All daily digests
Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Saturday, 20 June 2026
36 items
Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu to roll out Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy with focus on GI products
— The state government is preparing a dedicated IPR policy emphasising Geographical Indication (GI) tags, significant for Tamil Nadu's rich craft and agricultural heritage; relevant to GS-III (IPR, economy). - CM Vijay signs 3 key welfare schemes on Day 1 and announces 2% DA hike
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay signed three welfare schemes on assuming office and announced a 2% Dearness Allowance hike for state government teachers and employees; exam angle: state government schemes, fiscal policy. - Tamil Nadu to move KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to pension scheme, hike aid to ₹1,500
— Elderly beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) scheme will be transferred to the pension scheme with enhanced assistance; relevant to social security and welfare schemes. - Tamil Nadu CM Vijay maintains two-language policy, rejects 3-language/NEP framework
— A state minister confirmed no change to Tamil Nadu's two-language policy; MDMK's Vaiko urged CM Vijay to reject the PM SHRI three-language scheme, citing Hindi imposition concerns; exam angle: language policy, Centre-State relations, NEP 2020. - Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution against Karnataka's Mekedatu dam; seeks tribunal
— The state government argues the Mekedatu project violates the 2007 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and Supreme Court's 2018 judgment, and demands an inter-state water disputes tribunal; GS-II: inter-state river disputes. - Prevention of Honour Killings Commission invites public suggestions
— Tamil Nadu's statutory commission is seeking public input on preventing honour killings; exam angle: Article 21, human rights, state commissions. - DVAC seizes ₹3.75 lakh unaccounted cash in Kallakurichi RTO
— The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption conducted a surprise check at the Kallakurichi Regional Transport Office; exam angle: anti-corruption bodies in Tamil Nadu.
India — National
- PM Modi to commission 3 indigenously built naval ships in Kolkata on June 21
— The commissioning underscores India's push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing; exam angle: GS-III defence, indigenisation, Kolkata-class destroyers. - Navy to receive 12 sets of indigenous 1.25 MW gas turbine generators for Kolkata-class ships
— Indigenous gas turbine generators enhance self-reliance in naval propulsion systems; exam angle: DRDO/defence indigenisation. - Supreme Court flags 'brain drain' in legal profession, directs creation of fund for young lawyers
— The apex court observed financial hardship in early years of practice drives talent away and ordered creation of a support fund; exam angle: GS-II judiciary, legal reforms. - Supreme Court refuses urgent hearing on plea to defer June 21 NEET-UG retest
— Eleven aspirants sought postponement citing stress from paper leak and cancellation of original exam; exam angle: NEET controversy, education policy, GS-II. - NEET-UG aspirant dies by suicide in Indore allegedly due to exam stress after question paper leak
— The student's death has reignited concerns about examination integrity and mental health of aspirants; exam angle: NEET reforms, student welfare. - Amit Shah sets 3-year justice delivery target, pushes use of AI in criminal investigations
— The Home Minister called for time-bound justice delivery and integration of Artificial Intelligence in police investigations; exam angle: GS-II criminal justice, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. - 70 lakh jobs created under PM Vishwakarma Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY): PM Modi
— PM Modi announced the scheme has generated 70 lakh employment opportunities since launch; exam angle: GS-II government schemes, skill development. - Census 2027 preparations underway; enumerators face heat, connectivity, and safety challenges
— India's first digital Census faces field-level operational hurdles; exam angle: Census 2027, Registrar General of India, GS-II.
Economy & Finance
- World Bank approves $1.5 billion financing to support India's reform programmes
— The financing is aligned with the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) between India and the World Bank valid until 2031; exam angle: multilateral financing, GS-III economy. - India's current account surplus narrows to $7.1 billion in Q4 amid rising gold imports and FII outflows
— Higher gold import bill and foreign investor exits reduced the surplus; exam angle: Balance of Payments, RBI data, GS-III. - New IIP series: India's industrial production growth rises to 4.9% in April from 3.2% in March
— The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) improvement signals recovering manufacturing momentum; exam angle: key economic indicators, CSO/MoSPI data. - Food prices rise in May, propel household inflation to 3.93%
— Elevated food prices pushed consumer price-based household inflation upward; exam angle: CPI inflation, RBI monetary policy. - Government asks oil companies to build 30-day LPG reserves amid Strait of Hormuz supply risks
— With Iran-U.S. tensions affecting Gulf shipping lanes, the Centre directed strategic LPG stockpiling; exam angle: energy security, GS-III. - Centre likely to remove 11% import duty on cotton as prices soar amid West Asia crisis
— The duty waiver aims to protect textile sector from raw material price spikes; exam angle: trade policy, textile industry. - Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates Northeast's largest spice processing plant in Meghalaya
— The Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company facility has an annual capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes; exam angle: FPOs, Northeast development, GS-III agriculture.
Science & Technology
- IIT-Delhi study finds human activity drives India's extreme weather events
— Researchers warn historical rainfall statistics are no longer reliable guides to future climate risk in a warming India; exam angle: climate science, GS-III environment. - What is 'downblending'? — Process central to Iran nuclear deal
— Downblending reduces highly enriched uranium to lower-enrichment levels; the international community's trust in Iran's nuclear compliance depends on its implementation; exam angle: nuclear non-proliferation, GS-II international relations. - AI-enabled traffic cameras in focus as High Court directs state government to clear dues within a month
— Smart traffic enforcement using AI cameras faces implementation hurdles over payment disputes; exam angle: AI in governance, GS-III.
Environment
- State of India's Environment 2026 Report highlights rising climate risks, wildlife conflicts, and pollution monitoring gaps
— The annual report flags increasing human-wildlife conflict, deteriorating air quality data infrastructure, and climate vulnerability across Indian states; exam angle: GS-III environment, biodiversity. - Budget 2026–27: Air quality management outlay cut by 10%; pollution control spending also reduced
— Declining budgetary allocation for air quality and pollution control raises concerns about meeting NAAQS targets; exam angle: CPCB, National Clean Air Programme, GS-III.
Sports
- FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil scores 3 goals in first half against Haiti
— Five-time World Cup champion Brazil dominated in their second group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (hosted by USA, Canada, Mexico); exam angle: FIFA World Cup 2026 host nations. - Morocco beat Scotland 1-0; advance with 4 points in group stage
— Saibari scored the winner; Morocco have been one of the tournament's standout teams with 4 points from two matches. - USA advance to Round of 32 with 2-0 win over Australia
— The host nation USA secured 6 points from two games in Group D, progressing to the knockout stage; exam angle: FIFA World Cup 2026.
Appointments & Awards
- Vivek Aggarwal appointed FATF (Financial Action Task Force) Vice-President
— Currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Aggarwal's appointment strengthens India's role in global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing governance; exam angle: FATF, GS-II international organisations. - Former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously
— The tribal leader and founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was honoured posthumously; exam angle: Padma Awards 2026. - Justice K.T. Thomas awarded Padma Vibhushan
— The former Supreme Court judge, known for his judgments in high-profile cases, receives India's second-highest civilian honour; exam angle: Padma Awards 2026.
International
- India's IORA membership: Indian Ocean Rim Association examines Canada's application as dialogue partner
— IORA Secretary-General Sanjiv Ranjan noted Canada's maritime expertise could benefit member states; exam angle: IORA, Indo-Pacific, GS-II international organisations. - EU passes Return Regulation allowing offshore deportation centres
— Member states can now sign agreements with non-EU countries to establish centres for deporting irregular immigrants; exam angle: GS-II international relations, migration policy. - Iran-U.S. MoU opens possibility of Iran asserting role in Strait of Hormuz transit management
— The agreement promises sanctions relief on Iranian oil but raises concerns about Iran charging transit fees in a critical global shipping lane; exam angle: energy security, West Asia geopolitics, GS-II.
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 Vivek Aggarwal (Secretary, Ministry of Culture) appointed FATF Vice-President — India's significant role in global financial governance body.
- 🔹 World Bank approved $1.5 billion financing for India's reform programmes, aligned with Country Partnership Framework until 2031.
- 🔹 PM-VBRY (PM Vishwakarma Bharat Rozgar Yojana) has created 70 lakh jobs as announced by PM Modi; IIP growth rose to 4.9% in April 2026 (new series).