Current Affairs [Top Questions]

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The 2nd BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting was held in Thiruvananthapuram under India’s Presidency. Delegations from China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates participated in the meeting. The meeting focused on three major areas: social security and labour formalisation, women’s workforce participation, and skills development. The discussions emphasized the need for inclusive social protection systems, greater participation of women in the workforce, and responsive skill development systems.

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The Department of Financial Services approved Viability Plan 2.0 for Regional Rural Banks to improve financial sustainability and operational efficiency. The plan will be implemented for three years from 2025–26 to 2027–28 under the Ministry of Finance. It aims to strengthen governance reforms, improve profitability, enhance operational excellence, and ensure long-term competitiveness of Regional Rural Banks. Viability Plan 1.0 was introduced in Financial Year 2022–23 focusing on credit expansion, Non-Performing Asset reduction, digital adoption, and cost rationalization. Viability Plan 2.0 includes 30 performance parameters to monitor the functioning of all 28 Regional Rural Banks.

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India hosted the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This is the first time in 44 years that India is hosting the Asian Weightlifting Championships. The tournament is held from 11 May to 17 May 2026. Around 180 athletes from 28 countries will participate in the event. The championship is important for qualification for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. India, China, and Sri Lanka have the largest squads with 16 lifters each.

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Kukke Subrahmanya Temple recently recorded its highest-ever revenue of ₹167.89 crore during 2025–26. The temple is located in Subrahmanya village of Karnataka on the banks of the Kumaradhara River at the foothills of Kumara Parvatha in the Western Ghats. The temple is dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya, also known as Kartikeya, Murugan, and Skanda.
Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped here as the lord of serpents. The temple is regarded as the foremost centre of Sarpa (serpent) worship in India.

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India has become the second-largest trading partner of Bangladesh, overtaking the United States. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, India accounted for 8.47% of Bangladesh’s total trade in February, valued at Tk 123.28 billion. The United States followed closely with an 8.46% share worth Tk 123.17 billion. The development reflects Bangladesh’s increasing economic dependence on regional trade and imports from neighbouring countries.

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World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed every year on 21 May. The day celebrates cultural diversity and promotes intercultural dialogue for peace, stability, and sustainable development. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002 following UNESCO’s 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. The observance highlights the importance of understanding different cultures and reducing stereotypes, discrimination, and social divisions. It also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through creative and inclusive cultural approaches.

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Ambazari Lake has recently witnessed intensified efforts to remove invasive water hyacinth using high-capacity harvester machines. The lake is located near the southwestern border of Nagpur, Maharashtra and is the city’s oldest and largest lake. Ambazari Lake was constructed in 1870 during the rule of the Bhonsle dynasty. It was originally developed as a reservoir to supply water to Nagpur and served the city’s water needs for more than three decades. The lake is historically linked to the origin of the Nag River, which flows from it.

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Tripti Mukherjee received the Padma Shri on May 25, 2026, from President Droupadi Murmu. She is honoured for preserving and promoting the traditional Kantha Embroidery of West Bengal. With more than 37 years of experience, she trained rural women through her embroidery centre in Suri, helping them achieve financial independence. Earlier, she received prestigious honours including the Shilp Guru Award, Bangashree Award, and National Award Certificate.

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Google introduced “information agents” that monitor the web on behalf of users. Information agents are AI-powered assistants integrated with search systems that continuously track websites, updates, listings, and user-defined tasks. These agents perform more effectively when provided with detailed personal information such as location, finances, and user preferences.

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Oil India Limited discovered a new gas-bearing zone in the Dandewala gas field in western Rajasthan. The discovery marks the first confirmed gas presence in the shallower Sanu Formation at Dandewala, opening a new exploration zone in the basin. The Sanu Formation is a sedimentary rock formation located in the Jaisalmer Basin and mainly belongs to the Khuiala Formation of the lower Eocene epoch. The Khuiala Formation contains sandstone, shale, and limestone deposits.