CURRENT AFFAIRS 21 May, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 21 May, 2026

1. INDIA EXTENDS INDIA SEMICONDUCTOR MISSION 2.0 –

• The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was approved by the Union Cabinet in December 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. By May 2026, the mission had approved 12 semiconductor manufacturing and packaging projects with investments of around ₹1.64 trillion.

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0

• The second phase of the mission is under consideration for an extension from 5 years to as long as 12 years. The proposed extension is linked to longer investment and development timelines in the semiconductor sector.

Funding and Incentive Structure

• ISM 2.0 is expected to have a higher outlay, with estimates of nearly ₹1.5 trillion. The first phase of the mission had an initial incentive package of $10 billion. The incentive support for semiconductor fabrication, OSAT, and ATMP units may be reduced to 30% from 50% in the first phase.

2. IAS OFFICER SAURABH VIJAY TAKES CHARGE AS CEO OF UIDAI –

• Senior IAS officer Shri. Saurabh Vijay has officially assumed the charge as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). He is a 1998 batch Maharashtra cadre officer and will bring the extensive administrative experience from both the state and central government roles.

Saurabh Vijay Assumes Charge as UIDAI CEO

• Shri. Saurabh Vijay took the charge as the new CRO of UIDAI on 18th of May, 2026.
• He will take the India’s most crucial digital governance leadership roles
• UIDAI manages the Aadhaar which is the world’s largest biometric identity program.

Who Is Saurabh Vijay?

• Saurabh Vijay is the senior Indian Administrative Service officer from the 1998 Maharashtra cadre.
• He has built a long administrative career across the multiple departments.

3. PRAGATI 2026 MILITARY EXERCISE BEGINS IN MEGHALAYA –

• PRAGATI 2026, a multinational military exercise, began in Meghalaya on 20 May 2026. The two-week exercise is being held at Umroi Military Station near Shillong and involves armed forces personnel from 13 countries.

Participating Countries

• India is hosting 12 partner nations in PRAGATI 2026. The participating countries are Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

Exercise Focus and Terrain

• PRAGATI 2026 focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations in jungle and semi-mountainous terrain. The exercise includes training for coordinated action in difficult terrain conditions that are common in parts of the North-East region of India.

4. MAHARASHTRA BECOMES NO.1 STATE IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS ACROSS INDIA –

• India is witnessing rapid infrastructure growth through major central government projects spread across different states. These projects include highways, railways, airports, industrial corridors, energy plants, ports, and urban development initiatives. Recent data shows that Maharashtra leads the country in the number of central government projects, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
• Maharashtra has emerged as the leading state with 215 central government projects worth around ₹5.5 trillion. The state’s strong industrial ecosystem, financial importance, port connectivity, and urban infrastructure make it a major destination for government investment.

5. SHRAMMITRA APP LAUNCHED IN HARYANA TO REPLACE TRADITIONAL LABOUR CHOWK SYSTEM –

• The Haryana government has officially launched the ShramMitra mobile application, it is a digital initiative aimed at making worker hiring faster, simpler and more transparent.
• The app has been developed by the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
• According to the Labour Minister Anil Vij, this platform will create a direct communication channel between employers and workers, reducing delays, confusion and dependence on the informal hiring networks.
• The initiative is being positioned as the major labour market reform.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Which book won the 2026 International Booker Prize ?

1. a) Taiwan Travelogue
2. b) The Things We Never Say
3. c) Not a River
4. d) A Little Life

Q2.  Loktak Lake, that was recently seen in news, is located in which state ?

1. a) Manipur
2. b) Tripura
3. c) Nagaland
4. d) Mizoram

Q3.  Kumbhalgarh Fort, recently recognised for having the world’s second-longest surviving wall, is located in which state ?

1. a) Rajasthan
2. b) Gujarat
3. c) Karnataka
4. d) Maharashtra

Q4.  With reference to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and related geographical features, consider the following pairs:

         Hydroelectric Project      River                     Category of River under IWT

1. Kishanganga Jhelum                 Western River (Allocated to Pakistan)
2. Ratle Chenab                Western River (Allocated to Pakistan)
3. Bhakra Nangal Sutlej                    Eastern River (Allocated to India)

         Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project (330 MW) is a run-of-the-river project located on the Kishanganga River, which is a major tributary of the Jhelum River. Under the IWT, the Jhelum is classified as a Western River allocated to Pakistan, though India retains limited rights for run-of-the-river hydropower generation.
• Pair 2 is correctly matched: The Ratle Hydroelectric Project (850 MW) is located on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chenab is also classified as a Western River under the treaty.
• Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Bhakra Nangal dam system is located on the Sutlej River. Under the IWT, the three Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated to India for unrestricted use.

Q5.  Consider the following statements regarding the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India:

1. The sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court is determined by the President of India on the advice of the Chief Justice of India.
2. The Supreme Court began functioning in 1950 with a total sanctioned strength of eight judges, which included seven puisne judges and one Chief Justice.
3. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, increased the sanctioned strength of the apex court to 38 judges (37 judges and 1 Chief Justice).

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Under Article 124(1) of the Constitution of India, the authority to determine the number of judges in the Supreme Court lies exclusively with Parliament, not the President or the Chief Justice. Parliament exercises this power by enacting or amending laws, such as the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
• Statement 2 is correct: When the Supreme Court of India was established and began functioning in 1950, it operated with a total strength of eight judges—seven puisne judges and one Chief Justice of India.
• Statement 3 is correct: Recently, President Droupadi Murmu approved the “Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026”. This Ordinance amended Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, increasing the total sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges (comprising 37 judges and 1 Chief Justice).

Answer Key