Daily GK Update- 6th June, 2026

 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.

 

Daily GK Update- 5th June, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. J. P. Das, Odia Litterateur and Former IAS Officer, Dies: Jagannath Prasad Das, known as J. P. Das, was an Odia poet, playwright, art historian and former Indian Administrative Service officer. He died on 3 June 2026 at his residence in Bhubaneswar at the age of 90. He was born on 26 April 1936 in Puri district. J. P. Das joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1958. He served as Collector of Kalahandi during the 1965-1966 famine and drought. He took premature retirement from the IAS in 1984. J. P. Das wrote poetry collections such as Prathama Purusha, Ahnika and Parikrama. He also wrote the historical novel Desha Kala Patra. He received the Saraswati Samman in 2006. He declined the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1990 for his poetry collection Ahnika.

 

2. 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. Subhash Kashyap was born on 10 May 1929 in Chadpur, Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. He participated in India’s Independence movement as a teenager. 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.

 

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.

 

4. FSSAI Vegan Logo for Food Products from July 2027: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated a standardised vegan logo for approved vegan food packages from 1 July 2027. The requirement applies to vegan food products covered under the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2026, which amended the 2022 vegan food regulations and were notified on 21 May 2026. Under FSSAI regulations, vegan food is defined as a product free from animal-derived ingredients, animal-derived additives, and animal-derived processing aids. The definition also covers products that do not involve animal testing, except where such testing is required by a regulatory authority. The official vegan logo is a green square-framed symbol with a stylised “V”, a sprouting leaf, and the word “VEGAN” below it. FSSAI has prescribed dimensions and design specifications for the logo to ensure uniform labelling on food packages.

 

5. Government Forms Six Sector-Specific Working Groups: The Indian government constituted six sector-specific working groups on 4 June 2026 to identify up to 100 products for domestic manufacturing and import substitution. The groups cover pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices; chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles and footwear; capital goods, automotive and electric vehicles, and advanced capital goods; energy; construction equipment and infrastructure; and defence and aerospace for civilian applications and electronics. Each working group is chaired by the secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The members are drawn from ministries and departments such as commerce, DPIIT, NITI Aayog, pharmaceuticals, economic affairs, science and technology, chemicals, textiles, heavy industry, ports and shipping, electronics and information technology, road transport, new and renewable energy, and oil.

 

6. Fotu La Tunnel Project Approved in Ladakh: The Fotu La Tunnel project on National Highway-01 in Ladakh has been approved with an estimated cost of ₹1,196.22 crore. The project covers a 2.65-kilometre alignment and includes a 1.96-kilometre twin-tube tunnel and 0.69 kilometre of approach roads. Fotu La Pass is located at an altitude of about 4,108 metres and is the highest point on the Uri–Srinagar–Leh highway corridor. National Highway-01 is a key road link in Ladakh for civilian movement, essential supplies, and defence logistics. The project includes a unidirectional twin-tube tunnel at Fotu La and approach roads on both sides. A twin-tube tunnel has two separate tubes for traffic movement, and unidirectional traffic flow is used in road tunnels to improve operational control and safety.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Marjane Satrapi Dies: Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian-French artist, director and author of the graphic novel Persepolis, died at the age of 56 on 4 June 2026. She was born in Rasht, Iran, in 1969, became a French citizen in 2006, and lived in Paris until her death. Satrapi is known for Persepolis, a graphic novel that presents her childhood in Iran. The work was later adapted into an animated film, and Satrapi also worked as a director and illustrator. The office of French President Emmanuel Macron announced her death on 4 June 2026. Macron described Satrapi as “a great artist who transformed an Iranian childhood into a universal fable”.

 

2. Neelkanth Mishra Appointed World Bank Executive Director: Economist Neelkanth Mishra was appointed as India’s Executive Director at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C., United States, on 4 June 2026. His tenure will be for three years from the date he assumes charge, and he will succeed Parameswaran Iyer, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer. The World Bank Group has a Board of Executive Directors that oversees the institution’s operations, policies, and lending decisions. Executive Directors represent member countries or groups of countries at the World Bank, which is headquartered in Washington D.C. Before this appointment, Neelkanth Mishra served as Chief Economist at Axis Bank and as Head of Global Research and Whole-Time Director at Axis Capital. He is also a part-time member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, a part-time Chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India, and a part-time member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

 

3. 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. Balendra Shah became Prime Minister of Nepal on 27 March 2026 after the March 2026 elections. Rastriya Swatantra Party chief Rabi Lamichhane visited India on 3 June 2026 before Khanal’s visit.

 

4. 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. Prime Minister Takaichi and Prime Minister Modi met on 23 November 2025 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Modi on 26 May 2026 during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in India.

 

5. 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.

 

6. United States Becomes India’s Largest LPG Supplier: India’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) import pattern changed in 2026, with the United States becoming India’s largest supplier and the Middle East losing its earlier dominant share. India imports LPG for household cooking fuel, industrial use, and commercial consumption, and the fuel is traded in pressurised cylinders or bulk cargoes. Blockades and security disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz affected LPG movement from Gulf exporters such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between Oman and Iran that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints for crude oil and liquefied gases. Liquefied petroleum gas is a mixture of propane and butane that is stored as a liquid under pressure. India is one of the world’s largest LPG consumers, and its import basket has traditionally depended on Gulf suppliers because of shorter shipping routes and established trade links.

 

7. EU Advances Ukraine and Moldova Membership Bids: The European Union moved ahead with accession procedures for Ukraine and Moldova on 3 June 2026, when EU ambassadors in Brussels launched the process to open the first negotiating cluster in membership talks with both countries. The first cluster in EU accession negotiations is called “Fundamentals” and covers rule of law, democratic institutions, judicial reform, public administration, and fundamental rights. EU membership negotiations are divided into negotiating clusters that group policy areas for screening and reform. The first cluster, “Fundamentals”, is usually opened early in the accession process and covers core political and legal criteria used in EU enlargement talks.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Balwinder Dhaliwal, Asian Games Shot Putter, Dies at 67: 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.

 

2. Pentagon Launches Project Patriot Pipeline: Project Patriot Pipeline is a workforce development initiative of the United States Department of War, announced on 3 June 2026 by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The programme consolidates multiple training and personnel development efforts for service members, military spouses, and federal civilians. The Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness is responsible for preparing an implementation plan within 45 days of the 3 June 2026 memorandum. Anthony J. Tata, the Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, testified on the initiative before the Senate Armed Services Committee personnel subcommittee on 20 May 2026.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. 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 project is expected to generate 1,000 jobs, including 200 jobs in the first phase and 800 jobs in the second phase. The Andhra Pradesh government has approved 30 acres of land for the project at ₹1 per acre and has extended incentives under the Andhra Pradesh Semiconductor and Display Fab Policy (4.0) 2024-29, with support capped at 40% of the project cost.

 

2. T-Mobile USA Opens Global Technology Centre in Hyderabad: T-Mobile USA, through TMUS Global Solutions, inaugurated its Global Technology Centre in Hyderabad on 4 June 2026. The facility is located in Hitech City and covers 2.5 lakh sq ft, or 250,000 square feet. The Global Technology Centre is T-Mobile US’s first global technology hub outside the United States. The centre is designed as a technology and innovation facility for software engineering, DevOps, product development, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and artificial intelligence. Hyderabad is a major information technology hub in Telangana and hosts several global capability centres, software firms, and research facilities. Hitech City is a well-known technology district in Hyderabad and contains offices of multinational companies, start-ups, and engineering services firms.

 

3. NASA Ends MAVEN Mars Mission: NASA declared the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission concluded on 3 June 2026 after a prolonged loss of contact with the spacecraft. MAVEN was launched in November 2013 and operated for more than 11 years in orbit around Mars. MAVEN stands for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution. It was a NASA orbiter designed to study the upper atmosphere of Mars and the planet’s atmospheric escape processes. The spacecraft exceeded its primary one-year mission and continued scientific operations for over a decade. MAVEN also served as a data relay orbiter for NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. MAVEN studied how the Sun and solar activity contributed to the loss of most of Mars’s atmosphere over geological time. Its findings are linked to the transition of Mars from a warmer and wetter planet to a dry and cold world. The mission formed part of NASA’s Mars exploration programme and added atmospheric data to the broader study of Martian climate history.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India Leads in US Unicorn Founders: India is the leading country of origin for immigrant founders of United States billion-dollar startups, with 96 such companies as of 3 June 2026. Immigrants have founded or co-founded 455 of 775 privately held United States startup companies valued at $1 billion or more, which is 59% of the total. A Stanford University Venture Capital Initiative study updated on 13 May 2025 found that immigrants accounted for 44% of US unicorn founders. The same study placed India at the top with 90 unicorn founders. Indian-born founders formed nearly one-fifth of all non-US-born unicorn founders in a 4 December 2024 Global Finance Magazine article citing Stanford research. Indian entrepreneurs are prominent in fintech, software-as-a-service, and developer infrastructure sectors.

 

2. BHEL Secures Nigeria Refinery Export Order: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) signed a contract on 2 June 2026 with Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals Free Zone Enterprise in Nigeria for a refinery and petrochemical project. The order value is estimated at ₹2,000 crore to ₹2,500 crore, or about US240 million to US300 million. The contract covers design, manufacturing, supply, erection supervision, and commissioning supervision of eight gas turbine generator packages. The packages are meant for a petroleum refinery and a polypropylene plant in the Dangote Industries Free Zone in Nigeria. The order was awarded through an international tender process. The contract excludes civil works and includes supply up to Mumbai Port and performance guarantee tests.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. J&K Bank Wins Finacle Gold Award for AI Platform: J&K Bank won the Gold Award at the Finacle Innovation Awards 2026 in Mumbai on 3 June 2026. The award was given in the category “Modern Technologies-led Innovation – Data Insights & Analytics Platform” for the bank’s cloud-based enterprise data and analytics ecosystem. The J&K Bank platform functions as a unified source for reporting, business intelligence, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence applications. It supports AI and machine learning-based solutions for operational efficiency, forecasting, customer analytics, risk management, credit management, and customer retention.

 

2. National Awards for e-Governance 2026 Announced: The National Awards for e-Governance 2026 selected 17 projects and initiatives on 4 June 2026. The awards recognise exemplary contributions in digital governance across seven categories. The 29th National Conference on e-Governance is scheduled to be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Agri Stack is a project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Mahakumbh 2025 is an initiative of the Prayagraj Mela Authority in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The Blood Bag Traceability and Citizen Interaction portal is a project of the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council, also known as K-DISC. TRINETRA is an artificial intelligence-based video surveillance system for the Mahakal Rudrasagar Integrated Development Area in Ujjain and is associated with the Mahakaleshwar Temple Trust.

 

Daily GK Update- 4th June, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s Seafood Exports Hit Record High in FY 2025–26: India exported 72 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of seafood worth ₹73,890.46 crore (USD 8.46 billion) in FY 2025–26, achieving an all-time high in both export volume and value despite global market challenges. Frozen shrimp remained the top export product, earning ₹49,037.93 crore (USD 5.62 billion) and contributing 66.52% of total seafood export earnings. Shrimp exports grew by 13.16% in rupee terms and 8.64% in dollar terms. The United States and China continued to be the largest importers of Indian seafood, while China emerged as the biggest destination by quantity, importing 4.90 lakh MT of seafood worth USD 1.61 billion. Frozen fish was the second-largest export item, while dried seafood products ranked third and recorded a strong 78.05% growth in rupee value, reflecting increasing global demand for diversified Indian seafood products.

 

2. Government Constitutes Committee to Probe CBSE OSM System: The Government has formed a one-member inquiry committee headed by Radha Chauhan to investigate issues related to the procurement of services for the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system by the Central Board of Secondary Education. The committee will submit its report within one month. CBSE has opened an online portal for verification of answer books and re-evaluation requests for Class 12 students who have already obtained scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets. The portal will remain open until 6 June.

 

3. WAVES OTT Crosses 1 Crore Users in Less Than Two Years, Targets 2 Crore by 2027: WAVES OTT, operated by Prasar Bharati, has crossed 1 crore registered users within less than two years of its launch in November 2024. The platform reflects the growing adoption of indigenous digital media platforms, offering trusted and diverse content, and now aims to reach 2 crore users by March 2027 through expanded content and distribution. WAVES OTT hosts 24,000+ content titles, 15,000+ hours of content, 140+ live TV channels, 200+ radio services, along with education, culture, and archival content, including PM eVidya programmes.

 

4. Gujarat’s Hastkala Setu Yojana Crosses ₹102 Crore Sales, Generates Over 50,000 Jobs for Artisans: The Hastkala Setu Yojana, launched in 2020 under the leadership of Bhupendra Patel, has recorded cumulative sales of ₹102.08 crore and generated over 50,000 employment opportunities for artisans. The scheme has significantly improved artisan incomes, increasing the share of beneficiaries earning over ₹15,000 per month from 9% to 50%, while promoting self-reliance, local manufacturing, and preservation of Gujarat’s traditional craft heritage.

 

5. Prashant Sitaram Lokhande Appointed CBSE Chairman: Prashant Sitaram Lokhande, a 2001-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education. Varun Bhardwaj, a 2008-batch Indian Information Service officer, has been appointed as the new Secretary of CBSE, replacing Himanshu Gupta. Lokhande succeeds Rahul Singh, who has been transferred to the Agriculture Ministry as Additional Secretary, while the appointments come amid controversy surrounding CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.

 

6. D.K. Shivakumar to Become Karnataka Chief Minister: D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to take oath as the 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka on 3 June 2026. The swearing-in ceremony is planned for 4:00 PM at the Lok Bhavan premises in Bengaluru. The Chief Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers in a State under Article 164 of the Constitution of India. The Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor and is usually the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Legislative Assembly. Siddaramaiah resigned on 28 May 2026 and proposed D.K. Shivakumar’s name as the next Congress Legislature Party leader on 30 May 2026. The proposal was unanimously accepted by the Congress Legislature Party.

 

7. Cabinet Approves Highway Projects in Telangana: The Union Cabinet approved two National Highway widening projects in Telangana on 3 June 2026. The projects cover 190.76 km and have a combined capital cost of ₹7,597.16 crore. The approved works include the widening of the Armoor-Jagtial-Mancherial section of NH-63 and the Jagtial-Karimnagar section of NH-563. Both corridors will be developed to 4-lane standards. The Armoor-Jagtial-Mancherial section of NH-63 will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model. The Jagtial-Karimnagar section of NH-563 will be taken up under the Build-Operate-Transfer (Toll) model. The projects are designed for a speed of 100 km per hour and include bypasses to built-up areas with open tolling.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to Host 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum in New Delhi: India will host the 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum in New Delhi on 11–12 June 2026 under the theme “Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.” The Forum is a major event under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, aligned with the vision of “Humanity First” and the Chairship theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” India will host the BRICS Urbanisation Forum for the fourth time in 2026, having previously hosted it in 2013 (New Delhi), 2016 (Visakhapatnam), and virtually in 2021.

 

2. India–Cambodia Cross-Border Payment Link: UPI Enabled on KHQR for Seamless QR Payments: Indian travellers can now make seamless QR-based payments in Cambodia using their UPI-enabled apps by scanning the country’s KHQR (Bakong QR) codes, enabling faster and cashless transactions. This facility has been enabled through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited and ACLEDA Bank to promote cross-border digital payment interoperability. The integration allows UPI acceptance in Cambodia via the national QR system KHQR (Bakong), strengthening India’s digital payment reach globally and improving convenience for Indian tourists.

 

3. Janez Jansa Returns as Slovenia’s Prime Minister for Fourth Term: Slovenia’s Parliament approved Janez Jansa as Prime Minister, with lawmakers voting 51–36 in favor of the veteran right-wing leader, marking a political shift from the previous liberal government. It will be the fourth term in office for Janez Jansa, whose Slovenian Democratic Party formed a coalition with several centre-right parties to establish the new government.

 

4. UN General Assembly Elects Bangladesh’s Rahman as Next President: Mohammad Abdul Muhith Rahman has been elected as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and will assume office on 8 September 2026 for a one-year term. The presidency of the UN General Assembly rotates among the UN’s five regional groups, and the 81st session has been allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group.

 

5. 4 June – International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed every year on 4 June to recognise the suffering of children who become victims of physical, mental, and emotional abuse during conflicts and acts of aggression. The day was established by the United Nations in 1982 following the impact of armed conflicts on children, particularly in war-affected regions.

 

6. US President Confirms Participation in G7 Summit: The 52nd G7 Summit is scheduled for 15-17 June 2026 in Évian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, France. United States President Donald Trump confirmed his participation on 3 June 2026 through a post on Truth Social. The G7 is an intergovernmental forum of seven advanced economies. Its members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union also participates in G7 meetings. The 2026 summit agenda includes artificial intelligence, trade, critical mineral supply chains, and crime-fighting. Invited countries for the summit include Brazil, India, Kenya, South Korea, and Syria.

 

7. US Proposes Tariff on India Over Forced Labour Concerns: On 3 June 2026, the United States proposed additional tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including India, under the Trump administration. The proposal links the measure to Section 301 investigations by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative into alleged failures to prohibit or enforce bans on goods made with forced labour. India is among 54 countries facing a proposed 12.5% additional tariff on imports. Six other economies, namely Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan, would face a 10% tariff under the proposal. The U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated on 3 June 2026 that failures by trading partners to address forced labour imports create an uneven trade environment for American workers. India rejected the allegations and sought resolution through bilateral trade negotiations.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Maj Gen Rachel Thomas Takes Charge as ADG, Military Nursing Service: Maj Gen Rachel Thomas assumed charge as the Additional Director General (ADG), Military Nursing Service (MNS), and succeeding Maj Gen Lissamma PV, who retired after nearly four decades of service. An alumna of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maj Gen Rachel Thomas was commissioned into the Military Nursing Service on 1 June 1988 and has served in the armed forces medical system for nearly 38 years.

 

2. Indian Navy to Induct Five Indigenous Naval Platforms: The Indian Navy is set to induct five indigenous naval platforms in 2026, including two Project 17A stealth frigates, one Survey Vessel (Large), and two anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft. The platforms include INS Dunagiri, INS Mahendragiri, Sanshodhak, Agray, and Malwan. Project 17A is a class of stealth frigates built for the Indian Navy with a focus on reduced radar cross-section and modern combat systems. Dunagiri is the fifth ship of the Nilgiri-class and was delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata on 30 March 2026. INS Mahendragiri is another Project 17A frigate scheduled for induction in June 2026. Sanshodhak is the fourth and final Survey Vessel (Large) in a four-ship series contracted in 2018. The vessel was delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata on 30 March 2026. Survey vessels of this class are used for hydrographic surveys, charting, and collection of seabed data for naval and maritime use.

SPORTS

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Fotu La Tunnel Project Approved in Ladakh: The Fotu La Tunnel project on National Highway-01 in Ladakh has been approved with an estimated cost of ₹1,196.22 crore. The project covers a 2.65-kilometre alignment and includes a 1.96-kilometre twin-tube tunnel and 0.69 kilometre of approach roads. Fotu La Pass is located at an altitude of about 4,108 metres and is the highest point on the Uri–Srinagar–Leh highway corridor. National Highway-01 is a key road link in Ladakh for civilian movement, essential supplies, and defence logistics. The project includes a unidirectional twin-tube tunnel at Fotu La and approach roads on both sides. A twin-tube tunnel has two separate tubes for traffic movement, and unidirectional traffic flow is used in road tunnels to improve operational control and safety.

 

2. NASA Ends MAVEN Mars Mission: NASA declared the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission concluded on 3 June 2026 after a prolonged loss of contact with the spacecraft. MAVEN was launched in November 2013 and operated for more than 11 years in orbit around Mars. MAVEN stands for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution. It was a NASA orbiter designed to study the upper atmosphere of Mars and the planet’s atmospheric escape processes. The spacecraft exceeded its primary one-year mission and continued scientific operations for over a decade. MAVEN also served as a data relay orbiter for NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. West Bengal Gramin Bank Partners with Canara HSBC Life Insurance to Expand Rural Insurance Coverage: West Bengal Gramin Bank (WBGB) and Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited have entered into a strategic bancassurance partnership to expand life insurance coverage and promote financial inclusion in rural India. Under the partnership, Canara HSBC Life Insurance will offer its life insurance products through WBGB’s network of 960 branches across West Bengal, enhancing access to insurance services. The collaboration aims to provide protection, savings, and long-term financial planning solutions to individuals and families in rural and semi-urban areas of West Bengal.

 

2. Government to Replace WPI with Producer Price Index (PPI): The Government has decided to gradually phase out the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and replace it with a Producer Price Index (PPI) to modernise India’s inflation measurement framework and align it with global best practices. The base year of the WPI has been revised from 2011-12 to 2022-23, and both the revised WPI and the new PPI series will be released on 15 June 2026. Due to the widespread use of WPI in price-escalation contracts, the revised WPI will continue to be published alongside the PPI for five years, after which it will be discontinued. The new WPI series expands coverage from 697 items to 957 items, providing broader representation of economic activities and improving the accuracy of price-trend measurement.

 

3. BharatPe Launches ‘BharatPe Flex’ Credit-on-UPI Solution: BharatPe has launched ‘BharatPe Flex’, a Credit-on-UPI solution in partnership with YES BANK, enabling users to make UPI payments using an integrated credit line. BharatPe Flex allows customers to use credit for a wide range of transactions, including QR-code payments, online purchases, utility bill payments, mobile recharges, travel bookings, shopping, and fuel expenses.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. J&K Bank Wins Finacle Gold Award for AI Platform: J&K Bank won the Gold Award at the Finacle Innovation Awards 2026 in Mumbai on 3 June 2026. The award was given in the category “Modern Technologies-led Innovation – Data Insights & Analytics Platform” for the bank’s cloud-based enterprise data and analytics ecosystem. Finacle Innovation Awards are organised by Infosys Finacle, which provides digital banking solutions to financial institutions. The 2026 edition was held under the theme “Recomposing Banking, Playbook for the Next Phase of Banking Transformation”. The J&K Bank platform functions as a unified source for reporting, business intelligence, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence applications. It supports AI and machine learning-based solutions for operational efficiency, forecasting, customer analytics, risk management, credit management, and customer retention.