Current Affairs – 25 May 2026

Compiled for Bank PO, SSC, UPSC & Other Competitive Examinations | Sources: PIB, IANS, Reuters, AP, Olympics.com, RBI, Business Standard

🇮🇳 National News

1. Severe Heatwave Grips North & Central India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red-alert warnings across Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Indo-Gangetic Plains as a severe heatwave pushed temperatures beyond 45°C. Brahmapuri in Maharashtra recorded the highest temperature at approximately 47°C. The Union Health Ministry issued advisories for vulnerable groups and activated the National Heat Action Plan. The IMD projected that the heatwave may continue for at least five more days.

2. India–USA High-Level Diplomatic Talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India for high-level bilateral discussions. The talks focused on three major pillars: trade & commerce, defence cooperation, and critical technology transfer. The visit is seen as a step to reinvigorate the India–US Comprehensive Global & Strategic Partnership amid global geopolitical tensions and ongoing disruptions in West Asian trade routes.

3. CBSE Extends Deadline for Answer Sheet Applications

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) extended the deadline for students to apply for scanned copies of evaluated answer books till 25 May 2026, following reported technical glitches on its official portal. The extension was announced to ensure all students receive equal opportunity to review their answers.

4. Uniform Civil Code – Tribal Community Outreach

The Union Home Ministry continued its outreach to tribal communities regarding the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), assuring stakeholders that tribal customs, traditions, and constitutional protections under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules would be fully safeguarded. The consultations are part of the pre-legislative engagement process mandated by the government.

5. Parliamentary Panel Reviews West Asia Maritime Impact

A parliamentary standing committee convened discussions to assess the impact of the ongoing West Asia crisis on India’s maritime trade and energy security. Key concerns raised included rising freight insurance costs, longer shipping routes avoiding the Red Sea, and the impact on petroleum imports. India imports over 85% of its crude oil requirements, making the Gulf shipping lanes strategically critical.

🌍 International News

1. US–Israel Deal Framework Announced

US President Donald Trump announced on social media a framework deal following talks with Israel and allied nations aimed at ending the Gaza conflict. The framework reportedly includes a 60-day negotiation window on Iran’s nuclear programme. The deal is yet to be formalised and is described as “unfinalized,” with international mediators from Qatar and Egypt reportedly involved.

2. Taliban Issues New Law on Marriage – UN Expresses Concern

The United Nations expressed “grave concern” on 22 May 2026 over a new law issued by Afghanistan’s Taliban government dealing with separation in marriage, which reportedly includes provisions enabling child marriage. The UN called for immediate review, stating the law violates Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights treaties.

3. Ebola Outbreak Worsens in Eastern Congo

The World Health Organization flagged a worsening Ebola situation in eastern Congo after residents set fire to an Ebola treatment centre following a dispute over retrieving the body of a suspected victim. Health aid workers were forced to evacuate the site. The outbreak has raised fears of wider transmission amid ongoing conflict in the region.

4. Palme d’Or 2026 – Cannes Film Festival

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival for his film Fjord, a culture-war drama set in Norway. The award was presented at the closing ceremony held in Cannes, France. The festival also recognised films from Asia, Latin America, and Africa in various categories.

5. F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2026

The Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix was held on 22–24 May 2026 at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. The event drew record viewership globally as teams competed ahead of the mid-season break. (Final results were awaited at the time of compilation.)

🏦 News Related to Indian Banking & Finance

1. Finance Ministry Clears Emirates NBD’s ₹26,853 Crore Acquisition of RBL Bank

In a landmark development for the Indian banking sector, the Department of Financial Services (Ministry of Finance) issued an approval letter on 14 May 2026 permitting UAE-based Emirates NBD to acquire up to 74% stake in RBL Bank in a deal valued at approximately ₹26,853 crore (~$3 billion). The RBI had earlier approved amendments to RBL Bank’s Articles of Association on 6 May 2026. This marks the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the history of India’s financial services sector. Post-acquisition, RBL Bank will be treated as a foreign bank subsidiary under RBI norms.

2. RBI Extends Enhanced Export Credit Period to June 2026

The Reserve Bank of India extended the enhanced export credit period of 450 days for pre- and post-shipment finance until 30 June 2026. The facility, initially introduced in November 2025, was designed to provide relief to exporters facing disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis affecting shipping lanes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

3. RBI Opens Term Money Market to Non-Bank Entities

In a significant policy move, the RBI allowed non-bank entities — including NBFCs, corporates, Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), and All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) — to participate in the term money market. The term money market facilitates borrowing and lending for periods ranging from 14 days to one year, and had previously been restricted exclusively to banks and primary dealers.

4. RBI Injects ₹81,590 Crore into Banking System

To manage system-level liquidity, the Reserve Bank of India conducted a three-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction and injected ₹81,590 crore of transient liquidity into the banking system. This move is aimed at easing short-term credit conditions and supporting credit flow during the high-demand summer season.

5. India’s Forex Reserves Fall to $688.89 Billion

According to RBI data, India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $8.094 billion to $688.894 billion in the week ending 15 May 2026. The decline was attributed to valuation changes in non-dollar assets and RBI’s market intervention. NRI deposit inflows for FY2025-26 stood at $14.41 billion, lower than $16.16 billion in FY2024-25.

6. R Vijay Anandh Appointed MD & CEO of City Union Bank

The RBI gave its approval for R Vijay Anandh, currently serving as Executive Director of City Union Bank (CUB), to be elevated as the next Managing Director & CEO of the bank for a period of three years beginning 1 May 2026.

🌐 News Related to International Banking & Finance

1. IMF–World Bank Restore Relations with Venezuela

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank announced the resumption of formal relations with Venezuela, ending a six-year freeze. The move followed Washington’s removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power in January 2026 and the installation of an interim government. Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has formally requested access to approximately $5 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) that Venezuela holds with the IMF.

2. IMF Haiti Programme Extended – Third Review Approved

On 21 May 2026, IMF Management approved the Third Review and extended its Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP) with Haiti. The programme extension is aimed at supporting Haiti’s economic stabilisation efforts amid ongoing security and governance challenges in the country.

3. IMF Downgrades Global Growth Forecast to 3.1%

The IMF’s World Economic Outlook (updated in April 2026 Spring Meetings) revised the global GDP growth forecast downward to 3.1%, down from 3.4% projected in 2025. Key risks cited include the prolonged West Asia conflict, elevated debt servicing costs for developing nations, and slowing momentum in major economies. African governments are spending nearly one-fifth of revenue on interest payments, with four out of five countries allocating more to debt service than to health or education.

4. CATL’s Sodium-Ion Battery Achieves 500 km Range

China’s CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited), the world’s largest EV battery maker, announced its next-generation sodium-ion battery achieving an energy density of 175 Wh/kg and supporting a pure-electric driving range of over 500 km in passenger vehicles. Sodium-ion batteries use abundant raw materials (such as salt) as alternatives to lithium, making them significantly cheaper and potentially safer for large-scale grid storage and affordable EVs.

🏅 International Sports Events

1. Aryaveer Dewan Wins Boys’ U-19 Asian Squash Championship

India’s Aryaveer Dewan (17 years old) won the Boys’ U-19 title at the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships 2026 held in Panzhihua, People’s Republic of China (24 May 2026). He defeated South Korea’s Jonghyeok Lee 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-9) in a final lasting 58 minutes. Dewan became only the fourth Indian to win this continental title at the U-19 boys’ level, after Ravi Dixit (2010), Velavan Senthilkumar (2016), and Veer Chotrani (2019). India finished the championship with 1 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals.

2. Aaron Rai Wins PGA Championship 2026 – Historic Double Milestone

England’s Aaron Rai won the 108th PGA Championship held at Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania (USA), with a winning total of 9-under par 274. He shot a final round 65, including an eagle putt on the par-5 ninth and a 70-foot birdie putt on the 17th. Rai finished three strokes ahead of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley. He is the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes and the first player of Indian descent to win a men’s major golf championship. His prize money: $3.69 million.

3. UEFA Europa League Final 2026 – Istanbul

The UEFA Europa League Final 2026 was held on 20 May 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. The match was one of the headline European club football events of the month. (Final result to be confirmed in updated editions.)

4. FA Cup Final 2026 – London

The FA Cup Final was held on 16 May 2026 in London, United Kingdom, marking the climax of English football’s oldest cup competition for the 2025-26 season.

5. World Athletics Events – European Champion Clubs Cup & Xiamen Diamond League

Multiple international track and field events took place on 23 May 2026, including the European Champion Clubs Cup (ECCC) Track & Field 2026, the European 10,000m Cup 2026, and the Xiamen Diamond League 2026, part of the World Athletics Diamond League circuit.

👤 Major National & International Appointments

Key Note – Kerala Election 2026: In the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a landslide victory with 102 out of 140 seats, ending the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s decade-long rule in the state. V. D. Satheesan took oath as Chief Minister on 18 May 2026 along with a 20-member cabinet.

🔬 Major Inventions & Discoveries

1. Vast Space’s Haven-1 – First Commercial Space Station Launched

Vast Space’s Haven-1 space station was launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in May 2026. The bus-sized habitat is designed to support crews of four for 10-day missions, enabling commercial research including microgravity plant growth and drug testing. This marks a milestone in the private commercial space station industry.

2. Astronomers Confirm 118 New Exoplanets Using AI

Astronomers from the University of Warwick reported the confirmation of 118 new exoplanets (on 3 May 2026), along with 2,000 high-quality candidates, using machine learning applied to data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Additionally, a preprint on 11 May 2026 reported the discovery of Ross 318 b, a candidate temperate super-Earth orbiting within the habitable zone of the nearby red dwarf star Ross 318 — raising prospects for potential habitability.

3. Breakthrough Textile Recycling Process Developed

Researchers at Avantium and the University of Amsterdam developed a breakthrough process to recycle cotton-polyester blended waste textiles using concentrated hydrochloric acid at room temperature. The method achieves a 75% recovery rate of cotton as glucose and a 78% recovery rate of polyester monomers. The technology is being scaled to a demonstration plant in 2026, potentially revolutionising the global fast-fashion waste problem.

4. New Pain-Relief Drug Suzetrigine (Journavax) Gains Traction

Following FDA approval in January 2025, suzetrigine (brand name: Journavx) — the first in a new class of non-opioid pain drugs — has begun large-scale clinical adoption in 2026. The drug selectively blocks NaV1.8 sodium channels in peripheral pain-sensing neurons, achieving over 31,000-fold selectivity for pain pathways, offering relief without the addiction risks associated with opioids.

5. AI Research Reveals Inner Workings of Large Language Models

In a significant AI research development, scientists studying Large Language Models (LLMs) as if they were biological organisms have uncovered new insights into how these systems internally represent and process information. The research, drawing on interpretability and mechanistic analysis techniques, is being described as providing “the best glimpse yet” into what actually happens inside AI models, with implications for AI safety and alignment research.

Disclaimer: This article has been compiled for educational purposes to assist students preparing for competitive examinations including Bank PO, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, UPSC, and other government recruitment examinations. All information has been sourced from credible news agencies including PIB (Press Information Bureau), IANS, Reuters, AP, Olympics.com, RBI Press Releases, and Business Standard.

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