NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. BHIM Records 301% Surge in Transactions During FY 2025-26: BHIM recorded a massive 301% growth in transaction volumes during Financial Year 2025-26, highlighting the rapid rise in digital payment adoption in India.According to data released by NPCI BHIM Services Limited, monthly transactions on the BHIM app increased from 5.93 crore in April 2025 to 21.6 crore in March 2026.In April 2026 alone, the BHIM app processed 22.49 crore transactions with a total transaction value of ₹26,040 crore.
2. Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Holds APY Annual Felicitation Programme : Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority organised the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Annual Felicitation Programme in New Delhi to recognise outstanding performance in APY enrolment and implementation.Among Public Sector Banks, State Bank of India achieved 116% of its target, followed by Union Bank of India and UCO Bank.In the Regional Rural Banks category, Jharkhand Rajya Gramin Bank topped with 288% achievement, while IDBI Bank achieved 156% of its target in the Major Private Bank category.
3. 21 May – National Anti-Terrorism Day: National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed every year on 21 May in India to spread awareness about the threat of terrorism and promote peace, unity, and harmony among citizens.The day commemorates the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 and reinforces the nation’s commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms.
4. Tata Semiconductor Plant in Assam: Tata Electronics’ semiconductor assembly and test facility is located at Jagiroad in Morigaon district of Assam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the commencement of the greenfield project on 13 March 2024. The project involves an investment of ₹27,000 crore, or about USD 3.6 billion. A semiconductor assembly and test facility carries out packaging, assembly, and testing of chips before their use in electronic systems. The Tata Electronics unit in Assam has been planned as a greenfield project, which means it is being developed on a new site rather than expanded from an existing plant. The facility is projected to produce up to 48 million semiconductor chips per day. The project is expected to generate more than 27,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Jagiroad is in Morigaon district, which is part of central Assam. Semiconductor projects in India are linked with the India Semiconductor Mission, which was approved in 2021 with a financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore.
5. Bihar Approves Direct Gaya-Bangkok Flight: Bihar approved a proposal on 20 May 2026 for direct international flights between Gaya and Bangkok. The Bihar cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, cleared the route for operation by InterGlobe Aviation Limited, which runs IndiGo Airlines. The service will run twice a week and will connect Gaya in Bihar with Bangkok in Thailand. InterGlobe Aviation Limited was selected as the sole bidder for the Gaya-Bangkok route. IndiGo Airlines will operate the bi-weekly service under the approved arrangement. Gaya Airport will handle the international connection, and Gaya will become the only town in Bihar with a regular direct international flight.
6. 12th-Century Hoysala Veeragallu Found in Karnataka: A 12th-century Veeragallu, or hero stone, from the reign of Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana was discovered in Maniyur village in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka, on May 21, 2026. Veeragallu are memorial stones found across parts of southern India and are associated with warriors, cattle defence, and local conflicts in the medieval period. Veeragallu are stone memorials erected in memory of people who died in battle, while protecting cattle, or during other acts of valour. Such stones are found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, and many examples belong to the Hoysala, Yadava, and Vijayanagara periods.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Exits Entire Stake in Microsoft After Selling $3.2 Billion Worth Shares in 2026: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has completely exited its investment in Microsoft after selling its remaining shares in Q1 2026.The foundation sold around 7.7 million Microsoft shares worth approximately $3.2 billion (about ₹26,500 crore), ending its long-standing equity holding in the company.Earlier, the foundation held nearly 28.5 million Microsoft shares before gradually reducing its stake over time, marking a significant shift in its investment portfolio.
2. UNDP Partners with Zambia to Adapt India’s eVIN Platform for Medicines Track and Trace System: The United Nations Development Programme and Zambia have launched a joint initiative in Lusaka to adapt India’s Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) for an Essential Medicines “Track and Trace” system.The eVIN platform, originally developed in India, is designed to improve vaccine logistics and ensure real-time visibility of stock levels across the supply chain.
The system enables real-time inventory management, temperature monitoring, and efficient distribution of medicines and vaccines to strengthen healthcare delivery.
3. 21 May – International Tea Day: International Tea Day is observed every year on 21 May to highlight the global importance of tea in culture, economy, and sustainable livelihoods.Theme 2026 – “Sustaining Tea, Supporting Communities” and “Fostering Growth and Inclusion”The day recognises the contribution of tea growers, workers, and small farmers, especially in major tea-producing countries like India, China, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.
4. 21 May – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed every year on 21 May to promote the value of cultural diversity and its role in strengthening peace and mutual understanding among nations.The day highlights the importance of dialogue between different cultures to support social cohesion, tolerance, and sustainable development worldwide.
5. UK Announces Free Bus Travel Scheme for Children in England: The UK government announced a free bus travel scheme for children in England on 20 May 2026. The measure is part of the “Great British Summer Savings” package and applies to participating local bus services during August 2026. The scheme allows children aged five to 15 in England to travel free on participating local buses. No registration is required, and the offer covers unlimited journeys at no cost to families. The scheme applies during the school holiday period in August 2026. The government has committed over £100 million for the free fares scheme and for continued support to bus services. The initiative is linked to cost-of-living support and is designed for use on local bus networks that join the scheme. The policy is administered in England under the UK government’s transport and family support framework.
6. India-Africa Forum Summit Postponed Over Ebola Outbreak: The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit was scheduled for New Delhi from 28 May to 31 May 2026. India and the African Union postponed the summit on 21 May 2026 because of an evolving public health situation in parts of Africa. The health situation refers to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The India-Africa Forum Summit is a diplomatic platform between India and African states. The first summit was held in 2008, and the third summit was held in New Delhi in 2015 after a delay from its original 2014 schedule. The summit process is linked to India’s engagement with the African Union and African regional priorities. Ebola virus disease is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever caused by viruses of the genus Ebolavirus. The disease spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or infected animals. The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, and no vaccine is currently available for this strain.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. DRDO Successfully Completes ULPGM-V3 Final Trials, Paving Way for Indigenous Missile Production: Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully completed final development trials of the ULPGM-V3 (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile), marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous defence capability.The trials were conducted in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool, demonstrating high precision strike capability, reliability, and operational effectiveness using an advanced integrated Ground Control System.For production, DRDO has partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence and Aerospace, with successful trials clearing the path for serial production of the system.
2. Indian Navy Launches Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel “Sanghmitra” at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata: Indian Navy launched Yard 3039 (Sanghmitra), a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata.The construction of 11 NGOPVs is being carried out simultaneously at two shipyards—Goa Shipyard Limited and GRSE Kolkata—strengthening India’s naval modernisation efforts.
SPORTS
1. Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 Held in Gujarat: The Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 was held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and organized by the Indian Weightlifting Federation, marking only the second time India has hosted the event since 1982.India finished third in the women’s team standings (487 points) and fifth in the men’s team standings (379 points), while China dominated both categories as well as the overall medal tally.India won a total of 10 medals (1 silver and 9 bronze), with Gyaneshwari Yadav securing the only silver in the women’s 53kg snatch event and Komal Kohar opening the medal account with bronze in the 48kg category.China topped the overall medal tally with 21 gold medals, while standout performers included Ri Sul (women’s best lifter, 63kg) and HE Yueji (men’s best lifter, 65kg).
2. India Appoints New Archery Coaches for Asian Games: India’s archery coaching set-up for the Asian Games and the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 includes foreign and Indian coaches for compound and recurve events. The Sports Authority of India centre at Sonepat is one of the main national training venues for archery in India. Former World No. 1 American Dave Cousins has been appointed as the head foreign coach for India’s compound archery team. He is expected to join the national camp at the Sports Authority of India centre in Sonepat, and his contract is set to continue until the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. His reported monthly salary is $12,000. Kisik Lee, a South Korean coach, has been linked with the recurve team for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. His reported financial terms include 22,000 for each seven-day coaching stint and a monthly retainer of 5,000. Baek Woong Ki, another South Korean coach, had earlier resigned after being denied accreditation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. New worm-eating snake species named after Mizoram herpetologist : Trachischium lalremsangai is a new worm-eating snake species described in the journal Herpetozoa on 19 May 2026. The species was named after Professor Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga of Mizoram University, and the type material was linked to specimens from Mizoram and Myanmar. Trachischium is a genus of slender snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus includes worm-eating snakes found in north-east India and the Himalayas, and Trachischium lalremsangai is the eleventh recognised species in the genus. The first specimen was found during an expedition to Murlen National Park in Mizoram near the India-Myanmar border. A second specimen, collected in 2007 from Chin State in Myanmar, was identified in September 2025 in the collections of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Announces $5 Billion Dollar-Rupee Swap Auction to Boost Banking Liquidity: Reserve Bank of India announced a $5 billion dollar-rupee buy/sell swap auction for a three-year tenor to inject durable liquidity into the banking system amid tight liquidity conditions.The swap auction, scheduled for May 26, aims to support the rupee, which has weakened beyond the 96-mark against the US dollar due to global uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and strong dollar demand.
Under the arrangement, banks will sell US dollars to the RBI and repurchase them after three years, allowing banks to receive immediate rupee liquidity without permanently impacting India’s foreign exchange reserves.
2. United Nations Cuts India’s 2026 Growth Forecast to 6.4% : The United Nations has lowered India’s economic growth forecast for 2026 to 6.4% from its earlier estimate of 6.6%, citing global economic uncertainties.According to the revised outlook released by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), India’s economy is projected to grow by 6.6% in 2027.
3. Mahindra & DBS Bank India launch sustainability-linked dealer financing programme: Mahindra & Mahindra and DBS Bank India signed an MoU to launch India’s first sustainability-linked dealer financing programme in the automotive sector.Under the initiative, authorised Mahindra dealers will receive preferential or lower interest rates on vehicle financing based on their environmental performance and sustainability practices.The programme will evaluate dealers on key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) parameters, promoting sustainable business operations across the automobile dealership network.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Rajasthan Receives World No Tobacco Day Award 2026 for Outstanding Tobacco Control Efforts: Rajasthan received the prestigious World No Tobacco Day Award 2026 from the World Health Organisation for its outstanding tobacco control initiatives during 2025-26 in the South-East Asia region.The honour reflects the state government’s strong commitment towards public health and its vision of creating a “Tobacco-Free Rajasthan”.Rajasthan has expanded tobacco cessation treatment and counselling services through more than 500 centres operating up to the block level, with geo-tagged digital access to help people easily locate nearby facilities.
2. PM Modi Receives Prestigious Agricola Medal from Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome: PM Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious Agricola Medal by the Food and Agriculture Organisation at its headquarters in Rome, Italy.The award was presented by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, and Prime Minister Modi dedicated the honour to India’s farmers, livestock rearers, fish farmers, agricultural scientists, and agricultural workers.The Agricola Medal is the highest honour conferred by the FAO Director-General and is awarded to global leaders for exceptional contributions to food security, sustainable agriculture, poverty reduction, and improved nutrition.
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