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Daily Current Affairs

Thursday, May 21, 2026

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Current Affairs (EXAMIVERSE) — 21 May, 2026 (Thursday)

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

International Relations

🌍 International Relations & Defence

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Visits South Korea; Inaugurates Indian War Memorial

    • What: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on an official three-day visit (May 19–21, 2026) to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to deepen bilateral defence and strategic cooperation.
    • Key Event: Jointly inaugurated the newly constructed Indian War Memorial in South Korea on May 21, 2026, honoring the contributions of the Indian 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit during the Korean War.
    • Exam Angle: Country visited (Republic of Korea); Landmark inaugurated (Indian War Memorial); Indian unit involved in the Korean War (60th Parachute Field Ambulance); Capital of South Korea (Seoul).

  • Sino-Russian Bilateral Summit Held in Beijing

    • What: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held high-level discussions in Beijing, aiming to expand strategic partnership, promote a multipolar world order, and build a "new type" of international relations.
    • Exam Angle: Summit venue (Beijing, China); Participating leaders.

💰 Economy & Growth Projections

  • CRISIL & S&P Global Revise India's FY27 GDP Growth Forecast Down to 6.6%
    • The Forecast: Rating agency CRISIL and S&P Global Market Intelligence have revised India's GDP growth forecast for the fiscal year 2026–27 (FY27) downward to 6.6%.
    • Reasons: Cited global economic headwinds, persistent food inflation, and a slight deceleration in domestic urban consumption.
    • Exam Angle: Revised GDP forecast for FY27 (6.6%); Estimating agencies (CRISIL & S&P Global).

🌍 Important Days & Themes

  • International Tea Day (May 21)

    • Objective: Promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits, and economic significance of tea, particularly for smallholder farmers in developing nations.
    • Exam Angle: Date of International Tea Day (May 21); Organising body (FAO, HQ: Rome, Italy).

  • World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21)

    • Objective: Declared by the UN General Assembly to promote cultural diversity, inclusion, and dialogue as essential pillars for achieving global peace and sustainable development.
    • Exam Angle: Date of World Day for Cultural Diversity (May 21); Lead organisation (UNESCO, HQ: Paris, France).

⚡ Quick Revision Points (SSC & Banking Special)

  • May 21: International Tea Day & World Day for Cultural Diversity.
  • Rajnath Singh: Visited South Korea and inaugurated the Indian War Memorial.
  • 6.6%: India's FY27 GDP growth rate projected by CRISIL and S&P Global.
  • Beijing: Venue of the Xi Jinping-Vladimir Putin bilateral summit.
  • FAO: Organising body of International Tea Day (HQ: Rome).
  • UNESCO: Lead agency for World Day for Cultural Diversity.
  • May 20: World Bee Day & World Metrology Day (recap).
  • "Mission Coffees of Nagaland": Outlay of ₹175 crore launched by Jyotiraditya Scindia and Neiphiu Rio (recap).
  • ULPGM-V3: DRDO's drone-launched precision-guided missile successfully tested in Kurnool (recap).
  • Slice SFB: Launched India's first AI-powered "phygital" branch in Guwahati (recap).
  • World Family Doctor Day: Observed on May 19 with theme "Compassionate Care in a Digital World" (recap).
  • 38 Judges: Proposed strength of Supreme Court under Article 124(1) (recap).
  • Green Strategic Partnership: Signed between India and Norway (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 (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.
  • Geneva: Headquarters of ITU and WHO.
  • Chola Dynasty: Era of bronze artifacts returned to India by the Netherlands (recap).