Current Affairs - May 23, 2026 Current Affairs

Viyona Fintech, a Hyderabad-based fintech infrastructure company, secured NPCI certification for its payment technology framework covering UPI Acquirer, UPI Issuer, IMPS, and Interoperable Banking Mobile Banking (IBMB) integrations. This certification enables the company to support merchant QR acceptance, customer-side UPI issuance, and real-time fund transfer services. The infrastructure is particularly aimed at improving interoperable mobile banking and strengthening rural banking solutions. NPCI, which operates major retail payment systems like UPI and IMPS, plays a critical role in India’s rapidly growing digital payments ecosystem and financial inclusion initiatives.

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed the plenary session of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 19, 2026. The session focused on the theme “Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility.” During the event, India highlighted its achievements in healthcare infrastructure, digital health innovation, and global vaccine support initiatives. Key initiatives discussed included Ayushman Bharat, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and Vaccine Maitri. Geneva is also the headquarters of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which serves as the leading international body for global public health and policymaking among its 194 member states.

TVS Venu Group acquired a 9.9% stake in Jana Small Finance Bank for ₹193.3 crore as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in the financial services sector. The transaction included both primary warrant subscriptions and secondary share purchases from Jana Holdings. Additionally, TVS Motor Company directly secured a 4.9% holding in the bank. Jana Small Finance Bank, headquartered in Bengaluru, began operating as a Small Finance Bank in 2018. This investment also aligns with the broader expansion plans of the TVS Group in banking, lending, and asset management services.

Gunveer Singh was appointed as the new Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India on May 18, 2026. Before this promotion, he served as the Chief General Manager-in-Charge within the RBI. In his new role, he will oversee the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems, which manages India’s payment infrastructure and settlement ecosystem. The appointment highlights RBI’s continued focus on strengthening digital payment systems and financial stability. Alongside his appointment, several senior officers, including Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray, Sudhakar Malli, and Ravi Shanker, were also empanelled for future Executive Director positions within the central bank.

The multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 began at the Umroi Military Station located in Meghalaya on May 20, 2026. PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region. The two-week exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. A total of 12 friendly foreign nations, including Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Indonesia, are participating alongside India. The exercise also highlights the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by showcasing indigenous defence technologies and equipment, while promoting joint planning, intelligence sharing, and tactical cooperation among participating armies.

The Agricola Medal 2026 was conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in recognition of his contributions to food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development. The award ceremony took place at the FAO headquarters, which is located in Rome, Italy, and was presented by FAO Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu. The visit was notable as it marked the first time in 30 years that an Indian Head of Government visited the FAO headquarters. The FAO plays a global role in addressing hunger and agricultural development and is headquartered in Rome.

India is hosting the 68th Session of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) Governing Body in New Delhi with participation from more than 60 senior delegates representing 20 APO member economies. The event focuses on discussions related to the APO Vision 2030 framework, budget planning for 2027–28, and leadership elections for the organisation. India assumed the APO Chairmanship during the 67th session in 2025 through DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia. Established in 1961, the APO is a regional intergovernmental organisation dedicated to improving productivity and promoting sustainable economic development across Asia-Pacific member economies.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed the final development trials of the ULPGM-V3 missile in both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes. The trials were conducted at the DRDO test range in Kurnool using an integrated Ground Control System. The ULPGM-V3 is designed for anti-tank warfare and can also target drones, helicopters, and other aerial threats. Research Centre Imarat (RCI) acted as the nodal laboratory with support from DRDL, TBRL, and HEMRL. The missile system was integrated with UAV platforms developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies, while production is being managed by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence & Aerospace.

Andhra Pradesh became the host state for the major ₹5,400 crore solar manufacturing project initiated by ReNew Energy Global plc in Anakapalli district. The project involves setting up a 6 GW solar ingot and wafer manufacturing facility aimed at strengthening India’s renewable energy supply chain and supporting clean energy goals. Introduced under the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, the initiative is expected to be completed within 24 months and generate more than 2,100 direct and indirect jobs. ReNew Energy Global plc has also committed a total investment of ₹82,000 crore in the state, highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s growing role in renewable energy development.

Blackstone partnered with Google to establish a new joint venture focused on providing Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and data centre operations as a compute-as-a-service platform in the United States. Blackstone committed an initial equity investment of $5 billion through its managed funds, while Google contributed its advanced TPU hardware, software, and technical expertise. The venture aims to bring the first 500 MW of computing capacity online by 2027 to support growing demand for AI training and inference. The collaboration highlights the increasing importance of AI infrastructure, high-performance computing, and cloud-based services in the global technology sector.