Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 26 May 2026, Daily Roundup
Current Affairs – 26 May 2026
National Affairs
Assam Introduces Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill
The Assam government tabled its UCC Bill in the State Assembly. The bill bans polygamy, mandates registration of live-in relationships, and exempts Scheduled Tribes (STs) to safeguard customary practices under the Sixth Schedule.
Padma Awards 2026 Conferred
President Droupadi Murmu conferred 66 Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan, and 58 Padma Shri awards. Veteran actor Dharmendra received a posthumous Padma Vibhushan.
PAC Begins New Term
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for 2026–27 held its first meeting under MP K.C. Venugopal. The committee audits Union Government expenditure based on CAG reports.
Finance Minister Flags “3F” Risks
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted Fuel, Fertiliser, and Foreign Exchange (3F) as major risks to India’s macroeconomic stability amid global crude oil volatility.
NEET (UG) 2026 Re-exam Preparedness
The Education Ministry directed states and UTs to ensure strict security and smooth conduct of the NEET-UG re-examination on 21 June 2026.
SIDBI Foundation Day
On its 37th Foundation Day, SIDBI launched new financial initiatives to improve credit access for MSMEs and promote the formalisation of small businesses.
International Affairs
Quad Foreign Ministers Meet in New Delhi
India hosted the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, attended by the US, Japan, and Australia. Discussions focused on critical mineral supply chains, Indo-Pacific maritime security, and resilient supply networks.
India–Ethiopia WTO Cooperation
India and Ethiopia signed a bilateral protocol supporting Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO, strengthening South-South cooperation and trade integration.
India–Bangladesh Diplomatic Engagement
Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma met Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman, reinforcing cooperation on connectivity, water sharing, and border security.
Global Geopolitical Crisis
US–Iran Talks in Doha
High-level US–Iran negotiations began in Doha to de-escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and address concerns over Iran’s enriched uranium programme.
Cyber Warfare Concerns Rise
Security experts warned that global cyber warfare and cybercrime costs reached record levels, while international legal mechanisms remain inadequate to regulate state-sponsored cyber attacks.
Sri Lanka Flood Crisis
Heavy monsoon rains displaced over 80,000 people in Sri Lanka, highlighting climate vulnerability in South Asia.
Defence
‘Suryastra’ Rocket System Unveiled
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a private defence manufacturing facility in Maharashtra and flagged off “Suryastra”, India’s first indigenous 300-km Universal Rocket Launching System.
Army Launches ‘Q-FORCE’ App
The Indian Army operationalised Q-FORCE, a secure digital logistics platform for real-time supply-chain and inventory management across terrains.
DRDO Clears ULPGM-V3 Missile
DRDO approved mass production of the ULPGM-V3 precision missile, designed for drone-based air-to-ground and air-to-air operations.
India–Russia Defence Talks
India and Russia held the 5th Sub Working Group (Land) Meeting, focusing on defence co-production, spare parts indigenisation, and logistics support.
Science & Technology
Space-Tech Push
The Department of Space approved Common Technical Facilities (CTFs) in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to support domestic space-tech startups through testing and validation infrastructure.
AMR Resolution at World Health Assembly
The World Health Assembly adopted a roadmap targeting a 10% reduction in antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related deaths by 2030.
Kyasanur Forest Disease (Monkey Fever)
ICMR transferred KFD biomaterials to Indian pharma firms to accelerate indigenous vaccines and diagnostic kits.
Assam Semiconductor Milestone
Tata Electronics advanced work on its ₹27,120 crore semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Jagiroad, Assam.
Sports
India’s First Freediving Team
India announced its first official team for the World Apnea Pool Championship in Budapest, marking a milestone in competitive freediving.
Asian U-23 Wrestling Championships
India won two gold medals in Vietnam: Akshay Tanaji Dhere (57 kg) and Vicky (97 kg) secured top honours.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Finalised
The playoff teams were confirmed: RCB, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals.
Global Observance
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
Observed globally to promote maternal healthcare access and reduce childbirth-related injuries through institutional deliveries.
Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs
- West Bengal: IAS officer Neelam Meena became the first woman Chief Electoral Officer of the state.
- Tamil Nadu: Three AIADMK MLAs resigned and joined TVK.
- Ladakh: ONGC’s MoU for the Puga geothermal project extended for five years.
- Environment: Supreme Court froze new commercial layouts near the Aravali Hills pending scientific mapping.
- India Post: Signed partnership with Flipkart for rural e-commerce deliveries.
- RBI: Penalised City Union Bank over SHG credit-reporting lapses and tightened cooperative bank governance norms.
- Fuel Prices: Petrol and diesel prices rose again amid global crude pressure.
