Current Affairs Capsule PDF (22 June 2026)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three indigenously designed and built naval vessels—INS Dunagiri, INS Agray, and INS Sanshodhak—at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), the vessels showcase India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and naval engineering. INS Dunagiri is an advanced stealth frigate capable of surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare operations. INS Agray is an anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft designed to detect and neutralize underwater threats in coastal regions. INS Sanshodhak is a state-of-the-art hydrographic survey vessel that will strengthen India’s maritime mapping and navigation capabilities. More than 75% of the components used in these ships were sourced domestically, with contributions from over 200 MSMEs. The induction enhances India’s maritime security, supports regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, and advances the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence production.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced development projects worth more than ₹47,600 crore in Odisha during the “Vikas Ra Dhara, Odisha Sara” programme held in Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj district. A major highlight was the declaration of Pahadpur village as a model solar village, where every household will receive solar energy infrastructure. The investment package covers railways, highways, ports, logistics, green energy, urban development, industrial expansion, and public service delivery. Modi emphasized Odisha’s importance in the Purvodaya vision, which focuses on accelerating economic growth in eastern India. He noted that the Utkarsh Odisha initiative has attracted investment proposals worth nearly ₹20 lakh crore, while projects worth over ₹3.5 lakh crore are already under implementation. The development push is expected to improve infrastructure, create employment opportunities, attract private investment, and strengthen Odisha’s industrial ecosystem. The projects aim to position Odisha as a key economic hub and a major contributor to India’s long-term growth strategy.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the ambitious ₹1,500-crore redevelopment plan for the historic Shri Karveer Nivasini Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The temple is one of India’s most important Shakti Peethas and is renowned for its centuries-old Hemadpanthi architecture. The project aims to preserve the temple’s heritage while improving facilities for millions of devotees visiting every year. Major components include structural conservation of the main shrine, restoration of 41 surrounding temples, development of a dedicated pradakshina path, beautification of the Nagar Pradakshina Marg, and modernization of visitor amenities. Improved crowd management, security systems, and accessibility features will also be introduced. The redevelopment will be implemented in three phases and is expected to boost religious tourism, create employment opportunities, and support local businesses. By combining heritage conservation with modern infrastructure, the project seeks to transform the temple complex into a world-class pilgrimage destination while preserving its historical and cultural significance.
India’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health challenge by 2047. Launched on July 1, 2023, the programme focuses on health promotion, prevention, and holistic patient management. Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary blood disorder caused by abnormal haemoglobin, resulting in sickle-shaped red blood cells that can obstruct blood flow and reduce oxygen delivery throughout the body. The disease can cause severe pain, chronic anaemia, fatigue, infections, and organ damage. More than seven crore people have already been screened, making it one of the world’s largest genetic disease screening initiatives. The mission prioritizes tribal communities in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, and Jharkhand, where prevalence is significantly higher. Through mass screening, genetic counselling, awareness campaigns, and improved healthcare access, the programme aims to reduce disease burden, improve early diagnosis, and enhance long-term health outcomes.
Keir Starmer has resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party, less than two years after leading Labour to a historic victory in the 2024 general election. Starmer informed King Charles III of his decision and announced that he would continue as caretaker Prime Minister until the Labour Party elects a new leader. His resignation follows mounting political pressure, disappointing local election performances, internal party disagreements, and declining public support. Starmer initially came to power with a strong mandate to restore political stability after years of turbulence in British politics. However, economic pressures, public service challenges, and divisions within the party weakened his leadership position. Labour will now begin a leadership contest to choose a successor who will automatically become Prime Minister because the party holds a parliamentary majority. The transition is expected to focus on economic recovery, public services, and Labour’s electoral strategy ahead of future elections.
India will host the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram, Haryana, on June 25–26, 2026, under its BRICS Chairship. The meeting will bring together energy ministers and senior officials from all BRICS member nations to discuss energy security, sustainability, innovation, and equitable access to energy. Guided by the theme “Energy for All,” the discussions will focus on renewable energy, energy-transition pathways, smart grids, energy storage, artificial intelligence applications, and sustainable development. BRICS currently comprises eleven countries and represents nearly half of the global population and around 40% of world GDP. India will use the platform to showcase its achievements in clean energy and initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance. The meeting comes at a time when countries worldwide are balancing rising energy demand with climate commitments. It aims to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies and promote affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems.
India hosted the BRICS National Security Advisers Meeting on June 22–23, 2026, under the chairmanship of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The meeting focused on non-traditional security challenges that increasingly affect countries across the world. Discussions covered cybersecurity threats, artificial intelligence risks, information warfare, terrorism, critical infrastructure protection, digital security, and transnational crime. Senior security representatives from BRICS nations, including China, Russia, Iran, and other member countries, participated in the deliberations. The meeting also reviewed progress made by BRICS Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism and explored measures to strengthen intelligence sharing, cyber resilience, and responsible use of emerging technologies. As technological advances create new vulnerabilities, member countries emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing evolving security challenges. The meeting reflects BRICS’ growing role in global security dialogue and demonstrates India’s commitment to promoting collaborative solutions to threats that increasingly transcend national borders and require coordinated international responses.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has confirmed that India remains its largest private-sector market and plans to provide approximately $1 billion in direct private-sector financing during 2026. According to ADB Vice-President Bhargav Dasgupta, India received more than $4 billion in sovereign financing and over $1 billion in private-sector financing during 2025. The institution also mobilized substantial additional funding from external sources. ADB’s investments focus on sectors aligned with India’s development priorities, including renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility, green data centres, urban infrastructure, and financial inclusion. The bank has also partnered with Standard Chartered to strengthen supply-chain finance through risk-sharing arrangements and financing solutions linked to GIFT City. India’s rapid economic growth, ambitious infrastructure plans, expanding clean-energy sector, and supportive investment environment continue to make it an attractive destination for development finance. The partnership reinforces India’s role as a key driver of sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Reserve Bank of India has issued revised guidelines for the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme, which will come into effect from January 1, 2027. The updated framework aims to standardize agricultural lending, improve transparency, and ensure timely access to institutional credit for farmers. One of the major changes is the introduction of standardized crop seasons, with short-duration crops defined as having a 12-month crop cycle and long-duration crops an 18-month cycle. The revisions align KCC lending with RBI’s Income Recognition and Asset Classification norms, helping create uniformity in loan classification and repayment schedules across banks. The collateral-free loan limit remains unchanged at ₹2 lakh per borrower for agricultural and allied activities. RBI has also clarified that voluntary pledging of gold or silver as collateral within this limit will not violate collateral-free lending norms. The revised framework is expected to simplify lending procedures and improve financial inclusion among farmers.
The World Bank has approved a ₹4,000-crore loan for Haryana’s ambitious Jal Sanrakshit Haryana project, aimed at strengthening water security across the state. The programme focuses on canal modernization, groundwater recharge, irrigation efficiency, wastewater reuse, crop diversification, and community participation in water management. Haryana faces increasing challenges from groundwater depletion, waterlogging, and rising irrigation demand due to intensive agricultural practices. The project includes rehabilitation and modernization of hundreds of canals, including 106 canals with World Bank support and several others through state and NABARD funding. More than 620 water channels will be improved, benefiting over 3 lakh acres of agricultural land. Canal-based micro-irrigation systems will also be upgraded to increase water-use efficiency. The initiative seeks to reduce dependence on groundwater, improve irrigation reliability, and promote climate-resilient agriculture. It represents a major step toward ensuring sustainable water availability and long-term agricultural productivity in Haryana.
The newly elected BJP government in West Bengal presented its first Budget for 2026–27 with a total outlay of ₹4.38 lakh crore. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced a range of initiatives focused on employment generation, infrastructure development, welfare, and economic growth. The Budget promises one lakh government jobs and 33% reservation for women in state recruitment. Dearness Allowance for government employees will rise to 38% from October 2026. Major infrastructure proposals include a greenfield airport near Kalyani, a deep-sea port at Dadanpatrabar, metro rail systems for Durgapur, Asansol, and Siliguri, and expansion of regional airports. Welfare measures include ₹36,000 crore for Annapurna Yojana, free bus services for women, financial assistance for students, and enhanced support for frontline workers. The Budget also emphasizes housing benefits, higher education, sports infrastructure, and cultural development. These initiatives aim to accelerate inclusive growth and strengthen West Bengal’s long-term economic prospects.
Khurasani Imli from Mandu in Madhya Pradesh has been awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing its unique historical, cultural, and ecological significance. Despite its name, Khurasani Imli is not ordinary tamarind but the fruit of the African Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata), a species known for its enormous trunk and exceptional longevity. The fruit is valued for its distinctive sweet-sour flavour and nutritional properties. Mandu hosts India’s largest natural cluster of Baobab trees, and the region’s specific climatic and soil conditions contribute to the fruit’s unique characteristics. Historical accounts suggest that Baobab trees were introduced to central India several centuries ago through trade and cultural exchanges. The GI tag protects the authenticity of the product and ensures that only producers from the designated geographical area can market it under the recognized name. The recognition highlights Mandu’s rich heritage and promotes preservation of this unique natural resource.
The Indian Air Force has decided to acquire nine retired SEPECAT Jaguar fighter aircraft from the United Kingdom to support its aging Jaguar fleet. The aircraft will not be inducted into active service but will be dismantled and used as a source of spare parts, engines, avionics, and other critical components. India is currently the only country that continues to operate Jaguars in frontline service, making spare parts increasingly difficult to obtain. The move follows similar acquisitions from countries such as France and Oman. Jaguars have served the IAF since 1979 and continue to perform important roles in deep-strike, ground-attack, and maritime missions. With fighter squadron strength below the sanctioned level, maintaining operational readiness remains a priority. The acquired aircraft will help extend the service life of existing Jaguar squadrons until newer platforms, including Tejas variants, additional Rafales, and future indigenous fighter programmes, become available in larger numbers.
Indian women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur created history by becoming the first cricketer, male or female, to play 200 T20 International matches. She achieved the milestone during India’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester. Harmanpreet made her international debut in 2009 and has since become one of India’s most successful captains and most influential batters. Known for her aggressive stroke play and match-winning performances, she has played a key role in raising the profile of women’s cricket in India. Before the landmark match, she was honoured by head coach Amol Muzumdar and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana with a commemorative jersey and cap. The achievement places her ahead of all male and female cricketers in T20I appearances. It reflects her longevity, consistency, leadership, and immense contribution to Indian and global women’s cricket over nearly two decades.
The Indian women’s hockey team won the FIH Nations Cup 2026 after defeating New Zealand 2–0 in the final on June 21, 2026. Goals from Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo secured India’s second Nations Cup title, following its triumph in the inaugural edition in 2022. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, registering victories against the United States, Japan, Uruguay, Chile, and New Zealand. The team displayed a strong balance between attack and defence, scoring 16 goals while conceding only five. The victory carries added significance because it secured India’s promotion to the prestigious FIH Pro League, the highest annual international hockey competition. Participation in the Pro League will provide Indian players with valuable experience against the world’s top-ranked teams and help improve the country’s global standing. The achievement reflects the steady progress of women’s hockey in India and highlights the team’s growing competitiveness on the international stage.
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created history by recording the fastest half-century in List-A cricket during the Tri-Series final between India A and Sri Lanka A. Playing at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, he reached his fifty in just 11 deliveries, breaking the previous world record of 12 balls set by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeratne in the 2005–06 season. The innings was particularly remarkable because Sooryavanshi had experienced a relatively quiet tournament before the final. Under pressure on a big stage, he responded with one of the most explosive innings ever seen in List-A cricket. His aggressive approach overwhelmed the opposition bowlers and played a crucial role in India A’s performance. The record-breaking knock attracted widespread attention from cricket experts and fans worldwide. The achievement establishes Sooryavanshi as one of the most promising young talents in international cricket and highlights his potential for future success.
The inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2025, organized by the Athletics Federation of India, recognized outstanding contributions to Indian athletics across multiple categories. Olympic and World Championship medal-winning javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was named Best Male Athlete of the Year after becoming the first Indian to cross the 90-metre mark with a throw of 90.23 metres at the Doha Diamond League. Distance runner Parul Chaudhary received the Best Female Athlete of the Year award following her gold-medal-winning performances in the women’s 3000m steeplechase and 5000m events at the Asian Championships. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to P. T. Usha, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan, and Anju Bobby George. Emerging Athlete awards went to Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja Singh, highlighting India’s next generation of athletics talent.
The World Bank has approved the ₹4,000-crore loan for the Haryana's ambitious "Jal Sanrakshit Haryana"…
India set to host two day BRICS National Security Advisers (NSA) Meeting on 22nd and…
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to acquire the nine retired SEPECAT Jaguar fighter…
India's teenage sensation and young prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed the fastest half century ever recorded…
The Indian women’s hockey team scripted the history after defeating the New Zealand 2-0 in…
The first budget of the newly elected BJP government in the State of West Bengal…