Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of May 15th & 21st April 2026. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBIClerk 2026 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

Weekly Current Affairs May 15th & 21st PDF Download

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

• International Day of Families is celebrated every year on 15 May to raise awareness about the importance of families in society.
• World Hypertension Day 2026 is observed annually on 17 May to create awareness about Hypertension, high blood pressure, and related health complications.
• World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2025 is observed annually on 17 May to highlight the importance of Telecommunication, Information Technology, and Digital Connectivity in global development.
• International Museum Day 2026 is observed annually on 18 May to raise awareness about the importance of museums in society and their role in preserving cultural heritage.
• World AIDS Vaccine Day 2026 is observed annually on 18 May and is also known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Awareness Day.
• World Metrology Day is observed annually on 20 May to raise awareness about the importance of metrology and measurement science.
• Anti-Terrorism Day is observed every year on 21 May in India to spread awareness about the dangers of terrorism, violence, and extremism.
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed every year on 21 May to raise awareness about the importance of cultural diversity, dialogue, inclusion, and sustainable development.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the banking licence of Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Limited, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, under Sections 22(4) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) holding in Indian equities declined to 14% in June 2026, marking the lowest level in nearly 14 years, indicating sustained foreign selling pressure in Indian markets.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued amended directions relaxing norms for inclusion of quarterly profits in Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital for calculating the Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR).
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has directed all States and Union Territories to shift their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) base year from 2011–12 to 2022–23 by FY27.
• AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) has launched a new credit card portfolio comprising four cards — AU Ananta, AU Laksya, AU Tejas, and AU Prathama — to strengthen its retail credit card business across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.
• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has tightened regulations for duty-free gold imports under the Advance Authorisation (AA) scheme for the gems and jewellery sector.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed the requirement of prior approval for non-bank entities (fintechs) to enter into tie-up arrangements for enabling outward remittance services through banks in India.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed allowing select agricultural commodity derivatives contracts to be initially financially settled before transitioning to compulsory physical settlement.
• India’s retail inflation (CPI) rose to 48% in April, marking a 14-month high, primarily due to increased prices of food items, gold, and silver.
• CTBC Bank Co. Ltd. has opened its new branch at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, becoming the first Taiwanese bank to establish presence in India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) informed the Supreme Court that 30 banks have been integrated into the UDGAM portal to help legal heirs trace unclaimed funds of deceased account holders.
• The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has revised the release schedule for India’s Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Fourth Quarter (Q4) GDP estimates.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has widened the permissible use of fresh borrowings by Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) where net debt exceeds 49% of asset value, aiming to improve operational efficiency and asset performance.
• India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation surged to 3% in April 2026, marking a 42-month high, compared to 3.88% in March.
• Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) formally operationalised benches across India and introduced a structured framework for categorisation, scrutiny, and listing of GST appeals.
• ICICI Bank has launched a USD-denominated debit card in partnership with Visa, aimed at helping Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) manage offshore wealth more efficiently.
• According to the World Gold Council (WGC), central banks became net sellers of gold in March 2026 for the first time in 10 months.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a penalty of ₹3.10 lakh on IIFL Finance Limited for violating the NBFC Scale Based Regulation Directions, 2023.
• The 33rd meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC-SC) was held at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Mumbai, under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.
• RBL Bank has received all required regulatory and government approvals for the proposed strategic investment of around USD 3 billion (₹26,850 crore) by Dubai-based Emirates NBD.
• Xflow has launched a pilot programme enabling Indian businesses to accept international payments in stablecoins (USDC and USDT) and convert them compliantly into Indian Rupees (INR).
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced a regulatory framework classifying certain market benchmarks as “Significant Indices” based on Assets Under Management (AUM) tracked by mutual fund schemes.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched on 11 April 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has completed 10 years and emerged as the world’s largest real-time payments platform, becoming a backbone of India’s digital economy.
• Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated India’s 1st Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered “phygital” banking branch of Slice Small Finance Bank in Guwahati, Assam.
• IDFC FIRST Bank has launched the ‘FD-backed Business Multiplier Metal Credit Card’ for founders, entrepreneurs, startups, MSMEs, and business owners in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Morgan Stanley, the American brokerage firm, released its latest Mid-Year Outlook for India, revising India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for FY2026–27 (FY27) upward by 50 basis points (bps) to 6.7%, compared to the earlier estimate of 2% (April 2026).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided not to activate the Countercyclical Capital Buffer (CCyB) at present, stating that current economic and banking conditions do not require its implementation.
• The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance organised a half-day workshop on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Amendment) Act, 2026 in New Delhi.
• The Government of India selected SBI Ventures as the fund manager for the ₹20,000-crore Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) to promote investment in India’s maritime sector.
• Mahindra & Mahindra and DBS Bank India signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch India’s first sustainability-linked dealer financing programme in the automotive sector on 19 May 2026.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line rail project at an estimated cost of ₹20,667 crore.
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹37,500 crore scheme to promote surface coal and lignite gasification projects.
• The Central Government has launched the Prime Minister Internship Scheme 2026 to provide practical workplace experience and improve employability among youth.
• The Government of India has imposed an immediate ban on sugar exports until 30 September 2026 to safeguard domestic supply and control inflation risks.
• The Government of India has set an ambitious export target of 1 trillion United States dollars for the current financial year, following a record export of 863 billion United States dollars in Financial Year 2025-2026.
• The State Government of Assam has approved the draft Uniform Civil Code Bill, marking a major legal and political development in the state.
• Uber has partnered with the Adani Group to establish its first data centre in India, marking a significant expansion of its digital and engineering infrastructure in one of its most important global markets.
• India’s ethanol programme is witnessing a major shift as maize becomes the largest ethanol feedstock, surpassing sugarcane-based sources.
• India hosted the 10th edition of the Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi under the theme “Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World.”
• India is planning to construct a ₹40,000 crore subsea gas pipeline connecting Oman and Gujarat to strengthen long-term energy security.
• The Election Commission of India has launched Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision across 16 States and 3 Union Territories to update electoral rolls.
• India has assumed the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board for 2026–2028, marking a major achievement in the country’s global cybersecurity leadership.
• Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the Mahey Tokpo–Raldho irrigation canal in the remote Changthang region of Ladakh.
• The Central Government has launched the ₹189.79 crore Mizoram Ginger Mission to transform Mizo ginger into a globally recognised agricultural brand.
• The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, has launched a dedicated climate-tech startup incubation centre focused on weather and climate innovation.
• Rajasthan launched its first Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing Cluster in Bhiwadi, marking a major industrial milestone for the state.
• National Highways Authority of India launched Project Saksham to promote Inclusive Development through skill development and employment opportunities.
• India concluded the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting 2026 in Mumbai under its chairship.
• Honorable President Droupadi Murmu approved the increase in the judge strength of the Supreme Court of India from 34 to 38 Judges through an ordinance.
• Respectable Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a new population policy in Andhra Pradesh to address declining population growth and falling fertility rates in the state.
• Respectable Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated Nimapara Patha Utsav 2026 in Puri under the Utkarsha Nimapara 2.0 Initiative.
• Sikkim will implement the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 from 1 June 2026, allowing Sikh couples to directly register marriages conducted through the traditional Anand Karaj Ceremony.
• The Union Ministry of Education unveiled a new pilot programme as a targeted intervention to reintegrate over 2 crore out-of-school adolescents aged 14–18 years back into the education system through flexible learning pathways.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation launched “Abhay”, an Artificial Intelligence-Based Helpbot developed to verify the authenticity of notices issued in the name of the Central Bureau of Investigation.
• Karnataka introduced Two New Digital Monitoring Systems through the State Food Safety and Drug Administration to strengthen Drug Safety, Public Health Protection, and Regulatory Transparency in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Tripura became the First State in India to complete all Priority Areas under Deregulation Phase-II of the national Compliance Reduction and Deregulation Initiative led by the Cabinet Secretariat.
• Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the ₹175 Crore Coffees of Nagaland Mission to develop Nagaland as a premium specialty coffee destination in India and global markets.
• India achieved a major milestone in wildlife conservation by releasing the country’s first-ever satellite-tagged Ganges softshell turtle into the Brahmaputra River at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam.
• The Government of Uttarakhand has planned a ₹450 crore ropeway project connecting Rishikesh to the famous Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
• India is witnessing rapid infrastructure expansion through major Central Government projects across sectors such as highways, railways, airports, industrial corridors, ports, energy, and urban development.
• Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport), New Delhi is set to launch its first automated air train system by 2029 to improve passenger movement across the airport.
• The Government of West Bengal has approved the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees and pensioners. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
• India has officially notified new fuel standards for higher ethanol-blended petrol, including E22, E25, E27, and E30, marking a major step in the country’s clean energy and biofuel transition.
• Indian Railways has approved a ₹238 crore infrastructure and safety upgrade project for the Jammu–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra rail section under the Northern Railway Zone.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• The United Nations (UN) released its latest assessment on global forests titled the “Global Forest Goals (GFG) Report 2026” during the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) at the UN Headquarters in New York, United States of America.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) elected R Mukundan as its President for 2026–27, succeeding Rajiv Memani after the announcement by the newly constituted CII National Council.
• Peter Magyar was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Hungary after his party secured victory in the parliamentary elections.
• Himanta Biswa Sarma, senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and MLA from the Jalukbari constituency, was sworn in as the Chief Minister (CM) of Assam for a second consecutive term.
• Jio Platforms Limited (JPL), the digital services arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has appointed Akash Ambani as its first Managing Director (MD) for a five-year term effective from 9 April 2026.
• Yoweri Museveni, leader of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), was sworn in as the President of Uganda for a seventh term after winning the January 2026 presidential election.
• Rangasamy, leader of the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) from Thattanchavady and Mangalam constituencies, was sworn in as the Chief Minister (CM) of Puducherry for a fifth term following the 2026 Assembly elections.
• The Central Government has extended the tenure of Praveen Sood as Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by one more year.
• Kuljeet Kaur Marhas has become the first Indian woman to be elected as a Fellow of The Meteoritical Society, a prestigious global organisation in planetary science and meteoritics.
• Shri Saurabh Vijay, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1998 Maharashtra cadre, has assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Shri Gunveer Singh as Executive Director (ED) with effect from 18 May 2026, marking a key leadership change in the central bank.
• Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi was sworn in as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Iraq and Commander-in-Chief of Iraq’s Armed Forces.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sweden’s prestigious Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, one of the country’s highest honours awarded to foreign Heads of Government.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Norway’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, during his official visit to

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

• The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has signed a 46 million United States dollar agreement with Indian company TCRC to develop customs laboratory infrastructure across Afghanistan.
• Shri Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Arab Emirates.
• Tata Electronics signed a strategic partnership agreement with ASML (Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography) to support India’s first commercial 300 Millimetre Semiconductor Fabrication Facility in Dholera.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) organized a one-day national conference titled “From Patent to Product: Accelerating IP Commercialization in Electronics & IT” at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi to strengthen India’s innovation and intellectual property ecosystem.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

• Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the third edition of “Kalam & Kavach” at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stones and presided over grounding ceremonies of strategic aerospace and defence projects at Puttaparthi, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh.
• Indian Navy’s oceanographic research vessel INS Sagardhwani departed Port Klang, Malaysia after completing a successful engagement with the Royal Malaysian Navy.
• The Pakistani Navy has commissioned its first Chinese-built Hangor-class submarine at Sanya on China’s Hainan Island, a major naval facility.
• The Indian Navy inaugurated its premier Naval Sailing Node at Upper Lake (Bhojtal), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• The Ministry of Defence issued revised guidelines imposing stricter penalties on defence suppliers for non-performance and ethical misconduct.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is undertaking an official visit to Vietnam (May 18–19, 2026) followed by the Republic of Korea (May 19–21, 2026) to strengthen India’s defence and strategic partnerships in Asia.
• Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), a deep tech defence company, announced that its flagship Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) “Kaal Bhairava” will be manufactured at its first international production facility in Portugal.
• Tonbo Imaging, a Bengaluru-based defence technology company, has secured a contract from the Indian Navy under the ADITI 3.0 innovation framework on 19 May 2026.
• India is set to receive the fourth squadron of the Russian-origin S-400 Triumf, strengthening its air defence capabilities.
• Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) has entered into a strategic partnership with France-based Exail Technologies to deliver advanced Unmanned Mine Countermeasure (MCM) systems for the Indian Navy (IN).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of a 14% stake in Lloyds Engineering Works Limited (LEWL) by Thriveni Earthmovers Private Limited (TEMPL) along with the merger of three entities into LEWL.
• Prudential plc has announced the acquisition of a 75% stake in Bharti Life Insurance Company Limited for an initial value of Rs 3,500 crore (around USD 389 million).
• Google and Blackstone have launched a new $5 billion Artificial Intelligence cloud infrastructure venture aimed at strengthening Artificial Intelligence computing capabilities and challenging the dominance of Nvidia in the global Artificial Intelligence chip market.
• Bharat Forge Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to establish India’s first private-sector Marine Gas Turbine facility in Visakhapatnam.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

• India’s passport has been ranked 78th in the Henley Passport Index 2026, slipping from its earlier 75th position.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered two new spider species named Psechrus ntu and Psechrus phenshunyu in Nagaland.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has signed an agreement with Helix Cell Therapeutics Private Limited, Hyderabad, Telangana for a project on dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapy for Multiple Myeloma.
• Samsung Electronics has crossed the $1 trillion market valuation mark, driven by strong global demand for AI-related semiconductor chips.
• The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) presented the SVAMITVA scheme as a successful governance and rural property mapping model to the World Bank.
• Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, stated that Quantum and Artificial Intelligence (AI) sovereignty along with indigenous ecosystems will define India’s next-generation growth.
• National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), concluded the AB PM-JAY Auto-Adjudication Hackathon Showcase 2026.
• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), inaugurated India’s first Integrated Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) field laboratory facility under “Bharat Innovates 2026” at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, dedicated the 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing Line of Central Electronics Limited (CEL) to the nation.
• During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Norway, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India signed a series of key agreements with Norwegian institutions in Oslo to strengthen science, technology, innovation and sustainable development
• A high-level United States (U.S.) industry delegation, comprising representatives from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), held discussions with Dr. Jitendra Singh on private investment and industry collaboration in India’s nuclear sector.
• Scientists working in Antarctica have discovered the oldest directly dated ice and air sample on Earth from the Allan Hills region of East Antarctica.
• Researchers have developed a new ultrathin flexible film capable of efficiently converting tiny temperature fluctuations into electrical signals, enabling applications in smart photodetectors, low-grade heat harvesters, and flexible electronic systems.
• Scientists from the CSIR–National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad have identified an ancient underground river channel (palaeo-channel) beneath the Prayagraj–Kanpur stretch in Uttar Pradesh.
• Liberty Mutual Insurance increased its stake in Liberty General Insurance Limited (LGI) to 74% from 40%, strengthening its presence in India’s insurance market.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

• Sahdev Yadav has been elected as the President of the South Asian Weightlifting Federation.
• India delivered an impressive performance at the Asian Boxing Under-15 Championships 2026, winning a total of 27 medals, including 9 gold medals.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created history in the Indian Premier League 2026 by becoming the Indian batter with the highest number of sixes in a single season.
• The Central Information Commission ruled that the Board of Control for Cricket in India does not fall under the scope of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
• Elina Svitolina of Ukraine won the women’s singles title at the Italian Open 2026 by defeating Coco Gauff of the United States.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

• Prataprao Jadhav launched the Ayush Anudan Portal at Kartavya Bhawan to strengthen digital governance and transparency in the Ayush sector.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

• Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) Sudhanshu Sil (Seal) died at the age of 81 in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).