What: HAWK — Hostile Activity Watch Kernel — is India’s first wildlife offence management system integrated with the judiciary. Developed in Kerala, it is a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform that links forest department records directly with the District Court Management System.

How: The system connects Kerala Forest Department databases with court records via an Application Programming Interface (API), enabling real-time tracking of wildlife offence cases from field detection through to court proceedings. It was jointly developed by the Kerala Forest Department, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), and NTT Data Corporation.

Why: HAWK is highly relevant for UPSC and State PCS exams under Environment & Ecology and Governance sections. It represents a technology-driven approach to wildlife crime control and judicial efficiency — a convergence of e-governance and conservation that examiners frequently test.

What: In June 2026, India announced a zero-tax regime for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) on both interest income and capital gains — Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) and Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) — from Government Securities (G-Secs). Previously, STCG was taxed at 30% and LTCG at 12.5% under Section 210 of the Income-tax Act 2025.

How: The reform also expands the Fully Accessible Route (FAR), a channel that allows non-residents to invest in specified G-Sec categories without any quantitative limit. By removing the tax burden entirely, India aims to deepen the bond market and attract greater foreign participation in sovereign debt.

Why: This is a landmark reform for RBI Grade B, SEBI, and UPSC Economy sections. Questions may test the definition of FAR, the distinction between STCG and LTCG, FPI investment regulations, and India’s steps to integrate with global bond indices such as the JP Morgan EM Bond Index.

What: India’s women’s football team, known as the Blue Tigresses, won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship 2026 — their 6th title — by defeating Bangladesh 3-1 in the final. The 8th edition of the tournament was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa from 25 May to 6 June 2026.

How: Sanfida Nongrum of India was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Aveka Singh was the tournament’s top scorer with 4 goals. Panthoi Chanu Elangbam won Best Goalkeeper, and Nepal received the Fair Play Award.

Why: Sports GK sections in SSC, Banking, and State exams regularly feature SAFF Championship results. Key facts to retain: 6th title, 8th edition, venue (Goa), MVP (Nongrum), top scorer (Aveka Singh), and the score line (3-1 vs Bangladesh).

What: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Digital India Corporation (DIC), has selected 6 firms for a government-backed Artificial Intelligence (AI) project. The selected companies are TCS, NEC India, Kyndryl Solutions, Innvolu Labs, CoRover.ai, and Cactus Technology Solutions — chosen from over 80 bidders.

How: The empanelment is valid for 2 years, extendable by 1 year. These firms will deliver AI-based solutions for government use cases under MeitY’s digital governance framework. The selection process was competitive and open to a wide range of technology providers, reflecting the government’s push for domestic AI capability.

Why: This is relevant for UPSC Science & Technology, SSC CGL, and banking exams. Key institutional linkages to remember: NeGD → DIC → MeitY. The empanelment also aligns with India’s National AI Mission and the broader Digital India initiative — themes that appear frequently in Prelims and Mains.

What: Hygenco Green Energies Private Limited has secured approximately USD 105 million in investment for green hydrogen production in India. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) committed USD 50 million, with additional contributions from Siemens (USD 25 million), Fullerton (up to USD 30 million), the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) (USD 20 million), and Germany’s Frontier Fund (USD 5 million).

How: This marks the first direct green hydrogen investment in India by IFC, Siemens, and Fullerton — a significant milestone signalling growing institutional confidence in India’s green hydrogen sector. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy to split water via electrolysis, with zero carbon emissions.

Why: Green hydrogen is a high-priority topic for UPSC Environment & Economy sections. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) targets 5 million metric tonnes of annual production by 2030. This investment exemplifies public-private-international financing models — a concept tested in Mains GS-3 and RBI/SEBI exams.

What: The 125th edition of the French Open was held at Stade Roland Garros, Paris from 24 May to 7 June 2026, organised by the French Tennis Federation (FFT). Alexander Zverev of Germany won the Men’s Singles title, defeating Flavio Cobolli of Italy 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1. Mirra Andreeva of Russia claimed the Women’s Singles title, defeating Maja Chwalinska of Poland 6-3, 6-2.

How: The French Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and is the only Grand Slam played on clay courts. Roland Garros is named after a French aviator and World War I hero. The FFT has organised the tournament since its open era began in 1968.

Why: Grand Slam results are standard sports GK for SSC, Banking, Railways, and State exams. Key facts to retain: 125th edition, venue (Paris), Men’s winner (Zverev, Germany), Women’s winner (Andreeva, Russia), organiser (FFT). The clay-court surface distinction also appears in general awareness questions about tennis.