Daily Current Affairs – 15-05-2026

Tamil Nadu News

Vijay Narayan Appointed as Tamil Nadu Advocate General

Vijay Narayan has assumed charge as the new Advocate General of the Tamil Nadu Government at the Madras High Court. Following the victory of TVK in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly General Elections, there was a change in government, after which former Advocate General P.S. Raman resigned from his post. The Tamil Nadu Government appointed senior advocate Vijay Narayan as the new Advocate General. He had earlier served as the Advocate General during the AIADMK regime from 2017 to 2021 and has now been re-appointed under the TVK government. Vijay Narayan completed his schooling in Ranchi, Jharkhand, pursued his undergraduate studies at Loyola College, Chennai, and obtained his law degree from the Government Law College, Chennai. He is the grandson of noted lawyer M.K. Nambiar and historian K.M. Panikkar, and is closely related to former Attorney General for India K.K. Venugopal. Vijay Narayan has also served as a member of the executive committee of the Indian Law Institute, Chennai Region, President of the Madras Bar Association, and currently serves as a member of the General Council of the National Law School, Trichy.

‘Singappen’ Special Squad Launched in Salem

The ‘Singappen’ Special Anti-Crime Squad for women’s safety was launched in Salem on May 14 by Salem City Police Commissioner Anil Kumar Giri. The initiative was announced by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK leader Vijay as part of measures for women’s safety and anti-drug initiatives. The squad functions under the direct supervision of the City Police Commissioner and the monitoring of Suramangalam Range Assistant Commissioner Ramalakshmi. The team consists of 4 members, including a Special Sub-Inspector and women head constables. The squad has been provided with a four-wheeler vehicle, cameras, and related equipment. Its responsibilities include monitoring crime-prone areas, ensuring women’s safety in public places, preventing crimes against women, conducting surveillance in crowded locations such as bus stands and railway stations, and providing timely support to affected women.

National News

IFAD to Invest in Indian Agricultural Start-ups

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), an organization under the United Nations (UN), has expressed interest in investing in India’s agricultural sector start-up companies, and 4 to 5 agreements are expected to be signed next year. IFAD was established in 1977 as an international financial institution for agricultural development and is currently implementing more than 200 agricultural projects in over 100 countries. The organization is headquartered in Rome, Italy and works towards poverty eradication in developing countries. IFAD has prepared a draft plan for the period 2026–2033 to enter India’s private agricultural sector for the first time. IFAD Vice President Donald Brown stated that policy reforms now allow the organization to collaborate with private companies in addition to government institutions. IFAD plans to work with India’s agricultural start-ups, the Government of India, and various state governments under the 110 Aspirational Districts Programme. NABARD has also agreed to provide financial assistance for IFAD projects. The organization plans to support small farmers through the establishment of grain storage warehouses, food processing units, farmer cooperatives, and promotion of climate-resilient crops and millet cultivation.

Central Government Bans Sugar Exports

The Central Government has imposed a ban on the export of sugar until September 30, 2026, to address domestic sugar shortages and control price rise. The order has come into effect immediately. Earlier, sugar exports were under the ‘Restricted’ category, which required exporters to obtain licenses from the government. According to the notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on May 13, the export policy for raw sugar, white sugar, and refined sugar has been amended, and sugar exports will remain prohibited until September 30, 2026, or until further orders. However, exports under the CXL and TRQ quotas to the European Union and the United States have been exempted from the ban. Exports related to pre-approved projects and government contracts are also exempted.

SSR Operations to Begin in 16 States and 3 Union Territories

The Election Commission of India has announced that the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls will begin from May 30 in 16 States and 3 Union Territories as part of the third phase of the revision process. Earlier, SSR works had already been completed in two phases in states and union territories including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. In the third phase, SSR operations will be conducted in Delhi, Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Tripura, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. The Election Commission stated that 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door verification for 36.73 crore voters. SSR operations in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh will be announced later. In Maharashtra, which has over 9.86 crore voters, BLOs will receive training from June 20 to 29, and field work will be carried out from June 30 to July 29.

States’ News

Mizoram Ginger Mission Launched

The Central Government has launched the ‘Mizoram Ginger Mission’ with an outlay of Rs. 189.79 crore to improve ginger cultivation and promote value-added ginger products in Mizoram. The project was launched through video conference by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia and Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma. According to the announcement, ginger produced in Mizoram contains 6 to 8 percent oleoresin content, which is higher than the global average of 3 percent. The mission aims to remove middlemen and provide direct benefits to farmers, thereby increasing farmers’ income.

V.D. Satheesan Selected as Kerala Chief Minister

The Congress High Command has appointed V.D. Satheesan as the leader of the Kerala Congress Legislative Party, following which he is set to become the new Chief Minister of Kerala. The Kerala Legislative Assembly election was held on April 20, and the results were announced on the 4th. In the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured 102 seats and qualified to form the government. Congress observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik conducted consultations with Congress MLAs in Thiruvananthapuram regarding the selection of the legislative party leader. Senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala and K.C. Venugopal were also considered for the Chief Minister post. A one-line resolution authorizing the Congress leadership to select the legislative party leader was passed unanimously. The announcement regarding the selection of V.D. Satheesan was made in Delhi by senior Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Ajay Maken, and Deepa Dasmunshi. V.D. Satheesan is scheduled to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on the 18th.

Sports News

Aparna Wins Gold at Wushu World Cup

India’s Aparna won the gold medal in the women’s 52 kg Sanda category at the 11th Wushu World Cup held in China. In the final, she defeated reigning world champion Thi Phuong Ca of Vietnam in straight sets. This was India’s first gold medal in the tournament. Aparna had earlier finished runner-up to Thi Phuong Ca in the World Cup held in Brazil last year.

Ajith Narayana Wins Bronze at Asian Weightlifting Championships

India’s Ajith Narayana won two bronze medals at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in the men’s 71 kg category. He lifted a total of 314 kg, including 140 kg in Snatch and 174 kg in Clean and Jerk, to finish in third place overall and win a bronze medal. He also secured a separate bronze medal in the Clean and Jerk category. In the same event, Won Ju-ri of North Korea won the gold medal with 351 kg, while Jian Chen of China secured silver with 335 kg. This was India’s third medal in the tournament. Earlier, Komal Kohar won bronze and Gyaneshwari won silver in the women’s category.

PSG Wins Ligue 1 Title for the 14th Time

Paris Saint-Germain won the Ligue 1 Football Championship in France for the 14th time and retained the title successfully. The club has now won the championship for the 5th consecutive season. In the match played against RC Lens, PSG secured a 2-0 victory with goals scored by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ibrahim Baye. With this win, PSG confirmed the top position in the league table with 76 points, while Lens remained second with 67 points. The match, originally scheduled for April 11, was postponed due to PSG’s participation in the Champions League.

India Wins 9 Gold Medals in Asian Junior Boxing

India won a total of 27 medals, including 9 gold, 6 silver, and 12 bronze medals, at the Asian Junior Boxing Championships (U-15 and U-17) held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In the U-15 girls’ category, Ansi (37 kg), Sonia (40 kg), Tanvi (43 kg), Hansika Atri (46 kg), Sunaina (58 kg), Bhumika (61 kg), and Angel (70 kg) won gold medals. Akshita (33 kg) and Tanvi (64 kg) secured silver medals, while India also won 5 bronze medals in the girls’ section. In the U-15 boys’ category, Yash Kumar (33 kg) and Mohammed Yasar (58 kg) won gold medals. Sasta Vasant Ashok Kumar (37 kg), Samir Bora (43 kg), Sudarshan Vasudev Chandak (52 kg), and Ronak Parag Lokhande (67 kg) won silver medals. India also secured 7 bronze medals in the boys’ category.