Daily GK Update- 29th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Assam Becomes First Northeast State to Pass Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026: Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, making Assam the first North-Eastern state and the third state in India to adopt such legislation. The UCC Bill aims to create a common civil legal framework for matters like marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, while excluding Scheduled Tribes to protect constitutional safeguards and customary practices.

 

2. Sikkim Declared Fully Literate State Under ULLAS Initiative: Sikkim has been declared a fully literate state under the ULLAS initiative, becoming the third state in Northeast India and the fifth state in the country to achieve full literacy.The ULLAS initiative, launched by the Ministry of Education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focuses on adult education, functional literacy, and lifelong learning for people aged 15 years and above.

 

3. Indian Railways Approves First 10-Car Hydrogen Fuel Cell DEMU Train on Jind–Sonipat Route: The Ministry of Railways has approved the introduction of a 10-car Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based DEMU train on the Northern Railway Jind–Sonipat section, marking a major step towards green mobility in Indian Railways.The approved trainset is a 1200 KW Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based DPRS DEMU with a maximum operational speed of 75 kmph, aimed at promoting eco-friendly rail transport.This initiative is part of Indian Railways’ broader infrastructure push, which includes sanctioning 100 railway projects in FY 2025–26 with an investment of ₹1.53 lakh crore.

 

4. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Releases Second Edition of Novel “Bazaar” in Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the second edition of the novel “Bazaar”. The book is authored by Niranjan Dev Sharma and highlights key social and political events from 1971 to 1992.

 

5. Rusty-spotted Cat Recorded in Uttar Pradesh’s National Chambal Sanctuary: The Rusty-spotted Cat, scientifically named Prionailurus rubiginosus, was documented for the first time in the National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh in May 2026. This record is the first confirmed presence of the species in southern Uttar Pradesh and adds a new locality to its known range in the state. The National Chambal Sanctuary is a protected area in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan along the Chambal River. It is known for riverine habitats, gharials, mugger crocodiles, Gangetic river dolphins, and several bird species associated with alluvial plains and ravines.

 

6. Centre Plans Social Security for Gig Workers: India is preparing social security benefits for gig and platform workers, including accident insurance, health coverage, maternity support, and old-age protection. The framework links the Social Security Code, 2020, the e-Shram portal, and the National Social Security Board for Gig and Platform Workers. Gig workers are persons engaged in short-term, task-based, or platform-mediated work. Platform workers provide services through digital intermediaries such as ride-hailing, food delivery, and home-service applications. The Social Security Code, 2020, recognises gig workers as a distinct category for welfare coverage.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kolkata to Host Main Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2026: The main celebration of International Day of Yoga 2026 will be held in Kolkata on June 21, as announced by Union Minister of State for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav.The theme for this year’s observance is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” emphasizing yoga’s importance in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, preventive healthcare, and balanced living.The announcement was made during Yoga Mahotsav 2026 at Khajuraho Group of Monuments, where thousands of participants joined a mass demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol.

 

2. 79th World Health Assembly Concludes in Geneva: The 79th World Health Assembly concluded in Geneva after six days, where member states adopted over 20 decisions and 13 resolutions on global health issues.The assembly, held under the theme “Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility,” focused on key areas such as tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, stroke, emergency care, and precision medicine.

 

3. 24 May -World Schizophrenia Awareness Day: World Schizophrenia Awareness Day is observed every year on 24 May to spread awareness about schizophrenia, a severe mental health disorder affecting thinking, emotions, and behaviour.The day aims to reduce stigma, promote early diagnosis, and encourage access to proper mental health treatment and support for patients and their families.

 

4. 28 May – International Day of Action for Women’s Health: International Day of Action for Women’s Health is observed every year on 28 May to advocate for women’s rights and equitable access to healthcare services worldwide.Theme 2026 – Essential, Not Optional: Strengthening Health Systems to Uphold Health Rights and SRHRJ in Times of PolycrisisThe day focuses on promoting bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and comprehensive healthcare access for women and girls across all regions.

 

5. UN Blacklist Adds Israel and Russia for Sexual Violence: The United Nations included Israeli armed and security forces and Russian armed and security forces in its annual blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence on 28-29 May 2026. The 2025 report listed 77 government and non-government parties across a dozen countries. Israel was included in the blacklist for the first time since the review began more than 15 years ago. The inclusion was linked to documented patterns of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Verified incidents included rape with objects, gang rape, physical violence to genitals, forced nudity, and abusive strip searches. The cases affected 14 men, seven women, nine boys, and one girl from Gaza and the West Bank.

 

6. US Designates PCC and Comando Vermelho as Terrorist Groups: The United States State Department announced on 28 May 2026 that Brazil’s two largest criminal organisations, Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), will be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) from 5 June 2026. Until the FTO designation takes effect, both groups are classified as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), a status that restricts financial transactions under United States sanctions rules. The FTO designation is used by the United States under immigration and counterterrorism law. It allows the United States to impose financial sanctions, travel restrictions, and law-enforcement measures against designated groups and associated persons.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. North Korea Rejects Quad Denuclearisation Call : North Korea rejected the denuclearisation call made by the Quad nations on 28 May 2026 and stated that it would not abandon its nuclear weapons programme. The Quad foreign ministers met in New Delhi, India, on 23 May 2026 and issued a joint statement on 26 May 2026 that referred to North Korea’s complete denuclearisation under relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions. United Nations Security Council Resolutions on North Korea include restrictions on arms transfers, missile-related materials, and financial support for prohibited programmes. UN member states are required to implement sanctions adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

 

2. Russia to Build Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Power Plant: Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on 28 May 2026 for the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. The project is estimated at about $16.5 billion, and Russia is expected to finance around 85% through an export loan. Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, will lead the project, which will use two VVER-1200 III+ reactors. The plant will be built in the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash in south-eastern Kazakhstan. The VVER-1200 is a pressurised water reactor design used in Russia and in several overseas nuclear projects. The III+ designation refers to a Generation III+ reactor class with enhanced safety systems.

 

3. Russia Signs Military Cooperation Pact with Afghanistan: Russia and the Taliban-led authorities in Afghanistan signed a military-technical cooperation agreement on 27 May 2026 during the International Security Forum in the Moscow region. The agreement was signed by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Afghan Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob. Military-technical cooperation is a form of state-to-state engagement that covers defence equipment, training, maintenance, logistics, and related security coordination. The exact contents of the Russia-Afghanistan document were not made public, and the agreement was described as a step in defence and security cooperation.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Kimi Antonelli Wins Canadian Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli won the Canadian Grand Prix, securing his fourth consecutive Formula One victory and extending his championship lead to 43 points over teammate George Russell.The 19-year-old Mercedes driver finished over 10 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, while George Russell retired from the race due to engine failure after an intense battle for the lead.

 

2. Five-Time Olympian and Asian Games Gold Medallist Raja Randhir Singh dies: Renowned Indian shooter and five-time Olympian Raja Randhir Singh passed away, marking a major loss for the Indian sports community.He was an Asian Games gold medallist, Arjuna Awardee, and also served as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), later becoming its honorary member.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. First Hong Kong Astronaut Shenzhou-23 Launches to Tiangong space station on Historic Space Mission: China launched its latest space mission, Shenzhou-23, carrying a three-member crew to the Tiangong space station, marking the first time a Hong Kong astronaut has gone to space.The crew includes Li Jiaying, a 43-year-old police officer and payload scientist, along with two other astronauts, to conduct experiments on microgravity and human health in orbit.The mission is part of China’s broader space programme aiming for a crewed Moon landing by 2030, amid growing competition with the United States in space exploration.

 

2. IAF Signs Contracts with IIT Bombay for Su-30MKI Maintenance: The Indian Air Force signed three contracts with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on 27 May 2026 for predictive maintenance technologies for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet. The agreements cover prognostic and prescriptive maintenance systems for military aviation applications in India. Predictive maintenance uses sensor data, diagnostics, and analytics to estimate equipment condition and forecast failures before they occur. Prognostic maintenance refers to the estimation of remaining useful life, while prescriptive maintenance recommends maintenance actions based on data and system models.

 

3. India Ranks 4th in AI Performance, 5th in Digital Economy: India ranked 4th globally in Artificial Intelligence performance and 5th in digital economy rankings in the State of India’s Digital Economy 2026 report. India improved its digital economy position from 8th in 2025 to 5th in 2026, and it stood behind the United States, China and Singapore in AI performance. Developing countries accounted for 72% of global AI users, with India and China together making up nearly two-fifths of that total. A LinkedIn study cited in the Stanford University 2026 AI Index placed India first in AI skill penetration on LinkedIn and second in AI talent growth globally between 2019 and 2025.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. LIC Increases Stake in Central Bank of India to 6.06%: The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has increased its stake in Central Bank of India from 3.16% to 6.06% after acquiring 26.26 crore equity shares (2.901%) through market purchases. Following the transaction, LIC’s total shareholding rose to 6.06%, while promoter group continues to hold the majority stake of 89.27% in the bank.

 

Daily GK Update- 28th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Government Forms High-Level Committee to Study Demographic Changes and Population Stabilisation: The Union Government has constituted a High-Level Committee to study demographic changes caused by illegal immigration and other abnormal factors, with a focus on population trends and national impact. The committee will also recommend an appropriate institutional mechanism for population stabilisation and has been asked to submit its report within one year, extendable by six months if required. The panel will be headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar and includes former IAS officer Durga Shanker Mishra, retired IPS officer Balaji Srivastava, Census officials, and economist Dr. Shamika Ravi. According to recent demographic data, India’s birth rate declined from 21 in 2014 to 18.3 in 2024, while the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) dropped to 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1.

 

2. Dr. Virendra Kumar Launches PM-AJAY Portal and Mobile App for Scheduled Caste Welfare: Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile App to improve the implementation and monitoring of Scheduled Caste welfare schemes. PM-AJAY stands for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana, a Central Government scheme aimed at the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes (SCs). The scheme focuses on poverty reduction, education improvement, skill development, self-employment, income generation, and infrastructure development in SC-dominated villages. Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a merger of three earlier Centrally Sponsored Schemes — Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).

 

3. Raghav Chadha Appointed Chairman of Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions After Panel Reconstitution: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Petitions in the Upper House after its reconstitution. The committee was restructured by Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, who nominated 10 members, including Raghav Chadha and other MPs from different parties. Separately, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat also announced the nomination of Dr. Menaka Guruswamy to the Joint Committee on the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

 

4. PT Usha Releases “India’s First Olympic Gold” Book Celebrating Historic 1928 Hockey Triumph: The book India’s First Olympic Gold was released by PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, and it highlights India’s historic Olympic achievement in hockey. It commemorates India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, won by the men’s field hockey team at the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Olympics. The 1928 team, then representing British India, defeated the host nation Netherlands to secure the historic gold medal.

 

5. Venkaiah Naidu and H.D. Deve Gowda Launch Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Book “Apnapan” on Governance and Public Welfare: The book “Apnapan: Narendra Modi sang mere anubhav”, written by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was launched in New Delhi by former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda. The book highlights the collaborative governance approach and experiences of working together for resolving state-level issues and public welfare initiatives.

 

6. Harsh Malhotra Appointed Delhi BJP President: Harsh Malhotra was appointed president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Delhi unit on 28 May 2026. He replaced Virendra Sachdeva in the organisational post, and the appointment formed part of a wider BJP reshuffle that also covered Haryana, Punjab and Tripura. The Bharatiya Janata Party is one of India’s major national political parties and has state and union territory units across the country. Party presidents at the state level head the organisational structure of the respective unit and coordinate party activities, membership and election work. Harsh Malhotra was 62 years old at the time of his appointment and served as Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Corporate Affairs in the Narendra Modi government. He won the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections as a first-time Member of Parliament.

 

7. Women-Led Solar Power Plant Inaugurated in Telangana: India’s first solar power projects operated by women’s self-help groups were launched in Telangana on 27 May 2026. A 1 MW solar power plant was inaugurated at Venkatapuram village in Errupalem mandal of Khammam district under the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme. Solar power is electricity generated from sunlight through photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems. The Khammam plant has an installed capacity of 1 MW and was developed at a cost of ₹3 crore. The project is managed by women’s self-help groups, which are community-based collectives formed for savings, credit, and livelihood activities.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 25 – 31 May – The International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories: The International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories (25–31 May) is observed annually by the UN General Assembly to support the rights of people living in remaining colonial territories. It focuses on 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, promoting their right to self-determination and encouraging their political, economic, and social development.

 

2. 25 May – World Football Day : World Football Day is observed globally on 25 May to celebrate the sport of football and its role in promoting unity, peace, and international cooperation among nations. The day marks the historic first international football tournament held on 25 May 1924 in Paris during the Olympic Games, involving teams from all regions. In 2024, the UN General Assembly officially declared 25 May as World Football Day through Resolution A/RES/78/281, recognizing football’s global cultural and developmental importance.

3. 27 May 2026 – World Otter Day: World Otter Day is observed on the last Wednesday of May every year to raise awareness about otters and the need for their conservation worldwide. In 2026, it was celebrated on 27 May. The day highlights the importance of protecting otter habitats, as many other species are threatened due to pollution, habitat loss, and illegal hunting.

 

4. Russia to Build Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Power Plant: Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on 28 May 2026 for the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. The project is estimated at about $16.5 billion, and Russia is expected to finance around 85% through an export loan. Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, will lead the project, which will use two VVER-1200 III+ reactors. The plant will be built in the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash in south-eastern Kazakhstan. The VVER-1200 is a pressurised water reactor design used in Russia and in several overseas nuclear projects. The III+ designation refers to a Generation III+ reactor class with enhanced safety systems. Construction is projected to begin in 2027. The first reactor is expected to be commissioned in early 2034 or in the mid-2030s. Kazakhstan has set a target of 2.4 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035. The country is the world’s largest uranium producer.

 

5. India, South Korea Advance IK CEPA Upgrade Talks: India and the Republic of Korea held the 12th round of negotiations for upgrading the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK CEPA) in New Delhi from 25 to 27 May 2026. The talks followed a Joint Declaration signed on 20 April 2026 during the South Korean President’s state visit to India. IK CEPA came into force in 2010 and provides the legal framework for trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. The 12th round was co-chaired by Kapil Chaudhary, Joint Secretary in India’s Department of Commerce, and Park Geun-oh, Director General for Trade Agreement Policy at South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The discussions covered Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures, Investment, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary standards.

 

6. UN Adds Israel to Sexual Violence Blacklist: The United Nations included Israeli entities, including the Israeli Prison Service, in its 2026 annex of parties accused of conflict-related sexual violence on 28 May 2026. The list forms part of the annual report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, which records parties accused of sexual violence in armed conflict. In August 2025, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres placed Israel on notice for possible inclusion on the list. The notice referred to concerns over alleged patterns of abuse against Palestinian prisoners. After the 28 May 2026 decision, Israel announced that it would freeze relations with the office of António Guterres and cancel a planned visit by Pramila Patten, the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Russia Signs Military Cooperation Pact with Afghanistan: Russia and the Taliban-led authorities in Afghanistan signed a military-technical cooperation agreement on 27 May 2026 during the International Security Forum in the Moscow region. The agreement was signed by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Afghan Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob. Military-technical cooperation is a form of state-to-state engagement that covers defence equipment, training, maintenance, logistics, and related security coordination. The exact contents of the Russia-Afghanistan document were not made public, and the agreement was described as a step in defence and security cooperation. The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country. Russia suspended the ban on Taliban activities in April 2025, and the Supreme Court removed the group from its list of terrorist organisations.

 

2. North Korea Rejects Quad Denuclearisation Call: North Korea rejected the denuclearisation call made by the Quad nations on 28 May 2026 and stated that it would not abandon its nuclear weapons programme. The Quad foreign ministers met in New Delhi, India, on 23 May 2026 and issued a joint statement on 26 May 2026 that referred to North Korea’s complete denuclearisation under relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, is a strategic forum of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. The grouping holds ministerial meetings and issues joint statements on security, maritime cooperation, technology, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. North Korea has conducted nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches since the 2000s. The country’s nuclear and missile programmes are linked to the Korean People’s Army and the state’s defence policy.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Gurindervir Singh Creates History with 10.09s 100m Run: Gurindervir Singh created history by becoming the fastest Indian ever, clocking 10.09 seconds in the 100m, and becoming the first Indian to break the 10.1-second barrier. His performance also bettered the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualifying mark (10.16s) set by the Athletics Federation of India and is currently the second-fastest time in Asia this season. In the same event, Vishal TK also made history by becoming the first Indian to run the 400m under 45 seconds, marking a double national record breakthrough in a single day.

 

2. Ahmedabad to Host 1st World Yogasana Championship 2026: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the 1st World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad marks a major step in promoting India’s traditional yoga practice as a global sporting discipline. He highlighted that Yogasana reflects India’s soft power, promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and healthy living, with participation expected from around 75 countries and over 500 participants.

The Minister emphasised global acceptance of yoga, noting its origin in India, and also launched the official mascot, jersey, and championship film for the 2026 event, aiming to boost international recognition.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India’s Total Fertility Rate Falls Below Replacement Level: India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) fell to 1.9 in 2024, as measured by the Sample Registration System (SRS). The replacement fertility level is 2.1 children per woman, which is the standard used to assess whether a population can replace itself from one generation to the next. In 2024, Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 2.9 among the states listed in the data. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand also remained above the replacement level, while Delhi recorded the lowest TFR at 1.2. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal each recorded a TFR of 1.3 in 2024. Rural India had a TFR of 2.1, while urban India had a lower TFR of 1.5.

 

2. ISRO Detects Possible Ice Beneath Moon’s Surface: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced evidence of possible subsurface ice in cold craters near the Moon’s south pole on 27-28 May 2026. The finding used data from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and analysis by scientists from the Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory (PRL). Strong evidence of subsurface ice was found in a 1.1-kilometre-wide crater inside the larger Faustini crater near the Moon’s south pole. The analysis focused on doubly shadowed craters, which are permanently shadowed regions that receive no direct sunlight for long periods. The identified craters showed Circular Polarization Ratio values greater than 1 and Degree of Polarization values lower than 0.13. These radar signatures are associated with volumetric scattering, a pattern used in lunar remote sensing studies of ice-bearing material.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Nirmala Sitharaman Launches SIDBI MachFin Mart, RRB Co-Lending Portal and MoRE Initiative to Strengthen MSME Ecosystem: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched multiple SIDBI initiatives in Mumbai during the 37th Foundation Day celebration of SIDBI to strengthen the MSME ecosystem. SIDBI launched the MachFin Mart, a digital platform that enables MSMEs to access machinery through a structured marketplace supporting price discovery, standardisation, and technology adoption. The RRB Co-Lending Portal was introduced to strengthen partnerships between SIDBI and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), improving credit flow to rural and underserved areas. SIDBI also launched the MoRE (Modernisation of Rural Enterprises) initiative to support 10,000 rural micro and artisanal units over the next three years through cluster-based interventions.

 

2. RBI Tightens Co-operative Bank Governance: Introduces 3-Year Cooling-Off Period for Directors After 10-Year Tenure: Reserve Bank of India has introduced a mandatory 3-year cooling-off period for directors of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) and Rural Co-operative Banks (RCBs) after completing 10 continuous years on the board. During the cooling-off period, directors are not barred from joining the board of another bank, provided they are otherwise eligible as per the RBI (UCBs & RCBs Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026. The rule has been introduced to strengthen governance and prevent circumvention of provisions under the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020.

 

3. AIIB Launches USD 10 Billion Facility to Support Member Nations Affected by West Asia Conflict : Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), where India is the second-largest shareholder after China, has launched a USD 10-billion fund facility to support member countries affected by the West Asia conflict. The facility, named Energy, Food Security and Economic Resilience Facility, provides time-bound financing over two years to address energy shortages, food security challenges, and economic instability. AIIB, established in 2016 with over 100 member countries, aims to strengthen resilience in developing economies by supplementing its regular financing instruments through this special support package.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Droupadi Murmu Confers Padma Awards 2026 to 66 Eminent Personalities at Rashtrapati Bhavan Civil Investiture Ceremony: Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Awards 2026 to 66 eminent personalities at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards. Out of 66 awardees, 2 were awarded Padma Vibhushan, 6 received Padma Bhushan, and 58 were conferred Padma Shri for distinguished contributions across various fields. Film actor Dharmendra Singh Deol was awarded Padma Vibhushan (posthumously), with the honour received by his wife and MP Hema Malini.

Renowned violin maestro N. Rajam was also honoured with Padma Vibhushan for her exceptional contribution to Indian classical music. Padma Bhushan recipients included Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Shatavadhani Dr R Ganesh, industrialist Uday Kotak, and Dr. Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaiswamy for their contributions in public affairs, art, trade, and medicine.

 

2. Cristian Mungiu Wins Palme d’Or 2026 for Norwegian Drama Fjord at Cannes Film Festival: Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or top prize at the Cannes Film Festival for the Norwegian drama Fjord, marking his second Palme d’Or victory. Mungiu previously won the Cannes top honour in 2007 for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days and has now become the 10th filmmaker to win the Palme d’Or twice. The Grand Prix second prize was awarded to political thriller Minotaur, directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, while this year’s jury was headed by South Korean director Park Chan-wook.

 

3. Two Indian Peacekeepers To Receive UN Honours: Two Indian peacekeepers, Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan, will receive the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously from the United Nations. The ceremony will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 5 June 2026, and Major Abhilasha Barak will receive the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year award on the same date. The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is a posthumous award given by the United Nations to military, police, and civilian personnel who die while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. The medal is named after Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, who died in 1961 in a plane crash in present-day Zambia.

 

Daily GK Update- 27th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Rare Blueberry Species Rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh: Vaccinium piliferum, a rare wild relative of the blueberry, was rediscovered in the forests of Vijoynagar in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh, after 188 years. The species was first collected in 1836 from the Mishmi Hills and was recorded again in 1850 from the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Vaccinium piliferum belongs to the genus Vaccinium and the family Ericaceae. It is a climbing shrub and is placed among wild relatives of blueberry plants, which are known for their edible berries and wide distribution in temperate and montane regions. William Griffith collected the plant in November 1836 from the Mishmi Hills. Joseph Dalton Hooker and T. Thomson recorded it again in 1850 from the Khasi Hills, and no confirmed record existed for 188 years before the 2026 rediscovery in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

2. Kerala Launches Project Zero Against Corruption: Kerala launched Project Zero on 26 May 2026 as an anti-corruption initiative for state administration. The programme covers bribery, cyber crimes, vigilance procedures, and complaint handling through the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Project Zero is a state-level drive that targets corruption at all administrative levels in Kerala. It includes public participation, stronger vigilance measures, and the use of technology in corruption cases. Project Zero also seeks to update the Vigilance Manual, which is the procedural handbook used in vigilance-related administration and investigation. The initiative asks citizens to report corruption directly to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. The framework provides confidentiality for whistleblowers and complainants in corruption-related complaints. The programme covers both physical bribery and digital graft, which refers to corruption carried out through electronic systems, online platforms, or digital transactions.

 

3. Hari Babu Kambhampati Takes Oath as Odisha Governor: Hari Babu Kambhampati was sworn in as the 27th Governor of Odisha on 3 January 2025 at Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh of the Orissa High Court administered the oath of office, and Kambhampati succeeded Raghubar Das after his resignation. The Governor is the constitutional head of a state under Article 153 of the Constitution of India. The Governor is appointed by the President of India under Article 155 and holds office during the pleasure of the President under Article 156. Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar is the official residence of the Governor of Odisha. The Governor of Odisha is the constitutional head of the state, while the Chief Minister heads the elected Council of Ministers.

 

4. Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav and MP CM Dr. Mohan Yadav Inaugurate IBCA Pre-Summit in Bhopal,MP: In May 2026, Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change (MoEFCC) and Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister(CM) of  Madhya Pradesh (MP), inaugurated the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Pre-Summit at Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in Bhopal, MP on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity(May 22). The MP Forest Department, with support from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO), flagged off 20 motorcycles and a rescue truck to promote awareness about biodiversity conservation. MP CM Dr. Mohan Yadav announced the establishment of Wildlife Rescue Centres near all Tiger Reserves (TRs) in MP to provide timely treatment for injured animals and reduce the need for long-distance transport to Bhopal.

 

5. Govt Expands GATC Framework to Include 5 types of fuel dispensers verification: In May 2026, The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD) has amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre(GATC)) Rules, 2013 to strengthen India’s legal metrology system and expand the national infrastructure for verification of weights and measures. Under the amended rules, GATCs are now authorised to verify five additional fuel dispensing systems, including Petrol/Diesel, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Hydrogen.

This Amendment expands the scope of GATCs to include verification and re-verification of additional fuel dispensing systems, increasing coverage from 18 to 23 categories of weights and measures under the Legal Metrology framework.

 

6. Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launches Series of SIDBI Initiatives on its 37th Foundation Day in Mumbai: In May 2026, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF), launched a set of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)-backed strategic web portals and initiatives on the occasion of its 37th foundation day celebrations held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is designed to operationalise collaborations between SIDBI and  Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to enhance MSME credit flow in semi-urban and rural areas of the country. Modernization of Rural Enterprises (MoRE) Programme is an initiative designed to support 10,000 rural micro and artisan units through cluster-based interventions over the next 3 years.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Scientists Detect 10-Billion-Year-Old Radio Signal: Scientists have detected a fast radio burst named FRB 20240304B that travelled about 10 billion years before reaching Earth. The signal was first detected on 4 March 2024 by the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to identify its host galaxy as a small, clumpy, low-mass, star-forming dwarf galaxy. Fast radio bursts are brief and intense pulses of radio waves from distant astronomical sources. FRBs are measured by their dispersion measure, redshift, and localisation to a host galaxy. Localised FRBs help astronomers study the intergalactic medium, galaxy evolution, and compact objects such as magnetars.

 

2. PM Modi Holds Talks on Indo-Pacific Cooperation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate meetings with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in New Delhi on 26 May 2026. The discussions covered Indo-Pacific cooperation, maritime security, supply chain resilience, and economic connectivity. The Indo-Pacific is a geopolitical and maritime region that links the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. India uses the term in its foreign policy for cooperation on security, trade, connectivity, and freedom of navigation. The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was established in 2020. It covers defence cooperation, trade, technology, education, and critical supply chains.

India and Australia are members of the Quad grouping along with Japan and the United States.

 

3. AYUSHEXCIL – Spices Board MoU to Boost Global Promotion of Ayush Products & Medicinal Spices: In May 2026, the Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) and the Spices Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I), signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s traditional wellness and natural products sector. The MoU was signed in New Delhi, Delhi, by Anurag Sharma, Chairman of AYUSHEXCIL, and M. S. Manivannan, Secretary of the Spices Board of India in the presence of Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Prataprao Jadhav, Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) and MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). This partnership centers on export promotion, quality assurance, innovation, branding, international market development, and global promotion of Ayush, medicinal spice, nutraceutical, and Ayurvedic products.

 

4. Google Announces ‘GES’ Free AI Training Programme for School Teachers Across Maharashtra, Assam, Punjab & Other Regions: In May 2026, American tech giant Google announced the ‘Google for Education Schoolers (GES)’, free Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme for school teachers across Maharashtra, Assam, Punjab, and other regions of India, at the Education World Forum 2026 held in London, the United Kingdom (UK). The new digital initiative is designed to provide free, mobile-1st AI training for school and higher education teachers on the responsible use of AI tools such as Gemini in classrooms and academic settings. For the initial phase, the initiative will be implemented in partnership with the governments of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Assam, along with the Union Territory (UT) Ladakh and the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB).

 

5. Overview of Cyprus President Christodoulides’s Visit to India on May 20-23, 2026: President of  the Republic of Cyprus undertook a 4-day official visit to India from May 20 to May 23, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. This marked the Cyprus President’s 1st official visit to India in his current capacity. During his visit to New Delhi, he held bilateral talks with Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, focusing on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, defence, security, maritime and financial connectivity, technology, education, mobility, and India-European Union (EU) engagement. Cyprus made 08 major announcements to boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries and these include: Elevation of Bilateral Relations to SP;5-Year Roadmap for Defence Cooperation (2026-31);Celebration of India-Cyprus Space Day (on 18 May 2026) and others.

 

6. WHO’s 79th World Health Assembly Concludes in Geneva, Switzerland : 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”. During the session, member states adopted over 20 decisions and 13 resolutions on issues including stroke, tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), emergency care, haemophilia, precision medicine, and radiation. Union Minister J. P. Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW), addressed the plenary session of the WHA79 , reaffirming India’s commitment to equitable and people-centric healthcare under the vision of “Health for All”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Nibe Limited Successfully Tests Indigenous Loitering Munition ‘Vayu Astra-1’ with High Precision Strike Capability: Pune-based defence firm Nibe Limited successfully conducted no-cost, no-commitment trials of its indigenous loitering munition system “Vayu Astra-1” for the Indian Army at Pokhran (Rajasthan) and Joshimath (Uttarakhand) in April 2026. The anti-personnel variant of Vayu Astra-1, tested at the Pokhran Range on April 18–19, carried a 10-kg warhead and successfully hit its target at a 100 km range in a single attempt. The system demonstrated high precision with less than 1 metre Circular Error Probable (CEP), along with advanced features like abort attack and reattack capability during the trial.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Italian Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli Wins Canadian Grand Prix 2026: On 24th May 2026, 19-year-old Italian Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the 64th edition of the Canadian Grand Prix (GP), officially known as Formula One (F1) Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada 2026 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, securing his fourth consecutive F1 GP victory after earlier wins in China GP, Japan GP, and Miami GP. The podium at Canadian GP was completed by Lewis Hamilton of the United Kingdom (UK), driving for Ferrari, in second place, and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, representing Red Bull Racing, in third place. The 2026 Canadian GP was Round 5 of the 22-race International Automobile Federation or  Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile( FIA) F1 World Championship organised by FIA over 68 laps and featured the sprint format for the first time as the third of six sprint-format events in 2026.

 

2. Davis Cup Skipper Rohit Rajpal Named India’s Chef de Mission for 2026 CWG in Glasgow: In May 2026, 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 Commonwealth Games (2026 CWG) which is scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 2, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. IOA has also appointed former boxer and CWG gold medallist Mangte Chungneijang  (M.C.) Mary Kom, former hockey captain Kamalpreet Kaur, former athlete Sunaina Kumari  and former weightlifter Rajlaxmi Singh Deo as special guests attached to the Indian delegation.

 

3. Swara Lakshmi Nair Becomes Karnataka’s Second WIM in Chess : In May 2026, a 19-year-old chess player from Bengaluru, Karnataka, Swara Lakshmi Nair, 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, becoming Karnataka’s second WIM (after Isha Sharma in 2019) and the first from Bengaluru (Karnataka). With a current live rating of 2219 Elo points, she aims to achieve the Grandmaster (GM) title by crossing 2400 Elo rating mark, building on four WIM norms earned across tournaments in Sardinia, Poland, and Slovenia.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India Tests Systems Against Mythos Cyber Threat: India is testing financial and government digital systems, including the Aadhaar national identity system and government login platforms, against vulnerabilities linked to Anthropic’s next-generation AI model, Mythos. The tests involve Indian technology firms, the national cybersecurity agency CERT-In, and critical digital infrastructure used by public institutions and banks. Anthropic unveiled Claude Mythos Preview on 7 April 2026. The model has been associated with autonomous discovery and exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities in operating systems and web browsers. Zero-day vulnerabilities are software flaws that are unknown to the vendor or remain unpatched at the time of discovery.

 

2. NASA Unveils Three-Phase Moon Base Plan: NASA announced a three-phase plan for a permanent Moon base near the lunar South Pole on 24 March 2026 and reaffirmed it on 27 May 2026. The plan carries an estimated investment of $20 billion over seven years and forms part of the Artemis programme for sustained human presence on the Moon. Phase one runs through 2029 and covers robotic missions, cargo delivery, and lunar surface technology testing. NASA plans up to 25 missions with 21 lunar landings in this phase, along with expanded Commercial Lunar Payload Services deliveries and the Lunar Terrain Vehicle programme. Moon Base-I is planned no earlier than autumn 2026 and will use Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander. The mission will deliver equipment to the Shackleton Connecting Ridge for risk reduction before future crewed Artemis landings.

 

3. India Records 191 Cockroach Species: India has 191 recorded species of cockroaches, and more than 60% of them are endemic to the country. A Zoological Survey of India study published in the taxonomy journal Zootaxa also documented India’s first and largest DNA barcode reference library for cockroaches. India’s cockroach fauna now includes 191 species, and the study added several undocumented and endemic lineages. The research generated more than 100 high-quality DNA barcodes for species identification and classification. DNA barcoding uses a short genetic sequence, usually from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene, to identify species. In taxonomy, DNA barcodes help distinguish closely related species and resolve classification disputes in groups with similar external features.

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SEBI Plans Bond ETF for Retail Investors: The Securities and Exchange Board of India is developing bond exchange-traded funds and derivatives on corporate bond indices to expand retail participation in India’s debt market. SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced the initiative at the CareEdge Debt Market Summit in Mumbai on 26 May 2026. Bond ETFs are exchange-traded funds that invest in debt instruments such as government securities, corporate bonds, or a mix of fixed-income securities. They trade on stock exchanges like shares and can be bought in small units by retail investors. SEBI has linked the proposed bond ETFs with three market objectives: higher liquidity, smaller ticket-size access for retail investors, and hedging tools for institutions against interest-rate risk. Retail participation in India’s corporate bond market remains below 1% of outstanding corporate bonds.

 

2. RBI Mandates 3 year cooling-off period for UCB, RCB directors, Sets up committee to examine quantum tech in Finance: In May 2026, 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 three-year cooling-off period for directors who complete 10 years of continuous tenure on the board. The amendment aims to stop directors from circumventing the tenure cap by resigning briefly and subsequently getting re-elected or co-opted to the same bank’s board. The RBI set up an eight-member expert panel under the leadership of Dr Anil Prabhakar, professor, at the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Madras, as the convener to study the implications of the risks to the financial system from adoption of quantum technology.

 

3. Federal Bank Appoints Elias George as Part-Time Chairman: In May 2026, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Elias George as the Part-Time Chairman of the Board of Directors of Federal Bank Limited. After retiring from the IAS, he joined KPMG as Senior Partner, leading the Infrastructure, Government, and Healthcare vertical with a team of over 1,000 consultants. He has served in various Union Ministries and the Government of Kerala, with expertise in infrastructure, financing, and public utilities.