Daily GK Update- 29th June, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book on the History and Cultural Heritage of Bhawaiya Folk Music: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book “Sanskritir Ratna Bhandar: Bhaowaiyar Itibritto” in New Delhi, which explores the history, origin, and evolution of Bhawaiya, a traditional folk music genre of North Bengal and Assam. The book highlights Bhawaiya as a reflection of the social and cultural life of North Bengal, emphasizing the influence of folk traditions, religious practices, agricultural customs, seasonal festivals, and community experiences on its development. Authored by Lok Sabha MP Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy and Sangita Roy, the book provides valuable insights into the cultural heritage of North Bengal and the Koch Rajbanshi community, while showcasing the enduring relevance of Bhawaiya despite modernization and globalization.

 

2. 29 June – National Statistics Day: National Statistics Day is observed every year on 29 June to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, known as the Father of Modern Statistics in India. The day aims to promote awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning, evidence-based policymaking, and sustainable national development. Instituted by the Government of India in 2007, the day recognizes the contributions of statistics in governance, research, and decision-making, while honoring the legacy of P.C. Mahalanobis.

 

3. India Approves First Offshore Airport in Maharashtra: India’s first offshore airport has been approved for preparation of a Detailed Project Report in Maharashtra. The proposed site is near Kore beach in Palghar district, and the project is planned as the third international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The proposed airport site is near Kore beach in Palghar district, Maharashtra. A pre-feasibility report has classified the project as feasible, and the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation is overseeing the proposal. The project is planned with links to the Uttan-Virar Sea Link, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train station, and the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. It is also integrated with the upcoming Vadhavan Port development for logistics connectivity.

 

4. Haryana, Rajasthan Sign Upper Yamuna Water-Sharing Pact: Haryana and Rajasthan signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi on 29 June 2026 to implement the 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board Agreement. The arrangement concerns the allocation and transfer of Yamuna river water among basin states under the Upper Yamuna framework. A consensus on the water-sharing arrangement was reached on 23 June 2026 in a high-level meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi. The 9th meeting of the Upper Yamuna Review Committee in November 2025 had already recorded progress on the project for transferring Rajasthan’s share of Yamuna water. The water transfer arrangement for Rajasthan will use a dedicated 295.5-km underground pipeline system. The project is named the Yamuna Water Project and has an estimated cost of Rs 34,102 crore.

5. PM Family Care Tracker Launched in Gujarat: The PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) and Health Passport were launched as a pilot project on 28 June 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The platform is an integrated digital system for monitoring children’s health, nutrition, education, and welfare from pregnancy to the age of 16 years, with some references extending coverage to 18 years. The platform generates automatic alerts when a child misses vaccinations or drops out of school. These alerts are sent to local officials, legislators, and Members of Parliament for follow-up action. The pilot project in Gandhinagar integrates data from the Health Department, Women and Child Development Department, and Education Department. The tracker is linked to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers under welfare delivery systems. It is intended to support identification of beneficiaries for health services, nutrition support, and education-related interventions.

 

6. Rural Internal Audit Portal Launched for Digital Governance: The AI-enabled Rural Internal Audit Portal was launched on 28 June 2026 at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan held at the Pusa Campus in New Delhi. The portal is a unified digital platform for internal audit in rural development programmes and covers audit planning, execution, reporting, compliance, monitoring, and analytics. The Rural Internal Audit Portal was developed by the Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre. The portal was conceived by the Office of the Chief Controller of Accounts in the Ministry of Rural Development and supports both risk-based audits and compliance audits. The portal replaces paper-intensive and fragmented audit practices with a single digital system. Its modules cover engagement approvals, audit observations, action taken reports, and record archival, which are part of the complete audit lifecycle.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Launches ‘Operation Amistad’ to Provide Earthquake Relief Assistance to Venezuela: India has launched Operation Amistad as a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission in response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, demonstrating solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft have been deployed carrying a 41-member rescue and medical team, 30 tonnes of relief supplies, 6 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment, an Indian Army Field Hospital, and two BHISHM Cube portable hospitals.

 

2. India Joins 34 Nations in US-Led Pax Silica Initiative to Strengthen AI Supply Chains: India joined 34 other countries in signing the US-led Joint Statement on AI Opportunity at the second Pax Silica Summit in Washington, supporting trusted and resilient supply chains for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. India was represented by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, who held discussions with global industry leaders to strengthen cooperation in semiconductors, AI, and resilient technology supply chains. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to deepen strategic ties with India, highlighting cooperation under the Quad and the TRUST initiative, while describing the India–US partnership as one of the most consequential relationships of the 21st century.

 

3. Tripura Global Pineapple Festival Inaugurated in New Delhi to Boost GI-Tagged Queen Pineapple Exports: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and Union Minister of State for DoNER Dr. Sukanta Majumdar inaugurated the three-day Tripura Global Pineapple Festival in New Delhi to promote the state’s GI-tagged Queen pineapple, exports, tourism, and cultural heritage. Tripura produces around 1.78–1.87 lakh metric tonnes of pineapples annually, including nearly 23,000 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Queen pineapples, while the ₹236-crore Mission Queen Pineapple aims to increase the fruit’s economic value from ₹35 crore to ₹200 crore by 2028.

 

4. 26 June – International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed every year on 26 June to express solidarity with victims of torture and reaffirm the global commitment to eradicate torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. 2026 Theme- Empowering MSMEs through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1997, marking the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) on 26 June 1987.

 

5. 29 June – International Day of the Tropics: International Day of the Tropics is observed every year on 29 June to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities faced by tropical regions across the world. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016, marking the anniversary of the launch of the State of the Tropics Report (2014). Tropical regions are home to around 40% of the world’s population and contain nearly 80% of global biodiversity, making them vital for sustainable development and climate action.

 

6. 26 June – World Drug Day (International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking) : World Drug Day is observed every year on 26 June to strengthen global action and cooperation against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking and to promote a healthier, drug-free society. Theme 2026 – World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 through Resolution 42/112 and is coordinated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

 

7. 26 June – World Refrigeration Day: World Refrigeration Day is observed every year on 26 June to raise awareness about the vital role of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) technologies in modern life. Theme 2026 – Cool Intelligence The day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Kelvin (William Thomson), whose work on the Kelvin temperature scale laid the foundation for refrigeration and thermodynamics.

 

8. 30 June – International Day of Parliamentarism: International Day of Parliamentarism is observed every year on 30 June to recognise the vital role of parliaments in promoting democracy, accountability, transparency, and good governance worldwide. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 through Resolution A/RES/72/278 and marks the anniversary of the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on 30 June 1889.

 

9. 27 June – International Day of Deafblindness: International Day of Deafblindness is observed every year on 27 June to raise awareness about the rights, inclusion, and challenges faced by persons with deafblindness, a distinct disability involving combined hearing and vision impairment. The day marks the birth anniversary of Helen Keller (27 June 1880), the renowned author, educator, and disability rights advocate who became a global symbol of resilience despite being deafblind.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Army to Raise First Integrated Battle Groups: The Indian Army plans to operationalise its first Integrated Battle Groups by 1 July 2026. The first formations will be raised from the Panagarh-based XVII Corps, which is also known as the Mountain Strike Corps and is oriented towards the China front. An Integrated Battle Group, or IBG, is a brigade-sized combat formation designed as a self-contained unit. Each IBG is planned to have more than 5,000 troops and 12 to 13 units, including infantry battalions, artillery regiments, engineers, signals, and a field hospital. Under the current plan, four IBGs and one fire support group will be created under the XVII Mountain Strike Corps. Each of these five formations will be commanded by a Major General-rank officer. The IBG concept was first proposed by former Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. The model was test-bedded in the IX Corps on the western border with Pakistan around 2019 and was also experimented with in the eastern theatre during Exercise HimVijay in 2019. 

 

2. India and Seychelles Expand Maritime Security Partnership: India and Seychelles expanded their maritime security partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Seychelles from 27 to 29 June 2026. The visit coincided with Seychelles’ 50th Independence Day celebrations and marked 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. On 27 June 2026, India handed over the Fast Patrol Vessel PS LESPWAR to the Seychelles Coast Guard in Victoria. The vessel was built by Goa Shipyard Limited and its name means “hope” in Creole. The vessel is intended for maritime surveillance and Exclusive Economic Zone patrol duties. On 28 June 2026, India and Seychelles announced 19 outcomes covering maritime security, defence, digital payments, healthcare, agriculture and education. The talks took place in Victoria between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Patrick Herminie.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Goa’s Ethan Vaz Becomes India’s 96th Chess Grandmaster at Age 14: 14-year-old International Master Ethan Vaz from Goa became India’s 96th Chess Grandmaster after securing his third and final Grandmaster (GM) norm at the Sarajevo GM Mix Tournament in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ethan won the tournament by finishing ahead of 10 Grandmasters, becoming the third Grandmaster from Goa after Anurag Mhamal and Leon Mendonca. He currently has a live FIDE rating of 2522. Ethan earned his first GM norm at the GM4 Festival Saha Bijeljina (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in October 2025 and his second GM norm at the GM Mix 11 Fantastico Tournament (Serbia) in January 2026. He also won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Chess Championship and qualified for the 2026 World and Asian Youth Chess Championships.

 

2. Ben Stokes Retires from Test Cricket, Leaves Behind a Historic Legacy: Ben Stokes announced his retirement from Test cricket after the Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand national cricket team, bringing an end to an illustrious red-ball career. Stokes became only the second cricketer after Jacques Kallis to score over 7,000 Test runs and take more than 250 Test wickets. He also popularized England’s aggressive Test approach, widely known as “Bazball.” Among his career highlights are his 258-run knock against South Africa at Cape Town in 2016—the fastest double century-plus (250) in Test cricket history—and his unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, which helped England win their first-ever ODI World Cup. George Russell Wins 2026 Austrian Grand Prix: Mercedes driver George Russell, a British racing driver, won the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix, adding another Formula One victory to his career. Russell’s triumph at the Austrian Grand Prix strengthened Mercedes’ performance in the 2026 Formula One season and highlighted his consistency on the F1 circuit.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. DIKSHA Becomes One Nation, One Digital Platform: Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing, or DIKSHA, is a national digital platform for school education in India. It was launched in 2017 and is managed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training with support from the Central Institute of Educational Technology. As of 28 June 2026, the Central Government positioned DIKSHA as India’s “One Nation, One Digital Platform” for school education. DIKSHA offers content in 36 Indian languages and 7 foreign languages. It includes QR-coded Energised Textbooks, educational videos, 2D and 3D animations, augmented reality content, virtual labs, and Indian Sign Language videos. These features are used for school-level digital learning across different subjects and classes. DIKSHA is used for teacher professional development through programmes such as NISHTHA. It provides self-paced online training and certification modules for teachers. The platform also supports inclusive education through DAISY-formatted content, text-to-speech tools, and sign language videos for differently-abled learners.

 

2. Aarogya Setu 2.0 and ABDM Launch: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched Aarogya Setu 2.0 and linked digital health initiatives on 29 June 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Aarogya Setu 2.0 has been redesigned from a COVID-19 contact-tracing application into a Personal Health Record application under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Aarogya Setu 2.0 functions as a digital gateway for health record management and access to government health schemes. The application allows users to create and manage an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), share digital health records with consent, and use a scan-and-share facility for registration at healthcare facilities. The ABDM is India’s national digital health ecosystem for creating interoperable health records and digital health identifiers. As of 1 June 2026, the mission had generated over 90 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts across the country. As of 25 June 2026, the ecosystem included over 380 million ABHA Health IDs, more than 4,80,000 registered health facilities, and more than 9,50,000 registered doctors.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. UPI to Become Operational in Seychelles: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is targeted to become operational in Seychelles by the end of 2026. India and Seychelles signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for UPI implementation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Seychelles, which concluded on 29 June 2026. UPI is an instant digital payment system developed in India for bank-to-bank transfers through mobile applications. The system is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory framework of the Reserve Bank of India. The UPI MoU was signed between NPCI and the Central Bank of Seychelles. The agreement covers the technical and institutional steps needed for UPI acceptance in Seychelles and is intended to support cashless transactions for Indian tourists.

 

2. Corporate Mitra Scheme for MSME Support: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched the Corporate Mitra Scheme 2026 for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 and is designed to create trained paraprofessionals for MSME support in compliance, accounting, taxation, financial guidance, and governance. The Corporate Mitra Scheme is linked with institutions such as IIT Madras, IIT Pravartak, SWAYAM Plus, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 25 June 2026 to operationalise the scheme. The programme has a duration of 12 months. It includes about 150 hours of online academic learning through the SWAYAM Plus portal and six months of on-the-job training with professional firms. Applicants must be Indian nationals below 30 years of age and must be graduates or final-year graduation students.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. PM Narendra Modi Receives Seychelles’ Highest Environmental Honour – ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Seychelles’ highest environmental honour, “Guardian of the Blue Horizon,” by President Dr. Patrick Herminie during his state visit to the East African island nation. The award recognizes PM Modi’s leadership in environmental conservation, climate action, Blue Economy, sustainable ocean resource management, and support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It is the first time this prestigious distinction has been awarded.

 

2. DMRC Wins UITP Achievement Award for Operational Excellence: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) received the UITP Achievement Award for Operational Excellence on 23 June 2026 in Brussels. UITP, or the International Association of Public Transport, presented the award to DMRC for its AI-powered integrated mobility platform, the Sarthi App. DMRC is the statutory body that operates the Delhi Metro network in the National Capital Region. The organisation manages metro rail services, station operations, fare collection, and passenger facilities across its system. UITP is the International Association of Public Transport, a global body for public transport operators and agencies. The Operational Excellence Award is given to public transport organisations for innovation, operational efficiency, and service delivery in passenger transport.

 

3. Seychelles Confers Guardian of the Blue Horizon Award: On 28 June 2026, Seychelles conferred the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit to the island nation. The award is a special Presidential Distinction and is described as Seychelles’ highest environmental honour for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development. The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, livelihoods, and marine ecosystem protection. Climate action includes measures for mitigation and adaptation related to climate change. The award was associated with leadership in these areas, along with support for developing countries.

 

Daily GK Update- 28th June, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Participates as Permanent Observer at 56th OAS General Assembly in Panama: India participated as a Permanent Observer in the 56th General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS), held in Panama City, Panama, with Ambassador Sumit Seth representing the country. The 56th OAS General Assembly was organised under the theme “The Americas United on the Bicentennial of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama,” highlighting regional unity and cooperation across the Americas. India’s participation as a Permanent Observer reflects its commitment to strengthening diplomatic engagement and expanding political, economic, and multilateral cooperation with countries of the Americas.

 

2. GMR Airports Takes Over Operations of Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport: GMR Airports Limited has officially taken over the operations, management, development, and modernisation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur, under a 30-year concession agreement signed with MIHAN India Ltd. (MIL). In the first phase, GMR will expand the passenger terminal to handle 3 million passengers annually, while future phases aim to increase the airport’s capacity to 30 million passengers per year, along with a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and upgraded airside infrastructure. The modernisation project also includes a state-of-the-art cargo terminal with an annual handling capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes, strengthening Nagpur’s position as a major aviation and logistics hub in central India.

 

3. India Inaugurates World’s First Nuclear-Powered Copper-Chlorine Hydrogen Production Facility at Kalpakkam: Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Ajit Kumar Mohanty, inaugurated the world’s first Hydrogen Production Facility based on the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. The facility utilizes nuclear process heat generated from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to produce hydrogen, demonstrating an innovative approach to clean and carbon-free hydrogen production. The Cu-Cl thermochemical hydrogen production technology has been developed indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, and the project serves as a technology demonstrator for nuclear-powered hydrogen generation. The commissioning of the facility marks a major milestone in India’s clean energy transition, supporting energy security, decarbonisation goals, and sustainable development through the integration of nuclear energy with hydrogen production.

 

4. Government Notifies 318 Works Under Rural Employment Framework: On 24 June 2026, the Government of India notified an interim list of 318 permissible works under the new rural employment framework. The framework will roll out on 1 July 2026 under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The interim list of 318 works is grouped under four thematic areas. These areas are water security, core rural infrastructure, rural livelihoods, and special works for mitigation of extreme weather events. The framework uses a “single plan – multi funding” approach, and the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan serves as the primary planning instrument at the Gram Panchayat level.

 

5. India Restores Air Suvidha for Ebola-Affected Travellers: India reactivated the Air Suvidha portal as AIR SUVIDHA 2.0 on 25 June 2026 for passengers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected countries. The portal requires an online Self-Declaration Form before deboarding and records a 21-day travel and exposure history for public health screening at entry points. The World Health Organization declared the Ebola/Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026. A Public Health Emergency of International Concern, or PHEIC, is a formal WHO classification under the International Health Regulations for events that require coordinated international response.

 

6. APEDA Facilitates First Sea Export of Banganapalle Mangoes: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first commercial sea shipment of premium Banganapalle mangoes from India to Singapore on 25 June 2026. The consignment weighed 5 metric tonnes and was exported by Osum Food Solutions LLP. The mangoes were dispatched from India on 11 June 2026 and arrived in Singapore on 24 June 2026. Sea freight is used for bulk horticultural exports because refrigerated containers can maintain temperature and humidity during transit. The mangoes were sourced from Good Agricultural Practices-certified orchards in Andhra Pradesh and processed at an APEDA-recognised packhouse in Karnataka. The initiative was undertaken with the ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, which works on subtropical fruit research and post-harvest handling.

 

7. Pharma Jan Samadhan and Pharma Sahi Daam Integrated: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority integrated the Pharma Jan Samadhan portal with the Pharma Sahi Daam portal on 23 June 2026. The unified government platform provides a single interface for checking medicine prices and lodging complaints related to drug pricing. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority is a regulatory body under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It is responsible for fixing and revising prices of controlled pharmaceutical formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. Pharma Sahi Daam provides access to prices of scheduled and non-scheduled medicines. The tool allows consumers to verify whether a medicine is sold within government-approved limits and to report overpricing through the app or web portal.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jaishankar Calls for Stronger India-South Korea Cooperation: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered the keynote address at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity 2026 in Jeju, South Korea, on 25 June 2026. He also held bilateral talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul on 24 June 2026 during a two-day visit to South Korea. India and South Korea maintain diplomatic, economic, and strategic ties through cooperation in trade, investment, technology, defence, and culture. South Korea is a major partner for India in shipbuilding, electronics, and industrial manufacturing, while India is a large market for South Korean companies in automobiles, consumer electronics, and infrastructure. The Seoul discussions covered political ties, shipbuilding, trade, investments, defence, technology, clean energy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Emerging sectors such as startups and fintech were also part of the bilateral agenda. 

 

2. MoSPI-GRAAM Policy Research Fellowship Launched: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) signed a Statement of Intent with the Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) on 25 June 2026 in New Delhi to launch a fellowship initiative. The partnership is linked to the Embark India Development Fellowship and involves two fellows for policy research and governance-related work. The Embark India Development Fellowship is an 18-month programme with six-month immersive institutional placements, hands-on training, and mentorship by national experts. Fellows under the programme will work on ongoing and new projects in MoSPI and will handle research-driven assignments linked to public policy and programme implementation.

 

3. India-EU Human Rights Dialogue Held in New Delhi: The 12th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 24 June 2026. The dialogue was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Additional Secretary (Europe West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India. The India-EU Human Rights Dialogue is a bilateral mechanism between India and the European Union. The dialogue covers civil and political rights, social, economic and cultural rights, and issues linked to discrimination, migrants, freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of expression. The 2026 dialogue covered gender rights, LGBTQI+ rights, and child rights. The two sides also discussed the freedom, independence, and diversity of civil society actors, organisations, and journalists, along with freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

 

4. India Expands QR Codes on Critical Medicines: The Union Health Ministry notified amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, on 25 June 2026 to extend QR-code based traceability to vaccines, anti-cancer medicines, antimicrobials, narcotic drugs and psychotropic drugs. The revised framework places these medicines under Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules and requires manufacturers to print or affix QR codes on primary packaging, or on secondary packaging when space is insufficient. QR-code traceability is a product identification system that links a medicine pack to machine-readable data. The code can store a unique identification code, generic name, brand name, manufacturer details, batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and manufacturing licence number.

 

5. India Sets Record with Seven Schools in World’s Best School Prizes 2026: India had seven schools shortlisted for the World’s Best School Prizes 2026 on 25 June 2026. The shortlist placed India at the top among all countries for the highest number of schools selected in a single year since the awards began in 2022. The World’s Best School Prizes are global awards founded by T4 Education. The awards cover five categories: Innovation, Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Supporting Healthy Lives, and Overcoming Adversity. An expert Judging Academy selects the final winners, and the 2026 winners are scheduled for announcement in November 2026. Two Indian schools entered the Innovation category for 2026. PCMC Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj English Medium School is located in Pune, and Army Goodwill School Wuzur is located in Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir. Three Indian schools were shortlisted in the Community Collaboration category. Healthy Planet TGA Early Years School is in Noida, Inventure Academy is in Bengaluru, and Seth M.R. Jaipuria School is in Lucknow.

 

6. China Targets 50% Non-Fossil Power by 2030: China has set a 2030 target for 50% of its power generation to come from non-fossil sources under the 15th Five-Year Plan for Building a New Energy System. The plan was jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration in June 2026. China’s non-fossil share of power generation stood at 41% in 2025, and the new target raises it to 50% by 2030. The plan also sets a target for non-fossil sources to account for 25% of total energy consumption by 2030, compared with 14% in 2025. Wind and solar power are expected to exceed 50% of China’s total installed power generation capacity by 2030, up from about 47% at the end of 2025. The plan targets non-pumped hydro energy storage capacity of 300 GW and pumped-storage hydropower capacity of 160 GW by 2030, compared with 62 GW in 2025.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India’s Netra AEW&C Gets Final Operational Clearance Certificate: India’s indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system received its Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate on 25 June 2026. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over the certificate to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, at a ceremony presided over by Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti. An Airborne Early Warning and Control system is an aircraft-based surveillance platform fitted with radar and mission systems for long-range airspace monitoring. AEW&C platforms are used for airborne surveillance, situational awareness, command support, and battle management. The Netra AEW&C system was developed indigenously through collaboration among the IAF, DRDO, and associated industries. The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in October 2004, and the system received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2017.

 

 

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. NASA Rover Detects Complex Carbon Molecules on Mars: NASA’s Perseverance rover detected complex, macromolecular carbon in two Martian mudstones on 24 June 2026. The samples came from the Bright Angel outcrop in Neretva Vallis within Jezero Crater on Mars. Perseverance is a Mars rover operated by NASA and landed in Jezero Crater in February 2021. Jezero Crater contains an ancient lake basin and delta deposits that are used in planetary science to study past water activity on Mars. Macromolecular carbon is a form of complex organic carbon made of large carbon-rich structures. In the Bright Angel outcrop, the organic carbon was found with silicate minerals in one mudstone and with carbonate and sulfate minerals in another mudstone. The different mineral associations indicate that the carbon-bearing materials were deposited at different times in the rock history. NASA described this as the most robust organic detection so far in Jezero Crater and the only detection of macromolecular carbon on a natural rock surface on Mars.

 

2. What is Project Hawk Eye Surveillance Technology?: Project Hawk Eye is a surveillance and security initiative launched in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026. The arrangement uses drones, CCTV cameras, facial recognition systems, elevated observation posts, and sniper teams for route security and monitoring. Project Hawk Eye was launched on 25–26 June 2026 for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026. The Amarnath cave shrine is located in the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, and the pilgrimage route includes the Pahalgam and Baltal axes. The government has declared the routes from Jammu to the cave shrine, including the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, as no-fly zones. Such restrictions are used in India for security-sensitive events and pilgrimage routes.

 

3. 35 Nations Sign AI Opportunity Statement at Pax Silica Summit: The second Pax Silica Summit was held in Washington, D.C., on 25 or 26 June 2026, and 35 nations, including India, signed the Joint Statement on AI Opportunity. The statement covers artificial intelligence governance, trusted supply chains, and industrial capacity for AI-related technologies. The Pax Silica initiative began in December 2025 under United States leadership. India joined the initiative in February 2026 on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The initiative includes countries such as Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands, Chile, Costa Rica, Greece, Kazakhstan, Panama, and the European Union. The Joint Statement on AI Opportunity supports a pro-growth and pro-innovation regulatory approach for the AI era. It also refers to trusted and resilient supply chains for artificial intelligence technologies. Jacob Helberg, United States Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, referred to trusted supply chains and private sector participation at the summit.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Proposes Wider Access to Indian Money Markets: The Reserve Bank of India issued draft proposals on 25 June 2026 to widen participation in India’s term money market. The draft framework covers non-banking financial companies, including mortgage providers, All India Financial Institutions, and companies, with changes in borrowing, lending, market hours, and reporting rules. The RBI has proposed a prudential borrowing limit of 200% of net-owned funds for shadow lenders such as NBFCs and housing finance companies in these markets. Standalone primary dealers will have a combined borrowing limit of 400% of their net owned funds through term money and inter-corporate deposits. The proposed framework also extends market hours from 9 AM to 5 PM to 9 AM to 7 PM on business days.

 

2. Andhra Pradesh Approves Treated Wastewater Reuse Policy: Andhra Pradesh approved the Policy on Reuse of Treated Used Water, 2026 on 26 June 2026 for urban bodies across the state. The policy covers 123 Urban Local Bodies and creates a framework for collection, treatment, allocation, pricing, monitoring, and reuse of treated wastewater. Treated wastewater is sewage water that has undergone treatment in a Sewage Treatment Plant and is then used for non-potable purposes. Non-potable use includes industrial processes, construction, landscaping, municipal services, firefighting, railway yards, and bus depots. The policy sets phased implementation targets for urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh. The target is 20 ULBs by 2027, 40 ULBs by 2028, 90 ULBs by 2029, and all 123 ULBs by 2030. The policy also requires that at least 20% of urban water demand is met through reuse. For industries, the policy mandates 20% reuse by 2028 and 40% by 2030.

 

3. BRICS Energy Ministers Reaffirm Energy Security Cooperation: The 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting was held on 25 June 2026 in Gurugram, Haryana, under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026. The ministers adopted the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Joint Communiqué and the BRICS Guiding Principles on Smart Grids and Energy Storage. BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform (ERCP) is a mechanism for cooperation in energy research, policy exchange and technical collaboration among member countries. Smart grids use digital communication, automation and data systems to manage electricity supply and demand. Energy storage systems include batteries, pumped hydro storage and other technologies that store electricity for later use in power networks.

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 27th June, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Participates as Permanent Observer at 56th OAS General Assembly in Panama: India participated as a Permanent Observer in the 56th General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS), held in Panama City, Panama, with Ambassador Sumit Seth representing the country. The 56th OAS General Assembly was organised under the theme “The Americas United on the Bicentennial of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama,” highlighting regional unity and cooperation across the Americas. India’s participation as a Permanent Observer reflects its commitment to strengthening diplomatic engagement and expanding political, economic, and multilateral cooperation with countries of the Americas.

 

2. MoRTH Signs MoU with BharatBenz to Accelerate Old Truck and Bus Replacement in Delhi-NCR: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (BharatBenz) under the Centre’s old truck and bus replacement scheme for the Delhi-NCR region. Under the agreement, BharatBenz will offer an 8% discount on the ex-showroom price of eligible trucks and buses, while the Central Government will provide a 5% interest subvention and monthly fuel vouchers for five years. Participating State Governments will offer up to 100% concession on motor vehicle tax for 10 years and waive registration fees for eligible beneficiaries to encourage replacement of old commercial vehicles.

 

3. NCERT Introduces 1975 Emergency Chapter in Class 9 Textbook for the First Time: The National Council of Educational Research and Training has introduced a chapter on the 1975 Emergency in its Class 9 Social Science textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond, describing it as one of the major challenges to Indian democracy. This is the first time the Emergency has been included at the Class 9 level; previously, the topic was covered only in the Class 12 Political Science textbook. The textbook explains that rising unemployment, inflation, public dissatisfaction, and allegations of misgovernance led to widespread protests before the National Emergency was declared in June 1975 on the grounds of internal disturbance.

 

4. IRCTC Launches ‘Divine East Temple Tour’ on Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train: IRCTC has launched the “Divine East Temple Tour” aboard the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train to promote pilgrimage, spiritual travel, and cultural tourism across eastern India. The 11-day rail tour will cover major religious and heritage destinations in Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, including Varanasi, Puri, Konark, Chilika, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Gangasagar, and Baidyanath Dham. The journey will commence from Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi, and conclude in Delhi on 5 October 2026, offering pilgrims a comprehensive spiritual tourism experience.

 

5. Gautam Adani Launches ‘Vande Bharatam’ to Empower Entrepreneurs and Grassroots Innovators Across India: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has launched ‘Vande Bharatam’, a nationwide initiative to identify, support, and nurture entrepreneurs, innovators, and grassroots changemakers across India. The programme aims to create an inclusive innovation ecosystem by covering all 36 States and Union Territories, over 800 districts, and enabling participation in multiple Indian languages. ‘Vande Bharatam’ seeks to empower local talent, encourage innovation at the grassroots level, and provide a national platform for transformative ideas with the potential to drive India’s development.

 

6. PM Modi Offers Assistance After Venezuela Earthquake: Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck western Venezuela on 24 June 2026. The epicentres were reported near Montalbán and Yumare, west of Caracas, and damage was reported in the Venezuelan capital. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in Venezuela on 25 June 2026. The main international airport at Maiquetia was closed after severe damage, and early reports mentioned at least 32 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The United States Geological Survey estimated that fatalities from the earthquakes could range from 10,000 to 100,000. Collapsed buildings were reported in Caracas, which is the capital of Venezuela.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Amazon Announces Additional USD 13 Billion Investment in India: Amazon has announced an additional investment of USD 13 billion in India, increasing its total planned investment to over USD 48 billion during the 2026–2030 period. The investment announcement was made by Andy Jassy, Global CEO of Amazon, after his meeting with Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The fresh investment is expected to strengthen Amazon’s e-commerce, cloud computing, logistics, digital infrastructure, and technology operations in India while creating new employment opportunities.

 

2. Bangladesh Joins International Big Cat Alliance as 27th Member Country: Bangladesh has joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) as its 27th member country, strengthening international cooperation for big cat conservation. The IBCA, launched by India in 2024 and headquartered in New Delhi, aims to conserve seven big cat species—tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma—through global collaboration. The IBCA currently has 27 member countries out of 95 big cat range countries, while five additional countries participate as observers, reflecting growing global support for wildlife conservation.

 

3. ASSOCHAM and ACCI Sign MoU to Boost India–Afghanistan Trade and Investment Cooperation: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India–Afghanistan bilateral trade, investment, and business cooperation. The MoU was signed during the visit of an Afghan business delegation led by Sayed Mohammad Karim Hashemi and aims to establish a structured framework for trade, investment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and business-to-business (B2B) engagement. Under the agreement, both organisations will cooperate in information exchange, trade and investment facilitation, business matchmaking, delegation exchanges, joint conferences, exhibitions, and sector-specific interactions to deepen private-sector partnerships.

 

4. GMR Airports Takes Over Operations of Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport: GMR Airports Limited has officially taken over the operations, management, development, and modernisation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur, under a 30-year concession agreement signed with MIHAN India Ltd. (MIL). In the first phase, GMR will expand the passenger terminal to handle 3 million passengers annually, while future phases aim to increase the airport’s capacity to 30 million passengers per year, along with a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and upgraded airside infrastructure. The modernisation project also includes a state-of-the-art cargo terminal with an annual handling capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes, strengthening Nagpur’s position as a major aviation and logistics hub in central India.

 

5. India Inaugurates World’s First Nuclear-Powered Copper-Chlorine Hydrogen Production Facility at Kalpakkam: Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Ajit Kumar Mohanty, inaugurated the world’s first Hydrogen Production Facility based on the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam.

The facility utilizes nuclear process heat generated from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to produce hydrogen, demonstrating an innovative approach to clean and carbon-free hydrogen production. The Cu-Cl thermochemical hydrogen production technology has been developed indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, and the project serves as a technology demonstrator for nuclear-powered hydrogen generation. The commissioning of the facility marks a major milestone in India’s clean energy transition, supporting energy security, decarbonisation goals, and sustainable development through the integration of nuclear energy with hydrogen production.

 

6. Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 sets blood standards : The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026 is the first pharmacopoeia in the world to set exclusive standards for blood and blood components. It was released on 2 January 2026 in New Delhi by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda. The 10th edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia includes 20 new monographs and 2 revised monographs for blood-related quality standards. The new standards cover blood and blood components used in transfusion services. These standards are legally enforceable in India and are aligned with the Directorate General of Health Services manual and other international guidelines. The standards are intended to support quality assurance in blood banking and to reduce blood transfusion-transmitted infections.

 

7. India Restores Air Suvidha for Ebola-Affected Travellers: India reactivated the Air Suvidha portal as AIR SUVIDHA 2.0 on 25 June 2026 for passengers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected countries. The portal requires an online Self-Declaration Form before deboarding and records a 21-day travel and exposure history for public health screening at entry points. The World Health Organization declared the Ebola/Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026. A Public Health Emergency of International Concern, or PHEIC, is a formal WHO classification under the International Health Regulations for events that require coordinated international response.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Sea Drones Emerge as Key Defence Technology: Sea drones, also called unmanned maritime systems, are naval platforms that operate on the surface or underwater without an onboard crew. In June 2026, several countries used unmanned surface vessels, extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles, and autonomous drone boats in military exercises, logistics missions, and rescue operations in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East. Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) operate on the sea surface and can carry sensors, communications equipment, or weapons. Uncrewed underwater vehicles operate below the surface and are used for surveillance, strike missions, mine countermeasures, and logistics support. Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) are a larger class of underwater drones designed for long-range and heavy-payload missions.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. FIFA Suspends All Nepal Football Association Over Governance Violations: FIFA has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) with immediate effect from 24 June for violating FIFA statutes due to third-party interference in its governance. Following the suspension, Nepal’s national football teams and clubs are barred from participating in all FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions until further notice. ANFA, its officials, and member associations will also lose access to FIFA and AFC funding, development programmes, and training opportunities until the governance issues are resolved and the suspension is lifted.

 

2. India’s 2036 Olympic Bid Process to Conclude in 2029: The International Olympic Committee approved a revised host selection process for the 2036 Olympic Games at its 146th Session in Lausanne on 24 June 2026. The host city for the 2036 Olympic Games will be elected in mid-2029, and India is in the Continuous Dialogue phase after submitting a Letter of Intent in 2024. The International Olympic Committee uses a multi-stage process for selecting Olympic hosts. The revised framework for 2036 includes Continuous Dialogue, Strategic Dialogue, and Targeted Dialogue phases. The Strategic Dialogue phase is scheduled to begin in March 2027, and the Targeted Dialogue phase is expected in late 2028.

 

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. OpenAI Appoints Former Uber India Head Prabhjeet Singh as India Managing Director: OpenAI has appointed Prabhjeet Singh as its Managing Director (MD) for India, effective September 2026, to lead the company’s operations and growth in the Indian market. Prior to joining OpenAI, Prabhjeet Singh served as the President of Uber India and South Asia, bringing extensive experience in technology, business expansion, and digital innovation.

 

2. Centre Approves Chennai Intelligent Transport System: The Centre approved over ₹500 crore on 25 June 2026 for the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) project in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The project has an estimated value of about ₹645.59 crore and is funded through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the Centre. The contract for ₹530 crore was signed with L&T on 31 March 2023, and JICA approved it on 6 June 2023. The ITS for Chennai includes adaptive traffic signal control at 165 junctions, a traffic incident detection system at 58 locations, a variable message sign system at 17 places, and a red light violation detection system at 50 junctions. The system also includes junction improvements, camera installation, and signal replacement at selected intersections. As of 6 March 2026, civil work for junction improvements had been completed at 104 of the 165 identified junctions. The Greater Chennai Corporation expected full operation of the ITS by August 2026. A pilot project began in January 2024 at 17 locations.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Goldman Sachs Raises India’s 2026 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.8%: Goldman Sachs has raised India’s real GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 6.8% from 6.5%, citing lower crude oil prices and improving domestic macroeconomic conditions. The investment bank also reduced its inflation forecast to 4.4% and current account deficit estimate to 1.1% of GDP, following the decline in global oil prices after the US-Iran peace deal. The report noted that lower crude oil and urea prices are expected to reduce India’s energy import costs and fertiliser subsidy burden, though weather-related risks and earlier fuel price hikes may temporarily affect consumption.

 

2. Government Notifies 318 Works Under Rural Employment Framework: On 24 June 2026, the Government of India notified an interim list of 318 permissible works under the new rural employment framework. The framework will roll out on 1 July 2026 under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The Ministry of Rural Development shared the interim list with states and other ministries on 24 June 2026 and sought views for additions based on local requirements. A high-level inter-ministerial consultation on the draft convergence framework was held on 24 and 25 June 2026 and was chaired by Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal. Representatives from 18 ministries and departments took part in the consultation.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. COAS General Upendra Dwivedi Honours Colonel Dibya Shankar Bhattacharya (Retd.) with Commendation Card and Medal: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi honoured Dibya Shankar Bhattacharya with the COAS Commendation Card and Medal at a ceremony held in Tezpur. The award recognises Colonel Dibya Shankar Bhattacharya (Retd.) for his distinguished military service and his exceptional contributions to society after retirement, highlighting his continued commitment to nation-building.