Daily Current Affairs – 16-05-2026

Tamil Nadu News

Garbage Removal Along Chennai Coast

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the removal of plastic and thermocol waste accumulated along the coastline from Ennore to Kovalam before June 14. The tribunal took up the issue as a suo motu case due to increasing waste accumulation along the coast from Kasimedu to Ennore, affecting marine life and the environment. The bench comprising Judicial Member Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Technical Member Satyagopal directed the formation of a joint sanitation committee headed by the Chennai Corporation Commissioner, with members including the Chairman of Chennai Port Trust, Director of Fisheries, and Manager of Kasimedu Fishing Harbour. The tribunal also ordered strict action and heavy fines against those dumping plastic and thermocol waste along the coastline and within the Chennai port premises. It further suggested avoiding single-use thermocol boxes dumped into the Cooum River and recommended establishing solar-powered cold storage rooms. The case has been adjourned to June 3 for submission of a detailed implementation report.

National News

Fighter Jet Manufacturing Plant in Andhra Pradesh

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for an Advanced Medium Fighter Jet Manufacturing Plant at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh. The project will be established on 650 acres at a cost of ₹15,803 crore and is expected to attract investments worth ₹1 lakh crore to the state. The foundation ceremony also highlighted the proposed start of the Kadapa Steel Plant works in June with completion targeted by 2028. During the event, it was announced that 8 drone companies would jointly operate in Kurnool. Rajnath Singh stated that India’s defence manufacturing capacity has increased from ₹46,000 crore in 2004 to ₹1.75 lakh crore at present. The event was attended by Union Minister Rammohan Naidu and Andhra Pradesh ministers Lokesh, Satyaprasad, Bharat, and Satyakumar Yadav.

Bhojshala Complex Verdict

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that the controversial Bhojshala Complex in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The Bhojshala complex, built in the 11th century, has been disputed between Hindus and Muslims, with Muslims identifying it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. In 2003, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) permitted both communities to worship there on specified days and timings. The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi, who stated that historical records and literary references connected the site to King Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty and identified it as a Sanskrit learning centre known as Bhojshala. The court also directed the Central Government to take steps to retrieve the idol of Goddess Saraswati from a London museum and suggested considering alternative land for mosque construction. Following the verdict, security was strengthened in Dhar district under the supervision of District Collector Rajiv Ranjan.

Urban Unemployment Rate Falls to 6.6%

According to the labour survey data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the urban unemployment rate in India declined to 6.6% during the January–March quarter of the 2025–26 financial year, compared to 6.7% in the previous quarter. The survey was conducted under the revised survey methodology implemented from January last year. During the same period, the share of regular wage employees in rural areas increased to 15.5% from 14.8% in the previous quarter. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) stood at 55.5%, slightly lower than 55.8% recorded earlier. The female labour force participation rate remained unchanged at 34.7%. Employment participation of rural people in the secondary and tertiary sectors, including manufacturing and service sectors, also increased during the quarter.

Tamil Nadu Additional Advocate General Appointments

The Tamil Nadu Government has appointed senior advocates P.V. Balasubramaniam and T. Gauthaman as Additional Advocate Generals (AAGs) to represent the State Government before the Madras High Court. The appointments were made under Rule 5(11) of the Law Officers of the High Court of Madras and its Madurai Bench (Appointment) Rules, 2017 through orders issued by Public Secretary Rita Harish Thakkar. P.V. Balasubramaniam enrolled as an advocate in 1997, while T. Gauthaman enrolled in 1998, and both were designated as senior advocates in 2023. Senior advocate R. John Sathyan was also appointed as Government Advocate for Criminal Cases in the Madras High Court through an order issued by Home Additional Chief Secretary K. Manivasan. R. John Sathyan was designated as a senior advocate in 2023.

Indian Skimmer Breeding Site in Madhya Pradesh

The Tawa Reservoir located in the Satpura Tiger Reserve in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, has emerged as the second breeding site of the endangered Indian Skimmer bird after the National Chambal Sanctuary. The Ramsar Site reservoir has recorded at least 15 Indian Skimmers since April 2026. The bird species is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. The Indian Skimmer breeds on sandbanks and is considered an important indicator of clean water and rich fish resources. According to officials of the Satpura Tiger Reserve, the reservoir is free from illegal sand mining and excessive human disturbance, making it suitable for breeding. More than 90% of the global population of Indian Skimmers is found in India, mainly along rivers such as the Chambal River. The population of the species in India is estimated to be between 2,000 and 2,500, and it has declined by nearly 50% in the last decade. The species has also been documented along the Mahanadi River in Cuttack district, Odisha.

West Bengal Joins PM-SHRI Scheme

West Bengal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Government on May 15 to implement the PM-SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) Scheme in the state. The PM-SHRI Scheme, approved in 2022, aims to upgrade existing schools as model schools reflecting the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Earlier, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala had not implemented the scheme. The Union Education Ministry had recently written to the Chief Secretaries of these states urging them to sign the agreement. With West Bengal joining the scheme, only Tamil Nadu and Kerala remain outside the programme. The Ministry of Education had linked the release of Samagra Shiksha funds with the implementation of the PM-SHRI scheme, and these states had not received or had received only partial central funding for 2023-24 due to non-implementation.

Glanders Infection Detected in Chennai Horse

A horse used for joyrides in Chennai died due to Glanders, a highly contagious bacterial disease affecting equines such as horses, ponies and donkeys. The disease was confirmed by the National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) after testing samples sent from the Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary (BMAD). Glanders can spread through direct contact and contaminated body fluids, and it can also infect humans. Symptoms include fever, cough, nasal discharge, swollen lymph nodes, lung infection and skin ulcers. The Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department was instructed to impose strict control measures to prevent further spread. Around 140 horses used for riding in Chennai are to be tested. The disease was confirmed through ELISA, CFT and qPCR tests. The state government has ordered isolation and monitoring of horses that came into contact with the infected animal. A similar case was reported earlier in Coimbatore, where the affected horse was euthanized. The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services are implementing surveillance and disease prevention measures.

CBI Launches AI-Based ‘Abhay’ System

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based verification system named ‘Abhay’ to help citizens verify official CBI notices and prevent digital arrest scams. The system was introduced amid the rise in online fraud cases where criminals use fake legal notices to threaten and deceive people. According to the CBI, fraudsters falsely claim to initiate legal action and keep victims under so-called “digital arrest” for several days. The agency clarified that the concept of “digital arrest” has no legal validity under Indian law. Citizens can access the ‘Abhay’ AI help-bot at any time through the official CBI website to verify notices and avoid cyber fraud.

International News

India-UAE Energy and Investment Agreements

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and the UAE for the supply and storage of LPG and petroleum products. Prime Minister Modi was welcomed in Abu Dhabi by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the first phase of his 5-nation tour aimed at strengthening relations in trade, technology, energy, security, innovation, and green growth. The two leaders discussed issues related to the Iran conflict, global energy security, and the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international energy and shipping activities. Agreements related to defence cooperation and infrastructure investment were also signed. The UAE announced an investment of 5 billion US dollars (₹48,000 crore) in Indian infrastructure and financial institutions including RBL Bank and Samman Capital. Another agreement was signed to establish ship repair centres in the Vadinar region of Gujarat. The UAE is India’s 3rd largest trade partner and the 7th largest investor in India over the last 25 years.

Ebola Outbreak in Congo

The Ebola virus outbreak has been confirmed again in Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the country since 1976. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the current outbreak has caused 65 deaths, and around 246 suspected cases have been reported. The highest number of deaths has been recorded in the health zones of Mongwalu and Rwampara, while fears remain that the infection may have spread to Bunia, the provincial capital. Ebola is a highly contagious disease spread through body fluids. The outbreak response has been affected by the presence of rebel groups and ongoing conflict in the eastern region of the country. Since Ituri Province is located near the borders of Uganda and South Sudan, concerns have arisen over possible cross-border transmission. The Africa CDC, along with health officials from neighbouring countries and United Nations organizations, held an emergency meeting to strengthen border surveillance and disease prevention measures.

Pakistan Issues Panda Bonds

Pakistan issued ‘Panda’ sovereign bonds in the Chinese domestic market for the first time to raise funds amid its economic crisis. Through this issuance, Pakistan raised around 250 million US dollars in Chinese Yuan. The bonds carry a 3-year maturity period with an interest rate of 2.5%. Panda bonds are debt instruments issued by foreign governments or institutions in China’s domestic market using Chinese currency. According to Khurram Schehzad, adviser to the Pakistan Finance Ministry, these are the first sovereign Panda bonds issued by Pakistan in the Chinese market. Investments worth nearly 1.3 billion US dollars were received against bonds valued at 250 million dollars. The fund-raising process was supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Ends Without Joint Statement

The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi concluded without issuing a joint statement due to differences among member countries regarding the situation in West Asia. The BRICS group currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with India serving as the current chair. The final document released by India stated that member nations expressed differing views on the West Asia situation and discussed issues related to diplomacy, sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law, maritime security, and civilian protection. The meeting was attended by leaders including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, and South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. On the Palestine-Israel issue, BRICS members reaffirmed support for a two-state solution and backed full membership for Palestine in the United Nations, based on the internationally recognised 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital.

Tencent Investment in India’s AVGC Sector

Chinese technology company Tencent has partnered with the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) and the Game Developers Association of India (GDAI) to support the growth of India’s AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) ecosystem. Tencent announced an initial investment of over ₹10 crore for curriculum development, professional training, and mentorship programmes in the gaming and AVGC sector. The initiative follows India’s regulatory clarity in the digital gaming sector and the relaxation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules for neighbouring countries. Tencent stated that the investment aligns with India’s target of training 20 lakh skilled professionals and generating employment in the AVGC-XR sector by 2030. Tencent had earlier faced regulatory challenges in India related to its PUBG Mobile game over national security concerns.

Sports News

India Wins 5 Medals in Wushu World Cup

India won 5 medals including 2 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals at the 11th Wushu World Cup (Sanda category) held in China. In the women’s category, Shivani won the gold medal in the 75 kg division by defeating a Russian opponent, while Aparna secured gold in the 52 kg division. Shivani, who serves in the Border Security Force (BSF), had earlier won a silver medal at the World Championship held in Brazil last year. In the men’s 48 kg category, Kushal Kumar of the Indian Air Force won the silver medal after losing to a Chinese player in the final. Kareena Kaushik of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Sagar Dahiya of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) won bronze medals in their respective categories.

India Wins 17 Medals in Asian U-17 Boxing Championship

India secured 17 medals including 2 gold, 7 silver, and 8 bronze medals in the Under-17 category of the Asian Boxing Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for Under-15 and Under-17 age groups. In the women’s division, India won 12 medals comprising 2 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze medals. Rakhi won the gold medal in the 46 kg category after defeating Uzbekistan’s Rukhshona Bonu Akhmedova through RSC (Referee Stops Contest), while Navya won gold in the 57 kg category by defeating Japan’s Sara Kano. In the men’s division, Lakshya Phogat won a silver medal in the 75 kg category after losing to Uzbekistan’s Marujon Doshtulatov in the final. Indian boxers also secured multiple silver and bronze medals across various weight categories during the championship.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Indian Bank Wins Golden Peacock Award

Indian Bank received the prestigious ‘Golden Peacock’ Award for the effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in banking services. The award ceremony was held in New Delhi, where Executive Director T.M. Mini, Chief General Manager Vallari Rath, and Chief Digital Officer Venkat Ellapantula accepted the award on behalf of the bank. The selection was made by a jury headed by former Chief Justice of India Uday U. Lalit, along with leaders from government and corporate sectors. Indian Bank was selected as the winner in the financial sector category for its application of AI technology and digital infrastructure development.

Economy News

Rapido Raises $240 Million Funding

Bengaluru-based ride-hailing platform Rapido secured 240 million US dollars in a funding round led by Prosus, with participation from existing investors WestBridge Capital and Accel. Following this investment, Rapido’s valuation increased to 3 billion US dollars. The company has so far raised a total of 730 million US dollars through primary and secondary funding rounds. Rapido stated that the newly raised funds would be used to expand operations in Tier-2 and smaller Indian cities, strengthen its captain network, improve first and last-mile connectivity, and invest in technology and talent development. Aravind Sanka is the co-founder of Rapido, while Ashutosh Sharma represents Prosus India investments.

RBL Bank Gets Approval for Emirates NBD Investment

RBL Bank received regulatory and government approvals for a strategic investment of nearly 3 billion US dollars (₹26,850 crore) from Emirates NBD. The transaction, first announced on October 18, 2025, is considered one of the largest international investments in the Indian banking sector. Emirates NBD will acquire 959,045,636 fully paid equity shares of RBL Bank through a preferential issue at a price of ₹280 per share. This will account for nearly 60% of the post-issue paid-up share capital of the bank. The final shareholding of Emirates NBD is expected to range between 51% and 74%, subject to foreign ownership limits and completion of the mandatory open offer process. Chandan Sinha is the Chairman of RBL Bank.

States’ News

Maharashtra Cuts VAT on Aviation Fuel

The Maharashtra government reduced the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 18% to 7% for a period of six months, with the revised rate remaining in force until November 14. The measure was introduced to reduce cost pressure on airline companies caused by rising jet fuel prices. Mumbai and Pune, two major airports in India, are located in Maharashtra. Mumbai Airport is the country’s second busiest airport, while Pune Airport ranks eighth in passenger traffic. The tax reduction followed requests from the Federation of Indian Airlines seeking relief for airlines. Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated that Maharashtra has 16 operational airports and handles around 7.5 crore passengers annually. The article also noted that Delhi imposes 25% VAT on ATF, while Tamil Nadu levies the highest VAT at 29%.