UPSC EPFO / APFC Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Sat, 23 May 2026
DPIIT issues guidelines for BHAVYA Scheme: 100 industrial parks with ₹33,660 crore outlay
On 23 May 2026 DPIIT released operational guidelines for the BHAVYA Scheme, a Central Sector Scheme to develop 100 investment-ready industrial parks over 2026-27 to 2031-32 with an outlay of about ₹33,660 crore.
Piyush Goyal to visit Canada on 25–27 May to advance India–Canada CEPA talks
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Canada from 25 to 27 May 2026 with over 100 Indian businesses to push negotiations on the India–Canada Comprehensive Economic and Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the ministry announced on 23 May.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls on PM Modi; West Asia among issues discussed
On 23 May 2026 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and briefed him on progress in India–US cooperation.
19th Rozgar Mela: PM distributes more than 51,000 appointment letters
On 23 May 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited youth at the 19th Rozgar Mela via video conferencing.
56 NMMS scholars flagged off to Japan under Sakura Science Programme 2026
On 23 May 2026 the Ministry of Education flagged off 56 government-school students from 15 States/UTs, all NMMS scholarship holders, for a 24–30 May visit to Japan under the Sakura Science Programme 2026.
Cold-water fisheries emerging as a pillar of India's Blue Economy; J&K leads trout output
India's cold-water fisheries now produce around 7,000 tonnes a year, with Jammu & Kashmir the leading trout producer at about 3,010 tonnes in 2024-25, the Fisheries Ministry said on 23 May 2026.
Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade held for new Garud commandos at Chandinagar
On 23 May 2026 a Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade at the Garud Regimental Training Centre, Air Force Station Chandinagar, marked the passing out of new IAF Garud special forces operatives.
Fri, 22 May 2026
India and Cyprus elevate ties to Strategic Partnership during President Christodoulides' State Visit
On 22 May 2026 PM Narendra Modi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides elevated India–Cyprus ties to a Strategic Partnership, adopted a 2026–2031 defence cooperation roadmap and signed six MoUs/arrangements, including one on counter-terrorism.
NITI Aayog holds first meeting of 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee
On 22 May 2026 NITI Aayog CEO Nidhi Chibber chaired the first meeting of the High-Powered 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee, set up under the Union Budget 2026-27 to help India reach a 10% share of the global services market by 2047.
Social Justice Ministry launches JEEVAN app for senior citizens and SHATAYU caregiver dashboard
On 22 May 2026 Social Justice Minister Dr Virendra Kumar launched the JEEVAN mobile app for senior citizens and the SHATAYU dashboard showing the availability of geriatric caregivers.
India and Ethiopia sign bilateral protocol for Ethiopia's WTO accession in Geneva
On 22 May 2026 India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral market-access protocol for Ethiopia's accession to the World Trade Organization in Geneva.
Over 100 crore health records now linked with ABHA under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
The Health Ministry said on 22 May 2026 that over 100 crore health records have been linked with ABHA under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, doubling from 50 crore in 15 months.
Pregabalin moved to Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules to curb misuse
The Health Ministry announced on 22 May 2026 that the drug Pregabalin has been moved from Schedule H to the stricter Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, following reports of misuse among youth.
Janez Janša elected Prime Minister of Slovenia by 51–36 vote
On 22 May 2026 Slovenia's National Assembly elected Janez Janša as Prime Minister by 51 votes to 36, ending a deadlock after the 22 March parliamentary election.
ARCI develops low-cost nanocomposite material that boosts thermal battery storage by up to 45%
Scientists at ARCI, a DST institution, have developed a spinel nanocomposite phase change material whose specific heat capacity rises by up to 45% with just 1% nanoparticles, the Science Ministry said on 22 May 2026.
Vice President releases 'The Library Man of India: The Story of P.N. Panicker'
On 22 May 2026 Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released 'The Library Man of India: The Story of P.N. Panicker', written by P.P. Sathyan, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan.
Thu, 21 May 2026
Indian War Memorial inaugurated at Imjingak Park, Seoul, honouring Indian troops in the Korean War
On 21 May 2026 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korea's Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park, Seoul, honouring the 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India.
UMMID programme for rare genetic disorders dedicated to the nation
On 21 May 2026 Science Minister Dr Jitendra Singh dedicated the Department of Biotechnology's UMMID (Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders) programme for rare genetic disorders to the nation.
Unincorporated establishments cross 9 crore; sector employment tops 15 crore (QBUSE, Jan–Mar 2026)
NSO's Quarterly Bulletin on Unincorporated Sector Enterprises, released on 21 May 2026, put the number of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments at 9.16 crore in January–March 2026, up 16.69% year-on-year, with employment crossing 15 crore for the first time.
Sports Ministry proposes criminalising organised doping; draft amendments open for comment till 18 June
On 21 May 2026 the Sports Ministry placed draft anti-doping law amendments for public consultation, proposing criminal action against doping traffickers, suppliers and syndicates while keeping athletes out of criminal prosecution for rule violations.
First International Big Cat Alliance Summit postponed along with Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit
On 21 May 2026 the Environment Ministry said the First International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, set for 1 June 2026 in New Delhi alongside the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit, will be held at a later date.
Goyal at AmCham summit: US industry commitments in India top $60 billion in six months
On 21 May 2026 Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told the American Chamber of Commerce's Annual Leadership Summit in New Delhi that American industry commitments in India over the last six months were estimated at upwards of $60 billion.
UPSC adds Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut as Civil Services Prelims centres; over 23,000 opt for them
UPSC said on 21 May 2026 that its three new Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 centres at Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut, which raise the total from 80 to 83, drew nearly 23,000 applicants.
DRI seizes about 3 lakh smuggled e-cigarettes worth over ₹120 crore
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said on 21 May 2026 it had seized nearly 3,00,000 China-sourced e-cigarettes worth over ₹120 crore at ports, airports and ICDs in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.
Wed, 20 May 2026
PM Modi receives FAO's Agricola Medal 2026 at FAO Headquarters in Rome
On 20 May 2026 the Food and Agriculture Organization conferred its Agricola Medal for 2026 on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its Rome headquarters, for leadership on food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development.
India and Italy elevate ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during PM Modi's visit to Rome
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Italy on 19–20 May 2026, India and Italy elevated their relations to a Special Strategic Partnership and set a goal of €20 billion in bilateral trade by 2029.
First ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet: Ayurvedic anaemia trial results, Phase 1 report and single ethics review guidelines
At the 1st ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet on 20 May 2026, ICMR presented an ICMR-CCRAS anaemia trial, launched a report on First-in-Human Phase 1 trials and released guidelines for single ethics review of multicentre research.
Atal Pension Yojana adds a record 1.35 crore subscribers in FY 2025-26; women's share at 55.14%
At PFRDA's APY Annual Felicitation Programme on 20 May 2026, officials reported a record 1.35 crore new Atal Pension Yojana subscribers in FY 2025-26, over 9 crore gross enrolments and assets above ₹54,000 crore.
Eight core industries grow 1.7% in April 2026; steel, cement and electricity in positive territory
The Index of Eight Core Industries rose 1.7% (provisional) in April 2026 over April 2025, with only cement, steel and electricity recording positive growth.
World Metrology Day 2026: theme 'Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making'; 40 GATC certificates and e-Maap portal
On World Metrology Day, 20 May 2026, the Department of Consumer Affairs highlighted the theme 'Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making', 40 Government Approved Test Centre certificates and the new e-Maap legal-metrology portal.