Current Affairs 16 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits the UAE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates on May 15, 2026, where he held bilateral talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. UAE entities announced USD 5 billion investments in India across banking, infrastructure, and finance sectors.

Important Agreements Signed

1. MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World for a Ship Repair Cluster at Vadinar.
2. Agreement on maritime skill development through CEMS.
3. Partnership between CDAC India and G42 to establish an 8 Exaflop Super Compute Cluster.
4. Operationalisation of the Virtual Trade Corridor using the MAITRI digital platform to improve cargo movement and trade efficiency.

Energy Cooperation

• UAE will enhance participation in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves to 30 million barrels.
• Indian Oil Corporation and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company signed a long-term LPG supply arrangement.

First Semiconductor Plant in Rajasthan

India’s first SME-led semiconductor facility was inaugurated at Bhiwadi in Rajasthan on May 15, 2026. The Semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facility of Sahasra Semiconductors and the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) developed by ELCINA were virtually inaugurated by Union Electronics & IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Andhra Pradesh Fixes ₹1,27,506 Crore State Own Revenue Goal for 2026–27

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister has directed all revenue-generating departments to intensify efforts to increase State Own Revenue (SOR) and ensure the release of pending Central funds.

During a review meeting at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasized that rising investments in the State should lead to higher tax collections and sustainable economic growth.

Key Highlights

• State Own Revenue (SOR) increased from ₹1,04,345 crore (2024–25) to ₹1,10,643 crore (2025–26), registering around 6% growth.
• Revenue target for 2026–27: ₹1,27,506 crore
• Major contributors to SOR:
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax): ₹33,679 crore
  • Mines Department: ₹10,300 crore
  • Stamps & Registration Department: ₹11,047 crore

Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves 25 Major Projects Worth Nearly ₹2 Lakh Crore

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved 25 major projects involving investments worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore during a Cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat in Vijayawada.

Key Highlights

• Major investment proposals approved from:
  • Reliance Industries
  • Apollo Tyres
  • Royal Enfield
  • Carrier Airconditioning
• Projects include:
  • Solar manufacturing units
  • AI data centres
  • Automobile manufacturing
  • AC production units
• The Cabinet approved the establishment of AP FIRST in collaboration with:
  • Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati
  • Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati
• Other approvals:
  • Defence R&D facility in Amaravati
  • ₹790.38 crore for Madakasira Branch Canal expansion
  • 904 Mobile Medical Units under the ‘104 Diagnostic Programme’
  • ‘Sanjeevani’ digital healthcare system

The Cabinet also approved the Integrated Horticulture Development Plan with an estimated outlay of nearly ₹1 lakh crore to transform Rayalaseema into a global horticulture hub.

Andhra Pradesh Selected as ‘Best Tourism Promotion State’

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department has been selected as the ‘Best Tourism Promotion State’ by Global Travel Market 2026 (GTM 2026), one of South India’s largest travel and trade expos.

The award recognises Andhra Pradesh’s:

• Aggressive tourism promotion strategy
• Policy reforms in tourism
• Infrastructure development
• Large-scale branding and global promotion campaigns

India Reaffirms Support for Two-State Solution at BRICS Meeting

At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s long-standing support for a two-state solution to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The BRICS meeting was attended by several global leaders, including Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.

India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

Periasamy Kumaran formally assumed charge as India’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in London.

Apnapan book by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written a book titled Apnapan based on his 35-year-long association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Mr. Chouhan, the book presents a personal account of his political and organisational journey alongside Mr. Modi. It highlights the Prime Minister’s leadership style, work ethic, sensitivity, and personality from a close perspective.

Q1. Who has been appointed as India’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom?
A. Vikram Doraiswami
B. Harsh Vardhan Shringla
C. Periasamy Kumaran
D. Sanjay Verma

Q2. Recently, India reiterated support for which solution regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting?
A. One-country solution
B. Military intervention
C. Two-state solution
D. UN-administered governance

Q3. Who represented Iran at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in New Delhi?
A. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
B. Seyed Abbas Araghchi
C. Mohammad Javad Zarif
D. Ebrahim Raisi

Q4. Who is the author of the book titled “Apnapan” based on the life and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
A. M. Venkaiah Naidu
B. Amit Shah
C. Shivraj Singh Chouhan
D. Rajnath Singh

Q5. What does the term “State Own Revenue (SOR)” refer to?
A. Funds provided by the Central Government to states
B. Revenue earned directly by a state from its own taxes and non-tax sources
C. Loans borrowed by the state government from banks
D. Foreign investments received by the state

Q6. Where will the new Defence Research and Development (R&D) facility approved by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet be established?
A. Visakhapatnam
B. Tirupati
C. Amaravati
D. Kurnool

Q7. Which state was selected as the ‘Best Tourism Promotion State’ by Global Travel Market (GTM) 2026?
A. Telangana
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Karnataka

Q8. CDAC India partnered with which country to establish an 8 Exaflop Super Compute Cluster?
A. United States
B. Japan
C. United Arab Emirates
D. France

Q9. Which company established India’s first SME-led semiconductor commercial production facility inaugurated at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan?
A. Tata Electronics
B. Vedanta Semiconductors
C. Sahasra Semiconductors
D. Dixon Technologies