Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (23rd June, 2026) |

National News

Tushar Mehta Reappointed as Solicitor General of India

Senior advocate Tushar Mehta has been reappointed as Solicitor General of India for another three-year term starting July 1, 2026.
The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, ensuring continuity in the government’s legal representation.
He will continue handling major constitutional, taxation, governance, and national security cases before various courts.
Five Additional Solicitors General have also been reappointed to strengthen the Union Government’s legal team.

Aadhaar App Crosses 31 Million Downloads

The Aadhaar App has crossed 31 million downloads within five months, highlighting rapid adoption of digital identity services.
Developed by UIDAI, the app offers face authentication, biometric lock/unlock, authentication history, and QR-based sharing.
Users have completed nearly 4 million mobile updates and over 850,000 address updates through the platform.
The achievement reflects India’s growing digital ecosystem and improved accessibility to Aadhaar-related services.

George Kurian Resigns from Union Council of Ministers

Union Minister of State George Kurian resigned after BJP decided not to renominate him to the Rajya Sabha.
President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation under Article 75(2) on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Kurian, a longtime BJP leader from Kerala, served as part of the party’s outreach to the Christian community.
He is expected to focus on strengthening BJP’s organizational presence and voter base in Kerala.

Amit Shah Launches NAFEX.in and Farmer-Centric Digital Initiatives

Union Minister Amit Shah launched NAFEX.in to modernize agricultural marketing through transparent digital auctions.
The platform aims to improve price discovery, reduce manual intervention, and enhance farmers’ market access.
He also launched the NAFED-KALYAN Scholarship Scheme, DRISHTI Portal, and an ERP Portal for operational efficiency.
These initiatives are expected to improve governance, supply-chain management, and farmer welfare nationwide.

India Becomes the World’s Largest Ship Recycling Nation in 2025

India became the world’s largest ship recycling nation in 2025, achieving a Maritime India Vision 2030 target early.
Its global recycling share rose from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025, according to UNCTAD.
The growth was supported by maritime reforms, modernization, and implementation of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019.
The Alang Ship Recycling Yard remains central to India’s leadership in sustainable maritime recycling.

Osmania University Becomes First Indian University to Receive Four ISO Certifications from BIS

Osmania University became the first Indian university to receive four ISO certifications simultaneously from BIS.
The certifications cover education management, environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and food safety systems.
The recognition followed comprehensive assessments of governance, risk management, and quality assurance mechanisms.
The achievement sets a benchmark for excellence and sustainability in India’s higher education sector.

India Crosses Five Lakh Organ Donation Pledges

India surpassed five lakh voluntary organ donation pledges, marking a major milestone in healthcare awareness.
The achievement was announced by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).
Integration with the Aadhaar-linked Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has simplified and secured registrations.
Public awareness campaigns have encouraged participation, helping bridge the gap between organ demand and availability.

State News

West Bengal Announces Creation of Five New Districts

West Bengal proposed five new districts—Kolkata, Basirhat, Sundarban, Jangipur, and Arambagh—in Budget 2026-27.
The move aims to decentralize administration, improve governance, and bring services closer to citizens.
The Sundarban district will focus on climate resilience, while Basirhat will strengthen border administration.
The initiative is expected to promote balanced regional development across urban, rural, and coastal areas.

International News

Andy Burnham Emerges as Key Figure in UK Leadership Discussions

Andy Burnham has emerged as a prominent figure in Labour Party leadership discussions after Keir Starmer’s resignation.
A former cabinet minister and Mayor of Greater Manchester, he is known for advocating regional autonomy.
Burnham returned to Parliament in 2026 as MP for Makerfield after years in local governance.
His leadership profile has grown due to his focus on decentralization and community-centered policies.

Alan Greenspan Passes Away at 100

Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan passed away on June 22, 2026, at the age of 100.
Known as “The Maestro,” he led the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006 under four U.S. presidents.
He guided the economy through major events including the 1987 crash, dot-com boom, and post-9/11 recovery.
Greenspan’s legacy remains influential, though debates continue regarding deregulation and the 2008 financial crisis.

Business & Economy News

India Becomes the World’s Largest Ship Recycling Nation

India emerged as the global leader in ship recycling, surpassing targets set under Maritime India Vision 2030.
Its recycling volume increased nearly 60%, reaching 2.99 million gross tons in 2025.
Government reforms, sustainability measures, and modernization of recycling yards drove the achievement.
India is expected to strengthen its leadership further through expansion of the Alang recycling facility.

CPCL Granted Navratna Status

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has been granted Navratna status by the Government of India.
The upgrade provides greater financial and operational autonomy for investments and strategic decisions.
CPCL qualified based on strong profitability, positive net worth, and robust operational performance.
The move is expected to enhance competitiveness and growth opportunities in the energy sector.

Kunal Shah Appointed Global Head of WhatsApp

Indian entrepreneur Kunal Shah has been appointed Global Head of WhatsApp under Meta Platforms.
Known for founding CRED and co-founding FreeCharge, he is a leading figure in India’s startup ecosystem.
His expertise in consumer behavior and fintech is expected to support WhatsApp’s global growth strategy.
The appointment highlights the increasing global influence of Indian entrepreneurs in technology leadership.

Science & Technology News

First Drug to Delay Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms Available on NHS

Teplizumab has become the first NHS-approved medicine capable of delaying Type 1 Diabetes onset.
The immunotherapy works by slowing the immune attack on insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells.
Clinical studies show it can delay the development of diabetes by approximately three years.
The approval marks a major shift from symptom management toward preventive intervention in diabetes care.

Five Eyes Alliance Warns of Emerging AI Cybersecurity Risks

The Five Eyes alliance warned about cybersecurity threats arising from advanced artificial intelligence systems.
AI could enhance phishing attacks, malware development, vulnerability exploitation, and cyber intrusions.
The advisory highlighted risks to critical infrastructure while acknowledging AI’s benefits in cyber defense.
Governments and organizations were urged to adopt stronger security measures and resilience testing.

India to Share PSLV Technology With Startups

India will transfer PSLV technology to eligible startups and private firms through IN-SPACe.
The initiative aims to expand private participation in the country’s growing commercial space sector.
Selected companies must meet financial, technical, and experience-related eligibility requirements.
ISRO will provide technical support, helping build indigenous launch capabilities and innovation.

Sports News

World’s Tallest Lionel Messi Statue Unveiled in Argentina

Argentina unveiled a 26-meter-tall statue of Lionel Messi in Neuquén Province.
The monument depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy while wearing Argentina’s national jersey.
Designed by artist Aldo Beroisa, the structure weighs around 70 tonnes and symbolizes national pride.
Authorities expect the landmark to boost tourism and local economic activity significantly.

Lionel Messi Becomes FIFA World Cup’s All-Time Leading Goal Scorer

Lionel Messi became the highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history during the 2026 tournament.
He scored twice against Austria, taking his World Cup tally to 18 goals and surpassing Miroslav Klose.
Earlier, Messi also registered a hat-trick against Algeria, showcasing remarkable form.
The milestone further cements his legacy as one of football’s greatest players.

Important Days News

Olympic Day 2026: Theme, History, Significance and Celebrations

Olympic Day is celebrated annually on June 23 to mark the establishment of the International Olympic Committee in 1894.
The 2026 theme is “Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” promoting inclusion and unity through sports.
The day encourages participation in physical activities and awareness of Olympic values.
Celebrations include runs, fitness events, educational programs, and community sports initiatives worldwide.

United Nations Public Service Day 2026: History, Theme, Significance and Key Facts

United Nations Public Service Day is observed every year on June 23 to honor public servants worldwide.
Established by the UN General Assembly in 2002, it recognizes contributions to governance and public welfare.
The 2026 Public Service Forum will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from June 23–25.
The theme focuses on innovation, participation, inclusion, and the digital transformation of public institutions.