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CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE NEWS

United Nations Revises India’s Gross Domestic Product Growth Forecast for 2026 to 6.4 Percent

• The United Nations revised India’s Gross Domestic Product growth forecast for 2026 downward to 6.4 percent from the earlier estimate of 6.6 percent.
• The revised projection was released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
• Despite the downgrade, India is expected to remain among the fastest-growing major economies in the world.
• The United Nations projected that India’s economic growth may improve to 6.6 percent in 2027, indicating that the slowdown could be temporary.
• The downgrade was mainly attributed to:
• Rising tensions in West Asia
• Increase in crude oil prices
• Global economic uncertainty
• Tighter global financial conditions
• The United Nations stated that higher crude oil prices could increase India’s import bill because India is one of the world’s largest energy importers.
• Rising fuel prices may also lead to:
• Higher inflation
• Increased transportation costs
• Higher production expenses for businesses
• The report highlighted that global uncertainty could affect:
• Investment flows
• Borrowing costs
• Availability of capital for emerging economies
• The United Nations also warned that higher logistics costs and supply disruptions may weaken export competitiveness and affect manufacturing and trade-related sectors.
• Despite external challenges, the United Nations noted that India’s economy continues to remain resilient due to:
• Strong domestic consumption
• Government infrastructure spending
• Stable services exports
• Large consumer market
• Government-led capital expenditure and infrastructure development were identified as major factors supporting economic activity, employment and manufacturing growth.
• The United Nations also revised the global Gross Domestic Product growth forecast for 2026 downward to 2.5 percent, reflecting the broader slowdown in the global economy.
• India’s projected growth rate of 6.4 percent remains significantly higher compared to many major global economies.

About UN:

• The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.

Reserve Bank of India Announces 5 Billion United States Dollar–Indian Rupee Buy/Sell Swap Auction

• The Reserve Bank of India announced a 5 billion United States Dollar–Indian Rupee buy/sell swap auction to inject long-term liquidity into the banking system.
• The swap auction will be conducted with a tenor of three years.
• Under the swap mechanism, the Reserve Bank of India will:
• Buy United States dollars from banks in exchange for Indian rupees
• Sell back the same amount of United States dollars after three years
• The operation aims to provide durable liquidity support to the banking system and improve overall financial market stability.
• The move comes amid:
• Weakness in the Indian rupee
• Global financial uncertainty
• Volatility in capital flows
• Stronger United States dollar trends
• Geopolitical tensions
• The liquidity injection is expected to support:
• Smooth credit flow
• Stable short-term interest rates
• Orderly functioning of financial markets
• The Reserve Bank of India stated that the swap auction is a liquidity management tool that does not directly change benchmark interest rates.
• Bid conditions for participating banks include:
• Minimum bid size of 10 million United States dollars
• Additional bids in multiples of 1 million United States dollars
• Premium quotes in paisa up to two decimal places
• Through the swap operation, participating banks will temporarily provide United States dollars to the Reserve Bank of India and receive Indian rupee liquidity in return.
• Forex swap auctions are part of the Reserve Bank of India’s broader monetary management framework, along with:
• Repo operations
• Reverse repo operations
• Open market operations
• Cash Reserve Ratio adjustments

About RBI

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the nation’s central banking institution. It was established on April 1, 1935, under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, based on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission.
• Nationalized on January 1, 1949, it is fully owned by the Government of India.
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra (initially established in Kolkata and permanently shifted to Mumbai in 1937).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

India Assumes Chairmanship of Regional Cooperative Agreement for 2026

• India officially assumed the chairmanship of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for the year 2026 under the International Atomic Energy Agency.
• The announcement was made during the 48th Meeting of National Representatives being held in Navi Mumbai.
• The meeting is being organized by the Department of Atomic Energy and brings together delegates from Asia-Pacific and African countries.
• A total of 29 delegates from 17 Asia-Pacific countries are participating in the meeting along with delegates from African nations under the African Regional Cooperative Agreement framework.
• Representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Regional Cooperative Agreement Regional Office are also attending the event.
• The Regional Cooperative Agreement is an intergovernmental framework operating under the International Atomic Energy Agency to promote the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.
• The agreement supports cooperation in areas such as:
• Scientific research
• Technical cooperation
• Capacity building
• Training programmes
• Nuclear technology applications
• The Regional Cooperative Agreement came into force in 1972 and currently includes 22 government parties from the Asia-Pacific region.
• India is considered one of the founding contributors of the Regional Cooperative Agreement, with the concept tracing back to discussions held at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in 1964 during an International Atomic Energy Agency conference.
• India has continuously contributed to regional nuclear cooperation through:
• Scientific training
• Expert missions
• Research support
• Technology sharing
• The meeting in Navi Mumbai is discussing cooperation in sectors such as:
• Healthcare
• Cancer treatment
• Agriculture
• Food preservation
• Water resource management
• Isotope hydrology
• Radiation technology
• Environmental sustainability
• Delegates are also reviewing ongoing Regional Cooperative Agreement projects and planning future collaborative programmes in peaceful nuclear applications.
• Discussions related to the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency to be held in Vienna are also part of the agenda.
• The African Regional Cooperative Agreement is Africa’s regional framework for promoting peaceful nuclear cooperation, and participation of African delegates highlights growing inter-regional scientific collaboration.

About IAEA

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. As the global "Atoms for Peace and Development" organization, it works to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
• Member States: 181 countries.
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
• Director General: Rafael Mariano Grossi.
• Establishment: Founded on July 29, 1957.

India Hosts 68th Asian Productivity Organization Governing Body Meeting in New Delhi

• India is hosting the 68th Governing Body Meeting of the Asian Productivity Organization in New Delhi.
• The high-level meeting is being held at Bharat Mandapam and brings together more than 60 senior delegates from 20 member economies of the Asia-Pacific region.
• India is hosting the meeting as the current Chair of the Asian Productivity Organization.
• Union Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to participate in the inaugural session of the summit.
• Senior officials, policymakers, diplomatic representatives and observers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Bhutan are also participating in the discussions along with representatives from the Global Green Growth Institute.
• The Governing Body Meeting serves as the highest decision-making platform of the Asian Productivity Organization where major policy, governance and strategic matters related to regional productivity development are discussed.
• One of the major agenda items is the review of Asian Productivity Organization Vision 2030, which focuses on productivity-driven economic transformation, sustainable growth and innovation across member economies.
• Delegates are also discussing the preliminary budget planning for 2027–28 to strengthen future regional productivity programmes and institutional activities.
• The meeting includes discussions on governance reforms and review of election procedures for the post of Secretary-General of the Asian Productivity Organization.
• The Governing Body Meeting will also elect the next Chair and Vice Chairs of the Asian Productivity Organization for the 2026–27 term.
• A major highlight of the summit is the Asian Productivity Organization National Awards Programme, which recognizes individuals and institutions contributing towards productivity improvement and innovation.
• Awards are being presented under the categories of:
• Asian Productivity Organization National Award for Productivity Advocates
• Asian Productivity Organization National Award for Productivity Technical Experts
• The awards aim to strengthen the role of National Productivity Organizations in promoting operational efficiency, innovation and productivity-led growth.
• The Asian Productivity Organization was established in 1961 to improve productivity and support sustainable socioeconomic development across the Asia-Pacific region.
• The organization currently consists of 21 member economies and works in areas such as policy dialogue, technical cooperation, capacity building, knowledge sharing and productivity innovation.

RECENT NEWS

• India has hosted the ISO TC 20/SC 14 international meetings on “Space Systems and Operations” for the first time. The meetings were organised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in New Delhi and brought together global experts, space agencies, industry leaders, and policymakers. 

India Celebrates World Metrology Day 2026 with Major Legal Metrology and Digital Compliance Reforms

• India observed World Metrology Day 2026 with a major focus on strengthening legal metrology, digital compliance systems, precision standards and consumer protection mechanisms.
• World Metrology Day is observed every year on 20 May to commemorate the signing of the Metre Convention in Paris in 1875, which established the foundation for a globally uniform measurement system.
• The official theme of World Metrology Day 2026 was “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”, highlighting the importance of accurate measurements in governance, trade, healthcare, industrial regulation and scientific decision-making.
• India issued 40 Government Approved Test Centre certificates to eligible private entities to expand the country’s testing and verification infrastructure for weighing and measuring instruments.
• The government introduced reforms under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, under which several minor legal metrology offences were decriminalized to promote a more business-friendly compliance environment.
• The legal metrology framework has also shifted from a licensing-based system to a registration-based compliance mechanism in order to simplify regulatory procedures and improve transparency.
• India launched the e-Maap portal, a unified digital platform designed to provide services related to:
• Verification of weights and measures
• Registration services
• Model approvals
• Enforcement and compliance management
• The e-Maap portal will function at both the Central and State government levels and is expected to improve efficiency, transparency and digital governance in legal metrology administration.
• India became the 13th country in the world authorized to issue International Organization of Legal Metrology pattern approval certificates, marking an important global certification milestone.
• India is also implementing the One Nation, One Time initiative in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory and Indian Space Research Organisation to ensure highly accurate nationwide distribution of Indian Standard Time.
• The One Nation, One Time initiative aims to improve synchronization in:
• Digital communication networks
• Financial systems
• Telecommunications
• Defence operations
• Scientific research infrastructure
• India’s growing role in global metrology was further highlighted by the announcement that the country will host the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology in New Delhi in October 2026.

India Launches Arunachal Kiwi Mission with ₹167 Crore Outlay

• The Government of India launched the Arunachal Kiwi Mission with a financial outlay of ₹167 crore to transform Arunachal Pradesh into a premium organic kiwi production and export hub with strong domestic and international market presence.
• The mission titled “Arunachal Kiwi: The Unique Selling Proposition of Arunachal Pradesh” was launched by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and is being implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region as part of the broader Viksit North East development vision.
• Arunachal Pradesh is India’s largest kiwi-producing state and contributes more than 50 percent of the country’s total kiwi production, with annual production estimated at more than 7,000 metric tonnes.
• Kiwi cultivation has become an important cash crop in the high-altitude regions of the state and is also considered a sustainable alternative to traditional shifting cultivation practices.
• The mission aims to address the major challenges faced by kiwi farmers, particularly weak post-harvest infrastructure and distress sales caused by the fruit’s short shelf life.
• Due to the absence of adequate cold storage and supply chain systems, farmers are often forced to sell their produce quickly at lower prices, while imported kiwi varieties receive premium prices in the market.
• Under the mission, the government will develop a complete farm-to-market value chain focusing on cold storage, post-harvest processing, branding, exports, logistics and market access in order to improve farmer incomes and reduce wastage.
• The initiative follows a cluster-based development model under which six integrated post-harvest management hubs will be established in important kiwi-growing regions including Ziro Valley, Dirang, Kalaktang, Shi Yomi and Dibang Valley.
• These clusters are expected to provide farmers with shared infrastructure, collective marketing opportunities and better access to premium markets.
• The mission involves coordination among several government institutions and agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation.
• Major objectives of the mission include creation of 2,000 metric tonnes cold-chain capacity, strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations, restoration of organic certification standards, promotion of kiwi-based startups, improvement in post-harvest processing and expansion of exports by Financial Year 2028.
• The government also aims to increase farmer earnings by four to six times through improved storage facilities, premium branding, better market access and export-oriented production systems.
• A dedicated premium brand named “Arunachal Organic Kiwi” will be promoted through media campaigns, international trade fairs, export market integration and Quick Response code-enabled traceable packaging to position Arunachal Pradesh kiwi alongside leading imported premium kiwi brands in global markets.
• Kiwi is a high-value horticulture fruit mainly cultivated in cooler and high-altitude regions of India such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland, and demand for the fruit continues to rise due to increasing health awareness and premium fruit consumption trends.

RECENT NEWS

• In a significant leap towards sustainable and renewable energy in India’s northeastern region, the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled the first geothermal production well in Dirang, West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Kerala Becomes First State to Create Cabinet-Level Artificial Intelligence Portfolio

• Kerala became the first Indian state to create a dedicated Artificial Intelligence portfolio at the cabinet level under the new United Democratic Front government.
• The newly created Artificial Intelligence portfolio has been assigned to P. K. Kunhalikutty as part of the cabinet restructuring.
• The Artificial Intelligence portfolio has been placed under the Industries and Commerce Department along with Information Technology, startups, mining and geology, and handlooms and textiles.
• The move reflects the Kerala government’s increased focus on digital innovation, technology-driven governance and economic development.
• The government aims to promote the use of Artificial Intelligence in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing, public administration and business automation.
• The creation of a separate Artificial Intelligence portfolio highlights the importance of startup ecosystem growth, industrial modernization and expansion of the Information Technology sector in the state.
• The government also plans to improve public service delivery and citizen-centric governance through data analytics, automation and digital technologies.
• Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan retained important departments including finance, home, law, ports, airports, metro rail and railways.
• Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala was assigned departments related to vigilance, fire and rescue services, prisons, coir and health sector administration.
• K. Muraleedharan was given charge of health, medical education, AYUSH, drugs control, tourism and culture.
• P. C. Vishnunadh was assigned tourism, culture and Kerala State Film Development Corporation

RECENT NEWS

• Kerala has introduced the Cyber Safety Protocol 2026. Which is a comprehensive framework aimed at protecting students in the evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) era. This initiative has been developed by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE). And the technology wing of the state’s General Education Department.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Becomes Bangladesh’s Second-Largest Trading Partner

• India has overtaken the United States to become Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner, reflecting changing trade dynamics in South Asia.
• According to the latest trade data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, India accounted for 8.47 percent of Bangladesh’s total external trade by February 2026.
• The United States accounted for 8.46 percent of Bangladesh’s total trade, placing it slightly behind India in the overall trade rankings.
• Although the margin between India and the United States remains very narrow, the development highlights India’s growing economic influence and expanding trade relationship with Bangladesh.
• China continues to remain Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, accounting for approximately 21.21 percent of Bangladesh’s total trade.
• China’s dominance in Bangladesh’s trade sector is mainly driven by exports of:
• Industrial raw materials
• Capital machinery
• Electronics
• Textile inputs
• Chemicals
• Consumer goods
• India’s growing trade position is supported by its shared land border with Bangladesh, which helps reduce transportation time, logistics costs and freight expenses.
• Bangladesh imports several essential commodities and industrial inputs from India including:
• Rice
• Onions
• Sugar
• Cotton
• Yarn
• Food products
• Industrial intermediate goods
• The development also reflects strengthening bilateral economic and trade ties between India and Bangladesh through growing cross-border commerce and regional supply chain integration.
• Other important trading partners of Bangladesh include:
• Indonesia, mainly supplying coal, edible oils and industrial raw materials
• Brazil, mainly exporting soybeans, sugar and agricultural commodities to Bangladesh

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Receives Food and Agriculture Organization Agricola Medal in Rome

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the prestigious Food and Agriculture Organization Agricola Medal in Rome, Italy.
• The award was presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization for contributions towards sustainable agriculture, food security and rural development.
• The recognition highlights India’s progress in agricultural modernization, climate-resilient farming and farmer welfare initiatives.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization acknowledged India’s efforts in strengthening sustainable rural development and innovation-driven agriculture.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the award to India’s farmers, livestock rearers, fishers, agricultural scientists and rural workers.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization Agricola Medal is an international honour awarded for exceptional contribution towards:
• Agriculture development
• Food security
• Sustainable farming systems
• Rural livelihoods
• Global development cooperation

About Italy

• Capital: Rome
• Currency: Euro
• President: Sergio Mattarella
• Prime Minister: Giorgia Meloni

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

India and Italy Elevate Bilateral Relations to Special Strategic Partnership

• India and Italy upgraded their bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during the visit of Shri Narendra Modi to Italy.
• The partnership announcement was made jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni and reflects growing political trust, strategic alignment and expanding economic cooperation between New Delhi and Rome.
• Both countries agreed to institutionalize annual leadership-level meetings during bilateral and multilateral engagements to maintain regular high-level diplomatic coordination.
• A Foreign Ministers-led review mechanism will monitor implementation of the India–Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, creating a structured long-term framework for bilateral cooperation.
• India and Italy set a target to increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029 through stronger investment and industrial cooperation.
• Priority sectors identified for economic collaboration include:
• Semiconductors
• Clean technologies
• Automobile manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Digital technologies
• Medical technology
• Tourism
• Infrastructure
• Critical raw materials
• Ports and logistics
• Both countries also encouraged deeper cooperation among stock exchanges, banks, financial institutions and venture capital ecosystems.
• A major outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals, focusing on secure and resilient supply chains for minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements.
• India and Italy agreed to promote sustainable extraction, recycling and recovery of critical minerals from:
• Electronic waste
• Mine tailings
• Circular economy sources
• The two countries reaffirmed support for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, describing it as a transformative connectivity initiative linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
• An agreement on maritime transport and port cooperation was also signed to improve shipping connectivity, logistics integration and trade routes.
• India and Italy announced the launch of INNOVIT India, an innovation platform aimed at connecting startups, research institutions, universities and industries from both countries.
• Both countries supported the development of human-centric and trustworthy Artificial Intelligence governance systems and also highlighted cooperation in supercomputing technologies.
• India and Italy significantly expanded defence cooperation through adoption of:
• A Joint Declaration of Intent
• A Defence Industrial Roadmap
• Defence cooperation areas include:
• Helicopters
• Naval platforms
• Marine weapon systems
• Electronic warfare
• Technology co-development
• Defence co-production partnerships
• Both countries strongly condemned terrorism, violent extremism and cross-border terrorism, while Italy specifically condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack.
• India and Italy agreed to strengthen cooperation through:
• United Nations
• Financial Action Task Force
• Counterterrorism working groups
• Financial intelligence platforms
• Cooperation will also expand in sectors such as:
• Space exploration
• Earth observation
• Renewable energy
• Green hydrogen
• Scientific research
• Blue economy initiatives
• Collaboration between Indian Space Research Organisation and the Italian Space Agency is expected to deepen further.
• Both countries announced that 2027 will be celebrated as the Year of Culture and Tourism between India and Italy to strengthen cultural diplomacy and people-to-people ties.
• Key cultural initiatives include:
• India’s participation in the Venice Art Biennale
• Cooperation at the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal
• UNESCO heritage site twinning programmes
• Film and audiovisual collaboration

Madhya Pradesh Partners with Google Cloud India for Artificial Intelligence-Powered Simhastha 2028 Management

• Madhya Pradesh partnered with Google Cloud India to introduce Artificial Intelligence-powered solutions for the management of Simhastha Kumbh 2028 in Ujjain.
• The partnership aims to improve crowd management, traffic control, emergency response and pilgrim assistance during one of India’s largest religious gatherings.
• Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held discussions with Google Cloud India officials in Bhopal regarding the implementation of Artificial Intelligence-driven systems for Simhastha 2028.
• A formal Memorandum of Understanding between the Madhya Pradesh government and Google Cloud India is expected to be signed soon.
• The proposed Artificial Intelligence system will help authorities monitor crowd density in real time, identify congestion zones early and support faster administrative action during peak pilgrimage periods.
• The partnership also includes the development of an Artificial Intelligence-based traffic management system to predict traffic movement, reduce bottlenecks and improve transport flow during the event.
• Authorities are planning to integrate real-time navigation and traffic advisory support for pilgrims visiting Simhastha 2028.
• The state government is also developing an Artificial Intelligence-powered emergency response framework for:
• Faster incident detection
• Resource deployment
• Live monitoring
• Disaster preparedness during mass gatherings
• As part of the collaboration, a Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence will be established in Indore.
• The Centre for Excellence will focus on:
• Artificial Intelligence innovation
• Research and development
• Technology solution development
• Skill development and training
• Simhastha Kumbh is one of India’s largest religious gatherings and is held in Ujjain, one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism.
• The event is organized approximately every 12 years and attracts millions of devotees who gather to take a holy dip in the Kshipra River.

RECENT NEWS

• In a major policy signal aimed at rural transformation, Madhya Pradesh has declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Agriculture’. The announcement reflects the State government’s renewed focus on farming, animal husbandry, and allied sectors as the backbone of its rural economy and long-term development strategy. 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

PRAGATI 2026 Multilateral Military Exercise Begins in Meghalaya

• India launched the multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya with participation from armed forces of 12 friendly nations.
• The exercise is being hosted by the Indian Army and focuses on counter-terror operations, jungle warfare, tactical coordination and joint military preparedness in challenging terrain conditions.
• PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region, reflecting India’s strategic vision of strengthening regional defence cooperation and promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Participating countries in the exercise include:
• Bhutan
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Philippines
• Seychelles
• Sri Lanka
• Vietnam
• The exercise aims to strengthen defence cooperation, interoperability and operational coordination among participating armed forces while improving mutual trust and collective security mechanisms.
• PRAGATI 2026 also focuses on enhancing joint operational readiness through training in:
• Counter-terrorism operations
• Jungle warfare tactics
• Military coordination
• Tactical response exercises
• The exercise is being conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, which is an important military training hub in Northeast India and supports joint military engagement with neighbouring countries.
• The selection of Meghalaya as the venue highlights India’s strategic focus on increasing military engagement and connectivity in the Northeast region.
• Through initiatives such as PRAGATI 2026, India aims to strengthen its role in the Indo-Pacific security architecture and deepen defence partnerships with friendly nations.

RECENT NEWS

• The State of Meghalaya has officially recognized the Khasi and Garo as the state languages alongside with the English. This recognition marks the important steps towards to preserving the indigenous identity and improving governance accessibility in the state. This move comes after the long-standing demands from the local communities. 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPS AND PORTALS

Haryana Launches ShramMitra Application to Digitize Labour Hiring System

• Haryana launched the ShramMitra application, a digital employment platform designed to connect workers and employers directly across the state.
• The application was launched by Anil Vij to modernize the labour hiring process and reduce dependence on the traditional labour chowk system.
• The ShramMitra application has been developed by the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
• The platform functions as an Electronic Employment Exchange for daily wage workers, skilled workers and self-employed workers.
• Through the application, workers can search for employment opportunities directly from their smartphones instead of waiting at labour chowks for work.
• The platform enables direct digital job matching between employers and workers, improving transparency and reducing delays in hiring.
• Workers can create profiles on the application by providing details related to:
• Skills
• Work experience
• Expertise
• Work category
• The application supports workers from multiple professions including masons, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, gardeners, painters, welders, barbers and cobblers.
• Employers can directly upload job requirements on the platform and communicate with workers regarding wages, work duration, experience requirements and job conditions.
• The ShramMitra application is available in Hindi, English and Punjabi, improving accessibility for a wider labour population.
• The Haryana Labour Department has already uploaded data of nearly 75,000 registered workers onto the platform.
• Labour department teams will visit labour chowks across the state to help workers install and use the application, especially those with limited digital familiarity.
• The application will operate across Haryana and is available on both Android and Apple iOS platforms.
• The government stated that the platform is completely free for both workers and employers.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 Observed on 22 May

• The International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 is observed on 22 May every year to raise awareness about the importance of biological diversity and environmental conservation.
• The official theme for International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 is “Acting Locally for Global Impact.”
• The day highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity for sustainable development, ecological balance, food security and human well-being.
• In December 2000, the United Nations officially proclaimed 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity.
• The observance commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity, an international agreement focused on conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources and fair sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
• From 1993 to 2000, the International Day for Biological Diversity was observed annually on 29 December following a recommendation of the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.
• On 20 December 2000, the date was changed to 22 May to increase awareness and participation in biodiversity-related activities.
• The term Biodiversity refers to the diversity of life forms, including plants, animals, microorganisms and ecosystems that exist on Earth.

Daily CA One- Liner: May 22

• The United Nations revised India’s Gross Domestic Product growth forecast for 2026 downward to 4 percent from the earlier estimate of 6.6 percent
• The Reserve Bank of India announced a 5 billion United States Dollar–Indian Rupee buy/sell swap auction to inject long-term liquidity into the banking system
• India officially assumed the chairmanship of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for the year 2026 under the International Atomic Energy Agency
• India is hosting the 68th Governing Body Meeting of the Asian Productivity Organization in New Delhi
• India observed World Metrology Day 2026 with a major focus on strengthening legal metrology, digital compliance systems, precision standards and consumer protection mechanisms
• The Government of India launched the Arunachal Kiwi Mission with a financial outlay of ₹167 crore to transform Arunachal Pradesh into a premium organic kiwi production and export hub with strong domestic and international market presence
• Kerala became the first Indian state to create a dedicated Artificial Intelligence portfolio at the cabinet level under the new United Democratic Front government
• India has overtaken the United States to become Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner, reflecting changing trade dynamics in South Asia
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the prestigious Food and Agriculture Organization Agricola Medal in Rome, Italy
• India and Italy upgraded their bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during the visit of Shri Narendra Modi to Italy
• Madhya Pradesh partnered with Google Cloud India to introduce Artificial Intelligence-powered solutions for the management of Simhastha Kumbh 2028 in Ujjain
• India launched the multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya with participation from armed forces of 12 friendly nations.
• Haryana launched the ShramMitra application, a digital employment platform designed to connect workers and employers directly across the state
• The International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 is observed on 22 May every year to raise awareness about the importance of biological diversity and environmental conservation.