Daily Current Affairs Quiz 31st May 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 31st May, 2026

Q1. Which institution holds the historic distinction of becoming the first Urban Local Body (Municipality) in India to develop a Special Economic Zone?

(a) Greater Chennai Corporation

(b) Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

(d) Surat Municipal Corporation

(e) Indore Municipal Corporation

Answer: c

Solution:

In May 2026, the Government of India notified two new Special Economic Zones in the Puducherry.
The proposals were approved by the Board of Approval for Special Economic Zones under the Department of Commerce during its 137th meeting held on 27 February 2026.
The new SEZs are expected to strengthen the industrial base, boost exports, attract investments, and generate high-quality employment opportunities in Puducherry.
These projects form part of the Government’s broader strategy to promote manufacturing growth and enhance self-reliance in key sectors.

IT/ITES SEZ at Thattanchavady

An IT/ITES Special Economic Zone will be developed by Oulgaret Municipality at Thattanchavady.
This will be the first SEZ in India to be developed by an Urban Local Body (Municipality).

Multi-Sector SEZ at Karasur

A Multi-Sector Special Economic Zone will be developed by Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation.
The project will be located at Karasur.
The SEZ is expected to support industrial diversification, manufacturing activities, and export-oriented development in the region.

Q2. Under the newly amended CSR Policy Rules, what is the maximum permissible limit for a company’s expenditure on Zero Coupon Zero Principal instruments on the Social Stock Exchange?

(a) 10 percent of the total CSR expenditure for that financial year

(b) 5 percent of the total CSR expenditure for that financial year

(d) 25 percent of the total CSR expenditure for that financial year

(e) 50 percent of the total CSR expenditure for that financial year

Answer: a

Solution:

In line with the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has expanded the scope of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities under Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013.
A new item, “Subscription to Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments on the Social Stock Exchange”, has been added to Schedule VII, enabling companies to undertake CSR activities through this mechanism.
To facilitate this initiative, the Ministry has also amended the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules 2014.
The amendments introduce definitions of “Not for Profit Organisation (NPO)” and “Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instrument” under Rule 2 and lay down implementation criteria under Rule 4A.

Key Features

The amendment allows CSR-mandated companies to support social welfare projects by subscribing to Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments issued by eligible NPOs.
Eligible NPOs can raise funds through these instruments on the Social Stock Exchange in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
The initiative is intended to provide a transparent, regulated, and efficient funding mechanism for social sector projects.
It is also expected to ease compliance requirements for companies while expanding fundraising opportunities for NPOs.

CSR Spending Limit

Expenditure incurred by a company on subscription to Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments cannot exceed 10% of its total CSR expenditure for a financial year.

About CSR Framework in India

The legal framework for Corporate Social Responsibility is governed by Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013, Schedule VII of the Act, and the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules 2014.
Schedule VII specifies the activities that qualify as CSR and aligns corporate contributions with national priorities for inclusive and sustainable development.

Q3. In May 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first “SkyCast System” at which of the following locations?

(a) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai

(b) Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru

(d) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata

(e) Cochin International Airport, Kerala

Answer: c

Solution:

In May 2026, Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first SkyCast System at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The SkyCast System is an advanced integrated atmospheric remote sensing system designed for real-time aviation weather monitoring and forecasting.
According to the Minister, only 18 such systems were operational worldwide before this installation, making India the 19th country to deploy the technology.
The system is expected to enhance weather surveillance capabilities, improve flight safety, and support more efficient airport operations.
Following its installation at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, the next SkyCast System will be established at Noida International Airport.

Q4. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) launched the Common Landing Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets in collaboration with which of the following organizations?

(a) National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

(b) PSB Alliance

(d) Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)

(e) Credit Information Bureau India Limited (CIBIL)

Answer: b

Solution:

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), under the Ministry of Finance, launched the Common Landing Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets on 29 May 2026.
The portal has been developed in collaboration with the PSB Alliance to help citizens easily access information related to unclaimed financial assets.
It serves as a unified platform that enables users to search for various types of unclaimed assets across the financial sector through a single interface.
The portal provides access to information on:
- Unclaimed bank deposits
- Unclaimed insurance claims
- Unclaimed shares
- Unclaimed dividends
- Unclaimed mutual fund investments
The initiative aims to simplify the process of locating and claiming financial assets that remain unclaimed with different financial institutions.

Q5. Under NFHS-6, chronic childhood stunting declined substantially to __________, while severe wasting among children under 5 registered a sharp contraction down to __________ .

(a) 35.5%; 7.7%

(b) 29.3%; 5.2%

(d) 29.3%; 7.7%

(e) 32.1%; 1.9%

Answer: b

Solution:

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), conducted during 2023–24 with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, as the nodal agency. Covering nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts, the survey provides comprehensive data on population, health, nutrition, and family welfare indicators.

Maternal and Child Healthcare

Maternal and child healthcare indicators have shown significant improvement across the country.
Antenatal care (ANC) coverage reached 95.9% among pregnant women.
The proportion of mothers receiving ANC during the first trimester increased from 70.0% to 76.2%.
Mothers receiving at least four ANC visits increased from 58.5% to 65.2%.
Institutional deliveries rose from 88.6% to 90.6%.
Births attended by skilled health personnel increased from 89.4% to 91.3%.
Postnatal care for newborns within two days of delivery improved from 79.1% to 85.3%.
Maternal nutrition indicators also improved, with consumption of iron-folic acid supplements for 100 days or more during pregnancy increasing from 44.1% to 54.9%, while consumption for 180 days or more rose from 26.0% to 37.8%.

Family Planning

India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) remained stable at 2.0.
The Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) increased from 66.7% to 69.1%, indicating improved access to family planning services.

Immunization and Child Health

Full vaccination coverage among children aged 12–23 months increased from 83.8% to 87.1%.
About 95.6% of children received vaccinations through public health facilities.
Rotavirus vaccine coverage increased significantly from 36.4% to 85.4%.
Coverage of the second dose of the measles-containing vaccine improved from 58.6% to 71.8%.
The prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) symptoms among children declined from 2.8% to 1.9%.
Severe diarrhoea among children declined to 0.5%.

Child Nutrition

Breastfeeding among children below six months reached 95.6%.
The percentage of children breastfed within one hour of birth increased from 41.8% to 50.1%.
Stunting among children under five years declined from 35.5% to 29.3%.
Severe wasting declined from 7.7% to 5.2%.
Underweight prevalence among children under five reduced marginally from 32.1% to 31.8%.
Children aged 6–8 months receiving complementary feeding along with breastmilk increased from 45.9% to 59.5%.

Health Insurance Coverage

Household coverage under health insurance and healthcare financing schemes increased significantly from 41.0% to 60.2%.
The expansion reflects the impact of initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) in strengthening financial protection and improving access to healthcare.

Women’s Empowerment and Financial Inclusion

Women who had ever used the internet nearly doubled from 33.3% to 64.3%.
Women operating their own bank or savings accounts increased from 78.6% to 89.0%.
Women owning and using a mobile phone increased from 53.9% to 63.6%.
Use of hygienic menstrual protection methods among women aged 15–24 years increased from 77.6% to 79.2%.

Q6. In May 2026, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) under which of the following analytical frameworks?

(a) Sagar Mala Framework

(b) Sagar Aankalan Framework

(d) PM Matsya Sampada Framework

(e) Setu Bharatam Master Plan

Answer: b

Solution:

On 28 May 2026, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024–25 along with four major digital initiatives aimed at enhancing governance, transparency, and ease of doing business in India’s maritime sector.
The launch took place during the 37th Foundation Day celebrations of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The LPPI, developed under the Sagar Aankalan framework, serves as a national benchmarking mechanism to evaluate and improve the operational efficiency of Indian ports.
The index is aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, and is intended to strengthen India’s position in global logistics and maritime trade.
LPPI assesses ports across three major cargo segments:
- Dry Bulk Cargo
- Liquid Bulk Cargo
- Container Cargo
The evaluation is based on key operational indicators such as:
- Cargo handled
- Vessel turnaround time
- Berth idle time
- Pre-berthing waiting time
- Container dwell time
- Ship berth day output
The framework assigns equal weightage to both current performance and year-on-year improvement, encouraging continuous enhancement of port operations.

Four Digital Initiatives Launched by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)

To improve service delivery, transparency, and accountability for seafarers and maritime stakeholders, four digital modules were launched:
1. 24×7 Grievance Redressal Module under the e-Navik platform
2. Ship Registration Module on the e-Samudra platform
3. Medical Practitioner Module
4. Unified Ship Recycling Credit Note Module
These initiatives are expected to streamline maritime services, enhance digital governance, and support the modernization of India’s shipping ecosystem.

Q7. In May, 2026, Team India won multiple medals at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026 international skilling competition. In which country/territory was this event hosted?

(a) South Korea

(b) Japan

(d) Singapore

(e) Thailand

Answer: c

Solution:

Team India delivered an impressive performance at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026, an international skills competition held in Taipei from 26–28 May 2026.
Competing against young skilled professionals from 15 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, India secured two Silver Medals and three Merit Awards, showcasing its growing strength in vocational skills and technical excellence.
The Indian contingent participated in five highly competitive skill categories and demonstrated outstanding competence in emerging and industry-relevant domains.
The team was supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the National Skill Development Corporation, which provide advanced training, industry exposure, and international benchmarking opportunities to Indian youth.

India’s Medal Winners

Muskan won a Silver Medal in Painting and Decorating.
Arjun Sumathi Vijayabashkar secured a Silver Medal in Mobile Applications Development.

Merit Award Recipients

Mohamed Mafaz Poonaikannan Rabi Ahamed received a Merit Award in Software Applications Development.
Suresh Kumar Ganesan Meena received a Merit Award in Digital Construction.
Md Seraj received a Merit Award in Automobile Technology.

Prize Money

Each Silver Medal winner received 8,000 Taiwan Dollars.
Each Merit Award recipient received 5,000 Taiwan Dollars.
The achievement reinforces India’s emergence as a global skills powerhouse and highlights the success of its skill development ecosystem in preparing future-ready talent.

Q8. In May 2026, the Indian Haj Mission received two prestigious Labbaytum Awards from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah belonging to which nation?

(a) United Arab Emirates

(b) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

(d) Qatar

(e) Jordan

Answer: b

Solution:

In May 2026, the Indian Haj Mission received the prestigious Labbaytum Awards from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the first time.
The mission was honoured with two Labbaytum Awards in recognition of its outstanding performance during the Haj pilgrimage.
The awards were conferred for excellence in:
- Haj Coordination
- Communication and Outreach Services
The recognition highlights the efficient management, facilitation, and support provided by the Indian Haj Mission to Indian pilgrims during the Haj pilgrimage.
The achievement reflects the continued efforts of the Government of India and the Haj administration to improve the overall pilgrimage experience through effective coordination, timely services, and enhanced communication mechanisms.
The Labbaytum Awards are presented by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to recognize exceptional services and best practices in the management of Haj pilgrims by participating countries and organizations.

Q9. Hindi Journalism Day (Hindi Patrakarita Diwas) is celebrated annually across India on which of the following dates?

(a) May 10

(b) May 15

(d) June 5

(e) August 15

Answer: c

Solution:

Hindi Journalism Day is observed every year on 30 May to commemorate the beginning of Hindi journalism in India and to honour the contributions of Hindi journalists to society.
The journey of Hindi journalism began on 30 May 1826 with the publication of “Udant Martand”, the first Hindi newspaper in India.
The newspaper was founded and published by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla, who is regarded as a pioneer of Hindi journalism.
The publication of Udant Martand marked a historic milestone in Indian journalism and laid the foundation for the growth and development of Hindi-language media.
Hindi Journalism Day recognizes the dedication, courage, and commitment of journalists who have worked to inform the public, uphold truth, and contribute to social welfare.
The emergence of Hindi newspapers played a significant role in spreading awareness, promoting education, and strengthening public participation in social and national issues.
Over the years, Hindi journalism has contributed immensely to India’s social, cultural, and democratic development by making information accessible to a wider section of society.

Q10. According to the ‘State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) 2026’ report, what is India’s global rank in terms of overall digitalization?

(a) Second

(b) Third

(d) Fifth

(e) Seventh

Answer: d

Solution:

According to the State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) 2026 Report, released by the ICRIER-Prosus Centre for Internet and Digital Economy, India has emerged as the world’s fifth most digitalised economy.
The report evaluates 71 countries on various indicators related to digital development, technology adoption, and artificial intelligence.
India has been ranked fourth globally on the CHIPS-AI Index, reflecting its growing capabilities in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
The report highlights that India has outperformed several advanced economies, including:
- Germany
- France
- Japan
- United Kingdom
- Canada

in the global AI race.

The study also notes a major shift in global AI adoption, with 72% of the world’s AI users now residing in developing countries.
India’s strong performance reflects rapid digital transformation, expanding internet penetration, increasing digital public infrastructure, growing AI capabilities, and a thriving technology ecosystem.
The findings underscore India’s emergence as a leading digital economy and a significant global player in the development and adoption of Artificial Intelligence technologies.