Daily Current Affairs: 20 June, 2026
Q1. Keshoram Agarwal passed away at the age of 97 in Kolkata. He was prominently featured in the national news headlines for serving as the long-standing Chairman of the Trust Board of which of the following iconic publishing houses?
(a) National Book Trust (NBT)
(b) Gita Press, Gorakhpur
(c) Sahitya Akademi
(d) Bharatiya Jnanpith
(e) Publication Division, Ministry of I&B
Answer: b
Solution:
- Keshoram Agarwal, the Chairman of Gita Press, passed away on 16 June 2026 in Kolkata at the age of 97.
- He was widely respected for his lifelong dedication to the promotion of Sanatan Dharma, Indian spiritual values, and the publication of affordable religious literature.
- Under his leadership, Gita Press continued its mission of publishing and distributing Hindu religious texts, scriptures, and spiritual literature in multiple Indian languages at affordable prices.
About Gita Press
- Gita Press is one of the world’s largest publishers of Hindu religious literature.
- It was established in 1923 by Jaydayal Goyandka and Hanuman Prasad Poddar.
- Headquarters: Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Q2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently participated alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at VivaTech 2026 in Paris. What specific designated role did India assume at this 10th edition of Europe’s largest technology and start-up event?
(a) Country of the Year
(b) Global Digital Infrastructure Pioneer
(c) Official AI Country Partner
(d) Lead Sustainable Technology Ally
(e) Sovereign Computing Hub Partner
Answer: c
Solution:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron, participated in VivaTech 2026 on 18 June 2026 in Paris, France.
- VivaTech (Viva Technology) is Europe’s largest technology and start-up event, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, technology companies, and policymakers from around the world.
- India is the AI Country Partner for VivaTech 2026, highlighting its growing leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.
- India marked its largest-ever participation at VivaTech, showcasing its vibrant innovation ecosystem through dedicated pavilions.
- More than 80 Indian deep-tech companies and start-ups participated in the event, demonstrating India’s technological capabilities and innovation potential.
- India was the first “Country of the Year” at VivaTech 2022, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between India and France in technology and innovation.
- VivaTech has also recently formalized a collaboration with the Bengaluru Tech Summit, strengthening innovation ties between the two countries.
Q3. Every year on June 19, India celebrates National Reading Day to foster a culture of literacy and learning. This day marks the birth anniversary of Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker, who is widely recognized as the pioneer of which of the following social movements?
(a) Total Literacy Campaign of India
(b) Library Movement in Kerala
(c) Adult Education Drive in South India
(d) Vernacular Press Movement
(e) Digital Literacy Mission
Answer: b
Solution:
- National Reading Day is observed every year on 19 June to promote the habit of reading and to encourage a culture of literacy across the country.
- The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (P. N. Panicker), widely regarded as the Father of the Library Movement in Kerala.
- National Reading Day 2026 is being observed on 19 June 2026.
- The observance began as Reading Day on 19 June 1996, initiated by the Government of Kerala in association with the P. N. Panicker Foundation.
- Over the years, the initiative evolved into a mass literacy movement, promoting reading habits and lifelong learning among people of all age groups.
- In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Reading Day and Reading Month celebrations during his visit to Kochi, Kerala, giving the observance national recognition.
About P. N. Panicker
- Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (P. N. Panicker) is known as the Father of the Library Movement in Kerala.
- He played a pioneering role in promoting libraries, literacy, and the reading culture across Kerala through community participation.
- His efforts significantly contributed to Kerala’s remarkable achievements in literacy and education.
Q4. The massive construction and building materials exhibition ‘Bharat Buildcon 2026’ was recently inaugurated at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi to showcase India’s industrial capabilities. Which of the following was the official central theme designated for this landmark event?
(a) Atmanirbhar Infrastructure: Scaling Global Sourcing
(b) One Nation, One Expo
(c) Sustainable Materials for Future Cities
(d) Tech-Driven Construction for New India
(e) Building India: Global Supply Chain Integration
- Bharat Buildcon 2026, one of India’s largest exhibitions for the building materials and construction industry, was inaugurated on 18 June 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi.
- The four-day exhibition is being held from 18 to 21 June 2026 under the theme “One Nation, One Expo.”
- The event serves as a premier platform for showcasing the latest innovations, technologies, products, and solutions in the building materials, construction, and infrastructure sectors.
Q5. Recently, in June, 2026, The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) expanded its amphibious patrolling capabilities by formally inducting the first of six planned indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) at a ceremony held in Goa. Which of the following private sector shipbuilding companies is responsible for the domestic design and construction of this entire fleet of six hovercraft?
(a) Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding Limited
(b) Shoft Shipyard Private Limited
(c) Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (Marine Division)
(d) Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited
(e) Chowgule & Company Private Limited
Answer: e
Solution:
- On 18 June 2026, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted the first of six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) into service at Goa.
- The Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV), also known as a hovercraft, is being indigenously built by Chowgule & Company Private Limited for the Indian Coast Guard.
- The induction of the first hovercraft marks a significant milestone in strengthening India’s indigenous maritime defence manufacturing capabilities.
- The ACV is designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Indian Coast Guard by improving its capability to undertake a wide range of maritime operations, including coastal surveillance, search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement.
- The hovercraft will also improve the Coast Guard’s ability to respond quickly to emerging maritime security challenges, particularly in shallow waters, coastal regions, and difficult terrains where conventional vessels have limited access.
- The Ministry of Defence signed the contract with Chowgule & Company Private Limited for the procurement of six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles for the Indian Coast Guard on 24 October 2024.
Q6. In June 2026, during the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) held in New York, India’s candidate secured a resounding victory to be elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Who among the following distinguished legal luminaries has been elected to this prestigious position for the 2026–2035 term?
(a) Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud
(b) Dr. Neeru Chadha
(c) Senior Advocate Harish Salve
(d) Professor Bimal N. Patel
(e) Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel
Answer: d
Solution:
- In June 2026, Professor Bimal N. Patel, India’s candidate, was elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 term.
- His election reflects the international community’s confidence in India’s expertise and contribution to international law, particularly in the field of the law of the sea.
- Following the election, the Government of India expressed gratitude to the member states for reposing their trust and confidence in India’s candidature.
- As a Judge of ITLOS, Professor Patel will contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Q7. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cabinet in June, 2026, passed a historic regulatory resolution aimed at addressing deep concerns over the psychological and social impact of online platforms on children. What is the newly established statutory minimum age limit for creating or operating personal social media accounts in the UAE?
(a) 13 Years
(b) 14 Years
(c) 15 Years
(d) 16 Years
(e) 18 Years
Answer: c
Solution:
- In June 2026, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the first Arab country to introduce a minimum age requirement of 15 years for accessing and using social media platforms.
- The decision was approved by the UAE Cabinet on 18 June 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen online safety for children and address growing concerns over the impact of social media on young users.
- Under the new regulations, children below the age of 15 will not be permitted to create or operate personal social media accounts.
Q8. World Sickle Cell Day is observed globally every year on June 19 to mobilize resources, accelerate clinical research, and eliminate institutional disparities in healthcare delivery. Which of the following has been designated as the official central theme for the observation of World Sickle Cell Day 2026?
(a) Building Resilient Communities: Overcoming the Challenges of Sickle Cell
(b) Shine the Light on Sickle Cell: Bridging Global Healthcare Gaps
(c) Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease
(d) Universal Screening and Innovative Care: The Path to Elimination
(e) Empowering Voices, Transforming Care: Equity for Every Blood Disorder
Answer: c
Solution:
- World Sickle Cell Day is observed every year on 19 June to raise global awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and to promote better prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and care for people living with the disease.
- World Sickle Cell Day 2026 will be observed on 19 June 2026 across the world.
- The theme for World Sickle Cell Day 2026 is “Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease.”
- The 2026 theme highlights the need to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare, timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and comprehensive support services for all individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease, irrespective of their location, income, or social background.
- It also calls for global efforts to reduce healthcare disparities and improve survival outcomes for people affected by the disease.
- World Sickle Cell Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2008, recognizing Sickle Cell Disease as a major global public health concern.
Q9. In the newly released QS World University Rankings 2027, IIT-Delhi clinched the top spot among all participating Indian institutions by achieving its highest-ever position. What is the global rank secured by IIT-Delhi in this edition?
(a) 112th
(b) 115th
(c) 118th
(d) 124th
(e) 134th
Answer: c
Solution:
- The QS World University Rankings 2027, released in June 2026, ranked IIT Delhi as the highest-ranked Indian institution for the second consecutive year.
- IIT Delhi climbed five places to secure the 118th position globally, equalling the highest-ever global ranking achieved by an Indian institution, a milestone first reached by IIT Bombay in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
- IIT Bombay ranked 134th globally, slipping from 129th in the previous edition.
- IIT Madras improved its position from 180th to 170th globally, becoming the third-highest ranked Indian institution and the only other Indian university among the global top 200.
- Other leading Indian institutions in the rankings include:
- IIT Kharagpur – 205th
- IIT Kanpur – 221st
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru – 221st
- University of Delhi – 322nd
- IIT Roorkee – 335th
- IIT Guwahati – 349th
- Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Himachal Pradesh, entered India’s Top 10 with a global rank of 452, improving from 503rd in the previous year.
- India had 52 universities featured in the QS World University Rankings 2027, placing the country fifth globally in terms of the number of ranked institutions.
- The countries with the highest number of ranked institutions are:
- United States – 184
- United Kingdom – 93
- China – 85
- Germany – 60
- India – 52
- The number of Indian institutions in the QS rankings has increased significantly from 11 in 2015 to 52 in 2027, representing a 271% increase over the past decade.
Global Top 5 Universities (QS World University Rankings 2027)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
- Stanford University, United States
- Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Harvard University, United States
Q10. Recently, in June, 2026, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the North East’s largest organic spice processing unit at Bhoirymbong. In which of the following states is this state-of-the-art agro-processing facility located?
(a) Sikkim
(b) Assam
(c) Nagaland
(d) Arunachal Pradesh
(e) Meghalaya
Answer: e
Solution:
- On 19 June 2026, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, inaugurated the North East’s largest organic spice processing unit at Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya.
- The processing facility has been established under the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company Limited, which has been promoted under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) of the Government of India.
- Developed at an investment of approximately ₹32 crore, the unit has an annual processing capacity of more than 10,000 metric tonnes of organic spices.
- The facility will process a variety of organic spices, including ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and chilli, adding value to agricultural produce from the region.
- The processing centre is the first organically certified spice processing unit in North East India, having received certification under both the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and the European Union (EU) Organic Standards.
- These certifications will enable organic spice producers from the region to access premium domestic and international markets, enhancing export opportunities and improving farmers’ incomes.
