Daily Current Affairs – 19-05-2026

States’ News

Kerala UDF Government Formed

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returned to power in Kerala after 10 years. V.D. Satheesan was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram along with 20 ministers. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the UDF won 102 seats. The Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 63 seats, while the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) secured 22 seats. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) won 35 seats, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to win any seat. After assuming office at the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan chaired the first cabinet meeting and signed the first order providing free travel for women in government buses. The government also announced a salary hike of ₹3,000 for ASHA workers and an increase of ₹1,000 in the monthly honorarium for Anganwadi workers. Special measures for senior citizens were also approved.

National News

Tecentriq for Lung Cancer Treatment

A new drug named Tecentriq for the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) has been introduced in India by Roche Pharma India. The drug is administered as a subcutaneous injection and takes only about 7 minutes for treatment. Unlike conventional intravenous (IV) immunotherapy that requires several hours in hospitals, this injection provides faster treatment. NSCLC is the most common form of lung cancer in India. The cost of one dose of the drug is approximately ₹3.7 lakh, and some patients may require up to 6 doses during treatment. The introduction of this drug highlights the increasing use of immunotherapy in cancer treatment, where the body’s immune system is used to fight cancer cells.

Privilege Motion Against Education Minister

The Congress Party submitted a Privilege Motion Notice against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on May 18. The notice was submitted by Jairam Ramesh, the Congress Chief Whip in the Rajya Sabha, under Rule 187 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). The motion was related to comments made by Dharmendra Pradhan during a press conference held in New Delhi on May 15 regarding the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education after the cancellation of the NEET examination due to a question paper leak. The issue concerned the implementation of recommendations related to the National Testing Agency (NTA) and examination procedures. Parliamentary Committees were referred to as extensions of Parliament, also known as “Mini-Parliaments.”

Bharat Singh Chauhan Re-elected as CCF President

Bharat Singh Chauhan of India was unanimously re-elected as the President of the Commonwealth Chess Federation (CCF) for the 2026–2030 term during the annual general meeting held in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka. Bharat Singh Chauhan has been associated with the development of chess for the past 50 years. In the new office-bearers’ election, Akramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi of Malaysia was elected as Deputy President, Lakshman Wijesuriya of Sri Lanka as General Secretary, and Vicky Maree of South Africa as Treasurer. Santiago Pushpa Kumara, retired Judge of the Sri Lanka High Court, served as the election officer. The meeting also decided to conduct the Commonwealth Schools Chess Championship in Malaysia in October 2026.

HDFC Bank Retains Second Spot by Market Value

HDFC Bank and Bharti Airtel are competing to become India’s second most valuable company by market capitalization. During trading on May 18, Bharti Airtel briefly overtook HDFC Bank, but at the close of trading, HDFC Bank regained the second position with a market capitalization of ₹11.83 lakh crore. Bharti Airtel followed closely with a market capitalization of ₹11.80 lakh crore. Reliance Industries continued to hold the top position with a market capitalization of ₹18.07 lakh crore. Since the beginning of the current year, Bharti Airtel shares declined by 7.5%, while HDFC Bank shares declined by more than 22%. The decline in HDFC Bank shares was linked to uncertainty regarding the appointment of the next chairperson following the resignation of part-time chairperson Atanu Chakraborty.

India Develops AI-Based Gene Editor for Crops

Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Central Rice Research Institute have developed and experimentally validated the world’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-designed genome-editing tool for plants. The new technology is considered an advancement over the existing CRISPR gene-editing system, which depends on naturally occurring microbial proteins. The AI-designed system can modify plant DNA for traits such as higher yield, climate resilience, disease resistance, and improved nutrition. The research team was led by scientist Kutubuddin Ali Molla. The new platform has been named Plant-OpenCRISPR1 (POC1) and is based on Open-CRISPR-1 (OC1), an AI-generated nuclease originally developed for human cells. Using rice as a model crop, the scientists demonstrated gene knockout, base editing, and prime editing in plants. This is the first successful use of an AI-designed genome-editing system in plants and is expected to have applications in biotechnology and food security.

TVS Venu Group Acquires Stake in Jana Small Finance Bank

The TVS Venu Group announced the acquisition of a 9.9% stake in Jana Small Finance Bank for ₹193.3 crore as part of its expansion in the financial services sector. The acquisition includes a mix of primary warrant subscription and secondary share purchase, with 4.9% stake to be held directly by TVS Motor Company. The Investment Committee of TVS Motor approved the purchase of 51.6 lakh equity shares from Jana Holdings, and the transaction is expected to be completed within three months. The group already operates in the lending sector through TVS Credit Services and Home Credit India and has also signed agreements to acquire 100% stake in PGIM India Asset Management. The TVS Venu Group reported revenue of around $6.5 billion in FY26 and operates in more than 90 countries. Founded in 2006, Jana Small Finance Bank is one of India’s largest small finance banks by assets and deposits. In FY26, the bank reported a total income of ₹6,374.8 crore and a profit of ₹326.4 crore. The bank serves more than 12 million customers through 822 branches across 23 States and 2 Union Territories.

Gunveer Singh Appointed RBI Executive Director

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Gunveer Singh as its Executive Director (ED) with effect from May 18. Before this appointment, he served as the Chief General Manager-in-Charge of the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems in the RBI. As Executive Director, Gunveer Singh will continue to oversee the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems.

Centre Approves Floating Solar Battery Storage Scheme

The Finance Ministry’s Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) approved a ₹5,500 crore Floating Solar Battery Storage Scheme to promote the installation of floating solar panels across India. The proposal will now be sent for Union Cabinet approval. The scheme aims to encourage states and stakeholders to expand renewable energy generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had originally proposed an allocation of ₹6,700 crore. States such as Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have already implemented some floating solar projects. MNRE Secretary Santosh Sarangi stated that an incentive mechanism is being planned to support grid-scale renewable energy expansion across the country.

CAA Passport Declaration Rules

The Union Home Ministry amended the rules under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, requiring applicants seeking Indian citizenship to submit an affidavit declaring whether they possess a valid or expired passport issued by Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh. The amendment was added to Schedule IC of the CAA application form. Applicants must provide details such as passport number, date and place of issue, expiry date, and date and month of entry into India. The rules state that incorrect information may lead to cancellation of citizenship. Applicants holding valid or expired foreign passports must surrender them before the Senior Superintendent of Post or Superintendent of Post within 15 days after approval of citizenship. The CAA Rules came into effect on March 11, 2024. The Act grants citizenship to six non-Muslim communities — Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains, Buddhists, and Christians — from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.

International News

Britain to Return Jain Manuscripts

The British Museum and the Wellcome Collection Museum in London will hand over 2,000 Jain religious manuscripts to India. These rare manuscripts were acquired in 1919 by Henry from a Jain temple located in the Pakistan region of undivided India during the British colonial period. The manuscripts were preserved and displayed at the Wellcome Collection Museum in London. Efforts taken by the Central Government of India and the Jain community led to the decision to return the manuscripts. An agreement for handing over the manuscripts was recently signed in London.

Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in Delhi

The consultative meeting of the Quad Foreign Ministers will be held in New Delhi on May 26 under the leadership of India. The Quad alliance consists of India, the United States, Australia, and Japan and focuses on promoting peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. India is holding the presidency of the Quad for the current year, and the Quad Summit is scheduled to be conducted under India’s leadership. The meeting will be chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu. Regional and international issues, including the Ukraine war, the West Asian situation, and developments related to the Indo-Pacific region, are expected to be discussed during the meeting.

IEA Warns of Rapid Decline in Oil Stocks

International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol stated in Paris that global commercial oil inventories are rapidly declining due to the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for shipping. He said only a few weeks of commercial oil reserves remain. During the G7 Finance Leaders’ Meeting, Birol stated that the release of strategic oil reserves added 2.5 million barrels per day to the market. According to the latest monthly report of the IEA, global oil inventories declined by 246 million barrels during March and April. The 32-member IEA coordinated the release of 400 million barrels from strategic reserves to stabilize markets, and around 164 million barrels had been released by May 8. The agency also revised its forecast, stating that global oil supply in 2026 could decline by around 3.9 million barrels per day, compared to its earlier estimate of 1.5 million barrels per day.

Iran Launches Bitcoin-Based Insurance for Strait of Hormuz

Iran launched a Bitcoin-backed shipping insurance service named Hormuz Safe for Iranian shipping companies and cargo owners using the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports citing documents from Iran’s Ministry of Economy and Financial Affairs, the initiative could generate more than 10 billion US dollars in revenue. The insurance service provides cryptographically verifiable insurance policies for shipments passing through the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and nearby waterways, with payments settled in Bitcoin. Following airstrikes by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also announced the launch of a new regulatory body named the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to manage and monitor maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

India–Norway Green Strategic Partnership

India and Norway elevated their bilateral relations to a Green Strategic Partnership during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held in Oslo on May 18. Both countries signed agreements in the fields of space, health, and digital development. The partnership focuses on sectors including clean energy, climate resilience, Blue Economy, and Green Shipping. An MoU was signed between ISRO and the Norwegian Space Agency to strengthen cooperation in the space sector. Norway also extended support for the operations of India’s Arctic research station Himadri. India and Norway agreed to strengthen cooperation in digital public infrastructure, digital public goods, maritime security, and capacity building. Both nations also reiterated support for a rules-based international order, diplomacy, and cooperation amid conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway and received the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in over 40 years, after Indira Gandhi’s visit in 1983.

Youngest Indian-Origin Mayor in UK

Tushar Kumar, a 23-year-old politician, became the youngest Indian-origin Mayor in the history of the United Kingdom after taking charge as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood in eastern England. He is a former Political Science student of King’s College London and represents the Labour Party. Tushar Kumar joined the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in 2023 and had earlier served as the Deputy Mayor. The mayoral ceremony was held at Fairway Hall. He succeeded former Mayor Dan Ozarow.

Indian Space Start-ups in Italy

Nine Indian space-tech companies under the delegation led by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) participated in Space Meetings Veneto 2026 held in Venice, Italy, and signed multiple strategic partnerships and collaboration agreements. The participating companies included Astrogate Labs, Astrobase Space Technologies, VyomIC, Suhora, Kepler Aerospace Ltd., Hyspace Technologies, TaKeMe2Space, Jarbits Pvt. Ltd. and Dhruva Space. IN-SPACe, functioning as the single-window agency for private space sector activities in India, also held discussions with the Italian Space Industry Study Group to strengthen commercial and technological cooperation between India and Italy. Astrobase Space Technologies of Karnataka signed an MoU with Impulso Space for customer access and launch service opportunities, while Kepler Aerospace signed a framework agreement with Apogeo Space to expand Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) infrastructure and satellite collaboration between India and Europe. The visit followed the Italian Aerospace Delegation’s visit to India in 2025 and was aligned with the 2025-2029 India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan announced during the G20 Summit 2024.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Sweden and Norway Honour PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree of Commander Grand Cross, one of the highest honours of Sweden, during his visit to Gothenburg on the 17th. The award was presented by Crown Princess Victoria. The award was instituted in the 18th century and is conferred on foreign leaders for exceptional public service and contribution to strengthening relations with Sweden. Narendra Modi became the first Asian leader to receive this award. After completing his Sweden visit, he travelled to Oslo, the capital of Norway, where he met King Harald V. During the visit, King Harald V presented him with Norway’s highest honour, the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit Grand Cross. With this award, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received a total of 32 international awards from various countries, including the United States, Russia, European nations, and Gulf countries.

HD Deve Gowda Birth Anniversary Observance

The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (PMS) in New Delhi celebrated the 93rd birth anniversary of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on May 18 along with International Museum Day. The event was organised by the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library (PMML) and included exhibitions featuring photographs, archival documents, ethnographic objects, and personal belongings related to H.D. Deve Gowda. Two short films on Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya and Deve Gowda were also screened. Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Executive Council of PMS, and Dr. Sowmya Ramesh participated in the event. H.D. Deve Gowda, born on May 18, 1933, in Haradanahalli village, Hassan district, Karnataka, became the 11th Prime Minister of India on May 30, 1996, after resigning as the 14th Chief Minister of Karnataka. He joined the Congress Party in 1953, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Hassan constituency in 1991, and became the president of the Janata Dal in Karnataka in 1994.

Former England Captain MJK Smith Passes Away

Former England Test captain MJK Smith (Mike Smith) passed away at the age of 92. The former batter represented England in 50 Test matches and captained the team in 25 Tests. He made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1958 and played his final Test match against Australia in 1972.

Sports News

BCCI Outside RTI Act Scope

The Central Information Commission (CIC) ruled on May 18 that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act and therefore is not required to provide information under the Act. The decision was issued by Information Commissioner P.R. Ramesh while hearing an appeal seeking details regarding the rules and authority under which BCCI represents India in national and international cricket tournaments and selects players. The CIC stated that the BCCI is an autonomous private body registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act and was not established by the Constitution, Parliament, State Legislature, or government notification. The commission also noted that BCCI is not owned, controlled, or funded by the government and earns revenue through ticket sales, broadcasting contracts, and media rights. Under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, BCCI cannot be classified as a public authority. With this ruling, the CIC overturned the 2018 order of former Information Commissioner M. Sridhar Acharyulu, which had declared BCCI a public authority.

Jannik Sinner Wins Italian Open

Jannik Sinner of Italy won the Italian Open Tennis Tournament held in Rome and created history by becoming a Career Golden Masters champion after winning all 9 tournaments in the Masters series. In the men’s singles final, world number 1 Jannik Sinner defeated world number 17 Casper Ruud of Norway with a score of 6-4, 6-4. The match lasted 1 hour and 44 minutes. Sinner won the Italian Open title for the first time and has now secured a total of 10 Masters titles in his career. As champion, he received 1,000 ranking points and a cash prize of ₹11.32 crore.

Tamil Nadu News

Restrictions on Horse Riding Due to Glanders

Restrictions on horse riding have been imposed in tourist places across Tamil Nadu due to the spread of Glanders, a bacterial infection affecting horses. The Animal Husbandry Department directed that horses showing disease symptoms should not be used for riding. A horse infected with Glanders died in Chennai, following which the Chennai Corporation conducted blood tests on more than 140 horses. The Department of Public Health also initiated precautionary measures as the infection can spread to caretakers through fluids and droplets from infected horses. Restrictions have been imposed in tourist locations including Ooty, Kodaikanal, beaches, and other hill stations. The Tamil Nadu Veterinary Department instructed owners to follow existing guidelines for animal care and advised immediate isolation of horses showing symptoms such as nasal discharge, skin lesions, respiratory problems, and cough. Orders were also issued for regular medical examination of animals and disinfection of horse stables and equipment.

IAS Officers Reshuffled in Tamil Nadu Administration

The Tamil Nadu Government announced a major IAS officers’ reshuffle involving key departments including the Transport Department, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). Gagandeep Singh Bedi was appointed as Additional Chief Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department. G.S. Sameeran, former Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, was appointed as the new Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation, replacing J. Kumaragurubaran. P. Amudha was transferred as Additional Chief Secretary of the Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection Department, while K.S. Palanisamy was posted to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. M. Vallalar was appointed as Secretary to Government, Transport Department, and A.R. Rahul Nadh was posted as Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).

Economy News

RBI Imposes Restrictions on Nagar Sahakari Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed operational restrictions on the Etawah-based Nagar Sahakari Bank for a period of six months due to supervisory concerns. Under the restrictions, customer cash withdrawals have been capped at ₹10,000 per account holder. The RBI directions came into effect from the close of business on May 18.