Current Affairs

Department of Atomic Energy inaugurated VDPP and commissioned a 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at Heavy Water Board Facilities, Vadodara. VDPP produces high-purity deuterated solvents; deuterated compounds replace hydrogen with deuterium. The sodium cell is an industrial electrochemical system to produce nuclear-grade liquid sodium, a critical coolant for Fast Breeder Reactors (2nd stage of India’s 3-stage programme). HWBF, under DAE, produces heavy water (D₂O) used as moderator/coolant; Strategic Materials Hub supports purification/separation for nuclear needs.

IMO Secretary-General proposed evacuating ships and about 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf amid the West Asia war. IMO, a UN specialised agency (HQ: London), sets global standards for shipping safety, security and ship-based pollution prevention. Established as IMCO (1948), it became a UN agency in 1959 and was renamed IMO in 1982. Assembly (all members, biennial) elects a 40-member Council; membership: 176; India since 1959.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra began with the first batch crossing into China via Nathu La pass. Nathu La, a mountain pass in the Dongkya Range of the Himalayas in East Sikkim, connects Sikkim with the Tibet Autonomous Region at 4,310 m. The pilgrimage in western Himalayan ranges of Tibet is held annually (April–October) via Lipulekh (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim), covering Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar; it is sacred to Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired launch footage of China’s Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) hypersonic missile for the first time. DF-17 is a solid-fuelled medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile, officially unveiled in 2019; NATO codename CSS-22. About 11 m long and 15,000 kg, range 1,800–2,500 km, mobile launcher. It carries DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle, launches exo-atmospheric, then re-enters and manoeuvres at Mach 5–10, potentially staying below radar longer.

Uzbekistan joined the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB) in 2026 as its 10th member and first from Central Asia. NDB was decided at the 6th BRICS Summit, Fortaleza (Brazil), 2014; operational since 2015; HQ Shanghai. It mobilises finance for infrastructure and sustainable development in BRICS and other EMDCs. Authorised capital: USD 100 bn; initial subscribed: USD 50 bn (equal BRICS share). Governance: 1 vote/member, no veto; BRICS voting share >55%. Open to UN members; expanded since 2021. Members: BRICS, Bangladesh, UAE (2021), Egypt (2023), Algeria (2025), Uzbekistan (2026); Uruguay, Colombia, Ethiopia approved, pending accession.

The Western Ghats may receive stronger legal protection through notification of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in at least three states. ESAs, also called Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs), are biodiversity-rich or fragile regions needing special protection. Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Central Government can notify such areas, prohibiting, regulating or encouraging activities, subjecting projects to stricter scrutiny, and acting as “shock absorbers” and transition zones around protected areas.

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai, demonstrated Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus reticulatus) farming technology for the first time. The brachyuran crab belongs to family Portunidae; also called blue/flower/manna crab. Identified by paddle-like hind legs and 9 carapace spikes near eyes. Distributed in Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, India, Sweden, Singapore; in India along both coasts, dominant in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar. It buries in sand/mud, tolerating NH4+/NH3, and feeds at high tide on bivalves, fish, and some macroalgae (PIB).

Central government launched ‘Nirbhay Chetna’ to sensitise 17.5 lakh male elected representatives, as a key intervention under ‘Nirbhay Raho’. Implemented under the Nirbhaya Fund, it has the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as nodal ministry and aims to strengthen gender-responsive governance through Panchayati Raj Institutions. A cadre of 28,500 Master Trainers will be developed at State, district and block levels. Nirbhay Raho also includes ‘Nirbhay Netri’ (capacity-building and legal awareness for elected women representatives) and ‘Nirbhay Drishti’ (CCTV at strategic rural locations).

The Supreme Court of India held that freedom to walk on demarcated, well-maintained footpaths is a fundamental right, linked to Articles 21, 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), 19(1)(c) and 14. It noted governments prioritise motorisation and neglect footpaths, though providing them is a basic municipal duty. It flagged the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 as ignoring walkers, and asked government to frame a statutory framework with responsibilities and remedies, suggesting a regulatory body to implement pedestrian rights.

A study shows ground-based space particle counters can track Earth’s weather and solar storms in real time using the GRAPES-3 (Gamma Ray Astronomy at PeV EnergieS) cosmic-ray observatory in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. Operated by TIFR and commissioned in 2000 (India–Japan team), it is the world’s largest tracking muon telescope, counting billions daily. Muon counts fall with warmer upper-atmosphere expansion and with stronger solar magnetic fields; FFT-based algorithms filter seasonal/solar-cycle effects.

Scientists from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune, with the Natural History Museum, London, discovered a new forester moth, Mimeusemia kali (Kalawate & László, 2026; family Noctuidae), in Kali Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, Karnataka. It is the first new Mimeusemia addition in nearly 30 years. The genus has 30 taxa (23 species, 7 subspecies); India now has 6 species. Mostly day-active (some at dusk), it was validated via phylogenetic analyses; moths are pollinators and ecosystem-health indicators.

Prime Minister commissioned three indigenously built naval vessels: INS Dunagiri (5th Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth guided missile frigate; follow-on to Shivalik-class; blue-water, multi-mission), INS Sanshodhak (Large Survey Vessel for hydrographic surveys and seabed mapping), and INS Agray (Arnala-class ASW shallow water craft for port/coastal defence). Maritime routes carry 95% of India’s trade volume (70% value); Blue Economy ~4% GDP; coastline 11,098 km; EEZ 2.3 million sq km. India safeguards SLOCs via SAGAR and MAHASAGAR.

National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), a Section 8 (Companies Act, 2013) not-for-profit under MeitY, established 19 June 2003, enables domestic internet traffic exchange, domain management and IP allocation. Its pillars are IXP (79 IXPs), IRINN (IPv4/IPv6, ASNs) and INRegistry (“.in”, “.भारत”, 22 languages). India’s IPv6 penetration is 78.34%. On its 23rd Foundation Day, NIXI launched IX Portal, myIRINN, .IN Auction and AI-powered WHOIS Screening; it also supports “.bank.in” migration.

Bolivia declared a state of emergency amid protests, drawing attention to its geography. Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, with capitals La Paz (administrative) and Sucre (constitutional). It borders Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. It shares Lake Titicaca with Peru. The Andes dominate. Major rivers include Madeira, Paraguay and Mamore. Bolivia is part of the lithium triangle.

Fibre-optic FPV (“invisible”) drones are being used in recent wars. Unlike radio-controlled drones, they connect to the operator via a thin physical fibre-optic cable, making them difficult to detect and jam and improving immunity to electronic warfare. Commands and live video are transmitted as light pulses through glass/plastic fibres, based on total internal reflection. Challenges include limited range and reaction time.

First-round talks between high-ranking U.S. and Iranian officials were held in Switzerland, a landlocked mountainous country in Western and Central Europe. It borders Germany (north), Italy (south), Austria and Liechtenstein (east), and France (west); capital is Bern. Switzerland is not an EU or NATO member. Alps lie south, Jura north; highest point Monte Rosa (Pennine Alps); major lakes include Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchatel; climate influenced by North Atlantic Drift, Arctic, continental and Mediterranean air masses.

National level Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2026 was inaugurated at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. Organised and governed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, it involves selected youth delegates from all States and UTs (age 18–25). It aims to deepen youth engagement with democratic processes, governance and policy deliberation, aligned to Viksit Bharat@2047, innovation, leadership and collective responsibility, linked with MY Bharat initiatives. India cited nearly 65% population below 35 years.

SIPRI Report 2026 (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) states India has deployed 12 nuclear warheads for the first time; its stockpile is estimated at 190 warheads (January 2026), up from 180 (2025). Warheads deployed on an SSBN deterrence patrol (sea-based second-strike) signal higher readiness versus recessed deterrence (separate warheads and delivery systems in peacetime). India’s 2003 doctrine rests on NFU and credible minimum deterrence with massive retaliation. Nuclear triad: US, Russia, China, India, Pakistan (air, land missiles, SSBNs).

Indian PM made the first-ever state visit to Slovakia since its 1993 independence; ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Partnership. MoUs/decisions include a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, LoI on defence (joint development, co-production, technology transfer), quantum communication and critical infrastructure protection, labour migration (towards a Social Security Agreement), and an ICCR Chair in AI at Technical University of Kosice. Slovakia, an EU member, backed early India–EU FTA and mobility framework (Jan 2026), and supported India’s permanent UNSC seat and constructive NSG approach, besides cooperation in trade, energy, water and regional groupings (Slavkov 3, V4, 3SI).

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed globally on June 17 to promote public awareness of international efforts against desertification; it was declared by the UN General Assembly in 1995. In India, it is celebrated under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC–PMKSY). The 2026 observance is organised by UNCCD, hosted by Kenya, with theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” and slogan “No such thing as a free lunch. Invest in healthy soil.”

On June 18, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi (born Manikarnika Tambe, 19 November 1828, Varanasi), trained in martial skills, is recalled for her role in the Revolt of 1857 (May 10, 1857–July 8, 1859). Married (1842) to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, she adopted Damodar Rao; Jhansi was annexed under Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse. She died on 18 June 1858 in Gwalior; burial: Phoolbagh Maidan. She is commemorated in works by Tagore (1877), Subhadra Kumari Chauhan (1930), Vrindavan Lal Verma (1946) and Mahasweta Devi (1956); Prachi Deshpande notes her idealised portrayal. Bose named INA’s women’s regiment Rani of Jhansi Regiment.

NOAA warned the ongoing El Niño may intensify into a “super El Niño”, raising concerns for India’s monsoon. ENSO involves equatorial Pacific ocean-temperature and atmospheric-pressure fluctuations; phases are El Niño, La Niña and neutral. Super El Niño implies >2°C warming (1972–73, 1982–83, 1997–98, 2015–16). Since 1950, ~15 El Niño years saw below-normal monsoon; impacts are mainly July–September, often via delayed onset/dry spells/uneven rain. Positive IOD can offset drying, but forecasts indicate weak IOD. Globally, past events caused droughts, fires, coral bleaching, record temperatures, fewer Atlantic hurricanes and more Pacific typhoons.

West Asia conflict has disrupted India’s bitumen imports, doubling prices and risking the target of building 10,000 km highways in FY 2026-27. India’s 85% paved roads are flexible and bitumen-dependent; annual need is ~90 lakh tonnes against ~54 lakh tonnes produced by Indian Oil and BPCL, with 30–40% shortfall met via imports (99% from Iraq, UAE, Iran, Oman, Bahrain). MoRTH allowed force majeure (2–4 months, no penalty) or price adjustment, not both.

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and collaborators discovered three new aquatic beetle species from freshwater habitats in Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. Taxonomically, they belong to genus Amphiops (family Hydrophilidae), adapted to shallow ponds/wetlands with vegetated substrates. Species: A. hyderabadi (seasonal pond, Hyderabad), A. kinnerasani (roadside pond, Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary), and A. sandi (Sandi Bird Sanctuary). Distinct morphology and COI (Cytochrome c Oxidase I) mitochondrial DNA barcoding showed 7–17% divergence, confirming separate lineages.

Union Agriculture and Environment Ministers chaired a high-level meeting on stubble management under the Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme, with provision/targets for 2026–27. Launched in 2018 under RKVY, it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme governed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, implemented by State Agriculture Departments under ICAR supervision, covering Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and NCT Delhi. Funding: 60:40 (states) and 100% Centre (Delhi). Subsidies: 50% (farmers’ machines), 80% (CHCs), 65% (paddy straw supply chain). Targets: 46,000 machines, 910 CHCs, 141 supply-chain projects.