Daily Current Affairs

The United Nations’ International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) was observed on 16 June 2026 to acknowledge the sacrifices of migrant workers who send money back to their families across the world.

• Origin: IDFR was first observed on 16 June 2008 by IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) in partnership with the World Bank.
• Official Declaration: In February 2015, IFAD officially declared 16 June as IDFR following discussions at the 2014 Global Forum on Remittances and Development in Milan, Italy.
• UNGA Recognition: In 2018, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/72/281, officially designating 16 June as the International Day of Family Remittances.
• #FamilyRemittances Campaign 2020–2030: A decade-long global initiative led by IFAD.

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCDD) is observed annually on 17 June to raise awareness on tackling land degradation and promoting Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), ensuring human activity does not harm land health.

• Establishment: WDCDD was established by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) through Resolution A/RES/49/115 in 1994, following the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
• First observed: 1995; unites global stakeholders to address land degradation, poverty, and food insecurity.
• Host Country 2026: Kenya — marking the first time in nearly a decade the event is held in Africa.
• Led by: Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
• 2026 Milestone: June 17 marks the 32nd anniversary of UNCCD, established on 17 June 1994.

In June 2026, India and Japan adopted the Rules of Implementation for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC, to operationalise bilateral emission-reduction projects.

• JCM Rules adopted: On 8 June 2026, following the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in 2025.
• Mechanism: The JCM is a bilateral carbon market mechanism that supports emission-reduction projects, low-carbon technologies, and carbon credit generation while contributing to NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) of India and Japan.
• Paris Agreement (2015) under the UNFCCC — aims to combat climate change; countries submit NDCs outlining climate action targets.
• Article 6.2: Allows countries to cooperate through internationally recognised carbon credits to achieve climate goals.
• Significance: Strengthens India-Japan cooperation in climate action, GHG emission reduction, carbon markets, and sustainable development.

In June 2026, in a high-level meeting chaired by Union Minister Amit Shah (MoHA) in New Delhi, six northern states — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan — signed a comprehensive MoU for the Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project.

• Location: Planned on the Tons River (a tributary of the Yamuna); spans the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border (Dehradun–Sirmour region).
• Cost: Estimated at around Rs 15,000 crore.
• Funding: 90% of water component cost funded by the Central Government as Central Assistance; 10% shared by the six participating states.
• Allocation: Himachal Pradesh’s share of water to be allocated to Delhi and Rajasthan in exchange for cost-sharing of the power component.
• Significance: Advances efforts for a cleaner and rejuvenated Yamuna River, ensuring increased flow of clean water.

In June 2026, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), organized a Technology Transfer and Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BND) Release Function at its headquarters, New Delhi.

• 7 Technology Transfers: Facilitated commercialisation of 7 indigenous technologies developed by CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) and CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI).
• 10 BNDs (Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya) Released: Comprise 8 phytochemicals, 1 precious metal standard, and 1 propane gas standard.
• 5 Vapour Cells Handed Over: Developed by CSIR-NPL; handed to Solid-State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) of DRDO for use in quantum sensors, atomic clocks, magnetometers, and strategic defence technologies.
• CSIR is under DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology; HQ at New Delhi.

In June 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) signed its first MoU under the vehicle replacement scheme with Ashok Leyland and its electric mobility subsidiary Switch Mobility, marking a key step towards reducing vehicular pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).

• Discount: An 8% discount on ex-showroom prices for eligible trucks and buses; EV discounts capped at the equivalent ICE vehicle category based on Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
• Eligibility: Targets Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) and older vehicles in Delhi-NCR, offering incentives for replacement with BS-VI or electric vehicles.
• Central Incentives: Government to provide 5% interest subvention on financing and fixed monthly fuel vouchers for five years.
• State Benefits: Participating state governments will offer up to 100% motor vehicle tax concession for ten years along with complete waiver of registration fees.

In June 2026, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) granted in-principle approval for a Rs 500 crore National Military Drone Technology Hub at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

• Key Functions: Full-stack capability — design, test, and certify military payloads, data links, ground stations, and counter-drone systems.
• Nodal Body: Army Design Bureau (ADB) working directly under the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Capability Development and Sustenance (DCOAS(CD&S)) — designated as single point of contact.
• Lead Agency: UP Development Authority (UPEIDA), main nodal agency for UP Defence Industrial Corridor (UP DIC).
• Significance: Expected to boost indigenisation under Make in India and Make-2 categories and reduce India’s import reliance on critical drone sub-systems.

In June 2026, the Republic of Uzbekistan became the 10th member of the New Development Bank (NDB) after ratifying the NDB Articles of Agreement (AoA), marking the first entry of a Central Asian country into the bank.

• Accession Law: Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law approving NDB accession on 21 May 2026.
• Planned Projects: NDB to prepare its first projects in Uzbekistan — focusing on energy, water management, transport, municipal infrastructure, and social infrastructure.
• NDB Background: Established in 2014 by BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa); headquartered in Shanghai, China.

In June 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Master Directions on Authorisation to Operate a Payment System to establish a comprehensive framework for entities seeking to operate payment systems under the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007.

• Payment System Operator (PSO): An entity authorised by the RBI to operate a payment system that enables clearing, payment, or settlement of funds between participants.
• Objective: Provides a unified framework covering eligibility criteria, authorisation, perpetual validity of licences, voluntary surrender, and cooling-off requirements.
• Legal Basis: Under Section 4 of the PSS Act, 2007, no person (other than the RBI) can commence or operate a payment system without obtaining prior authorisation from the RBI.

In June 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched RBI Reelathon 2026, a statewide cyber fraud awareness campaign across approximately 150 colleges in Kerala, promoting financial literacy, cyber hygiene, safe digital banking, smart borrowing, and vigilance against emerging online financial threats.

• Inauguration: At the RBI Office, Thiruvananthapuram, by Kerala DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar.
• Phases: (1) Awareness sessions on financial literacy and safe digital practices; (2) Reel-making competitions on cyber-fraud-related themes; (3) Grand finale in 2026.
• Prizes: Top three winners receive Rs 75,000, Rs 50,000, and Rs 25,000 respectively.

In June 2026, Bank of Baroda (BOB) launched the bob Golden Goal Deposit Scheme, a 555-day retail term deposit for deposits below Rs 3 crore, offering interest rates up to 7.40% per annum.

• Tenure: 555 days; for retail deposits below Rs 3 crore.
• Exit Policy: No penalty on deposits up to Rs 5 lakh held for at least 12 months; other premature closures attract penalties per bank guidelines.
• Availability: Via branches, net banking, and bob World mobile application; open to individuals, joint account holders, clubs, associations, educational institutions, partnerships, and other eligible entities.

In June 2026, V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, announced that ISRO, in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is developing an advanced artificial heating system to extend the operational life of future lunar landers on the Moon up to 200 days.

• Challenge: Lunar nights bring temperatures below –129°C; current landers relying on solar power cannot survive these conditions.
• Solution: Artificial heating system to provide continuous thermal support, protecting onboard instruments and critical systems through lunar nights.
• Vikram Lander Reference: Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander successfully landed near the Moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023 and operated for one lunar day (~14 Earth days) using solar power.
• ISRO Chairman: V. Narayanan.

In June 2026, the TIME media brand released the inaugural edition of the ‘TIME 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026’ list, recognising athletes, coaches, investors, and advocates who have made a significant impact on the world of sports.

• Smriti Mandhana: A two-time ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award winner; only Indian on the list; placed in the ‘Titans’ category alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, and South African cricket captain Temba Bavuma.
• Four Categories: Leaders, Icons, Innovators, and Titans.
• Notable Personalities: LeBron James (Icons category), Cristiano Ronaldo (Titans), Gianni Infantino (President of FIFA).
• Women’s Representation: Features women making an impact across athletics, media, business, ownership, and leadership.

In June 2026, the Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Tripura’s tribal musical instrument ‘Sarinda’ (also known as Sarinda Uakhrap).

• About Sarinda: A traditional bowed string instrument made from bamboo; 65–70 cm long with an oval-shaped void wooden vibrating chamber covered with thin skin; mainly used by most of the tribes of Tripura.
• GI Registry: Under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Total GI Tags from Tripura = 4: Tripura Queen Pineapple, Risha/Pachra (Rignai), Matabari Peda, and now Sarinda.

In June 2026, the Indian Navy (IN) decommissioned its Sea King Mk42B helicopters, known as the ‘Flying Frigates’, after 36 years of distinguished service.

• Final Flight: Operated by Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS 330); concluded service with a ceremonial flight from INS Shikra, the Western Naval Command (WNC) base in Colaba, Mumbai.
• Background: Procured between 1989 and 1990 to bolster India’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.
• Capabilities: Equipped with advanced torpedoes, depth charges, and missiles; used for ASW, anti-ship missions, and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations.
• Future Role: Retired airframes to be repurposed as utility transport helicopters or test platforms for sensor/weapon trials, including the Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM) programme.

In June 2026, Drogo Aerospace Private Limited (formerly Drogo Drones Private Limited) delivered the first batch of 41 JK 250e drones (electric drone) to the Indian Army’s Southern Command in Nashik, Maharashtra, under a Rs 72 crore contract for 217 drones.

• Remaining Drones: 176 drones scheduled for delivery by August 2026.
• Design Purpose: Military Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations for frontline operational requirements.
• Capability: Up to 3 hours of flight endurance on a single charge; for surveillance, reconnaissance, tactical overwatch, border security, and critical military missions.
• Indigenous: Fully designed and manufactured in India — supports Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Drogo Aerospace: HQ at Madhapur, Hyderabad, Telangana; develops indigenous unmanned aerial systems (UAS), defence technologies, AI-enabled aerial intelligence solutions, and advanced aerospace platforms.

In June 2026, Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Vijay Oberoi, former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) of the Indian Army, passed away at the age of 84.

• Background: Born on 29 September 1941 in Chakwal (present-day Pakistan); recognised for spearheading post-Kargil reforms, revising Army doctrines, and championing welfare of war-disabled soldiers.
• Career: Joined the Indian Army in 1961 through the 1st Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry; lost his right leg in action in 1965 but rose to the highest ranks.
• Awards: Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) 1998, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
• Legacy: Led post-Kargil Army reforms; founded the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) and the War Wounded Foundation; completed the Mumbai Marathon at age 72 with a prosthetic leg.