Daily GK Update- 13th June, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ICMR and Gates Foundation Launch Anaemia Challenge: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation launched a ₹1 crore Grand Challenge in New Delhi on 13 June 2026 to develop iron-rich food products for anaemia control. The challenge seeks affordable, nutrient-dense prototypes for adolescent girls and women of reproductive age in India. Anaemia is a condition in which the blood has a lower than normal concentration of haemoglobin or red blood cells. In India, anaemia affects nearly one in two adolescent girls and women of reproductive age, which is about 50% of this population group. The challenge focuses on food-based solutions beyond conventional supplementation. The programme offers grants of up to ₹1 crore for prototype development over one year. It is open to researchers, startups, food companies, and non-profit organisations. Applications are accepted until 3 July 2026.

 

2. India Becomes Third-Largest Domestic Aviation Market: India became the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market in April 2024, with airline capacity of 15.6 million seats. The market moved ahead of Brazil and Indonesia and stood behind the United States and China in global domestic traffic. The domestic aviation market covers passenger air travel within the borders of a country. In this market, airline capacity is measured in seats available on scheduled flights during a given period. OAG is a global travel data and analytics company that tracks airline capacity and schedules. India ranked fifth in the overall global aviation market in 2024, which includes both domestic and international passenger traffic. In the domestic segment, India rose from fifth place a decade ago to third place in April 2024. The United States and China retained the first two positions in the domestic aviation market.

 

3. Mizoram Leads in Electoral Roll Digitisation: Mizoram has recorded 68.05% digitisation of enumeration forms under the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls as of 12 June 2026. The state ranks first among 16 states and three Union Territories covered under the ongoing digitisation exercise. The Special Intensive Revision is an electoral roll update exercise conducted under the Election Commission of India. In Mizoram, the exercise began on 20 May 2026 and the enumeration phase is scheduled to continue until 28 June 2026. Khawzawl district recorded 96.16% digitisation of forms by 12 June 2026. Champhai district reached 92.57%, while Serchhip district reached 90.93% on the same date. Mizoram achieved 99.90% distribution of enumeration forms through 1,301 Block Level Officers by 12 June 2026. Block Level Officers are field-level officials used in electoral roll revision and voter enumeration work.

 

4. Odisha Announces Free Education from KG to PG: Odisha announced a plan on 12 June 2026 to provide free education from Kindergarten to Postgraduate level in all government institutions across the state. The measure covers institutions under the school and mass education department and the higher education department. Odisha already provides free education up to Class 10 in government institutions. The new proposal extends the coverage to higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels in government-run institutions. The state government stated that the policy is intended to cover more than 10 lakh students. The annual cost of the higher education component is estimated at about ₹30 crore to the state exchequer. The modalities for the scheme are being prepared before cabinet approval and notification. The policy will apply only to government institutions and not to private educational institutions. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the measure during a press conference marking two years of the BJP government in the state. The announcement placed the education plan within the state’s wider administrative agenda.

 

5. Maharashtra to Introduce Women Farmers Empowerment Bill: The Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, is scheduled for introduction in the Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly beginning on 22 June 2026. The Bill seeks independent legal recognition for women farmers and wider access to welfare schemes and institutional support in Maharashtra. Agriculture in Maharashtra employs a large number of women, and the state has cited a figure of over 81% women in the agricultural workforce. Many existing agricultural benefits in India are linked to land ownership, which affects access for women, tenant cultivators, landless farmers, farm labourers, and migrant workers.

 

6. Government Proposes Unified Broadcasting Rules Under Telecom Act: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, on 12 June 2026 for public consultation. The draft proposes a single regulatory framework for television, radio, Direct-to-Home, Headend-in-the-Sky, community radio, and Internet Protocol Television services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The draft rules cover television channels, television channel distribution services, teleports, television news agencies, private radio services, and community radio services. These services have been regulated through separate policy guidelines for about two decades. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, which was a colonial-era law. The new Act provides the statutory basis for authorisation and regulation of telecom and related services in India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gene Shalit Dies at 100: Gene Shalit was an American film critic and television personality born in New York City on 25 March 1926. He died on 12 June 2026 at the age of 100. Gene Shalit joined NBC’s Today show as a contributor in 1970. He became the programme’s arts editor in 1973 and remained associated with the show until 2010. He served as a film critic and arts commentator for more than four decades. Shalit became known for his bushy mustache, distinctive eyeglasses, flamboyant bow ties, and unusual hair. His reviews used puns and wordplay, and many of them became known for their humorous phrasing.

 

2. David Hockney Dies: David Hockney, a British artist born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, died at the age of 88 on 11 June 2026 at his home in London. He was born on 9 July 1937 and died less than a month before his 89th birthday. David Hockney was one of the best-known figures in contemporary art across the 20th and 21st centuries. His career lasted for seven decades and included painting, collage, photography, and iPad drawings. Hockney became known for paintings of swimming pools and colourful landscapes. He also used multiple media in the same career, including collage, photography, and digital drawing on the iPad. At the time of his death, Hockney had a current exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery in London. Future exhibitions were planned at Tate in London and the Munch Museum in Oslo.

 

3. India Appoints Dinesh Trivedi as High Commissioner to Bangladesh: India appointed Dinesh Trivedi as High Commissioner to Bangladesh on 27 April 2026. He became the first political appointee to an ambassadorial post in South Asia in more than three decades. He received his Letters of Credence from President Droupadi Murmu on 5 June 2026 and assumed charge in Dhaka on 12 June 2026. The High Commissioner is the head of a diplomatic mission in a Commonwealth country, and India uses the title for its mission in Bangladesh. Letters of Credence are formal diplomatic documents issued by a head of state to accredit an envoy to another country. Dinesh Trivedi entered Bangladesh by road through the Benapole-Petrapole land port, which is a major India-Bangladesh border crossing.

 

4. China Rejects Indian Chilli Consignments: China rejected multiple consignments of Indian dried red chillies on 11 June 2026 and temporarily suspended three Indian exporting firms. The action followed detection of alleged excessive methamidophos, an organophosphate insecticide, in the consignments. Methamidophos is an organophosphate insecticide used against insect pests in agriculture. It is associated with nervous system disorders and is not approved for use in chilli cultivation in India. China is the largest importer of Indian red chillies, and India exported 2.36 lakh tonnes of red chillies to China in the 2024-25 financial year. Indian chilli exports form a significant share of India’s agricultural shipments to East Asia. China has increased scrutiny of imported food products through residue testing and compliance checks. In May 2026, China rejected 70 consignments of Indian non-Basmati rice over concerns related to genetically modified organisms.

 

5. Canada Launches Meningitis B Vaccination Drive : Canada has recorded a rise in invasive meningococcal disease, with provinces such as Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Manitoba expanding vaccination measures for students and young adults. Meningitis B is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, and it is one of the main causes of invasive meningococcal disease in Canada. Prince Edward Island began urging Grade 12 students to receive free Meningitis B vaccines on 29 May 2026. Nurses visited schools in the province, and around 850 Grade 12 students received the vaccine over the previous few weeks. Nova Scotia started offering free Meningitis B vaccines in 2023 to new post-secondary students aged 25 and under who live in dormitories or residence halls, as well as to new military recruits. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are the only provinces that currently offer free Meningitis B vaccination for post-secondary students.

 

6. Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Dies After Prolonged Coma: Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, died on 12 June 2026 at the age of 47 after nearly four years in a coma. She had been under treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok since 15 December 2022. The Thai monarchy is the constitutional monarchy of Thailand, and the reigning monarch in 2026 is King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol was a member of the Chakri dynasty and held the title of princess in the Thai royal family. Princess Bajrakitiyabha collapsed in December 2022 while training her dogs in northeastern Thailand. Doctors treated her for a heart condition and infections, and her condition worsened in May 2026 because of multiple infections affecting several organs.

 

7. Trump Nominates Jay Clayton as Intelligence Chief: On 11 June 2026, President Donald Trump nominated Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, for the post of Director of National Intelligence. The Director of National Intelligence coordinates the 18 intelligence agencies of the United States, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. Jay Clayton served as chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020 during Donald Trump’s first term. As the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, he oversees cases related to terrorism, espionage, securities fraud, and public corruption. The Director of National Intelligence is the head of the United States Intelligence Community. The office was created by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 after the September 2001 attacks and the 9/11 Commission report.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Railways Introduces Body-Worn Cameras for RPF Personnel: Indian Railways has introduced GPS-enabled body-worn cameras for Railway Protection Force personnel in the Samastipur division of the East Central Railway on 12 June 2026. The system adds 20 new devices to 37 already deployed and is used for surveillance, passenger safety, and monitoring of RPF personnel. Body-worn cameras are portable recording devices fixed on a uniform or body harness. In railway security, they are used by RPF personnel during patrolling, inspection, and crowd management in stations and trains. The cameras used by Indian Railways have included night vision, 32 GB storage, a 3000 mAh battery, and a wide-angle lens of 100 to 109 degrees. Some models can record continuously for five hours and have an eight-hour standby time, while footage can be transferred to a control room through a SIM card.

2. Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Advanced Weapon System Complex in Hyderabad: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an Advanced Weapon System Complex at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex within the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, Telangana, on 12 June 2026. The facility has been developed by the Missile Systems and Strategic Systems Cluster of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for next-generation weapon development and indigenous missile and air defence capability. The Defence Research and Development Organisation is India’s premier defence research agency under the Ministry of Defence. It works through multiple clusters, including the Missile Systems and Strategic Systems Cluster, which handles missile, strategic, and related defence technologies.

 

3. India Advances Mission Sudarshan Chakra Missile Shield: India has advanced an indigenous multi-layer missile defence programme under Mission Sudarshan Chakra through a series of missile tests and new defence infrastructure developments in 2026. The programme covers ballistic missile defence, air defence, and anti-ship warfare systems for military and strategic installations. Ballistic missile defence is a system designed to detect, track, intercept, and destroy incoming ballistic missiles before they reach their targets. India’s evolving architecture includes interceptor missiles for threats in the Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile class, which covers missiles with ranges between 2,000 km and 5,000 km. The Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted three consecutive missile flight tests on 10 and 11 June 2026. These trials validated technologies linked to India’s multi-layered ballistic missile defence architecture and anti-ship warfare capability.

 

4. DRDO Tests Ballistic Missile Defence and Anti-Ship Systems: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted three consecutive missile flight tests on 10 and 11 June 2026. The trials included interceptor missiles for Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) and the maiden flight test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR). Ballistic Missile Defence is a system designed to detect, track, intercept, and destroy ballistic missiles before they reach their targets. The DRDO trials involved interceptor missiles meant to neutralise Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs), which have a range of 2,000 km to 5,000 km. These interceptor missiles can operate in exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric modes. Exo-atmospheric interception takes place outside the Earth’s atmosphere, while endo-atmospheric interception takes place within the atmosphere.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Sudarsan Pattnaik Wins Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026: Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik won the Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026 on 12 and 13 June 2026. He became the first Indian to receive the award at the II International Festival of Sand Sculpture in the Kaliningrad Region of Russia. Sudarsan Pattnaik is an Indian sand artist known for large-scale sand sculptures on social and environmental themes. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri, which is one of India’s civilian honours. The Russia Grand Sand Master Cup is associated with the II International Festival of Sand Sculpture, which began on 11 June 2026. The festival brought together 12 sand sculptors from different countries. Pattnaik’s winning sculpture was a three-metre-tall artwork on climate change and global warming. The sculpture showed two faces of the Earth, one linked with environmental degradation and the other linked with afforestation and sustainable living.

 

2. Indian Whiskies Win at San Francisco Spirits Competition: DeVANS GianChand Indian Single Malt Whisky won a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026 on 11 June 2026. GianChand Manshaa, a peated expression from DeVANS Modern Breweries Ltd., won a Silver medal at the same competition. Both whiskies also received Silver medals at the International Spirits Challenge 2026. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) is a global spirits competition held in the United States. It evaluates spirits through blind tasting by a judging panel and awards medals such as Gold, Silver, and Double Gold. A Double Gold medal at the SFWSC is awarded when every judge on the panel independently gives a spirit a Gold rating. This medal is used for spirits that receive unanimous top marks from the judges.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Japan’s H3 Rocket Returns With Low-Cost Variant: Japan’s H3 rocket returned to flight on 12 June 2026 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture with the debut of its low-cost “30 configuration”. The mission, called Flight 6, used three liquid-fuel LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters. The second stage reached the targeted orbit, and six small satellites developed by universities and other organisations were believed to have separated successfully. The H3 is Japan’s flagship launch vehicle and is co-developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The “30 configuration” is a variant designed with three LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters. The H3 family includes multiple configurations for different payload requirements and launch costs. Flight 6 followed two previous mission failures in the H3 programme. The most recent failure occurred in December 2025 during Flight 8, when the rocket failed to place a navigation satellite into orbit because of a defect in the satellite mount. The June 2026 launch was originally scheduled for 10 June 2026 and was postponed because of adverse weather forecasts.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India Expands Trade Ties for 2047 Economy Goal: India has expanded its trade agreements with the European Union, New Zealand, the European Free Trade Association, Canada and the United States in 2026. These agreements form part of India’s trade strategy linked with the goal of building a $30 trillion economy by 2047. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a treaty between two or more economies that reduces or removes customs duties on goods and, in some cases, eases rules on services, investment and market access. India and the European Union signed an FTA on 27 January 2026 after nearly two decades of negotiations. The India-EU FTA gives immediate duty-free access to 70.4% of Indian tariff lines. It covers more than 90.7% of India’s export value to the European Union, and full implementation is planned to raise duty-free access to 99%.India and New Zealand signed an FTA on 27 April 2026. The agreement gives Indian exporters full duty-free access to the New Zealand market, while India will liberalise tariffs on about 70% of tariff lines covering 95% of bilateral trade.

 

2. UPI-NPI Corridor Launched for India-Nepal Remittances: India and Nepal launched a cross-border peer-to-peer remittance link by integrating the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Nepal’s National Payments Interface (NPI) on 6 June 2026. The system became operational on 6 June 2026 and was announced by India’s finance ministry on 11 June 2026. The Unified Payments Interface is India’s real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The National Payments Interface is Nepal’s domestic digital payment system for bank transfers and wallet-based transactions. NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of NPCI, partnered with Nepal Clearing House Ltd (NCHL) to implement the payment link. The corridor uses mobile banking applications, UPI apps, and digital wallets for cross-border transfers.

 

Daily GK Update- 12th June, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kerala Forest Department Launches India’s First Judiciary-Integrated Digital System for Wildlife Offences: The Kerala Forest Department launched the e-court integration feature for its HAWK (Hostile Activity Watch Kernel) system, making Kerala the first state in India to implement a fully digitised, judiciary-integrated wildlife offence management system. Through an API-based integration between the Forest Department and the District Court Management System (DCMS), the initiative eliminates physical paperwork and enables real-time monitoring of wildlife crime cases. Developed in collaboration with Wildlife Trust of India and supported by NTT Data, the HAWK platform also tracks wildlife mortality, illegal weapon seizures, repeat offenders, and crime hotspots to improve enforcement and conservation efforts.

 

2. PM Narendra Modi Becomes India’s Longest-Serving Elected Prime Minister: Narendra Modi became the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India on 10 June 2026, completing 4,399 consecutive days in office since first taking oath on 26 May 2014. He surpassed the record of Jawaharlal Nehru, who served as an elected Prime Minister for 4,398 days from 13 May 1952 to 27 May 1964.

 

3. PM Modi to Chair 11th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting: Narendra Modi chaired the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. The theme of the meeting is “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047”, focusing on the well-being and development of every Indian irrespective of age, region, gender, or socio-economic background. The meeting will bring together Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors to discuss four key pillars: Foundational Human Capital & Future-Ready Skills, Productive Employment & Entrepreneurship, Health & Wellbeing, and Equity & Dignity for All, along with measures to promote skilling, entrepreneurship, and sustainable employment.

 

4. President Approves Merger of REC Ltd with Power Finance Corporation: The President of India has approved the merger of REC Limited with Power Finance Corporation, further consolidating the power sector financing ecosystem. In March 2019, Power Finance Corporation acquired the Government of India’s 52.63% stake in REC Ltd for ₹14,500 crore, making REC its subsidiary and paving the way for the merger.

 

5. Gavri Devi, Rajasthani Mand Singer, Dies: Gavri Devi, a noted Mand folk singer from Rajasthan, died at the age of 98 on 11 June 2026 at her residence in Pali, Rajasthan. She was known for her long association with Mand singing, a traditional music form of Rajasthan. Mand is one of the oldest folk music traditions of Rajasthan. It combines melodic singing, storytelling, and regional folk themes. The form has been performed in desert and semi-desert regions of western Rajasthan for generations. Gavri Devi received nationwide recognition for preserving and popularising Mand music. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed grief over her death. Her family members, including her daughter-in-law Sundardevi and granddaughter Neetu, are associated with the same musical tradition.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. SAPLING Dialogue 2026 Concludes in Ahmedabad, Focuses on Advancing Food Processing for Sustainable Growth in South Asia: The two-day SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth) Dialogue 2026 concluded in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and was jointly organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the World Bank Group. The dialogue was held under the theme “Unlocking Value: Advancing Food Processing for Employment Generation and Sustainable Growth in South Asia” and brought together around 200 participants, including policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, startups, and representatives from South Asian countries.

 

2. Shobha Karandlaje Leads Indian Delegation at 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva: Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment and MSME, Shobha Karandlaje, led the Indian delegation at the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, Switzerland. The International Labour Conference (ILC) is the annual supreme decision-making body of the International Labour Organization and is often referred to as the “International Parliament of Labour.”

 

3. 9 June – World Accreditation Day: World Accreditation Day is observed every year on 9 June to highlight the importance of accreditation in supporting quality, safety, innovation, and global trade. Theme for 2026 – Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation The day is jointly established by the International Accreditation Forum and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation to promote the value of accreditation worldwide.

 

4. 10 June – International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations: The International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations is observed annually on 10 June and was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/78/286 adopted on 7 June 2024. The resolution was proposed by China and co-sponsored by more than 80 countries, recognising that all civilizational achievements are part of the collective heritage of humankind.

 

5. 12 June – World Day Against Child LabourWorld Day Against Child Labour: World Day Against Child Labour is observed every year on 12 June to raise awareness about child labour and promote efforts to eliminate it worldwide. The day was launched by the International Labour Organization in 2002 to highlight the plight of children engaged in labour and the need to protect their rights.

 

6. China Rejects Indian Chilli Consignments: China rejected multiple consignments of Indian dried red chillies on 11 June 2026 and temporarily suspended three Indian exporting firms. The action followed detection of alleged excessive methamidophos, an organophosphate insecticide, in the consignments. China has increased scrutiny of imported food products through residue testing and compliance checks. In May 2026, China rejected 70 consignments of Indian non-Basmati rice over concerns related to genetically modified organisms. Indian chilli exports depend on pesticide residue control, farm-level monitoring, and post-harvest testing. Inconsistent pesticide management and insufficient residue monitoring remain key compliance issues in the chilli supply chain.

 

7. Canada Launches Meningitis B Vaccination Drive: Canada has recorded a rise in invasive meningococcal disease, with provinces such as Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Manitoba expanding vaccination measures for students and young adults. Meningitis B is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, and it is one of the main causes of invasive meningococcal disease in Canada. Invasive meningococcal disease can cause meningitis and bloodstream infection. Canada reported at least 155 cases in 2025, the highest annual total since 2012, after 48 cases in 2021. Preliminary data for early 2026 shows at least 63 cases. Manitoba recorded 12 confirmed infections in 2023, 25 in 2024 and 24 in 2025. The province also reported two cases in early 2026, and most of these cases were linked to the W strain.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Tata-Airbus Conduct First Test Flight of India-Made C295 Military Transport Aircraft: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus successfully conducted the first test flight of the maiden ‘Made in India’ Airbus C295 military transport aircraft from the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, Gujarat. The C295 aircraft is being manufactured in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, marking a significant milestone in the country’s indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities. TASL and Airbus have partnered to deliver 56 C295 military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force, strengthening India’s defence modernization and self-reliance efforts.

 

2. Bangladesh Deploys Armed Village Guards in Border Areas: Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) deployed para-police forces at border frontiers in 11 districts as part of a coordinated border management arrangement with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The deployment followed a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 between Ansar-VDP and BGB for joint border security duties. Ansar-VDP is a para-police force in Bangladesh that works with local recruitment and community-level deployment. The force has been placed at border outposts with BGB personnel, and battalions remain ready for rapid response and additional manpower.

 

3. Bangladesh, India Strengthen Border Cooperation: Bangladesh and India agreed on 12 June 2026 to deepen border cooperation through improved intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols after a four-day meeting of senior border officials in New Delhi. The two countries share a land border of more than 4,000 kilometres, which is among the longest international borders in the world. The 57th Director General-level Border Coordination Conference was held from 8 to 11 June 2026. India’s Border Security Force and Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh took part in the meeting, led by Director General Praveen Kumar and Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui. The Director General-level conference is a regular bilateral mechanism for border management between the two forces. The Coordinated Border Management Plan is a joint framework used for patrol coordination, information exchange, and border incident handling.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Kimi Antonelli Becomes Youngest-Ever Monaco Grand Prix Winner: Kimi Antonelli won the Monaco Grand Prix, becoming the youngest winner in the race’s history and continuing his remarkable debut season in Formula 1. Antonelli secured his fifth consecutive victory, extending his championship lead to 66 points over Lewis Hamilton, while Isack Hadjar finished third despite battling engine issues during the race.

 

2. Hyderabad to Host Second Edition of Archery Premier League from October 8–18: The second edition of the Archery Premier League (APL) will be held in Hyderabad from 8 to 18 October, featuring top international archers in an 11-day competition. The tournament will be hosted at People’s Plaza on Necklace Road and aims to promote archery through a franchise-based league format. Six franchise teams—Mighty Marathas, Rajputana Royals, Prithviraaj Yodhas, Kakatiya Knights, Chero Archers, and Chola Chiefs—will compete in the league, which made its debut in Delhi last year.

 

3. Jaspal Rana, Shooting Coach and Champion, Dies: Jaspal Rana was an Indian sport shooter and coach who died at the age of 49 on 12 June 2026. He was admitted to Max Hospital, Saket, in Delhi, after returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich. He died due to cardiac complications, including a sudden cardiac rupture during sleep after an acute heart attack and a blocked artery. Jaspal Rana won four Asian Games gold medals and 15 Commonwealth Games medals for India. His Commonwealth Games tally included 9 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals. He was one of India’s most decorated pistol shooters in international competition. Rana coached Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Manu Bhaker became the first Indian in the post-Independence era to win two medals at a single Olympic edition. Rana worked in Indian shooting as both an athlete and a coach. 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Meta to Establish Its First AI-Enabled Data Centre in India: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced the establishment of its first AI-enabled data centre in India in partnership with Reliance Industries. The new facility will be built at Jamnagar, Gujarat, with a capacity of 168 megawatts, and will be leased by Meta with provisions for future expansion. The project aims to strengthen Meta’s global AI infrastructure while supporting India’s rapidly growing digital economy, reflecting the company’s long-term commitment to investment and technological development in the country.

 

2. Japan’s H3 Rocket Returns With Low-Cost Variant: Japan’s H3 rocket returned to flight on 12 June 2026 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture with the debut of its low-cost “30 configuration”. The mission, called Flight 6, used three liquid-fuel LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters. The second stage reached the targeted orbit, and six small satellites developed by universities and other organisations were believed to have separated successfully. The H3 is Japan’s flagship launch vehicle and is co-developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The “30 configuration” is a variant designed with three LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters. The H3 family includes multiple configurations for different payload requirements and launch costs.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Viyona Fintech Receives BBPS Biller Operating Unit Certification from NPCI Bharat BillPay: Viyona Fintech India, an NPCI-certified Technology Service Provider, has received certification as a Biller Operating Unit (BOU) under the Bharat Bill Payment System, which is operated by NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited. The certification allows Viyona Fintech to go live as a BOU, enabling billers in sectors such as utilities, education, insurance, and financial services to collect payments through the Bharat BillPay network. According to Viyona Fintech Chairman and CEO Ravindranath Yarlagadda, BBPS plays a key role in promoting digital inclusion by providing an interoperable bill payment platform for everyday Indians.

 

2. India Expands Trade Ties for 2047 Economy Goal: India has expanded its trade agreements with the European Union, New Zealand, the European Free Trade Association, Canada and the United States in 2026. These agreements form part of India’s trade strategy linked with the goal of building a $30 trillion economy by 2047. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a treaty between two or more economies that reduces or removes customs duties on goods and, in some cases, eases rules on services, investment and market access. India and the European Union signed an FTA on 27 January 2026 after nearly two decades of negotiations. The India-EU FTA gives immediate duty-free access to 70.4% of Indian tariff lines. It covers more than 90.7% of India’s export value to the European Union, and full implementation is planned to raise duty-free access to 99%.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Indian Army’s Major Prabhat Mishra Wins Two Top Academic Awards at US Army Command and General Staff College: Major Prabhat Mishra of the Indian Army won two prestigious awards at the US Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), outperforming officers from 92 countries who participated in the 10-month leadership programme. He received the Birrer-Brookes Award for Outstanding Master of Military Arts and Science Thesis and the General Douglas MacArthur Military Leadership Writing Award during the graduation ceremony at Fort Leavenworth. The 2026 programme graduated 951 officers, including 120 international military officers from 92 countries, with the awards recognizing excellence in military studies, research, and leadership writing.

 

2. Indian Whiskies Win at San Francisco Spirits Competition: DeVANS GianChand Indian Single Malt Whisky won a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026 on 11 June 2026. GianChand Manshaa, a peated expression from DeVANS Modern Breweries Ltd., won a Silver medal at the same competition. Both whiskies also received Silver medals at the International Spirits Challenge 2026. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) is a global spirits competition held in the United States. It evaluates spirits through blind tasting by a judging panel and awards medals such as Gold, Silver, and Double Gold. A Double Gold medal at the SFWSC is awarded when every judge on the panel independently gives a spirit a Gold rating. This medal is used for spirits that receive unanimous top marks from the judges.

 

Daily GK Update- 11th June, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Assam-Nagaland Sign MoU for Oil and Gas Exploration: On 11 June 2026, India, Assam and Nagaland signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding for joint exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas along the Assam-Nagaland border. The agreement covers six identified disputed fields and a border area of more than 1,000 square kilometres. The MoU was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. The agreement provides a formal framework for coordinated hydrocarbon activity in an area affected by boundary and jurisdictional disputes since the mid-1990s. Crude oil and natural gas are hydrocarbons found in sedimentary basins and are extracted through drilling and production systems. The Assam-Nagaland border region has remained underutilised for petroleum activity for several decades because of unresolved territorial issues.

 

2. Government Nominates Sanjay Lohiya to RBI Central Board: On 11 June 2026, the Central Government nominated Sanjay Lohiya, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, as a director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). His nomination took effect from 11 June 2026 and remains in force until further orders. He replaced Nagaraju Maddirala on the RBI Central Board. The Department of Financial Services is a department under the Ministry of Finance and deals with banking, insurance, pension, and financial sector administration in India. The Secretary of DFS is a senior civil service post in the Government of India. The Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India is the apex governing body of the RBI under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The board consists of a Governor, up to four Deputy Governors, four directors from local boards, and ten directors nominated by the Central Government.

 

3. NLC India Signs MoU for Critical Mineral Studies: NLC India Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute on 10 June 2026 at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu. The agreement covers critical and strategic mineral beneficiation, extraction technologies, and studies on overburden materials and tailings from NLC India’s Neyveli Mines. A Memorandum of Understanding is a formal agreement between two organisations for cooperation in a defined field. In this case, the MoU links a public sector enterprise and a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research laboratory for mineral resource studies. Overburden is the material removed to reach an ore body during mining. Tailings are the fine waste materials left after mineral processing, and both can contain recoverable trace elements and Rare Earth Elements.

 

4. Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai Rank High in Heat Risk: A University of Oxford study released on 10 June 2026 placed Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai among the world’s top 50 urban centres facing significant heat risk. The study assessed heat risk using hazard exposure, population vulnerability and coping capacity, and it was published in the journal Sustainable Cities and Societies. Hyderabad was placed among the world’s 30 most heat-vulnerable cities with an overall heat-risk score of 0.68. Mumbai was ranked 46th globally with a score of 0.63, while Bengaluru and Chennai were also included in the top 50 with scores of 0.69 and 0.64 respectively. The study identified 14 Indian cities among the world’s top 50 urban centres facing significant heat risk.

 

5. Supreme Court recognises homemaker’s domestic work as compensable loss: The Supreme Court of India on 11 June 2026 held that the loss of domestic care provided by a homemaker is a distinct and compensable head of damages in motor accident claims. The bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh fixed the value of such domestic services at a minimum of ₹30,000 per month for compensation purposes. Motor accident compensation in India is governed by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and claims are decided by Motor Accident Claims Tribunals. Courts assess pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses, including medical expenses, loss of income, loss of consortium, and loss of dependency. Domestic work includes household management, care of children, care of elderly persons, cooking, cleaning, and other unpaid services performed within a household. The Supreme Court stated that the contribution of a homemaker extends beyond the household and forms part of economic and social support within a family.

 

6. Supreme Court recognises homemaker’s domestic work as compensable loss: The Supreme Court of India on 11 June 2026 held that the loss of domestic care provided by a homemaker is a distinct and compensable head of damages in motor accident claims. The bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh fixed the value of such domestic services at a minimum of ₹30,000 per month for compensation purposes. Motor accident compensation in India is governed by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and claims are decided by Motor Accident Claims Tribunals. Courts assess pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses, including medical expenses, loss of income, loss of consortium, and loss of dependency. Domestic work includes household management, care of children, care of elderly persons, cooking, cleaning, and other unpaid services performed within a household. The Supreme Court stated that the contribution of a homemaker extends beyond the household and forms part of economic and social support within a family.

 

7. Union Cabinet Approves Ahmedabad Metro Airport Link: The Union Cabinet approved Phase 2A of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project on 10 June 2026. The project covers a 6.032-kilometre extension from Koteshwar Road to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The estimated cost is ₹2,169.04 crore, including interest during construction. The Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project is part of the urban rapid transit system in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Metro rail systems use electric multiple-unit trains and dedicated right-of-way corridors for urban passenger transport. The airport extension will connect residential and commercial areas along the corridor. The project is expected to generate around 2,000 to 2,500 jobs during construction. It is also expected to create about 500 jobs in operation and maintenance.

8. PM Modi Becomes India’s Longest-Serving Elected Prime Minister: Prime Minister Narendra Modi became India’s longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister on 10 June 2026 after completing 4,399 continuous days in office. He first took the oath as Prime Minister on 26 May 2014 and has served three consecutive terms. On 25 July 2025, Narendra Modi surpassed Indira Gandhi’s uninterrupted tenure as Prime Minister by completing 4,078 continuous days in office. Indira Gandhi served continuously from 24 January 1966 to 24 March 1977. He became the first non-Congress leader to secure a full majority in the Lok Sabha. He also became the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to win three consecutive general elections as the incumbent leader in 2014, 2019, and 2024.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Appoints Rudra Gaurav Shresth as Türkiye Envoy: On 11 June 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs appointed Rudra Gaurav Shresth as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Türkiye. He is an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1999 batch and was serving as India’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran before this posting. An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomatic representative of one country in another country. In India’s foreign service structure, ambassadors head missions in countries with which India maintains full diplomatic relations. India and Türkiye maintain bilateral diplomatic relations through embassies in New Delhi and Ankara. Türkiye is a transcontinental country that lies in both Europe and Asia, and its location has made it relevant in West Asian, European, and Eurasian diplomacy.

 

2. Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Dies After Prolonged Coma: Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, died on 12 June 2026 at the age of 47 after nearly four years in a coma. She had been under treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok since 15 December 2022. The Thai monarchy is the constitutional monarchy of Thailand, and the reigning monarch in 2026 is King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol was a member of the Chakri dynasty and held the title of princess in the Thai royal family. Princess Bajrakitiyabha collapsed in December 2022 while training her dogs in northeastern Thailand. Doctors treated her for a heart condition and infections, and her condition worsened in May 2026 because of multiple infections affecting several organs.

 

3. UPI-NPI Corridor Launched for India-Nepal Remittances: India and Nepal launched a cross-border peer-to-peer remittance link by integrating the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Nepal’s National Payments Interface (NPI) on 6 June 2026. The system became operational on 6 June 2026 and was announced by India’s finance ministry on 11 June 2026. The Unified Payments Interface is India’s real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The National Payments Interface is Nepal’s domestic digital payment system for bank transfers and wallet-based transactions. The corridor enables instant transfers between citizens of both countries through familiar digital payment channels. Users in India can send money to Nepal using recipients’ mobile numbers or Virtual Payment Addresses (VPAs), while Indian users in Nepal can send money to India using UPI IDs.

 

4. France Identifies India as Top Strategic Priority: France identified India as a top strategic priority on 11 June 2026 ahead of the G7 Summit. India is scheduled to participate in the G7 tracks, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to visit France from 13 to 14 June 2026 for bilateral talks in Nice before attending the G7 Summit in Évian from 16 to 17 June 2026. France holds the G7 Presidency in 2026. The G7 is an intergovernmental forum of seven advanced economies, namely Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with the European Union also taking part in meetings. The 2026 agenda includes structural factors of destabilisation, economic and geopolitical imbalances, resilience of societies, critical mineral supply chains, and geopolitical crises in West Asia. India’s participation in all G7 tracks places it among the invited partners in summit discussions.

 

5. UN Carbon Credits Under Paris Agreement Face Scrutiny: The first carbon credits issued under the United Nations Article 6.4 mechanism of the Paris Agreement are under scrutiny over alleged links to Myanmar’s military junta and questions about climate impact data. The project involves improved cookstoves in Myanmar and was coordinated by the South Korean NGO Climate Change Center with Myanmar’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement creates a UN-supervised carbon market mechanism for trading emission reductions. The mechanism is administered through the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In February 2026, the Myanmar cookstove project became the first project in the world to issue credits under Article 6.4. The Supervisory Body approved about 60,000 credits for the project.

 

6. UNHCR Reports First Global Displacement Decline in 2025: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recorded a decline in global forced displacement in 2025, the first fall in a decade. By the end of 2025, an estimated 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, compared with 123.2 million at the end of 2024. Forced displacement includes refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, and other people uprooted by conflict, persecution, or violence. The global refugee population stood at 41.6 million at the end of 2025, while 68.6 million people remained internally displaced. About 14.7 million displaced people returned home in 2025. This included 4.4 million refugees and 10.3 million internally displaced persons, with major returns recorded in Afghanistan, Sudan, and Syria. Refugee returns in 2025 were the second highest since records began 60 years ago. Many returns took place under insecure conditions and with limited access to basic services.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Trump Nominates Jay Clayton as Intelligence Chief: On 11 June 2026, President Donald Trump nominated Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, for the post of Director of National Intelligence. The Director of National Intelligence coordinates the 18 intelligence agencies of the United States, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. Jay Clayton served as chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020 during Donald Trump’s first term. As the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, he oversees cases related to terrorism, espionage, securities fraud, and public corruption. The United States Intelligence Community consists of 18 agencies that collect, analyse, and disseminate intelligence. The Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency are among the best-known agencies in this system.

 

2. Unmanned Drone Boat Rescues Apache Pilots: An unmanned U.S. Navy boat rescued two U.S. Army AH-64 Apache aviators after their helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman on 8 June 2026. The rescue used a Saronic Corsair, a 7.3-metre autonomous surface vessel built by Saronic Technologies of Texas. An autonomous surface vessel is a crewless boat that operates on water with remote control, onboard sensors, and pre-programmed navigation systems. The Saronic Corsair is a 24-foot platform used by the U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59. The rescue operation involved U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the 82nd Airborne Division, and support from Air Force and Navy units. The two aviators were recovered within about two hours of the crash and were reported to be in stable condition.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. India Retains No. 1 Spot in ICC ODI Rankings: India retained the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings after the annual update on 11 June 2026. India’s rating stood at 118 points, while New Zealand held second place with 113 points and Australia remained third with 109 points. The ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings are a points-based system for One Day International cricket. The rankings assign rating points to full member teams based on match results and the strength of opposition. India’s lead over New Zealand narrowed from eight rating points to five rating points after the annual update. India’s rating fell from 119 to 118 points, and New Zealand’s rating rose by two points. The annual update gives full weightage of 100 per cent to matches played since May 2025. It gives half weightage of 50 per cent to results from the previous two years. This method is used by the International Cricket Council for its annual recalculation of team rankings in limited-overs cricket. The update affects the rating values of teams in the ODI and T20I formats.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India Pledges $2.5 Million to UNRWA: India announced a 2.5 million contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on 11 June 2026. The amount is the first tranche of India’s annual 5 million assistance to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees. India’s 2.5 million contribution is meant for UNRWA’s core programmes and services. India released the second tranche of 2.5 million on 18 November 2024 and completed its annual 5 million contribution for 2024-25. India released the first tranche of 2.5 million on 18 July 2024 as part of the same annual commitment. Between October 2023 and November 2024, India provided about 135 metric tonnes of humanitarian aid to Palestine in four tranches.

 

2. Ahmedabad Introduces QR-Code Street Food Hygiene Monitoring: The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) announced a QR-code based feedback mechanism for food and beverage outlets in Ahmedabad on 1 May 2026. The system began with panipuri vendors and later expanded to thousands of street food stalls and vendors across the city. The AMC system allows customers to scan a QR code and submit ratings on a scale of 1 to 5. The feedback form includes food quality, water quality, cleanliness, taste, and service, and AMC officials review the ratings on a weekly basis. AMC Health Officer Dr. Tejas Shah stated that QR codes would be generated for more than 1,500 panipuri vendors in the first phase. By 20 May 2026, the system had expanded to 3,500 food stalls and street vendors in Ahmedabad.

 

3. GMRT Discovers Five New Pulsars in Ancient Star Clusters: On 10 June 2026, astronomers at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics in Pune discovered five new millisecond pulsars using India’s upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. The pulsars were detected in the globular clusters Messier 69 and Messier 70, which are among the oldest and most densely packed stellar systems in the Milky Way. Millisecond pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars with spin periods of a few milliseconds. They usually form in binary systems, where matter from a companion star transfers angular momentum to the neutron star and increases its rotation rate. Globular clusters are spherical collections of stars bound by gravity. They contain very old stars and are found in the halo of galaxies, including the Milky Way. Messier 69 and Messier 70 are two such clusters in the constellation Sagittarius.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. World Bank Projects India GDP Growth at 6.6%: India’s Gross Domestic Product growth has been projected at 6.6% for fiscal year 2026-27 by the World Bank in its Global Economic Prospects report released on 11 June 2026. The projection follows an estimated 7.7% growth in fiscal year 2025-26, and India is expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy during the period. Economic activity in India remained robust in early 2026, with domestic demand supported by rural consumption and recovering urban demand. Private consumption is a major component of India’s Gross Domestic Product and is closely linked to household spending on goods and services. India’s growth forecast for fiscal year 2027-28 has been placed at 7.2%, and the forecast for fiscal year 2028-29 has been placed at 7.0%. The World Bank has linked the FY27 moderation to higher energy prices and rising input costs, which affect private demand growth.

 

2. Invest UP, Invest India deepen FDI collaboration in Uttar Pradesh: Invest UP and Invest India agreed on 10 June 2026 to deepen their collaboration for attracting domestic investment and Foreign Direct Investment into Uttar Pradesh. The decision followed a high-level meeting in Lucknow with Invest India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Nivruti Rai and Invest UP Chief Executive Officer Vijay Kiran Anand. Invest UP is the state investment promotion agency of Uttar Pradesh. Invest India is the national investment promotion and facilitation agency of India and functions as a non-profit public-private partnership under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. Foreign Direct Investment, or FDI, refers to investment made by a person or entity from one country in business interests located in another country. FDI is commonly used for setting up new enterprises, acquiring equity stakes, or expanding existing operations in manufacturing, services, and infrastructure.