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Sunday, May 31, 2026

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Current Affairs (EXAMIVERSE) — 31 May, 2026 (Sunday)

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

Agnibaan Rocket Launch

🚀 Space & Defence Technology

  • Agnikul Cosmos Successfully Launches World's First Single-Piece 3D-Printed Rocket Engine "Agnibaan"

    • What: Chennai-based space tech startup, Agnikul Cosmos, successfully launched its sub-orbital rocket "Agnibaan SOrTeD" (Sub-Orbital Technological Demonstrator) from India's first private launchpad (ALP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
    • Details:
      • The rocket is powered by the "Agnilet" engine, which is the world's first single-piece 3D-printed engine designed and manufactured entirely in India.
      • Agnibaan is a customizable, two-stage launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 300 kg payload to a 700 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
      • It is powered by semi-cryogenic fuel (aviation turbine fuel and liquid oxygen).
      • This launch marks the first private launch from a private launchpad in India, and the second launch by a private space company in India (after Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-S).
    • Exam Angle:
      • Company: Agnikul Cosmos (Chennai-based startup incubated at IIT Madras).
      • Rocket Name: Agnibaan SOrTeD.
      • Engine Name: Agnilet (3D-printed, single-piece).
      • Launch Site: Agnikul Launchpad (ALP), SDSC, Sriharikota (India's first private launchpad).
      • Propulsion: Semi-cryogenic (ATF + Liquid Oxygen).

  • India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise "Nomadic Elephant 2026" Commences

    • What: The bilateral joint military exercise "Nomadic Elephant 2026" between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces commenced.
    • Details:
      • The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the two armies in counter-terrorism operations under the UN mandate.
      • The joint drills focus on tactical maneuvers, search and rescue operations, and counter-insurgency operations in mountainous and semi-urban terrain.
    • Exam Angle:
      • Exercise Name: Nomadic Elephant 2026.
      • Partner Countries: India and Mongolia.
      • Focus: Counter-terrorism and joint tactical operations.
      • Capital of Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar.

📋 Government Schemes & Governance

  • Ministry of Agriculture Launches "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan" (VKSA-2026)
    • What: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare officially launched the "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan" (VKSA-2026) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to disseminate advanced agricultural and fisheries technologies.
    • Details:
      • The nationwide campaign aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and actual farming practices.
      • It features mobile demo units, expert training workshops, and free soil-testing camps at the block level.
      • Special focus is placed on the promotion of natural farming, climate-resilient crop varieties, and drone-based fertilizer application.
    • Exam Angle:
      • Campaign Name: Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-2026).
      • Launch Venue: Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
      • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
      • Target areas: Natural farming, drone-tech integration, climate resilience.

🏆 Awards & Honours

  • President Confers National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026
    • What: President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 to 15 distinguished nursing professionals from across the country at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
    • Details:
      • The awards recognize exemplary devotion, duty, and meritorious service in the field of nursing.
      • Established in 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it is the highest national honor for wishes/nurses in India.
    • Exam Angle:
      • Award Name: National Florence Nightingale Award.
      • Instituted by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (1973).
      • Conferred by: President of India.
      • Total awardees in 2026: 15.

🌿 Health & Social Awareness

  • World No Tobacco Day Observed Globally (May 31)
    • What: World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on May 31 to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for policies to reduce consumption.
    • Details:
      • The theme for 2026 is "Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference."
      • The campaign highlights the aggressive marketing strategies used by tobacco companies targeting young demographics through e-cigarettes and flavored products.
    • Exam Angle:
      • Date of observation: May 31.
      • Theme for 2026: Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.
      • Organising body: World Health Organization (WHO).

⚡ State-Specific News

  • Karnataka: State government announces a dedicated fund of ₹250 crore to support agri-tech startups introducing AI-based crop monitoring systems in rural blocks.
  • Odisha: Chief Minister launches the 'Nutana Krishi Mitra' portal to provide real-time weather alerts and mandi prices to local farmers.
  • Bihar: Prime Minister lays the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹48,520 crore in Karakat, focusing on highway network expansions and canal upgrades.

⚡ Quick Revision Points (SSC & Banking Special)

  • May 31: World No Tobacco Day (Theme: "Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference").
  • Agnibaan SOrTeD: India's first private sub-orbital rocket successfully launched by Agnikul Cosmos.
  • Agnilet: The world's first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine powering Agnibaan.
  • Sriharikota: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, home to Agnikul's private launchpad.
  • Nomadic Elephant 2026: Joint military exercise between India and Mongolia.
  • 15: Number of nursing professionals conferred with the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026.
  • 1973: Year when the National Florence Nightingale Awards were instituted by the Health Ministry.
  • VKSA-2026: "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan" launched by the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Bhubaneswar: Venue where the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan was launched.
  • May 30: Hindi Journalism Day (Patrakarita Diwas) celebrating the 200th anniversary of Udant Martand (recap).
  • RudraM-II: Indigenous anti-radiation missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO (recap).
  • Su-30 MKI: Sukhoi fighter jet from which the RudraM-II missile was launched (recap).
  • Miniratna: Category-I status granted to Munitions India (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam (AVNL), and India Optel (IOL) (recap).
  • SSG 2026: Swachh Survekshan Grameen survey launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (recap).
  • Colombo Process: Regional consultative forum on migrant workers chaired by India (recap).
  • May 29: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers observed (recap).
  • Radhika Sen: Indian Army Major selected for the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award (recap).
  • MONUSCO: The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (recap).
  • ISO Rules: Ministry of Defence notified rules under the Inter-Services Organisations Act (recap).
  • PRAVAAH: RBI's web portal for centralized regulatory applications and approvals (recap).
  • Retail Direct App: Mobile application launched by the RBI to facilitate G-Sec investment (recap).
  • TASL & Airbus: Formed partnership to establish private helicopter assembly line (FAL) in Karnataka (recap).
  • H125: Helicopter model to be assembled at the new Karnataka FAL facility (recap).
  • Aizawl: Capital city of Mizoram connected to the national railway network (recap).
  • Bairabi–Sairang: The 51 km railway line project connecting Mizoram (recap).
  • May 28: Birth anniversary of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Veer Savarkar) (recap).
  • 10 MW: Capacity of India’s first green hydrogen plant commissioned by GAIL in Vijaipur, MP (recap).
  • AstroSat: India's first multi-wavelength space observatory launched in 2015 (recap).
  • QTRC: Quantum Technology Research Centre inaugurated by DRDO in Delhi (recap).
  • May 27: Union Cabinet approved the merger of Konkan Railway (KRCL) with Indian Railways (recap).
  • 741 km: Total length of the Konkan Railway network integrated into Indian Railways (recap).
  • 4th: India's new rank among the world's largest economies, surpassing Japan (recap).
  • BFS: "Bharat Forecasting System" launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (recap).
  • 6 km × 6 km: Grid resolution of the newly launched Bharat Forecasting System (recap).
  • IITM Pune: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, developer of the BFS (recap).
  • ICHI: International Classification of Health Interventions framework under WHO (recap).
  • Ayush MoU: Signed between the Ministry of Ayush and WHO to standardize traditional medicine (recap).
  • May 26: ISRO successfully launched the NVS-02 navigation satellite using GSLV-F15 (recap).
  • UNHRC: India re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term (recap).
  • ₹2,86,588.46 Crore: Record RBI surplus transfer to the Government of India for FY26 approved (recap).
  • $100 Billion: India's target for textile exports by 2030 reiterated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (recap).
  • BHAVYA: DPIIT released guidelines for the "Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna" to develop world-class industrial parks (recap).
  • ACPIT: Advanced Certificate Program in International Trade launched at TEXPROCIL awards (recap).
  • May 25: President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan (recap).
  • May 24: India successfully test-fired tactical SRBM Agni-1 from Chandipur, Odisha (recap).
  • Marco Rubio: US Secretary of State visited New Delhi for talks with EAM S. Jaishankar (recap).
  • 10% by 2047: NITI Aayog's services sector market share target under the "Education to Employment and Enterprise" committee (recap).
  • Ebola Advisory: Issued by India for DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan after WHO's PHEIC declaration (recap).
  • May 23: World Turtle Day (Theme: "Shellebrate") (recap).
  • Governance Summit 2026: Hosted by MeitY and ISB at Mohali campus with the theme "Inclusive AI for Viksit Bharat" (recap).
  • NISM & IICA: Signed an MoU to cooperate in corporate governance and ESG research (recap).
  • May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity (Theme: "Acting locally for global impact") (recap).
  • Strategic Partnership: Elevated relationship status between India and Cyprus during President Nikos Christodoulides' visit (recap).
  • 2026–2031: Roadmap duration for defence cooperation between India and Cyprus (recap).
  • 6.4%: India's 2026 GDP growth rate projected by the United Nations (recap).
  • ₹167 Crore: Outlay for the "Arunachal Kiwi" Mission launched by Jyotiraditya Scindia (recap).
  • PRAGATI 2026: Multilateral military exercise involving 12 nations at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya (recap).
  • IAEA RCA: India assumed chairmanship of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for 2026 (recap).
  • 'RAINMUMBAI': First weather derivative contract launched by NCDEX (recap).
  • 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 (recap).
  • BMIP: Maritime insurance pool backed by a ₹12,980 Cr sovereign guarantee (recap).
  • Lakhpati Didi: Program target to make 3 crore rural women self-sufficient (recap).
  • NSO: Releases quarterly and annual GDP & PLFS reports (recap).
  • Tuticorin: Location of India's proposed mega greenfield shipyard (Thoothukudi) (recap).
  • PMOS: Official renamed term for PCOS (recap).
  • WONCA: World Organization of Family Doctors (recap).
  • Geneva: Headquarters of ITU and WHO (recap).