📰 Daily Current Affairs

📅 16 May 2026 • ✅ 16/5/2026, 4:00:46 pm

1. Union Cabinet approves Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail Project

The Union Cabinet approved the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line rail project with an estimated investment of ₹20,667 crore to enhance connectivity and support the development of Dholera Special Investment Region.

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2. Cabinet approves ₹37,500 crore scheme for Surface Coal and Lignite Gasification

The Union Cabinet approved a ₹37,500 crore scheme to promote surface coal and lignite gasification sector, targeting 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030 to enhance energy self-reliance and reduce chemical imports.

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3. Government extends Sugar Export Ban until September 30, 2026

The Government of India extended the restriction on sugar exports until September 30, 2026, due to concerns over El Nino's impact on future production and potential fertilizer supply disruptions, aiming to prevent domestic price inflation and ensure food security.

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4. RBI cancels licence of Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Limited

The Reserve Bank of India revoked the banking licence of Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Limited, exercising its regulatory powers under the Banking Regulation Act 1949 to protect depositor interests and maintain financial stability.

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5. India sets ambitious $1 trillion export target for FY 2026-27

For the current financial year, India has established an ambitious target to reach $1 trillion in total exports, demonstrating the government's commitment to boosting international trade and enhancing India's position in global commerce.

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6. Assam Cabinet approves Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill

The state government of Assam officially approved the draft of the Uniform Civil Code Bill, making it the second state after Uttarakhand to move towards implementing a uniform civil code, a significant development in India's legal framework.

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7. Government notifies three new Wildlife Sanctuaries in Andaman and Nicobar

The Union government notified three new sanctuaries—Leatherback Turtle Sanctuary (Little Nicobar), Megapode Sanctuary (Menchal Island), and Coral Sanctuary (Meroe Island)—as compensatory environmental measures for the Great Nicobar Island development project.

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8. I4C and RBIH sign MoU to combat financial fraud using AI

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) signed an MoU to utilize artificial intelligence for detecting cyber financial frauds and identifying mule accounts, strengthening India's cybersecurity infrastructure.

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9. Foreign Portfolio Investors holdings in Indian equities decline to 14%

Foreign Portfolio Investors' holdings in the Indian equity market dropped to 14% as of June 2026, amid capital outflows triggered by geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia, rising crude oil prices, and a weakening rupee that touched a record low of ₹95.96 against the US dollar.

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10. MoSPI directs states to update GSDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation instructed states to update the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23, ensuring more accurate reflection of current economic realities and better policy formulation.

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