality models of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge as it appeared during the prehistoric era.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) completes wetland verification in Maharashtra

Key Updates:

  • The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), functioning under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), has completed documentation and ground-truthing for all but 11 of Maharashtra's 23,415 wetlands.
  • The verification process enables these waterbodies to be formally notified and brought under legal protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules.
  • Ahmednagar district has the highest number of wetlands in the state at 1,596, followed by Nashik with 1,236 and Chandrapur with 1,231.
  • Other documented wetlands include 1,093 in Raigad, 247 in Thane, 210 in Mumbai suburban, and 37 in Mumbai city.
  • The remaining 11 wetlands awaiting verification are located in the Pune district.
  • The MoEFCC launched the decadal-change version of the National Wetland Atlas in 2020 to track changes in wetlands over time.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Jannik Sinner and Elina Svitolina win Italian Open 2026

Key Updates:

  • Jannik Sinner defeated Casper Ruud 6–4, 6–4 to win the men's singles title at the 83rd Italian Open held at the Foro Italico in Rome.
  • Sinner became the youngest player and second in history to win all nine active Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Masters 1000 events and the first Italian man to win the singles trophy in 50 years.
  • Elina Svitolina won the women's singles title by defeating Coco Gauff 6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–2, becoming the oldest woman to win three titles at the same Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 event.
  • Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori became the first all-Italian pair to win the men's doubles crown in the Open Era by defeating Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
  • The unseeded pair of Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider won the women's doubles title by defeating Cristina Bucșa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez 6–3, 6–3.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Jannik Sinner beats Jiří Lehečka to win 2026 Miami Open (Start of April)

Jannik Sinner defeated Jiří Lehečka 6-4, 6-4 in the men’s singles final of the 2026 Miami Open on 29 March. The victory gave Sinner the rare 'Sunshine Double' after also winning Indian Wells earlier in 2026.

World Bee Day observed on May 20 with theme protecting pollinators and promoting sustainable environmental practices

Key Updates:

  • World Bee Day is observed every year on May 20 to create awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators.
  • The theme for World Bee Day 2026 focuses on protecting pollinators and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
  • The United Nations (UN) officially declared World Bee Day in 2017 after a proposal by Slovenia.
  • The date May 20 was chosen to honour Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping born on this day in 1734.
  • Bee populations are declining due to factors including climate change, pollution, pesticide use, habitat destruction, and diseases.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

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…

BWSSB among world’s top 5 water utilities at Madrid’s Global Water Summit 2026

Key Updates:

  • The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) was recognised among the top five utilities in the 'Utility of the Year' category at the Global Water Summit 2026 in Madrid, Spain.
  • Other utilities in the category included Mouton Niguel water district (USA), Sabesp (Brazil), and National Water Company (NWC) (Saudi Arabia).
  • BWSSB's Cauvery Stage-V Drinking Water Project was among the Top 5 global projects under the 'Water Project of the Year' category.
  • The recognition was based on BWSSB's performance over the past three years in urban water supply, sanitation management, technology adoption, infrastructure expansion, and sustainable utility governance.
  • BWSSB's integrated approach includes a 'Five Pillars' strategy for water conservation, wastewater recycling, reuse, and sustainable urban water governance.

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Dogri-Punjabi Dictionary released on May 17, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta released a Dogri-Punjabi dictionary.
  • The dictionary was authored by the late Chandan Negi.
  • The release function was held at K.L. Saigal Hall in Jammu.
  • The event was jointly organised by the Punjabi Lekhak Sabha and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
  • The dictionary release took place on May 17, 2026.

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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.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day observed on 17 May

Key Updates:

  • World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed annually on 17 May.
  • The theme for 2026 is Digital lifelines: Strengthening resilience in a connected world.
  • The day is organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which was founded in 1865.
  • The United Nations (UN) combined World Telecommunication Day with World Information Society Day in 2006.
  • India's digital progress includes initiatives such as Digital India, BharatNet Project, expansion of 5G services, online governance systems, and digital payment platforms like Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

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TRAI Day 2026 observed on 20 February (End of February)

TRAI Day 2026 was observed on 20 February, marking the 29th Foundation Day of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). TRAI was established in 1997 during India’s telecom liberalisation.

World Hypertension Day 2026 observed on May 17, 2026

Key Updates:

  • World Hypertension Day 2026 was observed on May 17, 2026.
  • Doctors warned that hypertension often shows no symptoms and is increasingly affecting younger adults due to sedentary lifestyles, stress, poor diet, obesity, lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol, and metabolic disorders.
  • Common myths about hypertension include that it always shows symptoms and that only overweight or elderly people get it.
  • Health risks of uncontrolled hypertension include heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, damage to blood vessels, and heart rhythm disorders.
  • Lifestyle changes recommended include reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, maintaining healthy weight, managing stress, getting proper sleep, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating a balanced diet.

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International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia observed on 17 May with the theme At the heart of democracy

Key Updates:

  • The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is observed globally on 17 May.
  • The theme for the year 2026 is At the heart of democracy.
  • The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations (UN) sexual and reproductive health agency.
  • The day addresses human rights violations such as conversion therapy, forced medical examinations, involuntary HIV testing, and coerced sterilisation.
  • UNFPA works to advance rights-based legislative reforms and the safe gathering of disaggregated data on LGBTIQ+ communities.

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Manindra Agrawal Elected Fellow of the Royal Society

Key Updates:

  • Manindra Agrawal, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
  • The Royal Society is the national academy of sciences of the United Kingdom, founded in 1660.
  • Agrawal was recognised for his contributions to theoretical computer science, specifically the development of the AKS primality test in 2002 along with Neeraj Kayal and Nitin Saxena.
  • The AKS primality test is the first unconditional deterministic polynomial-time algorithm capable of proving whether a number is prime.
  • Agrawal has previously received the Gödel Prize and the Fulkerson Prize for his research.
  • Other Indian and Indian-origin Fellows of the Royal Society include Ardaseer Cursetjee (first in 1841), Srinivasa Ramanujan, C. V. Raman, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Homi J. Bhabha, and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.

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N Chandrasekaran conferred honorary knighthood by UK (End of March)

N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, was awarded the honorary knighthood of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by the British government. The honour was conferred at a ceremony…

Yashwant Gupta conferred with MP Birla Memorial Award (Mid of March)

The MP Birla Planetarium (MPBP) conferred the MP Birla Memorial Award on Yashwant Gupta, the director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). The biennial…

Narendra Modi conferred with 2026 Agricola Medal by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Key Updates:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the 2026 Agricola Medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its headquarters in Rome.
  • The award was presented by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in recognition of the Prime Minister’s leadership in advancing food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development.
  • This visit marked the first time an Indian Head of Government has visited the FAO headquarters in the last 30 years.
  • The Prime Minister noted that India has developed nearly 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties over the last decade to build a sustainable and future-ready agricultural ecosystem.
  • India is a founding member of the FAO and collaborated with the organisation to promote nutritious food through the celebration of the International Year of Millets.

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Narendra Modi received Royal Order of the Polar Star (Mid of May)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, by Sweden. The award is the highest honour granted to a Head of Government by the Scandinavian nation and…

Salim Abdool Karim and Keertan Dheda Receive South Africa's Order of Mapungubwe

Key Updates:

  • President Cyril Ramaphosa presented the Order of Mapungubwe, South Africa's highest civilian honour, to 38 recipients during a ceremony held in Pretoria.
  • Professor Salim Abdool Karim received the Order of Mapungubwe in Gold for his research on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis epidemiology and his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Professor Keertan Dheda was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver for his research in pulmonology and management of tuberculosis and drug-resistant respiratory infections.
  • Salim Abdool Karim serves as the Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and is a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Keertan Dheda holds a research chair at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and heads the Division of Pulmonology and the Respiratory Service at Groote Schuur Hospital.

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N.S.K. Umesh Appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Kerala Chief Minister

Key Updates:

  • The Department of General Administration issued orders on May 20, 2026, appointing N.S.K. Umesh as the Additional Secretary and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister of Kerala.
  • N.S.K. Umesh is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2015 batch belonging to the Kerala cadre.
  • He currently serves as the Director of General Education and will continue in this post until a successor is appointed.
  • He holds the additional responsibility of Managing Director (MD) of the Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC).
  • Prior to his current roles, he served as the District Collector of Ernakulam.

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Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala as Keralam (End of February)

The Union Cabinet approved the renaming of Kerala as Keralam on 25 February 2026. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed unanimous resolutions in 2023 and 2024 urging the change.

Gunveer Singh, Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray, Sudhakar Malli and Ravi Shankar elevated to Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has elevated five senior officers to the post of executive director.
  • The newly empanelled executive directors are Gunveer Singh, Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray, Sudhakar Malli and Ravi Shankar.
  • Gunveer Singh, Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray and Sudhakar Malli belong to the Common Seniority Group (CSG) cadre.
  • Ravi Shankar belongs to the Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM) cadre.
  • These officers are currently posted in Mumbai across the RBI Central Office and Mumbai Regional Office.
  • The promotions were announced via an internal order issued by the human resource management department of the RBI.

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Rohit Jain Appointed as RBI Deputy Governor (Start of May)

Rohit Jain was appointed as Deputy Governor (DG) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) by the appointments committee of the cabinet. His appointment is for a period of three years from the date of joining on or after May 3…

Google and Blackstone Partner for 5 Billion Dollar Artificial Intelligence Cloud Venture

Key Updates:

  • Google and Blackstone have announced a new United States-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) cloud venture to provide access to Google’s custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs).
  • Blackstone will initially invest $5 billion in the project, which aims to bring 500 megawatts of data centre capacity online by 2027.
  • The venture will offer compute-as-a-service, allowing businesses to rent AI computing power using TPUs instead of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).
  • Google executive Benjamin Treynor Sloss has been appointed to lead the new venture as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  • Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has increased its 2026 spending plans for AI infrastructure to a range between $180 billion and $190 billion.

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