NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Government to Set Up 700 SHE-MARTs and 1,000 Fulfilment Centres to Empower Women Entrepreneurs: The Government has announced the establishment of 700 SHE-MARTs and 1,000 District Fulfilment Centres to improve market access, branding, logistics, and distribution for women-led Self-Help Group (SHG) enterprises. The initiative is being implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to promote rural entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and livelihood opportunities for women. These measures, along with the expansion of the e-Saras platform and the ‘Saras Aajeevika’ national brand, aim to accelerate progress toward the Government’s target of creating six crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ across India.
2. Raja Parba Festival Celebrated in Odisha to Mark Monsoon and Mother Earth’s Fertility: Raja Parba is one of Odisha’s most significant and widely celebrated festivals, observed with great enthusiasm across the state. The festival symbolizes the onset of the monsoon season and celebrates the fertility and womanhood of Mother Earth, reflecting deep cultural and agricultural traditions.
3. Centre, Assam and Nagaland Sign Historic MoU for Oil and Natural Gas Exploration: The Centre signed a historic tripartite MoU with the Governments of Assam and Nagaland to facilitate the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the two northeastern states. Signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the agreement is expected to remove key hurdles to energy exploration and accelerate economic development in the North-East through cooperative federalism. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s energy security and self-reliance by enhancing domestic oil and natural gas production amid growing global energy challenges.
4. Navitas Solar Plans ₹1,500 Crore Gujarat Expansion: Navitas Solar has planned an investment of about ₹1,500 crore in Gujarat for a 3.6 GW solar cell manufacturing facility. The project also includes a pilot wafer-and-ingot production line at the company’s existing Ankleshwar campus in Gujarat. The proposed facility is part of Navitas Solar’s entry into solar cell manufacturing. The first phase of the project is targeted for commissioning in 2027, subject to market conditions and project readiness. Civil work for the project, covering more than 10 lakh sq ft, is already underway. The capital expenditure plan uses a 70:30 debt-to-equity ratio. The funding mix includes loans from public sector banks, internal cash generation, and a proposed third equity round. The manufacturing line has a planned capacity of 3.6 GW.
5. Digital India BHASHINI, GeM sign MoU for multilingual access: The Digital India BHASHINI Division and the Government e-Marketplace signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 15 June 2026 to expand multilingual access in India’s public procurement ecosystem. The collaboration uses the BHASHINI Platform, which is India’s National Language Digital Public Infrastructure, for language-enabled digital services on GeM. The partnership operates under the “BHASHINI for Seva/Sanchalan—A BHASHINI Sahayogi Program”. It includes integration of AI-powered language technologies, translation application programming interfaces, domain-specific language models, and voice-enabled tools. The project is designed to support interaction in 22 officially recognised Indian languages and other regional languages through “Voice First” language technology infrastructure and Generative AI solutions. The collaboration also covers co-creation and deployment of multilingual digital public resources for GeM users.
6. India Extends Tenure of Ravi-Beas, Krishna Water Tribunals: India extended the tenure of the Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal and the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal by one year through gazette notifications issued on 15 June 2026. The Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal was constituted in April 1986, and the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal was formed in April 2004. Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunals are constituted under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, for adjudication of disputes relating to the waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys. These tribunals examine claims of basin states, allocation of river waters, and related engineering or administrative issues. The Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal is one of India’s oldest active water tribunals and has been in existence for 40 years. It adjudicates water-sharing disputes among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan over Ravi-Beas waters. The tribunal submitted an initial report in 1987, but the matter remained pending after states sought clarifications on the findings.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Ministry of Ayush Sets Guinness World Record with 4.35 Lakh Viewers on Live Yoga Stream: Ministry of Ayush created a new Guinness World Record for the Most Viewers for a YouTube Live Yoga Stream, with 4,35,831 viewers joining a special global online Yoga session streamed live through the official Ministry of Ayush YouTube channel. The Ministry of Ayush recorded 4,35,831 verified viewers, surpassing the previous Guinness World Record of 2,46,252 viewers set in 2024.
2. Elon Musk Becomes World’s First Trillionaire as SpaceX Makes Record-Breaking Stock Market Debut: Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire after the successful stock market debut of SpaceX, pushing his net worth to approximately $1.11 trillion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. SpaceX debuted on the Nasdaq stock exchange with a valuation of $2.2 trillion, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world and reflecting strong investor confidence in its space, telecommunications, and AI businesses. The SpaceX IPO raised $75 billion, and Musk’s 42% ownership stake in the company significantly contributed to his record-breaking wealth and continued status as the world’s richest person.
3. 15 June – World Wind Day: World Wind Day is observed every year on 15 June to raise awareness about the potential of wind energy as a clean, renewable, and sustainable source of power. Theme 2026 – Wind Energy: From Ambition to Acceleration World Wind Day is organized by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and WindEurope to promote the benefits and future prospects of wind power worldwide.
4. 15 June- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD): World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed every year on 15 June to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons worldwide. Theme 2026 – Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work The day encourages governments, communities, and individuals to pay greater attention to the well-being, dignity, and adequate healthcare of elderly people.
5. Usutu Virus Detected in Scotland for First Time: Usutu virus (USUV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, was identified in blackbirds in Scotland for the first time in summer 2025. Public announcements on the detection were made on 1 April 2026, after the virus was confirmed on the Isle of Arran. Usutu virus belongs to the genus Flavivirus and is transmitted mainly by mosquitoes. The virus was first identified in Africa and has been recorded in several European countries. It primarily infects wild birds, especially blackbirds, and it can also infect humans in rare cases. Local residents on the Isle of Arran reported blackbirds with neurological signs and dead birds. The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s national passive wild avian surveillance programme confirmed USUV RNA in two blackbirds by reverse transcription-PCR. The samples were examined through collaboration between APHA’s Vector-Borne Disease Group, SRUC Veterinary Services, and the Mosquito Scotland research programme at the University of Glasgow.
6. India, Slovakia Back UN Security Council Reforms: India and Slovakia issued a joint statement on 15 June 2026 in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. The statement called for comprehensive reforms of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and reiterated support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed and expanded Council. The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, established under the UN Charter in 1945. It has 15 members, including 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. The joint statement called for expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. It also stated that the Council should become more representative, inclusive, effective, and aligned with contemporary geopolitical realities.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Navy’s Sea King 42B Squadron Retires: The Indian Naval Air Squadron 330, known as “The Harpoons”, was number plated on 14 June 2026 after 55 years of service. The squadron was commissioned on 17 April 1971 at INS Garuda, Kochi, under Commander M. P. Wadhawan. The Sea King Bravo fleet retired on 14 June 2026 after 36 years of service, with a final ceremonial flight from INS Shikra, Mumbai. About eight Sea King Bravo helicopters remained in service at the time of retirement. The remaining Sea King Mk 42B airframes will be converted into utility “Barlies” or used as test beds for sensor and weapon trials. The Indian Navy has ordered 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters as an initial replacement, while the Indian Multi Role Helicopter and Deck Based MRH remain under development. The Sea King Mk 42B was used for anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship missions, and search-and-rescue operations. The helicopter also served in shipborne roles from Indian Navy platforms and shore bases.
2. INS Agray Joins Arnala-Class Anti-Submarine Fleet: INS Agray is the fifth ship of the Arnala class of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) for the Indian Navy. The vessel was launched on 13 March 2024 and delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, on 30 March 2026. The Indian Navy ordered eight ASW SWCs under a contract valued at ₹6,311.32 crore, signed on 29 April 2019. These ships are designed for shallow water operations, coastal surveillance, and mine detection and neutralisation. INS Agray has more than 80% indigenous content. The ship carries waterjet propulsion, which is used for manoeuvrability and lower noise levels, along with hull-mounted sonar, variable depth sonar, anti-submarine torpedoes, and rockets.
SPORTS
1. Lewis Hamilton Claims First Ferrari Victory at Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: Seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory with Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, marking his 106th career win and first race triumph since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix. Hamilton overtook pole-sitter George Russell through Ferrari’s superior pit-stop strategy, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s five-race winning streak ended after his Mercedes suffered a late mechanical failure.
2. Wimbledon Announces Record £64.2 Million Prize Fund Amid Players’ Revenue Share Demands’: Wimbledon organizers have announced a record prize fund of £64.2 million ($85.74 million) for the 2026 Championships, marking the largest annual increase in the tournament’s history. Players have sought a prize pool of around £70 million and some even restricted media appearances at the French Open while raising the possibility of future boycotts over revenue-sharing concerns.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. IndiaAI Mission Launches ‘Varya’, Indigenous Cost-Efficient Video AI Model: The IndiaAI Mission launched ‘Varya’, a distilled video AI model designed to make advanced video generation more affordable, accessible, and relevant for Indian users and enterprises. Developed by AI-native transformation company Avtaar with support from the IndiaAI Mission, Varya uses a distillation technique that reduces video generation from 50 steps to just 4 steps, making it up to 10 times more cost-efficient than several leading global models.
2. NASA Unveils Four-Member Crew for Artemis III Mission Scheduled for 2027 Launch: NASA announced the four-member prime crew for the Artemis III mission at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, with Randy Bresnik as Commander, Luca Parmitano as Pilot, and Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio as Mission Specialists. The Artemis III mission is scheduled for launch in late 2027 from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, as part of NASA’s Artemis programme utilizing the Orion spacecraft and commercial human landing systems.
3. ISRO and DAE Develop Artificial Heating System for Long-Duration Lunar Missions: ISRO and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) are jointly developing an advanced artificial heating system for future lunar missions. The technology aims to protect lunar landers from the extreme freezing temperatures experienced during the lunar night. The announcement was made during the CSIR-RISE Conclave held in Bengaluru.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. WPI Inflation Rises to 9.68% in May Amid Food and Fuel Price Surge: India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation rose sharply to 9.68% in May 2026, up from 8.26% in April, marking the first inflation data released using the new base year 2022-23. The increase was driven by higher prices of food and fuel, with inflation in primary articles (4.99%), fuel & power (30.33%), and manufactured products (7.48%) all registering notable increases over April levels.
2. India Targets 155 GW Wind Energy Capacity by 2035: India has set a target of 155 GW installed wind energy capacity by 2035. India also has an interim target of 100 GW by 2030, and its installed wind capacity exceeded 56.1 GW as of 15 June 2026. Wind energy is a renewable energy source that uses wind turbines to convert kinetic energy into electricity. India is the world’s fourth-largest wind energy market by installed capacity. The country added 6.1 GW of new wind capacity in fiscal year 2025-26, which was a 46% year-on-year increase. WT-MARUT stands for Wind Turbine Materials and Resources Utility Tracker. It was launched on 15 June 2026 as India’s first dedicated digital platform for managing the wind energy supply chain. The portal is designed for supplier discovery, domestic manufacturing support, and supply-chain transparency.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Conferred with Slovakia’s Highest National Award: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded . The Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class), in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between India and Slovakia. The prestigious award was conferred by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and represents the highest civilian and military state decoration awarded by Slovakia to foreign nationals.
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