TODAYS TOP NEWS
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1. India revised export duties on petroleum products on 15 May 2026, and the changes took effect from 16 May 2026. The revision covered petrol, diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which are refined petroleum products used in transport and aviation.
The Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on petrol exports was increased to ₹3 per litre. The export duty on diesel was reduced to ₹16.5 per litre from ₹23 per litre. The export levy on ATF was cut to ₹16 per litre from ₹33 per litre.
2. India is expanding offshore oil and gas exploration through new seismic surveys, stratigraphic drilling, and bidding rounds across the Bay of Bengal and adjoining basins. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons is leading a large offshore survey programme over 161,000 line kilometres across nearly two years.
3. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has laid special emphasis on the wide-scale promotion and expansion of integrated farming and said that farmers should be encouraged to adopt it practically.
4. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Institute of Open Schooling has taken a transformative step towards advancing the goals of National Education Policy 2020 and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
5. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made the study of three languages compulsory for students from Class ninth beginning from the first of July this year.
6. Delegation of NITI Aayog held a meeting on strengthening Centre-State collaboration and advancing cooperative federalism with West Bengal.
7. Delhi Government has taken a significant decision to reduce the Value Added Tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel in the National Capital from 25 per cent to 7 per cent.
8. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today flagged off the bi-weekly Nagpur-Madgaon Express from Nagpur Railway Station.
9. Sikkim celebrated its 51st Statehood Day yesterday with a grand function at Manan Kendra in Gangtok. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan attended the programme as the Chief Guest in the presence of Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
10. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed all departments to ensure limited use of government vehicles and promote fuel-saving measures following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel conservation and environmental protection.
11. In Maharashtra, Superintendent of Police M. Naresh today said that Gadchiroli district has become Naxalite-free following the arrest of eight Naxalites and the surrender of five others under the anti-Naxalite drive named “Operation Antim Prahar”.
12. In Maharashtra, Superintendent of Police M. Naresh said that Gadchiroli district has become Naxalite-free following the arrest of eight Naxalites and the surrender of five others under the anti-Naxalite drive named “Operation Antim Prahar”.
13. The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Telangana will begin from the fifteenth of June, 2026.
14. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has welcomed the verdict of the Indore Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court recognising the Bhojshala in Dhar as the temple of Maa Saraswati, also known as Maa Vagdevi. He said efforts will be made to bring back the idol of Maa Vagdevi. He appealed to the people of the state to set an example of brotherhood, just like in Ayodhya.
15. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim for today.
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LEGAL REPORT
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1. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued to Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and JioMart on 16 May 2026 over the alleged sale of herbicide products. The CCPA had earlier imposed penalties on several e-commerce entities on 16 January 2026 for the illegal sale of unauthorised walkie-talkies.
2. The Supreme Court of India delivered a judgment on 17 March 2026 in Hamsaanandini Nanduri v. Union of India. A two-judge bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan struck down Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
3. NEET paper leak case: Delhi court sends prime suspect P V Kulkarni, co-accused Manisha Waghmare to CBI custody for 10 days.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a mastermind connected with the leak of Biology questions in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. The accused named Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, is a senior Botany Teacher from Pune, Maharashtra.
4. The government has debunked a video circulating on social media claiming that petrol supplied by Indian petroleum companies to Bhutan is being sold there at a significantly lower price than in India. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said that the video is old and is being shared out of context to mislead citizens.
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DEFENCE News
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1. The Indian Navy’s oceanographic research vessel INS Sagardhwani departed from Port Klang in Malaysia yesterday after concluding a successful engagement with the Royal Malaysian Navy. The Ministry of Defence informed that during the port call, personnel from both Navies held a series of professional and scientific interactions focusing on modern hydrographic practices, marine environmental research and advancements in oceanographic technologies.
2. The Government has debunked a digitally altered video of the former Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar claiming that the Afghan Taliban has been paid to take action against Pakistan and that they are fighting on behalf of India. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau clarified that the Retired Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar has not made any such statement.
3. Bharath is moving decisively toward establishing an Integrated Rocket Force (IRF), a tri‑service command designed to consolidate conventional missile and rocket systems such as Pralay, BrahMos, and Pinaka. This initiative aims to provide rapid long‑range precision strike capability, strengthen deterrence against China and Pakistan, and enable “non‑contact warfare” operations.
4. Solar Industries’ Bhargavastra micro‑missile counter‑drone system is now in the final stages of trials, with completion expected by the end of 2026. This indigenous system represents India’s first guided micro‑missile solution specifically designed to neutralise hostile drones, loitering munitions, and swarm formations at low cost.
5. The execution plan for the twelve additional Su‑30 aircraft has now been firmly scheduled, with one unit to be delivered in FY28 and the remaining eleven completed in FY29.This phased approach reflects both production realities and the need to align deliveries with the broader upgrade program that is being prepared for the Su‑30 fleet.
FINANCE
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INDIAN RUPEE VALUE
💷 GBP ₹129(Approx)
€ Euro : ₹112(Approx)
USD ₹ 95(Approx)
🇨🇦 Canada :CAD ₹70
🇦🇺 Australia : ₹ 69
🇦🇪 UAE Dirham : ₹ 26
🇨🇳 China Yuan ¥ : ₹ 14
🇲🇻 Maldives Rufiya : ₹ 6.16
🇧🇹 Bhutan ngultrum : ₹ 1.00
🇳🇵 Nepal Rupee : ₹ 0.63
🇧🇩 B’desh Taka* : ₹ 0.78
🇵🇰 Pak Rupee : ₹ 0.34
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Rupee : ₹ 0.30
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BSE SENSEX
75,237.99 −160.73 (0.21%)🔻
NIFTY
23,643.50 −46.10 (0.19%)🔻
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Rates in Financial Capital Mumbai
GOLD : ₹ 15,400/ 01gm (24 krt)
SILVER : ₹ 3,00,000/KG
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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Actor Kamal Haasan took to his X account on Saturday to share a pair of pictures from his most recent visit with Tamil Nadu CM Vijay after he became the Tamil Nadu CM. Kamal stated in his X account that he has submitted 6 demands for the support needed in the Tamil film industry.
17 May (Sunday)
Vedic Ritu/ Grishma
Drik Ritu : Grishma (Summer)
पक्ष :: Krishnapaksh
(In Purnimanta calendar)
Vikram Samvat – 2083
Month : Jyeshta 16,
(In Amanta calendar)
Shaka Samvat – 1948
Month : Jyeshta 01
Tithi : Pratipada
Nakshatra:Krithika (up to 2:32 pm)Rohini
Rahu : 05:19 PM – 06:57 PM
Yamaganda : 12:23 PM – 02:02 PM
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Ms. Pooja, |
