NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Govt launches Nirbhay Chetna training module in New Delhi: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on Nirbhay Chetna in New Delhi and launched the Nirbhay Chetna training module under the Nirbhaya Fund project. Nirbhay Chetna is a national initiative under the Nirbhay Raho programme (launched on 11 March 2026) aimed at sensitising men on women’s safety, security, dignity, and gender-responsive governance at the grassroots level through Panchayats. The pilot programme trained around 40 Master Trainers from six states—Assam, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Uttarakhand—and is part of a nationwide plan to develop 28,500 Master Trainers who will train over 17 lakh male elected representatives across India.
2. IIT Delhi Emerges as India’s Highest-Ranked Institution in QS Rankings 2027 World University: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has emerged as India’s highest-ranked education and research institution in the QS World University Rankings 2027, securing the 118th position globally, improving from 123rd in the previous edition. The QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings 2027 assessed more than 1,500 universities across 106 countries and territories, making it one of the world’s most comprehensive higher education rankings. A total of 52 Indian universities featured in the QS World University Rankings 2027, reflecting the growing global presence of India’s higher education institutions. With its 118th global rank, IIT Delhi has equalled the highest-ever QS World University Ranking achieved by an Indian institution, reinforcing its leadership in education, research, and innovation.
3. India to Host 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting: India will host the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram on 25–26 June 2026 under its BRICS Chairship 2026. The meeting will focus on three key priorities: Energy Security and Sustainability, Energy Access and Equity, and Technology and Innovation, with participation from Energy Ministers and senior officials of all 11 BRICS member countries. Guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” the meeting will strengthen energy cooperation and provide a platform for India to advance the priorities of the Global South and promote an inclusive global energy future.
4. PM Modi Leads International Yoga Day in Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations at Red Road in Kolkata on 21 June 2026. The event included a mass yoga session with thousands of participants and synchronised yoga programmes at multiple locations in the city. The theme for 2026 was “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline that originated in ancient India and includes postures, breathing exercises and meditation. During the Kolkata session, the Prime Minister participated in yoga postures and assisted participants in correcting their poses during the 40-minute programme. The venue at Red Road was expected to host about 35,000 participants, while nearly 10 lakh people were expected to join synchronised sessions across Kolkata.
5. India Plans Clean Energy Showcase at BRICS Meet: India will host the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram, Haryana, on 25-26 June 2026 under its BRICS Chairship 2026. The Energy Track theme is “सर्वेषां ऊर्जम्” and it is linked with the phrase “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS)”. BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting is a ministerial-level forum for cooperation on energy security, energy access, technology and sustainability. India’s energy agenda for its BRICS presidency has three priorities: energy security and sustainability, energy access and equity, and technology and innovation. BRICS nations accounted for 51% of global solar electricity generation in 2024, compared with 15% a decade earlier.
6. Centre Reappoints Tushar Mehta as Solicitor General: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the re-appointment of Senior Advocate Tushar Mehta as the Solicitor General of India for a further term of three years on 20 June 2026. His fresh term begins on 1 July 2026, and it extends his tenure as the Union Government’s second-highest law officer. The Solicitor General of India is the second-highest law officer in the Union Government after the Attorney General for India. The office is part of the Union’s law officer system, which also includes Additional Solicitors General and other government counsel. The same approval covered the re-appointment of five Additional Solicitors General for the Supreme Court for three years. Vikramjit Banerjee and K.M. Nataraj begin their new terms on 1 July 2026, while Suryaprakash V. Raju, N. Venkataraman, and Aishwarya Bhati begin their terms on 30 June 2026.
7. House of Lords Hosts Viksit Bharat 2047 Forum: The House of Lords in London hosted a “Viksit Bharat 2047” forum on 19 June 2026. The forum was organised by the NRI Association of UK and brought together parliamentarians, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the Indian diaspora. The International Conclave on Good Governance 2024 used “Viksit Bharat 2047” as its theme and held sessions at the House of Lords, House of Commons, London City Hall, and Brent Civic Centre from 11 to 13 September 2024. The General Counsels’ Association of India held a conference in London on 5 June 2026 on “India—UK Partnership” and “Building the Legal Ecosystem for Viksit Bharat 2047.”
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. UAE Sets Minimum Age of 15 for Personal Social Media Accounts: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has fixed 15 years as the minimum age for creating and using personal social media accounts, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such a nationwide regulation. The rule applies to all major social media platforms operating in or targeting users in the UAE, including Meta Platforms’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok and YouTube. The initiative aims to promote safer online environments for children, strengthen digital safety, and encourage responsible use of social media among young users.
2. 18 June – Autistic Pride Day: Autistic Pride Day is observed every year on 18 June to celebrate the identity, strengths, and contributions of autistic individuals while promoting acceptance, inclusion, and respect for neurodiversity. Theme 2026 – Recognition, Representation, and Reform The day was first celebrated in 2005 by the Aspies For Freedom (AFF), an autism rights organisation, to encourage autistic people to take pride in their identity.
3. 18 June – International Picnic Day: International Picnic Day is celebrated every year on 18 June to encourage people to spend time outdoors with family and friends, promoting relaxation, recreation, and healthy social interaction. The day highlights the importance of outdoor activities, strengthening family and community bonds, reducing stress, and fostering appreciation for nature and the environment.
4. 19 June – World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed every year on 19 June to raise awareness about Sickle cell disease, promote early diagnosis, improve treatment, and support individuals and families affected by the disorder. Theme 2026 – Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease The day was officially designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 to recognize sickle cell disease as a global public health concern and encourage international efforts to address it.
5. 19 June – World Sauntering Day: World Sauntering Day is celebrated every year on 19 June to encourage people to slow down, take leisurely walks, and enjoy the journey rather than rushing through life. The day was created in the 1970s by W. T. Rabe to promote the idea of “sauntering” as a relaxed alternative to the fast-paced lifestyle and the growing popularity of jogging.
6. 20 June – World Refugee Day: World Refugee Day is observed every year on 20 June to honour the courage and resilience of refugees who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, or natural disasters. Theme 2026 – Until Everyone Is Safe The day was established by the United Nations in 2001, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, to raise awareness about the rights and protection of refugees worldwide.
7. 21 June – World Music Day: World Music Day is celebrated every year on 21 June to promote the universal language of music, encourage amateur and professional musicians, and make music accessible to everyone through free public performances. Theme 2026 – One World, One Music, One Heart and Music of India The celebration originated in France in 1982 as Fête de la Musique, an initiative launched by the French Ministry of Culture, and is now observed in over 120 countries worldwide.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Taiwan Launches Combat Readiness Drill: Taiwan’s military launched a five-day Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise on 22 June 2026 across the island. The drill runs until 26 June 2026 and includes rapid mobilisation, battlefield deployment, joint operations, command coordination, logistical sustainment, and battlefield preparation. The exercise uses real personnel, actual terrain, and operational equipment. It is structured around realistic war scenarios and tests the transition from peacetime to wartime operations. Units are moving to designated defensive positions during the drill. Combat units from the 269th Mechanised Infantry Brigade took part in the exercise. CM32, CM33, and CM34 Clouded Leopard eight-wheeled armoured vehicles were observed moving to defensive positions in Qingpu, Taoyuan. The Clouded Leopard series is a family of armoured fighting vehicles used by Taiwan’s Army.
2. US Approves Support Package for India’s Apaches and M777 Systems: The United States approved a military support package for India on 22 June 2026 for sustainment services linked to AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers. The total estimated value of the package is USD 482.2 million, and the support covers equipment already in service with the Indian armed forces. The AH-64E Apache is a twin-engine attack helicopter developed by Boeing for anti-armour, reconnaissance, and close air support roles. The sustainment package for the Apache fleet is estimated at USD 198.2 million and includes ancillary items, spare parts, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, and depot-level capability.
SPORTS
1. India Wins 12 Medals at 56th Grand Prix Usti nad Labem: India delivered a dominant performance at the 56th Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in Czechia, finishing with 12 medals, including 8 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze, ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The women’s team won 4 gold and 1 silver, with Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg), Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51 kg), and Priya Ghanghas (60 kg) clinching gold medals, while Parveen Hooda (65 kg) secured silver. The men’s team also claimed 4 gold medals, with Jadumani Singh (55 kg), Sachin (60 kg), Ankush (80 kg), and Narender (+90 kg) emerging champions in their respective weight categories. Additional medals came from Aditya Pratap Yadav (65 kg) and Kapil Pokhariya (90 kg), who won silver, while Sumit Kundu (70 kg) earned a bronze medal, completing India’s successful campaign.
2. India Wins FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2026: India defeated hosts New Zealand 2-0 in the final at Auckland to win its second FIH Women’s Nations Cup title and secured promotion to the FIH Women’s Pro League for the next season. Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo scored the goals in the final, while Lalremsiami was named Player of the Match, and Deepika finished as the joint-highest scorer of the tournament with 6 goals. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating the USA, Japan, Uruguay, and Chile, and Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for each support staff member in recognition of the team’s achievement.
3. Neeraj Chopra Finishes Fourth at Doha Diamond League: Neeraj Chopra finished fourth at the Doha Diamond League with a best throw of 85.69 metres, marking his first competition of the season after recovering from a back injury. Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won the event with a throw of 88.68 metres, while Anderson Peters (86.38 m) and Curtis Thompson (85.99 m) finished second and third, respectively. Despite missing the podium, Neeraj Chopra surpassed the 82.61-metre qualifying mark set by the Athletics Federation of India for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and has already been named in India’s 32-member squad for the Games to be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Draft Satcom Spectrum Rules Add Security Clearance Layer: India’s Department of Telecom (DoT) published the draft Telecommunications (Spectrum Assignment by Administrative Process) Rules, 2026, on 17 June 2026. The draft rules propose administrative assignment of satellite communication spectrum and add security clearance requirements for satcom operators before service rollout in India. The draft rules cover satellite communication services such as satellite phone and broadband. They apply to operators including Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio Satcom, which need spectrum assignment for commercial operations in India. Under the draft framework, a DoT licence alone will not be sufficient for launching satcom services. Operators will need explicit security clearance from the central government even after spectrum assignment.
2. Australia Confirms First Mainland H5N1 Case: Australia confirmed its first mainland case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 on 20 June 2026 in a brown skua found dead in Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance in southern Western Australia. The virus was identified as the clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 lineage after testing by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a severe form of bird flu caused by influenza A viruses. H5N1 is a subtype of influenza A virus that affects birds and can infect some mammals. The clade 2.3.4.4b lineage has been detected in multiple regions outside Australia in recent years.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Exempts Long-Term NRE Deposits from CRR and SLR Requirements: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has exempted banks from maintaining Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) on fresh Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) term deposits with a tenor of three years or more, mobilised between 19 June 2026 and 30 September 2026. The RBI had earlier announced a similar exemption for fresh 3–5 year Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) [FCNR(B)] deposits, as part of its temporary measures to attract foreign capital inflows. Under existing norms, banks are required to maintain a CRR of 3% and an SLR of 18% of their deposits. The exemption allows banks to deploy the entire proceeds of eligible deposits without maintaining these reserve requirements. The move is expected to enable banks to offer higher interest rates on eligible NRE and FCNR(B) deposits, improve foreign currency inflows, enhance liquidity, and support credit growth in the economy.
2. RBI Revises Lead Bank Scheme Guidelines: The Reserve Bank of India issued a revised circular on the Lead Bank Scheme on 19 June 2026 through Press Release 2026-2027/502. The circular supersedes earlier instructions on the Lead Bank Scheme and sets revised norms for district-level credit planning, committee meetings, and financial inclusion work. The revised guidelines formalise Block Level Bankers’ Committees as the base of a three-tier credit planning system. Block plans feed into district plans and then into state plans through District Consultative Committees, District Level Review Committees, and State Level Bankers’ Committees. Uniform timelines now apply to meetings of Block Level Bankers’ Committees, District Consultative Committees, District Level Review Committees, and State Level Bankers’ Committees. The framework also requires agenda papers, minutes, and action-taken records to follow stricter timelines.
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