Current Affairs One - Liner: 22nd & 23rd May 2026

National:

• Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region - DoNER) launched this initiative on May 20, 2026. It is a ₹167 crore cluster-based project aimed at transforming Arunachal Pradesh’s kiwi sector through full value-chain development — from improved cultivation and post-harvest management to branding, processing, and global market access.

• Bengaluru-based Tonbo Imaging won a contract from the Indian Navy under the ADITI 3.0 innovation framework (part of iDEX and Defence Innovation Organisation). The deal involves integrating and commissioning a High Power Microwave (HPM) system on naval platforms
• NCDEX has launched India’s first exchange-traded weather derivative, a futures contract called RAINMUMBAI, which tracks rainfall deviations in Mumbai during the monsoon season (June–September) using IMD data. Trading begins on 29 May 2026, marking a new era in India’s commodity markets.
• On 23 May 2026, Tata Power and Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) signed a Clean Energy Framework Agreement. The pact aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in renewable energy, focusing on hydropower, solar, and cross-border electricity trade.
• The Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), USA elected Group Captain (Retd.) Kolal Krishnamurthy Venugopal as a Fellow around May 19, 2026. He is the first Indian test pilot to receive this prestigious recognition, honoring his 25+ years of contributions as an Experimental Test Pilot.
• On May 19, 2026, Group Captain (Retd.) Kolal Krishnamurthy Venugopal became the first Indian test pilot elected as a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), USA. He is Executive Director & Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) at HAL Bengaluru. The fellowship honors his 25+ years of contributions as an Experimental Test Pilot.
• On May 29, 2026, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched Phase‑II of the UMMID Programme for rare genetic disorders. UMMID (Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders) aims to strengthen genetic diagnosis, counseling, and treatment facilities across India. Phase‑II expands specialized genetic labs, training programs, and outreach services, building on the success of Phase‑I.
• On May 19–20, 2026, UK’s British International Investment (BII) and Denmark’s Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) launched a USD 300 million renewable energy platform “North Star” in India. Each partner invested USD 150 million, focusing on solar, wind, hybrid projects, and energy storage. The platform will generate 4 million MWh annually and avoid 4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.

International:

• The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) released its mid-year update of the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report around 20 May 2026. In this update, India’s GDP growth forecast for FY27 was revised downward to 6.4%, compared to the earlier projection of 6.6%.

Banking:

• Hyderabad-based fintech startup ZikZuk Technologies received final authorization from the RBI to operate as a Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) issuer. This allows them to issue prepaid wallets, cards, and enable UPI payments. They had earlier received in-principle approval in 2025.
• On May 18/19, 2026, Bajaj General Insurance (formerly Bajaj Allianz) launched My Health Care Plan EDGE+ (MHCP EDGE+), a flexible health indemnity product. It offers a sum insured from ₹5 lakh to ₹5 crore with unlimited reinstatement within the policy year.

Economy:

• On 19 May 2026, credit rating agency ICRA revised its baseline forecast for India’s FY27 GDP growth downward by 30 basis points to 6.2%, from the earlier estimate of 6.5%. For FY26, ICRA projects GDP growth at 7.5%, slightly below the NSO’s Second Advance Estimate of 7.6%.
• On May 22, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a record surplus transfer of ₹2,86,588 crore (approx. ₹2.87 lakh crore) to the Central Government for the financial year 2025-26. This is higher than the ₹2.69 lakh crore paid in FY25.

MoUs:

• On May 19, 2026, the Maharashtra government signed MoUs worth ₹6.5 lakh crore with four companies to add 25,400 MW nuclear power capacity. NTPC will invest ₹1 lakh crore for 7,200 MW, while Adani Power pledged ₹1.5 lakh crore for 6,000 MW at Ratnagiri. Reliance Industries will invest ₹2 lakh crore for 7,200 MW, including Small Modular Reactors at Purnagad.
• On May 19, 2026, the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), promoted by SEBI, and the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs signed an MoU in Mumbai. The collaboration focuses on corporate governance, ESG, sustainable finance, and capacity building.
• Around May 20–21, 2026, MP CM Mohan Yadav met Google Cloud India officials in Bhopal. They signed an MoU for AI‑powered solutions to manage Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 in Ujjain. Focus areas include crowd management, traffic, safety, emergency response, and citizen services.

Science & Technology:

• Scientists at ICAR‑Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack, led by Dr. Kutubuddin Ali Molla, developed Plant‑OpenCRISPR1 (POC1) — the world’s first fully AI‑designed genome‑editing platform for plants. POC1, based on the AI‑generated nuclease OpenCRISPR‑1, demonstrated gene knockout, base editing, and prime editing in rice.
• A new species of underground worm-eating snake was discovered in Murlen National Park, Mizoram (and a specimen from Myanmar). It was formally described in May 2026 and named after Professor Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga of Mizoram University for his contributions to herpetology.

Reports:

• On May 19, 2026, UN‑Habitat released the World Cities Report 2026 at the World Urban Forum 13 (Baku, Azerbaijan). It warned of a global housing crisis, with 3.4 billion people lacking adequate housing. The report highlighted worsening affordability and access gaps, calling it a severe humanitarian challenge.

Sports:

• On May 22, 2026, former India all‑rounder Vijay Shankar retired from domestic cricket and the IPL at age 35. He chose to pursue new opportunities in overseas franchise leagues and explore a fresh career chapter.
• On May 23, 2026, at Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi, sprinter Gurindervir Singh clocked 10.09s in men’s 100m, setting a new national record. He won gold at the Federation Cup 2026, beating Animesh Kujur (10.20s). This made him the first Indian to break the 10.10s barrier, surpassing his own earlier record.
• On May 22, 2026, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index confirmed Lionel Messi has officially become a billionaire. He joins Cristiano Ronaldo as only the second footballer in history to reach this mark. Messi’s net worth crossed $1 billion (~₹8,300 crore), with $700M+ career earnings from salary/bonuses.

Defence:

• Pune-based Nibe Limited successfully tested the indigenous Vayu Astra-1 loitering munition (kamikaze drone) for the Indian Army. It demonstrated precision strikes up to 100 km (with <1m CEP accuracy) in trials at Pokhran (Rajasthan) and high-altitude areas in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, in April 2026.
• The Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) launched the next‑generation Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sanghmitra for the Indian Navy at its Kolkata shipyard, West Bengal. The launch took place in late May 2026, marking a major step in India’s indigenous warship building program.

Apps & Portals:

• On May 20, 2026, the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) launched the official Bharat Tex 2026 Event App, unveiled by Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, MoT. The app provides a seamless, technology‑driven experience for India’s largest global textile event. Key features include AI‑powered matchmaking, smart assistant, exhibitor discovery, B2B meeting scheduling, and real‑time updates.

Important Days:

• On May 19, 2026, the UNGA observed the second World Fair Play Day, proclaimed via Resolution A/RES/78/310 (July 2024). It promotes values of respect, integrity, friendship, solidarity, tolerance, inclusion, and non‑discrimination in sports and society.
• On May 20, 2026, the UNGA marked World Bee Day, commemorating Anton Janša (1734), pioneer of modern beekeeping. The 2026 theme (FAO) was “Bee Together, for People and the Planet”, stressing human‑pollinator partnership. It raises awareness of bees’ role in food security, biodiversity, and healthy ecosystems.
• On May 20, 2026, World Metrology Day was observed to commemorate the Metre Convention of 1875. The theme was “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”, stressing accurate measurements for evidence‑based governance. Events included webinars by BIPM, OIML, UNESCO, and national metrology institutes worldwide.
• On May 21, 2026, the UN‑designated International Tea Day was celebrated globally. The theme was “Tea for Wellness”, focusing on tea’s health benefits and cultural significance. Events by FAO and countries including India emphasized rural development and sustainability.

Awards & Honours:

• Professors Salim Abdool Karim (Order of Mapungubwe in Gold) and Keertan Dheda (Silver) received South Africa’s highest civilian honour — the Order of Mapungubwe — for their contributions to HIV/AIDS, TB, and public health research. The awards were presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa on May 19, 2026.
• Taiwanese author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and translator Lin King won the International Booker Prize 2026 on 19 May 2026 for their novel Taiwan Travelogue, making history as the first Mandarin Chinese work to win the award. The book blends romance, food, and postcolonial themes set in 1930s Japanese-ruled Taiwan.
• IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal and Dr. Soumya Swaminathan have been elected Fellows of the Royal Society in May 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific honors. This recognition places them among a global cohort of 90 distinguished researchers, joining the ranks of Newton, Darwin, Einstein, and Stephen Hawking.

Books:

• On May 23, 2026 (Saturday), HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the second edition of the novel Bazaar in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The book is authored by Niranjan Dev Sharma, a noted writer from Kullu. Bazaar is a historical fiction chronicling India’s social and political events from 1971 to 1992.

Questions 

Q1. ZikZuk Technologies received RBI authorization to operate as:

a) Small Finance Bank
b) Payment Bank

c) PPI Issuer
d) Account Aggregator

Answer: c) PPI stands for Prepaid Payment Instrument, allowing issuance of wallets and prepaid cards.

Q2. Bajaj General Insurance launched which new health product?
a) Health Shield Plus

b) Smart Care Elite
c) MHCP EDGE+
d) Care Protect Max

Answer: c) MHCP EDGE+ offers health insurance coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹5 crore.