Daily Current Affairs

Shishir Khanal, Foreign Minister (FM) of Nepal, undertook a 3-day official visit to India from June 5–7, 2026, at the invitation of Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The visit reviewed the full spectrum of India-Nepal bilateral relations covering development cooperation, connectivity, trade and transit, energy, and people-to-people ties.

• UPI-NPI Linkage: Launch of Person-to-Person (P2P) linkage between UPI (India) and NPI (Nepal) — enabling seamless cross-border digital payments for individuals.
• MoU: Between Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) under MeitY and Kathmandu University’s Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence (OPI-AI) for multilingual language technologies and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
• 84 Projects: India-funded reconstruction projects undertaken post-2015 Nepal Earthquake formally handed over to Nepal.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), launched the BHAVYA Portal in New Delhi in June 2026 to operationalise the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA) — a flagship scheme of Rs.33,660 crore to develop 100 world-class investment-ready industrial parks over six years.

• Objective: Create integrated industrial ecosystems for manufacturing, MSMEs, and startups.
• Infrastructure support: GoI provides up to 25% of project costs for external connectivity; support for testing, certification, digital mapping, satellite-based land assessment, and innovation ecosystems.
• BHAVYA Portal: Unified digital platform for end-to-end scheme implementation — handling Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), project appraisal, evaluation, and real-time progress monitoring.

Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited (brand: Rapido) partnered with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) in June 2026 to promote the RahVeer Scheme through digital and on-ground awareness initiatives aimed at encouraging timely assistance to road accident victims during the critical golden hour. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (MoRTH) and Aravind Sanka, Co-founder of Rapido.

• RahVeer Scheme: Launched in April 2025 by MoRTH; reward-based initiative encouraging citizens to assist road accident victims during the critical Golden Hour; provides protection from legal/procedural concerns and a reward of Rs.25,000 + certificate of appreciation.
• Rapido milestone: Engaged over 4 lakh Rapido captains across 400+ cities; earned a Guinness World Record (GWR) as more than 4 lakh captains simultaneously took the RahVeer Pledge.
• Minister: Nitin Gadkari — Union Minister, MoRTH; Aravind Sanka — Co-founder, Rapido.

In June 2026, Union Minister of State (IC) Jitendra Singh (Ministry of Earth Sciences & Ministry of Science & Technology) and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh (UP) jointly inaugurated the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Lucknow, UP, to strengthen regional weather forecasting and disaster preparedness for UP, Uttarakhand, and adjoining regions.

• Mission Mausam: Launched in 2024 under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES); aims to strengthen weather forecasting through expanded observation networks and AI/ML-enabled forecasting; India’s Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network to expand from 50 to nearly 100 radars over the next two years.
• Historical origin: RMC upgraded from the Lucknow Meteorological Observatory established in 1894.
• Inaugurated by: Jitendra Singh (MoS IC, MoES & MoS&T) and CM Yogi Adityanath (UP).

In June 2026, global think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its annual assessment — ‘SIPRI Yearbook 2026: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security’. India ranked as the world’s 5th-largest military spender in 2025, with defence expenditure of USD 92.1 billion (up 8.9% from 2024), and expanded its nuclear arsenal from 180 to 190 warheads as of January 2026.

• Global military expenditure: Surged for the 11th consecutive year to USD 2.9 trillion in 2025 — representing 2.5% of world GDP.
• India’s nuclear arsenal: Increased from 180 warheads (2025) to 190 warheads as of January 2026.
• Global nuclear stockpile: All 9 nuclear states together possessed nearly 12,187 nuclear weapons as of January 2026; 9,745 in military stockpiles for potential use.
• SIPRI: Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden; leading global think-tank on armaments, disarmament, and international security.

In June 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered India the advanced Sukhoi Su-57, a 5th-generation stealth aircraft, and proposed its joint production in India at the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia. The offer includes full technology transfer and establishment of manufacturing facilities in India, supporting ‘Make in India’ and defence indigenisation goals.

• Historical context: In 2007, India and Russia initiated the joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program to jointly develop a stealth fighter derived from the Su-57 platform. India formally withdrew in 2021 due to unresolved technology transfer issues.
• New offer: Full technology transfer + manufacturing facilities in India — a direct response to India’s earlier concerns that led to the FGFA withdrawal.
• Forum: St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) — Russia’s premier economic forum.

In June 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced two special USD-Rupee forex swap facilities to attract foreign currency inflows and support external financing for the Indian economy.

• FCNR(B): Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits — a key instrument for attracting NRI remittances and foreign currency deposits.
• ECBs: External Commercial Borrowings — overseas loans taken by Indian entities; average maturity of 3 years and above eligible.
• OFCBs: Overseas Foreign Currency Borrowings raised by AD Category-I banks for a minimum maturity of 3 years.
• Objective: Attract foreign currency inflows and support India’s external financing needs.

In June 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recognised Sahamati Foundation as the Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) for India’s Account Aggregator (AA) ecosystem, creating a formal industry-led governance framework for the country’s consent-based financial data-sharing network.

• Sahamati Foundation: Will serve as the representative body for participants in the AA ecosystem — promoting collaboration among financial institutions, Account Aggregators, FinTech firms, and other stakeholders.
• AA Ecosystem: A consent-based digital framework regulated by RBI enabling individuals and businesses to securely share financial data with authorised institutions through Account Aggregators.
• SRO role: Creates formal industry-led governance framework for India’s consent-based financial data-sharing network.

In June 2026, American credit rating agency Fitch Ratings released its June 2026 Global Economic Outlook (GEO), lowering India’s GDP growth forecast for FY27 to 6.4% from the previous estimate of 6.7%.

• FY28 recovery: India’s GDP expected to increase to 6.7% in FY28 driven by robust consumer spending and investment; ease to 6.4% in FY29.
• Global growth: Fitch revised down global growth by 20 basis points (bps) to 2.4% for CY26.
• Fitch Ratings: One of the Big Three global credit rating agencies (along with Moody’s and S&P); headquartered in New York, USA.

In June 2026, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) secured a 10-year marine services contract for Argentina’s first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export project — valued at USD 70 million, marking APSEZ’s entry into South America. The contract was awarded to APSEZ’s subsidiary Adani Harbour International Free Zone Company (FZCO), in partnership with Argentina-based Meridian Group.

• Services: Marine services using 4 tugboats, 1 anchor handling tug supply vessel, and 1 crew boat for the Southern Energy FLNG Project.
• Strategic significance: APSEZ’s first foray into South America; supports India’s energy diversification away from West Asia.
• Argentina’s LNG ambition: Plans to export up to 10 MT of LNG annually to India from 2027.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated Han Seong-sook, current Minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), as the country’s next Prime Minister (PM). The nomination follows reports that incumbent PM Kim Min-seok is stepping down. If approved by the National Assembly, Han Seong-sook will become only the second woman PM in South Korea’s history.

• Career highlights: Began career in 1989 as a reporter with Mincom; worked for PC Line; in 1995, headed public relations at Nanum Technology; in 2017, became the first woman CEO of Naver Corporation — South Korea’s leading internet company.
• Historic significance: If confirmed, she becomes South Korea’s 2nd woman PM after Han Myeong-sook (served 2006–2007).
• South Korea President: Lee Jae Myung.

In June 2026, the Government of India (GoI) re-appointed Swaminathan Janakiraman as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for another 2 years, effective from 26 June 2026, and valid for two years or until further orders. Janakiraman was initially appointed as Deputy Governor for 3 years in June 2023, replacing MK Jain (former MD of IDBI Bank).

• RBI Act, 1934: Mandates 4 Deputy Governors — 2 from within the ranks, 1 commercial banker, and 1 economist for monetary policy.
• Janakiraman’s role: Entrusted with Department of Supervision and Inspection Department, among others.
• Initial appointment: June 2023 for 3 years, replacing MK Jain (former MD, IDBI Bank).
• Reappointment effective: 26 June 2026 for 2 more years.

The World Yogasana Championship 2026 — the inaugural global competitive Yogasana event — was held at EKA Arena, Ahmedabad, Gujarat from 4–8 June 2026. India dominated the medal tally with a 122-member contingent winning 114 medals (102 Gold, 9 Silver, 3 Bronze) across six age categories.

• Organiser: World Yogasana, Yogasana Bharat, and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
• Mascot: ‘Veer the Lion’ — representing strength, courage, leadership, and athletic excellence.
• Venue: EKA Arena, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• India’s first gold: Won by Abhay Burman; other gold medalists include Ishika Guchhait, Ishanvi, Ayush Bhowmik, Om Dehankar, Indu Mathuria & Devi, Shilpa Das, Gokarna Sharma, Subhajit Karmakar, and Riya — in Traditional, Artistic, and Rhythmic Yogasana events.
• Significance: Inaugural (first-ever) global competitive Yogasana championship.

In June 2026, Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Italian; Mercedes F1 Team) won the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix — officially the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026 — at the Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco. At 19 years old, Antonelli became the youngest Monaco GP winner in history.

• Race time: 2:23:31.243; Antonelli finished 6.271 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
• Championship lead: Extended his Drivers’ Championship lead to 66 points.
• Consecutive victories: This is Antonelli’s 5th consecutive GP win in the 2026 F1 season — following wins in China, Japan, Miami, and Canada.
• Teammate: George Russell (Mercedes) ended in 12th place.
• Notable: Lewis Hamilton now races for Scuderia Ferrari.

Savitha Shri Baskar (19 years old; Indian International Master (IM)) won the gold medal with 7.5/9 points on tie-breaks at the Women’s Asian Individual Chess Championship 2026, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 29 May – 7 June 2026.

• Tournament: Continental Swiss-system chess tournament organised by the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) for players from Asian member federations of FIDE.
• 2026 editions: 21st edition (Open) and 27th edition (Women’s).
• Qualification prize: Women’s champion Savitha Shri Baskar directly qualified for the 2027 FIDE Women’s World Cup.
• Venue: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (May 29 – June 7, 2026).

World Brain Tumour Day (WBTD) is observed annually across the globe on 8 June to raise awareness about brain tumours, support patients, families, and caregivers, and encourage research into diagnosis and treatment.

• Origin: Established and first observed on 8 June 2000 by the German Brain Tumour Association (Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe) in Germany.
• Global expansion: Gained international recognition with support from the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA), transforming it into a global awareness initiative.
• Symbol: The Grey Ribbon — international symbol of awareness for brain tumours and brain cancer.

World Accreditation Day (WAD) is observed annually on 9 June to highlight the importance of accreditation — a formal independent process that verifies whether institutions or programmes meet quality standards and are competent to carry out conformity assessment tasks.

• Foundation: WAD is a global initiative launched in 2007 by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).
• First observance: 9 June 2008.
• 2026 milestone: First WAD coordinated under the newly formed Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI).
• 2026 Theme: ‘Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation’.