NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Kerala Forest Department Launches India’s First Judiciary-Integrated Digital System for Wildlife Offences: The Kerala Forest Department launched the e-court integration feature for its HAWK (Hostile Activity Watch Kernel) system, making Kerala the first state in India to implement a fully digitised, judiciary-integrated wildlife offence management system. Through an API-based integration between the Forest Department and the District Court Management System (DCMS), the initiative eliminates physical paperwork and enables real-time monitoring of wildlife crime cases. Developed in collaboration with Wildlife Trust of India and supported by NTT Data, the HAWK platform also tracks wildlife mortality, illegal weapon seizures, repeat offenders, and crime hotspots to improve enforcement and conservation efforts.
2. PM Narendra Modi Becomes India’s Longest-Serving Elected Prime Minister: Narendra Modi became the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India on 10 June 2026, completing 4,399 consecutive days in office since first taking oath on 26 May 2014. He surpassed the record of Jawaharlal Nehru, who served as an elected Prime Minister for 4,398 days from 13 May 1952 to 27 May 1964.
3. PM Modi to Chair 11th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting: Narendra Modi chaired the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. The theme of the meeting is “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047”, focusing on the well-being and development of every Indian irrespective of age, region, gender, or socio-economic background. The meeting will bring together Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors to discuss four key pillars: Foundational Human Capital & Future-Ready Skills, Productive Employment & Entrepreneurship, Health & Wellbeing, and Equity & Dignity for All, along with measures to promote skilling, entrepreneurship, and sustainable employment.
4. President Approves Merger of REC Ltd with Power Finance Corporation: The President of India has approved the merger of REC Limited with Power Finance Corporation, further consolidating the power sector financing ecosystem. In March 2019, Power Finance Corporation acquired the Government of India’s 52.63% stake in REC Ltd for ₹14,500 crore, making REC its subsidiary and paving the way for the merger.
5. Gavri Devi, Rajasthani Mand Singer, Dies: Gavri Devi, a noted Mand folk singer from Rajasthan, died at the age of 98 on 11 June 2026 at her residence in Pali, Rajasthan. She was known for her long association with Mand singing, a traditional music form of Rajasthan. Mand is one of the oldest folk music traditions of Rajasthan. It combines melodic singing, storytelling, and regional folk themes. The form has been performed in desert and semi-desert regions of western Rajasthan for generations. Gavri Devi received nationwide recognition for preserving and popularising Mand music. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed grief over her death. Her family members, including her daughter-in-law Sundardevi and granddaughter Neetu, are associated with the same musical tradition.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. SAPLING Dialogue 2026 Concludes in Ahmedabad, Focuses on Advancing Food Processing for Sustainable Growth in South Asia: The two-day SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth) Dialogue 2026 concluded in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and was jointly organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the World Bank Group. The dialogue was held under the theme “Unlocking Value: Advancing Food Processing for Employment Generation and Sustainable Growth in South Asia” and brought together around 200 participants, including policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, startups, and representatives from South Asian countries.
2. Shobha Karandlaje Leads Indian Delegation at 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva: Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment and MSME, Shobha Karandlaje, led the Indian delegation at the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, Switzerland. The International Labour Conference (ILC) is the annual supreme decision-making body of the International Labour Organization and is often referred to as the “International Parliament of Labour.”
3. 9 June – World Accreditation Day: World Accreditation Day is observed every year on 9 June to highlight the importance of accreditation in supporting quality, safety, innovation, and global trade. Theme for 2026 – Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation The day is jointly established by the International Accreditation Forum and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation to promote the value of accreditation worldwide.
4. 10 June – International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations: The International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations is observed annually on 10 June and was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/78/286 adopted on 7 June 2024. The resolution was proposed by China and co-sponsored by more than 80 countries, recognising that all civilizational achievements are part of the collective heritage of humankind.
5. 12 June – World Day Against Child LabourWorld Day Against Child Labour: World Day Against Child Labour is observed every year on 12 June to raise awareness about child labour and promote efforts to eliminate it worldwide. The day was launched by the International Labour Organization in 2002 to highlight the plight of children engaged in labour and the need to protect their rights.
6. China Rejects Indian Chilli Consignments: China rejected multiple consignments of Indian dried red chillies on 11 June 2026 and temporarily suspended three Indian exporting firms. The action followed detection of alleged excessive methamidophos, an organophosphate insecticide, in the consignments. China has increased scrutiny of imported food products through residue testing and compliance checks. In May 2026, China rejected 70 consignments of Indian non-Basmati rice over concerns related to genetically modified organisms. Indian chilli exports depend on pesticide residue control, farm-level monitoring, and post-harvest testing. Inconsistent pesticide management and insufficient residue monitoring remain key compliance issues in the chilli supply chain.
7. Canada Launches Meningitis B Vaccination Drive: Canada has recorded a rise in invasive meningococcal disease, with provinces such as Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Manitoba expanding vaccination measures for students and young adults. Meningitis B is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, and it is one of the main causes of invasive meningococcal disease in Canada. Invasive meningococcal disease can cause meningitis and bloodstream infection. Canada reported at least 155 cases in 2025, the highest annual total since 2012, after 48 cases in 2021. Preliminary data for early 2026 shows at least 63 cases. Manitoba recorded 12 confirmed infections in 2023, 25 in 2024 and 24 in 2025. The province also reported two cases in early 2026, and most of these cases were linked to the W strain.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Tata-Airbus Conduct First Test Flight of India-Made C295 Military Transport Aircraft: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus successfully conducted the first test flight of the maiden ‘Made in India’ Airbus C295 military transport aircraft from the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, Gujarat. The C295 aircraft is being manufactured in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, marking a significant milestone in the country’s indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities. TASL and Airbus have partnered to deliver 56 C295 military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force, strengthening India’s defence modernization and self-reliance efforts.
2. Bangladesh Deploys Armed Village Guards in Border Areas: Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) deployed para-police forces at border frontiers in 11 districts as part of a coordinated border management arrangement with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The deployment followed a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 between Ansar-VDP and BGB for joint border security duties. Ansar-VDP is a para-police force in Bangladesh that works with local recruitment and community-level deployment. The force has been placed at border outposts with BGB personnel, and battalions remain ready for rapid response and additional manpower.
3. Bangladesh, India Strengthen Border Cooperation: Bangladesh and India agreed on 12 June 2026 to deepen border cooperation through improved intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols after a four-day meeting of senior border officials in New Delhi. The two countries share a land border of more than 4,000 kilometres, which is among the longest international borders in the world. The 57th Director General-level Border Coordination Conference was held from 8 to 11 June 2026. India’s Border Security Force and Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh took part in the meeting, led by Director General Praveen Kumar and Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui. The Director General-level conference is a regular bilateral mechanism for border management between the two forces. The Coordinated Border Management Plan is a joint framework used for patrol coordination, information exchange, and border incident handling.
SPORTS
1. Kimi Antonelli Becomes Youngest-Ever Monaco Grand Prix Winner: Kimi Antonelli won the Monaco Grand Prix, becoming the youngest winner in the race’s history and continuing his remarkable debut season in Formula 1. Antonelli secured his fifth consecutive victory, extending his championship lead to 66 points over Lewis Hamilton, while Isack Hadjar finished third despite battling engine issues during the race.
2. Hyderabad to Host Second Edition of Archery Premier League from October 8–18: The second edition of the Archery Premier League (APL) will be held in Hyderabad from 8 to 18 October, featuring top international archers in an 11-day competition. The tournament will be hosted at People’s Plaza on Necklace Road and aims to promote archery through a franchise-based league format. Six franchise teams—Mighty Marathas, Rajputana Royals, Prithviraaj Yodhas, Kakatiya Knights, Chero Archers, and Chola Chiefs—will compete in the league, which made its debut in Delhi last year.
3. Jaspal Rana, Shooting Coach and Champion, Dies: Jaspal Rana was an Indian sport shooter and coach who died at the age of 49 on 12 June 2026. He was admitted to Max Hospital, Saket, in Delhi, after returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich. He died due to cardiac complications, including a sudden cardiac rupture during sleep after an acute heart attack and a blocked artery. Jaspal Rana won four Asian Games gold medals and 15 Commonwealth Games medals for India. His Commonwealth Games tally included 9 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals. He was one of India’s most decorated pistol shooters in international competition. Rana coached Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Manu Bhaker became the first Indian in the post-Independence era to win two medals at a single Olympic edition. Rana worked in Indian shooting as both an athlete and a coach.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Meta to Establish Its First AI-Enabled Data Centre in India: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced the establishment of its first AI-enabled data centre in India in partnership with Reliance Industries. The new facility will be built at Jamnagar, Gujarat, with a capacity of 168 megawatts, and will be leased by Meta with provisions for future expansion. The project aims to strengthen Meta’s global AI infrastructure while supporting India’s rapidly growing digital economy, reflecting the company’s long-term commitment to investment and technological development in the country.
2. Japan’s H3 Rocket Returns With Low-Cost Variant: Japan’s H3 rocket returned to flight on 12 June 2026 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture with the debut of its low-cost “30 configuration”. The mission, called Flight 6, used three liquid-fuel LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters. The second stage reached the targeted orbit, and six small satellites developed by universities and other organisations were believed to have separated successfully. The H3 is Japan’s flagship launch vehicle and is co-developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The “30 configuration” is a variant designed with three LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters. The H3 family includes multiple configurations for different payload requirements and launch costs.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Viyona Fintech Receives BBPS Biller Operating Unit Certification from NPCI Bharat BillPay: Viyona Fintech India, an NPCI-certified Technology Service Provider, has received certification as a Biller Operating Unit (BOU) under the Bharat Bill Payment System, which is operated by NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited. The certification allows Viyona Fintech to go live as a BOU, enabling billers in sectors such as utilities, education, insurance, and financial services to collect payments through the Bharat BillPay network. According to Viyona Fintech Chairman and CEO Ravindranath Yarlagadda, BBPS plays a key role in promoting digital inclusion by providing an interoperable bill payment platform for everyday Indians.
2. India Expands Trade Ties for 2047 Economy Goal: India has expanded its trade agreements with the European Union, New Zealand, the European Free Trade Association, Canada and the United States in 2026. These agreements form part of India’s trade strategy linked with the goal of building a $30 trillion economy by 2047. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a treaty between two or more economies that reduces or removes customs duties on goods and, in some cases, eases rules on services, investment and market access. India and the European Union signed an FTA on 27 January 2026 after nearly two decades of negotiations. The India-EU FTA gives immediate duty-free access to 70.4% of Indian tariff lines. It covers more than 90.7% of India’s export value to the European Union, and full implementation is planned to raise duty-free access to 99%.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Indian Army’s Major Prabhat Mishra Wins Two Top Academic Awards at US Army Command and General Staff College: Major Prabhat Mishra of the Indian Army won two prestigious awards at the US Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), outperforming officers from 92 countries who participated in the 10-month leadership programme. He received the Birrer-Brookes Award for Outstanding Master of Military Arts and Science Thesis and the General Douglas MacArthur Military Leadership Writing Award during the graduation ceremony at Fort Leavenworth. The 2026 programme graduated 951 officers, including 120 international military officers from 92 countries, with the awards recognizing excellence in military studies, research, and leadership writing.
2. Indian Whiskies Win at San Francisco Spirits Competition: DeVANS GianChand Indian Single Malt Whisky won a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026 on 11 June 2026. GianChand Manshaa, a peated expression from DeVANS Modern Breweries Ltd., won a Silver medal at the same competition. Both whiskies also received Silver medals at the International Spirits Challenge 2026. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) is a global spirits competition held in the United States. It evaluates spirits through blind tasting by a judging panel and awards medals such as Gold, Silver, and Double Gold. A Double Gold medal at the SFWSC is awarded when every judge on the panel independently gives a spirit a Gold rating. This medal is used for spirits that receive unanimous top marks from the judges.
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