19 May2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper 1 – History & Culture

Anaimangalam Copper Plates

📰 Why in News

• The Netherlands recently returned the 11th-century Anaimangalam Copper Plates,

also known as the Leiden Plates, to India during the Prime Minister’s visit.

📘 About the Copper Plates

📌 Definition

• The Anaimangalam Copper Plates, popularly known as the Leiden Plates, are 11th-century inscriptions associated with the Chola Empire.

⚖ Composition

• The collection consists of 21 copper plates weighing nearly 30 kilograms.

• The plates are bound together using a bronze ring carrying the royal seal of

Rajendra Chola I.

🕰 Historical Background

👑 Chola Period

• The inscriptions belong to the reign of Emperor Rajaraja Chola I, who ruled

between 985 CE and 1014 CE.

• They are also associated with the reign of his son, Rajendra Chola I.

📝 Division of the Inscriptions

📖 Two Language Sections

The inscriptions are divided into two distinct sections:

GS Paper 2 – Health & Governance

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)

📰 Why in News

• The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission recently organised a Scientific Conclave and

Interactive Session on Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research.

📘 About the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission

📌 Definition

• The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is an autonomous institution

functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

🎯 Objective of IPC

💊 Drug Standardisation

• The Commission was established to prescribe and maintain standards for

medicines and pharmaceutical substances in India.

⚙ Major Functions of IPC

🔄 Updating Drug Standards

• IPC regularly revises and updates standards for medicines used in the treatment

of diseases prevalent in the country.

📚 Publication of Indian Pharmacopoeia

• The Commission publishes official reference documents aimed at improving the

quality and safety of medicines.

GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology / Space

SMILE Mission

(Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer)

📰 Why in News

• The European Space Agency and the Chinese space agency are preparing to launch the

SMILE Mission.

📘 About the Mission

📌 Definition

• SMILE is a joint space mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

🎯 Mission Objectives

🌞 Study of Solar Wind Interaction

• The mission aims to study the interaction between solar wind and Earth’s

magnetosphere and ionosphere.

🛰 First X-ray Imaging of Magnetosphere

• It seeks to capture the first X-ray images of Earth’s magnetic shield while it

deflects harmful charged particles and energy coming from the Sun.