Daily GK Update- 24th May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NISM and IICA sign Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen corporate governance and ESG ecosystem : NISM and IICA signed an MoU in Mumbai to strengthen corporate governance, ESG frameworks, and India’s capital markets. The partnership will focus on capacity building, research, policy development, and training, including jointly designed certification courses, executive education modules, and specialised programmes for SEBI officials and financial sector professionals.The collaboration also aims to improve MSME access to capital markets, enhance sustainability disclosures, strengthen investor education, and promote evidence-based regulatory research for a more transparent financial ecosystem.

 

2. ICRA Cuts India’s FY2026-27 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.2% Amid Rising Crude Oil Prices : Rating agency ICRA has projected India’s GDP growth at 6.2% for the Financial Year 2026–27, lower than its earlier estimate of 6.5%.The downward revision in GDP growth forecast is mainly attributed to elevated crude oil prices caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis.

 

3. Oil Palm Productivity and India’s Edible Oil Future : The NMEO-OP aims to bring 6.5 lakh hectares under oil palm cultivation by 2025-26 and 10 lakh hectares in the longer term. By November 2025, India had covered 6.20 lakh hectares under oil palm. CPO production in India increased from 1.91 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to 3.80 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. The production target is 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26 and 28 lakh tonnes by 2029-30. India launched the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in 2021 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 11,040 crore. The mission covers oil palm cultivation, crude palm oil (CPO) production, and edible oilseed availability in India.

 

4. Hazaribag Site Reveals 3,200-Year-Old Settlement: The archaeological site in Hazaribag district of Jharkhand has yielded evidence of a layered settlement in the Mohane river basin in Chauparan block. The site includes villages such as Dehar, Sohra, Mangarh, and Hathinder, where artefacts have been recovered during farming and foundation digging. Archaeological remains from the site have been linked to a settlement dating back nearly 3,200 years. The evidence spans multiple historical periods and includes habitation layers, debris zones, and buried structures. Samples of Northern Black Polished Ware, a black-glazed pottery associated with the early historic period in South Asia, have been collected from the site. The site has also produced statues of Gautam Buddha, Tara, Marichi, Avalokiteshvara, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and Ganesha.

 

5. Delhi High Court Allows Vinesh Phogat in Asian Games Trials: On 22 May 2026, the Delhi High Court allowed Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat to take part in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026. The trials are scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026, and the case involved eligibility rules issued by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The WFI introduced revised eligibility criteria in 2026 for the Asian Games trials. Under the new rule, only reigning national champions from the previous season were eligible for the trials. Vinesh Phogat was declared ineligible under this criterion because she had been on a maternity break since December 2024. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela heard the appeal against a 18 May 2026 order of a single-judge bench. The court ordered that the selection trials be video-recorded and that two independent observers be nominated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association.

 

6. CAFE III and ADAS Norms to Shape Auto-Component Growth: India’s third phase of Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE III) norms is scheduled from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032. The norms are framed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and apply to M1 category passenger vehicles with seating capacity of up to nine persons and a gross vehicle weight of up to 3,500 kg. The heavy vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) mandate is linked to new models from 1 April 2026 and to existing production models from 1 October 2026. CAFE norms are fuel-efficiency regulations for vehicle fleets, and they are used to limit average carbon dioxide emissions from passenger vehicles. Under CAFE III, automakers are required to reduce average fleet emissions from about 113 g/km at the end of CAFE-II in FY27 to 78.9 g/km by FY32. The framework is designed for energy-efficient vehicles and lower crude oil dependence.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Everest Sets New Record: 274 Climbers Summit in a Day, Three Indians Included : A total of 274 climbers successfully summited Mount Everest from the Nepal side, setting a new world record for the highest number of ascents in a single day.Among them, three Indian mountaineers — Tulasi Reddi Palpunoori, Sandeep Are, and Ajay Pal Singh Dhaliwal — were part of the record-setting Everest expedition.

 

2. India Sends Largest Business Delegation to Canada: India sent its largest-ever business and investment delegation to Canada for trade talks from 25 May to 27 May 2026. The delegation is led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and includes more than 100 senior business representatives from multiple sectors. The delegation includes representatives from energy, infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, investment, innovation, mining, automotive, and aerospace. Some accounts place the size of the delegation at about 150 Indian industry leaders. The visit covers Ottawa and Toronto in Canada. The main agenda of the visit is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and Canada. The talks also focus on business linkages between Indian and Canadian firms. India and Canada have set a target of doubling bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030.

 

3. Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Italy on May 19-20, 2026: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Italy from May 19 to 20, 2026, at the invitation of Giorgia Meloni, the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic. This visit marked the culmination of PM Modi’s 5-nation tour which included: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway from May 15 to May 20, 2026.During his visit to Italy, PM Modi held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Meloni  in Rome, Italy. During the meeting, leaders of both countries reviewed the progress made in bilateral cooperation across all segments of the Joint Strategic ActionDuring his visit to Italy, PM Narendra Modi was honoured with the Agricola Medal, the highest honour of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), by its Director-General(DG) Qu Dongyu at the organisation’s headquarters in Rome.

 

4. India Among Largest New Carbon Markets; Global Carbon Pricing Covers 29% of Emissions : World Bank Report: The report showed that  annual revenues from emissions trading systems and carbon taxes  have tripled over the last decade i.e. increasing from less than USD 30 billion (in 2016) to over USD107 billion (in 2025). The report highlighted that globally, the direct carbon prices have increased 7% compared to last year’s report and have nearly doubled over the last 10 years  i.e.  from USD10 per tCO2e (in 2016) to nearly USD21/tCO2e (in 2026) The report further highlighted that if all carbon pricing policies under development are implemented by 2030, then, nearly1/3rd (33.33%)of global GHG emissions could come under carbon pricing systems.

 

5. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2026 – May 21: The United Nations (UN) annually observes the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on 21 May to promote cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development. In November 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognising cultural diversity as the “common heritage of humanity” and emphasising its role in development. On 20 December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/57/249, proclaiming 21 May as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. MoD Likely to Issue AMCA Manufacturing RFP Soon : The Ministry of Defence is expected to issue a Request for Proposal for the manufacturing of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft by June 2026. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, is India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth, multirole combat aircraft programme for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. Three private sector-led industrial groups have been pre-selected for the manufacturing contract. Tata Advanced Systems Limited will bid independently, a Larsen & Toubro–Bharat Electronics Limited consortium will bid jointly, and a consortium led by Bharat Forge with BEML and Data Patterns will also participate. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was excluded from the shortlist for the prototype development phase in February 2026.

2. India, US Hold Talks on Defence, Trade, Technology: India and the United States held high-level talks in New Delhi in May 2026 on defence, trade, strategic technology, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, nuclear cooperation, counter-terrorism, and the Indo-Pacific. The discussions involved US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership covers defence, security, trade, energy, technology, and regional cooperation. The TRUST initiative, or Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology, was launched in February 2025 as an upgrade of the earlier iCET, or Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Dev Meena, Kuldeep Kumar set national pole vault record : Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar set a joint men’s national pole vault record of 5.45 metres on 24 May 2026 at the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi. The mark was achieved during the Federation Cup 2026, where the national record was broken twice in quick succession. The previous Indian men’s pole vault record stood at 5.41 metres and belonged to Kuldeep Kumar before the Ranchi competition. Dev Meena first improved the record to 5.42 metres, and Kuldeep Kumar later cleared 5.45 metres to regain the record. Both athletes met the qualification mark for the 2026 Asian Games with their 5.45-metre clearance. Their performance also exceeded the Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 5.25 metres for the 2026 edition. On 2 May 2026, Kuldeep Kumar set a national record of 5.41 metres at the 1st Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault competition in Bhubaneswar. He had earlier surpassed Dev Meena’s 5.40-metre mark at that event.

 

2. Gurindervir Singh Sets Men’s 100m National Record: Gurindervir Singh set the men’s 100 metres national record at 10.09 seconds on 23 May 2026 at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi. He became the first Indian athlete to officially run below the 10.10-second mark in the men’s 100 metres event. The 100 metres is a standard sprint event in track and field, and it is run on a straight or curved track depending on the stadium layout. In India, the men’s national record in the event has been revised multiple times at senior-level competitions, including the Federation Cup Athletics Championships. Gurindervir Singh first improved the record on 22 May 2026 with 10.17 seconds in the semifinal heats. Animesh Kujur then clocked 10.15 seconds in the next semifinal to reclaim the record before Gurindervir Singh ran 10.09 seconds in the final on 23 May 2026.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. China Plans Chang’e-7 Lunar Mission for South Pole Research: China’s Chang’e-7 lunar exploration mission is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2026. The mission will study the Moon’s south pole through environmental and resource surveys, with a focus on permanently shadowed regions and possible water ice deposits. Chang’e-7 will use an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a small hopping spacecraft. The mission is designed for high-precision landing with an accuracy of better than 100 metres. The rim of Shackleton crater is a preferred landing site for the mission. The mission will search for water ice and other volatiles in permanently shadowed regions near the lunar south pole. It will also assess the area for a future research base. Chang’e-7 carries 18 science payloads, including instruments built with international partners such as the Egyptian Space Agency and the Bahrain National Space Science Agency.

 

2. Scientists Discover Fuel-Saving Earth-to-Moon Route: An international team of scientists published research in April 2026 in the journal Astrodynamics on a fuel-saving Earth-to-Moon trajectory. The study involved researchers from the University of São Paulo in Brazil and the University of Coimbra in Portugal. The lead author was Allan Kardec de Almeida Júnior, and Vitor Martins de Oliveira was a co-author. The route uses gravitational effects from Earth and the Moon and follows pathways linked to the Interplanetary Transportation Network. The path approaches the Moon from its far side and uses routes around the L1 Lagrange point, which lies between Earth and the Moon. Low-energy transfers of this type have been used in missions such as the Japanese Hiten probe in 1991 and NASA’s GRAIL mission.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Rekha Gupta Launches ‘Hauslon Ki Udaan 2026-27’ Talent Hunt Scheme in Delhi : Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launched the “Talent Hunt Scheme – Hauslon Ki Udaan 2026-27” to identify and nurture young talent across Delhi.The scheme will provide a platform for participants to showcase skills in Classical Music, Folk Music, Classical Dance, Folk Dance, Contemporary Dance, Fine Arts, Sculpture, Pottery, and Theatre.

 

2. Bharat Tex 2026 to Showcase India’s Textile Strength with AI-Powered Innovation : India’s flagship global textile event, Bharat Tex 2026, will be held in New Delhi from 14th to 17th July, showcasing India’s textile strength, sustainability initiatives, recycling capabilities, and advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).Textile Secretary Neelam Shami Rao launched the Bharat Tex Mobile App, featuring AI-enabled search to help buyers and exhibitors easily find products, suppliers, and stall locations.The Bharat Tex App will act as a unified digital platform for exhibitors, buyers, delegates, and partners, while the expo will also feature a dedicated AI Zone for textile manufacturers; over 72 countries have already registered for the event.

 

3. Eight Core Industries Growth Rises to 1.7% in April 2026 Led by Cement and Steel Output : The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a growth of 1.7% in April 2026 on a year-on-year basis, improving from the revised growth rate of 1.2% in March, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.Among the major sectors, cement production registered the highest growth at 9.4%, followed by steel production at 6.2% and electricity generation at 4.1% during April 2026.Several sectors witnessed a decline in output, including coal production (-8.7%), fertiliser production (-8.6%), natural gas (-4.3%), crude oil (-3.9%), and petroleum refinery products (-0.5%); the eight core industries together account for over 40% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Violinist N Rajam to Receive Padma Vibhushan: N Rajam, a violinist associated with Hindustani classical music, has been named for the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. The award is conferred by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan and is announced in the Republic Day honours list. The Padma awards are civilian honours of the Government of India and are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day. The three Padma categories are Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. N Rajam is known for developing Gayaki Ang on the violin, a style that reproduces the tonal movement and ornamentation of the human voice. She was born in Chennai in 1938 and began her musical training in Carnatic music before moving to Hindustani music.

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Launches Chenab Hydropower Projects Amid Indus Treaty Freeze: India has started work on two infrastructure projects linked to the Chenab river system with an estimated cost of nearly ₹2,600 crore. The projects include the ₹2,352 crore Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh and the ₹268 crore sediment-bypass tunnel at the Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir. India has fast-tracked four major Chenab hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakal Dul has a planned capacity of 1,000 MW, Kiru has 624 MW, Kwar has 540 MW, and Ratle has 850 MW. The Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab has a planned capacity of 1,856 MW and an estimated cost of ₹5,129 crore. The Dulhasti Stage-II project on the Chenab has a planned capacity of 260 MW and an estimated cost of ₹3,277.45 crore.

 

2. India’s Death Rate Stays Above Pre-Covid Level: The 2024 Sample Registration System report of the Office of the Registrar General of India records a crude death rate of 6.4 deaths per thousand population and a total fertility rate of 1.9 children per woman. The report places the crude death rate above the 2019 and 2020 level of 6 and keeps the total fertility rate below the replacement level of 2.1 for the fifth consecutive year. The Sample Registration System is a large-scale demographic survey system used in India to estimate birth rates, death rates, infant mortality, and fertility indicators. The Office of the Registrar General of India publishes the annual Sample Registration System report for population statistics.

 

3. FSSAI Plans Centralised Food Surveillance System: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning a centralised food surveillance system for market sampling, laboratory testing, and digital alert generation. The proposed framework places surveillance sampling under a national mechanism, uses third-party agencies for sample collection, and links test results to a central database for faster regulatory action. Under the proposed system, neutral third-party agencies selected through bidding will buy food samples from the market for surveillance testing. Approved laboratories will upload results to a national database, and unsafe findings will trigger digital alerts with batch numbers to the concerned state food safety commissioner. The new rules require 50% of surveillance samples to come from large organised supply chains. FSSAI headquarters will pay laboratories directly under the proposed arrangement.

 

4. India Launches Operation Ragepill Against Captagon Network: On 16 May 2026, the Narcotics Control Bureau announced Operation Ragepill, which led to the dismantling of an international syndicate involved in Captagon trafficking. The operation resulted in India’s first seizure of about 227.7 kg of Captagon tablets and powder, with an estimated illicit market value of ₹182 crore. Captagon is a synthetic stimulant linked to fenetylline and amphetamine. It has been abused in West Asia and the Middle East, and it is classified as a psychostimulant drug. The substance has been associated with illicit trafficking networks across West Asia, North Africa, and parts of Europe. One Syrian national, Alabras Ahmad, was arrested in connection with the syndicate. He entered India on a tourist visa on 15 November 2024 and remained in the country after the visa expired on 12 January 2025. Overstaying a visa is an immigration violation under Indian law.

 

5. Karnataka to establish 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools: Karnataka plans to establish 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools from 1 June 2026, with the project launch scheduled in Shivamogga. The schools are planned under the School Education Department and the Minorities Department, and the model includes classes from Lower Kindergarten to II Pre-University Course in Kannada and English mediums. The project cost is estimated at Rs 3,900 crore over three years. Funding is planned from the Asian Development Bank for 500 schools, the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board for 200 schools, and Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation funds for 100 schools. The state has planned 800 schools under the School Education Department and 200 schools under the Minorities Department. Officials have been asked to begin the tender process for the 800 schools and complete the schools within two years.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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. 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 – 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.

 

4. India Postpones First International Big Cat Alliance Summit: India postponed the first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit in New Delhi on 21 May 2026. The summit had been scheduled for 1 June or 1–2 June 2026 and was linked with the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit. The International Big Cat Alliance is a multilateral initiative for the conservation of big cats. It was formally established on 12 March 2024 and has 25 member countries and five observer nations. The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, also called IAFS IV, was deferred along with the IBCA Summit. The two meetings were planned together because several African countries are partners in big cat conservation efforts.

 

5. India to Host Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi: India will host the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 26 May 2026. The meeting will be held at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and will bring together the foreign ministers of Australia, Japan and the United States. The Quad is a diplomatic grouping of four countries: India, Australia, Japan and the United States. The grouping is associated with cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and with the concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. The ministers are expected to review existing Quad initiatives and discuss regional and global developments of mutual concern. The listed areas of cooperation include maritime security, resilient supply chains, infrastructure development, critical and emerging technologies, climate action, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

 

6. India Records 97 of World’s 100 Hottest Cities: India recorded 97 of the world’s 100 hottest cities on 22 May 2026 during a heatwave across northern, central and eastern India. Balangir in Odisha touched 48°C, while Sasaram in Bihar also reached 48°C and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh recorded 47°C. A heatwave is a period of abnormally high temperature that lasts for several days and is classified in India by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) using temperature thresholds and departure from normal conditions. The IMD uses terms such as heatwave, severe heatwave and extreme heat conditions for weather alerts in different regions. The IMD forecast heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across large parts of northern and eastern India until 27 May 2026. The affected belt included states in northern, central and eastern India, where daytime temperatures remained above seasonal norms in several districts.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. 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.

 

2. Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Indian War Memorial in Seoul : Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park near Seoul on 21 May 2026. The memorial marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and commemorates the service of the 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India. During the ceremony, both ministers laid wreaths and paid homage to Indian personnel. They also signed a memorandum of understanding for honouring Korean War veterans and for exchanges related to veterans’ remembrance. The memorial project was funded by India’s Ministry of Defence. The event formed part of Rajnath Singh’s four-day visit to Vietnam and South Korea.

 

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).

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Odisha Mandates Electric Vehicles for Government Use: Odisha made the purchase of electric vehicles mandatory for new two-wheelers and four-wheelers used by the state government from 1 June 2026. The directive also applies to four-wheelers hired for official government work from the same date. The state order was issued on 21 May 2026 by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi as part of an eight-point plan. Petrol and diesel vehicles can be purchased only under special circumstances or specific requirements. Senior officers allotted official vehicles in Odisha must carpool, and fuel allocation for such vehicles will be reduced by half. All government departments in Odisha have been directed to ensure at least a 10% reduction in monthly fuel consumption for government vehicles.

 

2. IN-SPACe Offers Full PSLV Technology Transfer: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has offered full technology transfer of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to Indian industry. The offer comes before the first PSLV built under an earlier private-sector contract has completed its launch, and it is linked to India’s launch vehicle industrialisation framework. IN-SPACe has stated that the PSLV transfer is intended to enable Indian industry to realise, operate, and commercialise PSLV launches in the global medium-lift satellite market. ISRO will provide infrastructural and hand-holding support for 30 months or until two PSLV vehicles are realised and launched by the selected party, whichever is earlier. The Expression of Interest is open to Indian-owned non-government entities with at least seven years of operations and five years of space or aerospace experience. Eligible entities must also have either an average turnover above ₹400 crore or a valuation exceeding ₹1,000 crore.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. 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.

 

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.

 

Daily GK Update- 22nd May, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Launches Chenab Hydropower Projects Amid Indus Treaty Freeze: India has started work on two infrastructure projects linked to the Chenab river system with an estimated cost of nearly ₹2,600 crore. The projects include the ₹2,352 crore Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh and the ₹268 crore sediment-bypass tunnel at the Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir. India has fast-tracked four major Chenab hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakal Dul has a planned capacity of 1,000 MW, Kiru has 624 MW, Kwar has 540 MW, and Ratle has 850 MW. The Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab has a planned capacity of 1,856 MW and an estimated cost of ₹5,129 crore. The Dulhasti Stage-II project on the Chenab has a planned capacity of 260 MW and an estimated cost of ₹3,277.45 crore.

 

2. India’s Death Rate Stays Above Pre-Covid Level: The 2024 Sample Registration System report of the Office of the Registrar General of India records a crude death rate of 6.4 deaths per thousand population and a total fertility rate of 1.9 children per woman. The report places the crude death rate above the 2019 and 2020 level of 6 and keeps the total fertility rate below the replacement level of 2.1 for the fifth consecutive year. The Sample Registration System is a large-scale demographic survey system used in India to estimate birth rates, death rates, infant mortality, and fertility indicators. The Office of the Registrar General of India publishes the annual Sample Registration System report for population statistics.

 

3. FSSAI Plans Centralised Food Surveillance System: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning a centralised food surveillance system for market sampling, laboratory testing, and digital alert generation. The proposed framework places surveillance sampling under a national mechanism, uses third-party agencies for sample collection, and links test results to a central database for faster regulatory action. Under the proposed system, neutral third-party agencies selected through bidding will buy food samples from the market for surveillance testing. Approved laboratories will upload results to a national database, and unsafe findings will trigger digital alerts with batch numbers to the concerned state food safety commissioner. The new rules require 50% of surveillance samples to come from large organised supply chains. FSSAI headquarters will pay laboratories directly under the proposed arrangement.

 

4. India Launches Operation Ragepill Against Captagon Network: On 16 May 2026, the Narcotics Control Bureau announced Operation Ragepill, which led to the dismantling of an international syndicate involved in Captagon trafficking. The operation resulted in India’s first seizure of about 227.7 kg of Captagon tablets and powder, with an estimated illicit market value of ₹182 crore. Captagon is a synthetic stimulant linked to fenetylline and amphetamine. It has been abused in West Asia and the Middle East, and it is classified as a psychostimulant drug. The substance has been associated with illicit trafficking networks across West Asia, North Africa, and parts of Europe. One Syrian national, Alabras Ahmad, was arrested in connection with the syndicate. He entered India on a tourist visa on 15 November 2024 and remained in the country after the visa expired on 12 January 2025. Overstaying a visa is an immigration violation under Indian law.

 

5. Karnataka to establish 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools: Karnataka plans to establish 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools from 1 June 2026, with the project launch scheduled in Shivamogga. The schools are planned under the School Education Department and the Minorities Department, and the model includes classes from Lower Kindergarten to II Pre-University Course in Kannada and English mediums. The project cost is estimated at Rs 3,900 crore over three years. Funding is planned from the Asian Development Bank for 500 schools, the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board for 200 schools, and Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation funds for 100 schools. The state has planned 800 schools under the School Education Department and 200 schools under the Minorities Department. Officials have been asked to begin the tender process for the 800 schools and complete the schools within two years.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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. 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 – 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.

 

4. India Postpones First International Big Cat Alliance Summit: India postponed the first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit in New Delhi on 21 May 2026. The summit had been scheduled for 1 June or 1–2 June 2026 and was linked with the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit. The International Big Cat Alliance is a multilateral initiative for the conservation of big cats. It was formally established on 12 March 2024 and has 25 member countries and five observer nations. The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, also called IAFS IV, was deferred along with the IBCA Summit. The two meetings were planned together because several African countries are partners in big cat conservation efforts.

 

5. India to Host Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi: India will host the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 26 May 2026. The meeting will be held at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and will bring together the foreign ministers of Australia, Japan and the United States. The Quad is a diplomatic grouping of four countries: India, Australia, Japan and the United States. The grouping is associated with cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and with the concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. The ministers are expected to review existing Quad initiatives and discuss regional and global developments of mutual concern. The listed areas of cooperation include maritime security, resilient supply chains, infrastructure development, critical and emerging technologies, climate action, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

 

6. India Records 97 of World’s 100 Hottest Cities: India recorded 97 of the world’s 100 hottest cities on 22 May 2026 during a heatwave across northern, central and eastern India. Balangir in Odisha touched 48°C, while Sasaram in Bihar also reached 48°C and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh recorded 47°C. A heatwave is a period of abnormally high temperature that lasts for several days and is classified in India by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) using temperature thresholds and departure from normal conditions. The IMD uses terms such as heatwave, severe heatwave and extreme heat conditions for weather alerts in different regions. The IMD forecast heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across large parts of northern and eastern India until 27 May 2026. The affected belt included states in northern, central and eastern India, where daytime temperatures remained above seasonal norms in several districts.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. 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.

 

2. Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Indian War Memorial in Seoul : Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park near Seoul on 21 May 2026. The memorial marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and commemorates the service of the 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India. During the ceremony, both ministers laid wreaths and paid homage to Indian personnel. They also signed a memorandum of understanding for honouring Korean War veterans and for exchanges related to veterans’ remembrance. The memorial project was funded by India’s Ministry of Defence. The event formed part of Rajnath Singh’s four-day visit to Vietnam and South Korea.

 

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).

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Odisha Mandates Electric Vehicles for Government Use: Odisha made the purchase of electric vehicles mandatory for new two-wheelers and four-wheelers used by the state government from 1 June 2026. The directive also applies to four-wheelers hired for official government work from the same date. The state order was issued on 21 May 2026 by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi as part of an eight-point plan. Petrol and diesel vehicles can be purchased only under special circumstances or specific requirements. Senior officers allotted official vehicles in Odisha must carpool, and fuel allocation for such vehicles will be reduced by half. All government departments in Odisha have been directed to ensure at least a 10% reduction in monthly fuel consumption for government vehicles.

 

2. IN-SPACe Offers Full PSLV Technology Transfer: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has offered full technology transfer of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to Indian industry. The offer comes before the first PSLV built under an earlier private-sector contract has completed its launch, and it is linked to India’s launch vehicle industrialisation framework. IN-SPACe has stated that the PSLV transfer is intended to enable Indian industry to realise, operate, and commercialise PSLV launches in the global medium-lift satellite market. ISRO will provide infrastructural and hand-holding support for 30 months or until two PSLV vehicles are realised and launched by the selected party, whichever is earlier. The Expression of Interest is open to Indian-owned non-government entities with at least seven years of operations and five years of space or aerospace experience. Eligible entities must also have either an average turnover above ₹400 crore or a valuation exceeding ₹1,000 crore.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. 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.

 

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.

 

Daily GK Update- 21st May, 2026

 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.