Current Affairs Quiz — May 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
By about how much has women's participation in India's maritime sector increased since 2020, as stated at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 340%
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said women's participation in the maritime sector has risen by about 340% since 2020.
According to NITI Aayog's school education report of May 2026, India's school education system spans about how many schools and students?
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Correct answer: C — 14.71 lakh schools and over 24.69 crore students
The report says India's school system spans 14.71 lakh schools serving over 24.69 crore students, the largest in the world.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's report 'School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement': 1. It draws on secondary data including UDISE+ 2024-25, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 and ASER 2024. 2. It is based on a fresh primary household survey conducted by NITI Aayog in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The report uses secondary data (UDISE+ 2024-25, PARAKH 2024, NAS 2017 and 2021, ASER 2024) and inputs from a February 2025 national workshop, not a primary household survey.
How many major challenges does NITI Aayog's May 2026 school education report identify?
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Correct answer: D — 11
Based on data analysis and stakeholder consultations, the report presents 11 major challenges.
To what level did India and Vietnam elevate their relations during the State Visit of To Lam in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The two sides elevated ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the earlier Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The MoU between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Vietnam's NAPAS, signed in May 2026, relates to:
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Correct answer: A — Cross-border QR code payment interoperability
The NIPL–NAPAS MoU establishes linkages on cross-border QR code interoperability to enable payments; rare earths were covered by the IREL–ITRRE MoU.
Consider the following statements about the India–Vietnam summit of May 2026: 1. The year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2. To Lam visited India as both General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of Viet Nam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Joint Statement: 2026 is the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and To Lam holds both posts.
Where did DRDO open its CBRN field training and demonstration centre in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Burari plains, Delhi
The CBRN field training and demonstration centre was opened at Burari plains in Delhi on 6 May 2026.
The DRDO CBRN centre opened in Delhi in May 2026 is part of an upcoming CBRN Centre of Excellence under which DRDO laboratory?
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Correct answer: A — Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS)
The centre is part of the upcoming CBRN Centre of Excellence under INMAS, which will train responders through training and workshops.
The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), whose Phase 1 is targeted for July 2026, is being built at:
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Correct answer: A — Lothal, Gujarat
The NMHC is under construction at Lothal, Gujarat.
With how many countries has India signed MoUs for collaboration on the National Maritime Heritage Complex, as of May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10
India has signed 10 MoUs with as many countries, and 4 more (Italy, France, Myanmar, Cambodia) are likely to sign.
Who was appointed Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Shashi Shekhar Vempati
Shashi Shekhar Vempati was appointed CBFC Chairperson for three years by an I&B Ministry notification dated 6 May 2026.
Prasoon Joshi stepped down as CBFC Chairperson in 2026 on being elevated to which post?
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Correct answer: D — Chairman, Prasar Bharati
Prasoon Joshi stepped down from the CBFC on his elevation as Chairman of Prasar Bharati.
What is the reference period of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025, whose detailed report was released in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — January 2025 – December 2025
ASUSE 2025 covers January–December 2025; October 2023–September 2024 was the period of ASUSE 2023-24.
As per ASUSE 2025, female proprietors headed more than 60% of establishments in which sector?
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Correct answer: D — Manufacturing
Female proprietors headed more than 60% of manufacturing establishments; construction is outside ASUSE's coverage.
Which State and Union Territory signed reform-linked MoUs with the Centre under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 on 6 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Mizoram and Ladakh
Mizoram and Ladakh signed the reform-linked MoUs under JJM 2.0 on 6 May 2026.
By which year does the Union Jal Shakti Minister aim to achieve 'Har Ghar Jal' for all rural households, as stated at the JJM 2.0 MoU signing in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 2028
C. R. Patil said the reform-linked MoUs are a pivotal step towards 'Har Ghar Jal' for all rural households by 2028.
The earlier School Management Committee framework, replaced by the SMC Guidelines 2026, was introduced after which law?
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Correct answer: C — Right to Education Act
The earlier SMC framework was introduced after the Right to Education Act and was largely limited to monitoring grants and infrastructure.
The SMC Guidelines 2026 aim to translate NEP 2020 into action across about how many schools in India?
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Correct answer: A — 15 lakh
Dharmendra Pradhan said the guidelines will translate NEP 2020 into action across the country's nearly 15 lakh schools.
Which institute set up the Urban Testbed and Aerosol Observatory inaugurated in Chennai in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune
IITM Pune, under Mission Mausam, established the observatory at SRMIST, Ramapuram, Chennai.
Mission Mausam, under which the Chennai Urban Testbed and Aerosol Observatory was set up, was launched in:
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Correct answer: D — September 2024
Mission Mausam was launched by the Prime Minister in September 2024 as a major scientific initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
India Post's 100th N-Gen Post Office, inaugurated in May 2026, is located at which institution?
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Correct answer: D — North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong
The 100th N-Gen Post Office was inaugurated at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.
India Post's N-Gen Post Office initiative began with the revamp of which post office?
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Correct answer: B — IIT Hauz Khas post office, Delhi
The Minister said the initiative began about six months earlier with the revamp of the IIT Hauz Khas post office in Delhi.
In the Fanaroff–Riley classification of extragalactic radio jets, FR II jets are described as:
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Correct answer: B — Edge-brightened, staying focused and forming hot spots at their tips
FR II jets are edge-brightened: fainter near the core but tightly focused over long distances, forming hot spots at their tips; FR I jets are core-brightened.
According to the ARIES-led study of May 2026, what happens to positron-rich (lepton-rich) extragalactic jets?
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Correct answer: B — They become hotter, expand, slow down and form diffuse FR I-like structures
The simulations showed lepton-rich jets are hotter, expand and slow down, get twisted by the kink instability and form diffuse FR I-like structures.
How many downloads did the new Aadhaar App record within three months, as reported in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Over 21 million
The new Aadhaar App crossed 21 million downloads in three months; 28 lakh is the number of mobile-number updates.
The new Aadhaar App supports hotel check-ins through QR code scanning by which category of entity?
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Correct answer: C — Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE)
Hotel check-ins are supported through Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) QR code scanning.
Under the Bill approved by the Cabinet in May 2026, the number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, will rise to:
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Correct answer: B — 37
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 raises the strength by four, from 33 to 37, excluding the CJI.
The Bill approved in May 2026 to raise the Supreme Court's judge strength amends which law?
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Correct answer: D — The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956; Parliament fixes the number by law under Article 124(1).
Consider the following statements: 1. Article 124(1) of the Constitution originally provided for a Chief Justice of India and not more than seven other judges, until Parliament by law prescribed a larger number. 2. Before the 2026 proposal, the Supreme Court's judge strength was last raised from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) by an amendment in 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Article 124(1) originally fixed the CJI plus up to seven judges; the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019 raised the strength from 30 to 33.
The Crystal Matrix facility at Dholera, approved in May 2026, will be India's first commercial Mini/Micro-LED display facility based on which material?
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Correct answer: A — Gallium Nitride (GaN)
The facility is the country's first commercial Mini/Micro-LED display facility based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology.
With the two approvals of May 2026, how many projects have been approved under the India Semiconductor Mission?
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Correct answer: C — 12
The total number of approved ISM projects reached 12, with cumulative investments of around ₹1.64 lakh crore.
Which company will set up an OSAT facility for discrete semiconductors at Surat under the approvals of May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Suchi Semicon Private Limited
Suchi Semicon Private Limited will set up the OSAT facility at Surat; Crystal Matrix's GaN facility is at Dholera.
What is the outlay of the Mission for Cotton Productivity approved by the Cabinet in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,659.22 crore
The Cabinet approved ₹5,659.22 crore for the Mission for Cotton Productivity.
What is the implementation period of the Mission for Cotton Productivity?
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Correct answer: A — 2026–27 to 2030–31
The mission covers 2026–27 to 2030–31.
The Mission for Cotton Productivity is aligned with the Government's '5F' vision. What does 5F stand for?
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Correct answer: C — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign
The 5F vision is Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
Under ECLGS 5.0, approved in May 2026, what guarantee coverage does NCGTC provide for MSMEs and for non-MSMEs?
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Correct answer: B — 100% for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs
ECLGS 5.0 provides 100% guarantee cover for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs as well as the airline sector.
How much has been earmarked for airlines under ECLGS 5.0, approved by the Cabinet in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹5,000 crore
₹5,000 crore of the ₹2,55,000 crore additional credit is earmarked for airlines; ₹1,500 crore is the per-airline cap.
Which entity provides the credit guarantee to Member Lending Institutions under ECLGS 5.0?
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Correct answer: A — National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC)
Guarantee coverage under ECLGS 5.0 is provided to Member Lending Institutions by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC).
Which two entities will jointly implement the Ship Repair Facility at Vadinar approved in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Deendayal Port Authority and Cochin Shipyard Limited
The project will be jointly implemented by Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) with a combined investment of ₹1,570 crore.
The Vadinar Ship Repair Facility will enable repair in India of vessels up to what length?
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Correct answer: C — 300 m
India currently lacks adequate capacity for vessels exceeding 230 m; Vadinar will enable repair of vessels up to 300 m.
Where was the North Tech Symposium 2026 held in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Prayagraj
The North Tech Symposium 2026 was held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
As stated at the North Tech Symposium 2026, India's defence production in FY 2025-26 reached a record of about how much?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1.54 lakh crore
India's defence production reached a record ₹1.54 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, a 174% rise in a decade; ₹6,81,000 crore is the 2026-27 defence Budget.
Who co-chaired the inaugural India–Algeria defence Joint Commission meeting from the Algerian side in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces, Algeria
The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (IC) Amitabh Prasad and Algeria's Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces, Maj Gen Kaid Nour Eddine.
India–Algeria defence relations have gained momentum since the signing of a Defence MoU in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 2024
The Ministry of Defence said ties have gained momentum since the Defence MoU of 2024.
What Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane was approved for sugar season 2026–27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹365 per quintal
The FRP for 2026–27 is ₹365 per quintal at a basic recovery rate of 10.25%; ₹338.3 applies where recovery is below 9.5%.
The FRP of sugarcane is determined on the basis of recommendations of which body?
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Correct answer: A — Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
The FRP is determined on the basis of CACP's recommendations after consultation with State Governments and other stakeholders.
In May 2026 the Centre approved MSP procurement of 9,023 tonnes of sunflower under the Price Support Scheme in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Karnataka
The sunflower procurement was approved for Karnataka for Rabi 2026; the gram limit was raised for Maharashtra.
To what level was the maximum procurement limit of gram in Maharashtra for Rabi 2025-26 raised in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 8,19,882 tonnes
The maximum procurement limit of gram in Maharashtra was raised to 8,19,882 metric tonnes.
What is the combined funding pool of the India–EU call on EV battery recycling launched in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — €15.2 million (~₹169 crore)
The call has a combined funding pool of €15.2 million (~₹169 crore).
Under which India–EU Trade and Technology Council working group was the EV battery recycling call of May 2026 launched?
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Correct answer: C — Working Group 2 — Green and Clean Energy Technologies
The call was launched under TTC Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.
The three railway multitracking projects approved by the CCEA in May 2026 will add about how many kilometres to the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: D — 901 km
The three projects will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 901 km.
Which of the following is one of the three railway multitracking projects approved by the CCEA on 5 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Nagda–Mathura 3rd and 4th line
The approved projects are the 3rd and 4th lines on Nagda–Mathura, Guntakal–Wadi and Burhwal–Sitapur.
Udant Martand, recalled at the release of IIMC's special issue on 200 years of Hindi journalism, was published from Calcutta in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 1826
Udant Martand, the first Hindi newspaper, was published from Calcutta in 1826.
The ₹1,476 crore contract signed with BEL in May 2026 for five Ground-Based Mobile Electronic Systems requires a minimum indigenous content of:
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Correct answer: D — 72%
The systems will have minimum 72% indigenous content under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
Viability Plan 2.0, approved by the Department of Financial Services in May 2026, covers how many Regional Rural Banks?
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Correct answer: A — 28
Viability Plan 2.0 aims to strengthen financial stability across all 28 RRBs.
How many of Kerala's 140 Assembly seats did the Congress-led UDF win in the results declared on 4 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 102
The UDF won 102 seats and the LDF 35; the Congress alone won 63.
Which of the following seats did the BJP win in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election?
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Correct answer: B — Nemom
The BJP won three seats: Nemom (Rajeev Chandrasekhar), Kazhakuttam and Chathannoor; Paravur was won by V. D. Satheesan.
Consider the following statements about the 2026 Kerala Assembly election results: 1. The Indian National Congress was the single largest party with 63 seats. 2. The CPI(M) won 26 seats. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: as per ECI, the Congress won 63 seats and the CPI(M) 26.
Which party emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results of 4 May 2026, winning 108 seats?
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Correct answer: C — Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)
Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 of 234 seats on its debut; the DMK won 59 and the AIADMK 47.
What is the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, which the TVK missed by 10 seats in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 118
The majority mark in the 234-member House is 118; the TVK's 108 seats left it 10 short.
Consider the following statements about the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election: 1. TVK chief Vijay won from both Perambur and Tiruchi East. 2. The TVK secured more than 45% of the votes polled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: Vijay won both Perambur and Tiruchi East, but the TVK's vote share was about 35%, not over 45%.
Which party finished second in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election with 59 seats?
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Correct answer: B — DMK
The ruling DMK won 59 seats, behind the TVK's 108; the AIADMK won 47.
How many of Assam's 126 Assembly seats did the BJP-led NDA win in the results declared on 4 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 102
The NDA won 102 of 126 seats: BJP 82, AGP 10 and BPF 10.
What is the simple majority mark in the 126-member Assam Assembly, which the BJP alone crossed by 18 seats in 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 64
The simple majority mark in the 126-member Assam Assembly is 64; the BJP's 82 seats were 18 more.
Consider the following statements about the 2026 Assam Assembly election results: 1. The Asom Gana Parishad and the Bodoland People's Front won 10 seats each. 2. Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi won the Jorhat seat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: the AGP and the BPF won 10 seats each, while Gaurav Gogoi lost in Jorhat.