Current Affairs (EXAMIVERSE) — 19 May, 2026 (Tuesday)

Verified Sources: PIB India, The Hindu, DD News, Reserve Bank of India, and WONCA.
For Exams: SSC CGL, Banking (IBPS/SBI), UPSC, KPSC + State PSCs

World Family Doctor Day 2026 — Compassionate Care in a Digital World

🏛️ National Polity & Judiciary

Ordinance Approved to Increase Supreme Court Judge Strength to 38
- What: The Union Cabinet has approved a draft ordinance to increase the sanctioned judge strength of the Supreme Court of India from 34 to 38 (including the Chief Justice of India).
- Objective: To address the rising backlog of cases and reduce the pendency of constitution bench matters.
- Constitutional Basis: Under Article 124(1) of the Constitution of India, the Parliament has the power to prescribe the strength of judges in the Supreme Court.
- History of Strength: Originally, the Supreme Court had 8 judges in 1950. The strength was last increased in 2019 from 31 to 34.
- Exam Angle: Constitutional article for Supreme Court establishment (Article 124); Current strength vs. new proposed strength; Who has the authority to increase the judge strength (Parliament).
India-Norway Relations Elevated to "Green Strategic Partnership"
- The Summit: Following high-level bilateral discussions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Oslo, India and Norway officially elevated their ties to a "Green Strategic Partnership".
- Key MoUs:
  - Space Cooperation: Joint satellite research agreement signed between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Norwegian Space Agency.
  - Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Joint initiatives to share and develop secure DPI and digital health tools.
  - AI Research: Collaboration on ethical AI research and green maritime tech.
- Exam Angle: Country with which India signed the Green Strategic Partnership (Norway); Capital of Norway (Oslo); Partner space agency (Norwegian Space Agency).

🌍 Important Days & Themes

World Family Doctor Day (May 19)
- Theme 2026: "Compassionate Care in a Digital World".
- Significance: Coordinated by the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), this day honors the contribution of family physicians and general practitioners globally.
- 2026 Focus: Highlighting the need to preserve the human, person-centered connection in healthcare despite the rise of digital tools and AI.
- Exam Angle: Date of World Family Doctor Day (May 19); Theme for 2026; Organizing body (WONCA).
World Fair Play Day - May 19
- Objective: Promoted internationally to emphasize fair play, sportsmanship, and solidary behavior in athletic events globally.

💰 Economy & Corporate Banking

Emirates NBD to Invest ₹26,850 Crore ($3 Billion) in RBL Bank
- The Deal: Dubai-based Emirates NBD has received regulatory approval from the RBI for a strategic investment of $3 Billion (approx. ₹26,850 crore) in India’s RBL Bank.
- Impact: This is one of the largest foreign investments in the Indian private banking sector, expected to boost RBL Bank's capital adequacy ratio and retail lending expansion.
- Exam Angle: Investing foreign bank name (Emirates NBD); Target Indian bank (RBL Bank); Head office of Emirates NBD (Dubai, UAE); HQ of RBL Bank (Mumbai).
India Targets $1 Trillion in Exports for 2026
- Announcement: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced a target of achieving $1 Trillion in exports by the end of 2026.
- Strategy: Focus on boosting electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and expanding the service export footprint.
- Exam Angle: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry; Export target value ($1 Trillion); Target year (2026).

🏛️ Infrastructure & Development

Cabinet Approves ₹2,193 Crore Worth of Railway Connectivity Projects
- Project 1: ₹962 crore project for the 54 km Kiul-Jhajha 3rd line on the Howrah-Delhi main route to ease high-density congestion.
- Project 2: ₹993 crore doubling project for the Arakkonam-Chengalpattu section to strengthen the Chennai suburban network.
- Project 3: ₹238 crore slope stabilization and tunnel protection project for the Jammu-Katra section to ensure safety for Vaishno Devi travelers.
- Exam Angle: Key routes involved; Total capital allocation.
Integrated Aquapark Foundation Stone Laid in Kailashahar, Tripura
- The Project: An Integrated Aquapark is being constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a total investment of ₹42.4 crore.
- Focus: Modernize hatcheries, cold-storage chains, and processing facilities to boost fish production in the Northeast.
- Exam Angle: Location of the new Aquapark (Kailashahar, Tripura); Scheme name (PMMSY); Ministry in charge (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying).

⚡ Quick Revision Points (SSC & Banking Special)