Current Affairs Quiz - May 2026

Notes:
Researchers from China developed an Artificial Intelligence-driven method to convert nitrate-rich wastewater into ammonia for fertilisers. The technology uses a dual-atom catalyst discovered through machine learning to improve nitrate electroreduction efficiency. The new process achieves nearly three times higher conversion efficiency compared to earlier technologies. Unlike the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, this method works at room temperature, reducing energy consumption. The innovation helps address water pollution, reduces environmental dead zones, and supports a circular economy through sustainable fertiliser production.

Notes:
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Reserve Bank Innovation Hub to combat cyber-enabled financial frauds and mule accounts. The collaboration aims to strengthen fraud-risk intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and Artificial Intelligence-based fraud detection. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as the national nodal agency to fight cybercrime.

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Maize has emerged as India’s largest ethanol feedstock, encouraging farmers in Uttar Pradesh to diversify towards maize cultivation due to its lower water requirement. According to a report by the All India Distillers’ Association, maize-based ethanol production reached 182 crore litres between November 2025 and April 2026. This exceeded ethanol production from surplus food grain, damaged food grain, and sugarcane-based sources. Uttar Pradesh has become one of India’s top five maize-producing states, cultivating around 8 lakh hectares and producing nearly 28–30 lakh metric tonnes annually.

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Russia announced the deployment of the Sarmat strategic nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), also known by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) designation “Satan II.” It is developed by Russia. The missile is considered one of the world’s most powerful nuclear-capable missiles and is designed to strike targets across long distances in the United States and Europe. Sarmat is the first post-Soviet Russian ICBM classified as “super heavy.” The missile reportedly has a range exceeding 35,000 km and carries a warhead yield significantly greater than Western counterparts.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched an extensive river rejuvenation initiative, including the “One District-One River” campaign to revive 75 small rivers and the “Gomti Rejuvenation Mission”. These projects focus on widening and deepening river channels, cleaning pollutants, and constructing sewage treatment plants (STPs) to restore natural flow, with significant success in rejuvenating 50 rivers. The initiative has generated rural employment and encouraged farmers to adopt natural farming practices.

Notes:
Assam inaugurated India’s first AI-powered “phygital” banking branch in Guwahati. The branch was launched by Slice Small Finance Bank at GS Road. The AI-enabled branch combines physical and digital banking services through self-service kiosks, paperless cash transactions, and digital onboarding. The initiative aims to strengthen financial inclusion and improve access to banking services for underserved communities and small businesses. The branch will support responsible credit, savings, and digital payment solutions.

Notes:
A rare sighting of the Common Bronzeback Tree Snake was recorded in the Belrayan range of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh. Scientifically known as Dendrelaphis tristis, it is a non-venomous arboreal snake found across South and Southeast Asia. The species inhabits forests, Himalayan foothills, gardens, and urban green spaces, preferring life in treetops. It is also known as the Indian Bronzeback Tree Snake or Daudin’s Bronzeback. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is classified as Least Concern.

Notes:
Chhattisgarh has launched the Jan Bhagidari – Sabse Door, Sabse Pehle campaign to ensure welfare schemes reach remote tribal villages. The campaign is being implemented by the Tribal Development Department across more than 8,000 villages in the state. It covers villages under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. The initiative provides benefits related to health, education, nutrition, drinking water, and social security to eligible beneficiaries.

Notes:
The fifth meeting of the Scientific Steering Committee on the National One Health Mission was held in New Delhi. The mission was launched in 2024 to strengthen integrated disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness in India. It follows a collaborative approach connecting human, animal, and environmental health sectors. The mission aims to improve coordinated disease control and health security across sectors. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, is the nodal agency for the mission.

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The SMILE Mission is a joint mission of the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to study how Earth’s magnetic shield protects the planet from harmful solar wind. Recently, the mission gained attention as ESA and China prepared for its launch to investigate Earth’s defence system against solar storms and charged particles from the Sun. SMILE stands for Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer. The mission will capture the first X-ray images of Earth’s magnetosphere in action. It will operate around 1.21 lakh km above Earth’s north pole and carry four scientific instruments for X-ray, ultraviolet, and in-situ observations.