Daily Current Affairs

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav (Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change — MoEFCC) and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav inaugurated the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Pre-Summit at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, on 22 May 2026 — the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity.

• Awareness Initiative: MP Forest Department flagged off 20 motorcycles and a rescue truck to promote biodiversity conservation.
• Wildlife Rescue Centres: CM Mohan Yadav announced establishment of Wildlife Rescue Centres near all Tiger Reserves (TRs) in Madhya Pradesh.
• New Member: Saudi Arabia joined IBCA on 22 May 2026 as its 26th member nation, taking total membership to 26 countries among 5 observer nations.
• IBCA: International Big Cat Alliance; promotes conservation of seven big cat species globally — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre/GATC) Rules, 2013 to expand the verification framework for fuel dispensers across India.

• Expansion: GATCs now authorised to verify five additional fuel dispenser types: Petrol/Diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG, and Hydrogen.
• Coverage: Scope expanded from 18 to 23 categories of weights and measures under the Legal Metrology framework.
• Standards: Testing procedures aligned with MPE limits and international standards including OIML under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.
• Significance: Ensures accurate fuel delivery, greater transparency, and wider availability of verification services for consumers.

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Ministry of Finance) launched a set of SIDBI-backed strategic web portals and initiatives on the occasion of SIDBI’s 37th Foundation Day celebrations in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• SIDBI-RRB Co-Lending Platform: Operationalises collaborations between SIDBI and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to enhance MSME credit flow in semi-urban and rural areas.
• MoRE Programme: Modernization of Rural Enterprises; supports 10,000 rural micro and artisan units through cluster-based interventions over 3 years.
• Micro Credit Card Scheme for MSMEs: Enables Udyam-registered micro enterprises to access credit up to ₹5 lakh with 75% guarantee and no mandatory primary security.
• SIDBI MachFin Mart: Technology-driven digital platform enabling MSMEs machinery delivery through a structured marketplace.
• SIDBI: Small Industries Development Bank of India; established 1990; HQ: Lucknow.

The Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) and the Spices Board of India, both under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s traditional wellness and natural products sector on the global stage.

• Objective: Export promotion, quality assurance, innovation, branding, international market development, and global promotion of Ayush, medicinal spice, nutraceutical, and Ayurvedic products.
• Focus areas: Branding, quality standards, research, traceability, Codex engagement, and global trade promotion.
• Signed at: New Delhi; by Anurag Sharma (Chairman, AYUSHEXCIL) and M.S. Manivannan (Secretary, Spices Board) in the presence of Union MoS Prataprao Jadhav.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), unveiled the nationwide “Maritime Reform Utsav” during a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to commemorate 12 years of maritime reforms.

• Vision: Accelerate maritime transformation under Viksit Bharat 2047 under the mantra “Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform”.
• Governance: Strengthen Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), improve grievance redressal, ensure time-bound project implementation, and form monitoring committees for legal/pending matters.
• Digitalisation: Integrated digital platform and mobile app under DG of Shipping (DGS) for real-time service delivery, AI-driven governance, and transparency.

American tech giant Google announced the “Google for Education Schoolers (GES)” — a free AI training programme for school teachers — at the Education World Forum 2026 held in London, UK.

• Purpose: Free, mobile-first AI training for school and higher education teachers on responsible use of AI tools such as Gemini in classrooms.
• Co-Partners: Launched in collaboration with state governments and UNICEF.
• Initial Phase: Partnership with Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Assam, along with UT Ladakh and Punjab School Education Board (PSEB).
• Availability: Year 1 available in 6 Indian languages — Assamese, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Odia, Punjabi.
• Other Initiative: Google also announced a 3-year partnership with UNICEF across India, Brazil, Pakistan, and Kenya focusing on AI-powered literacy and numeracy.

Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, undertook a 4-day official visit to India from 20–23 May 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit resulted in significant diplomatic outcomes including the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.

• Mumbai Visit: Christodoulides participated in traditional bell-ringing ceremony at NSE and Cyprus-India Business Forum.
• Delhi Visit: Bilateral talks with PM Modi at Hyderabad House; focus on trade, investment, defence, security, maritime and financial connectivity, technology, education, mobility, and India-EU engagement.
• MoUs Signed: India and Cyprus signed 6 key MoUs spanning defence, education, counter-terrorism, among others.
• Major Announcements: 8 major announcements including elevation of bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership; 5-Year Roadmap for Defence Cooperation (2026–31); and celebration of India-Cyprus Space Day (18 May 2026).

The World Health Organization (WHO) organised the six-day 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, Switzerland from 18–23 May 2026 under the theme “Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility”.

• Key Decisions: Member states adopted over 20 decisions and 13 resolutions on stroke, tuberculosis, AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance), emergency care, haemophilia, precision medicine, and radiation.
• Leadership: WHA79 chaired by Victor Atallah Lajam, Minister of Health of the Dominican Republic, as President.
• India’s Address: Union Minister J.P. Nadda (MoHFW) addressed the plenary session, reaffirming India’s commitment under “Health for All”.
• Historic Resolution: WHA passed its first-ever resolution on stroke, led by Egypt and co-sponsored by Chile, Georgia, Palestine, Paraguay, and Tunisia.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued final amendment directions for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) and Rural Co-operative Banks (RCBs), introducing a mandatory 3-year cooling-off period for directors completing 10 years of continuous tenure on the board.

• Purpose of Cooling-Off: Prevent directors from circumventing the tenure cap by briefly resigning and getting re-elected or co-opted.
• Effective: Directions shall come into force with immediate effect.
• Q-SAFE Committee: Quantum Secure and Adaptive Financial Ecosystem — RBI set up an 8-member expert committee led by Dr. Anil Prabhakar (IIT Madras) to study financial system risks arising from quantum technology.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of former IAS officer Elias George as Part-Time Chairman of the Board of Directors of Federal Bank Limited, with effect from 23 May 2026, for a three-year tenure.

• Profile: 1982-batch IAS officer; over 35 years in public administration, infrastructure financing, and public utility operations.
• Previous Role at Federal Bank: Had been serving as Independent Director on Federal Bank’s board since September 2023.
• Past Positions: Additional Chief Secretary (CS) Kerala; CEO of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL); Chairman of UMTA (Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority).

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) acquired 26.26 crore equity shares, representing a 2.901% stake, in the Central Bank of India (CBI) through market purchases, increasing its total shareholding from 3.16% to 6.06%.

• OFS Details: Government of India exercised the full oversubscription option; total offer size raised to 72.41 crore shares (representing 8% of paid-up capital).
• Regulation: Transaction disclosed under SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers — SAST) Regulations, 2011.
• Significance: LIC crossing 6% strengthens its public sector banking presence and deepens institutional investment in Central Bank of India.

China launched the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station for scientific research and orbital operations — marking China’s first mission expected to support a year-long human stay in orbit.

• Launch Vehicle: Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwestern China.
• Crew: Zhu Yangzhu (Commander/space engineer), Zhang Zhiyuan (Pilot, former Air Force officer), Li Jiaying (Payload Specialist — first astronaut from Hong Kong).
• Objective: Conduct over 100 experiments related to space life science, aerospace medicine, materials science, and microgravity physics.
• Duration: One astronaut expected to remain aboard Tiangong for nearly one year, studying effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body.

19-year-old Italian Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the 64th edition of the Canadian Grand Prix (GP), officially the Formula One (F1) Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada 2026, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 24 May 2026 — securing his fourth consecutive F1 GP victory.

• Previous Consecutive Wins: China GP, Japan GP, and Miami GP — making Canada his 4th consecutive victory.
• Championship Lead: Antonelli extended his Drivers’ Championship lead to 43 points over Mercedes teammate George Russell.
• Event Details: Round 5 of the 22-race F1 World Championship; 68 laps; featured sprint format — 3rd of 6 sprint-format events in 2026.
• Notable: Lewis Hamilton racing for Ferrari (UK); Max Verstappen for Red Bull (Netherlands).

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officially announced the appointment of former India’s Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal as the country’s Chef de Mission for the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games (2026 CWG), scheduled from July 23 to August 2, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.

• Rohit Rajpal’s Current Role: Member of the Executive Committee of the IOA and Vice-President of the All India Tennis Association (AITA).
• Deputy Chef de Mission: Ravi Bengani appointed.
• Senior IOA Leadership: PT Usha (IOA President), Raghuram Iyer (CEO), Vignesh Vengalil Ujjwal.

19-year-old chess player Swara Lakshmi Nair from Bengaluru, Karnataka, achieved the Woman International Master (WIM) title after a draw against IM Krumpacnik Domen (Slovenia) in the 9th round of the Ptuj International Masters tournament in Slovenia.

• Achievement: Karnataka’s second WIM (after Isha Sharma in 2019); first WIM from Bengaluru.
• Rating: Current live rating of 2219 Elo points; aims to achieve Grandmaster (GM) title by crossing 2400 Elo.
• WIM Norms: 4 WIM norms earned across tournaments in Sardinia, Poland, and Slovenia.

• World Schizophrenia Awareness Day (24 May): Also known as Pinel Day; established by the National Schizophrenia Foundation (NSF) to honour Dr. Philippe Pinel (1745–1826) — the French physician known for pioneering humane psychiatric treatment. Commemorates 24 May 1792, when Pinel began removing chains from patients at Bicetre Hospital, Paris. Symbol: Silver ribbon — representing clarity, strength, and anti-stigma efforts.
• Commonwealth Day in India (24 May): Observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Queen Victoria (1819) and promote Commonwealth unity, shared values, and cooperation. Also observed globally on the second Monday of March (9 March 2026). The 2026 event was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, led by Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood.
• World Football Day (25 May): UN’s World Football Day — recognises football’s global influence in promoting peace, diplomacy, health, unity, and empowerment of women and girls. Proclaimed via UNGA Resolution A/RES/78/281 on 7 May 2024. First observed: 25 May 2024. Role of FIFA and regional/national football federations acknowledged in the resolution.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the second edition of the novel “Bazaar” authored by Niranjan Dev Sharma, published by Aadhar Prakashan Private Limited.

• Overview: The book chronicles important social and political events from 1971 to 1992 — covering 21 years of Indian history.
• Content: Covers regional conflicts, changes in rural-urban economies, and socio-political transformations in India between 1971–1992.
• Publisher: Aadhar Prakashan Private Limited.