Daily current affairs for 22 May 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams.
Editorial note for exam revisionLast updated: 22 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.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of The Yashwant Co-operative Bank Ltd., Phaltan
Key Updates:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of The Yashwant Co-operative Bank Ltd., Phaltan, in an order dated May 18, 2026.
The RBI took this action due to the bank's inadequate capital, poor earning prospects, and failure to comply with regulatory requirements.
The Maharashtra Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies has been directed to wind up the bank and appoint a liquidator.
Depositors are protected by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), which provides insurance cover up to ₹5 lakh per depositor.
As of April 20, 2026, the DICGC has paid ₹106.96 crore of the total insured deposits, with 99.02% of depositors entitled to receive their full deposit amount.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai, effective from the close of business on May 12, 2026. The RBI stated that the bank lacks adequate capital and earning…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of the Mumbai-based Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank due to inadequate capital and earning prospects. The bank will cease banking business with effect from the close…
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…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank on April 24, 2026, under Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The RBI cited that the bank's business was conducted in a…
Liberty Mutual Insurance increases stake in Liberty General Insurance Limited (LGI) to 74%
Key Updates:
US-based Liberty Mutual Insurance has increased its shareholding in Liberty General Insurance Limited (LGI) to 74%.
The stake was previously increased from 49% to 55.40% in September 2025.
The investment aims to expand the distribution footprint and strengthen operations in India's retail and commercial insurance segments.
Parag Ved serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Whole-Time Director of LGI.
The government allowed up to 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector in December last year.
UK-based insurer Prudential plc will acquire a 75 percent stake in Bharti Life Insurance Company Limited for an initial value of ₹3,500 crore (approximately USD 389 million). The transaction involves Prudential plc…
The Ministry of Finance launched two digital platforms of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on April 15, 2026. The MyLIC app is a customer-focused platform that allows policyholders to manage insurance…
Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Central Bank of India’s acquisition of 1.09% additional equity in Generali Central Insurance Company (GCICL) and 0.82% additional equity in Generali Central Life Insurance…
The Government of India has allowed 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance companies through the automatic route. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in Press Note 1 (2026…
Maharashtra Leads India in Central Government Infrastructure Projects with 215 Initiatives
Key Updates:
Maharashtra has secured the top position in India with 215 central government projects involving an estimated investment of ₹5.5 trillion.
Uttar Pradesh ranks second in the country with 180 central government projects valued at approximately ₹4.3 trillion.
Andhra Pradesh holds the third position with 141 central government projects worth ₹2.1 trillion, focusing on ports, logistics, and renewable energy.
Assam leads the northeastern states with 89 central government projects worth ₹1.2 trillion to enhance regional connectivity and energy infrastructure.
The infrastructure drive includes diverse sectors such as highways, railways, ports, industrial corridors, and the Smart Cities Mission.
Maharashtra’s GSDP projected at Rs 42,67,771 crore in 2024-25, highest among all states. Maharashtra’s GSDP rose 43% from Rs 29,81,024 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 42,67,771 crore in 2024-25.
Vingroup entered into an agreement with the Maharashtra government to explore investments worth about $6.5 billion across multiple sectors in the state. The proposed investments include integrated urban townships…
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) released a roadmap titled “Moving Towards Effective City Government” to strengthen city governments in India’s million-plus cities. The report was unveiled by…
Maharashtra Day is observed on May 1 to mark the formation of the state in 1960. The state was formed under the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960, which divided the Bombay State into Maharashtra and Gujarat along…
ShramMitra App to digitise Haryana's labour market
Key Updates:
Haryana Labour Minister Anil Vij announced the launch of the 'ShramMitra' app to digitise and modernise the labour market.
The app is designed to transform the traditional labour chowk into a digital platform.
ShramMitra connects workers directly with employers to eliminate the need for middlemen.
The platform provides workers with information on government schemes and skill development opportunities.
The app offers employers a database of verified candidates to enhance transparency and efficiency in job matching.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is expanding the Samarth Panchayat portal to Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra to digitise revenue collection and asset management. The portal enables village panchayats to…
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…
Maharashtra government launched the country’s first integrated Divyang Sahayak Portal to streamline welfare schemes for persons with disabilities. The portal enables online applications, real-time tracking and automatic…
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…
Mission Arunachal Kiwi launched to empower farmers and build globally competitive organic kiwi ecosystem
Key Updates:
Mission Arunachal Kiwi was launched by Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The mission aims to empower farmers and build a globally competitive organic kiwi ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh.
It focuses on strengthening the entire kiwi value chain including cultivation, post-harvest management, branding, exports, and agri-tourism.
Arunachal Pradesh contributes more than 50% of India's kiwi production, and the mission targets key districts: Lower Subansiri, West Kameng, Shi Yomi, Dibang Valley, and Tawang.
The mission was officially launched in New Delhi by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia during a programme organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government.
The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched the Mizoram Ginger Mission with a total outlay of ₹189.79 crore. The mission aims to transform the state's GI-certified pharma-grade ginger…
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organised the Logistics Excellence, Advancement and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025 Awards and released the LEADS 2025 report in New Delhi. India's Free…
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched the ₹175-crore "Coffees of Nagaland" mission to transform Nagaland into a premium specialty coffee destination. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Development of…
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched Mission Sikkim Organics with a total programme outlay of ₹360 crore during the 51st Statehood Day of…
India hosts 68th Asian Productivity Organization Governing Body meeting in New Delhi from 20 to 22 May 2026
Key Updates:
India is hosting the 68th Governing Body meeting of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) from 20 to 22 May 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The meeting involves more than 60 senior delegates representing 20 APO member economies and is attended by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Key discussions focus on the APO Vision 2030 framework, budget proposals for 2027–28, and reforms linked to the election process for the organisation's secretary-general.
Observers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Bhutan, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) are participating in the session.
Established in 1961, the APO is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 21 member economies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek on April 28. The meeting will focus on regional and global security…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation at the Defence Ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The high-level meeting is scheduled to be held in Bishkek on April 27–28…
The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting is scheduled for 14th and 15th May 2026 in New Delhi. The meeting is held under India's 2026 chairship and is chaired by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar.
India assumes Chair of Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) for 2026
Key Updates:
The 48th Meeting of National Representatives (NRM) of the Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) was hosted by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) from 19–22 May 2026 in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
India formally assumed the Chair of the RCA for the year 2026.
The RCA is an intergovernmental framework established under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that came into force in 1972 and currently comprises 22 Government Parties from the Asia-Pacific region.
India is a founding member of the RCA, with the agreement's origins tracing back to an IAEA conference held at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai in 1964.
The NRM deliberated on collaborative programmes in healthcare, nuclear agriculture and food technology, water resource management, radiation technologies, environmental sustainability, and capacity building.
R Mukundan, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Chemicals, was elected President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2026-27. Mukundan succeeds Rajiv Memani as the President of CII.
India has been nominated as the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for the period from April 2026 to April 2028. The leadership position was confirmed during the first quarter meeting of the Common…
India assumed the BRICS Chairmanship on January 1, 2026, and hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. India's trade with BRICS nations surged to $416 billion.
India was elected by acclamation to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development for the term 2027-2030. India was elected by acclamation to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations for the term…
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes European tour visiting Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy
Key Updates:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in the Netherlands.
Bilateral trade between India and the Netherlands was valued at USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The 16th European Union (EU)-India summit held in January resulted in the completion of negotiations for a free trade agreement to reduce tariffs and red tape.
The third India-Nordic summit in Oslo involves cooperation between India and Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland on technology, renewable energies, defence, space, and the Arctic region.
India and Italy committed to a Joint Strategic Action Plan in 2024 to enhance cooperation in security, defence, and safe and legal migration channels.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed seven key agreements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. A strategic collaboration agreement was signed between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a week-long visit to Europe from around May 18, with a possible stop at the Vatican for a meeting with the Pope. Modi will first visit Norway to participate in the third…
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated the India-France relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. Bilateral trade between India and France crossed $15 billion in…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his participation in the G7 summit scheduled in France from 15 to 17 June. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot…
Madhya Pradesh partners with Google Cloud India for AI-powered governance and Smart Simhastha 2028
Key Updates:
The Madhya Pradesh government and Google Cloud India plan to establish an AI Center of Excellence in Indore to train and connect more than 10,000 developers.
For Simhastha 2028, Google Cloud India proposed AI-based systems including real-time crowd management, predictive traffic systems, and digital twin monitoring.
A multilingual AI-enabled application called 'Sahayak' was proposed to provide live crowd information, route guidance, and emergency alerts for pilgrims.
In agriculture, a Gemini-powered AI network was proposed to provide farmers with localized guidance, market insights, and digital support services.
For healthcare, the proposed 'Ojas AI' framework may support remote clinical assistance, high-risk pregnancy identification, and real-time health monitoring.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Google Cloud India AI hub in Visakhapatnam on April 28, 2026. The project is valued at over $15 billion.
The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026, aiming to attract over ₹10,000 crore in investment and generate 1.5 lakh jobs by 2031. The policy proposes the establishment of a…
OpenAI has partnered with Tata Group to secure 100 megawatts of AI-ready data centre capacity in India. The capacity is planned to scale to 1 gigawatt over time.
L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards announces five laureates for 2026
Key Updates:
The 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards were announced on May 19, 2026 in Paris, France, and will be presented at UNESCO headquarters on June 11, 2026.
The 2026 edition received a record 504 nominations from 89 countries, and the programme has recognised over 5,000 women researchers, including 142 laureates, seven of whom later won Nobel Prizes.
Professor Liesl Zühlke, of the University of Cape Town and Vice President of the South African Medical Research Council, was named laureate for Africa and the Arab States for improving care for children with rheumatic heart disease.
Professor Felice Jacka, Deakin Distinguished Professor at Deakin University in Australia, was awarded the Asia and the Pacific laureate for establishing the field of nutritional psychiatry linking diet, brain health, and mental health.
UNESCO and Fondation L’Oréal renewed their partnership for six years, and UNESCO noted that women still account for only one in three researchers globally.
National Science Day is observed on 28 February every year to commemorate C. V. Raman’s 1928 discovery of the Raman Effect. The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, declared the 2026 theme as…
The Goldman Environmental Foundation announced the recipients of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize. For the first time in its history, the prize has been awarded to an all-female cohort consisting of six environmental…
The Goldman Environmental Foundation announced an all-female cohort of six winners for the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize. Sasha Finch, a UK-based campaigner, is among the winners for her work opposing fossil fuel…
Safeena Husain, founder of the non-profit Educate Girls, has been selected as one of the TIME Women of the Year 2026. TIME magazine announced the annual list recognising women leaders driving global change.
European Space Agency (ESA) and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Launch SMILE Mission
Key Updates:
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) jointly launched the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission.
The SMILE spacecraft was launched using a Vega C rocket from Kourou, French Guiana.
The mission is designed to study the interaction between Earth's magnetosphere and solar storms to predict space weather over a planned duration of three years.
The spacecraft is equipped with four scientific instruments: a magnetometer, an in-situ ion analyzer, an ultraviolet (UVI) imager, and a soft X-ray (SXI) imager developed by Leicester University.
SMILE will operate in a highly elliptical orbit and downlink data to the German Aerospace Center (DLR) O’Higgins Antarctic ground station.
A Blue Origin New Glenn reusable rocket failed to place the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 communications satellite in the designated low Earth orbit during its third mission on April 19, 2026. The launch was conducted from…
Sweden has joined India's Venus orbiter mission, popularly known as Shukrayaan, with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics developing the Venusian Neutrals Analyser (VNA) to study the interaction of solar charged…
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on May 3. The primary payload was CAS500-2, a 500-kilogram imaging satellite developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
GalaxEye successfully launched its Mission Drishti satellite, described as the world's first OptoSAR satellite. The 190-kilogram satellite is the largest ever built by an Indian private company.
National Anti-Terrorism Day observed in India on May 21
Key Updates:
National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed annually across India on May 21 to spread awareness about the dangers of terrorism and promote peace.
The day marks the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991 at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
The Government of India (GoI) instituted this day to strengthen public resolve against terrorism, prevent youth radicalisation, and encourage citizens to uphold democratic values.
Rajiv Gandhi, who served as the Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989, was the youngest individual to hold the office.
His major contributions included expanding computerisation and telecommunications, supporting education and technology, strengthening Panchayati Raj reforms, and encouraging modernisation.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and educational institutions across the country organise pledge ceremonies and awareness programmes to reinforce the message of national integration.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that May 10 will be observed annually as 'Marka-e-Haq Day' to mark the first anniversary of the four-day conflict with India in 2025. The conflict began after the 22 April…
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that May 10 will be observed annually as 'Marka-e-Haq Day'. 'Marka-e-Haq' is the name given by Islamabad to a four-day conflict with India that occurred in 2025.
India observed the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, a military countermeasure initiated following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025. The operation involved decisive military action by the Indian Armed…
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released the National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, named PRAHAAR, to provide a comprehensive framework for preventing and mitigating terrorism. The strategy emphasizes…
World Metrology Day observed on May 20 with the theme Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making
Key Updates:
World Metrology Day was commemorated on May 20, 2026, marking the 151st anniversary of the historic Metre Convention signed in Paris in 1875.
The theme for World Metrology Day 2026 is Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making, focusing on the role of accurate measurement in governance and consumer protection.
India has become the 13th country authorised to issue International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) pattern approval certificates and will host the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology in New Delhi in October 2026.
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are jointly implementing the One Nation, One Time initiative to disseminate Indian Standard Time (IST).
The Union Government launched the e-Maap portal and issued 40 Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) certificates to private entities to expand measurement infrastructure.
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.
India and Japan exchanged agreements in quantum science and medical devices during a high-level bilateral meeting in New Delhi on May 06, 2026. A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in health and medical devices was signed…
National Technology Day is observed annually on May 11 to commemorate India's successful nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998, collectively known as Operation Shakti, which made India the sixth member of the global nuclear…
National Technology Day is observed every year on May 11 to commemorate the successful Pokhran-II nuclear tests of May 11, 1998. The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, developed by…
International Tea Day observed on May 21 with theme 'Fostering Growth and Inclusion'
Key Updates:
International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21.
The official themes for International Tea Day 2026 are Fostering Growth and Inclusion and Sustaining Tea, Supporting Communities.
The United Nations (UN) recognised International Tea Day in 2019 to honour tea farmers and raise awareness of tea's cultural, health, and economic significance.
Tea's origins date back thousands of years to ancient China.
Indian regional tea varieties include Masala chai (spiced with cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper), Adrak chai (ginger tea), and Kahwa (green tea with saffron and almonds).
International No Diet Day (INDD) is observed annually on May 6 to focus on body acceptance and a healthy lifestyle. The day was created by Mary Evans Young, the director of the group Diet Breakers, and first celebrated…
The Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for South India and the World Spice Organisation (WSO) organised a seminar on “Sustainable Spice Value Chains”. India exports over 250 varieties of spices and…
The International Day of Plant Health is observed on 12 May 2026 at the Sheikh Zayed Centre, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters in Rome. The theme for the 2026 observance is Plant Biosecurity for Food…
Assam exported 1.2 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London for the first time. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged the shipment as taking 'Brand Assam to the world'.
Shyam Srinivasan launches debut book Better Never Stops on May 18, 2026
Key Updates:
Shyam Srinivasan, the former Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Federal Bank, has released his debut book titled Better Never Stops.
The book was officially announced and made available for purchase in bookstores and on Amazon on May 18, 2026.
Srinivasan served as the head of Federal Bank for more than a decade, during which the institution expanded its digital and retail banking operations.
Better Never Stops is categorised as part memoir and part leadership guide, focusing on themes of resilience, growth, and self-improvement.
The author shared the update regarding the book's release through a social media post on LinkedIn and was photographed signing copies at a bookstore.
Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, was honoured as Business Leader of the Year at the Foundation Day of All India Management Association (AIMA). He dedicated the award to employees of the…
International Day for Women in Maritime observed on 18 May with theme "From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence"
Key Updates:
The International Day for Women in Maritime is observed globally on 18 May every year.
The theme for 2026 is "From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence".
The day was established following resolution A.1170(32) adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly.
Professor Momoko Kitada of the World Maritime University (WMU) was presented with the 2026 IMO Gender Equality Award.
The IMO and WMU jointly published the Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming in the Maritime Sector, developed by Professor Momoko Kitada.
National Maritime Day is observed every year on April 5 to recognise India’s maritime heritage and the shipping industry’s role in trade and economic growth. The date marks the 1919 maiden voyage of the Indian-owned ship…
The Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni is completing Samudra Pradakshina, which is India’s first all-women tri-service global circumnavigation expedition. The crew comprises 10 women officers from the Indian Army…
The first global celebration of the International Day of Women in Industry was observed on 21 April 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia. The event was led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the UN…
National Maritime Day is observed in India on April 5 to commemorate the historic voyage of the country's first modern merchant ship. India possesses a coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometres and handles approximately…
Bharat Singh Chauhan re-elected as Chairman of Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA)
Key Updates:
Bharat Singh Chauhan was unanimously re-elected as the chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) for a four-year term.
The elections were conducted during the Annual General Body Meeting of the CCA in Wasakaduwa, Sri Lanka.
Chauhan currently serves as the chairman of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) advisory board and the deputy president of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF).
Chauhan has previously served as the secretary of the All India Chess Federation (AICF).
Other elected officials include Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidsh Sanusi of Malaysia as deputy chairman, G. Luxman Wijesuriya of Sri Lanka as general secretary, and Vicky Magu of South Africa as treasurer.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) joined the International World Games Association (IWGA) at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM was held at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
Dr. Harvansh Chawla has been appointed as the Chairman of the BRISEC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRISEC). He is a legal expert specialising in international trade and policy.
India has been nominated as the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for the period from April 2026 to April 2028. The leadership position was confirmed during the first quarter meeting of the Common…
Medha Vishram Kulkarni Nominated Chairperson of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change
Key Updates:
Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan nominated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Medha Vishram Kulkarni as chairperson of the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change on May 18.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appointed BJP member Sudheer Gupta as Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The Rajya Sabha members of the Joint Committee on Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026 are Vinod Shridhar Tawde, Sujeet Kumar, Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Vivek K Tankha, R Girirajan, S Niranjan Reddy, Sanjay Kumar Jha and Masthan Rao Yadav Beedha.
The Lok Sabha members of the Joint Committee on Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026 are Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal, Sudheer Gupta, Baijayant Panda, Nishikant Dubey, Tejasvi Surya, P P Chaudhary, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Shashank Mani, Varun Chaudhry, Sudha R, Dhanorkar Pratibha Suresh, Rahul Kaswan, Dimple Yadav, Mahua Moitra, Dayanidhi Maran, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Supriya Sule, Devesh Chandra Thakur, Anil Yeshwant Desai and Naresh Ganpat Mhaske.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted the Empowerment of Women Committee for the year 2026-27 with effect from April 21, 2026. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Parliament (MP) D Purandeswari has…
R Mukundan, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Chemicals, was elected President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2026-27. Mukundan succeeds Rajiv Memani as the President of CII.
The government reconstituted the Hindi Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Jagat Prakash Nadda will serve as the chairman of the committee.
Kuljeet Kaur Marhas became the first Indian woman to be elected as a Fellow of The Meteoritical Society for 2026. She is a professor in the Planetary Science Division at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Appoints New Executive Director and Issues Revised Loan Recovery Guidelines
Key Updates:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Shri Gunveer Singh as the new Executive Director (ED).
The RBI issued revised draft amendment directions regarding the Conduct of Regulated Entities in Recovery of Loans and Engagement of Recovery Agents.
The central bank announced an underwriting auction for the sale of Government Securities (G-Secs) for a total value of ₹32,000 crore.
The RBI cancelled the banking licence of The Yashwant Co-operative Bank Ltd., Phaltan, and the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of 150 Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
Monetary penalties were imposed on multiple entities including IIFL Finance Limited, Appnit Technologies Private Limited, and AKG Infin Private Limited for regulatory non-compliance.
The RBI has issued final amendment directions to dispense with the IFR requirement for commercial banks effective from May 18, 2026. The IFR serves as a financial buffer maintained by banks to absorb valuation losses in…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has capped banks' net open position in rupee at $100 million effective April 10, 2026. This is the first time in nearly 15 years that RBI has imposed such curbs on currency market bets.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will conduct two open market operation (OMO) purchase auctions of ₹50,000 crore each on March 9 and March 13. The OMO purchases aim to infuse liquidity into the banking system ahead of…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) infused ₹48,014 crore into the banking system through a seven-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction. The funds were injected at a cut-off and weighted average rate of 5.26 per cent.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ministry: Keralam establishes India's first dedicated AI portfolio
Key Updates:
The Keralam government has created a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) portfolio at the cabinet level for the first time as part of a major ministerial reshuffle.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader PK Kunhalikutty has been assigned the AI department, along with Industries and Commerce, Information Technology (IT), start-ups, mining, and handlooms.
Chief Minister (CM) VD Satheesan retains several key departments, including Finance, Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), Ports, Law, Pollution Control, Airports, Metro Rail, and Railways.
Ramesh Chennithala has been given charge of the Home department, Vigilance, Fire and Rescue Services, Prisons, and Coir, while PC Vishnunadh handles Tourism and Culture.
M Liju is assigned Co-operation and Excise, while Roji M John handles Collegiate Education, Technical Education, Universities, National Cadet Corps (NCC), and Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP).
T Siddique oversees Agriculture and allied sectors, while K A Thulasi handles social welfare portfolios including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes development.
Bindhu Krishna manages Labour, Animal Husbandry, and Women and Child Development, while O J Janeesh handles Sports and Youth Affairs.
N Samsudheen is assigned General Education and Minority Welfare; K M Shaji handles Panchayat and Rural Development; and P K Basheer handles the Public Works Department (PWD).
VE Abdul Gafoor handles Fisheries; Mons Joseph oversees Irrigation; Anoop Jacob handles Food and Civil Supplies; and Shibu Baby John is assigned Forests and Wildlife Protection.
C P John handles Road Transport; K Muraleedharan oversees Health and Medical Education; and Sunny Joseph handles Electricity and the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT).
AP Anilkumar oversees Land Revenue and Reforms, while Advocate T Asaf Ali and Advocate Jaju Babu have been appointed as Director General of Prosecution and Advocate General respectively.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) government officially assumed power in Keralam on May 18, 2026, ending ten years of Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule.
The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026, aiming to attract over ₹10,000 crore in investment and generate 1.5 lakh jobs by 2031. The policy proposes the establishment of a…
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.
Deakin University and the Government of Telangana, through Aikam™, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on applied Artificial Intelligence (AI), skilling, research, and innovation. The agreement was…
