Daily Current Affairs: 21 May 2026

India

01
India launches 'Mission Mausam' to enhance weather forecasting
The Union Cabinet approved 'Mission Mausam' with a budget of ₹2,000 crore to improve weather surveillance, modeling, and forecasting. It aims to make India 'weather-ready' and 'climate-smart' by 2030, benefiting agriculture, disaster management, and aviation.
02
Supreme Court upholds constitutional validity of Aadhaar Act amendments
The Supreme Court upheld amendments to the Aadhaar Act allowing voluntary use by private entities, but restricted mandatory linkage for bank accounts and mobile numbers. The judgment reaffirms privacy as a fundamental right while balancing state interests.
03
India and EU sign Strategic Partnership on Clean Energy and Climate
India and the European Union signed a new partnership to accelerate clean energy transition, focusing on green hydrogen, solar energy, and climate resilience. This aligns with India's target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

01
G7 Summit concludes with pledge to phase out coal by 2035
The G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US) agreed to phase out unabated coal power by 2035, a significant step toward net-zero emissions. However, Japan's resistance led to a loophole allowing continued use if carbon capture is deployed.
02
WHO declares end of Marburg virus outbreak in Equatorial Guinea
The World Health Organization declared the Marburg virus disease outbreak over after 42 days without new cases. The outbreak had 17 confirmed cases and 12 deaths. Marburg is a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola.
03
IMF approves $3 billion bailout for Pakistan
The International Monetary Fund's Executive Board approved a $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement for Pakistan to address its balance-of-payments crisis. The loan requires Pakistan to implement fiscal consolidation, energy sector reforms, and exchange rate flexibility.

01
RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for third consecutive time
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-1 to maintain the repo rate, citing concerns over inflation (still above 4% target). The decision aims to balance growth and price stability, with GDP growth projected at 6.5% for FY2026.
02
India's GDP growth for Q4 FY2025 revised to 7.8%
The National Statistical Office revised India's GDP growth for the fourth quarter of FY2025 to 7.8%, driven by strong manufacturing and services. This reinforces India's position as the fastest-growing major economy.

01
ISRO successfully tests 'Pushpak' reusable launch vehicle landing
ISRO conducted the third successful landing experiment of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named 'Pushpak' at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga. The test validates autonomous landing capability, a key step toward reducing launch costs.
02
NASA's Perseverance rover discovers organic molecules on Mars
NASA announced that Perseverance found complex organic molecules in Jezero Crater, suggesting past microbial life potential. The samples will be returned to Earth by the Mars Sample Return mission in the 2030s.

01
India wins 5 gold medals at Asian Athletics Championships
India finished with 5 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals at the Asian Athletics Championships held in Bangkok. Notable winners include Neeraj Chopra (javelin) and Avinash Sable (steeplechase). This is India's best performance in the championship's history.

01
Author Geetanjali Shree wins International Booker Prize 2026
Geetanjali Shree won the International Booker Prize for her novel 'Tomb of Sand' (translated from Hindi by Daisy Rockwell). She is the first Indian author to win this prestigious award, highlighting Indian literature on the global stage.

Check your recall

This edition includes 9 practice questions based on the briefing.