Daily GK Update- 19th May

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Design Unveiled: The design of India’s first bullet train for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project was unveiled on 18 May 2026 at the Ministry of Railways in New Delhi. The project covers 508 kilometres and connects 12 stations across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor is India’s first high-speed rail project and uses Japanese Shinkansen technology. The route includes Mumbai (Bandra Kurla Complex), Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati. The displayed train design features a streamlined and aerodynamic profile. The train sets are being developed under the Make in India initiative by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, and BEML Limited, Bengaluru. The design speed of the train is 280 kmph.

 

2. Union Minister Jyotiraditya M.Scindia Participates in Sikkim Statehood Day; Launches Mission Sikkim Organics: On 16 May 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Ministry of Communication and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), participated in the 51st Statehood Day celebrations of Sikkim held at Manan Kendra in Gangtok, Sikkim. During the event, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched ‘Mission Sikkim Organics’ with an outlay of Rs. 360 crore as a major Unique Selling Point (USP) of Sikkim to strengthen organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices in the state. Background: Sikkim commemorates 16 May every year as ‘Sikkimi State Day’ to mark its integration with the Union of India in 1975. Sikkim officially became the 22nd state of India through the Constitution (36th Amendment) Act, 1975.

 

3. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constitutes Committee on Empowerment of Women: In May 2026, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted the parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women for the year 2026–27 with effect from April 21, 2026. Dr. Daggubati Purandeswari, Member of Parliament (MP) and Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the committee. The Committee on Empowerment of Women is a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), was constituted for the first time on April 29, 1997, during the 11th Lok Sabha in pursuance of two identical resolutions moved in both the Houses of Parliament on March 8, 1996, for improving the status of women. The Committee comprises 30 members, including 20 nominated by the Speaker from the Lok Sabha and 10 nominated by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from among its members.

 

4. NHAI Launches ‘Project Saksham’ to Empower Rural Women: In May 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways(MoRTH), in collaboration with the Vertis Foundation, launched ‘Project Saksham’ to empower rural women through skill development and employment opportunities. The initiative aims to provide industry-relevant skills, promote financial independence, and create access to formal employment opportunities for rural women. Project Saksham operates through 12 training centres across India, providing underserved communities with industry-relevant skills and pathways to formal employment. The initiative has trained over 6,000 youth, with more than 4,000 successfully placed across various sectors.

 

5. Prudential Buys 75% Stake in Bharti Life Insurance for Rs 3,500 Crore: In May 2026, British insurer and asset manager Prudential plc announced its plan to acquire 75% stake in Bharti Life Insurance Company Limited in a deal valued at an initial Rs 3,500 crore (i.e. around USD 389 million). The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. In addition, it will also acquire minority stakes in two listed entities namely, 35% of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited and 22% of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited. In order to get regulatory approval for acquisition, Prudential will be required to lower its shareholding in ICICI Prudential  Life Insurance below 10%.

 

6. Endangered Species Day 2026 – May 15: Endangered Species Day (ESD) is observed globally every year on the third Friday of May to raise awareness about endangered species and promote biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection. Establishment: ESD was started in 2006 by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition to raise awareness about endangered species. Act: The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 in the USA remains a cornerstone for species protection, credited with saving species like the gray wolf and bald eagle
Observance: Since 2013, the day has been celebrated internationally.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. US to Host G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta: The United States will host the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on 30-31 October 2026. The meeting will bring together foreign ministers from the G20, a forum of major advanced and emerging economies that includes the United States, India, China, Russia, Japan, Germany, France, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Australia, and the European Union. The G20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major economies. Its members account for a large share of global gross domestic product, international trade, and population. The G20 includes 19 countries and the European Union. The forum was formed in 1999 as a finance ministers’ and central bank governors’ platform and was upgraded to leaders’ level in 2008.

 

2. US Imposes Travel Restrictions Amid Ebola Concerns: On 18 May 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security introduced enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and public health measures to prevent Ebola virus disease from entering the United States. The measures were issued under a Title 42 order and apply to travellers linked to outbreak areas in East and Central Africa. Ebola virus disease is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever caused by viruses in the genus Ebolavirus. The disease spreads through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, contaminated objects, or infected animals, and it has caused outbreaks in several African countries since its identification in 1976.

 

3. India and Norway Elevate Ties to Green Strategic Partnership: India and Norway elevated their bilateral relations to a Green Strategic Partnership on 18 May 2026 in Oslo during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The partnership covers clean energy, maritime security, digital health, space cooperation, and the blue economy. A strategic partnership is a formal framework for long-term cooperation between two countries in selected sectors. The India-Norway Green Strategic Partnership includes green shipping, clean energy, digital development, and sustainable ocean-based activities. The India-Norway Green Maritime Partnership was signed in 2025 and focuses on sustainable maritime transport, decarbonisation of shipping, green shipping corridors, and environment-friendly vessels. The partnership also covers green hydrogen, ammonia fuel cell propulsion, and greener port infrastructure.

 

4. Overview of EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar’s Visit to Jamaica, Suriname and T & T from May 2 to 10,2026: Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), undertook an official visit to Jamaica, Suriname and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago(T & T) from May 2 to 10, 2026 to strengthen India’s engagement with Caribbean nations.
Visit to Jamaica: During his visit to Jamaica from 2 to 4 May 2026, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister (PM) Andrew Holness and Foreign Minister (FM) Kamina Johnson Smith. Visit to Suriname: During his visit to Suriname from 6 to 7 May 2026, EAM S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 9th Joint Commission Meeting with Foreign Minister (FM) Melvin Bouva and met President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and National Assembly Chairman Ashwin Adhin.

 

5. Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to UAE on May 15, 2026: On May 15 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi undertook an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of the first leg of his 5-nation tour which included the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on strategic collaboration between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), the Government of India (GoI) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the UAE, aimed to strengthen India’s energy security. Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) of India has signed a MoU with Drydocks World (DDW) of the UAE, aimed  to establish a ship repair cluster, including offshore fabrication, at Vadinar, in Gujarat. Also, a tripartite agreement was signed between CSL, DDW and Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS), focused on  skill development in Ship Repair, supporting the Skill India Mission(SIM).

 

6. Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi Sworn in as Iraq’s Youngest Prime Minister: In May 2026, Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi, who was nominated by the Coordination Framework sworn in as the new Prime Minister(PM) of Iraq and Commander-in-Chief of the country’s Armed Forces. At 40 years old, al-Zaidi makes history as the youngest Prime Minister in Iraq’s modern history. The official ceremony was held in Baghdad, Iraq, where outgoing PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani formally transferred power to the new administration. Cabinet Approval: During a session chaired by Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi, the Parliament and the government program approved 14 out of 23 ministerial positions in a session attended by 266 lawmakers. Approval of the remaining portfolios was delayed due to ongoing negotiations. Cabinet formation in Iraq often involves coalition bargaining among political blocs.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. US Clears Apache and M777 Support Deals for India: On 18 May 2026, the United States State Department approved two possible Foreign Military Sales to India with an estimated combined value of $428.2 million. The approvals were issued through separate congressional notifications by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Foreign Military Sales is a United States government programme for defence equipment, services, and training supplied to foreign governments. The programme is administered by the US government and involves congressional notification for proposed sales above specified financial thresholds.

 

2. Squadron Leader Saanya Becomes IAF’s First Woman Cat-A Instructor: Squadron Leader Saanya became the Indian Air Force’s first woman officer to qualify as a Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor on 18 May 2026. The Cat-A QFI qualification is one of the highest instructor categories in the Indian Air Force and is linked with advanced flying training and operational standards. A Qualified Flying Instructor, or QFI, is an officer trained to instruct pilots in flying operations. Cat-A QFIs handle advanced pilot training, assess junior instructors, and maintain safety and operational procedures in flying units. Squadron Leader Saanya was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 20 June 2015 through the 42 SSC (W) FP Course. She was promoted to Flight Lieutenant in 2017 and to Squadron Leader in 2021.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026: India Clinches 10 Medals, China Leads with 41: The Asian Weightlifting Championships (AWC) 2026 was held at Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 11-17 May 2026, where India won 10 medals including 1 silver and 9 bronze, while China topped the medal tally with 41 medals (21 gold, 12 silver, 8 bronze). The 2026 AWC is organised by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) under the regulations of the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) and the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Gyaneshwari Yadav secured a silver medal in the women’s 53 kilogram (kg) snatch event along with a bronze medal in the overall category.

 

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates India’s 1st SME-led Semiconductor ATMP/OSAT Facility in Rajasthan: In May 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), virtually inaugurated India’s 1st Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)-led semiconductor ATMP/OSAT(Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging / Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, marking the state’s formal entry into the country’s semiconductor ecosystem. Semiconductor ATMP/OSAT Facility: This newly inaugurated facility, set up by M/s Sahasra Semiconductors  Pvt. Ltd., has been developed under the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS), a flagship scheme of MeitY. The facility, which spreads across 57,000 square feet (sq. ft.) of area, has been set up with an investment of more than Rs 150 crore.

 

2. Bhopal Introduces India’s 1st Solar-Powered ‘Algae Tree’ to Tackle Air Pollution : In May 2026, Vishwas Sarang, Minister of Co-operation, Madhya Pradesh(MP), inaugurated India’s first ‘Algae Tree’ at Swami Vivekananda Park in Bhopal, MP, to reduce urban air pollution. The smart device utilizes microalgae suspended in a liquid tank to absorb carbon dioxide(CO2) and perform photosynthesis, releasing fresh oxygen back into the atmosphere. A single unit can reportedly reduce particulate pollution by 45–55% within a 15-metre(m) radius, absorb up to 1.5 tons of CO2, and generate around 1 ton of oxygen(O) annually. Designed for densely populated urban areas, the system operates on integrated solar panels without dependence on the conventional power grid.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Removes Investment Fluctuation Reserve Rule: The Reserve Bank of India removed the Investment Fluctuation Reserve requirement for commercial banks on 8 April 2026. The change applies under the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Classification, Valuation, and Operation of Investment Portfolio) Second Amendment Directions, 2026. Outstanding balances in the Investment Fluctuation Reserve as on 17 May 2026 are to be treated as Tier 1 capital. The balances are to be transferred below the line to Statutory Reserve, General Reserve, or Balance of Profit and Loss Account. The Reserve Bank of India stated that capital charges for market risk and revised norms on investment portfolio classification and valuation already provide prudential safeguards. The central bank also proposed removal of the condition on non-performing asset provisioning for inclusion of quarterly profits in Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio computation.

 

2. PFRDA Launches New Retirement Scheme For Retirees Under NPS: In May 2026, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) introduced a new post-retirement framework under the National Pension System (NPS), aimed at providing subscribers greater flexibility in receiving periodic payout options post retirement. Objective: The regulator launched Retirement Income Schemes (RIS) aimed at providing subscribers with a more flexible periodic payout options during their decumulation phase and also supporting corpus appreciation.
Present Scenario: Currently, the NPS subscribers at retirement could withdraw up to 60% of their corpus tax-free and were required to use at least 40% to purchase an annuity. Earlier, NPS accounts had to be closed by the age of 75.Now, both government and non-government subscribers can continue NPS till age 85.

 

3. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Inaugurates India’s 1st AI-powered Phygital Bank Branch in Guwahati: In May 2026, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, inaugurated India’s 1st Artificial Intelligence(AI)-powered ‘phygital’ banking branch of Slice Small Finance Bank (Slice SFB) in Guwahati, Assam. This launch represents a major step towards building a more inclusive financial ecosystem for both urban and underserved communities. Through an expanding physical presence and robust digital infrastructure, the bank is expected to extend access to responsible credit, savings, and payment solutions to individuals and small businesses, especially those with limited access to modern banking services. The branch features AI-enabled customer support, automated banking solutions, digital onboarding, and smart service systems to improve operational efficiency and customer convenience.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. PM Modi Receives Norway’s Grand Cross Honour: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit in Oslo, Norway, on 18 May 2026. The award is the highest civilian honour of Norway and the highest grade within the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit was instituted in 1985 by King Olav V of Norway. It is awarded to foreign nationals and Norwegian citizens for meritorious service in the interests of Norway and for strengthening international relations. The Grand Cross is the top class of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. It is used in state and diplomatic honours systems and is placed above lower grades such as Commander and Knight in many chivalric orders.

 

2. Nepal’s Kami Rita Sherpa and Lhakpa Sherpa Break Own Mount Everest Climbing Records: In May 2026, Nepali mountaineers Kami Rita Sherpa, known as the ‘Everest Man,’ and Lhakpa Sherpa, known as the ‘Mountain Queen,’ created history by scaling the 8,849-metre (m) (29,032 feet) Mount Everest for the 32nd and 11th times respectively, breaking their own world records for the highest number of Everest ascents in the male and female categories. Kami Rita: He first climbed Mount Everest in 1994 after starting his career as a porter and later guided climbers for 14 Peaks Expedition in 2026. He became the first person to achieve 22 Everest ascents in 2018 after jointly holding the 21-ascent record with Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa in 2017.

 

3. Actor Ishaan Khatter Receives Honorary Membership of 45 Cavalry Regiment
: In May 2026, actor Ishaan Khatter was conferred with an honorary membership of the 45 Cavalry Regiment of the Indian Armoured Corps for his portrayal of a 45 Cavalry officer in the film ‘Pippa’ and for showing respect towards the regiment’s ethos and legacy. Pippa, directed by Raja Krishna Menon and produced by RSVP Movies and Roy Kapur Films, is based on the book “The Burning Chaffees” by Balram Singh Mehta. He was recognised for projects like Homebound and The Royals, and became the only Indian male actor featured in the 2026 Gold House Gold 100 list.

Daily GK Update- 18th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Delhi Launches Metro Monday Campaign: Delhi launched the ‘Metro Monday’ campaign on 18 May 2026 to promote public transport use and fuel conservation. The campaign is linked to the 90-day ‘Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan’ initiative of the Delhi government and includes additional Delhi Metro Rail Corporation services on Mondays. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is the statutory body that operates the Delhi Metro network in the National Capital Region. From 18 May 2026, the corporation will run 24 additional train trips every Monday using six extra trains across its network. Kashmere Gate and ITO are stations on the Delhi Metro network in central Delhi.

 

2. West Bengal Approves Free Bus Travel for Women, Annapurna Yojana: West Bengal approved free bus travel for women in state-run buses and the Annapurna Yojana, also called the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, on 18 May 2026. The free bus travel facility will start on 1 June 2026, and the welfare scheme will provide ₹3,000 per month to eligible women beneficiaries from the same date. Free travel for women will apply to all state-run buses across West Bengal from 1 June 2026. The measure is linked to public transport use by women, including students and working professionals, in both rural and urban areas of the state. The Annapurna Yojana is a direct benefit transfer-style welfare initiative for women from economically weaker households. The scheme provides monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 and is intended to support household expenditure and financial security.

 

3. Supreme Court Issues Notice on DERC Appointments: The Supreme Court issued notice to the office of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on 9 May 2026 in a plea filed by the Delhi Government over appointments to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). The matter concerns the appointment of the DERC chairperson and other members under the regulatory framework for electricity in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Delhi Government stated that the Lieutenant Governor delayed the appointment of the DERC chairman by seeking legal opinion on whether the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court was required. A bench of Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha issued notice through the Principal Secretary of the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

 

4. K.P. Unnikrishnan Dies at 89: Former Union Minister K. P. Unnikrishnan died on 3 March 2026 at the age of 89 in a private hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala. He served as a Union Minister in the V. P. Singh Cabinet from 1989 to 1990 and held the portfolios of Surface Transport and Communications. K. P. Unnikrishnan was a six-time Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. He represented the Vadakara constituency in Kozhikode from 1971 to 1996. K. P. Unnikrishnan was born on 20 September 1936. He studied at Madras Christian College and completed a law degree there. He began his professional life as a journalist before entering politics.

 

5. West Bengal raises upper age limit for state jobs: West Bengal has raised the upper age limit for recruitment to state government jobs from 11 May 2026 through amendments to the West Bengal Services (Raising of Age-limit) Rules, 1981. The notification was issued by the Finance Department (Audit Branch) of the West Bengal Government and applies to recruitment across multiple categories. The upper age limit for Group A posts has been fixed at 41 years. The upper age limit for Group B posts has been fixed at 44 years. The maximum age limit for Group C and Group D posts has been fixed at 45 years. Where any post or service already has an upper age limit above the newly notified limits, the existing provision will continue to apply. For recruitments under the West Bengal Regulation of Recruitment in State Statutory Bodies, Government Companies and Local Authorities Act, 1999, the upper age limit outside the Public Service Commission, West Bengal, will also be 45 years.

 

6. Amit Shah Flags Off 400 Dial 112 Vehicles in Chhattisgarh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off 400 emergency response vehicles for the CG Dial 112 service in Chhattisgarh on 18 May 2026. He also inaugurated 33 mobile forensic science laboratories, with one unit for each district in the state. Dial 112 is India’s integrated emergency response number for police, fire, medical, and disaster management services. The CG Dial 112 system in Chhattisgarh was earlier operational in 16 districts and has now been expanded to cover all districts and police stations in the state. Mobile forensic science laboratories are vehicles fitted with scientific tools for crime-scene examination and evidence collection. The 33 new units in Chhattisgarh are designed to assist police teams at crime scenes and support faster forensic processing.

 

7. Supreme Court Judge Strength Raised to 37: The Supreme Court of India’s sanctioned strength of judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, has been increased from 33 to 37 through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026. The total strength of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice of India, has therefore risen from 34 to 38. Article 123 of the Constitution empowers the President of India to promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session. President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, on 16 May 2026, and the ordinance was notified in the Gazette of India on the same date.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Rockefeller Foundation Announces $350 Million Global Aid Initiative: The Rockefeller Foundation released its 2025 Impact Report, titled Big Bets, Real Results, on 18 May 2026. The report stated that the Foundation awarded over US$350 million in 2025 through 235 grants and programme-related investments to 204 unique partners. The Foundation stated that its 2025 awards directly mobilised US3 billion and helped mobilise an additional US29 billion in indirect capital. The combined capital mobilised was US$32 billion in 2025. The Foundation said that its 2025 work covered Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States. Its major programme areas included Universal Energy Abundance, Food is Medicine in the United States, and Regenerative School Meals globally.

 

2. PM Modi Receives Sweden’s Royal Order of Polar Star: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, on 17 May 2026 in Gothenburg during his visit to Sweden. The honour was conferred by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and is Sweden’s highest award for a foreign head of government. The Royal Order of the Polar Star was instituted in 1748 in Sweden. It is awarded to foreign citizens for civic merits, devotion to duty, and contributions to science, literature, and useful works. The order includes the grade of Commander Grand Cross, which is among its senior classes. India and Sweden maintain a strategic partnership that covers trade, technology, defence, green transition, and artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson discussed bilateral cooperation during the visit, and bilateral trade reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.

 

3. India, Sweden Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership: India and Sweden elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership on 17 May 2026 during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Gothenburg, Sweden. The upgraded framework covers green transition, security, emerging technology, people-to-people ties, trade, and investment. The Strategic Partnership is structured around four pillars. These are Strategic Dialogue for Stability and Security, Next-Generation Economic Partnership, Emerging Technologies and Trusted Connectivity, and Shaping Tomorrow Together – People, Planet, Health and Resilience. The India-Sweden Joint Action Plan 2026-2030 provides the operational roadmap for cooperation across political, economic, technological, security, climate, and people-to-people domains.

 

4. Kami Rita Sherpa Climbs Everest for 32nd Time: Kami Rita Sherpa, a 56-year-old Nepali Sherpa guide, scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd time on 17 May 2026. He reached the summit at 10:12 a.m. Nepal time through the Southeast Ridge route. The ascent was part of an expedition led by 14 Peaks Expedition. Nepal’s Department of Tourism field office at Everest Base Camp confirmed the summit and issued a formal statement on the achievement. Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain above sea level, with a surveyed elevation of 8,848.86 metres. The Southeast Ridge route is the standard route from Nepal and passes through the South Col before the final summit push. Kami Rita Sherpa was born on 17 January 1970 in Thame, Solukhumbu, Nepal. He first summited Mount Everest in 1994 at the age of 24. Before the 32nd ascent, he had completed his 31st summit on 27 May 2025. He also holds the record for the most 8,000-metre summits, with more than 40 ascents across peaks above 8,000 metres.

 

5. WHO Declares Ebola PHEIC in Congo and Uganda: The World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026. The outbreak is centred in eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo and has also been confirmed in Kampala, Uganda. Ebola virus disease is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever caused by viruses of the genus Ebolavirus. The disease was first identified in 1976 in outbreaks near the Ebola River region in the present-day Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which is one of the species associated with Ebola virus disease. The Bundibugyo virus was first identified in Uganda in 2007.

 

6. India, Netherlands Sign Pact for Kalpasar Project: India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management signed a Letter of Intent on 17 May 2026 for technical cooperation on Gujarat’s Kalpasar Project. The project concerns a freshwater reservoir and dam across the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat. The Netherlands is providing technical expertise and water management experience for the project. The cooperation draws on Dutch engineering experience with the Afsluitdijk Dam, a 32-km-long dam in the Netherlands that converted a saline gulf into a freshwater reservoir. The agreement is linked to the India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership on Water, which covers water management, climate adaptation, and sustainable infrastructure.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Sibash Kabiraj Appointed Gurugram Police Commissioner: Senior IPS officer Sibash Kabiraj was appointed as the new Gurugram Police Commissioner on 18 May 2026. He is a 1999-batch Indian Police Service officer and replaced Vikas Arora, who was posted as Additional Director General of Police (Administration), Panchkula. The Indian Police Service is one of the three All India Services under Article 312 of the Constitution of India. IPS officers are recruited through the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The police commissionerate system is used in several large Indian cities for urban policing and law-and-order administration. A Police Commissioner generally exercises powers of a District Magistrate in matters related to policing, subject to state law and administrative rules.

 

2. Pokhran Nuclear Tests and Operation Smiling Buddha: India conducted its first successful nuclear test, codenamed Smiling Buddha, on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran in Rajasthan during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The test was officially described as a Peaceful Nuclear Explosion and made India a nuclear-capable nation. Pokhran is a nuclear test site in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The 1974 test used plutonium and was carried out underground. India became the sixth nation to conduct a nuclear test after the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France and China. India conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in May 1998 under Operation Shakti. The tests involved five nuclear explosions and were led by scientists including A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, R. Chidambaram and Anil Kakodkar. India declared itself a nuclear weapons state after the 1998 tests.

 

3. First Made-in-India Airbus C-295 Ready for Flight Testing: The first domestically assembled Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft in India was completed at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara on 17 May 2026 and was ready for flight testing. The aircraft is part of a 56-aircraft contract signed in September 2021 between India and Airbus Defence and Space for the Indian Air Force. The C-295 programme in India includes 16 fly-away aircraft from Spain and 40 aircraft to be manufactured in India under the Make in India framework. The first India-made aircraft was expected to begin flight tests in June 2026 and to be delivered to the Indian Air Force in September 2026.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. BCCI Not a Public Authority Under RTI Act: The Central Information Commission (CIC) ruled on 18 May 2026 that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not a “public authority” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. The order was passed by Information Commissioner P. R. Ramesh in an appeal concerning the BCCI’s role in representing India and selecting players for tournaments. The RTI Act, 2005 applies to public authorities, which include bodies owned, controlled, or substantially financed by the government. Section 2(h) of the RTI Act defines a public authority as an institution established or constituted by the Constitution, a law made by Parliament or a State Legislature, or a government notification.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. National AI Doctors Mission Launched in New Delhi: The National AI Doctors Mission (NAIDM) was launched at Health AI Con 2026 in New Delhi on 17 May 2026. The mission is a national initiative for training India’s medical fraternity in Artificial Intelligence (AI), clinical practice, and ethical use of digital tools in healthcare. NAIDM is a doctor-led initiative conceptualised by Medical Dialogues in collaboration with the National Medical Forum. The mission covers AI knowledge, practical skills, and an ethical framework for medical professionals in India. Artificial Intelligence in healthcare includes machine learning, decision-support systems, medical imaging analysis, and digital triage tools. In India, AI-related medical training is linked with the need for standardised learning pathways, governance norms, and clinical accountability.

 

2. Delhi Announces Collateral-Free Loans for Women-Led Startups: On 17 May 2026, the Delhi government announced collateral-free loans of up to ₹10 crore for women self-help groups and women-led startups. The Delhi government will act as the guarantor for these loans, and the initiative was announced at the Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026 in northwest Delhi. Self-help groups are small, informal groups that pool savings and access credit for income-generating activities. In India, SHGs are commonly linked with women’s livelihoods, micro-enterprises, and rural and urban credit delivery through banks and government programmes. The announced support covers women involved in handicrafts, food processing, home-based manufacturing, khadi products, fashion, small-scale retail, and digital businesses. The measure is linked to institutional credit access, which is a banking term for loans provided through formal financial institutions such as commercial banks and cooperative banks.

 

3. IN-SPACe Leads Indian Space-Tech Delegation to Italy: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) led a delegation of nine Indian space-tech companies to Space Meetings Veneto 2026 in Venice, Italy, on 16–17 May 2026. The delegation was headed by Dr. P.K. Jain, Director of the Programme Management and Authorisation Directorate at IN-SPACe. Nine Indian companies took part in the Venice event. The list included Astrogate Labs, Astrobase Space Technologies, VyomIC, Suhora, Kepler Aerospace, Hyspace Technologies, TakeMe2Space, Jarbits Pvt Ltd, and Dhruva Space. Astrobase Space Technologies is based in Karnataka, while Dhruva Space is an Indian space technology company engaged in satellite systems and space infrastructure.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. CAFE III Fuel Efficiency Norms Likely by May-End : Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency III, or CAFE III, is the third phase of India’s fuel-efficiency framework for passenger vehicles. The proposed norms are scheduled to apply from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032, and the draft framework covers fleet-wide carbon dioxide emissions, credit trading, and vehicle classification rules. The draft CAFE III framework seeks to reduce average fleet emissions for passenger vehicles from about 113 g/km at the end of FY27 to 78.9 g/km by FY32. The latest draft proposes a revised emission curve for small cars and removes a 3 g CO₂/km relief that had appeared in earlier proposals. The draft also reduces the super-credit benefit for strong hybrids from 2.0 to 1.6 and for flex-fuel vehicles from 1.5 to 1.1.

 

2. India Revises Export Duties on Petrol and Diesel: India revised export duties on petroleum products on 15 May 2026, and the changes took effect from 16 May 2026. The revision covered petrol, diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which are refined petroleum products used in transport and aviation. The Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on petrol exports was increased to ₹3 per litre. The export duty on diesel was reduced to ₹16.5 per litre from ₹23 per litre. The export levy on ATF was cut to ₹16 per litre from ₹33 per litre. The Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC) on exported petrol, diesel and ATF was removed. Domestic excise duties on petrol and diesel remained unchanged, and retail fuel prices within India were not altered by this revision.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 17th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IndiaAI Mission Partners with Karya to Strengthen Inclusive AI Ecosystem: The IndiaAI Mission (MeitY) has signed an agreement with Karya (a nonprofit organisation) to strengthen India’s inclusive artificial intelligence ecosystem by enhancing collaboration in data, technology, and capacity building. The partnership focuses on the development and sharing of high-quality language and multimodal datasets, along with strengthening AI infrastructure such as AI Kosh, model evaluation frameworks, and dataset quality standards. It will also promote capacity building and ecosystem development through training programmes, workshops, technical consultations, and knowledge-sharing initiatives across government and partner institutions to build more inclusive and representative AI systems.

 

2. CII Elects Tata Chemicals CEO R Mukundan as President for 2026–27: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) elected R Mukundan, MD & CEO of Tata Chemicals, as its President for 2026–27, succeeding Rajiv Memani after the formation of the new National Council. Dr Suchitra K Ella, Co-founder and MD of Bharat Biotech International, was appointed as President-Designate, while Shashwat Goenka of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group became the Vice-President for 2026–27.

 

3. Article 25 and Gender Equality: On 14 and 15 May 2026, the Indian government told a nine-judge Supreme Court bench that Article 25(1) of the Constitution protects freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, but does not itself deal with gender equality. The bench was headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and the matter was heard over 16 days across five weeks. Article 25(1) is part of Part III of the Constitution of India and guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion. Article 25(2) permits the State to regulate or restrict secular activity associated with religious practice and to provide for social welfare and reform. The Centre stated that religious denominations may prescribe different modes of worship, beliefs and rituals for men and women under Article 25(1). The argument placed emphasis on denominational autonomy, which is a recognised constitutional concept in Indian religious freedom jurisprudence.

 

4. Madhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex a Temple: The Madhya Pradesh High Court, Indore Bench, declared the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district a temple on 15 May 2026. The Bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi held that the religious character of the disputed structure is that of a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, also called Vagdevi. Bhojshala is a disputed religious site in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The site has been the subject of petitions seeking Hindu worship rights and restrictions on Muslim prayers inside the complex. The Hindu Front for Justice was among the petitioners in the case. The High Court quashed the 2003 order of the Archaeological Survey of India that had restricted Hindu worship rights and permitted the Muslim community to offer prayers. The Archaeological Survey of India conducted a scientific survey of the complex between 22 March and 30 June 2024. The survey report stated that the existing structure was made from parts of earlier temples.

 

5. Election Commission to Conduct Special Intensive Revision in Odisha: The Election Commission of India will conduct a month-long Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Odisha from 30 May 2026. The exercise is part of Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision, which covers 16 states and three Union Territories. Special Intensive Revision is a field-based process for updating electoral rolls through house-to-house verification. The process is used to identify duplicate entries, deceased electors, shifted voters, and other errors in the voter database. Booth-level officers will carry out door-to-door verification from 30 May to 28 June 2026. Training for booth-level officers and booth-level agents will take place from 20 May to 29 May 2026. The revision will involve 45,255 booth-level officers and 27,723 booth-level agents appointed by seven political parties.

 

6. Uttar Pradesh Launches River Rejuvenation Initiative: Uttar Pradesh has expanded river rejuvenation work under community-based restoration projects linked to rural sustainability and ecological resilience. The initiative operates through the State Mission for Clean Ganga and allied agencies, and it includes river restoration, pond revival, plantation, desilting, and encroachment removal across multiple districts. The “One District-One River” campaign was launched under the Namami Gange mission to restore disappearing rivers in Uttar Pradesh. The campaign generated 1.53 lakh human-days of work and encouraged more than 500 farmers to adopt natural farming by 13 May 2026. River rejuvenation in the state has included channel widening, channel deepening, ghat construction, pond revival, and plantation work. These activities are linked to water conservation, groundwater recharge, and rural employment generation under government programmes.

 

7. Supreme Court Expands Maternity Leave for Adoptive Mothers: The Supreme Court of India delivered a judgment on 17 March 2026 in Hamsaanandini Nanduri v. Union of India. A two-judge bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan struck down Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020. Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020 had granted 12 weeks of maternity benefit only when the adopted child was below three months of age. The Supreme Court held that adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave irrespective of the child’s age at the time of adoption. The Court found the three-month age restriction inconsistent with Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before law. It also held that the restriction violated Article 21, which protects life and personal liberty and has been interpreted to include dignity.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. BRICS Backs Independent State of Palestine: BRICS foreign ministers met in New Delhi on 15 May 2026 and reaffirmed support for an independent and viable State of Palestine within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The meeting also referred to the Gaza Strip as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and linked Palestinian statehood to the two-state solution under international law. BRICS is an intergovernmental grouping of major emerging economies. Its members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and the grouping has expanded in recent years to include new members. Foreign ministers of the grouping meet regularly to discuss international peace, security, trade and multilateral cooperation.

 

2. ISIS Second-in-Command Abu-Bilal al-Minuki Killed in Nigeria: Donald Trump announced on 15 May 2026 that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS globally, was eliminated in Nigeria. The operation involved American and Nigerian forces, and al-Minuki was also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki. Islamic State, also called ISIS or ISIL, is a transnational jihadist organisation that emerged from al-Qaeda in Iraq. The group has used a decentralised structure with regional branches in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, is one of the most active ISIS affiliates in Africa. It operates mainly in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel region, which includes parts of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Nigeria. Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was sanctioned by the United States Department of State in 2023 under Executive Order 13224. Executive Order 13224 is a United States counter-terrorism order used to block property and prohibit transactions with persons linked to terrorism financing and support.

 

3. PM Modi Congratulates Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Iraq on 16 May 2026. Al-Zaidi took office after being sworn in during a parliamentary session on 14 May 2026. Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic in West Asia. The Prime Minister is the head of government, while the President is the head of state. The Council of Representatives is Iraq’s unicameral legislature and plays a central role in government formation. Iraq’s Parliament approved a partial cabinet of 14 ministers and the government programme on 14 May 2026. Votes on the remaining portfolios were delayed because of ongoing negotiations. Cabinet formation in Iraq often involves coalition bargaining among political blocs.

 

4. CCPA Issues Notices to Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued notices to Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and JioMart on 16 May 2026 over the alleged sale of herbicide products. The CCPA had earlier imposed penalties on several e-commerce entities on 16 January 2026 for the illegal sale of unauthorised walkie-talkies. The Central Consumer Protection Authority is a statutory regulator established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. It functions under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and it deals with unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, and consumer rights violations. Walkie-talkies are handheld two-way radios used for short-range communication. In India, radio equipment must comply with licensing rules, frequency allocation norms, and Equipment Type Approval (ETA) requirements when applicable. The January 2026 action covered Personal Mobile Radios (PMRs) operating outside the licence-exempt frequency band. The CCPA found listings that described such devices as “licence-free” or “100% legal” without proper disclosure of licensing requirements.

5. Netherlands Returns Chola Copper Plates to India: The Netherlands returned the 11th-century Anaimangalam copper plates to India on 15 May 2026. The artefacts are also known as the Leiden Plates and belong to the period of the Chola dynasty in South India. The Anaimangalam copper plates date to the reign of Rajaraja Chola I, who ruled from 985 CE to 1014 CE. The plates record land grants and tax arrangements for Chudamani Vihara, a Buddhist monastery at Nagapattinam in present-day Tamil Nadu. The plates were kept at Leiden University in the Netherlands for more than a century. Dutch official Florentius Camper acquired them during the 18th century on the Coromandel Coast, which formed part of the Dutch colonial sphere in India.

 

6. India Launches Major Offshore Oil and Gas Survey: India is expanding offshore oil and gas exploration through new seismic surveys, stratigraphic drilling, and bidding rounds across the Bay of Bengal and adjoining basins. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons is leading a large offshore survey programme over 161,000 line kilometres across nearly two years. India’s offshore sedimentary basins include the Bengal Offshore Basin, Mahanadi Basin, Krishna-Godavari Basin, Cauvery Basin, Saurashtra Basin, and Andaman Basin. These basins are part of India’s petroleum exploration frontier and contain deepwater and shallow-water prospects. A seismic survey uses sound waves to map subsurface rock layers and identify possible hydrocarbon traps. Stratigraphic drilling is used to collect rock samples and geological data from unexplored areas before full-scale production drilling begins.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. First Made-in-India Airbus C-295 Ready for Flight Testing: The first domestically assembled Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft in India was completed at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara on 17 May 2026 and was ready for flight testing. The aircraft is part of a 56-aircraft contract signed in September 2021 between India and Airbus Defence and Space for the Indian Air Force. The C-295 programme in India includes 16 fly-away aircraft from Spain and 40 aircraft to be manufactured in India under the Make in India framework. The first India-made aircraft was expected to begin flight tests in June 2026 and to be delivered to the Indian Air Force in September 2026. The Tata-Airbus Final Assembly Line is located in Harni, Vadodara, and was inaugurated on 28 October 2024. The facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

 

2. Pokhran Nuclear Tests and Operation Smiling Buddha: India conducted its first successful nuclear test, codenamed Smiling Buddha, on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran in Rajasthan during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The test was officially described as a Peaceful Nuclear Explosion and made India a nuclear-capable nation. Pokhran is a nuclear test site in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The 1974 test used plutonium and was carried out underground. India became the sixth nation to conduct a nuclear test after the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France and China. India conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in May 1998 under Operation Shakti. The tests involved five nuclear explosions and were led by scientists including A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, R. Chidambaram and Anil Kakodkar. India declared itself a nuclear weapons state after the 1998 tests.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Underground River Channel Found Beneath Prayagraj-Kanpur Stretch: Scientists from the CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute in Hyderabad have identified an ancient underground river channel beneath the Prayagraj-Kanpur stretch in Uttar Pradesh. The buried channel is described as a palaeo-channel, a term used for an old river course preserved below the present land surface. A palaeo-channel is an abandoned or buried river course that may remain filled with sand, silt, or groundwater. In this case, the channel lies about 10 to 15 metres below the surface and extends for nearly 200 kilometres from Prayagraj to Kanpur. The identification used airborne geophysical surveys conducted with helicopters and was followed by drilling at locations including Sarai Akil, Sirathu, Manjhanpur, Fatehpur, and Balwant Tola. The drilling found sandy deposits that match ancient riverbed material.

 

2. Rajasthan Inaugurates First Semiconductor Cluster in Bhiwadi: Rajasthan’s first semiconductor cluster was inaugurated in Bhiwadi, Alwar district, on 15 May 2026. The facility is located in the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at Salarpur, Khushkhera, and it was launched by Sahasra Semiconductors Pvt Ltd. Semiconductors are materials used in electronic devices for controlling electric current, and they are central to chips used in computers, mobile phones, automobiles, and industrial systems. India’s semiconductor ecosystem includes design, fabrication, assembly, testing, marking, and packaging, with ATMP and OSAT units forming part of the downstream manufacturing chain. The Bhiwadi unit specialises in Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging, also written as ATMP, and in Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test, also written as OSAT. The facility includes memory products and has an annual packaging capacity of 60 million units. ATMP and OSAT units handle chip assembly after wafer fabrication and are used for final testing and packaging before distribution. These units are part of the semiconductor value chain and are distinct from wafer fabrication plants.

 

3. UAE to Store Crude Oil in India’s Strategic Reserve: India and the United Arab Emirates agreed on 15 May 2026 to expand energy cooperation through crude oil storage in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The arrangement allows the UAE to store up to 30 million barrels of crude oil in India, and it was linked to talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a crude oil storage system created for emergency supply management. Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited, a Government of India company, manages the country’s strategic crude storage facilities. India’s operational strategic crude oil storage sites include Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Mangaluru in Karnataka, and Padur in Karnataka. Planned expansion projects have also been discussed for Chandikol in Odisha.

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GDP data release date fixed to the 7th of June every year: The Government has revised the release schedule of Provisional Estimates of Annual GDP and Q4 Quarterly GDP, shifting it from the last working day of May to 7th June every year (or the previous working day if it is a holiday). The decision has been taken after consultation with the Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS) to ensure better coordination and accuracy in national accounts reporting. The revision aims to strengthen data quality, coverage, and robustness in national accounts compilation, reflecting ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

 

2. Centre releases first instalment of Rs 401.50 crore for court infrastructure scheme: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal released the first instalment of ₹401.50 crore (FY 2026–27) under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the development of infrastructure facilities in district and subordinate courts across States and Union Territories via the PFMS system. The scheme aims to strengthen judicial infrastructure and improve “ease of justice”, with proposals including a new component of “Waiting Hall for Litigants”, while also extending the scheme’s tenure up to 2030–31 and a temporary extension granted till September 30, 2026. Since inception, the scheme has released ₹12,844.72 crore, leading to construction of 6,345 court halls and 4,023 residential units, with additional infrastructure currently under development to enhance judicial capacity nationwide.

 

3. Union Cabinet Approves ₹37,500 Crore Scheme to Boost Coal and Lignite Gasification in India: The Union Cabinet approved a ₹37,500 crore incentive scheme to promote surface coal and lignite gasification projects in India, aiming to boost domestic syngas production. The scheme focuses on developing a coal-to-chemical ecosystem and enhancing energy security by encouraging large-scale coal and lignite gasification. The government targets gasification of around 75 million tonnes (MT) of coal and lignite, contributing to the broader national goal of 100 MT coal gasification by 2030.

 

4. NaBFID raises 14,000 crore through 10-year bonds at 7.74% : State-owned National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) raised ₹4,000 crore through 10-year bonds at a cut-off yield of 7.74%. The bond issuance is considered significant because most issuers recently preferred short-term borrowings (2–3 years) amid global uncertainty, yield volatility, and investor caution due to the West Asia crisis. NaBFID successfully accepted the entire issue, including the greenshoe option, while several State Development Loans (SDLs) of states like Tamil Nadu were offering yields in the 7.73%–7.85% range.

 

5. IEPFA Signs MoU with Prasar Bharati to Boost Nationwide Investor Awareness Campaigns: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, signed an MoU with Prasar Bharati to enhance investor awareness through informative messages on Doordarshan’s national and regional channels. The initiative aims to improve financial literacy and educate citizens about investor-related services such as the Search Facility and filing claims through Form IEPF-5. The awareness campaign will also focus on promoting safe investment practices, spreading awareness against financial frauds, and empowering investors with accurate and timely information.