National & State News

International Day of Yoga 2026 Celebrated Globally

Key Highlight: The 12th International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2026, with the theme "Yoga for Global Harmony and Peace".

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations at Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
• The event saw participation from over 15,000 people at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).
• The United Nations General Assembly had originally declared this day in 2014 following a proposal by India.
• Special "Yoga for Space" sessions were coordinated with ISRO scientists.

India and US Launch 'iCET 2.0' to Bolster Defense Cooperation

Key Highlight: India and the United States officially launched the second phase of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in New Delhi.

• The agreement focuses on AI, semiconductors, and space exploration.
• NSA Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan chaired the high-level meeting.
• A new $150 million joint fund was established for biotechnology research.
• The deal includes a roadmap for local manufacturing of GE F414 jet engines in India.

Assam Government Announces 'Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina' Scheme

Key Highlight: The Assam Cabinet approved the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina (MMNM) scheme to provide monthly stipends to girl students.

• The scheme aims to fight child marriage and promote higher education for girls.
• Students in Class 11 and 12 will receive ₹1,000 per month.
• Degree students will receive ₹1,250, and Post-graduation students will receive ₹2,500.
• An outlay of ₹1,500 crore has been earmarked for this initiative by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Banking, Finance & Business

RBI Increases Limit for E-Mandates on Recurring Payments

Key Highlight: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised the limit for e-mandates for recurring payments without AFA (Additional Factor of Authentication).

• The new limit is set at ₹1.5 Lakh per transaction for certain categories.
• This applies to insurance premium payments, mutual fund subscriptions, and credit card bills.
• Previous limit was ₹15,000.
• This move follows the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) review of June 2026.

About RBI

• Established: 1935
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Head: Shaktikanta Das

SEBI Introduces 'Facilitation Cell' for Startups

Key Highlight: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched a dedicated cell to assist startups in the IPO process.

• The cell will provide advisory on regulatory compliance and listing norms.
• Aimed at the Innovators Growth Platform (IGP).
• Part of the SEBI Vision 2030 roadmap.
• Headed by Ananth Narayan G, Whole Time Member of SEBI.

Adani One and ICICI Bank Launch Co-branded Credit Cards

Key Highlight: Adani Group’s consumer app Adani One collaborated with ICICI Bank to launch two variants of co-branded credit cards.

• Available in Signature and Platinum variants on the Visa platform.
• Offers reward points on Adani ecosystem spends including airports and electricity.
• Provides complimentary international lounge access and premium parking.

Appointments & Resignations

Atul Kumar Chaudhary Appointed as Secretary of TRAI

Key Highlight: Senior bureaucrat Atul Kumar Chaudhary has been appointed as the Secretary of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

• He replaces V. Raghunandan who retired recently.
• Chaudhary is an ITS (Indian Telecommunication Service) officer of the 1989 batch.
• Previously served in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

Justice B.R. Sarangi Sworn in as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court

Key Highlight: Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi took oath as the 15th Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.

• The oath was administered by Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan, Ranchi.
• He was previously a judge at the Orissa High Court.
• The post had been vacant since the retirement of Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra.

Awards & Honours

Arundhati Roy Receives Prestigious PEN Pinter Prize 2026

Key Highlight: Indian author Arundhati Roy has been awarded the PEN Pinter Prize 2026 for her "unflinching" literary merit.

• The prize is named after Nobel laureate Harold Pinter.
• Roy is known for her Booker-prize winning novel 'The God of Small Things'.
• The award ceremony will be held at the British Library in London.
• She was chosen for her powerful prose and political activism.

Indian Dairy Giant 'Amul' Wins World Dairy Innovation Award

Key Highlight: Amul was honored with the World Dairy Innovation Award 2026 for its Organic Whole Milk category.

• The awards were announced at the Global Dairy Congress held in London.
• Amul is the first Indian dairy brand to win in this category.
• The award recognizes Amul's commitment to sustainability and organic farming.

Defence News

DRDO Successfully Tests 'Agni-1P' Ballistic Missile

Key Highlight: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Agni-Prime (Agni-1P) missile.

• The test was conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
• It is a two-stage canisterized solid-propellant ballistic missile.
• Range of the missile is between 1,000 and 2,000 km.
• All flight objectives were successfully validated during the night trial.

Indian Navy Participates in 'RIMPAC 2026' Exercise

Key Highlight: INS Shivalik arrived at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii to participate in the world's largest naval exercise, RIMPAC 2026.

• Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is led by the US Navy.
• Over 25 nations and 40 ships are participating in this edition.
• The exercise focuses on maritime security and disaster relief operations.

Science & Technology

ISRO Launches 'CMS-02' Communication Satellite

Key Highlight: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the CMS-02 satellite using the PSLV-C60 rocket.

• Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• The satellite will provide Extended-C Band services covering the Indian mainland and Andaman & Nicobar islands.
• Mission life is estimated to be over 10 years.

Microsoft Unveils 'Copilot+ AI' for Regional Indian Languages

Key Highlight: Microsoft announced the integration of 12 Indian languages into its Copilot+ AI suite for PCs.

• Includes Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu among others.
• Aims to boost digital literacy and productivity in rural India.
• Features include real-time translation and voice-to-text in local dialects.

Rankings & Index

India Ranks 65th in Global Competitiveness Index 2026

Key Highlight: India secured the 65th position in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2026.

• Singapore topped the list, followed by Switzerland and Denmark.
• India’s rank improved from 68th in 2025 due to infrastructure development.
• The report highlights economic performance and government efficiency as key metrics.

Sports

Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold at Paavo Nurmi Games 2026

Key Highlight: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra clinched the Gold medal in the men's javelin throw at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland.

• He achieved a best throw of 89.50 metres.
• This is his second gold at this prestigious Continental Tour Gold event.
• Finland’s Oliver Helander took the silver medal.

India to Host AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026

Key Highlight: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed India as the host for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

• Matches will be held across three cities: Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bhubaneswar.
• This will be the second time India hosts the tournament (previously in 2022).
• The event serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

International News

Thailand Becomes First Southeast Asian Nation to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Key Highlight: The Senate of Thailand passed the Marriage Equality Bill, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.

• The bill received royal assent on June 21, 2026.
• It grants LGBTQ+ couples equal rights regarding inheritance and adoption.
• Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as the only Asian jurisdictions with such laws.

Obituaries

Legendary Folk Singer Sharda Sinha Passes Away

Key Highlight: The renowned Maithili and Bhojpuri folk singer Sharda Sinha passed away at the age of 74.

• Known as the "Bihar Kokila", she was famous for her Chhath Puja songs.
• She was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2018) and Padma Shri (1991).
• Her contributions to Indian regional music spanned over five decades.