Daily Current Affairs – 21-05-2026

National News

Limit on Number of Ministers in a State

According to Article 164(1A) of the Indian Constitution, the total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in a State Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly. Based on this constitutional provision, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, which has 234 members, can have a maximum of 35 ministers in the Council of Ministers.

PRAGATI 2026 Joint Military Exercise

The 13-nation joint military exercise ‘PRAGATI 2026’ began at the Umroi Military Station in Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya on May 20. The participating countries are India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The exercise is focused on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and dense forest regions and will be conducted for two weeks. The objective of the exercise is to strengthen defence cooperation, joint training, cultural exchange, and military relations among participating countries in the Indian Ocean region.

125-Day Employment Scheme Funding

The Union Ministry of Rural Development informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj that 25 States have already allocated funds for the VP-Jiramji 125-Day Work Scheme. The Bill replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 100-Day Work Scheme was passed in Parliament in December 2025 and became law after approval by President Droupadi Murmu. Under the new law, the employment guarantee period has been increased from 100 days to 125 days. In States and Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies, the funding pattern will be 60% by the Central Government and 40% by State Governments, while in the North Eastern States, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, the sharing pattern will be 90:10. The scheme will be implemented from July 1, according to Union Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal, who briefed the committee headed by Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka. The government will issue smart job cards with facial recognition features to ensure transparency and accountability. The annual expenditure for the scheme is estimated at Rs.1.51 lakh crore, of which the Central Government’s share is estimated at Rs.95,692.31 crore.

Core Infrastructure Sector Growth at 1.7%

The output of India’s 8 core infrastructure sectors recorded a growth of 1.7% in April 2026, according to data released by the Central Government on May 20. The eight core sectors are coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity. These sectors had recorded a revised decline of 1.2% in March 2026. In April, coal production declined by 8.7%, while petroleum refinery products production fell by 0.5%. Fertilizer production recorded an 8.6% decline compared to a 24.6% decline in March. At the same time, cement production registered a growth of 9.4%, and steel production grew by 6.2%. India’s overall Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth declined from 5.2% in February to 4.1% in March due to stagnation in the manufacturing and electricity sectors.

No New Hydropower Projects in Upper Ganga Region

The Central Government informed the Supreme Court through a joint affidavit filed on May 19 that no new hydropower projects should be permitted in the Upper Ganga region of Uttarakhand. The affidavit was jointly submitted by the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Ministry of Power. The government stated that except for seven existing hydropower projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins, no new projects would be supported. These seven projects together have a capacity of 2,150 MW and include the 1,000 MW Tehri Pump Storage Project, 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad Project, and 444 MW Vishnugad Pipalkoti Project. In August 2024, the Supreme Court formed a committee headed by Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan to examine the issue. The case originated after the 2013 Kedarnath floods, in which more than 5,000 people lost their lives. In 2014, the Expert Body-I led by environmentalist Ravi Chopra warned that 23 out of 24 hydropower projects studied in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins could cause severe environmental damage.

Padma Shri for Hockey Coach Baldev Singh

Hockey coach Baldev Singh will receive the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, from President Droupadi Murmu on May 25. The 75-year-old coach transformed Shahabad Markanda in Haryana into a major centre for producing hockey players. Baldev Singh joined the Haryana Sports Department as a coach in 1982 and later returned to Shahabad Markanda in 1993, where he developed the hockey academy into a leading training centre. He began his career with the Namdhari Hockey Team at Baini Sahib and obtained a diploma in hockey coaching from the National Institute of Sports (NIS). He also worked as a coach in Bengaluru during the early 1980s. Baldev Singh served as the head coach and selector of the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team in 1993 and as assistant coach of the Indian team that won the Champions Trophy in Madras in 1996. From 2001 to 2004, he served as coach of the Indian men’s hockey team and guided India to win the gold medal in the 2004 Asia Cup.

Banda Records Extreme Heat in Uttar Pradesh

Banda district in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh recorded a temperature of 47.6°C on May 19, becoming the hottest place in India and one of the hottest locations in the world. The district had earlier recorded the same temperature on April 27. Banda also recorded the highest temperatures in Asia on May 19 (48.2°C), May 17 (46.4°C), and April 17 (45.4°C). The highest temperature ever recorded in Banda remains 49.2°C on June 10, 2019. Reports indicate that rising temperatures in the district are linked to factors such as loss of green cover, sand mining, drying rivers, and barren rocky terrain, leading to the formation of a man-made heat island.

Tamil Nadu News

K. Bhavaneeswari Appointed First IG of Singappen Special Task Force

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the formation of the Singappen Special Task Force as part of his election promises to enhance women’s safety. A government order stated that the special unit would function under an officer of Inspector General (IG) rank. Accordingly, K. Bhavaneeswari, who served as the IG of the Tamil Nadu Police Public Division, has been appointed as the first IG of the Singappen Special Task Force. Bhavaneeswari entered police service in 1997 after clearing the Group 1 Examination and was appointed as a DSP in Kallakurichi. In 2006, she was promoted as SP and appointed in the CB-CID. In 2013, she became the first woman SP of the Q Branch. She has also served in positions including DIG and IG in the Tamil Nadu Police Department.

International News

India-Italy Joint Action Plan 2025-2029

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Italy as part of his five-nation tour covering the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy from May 15. In Rome, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and discussed strengthening India-Italy relations through the India-Italy Joint Action Plan 2025-2029. Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Nuclear Energy, Space, Defence, Maritime Sector, Port Modernisation, Infrastructure, and Blue Economy. Bilateral trade between India and Italy is nearing the target of 20 billion Euros (Rs.2.24 lakh crore), and more than 400 Italian companies are operating in India. India and Italy also discussed establishing an India-Italy Innovation Centre to improve cooperation between research institutions and industries. Prime Minister Modi also met Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome and discussed cooperation in trade, investment, AI, mineral resources, space, and nuclear energy. Both countries reiterated cooperation against terror financing and supported resolving global conflicts through dialogue.

UN Projects India’s Economic Growth at 6.4%

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) has projected India’s economic growth at 6.4% for the current year, revising its earlier estimate of 6.6%. According to the report released on May 20, India recorded an economic growth of 7.5% in the previous year and continues to remain one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. The report also projected India’s economic growth at 6.6% for the next year. The global economic growth for the current year has been estimated at 2.5%, which is 0.2% lower than the estimate released in January. The report noted that the US-Iran conflict and the resulting West Asia crisis have affected the global economy.

Meta Layoffs for AI Investment

Meta, the global technology company, has started laying off around 8,000 employees, which is nearly 10% of its workforce, to reduce expenses and increase investments in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector. According to Meta Chief Human Resources Officer Janelle Gale, around 7,000 employees will be transferred to AI-related divisions. The company has also cancelled nearly 6,000 vacant posts. Meta plans to invest between 12.5 billion and 14.5 billion US dollars in AI technology during this year to compete with companies such as Google and OpenAI. Reports also stated that more than 25,000 employees worldwide have been affected by layoffs carried out by major companies during the current month due to increased focus on AI technology. Meanwhile, LinkedIn announced layoffs for more than 600 employees in California, USA, and plans to reduce about 5% of its global workforce, affecting nearly 875 employees.

India–South Korea Defence Talks in Seoul

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with South Korean National Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul on May 20 to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries. Both sides reviewed the overall status of bilateral defence relations and agreed to expand cooperation in sectors including defence industry, maritime security, emerging technologies, logistics, military exchanges, cyber security, and United Nations peacekeeping operations. The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region and highlighted the growing convergence between India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s regional strategic vision. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for training exchanges between India’s National Defence College and Korea National Defence University. Two important MoUs were also signed for future-oriented projects involving self-propelled air defence systems and directed energy weapon systems, with emphasis on the Make in India initiative.

Marco Rubio’s India Visit from May 23

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from May 23 to 26 on his first official visit to the country. The visit comes amid continuing conflicts in the Persian Gulf region, which have affected India’s energy security. During the visit, Marco Rubio will travel to New Delhi, Kolkata, Agra, and Jaipur. Discussions with senior Indian officials will focus on energy security, trade, and defence cooperation. The visit also gains importance as India is scheduled to host meetings related to BRICS, Quad, and the India-Africa Forum Summit during the current year. The announcement regarding the visit was made by the US Department of State, and spokesperson Thomas Pigott stated that bilateral and global diplomatic issues would be discussed during the meetings.

States’ News

Kerala Cancels SilverLine Rail Project

The Kerala Government under Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has decided to cancel the SilverLine High-Speed Rail Project proposed by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod. The decision was taken during the first Cabinet meeting held after V.D. Satheesan assumed office along with 20 ministers. The project was cancelled due to difficulties in land acquisition, absence of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), and concerns over environmental impact. The government also announced the withdrawal of notifications issued for land acquisition related to the project. The validity of the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) rank list has been extended from August 31 to November 30. The United Democratic Front (UDF) government has also planned to implement election promises by 2031, with a 100-day action plan beginning from June 1. The state government also plans to form sub-committees to recommend candidates for Padma Awards.

Sports News

Arsenal Wins Premier League Title

Arsenal won the Premier League 2026 football title in England on May 20, securing the championship after a gap of 22 years. The club had last won the title in 2004. Arsenal finished at the top of the points table with 82 points, while Manchester City remained second with 78 points. Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in the 37th round confirmed Arsenal’s title victory, as City could not surpass Arsenal’s points tally with only one round remaining. Under coach Mikel Arteta, Arsenal had finished runner-up for three consecutive seasons before winning the title. Arsenal will next face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30.

BCCI Domestic Cricket Schedule 2026-27

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the domestic cricket schedule for the 2026-27 season on May 20. The season will begin with the Duleep Trophy on August 23 and the Ranji Trophy will start on October 11 in two phases. According to the schedule, a total of 1,788 matches will be conducted across various men’s and women’s age-group and senior categories. The Duleep Trophy will be held in Bengaluru from August 23 to September 10. The Irani Cup match between reigning Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir and Rest of India will be held in Srinagar from October 1 to 5. The Ranji Trophy first phase will take place from October 11 to November 5, while the second phase will be held from January 17 to March 3, 2027. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will be conducted from November 14 to December 6, with league matches in Mumbai, Mohali, Visakhapatnam, and Kolkata, and knockout matches in Nagpur. The Vijay Hazare Trophy will be held from December 14 to January 8, and the Vijay Merchant Trophy (Under-16) will be conducted from November to January.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Creates IPL Record

Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals became the youngest player to score 500 or more runs in a single IPL season at the age of 15. He achieved the feat after scoring 93 runs off 38 balls against Lucknow in a match held at Jaipur, where Rajasthan Royals won by 7 wickets. He broke the earlier record held by Rishabh Pant, who scored 500-plus runs for Delhi Daredevils in 2018 at the age of 20. Vaibhav Suryavanshi also recorded the highest strike rate of 236.3 among players who scored 500 or more runs in an IPL season. In the list of most sixes in a single IPL season, he reached second place with 53 sixes. Chris Gayle holds the top record with 59 sixes in the 2012 IPL season.

Economy News

Bosch-TSF Group Partnership in Auto Components

Bosch and TSF Group comprising Wheels India and Brakes India have formed a new partnership to develop and manufacture advanced electronic air systems for commercial vehicles. In this joint venture, both companies will hold 50% stake each. The newly developed automobile components will be marketed in both domestic and global markets. The partnership will focus on software-based technologies related to electronic air systems, braking systems, and suspension technologies. Bosch will contribute its expertise in electronics and software, while TSF Group will provide manufacturing capability and mechanical design support. Srivats Ram, Chairman of Wheels India, stated that the company has been involved in bus air suspension systems in India for more than 30 years.

Personalities, Awards and Events

‘Taiwan Travelogue’ Wins International Booker Prize 2026

Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi and translator Lin King won the International Booker Prize 2026 for the historical novel “Taiwan Travelogue”, which is set in 1930s Japanese-occupied Taiwan. The novel became the first Mandarin Chinese-language novel to win the prestigious award for translated fiction in English. The award was announced at an event held at Tate Modern, London, by jury chair Natasha Brown. Originally published in 2020, “Taiwan Travelogue” is the first book by Yang Shuang-zi to be translated into English. The award carries a cash prize of £50,000, which will be shared equally between Yang Shuang-zi and Lin King. The independent publishing house And Other Stories won the award for the second consecutive year after “Heart Lamp” won in the previous year.

Soumya Swaminathan Elected Fellow of Royal Society

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, daughter of renowned agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, London, one of the world’s oldest scientific academies. She previously served as the Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO) and as the Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Dr. Soumya Swaminathan played an important role in providing scientific guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Political leaders including CPI State Secretary Mu. Veerapandian and AMMK General Secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran congratulated her for her contributions to science, public health, and global crisis management.