Daily Current Affairs May 20, 2026

Current Affairs and GK updates 20/05/2026

Here is the Daily current affairs and GK updates of the day for UPSC,SSC,IBPS,RRB,NTPC and other competitive exams preparations.This updates particularly focus on news updates from 20th may 2026.

National

• Kiwi identified as USP of Arunachal; Mission launched for value chain development:The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia, today launched the Mission on “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh which is a Cluster-based Kiwi Cultivation and Value Chain Development Mission for the State.
• Delhi govt launches ‘Hauslon ki Udaan’ to explore talents in youth-Delhi Government today announced the launch of the Talent Hunt Scheme- Hauslon ki Udaan 2026-27. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the initiative aims to identify, nurture and provide a national platform to the hidden talent of Delhi’s youth.The Chief Minister informed that the scheme will be implemented across 70 assembly constituencies of the national capital with a budget allocation of 10 crore rupees. She said that the youth between the ages of 16 and 35 can register free of cost through the dedicated online portal www.delhitalenthunt.com. The competition will feature seven major categories, including dancing, singing, acting and digital art.
• NITI Aayog begins process of establishing 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs across J&K-Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog has opened the application process for the establishment of five hundred new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across Jammu and Kashmir to build a robust innovation ecosystem. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the School Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir and the University of Kashmir, which will serve as the nodal mentoring institution.
• India’s Global Textile Event “Bharat Tex” to be held from 14th to 17th July; App launched. India’s flagship global textile event, Bharat Tex 2026 will be held in New Delhi from 14th to 17th July this year. Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Neelam Shami Rao today launched the Bharat Tex Mobile App in line with the upcoming textile expo.
• Northern Railway portion of New Delhi-Mumbai section fully covered under KAVACH-The Ministry of Railways has said that the Northern Railway portion of the New Delhi-Mumbai section, excluding New Delhi Railway Station, has been fully covered under KAVACH.
• Kavach (meaning "shield") is a state-of-the-art electronic system certified at the highest global safety standard (SIL-4). It works by connecting locomotives, railway tracks, and station signaling systems via ultra-high radio frequencies and RFID technology.
• West Bengal government to roll out Annapurna scheme with monthly aid of 3,000 rupees for women from June 1-The West Bengal Government has notified the ‘Annapurna Yojana’ to provide assured monthly financial assistance of three thousand rupees to women for their socio-economic upliftment. The scheme, introduced by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, will come into effect from 1st June 2026.
• India achieves 99.6 per cent electrification of Broad Gauge railway network:India has achieved a major milestone in railway modernisation by completing 99.6 per cent electrification of its Broad Gauge network. As of March this year, more than 69,873 route kilometres of Broad Gauge railway lines was practically electrified.
• An artificial intelligence-powered hyper-realistic 3D avatar of Mahatma Gandhi will be opened for visitors to the Pradhanmantri Sanghralaya (Prime Ministers’ Museum) in Delhi from today. Visitors will be able to interact with an AI-powered 3D avatar of Mahatma Gandhi, bringing the spirit of Bapu alive through cutting-edge technology

International

• PM Modi receives FAO’s highest honour- Agricola Medal-Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today conferred the prestigious Agricola Medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its headquarters in Rome, Italy. Receiving the award, Mr Modi dedicated the honour to India’s millions of farmers, livestock rearers, fish farmers, agricultural scientists and workers. The medal was presented by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.
• PM Modi and Giorgia Meloni outline road-map for India-Italy strategic Partnership; Highlight several economic initiatives in a Joint Article.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be on a four-day visit to India from 23rd May. This will be his first visit to India.
• India hosts PRAGATI 2026 exercise with 12 friendly nations participating-The multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 commenced today at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya.The Defence Ministry said that 12 friendly nations, namely Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are participating in the exercise.

Economy and banking

• India’s digital economy may contribute 20% to GDP by 2030: NCIIPC DG-Director General of the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), Navin Kumar Singh, today said that India’s digital economy is expected to contribute nearly 20 per cent to the country’s GDP by 2030.
• UN projects India’s growth at 6.4% this year despite global crisis-India is set to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy, as the United Nations (UN) projected a growth rate of 6.4 percent this year despite global uncertainty caused by the Iran conflict. UN senior economist Ingo Pitterle, briefing reporters on the mid-year update to the World Economic Situation and Prospects report yesterday, said that India’s strong consumer demand, public investment, and growth in services exports continue to support its economy. Although the report slightly lowered India’s GDP forecast from 6.6 percent to 6.4 percent, but it expects growth to rebound next year.

Days Observed

• World Bee Day: Established by the UN to raise awareness about the critical role bees and other pollinators play in sustaining the global food supply and ecosystem.
• World Metrology Day: Commemorates the anniversary of the 1875 Metre Convention, highlighting the importance of the global system of measurements.