Current Affairs Quiz — May 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
When Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on PM Modi in May 2026, he briefed him on progress since which India–Russia Annual Summit held in December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 23rd
Lavrov briefed the PM on progress since the leaders' meeting in December 2025 for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.
Consider the following statements about Sergei Lavrov's call on PM Modi on 14 May 2026: 1. PM Modi reiterated India's stand in favour of dialogue and diplomacy. 2. The talks were limited to bilateral trade and did not cover Ukraine. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The two discussed regional and global issues including Ukraine and West Asia, so statement 2 is wrong.
About how many devotees paid obeisance during the 14-day Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathāgata in Ladakh (May 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Over 1.18 lakh
More than 1,18,000 devotees paid obeisance during the 14-day exposition in Leh and Zanskar.
The concluding ceremony of the Holy Relics exposition in Leh on 14 May 2026 coincided with which festival of Ladakh?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Monlam Chenmo
The closing coincided with Monlam Chenmo, Ladakh's annual Great Prayer Festival dedicated to world peace and universal happiness.
At the ITU Council 2026 in Geneva, India's proposal to host which ITU event was accepted?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2030
The ITU Council accepted India's proposal to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-2030); it is likely to be approved at PP-2026 in Doha.
Consider the following statements about the ITU Council: 1. It is the governing body of the ITU and comprises 48 elected Member States. 2. India became a member of the ITU Council only in 1992. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. DoT states that India has been a member of the ITU Council since 1952.
The dual-targeting CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma being developed by Helix Cell Therapeutics with TDB support targets which two markers?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — BCMA and CD19
The therapy simultaneously targets both BCMA and CD19 markers expressed on multiple myeloma cells.
The TDB-backed CAR-T project of Helix Cell Therapeutics (May 2026) is being implemented under a collaborative framework between India and which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Singapore
The project is under the Indo-Singapore collaborative framework in partnership with Biocell Innovations, Singapore.
According to the Commerce Ministry (May 2026), India–Africa bilateral trade in 2025-26 stood at about:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — US$93.69 billion
Bilateral trade reached US$93.69 billion in 2025-26 (exports US$45.42 bn, imports US$48.27 bn); US$3.4 trillion is the value of AfCFTA.
Consider the following statements about India–Africa trade, as stated at the IAFS-IV business curtain raiser (May 2026): 1. In 2025-26, India's imports from Africa were higher than its exports to Africa. 2. India and Africa share the ambition of tripling bilateral trade by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct: imports were US$48.27 bn against exports of US$45.42 bn. The stated ambition is doubling, not tripling, trade by 2030.
India's chairship of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for 2026–2028 was confirmed at a CCRA meeting held in April 2026 in which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Tokyo
It was confirmed at the 1st Quarter Meeting of the CCRA held from 14 to 16 April 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.
Consider the following statements about India and the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA): 1. India has been a member of the CCRA since September 2013 as a Certificate Authorizing Nation. 2. CERT-In acts as India's official certification body for IT security evaluations under the Common Criteria. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. India joined on 16 September 2013; the official certification body is MeitY's STQC Directorate, not CERT-In.
As per the Commerce Ministry, what was the European Union's rank among markets for Indian seafood exports in 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Third
The EU emerged as the third-largest market, with 18.94% of total export value (US$1.593 billion).
Consider the following statements about India's seafood exports to the EU (May 2026): 1. India had been omitted from the EU's Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 on third countries allowed to export from September 2026. 2. EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905 concerns the use of antimicrobials in animals whose products are exported to the EU. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. India's omission was in Regulation (EU) 2024/2598, and Regulation (EU) 2023/905 requires exported animals and products to be free of antimicrobials used for growth promotion or reserved for humans.
N. Rangasamy, sworn in as Chief Minister of Puducherry on 13 May 2026, began which term in the post?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Fifth
Rangasamy was sworn in for a record fifth term as Puducherry Chief Minister.
Who administered the oath of office to N. Rangasamy as Chief Minister of Puducherry on 13 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan
Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan administered the oaths of office and secrecy at Lok Nivas, Puducherry.
Consider the following statements about Article 239A of the Constitution of India: 1. It enables Parliament, by law, to create a Legislature and/or a Council of Ministers for the Union Territory of Puducherry. 2. A law made under it is not deemed to be an amendment of the Constitution for the purposes of Article 368. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Article 239A, inserted by the Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1962, provides for both, and clause (2) says such a law is not an amendment for Article 368.
What is the financial outlay of the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects approved by the Cabinet in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹37,500 crore
The scheme has an outlay of ₹37,500 crore; ₹8,500 crore was the earlier scheme approved in January 2024.
Under the 2026 coal/lignite gasification scheme, the financial incentive for any single project is capped at:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹5,000 crore
The cap is ₹5,000 crore per project, ₹9,000 crore per product (except SNG and urea) and ₹12,000 crore per entity group.
Consider the following statements about India's coal gasification push: 1. India has a national target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030. 2. Under the 2026 scheme, the incentive is capped at 20% of the cost of plant and machinery. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The scheme advances the 100 MT-by-2030 target (building on the National Coal Gasification Mission, 2021) and offers up to 20% of plant and machinery cost.
India's first mega greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi is being developed with which Korean company?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering
The tripartite MoU is between HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), NSHIP-TN and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd.
Consider the following statements: 1. Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aims to place India among the top five shipbuilding nations with output of 4.5 million GT per annum by 2047. 2. The proposed Thoothukudi greenfield shipyard alone has an envisaged annual capacity of 4.5 million GT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Thoothukudi shipyard's envisaged annual capacity is 2.5 million GT; 4.5 million GT is the national MAKV 2047 target.
Which project, approved by the CCEA in May 2026, will be Indian Railways' first semi high-speed project?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera
The ₹20,667-crore Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line will be Indian Railways' first semi high-speed project.
The Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera semi high-speed project will add about how many km to the Indian Railways network?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 134 km
The project in Ahmedabad district will increase the network by about 134 km.
For kharif marketing season 2026-27, which crop got the highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Sunflower seed
Sunflower seed got the highest increase (₹622 per quintal), followed by cotton (₹557), nigerseed (₹515) and sesamum (₹500).
Under the kharif MSP 2026-27, the expected margin over cost of production is highest for which crop?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Moong
Moong has the highest expected margin (61%), followed by bajra (56%), maize (56%) and tur/arhar (54%).
Consider the following statements about Minimum Support Prices (MSP): 1. Fixing MSP at least at 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production was announced in the Union Budget 2014-15. 2. The MSP of paddy (common) for marketing season 2026-27 is ₹2,441 per quintal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The 1.5-times-cost principle was announced in the Union Budget 2018-19, as the Cabinet release states.
The three Tamil Nadu temple bronzes whose return was announced in May 2026 are being repatriated from which institution?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
The bronzes are being repatriated from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in the United States.
The Chola-period Shiva Nataraja (c. 990 CE) being repatriated from the Smithsonian originally belonged to a temple in which district of Tamil Nadu?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Thanjavur
It belonged to the Sri Bhava Aushadesvara Temple in Thanjavur district, where it was photographed in 1957.
How much was released on 13 May 2026 as the first instalment of mother sanction for 2026-27 under the CSS for infrastructure of district and subordinate courts?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹401.50 crore
Arjun Ram Meghwal released ₹401.50 crore to States/UTs through PFMS as the first instalment for 2026-27.
Consider the following statements about the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for District and Subordinate Courts: 1. The Department of Justice has been running this effort since 1993-94. 2. Union Territories share its cost with the Centre in a 90:10 ratio. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The fund-sharing pattern is 60:40 for most states, 90:10 for north-eastern and two Himalayan states, and 100% central for UTs.
The Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee constituted by the Chief Justice of India on 12 May 2026 is chaired by:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Justice Aravind Kumar
The committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Justice Aravind Kumar, Judge, Supreme Court of India.
Under the Cabinet decision of May 2026, Nagpur airport is to be licensed for 30 years to which concessionaire?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — GMR Nagpur International Airport Ltd
The lease extension enables MIHAN India Ltd to license Nagpur airport to GMR Nagpur International Airport Ltd (GNIAL) for 30 years from COD.
Consider the following statements about MIHAN India Limited (MIL): 1. It was formed in 2009 as a joint venture of the Airports Authority of India and Maharashtra Airport Development Company. 2. The Airports Authority of India holds the majority (51%) equity in MIL. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The AAI–MADC equity structure is 49:51, so MADC, not AAI, holds the majority.
Nagpur's Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is planned to be developed to an ultimate capacity of how many passengers a year?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 30 million
GNIAL's phased development envisages an ultimate capacity of 30 million passengers annually.
What is the outlay of the Mizoram Ginger Mission launched in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹189.79 crore
The Mizoram Ginger Mission is a ₹189.79-crore convergence-led initiative for ginger cultivation and value-chain development.
Which Union ministry anchors the Mizoram Ginger Mission?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
The mission is anchored by the Ministry of DoNER and converges schemes of the agriculture, rural development and food processing ministries.
How much central financial support has been approved for the Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh (May 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹2,432 crore
The Government of India approved ₹2,432 crore; 1,692 and 3,942 are the numbers of Phase I gram panchayats and on-demand villages.
Consider the following statements about the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP): 1. The Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 4 August 2023. 2. In Andhra Pradesh, ABP will be implemented under the state-led model through Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (APBIL). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as stated by DoT: Cabinet approval came on 4 August 2023, and in Andhra Pradesh the state-led model is implemented through APBIL.
According to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal (May 2026), India achieved record exports of about how much?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — US$863 billion
Goyal said India achieved record exports of US$863 billion and set an aspirational target of US$1 trillion for the current year.
As stated by Piyush Goyal in May 2026, over the last three and a half years India has covered how many developed economies through how many FTAs?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 38 economies through 9 FTAs
India has covered 38 developed and prosperous economies through nine FTAs, four already operational and five expected within 12 months.
Which country's Foreign Minister, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, visited India in May 2026 for talks on an early conclusion of a CEPA?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Chile
Francisco Pérez Mackenna is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile; the talks focused on the India–Chile CEPA.
For which state did IMD launch a pilot rainfall forecast at 1-km spatial resolution in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Uttar Pradesh
The High Spatial Resolution Rainfall Forecast for Uttar Pradesh gives 1-km resolution forecasts up to 10 days ahead as a pilot service.
IMD's AI-enabled 'Forecast of Monsoon Advance' (May 2026) is designed to support farmers in how many states?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 16
The product supports farmers across 16 states and more than 3,000 sub-districts through the Agriculture Ministry's dissemination framework.
What was the aggregate net profit of public sector banks in FY 2025-26, as announced in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹1.98 lakh crore
Aggregate net profit rose 11.1% to a record ₹1.98 lakh crore; ₹3.21 lakh crore was the operating profit and ₹86,971 crore the recoveries.
Consider the following statements about public sector banks as of 31 March 2026: 1. Their gross NPA ratio was 1.93% and net NPA ratio 0.39%. 2. Their aggregate CRAR of 16.6% was above the regulatory requirement of 11.5%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as per the Finance Ministry's FY 2025-26 PSB performance release.
FY 2025-26 marked which consecutive year of aggregate profitability for public sector banks?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Fourth
The record ₹1.98 lakh crore profit marked the fourth consecutive year of aggregate profitability for PSBs.
What was India's CPI-based retail inflation (base 2024=100) for April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 3.48%
Retail inflation was 3.48% (provisional) in April 2026; 3.40% was March, 4.20% food inflation and 3.16% urban inflation.
Consider the following statements about the CPI release for April 2026: 1. Food inflation (CFPI) was lower than headline CPI inflation. 2. Prices for the CPI are collected by the NSO from 1,407 urban markets and 1,465 villages. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. Food inflation (4.20%) was higher than headline CPI inflation (3.48%).
Who administered the oath of office to Himanta Biswa Sarma as Assam Chief Minister on 12 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath at the Veterinary College ground, Khanapara, Guwahati.
How many seats did the BJP win on its own in the 126-member Assam Assembly in the 2026 election?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 82
The BJP won 82 seats; with the AGP and BPF (10 each), the NDA reached 102.
Consider the following statements: 1. Under Article 164(4) of the Constitution, a Minister who for six consecutive months is not a member of the State Legislature ceases to be a Minister at the end of that period. 2. In the 2026 Assam Assembly election, the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bodoland People's Front won 10 seats each. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Article 164(4) sets the six-month limit, and the AGP and BPF won 10 seats each as BJP allies.
What is the size of the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool launched by the Department of Financial Services in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — US$1.5 billion
BMIP is a US$1.5 billion pool with a sovereign guarantee of US$1.4 billion (₹12,980 crore).
Which entity is the pool administrator of the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — GIC Re
GIC Re is the pool administrator; policies are issued by domestic member insurers such as New India Assurance.
The Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) launched in May 2026 is a strategy between India and which organisation?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — International Fund for Agricultural Development
The eight-year COSOP for 2026–2033 was launched by the Government of India with IFAD.
Consider the following statements about the India–IFAD partnership: 1. India's partnership with IFAD spans nearly five decades, with 35 rural development projects implemented in India. 2. The COSOP 2026–2033 has three strategic priorities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The COSOP 2026–2033 has two strategic priorities: rural resilience and knowledge systems for scaling.
How many limestone blocks were put up for auction in the second tranche launched in Jammu & Kashmir in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 12
A total of 12 limestone blocks across Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts were put up under Tranche II.
The limestone blocks in J&K's second auction tranche (May 2026) are spread across which districts?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch
The 12 blocks are in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts.
Consider the following statements about the J&K limestone block auction (Tranche II, May 2026): 1. The auction is conducted under the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015. 2. All the blocks are at the G1 (detailed exploration) stage of the UNFC. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The blocks are categorised under the G3 and G4 stages of the UNFC, not G1.
How many passengers did the Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat services carry in the first ten days after regularisation (to 11 May 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 44,727
The four services carried 44,727 passengers up to 11 May; 28,762 was the maiden-week figure.
Consider the following statements: 1. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link on 6 June 2025. 2. The augmented Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express flagged off on 30 April 2026 has 20 coaches. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as stated in the Railway Ministry release of 12 May 2026.
In the May 2026 MoU with I4C on mule accounts, 'RBIH' stands for:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
RBIH is the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, which signed the MoU with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) functions under which ministry?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Ministry of Home Affairs
I4C is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and its Suspect Registry data will feed RBIH's AI fraud detection.
How many EV chargers were approved for Karnataka under the PM E-DRIVE scheme in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1,243
Proposals for 1,243 EV chargers in Karnataka with an outlay of ₹123.26 crore were approved; 4,874 is the total approved so far.
As of May 2026, proposals worth how much had been approved under PM E-DRIVE for installing 4,874 EV chargers across states and CPSEs?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹503.86 crore
Proposals worth ₹503.86 crore have been approved for 4,874 EV chargers across various states and CPSEs.
What cash prize accompanies each National Florence Nightingale Award?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹1,00,000
Each award includes a certificate of merit, a cash prize of ₹1,00,000 and a medal.
The National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 were conferred on 12 May 2026, which is observed as:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — International Nurses Day
The awards were presented on International Nurses Day, 12 May, with the theme 'Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives'.