Current affairs for UPSC
Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.
GS1 · Culture / soft powerThe holy relics of Arhat Sariputra and Arhat Mahamoggallana, the Buddha's two chief disciples, were ceremonially enshrined at Gandantegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar on Buddha Purnima (Vesak) 2026. Brought from India for a ten-day exposition from 31 May to 10 June 2026, they arrived on a special IAF IL-76 aircraft and had travelled abroad only once before, to Thailand in 2024.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Buddha's disciples, relic sites.
31 May 2026GS2 · Urban povertyPM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), MoHUA's micro-credit scheme launched in June 2020, completed six years in May 2026. Over 75.5 lakh street vendors have benefited. More than 1.12 crore collateral-free loans have been sanctioned and over ₹17,800 crore disbursed. Average beneficiary incomes rose about 20% a year.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SVANidhi, Street Vendors Act.
31 May 2026GS3 · Digital infrastructureThe Digi Yatra app has enabled over 10 crore paperless, contactless journeys with over 2.4 crore downloads on iOS and Android, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on 30 May 2026. It is live at 38 airports. Average airport entry processing time fell from 15 seconds to 5 seconds per passenger. Passenger data stays encrypted on the user's own device.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Digi Yatra.
30 May 2026GS3 · Trade / textilesTo raise cotton supply for textile mills, the Centre temporarily exempted all customs duties on cotton imports from 1 June to 31 October 2026. Earlier, on 5 May 2026, the Cabinet approved the Mission for Cotton Productivity with an outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31, aiming for 498 lakh bales and lint productivity of 755 kg/ha by 2031.
UPSC angle: Mains: balancing farmers and industry.
30 May 2026GS2 · Digital healthThe Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission crossed 90 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs) by 30 May 2026, up from 14.7 crore in 2021. Uttar Pradesh leads with over 15.3 crore accounts. Women hold 49.75% of all ABHAs. ABHA is a 14-digit digital health identity that links records with the citizen's consent.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ABDM, NHA.
30 May 2026GS3 · PortsOn 29 May 2026, at JNPA's 37th Foundation Day in Mumbai, the Shipping Ministry launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024-25 and a Unified Ship Recycling Credit portal. Owners recycling at Hong Kong Convention-compliant Indian yards can get a credit note equal to 40% of scrap value for new shipbuilding in India.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Hong Kong Convention.
29 May 2026GS3 · SemiconductorsOn 29 May 2026 Odisha, Intel and 3DGS Inc. (USA) signed an MoU for an Advanced Packaging Glass Core Substrate facility in the Bhubaneswar–Khurda region under the India Semiconductor Mission. The same day NITI Aayog released a 10-year roadmap, "Future of India's Semiconductor Industry", aiming for a USD 120 to 150 billion value chain by 2035.
UPSC angle: Prelims: semiconductor value chain terms.
29 May 2026GS2 · Health and nutritionThe Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released NFHS-6 on 29 May 2026. Conducted in 2023-24 by MoHFW with IIPS Mumbai as nodal agency, it covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts. Child stunting fell from 35.5% (NFHS-5) to 29.3%. Institutional deliveries rose from 88.6% to 90.6%, and antenatal care coverage reached 95.9%.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NFHS indicators.
29 May 2026GS1 · MonsoonIMD's updated forecast of 29 May 2026 puts southwest monsoon (June–September) rainfall at 90% of the Long Period Average (±4%). The LPA (1971–2020) is 87 cm. There is an 84% probability of below-normal or less rainfall. Neutral ENSO is shifting towards El Niño; the IOD is likely to stay neutral.
UPSC angle: Prelims: LPA, forecast categories.
29 May 2026GS3 · Financial inclusionThe Department of Financial Services launched a Common Landing Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets on 29 May 2026, built with PSB Alliance. The site, unclaimedassetsportal.in, is a single place to search unclaimed bank deposits, insurance claims, shares, dividends and mutual funds. It supports the "Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar" (Your Money, Your Right) campaign.
UPSC angle: Prelims: DEA Fund, UDGAM.
29 May 2026 
