Current Affairs 15th May 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Who was appointed as India's new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in May 2026?
A) General Anil Chauhan
B) Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani
C) Air Marshal AP Singh
D) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
Answer: B) Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd.)
Explanation: He succeeds General Anil Chauhan (who completes tenure on 30 May 2026) and will also serve as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. The CDS position was created in 2019 following Kargil Review Committee recommendations.
2. When and where is the 3rd India-Nordic Summit scheduled in May 2026?
A) Stockholm, 15 May
B) Oslo, 19 May
C) Copenhagen, 20 May
D) Helsinki, 18 May
Answer: B) Oslo, 19 May
Explanation: PM Narendra Modi will attend the summit in Oslo, Norway (his first visit there in over four decades). It focuses on green transition, digitalisation, innovation, trade, energy, and maritime cooperation with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
3. Recent discussions on social issues mention risks of polarisation leading to?
A) Unified electorate
B) De facto separate electorate trends
C) Reduced reservations
D) No impact
Answer: B) De facto separate electorate trends
Explanation: Concerns raised in analyses of communal and social divisions.
4. What is the reported specialist vacancy rate in rural Community Health Centres (CHCs) in India?
A) 40%
B) 60%
C) 80%
D) 25%
Answer: C) 80%
Explanation: Despite new medical colleges, structural deficits persist in rural healthcare, including specialist shortages and poor working conditions.
5. Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza are located in which city?
A) Delhi
B) Lucknow
C) Hyderabad
D) Bhopal
Answer: B) Lucknow
Explanation: Built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula; a CAG report highlighted encroachments on these Awadh heritage monuments.
6. India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) crossed how many in FY26?
A) 1,500
B) 2,100
C) 3,000
D) 1,000
Answer: B) 2,100+
Explanation: Revenues neared $100 billion; they employ ~2.3 million and are shifting toward AI/innovation.
7. What is the primary focus of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
A) Export promotion
B) Climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture
C) Organic certification only
D) Livestock insurance
Answer: B) Climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture
Explanation: It is under PM-RKVY and includes components like Rainfed Area Development, Soil Health Management, and Per Drop More Crop.
8. Four new labour codes' rules were notified by which ministry in 2026?
A) Ministry of Finance
B) Ministry of Labour and Employment
C) Ministry of Commerce
D) Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Answer: B) Ministry of Labour and Employment
Explanation: Rules cover working hours (48/week), grievance committees, gig worker social security, etc.
9. Which state accounted for over 50% of fake currency seizures (2017-2024)?
A) Maharashtra
B) Gujarat
C) Punjab
D) Rajasthan
Answer: B) Gujarat
Explanation: Fake currency remains a challenge post-demonetisation, linked to terrorism and economic instability.
10. What is the eligibility age range for Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)?
A) 18-50 years
B) 18-70 years
C) 18-40 years
D) 40-80 years
Answer: B) 18-70 years
Explanation: It offers โน2 lakh accidental death cover for a premium of โน20/year.
11. What does NMSA stand for?
A) National Mission for Soil Health Management
B) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
C) National Mission for Solar Agriculture
D) National Mission for Strategic Agro Exports
Answer: B) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
Explanation: NMSA, part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), focuses on climate-resilient agriculture, soil health, water efficiency, and integrated farming systems, especially in rainfed areas.
12. Rumi Darwaza is also known as?
A) Golden Gate
B) Turkish Gate
C) Persian Gate
D) Victory Gate
Answer: B) Turkish Gate
Explanation: Built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in Lucknow, it is inspired by the Sublime Porte in Istanbul. A recent CAG report highlighted encroachments around it and nearby monuments like Bara Imambara.
13. Jan Suraksha Schemes were launched in?
A) 2014
B) 2015
C) 2016
D) 2017
Answer: B) 2015 (on 9 May)
Explanation: PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY completed 11 years in May 2026. They have enabled massive financial inclusion with crore-level enrolments and claims.
14. Who was the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) immediately before the change in May/June 2026?
A) Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani
B) General Anil Chauhan
C) Air Marshal AP Singh
D) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
Answer: B) General Anil Chauhan
Explanation: He completes his tenure on 30 May 2026. Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd) has been appointed as the next CDS.
15. The India-Nordic Summit in May 2026 emphasizes cooperation in?
A) Defence and space only
B) Green transition, digitalisation, innovation, and trade
C) Oil exploration
D) Traditional handicrafts
Answer: B) Green transition, digitalisation, innovation, and trade
Explanation: PM Modi attends the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on 19 May 2026, focusing on sustainable partnerships with Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden.
16. SEHAT Mission (in recent context) relates to?
A) Export promotion
B) Health, nutrition, and wellness initiatives
C) Space exploration
D) Tax reforms
Answer: B) Health, nutrition, and wellness initiatives
Explanation: Focuses on preventive healthcare and nutrition security.
17. Which teams are set to face each other in the 2026 UEFA Champions League Final?
A) Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
B) PSG vs Arsenal
C) Manchester City vs Barcelona
D) Liverpool vs Inter Milan
Answer: B) PSG vs Arsenal
Explanation: PSG defeated Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, while Arsenal beat Atlético Madrid. This marks Arsenal’s first Champions League final in 20 years.
18. Which IPL 2026 team is among the top contenders in the later stages (as of mid-May 2026)?
A) Chennai Super Kings (on a winning streak)
B) Kolkata Knight Riders (already eliminated)
C) Delhi Capitals (bottom of the table)
D) Rajasthan Royals (already out)
Answer: A) Chennai Super Kings (on a winning streak)
Explanation: CSK has been on a strong run in May 2026 matches, climbing towards the top four. The IPL 2026 season (with 84 matches) runs until late May, with playoffs in Ahmedabad.
19. PMJJBY offers?
A) Accidental death cover
B) โน2 lakh life cover for 18-50 years
C) Pension benefits
D) Crop insurance
Answer: B) โน2 lakh life cover for 18-50 years
Explanation: Premium is โน436/year (auto-debited). It is one of the three Jan Suraksha schemes.
20. The new labour codes primarily mandate written appointment letters for?
A) Only government employees
B) All workers
C) Only IT sector
D) Only women workers
Answer: B) All workers
Explanation: Rules notified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment cover working hours, social security for gig workers, grievance redressal, etc.
21. When is the new CDS expected to assume charge?
A) Immediately after appointment
B) End of May 2026 (after General Anil Chauhan’s tenure)
C) 1 January 2027
D) August 2026
Answer: B) End of May 2026
Explanation: Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani will take over on/around 30-31 May 2026.
22. Which mission promotes components like ‘Har Medh Par Ped’ (agroforestry)?
A) National Solar Mission
B) NMSA
C) Namami Gange
D) Swachh Bharat
Answer: B) NMSA
Explanation: It supports integrated farming, tree plantation on farm bunds, and climate resilience.
23. India is the world’s largest?
A) Oil exporter
B) Remittance recipient (as per recent trends)
C) Coal importer only
D) Gold producer
Answer: B) Remittance recipient
Explanation: Consistent top position in global remittances supports economic resilience.
24. A major challenge in rural healthcare is?
A) Excess specialists
B) High specialist vacancy rate in CHCs (~80%)
C) Too many medical colleges
D) Zero vacancies
Answer: B) High specialist vacancy rate in CHCs (~80%)
Explanation: Structural issues persist despite expansion of medical education.
25. Soil Health Cards under NMSA/SHM are issued every?
A) 6 months
B) Two years
C) Five years
D) Once in a lifetime
Answer: B) Two years
Explanation: Based on soil testing for nutrient management.