Daily Current Affairs: 25 May, 2026

Q1. The BHAVYA Scheme, whose operational guidelines were released in May 2026, aims to develop 100 investment-ready industrial parks over a six-year horizon. What is the total financial outlay allocated for this scheme?

(a) ₹10,500 crore

(b) ₹21,800 crore

(c) ₹33,660 crore

(d) ₹50,000 crore

(e) ₹75,250 crore

Answer: c

Solution:

• In May 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry released the detailed operational guidelines for the implementation of the BHAVYA Scheme.
• The BHAVYA Scheme is a major Central Sector Scheme aimed at developing investment-ready and world-class industrial parks across India.
• The scheme seeks to strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem in line with initiatives such as Make in India and PM Gati Shakti.
• Under the scheme, 100 industrial parks will be developed over six years from 2026–27 to 2031–32 with a total financial outlay of around ₹33,660 crore.
• In the first phase, up to 50 industrial parks will be selected through a challenge-based competitive process.
• The guidelines provide a framework covering eligibility conditions, project selection, funding structure, governance, monitoring mechanisms, and implementation modalities.
• The scheme focuses on creating integrated industrial ecosystems with plug-and-play infrastructure, multimodal logistics connectivity, utility systems, digital governance, worker-support facilities, and sustainable infrastructure.
• Both greenfield and eligible brownfield industrial parks can be developed under the scheme.
• The minimum land requirement has been fixed at 100 acres for non-hilly states and 25 acres for hilly states, northeastern states, Union Territories, and smaller states.
• The scheme also allows consideration of larger industrial parks up to 1000 acres.
• Project proposals will be evaluated based on factors such as multimodal connectivity, infrastructure quality, industrial ecosystem strength, digital governance readiness, and sustainability.
• Infrastructure components under evaluation include underground utility systems, water and waste management, common effluent treatment systems, renewable energy facilities, worker housing, testing laboratories, skill development centres, and digital single-window systems.
• Projects under the BHAVYA Scheme will be implemented through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
• The SPVs will handle planning, development, operations, investor facilitation, and long-term maintenance of the industrial parks.
• Financial assistance under the scheme will be provided as equity contribution linked to the land value transferred to the SPV and achievement of project milestones.
• The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation has been designated as the Project Management Agency (PMA) for implementation and monitoring.
• The guidelines also include provisions for participation of private developers through project-specific SPVs with defined governance and accountability mechanisms.
• To ensure transparency and efficient implementation, the scheme incorporates GIS-based monitoring systems, periodic progress reporting, audits, and oversight by a National Level Steering Committee chaired by the DPIIT Secretary.

Q2. Who clinched the gold medal in the men’s 100m event at the 2026 Athletics Federation Cup by setting a blazing new national record of 10.09 seconds?

(a) Animesh Kujur

(b) Gurindervir Singh

(c) Amlan Borgohain

(d) Pranav Pramod

(e) Muhammed Anas

Answer: b

Solution:

• Gurindervir Singh won the gold medal in the men’s 100 metres event at the Athletics Federation Cup 2026.
• He created a new national record by clocking 10.09 seconds, improving his previous personal best of 10.17 seconds.
• Gurindervir Singh also surpassed the Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 10.16 seconds.
• Animesh Kujur won the silver medal in the event with a timing of 10.20 seconds.
• Pranav Pramod secured the bronze medal after finishing in 10.29 seconds.
• In the men’s 400 metres event, Vishal TK won the gold medal with a new national record timing of 44.98 seconds.
• With this performance, Vishal TK became the first Indian athlete to break the 45-second barrier in the men’s 400 metres event.

Q3. In May 2026, Dr. Lharkyal Lama was conferred with the prestigious religious title “Mahasadhamma Jyotikadhaj”. Which country’s government bestowed this honor upon him?

(a) Sri Lanka

(b) Bhutan

(c) Myanmar

(d) Thailand

(e) Cambodia

Answer: c

Solution:

• In May 2026, Lharkyal Lama was conferred the prestigious religious title Mahasadhamma Jyotikadhaj by the Government of Myanmar.
• The honour was presented by U Thant Sin during a special ceremony held at Ngagyur Pelyul Ling Monastery.
• The event was attended by dignitaries from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar.
• Lharkyal Lama received the title in recognition of his contributions to the preservation and promotion of Buddhist teachings and heritage worldwide.
• He also serves as the President of the International Buddhist Confederation, which works for Buddhist studies and archaeological conservation.
• Dr. Lharkyal Lama, also known as Khenpo Chhime Chhiring, is a noted Tibetan Buddhist scholar from Nepal.

Q4. The 79th World Health Assembly was convened in May 2026 to adopt multiple resolutions on global health infrastructure. In which city was this assembly held?

(a) New York, USA

(b) Geneva, Switzerland

(c) Paris, France

(d) New Delhi, India

(e) Vienna, Austria

Answer: b

Solution:

• The 79th World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva from 18 to 23 May 2026.
• The assembly is organised by the World Health Organization and serves as the organisation’s principal decision-making body.
• The theme of the 79th World Health Assembly is “Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility.”
• During the session, member states adopted more than 20 decisions and 13 resolutions aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation in global healthcare.
• Key issues discussed at the assembly included stroke, tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, emergency care, haemophilia, precision medicine, and radiation-related health concerns.
• The assembly provides a global platform for member countries to deliberate on international public health priorities and policy frameworks.

Q5. Who has been appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as India’s Chef de Mission for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?

(a) Abhinav Bindra

(b) Rohit Rajpal

(c) PT Usha

(d) Ravi Bengani

(e) Sharath Kamal

Answer: b

Solution:

• Rohit Rajpal has been appointed as the Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2026.
• Ravi Bengani has been named as the Deputy Chef de Mission for the Games.
• Vandana Rao and Rahul Swami will accompany the Indian contingent as General Team Managers.
• The Commonwealth Games 2026 are scheduled to be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 2026.

Q6. In May, 2026, the 79th World Health Assembly passed a historic first-ever resolution on which of the following non-communicable medical conditions?

(a) Alzheimer’s Disease

(b) Chronic Kidney Disease

(c) Type-1 Diabetes

(d) Rheumatoid Arthritis

(e) Cardiovascular Strokes

Answer: e

Solution:

• The 79th World Health Assembly passed the first-ever resolution on stroke on 22 May 2026.
• The resolution urged member states to recognise stroke as a major public health priority and strengthen national healthcare policies related to stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care support.
• The resolution covers the entire care pathway, including prevention and control of risk factors, timely emergency treatment, expanded rehabilitation services, and long-term patient support.
• According to the World Health Organization, stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to either blockage or bleeding.
• The interruption in blood supply can cause brain cell death and lead to severe complications, disability, or death if not treated immediately.
• Globally, strokes affect nearly 12 million people every year and cause more than six million deaths annually.
• The WHO estimates that two out of every three stroke survivors experience long-term disability.

Q7. Which company, known as India’s only functional gold mine operator, earned an additional ₹633.34 crore in 2025–26 due to rising global gold prices?

(a) NMDC Limited

(b) Coal India Limited

(c) Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited

(d) Hindustan Zinc Limited

(e) National Aluminium Company

Answer: c

Solution:

• Rising global gold prices helped Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited earn an additional ₹633.34 crore during the financial year 2025–26.
• The average selling price of gold increased by 34.11 per cent during the year.
• The company also recorded its highest average recovery grade in the last five years, recovering 2.61 grams of gold per metric tonne of ore mined.
• Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited is a Government of Karnataka undertaking established in 1947.
• It holds the distinction of being India’s only functional producer of primary gold.
• HGML is engaged in the exploration, development, and exploitation of gold deposits in Karnataka.
• The company’s corporate headquarters is located in Bengaluru.
• The company currently processes ore from the Hutti Gold Mine along with two satellite mines — the Uti Opencast Mine and the Heera-Buddinni Exploratory Underground Mine.
• The Hutti Gold Mine is considered one of the world’s most ancient metal mines, with origins tracing back to the Pre-Ashokan period.

Q8. According to the data released by the Reserve Bank of India in May 2026, India recorded an all-time high gross FDI inflow in FY2025–26. What was the exact value of these gross inflows?

(a) $7.65 billion

(b) $53.58 billion

(c) $84.84 billion

(d) $94.53 billion

(e) $33.29 billion

Answer: d

Solution:

• India recorded gross Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows of a record $94.53 billion in the financial year 2025–26.
• According to data released by the Reserve Bank of India in May 2026, gross FDI inflows increased by 17 per cent compared to the previous financial year.
• The latest figure surpassed the earlier record of $84.84 billion achieved in 2021–22.
• Despite the strong gross inflows, net FDI inflows stood at only $7.65 billion during 2025–26.
• However, the net FDI figure was higher than the $959 million recorded in 2024–25.
• Foreign investors’ repatriations increased to $53.58 billion in 2025–26, compared to $51.49 billion in 2024–25 and $44.47 billion in 2023–24.
• Overseas FDI by Indian companies also rose significantly to $33.29 billion in 2025–26.
• In comparison, overseas investments by Indian firms stood at $28.17 billion in 2024–25 and $16.68 billion in 2023–24.

Q9. In May 2026, the Central Government reconstituted the apex High-Powered Review Board (HPRB) of the Brahmaputra Board to include representatives from which two states?

(a) Assam and Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Bihar and Jharkhand

(c) Sikkim and West Bengal

(d) Nagaland and Manipur

(e) Odisha and West Bengal

Answer: c

Solution:

• In May 2026, the Central Government reconstituted the High-Powered Review Board of the Brahmaputra Board to include representatives from Sikkim and West Bengal.
• The Brahmaputra Board was constituted in 1980 to address issues related to the management and development of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries.
• The Board includes Chief Ministers of concerned states along with water experts and engineers.
• The organisation works on matters related to flood control, irrigation, hydropower development, river management, development planning, and inter-state water issues in the Brahmaputra and Barak river basins of Northeast India.

Q10. Dr. R. Sreedher has been selected for the Padma Shri 2026. He is a veteran pioneer associated with which of the following fields?

(a) Deep-Sea Mineral Mining

(b) Radio Broadcasting

(c) Organic Agriculture

(d) Cyber Security Hardware

(e) Classical Kathak Dance

Answer: b

Solution:

• Dr. R. Sreedher has been selected for the Padma Shri 2026 Award.
• He has been honoured for his exceptional contribution to radio broadcasting and for promoting futuristic technologies in radio and audio podcasting.
• Dr. R. Sreedher is a veteran broadcaster with more than five decades of experience in the field of ra
• dio communication.
• He is widely known for his innovative and interactive radio programmes that transformed public engagement through broadcasting.
• Dr. Sreedher also pioneered the early use of satellite technology through INSAT-1B to connect remote regions such as Leh, Lakshadweep, and Antarctica via radio communication.

 Daily Current Affairs: 24 May, 2026

Q1. In May 2026, the Vice President of India released the book titled ‘The Library Man of India: The Story of P.N. Panicker’. Who is the author of this book?

(a) Shashi Tharoor

(b) P. P. Sathyan

(c) Arundhati Roy

(d) Perumal Murugan

(e) Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

Answer: b

Solution:

The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan on 22 May, 2026, released the book ‘The Library Man of India: The Story of P.N. Panicker’, authored by P. P. Sathyan, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan.

Q2. For the financial year 2025–26, the Reserve Bank of India approved a record surplus transfer to the Central Government. What is the exact value of this dividend payout?

 (a) ₹1.09 lakh crore

(b) ₹2.11 lakh crore

(c) ₹2.86 lakh crore

(d) ₹3.95 lakh crore

(e) ₹91.97 lakh crore

Answer: c

Solution:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the transfer of a record surplus of ₹2.86 lakh crore to the Central Government for the financial year 2025–26.
• According to the RBI, its gross income increased by 26.42 per cent during FY 2025–26 compared to the previous financial year.
• Expenditure before risk provisions rose by 27.60 per cent during the same period.
• The RBI stated that its net income before risk provisions and transfer to statutory funds stood at ₹3.95 lakh crore in FY26, compared to ₹3.13 lakh crore in FY25.
• The balance sheet of the Reserve Bank expanded by 20.61 per cent to ₹91.97 lakh crore as of 31 March 2026.
• The central bank also decided to transfer ₹1.09 lakh crore to the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) for FY26.
• The Contingent Risk Buffer was maintained at 6.5 per cent of the RBI balance sheet under the revised Economic Capital Framework.

Q3. Which Indian Army officer received the United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025?

(a) Suman Gawani

(b) Abhilasha Barak

(c) Radhika Sen

(d) Priya Jhingan

(e) Punita Arora

Answer: b

Solution:

• Abhilasha Barak has been honoured with the prestigious United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025 for her service with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
• Major Barak is serving with the Indian Battalion as Commander of the Female Engagement Team in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
• She is also recognised as the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army.
• With this achievement, Major Abhilasha Barak became the third Indian peacekeeper to receive the honour.
• Earlier, Suman Gawani received the award in 2019 for her service with the UN Mission in South Sudan.
• Radhika Sen was honoured in 2023 for her contribution to the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• The award was instituted in 2016 by the Office of Military Affairs under the United Nations Department of Peace Operations.
• It recognises military peacekeepers who demonstrate exceptional commitment towards promoting gender equality and implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Q4. Who recently in may, 2026, took the oath of office as the Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Board of Governors, succeeding Jerome Powell?

(a) Kevin Warsh

 (b) Janet Yellen

(c) Ben Bernanke

(d) Christopher Waller

(e) Lael Brainard

Answer: a

Solution:

• In the United States, Kevin Warsh took oath as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
• He succeeded Jerome Powell, who had served in the position since 2018.
• The Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors plays a key role in shaping monetary policy and overseeing the central banking system of the United States.

Q5. Which country officially joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) as its 26TH member country?

(a) United Arab Emirates

(b) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

(c) Republic of South Africa

(d) Brazil

(e) Kenya

Answer: b

Solution:

• The International Big Cat Alliance has welcomed Saudi Arabia as its newest member(26^TH ) country on 22 May 2026.
• The International Big Cat Alliance is a global platform that brings together countries that are home to the world’s seven major big cat species.
• The alliance focuses on the conservation and protection of lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma populations across the globe.
• With the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, the alliance now consists of 26 member countries and five observer nations.
• The expansion of the alliance reflects growing international cooperation in biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection.

Q6. In May 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an MoU for advanced consultancy support in tunnel engineering and slope stability with a premier institute based in which country?

(a) Japan

(b) Switzerland

(c) Norway

(d) Germany

(e) Austria

Answer: c

Solution:

• In May 2026, the National Highways Authority of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute of Norway.
• The agreement was signed to provide advanced consultancy support in tunnel engineering, slope stability, and capacity building.
• The collaboration aims to strengthen technical expertise and improve safety and efficiency in highway and tunnel infrastructure projects in India.
• MoU will remain valid for the period of five years.

Q7. In May 2026, the United States Secretary of State arrived in India for a high-profile, four-day official visit to expand cooperation in critical technology, trade, and the Indo-Pacific strategy. Who is the current US Secretary of State who made this maiden visit?

(a) Antony Blinken

(b) Lloyd Austin

(c) Marco Rubio

(d) Sergio Gor

(e) Jake Sullivan

Answer: c

Solution:

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata on 23 May 2025 for a four-day visit to India.
• This marks his maiden visit to India as the US Secretary of State and is considered an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations between United States and India.
• The visit is expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, energy security, technology, and the Indo-Pacific strategy.

Q8. World Turtle Day is celebrated annually on 23 May to raise global awareness about the conservation of turtles and tortoises. In which year was this day officially established?

(a) 1992

(b) 1995

(c) 1997

(d) 2010

(e) 2000

Answer: e

Solution:

• World Turtle Day is observed every year on 23 May to celebrate turtles and tortoises and promote awareness about their conservation.
• The day highlights the importance of protecting these ancient reptiles, which have existed on Earth for more than 200 million years.
• World Turtle Day was established in 2000 to encourage global awareness, conservation efforts, and protection of turtle and tortoise habitats.

Q9. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially approved the reappointment of Sandeep Bakhshi as the MD & CEO of ICICI Bank. His extended tenure will now run until which year?

(a) October 3, 2028

(b) October 3, 2027

(c) October 3, 2026

(d) December 31, 2029

(e) January 1, 2030

Answer: a

Solution:

• Sandeep Bakhshi will continue as the Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank for another two years.
• The Reserve Bank of India has approved his reappointment.
• Following the approval, Sandeep Bakhshi’s tenure will now continue until 3 October 2028.
• He has been leading ICICI Bank, India’s second-largest private sector bank, since 2018.

Q10. In May 2026, Haryana’s first constellation garden named ‘Nakshatra Vatika’ was developed at which of the following protected areas?

(a) Sultanpur National Park

(b) Kalesar National Park

(c) Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary

(d) Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

(e) Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary

Answer: c

Solution:

• Haryana’s first constellation garden, named Nakshatra Vatika, has been developed at the Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary in the Seonsar forest area of Pehowa.
• The project has been developed by the Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board.
• The Haryana Government is also planning to develop similar constellation garden projects in other districts of the state.
• Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Seonsar Forest, is located in the districts of Kaithal and Kurukshetra.