NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Launches First Flex-Fuel Passenger Vehicle: Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Nitin Gadkari launched India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle developed by Maruti Suzuki in New Delhi. Flex-fuel vehicles can run on ethanol-petrol blends ranging from E20 to E100, supporting cleaner mobility and strengthening India’s energy transition and self-reliance goals. The initiative is expected to reduce emissions and crude oil import dependence, promote biofuel adoption, support farmers, enhance rural energy security, and generate significant employment opportunities while saving up to ₹1.44 lakh crore in foreign exchange.
2. University of Liverpool to Establish Campus in Bengaluru: The University of Liverpool has received approval from the Ministry of Education to establish its branch campus in Bengaluru, marking a major step in the internationalization of higher education under the National Education Policy 2020. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the move as a significant milestone that will expand opportunities for Indian students, strengthen academic collaboration, and support India’s goal of becoming a global hub for learning, innovation, and research. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the growing India-UK partnership, with education identified as one of the key pillars of the India–UK Vision 2035 framework.
3. BHASHINI Launches VYOMA Innovation Challenge: The Digital India BHASHINI Division under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched the VYOMA Innovation Challenge to promote the development of open-source, multilingual, and voice-first AI solutions that can function in offline and low-connectivity environments. The initiative, launched in collaboration with Current AI and Kalpa Impact, aims to strengthen India’s multilingual AI ecosystem by enhancing language accessibility, digital inclusion, and access to technology. The challenge is built around Sunno Sutra, a multilingual, voice-first, open-source AI device unveiled at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, and invites startups, researchers, students, MSMEs, and innovators to develop new applications and improvements for the platform.
4. Visa Appoints Shah Rukh Khan as Brand Ambassador: Visa has appointed Shah Rukh Khan as its brand ambassador for India and launched the ‘Infinitely More’ campaign targeting the country’s growing affluent consumer segment. The campaign highlights a shift in consumer preferences from ownership to experiences, focusing on areas such as travel, dining, wellness, and entertainment, based on Visa’s ‘India’s Affluent Economy 2025–2026’ research.
5. Vice-President Releases Book When Audit Matters: P. Radhakrishnan released the book When Audit Matters: CAG Interventions That Made a Difference at the Vice-President’s House (Uprashtrapati Bhawan). The book has been edited by Vinod Rai, the former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
6. Dr. Subhash Kashyap, constitutional expert dies: Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, former Lok Sabha Secretary-General and constitutional expert, died on 4 June 2026 at the age of 97. He died at his residence in Sainik Farm, New Delhi, at around 10 a.m. due to cardio-pulmonary arrest after age-related ailments. Dr. Kashyap authored more than 100 books on constitutional law, parliamentary procedures, and governance. His writings were used by students, researchers, and legislators in India. Dr. Subhash Kashyap was born on 10 May 1929 in Chadpur, Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. He participated in India’s Independence movement as a teenager.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. MY Bharat Recognised by Guinness World Records: Mera Yuva Bharat has been recognised by Guinness World Records for achieving the record of “Most Users to Take an Online Quiz in One Week.” The record was set through the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue 2026 Quiz, which was conducted from 25 October to 31 October 2025. The Guinness World Records certificate was received by Mansukh Mandaviya. Mera Yuva Bharat was launched on 31 October 2023 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with the objective of youth empowerment and nation-building, targeting young people aged 15–29 years.
2. Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe Elected to UNSC (2027–28): The countries of Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–28 term. The election was held in the 193-member United Nations General Assembly through a secret ballot. The newly elected members will replace Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia at the end of 2026. In the Western European and Other States Group, Portugal (134 votes) and Austria (131 votes) secured the two available seats, while Germany suffered a setback by receiving 104 votes and failing to win a seat.
3. 5 June – International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing: International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is observed every year on 5 June to raise awareness about the threats posed by illegal fishing to marine ecosystems, fisheries resources, and coastal livelihoods. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 and has been observed annually since 2018 to promote sustainable fisheries management and ocean conservation.
4. India and UK Launch Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory: India and the United Kingdom launched the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) on 5 June 2026 in New Delhi. The observatory is a joint initiative of TEXMiN at the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, and the University of Cambridge. Critical minerals are minerals that are essential for economic activity and industrial production. They are used in clean energy technologies, electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. Supply chains for these minerals include extraction, processing, refining, transport, and end-use manufacturing. The GSCO is designed to monitor and analyse global critical mineral supply chains. It identifies supply risks and disruptions, generates market intelligence, and supports decision-making for policymakers, industry, and researchers. The observatory also covers resource security for sectors linked to clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
5. Japan PM Sanae Takaichi May Visit India in July 2026: Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering a visit to India in early July 2026 for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The proposed meeting is likely to take place in Assam, where a semiconductor plant is under construction, and the talks are expected to cover economic cooperation, security cooperation, and regional issues linked to China’s military and economic assertiveness. India and Japan are members of the G20 and the Quad, and both countries hold annual summit-level meetings. The two sides have maintained cooperation in infrastructure, investment, technology, and security since the launch of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014. Assam is a state in north-eastern India and a key location in the India-Japan Act East Forum. The forum supports projects linked to economic modernisation in India’s north-eastern region, including connectivity, industrial development, and human resource development.
6. Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal Visits India: Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, is on an official visit to India from 5 June to 7 June 2026. The visit takes place at the invitation of India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and formal talks are scheduled in New Delhi. India and Nepal share an open border of about 1,751 kilometres, and the two countries maintain cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people ties. Nepal and India are linked by the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which remains a key reference point in bilateral relations. Shisir Khanal assumed office as Nepal’s Foreign Minister on 27 March 2026. He earlier served as Nepal’s Minister for Education, Science and Technology in 2023.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Balwinder Dhaliwal, Asian Games Shot Putter Dies: Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal was an Indian shot putter and Arjuna Award recipient who died in Chandigarh on 1 June 2026 at the age of 67. He won a bronze medal at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi and multiple medals at the Asian Athletics Championships. Shot put is a field event in athletics in which an athlete puts a heavy spherical shot from the shoulder with one hand. The standard men’s shot weighs 7.26 kg, and the event is governed internationally by World Athletics. Dhaliwal was a 10-time national champion in shot put between 1981 and 1992. He won silver at the 1983 Asian Athletics Championships, gold at the 1985 Asian Athletics Championships, and bronze at the 1987 Asian Athletics Championships. He set an Asian record of 18.71 metres in 1986 at an international meet in New Delhi.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Chandigarh University Establishes IndiaAI Data Lab with Intel India: Chandigarh University became India’s first private university to establish the IndiaAI Data Lab in collaboration with Intel India, focusing on AI, Data Science, and emerging technology skills. The lab will provide students with a simulated apprenticeship platform, hands-on training, practical industry exposure, and opportunities to work on real-world AI projects to enhance employability. Chandigarh University also launched MCA Data Science and BCA Data Science programs in partnership with Intel India, strengthening industry-academia collaboration in advanced technology education.
2. Vizag Selected for Andhra Pradesh’s First Semiconductor Project: Visakhapatnam, also called Vizag, has been selected for Andhra Pradesh’s first semiconductor project under the India Semiconductor Mission. The project is an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test facility proposed by Advanced System in Package Technologies Private Limited. Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test, or OSAT, is a semiconductor back-end manufacturing activity that covers assembly, packaging, and testing of chips. OSAT facilities are part of the semiconductor value chain and are used after wafer fabrication. The facility will come up at Tarluvada village in Anandapuram mandal of Visakhapatnam district. The total project investment is ₹2,387.81 crore, and the work will be executed in two phases. The first phase has an investment of ₹542.19 crore, while the second phase has an investment of ₹1,845.61 crore.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. OECD Projects India’s Growth at 6.3% in FY27 and 6.4% in FY28 Despite Global Economic Challenges: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has projected India’s economy to grow by 3% in FY2026-27 and 6.4% in FY2027-28, maintaining strong growth despite rising global economic uncertainties. According to the OECD, the ongoing West Asia Conflict is the key factor affecting the global economic outlook, leading to higher energy and commodity prices and weakening growth prospects across the world.
2. India Records 7.7% GDP Growth in FY26: India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.7% in Fiscal Year 2025-26, and the economy expanded by 7.8% in the fourth quarter of FY26 from January to March 2026. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lowered its GDP growth forecast for FY27 to 6.6% and raised its inflation forecast for FY27 to 5.1% on 5 June 2026. Gross Domestic Product measures the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a specific period. Real Gross Value Added (GVA) measures economic activity excluding taxes and subsidies, and it grew by 7.9% in FY26. India’s FY26 growth was supported by domestic demand, investment activity, manufacturing, construction, and services. The RBI revised its FY27 growth projection from 6.9% in April to 6.6% in June 2026 because of West Asia conflict risks, energy prices, supply disruptions, and weather-related uncertainties.
3. India Expands Ethanol Fuel Network by 2027: India has announced a phased expansion of ethanol dispensing infrastructure with 500 flex-fuel retail pumps planned by the end of 2026 and about 5,000 outlets targeted by the end of 2027. The plan is linked to flex-fuel vehicles and higher ethanol blends in petrol under the country’s biofuel and transport fuel framework. Ethanol blending refers to the mixing of ethanol with petrol in fixed proportions. India achieved the 20% ethanol blending target in petrol in 2025, ahead of the original 2030 timeline. Common blend labels include E20 for 20% ethanol and E85 for 85% ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on petrol-ethanol blends across a wider range than conventional petrol vehicles. Recent models in India include Maruti Suzuki’s Wagon R Flex Fuel and Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor Plus and HF Deluxe motorcycles, which are compatible with blends from E20 to E85.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. J&K Bank Wins Gold Award at Finacle Innovation Awards 2026 for Data Analytics Platform: J&K Bank won the Gold Award at the Finacle Innovation Awards 2026 in Mumbai under the category “Modern Technologies-led Innovation – Data Insights & Analytics Platform” for its cloud-based enterprise data and analytics ecosystem. The Finacle Innovation Awards 2026, organized by Infosys Finacle, were held under the theme “Recomposing Banking, Playbook for the Next Phase of Banking Transformation.”
2. Andhra Pradesh CNF Wins Food Planet Prize 2026: The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme won the Food Planet Prize 2026, receiving $1.5 million for promoting one of the world’s largest transitions to natural farming. The award was presented in Båstad, Sweden, by the Curt Bergfors Foundation, which recognises initiatives supporting sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems. Launched in 2016, APCNF is implemented across 8,168 villages and involves around 18 lakh farmer families, making it one of the world’s largest community-led agroecology and natural farming programmes.
No comments:
Post a Comment