Important Days

International MSME Day 2026 Observed on 27th June

Key Highlight: The United Nations celebrates Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day on June 27 every year to recognize their contribution to sustainable development goals.

• The theme for 2026 is "MSMEs and the Future of Work: Scaling Sustainable Growth".
• In India, the Ministry of MSME marked the occasion with the "Udyami Bharat" event in New Delhi.
• The CHAMPIONS 2.0 Portal was officially upgraded to provide enhanced credit support and grievance redressal for small units.
• MSMEs contribute nearly 30% of India's GDP and 45% of its total exports.

About Ministry of MSME

• Established: 2007 (merged from Ministry of Small Scale Industries and Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Union Minister: Narayan Rane

International Pineapple Day 2026

Key Highlight: International Pineapple Day is celebrated annually on June 27 to promote the health benefits and cultural significance of the tropical fruit.

• The day emphasizes the sustainable cultivation of pineapples in tropical regions like Tripura and Kerala in India.
• Tripura’s Queen Pineapple, which holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, was exported to Middle Eastern countries on this day.
• Agricultural experts conducted workshops on "Value-added Pineapple Products" to help farmers increase income.

Banking, Finance & Business

RBI Releases 29th Financial Stability Report (FSR)

Key Highlight: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the 29th Financial Stability Report on 27 June 2026, highlighting the resilience of the Indian Banking System.

• The Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) fell to a multi-year low of 2.8%.
• The Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of SCBs remained strong at 16.8%.
• The report noted that the Indian Economy is well-positioned to handle global financial shocks due to strong domestic demand.
• Macro-stress tests for credit risk indicate that SCBs would be able to comply with minimum capital requirements even under severe stress.

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• Established: 1 April 1935
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Governor: Shaktikanta Das

World Bank Approves $1.5 Billion for India’s Low-Carbon Transition

Key Highlight: The World Bank has sanctioned $1.5 billion in financing to accelerate India's development of Low-Carbon Energy and Green Hydrogen.

• The funding will support the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aiming to reach 5 MMT of green hydrogen production by 2030.
• This is the second "Low-Carbon Energy Programmatic Development Policy Operation" for India.
• The project aims to stimulate at least $100 billion in private sector investment in renewable energy.
• A significant portion of the loan will focus on improving grid integration for renewable sources like Solar and Wind.

SBI Launches 'Project Kuber' in Bengaluru

Key Highlight: The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched "Project Kuber" to boost its market share in the digital banking and corporate salary segment.

• The project includes the establishment of four Transaction Banking Hubs and one Corporate Mid-Market Hub.
• These hubs will facilitate seamless Digital Payments and Cash Management Services for institutional clients.
• SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara inaugurated the project at the Bengaluru Circle office.
• It aims to increase the efficiency of payment processing for MSMEs and Government Departments.

National & State News

Cabinet Approves ₹5,000 Crore for National Quantum Mission (NQM) Phase-II

Key Highlight: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved ₹5,000 crore for the second phase of the National Quantum Mission on 27 June 2026.

• Phase-II aims to develop Quantum Computers with 100-200 physical qubits within the next three years.
• The mission focuses on Quantum Communications, Quantum Sensing, and Quantum Metrology.
• Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be established at top IITs and IISc to foster research and startups.
• This move positions India as a global leader in Quantum Technology, alongside USA and China.

Uttar Pradesh Government Launches 'Kanya Sumangala Yojana 2.0'

Key Highlight: The Uttar Pradesh government led by CM Yogi Adityanath has expanded the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana with increased financial benefits.

• The total grant per girl child has been increased from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 starting from the current fiscal year.
• The scheme aims to improve the Sex Ratio and provide financial assistance for the education of girls.
• Funds are disbursed in six stages, starting from birth until the child enters a degree or diploma course.
• Over 1.8 million girls in UP have benefited from this scheme since its inception.

Kerala’s 'K-Smart' App Gains Global Recognition for Digital Governance

Key Highlight: The Kerala government's K-Smart (Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation) application received an award for digital innovation at a global summit.

• The app provides over 100 services related to local self-government bodies through a unified digital platform.
• Services include Birth/Death Certificates, Building Permits, and Property Tax payments.
• It is the first of its kind in India to use Blockchain for securing citizen data and land records.
• The World Bank has recommended the K-Smart model for other developing nations.

Appointments & Resignations

Ravi Sinha Appointed as the New Chief of RAW

Key Highlight: Senior IPS officer Ravi Sinha has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India's premier external intelligence agency.

• He replaces Samant Kumar Goel, whose tenure ended in June 2026.
• Sinha is a 1988-batch officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre and previously served as the Special Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.
• He is known for his expertise in Counter-Terrorism and Neighbourhood Intelligence.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his tenure for a period of two years.

Ruby Sinha Takes Charge as President of BRICS CCI WE

Key Highlight: Ruby Sinha has been appointed as the President of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women’s Vertical (CCI WE) for a three-year term.

• She succeeds Shabana Nasim in the role of leading the women entrepreneurs' wing of the BRICS nations.
• Her focus will be on fostering Trade Relations and Startup Ecosystems among women in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Ruby Sinha is the founder of Sheatwork, a platform for women entrepreneurs.

Awards & Honours

Arundhati Roy Honoured with 45th European Essay Prize

Key Highlight: Renowned Indian author Arundhati Roy has been awarded the 45th European Essay Prize for Lifetime Achievement.

• The award was presented by the Charles Veillon Foundation for her compilation of essays titled "Azadi" (2020).
• The foundation recognized her work for highlighting issues of Social Justice and Freedom in a globalized world.
• The ceremony took place in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• She is the first Indian author to receive this prestigious European literary honour.

Salman Rushdie Wins 'Peace Prize of the German Book Trade' 2026

Key Highlight: British-American author Salman Rushdie has been named the winner of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for 2026.

• The jury praised his "indomitable spirit" and his contribution to the Freedom of Speech.
• The award includes a cash prize of €25,000 (approx ₹22 Lakhs).
• The award ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2026.

Defence News

Exercise 'Agneyastra-I' Conducted in Eastern Ladakh

Key Highlight: The Indian Army successfully completed the massive military exercise "Agneyastra-I" in high-altitude Eastern Ladakh on 27 June 2026.

• The exercise involved the deployment of indigenous K9-Vajra self-propelled howitzers and Pinaka rocket systems.
• The focus was on Integrated Firepower and coordination between artillery and aviation units.
• It showcased India’s combat readiness in rugged terrain along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• The Northern Command of the Army supervised the multi-day drill.

INS Kirpan Decommissioned and Gifted to Vietnam

Key Highlight: In a historic move, the Indian Navy decommissioned INS Kirpan, a Khukri-class corvette, and handed it over to the Vietnam People’s Navy.

• The transfer took place at Cam Ranh, Vietnam, as part of India’s "Act East Policy".
• This is the first time India has gifted a fully operational corvette to a friendly foreign nation.
• INS Kirpan served the Indian Navy for 32 years before this transfer.
• The move aims to strengthen Maritime Security in the South China Sea.

Science & Technology

Google Announces $10 Billion Investment for India's AI Digitization Fund

Key Highlight: Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced an additional $10 billion investment into the Google for India Digitization Fund over the next few years.

• A significant portion will go towards establishing an AI Research Center in GIFT City, Gujarat.
• Google will also introduce Bard (now Gemini) support for over 100 Indian languages to bridge the digital divide.
• The company is collaborating with MeitY to enhance cybersecurity for Government of India portals.
• The investment focuses on Agriculture, Healthcare, and Fintech sectors.

ISRO Successfully Tests Reusable Launch Vehicle 'Pushpak-3'

Key Highlight: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the third landing experiment of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), named 'Pushpak'.

• The test was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
• The vehicle was dropped from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter and landed autonomously.
• This technology aims to significantly reduce the cost of Space Access by reusing the rocket's first stage.
• ISRO plans to conduct the first orbital re-entry test by 2027.

About ISRO

• Established: 15 August 1969
• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Chairman: S. Somanath

Rankings & Index

Global Liveability Index 2026: Vienna Tops, 5 Indian Cities in Top 150

Key Highlight: The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released the Global Liveability Index 2026, with Vienna, Austria, retaining the top spot.

• New Delhi and Mumbai were the highest-ranked Indian cities, both placed at 141st.
• Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad also featured in the top 150 list.
• The index ranks 173 cities based on Stability, Healthcare, Culture, Environment, and Education.
• Damascus, Syria, remains the least liveable city in the world.

World Competitiveness Index 2026: India Ranks 40th

Key Highlight: According to the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), India has secured the 40th rank in the World Competitiveness Index 2026.

• Denmark, Ireland, and Switzerland occupied the top three positions.
• India improved its ranking due to advancements in Infrastructure and Business Efficiency.
• The report highlighted that Digital Transformation and Ease of Doing Business were India's key strengths.
• However, India needs to focus on Skills Development and Environmental Sustainability.

Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo Sets Guinness World Record for 200 International Caps

Key Highlight: Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first male player to reach 200 international appearances.

• The feat was achieved during Portugal’s Euro 2026 qualifying match against Iceland.
• Ronaldo was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate before the match.
• He also holds the record for the most International Goals scored by a male player (123 goals).
• At 41 years old, he remains the captain of the Portugal national team.

Bhavani Devi Wins Bronze at Asian Fencing Championships

Key Highlight: C.A. Bhavani Devi scripted history by winning India’s first-ever medal at the Asian Fencing Championships held in Wuxi, China.

• She won the Bronze Medal in the women’s Sabre category.
• She defeated the world number one and reigning World Champion Misaki Emura in the quarter-finals.
• Bhavani Devi is the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics (Tokyo 2020).
• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced a cash reward of ₹10 Lakhs for her achievement.

Obituaries

Veteran Rajya Sabha MP Hardwar Dubey Passes Away

Key Highlight: Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, Hardwar Dubey, passed away at the age of 74.

• He was a veteran politician who served as a Minister in the Kalyan Singh government in the 1990s.
• Dubey was elected to the Rajya Sabha in November 2020.
• He was known for his grassroots organizational work in the Agra region.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath expressed their condolences.