Current Affairs One - Liner : 14th & 15th May 2026

National:

• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has officially notified that the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)—better known as VB-G RAM G Act, 2025—will come into force across India on July 1, 2026.

• On May 12, 2026, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance launched the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) in New Delhi. With an underwriting capacity of USD 1.5 billion, BMIP secures shipping risks of Indian vessels.
• On May 12, 2026, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched India’s first integrated CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage) field laboratory facility at IIT Bombay. The facility aims to advance carbon capture technologies and promote low-carbon industrial solutions.
• In May 2026, India and IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) launched a new 8-year strategy to strengthen the rural economy. The plan focuses on boosting farm productivity, rural enterprises, and climate-resilient livelihoods. It emphasizes women’s empowerment, youth employment, and inclusive growth in rural areas.
• On May 11, 2026, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under MeitY recognized five states for their strides in DigiLocker integration. The felicitation took place during the National Consultative Workshop on “Strengthening Cybersecurity Frameworks for State Data” in New Delhi.
• On May 12, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched two AI-powered weather forecasting systems in New Delhi. Developed by IMD, IITM Pune, and NCMRWF, they shift from general forecasts to precise, decision-based data. The systems aim to improve accuracy in extreme weather prediction and strengthen disaster preparedness.
• On May 13, 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a massive ₹37,500 crore scheme to promote surface coal and lignite gasification projects. The scheme targets gasifying 75 million tonnes of coal/lignite by 2030, aiming to cut India’s heavy dependence on imports of LNG, urea, ammonia, and methanol.
• The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops for the 2026‑27 marketing season, ensuring a payout of about ₹2.60 lakh crore to farmers. The MSP hike is aligned with the policy of fixing support prices at least 1.5 times the all‑India weighted average cost of production.
• On May 12, 2026, Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, along with key stakeholders, announced progress on the Unified Bharat e‑Charge (UBC) platform during the National Conference on Enabling Nationwide EV Charging Infrastructure under the PM E‑DRIVE Scheme in Bengaluru.
• The Mizoram Ginger Mission, formally titled Mizoram Ginger USP Sustainable Cultivation and Value Chain Development Project, was launched on May 13, 2026 by Union MDoNER Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Mizoram CM Lalduhoma. With a ₹189.79 crore outlay, it aims to promote sustainable ginger cultivation, strengthen the value chain.
• On May 14, 2026, the Department of Broadband Network (DBN) signed a pact with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to expand the BharatNet project. The agreement includes ₹2,432 crore financial assistance, aimed at strengthening rural broadband connectivity and bridging India’s digital divide.

Banking:

• AU Small Finance Bank has launched four new credit cards — AU Ananta, AU Laksya, AU Tejas, and AU Prathama — on May 13, 2026, offering travel, lifestyle, and digital benefits tailored to different customer segments. These cards provide rewards, cashback, lounge access, EMI options, and fee reversals, targeting Tier-1 and Tier-2 city consumers.
• The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the licence of Mumbai-based Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Ltd. effective May 12, 2026, citing inadequate capital, poor earnings, and non-compliance with regulations. The bank is barred from conducting banking operations, and liquidation will be overseen by the Maharashtra Registrar of Cooperative Societies.

Economy:

• On May 13, 2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification moving the export of sugar from the Restricted category to Prohibited with immediate effect. The decision was taken to safeguard domestic availability and control rising prices amid lower sugarcane output. This ban will remain in force until September 30, 2026, covering all forms of sugar exports.

MoUs:

• On May 13, 2026, the IndiaAI Mission (MeitY) signed an MoU with Karya in New Delhi to strengthen India’s inclusive AI ecosystem. The aim is to build high‑quality datasets, enhance AI Kosh infrastructure, and promote capacity building through training and workshops.
• On May 13, 2026, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) signed an MoU with Prasar Bharati in New Delhi to boost investor education. The aim is to spread financial literacy, promote safe investment practices, and prevent frauds through mass outreach.
• The Ministry of Ayush signed an MoU with Digital India BHASHINI on May 14, 2026 in New Delhi. The agreement aims to strengthen multilingual access to Ayush digital services using AI-powered language technologies. It seeks to bridge the language gap in healthcare by making traditional medicine knowledge — Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy — available in all 22 scheduled Indian languages.
• On May 12, 2026, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signed MoUs with Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram at its headquarters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The agreements aim to strengthen pharmacovigilance and medicine-safety systems across the three states. Focus areas include promoting the rational use of medicines and enhancing Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting.
• On May 12, 2026, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH) signed an MoU in New Delhi. The signing took place in the presence of senior officials from RBI, RBIH, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The aim is to strengthen AI-driven detection of mule accounts and cyber financial frauds across banks and digital-payment channels.

Science & Technology:

• On May 13, 2026, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) announced that the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) had discovered two new spider species — Psechrus ntu and Psechrus phenshunyu — during a pre-monsoon faunal expedition in Nagaland. These species, found in moist forest habitats, expanded India’s tally of Psechrus spiders to nine.
• On May 9, 2026, ISRO scientist Kuljeet Kaur Marhas was elected as the first Indian woman Fellow of The Meteoritical Society. She received this honour for 2026, one of the highest recognitions in meteoritics and planetary-science research. She is a professor in the Planetary Science Division at PRL, Ahmedabad, closely working with ISRO on cosmochemistry and planetary studies.

Sports:

• Dr. Sahdev Yadav, President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, has been unanimously elected as the new President of the South Asian Weightlifting Federation (SAWF) during its election meeting held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on May 12, 2026.

Committees:

• On May 12, 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant constituted the Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee (JIAC) headquartered at the Supreme Court in New Delhi. The high-powered panel aims to modernize court complexes, improve litigant facilities, and secure government funding of ₹40,000–₹50,000 crore. It is chaired by Justice Aravind Kumar with members including Justices Debangsu Basak, Ashwani Kumar Mishra, and Somasekhar Sundaresan, alongside technical experts.

Important Days:

• On Friday, May 15, 2026, the International Day of Families was observed globally, as proclaimed by the United Nations. The 2026 theme was “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing”. It focused on how inequality within and around families affects children.

Appointments:

• N. Rangasamy, leader of the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Puducherry for the fifth time on May 13, 2026. The oath was administered by Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan, following the NDA’s victory in the May 4 Assembly elections.
• Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been officially sworn in for a historic seventh term in office. The inauguration ceremony took place on May 12, 2026, at the Kololo Independence Grounds in the capital city of Kampala, extending his 40-year rule.
• Akash Ambani has been officially appointed as the Managing Director of Jio Platforms for a five‑year term, effective May 7, 2026. The announcement came through a Ministry of Corporate Affairs filing, marking a formal step in Reliance’s succession planning.
• Senior diplomat Periasamy Kumaran officially assumed charge as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on May 14, 2026. A seasoned officer of the Indian Foreign Service, he has earlier served in key diplomatic roles across Asia and Europe.
• On May 12, 2026, Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath as the Chief Minister of Assam for his second consecutive term. The swearing-in ceremony was held in Guwahati, attended by senior leaders and dignitaries. His reappointment reflects continuity in governance and Assam’s political stability under the BJP-led government.

Questions:

Q.1 Who became the first Indian woman Fellow of The Meteoritical Society in 2026?
a) Kuljeet Kaur Marhas
b) Tessy Thomas
c) Ritu Karidhal
d) Nandini Harinath

Answer: a) ISRO scientist Kuljeet Kaur Marhas (PRL Ahmedabad) was elected for her contributions to cosmochemistry and planetary studies.

Q.2 Who took oath as Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term on May 12, 2026?
a) Sarbananda Sonowal
b) Himanta Biswa Sarma
c) Pema Khandu
d) Conrad Sangma

Answer: b) Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in in Guwahati, reflecting continuity of BJP-led governance in Assam.