Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (27th June, 2026) |

Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (27th June, 2026)

National News

Mahesh Dixit Appointed New Intelligence Bureau Director

Mahesh Dixit appointed as the new Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
He is a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Telangana cadre.
Succeeds Tapan Kumar Deka as the IB Director.
Appointment approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Previously served as Special Director at IB Headquarters.
Also headed the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Srinagar.
Has extensive experience in intelligence and counter-terrorism operations.
IB functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Key Fact: IB is India’s oldest internal intelligence agency responsible for domestic intelligence and internal security.

Vision Document Targets Drug-Free India By 2029

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029).
Released during the 10th Apex-Level Meeting of NCORD in New Delhi.
Aims to achieve a Drug-Free India by 2029.
Focuses on demand reduction, supply control, rehabilitation, and awareness.
Strengthens inter-agency coordination and technology-driven enforcement.
Targets synthetic drugs and darknet-enabled drug trafficking.
Synthetic drug seizures increased from 2.6 million kg to 11.8 million kg.
Drug Disposal Fortnight was also inaugurated.
Key Fact: Over 2.09 lakh kg of narcotics worth ₹6,000 crore will be destroyed.

State News

Odisha Launches GO-EAST Industrial Growth Initiative

Odisha launched the GO-EAST industrial development initiative.
GO-EAST stands for Government of Odisha Eastern Investment Accelerator and Special Task Force.
The state also revised the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2022.
Initiative announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Introduces a single-window clearance system for investors.
Includes the GO-EAST Cell and Go SWIFT digital monitoring platform.
Provides extra incentives for industries in 15 backward districts.
Promotes faster approvals and balanced regional development.
Key Fact: Odisha signed MoUs worth ₹24,823 crore with seven companies across multiple sectors.

Punjab Notifies New Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

Punjab notified the VB-G RAM G Scheme, 2026.
Effective from 1 July 2026 in notified rural areas.
Replaces the MGNREGA framework in the state.
Guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually.
Covers rural households willing to perform unskilled manual work.
Follows a 60:40 Centre-State funding pattern.
Aims to improve rural livelihoods and employment generation.
Promotes convergence with welfare programmes.
Key Fact: Employment guarantee increased from 100 days to 125 days, supporting Viksit Bharat@2047.

Business News

Uber India President Prabhjeet Singh Steps Down

Prabhjeet Singh resigned as President of Uber India & South Asia.
Completed 10 years with Uber.
Joined the company in 2015.
Became President in 2020.
Expanded Uber across Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Launched services including Uber Moto, Uber Auto, and Intercity Travel.
Introduced metro ticket booking through the Uber app.
Strengthened partnerships with fleet operators, including Everest Fleet.
Key Fact: Uber credited him for driving innovation and building a strong foundation for future regional growth.

International News

India Joins Global AI Opportunity Declaration

India joined 34 other countries in endorsing the Joint Statement of AI Opportunity.
The declaration was adopted at the Second Pax Silica Summit in Washington, D.C.
Reaffirms India’s commitment to global cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Promotes trusted AI supply chains and resilient semiconductor ecosystems.
Supports innovation-friendly regulations, digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurship.
Encourages responsible AI development and private-sector investment.
The Pax Silica Initiative was launched by the United States in December 2025.
India officially joined the initiative during the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
Key Fact: The initiative aims to build secure, resilient, and sustainable global AI technology ecosystems.

India Launches Operation Amistad For Venezuela Relief

India launched Operation Amistad to assist earthquake-hit Venezuela.
It is a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission.
The mission follows the 24 June 2026 devastating earthquake.
The Indian Air Force deployed two C-17 Globemaster aircraft.
Around 30 tonnes of relief materials were dispatched.
Supplies include 6 tonnes of medical equipment and BHISHM Cube hospitals.
A 41–42 member rescue and medical team was also deployed.
The team will conduct search, rescue, medical aid, and coordination with local authorities.
Key Fact: The mission highlights India’s role as a reliable global first responder during disasters.

India Promotes Mango Exports In Nordic Region

India organized its first-ever mango promotion events in the Nordic region.
The events were held in Reykjavik and Akureyri, Iceland.
Organized jointly by the Embassy of India and APEDA.
Aims to expand India’s agricultural exports to Northern Europe.
Four mango varieties were showcased—Dasheri, Chausa, Langra, and Kesar.
Discussions focused on opportunities under the India–EFTA TEPA.
Kesar was highlighted as the “Queen of Mangoes.”
Iceland imported mangoes worth nearly USD 3.3 million in 2025.
Key Fact: The initiative opens new export opportunities for Indian mango growers.

Japan Prime Minister To Visit India In July

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit India from 1–3 July 2026.
It will be her first official visit to India after assuming office.
The visit follows an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Both leaders will attend the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit.
Discussions will cover defence, economy, technology, and infrastructure.
Clean energy, renewable energy, and green hydrogen will also be key agenda items.
The visit will strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Both countries will also discuss cooperation through QUAD and G20.
Key Fact: The summit aims to enhance Indo-Pacific stability and resilient supply chains.

SCO Women’s Forum Highlights Women-Led Development

The SCO Women’s Forum 2026 was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
The forum took place on 26 June 2026.
It promoted women’s leadership, gender equality, and inclusive development.
India was represented virtually by Union Minister Annpurna Devi.
India highlighted Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0.
Over 9 million Self-Help Groups (SHGs) involving 100 million women were showcased.
The Lakhpati Didi Initiative has benefited over 30 million women.
The forum supports the SCO Development Strategy 2035.

Awards News

Indian Schools Shine In Global Education Awards

India secured the highest representation at the World’s Best School Prizes 2026.
Seven Indian schools were shortlisted among the Top 10 finalists.
The awards are organized by UK-based T4 Education.
Schools are evaluated on innovation, leadership, community impact, and resilience.
Finalists include PCMC Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj English Medium School, Pune.
Army Goodwill School, Wuzur (Anantnag) is also among the finalists.
The awards were introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Winners will be announced in November 2026.
Key Fact: India has the highest number of shortlisted schools among all participating countries.

Defense News

IAF Integrates BrahMos Missile With Su-30MKI Fleet

The IAF integrated the air-launched BrahMos missile with 40 Su-30MKI fighter jets.
It significantly enhances India’s long-range strike capability.
BrahMos can hit targets up to 450 km away.
The missile travels at nearly Mach 2.8–3.0.
It enables precision strikes beyond enemy air defence range.
The Su-30MKI is manufactured by HAL under licence.
BrahMos Aerospace and DRDO are developing the lighter BrahMos-NG.
BrahMos-NG will feature advanced avionics and AI-enabled guidance.
Key Fact: BrahMos is among the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles.

India Conducts First GAGAN Satellite Landing Approach

India successfully conducted its first GAGAN-based satellite landing approach.
The trial was carried out at Udaipur Airport.
An IndiGo Airbus A320 was used for the demonstration.
The exercise was conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
GAGAN stands for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation.
It is jointly developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
GAGAN improves GPS accuracy to nearly three metres.
It enables safe landings at airports without Instrument Landing Systems.
Key Fact: GAGAN is India’s indigenous Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS).

HELINA Missile Strengthens Indigenous Defence Capability

HELINA is an indigenous third-generation anti-tank guided missile.
It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Designed for helicopter launch platforms.
Equipped with fire-and-forget and lock-on-before-launch capability.
Uses an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker.
Effective strike range is 500 metres to 7 kilometres.
HAL will conduct live-fire trials from the LCH Prachand.
BDL received orders worth over ₹1,347 crore.
Key Fact: HELINA strengthens India’s defence indigenisation and self-reliance.

Nuclear Hydrogen Plant Marks Global First For India

India commissioned the world’s first nuclear process heat-based hydrogen plant.
The facility is located at IGCAR, Kalpakkam.
Developed by BARC using the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle.
It uses heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).
Produces clean hydrogen with nearly zero carbon emissions.
Operates at around 500°C using recyclable chemical reactions.
Offers higher efficiency than conventional hydrogen production methods.
Supports the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Key Fact: The project strengthens India’s clean energy transition and three-stage nuclear programme.

Important Days News

World MSME Day Highlights Global Small Businesses

World MSME Day is observed every year on 27 June.
It recognizes the contribution of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
The 2026 theme is “Empowering MSMEs through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development.”
The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2017.
It supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
MSMEs contribute significantly to employment, GDP, and innovation.
They account for over 90% of businesses worldwide.
Digital transformation, AI, and green innovation are key focus areas.
Key Fact: MSMEs play a vital role in achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).