In Current Affairs for 15 May 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 15 May 2026
India Plans ₹40,000 Crore Subsea Gas Pipeline from Oman to Gujarat
India is preparing for one of its biggest energy infrastructure projects with plans to build a massive subsea natural gas pipeline connecting Oman to Gujarat. The proposed project, estimated to cost nearly ₹40,000 crore, is aimed at strengthening India’s long-term energy security and reducing dependence on vulnerable maritime routes.
The decision gained urgency after the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis disrupted global energy transportation and exposed the risks associated with heavy reliance on a single shipping corridor. At present, nearly 88% of India’s crude oil imports and a major share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
To address these concerns, the central government has instructed major public sector companies to prepare a detailed feasibility report for the ambitious undersea pipeline project. If approved, construction is expected to take around five to seven years.
Key Features of the Proposed Pipeline Project
- Estimated Cost: ₹40,000 crore
- Total Length: Around 2,000 km
- Route: Oman → Arabian Sea → Gujarat
- Expected Construction Time: 5–7 years
- Possible Completion Timeline: 2033–2035
- Pipeline Depth: More than 3,000 metres under the sea
The project will involve advanced deepwater engineering technology because the pipeline will pass through extremely deep sections of the Arabian Sea.
Role of Major Indian PSUs
Several leading public sector companies have been assigned responsibilities for the project:
- GAIL will act as the lead operator and coordinate feasibility planning.
- Engineers India Limited (EIL) will handle technical feasibility and engineering assessments.
- Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will participate as a key end-user and strategic partner.
Experts believe the project could significantly improve India’s energy resilience and ensure uninterrupted gas supplies during geopolitical crises.
Henley Passport Index 2026: India Slips to 78th Rank
India’s passport ranking has slipped to the 78th position in the latest Henley Passport Index 2026 released by Henley & Partners. Earlier, India was ranked 75th in February 2026.
According to the report, Indian passport holders can currently travel to 56 destinations either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival facilities.
The index evaluates 199 passports worldwide and is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It measures the level of global travel freedom enjoyed by citizens of different countries.
India’s Passport Ranking Over the Years
- 2026 Rank: 78th
- Earlier 2026 Rank: 75th
- 2025 Rank: 85th
- 2021 Rank: 90th
Although India witnessed a slight decline this year, the overall trend shows improvement compared to previous years.
Afghanistan Signs $46 Million Agreement with Indian Company
The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has signed a $46 million agreement with an Indian company to modernize customs laboratory infrastructure across the country.
The agreement focuses on improving product testing systems, enhancing trade quality standards, and strengthening technical capabilities at customs facilities.
Major Highlights of the Project
- Laboratory centres will be established in Kabul and nine customs facilities.
- Project duration will be five years.
- Advanced laboratory equipment will be installed.
- Existing systems will be repaired and upgraded.
- Foreign technical experts will support implementation.
Objectives of the Initiative
The project aims to:
- Improve product testing and certification systems
- Strengthen the Afghanistan Standards and Quality Authority
- Enhance Afghanistan’s credibility in international trade markets
The development is expected to support Afghanistan’s efforts to increase trade transparency and improve export standards.
‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Programme Launched at Sasan Gir
The ‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Programme was launched at Sasan Gir ahead of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026. The initiative highlights India’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable wildlife protection.
The programme focused on conservation strategies for lions in India and emphasized the need for international cooperation among countries where lions are found.
About the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
The IBCA is a global alliance dedicated to the conservation of major big cat species. It covers seven important species:
- Tiger
- Lion
- Leopard
- Snow Leopard
- Cheetah
- Jaguar
- Puma
The 2026 summit is expected to witness participation from nearly 95 countries and more than 400 delegates from around the world.
India Becomes Chair of Common Criteria Development Board
India has assumed the chairmanship of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for the 2026–28 term. The decision was confirmed during the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) meeting held in Tokyo, Japan, in April 2026.
The CCDB plays an important role in global cybersecurity by developing technical standards for evaluating IT product security.
What is the CCRA?
The Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement is an international agreement that allows member countries to recognize each other’s IT security certifications.
In simple terms, if a digital product is certified in one member country, other participating nations can accept the certification without conducting fresh security evaluations.
Functions of the CCDB
The board is responsible for:
- Developing technical standards for IT security evaluation
- Updating cybersecurity assessment frameworks
- Creating security certification methodologies
India joined the CCRA as a Certificate Authorizing Nation on September 16, 2013. The new leadership role reflects India’s growing influence in the global cybersecurity ecosystem.
EU Clears India for Continued Marine Product Exports
The European Union has included India in its updated list of countries eligible to export marine products to European markets. This decision ensures that Indian seafood exports can continue beyond September 2026.
The move is important for India’s seafood industry, as the EU remains one of the country’s major export destinations.
Importance of the Decision
- Prevents disruption in seafood exports
- Maintains access to a high-value international market
- Strengthens India’s position in global marine trade
Earlier, in 2024, India was excluded from a draft EU list of approved exporters due to concerns over antimicrobial residue standards and food safety monitoring.
Why India Qualified
India successfully met EU requirements because of:
- Strong food safety standards
- Effective residue monitoring systems
- Compliance with EU antimicrobial regulations
- Reliable assurance mechanisms for regulators
The approval is expected to provide stability and confidence to India’s seafood export sector.
Review Questions
1. India’s proposed subsea gas pipeline will connect Oman with which Indian state?
A) Maharashtra
B) Kerala
C) Gujarat
D) Tamil Nadu
Answer: C) Gujarat
2. What is the estimated cost of the proposed Oman–India subsea gas pipeline project?
A) ₹20,000 crore
B) ₹30,000 crore
C) ₹40,000 crore
D) ₹50,000 crore
Answer: C) ₹40,000 crore
3. Which organization has been assigned as the lead operator for the subsea gas pipeline project?
A) ONGC
B) GAIL
C) BPCL
D) NTPC
Answer: B) GAIL
4. India’s passport was ranked at which position in the Henley Passport Index 2026?
A) 65th
B) 70th
C) 75th
D) 78th
Answer: D) 78th
5. According to the Henley Passport Index 2026, Indian citizens can travel to how many destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access?
A) 45
B) 56
C) 72
D) 90
Answer: B) 56
6. The $46 million agreement signed by Afghanistan with an Indian company focuses on improving:
A) Railway infrastructure
B) Defence production
C) Customs laboratory infrastructure
D) Airport modernization
Answer: C) Customs laboratory infrastructure
7. The ‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Programme was launched at:
A) Kaziranga
B) Jim Corbett
C) Ranthambore
D) Sasan Gir
Answer: D) Sasan Gir
8. Which of the following species is covered under the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)?
A) Panda
B) Jaguar
C) Rhinoceros
D) Gorilla
Answer: B) Jaguar
9. India became the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for which term?
A) 2024–26
B) 2025–27
C) 2026–28
D) 2027–29
Answer: C) 2026–28
10. The European Union cleared India for continued exports of:
A) Textile products
B) Electronic goods
C) Marine products
D) Pharmaceutical products
Answer: C) Marine products
