Daily Current Affairs (18/17 – May – 26)

Daily Current Affairs  (18/17 – May – 26)

1. India’s Water Scarcity  –

• India faces a stark population-resource paradox, supporting 18% of humanity with only 4% of freshwater.  
• While the Ministry of Jal Shakti leads national missions, the crisis is deepened by irrational crop patterns and 70% surface water contamination.
• Sustaining growth requires a circular water economy and community-led groundwater budgeting.

What are the Key Facts Regarding Water Availability in India? 

• Population-Resource Paradox: India supports nearly 18% of the world’s population but possesses only 4% of global freshwater resources. Approximately 60 Crore people experience high to extreme water stress.
• Per capita water availability has plummeted from over 5,000 cubic meters in 1947 to nearly 1,400 cubic meters today. If it falls below 1,000 cubic meters, the nation will be officially classified as “water-scarce.”
• Precipitation and Usability: While India receives nearly 4,000 BCM (Billion Cubic Metres) of annual rainfall, only about 1,123 BCM is considered “utilisable.” The gap is due to inadequate storage infrastructure, geological barriers, and the highly seasonal nature of the monsoon (70% of rain occurs in just 3–4 months).
• Current Storage & Reservoir Status: As of early April 2026, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has flagged that water levels in 166 monitored reservoirs have fallen to below 45% of total capacity.
• Southern India has seen the steepest drop, with several reservoirs reaching critically low levels, while North-Eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh remain water-abundant due to high rainfall and Himalayan runoff.

2. BRICS Reaffirms Two-State Solution in Israel-Palestine Conflict –

• The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi ( May 2026) reaffirmed support for an independent Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. India also reiterated its traditional support for a “two-state solution” to resolve the Israel-Palestine
• Sharp disagreements, particularly between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, prevented the adoption of a joint declaration, leading instead to the release of a “Chair’s Statement and Outcome Document.”
• A similar deadlock had emerged during the BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys meeting held in New Delhi in April 2026, where both countries clashed over references to the US-Israel conflict involving Iran, with the UAE also expressing concerns over Iranian aggression.
• What are the Key Highlights of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting?
• Support for Palestinian Statehood: Reaffirmed support for the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian State based on the internationally recognised pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
• Reiterated commitment to the two-state solution in accordance with international law, UN Security Council resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative.
• Position on Gaza Strip: Described the Gaza Strip as an inseparable part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and called for the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
• Both Iran and the UAE raised heavy objections to the wording of this transition of power.
• Maritime Security and West Asia: Emphasised the importance of maintaining safe and unimpeded maritime commerce through international waterways and protecting civilian infrastructure and lives.
• Acknowledged differing views among members regarding the situation in West Asia, especially concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

3. PM Modi Receives Sweden’s Top Civil Honour During Official Visit –

• In the significant development, Sweden has conferred the its top honor for a Head of Government on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The award recognizes the contributions to international relations, public leadership and strengthening bilateral cooperation.
• The honor was awarded during the PM Modi’s official two day visit to Sweden.
• His visit includes the high level delegation talks focused on expanding the strategic cooperation between India and Sweden.
• This recognition also adds another major international distinction to the PM Modi’s growing list of global honors.

What Is Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star?

• The Royal Order of the Polar Star is one of the Sweden’s most historic and prestigious honors.
• It was established in the year 1748 by King Frederick I of Sweden.

4. India Wins 27 Medals at Asian Boxing U15 Championships 2026 –

• India delivered the exceptional performance at the Asian Boxing U15 Championships 2026 and finished with the total of 27 medals. Out of 27 models India have claimed the 9 Gold medal and this achievement reflects the emergence of young talent on international stage. 

The U-15 girls team was the standout performer in this tournament.

• Medal Tally (U-15 Girls)
• Gold: 7
• Silver: 2
• Bronze: 5

The boys team also had contributed significantly to India’s success.

Medal Tally (U-15 Boys)

Gold: 2

Silver: 4

Bronze: 7

5. Bhajan Lal Sharma Inaugurates Rajasthan’s First Semiconductor Manufacturing Cluster –

• The state of Rajasthan entered into the India’s fastest growing semiconductor and electronics manufacturing sector . The state has launched the first semiconductor cluster in Bhiwadi. Respectable Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajan Lal Sharma inaugurated the project and described it as a significant milestone in the industrial journey of state.

Rajasthan’s First Semiconductor Cluster

• The newly launched semiconductor cluster is located in Bhiwadi, which is one of the Rajasthan’s important industrial clusters.
• The project is part of a broader electronics manufacturing push.
• According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Bhiwadi electronics manufacturing cluster has already attracted around the ₹1,200 crore in investment.
• The project is expected to generate approximately 2,500 jobs in future.

MCQ Quiz

Q1. The AI-based helpbot “ABHAY” was launched by which organisation ?

1. a) Reserve Bank of India
2. b) NITI Aayog
3. c) National Investigation Agency
4. d) Central Bureau of Investigation

Q2. What is the name of the operation launched by the Narcotics Control Bureau against an international Captagon drug trafficking network ?

1. a) Operation Prahar
2. b) Operation Trishul
3. c) Operation RAGEPILL
4. d) Operation Suraksha

Q3. Ebola disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent ?

1. a) Bacteria
2. b) Virus
3. c) Fungus
4. d) Protozoa

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the BRICS grouping and its recent Foreign Ministers’ Meeting:

• The recent meeting in New Delhi concluded with the unanimous adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining the bloc’s unified stance on West Asian maritime security.
• The expanded BRICS+ configuration currently includes Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
• The New Development Bank (NDB), which finances infrastructure projects for the bloc, is headquartered in New Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The meeting did not adopt a joint declaration due to sharp disagreements between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Instead, it resulted in a “Chair’s Statement and Outcome Document.”
• Statement 2 is correct: the newly expanded BRICS+ bloc includes Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The New Development Bank (NDB) is headquartered in Shanghai, China, not New Delhi.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the recent bilateral outcomes and investments between India and the UAE:

• The UAE committed an investment of USD 5 billion in India, which includes commitments from entities like ADIA–NIIF and IHC.
• The UAE is India’s largest LPG supplier and is a key participating partner in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) programme.
• The bilateral trade between India and the UAE crossed USD 100 billion, with a target set to reach USD 200 billion by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: During the visit, the UAE announced major investment commitments totaling USD 5 billion. This includes USD 3 billion by Emirates NBD in RBL Bank, and USD 1 billion each by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), and International Holding Company (IHC) in Sammaan Capital.
• Statement 2 is correct: Energy security forms the bedrock of India–UAE ties. The UAE is India’s largest LPG supplier, 3rd largest LNG supplier, and 4th largest crude oil supplier. Furthermore, the UAE is the only partner deeply involved in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) programme.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has successfully pushed bilateral trade beyond USD 100 billion. However, the bilateral target is set to reach USD 200 billion by 2032, not 2030.