NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Becomes World’s Top Ship Recycling Nation in 2025: India became the world’s top ship recycling nation in 2025, with its global share rising from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4%, according to the UNCTAD report. Ship recycling in India increased by nearly 60%, reaching 2.99 million gross tonnes in 2025 compared to 1.86 million gross tonnes in 2024. India achieved the Maritime India Vision 2030 target of becoming the world’s leading ship recycling nation five years ahead of schedule, reinforcing its position as a global hub for sustainable ship recycling
2. Annual Ambubachi Mela Begins at Kamakhya Temple in Assam: The annual Ambubachi Mela will commence at the Kamakhya Temple, located on the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati. Ambubachi Mela celebrates the annual menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya and is one of the most significant religious festivals in eastern India.
3. UCO Bank Appoints Rajendra Kumar Saboo as Additional MD & CEO: UCO Bank has appointed Rajendra Kumar Saboo, its Executive Director, as the additional Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO). Saboo has been given the additional charge following the completion of former MD & CEO Ashwani Kumar’s tenure on 31 May 2026. Rajendra Kumar Saboo, who joined UCO Bank as Executive Director in November 2022, will serve as MD & CEO until 31 August 2026, a regular appointment, or further orders, whichever is earlier.
4. Tushar Mehta Reappointed as Solicitor General of India for Three More Years: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the reappointment of Tushar Mehta as the Solicitor General of India for a three-year term, effective 1 July 2026. The Solicitor General of India is the second-highest law officer of the Union Government after the Attorney General for India. Tushar Mehta first assumed office in October 2018, and his fresh tenure will extend his total service as Solicitor General to 11 years.
5. Ladakh Gets Two High-Altitude Flower Fields: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone for two high-altitude flower fields in Leh district, Ladakh, on 22 June 2026. The projects are being developed at Choglamsar and Stakna and are described as the first of their kind in India. Floriculture is the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants for commercial and decorative use. The two Ladakh projects are designed to promote floriculture, diversify biodiversity, and create livelihood opportunities for farmers in a cold desert region. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Department of Agriculture, UT Ladakh, and the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, for scientific and technical support. The sites will function as demonstration centres for lilies, gladioli, and tulips before transfer to farmer cooperatives for commercial cultivation.
6. Gujarat Grants 20% Reservation for Ex-Agniveers: Gujarat announced a 20% reservation for former Agniveers in direct recruitment to Class III posts in state government departments on 22 June 2026. The policy covers posts in the state police armed units, the State Reserve Police Force, the jail department, and the forest guard cadres. Former Agniveers will be exempt from physical efficiency tests in the covered recruitments. They will also receive age relaxation of up to three years beyond the standard upper age limit, while members of the first Agniveer batch will get relaxation of up to five years. The reservation applies to several Class III posts in Gujarat. These posts include Armed Police Sub-Inspector, Armed Police Constable, SRP Platoon Commander, Police Constable, Jailer Group-2, Jail Sepoy, Forest Guard (Class III), and Forester (Class III).
7. Indori Malwi Potato, Garadu and Balam kakdi from Madhya Pradesh Get GI Tag: The Indori Malwi potato received the Geographical Indication tag after notification by the Registrar of Geographical Indication, Chennai, on 13 June 2026. The potato is one of 12 regional agricultural products from Madhya Pradesh that received GI certification from 18 proposed items. A Geographical Indication tag is a form of intellectual property protection used for goods that have a specific geographical origin and qualities, reputation, or characteristics linked to that origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The Malwi potato is known for low sugar and low starch content. It retains a white colour after frying and is used for chips and French fries. The crop is also used in Indore’s street food items such as Aloo Chaat, Poha, Aloo Bada, and Khopra Petis.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. APEDA Facilitates First-Ever Export of Dried Whole Egg Powder from Odisha to Austria: APEDA facilitated the first-ever export of 22.6 metric tonnes of dried whole egg powder from Balangir, Odisha, to Austria, marking a major milestone for India’s value-added poultry exports. The consignment was exported by OVO Farm Pvt. Ltd., an APEDA-registered exporter, from its state-of-the-art egg processing facility established in Balangir in 2025. The processing unit meets EU hygiene norms, EIC standards, is certified under FSSC 22000 Version 6, and holds HALAL and KOSHER certifications, boosting India’s access to premium global markets.
2. Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister: Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party. With Starmer’s resignation, the United Kingdom is set to have its seventh Prime Minister in a decade this year, reflecting continued political turnover.
3. Colombia Elects Abelardo De La Espriella as New President: Colombia has elected Abelardo De La Espriella as its new President, succeeding Gustavo Petro. Gustavo Petro was Colombia’s first left-wing President, marking a significant political shift before the election of his successor.
4. India-UAE BrahMos and Akashteer Talks: India and the United Arab Emirates are in early-stage discussions on the possible sale of Indian defence systems, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akashteer air defence control system. BrahMos is a joint project of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, while Akashteer is an automated air defence system developed in India. Akashteer is a fully automated, AI-enabled air defence control and reporting system. Bharat Electronics Limited developed the system in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Army. The system is designed for integrated air picture generation and air defence coordination.
5. Haldia Seaport Designated as Immigration Post: An immigration post is a notified entry or exit point where immigration clearance is carried out for foreign nationals and Indian citizens travelling across international borders. In India, immigration posts function under the Immigration Act, 1983, and are administered through the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Haldia Dock Complex began international operations in 1977. It was built in 1968 to reduce the load on Kolkata Port, which is one of the major ports on the eastern coast of India. Haldia is located in Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal and serves as a riverine port connected to the Hooghly estuary.
6. Haj Policy 2027 Announced: The Ministry of Minority Affairs announced the Haj Policy 2027 on 22 June 2026. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju unveiled the policy, and applications for Haj 2027 from India opened on the same day through the Haj Committee of India portal and the Haj Suvidha App. The Haj Policy 2027 continues pilgrim-centric measures introduced in Haj 2026. These measures include sofa-cum-beds in Mina, high-speed train travel between Makkah and Madinah, hotel-style accommodation in Makkah, and the 20-day Short Haj Package. The State Haj Inspector ratio has been revised from one inspector for every 150 pilgrims to one for every 135 pilgrims. This ratio is used for on-ground assistance and coordination during the pilgrimage. The Indian Haj quota is expected to remain in a 70:30 ratio between the Haj Committee of India and private tour operators. The proposed allocation includes 122,518 seats for the Haj Committee of India and 52,507 seats for private tour operators, against a total of 175,025 pilgrims in the previous year.
7. Lakadong Turmeric Gains Global Recognition: Lakadong Turmeric is a turmeric variety from the Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya and received Geographical Indication status in 2024. It is known for curcumin content of about 7% to 12%, compared with 2% to 3% in many commercial turmeric varieties. Lakadong Turmeric is linked to the Jaintia Hills region of Meghalaya, where it is cultivated in traditional organic farming systems. A Geographical Indication tag is used in India under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, for products associated with a specific place and quality. Curcumin is the principal bioactive compound in turmeric and is used in food, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Lakadong Turmeric has higher curcumin levels than many other turmeric varieties, and this chemical profile is a key feature in its market demand.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Ajit Doval Hosts BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi: Ajit Doval hosted the meeting of National Security Advisers (NSAs) of BRICS countries in New Delhi. India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship is being conducted under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.”
2. Warship Builder GRSE Granted Navratna Status, Becomes 29th Navratna CPSE: Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has been granted ‘Navratna’ status by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), becoming the 29th Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). The Navratna status provides GRSE with greater financial and operational autonomy, enabling it to undertake larger investments and strategic expansion. GRSE has delivered 118 warships, including 80 to the Indian Navy, making it the largest warship supplier to the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries.
3. PM Modi Commissions Three Indigenous Naval Platforms: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three indigenously built Indian Navy platforms – INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray – in Kolkata, highlighting India’s new vision for the shipbuilding sector. The three warships, built with over 75% indigenous content, will strengthen India’s combat operations, hydrographic surveying, anti-submarine warfare, and coastal defence capabilities. The Prime Minister said shipbuilding, ship repair, and Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) are being developed as a national mission to boost self-reliance, create lakhs of jobs, and strengthen the maritime economy.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Amit Shah Launches NAFED’s Digital Auction Portal NAFEX.in: Amit Shah launched NAFED’s digital auction portal, NAFEX.in, in New Delhi to promote transparency, efficiency, and technology-driven reforms in the cooperative sector. Along with NAFEX.in, he unveiled the NAFED-KALYAN Scholarship Scheme for farmers’ children, the DRISHTI Portal for pulses and oilseeds inventory management, and an ERP Portal to improve NAFED’s organisational efficiency.
in is designed to provide a transparent digital platform for agricultural produce auctions, benefiting farmers, member institutions, and other stakeholders by streamlining auction processes. These initiatives support the government’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”, strengthening cooperative institutions through digital innovation, transparency, and farmer-centric reforms.
2. Cyber Crime Centre Warns of Boss Scam: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued an advisory on 22 June 2026 on a cyber fraud called the “Boss Scam” or CEO impersonation fraud. The scam uses malicious archive files, malware infection, and account impersonation to trigger unauthorised financial transfers through email and WhatsApp. Cybercriminals send malicious archive files through email or WhatsApp and present them as urgent regulatory or compliance documents. When a victim opens the file on a Windows device, malware can infect the system and hijack active Web WhatsApp sessions. The fraudster then uses the genuine WhatsApp account of the executive to send transfer instructions. Some cases involve impersonation of regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India to create pressure for immediate action. The fraud depends on urgency, authority, and digital account compromise.
3. Four Digital Policing Apps Launched in India: India launched four digital policing applications on 22 June 2026 in New Delhi. The applications are Abhigyan, Criminal Procedure Identification (CrPI), e-prosecution 2.0, and e-forensics 2.0. They are linked to the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS), which connects police, courts, prisons, and forensic systems through digital platforms. The Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is a digital framework for data sharing among criminal justice institutions in India. It is used to connect policing, criminal identification, forensic examination, and prosecution management. The system supports electronic workflows in criminal investigation and case processing.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India’s Core Sector Growth Slows to 0.5% in May 2026: India’s Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded 5% growth in May 2026, marking the second-slowest growth in the last 21 months, with only October 2025 (-0.1%) performing worse. Five of the eight core sectors registered negative growth in May 2026, including crude oil (-4.6%), natural gas (-4.9%), refinery products (-8.7%), coal (-9.3%), and fertilisers (-0.9%). The sharp decline in refinery products was the worst in 3.5 years, attributed partly to the West Asia crisis, while lower crude prices, higher imports, and weaker petro-product exports also impacted production. Steel (5%), cement (8.4%), and electricity (8.7%) were the only core sectors to record positive growth during May 2026.
2. SEBI Approves GARUDA Green-Channel Framework for AIFs: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved the GARUDA framework for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) on 19 June 2026 through amendments to the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012. GARUDA stands for “Green-Channel: AIF Rollout Upon Document Acknowledgement” and applies to the launch process of AIF schemes in India. Under GARUDA, the launch timeline for Regular Schemes of AIFs has been reduced to 10 working days from the earlier waiting period of about 30 days. Accredited Investor-only schemes and Angel Funds can launch immediately after SEBI acknowledges their documents.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Jainendra K. Jain Becomes First Indian-Origin Scientist to Win Wolf Prize in Physics: US-based Indian-origin theoretical physicist Jainendra K. Jain became the first person of Indian origin to receive the Wolf Prize in Physics for his pioneering discovery of composite fermions. Jain was honoured for revolutionising the understanding of the fractional quantum Hall effect and advancing research on two-dimensional electron systems. Presented by Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, the Wolf Prize, awarded annually since 1978, is among the world’s most prestigious scientific honours, with 27 Physics laureates later receiving the Nobel Prize.
2. 19th Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 Concludes with Golden Conch Awards: The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) concluded in Mumbai, with Jishnu Dev Varma presiding over the closing ceremony. MIFF is one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals dedicated to Documentary, Short Fiction, and Animation Films. In the International Competition, the Polish documentary “Silver” won the Golden Conch for Best Documentary, while “Maya’s Song” and “Under The Snow” received the Silver Conch for Best Animation and Best Short Fiction Film, respectively. In the National Competition, “Armstrong from Angalamman Kovil Street” won the Silver Conch for Best Animation Film.
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