NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book on the History and Cultural Heritage of Bhawaiya Folk Music: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book “Sanskritir Ratna Bhandar: Bhaowaiyar Itibritto” in New Delhi, which explores the history, origin, and evolution of Bhawaiya, a traditional folk music genre of North Bengal and Assam. The book highlights Bhawaiya as a reflection of the social and cultural life of North Bengal, emphasizing the influence of folk traditions, religious practices, agricultural customs, seasonal festivals, and community experiences on its development. Authored by Lok Sabha MP Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy and Sangita Roy, the book provides valuable insights into the cultural heritage of North Bengal and the Koch Rajbanshi community, while showcasing the enduring relevance of Bhawaiya despite modernization and globalization.
2. 29 June – National Statistics Day: National Statistics Day is observed every year on 29 June to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, known as the Father of Modern Statistics in India. The day aims to promote awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning, evidence-based policymaking, and sustainable national development. Instituted by the Government of India in 2007, the day recognizes the contributions of statistics in governance, research, and decision-making, while honoring the legacy of P.C. Mahalanobis.
3. India Approves First Offshore Airport in Maharashtra: India’s first offshore airport has been approved for preparation of a Detailed Project Report in Maharashtra. The proposed site is near Kore beach in Palghar district, and the project is planned as the third international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The proposed airport site is near Kore beach in Palghar district, Maharashtra. A pre-feasibility report has classified the project as feasible, and the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation is overseeing the proposal. The project is planned with links to the Uttan-Virar Sea Link, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train station, and the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. It is also integrated with the upcoming Vadhavan Port development for logistics connectivity.
4. Haryana, Rajasthan Sign Upper Yamuna Water-Sharing Pact: Haryana and Rajasthan signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi on 29 June 2026 to implement the 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board Agreement. The arrangement concerns the allocation and transfer of Yamuna river water among basin states under the Upper Yamuna framework. A consensus on the water-sharing arrangement was reached on 23 June 2026 in a high-level meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi. The 9th meeting of the Upper Yamuna Review Committee in November 2025 had already recorded progress on the project for transferring Rajasthan’s share of Yamuna water. The water transfer arrangement for Rajasthan will use a dedicated 295.5-km underground pipeline system. The project is named the Yamuna Water Project and has an estimated cost of Rs 34,102 crore.
5. PM Family Care Tracker Launched in Gujarat: The PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) and Health Passport were launched as a pilot project on 28 June 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The platform is an integrated digital system for monitoring children’s health, nutrition, education, and welfare from pregnancy to the age of 16 years, with some references extending coverage to 18 years. The platform generates automatic alerts when a child misses vaccinations or drops out of school. These alerts are sent to local officials, legislators, and Members of Parliament for follow-up action. The pilot project in Gandhinagar integrates data from the Health Department, Women and Child Development Department, and Education Department. The tracker is linked to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers under welfare delivery systems. It is intended to support identification of beneficiaries for health services, nutrition support, and education-related interventions.
6. Rural Internal Audit Portal Launched for Digital Governance: The AI-enabled Rural Internal Audit Portal was launched on 28 June 2026 at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan held at the Pusa Campus in New Delhi. The portal is a unified digital platform for internal audit in rural development programmes and covers audit planning, execution, reporting, compliance, monitoring, and analytics. The Rural Internal Audit Portal was developed by the Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre. The portal was conceived by the Office of the Chief Controller of Accounts in the Ministry of Rural Development and supports both risk-based audits and compliance audits. The portal replaces paper-intensive and fragmented audit practices with a single digital system. Its modules cover engagement approvals, audit observations, action taken reports, and record archival, which are part of the complete audit lifecycle.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Launches ‘Operation Amistad’ to Provide Earthquake Relief Assistance to Venezuela: India has launched Operation Amistad as a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission in response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, demonstrating solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft have been deployed carrying a 41-member rescue and medical team, 30 tonnes of relief supplies, 6 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment, an Indian Army Field Hospital, and two BHISHM Cube portable hospitals.
2. India Joins 34 Nations in US-Led Pax Silica Initiative to Strengthen AI Supply Chains: India joined 34 other countries in signing the US-led Joint Statement on AI Opportunity at the second Pax Silica Summit in Washington, supporting trusted and resilient supply chains for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. India was represented by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, who held discussions with global industry leaders to strengthen cooperation in semiconductors, AI, and resilient technology supply chains. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to deepen strategic ties with India, highlighting cooperation under the Quad and the TRUST initiative, while describing the India–US partnership as one of the most consequential relationships of the 21st century.
3. Tripura Global Pineapple Festival Inaugurated in New Delhi to Boost GI-Tagged Queen Pineapple Exports: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and Union Minister of State for DoNER Dr. Sukanta Majumdar inaugurated the three-day Tripura Global Pineapple Festival in New Delhi to promote the state’s GI-tagged Queen pineapple, exports, tourism, and cultural heritage. Tripura produces around 1.78–1.87 lakh metric tonnes of pineapples annually, including nearly 23,000 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Queen pineapples, while the ₹236-crore Mission Queen Pineapple aims to increase the fruit’s economic value from ₹35 crore to ₹200 crore by 2028.
4. 26 June – International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed every year on 26 June to express solidarity with victims of torture and reaffirm the global commitment to eradicate torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. 2026 Theme- Empowering MSMEs through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1997, marking the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) on 26 June 1987.
5. 29 June – International Day of the Tropics: International Day of the Tropics is observed every year on 29 June to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities faced by tropical regions across the world. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016, marking the anniversary of the launch of the State of the Tropics Report (2014). Tropical regions are home to around 40% of the world’s population and contain nearly 80% of global biodiversity, making them vital for sustainable development and climate action.
6. 26 June – World Drug Day (International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking) : World Drug Day is observed every year on 26 June to strengthen global action and cooperation against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking and to promote a healthier, drug-free society. Theme 2026 – World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 through Resolution 42/112 and is coordinated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
7. 26 June – World Refrigeration Day: World Refrigeration Day is observed every year on 26 June to raise awareness about the vital role of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) technologies in modern life. Theme 2026 – Cool Intelligence The day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Kelvin (William Thomson), whose work on the Kelvin temperature scale laid the foundation for refrigeration and thermodynamics.
8. 30 June – International Day of Parliamentarism: International Day of Parliamentarism is observed every year on 30 June to recognise the vital role of parliaments in promoting democracy, accountability, transparency, and good governance worldwide. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 through Resolution A/RES/72/278 and marks the anniversary of the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on 30 June 1889.
9. 27 June – International Day of Deafblindness: International Day of Deafblindness is observed every year on 27 June to raise awareness about the rights, inclusion, and challenges faced by persons with deafblindness, a distinct disability involving combined hearing and vision impairment. The day marks the birth anniversary of Helen Keller (27 June 1880), the renowned author, educator, and disability rights advocate who became a global symbol of resilience despite being deafblind.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Army to Raise First Integrated Battle Groups: The Indian Army plans to operationalise its first Integrated Battle Groups by 1 July 2026. The first formations will be raised from the Panagarh-based XVII Corps, which is also known as the Mountain Strike Corps and is oriented towards the China front. An Integrated Battle Group, or IBG, is a brigade-sized combat formation designed as a self-contained unit. Each IBG is planned to have more than 5,000 troops and 12 to 13 units, including infantry battalions, artillery regiments, engineers, signals, and a field hospital. Under the current plan, four IBGs and one fire support group will be created under the XVII Mountain Strike Corps. Each of these five formations will be commanded by a Major General-rank officer. The IBG concept was first proposed by former Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. The model was test-bedded in the IX Corps on the western border with Pakistan around 2019 and was also experimented with in the eastern theatre during Exercise HimVijay in 2019.
2. India and Seychelles Expand Maritime Security Partnership: India and Seychelles expanded their maritime security partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Seychelles from 27 to 29 June 2026. The visit coincided with Seychelles’ 50th Independence Day celebrations and marked 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. On 27 June 2026, India handed over the Fast Patrol Vessel PS LESPWAR to the Seychelles Coast Guard in Victoria. The vessel was built by Goa Shipyard Limited and its name means “hope” in Creole. The vessel is intended for maritime surveillance and Exclusive Economic Zone patrol duties. On 28 June 2026, India and Seychelles announced 19 outcomes covering maritime security, defence, digital payments, healthcare, agriculture and education. The talks took place in Victoria between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Patrick Herminie.
SPORTS
1. Goa’s Ethan Vaz Becomes India’s 96th Chess Grandmaster at Age 14: 14-year-old International Master Ethan Vaz from Goa became India’s 96th Chess Grandmaster after securing his third and final Grandmaster (GM) norm at the Sarajevo GM Mix Tournament in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ethan won the tournament by finishing ahead of 10 Grandmasters, becoming the third Grandmaster from Goa after Anurag Mhamal and Leon Mendonca. He currently has a live FIDE rating of 2522. Ethan earned his first GM norm at the GM4 Festival Saha Bijeljina (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in October 2025 and his second GM norm at the GM Mix 11 Fantastico Tournament (Serbia) in January 2026. He also won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Chess Championship and qualified for the 2026 World and Asian Youth Chess Championships.
2. Ben Stokes Retires from Test Cricket, Leaves Behind a Historic Legacy: Ben Stokes announced his retirement from Test cricket after the Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand national cricket team, bringing an end to an illustrious red-ball career. Stokes became only the second cricketer after Jacques Kallis to score over 7,000 Test runs and take more than 250 Test wickets. He also popularized England’s aggressive Test approach, widely known as “Bazball.” Among his career highlights are his 258-run knock against South Africa at Cape Town in 2016—the fastest double century-plus (250) in Test cricket history—and his unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, which helped England win their first-ever ODI World Cup. George Russell Wins 2026 Austrian Grand Prix: Mercedes driver George Russell, a British racing driver, won the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix, adding another Formula One victory to his career. Russell’s triumph at the Austrian Grand Prix strengthened Mercedes’ performance in the 2026 Formula One season and highlighted his consistency on the F1 circuit.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. DIKSHA Becomes One Nation, One Digital Platform: Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing, or DIKSHA, is a national digital platform for school education in India. It was launched in 2017 and is managed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training with support from the Central Institute of Educational Technology. As of 28 June 2026, the Central Government positioned DIKSHA as India’s “One Nation, One Digital Platform” for school education. DIKSHA offers content in 36 Indian languages and 7 foreign languages. It includes QR-coded Energised Textbooks, educational videos, 2D and 3D animations, augmented reality content, virtual labs, and Indian Sign Language videos. These features are used for school-level digital learning across different subjects and classes. DIKSHA is used for teacher professional development through programmes such as NISHTHA. It provides self-paced online training and certification modules for teachers. The platform also supports inclusive education through DAISY-formatted content, text-to-speech tools, and sign language videos for differently-abled learners.
2. Aarogya Setu 2.0 and ABDM Launch: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched Aarogya Setu 2.0 and linked digital health initiatives on 29 June 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Aarogya Setu 2.0 has been redesigned from a COVID-19 contact-tracing application into a Personal Health Record application under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Aarogya Setu 2.0 functions as a digital gateway for health record management and access to government health schemes. The application allows users to create and manage an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), share digital health records with consent, and use a scan-and-share facility for registration at healthcare facilities. The ABDM is India’s national digital health ecosystem for creating interoperable health records and digital health identifiers. As of 1 June 2026, the mission had generated over 90 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts across the country. As of 25 June 2026, the ecosystem included over 380 million ABHA Health IDs, more than 4,80,000 registered health facilities, and more than 9,50,000 registered doctors.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. UPI to Become Operational in Seychelles: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is targeted to become operational in Seychelles by the end of 2026. India and Seychelles signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for UPI implementation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Seychelles, which concluded on 29 June 2026. UPI is an instant digital payment system developed in India for bank-to-bank transfers through mobile applications. The system is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory framework of the Reserve Bank of India. The UPI MoU was signed between NPCI and the Central Bank of Seychelles. The agreement covers the technical and institutional steps needed for UPI acceptance in Seychelles and is intended to support cashless transactions for Indian tourists.
2. Corporate Mitra Scheme for MSME Support: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched the Corporate Mitra Scheme 2026 for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 and is designed to create trained paraprofessionals for MSME support in compliance, accounting, taxation, financial guidance, and governance. The Corporate Mitra Scheme is linked with institutions such as IIT Madras, IIT Pravartak, SWAYAM Plus, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 25 June 2026 to operationalise the scheme. The programme has a duration of 12 months. It includes about 150 hours of online academic learning through the SWAYAM Plus portal and six months of on-the-job training with professional firms. Applicants must be Indian nationals below 30 years of age and must be graduates or final-year graduation students.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. PM Narendra Modi Receives Seychelles’ Highest Environmental Honour – ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Seychelles’ highest environmental honour, “Guardian of the Blue Horizon,” by President Dr. Patrick Herminie during his state visit to the East African island nation. The award recognizes PM Modi’s leadership in environmental conservation, climate action, Blue Economy, sustainable ocean resource management, and support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It is the first time this prestigious distinction has been awarded.
2. DMRC Wins UITP Achievement Award for Operational Excellence: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) received the UITP Achievement Award for Operational Excellence on 23 June 2026 in Brussels. UITP, or the International Association of Public Transport, presented the award to DMRC for its AI-powered integrated mobility platform, the Sarthi App. DMRC is the statutory body that operates the Delhi Metro network in the National Capital Region. The organisation manages metro rail services, station operations, fare collection, and passenger facilities across its system. UITP is the International Association of Public Transport, a global body for public transport operators and agencies. The Operational Excellence Award is given to public transport organisations for innovation, operational efficiency, and service delivery in passenger transport.
3. Seychelles Confers Guardian of the Blue Horizon Award: On 28 June 2026, Seychelles conferred the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit to the island nation. The award is a special Presidential Distinction and is described as Seychelles’ highest environmental honour for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development. The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, livelihoods, and marine ecosystem protection. Climate action includes measures for mitigation and adaptation related to climate change. The award was associated with leadership in these areas, along with support for developing countries.
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