Current Affairs — May 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 14 May 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calls on PM Modi; reviews progress since 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit
On 14 May 2026 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on PM Narendra Modi and briefed him on bilateral progress since the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit of December 2025.
14-day Sacred Exposition of Holy Relics of Tathāgata in Ladakh concludes; over 1.18 lakh devotees
On 14 May 2026 the 14-day Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathāgata in Ladakh concluded at the Dharma Centre, Choglamsar, Leh, after more than 1.18 lakh devotees paid obeisance.
ITU Council accepts India's proposal to host ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2030
The ITU Council 2026 in Geneva (28 April–8 May) accepted India's proposal to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in 2030 (PP-2030), likely to be approved at PP-2026 in Doha in November 2026, DoT said on 14 May.
TDB backs Hyderabad's Helix Cell Therapeutics for dual-target CAR-T therapy against multiple myeloma
On 14 May 2026 the Technology Development Board (DST) said it has signed an agreement with Helix Cell Therapeutics, Hyderabad, to develop a dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma under an Indo-Singapore collaboration.
India–Africa Business Dialogue curtain raiser ahead of 4th India-Africa Forum Summit; trade at US$93.69 billion in 2025-26
On 13 May 2026 Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held the curtain raiser for the India-Africa Business Dialogue & Exhibition, to be held alongside the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit, noting India–Africa trade of US$93.69 billion in 2025-26.
India becomes Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board for 2026–2028
India has been nominated Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB), the technical core of the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement, from April 2026 to April 2028, MeitY said on 14 May 2026.
EU includes India in revised draft list for continued aquaculture exports from September 2026
On 12 May 2026 the European Union included India in its revised draft list of countries allowed to keep exporting aquaculture products to the EU from September 2026, reversing an omission in Regulation (EU) 2024/2598.
Wed, 13 May 2026
N. Rangasamy sworn in as Puducherry Chief Minister for a record fifth term
On 13 May 2026 Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan administered the oath to All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) leader N. Rangasamy as Chief Minister of Puducherry for a fifth term at Lok Nivas, heading an NDA government that won 18 of 30 seats.
Cabinet approves ₹37,500-crore scheme to promote surface coal and lignite gasification
On 13 May 2026 the Union Cabinet approved a ₹37,500-crore Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects, aiming to gasify about 75 million tonnes of coal/lignite and attract ₹2.5–3 lakh crore of investment.
MoU for India's first mega greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi with Korea's HD KSOE; 2.5 million GT capacity
The Ports Ministry said on 13 May 2026 that HD KSOE, NSHIP-TN and Sagarmala Finance Corporation signed an MoU on 20 April 2026 for India's first mega greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, with 2.5 million GT annual capacity.
Cabinet approves Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera line, Indian Railways' first semi high-speed project
On 13 May 2026 the CCEA approved the ₹20,667-crore Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line, Indian Railways' first semi high-speed project, adding about 134 km by 2030-31.
Cabinet raises MSP for 14 kharif crops for 2026-27; paddy (common) at ₹2,441 per quintal
On 13 May 2026 the CCEA approved higher MSPs for 14 kharif crops for marketing season 2026-27, with paddy (common) at ₹2,441 per quintal and the biggest rise for sunflower seed (₹622).
Smithsonian returns three Tamil Nadu temple bronzes, including a Chola Shiva Nataraja of c. 990 CE
On 13 May 2026 Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the repatriation of three Tamil Nadu temple bronzes — a Chola Shiva Nataraja (c. 990 CE), a 12th-century Somaskanda and a 16th-century Saint Sundarar with Paravai — from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art.
₹401.50 crore released as first instalment for 2026-27 under the court infrastructure scheme
On 13 May 2026 Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal released ₹401.50 crore as the first instalment of mother sanction for 2026-27 under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for infrastructure of district and subordinate courts.
Cabinet clears way for GMR to run Nagpur airport under PPP by extending AAI land lease to MIHAN India Ltd
On 13 May 2026 the Union Cabinet extended the lease of AAI land to MIHAN India Ltd beyond 6 August 2039 so that Nagpur airport can be licensed to GMR Nagpur International Airport Ltd for 30 years under PPP.
₹189.79-crore Mizoram Ginger Mission launched by DoNER Minister Scindia and CM Lalduhoma
On 13 May 2026 DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Mizoram CM Lalduhoma launched the ₹189.79-crore Mizoram Ginger Mission for ginger cultivation and value-chain development using the state's GI-certified, pharma-grade ginger.
Agreement signed to roll out Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh with ₹2,432 crore support
On 13 May 2026 Digital Bharat Nidhi signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government, APBIL, BSNL and APSFL to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme in the state, covering 13,426 gram panchayats with ₹2,432 crore of central support.
Piyush Goyal presents LEAPS 2025 awards and releases LEADS 2025 report; exports at record US$863 billion
On 13 May 2026 Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal gave the LEAPS 2025 logistics awards in 13 categories, released the LEADS 2025 report, and said India's exports hit a record US$863 billion with a US$1 trillion target for the current year.
Chile's Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna visits India; both sides seek early conclusion of CEPA
On 13 May 2026 Chile's Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna held talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi, and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an early conclusion of the India–Chile CEPA.
Tue, 12 May 2026
IMD launches its first AI-based monsoon advance forecast and a 1-km rainfall forecast pilot for Uttar Pradesh
On 12 May 2026 Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched IMD's first AI-driven 'Forecast of Monsoon Advance' for 16 states and over 3,000 sub-districts, and a 1-km resolution rainfall forecast pilot for Uttar Pradesh.
Public sector banks post record ₹1.98 lakh crore net profit in FY 2025-26; gross NPA falls to 1.93%
On 12 May 2026 the Finance Ministry said public sector banks earned a record aggregate net profit of ₹1.98 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, their fourth straight profitable year, with gross NPA at a record-low 1.93%.
Retail inflation at 3.48% in April 2026 on new CPI base 2024; food inflation 4.20%
On 12 May 2026 MoSPI said CPI retail inflation (base 2024=100) was 3.48% (provisional) in April 2026, up from 3.40% in March, with food inflation (CFPI) at 4.20%.
Himanta Biswa Sarma sworn in as Assam Chief Minister for a second consecutive term
On 12 May 2026 Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath to Himanta Biswa Sarma as Assam Chief Minister for a second consecutive term at Khanapara, Guwahati, after the NDA won 102 of the 126 Assembly seats.
DFS launches US$1.5 billion Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool backed by ₹12,980-crore sovereign guarantee
On 12 May 2026 the Department of Financial Services launched the US$1.5 billion Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool, with a sovereign guarantee of US$1.4 billion (₹12,980 crore), to keep maritime insurance available amid Middle East tensions.
India and IFAD launch eight-year Country Strategic Opportunities Programme for 2026–2033
On 12 May 2026 India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development launched a new eight-year Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for 2026–2033 to raise rural incomes and resilience.
Mines Ministry launches second tranche of limestone block auctions in Jammu & Kashmir; 12 blocks on offer
On 12 May 2026 the Ministry of Mines launched the second tranche of e-auction of 12 limestone blocks in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu & Kashmir at Srinagar.
Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat services carry about 45,000 passengers in first 10 days
The Railway Ministry said on 12 May 2026 that the four Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat services carried 44,727 passengers in the first ten days after their 2 May regularisation.
I4C and Reserve Bank Innovation Hub sign MoU for AI-driven detection of mule accounts
On 12 May 2026 the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of MHA and the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) signed an MoU to feed I4C's Suspect Registry data into AI-driven fraud detection to catch mule accounts.
Karnataka gets 1,243 EV chargers worth ₹123.26 crore under PM E-DRIVE
On 12 May 2026 Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy announced approval of 1,243 EV chargers for Karnataka with an outlay of ₹123.26 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, at a national EV charging conference in Bengaluru.
President Murmu confers National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 on 15 nurses
On 12 May 2026, International Nurses Day, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 on 15 nursing professionals at Rashtrapati Bhavan.