Daily Current Affairs- 21st May 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 21st May 2026

Military Exercise PRAGATI 2026 Kicks Off in Meghalaya with Forces from 12 Nations

In the News: The multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 commenced at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, on May 20, 2026. The exercise is being conducted by the Indian Army with participation from 12 friendly foreign nations. It aims to strengthen military cooperation, interoperability and regional security coordination in the Indian Ocean Region.

Key Points:

•  Exercise Launch: PRAGATI 2026 began at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya under the aegis of the Indian Army. The participating contingents were given a traditional welcome, reflecting India’s cultural heritage and defence diplomacy. For exams, remember the location: Umroi, Meghalaya.
• Meaning of PRAGATI: PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region. The exercise provides a platform for participating armies to exchange professional experience and improve mutual understanding. It is relevant for questions on India’s regional defence cooperation.
• Participating Countries: The 12 participating nations are Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. These countries represent India’s engagement with South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Region. This links the exercise with India’s Act East and maritime security outreach.
• Training Focus: The exercise focuses on joint training, interoperability and operational coordination among regional armies. Reports also highlight counter-terrorism training and operations in challenging terrain. For competitive exams, connect this with military diplomacy, internal security and joint operational readiness.

India Postpones First International Big Cat Alliance Summit

In the News: India has postponed the first International Big Cat Alliance Summit, which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 1, 2026. The summit was being organised along with the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, as several African countries are important big cat range countries. The new dates will be announced later after consultations with participating countries and stakeholders.

Key Points:

• Reason for Postponement: The IBCA Summit was postponed after the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit was deferred. India and the African Union decided to hold the summit later due to the evolving public health situation in parts of Africa. For exams, this topic is linked with India-Africa relations, health diplomacy and environmental diplomacy.
• About the IBCA Summit: The summit was planned as the first major global meeting under the International Big Cat Alliance framework. It aimed to bring together heads of state, experts and conservation partners to discuss big cat conservation. A key expected outcome was the proposed Delhi Declaration on Big Cat Conservation.
• Seven Big Cat Species Covered: The International Big Cat Alliance focuses on the conservation of tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma. These species are important indicators of ecosystem health. For prelims, remember that India hosts five of these seven big cat species.
• Background of IBCA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the International Big Cat Alliance in April 2023 during the commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger. The Union Cabinet later approved its establishment with headquarters in India. For exams, connect IBCA with Project Tiger, NTCA, MoEFCC and global biodiversity conservation.

India’s Death Rate Stays Above Pre-Covid Level

In the News: India’s Sample Registration System Statistical Report 2024 has recorded the country’s Crude Death Rate at 6.4 deaths per 1,000 population. This remains above the pre-Covid level of 6.0 recorded in 2019 and 2020. The report was released by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, and also recorded India’s Total Fertility Rate at 1.9 children per woman.

Key Points:

• Crude Death Rate Trend: India’s Crude Death Rate stood at 6.4 in 2024, the same as in 2023. It is lower than the Covid-period peak of 7.5 in 2021, but still above the pre-pandemic level. For exams, CDR means the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a year.
• Rural-Urban Mortality Gap: The rural death rate remained unchanged at 6.8, which kept the national death rate flat. The urban death rate declined slightly from 5.7 in 2023 to 5.6 in 2024. This is important for questions on rural healthcare, demographic transition and public health infrastructure.
• Fertility Below Replacement Level: India’s Total Fertility Rate remained at 1.9 children per woman in 2024. It stayed below the replacement level of 2.1 for the fifth consecutive year. This indicates a long-term fertility decline and is relevant for population policy and demographic dividend topics.
• Birth Rate and Infant Mortality: India’s Crude Birth Rate declined marginally from 18.4 in 2023 to 18.3 in 2024. The Infant Mortality Rate improved from 25 in 2023 to 24 in 2024. For exams, IMR means deaths of children below one year per 1,000 live births.

New Delhi Hosts 68th APO Governing Body Meeting with Asia-Pacific Delegates

In the News: New Delhi hosted the 68th Session of the Asian Productivity Organization Governing Body Meeting at Bharat Mandapam from May 20 to 22, 2026. The meeting was hosted by the Government of India as the Chair of the APO. It brought together senior delegates from APO member economies and focused on productivity-led growth, APO Vision 2030, governance reforms and regional cooperation.

Key Points:

• About the Meeting: The 68th APO Governing Body Meeting was held in New Delhi under India’s chairmanship. It included senior government officials, policymakers, productivity experts and heads of National Productivity Organizations. For exams, remember that the Governing Body is the highest decision-making body of APO.
• Key Agenda: The meeting discussed the APO Vision 2030 framework, institutional reforms and the preliminary budget for the 2027–28 biennium. It also reviewed annual and financial reports, Secretariat performance and procedural recommendations. This makes it important for international organisations and economic governance topics
• India’s Institutional Role:The event was hosted by the National Productivity Council under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. NPC is India’s National Productivity Organization and works on training, research, consultancy and capacity building. For exams, link NPC with productivity promotion and industrial development.
• Leadership Transition: At the meeting, Prof. Anwar Sanusi, APO Director for Indonesia, assumed charge as APO Chair for 2026–27. He succeeded Amardeep Singh Bhatia, APO Director for India and Secretary, DPIIT. The leadership transition is relevant for current affairs-based organisation questions.
• About APO: The Asian Productivity Organization is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1961. It works to improve productivity in the Asia-Pacific region through cooperation, research and capacity building. For prelims, connect APO with productivity, innovation, industry, agriculture, services and public sector reforms.

PM Modi Receives FAO Agricola Medal in Rome for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the FAO Agricola Medal 2026 at the FAO Headquarters in Rome on May 20, 2026. The award was presented by Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It recognised PM Modi’s leadership in food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Key Points:

• About the FAO Agricola Medal: The Agricola Medal is one of FAO’s major recognitions for contributions to agriculture, food security and nutrition. It is awarded to leaders who support sustainable agricultural development. For exams, remember that FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations headquartered in Rome, Italy.
• Reason for the Award: The award recognised India’s efforts in improving agricultural productivity, food security and farmer welfare. It also highlighted India’s role in sustainable agriculture and rural development. This topic is important for questions on agriculture policy, food systems and global development.
• Technology in Agriculture: PM Modi highlighted India’s use of Digital Public Infrastructure, AI-based advisory systems, drones and remote sensing in agriculture. He also referred to the development of climate-resilient crop varieties. For exams, connect this with smart farming, climate-resilient agriculture and agri-tech innovation.
• Water Efficiency Measures: The speech referred to initiatives such as Per Drop More Crop, micro-irrigation and precision farming. These schemes are linked with water conservation and sustainable agriculture. They are important for GS topics such as climate change, resource efficiency and farmer income.
• India, FAO and Millets: PM Modi recalled India’s association with FAO and its support for the global promotion of millets. The International Year of Millets 2023 is important for nutrition security and climate-resilient cropping. For exams, link millets with food security, sustainable farming and India’s Global South outreach.

No new dams in upper Ganga: The Centre’s long-winding road to ‘consensus’ on the issue

In the News: The Union Government has informed the Supreme Court that it is not in favour of allowing any new hydroelectric projects in the upper reaches of the Ganga in Uttarakhand. The decision mainly applies to the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins, which form the headwater system of the Ganga. The Centre will allow only seven existing or substantially built projects to continue with safeguards.

Key Points:

• Centre’s Stand Before Supreme Court: The Centre told the Supreme Court that no new hydroelectric projects should be permitted in the upper Ganga basin. Only seven projects that are already commissioned or at an advanced stage will be allowed to continue. This topic links environmental governance, judicial oversight, hydropower policy and Himalayan ecology.
• Geographical Focus: The issue concerns the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins in Uttarakhand. These rivers are key headwater streams of the Ganga and pass through an ecologically fragile Himalayan region. For prelims, remember that the decision concerns the upper Ganga reaches, not the entire Ganga basin.
• Background of the Issue: The debate became prominent after the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, when the Supreme Court ordered scrutiny of hydroelectric projects. Expert committees examined the impact of multiple projects on biodiversity, river flow and disaster risk. This makes the topic important for environment and disaster management.
• Projects Allowed to Continue: The seven projects include Tehri Stage-II, Tapovan Vishnugad, Vishnugad Pipalkoti, Singoli Bhatwari, Phata Byung, Madhmaheshwar and Kaliganga-II. These projects are being allowed because they have already made substantial physical or financial progress. The Centre has said they must follow strict environmental safeguards.