Current Affairs Quiz - May 2026

Notes:
Preah Vihear Temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Preah Vihear Province of Cambodia. It stands atop a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains along the Cambodia–Thailand border, giving it strategic importance. It was built during the Khmer Empire (11th–12th century), it was developed by kings Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II. The temple was used for over 800 years by Angkor rulers. Later, it gradually transformed into a Buddhist site with added decorations. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Recently, tensions and clashes have again emerged between both countries over control of the temple.

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A recent study suggests the Rongorongo script of Easter Island developed independently before European arrival. Easter Island is a dependency of Chile located in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the easternmost part of the Polynesian island region and is extremely isolated. The island was discovered in 1722 by Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday. It has a tropical rainforest climate and three extinct volcanoes: Terevaka, Poike, and Rano Kau. There are no permanent rivers, but three crater lakes exist.

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The Indian Army contingent has reached Cambodia for the second edition of the India–Cambodia joint military exercise CINBAX-II 2026. The exercise is held at Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Training Centre in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia from May 4 to 17, 2026. Around 120 Indian personnel, mainly from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, are participating. The Cambodian side is represented by about 160 personnel from the Royal Cambodian Army. The exercise is conducted under the framework of Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate. It focuses on counter-terrorism operations in sub-conventional and semi-urban environments.

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Mount Dukono recently erupted, sending an ash column up to 1,400 meters above its summit. It is an active volcano located on Halmahera Island in North Maluku, Indonesia. The volcano has a broad, low profile with multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. It lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Since 1933, it has shown continuous volcanic activity with frequent eruptions and ash emissions. Its eruptions are both explosive and effusive, producing lava flows and mudflows.

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The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has permitted major equipment erection at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Units 5 and 6. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is India’s premier authority for nuclear and radiation safety. It was established on November 15, 1983, under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. Its regulatory powers are derived from the Atomic Energy Act and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The main objective of the Board is to ensure safe use of nuclear energy and ionising radiation without risk to people and the environment. Its headquarters is located in Mumbai.

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GalaxEye has successfully launched Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR satellite. The satellite was launched aboard Falcon 9 from California, United States. Mission Drishti weighs about 190 kilograms and is the largest Earth observation satellite built by a private Indian company. It combines optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology for all-weather, day-and-night imaging. The mission enhances India’s capabilities in Earth observation and strategic monitoring.

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Jannik Sinner won the Madrid Open title by defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets (6–1, 6–2). With this victory, Sinner became the first man to win five consecutive ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Masters 1000 titles. He also became the first player to win the season’s opening four Masters events: Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. The 24-year-old Italian has shown dominance across both hard and clay courts. Sinner has now won nine consecutive matches against Zverev and 10 out of their 14 encounters.

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EonSpacelabs developed India’s first germanium-free thermal imaging payload, Lumira_E40I50, for drones. It is an Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) system designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It detects humans up to 2 km and vehicles up to 8 km using Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI). It replaces germanium with chalcogenide glass, reducing dependence on Chinese supply chains. It operates in −20°C to +55°C, suitable for varied terrains. It supports Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with features like 40× zoom and infrared sensors.

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Prasoon Joshi has been appointed as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati. Prasar Bharati is India’s autonomous public service broadcaster functioning under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It was established under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990 and became operational in 1997. Prasar Bharati comprises two major divisions: All India Radio and Doordarshan.

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INS Sagardhwani recently visited Cam Ranh, Vietnam, strengthening India-Vietnam scientific cooperation. It is an oceanographic research vessel commissioned in July 1994. The name “Sagardhwani” means “sound or voice of the sea.” The vessel was designed by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). It is equipped with advanced scientific laboratories and equipment for oceanographic research. INS Sagardhwani contributes to marine acoustics, naval oceanography, and collaborates with Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratories under the Sagar Maitri initiative.