- On May 20, 2026 (Tuesday), the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) announced the selection of 10 institutions to establish Convergence Research Centres of Excellence (CoEs). These centres aim to integrate Science & Technology with Social Sciences and Humanities for multidisciplinary innovation.
- On May 21, 2026, the Indo‑Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) achieved its first all‑women international expedition to Mount Everest (8,848 m). The feat was announced on May 22, 2026, marking a historic milestone. A 14‑member team with 11 women climbers and 3 support staff reached the summit.
- On May 20, 2026 (Tuesday), the Bharath Digital Infrastructure Association (BDIA) launched Bharat Digital Samvad 2026 at Shangri‑La Hotel, New Delhi. It is India’s first national forum on digital sovereignty and sovereign digital infrastructure. The event also marked the public launch of BDIA, a not‑for‑profit industry body established in March 2025.
- On May 20–21, 2026, AI‑powered conversational fintech Jumpp secured key approvals from IRDAI. It received authorization as a Corporate Agency and an Insurance Self Network Platform (ISNP). These approvals allow Jumpp to distribute insurance products digitally, expanding reach and compliance.
- On May 20, 2026, cross‑border fintech Skydo secured two landmark approvals. It received in‑principle PSP approval in GIFT City (IFSC) — among the first cross‑border fintechs to achieve this. It also obtained RBI authorization under the Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA‑CB) framework for outward remittances.
- On 22 May 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved a record ₹2,86,588 crore surplus transfer (≈₹2.87 lakh crore) to the Central Government. This is the highest‑ever dividend, surpassing last year’s ₹2.69 lakh crore, providing a fiscal cushion amid West Asia tensions, rising oil prices, and subsidy pressures.
- On May 19, 2026 (Tuesday), Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra and NESAC (Dept. of Space) signed an MoU at BIT Mesra Campus, Ranchi. It focuses on advancing GeoAI, Remote Sensing, GIS, and interdisciplinary geospatial applications.
- In IPL 2026, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a record 65 sixes, the most in a single season. He surpassed the legendary Chris Gayle’s previous benchmark, becoming the new six‑hitting king.
- On May 22, 2026, India successfully test-fired the Agni‑1 Short‑Range Ballistic Missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. The test was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). Agni‑1 is a nuclear‑capable, short‑range ballistic missile with a range of 700–1,200 km.
- On May 22, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the ‘JEEVAN’ Mobile App and ‘SHATAYU’ Dashboard. The launch was part of a virtual national workshop on “Creating a Well‑Functioning Care Economy”. JEEVAN App streamlines care services, while SHATAYU Dashboard enables integrated monitoring and data insights.
- On May 21, 2026, the UN‑declared World Day for Cultural Diversity was observed globally. Established in 2002 (UNGA) after UNESCO’s 2001 Declaration on Cultural Diversity, it celebrates cultural richness and dialogue. The 2026 theme was “Dialogue Builds Bridges, Diversity Builds the World”.
- On May 21, 2026 (Thursday), India observed National Anti‑Terrorism Day. It commemorates the assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991. The day spreads awareness against terrorism and violence, promoting peace, unity, and harmony.
- On May 22, 2026, the UN‑declared International Day for Biological Diversity was observed worldwide. The 2026 theme was “Acting locally for global impact”, linking local initiatives to the 23 global targets of the KMGBF. The main event was hosted in Kenya’s Embobut Forest, Elgeyo Marakwet County, with a whole‑of‑society approach.
- In May 2026, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) extended the tenure of Anurag Garg, Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). His tenure has been extended till July 2027, ensuring continuity in leadership of India’s apex anti‑drug agency.
- On May 20, 2026 (Tuesday), Karnataka Grameena Bank (KGB) received the APY Annual Award of Visionary Achiever 2025‑26 from PFRDA in New Delhi. The bank enrolled 2,49,185 APY accounts against a target of 1,75,500, achieving 142% of the target — the highest in Karnataka. The award was presented to Chairman Shreekant M Bhandiwad during the APY Annual Felicitation Programme.
- On May 25, 2026, Tripti Mukherjee of Suri, Birbhum (West Bengal) received the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu. She has devoted 37–40 years to preserving Nakshi Kantha embroidery. Trained by her mother at age six, she empowered 20,000+ rural women through livelihood and entrepreneurship.
- On May 22, 2026, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book “The Library Man of India: The Story of P.N. Panicker” (authored by P.P. Sathyan) at Uprashtrapati Bhavan. He praised P.N. Panicker’s role in promoting literacy and libraries in Kerala and called for reviving the reading culture among youth.
- On May 25, 2026 (some reports cite May 24 night), veteran Olympian archer Shyam Lal Meena passed away at the age of 61. He was an Arjuna Awardee and among India’s pioneering Olympic archers. Meena breathed his last at a hospital in Rajasthan after a prolonged illness, reportedly linked to liver complications.
Questions
a) Banking Services
b) Defence Monitoring
c) Integrated Monitoring and Data Insights
d) Weather Forecasting
Answer: c) The SHATAYU Dashboard provides integrated monitoring, data analytics, and policy insights related to care services.
Q2. "The Library Man of India: The Story of P.N. Panicker" was authored by:
a) Shashi Tharoor
b) P.P. Sathyan
c) N. Ram
d) K. Satchidanandan
Answer: b) The book narrates the life and contributions of P.N. Panicker, who is widely regarded as the father of Kerala's library movement.
