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Daily Current Affairs

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

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Current Affairs (EXAMIVERSE) — 20 May, 2026 (Wednesday)

Verified Sources: PIB India, The Hindu, DD News, DRDO, and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).
For Exams: SSC CGL, Banking (IBPS/SBI), UPSC, KPSC + State PSCs

National Schemes & Policy

🏛️ National Schemes & Policy

  • Union Minister Launches "Mission Coffees of Nagaland" with ₹175 Crore Outlay
    • What: The Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched the "Mission Coffees of Nagaland" to transform the state into a premier specialty coffee hub.
    • Outlay: ₹175 crore over a three-year period.
    • Objective: Focuses on infrastructure (high-tech nurseries, washing stations, roasteries), branding/export, and sustainable farm tourism (farm-to-cup). It targets a long-term goal of bringing 50,000 hectares under coffee cultivation by 2047.
    • Pilot Clusters: Two clusters: Tuophema (Kohima district) for Arabica, and Ghotovi (Niuland district) for Robusta.
    • Exam Angle: Minister of DoNER; Outlay amount (₹175 crore); Target year for 50,000 hectares (2047); Pilot districts and species (Tuophema - Arabica, Ghotovi - Robusta).

🛡️ Defence & Technology

  • DRDO Successfully Completes Final Trials of ULPGM-V3 Precision Guided Missile
    • What: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed final trials of the ULPGM-V3 (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3).
    • Location: Conducted at a test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
    • Specifications: Lightweight (12.5 kg), range of up to 10 km, equipped with a high-definition dual-channel Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker and laser guidance. It is ready for mass serial production.
    • Exam Angle: Nodal lab (Research Centre Imarat - RCI, Hyderabad); Target range (10 km); Weight (12.5 kg); Test location (Kurnool, AP).

💰 Economy & Banking

  • India's First AI-Powered "Phygital" Banking Branch Opened in Assam
    • The News: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated India's first AI-powered "phygital" (physical + digital) banking branch in Guwahati.
    • Collaborating Bank: Slice Small Finance Bank, located on GS Road, Guwahati.
    • Features: Self-service AI kiosks, paperless transactions, digital onboarding, and instant UPI-linked credit facilities for small traders.
    • Exam Angle: Bank name (Slice SFB); Location (Guwahati, Assam); Definition of "phygital".

🌍 Important Days & Themes

  • World Bee Day (May 20)

    • Theme 2026: "Bee Engaged in Pollinator-Friendly Agricultural Production".
    • Objective: Focuses on the role of bees and other pollinators in securing food supply and biodiversity.
    • Exam Angle: Date of World Bee Day (May 20); Established by the United Nations in 2017.

  • World Metrology Day (May 20)

    • Theme 2026: "Sustainability in Measurement".
    • Objective: Celebrating the science of measurement and the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875.
    • Exam Angle: Date of World Metrology Day (May 20); Metre Convention signing year (1875).

⚡ Quick Revision Points (SSC & Banking Special)

  • May 20: World Bee Day & World Metrology Day.
  • "Mission Coffees of Nagaland": Outlay of ₹175 crore launched by Jyotiraditya Scindia and Neiphiu Rio.
  • ULPGM-V3: DRDO's drone-launched precision-guided missile with a 10 km range successfully tested.
  • Kurnool: Location of final deliverable-configuration development trials of ULPGM-V3.
  • Slice SFB: Bank that launched India's first AI-powered "phygital" branch in Guwahati, Assam.
  • 1875: Signing of the Metre Convention, celebrated as World Metrology Day.
  • World Family Doctor Day: Observed on May 19 with theme "Compassionate Care in a Digital World" (recap).
  • 38 Judges: Union Cabinet's proposed new strength of the Supreme Court under Article 124(1) (recap).
  • Green Strategic Partnership: Signed between India and Norway during PM Modi's Oslo visit (recap).
  • Emirates NBD: Dubai bank investing ₹26,850 crore ($3 Billion) in RBL Bank (recap).
  • Tripura: Site of the new ₹42.4 crore Integrated Aquapark in Kailashahar under PMMSY (recap).
  • International Museum Day: May 18 (Theme: "Museums Uniting a Divided World") (recap).
  • Royal Order of the Polar Star: Sweden's highest civilian honor conferred on PM Modi (recap).
  • 58th Jnanpith Award: Presented to Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya on May 17 (recap).
  • World Telecommunication Day: Observed on May 17 with "Digital Lifelines" theme (recap).
  • Sikkim: Celebrated 51st statehood day on May 16 (recap).
  • ₹3,706 Crore: Outlay for HCL-Foxconn semiconductor plant in Jewar approved on May 16 (recap).
  • Bio-Foundry: India's first DST-ICGEB Bio-Foundry opened in Delhi (recap).
  • 5.1%: Latest PLFS urban unemployment rate (recap).
  • 26.8%: Urban Female LFPR rate in India (recap).
  • VB–G RAM G: Upcoming rural program replacing MGNREGA with 125 days of work.
  • BMIP: Maritime insurance pool backed by a ₹12,980 Cr sovereign guarantee.
  • Lakhpati Didi: Program target to make 3 crore rural women self-sufficient.
  • NSO: Releases quarterly and annual GDP & PLFS reports.
  • Tuticorin: Location of India's proposed mega greenfield shipyard (Thoothukudi).
  • PMOS: Official renamed term for PCOS.
  • WONCA: World Organization of Family Doctors (organizes World Family Doctor Day).
  • Geneva: Headquarters of ITU and WHO.
  • Chola Dynasty: Era of bronze artifacts returned to India by the Netherlands (recap).