News of The Day : 22nd May 2026

News of The Day – 22 May 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

News Headline 

(with Syllabus Relevance)

Source What to Know?
40% of world population affected by housing crisis: UN report 

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

HT
  • About World Cities Report 2026
  • Key Findings
    • Growing global housing crisis driven by rapid urbanisation, rising inequality and unaffordable housing costs.
  • Housing insecurity affects access to health, education, sanitation and livelihoods, especially in developing countries.
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-11 aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
  • Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) seek to improve affordable housing access for urban and rural poor.
Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy 

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

PIB
  • The government emphasised the importance of a care economy involving childcare, elderly care, healthcare and domestic support services.
  • A strong care economy improves women’s workforce participation, gender equality and social welfare outcomes.
  • Investment in care infrastructure generates employment and supports inclusive economic growth.
  • Important in the context of demographic transition, urbanisation and women-led development.
The fault line in India, US ties: America doesn’t understand ‘equal’ 

(GS-2: International Relations)

Indian Express
  • The article discusses evolving tensions and expectations in India-US relations amid changing global geopolitics.
  • India seeks a partnership based on strategic autonomy and equality rather than alliance-based dependency.
  • Areas of cooperation include defence, critical technologies, Indo-Pacific strategy, semiconductors and clean energy.
  • Differences persist regarding trade, sanctions, human rights discourse and India’s ties with Russia.
  • Reflects India’s multi-alignment approach in foreign policy.
68th APO Governing Body Meeting 

(GS-2: International Relation)

PIB
  • India hosted the 68th Governing Body Meeting of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) in New Delhi.
  • APO is a non-political intergovernmental organisation established in 1961 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
  • It promotes productivity enhancement, innovation and sustainable economic development across the Asia-Pacific region.
  • India is a founding member, and the National Productivity Council serves as its designated National Productivity Organization.
India Abstains on Vanuatu-Led UN Climate Resolution 

(GS-2: International Relations)

The Hindu
  • India abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on states’ climate obligations.
  • The initiative was led by the Pacific island nation Vanuatu, which is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
  • India emphasised the importance of equity, Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and existing UNFCCC mechanisms.
  • The issue reflects debates on climate justice, liability and responsibilities of developed nations.
As India’s R&D faces funding & talent crunch, Niti panel suggests 50+ fixes 

(GS-3:Economy)

ET
  • A NITI Aayog expert group highlighted structural challenges in India’s Research and Development (R&D) ecosystem, including low private-sector participation, shortage of skilled researchers and fragmented funding mechanisms.
  • India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) remains around 0.7% of GDP, lower than many advanced economies.
  • Recommendations include increasing industry-academia collaboration, improving research infrastructure, attracting global talent, reforming funding systems and strengthening innovation ecosystems.
  • Important for technological self-reliance, startup innovation, manufacturing competitiveness and achieving goals under initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Supply chains hit, Government asks industry if local production of 200 petro items possible 

(GS-3: Economy )

Indian Express
  • The government is exploring domestic manufacturing of nearly 200 petrochemical-related products to reduce import dependence and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
  • About Petrochemicals
    • Essential inputs for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, plastics, textiles, automobiles and electronics.
  • The initiative aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and production-linked industrial strategies.
  • Reducing import dependence can improve trade balance, industrial security and manufacturing competitiveness.
Mission on “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh” 

(GS-3: Economy)

PIB
  • Arunachal Pradesh is emerging as India’s leading kiwi-producing State due to favourable agro-climatic conditions.
  • The mission seeks to improve kiwi cultivation, branding, processing and market linkages for farmers.
  • Kiwi cultivation supports horticultural diversification and income generation in Northeast India.
  • The initiative aligns with efforts to promote high-value agriculture and regional economic development.
India Ebola Advisory: An Expert Explains why infection spillover is not a pandemic 

(GS-3: Science and Technology)

Indian Express
  • About Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
    • It is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Ebola virus.
  • The disease spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and has high fatality rates.
  • Experts noted that occasional spillover events do not necessarily indicate a global pandemic due to limited transmissibility compared to airborne diseases.
  • India issued advisories and surveillance measures in view of outbreaks reported in parts of Africa.
Dr. Jitendra Singh Dedicates UMMID Programme to the Nation 

(GS-3: Science and Technology)

PIB
  • UMMID stands for “Unique Methods of Management and Treatment of Inherited Disorders.”
  • The programme aims to strengthen genetic testing, counselling and management of inherited diseases in India.
  • It supports early diagnosis of rare genetic disorders and capacity-building in medical genetics.
  • Implemented under the Department of Biotechnology, it promotes affordable healthcare and preventive medicine.
Why Punjab’s paddy dwarfing disease keeps returning, and what farmers can do for prevention 

(GS-3: Science and Tech)

Indian Express
  • About Paddy Dwarfing Disease.
    • It is linked to viral infections transmitted by insects such as leafhoppers.
  • The disease causes stunted growth, reduced yield and economic losses for farmers.
  • Factors contributing to recurrence include monocropping, climate variability and excessive dependence on water-intensive paddy cultivation.
  • Prevention measures include resistant seed varieties, crop diversification, timely pest control and improved field management practices.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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