Daily Current Affairs

In May 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Board (NSB)) Rules, 2026 and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal (NST)) Rules, 2026 under the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

• NSB Framework: Rules define composition of the Board, term of office of Chairperson and Members, salary, allowances, and other conditions of service, as well as the powers and functions of the Board.
• NSB Central Authority: The NSB will function as the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies.
• NST Framework: Rules provide for the term of office of the Chairperson and Members of the Tribunal, their appointment and re-appointment, salary and allowances, service conditions, and powers of the Tribunal.

In May 2026, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), launched the PM-AJAY Portal and the companion AJAY Mobile Application (App) virtually to digitize and strengthen the implementation of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities’ welfare schemes.

• Full Form: PM-AJAY — Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana.
• PM-AJAY Portal Function: Works as a central database that streamlines operations and supports milestone-based fund management across the scheme’s three core pillars: Adarsh Gram, Hostel Component, and GIA Component.
• AJAY Mobile App: Unified digital platform extending the services of Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) to mobile users; enables mobile-based service delivery, strengthens field-level monitoring, facilitates real-time reporting, and enhances digital governance.
• Ministry: MoSJE — Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

On 26 May 2026, the 11th edition of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (QFMM 2026), chaired by Union Minister S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), was held in New Delhi.

• Key Initiative Launched: First-ever Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC) initiative; Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security; Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework.
• Ship Observer Mission: India to host the 2nd edition of the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission.
• AI-ENGAGE: Over USD 6 million funding for 6 international research projects under the AI-ENGAGE initiative.
• Critical Minerals Pledge: Quad partners pledged to mobilize up to USD 20 billion in government and private sector investment to bolster critical minerals supply chains.
• QUAD Full Form: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — India, USA, Japan, Australia.

In May 2026, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched an online investor facilitation portal ‘Investors Support’ to boost investor confidence and strengthen semiconductor investments in India.

• Portal Function: Single-window facilitation mechanism for semiconductor investors in India; provides information related to government schemes, policies, approved projects under the Semicon India Programme, and regulatory requirements.
• Grievance Redressal: Enables investors to register grievances addressed by nodal officers of relevant ministries, departments, organisations, state governments, and approved project companies.
• Semicon India Programme: Launched in 2021 by GoI with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore under MeitY; aims to develop a sustainable semiconductor display manufacturing ecosystem; so far 12 semiconductor fabrication and packaging projects and 24 semiconductor design projects approved.

In May 2026, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), organised the ‘Medical Innovations Patent Mitra: Innovators-to-Industry (I2I) Connect’ event at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, inaugurated by Union Minister of State (MoS) Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav.

• Objective: Accelerate technology transfer and commercialisation of indigenous healthcare innovations through industry partnership.
• Tech Transfer: First-of-its-kind Innovator–Industry Platform transferring 41 public health technologies from ICMR institutes and innovators to industry partners for further development, manufacturing, and commercialisation.
• Technologies Transferred: Include vaccines, diagnostic technologies, medical devices, and biomedical research solutions aimed at addressing critical public health challenges.
• ICMR: Established 1911; headquartered in New Delhi; statutory body under DHR, MoHFW; India’s apex body for biomedical research.

In May 2026, the Government of Gujarat and Meta Platforms Incorporated (Inc.) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, to launch a WhatsApp chatbot under the ‘Sugam Digital’ initiative, enabling citizens to access around 20 public services.

• Objective: Two-year collaboration to strengthen Gujarat’s e-governance initiatives through AI-driven public services, accessibility projects, and digital skilling programmes.
• Accessibility Feature: The chatbot will feature voice-enabled capabilities to improve accessibility for users in both rural and urban areas.
• Signatories: Hareet Shukla (Secretary, GAD, Gujarat); Aman Jain (Director & Head of Public Policy, Meta India); A. Srinivas (MD & Country Head, Meta India); in the presence of CM Bhupendra Patel.
• Alignment: Aligns with PM Modi’s vision of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ — advancing governance from One Day Governance to WhatsApp-based Governance.

The 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) is scheduled for 31 May 2026 in New Delhi, in collaboration with the African Union Commission. Preparatory meetings of senior officials are scheduled for 28 May 2026, followed by the India–Africa Foreign Ministers’ meeting on 29 May 2026.

• Logo: Features a Lion superimposed on interlocked maps of India and Africa, symbolising pride, strength, and bilateral partnership.
• Background: Marks a renewal of India-Africa ties; the third summit (IAFS-III) was held in 2015. Union Minister Jaishankar launched the logo, theme, and website in April 2026.
• Significance: India is Africa’s 4th largest trading partner; India-Africa trade stands at approximately USD 100 billion; forum focuses on trade, development, and South-South cooperation.

In May 2026, Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, a veteran central banker, economist, and member of the Pastef party, as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Senegal, three days after President Faye dissolved the government and dismissed former PM Ousmane Sonko.

• Profile of Lo: Known for promoting monetary stability and fiscal discipline; joined the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) in 1987; served as Senegal’s National Director in 2016, Secretary-General of the BCEAO, Advisor to the Governor in 2021, and Minister-Secretary General in 2024.
• Previous Roles: Elevated as Minister of State since 2025; led design and implementation of Senegal’s long-term economic development roadmap ‘Sénégal 2050’.
• CFA Franc: Lo is known for consistently supporting the CFA franc against domestic replacement demands.

In May 2026, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced the launch of two new joint life insurance savings plans — ‘LIC’s New Jeevan Sathi Single Premium’ and ‘LIC’s New Jeevan Sathi Limited Premium’ — available from June 2026, designed for couples.

• Common Features: Both plans offer joint life financial protection for couples, guaranteed returns, fixed benefits, premium waiver on first death, loan facilities, and flexible payout options.
• LIC: Established 1956; headquartered in Mumbai; under Ministry of Finance (MoF); India’s largest life insurer.

In May 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved the appointment of Amit Mahajan and Nayana Ovalekar as Executive Directors (EDs) on the board of Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL).

• Regulatory Disclosure: Made under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
• CDSL: Central Depository Services Limited; depository for securities; established 1999; HQ Mumbai; under SEBI.

In May 2026, Packirisamy (P.) Jawahar officially assumed charge as the Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI). He succeeded Dodda Venkata (D.V.) Swamy and will serve for a period of five years or until further orders.

• Profile: 2007 IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre.
• Previous Role: Served as Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Government of Puducherry with portfolios of Industries and Commerce, and Education.
• MPEDA: Marine Products Export Development Authority; established 1972; statutory body under MoCI; HQ in Kochi, Kerala.
• India’s Seafood Exports: Touched an all-time high of Rs 72,325.82 crore (nearly USD 8.28 billion) in FY2025-26; export volumes reached a record 19.32 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT).

In May 2026, Jared Rook Isaacman, Administrator of NASA, unveiled a USD 20 billion 3-phased plan to establish a permanent base on the Moon, equipped with lunar rovers and drones. NASA has set the target to set up a lunar base by March 2027 and aims to land astronauts on the Moon in 2028.

• Moon Base-I (2026–2028): NASA selected Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark-1 Endurance lander; planned no earlier than September 2026; mission will land on the Shackleton Connecting Ridge.
• Moon Base-III (2032 onwards): Will carry NASA’s Lunar Vertex science mission to study mysterious lunar swirls and bright formations; will carry payloads from European Space Agency (ESA) and Korean Space Agency (KSA).
• NASA: Established 1958; HQ Washington D.C., USA; Administrator: Jared Rook Isaacman.

International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD) is annually observed across the globe on 25 May to raise awareness about missing children, promote child safety, and combat abduction, trafficking, and exploitation.

• Symbol: The ‘forget-me-not flower’, representing hope for reuniting missing children with their families.
• First Observance: US President Ronald Reagan designated 25 May 1983 as the first National Missing Children’s Day in memory of six-year-old Etan Patz, who disappeared in New York City on 25 May 1979.
• Global Launch: IMCD was launched in 1998 through a partnership between the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
• Global Recognition: In 2001, 25 May was officially recognised as the first International Missing Children’s Day through the joint efforts of ICMEC, the European Commission, and Missing Children Europe.

World Thyroid Day (WTD) is observed annually across the globe on 25 May to raise awareness about thyroid disorders, promote early diagnosis and treatment, and highlight the importance of nutrition in thyroid health.

• Establishment: The European Thyroid Association (ETA) established WTD on 25 May — the founding date of ETA in 1965.
• Endorsement: The American Thyroid Association (ATA), Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS), and Asia & Oceania Thyroid Association (AOTA) officially endorsed WTD during the International Thyroid Congress (ITC) held in Paris, France, in 2010.
• First Observance: The first WTD was jointly observed by ATA, ETA, AOTA, and LATS on 25 May 2011.
• Awareness Symbol: The Blue Paisley Ribbon — its shape resembles a cross-section of thyroid follicles.

In May 2026, veteran Indian Olympian archer and Arjuna Awardee Shyam Lal Meena passed away at the age of 61 in Rajasthan. He was born on 4 March 1965 in Kevadia village, Banswara district, Rajasthan.

• Arjuna Award: Honoured in 1989 by MYAS for outstanding contributions to the sport of archery.
• Asian Archery Championships 1987: Won a bronze medal in the men’s recurve team event at the 1987 Asian Archery Championships in Kolkata (West Bengal) with Limba Ram and Rajat Haldar — earning India’s first major international archery medal and helping the nation qualify for its Olympic archery debut at Seoul 1988.
• Seoul Olympics 1988: Member of India’s first-ever Olympic archery team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics alongside Limba Ram and Sanjeeva Singh; finished 71st in the men’s individual qualification round; India secured 20th place in the men’s recurve team event.

In May 2026, former Vice President (VP) of India M. Venkaiah Naidu and former Prime Minister (PM) H. D. Deve Gowda launched the book titled ‘Apnapan: Narendra Modi Sang Mere Anubhav’, authored by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, New Delhi.

• Author: Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
• Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan Private Limited.
• Content: Personal and reflective book chronicling Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s 35-year association with PM Narendra Modi, tracing their journey from BJP workers to Chief Ministers and later colleagues in the Union Government.
• Key Themes: Leadership, governance, public service, nation-building, discipline; principles like Seva, Antyodaya, Jan Bhagidari, Nation First, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.
• Notable Mention: Highlights experiences from the 1991 Ekta Yatra and how Modi’s ‘Kanya Kelavani’ initiative inspired women empowerment and girl child education in Madhya Pradesh.