Daily Current Affairs – 10 & 11 May 2026 | UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway Exam Updates

Introducation:

Current Affairs 10 & 11 May 2026 brings several important updates for competitive exam aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Insurance, and State PSC examinations. Today’s coverage includes the completion of 11 years of Jan Suraksha Schemes, launch of the JANANI digital healthcare platform, India’s first plastic-waste-based Phoenix Geocell, major defence appointments including the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and important international political developments. These Latest Current Affairs 2026 updates are highly relevant for both prelims and mains examinations.

Detailed Current Affairs - 10 & 11 May 2026

National Affairs

11 Years of Jan Suraksha Schemes: PMSBY, PMJJBY and APY

Why in News

On 9 May 2026, the Government of India completed 11 years of its flagship social security initiatives namely Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY). These schemes were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata, West Bengal, on 9 May 2015 to strengthen financial inclusion and provide affordable insurance and pension benefits to economically weaker sections.

The schemes were introduced to address the lack of social security coverage among workers in the unorganised sector, low-income households, and vulnerable citizens. Over the last decade, these schemes have significantly expanded access to insurance and pension services through banks, post offices, and digital financial systems.

The completion of 11 years is important because it highlights India’s progress in financial inclusion, social security expansion, and welfare delivery under the broader framework of Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity reforms.

Key Highlights

• PMJJBY Enrolment crossed 27.43 crore beneficiaries till April 2026, making it one of the world’s largest low-cost life insurance schemes for economically weaker citizens.
• PMSBY Enrolment exceeded 58.09 crore accounts, demonstrating large-scale adoption of accidental insurance coverage among Indian citizens, especially workers in the informal sector.
• APY Subscribers crossed 9.04 crore individuals till April 2026, reflecting increasing awareness regarding pension planning and old-age financial security among citizens.
• PMJJBY Premium Structure provides life insurance coverage for death due to any reason at an affordable premium of less than ₹2 per day, thereby ensuring accessibility for low-income groups.
• PMSBY Coverage offers accidental death and disability insurance coverage of up to ₹2 lakh at a premium of less than ₹2 per month, making it one of the cheapest accident insurance schemes globally.
• APY Administration is managed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under the framework of the National Pension System (NPS).
• Claim Settlement under PMJJBY reached more than ₹21,512.50 crore for over 10.75 lakh claims, highlighting the scheme’s operational effectiveness and welfare impact.
• PMSBY Claims worth over ₹3,667.52 crore were disbursed for more than 1.84 lakh claims, strengthening financial resilience among beneficiaries’ families.

Important Details / Quick Facts Table

Knowledge Booster

• PMSBY is implemented through Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) and participating banks.
• PMJJBY is administered primarily by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
• Atal Pension Yojana targets workers in the unorganised sector aged between 18-40 years.
• The schemes support the government’s broader agenda of financial inclusion under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).
• JAM Trinity refers to Jan Dhan Accounts, Aadhaar, and Mobile connectivity used for direct benefit transfers and financial inclusion.

Analysis

The success of Jan Suraksha Schemes demonstrates India’s shift toward inclusive welfare delivery through digital financial infrastructure. These schemes have reduced financial vulnerability among low-income households while encouraging formal banking participation. For UPSC aspirants, the topic is important in the context of social justice, inclusive growth, and welfare governance under GS Paper II and III.

📊 Infographic Brief - Jan Suraksha Schemes at 11 Years
Type: Comparison Table
Title: India’s Social Security Expansion Through Jan Suraksha Schemes
Key Elements to Include:

• PMJJBY enrolment and claim statistics
• PMSBY enrolment and accident coverage
• APY subscriber growth
• Launch year and premium structure
• Insurance and pension benefits
  Suggested Colour Scheme: Blue and White
  Ideal For: PDF revision sheet and blog embed

MoHFW Launches JANANI Platform for Maternal and Child Healthcare

Why in News

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched the JANANI platform during the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity held in Chandigarh in May 2026. JANANI stands for Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care and has been introduced as an upgraded version of the existing Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal.

The platform aims to create a comprehensive Longitudinal Digital Record System (LDRS) for women covering reproductive health stages including pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal care, and child healthcare services. It is designed to improve healthcare monitoring, early-risk identification, and service delivery.

The initiative is significant because it strengthens India’s digital public healthcare ecosystem and supports the goals of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and maternal mortality reduction.

Key Highlights

• JANANI Platform enables end-to-end digital tracking of antenatal care, institutional deliveries, newborn care, and family planning services across India.
• QR-enabled Mother and Child Health Cards have been introduced to improve healthcare accessibility and digital record portability for beneficiaries.
• Automated High-Risk Pregnancy Alerts will assist healthcare workers and medical institutions in timely interventions and preventive healthcare management.
• Self-registration Features through web and mobile platforms empower women to directly access healthcare records and services digitally.
• Aadhaar-based OTP and Biometric Authentication strengthen transparency, reduce duplication, and improve beneficiary identification.
• Integration with U-WIN, POSHAN, and ABHA Platforms ensures interoperable digital healthcare delivery under a unified health ecosystem.
• Pan-India Search Facility will support migrant populations by enabling healthcare access across different states and regions.
• Real-time Dashboards and Due Lists improve monitoring by frontline healthcare workers and policymakers.

Important Details / Quick Facts Table

Knowledge Booster

• ABHA stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account, a unique digital health ID system.
• U-WIN is India’s digital immunisation tracking platform.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses on improving nutritional outcomes among women and children.
• India aims to reduce Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to create an integrated digital health infrastructure.

Analysis

The JANANI platform reflects India’s growing emphasis on digital governance in healthcare. By integrating healthcare databases and enabling real-time tracking, the government seeks to improve maternal and child health indicators while reducing administrative inefficiencies. The initiative is important for UPSC GS-II topics related to health governance, women empowerment, and digital public infrastructure.

CSIR-CRRI and BPCL Develop India’s First Plastic Waste Geocell “Phoenix”

Why in News

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), in collaboration with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), developed India’s first technical textile geocell made entirely from end-of-life mixed plastic waste, named Phoenix Geocell.

The innovation was recognised by the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records during a ceremony held in New Delhi. The project demonstrates India’s push toward circular economy practices and sustainable infrastructure development.

The development is important because India generates massive quantities of plastic waste annually, and innovations like Phoenix Geocell support waste recycling while improving road construction quality.

Key Highlights

• Phoenix Geocell is a three-dimensional honeycomb-like structure made completely from processed mixed plastic waste materials.
• The geocell technology improves soil stability, road durability, and structural strength in weak soil conditions.
• The system works by filling geocells with soil, gravel, or sand to increase load-bearing capacity and minimise erosion.
• The innovation supports India’s broader objectives of sustainable infrastructure development and plastic waste management.
• A pilot project was successfully demonstrated at the DND-Faridabad-KMP Expressway (NH-148NA).
• The project received support from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• The technology can significantly reduce dependence on conventional construction materials and lower environmental pollution.
• The initiative aligns with India’s commitments toward circular economy and climate sustainability goals.

Important Details / Quick Facts Table

Knowledge Booster

• CSIR stands for Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
• CRRI is headquartered in New Delhi and focuses on road and transport research.
• India generates more than 3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.
• Circular Economy refers to recycling and reusing materials to minimise waste generation.
• Geocells are widely used internationally for slope protection and road reinforcement.

Analysis

Phoenix Geocell demonstrates how environmental sustainability can be integrated with infrastructure development. Such innovations are important for reducing landfill pressure and improving road construction efficiency. For UPSC aspirants, the topic connects environment, science & technology, and sustainable development goals.

Science & Technology

IndiaAI and ICMR Sign MoU for AI in Healthcare

Why in News

In May 2026, IndiaAI under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) signed an MoU with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to promote responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

The agreement aims to strengthen AI-driven healthcare innovation by combining IndiaAI’s technological infrastructure with ICMR’s biomedical expertise and curated healthcare datasets. The partnership seeks to build a unified AI ecosystem in India.

The collaboration is important because AI is increasingly being used in disease prediction, diagnostics, public health monitoring, and medical research globally.

Key Highlights

• IndiaAI will provide compute infrastructure, datasets, and ecosystem-building support for AI innovation.
• ICMR will contribute biomedical expertise and healthcare datasets under the MIDAS framework.
• AIKosh Platform will host anonymised and ethics-approved datasets for researchers and startups.
• The initiative promotes ethical and responsible AI usage in healthcare applications.
• The MoU aims to improve interoperability in healthcare AI systems.
• Startups and innovators will gain access to advanced AI tools and datasets.
• The partnership supports India’s ambition of becoming a global AI innovation hub.
• The initiative strengthens digital public infrastructure in healthcare technology.

Important Details / Quick Facts Table

Banking & Finance

RBI Imposes Penalties on YES Bank and Hinduja Housing Finance

Why in News

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on YES Bank Limited and Hinduja Housing Finance Limited in May 2026 for non-compliance with regulatory guidelines.

The penalties were imposed after supervisory findings revealed lapses related to Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance and governance standards. RBI stated that the action was based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance rather than customer transaction validity.

The move highlights RBI’s continued focus on strengthening governance standards, financial stability, and compliance culture in India’s banking and financial sector.

Key Highlights

• YES Bank was fined ₹31.80 lakh for deficiencies related to KYC compliance systems.
• RBI found that the bank failed to properly utilise identifiers from the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR).
• Hinduja Housing Finance Limited was penalised ₹1.80 lakh for governance-related non-compliance.
• The penalty was imposed under Section 52A of the National Housing Bank Act, 1987.
• RBI clarified that penalties do not invalidate customer transactions or agreements.
• The action reflects RBI’s stricter supervisory oversight in the financial sector.
• KYC norms are essential to prevent money laundering and financial fraud.
• Governance compliance remains a major regulatory priority for financial institutions.

Important Details / Quick Facts Table

Appointments & Resignations

Government Appoints Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani as New CDS

Why in News

The Government of India appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd.) as the 3rd Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Ministry of Defence.

He will assume office from 30 May 2026, succeeding General Anil Chauhan. Simultaneously, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was appointed as the 27th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).

These appointments are strategically significant because India continues to strengthen military modernisation, theatre command integration, and defence preparedness.

Key Highlights

• Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani previously served as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
• The CDS post was created to improve coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan currently serves as FOC-in-C Western Naval Command.
• He earlier served as the 46th Vice Chief of Naval Staff.
• The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Ministry of Defence.
• The appointment supports India’s military reform and jointness initiatives.
• The Navy leadership transition comes amid India’s maritime security expansion.
• The CDS role was recommended by the Kargil Review Committee reforms.

Important Details / Quick Facts Table

Knowledge Booster

• The post of Chief of Defence Staff was created in 2019.
• General Bipin Rawat was India’s first CDS.
• The Department of Military Affairs was established under the Ministry of Defence.
• CDS promotes joint military operations and theatre commands.

International Affairs

Bulgaria Elects Rumen Radev as Prime Minister

• The National Assembly of Bulgaria elected former President Rumen Radev as Prime Minister with 124 votes out of 240 in Sofia.
• The development followed Bulgaria’s eighth parliamentary election in five years after political instability.
• Rumen Radev previously served as President of Bulgaria from 2017 onwards.
• He also served as Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force.

Laura Virginia Fernández Delgado Sworn in as President of Costa Rica

• Laura Virginia Fernández Delgado became the 50th President of Costa Rica on 8 May 2026.
• She became the second woman President in Costa Rica’s history after Laura Chinchilla Miranda.
• Her party secured 31 of 57 legislative seats in the February 2026 elections.

Important Days

World Thalassaemia Day 2026 - 8 May

• World Thalassaemia Day is observed annually on 8 May to spread awareness regarding thalassaemia and inherited blood disorders.
• The 2026 Theme is “Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen.”
• The day was initiated by the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF).

Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for WWII Victims - 8-9 May

• The United Nations observes 8-9 May as the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for victims of the Second World War.
• The year 2026 marks the 81st anniversary of the end of WWII.
• The observance promotes peace, reconciliation, and international cooperation.

Today’s Current Affairs One-Liners - 10 & 11 May 2026

National Affairs

● Social Security - The Government of India completed 11 years of flagship Jan Suraksha Schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY), which were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May 2015 in Kolkata, West Bengal to provide affordable insurance and pension coverage to vulnerable sections.

● Social Security - As of April 2026, enrolments under PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY crossed 27.43 crore, 58.09 crore, and 9.04 crore respectively, highlighting India’s rapid expansion in financial inclusion and welfare coverage.

● Insurance Schemes - Under PMJJBY, more than ₹21,512.50 crore has been paid against over 10.75 lakh claims, while PMSBY disbursed over ₹3,667.52 crore for more than 1.84 lakh claims till April 2026.

● Civil Aviation - Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Rajnikant Patel inaugurated the India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit (IALFS) 2.0 at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, organised jointly by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, IFSCA, and FICCI.

● Civil Aviation - During IALFS 2.0, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated that India is expected to become the world’s third-largest civil aviation market by 2035 with an estimated fleet strength of nearly 2,250 aircraft.

● Civil Aviation - The Government announced that seaplane operations will soon begin in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, aiming to improve regional connectivity and tourism infrastructure.

● Healthcare - The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched the JANANI platform during the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity in Chandigarh to digitally monitor maternal and child healthcare services.

● Digital Governance - The JANANI platform integrates with U-WIN, POSHAN, and Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) systems to create interoperable healthcare records and improve maternal healthcare tracking nationwide.

● Healthcare Technology - The JANANI system includes features such as QR-enabled Mother and Child Health cards, high-risk pregnancy alerts, Aadhaar-based authentication, and real-time dashboards for healthcare monitoring.

● Labour Welfare - Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launched a nationwide annual health check-up initiative at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, offering free health screening for workers above 40 years of age.

● Labour Reforms - The nationwide worker health initiative has been launched under the framework of the four New Labour Codes to strengthen preventive healthcare and social security coverage for Indian workers.

● Environment & Infrastructure - CSIR-CRRI and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) developed India’s first technical textile geocell made entirely from mixed plastic waste named Phoenix Geocell.

● Sustainable Development - The Phoenix Geocell technology improves soil stability, road durability, and slope protection by using recycled plastic waste in a honeycomb structural design.

● Infrastructure Innovation - A pilot demonstration of the Phoenix Geocell project was conducted at the DND-Faridabad-KMP Expressway (NH-148NA) near Delhi with support from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

● Artificial Intelligence - IndiaAI under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) signed an MoU with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to promote ethical and responsible AI use in healthcare.

● Digital Health - Under the IndiaAI-ICMR partnership, anonymised healthcare datasets and AI models will be shared through the AIKosh platform to support startups, innovators, and researchers.

● Science Diplomacy - CSIR-NIScPR signed an MoU with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi to strengthen collaboration in science, technology, innovation policy, and diplomacy.

● Global South Cooperation - The CSIR-NIScPR-RIS partnership will focus on policy dialogues, science communication, traditional knowledge systems, and South-South cooperation initiatives.

● Taxation & Governance - The Ministry of Finance empowered the Principal Bench of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) in New Delhi to function as the National Appellate Authority for Advance Rulings (NAAAR) from 1 April 2026.

● GST Administration - The Principal Bench of GSTAT has been authorised under the CGST Act, 2017 to resolve disputes arising from conflicting advance rulings across various states and Union Territories.

● Space Sector - The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hosted the 35th Plenary and Working Group meetings of ISO Technical Committee 20/Subcommittee 14 on Space Systems and Operations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

● Space Governance - The international BIS-hosted space standards meeting witnessed participation from 131 delegates across 13 countries, including representatives from ISRO, academia, and private space industries.

● Space Reforms - India highlighted the growing role of private participation in the space sector under reforms led by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) during the global standards meeting.

Banking & Finance

● Banking Regulation - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of ₹31.80 lakh on YES Bank Limited for non-compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) norms.

● KYC Compliance - RBI observed that YES Bank failed to establish proper systems for utilising identifiers issued by the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR) while opening customer accounts.

● Housing Finance Regulation - RBI imposed a penalty of ₹1.80 lakh on Hinduja Housing Finance Limited under Section 52A of the National Housing Bank Act, 1987 for governance-related deficiencies.

Appointments & Resignations

● Defence Appointments - The Government of India appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd.) as the 3rd Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) effective from 30 May 2026.

● National Security - Before his appointment as CDS, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani served as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) under National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

● Naval Leadership - Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was appointed as the 27th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and will assume charge on 31 May 2026, succeeding Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi.

● Indian Navy - Prior to becoming CNS, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command in Mumbai.

International Affairs

● European Politics - Bulgaria’s National Assembly elected former President Rumen Radev as the new Prime Minister of Bulgaria with 124 votes out of 240 amid prolonged political instability.

● Political Developments - The election of Rumen Radev marked Bulgaria’s eighth parliamentary election in five years following the collapse of the previous government in December 2025.

● Latin America - Laura Virginia Fernández Delgado was sworn in as the 50th President of Costa Rica at the National Stadium in San José for the term 2026-2030.

● Women Leadership - Laura Virginia Fernández Delgado became the second woman President of Costa Rica after Laura Chinchilla Miranda, who served between 2010 and 2014.

Important Days

● Health Awareness - World Thalassaemia Day 2026 was observed globally on 8 May with the theme “Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen.”

● International Organisations - World Thalassaemia Day was initiated by the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) in memory of George Englezos, son of TIF founder Panos Englezos.

● United Nations Observance - The United Nations observed 8-9 May 2026 as the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War.

● Global History - The year 2026 marks the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War (1939-1945) and the global remembrance of its victims.