Current Affairs Quiz 16th and 17th May 2026 Quiz

Exp. 15 May – National Endangered Species Day

National Endangered Species Day is observed on the third Friday of   May each year, and in 2026, it was celebrated on 15 May, to raise awareness about endangered and threatened species worldwide.

The day highlights the importance of wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection, encouraging efforts to prevent the extinction of rare animal and plant species.

Exp. Piyush Goyal Releases LEADS 2025 Report

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal released the LEADS 2025 Report in New Delhi and also felicitated winners of the LEAPS 2025 Awards, highlighting India’s logistics sector performance across States and UTs.

LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) is published by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and serves as an annual benchmarking framework to assess logistics efficiency based on infrastructure, policy framework, service reliability, and operating environment.

The LEADS 2025 edition is the seventh report and introduces a four-tier classification system—Exemplars, High Performers, Accelerators, and Growth Seekers—replacing the earlier three-tier system.

The new four-tier categorization is as follows:

• Exemplars: Exemplars represent the top-performing States and Union Territories, demonstrating sustained excellence across policy, infrastructure, service delivery, and regulatory dimensions.
  • Coastal States: Tamil Nadu
  • Landlocked States: Uttar Pradesh
  • North- Eastern States: Mizoram
  • Union Territories: Delhi
• High Performers: High Performers comprise States and Union Territories that demonstrate strong and consistent outcomes across the majority of performance indicators.
  • Coastal States: Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra
  • Landlocked States: Haryana, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Bihar
  • North- Eastern States: Tripura, Meghalaya
  • Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry
• Accelerators: Accelerators comprise States and Union Territories that have demonstrated notable improvement momentum and a clear reform orientation in recent years.
  • Coastal States: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, Karnataka
  • Landlocked States: Punjab, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh
  • North- Eastern States: Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam
  • Union Territories: Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Chandigarh, Ladakh, Lakshadweep
• Growth-Seekers: Growth Seekers represent States and Union Territories that are at a foundational stage of logistics system development and institutional strengthening.
  • Coastal States: West Bengal
  • Landlocked States: Rajasthan
  • North- Eastern States: Sikkim
  • Union Territories: Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Exp. India to Chair Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) from 2026–2028 at Global Cyber security Forum in Tokyo

India has been nominated as the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for the term April 2026 to April 2028, strengthening its role in global IT security standards.

The decision was confirmed during the 1st Quarter Meeting of the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA), held in Tokyo, Japan (April 14–16, 2026), which facilitates the mutual recognition of IT security certifications across countries.

Exp. 16 May – International Day of Light

International Day of Light is observed every year on 16 May to highlight the importance of light and light-based technologies in science, culture, education, sustainable development, and everyday life.

The day commemorates the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist Theodore Maiman, marking a major breakthrough in modern science and technology.

Exp. 16 May 2026 -Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day is observed on the third Saturday of May every year, and in 2026 it falls on 16 May, to honour the service and sacrifices of active-duty military personnel.

The day recognizes the contribution of all branches of the armed forces, highlighting their role in national security, peacekeeping, and humanitarian missions across the world.

It also aims to promote public respect and awareness about the armed forces, encouraging citizens to appreciate the commitment and dedication of military personnel.

Exp. Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni Sworn In for Historic Seventh Presidential Term

Yoweri Museveni was sworn in for a historic seventh term as President of Uganda, extending his rule to nearly 40 years after winning over 71% votes in the January 2026 election.

Opposition leader Bobi Wine secured nearly 25% votes, while the election drew criticism due to reports of internet blackout, intimidation, and abductions of opposition members.

About Uganda

• Capital – Kampala
• Currency – Ugandan shilling
• Official languages- Swahili, English
• President – Yoweri Museveni

Exp. India’s Unemployment Rate Remains Stable at 5.2% in April 2026

India’s overall unemployment rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above remained largely stable at 5.2% in April 2026, slightly higher than 5.1% recorded in March 2026.

Rural unemployment increased to 4.6% in April from 4.3% in March, while urban unemployment declined marginally to 6.6%, indicating relatively better employment conditions in urban areas.

The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) dropped to 55%, and the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) declined to 52.2% in April 2026, reflecting a slight reduction in workforce participation and employment levels.

Exp. CTBC Bank of Taiwan Opens First Branch at GIFT City in Gujarat

CTBC Bank has opened a new branch at GIFT City to strengthen cross-border financing and financial connectivity between India, Taiwan, Asia, and global markets.

CTBC Bank became the first Taiwanese lender to establish a presence at GIFT City and is currently the only Taiwanese bank operating a branch in India.

The new branch will support trade, investment flows, treasury solutions, and international banking services, further boosting economic cooperation between India and Taiwan.

Exp. Emirates NBD Gets Approval for $3 Billion Strategic Investment in RBL Bank

RBL Bank has received regulatory and government approvals for a proposed strategic investment of nearly $3 billion (₹26,850 crore) from Emirates NBD, clearing the way for completion of the deal.

As part of the deal, Emirates NBD will subscribe to about 959 million equity shares of RBL Bank at ₹280 per share via a preferential issue, giving it around 60% post-issue stake.

Exp. Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates Electronics Manufacturing Cluster and India’s First SME Semiconductor Facility in Rajasthan

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) developed by ELCINA at Salarpur, Khushkhera, Bhiwadi in Rajasthan, along with Sahasra Semiconductors’ ATMP/OSAT facility.

The Electronics Manufacturing Cluster in Bhiwadi has been developed over 50.3 acres with an investment of ₹46.09 crore, aimed at strengthening India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

The Sahasra Semiconductors facility, with an investment of over ₹150 crore, is India’s first SME to begin commercial production of semiconductor chips, marking a major milestone in the semiconductor sector.

Exp. MP High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex as Temple of Goddess Vagdevi

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that the disputed Bhojshala complex and Kamal Maula Mosque site in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh is a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati).

The court permitted the Hindu community to continue worship at the site while dismissing the claims made by the Muslim community over the disputed structure.

The court also quashed a 2003 order of the Archaeological Survey of India that had allowed the Muslim community to offer Friday prayers at the site.

Exp. Ministry of Ayush Signs MoU with BHASHINI to Boost Multilingual Access to Digital Ayush Services

The Ministry of Ayush signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) to enhance multilingual access to Ayush digital services using AI-powered language technologies.

The initiative, launched under “BHASHINI Rajyam – A BHASHINI Sahayogi Program,” aims to make traditional healthcare information and services more accessible in multiple Indian languages through digital platforms.

Exp. Hinduja Family Retains UK’s Richest Spot in 2026 Sunday Times Rich List for Fifth Consecutive Year

The Hinduja family, led by Sanjay Hinduja and Dheeraj Hinduja, retained their position as the UK’s richest family in the 2026 ‘Sunday Times Rich List’ for the fifth consecutive year with an estimated wealth of £38 billion.

The Hinduja Group operates in 38 countries across key sectors such as banking, mobility, energy, healthcare, digital technology, and infrastructure, maintaining strong global expansion despite economic headwinds.

Other prominent rankings include Indian-origin billionaires David and Simon Reuben at second place with £27.97 billion, along with Prakash Lohia and Anil Agarwal, featuring in the top list with notable changes in their wealth positions.

Exp. 16 May – International Day of Living Together in Peace

The International Day of Living Together in Peace is observed globally on 16 May to promote peace, unity, and harmony among different communities and nations.

Theme 2026 – Building Trust through Dialogue, Inclusion and Reconciliation