Science & Technology
National Statistics Day 2026 — P.C. Mahalanobis
Observed 29 June annually; commemorates birth anniversary of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis, Father of Modern Statistics in India. 2026 theme: ‘Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data’. MoSPI celebrated the 20th Statistics Day at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. Released 2026 SDG Publications under the National Indicator Framework (NIF) — now 277 national SDG indicators covering all 17 SDGs. Mahalanobis also founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata. Statistics Day first observed in 2007.
Digital Governance
PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) — Launched June 2026
Launched 28 June 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat by UM Amit Shah (MHA & Ministry of Cooperation). PM-FCT is an integrated digital platform monitoring health, nutrition, education, and welfare of children from pregnancy to 18 years. Each child gets a unique ID linked to BRN or ABHA ID. Features: alerts for missed vaccinations/school dropouts; Health Passport with digital health records. Integrates multiple government databases to ensure timely delivery of welfare schemes.
Business & Economy
NIIF — Rs 60,000 Crore Total GoI Commitment
Union Cabinet (June 2026) approved additional Rs 30,000 Crore investment in National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), doubling GoI’s total commitment to Rs 60,000 Crore. Funds to set up Infrastructure Fund II (successor to first flagship fund). Focus sectors: transportation, energy, digital infrastructure, urban infrastructure, e-mobility. NIIF is a significant sovereign wealth-like fund for infrastructure development in India. Chaired by PM Narendra Modi.
International
India-UK CETA — In Force 15 July 2026
Union Minister Piyush Goyal (MoCI) visited London, UK from 25–27 June 2026. Historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and Double Contribution Convention (DCC) come into force on 15 July 2026. Met UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle. Received award at 10th India Global Forum (IGF) UK-India Awards 2026. Launched the ‘UK-India CETA Business Utilisation Manual’ to help businesses maximise the agreement’s benefits.
Defence
RIMPAC 2026 — 30th Edition
Indian Navy participated in RIMPAC 2026 (Rim of the Pacific), the world’s largest multinational maritime warfare exercise. Hosted by the US Navy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), Hawaii. Duration: 24 June – 31 July 2026. Theme: ‘Partners: Integrated and Prepared’. Scale: 30+ surface warships, 5 submarines, 206+ aircraft, 30,000 personnel. Operations: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Air Defence, tactical missile exercises. This was the 30th edition of the exercise.
Science & Technology
TRL Compass — OPSA & DSCI Launch
Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) and Data Security Council of India (DSCI) launched TRL Compass platform in June 2026. TRL = Technology Readiness Level — internationally accepted 9-level scale adapted for India’s R&I ecosystem. Chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (PSA to GoI). MoU signed by Vinayak Godse (CEO, DSCI) and Dr. Preeti Banzal (OPSA). Supports ANRF and RDI Fund. Acts as a common national standard for projects needing public funding.
Sports
US Open Badminton 2026 — Key Results
Yonex US Open Badminton 2026, held at California State University, Fullerton, USA (23–28 June 2026). 61st edition; BWF World Tour Super 300 event. Men’s Singles: Su Li-yang (Chinese Taipei) won; Kidambi Srikanth (India) runner-up. Women’s Singles: Line Christophersen (Denmark). Men’s Doubles: Okamura/Yamashita (Japan). Women’s Doubles: Nakade/Takahashi (Japan). Mixed Doubles: Liu Kuang-heng/Hsu Yin-hui (Chinese Taipei). Srikanth is from Andhra Pradesh.
Business & Economy
PayGlocal — Google Pay Integration, 90+ Countries
PayGlocal (founded 2021, HQ: Bengaluru) launched Google Pay Card Payments on its International Payment Gateway in June 2026. Enables Indian merchants to access 1 billion+ customers across 90+ countries via a single integration. Aims to boost merchant activations by 40%. Authorised by RBI as a Payment Aggregator for domestic and cross-border payments. Provides tokenized, biometrically authenticated transactions. Apple Pay was already live. Also notable: Kakinada Cooperative Town Bank (AP) achieved Tier-III status (deposits > Rs 2,000 Cr).
Governance
Corporate Mitra Scheme — MCA, June 2026
Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) signed MoUs with IIT Madras, IIT Pravartak, SWAYAM Plus, ICAI, ICSI, ICMAI to launch the Corporate Mitra Scheme. Objective: create trained Corporate Mitras supporting MSMEs with compliance, taxation, accounting, and financial governance. Training: 150 hours online (SWAYAM Plus) + 6 months practical. Fee: Rs 3,000 + GST; 50% concession for women and candidates from NE States, Himalayan Regions, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep. Successful candidates receive Corporate Mitra Certification. Part of Union Budget 2026-27 initiatives.
Sports
India Women’s Cricket — LA 2028 Olympics Direct Qualifier
Indian Women’s Cricket Team (captain: Harmanpreet Kaur) secured direct qualification for LA 2028 Olympics after ICC Women’s T20 World Cup group stage in England (June 2026). Secured Asia’s sole automatic berth on better NRR over Sri Lanka. Cricket returns to Olympics after 128 years (last: Paris 1900). LA 2028 format: 6 teams each (men’s & women’s T20), 15-member squads, 28 total matches. Venue: Pomona, California (12–29 July 2028). Other qualified women’s teams: Australia, South Africa, Great Britain.