Current Affairs Quiz — May 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Where will the flagship Bharat Innovates 2026 event be held in June 2026 under the India–France Year of Innovation?
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Correct answer: A — Nice
The flagship Bharat Innovates 2026 event is in Nice, France, on 14–16 June 2026.
How many deep-tech start-ups presented at the Bharat Innovates Investor Showcase in Bengaluru on 19 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 24
Twenty-four deep-tech start-ups from the Bharat Innovates cohort presented to 90+ investors.
In which field did India and Vietnam sign an MoU during Rajnath Singh's visit to Hanoi in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — AI and Quantum Technology
PIB: India and Vietnam inked an MoU in the field of AI and Quantum Technology.
Where did Rajnath Singh announce the setting up of an Artificial Intelligence Lab in Vietnam in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Telecommunications University, Nha Trang
Rajnath Singh announced an AI Lab at the Telecommunications University at Nha Trang; the Language Lab was at the Air Force Officers' College.
Which of the following states was NOT among those represented at the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference in Bhubaneswar in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Assam
The conference brought together Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Assam was not listed.
The Kiul–Jhajha third line project approved in May 2026 lies on which railway corridor?
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Correct answer: B — Howrah–Delhi
The 54-km Kiul–Jhajha third line is on the high-density Howrah–Delhi corridor.
What is the length and cost of the Arakkonam–Chengalpattu doubling project approved in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 68 km, ₹993 crore
The Arakkonam–Chengalpattu doubling is 68 km at ₹993 crore. 54 km and ₹962 crore are the figures for Kiul–Jhajha.
Under which digital initiative of the Ministry of Ayush was the Ayush Anudan Portal launched in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Ayush Grid
The Ayush Anudan Portal was developed under the Ayush Grid initiative.
What is the main purpose of the Ayush Anudan Portal launched in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Managing funding proposals under the Ayush ministry's Central Sector Schemes
The portal streamlines the submission, processing, approval and monitoring of funding proposals under the ministry's Central Sector Schemes.
The binary system discovered by Indian astronomers in May 2026 pairs a blue straggler star with what kind of companion?
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Correct answer: A — A brown dwarf
It is the first confirmed blue straggler hosting a substellar (brown dwarf) companion, of about 0.056 solar masses.
What is the approximate orbital period of the blue straggler–brown dwarf binary reported in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 5.6 hours
The system has an exceptionally short orbital period of about 5.6 hours (0.234 days).
The MoU signed in Mumbai on 19 May 2026 to advance corporate governance, ESG and capital markets was between NISM and which institute?
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Correct answer: C — Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
The MoU was between NISM (set up by SEBI) and the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Who is the SEBI Chairman who attended the NISM–IICA MoU signing in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Tuhin Kanta Pandey
PIB: the signing ceremony was graced by SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
Which national initiative did Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil launch at the 14th HPRB meeting of the Brahmaputra Board in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — State Water Reforms Framework
Patil launched the State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF) to strengthen water governance reforms across states and UTs.
Where was the 14th meeting of the High-Powered Review Board of the Brahmaputra Board held on 19 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Guwahati
The 14th HPRB meeting was held at Guwahati.
To what level did India and Norway elevate their relations on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Green Strategic Partnership
PM Modi and PM Støre agreed in Oslo to elevate ties to a Green Strategic Partnership.
By which year did India and Norway aim to double the value of their current bilateral trade, as agreed in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 2030
The leaders underlined the aim of doubling the value of current trade between India and Norway by 2030.
Consider the following statements about the India–Norway talks of 18 May 2026: 1. The investment commitment under the India–EFTA TEPA cited by the leaders is USD 50 billion. 2. The leaders welcomed Norway joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the TEPA investment commitment cited is USD 100 billion, with one million jobs in India. Statement 2 is correct.
Who was the Presiding Officer of the Judges Inquiry Committee that submitted its report on Justice Yashwant Varma in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Justice Aravind Kumar
Justice Aravind Kumar of the Supreme Court presided; Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and B.V. Acharya were members.
Under which law was the report of the Judges Inquiry Committee on Justice Yashwant Varma presented in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968
The report was presented in accordance with the statutory requirements under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
Consider the following statements about the Judges Inquiry Committee on Justice Yashwant Varma: 1. The committee was constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker on 12 August 2025. 2. The committee was presided over by the Chief Justice of India. 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: the Presiding Officer was Justice Aravind Kumar, a judge of the Supreme Court.
What is the outlay of Mission 'Coffees of Nagaland' launched in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹175 crore
PIB: the mission has an outlay of Rs. 175 crores.
Under Mission 'Coffees of Nagaland', the pilot cluster for Robusta coffee is at:
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Correct answer: C — Ghotovi village, Niuland district
Ghotovi village in Niuland district is the Robusta cluster; Tuophema in Kohima district is the Arabica cluster.
With which Norwegian research organisation did CSIR sign a Collaboration Agreement (2026–2029) on circularity and sustainability, under an existing 2014 MoU?
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Correct answer: A — SINTEF
CSIR signed a 2026–2029 Collaboration Agreement with Stiftelsen SINTEF under the framework of their 2014 MoU.
What is the title of the Joint Declaration of Intent signed by CSIR, AcSIR and NTNU in Oslo in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation for the Green Shift
The declaration is titled 'Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation for the Green Shift'.
What export target for this year did Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announce on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — $1 trillion
Goyal said India has set a target of $1 trillion in exports this year and $2 trillion over five years. $863 billion is the export level already reached.
According to Piyush Goyal (May 2026), with which country's FTA may come into force from 1 June?
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Correct answer: A — Oman
Goyal said the Oman FTA may come into force from 1 June, with other finalised FTAs to follow.
As stated by Piyush Goyal on 18 May 2026, India's exports this year reached about how much?
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Correct answer: C — $863 billion
Goyal said exports this year reached $863 billion, nearly 5% higher than the previous year.
Which honour did King Harald V of Norway confer on PM Narendra Modi on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
PM Modi received the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit in Oslo.
According to PIB, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit is Norway's highest honour for:
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Correct answer: B — foreign Heads of Government
PIB states that the award is Norway's highest honour bestowed on foreign Heads of Government.
Who assumed charge as CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Saurabh Vijay
Saurabh Vijay, a 1998-batch IAS officer, assumed charge as CEO of UIDAI on 18 May 2026.
New UIDAI CEO Saurabh Vijay is an IAS officer of which batch and cadre?
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Correct answer: B — 1998 batch, Maharashtra cadre
PIB: he is an IAS officer of the 1998 batch of the Maharashtra cadre.
In how many cities does the Centre plan to roll out Water Metro services, as stated in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 18
Sonowal said the Centre has advanced plans to roll out Water Metro services in 18 cities.
Which of the following cities is proposed for Phase II (not Phase I) of the Water Metro rollout?
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Correct answer: D — Dibrugarh
Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam are proposed for Phase II; Guwahati, Srinagar and Varanasi are in Phase I.
Who took oath as Chief Minister of Keralam, as congratulated by the Prime Minister on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — V. D. Satheesan
PM Modi congratulated V. D. Satheesan on taking oath as Chief Minister of Keralam.
The INST Mohali study of May 2026 embedded nanogold in which polymer to boost pyroelectric performance?
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Correct answer: B — Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)
The team engineered ultrathin films of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a ferroelectric polymer, with hexagonal nanogold.
'Pyroelectricity', improved in the INST Mohali nanogold films, refers to the ability of a material to:
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Correct answer: A — generate electricity from changes in temperature
PIB defines pyroelectric performance as the ability to generate electricity from changes in temperature.
The reform-linked MoUs under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 signed in May 2026 mandate which model of rural water governance?
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Correct answer: A — Gram Panchayat-led, service-based and community-centred
The MoU mandates a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based and community-centred model of rural water governance.
Which state and Union Territory signed reform-linked Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 MoUs with the Centre on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
West Bengal and the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands signed the MoUs on 18 May 2026.
How many customs ports have been digitally integrated to facilitate import of agricultural commodities, as reviewed by the Agriculture Ministry in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 649
The ministry said all 649 customs ports have been digitally integrated to facilitate import of agricultural commodities.
Under the May 2026 reforms, what replaces the physical leaflets supplied with household pesticide products?
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Correct answer: C — QR codes on product labels
Physical leaflets have been discontinued and replaced with QR codes directly on product labels.
To what level did India and Sweden elevate their relationship during PM Modi's visit to Sweden in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Strategic Partnership
PM Modi and PM Ulf Kristersson agreed in Gothenburg to elevate India–Sweden ties to the level of Strategic Partnership.
Which document did India and Sweden adopt in May 2026 to operationalise their new partnership?
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Correct answer: C — India-Sweden Joint Action Plan 2026-2030
The two leaders adopted the India-Sweden Joint Action Plan 2026-2030 as the roadmap for the Strategic Partnership.
Consider the following statements about the India–Sweden talks of May 2026: 1. The relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2. The partnership will be guided by three pillars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: the ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership (not Comprehensive), and it rests on four pillars.
The houselisting field operations that began in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Maharashtra and Jharkhand on 17 May 2026 are part of which exercise?
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Correct answer: B — Phase I of Census 2027
The Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) is Phase I of Census 2027.
As of 17 May 2026, more than how many households had completed Census self-enumeration?
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Correct answer: D — 1.44 crore
MHA said more than 1.44 crore households had completed self-enumeration across 25 States/UTs.
Consider the following statements about Census 2027 operations as of 17 May 2026: 1. The self-enumeration facility has been introduced for the first time in Census operations. 2. Houselisting operations in Uttar Pradesh were completed between 16 April and 15 May 2026. 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: in Uttar Pradesh self-enumeration runs until 21 May and field work from 22 May to 20 June; the 16 April–15 May round covered A&N, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim and Delhi's NDMC and Cantonment areas.
On 17 May 2026 the Census self-enumeration facility opened in which group of States/UTs?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Puducherry
Self-enumeration began on 17 May in Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh and Puducherry, open till 31 May 2026.
According to PIB, the Afsluitdijk visited by PM Modi in May 2026 is a dam and causeway of about what length?
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Correct answer: B — 32 km
PIB describes the Afsluitdijk as a 32-kilometre-long dam and causeway.
The Kalpasar project, on which India and the Netherlands agreed technical cooperation in May 2026, aims to create a freshwater reservoir across which water body?
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Correct answer: D — Gulf of Khambhat
The Kalpasar project in Gujarat aims to create a freshwater reservoir across the Gulf of Khambhat.
At which water body did the Indian Navy inaugurate a Naval Sailing Node on 17 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Upper Lake (Bhojtal), Bhopal
The Naval Sailing Node was inaugurated at Upper Lake, widely known as Bhojtal, in Bhopal.
According to PIB, how many members of the 34-member Navy Sailing Team belong to Madhya Pradesh (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — 17
PIB states that 17 of the 34 personnel in the Navy Sailing Team are from Madhya Pradesh.
Who conferred the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, on PM Narendra Modi on 17 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Crown Princess Victoria
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden conferred the award at a special ceremony in Gothenburg.
Which distinction did PM Modi achieve with the Royal Order of the Polar Star in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — First Asian leader to be conferred the award
PIB states that PM Modi is the first Asian leader to be conferred the award.
According to PIB, in which century was Sweden's Royal Order of the Polar Star instituted?
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Correct answer: B — 18th century
PIB describes it as one of Sweden's oldest honours, instituted in the 18th century.
Where did the Ministry of DoNER team visit on 17 May 2026 to explore blending Eri silk with Kota Doria?
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Correct answer: B — Kaithoon Common Facility Centre, Kota
The team visited the Kaithoon Common Facility Centre in Kota, where Kota Doria is traditionally woven.
The planned MoU for the Eri silk–Kota Doria fusion (May 2026) is expected between NEHHDC and which body?
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Correct answer: D — District Industries Centre, Government of Rajasthan
PIB says the initiative is expected to be formalised through an MoU between NEHHDC and the District Industries Centre (DIC), Government of Rajasthan.
How many railway stations in Karnataka are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, according to the Railway Minister (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: C — 61
61 stations in Karnataka are being redeveloped at a cost of ₹2,160 crore, with 9 already completed.
About how many km of new railway lines have been built in Karnataka since 2014, as stated in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 1,750 km
The Railway Minister said about 1,750 km of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka since 2014.
Which new service between Bengaluru and Mumbai did Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw say would start soon (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Vande Bharat Sleeper
Vaishnaw announced that the Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper service is expected to start soon.
Where has the National Test House set up a state-of-the-art Shoe Testing Laboratory (announced May 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Ghaziabad
The lab has been set up at the National Test House, Northern Region, Ghaziabad.
The National Test House (NTH) functions under which department of the Government of India?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Consumer Affairs
PIB states that NTH, Northern Region, Ghaziabad is under the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The original Tagore epigrams whose replicas Sweden gifted to PM Modi in May 2026 were written during Tagore's visits to Sweden in which years?
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Correct answer: A — 1921 and 1926
The originals, recently found in the Swedish National Archives, were created during Tagore's visits to Sweden in 1921 and 1926.
The India–Sweden gift exchange of May 2026 coincided with the centenary of Rabindranath Tagore's:
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Correct answer: C — historic visit to Sweden in 1926
PIB says the exchange coincides with the centenary of Tagore's historic visit to Sweden in 1926.
Where is the Madhur Dairy plant inaugurated by Amit Shah on 17 May 2026 located?
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Correct answer: D — Dashela, Gandhinagar
The new Madhur Dairy plant is at Dashela in Gandhinagar district, Gujarat.
What is the present milk-processing capacity of Madhur Dairy's new Dashela plant (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — 2.5 lakh litres per day
The plant can process 2.5 lakh litres of milk per day now, to be expanded to 5 lakh litres per day in future.
In which year did Madhur Dairy begin its journey, as stated by Amit Shah in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 1971
Madhur Dairy began in 1971 with milk collection of 6,000 litres and a turnover of ₹7,000.