Daily Current Affairs – 13-05-2026

National News

NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled; CBI Probe Ordered

The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026, following allegations of a question paper leak before the examination. The exam was held for admission to undergraduate medical courses for the 2026-27 academic year. More than 22 lakh students appeared for the examination out of 22.80 lakh applicants, and the test was conducted at around 5,500 centres across 551 cities in India and in 14 foreign countries including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Riyadh, and Singapore. Allegations emerged after a handwritten question bank distributed in Rajasthan reportedly contained questions identical to those in the original NEET paper. In connection with the case, one person was arrested in Nashik, Maharashtra. The Central Government decided to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the CBI has registered a case and started investigation into the paper leak issue. The NTA also announced that the date for the re-examination will be announced later and clarified that candidates need not submit fresh applications or pay examination fees again.

High-Level Committee Formed for Judicial Infrastructure Development

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has constituted a high-level committee headed by Supreme Court Judge Arvind Kumar to prepare draft rules for the modernization of courts in India. The committee has been formed to identify infrastructural requirements and deficiencies in High Courts and District Courts across the country and to submit a report on the same. The members of the committee include Justice Debangsu Basak of the Calcutta High Court, Justice Ashwini Kumar Mishra of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan of the Bombay High Court. Representatives from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the Supreme Court Secretariat are also part of the committee. Based on the committee’s report, funds will be sought from the Central Government and State Governments according to the infrastructural needs of courts. The committee will also recommend measures to improve technological infrastructure in courts and reduce the digital divide in the judicial system.

Four Labour Codes Fully Implemented in India

Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on May 12 in New Delhi that the four new Labour Codes introduced by the Central Government have come into full implementation. The new framework was created by consolidating and simplifying 29 existing labour laws into four modern labour laws. The implementation of these labour codes aims to provide a simplified and contemporary legal structure for labour administration in India. The minister also stated that the new legal framework ensures equal pay for men and women.

India’s Retail Inflation Rises to 3.48% in April

According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India’s retail inflation increased to 3.48 percent in April 2026, marking the fourth consecutive monthly rise under the new calculation method based on 2024. Inflation had earlier stood at 2.75 percent in January, 3.21 percent in February, and 3.40 percent in March. Food inflation increased to 4.2 percent in April from 3.87 percent in March, mainly due to the rise in vegetable prices. Rural inflation increased from 3.63 percent to 3.74 percent, while urban inflation rose from 3.11 percent to 3.16 percent. Inflation related to house rent, water, and electricity charges declined to 1.71 percent. Inflation in the education sector decreased to 3.15 percent, and in the health sector to 1.64 percent. However, inflation in restaurants and accommodation services rose to 4.20 percent, while prices of tobacco products increased by 4.76 percent. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that retail inflation remains within its 4 percent target, and estimated the average inflation for the 2026-27 financial year at 4.6 percent.

65-Foot Trishul at Kailasagiri

In Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, a 65-foot-tall Trishul with a Damru has been installed at the Kailasagiri hill area to promote tourism. The project was undertaken by the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA). Kailasagiri is a well-known tourist destination famous for the statues of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The Trishul is located on the hilltop and is visible from various parts of the city. The structure includes a Damru measuring 18 feet wide and 10 feet high. The construction work lasted for about 8 months, and the inauguration was held recently. The hill area also has a ropeway facility. Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh mentioned that the installation coincides with the 75th anniversary of the renovation of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat.

Retail Inflation Rises to 3.5%

India’s retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 3.5% in April 2026, the highest level in the last 13 months, compared to 3.4% in March 2026. The rise was mainly due to higher inflation in the food and beverages sector and increased prices in the restaurant and accommodation services sector. Food and beverages inflation rose from 3.7% in March to 4% in April, while inflation in restaurants and accommodation increased from 2.9% to 4.2%. Inflation in the transport sector declined to -0.01% in April. The increase in inflation was linked to rising food prices and fuel costs. Economists including Upasana Bhardwaj of Kotak Mahindra Bank, Madan Sabnavis of Bank of Baroda, and Rajni Thakur of L&T Finance stated that geopolitical issues and El Nino could affect inflation trends in the future.

IMD Launches Block-Level Monsoon Forecast System

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has introduced a new block-level monsoon forecast system for the first time to provide forecasts on the arrival of the monsoon across 15 States and one Union Territory. The system covers 3,196 blocks out of India’s nearly 7,200 blocks and was developed at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. The forecasting framework was developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The system uses two combined forecasting models, nearly a century of meteorological data, AI-based analysis, and global weather models to provide forecasts for the next four weeks. Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh announced the launch of the system. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry, stated that the system may face challenges this year due to the expected impact of El Nino, which could cause below-normal rainfall from July. The IMD also launched a special monsoon forecast model named Mithuna for Uttar Pradesh, offering forecasts with 1-km resolution valid for 10 days.

PSBs Profit Growth in FY 2025-26

In the 2025-26 financial year, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) recorded an all-time high net profit of ₹1.98 lakh crore, marking the fourth consecutive year of profitability, according to the Union Finance Ministry. The ministry stated that improved asset quality, healthy credit expansion, and higher income contributed to the growth in profitability. The aggregate operating profit of PSBs reached ₹3.21 lakh crore, while the net profit increased by 11.1% year-on-year. As of March 31, 2026, the aggregate business of PSBs increased to ₹283.3 lakh crore, registering a growth of 12.8% over the previous year. Aggregate deposits also rose by 10.6% year-on-year to ₹156.3 lakh crore.

Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool Introduced

Amid rising tensions in West Asia, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) introduced the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) with a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore to provide maritime insurance coverage for Indian vessels. The insurance pool covers risks related to maritime operations including hull and machinery, cargo, Protection and Indemnity (P&I), and war risks for Indian-flagged ships. The proposal received approval from the Union Cabinet on April 18. The government stated that geopolitical instability had increased insurance costs and uncertainty in maritime trade. The BMIP will settle insurance claims up to 100 million dollars without government or insurer support, while the sovereign guarantee will be used for claims exceeding that amount after reserves are exhausted. During the inauguration, DFS Secretary M. Nagaraju handed over the first marine insurance policy documents issued by New India Assurance to Hoger Offshore and Marine Private Ltd., Vedanta Sterlite Copper, and Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd.

Cheetah Cubs Found Dead in Kuno National Park

Four cheetah cubs born on April 11, 2026 in Kuno National Park (KNP), Madhya Pradesh, were found dead near a den site in the Sheopur Territorial Division on Tuesday morning. The cubs were considered the first cheetah cubs born in India under Project Cheetah. According to Project Cheetah Director Uttam Kumar Sharma, the cubs were partially eaten, indicating a possible attack by another wild animal, likely a leopard. The mother cheetah was found safe and healthy. Forest officials stated that cheetah cubs below four to five months are vulnerable to attacks from predators such as hyenas and leopards, and the survival rate of cheetah cubs in the wild is only 5% to 10%. The incident occurred less than 24 hours after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav released two female cheetahs from Botswana into the forests of Kuno National Park. After the deaths, Kuno National Park houses 50 adult and semi-adult cheetahs and cubs.

Maruti Suzuki Supports AI Start-ups

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has selected six start-up companies from the 10th Cohort of its flagship Accelerator Program to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based and technology-driven industrial solutions. The selected start-ups are Goat Robotics, SheerDrive, Schijnenn Digital, GenbaNEXT, Swayatt Drishtigochar, and Swiftex. These companies have been provided paid Proof of Concepts (PoCs) to jointly develop solutions with MSIL. The solutions are aimed at improving safety and efficiency in factory operations, reducing product development time, strengthening material traceability, and enhancing customer experience. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MSIL, stated that the collaboration will support product design, development, and circularity efforts.

RBI Cancels Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Licence

In May 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank based in Mumbai due to inadequate capital and poor earning prospects. The bank ceased banking operations from the close of business on May 12, 2026. The RBI directed the Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Maharashtra to initiate the winding-up process and appoint a liquidator. Under the provisions of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), each depositor is eligible to receive insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh. According to RBI data, about 98.36% of depositors were eligible to receive the full amount of their deposits through DICGC. As of March 31, 2026, DICGC had already paid ₹26.72 crore towards insured deposits. RBI stated that the bank’s financial condition would adversely affect public interest if it continued operations.

SBI Plans Global Debt Fundraising

State Bank of India (SBI) has approved a plan to raise up to 2 billion US dollars through overseas bond issuances during the 2026-27 financial year. The fundraising will be carried out through public offers or private placements under Reg-S/144A guidelines using fixed or floating rate bonds denominated in US dollars or other major foreign currencies. The initiative aims to diversify SBI’s funding sources and attract international investors, particularly from the United States and Asian markets. Earlier, on May 7, 2026, SBI had announced that its board would consider long-term fundraising plans. Previously, in September 2025, SBI raised 500 million US dollars through a five-year overseas bond issue at a 4.5% interest rate.

Tamil Nadu News

Asiatic Lions Brought to Vandalur Zoo

As part of an animal exchange programme, a pair of Asiatic Lions has been brought from Indore Zoo to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai. The exchange programme aims to improve breeding quality, maintain genetic diversity, and strengthen conservation efforts for species maintained in captivity. After completion of quarantine and health assessment procedures, the lions will be introduced into their enclosure for public viewing. Along with the lions, one Egyptian Vulture and one Red Junglefowl were also brought from Indore Zoo. In exchange, the Vandalur Zoo has sent one Hippopotamus, two Ostriches, and four Yellow Anaconda snakes to the Indore Zoo. The addition of these animals is expected to enhance the biodiversity of the zoological park.

717 TASMAC Shops Ordered to be Closed in Tamil Nadu

The Government of Tamil Nadu has ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC retail liquor shops located within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands. The order was issued by Chief Minister Vijay on May 12. At present, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) operates 4,765 liquor retail shops across the state. Following an inspection, authorities identified 717 shops functioning near restricted locations, including 276 shops near places of worship, 186 shops near educational institutions, and 255 shops near bus stands. These shops have been directed to close within two weeks. During the previous DMK government, 500 liquor shops near places of worship and educational institutions were closed. The Tamil Nadu government earned revenue of ₹45,855 crore in 2023-2024 and ₹48,344 crore in 2024-2025 through TASMAC liquor sales.

M.A. Siddique Appointed as Tamil Nadu Finance Secretary

The Government of Tamil Nadu issued a government order on May 12 announcing the transfer and appointment of senior officials. M.A. Siddique, who served as the Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), has been appointed as the Finance Secretary of Tamil Nadu, replacing T. Udayachandran. Former Chief Secretary N. Muruganandham has been appointed as the Commissioner of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management. K. Nandakumar, former Registrar of Cooperative Societies, has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). Dr. S. Swarna, Principal Secretary and State Project Director of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), has been appointed as the Principal Secretary of the Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department. Dr. A. Annadurai, former Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, has been appointed as the Third Secretary to the Chief Minister. V. Vishnu, Additional Secretary of the Special Programme Implementation Department, has been appointed as a Secretary to the Chief Minister.

Tamil Nadu Advocate General P.S. Raman Resigns

P.S. Raman, the Advocate General of the Government of Tamil Nadu, resigned from his post on May 12 following the change of government in the state. After the DMK government came to power, R. Shunmugasundaram was appointed as the Advocate General and later resigned for personal reasons. Subsequently, in 2024, senior advocate P.S. Raman was appointed as the new Advocate General of Tamil Nadu. He represented the Tamil Nadu government in various important legal cases. Following the formation of the new government led by Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), P.S. Raman submitted his resignation letter to the Chief Secretary. He previously served as the Advocate General of Tamil Nadu from 2009 to 2011 during the DMK regime.

J.D. Prabhakar Elected as Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker

J.C.D. Prabhakar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, while M. Ravisankar, representing the Thuraiyur (SC) constituency from Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was elected as the Deputy Speaker on May 12, 2026. The election was held after TVK formed the government in Tamil Nadu with the support of allied parties following the Assembly elections. Since no other nominations were filed, both leaders were declared elected unopposed. The announcement was made when the Legislative Assembly convened at 9:30 AM in Chennai. Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin and Chief Minister Vijay escorted J.C.D. Prabhakar to the Speaker’s chair. Several political leaders, including Edappadi K. Palaniswami, S.P. Velumani, Rajesh Kumar, Thol. Thirumavalavan, and Seeman, congratulated the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker

65 ANTF Police Stations in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Government has issued a Government Order to establish 65 Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) Police Stations across all districts and city police commissionerates in the State under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister. The order was issued by the Home, Prohibition and Excise Department based on a proposal from the Director General of Police (DGP) to strengthen action against drug-related offences. Of the 65 stations, 37 stations will be established in districts at the rate of one per district, while the remaining 28 stations will function in nine city police commissionerates, including 12 in Chennai and two each in Avadi, Tambaram, Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Tiruchy, Madurai, and Tirunelveli. Each ANTF police station will have one Inspector, two Sub-Inspectors, and five Constables. Altogether, the force will consist of 65 Inspectors, 130 Sub-Inspectors, and 325 Constables through redeployment of existing personnel. The stations will enforce the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA Act) along with other related laws.

States’ News

Himanta Biswa Sarma Sworn in Again as Assam Chief Minister

Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term on May 12 in Guwahati. Along with him, Rameswar Teli, Ajanta Neog, Atul Bora of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and Urkhao Gwra Bora of the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) took oath as ministers. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. In the recent Assam Legislative Assembly election, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 102 out of 126 seats, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing 82 seats, while AGP and UPPL won 10 seats each. The Congress won 19 seats. This marks the third consecutive term of the BJP-led government in Assam. Sarbananda Sonowal became the first BJP Chief Minister of Assam in 2016, and Himanta Biswa Sarma first became Chief Minister in 2021. Sarma has now become the first non-Congress Chief Minister in Assam to serve two consecutive terms. Minister Ajanta Neog, a six-time MLA from Golaghat constituency, is noted as Assam’s first woman Finance Minister and long-serving woman MLA.

Personalities, Awards and Events

President Presents National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026

President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 on May 12 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on the occasion of International Nurses Day. The awards are given to individuals who have rendered outstanding service in the nursing profession. The award, instituted by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, includes a certificate of merit, a medal, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. This year, the awards were presented to 15 recipients from states including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Goa, Mizoram, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and New Delhi. The event was attended by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister of State Jadhav Prataprao. From Tamil Nadu, the award was presented to Prof. Dr. R. Shankar Shanmugam, Principal of the College of Nursing, Madras Medical College, in recognition of his 26 years of service in nursing education and professional development.

Economy News

Public Sector Banks Record Net Profit of ₹1.98 Lakh Crore

The Ministry of Finance announced on May 12 that the net profit of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) reached an all-time high of ₹1.98 lakh crore in the 2025-26 financial year. As of March 31, 2026, the total business of public sector banks increased to ₹283.3 lakh crore, recording a growth of 12.8 percent compared to the previous financial year. During the same period, the total deposits in public sector banks rose to ₹156.3 lakh crore, marking a growth of 10.6 percent. The Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio declined to 1.93 percent, while the Net Non-Performing Asset (NNPA) ratio reduced to 0.39 percent. In the 2025-26 financial year, the total profit of public sector banks stood at ₹3.21 lakh crore.

Adani Ports Expands Operations in Europe

Adani Ports, India’s largest private port operator, has announced an investment of 1.36 billion US dollars until financial year 2031 to expand its operations in the European market. The company will develop offshore capabilities in partnership with the U.S.-based engineering firm Oceaneering International. As part of the expansion, the marine services division Astra Offshore will develop a fleet of 200 specialized offshore vessels. The company has set a target of earning ₹6,000 crore in marine revenue through this expansion. The project aims to strengthen Adani Ports’ global presence and expand its maritime services beyond its domestic port business.

International News

France Announces €23 Billion Investment in Africa

French President Emmanuel Macron announced new investments worth €23 billion in African countries during the ‘Africa Forward’ Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya on May 12. The summit was jointly organised by France and Kenya. The investment will focus on the energy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and agriculture sectors in Africa. Out of the total investment, €14 billion will be contributed by French companies, while €9 billion will be provided by African organisations. The summit aimed at strengthening financial and investment relations between European and African countries.

India-Oman Free Trade Agreement

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the India-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is likely to come into effect from June 1, 2026. Under the agreement, around 98% of India’s exports to Oman will receive zero-duty access. Sectors expected to benefit include textiles, leather goods, engineering goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food products, and marine products. The announcement was made during the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The Minister also stated that negotiations with Chile on a trade agreement are continuing, with discussions focusing on critical minerals and lithium reserves. He further highlighted India’s target of achieving $2 trillion in exports within the next five to six years with an annual export growth rate of 15%.

Sports News

Senior Open Ranking Wrestling Tournament

At the Senior Open Ranking Wrestling Tournament held at Nandini Nagar Mahavidyalaya campus, Uttar Pradesh, Sandeep from Rohtak, Haryana won the Greco-Roman 60 kg title after returning to competition following a three-year break. He defeated Harsh of Delhi by 3-1 in the final. Sandeep, an Army personnel, resumed training in November 2025 after recovering from injury. In the 82 kg category, Manjeet defeated Umesh to win the title. In the women’s section, Olympian Sonam Malik lost to Ankita in the first round of the 65 kg category after returning from a four-year gap following knee surgery. Asian bronze medallist Hansika Lamba withdrew from the 57 kg event due to injury.

Dembele Wins Ligue 1 Player of the Year Award

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele was selected as the Ligue 1 Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. The 28-year-old footballer guided his club towards its 14th French league title and the UEFA Champions League final. With this achievement, Dembele became the fifth player to win the award in consecutive years. Before him, Zlatan Ibrahimovic achieved this feat in 2014.