Current Affairs 28 May 2026

India-U.S. Framework on Critical Minerals & Rare Earths

India and the United States have finalised a new framework for cooperation in the supply chain of critical minerals and rare earth elements on the sidelines of the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM).

Alongside the bilateral agreement, the four Quad countries — India, the United States, Australia, and Japan — also launched the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework. The initiative aims to mobilise nearly $20 billion in government and private-sector investments to establish stable and secure supply chains for critical minerals.

India’s First Indigenous Hydrogen Train Ready for Operations

In a significant step towards green and sustainable transportation, Indian Railways has approved the introduction of India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-based train on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana. The 10-car hydrogen-powered train will operate with a 1200KW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.

With this initiative, India joins a select group of nations such as Germany, Japan, China, and the USA.

Kolkata to Host International Day of Yoga 2026 Main Event

The Ministry of Ayush announced that the main celebration of the International Day of Yoga 2026 will be held in Kolkata on 21 June 2026. The International Day of Yoga 2026 theme is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”.

Yoga Mahotsav 2026 at Khajuraho

The announcement was made during Yoga Mahotsav 2026, held at the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marking the 25-day countdown to International Day of Yoga 2026. Thousands of participants performed the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) during the event organised by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga under the Ministry of Ayush.

Union Government Releases National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates 2022–23

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates 2022–23, highlighting a significant rise in government spending on healthcare and a decline in out-of-pocket expenditure by citizens. The report was prepared by the National Health Systems Resource Centre using the System of Health Accounts (SHA) 2011 framework.

Key Highlights

Rise in Government Health Expenditure (GHE)

• Government Health Expenditure increased nearly three times, from ₹1.30 lakh crore (2013–14) to ₹3.85 lakh crore (2022–23)
• GHE as a share of GDP increased from 1.15% (2013–14) to 1.43% (2022–23).
• Per capita Government Health Expenditure rose from ₹1,042 to ₹2,786.

Decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE)

OOPE refers to direct spending by households on healthcare. OOPE as a share of Total Health Expenditure (THE) declined from 64.2% to 43.4%. This indicates improved public healthcare financing and reduced financial burden on households.

Increase in Social Security Expenditure (SSE)

Social Security Expenditure on healthcare increased from 6% to 9.9%.

SARTHAK-PDS Scheme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation and integration of two major Public Distribution System (PDS) schemes under a new umbrella scheme called SARTHAK-PDS. The scheme will support food security for nearly 81.35 crore beneficiaries covered under NFSA and will continue till 31 March 2031.

The government will spend ₹25,530 crore over the next five years during the 16th Finance Commission period for the implementation of the scheme.

SARTHAK-PDS: Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS (SARTHAK-PDS)

Key Features

The new umbrella scheme integrates:

1. Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)
2. SMART PDS (Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System)

Objectives

• Ensure last-mile delivery of food grains
• Provide better financial support to Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers
• Reduce leakages in the Public Distribution System
• Improve transparency and efficiency through technology
• Strengthen food security under the National Food Security Act, 2013

11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

At the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) held in New Delhi, the Quad countries — India, the United States, Japan, and Australia — announced new initiatives to strengthen maritime security, surveillance cooperation, and energy resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Announcements

1. Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration Initiative

The Quad launched a new initiative to integrate and strengthen maritime surveillance capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region. The initiative will improve information sharing and coordination among Quad countries.

2. Expansion of Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA)

The Quad also expanded the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative to provide near-real-time maritime data to countries across the Indo-Pacific. This will help in:

• Emergency response operations
• Humanitarian assistance
• Monitoring commercial shipping
• Maritime security coordination

3. Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security

The grouping launched a separate initiative aimed at improving regional energy resilience and conducting emergency response exercises.

India’s First Olympic Gold Book

A new book titled India’s First Olympic Gold, written by hockey historian K. Arumugam, was released in New Delhi by P. T. Usha. The book commemorates India’s historic first Olympic gold medal victory in hockey at the 1928 Summer Olympics held in Amsterdam.

Q1. Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the Quad grouping?
A. India
B. Australia
C. South Korea
D. Japan

Q2. The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework, launched at the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) held in New Delhi, aims to mobilize nearly how much investment for establishing secure critical mineral supply chains?
A. $5 billion
B. $10 billion
C. $20 billion
D. $50 billion

Q3. India won its first-ever Olympic gold medal in which sport at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics?
A. Football
B. Hockey
C. Athletics
D. Wrestling

Q4. Who authored the book titled “India’s First Olympic Gold”, recently released in New Delhi?
A. Dilip Tirkey
B. P. T. Usha
C. K. Arumugam
D. Dhyan Chand

Q5. The recently approved SARTHAK-PDS scheme is primarily related to which sector?
A. Renewable Energy Distribution
B. Public Distribution System and Food Security
C. Rural Road Connectivity
D. Digital Banking Infrastructure

Q6. What is the total Central outlay approved for the SARTHAK-PDS scheme for the next five years?
A. ₹15,530 crore
B. ₹20,000 crore
C. ₹25,530 crore
D. ₹30,530 crore

Q7. India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-based train will initially operate on which railway section?
A. Delhi–Agra
B. Mumbai–Pune
C. Jind–Sonipat
D. Chennai–Bengaluru

Q8. What is the official theme of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026?
A. Yoga for Global Peace
B. Yoga for One Earth One Health
C. Yoga for Healthy Ageing
D. Yoga for Sustainable Living

Q9. According to the National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates 2022–23, the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as a share of Total Health Expenditure declined to:
A. 64.2%
B. 55.5%
C. 43.4%
D. 28.6%

Q10. According to the National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates 2022–23, the per capita Government Health Expenditure (GHE) increased to:
A. ₹1,042
B. ₹1,850
C. ₹2,786
D. ₹3,850