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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Sunday, 21 June 2026
33 items
Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu to roll out Intellectual Property Rights Policy with focus on GI Products
— The state filed 43 Geographical Indication registration applications in FY 2025-26, with 11 filed by the Patent Information Centre under TNSCST; the new IP policy aims to boost GI product commercialisation. (GS: State schemes, GI tags, IP law) - IUML ends six-decade alliance with DMK
— The Indian Union Muslim League has severed its long-standing alliance with the DMK after joining the TVK-led state government; IUML will cooperate with TVK in upcoming Assembly bypolls, Lok Sabha, and local body elections. (GS: Political parties, Tamil Nadu polity) - TN Government opts for direct recruitment to fill fireman driver shortage
— The post, crucial for operating firefighting equipment, was earlier filled only through internal promotion; direct recruitment marks a policy shift to address operational gaps in fire services. (GS: State administration, recruitment policy) - Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's government reaffirms two-language policy
— A TVK government minister confirmed there will be no change to Tamil Nadu's long-held two-language policy, distancing the current administration from NEP's three-language formula. (GS: Language policy, NEP, federalism) - Tamil Nadu to move KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to pension scheme, hike aid to ₹1,500
— Beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT) scheme above 60 years of age will be transitioned to the pension scheme, with the assistance amount raised to ₹1,500. (GS: State welfare schemes, social security) - Supreme Court to hear TN plea on CM Stalin name/photo ban in welfare schemes
— The Tamil Nadu government (current administration) has filed a plea challenging the ban on the former CM's name and photo appearing on state welfare scheme materials. (GS: Supreme Court, Article 32, federalism)
India — National
- International Yoga Day 2026: PM Modi leads nation from Kolkata
— The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated across ~2,500 locations worldwide with participation from 210+ Indian missions; this year's theme is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing." (GS: Important days, cultural diplomacy) - PM Modi pitches Eastern India as 'country's growth engine' from President Murmu's home state
— Addressing the Yoga Day event in Kolkata, the PM highlighted eastern India's development potential, signalling a policy push for the region. (GS: Regional development, PM announcements) - Three India-flagged ships cross Strait of Hormuz safely
— Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed safe passage of three Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, reflecting India's active maritime diplomacy. (GS: Maritime security, India's foreign trade routes) - Ladakh groups announce shutdown over stalled statehood talks
— Ladakh-based organisations called a shutdown citing a "two steps forward, two steps back" pattern in negotiations with the Centre over Sixth Schedule inclusion and statehood demands. (GS: Ladakh UT, Article 371, tribal areas) - Meitei insurgent group member arrested in Goa
— The arrest underscores the continuing security concerns arising from the Manipur ethnic conflict and the reach of insurgent networks beyond the Northeast. (GS: Internal security, Northeast) - Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana: 750 participants at Chennai event
— At the IMAGE event in Chennai, 450 beneficiaries and 122 employers participated; employee letters were disbursed under the central employment-linked incentive scheme. (GS: Central schemes, employment) - Bhiwandi food poisoning cases rise to 122
— Customers who consumed food at a local establishment on June 17 developed gastric illness; the incident highlights food safety enforcement gaps. (GS: Public health, food safety)
Economy & Finance
- RBI's record ₹2.87 lakh crore surplus transferred to the Centre
— The Reserve Bank of India's historic surplus transfer, driven by earnings from reserve management and foreign assets, highlights the RBI's growing fiscal role in supporting government finances. (GS: RBI functions, fiscal policy) - World Bank approves $1.5 billion financing to support India's reform programmes
— The financing is aligned with India's Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the World Bank until 2031, supporting structural reform initiatives. (GS: International finance, World Bank) - India's Current Account Surplus narrows to $7.1 billion in Q4
— The surplus shrank amid a rising gold import bill and foreign investor outflows, signalling pressure on India's external balance. (GS: Balance of Payments, external sector) - New IIP series: April industrial growth rises to 4.9% from 3.2% in March
— Under the revised Index of Industrial Production (IIP) methodology, April 2026 industrial output growth improved significantly, reflecting manufacturing sector recovery. (GS: Economic indicators, industrial policy) - Government asks oil companies to build 30-day LPG reserves amid Hormuz risks
— As a precautionary measure against supply disruptions from the West Asia conflict, the Centre directed oil PSUs to stockpile LPG equivalent to 30 days of consumption. (GS: Energy security, PSUs, Strait of Hormuz) - Centre likely to remove 11% duty on cotton as prices soar
— The West Asia crisis has disrupted supply chains, pushing up cotton prices; duty removal would provide relief to the textile sector. (GS: Trade policy, textile industry)
Science & Technology
- AIIMS highlights role of regular yoga in healthy ageing
— With the world's elderly population expanding, AIIMS professors cited evidence that consistent yoga practice improves physical health, mental well-being, and emotional resilience in older adults. (GS: Health policy, Yoga Day) - India's statistical databases overhauled: GDP and IIP series revised
— Key economic indicators including national accounts, GDP estimates, and IIP have been updated; the overhaul addresses long-standing methodological gaps in India's statistical system. (GS: Economic survey, data systems, MOSPI) - 'Parametric' heat insurance schemes explored for informal workers
— Such schemes automatically pay out when temperatures cross a defined threshold, offering a financial safety net for heat-vulnerable informal workers without requiring proof of loss. (GS: Social protection, climate adaptation, insurance)
Environment
- State of India's Environment (SoE) in Figures 2026 released by CSE-DTE
— The report highlights rising climate risks, increasing human-wildlife conflicts, and critical gaps in pollution monitoring infrastructure across India. (GS: Environment reports, CSE, biodiversity) - 13 more Shigellosis cases reported in Kerala; total count rises
— The bacterial infection outbreak, caused by the Shigella bacterium spread through contaminated food/water, continues to spread in Kerala, raising public health concerns. (GS: Communicable diseases, public health) - Oil prices ease as supply moves through Strait of Hormuz after Iran war pact
— Brent crude fell to $79.42/barrel as Iran-related supply fears eased temporarily; the Hormuz Strait handles ~20% of global oil trade. (GS: Energy, geopolitics, international trade)
Sports
- FIFA World Cup 2026: Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1, qualify for knockouts
— Deniz Undav's goal fired Germany past Côte d'Ivoire in Group E; Germany had two first-half goals disallowed before securing qualification to the Round of 32. (GS: FIFA World Cup 2026) - FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium winger Doku ruled out of Iran match
— Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku was withdrawn from Belgium's Group fixture against Iran at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, due to illness. (GS: FIFA World Cup 2026) - England struggles in Test chase at The Oval against New Zealand
— England reached 182/5 chasing an improbable 463-run target at tea on Day 4 of The Oval Test; New Zealand maintained a firm grip on the match. (GS: Cricket, England–NZ Test series)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice K.T. Thomas to receive Padma Vibhushan
— The former Supreme Court judge, known for the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case judgment, is among the recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour. (GS: Padma Awards, SC judges) - Former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously
— The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder and veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren has been conferred the Padma Bhushan posthumously. (GS: Padma Awards, tribal leaders, Jharkhand)
International
- U.S.-Iran nuclear talks to begin in Switzerland; Trump threatens Hormuz tolls
— Technical-level talks between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, began on June 21; Trump threatened to impose American tolls on the Strait of Hormuz if a final deal is not reached within 60 days. (GS: Iran nuclear deal, maritime law, India's energy security) - Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) examines Canada's application as dialogue partner
— IORA Secretary-General Sanjiv Ranjan indicated member states could benefit from Canada's maritime expertise; India is a founding member of IORA headquartered in Mauritius. (GS: IORA, maritime multilateralism, India's ocean diplomacy) - Bangladesh issues countrywide alert ahead of Awami League anniversary
— The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government issued security alerts fearing unrest on the anniversary of Sheikh Hasina's party, which was banned after the August 5, 2024 political transition. (GS: India's neighbourhood, Bangladesh)
- Quick Revision:
- 🧘 International Yoga Day 2026 theme: "Yoga for Healthy Ageing" — PM Modi led celebrations from Kolkata; observed across 2,500+ locations and 210+ Indian missions worldwide
- 💰 RBI surplus transfer to Centre: ₹2.87 lakh crore (record high); World Bank approved $1.5 billion for India's reform programmes
- 🏭 IIP April 2026 (revised series): 4.9% growth; India's Current Account Surplus in Q4: $7.1 billion