Can you score 10/10? Daily CA Quiz (15th May) for RBI, SBI & IBPS |

Daily Current Affairs: 15th May, 2026

Q1. The Government of India approved a one-year extension for the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) beyond May 2026. Who has received this extension?

(a) Tapan Kumar Deka

(b) Rajiv Kumar

(d) Sanjay Arora

(e) Vivek Johri

Answer: c

Solution:

The Government of India has granted a one-year extension to Praveen Sood as Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
The decision was communicated through an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
The extension allows Praveen Sood to continue as CBI Director beyond 24 May 2026.

Q2. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved an increase in MSP for 14 Kharif crops for the Marketing Season 2026–27. Which crop received the highest increase in MSP?

(a) Cotton

(b) Tur

(d) Sunflower Seed

(e) Bajra

Answer: d

Solution:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops for the Marketing Season 2026–27.
The MSP hike aims to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and strengthen agricultural income support.
The Government estimates a total payout of around ₹2.60 lakh crore to farmers during the Kharif procurement season.
An estimated 824 lakh metric tonnes of crops are expected to be procured under the MSP mechanism.

Major MSP Increases

The highest increase in MSP was announced for:
- Sunflower Seed: increase of ₹622 per quintal
- Cotton: increase of ₹557 per quintal
- Sesamum: increase of ₹500 per quintal

MSP for Key Crops (2026–27)

Grade A Paddy: ₹2,461 per quintal
Jowar (Hybrid): ₹4,023 per quintal
Bajra: ₹2,900 per quintal
Tur (Arhar): ₹8,450 per quintal

MSP is a price support mechanism through which the Government procures crops from farmers at pre-announced prices to protect them from market fluctuations.

Q3. India signed a tripartite MoU in April 2026 for the development of the country’s first Mega Greenfield Shipyard under the India–ROK maritime cooperation framework. Where will this shipyard be developed?

(a) Visakhapatnam

(b) Kochi

(d) Thoothukudi

(e) Chennai

Answer: d

Solution:

In a major development for India’s maritime sector, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 20 April 2026 for the development of India’s first Mega Greenfield Shipyard at Thoothukudi.
The agreement was signed between HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering, National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Tamil Nadu Limited, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways.
National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Tamil Nadu Limited is a Special Purpose Vehicle jointly promoted by V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority and State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu.
The agreement was developed under the India–Republic of Korea maritime cooperation framework known as VOYAGES.
VOYAGES stands for “Shared Vision for Operation of Yard Assisted Growth with Efficiency and Scale.”
The Thoothukudi Greenfield Shipyard is among the first major implementation outcomes under the India–ROK maritime cooperation initiative.
The project aims to establish a world-class mega shipyard with an annual capacity of 2.5 million Gross Tonnage (GT).

Q4. The Mizoram Ginger Mission was launched as a convergence-based initiative to strengthen ginger cultivation and value-chain development in the state. What is the total financial outlay of the mission?

(a) ₹100 crore

(b) ₹125 crore

(d) ₹150 crore

(e) ₹250 crore

Answer: c

Solution:

In May, 2026, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, along with Chief Minister of Mizoram Shri Lalduhoma, launched the Mizoram Ginger Mission.
The mission is a ₹189.79 crore convergence-led initiative focused on ginger cultivation and value chain development in Mizoram.
The initiative is anchored by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
The mission integrates support from schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
Institutions such as National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority are also associated with the initiative.
The mission aims to strengthen ginger cultivation, improve processing infrastructure, and develop an integrated value chain for farmers.

Q5. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved India’s first semi high-speed double line project. Which will be India’s first semi high-speed railway project based on indigenously developed technology?

(a) Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train

(b) Delhi–Varanasi Rapid Rail

(d) Chennai–Bengaluru High-Speed Corridor

(e) Hyderabad–Vijayawada Rail Corridor

Answer: c

Solution:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Narendra Modi, approved the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line Railway Project of the Ministry of Railways.
The project has an estimated cost of around ₹20,667 crore.
It will be the first semi high-speed railway project of India planned with indigenously developed technology.
The railway line will provide faster connectivity between Ahmedabad, Dholera, the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), the upcoming Dholera Airport, and the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex.
The project will serve as a model for the future phased expansion of semi high-speed rail networks across the country.
The railway line has been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.

Q6. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was recognised in the Logistics Ease Across Different States Report 2025 for its improved logistics ecosystem, infrastructure development, and policy support framework. Under which category was Jammu & Kashmir placed in the LEADS 2025 Report?

(a) Aspirers

(b) Fast Mover

(d) High Performer

(e) Emerging Performer

Answer: d

Solution:

The Jammu and Kashmir has been recognised as a “High Performer” in the Logistics Ease Across Different States Report 2025.
The recognition marks significant progress for Jammu and Kashmir in the logistics and infrastructure sector.
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir was placed in the “Aspirers” category among Union Territories until 2023.
In 2024, it was upgraded to the “Fast Mover” category.
The latest “High Performer” status reflects sustained improvements in logistics infrastructure, policy support, regulatory systems, and overall ease of logistics operations in the Union Territory.

Q7. In May, 2026, An Indian Foreign Service officer of the 2000 batch has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Panama. Who has been appointed to this diplomatic position?

(a) Vinod J. Bahade

(b) C. Sugandh Rajaram

(d) Ruchira Kamboj

(e) Pavan Kapoor

Answer: c

Solution:
Ms. Pratibha Parkar (IFS: 2000), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Panama.

Q8. In May 2026, the IMD introduced two AI-based products for rain-fed agriculture areas. Which institution developed the AI-driven system capable of providing rainfall forecasts with a 1 km spatial resolution for Uttar Pradesh?

(a) National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF)

(b) IIT Madras

(d) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

(e) National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)

Answer: a

Solution:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) launched two advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based weather forecasting products in May 2026.
The forecasting systems are designed primarily for India’s core monsoon regions, especially areas dependent on rain-fed agriculture.
This marks the first time IMD has extensively integrated AI-based guidance into its weather forecasting services.
The AI-enabled forecasting services will become operational from the 2026 monsoon season.

AI-Based Forecasting Products

One forecasting product was developed by the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
This system has been specifically designed for Uttar Pradesh.
It provides rainfall forecasts with a spatial resolution of up to 1 kilometre, enabling highly localised weather predictions for every 1 km geographical area.

District-Level Monsoon Forecasting System

Another AI-driven rainfall forecasting product was developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), based in Pune.
The system closely tracks the progression of the monsoon across various regions and districts of the country.
It is capable of generating district-level rainfall forecasts well in advance.
The initiative is expected to improve agricultural planning, disaster preparedness, and weather-based decision-making for farmers and local administrations.

Q9. In May 2026, CJI Surya Kant announced the formation of the ‘Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee’. Who has been appointed as the head of this committee?

(a) Justice D.Y. Chandrachud

(b) Justice Aravind Kumar

(d) Justice B.R. Gavai

(e) Justice Abhay S. Oka

Answer: b

Solution:

Surya Kant announced the formation of a high-powered committee to prepare a blueprint for the modernisation of courts across India.
The committee, named the Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee, will be headed by Aravind Kumar.
The initiative aims to address infrastructural deficiencies in courts and seek government funding of around ₹40,000–50,000 crore for judicial infrastructure development.
Other members of the committee include Debangsu Basak, Ashwani Kumar Mishra, and Somasekhar Sundaresan.
The Director General of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India will also be members of the panel.
The panel will focus on seven major areas, including identifying systemic constraints, improving facilities for litigants and lawyers, and adopting advanced technology to speed up case disposal.
The committee will also work on strengthening the e-Courts initiative, reducing the digital divide, and promoting the construction of modern court complexes suited for the 21st century.

Q10. In May 2026, the Government of India increased the total effective import duty on gold and silver to 15%. What was the specific increase in the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) component?

(a) From 1% to 2.5%

(b) From 2.5% to 5%

(d) From 5% to 10%

(e) From 0% to 5%

Answer: c

Solution:

In May 2026, the Government of India increased the customs duty on gold and silver imports from 5% to 10%.
The Government also raised the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) on these imports from 1% to 5%.
Following the revision, the total effective import duty on gold and silver increased to 15%.
The decision was taken to help preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves and reduce non-essential imports.