26 May 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams.

Deep-Sea Mining and ISA

Context

The International Seabed Authority termed the United States’ attempt to accelerate deep-sea mining permits in international waters as “unlawful”.

What is Deep-Sea Mining?

• Deep-sea mining refers to Extraction of mineral resources from ocean depths greater than 200 metres
• Covers nearly two-thirds of Earth’s seafloor
• Polymetallic Nodules: The seabed contains nodules rich in Manganese, Nickel, Cobalt and Copper.
• These are critical for Electric vehicles, Rechargeable batteries, Advanced alloys and Green energy technologies.

Why Interest in Deep-Sea Mining is Rising?

Energy Transition Demand

• Global clean-energy transition has sharply increased demand for Battery minerals and Rare industrial metals

Strategic Mineral Security

• Countries seek alternatives to land-based mineral dependence.

Governance of Deep-Sea Mining

• Deep-sea mining in international waters is governed under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
• UNCLOS treats the international seabed as “Common Heritage of Mankind”

International Seabed Authority

• Autonomous international organisation established under UNCLOS
• Established: 1994
• Operational since: 1996
• Headquarters: Kingston
• Membership: 172 members (171 countries + European Union)
• India is a member
• United States is not a member because it has not ratified UNCLOS
• Mandate of ISA: Mineral-related activities in seabed areas beyond national jurisdiction

Sample Registration System (SRS) 2024 Report

Context

The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner released the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2024 Report, providing key demographic and mortality indicators for India.

What is the Sample Registration System (SRS)?

• India’s largest annual demographic sample survey
• Conducted to estimate Birth rate, Death rate, Infant mortality, Fertility indicators
• Conducted by: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (Ministry of Home Affairs)

Methodology of SRS

1. Continuous Enumeration

• Resident part-time enumerators record Births, Deaths and Vital events

2. Retrospective Survey

• Supervisors conduct surveys every six months
• Cross-verification improves accuracy

About ORGI

• Conducts decennial Census
• Manages Civil Registration System
• Publishes Demographic statistics and Linguistic data

Key Findings of SRS 2024

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

• India’s TFR remained: 1.9
• Below replacement level: 2.1
• Fifth consecutive year below replacement level

Rural–Urban Difference

• Rural TFR: 2.1
• Urban TFR: 1.5

States Abov e Replacement Level

• Only six states remain above TFR of 2.1.

Mortality Trends

• Crude Death Rate: 6.4 per 1000 remains above pre-pandemic level

Disease Pattern Shift

• Cardiovascular diseases: 32.1% of deaths
• Motor vehicle accidents: 3.2%
• Suicides: 2.8%

Declining Causes

• Respiratory infections: 5.7%

Sex Ratio at Birth

• 918 females per 1000 male slight improvement during 2022–24

Under-Five Mortality Rate

• U5MR=28 per 1000 indicates gradual improvement in child survival.

India’s Changing Population Structure

Working-Age Population

• Increased to 66.4% from 64% in 2014

Declining Child Population

• 0–14 age group: Declined to 24%

Elderly Population

• 60+ population: 9.7%
• Females: 10.1%
• Males: 9.3%

Significance of the Report

• Demographic Transition: India is moving toward Lower fertility, Ageing population and Slower population growth
• Policy Planning: Useful for Healthcare, Pension systems, Employment planning and Urbanisation strategy
• Demographic Dividend Window: Large working-age population offers economic opportunity if Skill development, Employment generation and Human capital investment improve

Emerging Concerns

• Ageing Population: Rising elderly dependency in future
• Regional Imbalances: Fertility and mortality vary sharply across states
• Lifestyle Diseases: Cardiovascular disease becoming dominant mortality factor

India’s Evolving Metrology Ecosystem Strengthens Fair Trade, Consumer Protection and Industrial Competitiveness

Context

On World Metrology Day (20 May), the government highlighted India’s evolving metrology ecosystem to enhance fair trade, consumer protection, and global competitiveness.

About World Metrology Day

• Commemorates the signing of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875.
• Coordinated globally by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and International Organisation of Legal Metrology.
• Theme 2026: “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”.

What is Metrology?

• Metrology is the science of measurement that ensures accuracy, uniformity, and reliability in measurements used in trade, industry, science, and governance.

Importance of Metrology

• Consumer Protection: Ensures correct quantity and value in fuel, packaged goods, electricity billing, etc.
• Industrial Quality: Supports precision manufacturing in electronics, semiconductors, healthcare, and telecom sectors.
• Public Welfare: Ensures accuracy in medical diagnostics, speed monitoring, water and electricity billing, and digital services.

Evolution of India’s Metrology Framework

• Ancient India: Standard units like Rati, Masha, Tola, Seer, and Maund were used for trade and taxation.
• National Physical Laboratory (1947): Became India’s National Measurement Institute and custodian of national standards.
• Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956: Introduced uniform metric systems aligned with international SI units.
• Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Established a modern framework for regulating weights, measures, and packaged commodities; implemented from April 1, 2011.

Key Government Initiatives

• eMaap Portal: Digital platform integrating Legal Metrology systems across all States and UTs for online compliance and registration.
• One Nation, One Time Initiative: Joint initiative of National Physical Laboratory and Indian Space Research Organisation to disseminate highly precise Indian Standard Time (IST).
• OIML Certification Recognition: India became the 13th country authorised to issue globally accepted OIML certificates for measuring instruments.
• Jan Vishwas Reforms: Decriminalised minor legal metrology violations and introduced improvement notices to promote ease of doing business for MSMEs.

RBI’s Surplus Transfer to Centre

Context

RBI approved a record surplus transfer of ₹2.86 lakh crore to the Central Government for FY 2025–26, the highest ever dividend payout.
Increase of 6.7% over FY25 driven by Higher global interest rates and Strong capital gains from forex operations

Legal Basis

• Governed by Section 47 of RBI Act, 1934
• Mandates transfer of net RBI profits to the Central Government after deductions (Expenses, Provisions, Contingent buffers)

Framework Governing Surplus Transfer

• Based on Bimal Jalan Committee (Economic Capital Framework)
• Introduced Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB)
• RBI revised CRB range to 4.5% – 7.5% of RBI’s balance sheet (2025 update)

RBI Income Sources

• Interest on Domestic securities and Foreign securities
• Central banking service fees
• Forex operations (capital gains)

Significance

• Strengthens fiscal position of Government
• Reduces need for market borrowing
• Supports fiscal deficit management
• Reflects RBI’s strong balance sheet performance

Current Account Deficit

Context

India’s Current Account Deficit has widened, prompting government consideration of measures to contain pressure from imports, rupee depreciation, and global economic uncertainty.

What is Current Account Deficit?

• A Current Account Deficit (CAD) occurs when Total imports of goods + services + transfers exceed Total exports + foreign receipts
• In simple terms, a country is spending more foreign exchange than it is earning.

India’s Latest Position

• CAD widened to USD 13.2 billion
• Equivalent to 1.3% of GDP
• Recorded in the December quarter

Key drivers

• Rising trade deficit
• Lower exports to the United States
• High import bill of Crude oil, Gold, Electronics

Why CAD Matters

• A high CAD can lead to Pressure on rupee value, Stress on foreign exchange reserves, Macroeconomic instability and Higher dependence on foreign capital inflows

Main Contributors to CAD (India)

• Crude oil imports (energy dependence)
• Gold imports (non-productive demand)
• Electronics imports (high import dependency)
• Slower export growth in global markets

UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025

Context

Major Abhilasha Barak has been awarded the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025 for her contribution to promoting gender equality in UN peacekeeping operations.

About the Award

• Instituted in 2016 by the UN Department of Peace Operations
• Recognises military peacekeepers promoting Gender equality in missions and Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace & Security)

Awardee: Major Abhilasha Barak

• Serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
• Commander of Female Engagement Team in Lebanon
• First Indian woman combat helicopter pilot
• Third Indian recipient of the award: Suman Gawani (2019), Radhika Sen (2023)

About UNIFIL

• Established in 1978 by the UN Security Council after Israeli invasion of Lebanon
• Headquarters: Naqoura, Lebanon
• Expanded role after 2006 Israel–Hezbollah conflict
• Mandate strengthened under UNSC Resolution 1701
• India has been a major troop contributor since 1998

Chandrayaan-3 “Hop” Experiment

Context

Data from Chandrayaan-3’s “hop” experiment revealed that the Moon’s upper surface contains two distinct layers within a few centimetres depth.

What was the “Hop” Experiment?

• Conducted by ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission
• The Vikram lander performed a controlled vertical lift and relocation:  Lifted ~40 cm above lunar surface, Shifted ~50 cm horizontally and Landed safely again on the Moon

Scientific Significance

Surface Disturbance Study

• The hop disturbed the lunar regolith (upper soil layer) enabled deeper analysis of subsurface structure

ChaSTE Experiment

• Instrument: Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment
• Studied Thermal properties of lunar soil and Subsurface layering differences
• Key finding: Moon’s upper crust has two-layered structure within shallow depth

Chandrayaan-3 Mission Highlights

• India’s first successful soft landing on Moon (Aug 2023)
• Landing site: Near lunar south pole
• Components: Vikram lander, Pragyan rover, Propulsion module

Saudi Arabia Joins International Big Cat Alliance

Context

Saudi Arabia has become the 26th member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), expanding global participation in big cat conservation.

About IBCA

• IBCA is a multi-country conservation alliance focused on protection of seven big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Jaguar, Cheetah, Puma
• Launched by India (2023) on the occasion of 50 years of Project Tiger
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• First IBCA Summit: Scheduled in 2026 (India to host)
• Membership: Open to Big cat range countries (95 eligible nations), Non-range countries, UN member states, International organisations and corporations

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