Current Affairs Quiz - May 2026

Notes:
Project Freedom is a United States-led naval mission launched to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The operation aims to assist “neutral and innocent” commercial ships trapped in the Persian Gulf amid tensions involving Iran and the United States. The mission is being supported by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and involves naval escorts for merchant vessels. The project was announced amid escalating geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global oil and shipping routes.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025 report. The number of establishments in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector increased from 7.34 crore in 2023–24 to 7.92 crore in 2025, registering 7.97% growth. The “Other Services” sector recorded the highest growth in establishments, followed by manufacturing and trade. The sector provided employment to around 12.81 crore workers, adding over 74.52 lakh jobs compared to the previous survey. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra accounted for more than one-third of total employment in the sector.

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Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation announced the establishment of its first centre in the United States. The new centre has been established at Menlo Park, California, near Silicon Valley. The announcement was made during the SelectUSA Investment Summit held in Maryland. The centre aims to strengthen India’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem and support startup commercialization globally. The project involves a planned investment of 7.5 million US dollars, including a greenfield investment of 4.5 million US dollars by IITM Global.

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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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Environmentalists have raised concerns over a proposed 100 megawatt solar power project near Sambhar Lake, stating that it may damage the fragile wetland ecosystem and biodiversity of the region. Sambhar Lake, located in the Jaipur and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan, is the largest inland saltwater lake in India and has an elliptical shape. The saline wetland is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills and is fed by five streams, namely Rupangarh, Mendha, Samoad, Khari, and Khandela. It was designated as a Ramsar Site in 1990 because of its ecological significance and importance for migratory birds and wetland biodiversity.

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World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2026 is observed on 8 May 2026 to mark the 198th birth anniversary of Henry Dunant. The 2026 theme, “United in Humanity” or “Keeping Humanity Alive,” recognises the dedication of humanitarian workers and volunteers serving people during conflicts, disasters, and emergencies. The day honours nearly 17 million volunteers and staff members associated with the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It also promotes the seven fundamental principles of the movement: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

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Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises implemented through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. The scheme provides Margin Money subsidy on bank loans for setting up new micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector, especially in rural areas. During the 15th Finance Commission cycle from 2021–22 to 2025–26, PMEGP helped establish more than 4 lakh micro-enterprises and generated employment for about 36.33 lakh people.

Notes:
South Korea introduced its first humanoid robot monk named Gabi at a Buddhist ceremony held at Jogyesa Temple on 6 May 2026. Gabi was presented by the Jogye Order ahead of Buddha’s Birthday celebrations on 24 May 2026. A humanoid robot is a machine designed with a human-like body structure, including a head, torso, arms, and legs. During the ceremony, Gabi bowed to monks, pledged devotion to Buddhism, and received the Dharma name “Gabi,” combining Siddhartha and the Korean word for mercy.

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BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting 2026 will be hosted by India in Indore during June 2026 under India’s BRICS presidency. Agriculture ministers from BRICS countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — will participate in the meeting. The discussions will focus on food security, modern agricultural practices, international agricultural trade, and farmers’ welfare. The meeting will also highlight climate-resilient agriculture, digital agriculture, and strengthening agricultural supply chains.

Notes:
White-bellied heron is a rare bird species found in the wetlands and free-flowing river habitats of the eastern Himalayan foothills in northeast India, Bhutan, and northern Myanmar. The proposal for Arunachal Pradesh’s Kalai-II hydel project has raised concerns because it does not mention the habitat of this critically endangered bird. The white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis), also called the imperial heron, is the second-largest living heron species in the world. The bird mainly feeds on fish in river rapids and is considered an indicator of healthy rivers, fish populations, and good water quality. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.