Banking & Finance

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 financial system.

• The Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) fell to a 12-year low of 2.8% in March 2026.
• The Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of SCBs remained strong at 16.8%.
• The Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPA) ratio also improved significantly to 0.6%.
• Macro stress tests indicate that SCBs would be able to comply with minimum capital requirements even under severe stress scenarios.

About Reserve Bank of India

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

SEBI Approves New Criteria for Entry and Exit of Stocks in F&O Segment

Key Highlight: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) board approved revised criteria for the entry and exit of stocks in the Futures and Options (F&O) segment on 28 June 2026.

• The new criteria aim to ensure that only stocks with high liquidity and market capitalization are traded in the derivative segment.
• Stocks must have a Median Quarter-and-Maturity (MQM) turnover of at least ₹75 crore to remain in the segment.
• The Market Wide Position Limit (MWPL) threshold has been increased to ₹1,500 crore.
• The board meeting was chaired by Madhabi Puri Buch in Mumbai.

Government Notifies 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' to Replace USOF

Key Highlight: The Ministry of Communications has officially notified the Digital Bharat Nidhi rules, replacing the erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

• The move is part of the implementation of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
• The fund will be used to promote research, development, and deployment of telecommunication services in rural and remote areas.
• It aims to bridge the digital divide by supporting indigenous technology and 5G/6G expansion.
• The fund will be managed by an administrator appointed by the Central Government.

National News

Sujata Saunik Appointed as Maharashtra’s First Woman Chief Secretary

Key Highlight: Sujata Saunik, a 1987-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra on 30 June 2026.

• She is the first woman to hold this prestigious post in the state's 64-year history.
• She succeeds Nitin Kareer following his retirement from the service.
• Saunik previously served as the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) in the Home and Skill Development departments.
• Her tenure is expected to continue until her retirement in June 2027.

Health Ministry Launches National Stop Diarrhoea Campaign 2026

Key Highlight: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the National Stop Diarrhoea Campaign 2026 to reduce childhood mortality.

• The campaign aims for zero child deaths due to diarrhoea through a 2-month long awareness drive.
• The initiative includes the distribution of ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) and Zinc tablets to children under five.
• The campaign focuses on improving hygiene, sanitation, and breastfeeding practices across India.
• It is a multi-sectoral approach involving the ministries of Jal Shakti and Women and Child Development.

Appointments & Resignations

Ravi Agrawal Takes Charge as CBDT Chairman

Key Highlight: Ravi Agrawal, a senior IRS officer, took over as the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 30 June 2026.

• He belongs to the 1988 batch of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).
• He succeeds Nitin Gupta, who completed his extended tenure on 30 June.
• Agrawal's appointment was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• The CBDT is the apex policy-making body for the Income Tax Department in India.

Girija Subramanian Appointed as CMD of New India Assurance

Key Highlight: Girija Subramanian has assumed the role of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the New India Assurance Company (NIACL).

• She previously served as the CMD of the Agriculture Insurance Company (AIC) of India.
• She succeeds Neerja Kapur, who retired from the post earlier this year.
• The appointment was recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB).

About New India Assurance

• Established: 1919
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Head: Girija Subramanian

Brijesh Dixit Appointed as Executive Chairman of DIPA

Key Highlight: The Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) has appointed Dr. Brijesh Dixit as its Executive Chairman.

• Dr. Dixit is the former Managing Director of Maha Metro and is credited with the successful execution of the Nagpur Metro.
• He succeeds Akhil Gupta, who served as the Chairman for over a decade.
• DIPA represents the interests of telecom infrastructure providers in India.

International News

FATF Adds Monaco and Venezuela to 'Grey List'

Key Highlight: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) added Monaco and Venezuela to its Grey List of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.

• The decision was taken during the FATF Plenary held in Singapore in June 2026.
• Countries on the grey list are committed to resolving strategic deficiencies in their Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) regimes.
• Conversely, Jamaica and Turkey were removed from the grey list after making significant progress.
• The FATF also maintained North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar on the 'Black List'.

International Day of Parliamentarism Observed on 30 June

Key Highlight: International Day of Parliamentarism is observed globally on 30 June 2026 to celebrate the role of parliaments in governance.

• The date marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1889.
• The theme for 2026 is 'Parliaments for the Planet', focusing on climate action.
• The day was officially established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.

Awards & Honours

Arundhati Roy Honoured with Pen Pinter Prize 2026

Key Highlight: Renowned Indian author Arundhati Roy has been awarded the prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2026 for her "unflinching" work.

• The prize is awarded annually to a writer of outstanding literary merit who casts an "unflinching, unswerving" gaze upon the world.
• Roy is best known for her debut novel 'The God of Small Things', which won the Booker Prize in 1997.
• She will receive the award at a ceremony co-hosted by the British Library in October 2026.
• The Pen Pinter Prize was established in 2009 in memory of Nobel laureate Harold Pinter.

Sports

India Wins ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Key Highlight: The Indian Men's Cricket Team lifted the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy after defeating South Africa in a thrilling final.

• India won the match by 7 runs at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
• Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for his crucial knock of 76 runs.
• Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament for taking 15 wickets at an incredible economy rate.
• This is India’s second T20 World Cup title, following their inaugural win in 2007.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Announce Retirement from T20Is

Key Highlight: Legendary cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 International (T20I) cricket following India's World Cup victory.

• Rohit Sharma retires as the highest run-scorer in T20I history and the only captain to win the trophy with a 100% win record in a single edition.
• Virat Kohli finishes as the second-highest run-scorer and the highest in T20 World Cup history.
• Both players confirmed they will continue to play Test and ODI formats for India.

Ravindra Jadeja Announces Retirement from T20 Internationals

Key Highlight: Following the footsteps of his teammates, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also announced his retirement from T20Is on 30 June 2026.

• Jadeja finishes his T20I career with 74 matches, scoring 515 runs and taking 54 wickets.
• He was a key part of the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cup squads.
• He will continue to represent India in ODIs and Test matches.

Defence News

Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant 2026' Commences in Meghalaya

Key Highlight: The 16th edition of the joint military exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' between India and Mongolia began in Umroi, Meghalaya.

• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and exchange best practices in counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain.
• The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the Sikkim Scouts.
• The exercise involves tactical drills, including room intervention and reflex shooting.

Science & Technology

SpaceX Launches GOES-U Satellite for NOAA

Key Highlight: SpaceX successfully launched the GOES-U weather satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

• The satellite was launched aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
• GOES-U is the fourth and final satellite in the GOES-R series of advanced weather satellites.
• It will provide critical data for weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, and space weather monitoring.

China’s Chang’e-6 Returns First Samples from Moon’s Far Side

Key Highlight: China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe successfully returned to Earth on June 2026, carrying the first-ever samples from the Moon’s far side.

• The reentry capsule landed in the Siziwang Banner region of Inner Mongolia.
• The mission collected soil and rock samples from the South Pole-Aitken Basin.
• Scientists believe these samples will provide new insights into the early history of the Moon and the Solar System.

Business News

Zomato to Acquire Paytm’s Movie and Events Ticketing Business

Key Highlight: Zomato has entered into an agreement to acquire the movie and events ticketing business of Paytm for approximately ₹2,048 crore.

• The acquisition will help Zomato expand its 'Going-out' vertical, competing directly with BookMyShow.
• The deal includes the transfer of the Ticketing.new and Insider platforms to Zomato.
• Paytm will focus on its core payments and financial services distribution business.

CERC Issues Staff Paper on Market Coupling in Power Sector

Key Highlight: The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has issued a staff paper discussing the implementation of Market Coupling in India's power exchanges.

• Market coupling aims to create a uniform clearing price across all power exchanges (IEX, PXIL, and HPX).
• It is expected to improve market efficiency and ensure better utilization of transmission infrastructure.
• The proposal has seen mixed reactions from stakeholders regarding its impact on competition.

Important Days

World Asteroid Day Observed on 30 June

Key Highlight: World Asteroid Day is observed annually on 30 June to raise public awareness about asteroid impact hazards.

• The day commemorates the anniversary of the Tunguska event that occurred in Siberia on 30 June 1908.
• The United Nations officially recognized the day in 2016.
• Events are organized worldwide to educate the public on planetary defense and space exploration.