Prelims Current Affairs includes International Museum Day 2026, World Telecommunication And Information Society Day (Wtisd) 2026, Withholding Tax, Uae To Store Crude Oil In India’s Strategic Reserve, India Assumes Chair Of Common Criteria Development Board (Ccdb) For 2026–2028, India’s Ai-Powered Combat Aircraft Kaal Bhairava To Be Manufactured In Portugal, India’s Passport Ranked 78th In Henley Passport Index 2026, Bhupender Yadav Launches ‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Programme At Sasan Gir, India Releases First Satellite-Tagged Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle, Fastest 50 In Ipl History (2008-2026), Indian Journalists Win Pulitzer Prize 2026 For ‘Trapped’ Story & Rakchham Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY 2026

Current Context: On 18 May 2026, museums around the world come together to celebrate International Museum Day.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY

• Highlights the importance of museums in protecting art, culture, archaeology, and historical knowledge for future generations.
• Organised by: International Council of Museums (ICOM)
• First Celebrated: 1977
• Theme 2026: “Museums Uniting a Divided World”
• ICOM Anniversary: 80th anniversary celebrated throughout 2026

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY (WTISD) 2026

Current Context: World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated every year on 17 May.

ABOUT WTISD

• Highlighting the growing role of digital technologies and commemorating the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Commemorates: Founding of ITU and signing of first International Telegraph Convention (1865)
• First World Telecommunication Day: 1969
• World Information Society Day established: UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/252 (March 2006)
• Merged as WTISD: November 2006 (ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey)
• Theme 2026: “Strengthening digital lifelines for a resilient and connected world”

ECONOMY

3. WITHHOLDING TAX

Current Context: The government and RBI are learnt to be considering a cut in the withholding tax rate on government bonds to attract foreign investment inflows.

ABOUT WITHHOLDING TAX

• Withholding tax is a tax deducted at the source of income before payment is made to the recipient. The payer deducts a certain percentage of tax and deposits it with the government on behalf of the recipient.

EXAMPLES

• Tax deducted on salaries, interest, dividends, royalties, or payments to foreign companies.
• In India, it is similar to the concept of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS).
• Also known as: Retention tax
• Applicable to: Payments made to non-resident individuals
• Legal Basis: Section 195 of the Income Tax Act
• Tax Rate determined by: Income Tax Act, 1961 or Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) whichever is lower

ECONOMY

4. UAE TO STORE CRUDE OIL IN INDIA’S STRATEGIC RESERVE

Current Context: India and the UAE agreed on 15 May 2026 to expand energy cooperation through crude oil storage in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

ABOUT THE AGREEMENT

• Strategic Collaboration Agreement signed between: Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
• Storage Capacity: Up to 30 million barrels of crude oil
• Also covers: Strategic gas reserves in India, long-term LPG supply arrangements between Indian Oil Corporation and ADNOC
• UAE investment commitment: USD 5 billion into India
• Planned expansion: Chandikol (Odisha)
• Fujairah: Major oil storage and bunkering hub in UAE on Gulf of Oman

India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)

• Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) refers to India’s emergency stockpile of crude oil.
• Managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Ensure energy security during war, global supply disruptions, or oil price shocks.
• Reduce risks from dependence on crude oil imports.

STORAGE LOCATIONS

• Visakhapatnam – Andhra Pradesh
• Mangaluru – Karnataka
• Padur – Karnataka

PHASE-II LOCATIONS

• Chandikhol – Odisha
• Padur Expansion – Karnataka

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

5. INDIA ASSUMES CHAIR OF COMMON CRITERIA DEVELOPMENT BOARD (CCDB) FOR 2026–2028

Current Context: India has assumed the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for 2026-2028, marking a major milestone in global cybersecurity leadership.

ABOUT CCDB AND CCRA

• It is an international body responsible for the development and maintenance of the Common Criteria (CC) standards for IT security evaluation.
• Common Criteria is an international standard for evaluating the security of information technology products and systems.
• Helps ensure that software and hardware products meet defined cybersecurity requirements.
• Includes member countries participating in the

Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA).

• It is an international agreement for mutual recognition of cybersecurity certification of IT products and systems. Based on the Common Criteria (CC) standard for IT security evaluation.
• Common Criteria is recognized as ISO/IEC 15408.
• India joined CCRA: 16 September 2013 as Certificate Authorizing Nation
• India’s representatives: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and STQC Directorate (India’s official certification body for IT security evaluations)

CCRA Membership:

• 20 Certificate Authorizing Nations (issue internationally recognized certificates)
• 18 Certificate Consuming Nations (accept and use certifications)
• Decision confirmed at: CCRA first quarter meeting in Tokyo, Japan (April 2026)

DEFENCE

6. INDIA’S AI-POWERED COMBAT AIRCRAFT KAAL BHAIRAVA TO BE MANUFACTURED IN PORTUGAL

Current Context: India’s AI-powered combat aircraft ‘Kaal Bhairava’ will be manufactured in Portugal under Operation 777, marking India’s first overseas production of an autonomous combat aircraft.

ABOUT KAAL BHAIRAVA

• “Kaal Bhairava” is an AI-powered autonomous combat aircraft/unmanned combat aerial system (UCAS) being developed in India.
• Objective: Strengthen India’s next-generation warfare and indigenous defence capabilities.

 Key Feature

• Uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) for autonomous combat operations.
• Capable of surveillance, precision strikes, reconnaissance, and high-risk missions.
• Designed for reduced human intervention and faster battlefield decision-making.
• Supports manned-unmanned teaming in future air combat operations.
• Type: Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) autonomous combat aircraft
• Range: Approximately 3,000 km
• Endurance: Over 30 hours
• Developed by: Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA)
• Manufacturing partnership in Portugal: SKETCHPIXEL LDA
• Operation 777: Long-term strategy launched in 2025 to expand Indian defense manufacturing globally; build partnerships across 7 continents and 77 countries

RANKING

7. INDIA’S PASSPORT RANKED 78TH IN HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX 2026

Current Context: India’s passport ranked slipped to 78th position in the latest Henley & Partners Passport Index 2026, dropping three places from its earlier rank of 75.

ABOUT HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX

• The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa.
• Based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
• Measures global passport strength and travel freedom.
• Includes visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorization access.
• Ranks around 199 passports and 227 destinations globally
• Measures: Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access
• India’s Rank: 78th (2026) – down from 75th (February 2026)
• India’s Access: 56 destinations
• Historical Improvement:
  • 85th rank in 2025
  • 90th rank in 2021 (lowest)
  • Singapore ranked as the world’s most powerful passport with access to 192 destinations.
  • Afghanistan remained the weakest passport.

ENVIRONMENT

8. BHUPENDER YADAV LAUNCHES ‘LION’ SPECIES SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMME AT SASAN GIR

Current Context: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the ‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Programme at Sasan Gir as a pre-event to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

• Highlight India’s successful Asiatic lion conservation model.
• Promote international cooperation for big cat conservation.
• Discuss challenges like habitat pressure, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict.
• Focus: Lion conservation efforts in India, global challenges faced by lion populations, international cooperation among lion range countries

ABOUT IBCA SUMMIT 2026

• Location: New Delhi
• Participation: 95 countries and over 400 delegates
• Seven Big Cat Species covered: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, Puma

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a global initiative launched by India for the conservation of big cats. Announced by Narendra Modi in 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.

ENVIRONMENT

9. INDIA RELEASES FIRST SATELLITE-TAGGED GANGES SOFT-SHELL TURTLE

Current Context: India released its first satellite-tagged Ganges soft-shell turtle in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam on 15 May 2026 (Endangered Species Day).

 ABOUT GANGES SOFT-SHELL TURTLE

• Species: Ganges Soft-shell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) an endangered freshwater turtle.
• Found mainly in the Ganga, Indus, and Mahanadi river systems.
• Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Release Location: Northern bank of Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park, Assam
• Kaziranga National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers 1,302 sq. km, known for one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant, swamp deer, Bengal tiger
• Endangered Species Day: 15 May every year

SATELLITE TAGGING

• Turtle fitted with a satellite transmitter to track movement and habitat use.
• Helps scientists study migration, breeding sites, seasonal movement, and conservation needs.

SPORTS

10. FASTEST 50 IN IPL HISTORY (2008-2026)

Current Context: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Urvil Patel jointly hold the record for the fastest fifty in IPL history, reaching their half-centuries in just 13 balls. 

ABOUT THE RECORD

• Joint record holders (13 balls):
• Yashasvi Jaiswal: RR vs KKR (IPL 2023)
• Urvil Patel: CSK vs LSG (IPL 2026)
• Previous record holder (14 balls): KL Rahul (PBKS vs DC, 2018)
• Fastest fifty in IPL 2026: Urvil Patel (13 balls) – CSK vs LSG (10 May 2026)
• Fastest fifty in IPL 2025: Romario Shepherd (14 balls) -RCB vs CSK

AWARDS

11. INDIAN JOURNALISTS WIN PULITZER PRIZE 2026 FOR ‘TRAPPED’ STORY

Current Context: Two Indian journalists, R K Anand and Suparna Sharma, have won the Pulitzer Prize 2026 for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary alongside Natalie Obiko Pearson for their work published in Bloomberg.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Category: Illustrated Reporting and Commentary
• Winners: R K Anand, Suparna Sharma (India), Natalie Obiko Pearson
• Award-winning project: ‘trAPPed’ – exposed digital arrest fraud in India (neurologist victim story)
• Announced: 4 May 2026

About Pulitzer Prize

• The Pulitzer Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the fields of journalism, literature, music, and public service. Established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer.
• Administered by Columbia University, New York, USA.

HIMACHAL NEWS

12. RAKCHHAM CHITKUL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Current Context: Himalayan brown bear sightings in Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary have revived conservation interest after a female bear and her cubs were photographed recently.

ABOUT RAKCHHAM CHITKUL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location: Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh
• Area: 30.98 sq. km
• Elevation: 3,200 to 5,486 metres above sea level
• Part of: Western Himalayan range, located in dry zone, does not experience monsoons
• Vegetation: Sub-Alpine Forests, Dry Broadleaf and Coniferous Forests, Dry Temperate Forests, Dry Alpine Scrubs and Pastures
• Fauna: Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, Himalayan brown bear

ABOUT HIMALAYAN BROWN BEAR

• Scientific Name: Ursus arctos isabellinus
• Also known as: Himalayan Red Bear, Isabelline Bear, known as ‘Denmo’ in Ladakhi language
• Distribution: Northwestern and central Himalayas (Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan)
• In India: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand (small isolated populations)
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List – Critically Endangered
• Legend: Believed to have given rise to the legend of Yeti or “Abominable Snowman”

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