Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 31st May 2026

Suryastra Rocket System was recently successfully tested at Chandipur, marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous defence technology. The system was developed by NIBE Limited in collaboration with Elbit Systems. Suryastra is India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system designed for precision strikes on enemy command centres, radar sites, and logistics hubs. It is mounted on a mobile 6×6 Tatra truck and can engage multiple targets simultaneously at different ranges. The system uses interchangeable modular pods capable of firing different types of munitions.

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management recently completed documentation and ground-truthing of most wetlands in Maharashtra. It was established in 2011 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as an autonomous institution for coastal conservation and management. Its headquarters is located in Chennai. The organisation promotes integrated and sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems for the welfare of coastal communities.

RAINMUMBAI is India’s first SEBI-approved exchange-traded weather derivatives contract launched by National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange. The contract is designed to help businesses hedge losses caused by unpredictable weather and monsoon variability. Unlike traditional insurance, weather derivatives are settled using actual weather data rather than physical damage assessments, enabling faster payouts. The product was developed in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Bombay using Mumbai rainfall data. Rainfall data will be provided by the India Meteorological Department from Santacruz and Colaba stations.

Velimalai Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project recently received Terms of Reference clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The 1,100 MW project will be developed at Vellimalai in Kanniyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. It is Tamil Nadu’s first pumped storage hydropower project to be implemented under the public-private partnership model on a build-own-operate-transfer basis. The project follows provisions of Section 63 of the Electricity Act. It is designed as a closed-loop off-river pumped storage system for efficient energy management.

68th Session of the Asian Productivity Organization Governing Body is being hosted by the Government of India in New Delhi. Asian Productivity Organization is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1961 to improve productivity and sustainable socioeconomic development in the Asia-Pacific region. India is a founding member of APO. In India, the National Productivity Council under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry acts as the designated National Productivity Organization. APO headquarters is located in Tokyo.

Ambazari Lake has recently witnessed intensified efforts to remove invasive water hyacinth using high-capacity harvester machines. The lake is located near the southwestern border of Nagpur, Maharashtra and is the city’s oldest and largest lake. Ambazari Lake was constructed in 1870 during the rule of the Bhonsle dynasty. It was originally developed as a reservoir to supply water to Nagpur and served the city’s water needs for more than three decades. The lake is historically linked to the origin of the Nag River, which flows from it.

Haryana’s first constellation garden has been developed at Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary in the Seonsar forest area of Pehowa. The sanctuary is located in the districts of Kaithal district and Kurukshetra district. It is culturally linked to the mythical Saraswati River, believed to have flowed through the region. A 400-year-old Mughal-era well made of lakhauri bricks is also located within the sanctuary.

A recent submarine volcanic eruption in the Bismarck Sea has highlighted the limited mapping of Earth’s deep ocean floor. The Bismarck Sea is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean near the northeast coast of Papua New Guinea. It is surrounded by the Bismarck Archipelago, including the Admiralty Islands, New Ireland, and New Britain. The sea connects to the Pacific Ocean and the Solomon Sea through the Vitiaz and Dampier Straits and St. George’s Channel.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education has achieved significant progress through the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan. The campaign promotes soil health, balanced fertiliser use, and sustainable agriculture practices among farmers.NUnder the initiative, over 12,979 awareness camps and seminars were organised, reaching around 7.17 lakh farmers across India. “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” is implemented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the JEEVAN mobile application and SHATAYU dashboard for senior citizens. JEEVAN stands for “Joint Elderly Empowerment and Virtual Assistance Network.” The app aims to improve safety, healthcare access, welfare support, and social inclusion for elderly citizens in India. SHATAYU stands for “Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training For Your Utility” and supports caregiving services for senior citizens. The SHATAYU dashboard provides district-wise and state-wise information on the availability of geriatric caregivers across the country.

Lake Kariba has recently witnessed rising water levels due to fresh inflows from the upper Zambezi River after years of drought, erratic rainfall, and heatwaves. Lake Kariba is located along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in central Africa. It is the world’s largest artificial lake and reservoir by volume and the fourth largest by surface area. The lake was formed between 1958 and 1963 after the construction of the Kariba Dam.

Scientists at Central Rice Research Institute under Indian Council of Agricultural Research developed Plant-OpenCRISPR1 in Cuttack. Plant-OpenCRISPR1 is the world’s first Artificial Intelligence-designed genome-editing platform for plants and was validated using rice as a model crop. The platform enables advanced gene knockout, base editing, and prime editing beyond conventional CRISPR technologies. It uses AI-designed enzymes instead of naturally occurring microbial proteins used in traditional CRISPR systems.

Ease of Doing Research and Development in India Report was released by NITI Aayog. The report states that India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development stands at around 0.65% of GDP, lower than countries such as the United States, China, and the Republic of Korea. According to the Global Innovation Index 2025, India has only 262 full-time equivalent researchers per million population. The report identified major challenges including low R&D funding, excessive dependence on public funding, shortage of quality researchers, and weak technology commercialisation. It highlighted that around 64% of India’s R&D expenditure comes from the public sector, unlike leading economies where private sector participation is dominant.

India recently successfully tested the Agni-I Missile from the Integrated Test Range. Agni-I is a single-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile developed under India’s missile programme. It is classified as a short-range ballistic missile but can function as a medium-range ballistic missile with lighter payloads. The missile has a strike range of about 700 to 1200 kilometres. Agni-I uses a solid-propellant booster derived from Indian Space Research Organisation’s SLV-3 technology.

Delhi Forest Department developed a new interactive biodiversity zone named Vaman Van. The project aims to promote environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, and nature education among the public. Vaman Van will feature dwarf and miniature plant species, offering children and students a close-up learning experience about biodiversity. Unlike conventional parks, it is planned as a “living classroom” focused on ecological education and sustainable living concepts. The biodiversity zone is being developed in the western forest range of Delhi.

A recent study revealed that underground fires in the Jharia Coalfield may be burning at higher temperatures and releasing more greenhouse gases than previously estimated. Jharia Coalfield is located in Dhanbad district in the Damodar River valley, Jharkhand. It is famous for its rich deposits of high-quality coking coal. Jharia contains the largest coal reserves in India, estimated at around 19.4 billion tonnes.

Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre recently identified a sophisticated phishing campaign targeting Apple iPhone users whose devices were lost or stolen. I4C issued an advisory warning users about cyber fraud and phishing attempts. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It serves as the national nodal agency for combating cybercrime in India. I4C provides a coordinated framework for law enforcement agencies to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute cybercrimes.

Forest officials spotted the rare Himalayan Tricarinate Hill Turtle in the forests of Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. The sighting is unusual because the species is generally associated with the sub-Himalayan region rather than central India. The Himalayan Tricarinate Hill Turtle is a small terrestrial turtle belonging to the Geoemydidae family. The species is mainly distributed across northeastern India, southern Nepal, Bhutan, and northern Bangladesh. It inhabits temperate forests, Himalayan foothills, and grasslands. It is classified as Endangered in IUCN Red List.

The Anal Naga community in Manipur has traditionally protected forests through community-led systems called Uju and Rangkang. These traditional systems help conserve forests, water sources, biodiversity, and village ecosystems. The Anal Naga tribe is primarily found in Manipur, with the majority of the population concentrated in the Chandel district. They are recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in India.

China successfully launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft on 25 May 2026 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The mission carried three astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station. A major objective of the mission is to study long-duration human survival in space through a planned one-year orbital stay. The mission will also conduct experiments in space biology, medicine, and materials science to support China’s future Moon and deep-space exploration plans.

World Football Day is observed every year on May 25. The day celebrates football’s role in promoting unity, inclusion, cultural exchange, and social change across the world. The observance is endorsed by the United Nations. The theme for 2026 was “Together, We Are Stronger.” Global football bodies and organisations participated in promoting the spirit of teamwork and international cooperation through sports.

Ladakh approved the extension of an MoU with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation for another five years to develop India’s first geothermal power project. The project will be established at Puga Valley at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. The project will be implemented in phases, including drilling geothermal wells up to 1000 metres. Testing, evaluation, and commissioning of the pilot project will begin during FY 2026–27. The initiative aims to promote renewable and sustainable energy in the Himalayan region.

Gujarat intensified the Jal-Parab wildlife support campaign in the Little Rann of Kutch to protect wildlife during extreme summer heat and water scarcity. With temperatures rising above 42–43°C, the Forest Department installed artificial water troughs, deployed water tankers, and arranged hydration containers for birds. The initiative mainly supports species such as the Indian Wild Ass, nilgai, and migratory birds. The campaign aims to reduce wildlife movement outside protected areas in search of water, thereby lowering risks of human-wildlife conflict and habitat stress.

PAIMANA Portal has strengthened monitoring of Central Sector infrastructure projects in India. The portal tracks 1,981 infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹43 lakh crore as of April 2026. PAIMANA stands for Project Assessment Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-Building. It is operated by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. PAIMANA replaces the older OCMS-2006 (Online Computerized Monitoring System). It follows the “one data, one entry” principle for efficient and streamlined monitoring.

A missile and drone strike on the Belgorod Region caused casualties and damaged critical energy infrastructure. The Belgorod Region was established on 6 January 1954. It is located in southwestern Russia and shares a border with Ukraine. The region lies along the upper Donets River and the city of Belgorod serves as the administrative centre of the oblast. The region is an important industrial and agricultural hub, producing nearly one-third of Russia’s iron ore.

India launched the promotional campaign for the World Yogasana Championship 2026. Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the championship film, mascot, and official jersey in New Delhi. The championship will be hosted in Ahmedabad. The event aims to establish Yogasana as an internationally recognised competitive sport promoting fitness, flexibility, concentration, discipline, and mental well-being. Around 75 countries have already registered, with more than 500 international participants expected.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the new Prime Minister of Senegal in May 2026. The appointment came three days after President Faye dissolved the government and dismissed former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Senegal, officially called the Republic of Senegal, is a country located in West Africa along the Atlantic Ocean coastline. It shares borders with Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest.

Shyam Lal Meena, veteran Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, passed away at the age of 61 on May 24, 2026. He was part of India’s first-ever Olympic archery team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Meena hailed from Kevadia village in Rajasthan and initially trained using a traditional bamboo bow. In the 1987 Asian Archery Championships held in Kolkata, he won a bronze medal along with Limba Ram and Rajat Haldar. He received the Arjuna Award in 1989 for his contributions to Indian sports.

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region launched the Mission Queen Pineapple in Tripura with an outlay of ₹236 crore. The mission aims to transform Tripura’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple into a premium global brand. It is being implemented from FY2026 to FY2028 under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. The initiative focuses on building a complete value chain covering cultivation, processing, packaging, branding, logistics, and exports.

A book titled India’s First Olympic Gold was released by P. T. Usha. The book is authored by hockey historian K. Arumugam. It chronicles India’s historic first Olympic gold medal victory in hockey at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. The book covers challenges faced by the Indian hockey team, including financial struggles, selection issues, and internal disputes before winning the final on May 26, 1928. It also highlights how hockey became a symbol of identity for colonised India and established Dhyan Chand as India’s first international sporting hero.