Current Affairs — Saturday, 13 June 2026

Tamil Nadu

• Power demand in Chennai hits new high of 5,000 MW
  — Recorded on June 10, the peak surpassed the previous record of 4,966 MW even as residents reported power outages; relevant for TN state affairs and energy policy questions.
• Tamil Nadu launches first Urban Greening Policy
  — The state became the first in India to adopt a dedicated Urban Greening Policy aimed at boosting climate resilience in cities; significant for environment and urban governance GS angles.
• CM Vijay announces 2% Dearness Allowance hike
  — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a 2% DA increase for government teachers and employees; relevant for state finance and service conditions questions.
• Velachery–Tambaram road to be renamed after Major Varadarajan
  — The road in Chennai will be renamed honouring the Army officer; relevant for TN geography and honours-related questions.
• Stricter enforcement planned for CRZ violations and industrial pollution
  — Tamil Nadu Environment Minister announced stepped-up monitoring of biomedical waste management and a scientific assessment of solid waste generation across selected areas.
• Farmers and environmentalists oppose hydrocarbon wells off Parangipettai coast
  — Protesters warn the proposed offshore project threatens mangroves, coastal resources, and fishermen's livelihoods; relevant for environment policy and coastal regulation.
• 118-year-old Tamil Nadu railway station to get ₹842 crore makeover
  — The heritage station redevelopment is part of the Centre's railway modernisation push; relevant for infrastructure and railway GS questions.

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India — National

• Retail inflation rises to 16-month high of 3.93%
  — CPI inflation in May 2026 was driven by higher food prices (tomatoes, rice) and rising fuel-linked transport costs; critical for Economy GS and RBI monetary policy context.
• Government bars industrial/commercial consumers from buying petrol/diesel at retail outlets
  — Retail outlets also capped at dispensing 200 litres of diesel per day per consumer/vehicle; relevant for energy policy and petroleum sector questions.
• Higher ethanol-blended petrol (22–30%) exempted from central excise duty
  — Petrol blended at 22%, 25%, 27%, and 30% ethanol levels will attract zero central excise duty, boosting the ethanol blending programme.
• Odisha CM announces free education from KG to PG in government institutions
  — The state also launched Chief Minister Annapurna Yojana, providing an additional 5 kg of rice per month to NFSA and State Food Security Scheme beneficiaries.
• ED arrests two former Reliance Anil Ambani Group executives
  — Sateesh Seth and Gautam Doshi, former directors of Reliance Telecom Ltd., arrested and taken to Delhi; relevant for enforcement/anti-corruption GS angle.
• Amit Shah orders hi-tech security for Amarnath Yatra
  — Measures include QR codes for animals and a multi-layered grid system; relevant for internal security and J&K administration questions.
• Maharashtra to table Women Farmers Empowerment Bill in Monsoon Session
  — CM Fadnavis reviewed the draft Bill with Deputy CM Sunetra Ajit Pawar and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane; relevant for women's rights and agriculture policy GS.

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Economy & Finance

• India's GDP growth forecast at 6.6% for FY27
  — Business Monitor International's projection aligns with RBI's estimate of 6.6%, citing slower investment and consumption growth.
• India's current account surplus narrows to $7.1 billion in Q4
  — The narrowing was driven by a rising gold import bill and foreign investor outflows; relevant for BoP and external sector questions.
• Industrial Production (IIP) growth rises to 4.9% in April
  — Under the new IIP series, April growth improved from 3.2% in March; key indicator for economic health GS questions.
• Equity Mutual Fund inflows hit 12-month low of ₹22,908 crore in May
  — Sharp decline from ₹38,440 crore in April; relevant for capital markets and financial sector awareness.
• Government asks oil companies to build 30-day LPG reserves
  — Order issued amid Hormuz Strait supply risks due to the U.S.–Iran conflict; relevant for energy security policy.

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Science & Technology

• IIT Bhubaneswar develops hand-held arsenic detection device 'ArsenSafe'
  — The portable device detects arsenic in water without laboratory infrastructure, enabling faster and more accessible water-quality assessment.
• Bengaluru space startups selected under Technology Adoption Fund
  — Three startups selected for funding to help absorb, adapt, and commercialise advanced space technologies, bridging research and operational deployment.
• El Niño confirmed; scientists warn of severe global impact
  — Scientists confirm El Niño's arrival, warning it will amplify heat, floods, droughts, and fires on an already warming planet; relevant for climate/environment GS.
• Invisible tropical atmospheric waves linked to extreme rainfall
  — A new study identifies Kelvin, Rossby, and Mixed Rossby-Gravity waves as significant drivers of heavy rainfall by organising deep convective cloud systems; relevant for geography/science GS.

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Environment

• Tamil Nadu launches first Urban Greening Policy for climate resilience
  — Tamil Nadu is the first Indian state to adopt a dedicated policy for urban greening, a landmark for environmental governance and urban planning GS questions.
• Farmers oppose hydrocarbon wells off Parangipettai coast
  — Activists warn of threats to mangroves and coastal ecosystems if the offshore project proceeds; relevant for CRZ regulations and environmental protection.
• CSE–DTE launch State of Environment (SOE) in Figures 2026
  — Released on the eve of World Environment Day (June 5), the report tracks India's environmental indicators; relevant for environment GS and report-source questions.

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Sports

• FIFA World Cup 2026 underway — USA opens campaign on home soil
  — USA played its first World Cup home game since 1994; Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla scored a self-goal in the match.
• Canada draws 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group B opener
  — Co-host Canada's Cyle Larin equalised in the 79th minute in the first World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil.
• Neymar leads Brazil's campaign at FIFA World Cup 2026
  — The 34-year-old carries Brazil's hopes at what is likely his last World Cup, having failed to win the trophy in three previous attempts.

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Appointments & Awards

• Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred Padma Bhushan
  — India's first female Supreme Court judge honoured with Padma Bhushan; highly exam-probable for judiciary and women achievers questions.
• Justice K.T. Thomas awarded Padma Vibhushan
  — Former Supreme Court judge known for the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case verdict honoured with India's second-highest civilian award.
• NLCIL signs MoU with CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute
  — NLC India Limited's MoU with CECRI (based in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu) signals cooperation in electrochemical research; relevant for PSU and science institution questions.

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International

• Jaishankar lodges strong protest with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio over killing of three Indian mariners
  — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India's protest after U.S. Navy attacks in the Gulf killed three Indian nationals; critical for India–U.S. relations and maritime security GS.
• Iran nuclear deal talks continue; draft U.S. deal includes ending naval blockade
  — Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi says Israel is attempting to derail a potential deal; relevant for West Asia geopolitics and India's energy security.
• Philippines protests China's sanctions on its Defence Chief
  — China sanctioned Philippine Defence Secretary Teodoro and his family over South China Sea disputes; relevant for Indo-Pacific geopolitics GS.

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• Quick Revision:
  

- 🔴 Tamil Nadu recorded its highest-ever power demand of 5,000 MW on June 10, 2026, surpassing the previous peak of 4,966 MW.

- 🔴 India's CPI inflation rose to 3.93% in May 2026 — a 16-month high — driven by food prices; IIP growth under new series stood at 4.9% in April.

- 🔴 Justice M. Fathima Beevi (India's first woman SC judge) received Padma Bhushan; Justice K.T. Thomas received Padma Vibhushan — both highly exam-probable award facts.