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Daily Current Affairs

Friday, May 22, 2026

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Current Affairs (EXAMIVERSE) — 22 May, 2026 (Friday)

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

International Relations

🌍 International Relations & Defence

  • India and Cyprus Elevate Bilateral Ties to Strategic Partnership

    • What: During the official state visit of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides to India, the two countries elevated their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.
    • Key MoUs: Signed agreements on counter-terrorism, innovation and technology, higher education, and finalized a roadmap for defence cooperation (2026–2031).
    • Exam Angle: President of Cyprus (Nikos Christodoulides); Elevated status (Strategic Partnership); Defence roadmap duration (2026–2031); Capital of Cyprus (Nicosia); Currency (Euro).

  • India Assumes Chairmanship of IAEA's Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) for 2026

    • What: India officially assumed the chairmanship of the Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific for the year 2026 during a meeting held in Navi Mumbai.
    • Exam Angle: RCA Chairmanship Year (2026); Org (IAEA's Regional Cooperative Agreement); Host city (Navi Mumbai).

  • Indian Army Launches Multilateral Joint Military Exercise "PRAGATI 2026"

    • What: The Indian Army launched the multilateral joint military exercise PRAGATI 2026 (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region) at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, featuring participation from 12 countries.
    • Exam Angle: Exercise name (PRAGATI 2026); Venue (Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya); Number of participating nations (12).

Government Schemes

📋 Government Schemes & Economy

  • Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Launches "Arunachal Kiwi" Mission

    • What: Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched the "Arunachal Kiwi" mission with a dedicated budget of ₹167 crore.
    • Objective: To boost organic kiwi cultivation, enhance value chains, establish cold storage facilities, and promote Arunachal Pradesh as a premium organic kiwi production and export hub.
    • Exam Angle: Mission name ("Arunachal Kiwi" Mission); Outlay (₹167 crore); Target State (Arunachal Pradesh); Capital of Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar).

  • United Nations Revises India's 2026 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.4%

    • The Forecast: The United Nations (UN) in its latest report revised India's GDP growth forecast for the calendar year 2026 downward to 6.4% (previously 6.6%).
    • Reasons: Cited global economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions in West Asia, and rising crude oil prices.
    • Exam Angle: UN revised growth rate for India (6.4%); Target year (2026).

  • NCDEX Launches India's First Weather Derivative Contract 'RAINMUMBAI'

    • What: The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) launched India's first exchange-traded weather derivatives contract named 'RAINMUMBAI' to help sectors like agriculture, insurance, and retail manage weather-related financial risks.
    • Exam Angle: Exchange (NCDEX); Name of contract ('RAINMUMBAI').

🌍 Important Days & Themes

  • International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22)
    • Theme 2026: "Acting locally for global impact"
    • Objective: Observed annually to raise global awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues, emphasizing the alignment of local actions with the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
    • Exam Angle: Date (May 22); Theme for 2026 ("Acting locally for global impact"); Framework (Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework).

⚡ Quick Revision Points (SSC & Banking Special)

  • May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity (Theme: "Acting locally for global impact").
  • Strategic Partnership: Elevated relationship status between India and Cyprus during President Nikos Christodoulides' visit.
  • 2026–2031: Roadmap duration for defence cooperation between India and Cyprus.
  • 6.4%: India's 2026 GDP growth rate projected by the United Nations.
  • ₹167 Crore: Outlay for the "Arunachal Kiwi" Mission launched by Jyotiraditya Scindia.
  • PRAGATI 2026: Multilateral military exercise involving 12 nations at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya.
  • IAEA RCA: India assumed chairmanship of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for 2026.
  • 'RAINMUMBAI': First weather derivative contract launched by NCDEX.
  • May 21: International Tea Day & World Day for Cultural Diversity (recap).
  • Rajnath Singh: Visited South Korea and inaugurated the Indian War Memorial (recap).
  • 6.6%: India's FY27 GDP growth rate projected by CRISIL and S&P Global (recap).
  • Beijing: Venue of the Xi Jinping-Vladimir Putin bilateral summit (recap).
  • 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.