Current Affairs Today

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs May 22 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Launched Mission on “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh”
In May 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Madhavrao (M.) Scindia, Ministry of  Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER), launched Mission on “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh, a cluster-based Kiwi cultivation and value chain Development Mission, designed specifically for Arunachal Pradesh (AR). 
Key Details of Mission: 
Budget & Approach: MDoNER led mission,  has been designed under a whole-of-government, convergence-led approach,  with a total budget outlay of Rs 167 crore.
Combines Various Central Schemes: The newly launched mission combines various schemes of the  Union Ministries: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). In addition, the mission is supported by various organisations.
Cluster-based Approach: The Mission uses a cluster-based approach with six integrated cluster-level Post-Harvest Management Hubs which have been identified across: Ziro Valley (Lower Subansiri), Dirang and Kalaktang (West Kameng).
Key Targets: Some key targets outlined in the Mission are: extending shelf life of Kiwi; creating 2,000 Metric Tonne (MT) cold-chain capacity; enhancing  processing and value-addition facilities, among others.

Multinational Military Exercise PRAGATI 2026 Begins in Meghalaya 
On May 20, 2026, the first edition of Multilateral Military Exercise Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region(PRAGATI 2026) at the Foreign Training Node (FTN), Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya.

• The two-week exercise, organised by the Indian Army (IA) is being conducted from May 18 to 31, 2026 with participation from 12 friendly nations across the Indian Ocean Region and Southeast Asia.

About PRAGATI 2026:
Strategic Framework: The exercise was conducted under India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Doctrine and the Neighbourhood First & Act East Policies, aimed at strengthening regional security cooperation and enhancing Indo-Pacific collaboration among South Asian and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations.
Focus: The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in jungle and semi-mountainous terrain.
Participating Nations:  Along with India, military contingents from 12 countries namely Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are participating in the exercise, representing South Asia, Southeast Asia and the broader Indian Ocean Region.

Tonbo Imaging Secures Indian Navy Contract for High Power Microwave System under ADITI 3.0
In May 2026, defence technology company Tonbo Imaging secured a contract from the Indian Navy under the ADITI 3.0 innovation framework to integrate and commission a High Power Microwave (HPM) system for naval platforms.
About ADITI 3.0 HPM Project
Project Objective: The project aims to develop and integrate High Power Microwave (HPM)-based directed-energy capabilities for maritime warfare to counter electronic and unmanned threats.
Defence Support: The programme is supported by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) under the Ministry of Defence.
HPM Technology: The HPM system is a directed-energy weapon that uses electromagnetic energy to disable enemy electronics, sensors, drone swarms, and unmanned systems.

India’s ICAR-CRRI Develops World’s First AI-Designed Gene Editor for Crops ‘Plant-OpenCRISPR1’
In May 2026, the scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)’s Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), led by Dr. Kutubuddin Ali Molla, developed and validated Plant-OpenCRISPR1 (POC1), the world’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-designed genome-editing platform for plants, using rice as a model crop in Cuttack, Odisha.

• The platform enables advanced gene knockout, base editing, and prime editing in rice crops using AI-designed enzymes beyond conventional  Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technologies.

About Plant-OpenCRISPR1:
Objective: The platform aims to develop climate-resilient, disease-resistant, high-yield, and nutritionally enhanced crop varieties by enabling precise genome editing without introducing foreign genes.
Technology: POC1 uses AI-designed enzymes instead of naturally occurring microbial proteins used in traditional CRISPR systems and is based on OpenCRISPR-1 (OC1), an AI-generated nuclease originally designed for human cells in the United States of America (USA).
AI-Driven Protein Design: Uses large language models trained on vast protein databases to engineer advanced enzymes, accelerating next-generation genome editing and customised biotechnology solutions.
Publication: The research, accepted for publication in the international journal New Phytologist.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Sweden on May 17 to May 18, 2026 
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Sweden from May 17 to 18, 2026, at the invitation of Ulf Kristersson, PM of Sweden. Previously, he visited the Nordic country in 2018 to attend the inaugural India-Nordic Summit.
Key Highlights of the Visit:
Key Engagements:  During his visit to Sweden, PM Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson in Gothenburg and participated in the European Round Table for Industry co-hosted by Kristersson and Ursula von der Leyen.
Sweden’s Royal Order: PM Modi honoured with the “Royal Order of Polar Star”, Degree Commander Grand Cross, one of the highest civilian honours of the Swedish Government. This marked the 31st international honour.
Key Outcomes:

• Elevation of India-Sweden Bilateral Relations and Adoption of Joint Action for next year (2026-2030)
• Launch of India-Sweden Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0
• Joint Development of SITAC
• Joint Development of India-Sweden SME and Startup Platform
• Doubling of bilateral trade and Investment (next 5 years)
• Announcement of Tagore-Sweden” Lecture under the theme Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi.
• Indian Space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swedish National Space Agency(SNSA) to collaborate on India’s interplanetary mission i.e. Shukrayaan Mission to planet Venus.

BANKING & FINANCE

Bajaj General Insurance Launches MHCP EDGE+ Health Indemnity Plan with Coverage upto Rs 5 Crore 
In May 2026, Bajaj General Insurance Limited (BGIL) launched ‘My Health Care Plan Edge+’ (MHCP EDGE+), a next-generation health indemnity insurance plan offering coverage from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 5 crore, unlimited reinstatement benefits, modular add-ons, global treatment coverage, and wellness-linked healthcare services for individuals and families.

• The plan aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses by providing flexible, customisable, and long-term health protection solutions.

About My Health Care Plan Edge:
Coverage: The plan provides unlimited reinstatement within the same policy year along with coverage for hospitalisation, surgeries, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) charges, AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) treatments, organ donor and global treatments, and preventive healthcare services.
Eligibility: Coverage is available from 3 months of age with policy tenure up to 5 years, lifetime renewability, and flexible waiting period options.
Add-ons: The plan includes Consumables Plus for reducing non-payable discharge expenses, Super Cumulative Bonus for faster sum insured growth, and Major Illness and Accident Multiplier for enhanced protection during critical events.
Riders: Age Shield locks premium at entry age, Smart Tenure pools sum insured across policy tenure, Health Limitless offers one claim without annual limit, and Health Prime provides teleconsultation, diagnostics, preventive check-ups, and lifestyle services.

NCDEX Launches India’s First Weather Derivatives Contract “RAINMUMBAI”
In May 2026, the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) launched India’s first exchange-traded weather derivatives contract, ‘RAINMUMBAI’, marking the country’s entry into a regulated weather-risk trading market.
About ‘RAINMUMBAI’:
Purpose: The new contract derivative, scheduled to be implemented on June 01, 2026,  is designed to hedge the financial exposure of rainfall extremes and variability in the city of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and its surrounding area.
Developed by: The new weather derivative contract was developed in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) and is anchored in official rainfall  data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Ticket Size: The contract will use a tick size of 1 millimeter (mm) with a lot multiplier of Rs 50 per mm and a maximum order size of Rs 50 lots.
Settlement Process: The contract will be cash-settled, with data sourced from IMD surface rainfall observations and Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) located in Santa Cruz and Colaba.
Model: The contracts are structured on a scientifically structured Cumulative Deviation Rainfall (CDR) model, measuring the deviation of actual rainfall from the Long Period Average (LPA) during the monsoon season (June-September).
Data Period: The benchmark for new contract derivative has been built using a 30 year rainfall dataset i.e. from 1991 to 2020.
Diversified Users: The new product will be used by a wide range of users such as: farmers, construction firms, power utilities, logistics operators, and banks who specifically deal with agricultural loan portfolios.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

UNDESA Lowers India’s GDP Forecast to 6.4% for FY27 
In May 2026, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) released the report, ‘World Economic Situation
and Prospects 2026’, in which it revised down India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) to 6.4% from its earlier projection of 6.6%.
Key Highlights:
Prepared by: The report is prepared by the Global Economic Monitoring Branch in the Economic Analysis and Policy Division of the UNDESA.

• This report updates the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 released on 8 January 2026.

Reason: The reasons for downward revision are global uncertainties and economic shocks arising from the ongoing West Asia crisis.
India’s Forecast: The report has reduced the GDP forecast for FY28 to 6.6%, slightly lower than the forecast made in January 2026. 

• In India, inflation is forecast at 4.9% for FY27, within the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) target range.

ICRA Lowers India’s GDP growth Forecast by 30 bps, to 6.2% in FY27
In May 2026, India’s Credit Rating Agency, ICRA Limited (formerly Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited) revised down India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast by 30 basis points (bps), to 6.2% in Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27), compared to its previous estimate of 6.5%.

• The agency cited that the  downward revision of India’s economic growth  was mainly driven by elevated crude oil prices due to ongoing West Asia conflict.

Key Projections:
GDP : Also, ICRA projected India’s GDP growth at 7.5% for FY26, which is 10 bps lower than the National Statistical Office (NSO)’s Second Advance Estimated (SAE) of 7.6%.

• The rating agency further estimated that India’s GDP growth in the 4th Quarter (Q4: January-March) of FY26 is expected to reduce 3-quarter low of 7% compared to 7.8% recorded in Q3FY26.

Merchandise Growth: The report highlighted that India’s Merchandise exports in Q4FY26 declined by 2.8% on a Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) basis, due to slow global growth and energy supply disruptions amid West Asia conflict.

Tata Power–Bhutan’s Druk Green Ink Pact for Clean Energy Framework
In May 2026, Tata Power Company Limited(TPCL) and Bhutan’s state-owned utility Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a clean energy cooperation framework aimed at developing 5,000 Megawatt (MW) clean energy capacity in Bhutan.
Key Details of MoU:
Signatories: The agreement was signed by Dr. Praveer Sinha, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Managing Director (MD), TPCL and Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, MD, DGPC.
Bilateral Approvals: Under the pact, Tata Power will obtain necessary approvals from the Government of India (GoI), while DGPC will handle trainee mobilization and secure statutory clearances from the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Initiative: Training programmes will be conducted through the Tata Power Skill Development Institute (TPSDI) to build a skilled workforce for Bhutan’s clean energy and renewable power sector.
Implementation Support: TPCL will provide technical expertise, training infrastructure, course material, and accreditation support through the TPSDI, while DGPC will oversee trainee mobilisation and deployment for effective implementation of the programmes under the MoU.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Taiwanese Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and Lin King Wins International Booker Prize 2026 for ‘Taiwan Travelogue’
In May 2026, Taiwanese author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and Taiwanese-American translator Lin King won the 2026 International Booker Prize for ‘Taiwan Travelogue’, the first Mandarin Chinese novel to receive the award, at a ceremony held at Tate Modern in London, United Kingdom (UK).

• Yáng Shuāng-zǐ became the first Taiwanese author, while Lin King became the first Taiwanese-American translator to receive the award.

About Taiwan Travelogue:
Overview: Taiwan Travelogue is a historical fiction novel originally published in Mandarin Chinese in 2020 by Springhill Publishing, later translated into Japanese by Chuokoron-Shinsha and translated into English by Taiwanese-American translator Lin King in 2024, with the English edition published by Graywolf Press.
Awards: The novel also won the 2024 National Book Award for Translated Literature (United States of America, USA), Japan’s Best Translation Award in 2024 translated by Yūko Miura, and Taiwan’s Golden Tripod Award in 2021, Taiwan’s highest literary honor.
Cash Prize: The award carried a cash prize of 50,000 British Pound Sterling (GBP), shared equally between the author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and the translator Lin King, while each shortlisted author-translator pair received 5,000 GBP.

India’s BWSSB Ranked Among Top Five Global Water Utilities at Global Water Summit 2026 in Madrid 
The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Bengaluru, Karnataka, secured a place among the top five global water utilities across three major award categories at the 2026 Global Water Awards presented during the Global Water Summit 2026 held in Madrid, Spain from 18–20 May 2026.

• BWSSB became the only Indian water utility to receive top-five global recognition in 3 categories such as Utility of the Year 2026, Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) Champion of the year 2026, Water Project of the Year 2026.

About BWSSB Global Recognition:
Categories:
Utility of the Year 2026: BWSSB secured a place among the top five global utilities in the Utility of the Year 2026 category, alongside Sabesp of Brazil, which received distinction, and National Water Company of Saudi Arabia, which won the award.
SDG-6 Champion of the year 2026: It was ranked among the global top five in the SDG-6 Champion of the Year 2026 category for contributions to clean water and sanitation, alongside Aguas Nuevas of Chile, which received distinction, Indah Water Konsortium of Malaysia, which won the award, SANASA of Brazil, and Sanepar of Brazil.
Water Project of the Year 2026: The Cauvery Stage V Drinking Water Project of BWSSB was shortlisted among the world’s top five in the Water Project of the Year 2026 category, with the Upper Wawa Bulk Water Project of the Philippines winning the award and the Surat Advanced Ultrafiltration Plant of India receiving distinction.

HAL’s K.K. Venugopal Becomes First Indian Test Pilot Elected Fellow of SETP, USA
In May 2026, Group Captain Kolal Krishnamurthy (K.K.) Venugopal (Retd), Executive Group of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), became the first Indian test pilot to be elected as a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), United States of America (USA).

• The recognition honours his outstanding contributions to experimental flight testing, aerospace innovation, and India’s indigenous defence aviation programmes

About K.K. Venugopal:
Career: Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in December 1989, K.K. Venugopal flew multiple variants of the MiG-21 and later commanded the elite No. 15 Squadron “Flying Lances”, operating the MiG-21 Bis FR (Fighter Reconnaissance) aircraft.
Transition to HAL: He took voluntary retirement from the IAF in 2016 before joining the design and development ecosystem of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Current Role: He currently serves as Executive Director(ED) and Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) at HAL.
Awards & Recognition: He received the Vayu Sena Medal(VSM)  in 2004 for exceptional skill in safely handling post-takeoff technical failures and successfully landing the Saras prototype aircraft.
SETP: It is an international organisation that aims to promote air safety and contribute to aeronautical advancements.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

GRSE Launches Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘INS Sanghmitra’ for Indian Navy at Kolkata, WB
On May 20, 2026, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited launched ‘Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sanghmitra(Yard 3039)’, the first of four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Navy (IN), at its yard in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).
About INS Sanghmitra:
Overview: It is a Shachi-class NGOPV being built under the Buy (Indian-IDDM(Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacturing)) category to strengthen India’s indigenous naval and defence manufacturing capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
Heritage: The vessel is named after Sanghmitra, daughter of Emperor Ashoka who spread the teachings of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka, while the ship’s crest depicts the constellation Ursa Major and a red-and-white lighthouse.
Specifications: The vessel measures around 113 metres (m) in length with a beam of 14.6 m, displacement of 3,000 tonnes, maximum speed of 23 knots, endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots, and a draught of 4 m enabling coastal and littoral operations.

India Successfully Tests ‘Suryastra’ Rockets with 300 km Strike Capability off Odisha
In May 2026, India successfully carried out consecutive trials of ‘Suryastra’ Universal Rocket Launcher system, achieving precise strikes on targets up to 300 kilometres (km) and successfully meeting all mission objectives.

• The high-precision trials were carried out by NIBE Limited from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Balasore, off the coast of Odisha.

About Suryastra: 
Overview: Suryastra is a long-range guided rocket artillery system developed to carry out precision strikes on enemy command centres, radar installations, logistics hubs, and strategic targets deep inside hostile territory.

• Developed by Pune(Maharashtra)-based NIBE Limited in collaboration with Elbit Systems, Israel.

Background: The firing demonstration was conducted as part of a Rs. 293 crore Indian Army(IA) procurement order placed in January 2026 under the Emergency Procurement window.
Variants:

• Tactical Variant (150 km): Achieved a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 1.5 metres (m), designed for precise tactical battlefield support and neutralisation of nearby targets.
• Strategic Variant (300 km): Achieved a CEP of 2m, enabling precise strikes on high-value targets with minimal collateral damage, and placing Suryastra among the world’s most accurate long-range rocket artillery systems.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Fair Play Day 2026- May 19 
The United Nations (UN) observed World Fair Play Day every year across the globe on May 19 to promote sportsmanship based on friendship, solidarity, tolerance, inclusion, non-discrimination, honesty, respect, and fairness, encouraging all stakeholders in sports to uphold integrity and the true spirit of competition.

• The year 2026 marks the second observation of World Fair Play Day.

Background: 
Origin: World Fair Play Day originated from fair play initiatives launched in Brussels, Belgium, in 2013, with the first global celebration held in 2020 by the International Committee for Fair Play (CIFP), and Brussels continuing to host the annual ceremony.
UNGA Resolution: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), during its 78th session, adopted Resolution A/RES/78/310 on 1 July 2024, officially declaring 19 May as World Fair Play Day.
First Observation: The first-ever World Fair Play Day was observed on 19 May 2025.

World Bee Day 2026 – May 20 
The United Nations (UN) observes World Bee Day (WBD) every year on May 20 to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators in supporting biodiversity, food security, and sustainable development.

• 2026 Theme: “Bee Together for People and the Planet – A partnership that sustains us all.”

Background:
Initiation: The proposal to observe World Bee Day was initiated by the Republic of Slovenia, with support from Apimondia (International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations), at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Europe held in Rome, Italy in 2016.

• The proposal was submitted for consideration at the 40th Session of the FAO Conference in 2017.

Resolution: On 20 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/72/211, officially proclaiming 20 May as World Bee Day every year.
Significance:  May 20 marks the birth anniversary of Anton Janša, an 18th-century Slovenian pioneer known for developing modern apiculture techniques.
First Observance: The first WBD was celebrated on 20 May 2018.

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