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Answer: $30.8 billion
RBI data revealed that India's Balance of Payments stood at a deficit of $30.8 billion in 2025-26, indicating total outflows (trade and investments) exceeded inflows by this amount. This represents a significant deterioration from the previous year.
Answer: 30 days
Officials have directed OMCs to maintain strategic LPG reserves sufficient to meet at least thirty days of demand. This directive ensures energy security and prevents supply disruptions during unforeseen circumstances or import delays.
Answer: 72,000
As per official statements in May 2026, India produces approximately 72,000 metric tonnes of LPG daily from domestic sources. This figure is crucial for understanding India's energy self-reliance and import dependency for cooking fuel.
Answer: Iran
Geopolitical uncertainty concerning the U.S.-Iran ceasefire arrangement contributed to market instability in May 2026. U.S.-Iran relations historically influence global crude oil prices and energy security, both critical factors for India's import-dependent economy. Such developments are regularly featured in prelims questions on international relations.
Answer: Below-normal
Reports indicated a below-normal monsoon season rainfall for India in May 2026. Monsoon predictions significantly impact agricultural output, inflation forecasts, and GDP growth estimates. The India Meteorological Department typically classifies monsoon as normal when it is 96-104% of the Long Period Average.
Answer: $681.38 billion
Following the $7.5 billion drop, total forex reserves reached $681.38 billion. This figure represents India's external financial cushion for imports, debt servicing, and currency stabilization — a key indicator tracked in competitive exams.
Answer: 13.5%
Natco Pharma's shares declined by 13.5% after the company announced disappointing Q4 results. Such market reactions to corporate earnings are frequently examined in Banking exams under the stock market and capital market sections.
Answer: ₹269 crore
Natco Pharma reported a net profit of ₹269 crore in Q4 FY26, marking a 34% decline. The pharmaceutical company's performance was impacted by challenges in formulation exports. Understanding corporate quarterly results is crucial for Banking and SSC exams, particularly in the business awareness section.
Answer: Onset of agricultural season
The government identified the onset of the agricultural season as the main driver for increased fuel demand in May 2026. Farm machinery operations during this period typically result in higher diesel and petrol consumption, especially in rural and semi-urban districts.
Answer: Six districts
Official records in May 2026 indicated that diesel demand more than doubled in six districts, while petrol demand more than doubled in fourteen districts. This surge was linked to agricultural season onset and shifting consumption patterns from private to state-owned oil marketing companies.
Answer: Accounting fraud
Accounting fraud involves deliberate manipulation of financial statements to present a misleading picture of a company's financial health. SEBI actively monitors and penalizes such fraudulent practices to protect investor interests and maintain market credibility. This topic is important for competitive exams covering corporate governance and financial regulations.
Answer: ₹28.6 crore
SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) imposed a penalty of ₹28.6 crore on Suzlon Energy for accounting fraud. This enforcement action demonstrates SEBI's regulatory role in maintaining market integrity and penalizing corporate financial misconduct. Such cases are relevant for Banking and SSC exams under corporate governance and regulatory frameworks.
Answer: CK Hutchison
CK Hutchison's port concessions in Panama became the subject of a ruling that drew opposition from both Chinese and Hong Kong authorities in May 2026. The authorities termed this ruling an 'act of bad faith', highlighting the geopolitical sensitivity surrounding port operations.
Answer: Third-party interference
China asserted in May 2026 that its relationship with Panama should remain free from third-party interference, in the context of a ruling against CK Hutchison's port concessions. This statement reflects China's diplomatic position on protecting bilateral relationships from external influences.
Answer: Congo
The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Congo in May 2026 to address a rare Ebola outbreak. The visit was significant given the challenges of distrust and insecurity in the region. Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks, making it a recurring topic in international health and current affairs sections.
Answer: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus serves as the WHO Director-General and visited Congo in May 2026 to address a rare Ebola outbreak. His visit aimed to demonstrate solidarity with affected communities facing distrust and insecurity. Knowing current heads of international organizations is crucial for exam questions on global health governance.
Answer: Donald Trump
Trump was deliberating on renewing the free trade agreement with Canada in May 2026. This uncertainty prompted Canadian PM Mark Carney to publicly call for a reimagined partnership, focusing on sectors facing global competitive pressures. Such bilateral trade developments are important for international relations sections in competitive exams.
Answer: Economic Club of New York
Mark Carney spoke at the Economic Club of New York, a prominent forum for economic policy discussions. He advocated for a 'true partnership' between Canada and the U.S., emphasizing sectoral cooperation amid global competition. This came as Trump was reviewing the Canada-U.S. free trade agreement.
Answer: True
Ambassador Gor explicitly hinted that the recalibration of U.S. export control policy could enhance bilateral cooperation with India in high-technology sectors, marking a potential shift in strategic technology partnerships between the two nations.
Answer: Export controls
Ambassador Sergio Gor indicated that the U.S. is recalibrating its export control policy, which could facilitate enhanced cooperation between India and the U.S. in high-technology areas such as semiconductors, defence technology, and emerging tech domains.