Daily Current Affairs

The United Nations World Refugee Day is observed annually on 20 June to honour the strength, courage, and resilience of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, human rights violations, and other crises. The 2026 theme is “Until Everyone Is Safe.”

• Organised by: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in partnership with WHO and other international organisations.
• UN Resolution: A/RES/55/76, adopted by UNGA in December 2000; first observed 20 June 2001.
• 2026 Theme: “Until Everyone Is Safe” — Refugee Week 2026 observed from 15–21 June 2026.
• 50th Anniversary context: The inaugural observance in 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

The United Nations International Day of Yoga (IDY) is observed annually on 21 June to raise global awareness about the benefits of yoga for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, while promoting healthier lifestyles.

World Hydrography Day (WHD) is observed annually on 21 June to raise awareness about hydrography and its role in safe navigation, marine resource management, and environmental protection. The 2026 theme is “Transforming How Ocean Data Is Shared.”

• Origin: International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) proposed in 2005; UNGA Resolution A/RES/60/30 (November 2005), titled “Oceans and the Law of the Sea,” designated 21 June as WHD.
• First Observance: 21 June 2006. IHO established on 21 June 1921.
• 2026 Event: 2026 West African Hydrographic Summit (WAHS) and related WHD events held in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria.

In June 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) approved Rs 150 crore financial assistance for India’s first private-sector 91 KLPD (Kilo Litres Per Day) Hybrid Second-Generation (2G) Ethanol Biorefinery at Wave Sugar, Dhanaura, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

• Framework: Financial assistance approved through the Centre for High Technology (CHT) under the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan–Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana.
• Technology: The 91 KLPD integrated biorefinery will produce sustainable 2G ethanol from agricultural residues such as bagasse and crop stalks — converting underutilised biomass waste into clean transportation fuel.
• Significance: India’s first private-sector 2G ethanol project; establishes a commercial-scale biorefinery integrating biomass gasification and advanced gas fermentation technologies.

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) launched four digital platforms — Internet Exchange (IX) portal, myIRINN, .IN Auction Portal, and an AI-enabled WHOIS Screening Platform — on the occasion of its 23rd Foundation Day celebrations held in New Delhi.

• Launched by: S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Chairman, NIXI.
• NIXI operates under MeitY; manages India’s internet exchange infrastructure and the .IN country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD).

In June 2026, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs), along with Conrad K. Sangma (Chief Minister of Meghalaya) and Prem Singh Tamang (CM of Sikkim), inaugurated the North East’s largest organic spice processing unit at Bhoirymbong, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya.

• Governance: Established under the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company Limited (FPC), a farmer-owned enterprise promoted under MOVCD-NER; investment of ~Rs 32 crore.
• Support: Received assistance under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), MOVCD-NER, Meghalaya Government schemes, and IFAD-supported initiatives.
• Validation: Certified under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and EU Organic Standards; benefits ~5,500 organic farmers.
• Capacity: Can handle more than 10,000 metric tonnes (MT) of high-value organic spices annually — including Lakadong turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and chilli.

In June 2026, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) granted working permission to the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) to use 83.814 acres of defence land under the Artillery Centre, Golconda, Hyderabad, Telangana, valued at Rs 533.42 crore.

• EVI Policy: The Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) Policy requires MRDCL to create infrastructure assets of equivalent value for the Indian Army (IA) in exchange for the use of defence land.
• Gandhi Sarovar Project: A major riverfront and heritage development initiative under the Musi Riverfront Development Programme (MRDP) at the confluence of the Esa and Musi rivers in Hyderabad.
• Historical significance: The project site is where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in 1948; aims to transform the Musi river corridor into an ecological, cultural, and public asset.
• Key components: Riverfront rejuvenation, environmental restoration, flood management, public spaces, Statue of Peace, Gandhi Museum, National Museum, educational and research facilities, handloom training centre, viewing platforms, cultural tourism infrastructure.

In June 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revamped the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, standardising the crop season definition for uniform loan processing and repayment. The KCC Directions, 2026 apply to loans sanctioned from 1 January 2027. Additionally, RBI directed banks to exempt agricultural loans up to Rs 2 lakh from collateral and margin requirements, and also revised the Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) guidelines.

• KCC objective: To provide adequate and timely credit support to borrowers engaged in agriculture and allied activities for working capital and investment credit needs.
• No Collateral: Banks shall waive collateral security and margin requirements for agricultural loans up to Rs 2 lakh per borrower (voluntary pledge of gold and silver as collateral will not be a violation).
• Lead Bank: RBI shall designate a commercial bank as Lead Bank in each district to coordinate with banks, Government, and NABARD.

In June 2026, Zerodha Fund House — India’s first passive-only, direct-only Asset Management Company (AMC) — launched India’s first lifecycle (target-date) mutual funds: Zerodha Life Cycle Fund 2036 and Zerodha Life Cycle Fund 2041, with 10-year and 15-year maturity respectively.

• SEBI approval: Following SEBI’s February 2026 approval, these funds enable automated goal-based investing with investor-selected target years and automatic portfolio management.
• Structure: Asset allocation includes equity (Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index), debt (government securities), gold and silver commodities, and arbitrage strategies; treated as equity funds for LTCG benefits; no lock-in; minimum investment Rs 100.
• NFO period: 19 June 2026 to 7 July 2026.
• Market context: Globally, target-date funds manage over USD 4 trillion in assets.

In June 2026, Punjab National Bank (PNB), an Indian Public Sector Bank (PSB), partnered with Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services Limited to launch biodegradable PNB-Zaggle Co-branded Twin Credit Cards — accessible via both Visa and RuPay networks through a twin-card proposition.

• Agreement: 5-year partnership for the launch and distribution of the co-branded twin credit cards.
• Benefits: Railway and airport lounge access, OTT subscriptions, fitness memberships, travel and shopping vouchers, dining offers, fuel surcharge waivers, personal accident insurance cover, and 1.5% discount on jewellery purchases.
• Access: Cards available through the zagg.money mobile application.
• About PNB: Founded in 1894; headquartered in New Delhi; India’s first wholly Swadeshi bank and the country’s second-largest PSB.

In June 2026, the Indian Army (IA) participated in the 23rd edition of multilateral joint military exercise “KHAAN QUEST,” hosted by Mongolia at the Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 20 June to 3 July 2026.

• Objectives: To enhance peacekeeping readiness, improve joint operational capabilities, and strengthen cooperation among participating nations in a multinational environment.
• Military Drills: Checkpoint operations, cordon and search missions, patrolling, civilian evacuation, counter-IED drills, combat first aid, and casualty evacuation exercises.

In June 2026, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the reappointment of Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta for a further three-year term effective from 1 July 2026, making him one of the longest-serving Solicitors General in India’s history.

• Background: Joined the Centre’s legal team as Additional Solicitor General (ASG) in 2014; elevated as SGI in October 2018.
• Areas of representation: Union Government in key cases involving constitutional law, national security, taxation, electoral reforms, citizenship, and Centre-State disputes before constitutional courts.
• SGI role: Second-highest law officer of the Union Government after the Attorney General for India (AGI); part of the Union’s law officer framework including Additional Solicitors General.
• Also reappointed: Five Additional Solicitors General (ASGs): Vikramjit Banerjee, K.M. Nataraj, Suryaprakash V. Raju, N. Venkataraman, Aishwarya Bhati and Chetan Sharma.

On 21 June 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three indigenously built frontline platforms into the Indian Navy (IN): INS Dunagiri (Advanced Guided Missile Frigate), INS Sanshodhak (4th Survey Vessel – Large), and INS Agray (Anti-Submarine Warfare–Shallow Water Craft / ASW-SWC) during a ceremony at Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, West Bengal.

• Design & Construction: Vessels designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata.
• Indigenous content: These platforms feature over 75% indigenous content, with extensive participation by 200+ MSMEs.
• Significance: Enhances operational capabilities, maritime security, and domain awareness against geopolitical threats.

In June 2026, India successfully tested Garudastra, an indigenous 120mm vehicle-mounted mortar system developed by Nibe Limited, at the Infantry School in Military Headquarters of War (Mhow), Madhya Pradesh (MP).

• Capabilities: Can engage targets at a range of 7–10 km; fire 12 rounds in 60 seconds; sustain a firing rate of 3–4 rounds per minute.
• Demonstration: Operated by a two-member crew; deployable in under 30 seconds; showcased operational accuracy, mobility, and rapid shoot-and-scoot capability.
• NC-NC Framework: Evaluated under the No Cost-No Commitment (NC-NC) framework, enabling the IA to assess operational capabilities without procurement commitment.
• About Garudastra: One of India’s heaviest indigenous vehicle-mounted mortar systems; designed to provide accurate fire support, high mobility, and enhanced battlefield survivability.

The FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025–26 was held at Auckland, New Zealand. On 21 June 2026, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team clinched the championship title by defeating hosts New Zealand with a 2–0 victory in the final.

• Scorers: Navneet Kaur (4th minute) and Sunelita Toppo (15th minute) scored India’s goals in the final.
• Prize money: Rs 3 lakh per player and Rs 1.5 lakh for each support staff member.
• Significance: Earned India promotion to the Women’s FIH Pro League 2026–27 (after 2024–25 relegation) and strengthened India’s path toward qualification for the Los Angeles (LA) 2028 Olympics (XXXIV Olympiad).
• About FIH Nations Cup: Annual international women’s field hockey tournament organised by FIH; serves as the qualification tournament for the Women’s FIH Pro League.

In June 2026, Neeraj Chopra — two-time Olympic medallist and renowned Indian Javelin Thrower — was named the Best Male Athlete of the Year at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2025, organised by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in New Delhi. Parul Chaudhary, a national record-holder in the 3000m steeplechase, was honoured with the Best Female Athlete of the Year.

• Presented by: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), in the presence of Adille J. Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics.
• PT Usha — current IOA (Indian Olympic Association) President, honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Anju Bobby George — legendary sprinter; Garbacha Singh Randhawa (decathlon); Bahadur Singh Randhawa (shotput) also received Lifetime Achievement Awards.