National News
BRICS adopts Indore Declaration
Under India’s chairship, the 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Indore on 12–13 June 2026, culminating in the unanimous adoption of the Indore Declaration. The declaration focuses on strengthening food security, nutrition, farmer welfare, climate-resilient agriculture, agricultural trade, and digital agriculture, with special emphasis on small and marginal farmers, women, and youth. The four priority areas identified are: food security and nutrition; promotion of agricultural trade and cooperation among BRICS nations; regenerative and climate-resilient sustainable farming; and innovation, technology, and partnerships in food systems. Four institutional initiatives were also launched: the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture, coordinated in India by ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research; the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, coordinated by Indian Institute of Technology Delhi; the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems, coordinated by Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority; and BRICS AgriN, a framework for cooperation on agro-inputs, genetic resources, information sharing, and capacity building among BRICS countries.
India Extends Ravi-Beas and Krishna Water Tribunals: Key Facts, Purpose
In June 2026, the Government of India extended the tenure of two key water dispute bodies—the Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal and the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal—by one year to continue resolving long-pending inter-state water-sharing issues. These tribunals function under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, which provides a legal mechanism for adjudicating disputes involving rivers shared by multiple states. The Ravi and Beas tribunal, established in 1986, addresses allocation issues among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan and remains closely linked to the contentious Sutlej–Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal dispute. The Krishna tribunal, constituted in 2004, handles water-sharing between Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, with increasing complexity after Telangana’s formation in 2014. The extension reflects the government’s emphasis on resolving disputes through institutional and legal frameworks rather than political negotiation. These tribunals play a vital role in promoting cooperative federalism, ensuring equitable distribution of water resources, and supporting agriculture, industry, and drinking water needs across states dependent on inter-state river systems.
Indian Railways Expands Kavach 4.0 Safety System
Indian Railways has approved a major expansion of its indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, Kavach 4.0, as part of its railway modernization programme announced on 15 June 2026. The system is designed to prevent train collisions, overspeeding, and Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) through real-time monitoring and automatic braking. The latest rollout includes deployment across key routes such as the Ahmedabad Division (598 route km in Western Railway) and Ambala Division (811 route km across Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh), along with high-density corridors in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. The expansion is integrated with a new LTE-based communication backbone project worth over ₹1,200 crore, improving train-to-control centre connectivity. Earlier in April 2026, Indian Railways also approved installation of Kavach on 232 locomotives under a ₹1,364 crore project. Overall, Kavach 4.0 is a key step toward reducing human-error-related accidents, enhancing operational efficiency, and modernising India’s railway safety infrastructure with indigenous technology.
India Targets 155 GW Wind Energy Capacity by 2035
India has set an ambitious renewable energy roadmap with a target of reaching 155 GW of installed wind power capacity by 2035, along with an interim goal of 100 GW by 2030, reinforcing its push toward clean energy transition. As of 15 June 2026, the country’s wind capacity has already crossed 56.1 GW, making it the fourth-largest wind energy market globally. The announcement was highlighted at the Global Wind Day Conference in Goa, where India also showcased its rapid annual growth of 46% in FY 2025–26, adding about 6.1 GW of new capacity. To strengthen the sector, the government launched the WT-MARUT (Wind Turbine Materials and Resources Utility Tracker) portal, a digital platform designed to improve supply-chain transparency, support domestic manufacturing, and streamline turbine component sourcing such as blades, towers, nacelles, and gearboxes. Despite strong progress, challenges like land acquisition, grid integration, transmission infrastructure, and project delays remain key hurdles. Overall, wind energy is central to India’s strategy for reducing emissions, improving energy security, creating green jobs, and achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Mumbai Hosts 19th International Film Festival as Global Cinema Community Gathers for MIFF 2026
The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026, organized by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, commenced on 15 June 2026 in Mumbai, reaffirming its position as Asia’s premier festival dedicated to non-feature cinema. Held at Ravindra Natya Mandir, the festival brings together filmmakers, artists, and delegates from across the world to celebrate excellence in documentaries, short fiction films, animation, and emerging forms of digital storytelling. A major highlight of MIFF 2026 is its focus on AI-generated films, showcasing the growing role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking alongside traditional documentary and animation categories. The inaugural ceremony was attended by L. Murugan, Chanchal Kumar, Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Ashish Shelar, G. Krishnakumar, Prakash Magdum, Kiran Shantaram, Ashutosh Gowariker, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Sheena Chohan, highlighting the festival’s growing significance as a global platform for innovation, creativity, and cultural exchange in non-feature filmmaking.
Centre Blocks Telegram Access Till June 22 Ahead of NEET UG 2026 Re-Examination
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has temporarily restricted access to the Telegram messaging platform across India until 22 June 2026 ahead of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled for 21 June, following recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA) to prevent the circulation of alleged question papers, answer keys, and misleading examination-related content. The restriction has reportedly been imposed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which empowers the government to block public access to online information under specified circumstances. Authorities have also directed Telegram to temporarily disable its message-editing feature in India until 30 June 2026 to prevent the manipulation of messages and the creation of misleading claims regarding examination paper leaks. The measure is intended to safeguard the integrity of the re-examination process, support investigations into alleged malpractice, and maintain public confidence in the fairness and security of the examination system.
International News
Who Is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf? Iran’s Influential Politician and Key Figure in US-Iran Peace Talks
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is an influential Iranian politician, former military commander, and current Speaker of Parliament who has played a prominent role in Iran’s political and security establishment for decades. Born in 1961, he began his career in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the Iran–Iraq War, later serving in senior military and security positions before becoming Tehran’s police chief and then Mayor of Tehran for over a decade. Known for his administrative experience, infrastructure-focused governance, and multiple presidential bids, Ghalibaf has emerged as one of Iran’s most powerful non-clerical leaders. As Speaker of Parliament, he remains a key figure in domestic policymaking and foreign affairs discussions. Reports have linked him to diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran, although any specific peace agreement claims should be verified through official sources. His influence stems from his military background, political experience, parliamentary leadership, and extensive connections within Iran’s governing institutions, making him a significant figure in shaping the country’s future political and strategic direction.
PM Modi’s Historic Slovakia Visit: India and Slovakia Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Slovakia on 15 June 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Fico, marked a historic milestone as the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia’s independence in 1993. The visit elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, signaling a new phase of cooperation across strategic, economic, technological, and cultural sectors. Both countries signed 11 agreements covering labour migration, defence cooperation, digital technologies, higher education and research, audio-visual production, quantum communication, critical infrastructure protection, healthcare, tourism, and scientific collaboration. Notable outcomes included the establishment of the first-ever ICCR Chair in Artificial Intelligence at the Technical University of Kosice, cooperation between IIT Delhi and the Slovak Technical University, and a partnership between the National Institute of Naturopathy and Slovak Health Spa Piestany. The leaders also announced the creation of a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and a Consular Dialogue mechanism to strengthen security cooperation and people-to-people ties. Overall, the visit opened a new chapter in India–Slovakia relations, reflecting a shared commitment to long-term strategic engagement and collaboration in emerging technologies, innovation, trade, and investment.
Economy News
India’s Bioeconomy Jumps from $10 Billion to $190 Billion as India’s Science Ecosystem Reaches New Heights
India’s science and innovation ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade, with the country’s bioeconomy expanding from about $10 billion in 2014 to over $190 billion in 2026, according to Jitendra Singh. Driven by advancements in biotechnology, healthcare, space technology, and scientific research, India now aims to grow its bioeconomy to $300 billion by 2030 through initiatives such as the BioE3 Policy. The country has achieved major breakthroughs in affordable CAR-T cell therapies, genomics, precision medicine, and vaccine development, while its space sector has expanded rapidly following reforms that boosted the number of space startups to over 400. Landmark achievements such as Chandrayaan-3 have strengthened India’s global standing in space exploration, with future goals including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and an Indian Moon landing mission by 2040. Significant progress has also been made in weather forecasting through Mission Mausam, while organizations such as Council of Scientific and Industrial Research are promoting innovations like the Aroma Mission and steel slag road technology. Emerging initiatives including the National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, Deep Ocean Mission, and greater private participation in nuclear energy are further positioning India as a leading knowledge-driven economy and global innovation hub.
India Launches New Wholesale Price Index Series with Base Year 2022-23: Key Changes Explained
India introduced a revised Wholesale Price Index (WPI) series with 2022–23 as the new base year, replacing the 2011–12 series, and launched new Producer Price Indices (PPIs)—including the Output Producer Price Index (OPPI), Trial Input Producer Price Index (IPPI), and Service PPIs—to modernize inflation measurement. The updated WPI expands the commodity basket from 697 to 957 items, includes solar, wind, and nuclear energy, shifts crude petroleum and natural gas to the Fuel & Power category, and adopts improved statistical methods such as Gross Value of Output (GVO) weighting and Targeted Mean Imputation. The new PPIs provide detailed insights into producer-level price movements across goods and services, aligning India with international practices. In May 2026, WPI inflation rose to 9.68% from 8.26% in April, driven mainly by Fuel & Power inflation (30.33%), while food inflation increased to 4.49%. The government will publish both WPI and PPI series concurrently for the next five years to ensure a smooth transition to the new inflation framework.
Banking News
RBI Eases Investment Rules for NRIs and OCIs: Designated Repatriable Rupee Accounts Allowed
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has amended the Foreign Exchange Management (Mode of Payment and Reporting of Non-Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2019, to make investing in India easier for NRIs, OCIs, and other overseas investors by introducing designated repatriable rupee accounts that allow seamless investment, receipt of dividends, interest, and sale proceeds, and repatriation of funds in compliance with FEMA rules. The reforms simplify payment and reporting procedures, reduce compliance burdens, improve investment management, and expand certain equity investment facilities to all individual Persons Resident Outside India (PROIs), placing them on par with NRIs and OCIs for eligible investments. These measures are expected to encourage greater foreign capital inflows, deepen India’s financial markets, and strengthen the country’s investment ecosystem by making market access more efficient and investor-friendly.
Awards News
PM Narendra Modi Receives Slovakia’s Highest National Award
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Slovakia’s highest national honour, the Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class), by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini during his historic visit to Bratislava on 15 June 2026. The award was presented in recognition of Modi’s contributions to strengthening India–Slovakia relations and advancing international cooperation between the two countries. Accepting the honour, PM Modi dedicated it to the people of India and described it as a symbol of the enduring friendship, trust, and mutual respect shared by India and Slovakia. The Order of the White Double Cross is Slovakia’s highest state decoration awarded to foreign nationals who have made exceptional contributions to bilateral relations and global understanding. This became the 33rd international honour conferred on PM Modi by a foreign nation, reflecting India’s growing diplomatic profile and engagement across the world. The recognition coincided with the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since its independence in 1993 and came alongside the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership. During the visit, both countries signed 11 agreements covering sectors such as defence, labour mobility, digital technologies, higher education, research, innovation, and healthcare, further strengthening cooperation and opening a new chapter in India–Slovakia relations.
World’s Most Beautiful Airports 2026: India’s Navi Mumbai and Guwahati Airports Make the Prestigious List
The Navi Mumbai International Airport (Terminal 1) and Terminal 2 of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport have been included in the prestigious Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airports List 2026, highlighting India’s growing emphasis on world-class airport design, sustainability, and passenger-centric infrastructure. Recognized by the internationally renowned Prix Versailles, presented annually at UNESCO headquarters, the two projects developed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) were selected for their architectural excellence, functionality, and environmental responsibility. The Navi Mumbai International Airport was recognized for its distinctive lotus-inspired design, advanced technology integration, and efficient passenger movement systems, while the Guwahati terminal was honored for its Bamboo Orchid-inspired architecture that reflects the cultural and ecological heritage of Northeast India through sustainable and energy-efficient design. Other airports on the 2026 global shortlist include facilities in Guangzhou, Frankfurt am Main, Kandal Stueng, Pittsburgh, and San Diego. The recognition underscores the increasing role of modern airports as gateways that combine sustainability, smart technology, local cultural identity, and enhanced passenger experience while supporting tourism, trade, and economic development.
Defense News
DRDO Successfully Tests Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) in Odisha
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight test of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island on 15 June 2026, achieving all mission objectives and demonstrating India’s growing capability in indigenous long-range precision strike systems. Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation with Aeronautical Development Establishment serving as the nodal laboratory, the LRLACM is an indigenously designed cruise missile capable of striking strategic land targets with high accuracy over long distances. Unlike ballistic missiles, it flies at low altitudes along a guided flight path, making detection and interception more difficult. Its performance was monitored by the Integrated Test Range through multiple tracking systems. The missile has been developed with significant participation from Indian industry, reflecting the goals of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing. The successful test strengthens India’s long-range strike capability and highlights the strategic importance of cruise missiles in modern warfare, where they are valued for their precision, survivability, low-altitude flight, and ability to engage high-value targets deep inside enemy territory with minimal collateral damage.
INS Agray Joins Arnala-Class Anti-Submarine Fleet of the Indian Navy
The Indian Navy has strengthened its coastal defence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities with the induction of INS Agray, the fifth vessel of the Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, the vessel was launched on 13 March 2024 and delivered on 30 March 2026. Part of a ₹6,311.32 crore programme approved by the Ministry of Defence in 2019 for eight vessels, INS Agray is designed for anti-submarine warfare, coastal surveillance, mine-laying, and mine-neutralization operations in shallow coastal waters. With over 80% indigenous content, it supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and is equipped with advanced Hull-Mounted Sonar, Variable Depth Sonar (VDS), anti-submarine torpedoes, and rockets. The ship features a waterjet propulsion system that provides superior manoeuvrability, reduced underwater noise, and enhanced stealth. Measuring approximately 77 metres in length and displacing around 900 tonnes, INS Agray will play a vital role in protecting coastal infrastructure, monitoring strategic sea lanes, strengthening maritime surveillance, and enhancing India’s naval deterrence in the increasingly important Indian Ocean Region.
Sports News
Union Government Constitutes Search-cum-Selection Committee for National Sports Board Under NSG Act 2025
The Union Government has constituted a five-member Search-cum-Selection Committee under the National Sports Governance (NSG) Act, 2025, to identify and recommend candidates for the Chairperson and two Members of the National Sports Board, India’s proposed central regulatory body for sports governance. The committee is chaired by T. V. Somanathan and includes Hari Ranjan Rao, Harpal Singh, Gagan Narang, and N. Kunjurani Devi. The committee will select individuals with proven integrity, expertise, and experience in areas such as public administration, sports governance, sports law, and sports management. Established under the NSG Act, 2025, the National Sports Board will serve as the country’s apex sports governance regulator, responsible for recognizing national sports bodies, monitoring governance standards, ensuring financial transparency, promoting ethical administration, and strengthening accountability across sports federations. The formation of this committee marks the first major step toward implementing the governance reforms envisioned under the NSG Act and creating a more transparent, professional, and accountable sports ecosystem in India.
Smriti Mandhana Becomes Only Indian in TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026
Smriti Mandhana has been named in the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list, becoming the only Indian to feature in the prestigious global ranking. The vice-captain of the India Women’s National Cricket Team was recognized for her outstanding achievements, including becoming the first Indian woman to score a double century in a domestic one-day match and the first Indian woman cricketer to score centuries in all three international formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Mandhana jointly holds the record for the most centuries in women’s international cricket (17) and has consistently broken batting records, including becoming India’s highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals across both men’s and women’s cricket. Her leadership success, including captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women’s Premier League titles and serving as vice-captain of India’s ICC Women’s World Cup-winning team in 2025, further strengthened her global influence. She joins sporting icons such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, Carlos Alcaraz, and Temba Bavuma on the 2026 list, highlighting the growing global prominence of women’s cricket and India’s impact on the sport.
Science & Technology News
What is Kali365? Inside the New Phishing Threat
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned about Kali365, a sophisticated Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platform that targets Microsoft 365 users by exploiting device code authentication and stealing OAuth tokens rather than passwords. First identified in April 2026, Kali365 is reportedly distributed through Telegram channels and provides attackers with AI-generated phishing templates, automated campaign tools, victim-monitoring dashboards, and token-capture capabilities, enabling even low-skilled cybercriminals to launch advanced phishing attacks. In a typical attack, victims receive convincing emails directing them to enter a device code on a legitimate Microsoft login page, unknowingly authorizing the attacker’s device and allowing the theft of OAuth access and refresh tokens. This method is particularly dangerous because it can bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA), maintain persistent account access, and remain effective even after password changes. The FBI recommends that organizations restrict or disable device code flow authentication where possible, implement strict conditional access policies, regularly audit authentication activity, monitor for unauthorized sessions, and strengthen identity-security controls. The emergence of Kali365 highlights the growing threat of subscription-based cybercrime services that make sophisticated phishing attacks more accessible and increase risks for organizations relying on cloud-based identity systems.
IIT Bombay Launches BharatGen
India has launched BharatGen, a sovereign multilingual artificial intelligence ecosystem led by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay under the IndiaAI Mission, marking a major step toward building indigenous AI infrastructure. Unveiled at the Bharat Innovates 2026 Summit, BharatGen is backed by the ₹10,000 crore IndiaAI Mission and is designed to understand, process, and generate content across all 22 scheduled Indian languages. Unlike many global AI systems that rely heavily on English-language datasets, BharatGen is built to operate directly in Indian linguistic and cultural contexts. Developed through collaboration among institutions including Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, and International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad, it integrates capabilities such as speech-to-text, text-to-speech, document intelligence, and multilingual content generation. The initiative supports India’s goal of achieving digital sovereignty, reducing dependence on foreign AI platforms, strengthening domestic innovation, and enabling AI-driven solutions in governance, education, healthcare, agriculture, and public services.
What Is Usutu Virus? Scotland Reports First-Ever Detection in Blackbirds
The Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus, related to viruses such as dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile virus, and primarily circulates between mosquitoes and wild birds. It was first identified in Africa and has gradually spread across parts of Europe. In a recent development, it was detected for the first time in Scotland after being found in blackbirds on the Isle of Arran in 2025, with confirmation announced in April 2026 through wildlife surveillance programmes involving agencies like the Animal and Plant Health Agency and SRUC Veterinary Services. The virus mainly affects birds—especially blackbirds—causing neurological symptoms, weakness, and sometimes death, while humans are considered incidental hosts and rarely show symptoms. Most human infections, where they occur, are mild or asymptomatic, making the virus primarily a concern for wildlife health rather than public health. Genetic analysis placed the Scottish strain in the Africa 3.2 lineage, suggesting regional circulation rather than a completely new introduction. Overall, the detection highlights the importance of ongoing mosquito and bird surveillance to track emerging zoonotic threats in changing ecosystems.
ISRO Develops Lunar Lander Capable of Surviving 200-Day Moon Missions
The Indian Space Research Organisation is developing an advanced lunar lander capable of surviving and operating on the Moon for 100–200 days, a major improvement over the Vikram Lander, which functioned for only one lunar day (about 14 Earth days). Developed in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy, the new lander is designed to withstand the extreme cold of the lunar night, when temperatures can fall below –100°C. To achieve this, it will incorporate advanced artificial heating and thermal management systems to protect onboard electronics, batteries, and scientific instruments during prolonged periods of darkness. The project builds on the success of Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023. The long-duration lander will enable extended scientific studies of the resource-rich lunar south pole, including investigations of water ice and lunar geology. The initiative aligns with India’s Space Vision 2047 goals, which include establishing a space station by 2035 and landing Indian astronauts on the Moon by 2040.
Current Affairs Capsule PDF (13 June 202...
Weekly Current Affairs One Liners (8th t...
Current Affairs Capsule PDF (13 June 202...
