NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Health Ministry to Launch e-Sushrut@Clinic for Small Healthcare Facilities: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will launch e-Sushrut@Clinic, a lightweight Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) designed specifically for small healthcare facilities across India. The e-Sushrut@Clinic software has been developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to improve digital hospital management and streamline healthcare services.
2. Sarbananda Sonowal Highlights ₹5,028 Crore Development Plan on Mumbai Port’s 154th Foundation Day: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a ₹5,028.17 crore development pipeline comprising 63 projects during the 154th Foundation Day of the Mumbai Port Authority. The projects include 7 inaugurated projects (₹132.29 crore), 34 foundation stone-laying projects (₹1,354.59 crore), and 22 newly announced projects (₹3,541.29 crore), focusing on port infrastructure, logistics, waterfront development, and operational efficiency. Two major agreements—the Indira Dock Operations and Maintenance Agreement and the Viksit Bharat Mumbai Marina Agreement—were dedicated to improve port operations, waterfront development, and optimal utilization of Mumbai Port’s assets. Celebrated under the theme “Together We Can,” the event honoured employees, stakeholders, and sports achievers, while showcasing the journey of Mumbai Port Authority and commemorating 100 years of the Mumbai Port Sports Club.
3. U.P. Rajeev Appointed Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre: P. Rajeev has been appointed as the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, one of the leading centres of Indian Space Research Organisation. Previously serving as Associate Director (Research and Development) at VSSC, Dr. Rajeev has extensive expertise in rocket guidance and control systems and has led mission design and simulation for several major ISRO launch vehicles. Rajeev belongs to Pathanapuram and is an alumnus of the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, National Institute of Technology Calicut, and Indian Institute of Science.
4. SUMAN Roadmap 2030 for Maternal Health: The SUMAN Roadmap 2030 for Maternal Health was launched on 29 June 2026 by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda at the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi. The roadmap is a strategic framework for maternal and newborn healthcare in India and is linked to the Sustainable Development Goal targets for 2030. The roadmap sets targets for zero maternal deaths, zero infant deaths, universal antenatal care, institutional deliveries, and full immunisation. It also seeks to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 and to lower the Neonatal Mortality Rate and Infant Mortality Rate. The framework uses a life-cycle approach that covers pre-pregnancy, antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care. It also uses a four-stage system for identifying, tracking, and managing high-risk pregnancies across the maternal care continuum.
5. Legal Metrology Act Gets Improvement Notice Mechanism: The Department of Consumer Affairs introduced an Improvement Notice mechanism under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, on 29 June 2026. The mechanism applies to first-time procedural and regulatory non-compliances by regulated entities, including manufacturers, importers, packers, dealers, repairers, traders, and MSMEs. A Legal Metrology Officer may issue an Improvement Notice that identifies a deficiency and provides a reasonable time for correction. If the entity rectifies the lapse within the prescribed period, penal proceedings can be avoided under the new mechanism. The reform was introduced through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. Repeated violations, failure to comply with the notice, fraud, tampering, and deliberate acts that affect consumer interests remain liable for action under the Legal Metrology Act.
6. Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan Expands Water Storage in Gujarat: The Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan is a water conservation campaign in Gujarat linked with pond deepening, check dam desilting, check dam repair, and groundwater recharge. The initiative has been implemented through state government departments and public participation under the broader water conservation framework associated with the Catch the Rain programme. In 2026, the campaign increased Gujarat’s water storage capacity by 20,789 lakh cubic feet. Over the past eight years, the cumulative increase in water storage capacity reached 1,38,039 lakh cubic feet across the state. Between 2018 and 2024, the state carried out 1,07,608 works, including 36,979 new lakes and desilting of 24,086 check dams. As of May 2026, 13,315 water conservation works were completed across Gujarat. The 2026 campaign included 2,450 pond deepening projects, 3,661 check dam desilting works, and 1,160 check dam repair projects. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the 2026 campaign from Gandhinagar on 23 February 2026.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. APEDA Facilitates First Commercial Export of GI-Tagged Rewa Sundarja Mangoes to UAE: APEDA facilitated the first commercial export of GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja Mangoes from Madhya Pradesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), promoting India’s unique agricultural products in global markets. The inaugural export consignment consisted of 1 metric tonne of premium-quality Rewa Sundarja Mangoes, marking an important milestone for the international recognition of this Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged fruit.
2. Government Launches Air Suvidha 2.0 for International Arrivals: The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), has launched Air Suvidha 2.0, a fully contactless passenger health self-declaration portal to strengthen public health surveillance at international entry points. The upgraded Air Suvidha 2.0 has been made mandatory for all international passengers arriving in India, enhancing health screening and facilitating quicker digital processing at airports. The platform was introduced following the World Health Organization declaration of an Ebola virus disease/Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
3. MAHE Achieves Top Global Rankings in THE Impact Rankings 2026: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University, retained its overall global band of 101–200 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2026. MAHE achieved a landmark World No. 1 ranking for SDG 5 (Gender Equality), improving dramatically from Rank 11 in the previous edition. The university also secured Rank 5 globally for SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), rising significantly from Rank 74 in 2025. MAHE improved in other key SDGs as well, reaching Rank 23 for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and Rank 93 for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), showcasing its growing global impact in research, teaching, outreach, and institutional stewardship.
4. 27 June – World MSME Day: World MSME Day (Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day) is observed every year on 27 June to recognise the vital contribution of MSMEs to economic growth, innovation, employment, and sustainable development. Theme 2026 – Empowering MSMEs through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 through Resolution A/RES/71/279 to raise awareness about the role of MSMEs in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Globally, MSMEs account for about 90% of businesses, provide 60–70% of employment, and contribute nearly 50% of global GDP, making them the backbone of economies worldwide.
5. 30 June – International Asteroid Day: International Asteroid Day is observed every year on 30 June to raise public awareness about asteroid impact hazards, planetary defence, and the importance of studying near-Earth objects. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016 through Resolution A/RES/71/90, marking the anniversary of the 1908 Tunguska impact in Siberia, the largest recorded asteroid impact event on Earth.
6. 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.
7. India and Saudi Arabia Sign Water Management Pact: India and Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 29 June 2026 for cooperation in water resource management. The pact was formalised during the inaugural Saudi Water Week conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Water resource management is the planning, development, distribution, and protection of water resources. It includes surface water, groundwater, irrigation systems, and water-use efficiency measures. Dr Suhel Khan, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Eng Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, signed the MoU. Fahad Suri, the Consul General of India in Jeddah, was present at the ceremony on 29 June 2026.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. INS Ikshak and INS Tarkash Participate in Seychelles’ 50th National Day Celebrations: The Indian Navy’s indigenously built Survey Vessel Large (SVL) INS Ikshak arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles, to participate in the country’s 50th National Day (Golden Jubilee of Independence) celebrations. The frontline stealth frigate INS Tarkash also took part in the celebrations, highlighting the strong maritime partnership and defence cooperation between India and Seychelles.
2. Indian Naval Ships Udaygiri, Kavaratti & Shakti Reach Thailand to Strengthen Maritime Cooperation: Indian Naval Ships Udaygiri, Kavaratti, and Shakti of the Eastern Fleet arrived at Sattahip, Thailand, as part of their operational deployment to the South-East Asia region. The port call aims to strengthen bilateral maritime ties, mutual cooperation, and naval camaraderie between India and Thailand, reflecting the two countries’ long-standing maritime partnership.
3. INS Sudarshini Reaches Baltimore, USA Under Lokayan 26 Transoceanic Expedition: The Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Port of Baltimore, Maryland (USA) as part of the Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition, showcasing India’s rich maritime heritage and strengthening India–US naval cooperation. During its visit, INS Sudarshini will participate in maritime engagement and community outreach programmes ahead of the Sail250 Maryland celebrations, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Before reaching Baltimore, the ship participated in the Sail250 Virginia celebrations at Norfolk and has sailed over 13,000 nautical miles in five months from Kochi, symbolizing India’s seafaring traditions and the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”
4. IAF Concludes Fifth Warfare and Aerospace Strategy Programme: The Indian Air Force concluded the fifth Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP) with a Capstone Seminar on 29 June 2026 in New Delhi. The seminar marked the end of a six-month Professional Military Education programme conducted by the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS) in New Delhi and the College of Air Warfare (CAW) in Hyderabad. WASP was initiated in 2022 as a Professional Military Education programme for mid-ranking officers of the Indian Air Force. The programme is also open to personnel from the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and civilians from the Ministry of Defence. Participants presented analyses on two themes: “Evolution of Aerospace Power: From Classical Strategy to Contemporary Limited Conflict” and “Future-proofing Aerospace Power: Innovation, Integration and Force Design.” The inaugural WASP CAW Journal was released on 29 June 2026 during the seminar.
SPORTS
1. Indian soldiers win first World Rowing Cup gold: Indian soldiers Havildars Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh won India’s first gold medal at a World Rowing Cup on 27 June 2026. The medal came at World Rowing Cup Stage 3 in Lucerne, Switzerland, in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2x) event. The World Rowing Cup is an annual international rowing series organised by World Rowing, the international federation for the sport. The series includes multiple stages held at different venues, and athletes compete in boat classes such as single sculls, double sculls, and coxless fours. Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls, abbreviated as LM2x, is a rowing event in which two rowers compete in a sculling boat. In sculling, each rower uses two oars, and lightweight categories apply body-mass limits fixed by World Rowing regulations.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Six Startups Win Youth Co-Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026: Six youth-led startups from across the country won the 8th edition of the Youth Co-Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026. The initiative is jointly led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India and Citi Foundation in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and implemented by the T-Hub Foundation. Niti Aayog informed that this year’s challenge received more than 350 applications from startups across 28 states. Following a rigorous selection process, 50 high-potential startups were shortlisted for the National Springboard Programme, a three-month virtual capacity-building initiative supported by 16 industry mentors and domain experts. Following the final evaluation, six startups were selected for their scalable and high-impact solutions. The winning startups received seed grants of three lakh fifty thousand rupees each, while the runners-up were awarded two lakh twenty thousand rupees each.
2. Ayushman Sarathi PM-JAY Chatbot Launched: Ayushman Sarathi PM-JAY Chatbot was launched on 29 June 2026 in New Delhi by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. It is a WhatsApp-based chatbot developed by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for access to Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana services. The chatbot provides eligibility checks under PM-JAY, Ayushman Card application and download, eKYC, Aadhaar linking, and lock or unlock functions for PM-JAY cards. It also allows users to view wallet balance, check treatment history, find nearby empanelled hospitals, and register, track, or withdraw grievances. Beneficiaries can access Ayushman Sarathi by sending “Hi” to +91 72908 23838 on WhatsApp or by scanning an official QR code. The chatbot provides 24×7 access to scheme-related services through a conversational interface.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SBM Bank India & Paisabazaar Launch FD-Backed Credit Card: Paisabazaar and SBM Bank India have launched the SBM Paisabazaar Paisa+ Credit Card, a Fixed Deposit (FD)-backed credit card designed to help individuals build or improve their credit history while earning cashback on everyday spending. The card offers FD returns of up to 7% per annum along with cashback on online, offline, and UPI transactions, making it especially beneficial for first-time credit users and those looking to improve their credit score through responsible usage.
2. NIIF Gets Additional ₹30,000 Crore Government Investment: The Union Cabinet approved an additional ₹30,000 crore investment by the Government of India into the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) on 29 June 2026. The fresh allocation raises the government’s total commitment to NIIF to ₹60,000 crore and supports the creation of NIIF Infrastructure Fund II, which has a target corpus of about ₹30,000 crore. The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund is India’s sovereign-anchored investment platform. The Government of India holds a 49% stake in NIIF, and the platform manages capital commitments of about ₹40,000 crore across its existing funds and investment strategies. NIIF Infrastructure Fund II is the second infrastructure-focused fund under NIIF. The fund is planned to invest in transportation, energy, digital infrastructure, urban infrastructure, and e-mobility.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Florence Rabier Receives WMO’s Highest Honour – IMO Prize: Florence Rabier of France has been awarded the IMO Prize, the highest honour of the World Meteorological Organization, for her outstanding contributions to numerical weather prediction and advancing meteorological services. A former Director of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (2016–2025) and current Non-Executive Director of the Met Office, Dr. Rabier played a key role in integrating artificial intelligence, satellite data, and open-data systems into weather forecasting.
Named after the International Meteorological Organization, the IMO Prize is regarded as the “Nobel Prize of meteorology”, recognizing exceptional contributions to meteorology, hydrology, and international scientific cooperation.
2. Global Skills Challenge 2026 India Wins Five Medals: India won five medals at the Global Skills Challenge Australia 2026, which was held from 23 June to 29 June 2026. The medal tally included three gold, one silver, and one bronze, and the event served as a preparatory competition for the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai later in 2026. Pavan Bhadravati Suresha from Karnataka won gold in Additive Manufacturing on 29 June 2026. Mausam Kumar Giri from Bihar won gold in Cloud Computing, and Vishnupriya Sunil from Delhi won gold in Health and Social Care. Harsh Ramesh Pawar from Maharashtra won silver in 3D Digital Game Art. Muskan from Haryana won bronze in Painting and Decorating.
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