Daily Current Affairs: 23 June, 2026

Q1. Who has been reappointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) as the Solicitor General of India for a fresh three-year term starting July 1, 2026?

(a) R. Venkataramani

(b) Tushar Mehta

(c) K. K. Venugopal

(d) Harish Salve

(e) Tushar Giri

Answer: b

Solution:

• In June 2026, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the reappointment of Tushar Mehta as the Solicitor General of India.
• He has been reappointed for a further term of three years, effective from 1 July 2026.
• The reappointment ensures continuity in the Union Government’s legal representation before the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, and other constitutional courts.
• Tushar Mehta has been serving as the Solicitor General of India since 10 October 2018.
• He was previously reappointed with effect from 1 July 2023 for a three-year term ending on 30 June 2026.
• With the latest decision, he will continue as the country’s second-highest law officer until 30 June 2029, unless otherwise decided by the Government.

Q2. The second edition of the Asian Relays Championships, where the Indian athletics contingent clinched gold, silver, and bronze medals, was organized at which of the following locations?

(a) Bangkok, Thailand

(b) Shaoxing, China

(c) Tokyo, Japan

(d) Tashkent, Uzbekistan

(e) Incheon, South Korea

Answer: b

Solution:

• At the Asian Relays Championships 2026, held in Shaoxing, China, India delivered an impressive performance by winning one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal on the final day of the second edition of the tournament.
• The Indian women’s 4×100 metre relay team won the gold medal, clocking a season-best time of 43.85 seconds.
• The gold medal-winning quartet comprised Srabani Nanda, S. S. Sneha, Sudeshna Shivankar, and Tamanna.
• The Indian mixed 4×400 metre relay team secured the silver medal with a timing of 3 minutes 17.06 seconds.
• The silver medal-winning team consisted of Theerthesh Shetty, Poovamma M. R., Bharath Sridhar, and Neeru Pathak.
• India also won the bronze medal in the mixed 4×100 metre relay event.
• The bronze medal-winning team included Pranav Gaurav, Tamanna, Animesh Kujur, and S. S. Sneha.

Q3. Who has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic in June 2026?

(a) Sanjiv Ranjan

(b) Vishvas Vidu Sapkal

(c) B. Shyam

(d) Sanjay Kumar Verma

(e) Rudrendra Tandon

Answer: b

Solution:

In June, 2026, Shri Vishvas Vidu Sapkal (IFS: 1998), presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of Peru, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic

Q4. What was the official name given to the flagship nationwide initiative launched by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to celebrate the 12th International Day of Yoga?

(a) Yoga Sagar 2026

(b) Maritime Yoga Pravah

(c) Coastal Wellness 2026

(d) Yoga Setu 2026

(e) Yoga Sangam 2026

Answer: e

Solution:

• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 with great enthusiasm through its flagship nationwide initiative, “Yoga Sangam 2026.”
• The celebrations were held on 21 June 2026, coinciding with the global observance of the International Day of Yoga.
• In line with the 2026 theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” the Indian Coast Guard highlighted the importance of Yoga in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, emotional balance, and healthy ageing.
• Personnel of the Indian Coast Guard participated in mass yoga sessions organised at Coast Guard stations, ships, air stations, and establishments across the country, reflecting widespread participation in the nationwide initiative.

Q5. Which central agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for the design and development of the newly launched “Abhigyan” mobile application?

(a) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

(b) National Investigation Agency (NIA)

(c) National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

(d) Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D)

(e) National Informatics Centre (NIC)

Answer: c

Solution:

• In June 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Abhigyan App in New Delhi to strengthen technology-driven policing and improve access to criminal records for law enforcement agencies.
• Abhigyan is a centralised mobile platform designed to help police personnel make better use of crime-related data during investigations and field operations.
• The application has been developed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• The app enables field police personnel to access a vast repository of criminal records directly on their smartphones, improving the speed and efficiency of investigations.
• It is protected through two-step authentication, ensuring secure access to sensitive criminal databases.
• One of its key features is real-time fingerprint identification, enabling police personnel to match fingerprints within approximately 35 seconds, thereby significantly strengthening ground-level policing.
• The app offers features such as rapid identification, portability, secure access, and connectivity to millions of criminal records stored in a centralised database.
• Abhigyan is integrated with the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), which maintains a nationwide database of fingerprint records of accused persons, convicts, and prison inmates.

Q6. In June 2026, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 10 million financing package with which institution to upgrade digital learning networks in Indian government schools?

(a) NIIT Foundation

(b) Schoolnet India Limited (SIL)

(c) EdCIL (India) Limited

(d) Central Square Foundation

(e) Tata ClassEdge

Answer: b

Solution:

• In June, 2026, The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 10 million financing package with Schoolnet India Limited (SIL) to strengthen digital learning infrastructure in government schools across India.
• The initiative aims to improve learning outcomes for 45 million students by scaling digital education in around 30,000 government schools.
• The project focuses on expanding human capital development along with upgrading digital hardware infrastructure.
• Under the programme, computer laboratories will be installed in at least 1,000 government schools.
• The project will establish around 58,000 digital classrooms to support technology-enabled learning.
• A total of 56,000 educators will be trained in digital teaching methods and pedagogy.
• This is ADB’s first private sector financing for a digital education project in India.
• The initiative aims to address gaps in digital access in education, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Currently, only 26% of K–12 schools in India have computer laboratories, and 29% have smart classrooms, highlighting infrastructure gaps.
• The funding includes a USD 5 million loan from LEAP 2 (Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund 2).
• LEAP 2 is an ADB-managed fund supported by a USD 1.5 billion commitment from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
• Established in 2023, LEAP 2 supports sustainable infrastructure projects focused on education, healthcare, communication, and energy efficiency.

Q7. Which institution became the first university in India to simultaneously receive four distinct International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Management System Certifications?

(a) Osmania University (OU), Hyderabad

(b) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi

(c) Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

(d) Anna University, Chennai

(e) University of Mumbai, Mumbai

Answer: a

Solution:

• In June 2026, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, became the first university in India to receive four International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Management System Certifications simultaneously.
• The certifications were awarded by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India functioning under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD).
• The achievement reflects the university’s commitment to maintaining global standards in education, environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and food safety.

Four ISO Certifications Received

• ISO 21001:2018 – Educational Organizations Management System (EOMS)
  • Focuses on improving the quality and effectiveness of educational institutions through learner-centric management practices.
• ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management System (EMS)
  • Promotes sustainable environmental practices, efficient resource utilization, and compliance with environmental regulations.
• ISO 50001:2018 – Energy Management System (EnMS)
  • Encourages systematic energy management to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower operational costs.
• ISO 22000:2018 – Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
  • Ensures food safety through effective management systems covering the entire food supply chain and food handling processes.

Q8. Which premier financial entity launched India’s first-ever ethical-based ‘Saatvik’ index named “Saatvik 100”?

(a) National Stock Exchange (NSE)

(b) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

(c) BSE Index Services Private Limited

(d) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

(e) NITI Aayog

Answer:  c

Solution:

• In June 2026, BSE Index Services Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), launched India’s first Saatvik Index, named the BSE Saatvik 100, to promote ethical and value-based investing.
• The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) is Asia’s oldest stock exchange and the world’s largest stock exchange by the number of listed companies.
• The BSE Saatvik 100 Index is derived from the constituents of the BSE 500 Index and includes companies that adhere to Saatvik (ethical and value-based) principles.
• The index provides domestic investors with an opportunity to invest in companies that comply with ethical business practices and responsible investment principles.
• The base value of the BSE Saatvik 100 Index is 1,000, with the base date (first value date) set as 20 June 2005.
• The index will be reconstituted twice a year, in June and December, to ensure that it continues to reflect eligible companies meeting the prescribed criteria.
• The BSE Saatvik 100 can be used as a benchmark for passive investment products, including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Index Funds.

Q9. Which public sector enterprise was upgraded from Miniratna Category-I to become India’s 28th Navratna company in June 2026?

(a) Engineers India Limited (EIL)

(b) Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL)

(c) Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL)

(d) Oil India Limited (OIL)

(e) Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO)

Answer: b

Solution:

• In June 2026, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) upgraded Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) from Miniratna Category-I to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) status.
• The upgrade was approved by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• With this elevation, CPCL became the 28th Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) in India.
• CPCL functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
• Prior to the upgrade, the company held Miniratna Category-I status.
• During FY 2025–26, CPCL recorded an annual turnover of ₹59,400 crore, reflecting its strong financial and operational performance.

Q10. Who became the first cricketer in sports history—across both men’s and women’s international formats—to play in 200 Twenty20 International (T20I) matches?

(a) Rohit Sharma

(b) Suzie Bates

(c) Harmanpreet Kaur

(d) Smriti Mandhana

(e) Alysa Healy

Answer: c

Solution:

• On 21 June 2026, India Women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur created history by becoming the first cricketer—male or female—to play 200 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
• She achieved the landmark during India’s match against South Africa in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
• The milestone makes Harmanpreet the first player in the history of international cricket to reach the 200 T20I appearance mark.
• Harmanpreet made her international debut in March 2009 in a Women’s One Day International (WODI) against Pakistan.
• She made her T20 International debut in June 2009 against England at Taunton.

National News

PM Modi Commissions Three Naval Ships in Kolkata

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Dunagiri, INS Agray and INS Sanshodhak at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.
• The ships, designed by the Indian Navy and built by GRSE, showcase India’s advancements in indigenous naval engineering.
• INS Dunagiri is a stealth frigate, INS Agray specializes in anti-submarine warfare, and INS Sanshodhak is an advanced hydrographic survey vessel.
• The commissioning coincided with World Hydrography Day and International Day of Yoga.
• More than 75% of the components used in these vessels were sourced domestically, involving over 200 MSMEs.
• The induction reinforces India’s maritime security, supports regional stability in the Indo-Pacific and advances the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.

₹47,600-Crore Development Push for Odisha

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced projects worth over ₹47,600 crore in Odisha during the “Vikas Ra Dhara, Odisha Sara” event.
• A major highlight was the declaration of Pahadpur village as a model solar village, with plans to provide solar infrastructure to every household.
• The investment package covers railways, highways, ports, logistics, green energy, urban development and industrial expansion.
• Modi emphasized Odisha’s role in the Purvodaya vision for eastern India’s development and highlighted investment proposals worth nearly ₹20 lakh crore attracted by the Utkarsh Odisha initiative.
• The projects aim to improve infrastructure, create jobs, attract investment and strengthen Odisha’s position as a major economic and industrial hub.

₹1,500-Crore Mahalaxmi Temple Redevelopment Project

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the ₹1,500-crore redevelopment plan for the historic Shri Karveer Nivasini Mahalaxmi Temple.
• The project aims to preserve the temple’s heritage while improving facilities for millions of pilgrims.
• Major components include structural conservation, restoration of 41 surrounding temples, development of a new pradakshina path, beautification of the Nagar Pradakshina Marg and modernization of visitor amenities.
• The temple, one of India’s important Shakti Peethas, is renowned for its Hemadpanthi architecture and cultural significance.
• Implemented in three phases, the project seeks to enhance pilgrimage infrastructure, promote religious tourism and conserve an important element of India’s architectural heritage.

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

• India’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public-health problem by 2047.
• Launched in 2023, the programme focuses on health promotion, prevention and holistic patient management. More than seven crore people have already been screened, making it one of the largest genetic disease screening initiatives globally.
• Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder caused by abnormal haemoglobin.
• The mission prioritizes tribal populations in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Odisha, where prevalence is higher.
• Through screening, genetic counselling, awareness campaigns and medical care, the programme seeks to reduce disease burden and improve health outcomes.

International News

Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister

• Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party, less than two years after leading Labour to a historic 2024 election victory.
• He informed King Charles III and will remain caretaker Prime Minister until a new Labour leader is elected.
• His resignation follows mounting political pressure, poor local election results, internal party divisions, and declining public support.
• Labour will now begin a leadership contest to choose its next leader and Prime Minister.
• The transition is expected to focus on economic policy, public services, and electoral strategy.
• Potential successors are already being discussed, with several senior Labour figures emerging as contenders. The development marks another significant leadership change in British politics.

India to Host 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting

• India will host the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram on June 25–26, 2026, under its BRICS Chairship. Guided by the theme “Energy for All,” the meeting will focus on energy security, sustainability, access and innovation.
• BRICS now comprises 11 countries, representing nearly half of the global population and around 40% of world GDP.
• Discussions will address renewable energy, energy-transition pathways, technological innovation, smart grids, energy storage and equitable access to energy.
• India will showcase initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance.
• The meeting provides a platform for developing nations to collaborate on addressing rising energy demand, climate challenges and sustainable development goals.

BRICS National Security Advisers Meeting

• India hosted the BRICS National Security Advisers Meeting on June 22–23, 2026, under the chairmanship of NSA Ajit Doval.
• The meeting focused on non-traditional security challenges such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence risks, terrorism, information warfare, critical infrastructure protection and transnational crime.
• Senior security officials from BRICS countries, including China, Russia and Iran, participated.
• Discussions also reviewed counter-terrorism cooperation and explored measures for strengthening cyber resilience and responsible use of emerging technologies.
• The meeting reflects growing recognition that modern security threats increasingly transcend national borders and require collaborative international responses among emerging economies.

Economy & Banking News

India Remains ADB’s Largest Private-Sector Market

• The Asian Development Bank confirmed that India remains its largest private-sector market. ADB plans to provide around $1 billion in direct private-sector financing in 2026.
• The institution supported India with more than $4 billion in sovereign financing and over $1 billion in private-sector funding during 2025.
• Key sectors include renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility, green data centres, urban infrastructure and financial inclusion.
• ADB also partnered with Standard Chartered to strengthen supply-chain finance through GIFT City.
• India’s rapid economic growth, infrastructure requirements and sustainability agenda continue to make it a priority destination for multilateral development finance and private-sector investment.

RBI Revises Kisan Credit Card Guidelines

• The Reserve Bank of India issued revised guidelines for the Kisan Credit Card Scheme effective January 1, 2027.
• The framework standardizes crop seasons, defining short-duration crops as 12 months and long-duration crops as 18 months.
• The revisions align agricultural lending with RBI’s Income Recognition and Asset Classification norms and aim to improve transparency, consistency and credit delivery.
• The collateral-free loan limit remains unchanged at ₹2 lakh per borrower for agricultural and allied activities. RBI also clarified that voluntary pledging of gold or silver as collateral within this limit does not violate collateral-free norms.
• The changes are expected to simplify agricultural lending and improve access to institutional credit.

State News

World Bank Approves ₹4,000-Crore Loan for Haryana

• The World Bank approved a ₹4,000-crore loan for Haryana’s Jal Sanrakshit Haryana project.
• The initiative aims to improve water security through canal modernization, groundwater recharge, irrigation efficiency, wastewater reuse and crop diversification.
• Haryana faces challenges such as groundwater depletion and waterlogging due to intensive agricultural practices.
• The project includes rehabilitation of hundreds of canals and modernization of irrigation infrastructure, benefiting over 3 lakh acres of agricultural land. Canal-based micro-irrigation projects will also be upgraded.
• The programme seeks to improve water-use efficiency, reduce dependence on groundwater and promote climate-resilient agricultural development across the state.

West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: 1 Lakh Jobs, New Airport Near Kolkata

• The newly elected BJP government in West Bengal presented its first Budget for 2026–27, with a total outlay of ₹4.38 lakh crore. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced major initiatives focused on employment, infrastructure, welfare, and economic growth.
• The Budget promises one lakh government jobs and 33% reservation for women in state recruitment.
• Dearness Allowance for employees will increase to 38% from October 2026. Key infrastructure projects include a proposed greenfield airport near Kalyani, a deep-sea port at Dadanpatrabar, metro rail proposals for Durgapur, Asansol, and Siliguri, and expansion of regional airports.
• Welfare measures include ₹36,000 crore for Annapurna Yojana, free bus services for women, student financial assistance, enhanced support for frontline workers, and housing benefits.

Khurasani Imli Receives GI Tag

• Khurasani Imli from Mandu in Madhya Pradesh received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Despite its name, the fruit comes from the African Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata), not from tamarind.
• Known for its sweet-sour taste and nutritional value, the fruit has deep historical and cultural links with the Mandu region.
• Mandu hosts India’s largest natural cluster of Baobab trees, and the area’s unique environmental conditions contribute to the fruit’s characteristics.
• The GI tag protects its authenticity and ensures that only producers from the designated region can market it under the recognized name.
• The recognition highlights the ecological, historical and cultural significance of this heritage product.

Defence News

IAF to Acquire Retired Jaguar Aircraft from UK

• The Indian Air Force will acquire nine retired SEPECAT Jaguar fighter aircraft from the United Kingdom to support its existing Jaguar fleet.
• The aircraft will not enter active service but will be cannibalized for spare parts, engines, avionics and critical components.
• India remains the only country still operating Jaguars in frontline service.
• The move addresses challenges arising from obsolete supply chains and spare-part shortages. With fighter squadron strength below the sanctioned level, Jaguars continue to play an important role in deep-strike and ground-attack missions.
• The acquired aircraft will help sustain fleet availability until newer platforms such as Tejas variants, Rafales and future fighter programs gradually replace them.

Sports News

Harmanpreet Kaur Becomes First Player to Reach 200 T20Is

• Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur became the first cricketer—male or female—to play 200 T20 International matches during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
• Her international career began in 2009, and she has since become one of India’s most successful captains and influential batters.
• Before the milestone match, she was honored by head coach Amol Muzumdar and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. Harmanpreet leads the list of women with the most T20I appearances, ahead of Suzie Bates and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
• The achievement highlights her longevity, consistency and contribution to women’s cricket, reinforcing her status as one of the most significant figures in the history of the format.

India Wins FIH Nations Cup 2026

• The Indian women’s hockey team won the 2026 FIH Nations Cup by defeating New Zealand 2–0 in the final. Goals from Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo secured India’s second Nations Cup title after its inaugural triumph in 2022.
• India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating the USA, Japan, Uruguay and Chile before overcoming New Zealand in the final.
• The victory also earned India promotion to the FIH Pro League, the highest annual international hockey competition.
• Participation in the Pro League will provide valuable exposure against elite teams and help improve India’s global ranking, marking another significant step in the growth of women’s hockey in the country.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Records Fastest List-A Fifty

• Indian teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created history by scoring the fastest fifty in List-A cricket during the India A vs Sri Lanka A Tri-Series final.
• He reached his half-century in just 11 balls, surpassing the previous record of 12 balls held by Kaushalya Weeratne since 2005–06.
• The achievement came after a relatively quiet tournament and showcased his exceptional talent and ability to perform under pressure.
• His explosive innings played a crucial role in the final and established him as one of the most promising young cricketers in the world.
• The record-breaking knock drew widespread attention from the cricketing community.

Indian Athletics Awards 2025

• At the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2025 organized by the Athletics Federation of India, Olympic javelin star Neeraj Chopra was named Best Male Athlete of the Year, while Parul Chaudhary won Best Female Athlete of the Year.
• Chopra’s achievements included becoming the first Indian to cross the 90-metre mark in javelin throw.
• Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to PT Usha, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan and Anju Bobby George.
• Emerging Athlete awards went to Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja Singh. The awards recognized athletes, coaches, officials and institutions contributing to the development of athletics in India.