Daily Current Affairs May 21

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May 21 | Daily Current Affairs 2026

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs May 21

1. What is the major focus of International Tea Day 2026?
A) Digital tea trading
B) Sustainable tea farming and inclusive growth
C) Tea export taxation
D) Artificial tea production
E) Global coffee promotion
Answer: B) Sustainable tea farming and inclusive growth.

Event and Location:

• Event: International Tea Day 2026 is observed to celebrate tea’s cultural, social, economic and health significance.
• Location: The observance is marked globally, with special relevance to tea-producing and tea-consuming countries like India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The observance highlights sustainable tea cultivation, inclusive economic growth, fair labour practices and the cultural legacy of tea across nations.
• Objectives: It aims to support tea-growing communities, improve livelihoods, promote climate-resilient agriculture and recognise tea’s role in poverty reduction, food security and rural development.

Important Terms Explained:

• Sustainable tea cultivation: It refers to tea farming practices that protect the environment, conserve resources and support long-term productivity.
• Inclusive economic growth: It means growth that benefits farmers, workers, small growers and communities involved in the tea value chain.
• Fair labour practices: It refers to ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions and dignity for workers engaged in tea production.
• Climate resilience: It means the ability of tea agriculture to adapt to climate-related risks such as changing rainfall, heat stress and extreme weather.
• L-theanine: It is a natural compound found in tea that is associated with calm concentration and reduced mental stress.

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2. What was the official theme of World Metrology Day 2026?
A) Measurements for Digital India
B) Metrology for Global Trade
C) Building Precision for Science
D) Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making
E) One Nation, One Measurement
Answer: D) Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making.

Event and Location:

• Event: India celebrated World Metrology Day 2026 with reforms in legal metrology, digital compliance, precision timekeeping and measurement certification.
• Location: India.
• Date: May 20, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Department of Consumer Affairs announced reforms in legal metrology, launched digital compliance initiatives and highlighted India’s global certification and precision timekeeping milestones.
• Objectives: The reforms aim to build trust in policymaking, improve measurement accuracy, protect consumers, simplify compliance, strengthen trade credibility and support governance through reliable standards.

Important Terms Explained:

• World Metrology Day: It is observed on May 20 every year to commemorate the signing of the Metre Convention in Paris in 1875 and highlight the importance of accurate measurements.
• Metre Convention: It was an international treaty signed in 1875 that laid the foundation for a globally uniform measurement system.
• Legal metrology: It refers to laws and regulations related to weights, measures and measuring instruments used in trade, industry, healthcare and consumer protection.
• e-Maap portal: It is a unified digital platform for verification of weights and measures, registrations, model approvals and enforcement services at Central and State levels.
• One Nation, One Time: It is India’s precision time dissemination initiative with the National Physical Laboratory and ISRO to distribute accurate Indian Standard Time nationwide.

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3. Why is Anti-Terrorism Day observed in India on May 21?
A) To mark the Kargil victory
B) To honour Rajiv Gandhi’s death anniversary
C) To celebrate National Unity Day
D) To commemorate Constitution Day
E) To observe Police Commemoration Day
Answer: B) To honour Rajiv Gandhi’s death anniversary.

Event and Location:

• Event: Anti-Terrorism Day 2026 was observed to spread awareness against terrorism, violence and extremism.
• Location: India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The observance includes pledge ceremonies, awareness campaigns, seminars, debates and educational programmes across institutions and public organisations.
• Objectives: It aims to encourage citizens, especially youth, to reject terrorism and violence while promoting peace, democracy, national unity and social harmony.

Important Terms Explained:

• Anti-Terrorism Day: It is observed in India every year on May 21 to spread awareness about the dangers of terrorism and violent extremism.
• Anti-Terrorism Pledge: It is a pledge taken by citizens to oppose terrorism, uphold peace and follow the principles of non-violence.
• Terrorism: It refers to the use of violence or threat of violence to create fear and achieve political, ideological or extremist objectives.
• Violent extremism: It means supporting or using violence to promote extreme beliefs, ideologies or causes.

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Ranking – Daily Current Affairs May 21

4. Which country became Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner by February 2026?
A) China
B) India
C) United States
D) Indonesia
E) Brazil
Answer: B) India.

Event and Location:

• Event: India overtook the United States to become Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner.
• Location: Bangladesh.
• Date: February 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The latest trade data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics showed India moving ahead of the United States in Bangladesh’s overall trade rankings.
• Objectives: The development highlights India’s growing role in Bangladesh’s trade ecosystem through essential goods, industrial inputs, lower transport costs and strong regional connectivity.

Important Terms Explained:

• Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics: It is Bangladesh’s official statistical agency responsible for collecting and publishing national data, including trade-related statistics.
• External trade: It refers to the total value of goods and services exchanged between a country and other countries.
• Trading partner: It is a country with which another country regularly conducts imports, exports or overall trade.
• Industrial intermediate goods: These are goods used as inputs in manufacturing processes before final products are made.
• Deferred payment facilities: These are trade arrangements that allow buyers to pay for goods at a later date instead of making immediate payment.

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5. Which state ranked No.1 in the number of Central Government projects across India?
A) Uttar Pradesh
B) Gujarat
C) Maharashtra
D) Andhra Pradesh
E) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: C) Maharashtra.

Event and Location:

• Event: Maharashtra became the No.1 state in India in terms of the number of Central Government projects.
• Location: India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Recent data highlighted the state-wise distribution of major Central Government projects across sectors such as highways, railways, airports, industrial corridors, energy, ports and urban development.
• Objectives: These projects aim to improve infrastructure, generate employment, boost industrial growth, enhance connectivity, strengthen logistics networks and promote balanced regional development.

Important Terms Explained:

• Central Government projects: These are infrastructure and development projects funded, approved or implemented by the Union Government across different states.
• Industrial corridors: These are planned economic zones that connect manufacturing hubs, transport networks and logistics facilities to support industrial growth.
• Port-led development: It refers to economic growth driven by ports, shipping facilities, logistics networks and coastal industrial activity.
• Balanced regional development: It means promoting infrastructure and economic growth across different regions to reduce regional disparities.

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs May 21

6. What is the size of the USD-INR buy/sell swap auction announced by the RBI?
A) $2 billion
B) $3 billion
C) $4 billion
D) $5 billion
E) $6 billion
Answer: D) $5 billion.

Event and Location:

• Event: The Reserve Bank of India announced a $5 billion USD-INR buy/sell swap auction to inject long-term liquidity into the banking system.
• Location: India.
• Date: May 26, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The RBI will conduct a three-year foreign exchange swap auction in which it will buy US dollars from banks and sell them back after the swap period.
• Objectives: The measure aims to inject durable rupee liquidity, support banking system liquidity, manage rupee pressure and maintain financial market stability amid global uncertainty.

Important Terms Explained:

• USD-INR buy/sell swap: It is a foreign exchange swap in which the RBI buys US dollars from banks immediately and agrees to sell the same amount back after a fixed period.
• Durable liquidity: It refers to liquidity support that remains in the banking system for a longer duration rather than temporary short-term funds.
• Rupee liquidity: It means the availability of Indian rupee funds in the banking and financial system for lending, payments and market operations.
• Forex swap auction: It is a central bank tool used to manage liquidity by exchanging foreign currency and domestic currency for a specified period.
• Open market operations: These are RBI operations involving the purchase or sale of government securities to manage liquidity in the financial system.

Tabular Summary:

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs May 21

7. What is the United Nations’ revised GDP growth forecast for India in 2026?
A) 6.0%
B) 6.2%
C) 6.4%
D) 6.6%
E) 6.8%
Answer: C) 6.4%.

Event and Location:

• Event: The United Nations lowered India’s 2026 GDP growth forecast from 6.6% to 6.4%.
• Location: India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs revised India’s economic growth outlook for 2026 due to global uncertainty, the West Asia crisis and rising crude oil prices.
• Objectives: The revision aims to assess the impact of geopolitical shocks, higher energy costs, inflation pressures, financial tightening risks and export challenges on India’s growth outlook.

Important Terms Explained:

• United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs: It is the UN department that analyses global economic and social trends and provides policy-oriented assessments.
• GDP growth forecast: It is an estimate of how much a country’s gross domestic product is expected to grow during a specific period.
• West Asia crisis: It refers to geopolitical tensions in the West Asian region that can affect energy prices, trade routes, financial markets and global economic stability.
• Inflationary pressure: It refers to conditions that push overall prices upward, reducing purchasing power and increasing business costs.
• Financial tightening: It means stricter financial conditions, often involving higher borrowing costs, reduced liquidity and weaker investment flows.

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8. Which company is partnering with Madhya Pradesh to deploy AI solutions for Simhastha 2028?
A) Microsoft India
B) Amazon Web Services
C) Google Cloud India
D) IBM India
E) Oracle India
Answer: C) Google Cloud India.

Event and Location:

• Event: Madhya Pradesh partnered with Google Cloud India to bring AI-powered solutions for Simhastha 2028.
• Location: Ujjain and Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Madhya Pradesh government is partnering with Google Cloud India to deploy AI solutions for crowd control, traffic prediction, emergency response and pilgrim assistance during Simhastha 2028.
• Objectives: The partnership aims to improve public safety, reduce congestion, strengthen emergency preparedness, provide real-time pilgrim support and build an AI innovation ecosystem in Madhya Pradesh.

Important Terms Explained:

• Simhastha Kumbh: It is one of India’s major Kumbh gatherings held in Ujjain, where millions of devotees assemble to take a holy dip in the Kshipra River.
• Google Cloud India: It is the Indian arm of Google Cloud that provides cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital infrastructure solutions.
• Artificial intelligence: It refers to technology that enables computer systems to analyse data, identify patterns, make predictions and support decision-making.
• Centre for Excellence: It is a specialised institution planned in Indore to support AI innovation, research and development, technology solutions and skill development.
• Memorandum of Understanding: It is a formal agreement between parties that records their intent to cooperate on specific areas.

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs May 21

9. India assumed the chairmanship of which regional nuclear cooperation framework for 2026?
A) AFRA
B) RCA
C) RCARO
D) BARC
E) NRM
Answer: B) RCA.

Event and Location:

• Event: India assumed the chairmanship of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for 2026 under the International Atomic Energy Agency.
• Location: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
• Date: May 19 to May 22, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: India took over the RCA chairmanship during the 48th Meeting of National Representatives hosted by the Department of Atomic Energy.
• Objectives: The chairmanship aims to strengthen peaceful nuclear technology cooperation, regional scientific collaboration, healthcare innovation, agriculture, environmental sustainability and capacity building.

Important Terms Explained:

• Regional Cooperative Agreement: It is an intergovernmental framework under the International Atomic Energy Agency that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology in the Asia-Pacific region.
• International Atomic Energy Agency: It is a United Nations-related agency that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and works to prevent its misuse for military purposes.
• 48th Meeting of National Representatives: It is an RCA meeting where member representatives review ongoing projects and plan future regional cooperation programmes.
• Department of Atomic Energy: It is the Government of India department responsible for nuclear energy, atomic research and related scientific development.
• African Regional Cooperative Agreement: It is Africa’s counterpart to RCA and promotes peaceful nuclear cooperation among African nations.

Tabular Summary:

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs May 21

10. Who received the FAO Agricola Medal in Rome for contributions to sustainable agriculture and rural development?
A) Narendra Modi
B) Droupadi Murmu
C) Amit Shah
D) S Jaishankar
E) Rajnath Singh
Answer: A) Narendra Modi.

Event and Location:

• Event: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the FAO Agricola Medal for contributions to sustainable agriculture, food security and rural development.
• Location: Rome, Italy.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Food and Agriculture Organization conferred the Agricola Medal on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to Italy.
• Objectives: The honour recognises India’s efforts in food security expansion, climate-resilient agriculture, rural empowerment, innovation-led farming and sustainable development.

Important Terms Explained:

• FAO Agricola Medal: It is a prestigious honour awarded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for exceptional contributions to agriculture, food security and rural development.
• Food security: It refers to ensuring that people have reliable access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for a healthy life.
• Climate-resilient agriculture: It means farming practices that can adapt to climate change impacts while maintaining productivity and sustainability.
• Rural development: It refers to improving livelihoods, infrastructure, income opportunities and welfare conditions in rural areas.
• Annadata: It is a term used in India to respectfully refer to farmers as providers of food.

Tabular Summary:

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Defence – Daily Current Affairs May 21

11. Where did the multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 begin?
A) Jaisalmer
B) Umroi
C) Pune
D) Kochi
E) Visakhapatnam
Answer: B) Umroi.

Event and Location:

• Event: India launched the multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 with armed forces from 12 friendly nations.
• Location: Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Indian Army commenced PRAGATI 2026 as a two-week multinational military exercise at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi.
• Objectives: The exercise aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, build mutual trust and improve joint operational readiness for counter-terror operations and jungle warfare.

Important Terms Explained:

• PRAGATI 2026: It stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region and is a multilateral military exercise hosted by India.
• Interoperability: It refers to the ability of armed forces from different countries to operate together effectively during joint missions and exercises.
• Counter-terror operations: These are military or security operations conducted to prevent, respond to or neutralise terrorist threats.
• Jungle warfare: It refers to military operations and combat training conducted in dense forest and challenging tropical terrain.
• Foreign Training Node: It is a specialised training facility used for joint military exercises with foreign armed forces.

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International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs May 21

12. Which new diplomatic framework was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Italy visit?
A) India-Italy Trade Facilitation Agreement
B) India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership
C) India-Italy Maritime Security Pact
D) India-Italy Green Hydrogen Alliance
E) India-Italy Cultural Exchange Mission
Answer: B) India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership.

Event and Location:

• Event: India and Italy elevated their bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Italy visit.
• Location: Italy.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: India and Italy announced a diplomatic upgrade covering trade, defence, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, migration, education, connectivity and counterterrorism cooperation.
• Objectives: The partnership aims to strengthen political trust, expand economic cooperation, build resilient supply chains, improve strategic coordination and create a structured long-term framework for bilateral engagement.

Important Terms Explained:

• India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership: It is an upgraded bilateral framework aimed at deepening cooperation between India and Italy across strategic, economic, technological, defence and cultural sectors.
• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: It is a proposed connectivity initiative intended to improve trade, transport and logistics links between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
• Critical minerals: These are minerals such as lithium, rare earths and cobalt that are essential for clean energy, electronics, defence technologies and advanced manufacturing.
• INNOVIT India: It is a new innovation hub designed to connect startups, research institutions, universities and industries between India and Italy.
• Counterterrorism cooperation: It refers to joint efforts between countries to prevent terrorism, violent extremism, cross-border terrorism and financial crimes linked to terror networks.

Tabular Summary:

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Schemes – Daily Current Affairs May 21

13. What is the financial outlay of the Arunachal Kiwi Mission launched by the Central Government?
A) ₹100 crore
B) ₹125 crore
C) ₹150 crore
D) ₹167 crore
E) ₹200 crore
Answer: D) ₹167 crore.

Event and Location:

• Event: India launched the Arunachal Kiwi Mission to develop Arunachal Pradesh as a premium organic kiwi hub.
• Location: Arunachal Pradesh, India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Central Government launched the mission on Arunachal Kiwi with a ₹167 crore outlay as a cluster-based kiwi cultivation and value chain development programme.
• Objectives: The mission aims to improve farmer incomes, create cold-chain capacity, reduce distress sales, restore organic certification, promote exports and build a premium brand identity for Arunachal kiwi.

Important Terms Explained:

• Arunachal Kiwi Mission: It is a ₹167 crore initiative to transform Arunachal Pradesh into a premium organic kiwi production, branding and export hub.
• Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region: It is the nodal ministry anchoring the mission to develop regional strengths into competitive economic opportunities.
• Farmer Producer Organisations: These are farmer collectives formed to improve bargaining power, market access, input procurement and value-chain participation.
• NPOP organic certification: It refers to certification under the National Programme for Organic Production, which verifies organic production standards for domestic and export markets.
• APEDA: It is the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, which promotes export of agricultural and processed food products from India.

Tabular Summary:

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14. Which state launched the ShramMitra app to connect workers and employers digitally?
A) Punjab
B) Haryana
C) Rajasthan
D) Uttar Pradesh
E) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: B) Haryana.

Event and Location:

• Event: Haryana launched the ShramMitra app to provide a free digital employment platform for workers and employers.
• Location: Haryana, India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Haryana government launched the ShramMitra mobile application through the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
• Objectives: The app aims to connect workers and employers directly, support digital job matching, reduce dependence on labour chowks and make hiring faster, transparent and accessible.

Important Terms Explained:

• ShramMitra app: It is a free digital employment platform launched in Haryana to connect daily wage, skilled and self-employed workers with employers.
• Electronic Employment Exchange: It refers to a digital system where workers can register their skills and employers can post job requirements for direct hiring.
• Labour chowk: It is a traditional informal hiring point where daily wage workers gather physically to find work.
• Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board: It is the board that developed the ShramMitra app to support construction and other workers in Haryana.
• Digital job matching: It means using an online platform to match workers’ skills and availability with employers’ work requirements.

Tabular Summary:

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15. Which Indian state created the first dedicated cabinet-level Artificial Intelligence portfolio?
A) Karnataka
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Maharashtra
D) Kerala
E) Telangana
Answer: D) Kerala.

Event and Location:

• Event: Kerala created India’s first dedicated cabinet-level Artificial Intelligence portfolio under the new UDF government.
• Location: Kerala, India.
• Date: May 21, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Kerala government introduced a separate Artificial Intelligence portfolio within the ministerial framework and placed it under the Industries and Commerce Department.
• Objectives: The move aims to strengthen AI policy, digital innovation, startup growth, IT expansion, industrial modernisation and technology-led economic development.

Important Terms Explained:

• Artificial Intelligence: It refers to computer systems that can analyse data, identify patterns, automate tasks and support decision-making.
• Cabinet-level portfolio: It is a specific administrative responsibility assigned to a minister within the state government.
• Industries and Commerce Department: It is the department under which Kerala’s AI portfolio has been placed, indicating its economic and industrial policy relevance.
• Startup ecosystem: It refers to the network of startups, investors, incubators, government policies and support institutions that promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Official Gazette notification: It is an official government publication used to formally announce administrative decisions, rules or appointments.

Tabular Summary:

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs May 21

16. Where is India hosting the 68th Asian Productivity Organization Governing Body Meeting?
A) Mumbai
B) Hyderabad
C) New Delhi
D) Bengaluru
E) Chennai
Answer: C) New Delhi.

Event and Location:

• Event: India is hosting the 68th Asian Productivity Organization Governing Body Meeting with delegates from Asia-Pacific member economies.
• Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India.
• Date: May 20 to May 22, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: India is conducting the highest-level governance meeting of the Asian Productivity Organization as its current Chair.
• Objectives: The meeting aims to review APO Vision 2030, discuss budget planning, strengthen institutional governance, promote productivity reforms and support sustainable socioeconomic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Important Terms Explained:

• Asian Productivity Organization: It is an intergovernmental regional body established in 1961 to improve productivity for sustainable socioeconomic development across Asia-Pacific economies.
• APO Vision 2030: It is a strategic framework focused on productivity-led economic transformation and long-term development across APO member economies.
• Governing Body Meeting: It is the highest-level decision-making meeting of the APO where strategic, financial and institutional matters are discussed.
• National Productivity Organizations: These are national-level institutions that promote productivity improvement, innovation and operational efficiency in APO member economies.
• Global Green Growth Institute: It is an international organisation that supports sustainable and inclusive green growth in developing and emerging economies.

Tabular Summary:

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Over All Review

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