Current Affairs — 21 May 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 21 May 2026
Indian War Memorial inaugurated at Imjingak Park, Seoul, honouring Indian troops in the Korean War
On 21 May 2026 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korea's Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park, Seoul, honouring the 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India.
UMMID programme for rare genetic disorders dedicated to the nation
On 21 May 2026 Science Minister Dr Jitendra Singh dedicated the Department of Biotechnology's UMMID (Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders) programme for rare genetic disorders to the nation.
BRICS Justice Ministers adopt Gandhinagar declaration on strengthening mediation and arbitration
On 21 May 2026 BRICS Ministers of Justice meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, under India's Chairship adopted a Declaration on Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution through capacity building in mediation and arbitration.
Unincorporated establishments cross 9 crore; sector employment tops 15 crore (QBUSE, Jan–Mar 2026)
NSO's Quarterly Bulletin on Unincorporated Sector Enterprises, released on 21 May 2026, put the number of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments at 9.16 crore in January–March 2026, up 16.69% year-on-year, with employment crossing 15 crore for the first time.
Sports Ministry proposes criminalising organised doping; draft amendments open for comment till 18 June
On 21 May 2026 the Sports Ministry placed draft anti-doping law amendments for public consultation, proposing criminal action against doping traffickers, suppliers and syndicates while keeping athletes out of criminal prosecution for rule violations.
First International Big Cat Alliance Summit postponed along with Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit
On 21 May 2026 the Environment Ministry said the First International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, set for 1 June 2026 in New Delhi alongside the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit, will be held at a later date.
Goyal at AmCham summit: US industry commitments in India top $60 billion in six months
On 21 May 2026 Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told the American Chamber of Commerce's Annual Leadership Summit in New Delhi that American industry commitments in India over the last six months were estimated at upwards of $60 billion.
Gadkari reviews quality and maintenance of 11,672 km NH network in Uttar Pradesh
On 21 May 2026 Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari reviewed the quality and maintenance of 11,672 km of National Highway projects in Uttar Pradesh and ordered monsoon preparedness.
BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Working Group meeting concludes in Indore
The BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, concluded in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on 21 May 2026 after two days.
UPSC adds Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut as Civil Services Prelims centres; over 23,000 opt for them
UPSC said on 21 May 2026 that its three new Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 centres at Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut, which raise the total from 80 to 83, drew nearly 23,000 applicants.
DRI seizes about 3 lakh smuggled e-cigarettes worth over ₹120 crore
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said on 21 May 2026 it had seized nearly 3,00,000 China-sourced e-cigarettes worth over ₹120 crore at ports, airports and ICDs in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.
138th Offshore Security Coordination Committee meets in Ahmedabad under Coast Guard chief
On 21 May 2026 the 138th Offshore Security Coordination Committee met in Ahmedabad under Indian Coast Guard Director General Paramesh Sivamani to review security of offshore installations and energy infrastructure.