HomeCurrent AffairsMay 2026 — Week 3
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May 12–18, 2026

SSC CGL · UPSC CSE · IBPS PO · Railway RRB · State PSC — curated by GetVidyaAI

Published: May 19, 202610 key events · 5 categories
National Affairs (3)International Affairs (2)Economy & Finance (2)Science & Technology (2)Sports (2)
National Affairs

India-UAE Real-Time Digital Payment Corridor Launched

India and UAE signed an agreement to link UPI (Unified Payments Interface) with UAE's Instant Payment Platform (IPP). The corridor enables real-time cross-border payments between the two countries, benefiting India's 3.5 million diaspora in the UAE. The deal was signed during PM Modi's state visit to Abu Dhabi.

Exam angle →SSC CGL / Banking: UPI expansion, bilateral India-UAE relations, digital payment infrastructure

National Commission for Women Launches 'Sakhi Niwas' Scheme

NCW launched Sakhi Niwas — a network of safe, subsidised working women's hostels in 50 cities across 18 states. The scheme is funded under the Ministry of Women & Child Development and targets women migrating for employment from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Exam angle →SSC CGL / UPSC: Government schemes, women welfare, NCW role, WCD Ministry

Cabinet Approves National Quantum Mission Phase 2

The Union Cabinet approved Phase 2 of the National Quantum Mission with an outlay of ₹6,003 crore over 4 years (2026–2030). Phase 2 focuses on quantum computing hardware, quantum communication networks, and quantum sensing applications in defence and healthcare.

Exam angle →UPSC / SSC: Science & technology policy, quantum computing, mission objectives
International Affairs

SCO Summit 2026 Hosted by India in New Delhi

India chaired the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Key outcomes: joint declaration on counter-terrorism cooperation, new SCO energy charter, and India-Russia bilateral trade agreement expansion. China and Pakistan were represented at foreign minister level.

Exam angle →UPSC / SSC: International organisations, SCO member states, India's foreign policy

India Elected to UN Human Rights Council for 2027–29

India was elected to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2027–2029 term with 147 votes — the highest among Asia-Pacific candidates. India will serve its fifth term on the council, advocating for developing nations' priorities in the human rights framework.

Exam angle →UPSC / Banking: UN bodies, UNHRC composition, India's multilateral role
Economy & Finance

RBI Monetary Policy Committee Cuts Repo Rate by 25 bps to 5.75%

The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 4-2 to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.75%, the second consecutive cut in 2026. The decision was driven by easing core inflation (4.1% in April 2026) and the need to support growth amid global demand slowdown. EMIs on home and auto loans are expected to decrease.

Exam angle →Banking / SSC CGL: RBI MPC, repo rate, monetary policy tools, inflation targeting

India's FY26 GDP Growth Estimated at 7.4% by IMF

The International Monetary Fund revised India's FY2026 GDP growth estimate upward to 7.4% (from 7.0% in April projection) — the highest among G20 economies. Key drivers cited: domestic consumption recovery, infrastructure spending, and services export growth. India overtook Japan to become the world's 4th largest economy by nominal GDP.

Exam angle →UPSC / Banking: IMF, GDP growth, India's economic ranking, G20
Science & Technology

ISRO Successfully Launches PSLV-C61 with EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite

ISRO's PSLV-C61 successfully placed the EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite into a 526 km sun-synchronous orbit from Sriharikota. EOS-09 carries a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload capable of imaging through clouds — critical for agriculture monitoring, disaster management, and border surveillance.

Exam angle →SSC CGL / UPSC: ISRO missions, PSLV series, Earth Observation Satellites, SAR technology

India Achieves 100 GW Solar Capacity Milestone

India crossed the 100 GW installed solar power capacity milestone, making it the 3rd country after China and the USA to achieve this. Solar now constitutes 38% of India's total renewable energy capacity. Rajasthan (26 GW) and Gujarat (18 GW) are the top two states by installed solar capacity.

Exam angle →SSC CGL / UPSC: Renewable energy, India's climate targets, solar power stats, state rankings
Sports

India Wins ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026

The Indian women's cricket team won the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 held in England, defeating Australia by 8 wickets in the final at Lord's. Smriti Mandhana was awarded Player of the Tournament. India's first T20 WC title since 2020 (U19) — the senior team's first-ever Women's T20 World Cup win.

Exam angle →SSC CGL / UPSC: Sports awards, ICC events, Player of the Tournament, India cricket records

Neeraj Chopra Sets New Javelin World Record — 92.78m

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra set a new javelin throw world record of 92.78 metres at the Diamond League meet in Doha, breaking the previous record of 90.72m set by Jan Železný (Czech Republic) in 1996. This is the first world athletics field record set by an Indian athlete.

Exam angle →SSC CGL / UPSC: Indian sports achievements, javelin records, Olympics, Diamond League

Frequently Asked — May 2026 CA

What is the most important current affairs of May 2026 for SSC CGL?+

India-UAE UPI corridor, RBI repo rate cut to 5.75%, ISRO PSLV-C61 launch, India crossing 100 GW solar, ICC Women's T20 WC win, and Neeraj Chopra's 92.78m world record.

What was the RBI repo rate decision in May 2026?+

RBI MPC cut the repo rate by 25 bps to 5.75% — second consecutive cut in 2026. Vote: 4-2. Reason: easing inflation + supporting growth.

What is PSLV-C61?+

PSLV-C61 launched EOS-09 (Earth Observation Satellite with SAR radar) to a 526 km sun-synchronous orbit from Sriharikota in May 2026.

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