Current Affairs Quiz — 21 May 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In how many polling stations of the Falta Assembly constituency was a fresh poll held on 21 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — All 285
The fresh poll was held in all 285 polling stations of 144-Falta, including auxiliary polling stations.
The Falta Assembly constituency, where a full repoll was held in May 2026, is in which district of West Bengal?
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Correct answer: B — South 24 Parganas
Falta (AC 144) is in South 24 Parganas district.
Consider the following statements about the Falta repoll of 21 May 2026: 1. As per ECI's final statistical report, the turnout was 89.09%. 2. The repoll was held because the original poll in Phase I on 23 April was countermanded. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Falta voted in Phase II on 29 April, and that poll was countermanded.
Where was the Indian War Memorial, honouring Indian troops of the Korean War, inaugurated on 21 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Imjingak Park, Seoul
Rajnath Singh and Kwon Oh-eul jointly inaugurated the memorial at Imjingak Park, Seoul.
By what title did wounded soldiers and civilians in Korea remember the Indian Army's 60 Para Field Ambulance?
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Correct answer: D — Maroon Angels
The unit's bravery and humanitarian approach earned it the title 'Maroon Angels' from wounded soldiers and civilians of the Republic of Korea.
'Hind Nagar', set up by the Custodian Force of India in September 1954 where the new memorial stands, housed almost how many prisoners of war?
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Correct answer: C — 22,000
PIB: Hind Nagar housed almost 22,000 prisoners of war until their peaceful repatriation.
Consider the following statements about the Indian War Memorial in Seoul (May 2026): 1. The Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission after the Korean War was chaired by India under Lt Gen KS Thimayya. 2. The memorial was built with funding support from India's Ministry of Defence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are in the PIB release: India chaired the NNRC under Lt Gen KS Thimayya, and the project had funding support from the Ministry of Defence.
What does UMMID, the programme for rare genetic disorders dedicated to the nation in May 2026, stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders
PIB: UMMID stands for Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders.
Which department runs the UMMID programme for inherited and rare genetic disorders?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Biotechnology
The dedication was organised by the Department of Biotechnology, which runs the UMMID network.
Where did BRICS Ministers of Justice adopt the Declaration on strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution on 21 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Gandhinagar
The Declaration was adopted at the Ministers of Justice meeting held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Consider the following statements about the BRICS Justice Ministers' meeting (May 2026): 1. Justice Ministers of Indonesia and Ethiopia were among the participants. 2. The Declaration was finalised at a Senior Officials' Meeting held in Gandhinagar on 19–20 May 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Ministers from ten countries, including Indonesia and Ethiopia, took part, and senior officials finalised the Declaration in Gandhinagar on 19–20 May.
As per NSO's QBUSE for January–March 2026, the estimated number of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments was:
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Correct answer: C — 9.16 crore
Establishments rose to 9.16 crore from 7.85 crore in the same quarter a year earlier, a 16.69% increase.
Consider the following statements based on the QBUSE for January–March 2026: 1. Employment in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector crossed 15 crore for the first time. 2. Urban establishments grew faster than rural establishments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Employment reached 15.17 crore, crossing 15 crore for the first time. Rural growth (20.46%) was faster than urban (12.59%), so statement 2 is wrong.
What share of total employment in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector did women account for in January–March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — More than 29%
The women workforce constituted more than 29% of total employment in the sector.
By what date were stakeholders invited to comment on the Sports Ministry's proposed amendments to criminalise organised doping (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — 18 June 2026
Comments and suggestions were invited during the public consultation by 18 June 2026.
Consider the following statements about the proposed anti-doping amendments (May 2026): 1. Athletes not involved in offences such as trafficking will not be criminalised merely for anti-doping rule violations or positive tests. 2. The proposals are aligned with India's commitments under the UNESCO Convention against doping in sport. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are stated: athletes remain outside criminal prosecution for rule violations alone, and the measures align with the UNESCO Convention and the WADA approach.
The proposed Indian anti-doping amendments of May 2026 are stated to be aligned with which international instrument?
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Correct answer: A — UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport
The Ministry said the measures are aligned with India's commitments under the UNESCO Convention against doping in sport and consistent with the WADA approach.
The First International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, postponed in May 2026, was originally scheduled for:
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Correct answer: B — 1 June 2026, New Delhi
The Summit was scheduled for 1 June 2026 in New Delhi, in conjunction with the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit.
Consider the following statements: 1. The First IBCA Summit was to be held in Kolkata. 2. The decision to hold the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit later was taken by India alone, without consulting the African Union. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
The IBCA Summit was to be held in New Delhi, and the IAFS-IV decision was taken in consultation with the African Union Chairperson and the AU Commission. Both statements are wrong.
According to Piyush Goyal at the AmCham Annual Leadership Summit (21 May 2026), commitments from American industry in India over the last six months were estimated at upwards of:
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Correct answer: C — $60 billion
Goyal said commitments from American industry in the last six months were estimated to be upwards of $60 billion, including data centre investments by Amazon and Google.
On 21 May 2026 Nitin Gadkari reviewed the quality and maintenance of how many km of National Highway projects in Uttar Pradesh?
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Correct answer: C — 11,672 km
Gadkari reviewed the quality and maintenance progress of 11,672 km of NH projects in Uttar Pradesh.
In which city did the BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting under India's BRICS Chairship conclude on 21 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Indore
The meeting concluded in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, after two days of discussions.
Which Union Minister attended the BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting in Indore virtually?
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Correct answer: B — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya attended virtually; MoS Raksha Nikhil Khadse and MP Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang attended in person.
Which three new centres did UPSC add for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut
UPSC introduced new centres at Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut, raising the total from 80 to 83.
Which of the new UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026 centres received the most applications?
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Correct answer: D — Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar received 10,656 applications, Kanpur 6,938 and Meerut 5,902; Ghaziabad is an existing centre.
From which country were the nearly 3 lakh e-cigarettes seized by the DRI in May 2026 sourced?
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Correct answer: D — China
The DRI found the prohibited e-cigarettes were sourced from China in every instance.
In which year was the law prohibiting the production, import, sale and advertisement of electronic cigarettes in India enacted?
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Correct answer: B — 2019
E-cigarettes and all ENDS are prohibited under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (...) Act, 2019.
Consider the following statements about the DRI's e-cigarette seizure (May 2026): 1. The seizures were made in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana. 2. The consignments were concealed in items declared as 'Furniture' and 'Metal Chair Parts'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The seizures were in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal, so statement 1 is wrong; the goods were concealed as 'Furniture' and 'Metal Chair Parts'.
Who chaired the 138th Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) meeting held in Ahmedabad on 21 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Director General, Indian Coast Guard
The 138th OSCC met under the chairpersonship of DG Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani.
Expanding offshore exploration activities in which region were discussed at the 138th OSCC meeting (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: D — Andaman & Nicobar region
Deliberations included the expanding offshore exploration activities in the Andaman & Nicobar region.