Daily Current Affairs

In June 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved 4 major National Highway (NH) projects worth Rs 24,249 crore spanning over 700 km across Odisha, Telangana, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh (MP). All projects are to be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) under PM GatiShakti–National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP).

• HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) — a public-private partnership model where government pays a portion upfront and the rest as annuities; reduces financial burden on developers.
• PM GatiShakti–NMP — integrated multi-modal connectivity framework; aims to reduce logistics costs and improve infrastructure coordination across India.
• CCEA — Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs; highest executive body for approving major economic and infrastructure projects; chaired by the PM.

In June 2026, India joined ‘Project Glasswing’, a global cybersecurity initiative led by Anthropic PBC, gaining access to Claude Mythos AI — an advanced AI model designed to identify software vulnerabilities and strengthen cyber defences for critical infrastructure.

• Claude Mythos AI — AI-powered security auditor; analyses large software codebases; detects vulnerabilities; generates remediation patches; uncovers flaws at scale beyond traditional tools.
• Goal — Help participating countries enhance cybersecurity resilience and protect critical digital infrastructure.
• Anthropic PBC — US-based AI safety company; developer of Claude AI models.

In June 2026, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy (Ministry of Mines/Coal) and Yvette Cooper (UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs) jointly launched the India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) in New Delhi.

• Platform Leadership: Joint platform led by TEXMIN (Technology Innovation in Exploration & Mining Foundation), TTRP (Technology Translation Research Park, DST) at IIT ISM Dhanbad, Jharkhand, and the University of Cambridge (UK).
• Objective: Strengthen India-UK critical mineral supply chain intelligence for clean energy transitions, electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
• Significance: Builds resilient, secure, and diversified mineral value chains via India–UK bilateral collaboration.
• Indian Partners: TEXMIN + TTRP (DST) at IIT ISM Dhanbad; UK Partner: University of Cambridge.

In June 2026, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), statutory body under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), launched the ‘StAR NPS’ platform — a new digital onboarding solution developed by BSE Technologies Private Limited (BTPL) — to streamline subscriber registration for the National Pension System (NPS).

• StAR NPS: Technology-enabled assisted onboarding for NPS subscribers via Points of Presence (PoPs) and their pension agent networks.
• Eligibility: Resident Indians aged 18–85 years eligible under the new framework.
• Regulatory Sandbox Framework: Also introduced by PFRDA (effective 2 June 2026); allows controlled testing of innovative pension-sector solutions; non-registered entities require minimum net worth of Rs 10 lakh; sandbox not applicable where innovations handle subscriber contributions or funds.
• PFRDA: Established 2003; HQ New Delhi; statutory body under MoF.
• Developer: BSE Technologies Private Limited (BTPL) — subsidiary of Bombay Stock Exchange Limited.

In June 2026, Union MoS (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh (MoS&T, MoES) announced a digital portal supported by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to strengthen scientific research and innovation, at a joint review meeting of all science Ministries in New Delhi.

• Portal Purpose: Capacity-building platform for researchers and young innovators — structured support in scientific writing, publication processes, IP protection, and patent-related procedures.
• Key Attendees: Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (Principal Scientific Adviser to GoI); Dr. Rajesh Gokhale (Secretary, DBT); Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman (CEO, ANRF).
• ANRF: Anusandhan National Research Foundation; established under ANRF Act 2023; India’s apex research funding body; presided over by the PM of India; administered by DST, MoS&T.

In June 2026, the Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) signed an MoU with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to invest Rs 18,600 crore in three major projects across Tamil Nadu. The MoU was signed in the presence of CM C. Joseph Vijay and SN Subrahmanyan (CMD, L&T) at the Secretariat, Chennai.

• Significance: First major industrial investment pact signed by new TN government; supports state’s vision of becoming a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2036.
• L&T CMD: SN Subrahmanyan; largest project — data centre expansion at Kancheepuram (Rs 15,000 crore).

In June 2026, SoftBank Group (Japan), through affiliate SoftBank Vision Fund II (SVF II) Lightbulb (Cayman) Ltd, divested a 3.25% stake in Lenskart Solutions by selling 5.65 crore shares via open market transaction on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), at an average price of Rs 508.55 per share — total value Rs 2,873.30 crore.

• SoftBank’s stake in Lenskart: Declined from 13.13% to 9.88% post-transaction.
• Key Buyers: WhiteOak Capital MF, Mirae Asset MF, Kotak MF, Canara Robeco MF, ICICI Prudential MF, HDFC Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Societe Generale, Metzler Asset Management, Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, and other global entities.
• Financial Impact: Partial exit generated approximately 7x returns for SoftBank — one of its most successful investments in India.
• Exchange: Transaction executed on the NSE (National Stock Exchange).

In June 2026, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the appointment of economist Neelkanth Mishra as Executive Director (ED) of the World Bank for a 3-year tenure. ACC also approved a 1-year tenure extension for Tarun Kapoor as Advisor to PM in the PMO, effective from 10 June 2026.

In June 2026, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri (MoPNG) launched India’s first passenger Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) — the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R — capable of running on ethanol-petrol blends from 20% ethanol (E20) to E100, advancing India’s ethanol-based mobility. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (MoRTH) also launched Hero MotoCorp’s first flex-fuel motorcycles — Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel — in New Delhi.

• Maruti Suzuki Wagon R FFV: India’s first passenger flex-fuel car; supports E20 to E100 blends; advanced ECU, modified fuel systems, optimised injection mapping, cold-start system.
• Hero MotoCorp FFV Bikes: Splendor+ Flex Fuel and HF (Hero Family) Deluxe Flex Fuel — India’s first flex-fuel motorcycles.
• Standards: BIS standard for FFVs; ethanol-based FFVs classified as Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) by NITI Aayog due to near-zero PM emissions.
• Significance: Supports India’s ethanol blending programme; reduces dependence on fossil fuels; aligns with energy security goals.

In June 2026, the Government of India (GoI) announced the 29th National Awards for Electronic Governance (NAeG) 2026, selecting 17 projects and initiatives across 7 award categories. The award ceremony is to be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

• Categories: 7 award categories, including a Gram Panchayat category for grassroots service delivery via digitisation.
• Gold Awardee: Trophy + Certificate + Rs 10 lakh incentive.
• Silver Awardee: Trophy + Certificate + Rs 5 lakh incentive.
• Purpose: Recognise excellence in digital governance, innovation, and transformative use of technology in public service delivery.
• Edition: 29th NAeG — reflecting over two decades of recognising e-governance excellence in India.

In June 2026, Major Prabhat Mishra of the Indian Army (22 Kumaon Regiment) received the Birrer-Brookes Award (Outstanding MMAS Thesis) and the General Douglas MacArthur Military Leadership Writing Award during the graduation ceremony of the US Army Command and General Staff College’s CGSOC at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA.

The UN’s International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is observed annually on 5 June to raise awareness about the adverse impact of illegal fishing on marine ecosystems, fisheries sustainability, and global food security.

The International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) is observed annually on 5 June to raise awareness about risks at level crossings — where roads and railway tracks intersect — and to promote safer behaviour.

• 2026 Slogan: “Alert Today, Safe Tomorrow”
• Origins: Launched as the European Level Crossing Awareness Day on 25 June 2009 covering 28 European countries.
• Global Expansion: Expanded beyond Europe under the International Union of Railways (UIC) — Union Internationale des Chemins de fer (French).
• UN Integration: Incorporated into the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2010).
• 2026 Events: June 9–11, 2026 at UIC HQ, Paris, France; proceedings in English and French.

In June 2026, renowned Constitutional expert and former Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, Subhash C. Kashyap, passed away at the age of 97 in New Delhi. Born on 10 May 1929 at Chandpur, Bijnor district, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (present-day UP).

In June 2026, veteran film producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani passed away at 76 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Born 10 January 1950, Karachi, Sindh (present-day Pakistan).

• Career Highlights: Began film production with Haathkadi (1982); produced Jilzaam (1986) — debut of Govinda; Aag Hi Aag (1987) — introduced Chunky Panday to Bollywood.
• Industry Leadership: President, Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers for several years.
• CBFC Chairperson: Appointed January 2015; served until August 2017.

In June 2026, Kona Srikar Bharat (KS Bharat), Indian wicketkeeper-batter, announced his retirement from international cricket after a 7-Test career to pursue opportunities in overseas Twenty20 (T20) leagues, in line with BCCI regulations.