NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. ASI Partners with Denmark to Explore 17th-Century Danish Shipwreck ‘Oresund’ off Indian Coast: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the National Museum of Denmark signed an MoU to jointly locate and document the remains of the 17th-century Danish ship Oresund, which sank near Karaikal, Puducherry, in 1619. This is the first international partnership of ASI’s Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) since its establishment in 2001, marking a significant milestone in India’s underwater archaeological research. The project will use advanced, non-invasive technologies to identify and study the wreck of Oresund, the first Danish ship to reach India, offering valuable insights into early maritime trade, navigation, and cultural exchanges in the Indian Ocean. After remaining largely inactive since around 2009 due to a lack of expertise, the UAW was revived in 2025, and the Denmark collaboration highlights India’s renewed focus on preserving and exploring its underwater cultural heritage.
2. National Biodiversity Authority Reconstitutes Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity for One-Year Term: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has reconstituted the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity under Section 13(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for a one-year tenure. The Committee will provide expert guidance on the conservation, sustainable use, and Access & Benefit Sharing (ABS) related to agricultural biodiversity and associated policy matters. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Committee has played a key role in implementing the Biological Diversity Act, with Padma Shri P. L. Gautam appointed as the Co-Chair of the reconstituted committee.
3. Foundation Stone Laid for ₹170-Crore MSME Technology Centre in Bihar’s Gaya to Boost Skills and Manufacturing: Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary laid the foundation stone of a ₹170-crore Technology Centre at Khizarsarai, Gaya (Bihar) to boost skill development, advanced manufacturing, and MSME support. The 20-acre facility, with a built-up area of 16,800 sq. metres, will include production, training, utility and administrative blocks, along with a hostel, staff accommodation, and a multipurpose hall. The Technology Centre will focus on general engineering, heavy engineering, and textile testing, offering services such as CNC machining, CAD/CAM/CAE, rapid prototyping, Industry 4.0 labs, AI, IoT, automation, VLSI, and renewable energy-based systems. The Centre is expected to train around 7,000 students and professionals annually and provide technical, tooling, incubation, and business advisory support to over 1,000 MSMEs every year, strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat and regional industrial growth.
4. Tripura Sarinda Receives GI Tag, Becoming State’s Fourth Geographical Indication Product: Tripura Sarinda, a traditional stringed musical instrument closely associated with the state’s indigenous communities, has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing its unique craftsmanship and cultural heritage. With the inclusion of Tripura Sarinda, the state now has four GI-tagged products—Tripura Queen Pineapple, Risa and Pachra (Rignai), Matabari Peda, and Tripura Sarinda—strengthening Tripura’s indigenous and cultural identity.
5. Kerala Government Launches Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women and Transgenders.: Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan launched the ‘Priyadarshini’ free bus travel scheme across the state. The scheme allows women and transgender persons to travel free of cost on 3,125 ordinary KSRTC buses.
6. Navi Mumbai and Guwahati Airport Terminals Named Among World’s Most Beautiful Airports in Prix Versailles 2026: Terminal 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport and Terminal 2 of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, have been included in the Prix Versailles 2026 list of the world’s most beautiful airports, recognising excellence in architecture, sustainability, and passenger-centric design. Both award-winning airports are managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL). Navi Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 was honoured for its lotus-inspired architecture, futuristic design, and seamless integration of technology, art, and functionality. Guwahati Airport’s Terminal 2 earned recognition for its bamboo-inspired architecture, showcasing the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Northeast India, alongside leading international airports from China, Germany, Cambodia, and the United States.
7. Uttar Pradesh Schools Enter Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya List: Eleven schools from Uttar Pradesh were selected in the Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya Rating 2025-26 on 17 June 2026. The national list included 191 schools across India, and the rating was conducted by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education. The Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya Rating (SHVR) is a school assessment framework for cleanliness and environmental sustainability. It covers sanitation, water conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, green campus development, and community participation. The 11 selected schools from Uttar Pradesh included six government schools, two Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, two schools from other categories, and one private school. Dayawati Modi Academy-1 in Meerut secured Rank 4, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Hariharpur Rani in Shravasti secured Rank 9, and PM Shri Primary School Italia Mafi in Sambhal secured Rank 12.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India and Japan Adopt Rules for Joint Crediting Mechanism Under Paris Agreement: India and Japan have adopted the Rules of Implementation for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, strengthening bilateral cooperation on climate action, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and sustainable development. The JCM provides a framework for implementing emission reduction and carbon removal projects in India, contributing to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of both countries while promoting low-carbon technologies, investment, and technology transfer. The implementation rules establish a Joint Committee, transparent project approval and third-party verification systems, sustainable development safeguards, and national registries to monitor the issuance and transfer of carbon credits.
2. Jio Platforms Becomes Only Indian Company in WIPO Global Top 20 Patent Rankings 2025: Jio Platforms Limited (JPL), the technology arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has entered the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Global Top 20 Patent Rankings 2025, becoming the only Indian company to feature in the prestigious list. The WIPO Global Top 20 Patent Rankings are based on the number of international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system, highlighting global innovation and intellectual property leadership. In 2025, China remained the world’s largest source of PCT applications, while India ranked 12th globally with 3,070 international patent applications filed under the PCT system.
3. Life-Size Statue of Swami Vivekananda Unveiled at Indian Consulate in Chicago: India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, unveiled a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Consulate General of India in Chicago, commemorating his enduring message of service, universal harmony, and his historic 1893 address at the Parliament of Religions. The Chicago installation follows the unveiling of the first-ever life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda in Seattle, Washington, in April 2026, marking the growing recognition of his global spiritual and philosophical influence in the United States.
4. UAE Sets Minimum Social Media Age at 15: The United Arab Emirates Cabinet approved a resolution on 18 June 2026 that sets 15 years as the minimum age for creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts. The rule applies to social media platforms available in the UAE or targeting users in the country, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Children below 15 years of age are prohibited from opening or operating personal social media accounts under the new resolution. Users aged 15 and 16 are allowed to access social media with enhanced protective measures, including age-appropriate content classification, restricted interaction with unknown users, regulated usage time, and parental controls.
5. QS World University Rankings 2027 Released: The QS World University Rankings 2027 were released on 18 June 2026. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ranked first globally for the 15th consecutive year with a perfect overall score of 100 points. Imperial College London and Stanford University were tied at second place, while the University of Oxford ranked fourth and Harvard University ranked fifth. The QS World University Rankings are annual global university rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds. The rankings assess higher education institutions across multiple indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, research influence, internationalisation, employment rate, and sustainability.
6. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought Observed in India: The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was observed on 17 June 2026 across 813 project areas under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) in India. The programme is implemented by the Watershed Management Division of the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development. WDC-PMKSY 2.0 is a watershed development programme for the period 2021-2026. It aims to cover 49.50 lakh hectares of degraded land with a financial outlay of Rs. 8,134 crore. The programme includes soil conservation, water conservation, and land restoration activities in watershed areas. Nationwide observance on 17 June 2026 included Bhoomi Poojan for 1,444 new watershed development works and Lokarpan of 8,341 completed watershed assets. The campaign Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam included the planting of 51,299 saplings. A public pledge was administered with the theme “For a Developed India, Let Us Build a Drought-Free India”.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Navy Decommissions INAS 330 ‘The Harpoons’ After 55 Years of Distinguished Service: The Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 330, popularly known as “The Harpoons“, was number plated (decommissioned), concluding 55 years of distinguished service since its commissioning on 17 April 1971 at INS Garuda, Kochi. INAS 330 operated the Sea King Mk 42B helicopters, which played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-ship operations, search-and-rescue (SAR), and shipborne maritime missions for the Indian Navy. With the retirement of the Sea King Bravo fleet after 36 years of service, the Indian Navy is replacing it with 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, while also developing the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) and Deck-Based MRH for future naval operations.
SPORTS
1. Fatima Sana Sets Women’s T20 World Cup Records: Fatima Sana, the Pakistan women’s cricket captain, set multiple records in Women’s T20 International cricket and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2024 and 2026. She became the first captain in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches to score a fifty and take three wickets in the same game. Fatima Sana scored 55 not out and took 3 for 16 against South Africa at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 17 June 2026. Pakistan lost the match by two wickets in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan added 71 runs for the ninth wicket in the same match against South Africa. This was the highest ninth-wicket stand in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Suzlon Launches India’s Tallest 5 MW Wind Turbine, ‘S175’, to Boost Renewable Energy Generatio: Suzlon Energy has launched India’s tallest wind turbine, the 5 MW S175, which has been successfully commissioned at Vijayanagar, Karnataka, to enhance renewable energy generation. The S175 is India’s first FDRE (Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy)-ready wind turbine, designed to support grid-stable renewable energy systems, including hybrid, round-the-clock (RTC), and firm power solutions. The turbine features a 175-metre rotor, a 160-metre hybrid lattice tower, and a blade tip height of 247.5 metres, enabling it to harness stronger and more consistent winds at higher altitudes. Developed using insights from Suzlon’s 15.5 GW installed fleet and over 30 years of operational experience, the S175 is expected to improve energy generation and project economics, especially in low- to medium-wind potential regions across India.
2. Celtic Prince’s Grave Found Near Bad Camberg: Archaeologists announced the discovery of a princely grave near Bad Camberg in Hesse, Germany, during excavations linked to a solar park. The burial dates to the early La Tène period, around the middle of the first millennium BCE, and the grave goods include gold jewellery, weapon fragments, and a bronze jug imported from Etruria. The La Tène period is the later Iron Age phase of Celtic Europe, generally dated from about 450 BCE to the Roman conquest of Celtic territories. It is named after the La Tène site on Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland, which gave its name to a distinctive archaeological culture. The grave goods include several gold rings, one of which weighs 5 ounces, and a bronze jug imported from Etruria, the ancient region in central Italy. X-rays and CT scans have identified additional hidden objects inside the excavated soil blocks.
3. Scientists Discover New Forester Moth in Kali Tiger Reserve: Scientists from the western regional centre of the Zoological Survey of India in Pune announced a new forester moth species from Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve on 17 June 2026. The species has been named Mimeusemia kali Kalawate & László, 2026, and it is the first addition to the genus Mimeusemia in nearly 30 years. Forester moths belong to the family Zygaenidae, which includes day-flying moths found in several parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa. The genus Mimeusemia now includes 30 taxa worldwide, with 23 species and seven subspecies. The discovery was made in the Kali Tiger Reserve, a protected area in Karnataka within the Western Ghats. The study was led by Aparna Kalawate of the Zoological Survey of India, Pune, in collaboration with Gyula M. László of the Natural History Museum, London.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Odisha Clears ₹76,612-Crore Investment Proposals: Odisha’s High-Level Clearance Authority approved 20 industrial projects on 17 June 2026. The proposals involve a cumulative investment of ₹76,611.86 crore and are linked to 50,517 proposed jobs across nine districts. The Odisha High-Level Clearance Authority is the state-level body that clears large industrial proposals. It is chaired by the Chief Minister of Odisha. The authority handles projects with high investment value and multi-district industrial impact. The approved projects cover aerospace and defence, rare earth minerals-based value-added products, pharmaceuticals, capital goods, chemicals, steel, iron and ferro alloys, power, and renewable energy. Three lab-grown diamond manufacturing units in Khordha account for ₹9,817.50 crore of investment and 8,100 jobs.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Sudarsan Pattnaik Becomes First Indian to Win Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026: Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik from Puri, Odisha, won the Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026, becoming the first Indian to receive the prestigious international sand art award. Pattnaik received the honour at the II International Festival of Sand Sculpture in Kaliningrad, Russia, for his 3-metre-high sand sculpture depicting the two contrasting faces of Earth.
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