This is the current affairs 22 May 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Due to the global outbreak of which virus was the ‘India-Africa Forum Summit,’ scheduled to be held in India in May 2026, postponed?
a. Influenza
b. Ebola
c. Marburg
d. Rhino
Answer: b. Ebola
– India’s diplomatic engagements were also affected due to the Ebola epidemic in Africa.
– On 21 May 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs announced the postponement of the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV).
– Referring to the Ebola crisis, the ministry stated that the decision was taken in view of the worsening health situation in parts of Africa.
Summit was to be held after 11 years
– After a gap of 11 years, the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit was scheduled to be held from 28 to 31 May 2026.
– The previous India-Africa Forum Summit was held in 2015.
– The delay after that was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
– Before 2015, similar summits were held in 2011 and 2008.
What is the India-Africa Forum Summit?
– The India-Africa Forum Summit is considered the highest institutional platform for India’s partnership with Africa.
– It was launched in 2008.
– The summit focuses on issues such as trade, investment, development cooperation, and people-to-people ties.
– The African Union, representing 55 African countries, plays an important role in the summit.
– The summit was scheduled at a time when the world continues to face several conflicts and economic uncertainties.
When and where were the summits held?
– First Summit (2008, New Delhi): Delhi Declaration and Cooperation Framework adopted.
– Second Summit (2011, Addis Ababa): Focus on investment and credit flow.
– Third Summit (2015, New Delhi): Participation of all African countries; representation in global institutions became a major issue.
– Fourth Summit (2026): To be held in New Delhi. (It had earlier been postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19 and is now being organized again.)
WHO declared an international emergency on 17 May
– On 17 May 2026, the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC).
– This step was taken after the virus spread was confirmed in major urban centers such as Kinshasa in Congo and Kampala in Uganda.
– WHO clarified that although the situation is serious, it does not meet the definition of a global pandemic like COVID-19.
Bundibugyo strain of the virus
– The current outbreak is being caused by the extremely rare “Bundibugyo virus” (BDBV) strain of Ebola.
– This is only the third time in history that this strain has been detected.
– No approved vaccine or treatment: While vaccines exist globally for the Zaire strain of Ebola, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain.
– High fatality rate: The disease can have a mortality rate ranging from 30% to 90%. At present, more than 300 confirmed cases and over 88 deaths have been reported, including health workers.
What is Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)?
– Nature: It is a severe infectious and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever.
– Origin: Ebola virus was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in Congo (then Zaire), from which it got its name.
– Natural host: Fruit bats are considered the natural hosts of the Ebola virus.
– Transmission: It spreads through direct contact with infected animals such as bats, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Human-to-human transmission occurs through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, saliva, sweat, or semen. It is not airborne.
– Symptoms: Sudden fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and internal and external bleeding.
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2. Due to the threat of which virus did India postpone the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit?
a. Influenza
b. Ebola
c. Marburg
d. Rhino
Answer: b. Ebola
– Due to concerns over the Ebola virus, India postponed the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 1 June.
– Significant participation from African countries was expected in the summit.
– The first IBCA Summit was to be organized alongside the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV).
About IBCA
– The Union Cabinet approved the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) on 29 February 2024.
– However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the alliance earlier on 9 April 2023, marking 50 years of Project Tiger in India.
– The headquarters of the alliance is in India.
– It will be an alliance of 96 countries where big cats such as tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma are found.
Objective of the alliance
– The alliance aims to conserve big cats and prevent illegal wildlife trade.
– It provides a platform for spreading awareness about wildlife conservation, research and development, resource sharing, capacity building, and best practices.
Why did India establish the alliance?
– India has extensive experience in tiger conservation as well as the conservation of lions, snow leopards, and leopards.
– India is the only country in the world where tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, and cheetahs exist in the wild.
Except for pumas and jaguars, India has all major big cat species.
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3. Who became the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) first female flying instructor?
a. Sanya
b. Akshita Dhankar
c. Avani Chaturvedi
d. Mohana Singh
Answer: a. Sanya
– Squadron Leader Sanya became the first woman officer in the IAF to achieve the prestigious Category-A Qualified Flying Instructor (Cat-A QFI) status.
– A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) is an officer trained to instruct pilots in flying operations.
– Category-A QFIs provide advanced pilot training, evaluate junior instructors, and maintain safety and operational procedures in flying units.
– Sanya was commissioned into the IAF on 20 June 2015.
– She was promoted to Flight Lieutenant in 2017 and Squadron Leader in 2021.
First women in the armed forces
– First woman fighter pilot of the Air Force: Avani Chaturvedi
– First woman pilot of the Rafale aircraft: Shivangi Singh
– First woman pilot permanently posted in an Air Force Jaguar squadron: Tanushka Singh
– First woman combat aviator in the Army: Abhilasha Barak
– First woman helicopter pilot in the Navy: Anamika B. Rajeev
– First woman fighter pilot in the Navy: Aastha Poonia
– First woman flying instructor in the Air Force: Sanya
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4. Which of India’s Water Supply and Sewerage Boards was honored in the “Utility of the Year” category at the Global Water Summit 2026?
a. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)
b. Delhi Jal Board (DJB)
c. Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB)
d. Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB)
Answer: a. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)
– At the Global Water Summit 2026 held in Madrid, Spain, from 18 to 20 May 2026, BWSSB was ranked among the world’s top five water utilities.
– It is considered one of the highest honors in the international water sector.
– BWSSB is the statutory water supply and sewerage utility of Bengaluru, Karnataka.
– The board manages urban water supply, sewerage services, sanitation systems, and related infrastructure in the city.
– Other utilities nominated in the “Utility of the Year” category included Moulton Niguel Water District (Southern California, USA), Sabesp (São Paulo, Brazil), and the National Water Company (Saudi Arabia).
– BWSSB received the award for adopting best practices in urban water governance, wastewater recycling, and water conservation.
– In addition, BWSSB’s flagship Cauvery Phase V Drinking Water Project was also shortlisted in the “Best Water Project of the Year” category.
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5. The President of which country invited the Indian Prime Minister to attend the 52nd G7 Summit?
a. Italy
b. Germany
c. France
d. Canada
Answer: c. France
– French President Emmanuel Macron invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
– France will chair the G7 in 2026.
– The presidency rotates annually among member countries.
– India is not a member of the G7 but can be invited as a special guest.
– The G7 Summit will be held from 15 to 17 June in Évian-les-Bains, in France’s Haute-Savoie region.
– The invitation was extended to further strengthen India-France relations.
– President Macron gave the invitation during his official visit to India from 17 to 19 February 2026.
– India will chair the BRICS Summit in 2026.
– France will chair the G7 group.
– Both are separate international forums.
G7 Members
– Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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6. Who was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), becoming the second Indian woman scientist to receive this honor?
a. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
b. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
c. Prof. Gagandeep Kang
d. Mabusi Santhanam Raghunathan
Answer: b. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
– This is considered one of the world’s highest honors in science.
– Dr. Soumya Swaminathan is the former Chief Scientist of the WHO and former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
– Dr. Soumya and her father, Bharat Ratna Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, became the first father-daughter duo from – India to be elected Fellows of the Royal Society.
– Her father received the fellowship in 1973.
– The information was shared by former CSIR Director General Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar.
– In 2019, Prof. Gagandeep Kang received this honor.
Why was she honored?
– Dr. Soumya Swaminathan played a key role in addressing major health crises such as TB, HIV, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
– For decades, she has worked at the intersection of science, health policy, and global crisis management, earning recognition in public health.
What is the Royal Society?
– The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, commonly known as the Royal Society, is a learned society and the national science academy of the United Kingdom.
– Its objectives include promoting science, recognizing excellence in science, supporting outstanding scientific work, providing scientific advice for policymaking, education and public engagement, and encouraging international cooperation.
– Established on 28 November 1660, the society was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II.
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7. Who was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) for outstanding contributions in mathematics and computer science?
a. Professor James Scott
b. Professor Ulrike Tillmann
c. Prof. Manindra Agrawal
d. Mabusi Santhanam Raghunathan
Answer: c. Prof. Manindra Agrawal
– Prof. Manindra Agrawal is the Director of IIT Kanpur.
– The honor is awarded to distinguished scientists, engineers, and technologists worldwide who have made groundbreaking contributions in natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and medicine.
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8. When is World Turtle Day celebrated?
a. 20 May
b. 21 May
c. 22 May
d. 23 May
Answer: d. 23 May
Theme for 2026: Turtle Protector Pledge
– The day is observed to raise awareness about protecting turtles and their endangered habitats across the world.
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9. Who won the 2026 Europa League title?
a. Aston Villa
b. SC Freiburg
c. Bayern Munich
d. Real Madrid
Answer: a. Aston Villa
– English football club Aston Villa defeated Germany’s SC Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final played in Istanbul, Türkiye, on 20 May 2026.
– The club ended a 30-year wait for a major trophy.
– Aston Villa last won the League Cup in 1996.
– Their previous major European success came in the 1982 European Cup final, when they defeated Bayern Munich.
– Heroes of the 1982 winning team, Peter Withe and Dennis Mortimer, were present in the stands.
– Manager Unai Emery played a major role in the victory, winning his record fifth Europa League title.
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10. Which two scientists of Indian origin were honored with South Africa’s highest civilian award, the “Order of Mapungubwe”?
a. Professor Marwala
b. Professor Salim Abdul Karim
c. Professor Keertan Dheda
d. Both b and c
Answer: d. Both b and c (Professor Salim Abdul Karim and Professor Keertan Dheda)
– The two scientists were among 38 people honored with South Africa’s highest civilian awards for outstanding contributions in the field of health.
– They were formally honored by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria on 19 May 2026.
– The award is given to South Africans who have achieved excellence and exceptional accomplishments benefiting South Africa and the global community.
– Professor Salim Abdul Karim received the honor for his outstanding research and global scientific leadership during the AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics.
– He is the Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa and a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
– Professor Keertan Dheda is a globally renowned pulmonologist and scientist of Indian origin.
– He currently heads the Division of Pulmonology in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town and is Director of the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity.
– He also serves as Professor of Mycobacteriology and Global Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
– He helped develop urine-based diagnostic tests for TB.
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11. When is International Biodiversity Day observed?
a. 20 May
b. 21 May
c. 22 May
d. 23 May
Answer: c. 22 May
Theme for 2026: Acting Locally for Global Impact
– The theme calls upon governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, NGOs, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals to demonstrate their efforts in supporting biodiversity action and implementation.
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