Daily filter — 19 May 2026
9 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Amendment) Act, 2026 Workshop Held
DFS organised a workshop on the recent Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Amendment) Act, 2026, to discuss its impact on the banking sector.
- The Department of Financial Services (DFS) held a workshop on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Amendment) Act, 2026.
- More than 8,800 Corporate Insolvency Resolution Processes (CIRPs) were admitted by December 2025.
- Creditors realised over ₹4.11 lakh crore via approved resolution plans by December 2025.
- The amendments focus on group insolvency, cross-border insolvency, and creditor-initiated processes.
💡 The IBC Amendment Act 2026 aims to streamline resolution, as DFS workshop noted over ₹4.11 lakh crore realized by Dec 2025.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2262995
⚧️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC Advisory 2.0: Ensuring Welfare of Transgender Persons
The **National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)** issued an Advisory 2.0 to various ministries and states for the welfare of transgender persons.
- Issued to 11 Ministries and all states/UTs, continuing from the 2023 Advisory.
- Recommends inclusion of 'Intersex', 'Transmen', 'Transwomen' in the upcoming Census of India.
- Seeks review of laws like the Registration of Births and Deaths Act for gender inclusivity.
- Focuses on property, education, healthcare, and workplace inclusivity for transgender persons.
- Asks for an Action Taken Report within two months from concerned authorities.
💡 For the exam: NHRC Advisory 2.0 (2026) targets transgender welfare through census inclusion, legal reviews, and broader rights.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2262820
🪖 Defence & Security · UPSC track
DRDO successfully trials ULPGM-V3 missile, boosting Aatmanirbhar Bharat
DRDO completed final development trials for its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3, usable in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes.
- DRDO completed trials of ULPGM-V3 near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
- The missile operates in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes.
- Developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs.
- Production partners are Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited.
💡 Remember ULPGM-V3 is DRDO's new drone-launched missile, tested in Andhra Pradesh, signifying Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2263045
💨 Environment · UPSC track
GRAP Stage-I invoked across Delhi-NCR due to 'Poor' AQI
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-I of GRAP as Delhi's AQI rose to 208, entering the 'Poor' category.
- The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP took the decision on 2026-05-19.
- Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 208, in the 'Poor' category.
- Stage-I involves a 31-point action plan for various agencies.
💡 GRAP Stage-I is activated when NCR's AQI reaches 'Poor' (201-300), triggering 31-point plan.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2262966
🤝 International Relations · UPSC track
India and Vietnam Deepen Defence & Tech Partnership
India's Raksha Mantri and Vietnam's Deputy PM discussed enhanced cooperation in defence, maritime security, and inaugurated new tech facilities.
- India and Vietnam reaffirmed commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
- A Language Lab was virtually inaugurated at Air Force Officers’ College, Vietnam, with Indian assistance.
- An AI Lab will be set up by India at Tele Communications University at Nha Trang.
- An MoU was exchanged in AI and Quantum Technology fields between the two nations.
- The meeting occurred on May 19, 2026, in Hanoi.
💡 For the exam: India-Vietnam enhance strategic partnership with new AI/Quantum tech MoU and joint labs in Vietnam.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2262682
💨 Environment · UPSC track
CAQM Task Force Reviews Air Quality Compliance in NCR
The **CAQM Enforcement Task Force** reviewed compliance status and actions taken to mitigate air pollution in the **National Capital Region (NCR)**.
- The ETF held its 131st meeting on 18.05.2026.
- 125 inspections found 39 violations across C&D, industrial, and DG sets.
- Enforcement actions include 7 unit closures and 13 DG set sealings.
- 27,133 units inspected to date, leading to 1,784 Closure Directions.
💡 Remember: CAQM's ETF uses inspections and enforcement (closures, sealings) for NCR air quality, targeting C&D, industry, and DG sets.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2262896
🐆 Environment · UPSC track
Project Cheetah: 53 Cheetahs Now, 33 Indian-Born
A review of Project Cheetah highlighted its progress, with the total cheetah population reaching 53, including 33 born in India.
- Project Cheetah began with 20 cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.
- An additional 9 cheetahs were translocated from Botswana.
- The current population is 53 cheetahs, with 33 born in India.
- Kuno National Park is the primary site; Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary is an additional habitat.
- New areas like Banni grasslands (Gujarat) and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) are being prepared.
💡 Remember: Kuno main, Gandhisagar extra, Banni/Nauradehi next; 20+9 founder, 53 total, 33 born in India.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2262834
🤝 International Relations · UPSC track
India and Norway Deepen Strategic Science & Innovation Partnership
India and Norway signed five key agreements on May 18, 2026, to strengthen cooperation in science, technology, and sustainable development.
- CSIR and Research Council of Norway signed an MoU for research cooperation.
- CSIR and SINTEF agreed on circularity, sustainability, and ocean energy (2026–2029).
- CSIR-SERC, CSIR-NAL, CSIR-NIO, CSIR-4PI, and SINTEF partnered for offshore wind.
- CSIR, AcSIR, and NTNU signed a declaration for 'Green Shift' cooperation.
- CSIR-NGRI and Emerald Geomodelling entered a five-year MoU for geoscience solutions.
💡 For the exam: Remember the 5 agreements involve CSIR with multiple Norwegian partners across research, offshore wind, green shift, and geosciences.
Source: Ministry of Science & Technology · PIB PRID 2262669
📈 Economy · UPSC track
Annual Discussions for Comparable State Domestic Product Estimates
Annual joint discussions are being held to reconcile and finalize State Domestic Product estimates for various financial years.
- MoSPI organizes annual joint discussions on SDP estimates.
- Discussions are from 20th May, 2026 to 19th June, 2026.
- Focus is on GSDP estimates for 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25.
- Estimates use the new base year 2022-23.
- Comparable SDP estimates are vital for national fiscal planning.
💡 The MoSPI conducts annual joint SDP estimate discussions for FYs 2022-23 to 2024-25 using the new 2022-23 base year.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2262865