Current Affairs 21 May 2026

National Affairs

BIS Notifies E22–E30 Fuel Norms; Approves Up to 30% Ethanol Blending

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), notified specifications for E22, E25, E27, and E30 fuel blends, setting specifications for petrol mixed with up to 30% ethanol, beyond the current E20 blend target.

Norms Issued Under: New specifications established under IS 19850:2026 for "E22, E25, E27 and E30 Fuel, Admixture of Anhydrous Ethanol and Motor Gasoline for Usage in Positive Ignition Engine Powered Vehicles."

Significance: The new standards are expected to reduce India's reliance on imported crude oil (which currently accounts for over 85% of the country's total requirement) amid continuing volatility in global energy markets.

No Immediate Nationwide Rollout: The BIS notification outlined only the technical specifications required for the latest ethanol blends but did not mandate immediate nationwide rollout of E30 fuel.

Union MoS Prataprao Jadhav Launches 'Ayush Anudan' Portal under Ayush Grid Initiative

Union Minister of State (MoS), Independent Charge (IC) Prataprao Jadhav, Ministry of AYUSH, launched the 'Ayush Anudan Portal' to strengthen digital governance and enhance transparency in the Ayush sector, at Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.

Platform: Developed by the Ministry of AYUSH under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)-compliant Ayush Grid initiative — streamlines the submission, processing, approval, and monitoring of funding proposals under various Central Sector Schemes.

Operation Framework: Enables organisations to submit funding proposals online, eliminating manual and paper-based processes. Integration with the NGO Darpan Portal ensures easy verification of organisations, enhancing credibility and validation.

Features: Scheme-wise application management system allowing proposals to be categorised, processed, and monitored according to different Central Sector Schemes (CSS) of the Ministry of AYUSH.

CBI Launches AI-Based 'ABHAY' Helpbot to Combat Digital Arrest & Fake Notice Scams

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPP&P), launched an AI-based helpbot named 'ABHAY' (AI-Based Helpbot for Authentication of Your Notice) to authenticate CBI notices and protect citizens from rising cyber fraud and digital arrest scams.

Overview: India's first real-time notice verification platform — helps citizens identify fake notices issued in the name of the CBI through the official CBI website.

Verification System: A 24×7 AI-powered platform that allows users to upload suspected CBI notices after OTP verification to instantly check whether the document is genuine or fraudulent.

Features: Designed to help citizens identify forged notices issued in the name of agencies like the CBI, police, customs, and other government bodies; also guides users on cyber fraud reporting and safe digital practices.

Bharat Forge to Establish India's First Private-Sector Marine Gas Turbine Facility in AP

Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), through its Aerospace division, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) to establish India's first private-sector Marine Gas Turbine (MGT) Repair, Overhaul, and Indigenous Development Complex in Visakhapatnam, AP.

Signed in the presence of Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD, and CM N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Aerospace and Defence Investment Conclave in Puttaparthi, AP.

Infrastructure: The facility will span 80 acres within the AP Defence Manufacturing Corridor; co-located with the Naval Dockyard, INS Eksila, and Eastern Naval Command (ENC) Headquarters, Visakhapatnam.

Phased Implementation:

Indigenisation: BFL will also establish an R&D and testing hub to support future indigenous marine turbine development programmes, strengthening India's push towards naval self-reliance.

International Affairs

Overview of PM Narendra Modi's Visit to Netherlands on May 16–17, 2026

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi undertook a two-day official visit to the Netherlands from May 16–17, 2026, at the invitation of Rob Jetten, PM of the Netherlands — part of the 2nd leg of PM Modi's 5-nation tour (UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy).

Key Engagements:

• Met Dutch King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima at Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague
• High-level meeting with Dutch PM Rob Jetten at Catshuis (official residence of the Dutch PM)

Restitution: The Leiden University Library of the Netherlands restituted the 11th century Chola Copper Plates to the GoI, in the presence of PM Modi and PM Jetten.

Strategic Partnership: Both countries agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership and adopted the Roadmap of India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership for the next 5 years (2026–2030).

Key MoUs: 17 agreements formalised in technology, green energy, trade, mobility, and other sectors. Notably:

• TATA Electronics Limited signed an MoU with Dutch company ASML to support semiconductor Fab in Dholera, Gujarat
• A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Netherlands, for technical cooperation on the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat

Banking & Finance

Mahindra & DBS Bank Sign Pact to Launch India's First Green Dealer Financing Scheme

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) signed an MoU with DBS Bank to launch India's 1st sustainability-linked dealer financing scheme in the automotive sector.

Authorised Mahindra dealers will get preferential interest rates on vehicle loans linked to their environmental performance.

Framework: Dealers evaluated and ranked based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) parameters defined under Mahindra's Green Dealership Programme.

Performance Criteria: ESG parameters include:

• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions monitoring
• Water consumption
• Renewable Energy (RE) use
• Rainwater harvesting
• Waste management
• Availability of public EV charging facilities

The ESG parameters were developed jointly by M&M and DBS Bank India.

Green Financing Benefits: Dealers meeting defined ESG criteria, alongside sales targets, will receive commercial benefits on loans used to buy passenger and commercial vehicles from the manufacturer.

RBI Cancels Licence of Yashwant Co-operative Bank in Maharashtra

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Maharashtra-based Yashwant Co-operative Bank Limited with immediate effect, citing poor financial health, inadequate capital, and regulatory violations, under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Key Restrictions: Prohibited from carrying out banking operations, including acceptance and repayment of deposits.

Winding-Up Process: RBI directed the Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra, to start the winding-up process and appoint a liquidator.

Deposit Insurance: Eligible depositors entitled to claim insurance of maximum ₹5 lakh through the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

Awards & Recognitions

UNESCO-L'Oréal Recognises Five Women Scientists with 2026 International Awards for Women in Science

UNESCO and the Fondation L'Oréal honoured five outstanding women scientists with the UNESCO–L'Oréal International Awards for Women in Science 2026 on 19 May 2026.

2026 Laureates:

Award Ceremony: To be presented at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France on 11 June 2026.

Jury: Chaired by Professor Brigitte L Kieffer, Research Director Emeritus at France's National Institute for Health and Medical Research and former laureate of the programme.

Appointments & Resignations

Bharat Singh Chauhan Re-Elected as Chairman of Commonwealth Chess Association

Bharat Singh Chauhan was re-elected as the Chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) for the 2026–2030 term, during the Annual General Body Meeting at Wasakaduwa, Sri Lanka.

Office Bearers Elected:

Executive Members: Hurrynarain Bhowany (Mauritius), Allan Herbert (Barbados), Benard Wanjala (Kenya), Craig Hall (New Zealand), and Crition Tornaritis (Cyprus).

New Event: CCA announced the launch of the Commonwealth School Chess Championship, with the first edition set to be hosted in Malaysia in October 2026.

Medha Kulkarni Appointed as Chairperson of Parliamentary Panel on Science, Environment

Medha Vishram Kulkarni, Member of Parliament (MP), Rajya Sabha, was appointed as Chairperson of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

Officially approved by C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; effective from 18 May 2026.

Regulatory Authority: Under the provisions of Sub-Rule (1) and Sub-Rule (2) of Rule 269 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).

Role: The committee examines policy matters, legislation, and issues related to science and technology, environment, forests, and climate change.

Other Appointments: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla named Sudheer Gupta as Chairperson of the Joint Committee on the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Acquisitions & Mergers

USA's Liberty Mutual Insurance Increases Stake in Indian Arm Liberty General Insurance to 74%

USA-based Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (LMIC) increased its stake in Liberty General Insurance (LGI) to 74% from 55.40%, strengthening its presence in India's insurance sector following the GoI's approval of 100% FDI in the insurance industry.

Structure: LGI is a JV between the Liberty Mutual Group (LMG) and Enam Securities (holding remaining 26%).

Expansion: Plans to strengthen retail and commercial insurance operations, expand distribution network across India, improve insurance penetration in urban and semi-urban markets, and support Liberty Mutual's Asia-Pacific growth strategy.

Science & Technology

DRDO Successfully Completes Development Trials of ULPGM-V3 in Air-to-Ground & Air-to-Air Modes

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), MoD, successfully completed final development trials of the UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh (AP).

The trials validated the indigenous missile system for anti-tank and aerial target engagements.

Integration: ULPGM-V3 integrated with UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies (NRT) Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka; tested using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) with automated readiness, targeting, and launch operations.

Development: Developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, Telangana, under DRDO, with support from:

• DRDL (Hyderabad, Telangana)
• Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) (Chandigarh)
• High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) (Pune, Maharashtra)

ESA-CAS Joint Mission Launches SMILE Space Weather Satellite Aboard Vega-C Rocket

A European Space Agency (ESA) and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) joint mission successfully launched the "Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)" spacecraft aboard the Vega-C rocket from Kourou Spaceport, French Guiana, to study interactions between solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere and improve space weather forecasting.

Scientific observations begin ~3 months after launch; mission planned to operate for three years.

Vega-C Specifications:

Obituary

Former Uttarakhand CM Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (Retd) Passes Away

Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand, Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (Retd), passed away at the age of 91 in Dehradun on 19 May 2026. The Government of Uttarakhand announced three days of state mourning.

The GoI conferred upon him the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 1982 for his distinguished service.

Books & Authors

Former Federal Bank CEO Shyam Srinivasan Launches Leadership Book "Better Never Stops"

Shyam Srinivasan, former Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Federal Bank, launched his debut book 'Better Never Stops', a leadership and memoir-style publication based on his more than 30 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector.

Published By: Wyzr Content Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka.

About the Book: Offers leadership insights from India's banking sector, showcasing how resilience, adaptability, discipline, and continuous improvement drive the transformation and growth of mid-sized private banking institutions.

Important Days at a Glance

Current Affairs 21 May 2026