Current Affairs Quiz - May 2026

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian Navy conducted the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR) off the Bay of Bengal near Odisha. NASM-SR is India’s first indigenous helicopter-launched anti-ship missile, replacing the Sea Eagle missile. It has been developed by Research Centre Imarat with other DRDO labs. The missile has a range of about 55 km and supports fire-and-forget capability in all weather conditions. It uses a solid booster and long-burn sustainer propulsion system.

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Scientists discovered two new firefly species named Diaphanes meghalayanus and Diaphanes mawlynnong. They were found in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. This marks the first formal documentation of firefly species from the state. The name meghalayanus reflects its regional distribution, while mawlynnong is named after Mawlynnong. The naming also acknowledges the local Khasi community. Both species thrive in dark, humid environments with minimal human disturbance. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Northeast India.

Notes:
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation is launching the E-PRAAPTI Portal (EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts). The portal aims to identify, track, and activate inoperative EPF accounts. It uses Aadhaar-based authentication for secure access to old accounts. It enables linking of old EPF accounts with the Unique Account Number (UAN). In the initial phase, access will be member ID-based for easier rollout. Later, it will also help users retrieve accounts even without member ID details.

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Scientists discovered new fossils of an ancient platypus species in South Australia showing it had teeth, unlike modern platypuses. The Platypus is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia. It belongs to a rare group of mammals called monotremes (egg-laying mammals). It inhabits freshwater systems ranging from tropical Queensland to Tasmania and the Australian Alps. It spends much of its time in burrows along riverbanks. Its conservation status is Near Threatened (IUCN).

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The sacred Piprahwa Relics of Gautam Buddha were recently brought to Leh, marking a major spiritual event in the region. These relics were originally discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh by William Claxton Peppé. They include bone fragments believed to belong to Buddha, along with crystal caskets, gold ornaments, and gemstones. An inscription in Brahmi script links the relics to the Sakya clan, confirming their historical authenticity. The Piprahwa site is associated with ancient Kapilavastu. The recent transfer of relics to Ladakh highlights their continuing religious, cultural, and diplomatic significance in Buddhism.

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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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India deployed Aarogya Maitri portable healthcare infrastructure in Jamaica to strengthen humanitarian diplomacy. The initiative boosts India–Caribbean ties under engagement with CARICOM. It operates within India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework. Aarogya Maitri Health Cube is the world’s first portable hospital, designed indigenously under Project BHISHM. It includes medical equipment like a mini-ICU, operation theatre, cooking station, food, water, power generator, blood test equipment, and an X-ray machine. This innovative hospital can provide essential healthcare in remote and high-altitude areas.

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The National Security Summit 2.0 held in New Delhi aimed to discuss evolving national security challenges and strategies in the changing global order. The summit focused on strengthening India’s security preparedness, governance adaptation, and strategic response mechanisms. It highlighted that Operation Sindoor reflects India’s firm commitment to a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism. It emphasised that India will make no distinction between terrorists and their sponsors in its security approach. The summit stressed the importance of adapting to the New World Order, especially in the context of global conflicts like West Asia.

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The 10th National Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Systems was held in Chandigarh as a two-day event. The summit aimed to share best practices, innovations, and successful strategies to strengthen India’s public health system. It focused on building a robust and comprehensive healthcare ecosystem under the National Health Mission. The initiative is expected to benefit health workers, frontline staff, and beneficiaries like pregnant women and children through improved record management. The summit highlighted how state-level innovations can be scaled up at the national level for better healthcare delivery.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation has launched the Vikram VT 21 project featuring wheeled and tracked advanced armoured platforms. The platform is designed with enhanced armour protection against projectiles, blasts, and shrapnel. The system includes integrated weapons and advanced surveillance capabilities. It offers modular ballistic and blast protection, improving battlefield survivability. The vehicle is amphibious, enabling operations across water bodies.