Current Affairs 21 May 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

BIS Notified E22-E30 Fuel Norms,  Approved Up to 30% of Ethanol Blending
In May 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), notified specifications for E22, E25, E27, and E30 fuel blends, setting specifications for petrol mixed with up to 30% ethanol, beyond the current E20 blend target.
About New Standards :
Norms Issued under: As per BIS latest notification, new specifications have been established under IS 19850:2026 for “E22, E25, E27 and E30 Fuel, Admixture of Anhydrous Ethanol and Motor Gasoline for Usage in Positive Ignition Engine Powered Vehicles.

• E22, E25, E27 and E30  refer to petrol blending with ethanol of 22%, 25%, 27% and 30%, respectively.

Significance: The new standards for higher ethanol-blended petrol variants, are expected to reduce India’s reliance on imported crude oil (which currently accounts for over 85% of the country’s total requirement) amid continuing volatility in global energy markets.
No Immediate Nationwide Rollout: However, BIS notification has outlined only the technical specifications required for latest ethanol blends, but did not   mandate immediate nationwide roll out of E30 fuel.

Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav Launches ‘Ayush Anudan’ Portal under Ayush Grid Initiative 
In May 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS), Independent Charge(IC)  Prataprao Jadhav, Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy), launched the ‘Ayush Anudan Portal’ to strengthen digital governance and enhance transparency in the Ayush sector, at Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
About Ayush Anudan Portal:
Platform: Developed by the Ministry of AYUSH under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)-compliant Ayush Grid initiative, the portal marks a major step towards streamlining the submission, processing, approval, and monitoring of funding proposals under various Central Sector Schemes.
Operation Framework: It enables organisations to submit funding proposals online through a simple system, eliminating manual and paper-based processes.

• Integration with the NGO Darpan Portal ensures easy verification of organisations, enhancing credibility and validation.

Features: The portal features a scheme-wise application management system that allows proposals to be categorised, processed, and monitored according to the requirements of different Central Sector Schemes(CSS) of the Ministry of AYUSH.

CBI Launches AI-Based ‘ABHAY’ Helpbot to Combat Digital Arrest & Fake Notice Scams
In May 2026, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions(MoPP&P), launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based helpbot named ‘AI-Based Helpbot for Authentication of Your Notice (ABHAY)’ to authenticate CBI notices and protect citizens from rising cyber fraud and digital arrest scams.
About Abhay:
Overview : India’s first real-time notice verification platform ‘ Abhay’ launched to help citizens identify fake notices issued in the name of the Central Bureau of Investigation through the official CBI website.
Verification System: A 24×7 AI-powered platform that allows users to upload suspected Central Bureau of Investigation notices after One-Time Password(OTP) verification to instantly check whether the document is genuine or fraudulent.
Features: An AI-powered helpbot designed to help citizens identify forged notices issued in the name of agencies like the CBI, police, customs, and other government bodies, while also guiding users on cyber fraud reporting and safe digital practices.

Bharat Forge to Establish India’s First Private-Sector Marine Gas Turbine Facility in AP
In May 2026, Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), through its Aerospace division, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP), to establish India’s first private-sector Marine Gas Turbine (MGT) Repair, Overhaul, and Indigenous Development Complex in Visakhapatnam, AP.

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) and N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister (CM), AP and Guru Biswal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aerospace division, BFL at the Aerospace and Defence Investment Conclave in Puttaparthy, AP.

About India’s First Private-Sector Marine Gas Turbine Facility:
Infrastructure: The facility will span 80 acres within the AP Defence Manufacturing Corridor, and will be developed by BFL’s aerospace division.

• It will be co-located with the Naval Dockyard, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Eksila, and Eastern Naval Command (ENC) Headquarters, Visakhapatnam.

Operation: The project will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase 1 includes a repair and overhaul facility with hot section restoration, component manufacturing, and a 72-hour turnaround service for the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
• Phase 2 will establish India’s first private-sector MGT Development and Assembly Hall, along with a hot test cell for indigenous development and qualification.

Indigenisation: BFL will also establish a Research and Development (R&D) and testing hub to support future indigenous marine turbine development programmes, further strengthening India’s push towards naval self-reliance.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Netherlands on May 16 -17, 2026 
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to the Netherlands from May 16 to 17, 2026, at the invitation of Rob Jetten, PM of the Netherlands.

• The visit was  part of the 2nd leg of PM Modi’s  5-nation tour that included the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sweden, Norway and Italy.

Highlights of the Visit:
Key Engagements: During his visit to the Netherlands, PM Modi met Dutch King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima at Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, the Netherlands.

• He also held a high-level meeting with his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten, at the official residence of Dutch PM (Catshuis) in The Hague.

Restitution of 11th Century Chola Copper Plates:  The Leiden University Library of the Netherlands restituted the 11th century Chola Copper Plates to the Government of India (GoI), in the presence of PM Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.
Roadmap of India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership:  Following the bilateral meeting held between PM Modi and Dutch PM Rob Jetten, both countries have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

Key MoUs: Following the bilateral meeting held between the leaders of two countries, 17 agreements were formalised in the fields of technology, green energy, trade and mobility among other sectors.

• India’s TATA Electronics Limited signed a MoU with  Dutch company ASML to support semiconductor Fab in Dholera, Gujarat.
• A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed  between the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS)of the Government of India (GoI) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Netherlands for technical cooperation with regards to the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat.

BANKING & FINANCE

Mahindra and DBS Bank Sign Pact to Launch India’s First Green Dealer Financing Scheme
In May 2026, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DBS Bank, to launch India’s 1st sustainability-linked dealer financing scheme in the automotive sector.

• As per the MoU, authorised Mahindra dealers will get preferential interest rates on vehicle loans linked to their environmental performance.

About Green Dealer Financing Framework:

Framework: Under the programme, dealers will be evaluated and ranked based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) parameters defined under Mahindra’s Green Dealership Programme.
Performance Criteria: ESG parameters includes Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions monitoring, water consumption, Renewable Energy (RE) use, rainwater harvesting, waste management, availability of public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging facilities, among others.

• The ESG parameters were developed jointly by M&M and DBS Bank India.

Green Financing Benefits:  As per MoU, dealers that meet defined criteria on ESG parameters, alongside sales targets, will get commercial benefits on loans used to buy passenger and commercial vehicles from the manufacturer.

RBI Cancels Licence of Yashwant Co-operative Bank in Maharashtra
In May 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Maharashtra-based Yashwant Co-operative  Bank Limited  with immediate effect, citing poor financial health, inadequate capital, and regulatory violations.

• The action was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

About RBI Decision:
Key Restrictions: RBI has restricted the UCB to carry out banking operations, including acceptance and repayment of deposits.
Winding-up Process: RBI has also directed the Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra, to start the winding-up process of the bank and appoint a liquidator.
Deposit Insurance: After the completion of liquidation process, the eligible depositors of UCB will be entitled to claim insurance of maximum Rs 5 lakh through the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

UNESCO-L’Oréal Recognises Five Women Scientists with 2026 International Awards for Women in Science
On 19 May 2026, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Fondation L’Oréal honoured five outstanding women scientists with the UNESCO–L’Oréal International Awards for Women in Science 2026 .

• The 2026 awardees includes Professor Liesl Zühlke from South Africa; Professor Felice Jacka from Australia; Professor Sarah A. Teichmann from United Kingdom(UK); Professor Raquel Lia Chan from Argentina; and Professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic from the United States(USA).

2026 Awards Highlights:
Award Ceremony: The UNESCO–L’Oréal For Women in Science International Awards 2026 will be presented at UNESCO headquarters in Paris(France) on 11 June, 2026.
Jury: The selection was made by an independent international jury chaired by Professor Brigitte L Kieffer, Research Director Emeritus at France’s National Institute for Health and Medical Research and a former laureate of the programme.
Areas of Recognition: This year’s laureates were honoured for their contribution to life and environmental sciences, including cardiovascular care, nutritional psychiatry, single-cell biology, agricultural biotechnology and tissue engineering.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Bharat Singh Chauhan Re-Elected as Chairman of Commonwealth Chess Association
In May 2026, Bharat Singh Chauhan was re-elected as the Chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) for the 2026–2030 term, during the Annual General Body Meeting held at Wasakaduwa, Sri Lanka.
Highlights of Meeting:
Office Bearers: Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidsh Sanusi (Malaysia), G. Luxman Wijesuriya (Sri Lanka), and Vicky Magu (South Africa) were elected as Deputy Chairman, General Secretary, and Treasurer respectively.
Executive Members: Hurrynarain Bhowany(Mauritius), Allan Herbert (Barbados), Benard Wanjala(Kenya), Craig Hall(New Zealand), and Crition Tornaritis(Cyprus) were also elected as executive members.
New Event: The CCA announced the launch of the Commonwealth School Chess Championship, with the first edition set to be hosted in Malaysia in October 2026.

Medha Kulkarni Appointed as Chairperson of Parliamentary Panel on Science, Environment
In May 2026, Medha Vishram Kulkarni, Member of Parliament (MP), Rajya Sabha, was appointed as Chairperson of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

• The appointment was officially approved by C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and came into effect on 18 May 2026.

Key Details of Appointment:
Regulatory Authority: The nomination and appointment were made under the provisions of Sub-Rule (1) and Sub-Rule (2) of Rule 269 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha)
Role: The committee plays a key role in examining policy matters, legislation, and issues related to science and technology, the environment, forests, and climate change.
Other Appointments: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla named Sudheer Gupta as the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

USA’s Liberty Mutual Insurance Increases Stake in Indian Arm Liberty General Insurance to 74% 
In May 2026, the United States of America (USA) based Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (LMIC) increased its stake in Liberty General Insurance (LGI) to 74% from 55.40%, strengthening its presence in India’s insurance sector following the Government of India’s (GoI) approval of 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance industry.
About LGI Stake Expansion:
Structure: LGI is a joint venture(JV) between the Liberty Mutual Group (LMG) and Enam Securities, which holds the remaining shares of 26% .
Expansion: The company plans to strengthen retail and commercial insurance operations, expand its distribution network across India, improve insurance penetration in urban and semi-urban markets, and support Liberty Mutual’s Asia-Pacific growth strategy.
Significance: The expansion reflects increasing foreign participation in India’s insurance sector and aims to enhance insurance accessibility by bringing global insurance capabilities to the Indian market.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DRDO Successfully Completes Development Trials of ULPGM-V3 in Air-to-Ground & Air-to-Air Modes 
In May 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence (MoD), successfully completed final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh (AP).

• The trials validated the indigenous missile system for anti-tank and aerial target engagements, enhancing India’s UAV-based precision strike capability and supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

About ULPGM-V3 Missile System:
Integration: The ULPGM-V3 was integrated with UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies (NRT) Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka and tested using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) with automated readiness, targeting, and launch operations.
Development: The missile was developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, Telangana, under the DRDO with support from Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, Telangana; Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh; and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune, Maharashtra.

ESA-CAS Joint Mission Launches SMILE Space Weather Satellite aboard Vega-C Rocket 
In May 2026, a European Space Agency (ESA) and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) joint mission, successfully launched “Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) spacecraft” aboard the Vega-C rocket from Kourou Spaceport, French Guiana, to study interactions between solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere and improve space weather forecasting capabilities.

• Scientific observations will begin about three months after launch, with the mission planned to operate for three years to improve protection against solar and geomagnetic storms.

About SMILE Mission:
Orbit: The Vega-C rocket launched the SMILE satellite into a 707 kilometer (km) circular orbit, from where it will undergo 11 engine burns over 42 days to reach its final elliptical orbit during its three-year mission.
Mission: It will conduct panoramic imaging of Earth’s magnetosphere for the first time to study solar wind interaction, solar storms, geomagnetic storms, auroras, and space weather effects while improving forecasting and protecting satellites and communication systems.
Specifications: The launch vehicle is 34.8 metres (m) tall, has a lift-off mass of 210 tonnes, uses three solid propellant stages: P120C, Zefiro-40, and Zefiro-9, along with the AVUM+ (Attitude Vernier Upper Module) liquid upper stage, and can carry 2.2 tonnes payload to a 700 km polar orbit.

OBITUARY

Former Uttarakhand CM Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (Retd) passes away in Dehradun 
On May 19, 2026, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand, Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (Retd), passed away at the age of 91 in Dehradun. The Government of Uttarakhand announced three days of state mourning.

• Government of India (GoI) conferred upon him the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 1982 for his distinguished service.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Former Federal Bank CEO Shyam Srinivasan Launches Leadership Book “Better Never Stops “
In May 2026, Shyam Srinivasan, former Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Federal Bank, launched his debut book ‘Better Never Stops’, a leadership and memoir-style publication based on his more than 30 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector across India.

• The book was published by Wyzr Content Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka.

Key Details:
About the Book: The book offers leadership insights from India’s banking sector, showcasing how resilience, adaptability, discipline, and continuous improvement drive the transformation and growth of mid-sized private banking institutions.
About the Author:

• Career: Shyam Srinivasan served as MD & CEO of Federal Bank for over 14 years from 2010 to 2024, leading the expansion of its digital and retail banking operations across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. He held leadership roles at Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Wipro.
• Recognition:  and received honours including the Business Standard Banker of the Year Award in 2021, Financial Express Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025, and Forbes Icon of Excellence recognition in 2025.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Museum Day 2026 – May 18
International Museum Day (IMD) is observed globally on 18 May by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to raise awareness about the role of museums as spaces for cultural exchange, mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among nations.

• 2026 Theme: “Museums Uniting a Divided World.”

Background:
Foundation: Before the launch of IMD, ICOM organized the ‘Crusade for Museums’ meeting in 1951, highlighting museum education, accessibility, and public engagement.
Establishment: IMD was established in 1977 through a resolution adopted at the ICOM General Assembly in Moscow, Russia, to unite museums worldwide and highlight their role in societal development.
2026 Updates: The 2026 IMD poster is designed by Gérard Barbet, French designer.

• On IMD 2026, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the ICOM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen joint cooperation.

World AIDS Vaccine Day 2026 – May 18
World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day(HVAD), is observed annually on 18th May to highlight the urgent need for an effective Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) vaccine and honour the efforts of researchers, healthcare workers, volunteers, and advocates involved in vaccine development.
Background: 
Commemoration: 18th May commemorates the 1997 speech delivered by former Bill Clinton at Morgan State University, where he stressed the urgent need for a preventive HIV vaccine.
First Observance: The first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on 18th May 1998 to mark the anniversary of Bill Clinton’s landmark speech.
Awareness Ribbon: The red ribbon symbolizes global awareness and support for people affected by HIV/AIDS, representing unity and the commitment to end new HIV infections by 2030.

International Day for Women in Maritime 2026 – 18 May 
The International Day for Women in Maritime (IDWIM) is annually observed across the globe on May 18 to celebrate the achievements of women in the maritime industry and promote gender equality and greater participation of women in the global maritime sector.

• 2026 Theme: “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence”

Background:
Adoption: In 2021, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) assembly at its 32nd session adopted Resolution A.1170(32), proclaiming May 18 every year as the IDWIM.
1st Observance: The first-ever International Day for Women in Maritime was observed on May 18, 2022.
2026 Award: During the event, Professor Momoko Kitada Nippon Foundation Professorial Chair in Gender and Innovation; Head, Maritime Education & Training at the World Maritime University (WMU), received the IMO Gender Equality Award 2026.

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