News of The Day – 22 May 2026

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• 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.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• 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.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• 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.

(GS-2: International Relation)

• 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.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• 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.

(GS-3:Economy)

• 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.

(GS-3: Economy )

• 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.

(GS-3: Economy)

• 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.

(GS-3: Science and Technology)

• 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.

(GS-3: Science and Technology)

• 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.

(GS-3: Science and Tech)

• 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.