Daily Current Affairs: 24 June, 2026
Q1. According to the latest global maritime report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which country secured the first position globally in ship recycling by capturing a 35.4% market share in 2025?
(a) Bangladesh
(b) Pakistan
(c) Turkey
(d) China
(e) India
Answer: e
Solution:
- In 2025, India emerged as the world’s leading ship recycling nation, securing the first position globally in ship recycling.
- According to the latest report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India’s share of global ship recycling increased from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
- India’s ship recycling volume rose significantly to 2.99 million Gross Tons (GT) in 2025, registering an increase of nearly 60% compared to 1.86 million Gross Tons (GT) in 2024.
- With this achievement, India has fulfilled the target set under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 to become the world’s leading ship recycling nation, achieving the goal well ahead of schedule.
- India’s ship recycling industry is primarily centred at the Alang Ship Recycling Yard in Gujarat, one of the world’s largest ship recycling facilities.
Q2. Which multilateral financial institution approved a ₹4,000-crore loan to fund Haryana’s ambitious water-security project named “Jal Sanrakshit Haryana”?
(a) Asian Development Bank (ADB)
(b) New Development Bank (NDB)
(c) World Bank
(d) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
(e) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Answer: c
Solution:
- In June 2026, the World Bank approved a ₹4,000 crore loan for the Government of Haryana’s flagship “Jal Sanrakshit Haryana” project.
- The project aims to make Haryana a water-secure state by promoting sustainable water resource management and improving the efficiency of water use across the state.
Q3. In June 2026, the unique “Khurasani Imli” was awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This fruit belongs to which iconic tree species found in Central India?
(a) Mahua Tree
(b) Baobab Tree
(c) Sal Tree
(d) Banyan Tree
(e) Tendupatta Tree
Answer: b
Solution:
- In June 2026, Khurasani Imli, the fruit of the iconic Baobab tree found in Mandu (Mandav), Madhya Pradesh, was awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- The GI recognition provides legal protection to this unique regional product and helps preserve its historical, cultural, and agricultural heritage.
- Khurasani Imli, also known as Mandav Imli, is the fruit of the Baobab tree, a species native to Africa that has become an integral part of Mandu’s cultural landscape.
- The Baobab tree is believed to have been introduced to Mandav during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Khilji in the 15th century. Over time, the fruit came to be popularly known as Khurasani Imli, replacing its original name, Baobab.
- The fruit is distinguished by its light green colour and its unique sweet-and-sour tangy flavour, making it a popular local delicacy.
- Khurasani Imli is primarily found in villages across the Mandu region of Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
Q4. Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) recently discovered a new species of wild brinjal in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. What scientific name has been given to this species?
(a) Solanum lasiocarpum
(b) Solanum pandeyi
(c) Solanum melongena
(d) Solanum andamanense
(e) Solanum indicum
Answer: b
Solution:
- In June 2026, a scientist from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered a new species of wild brinjal from the Middle Andaman in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The newly discovered species has been named Solanum pandeyi.
- Solanum pandeyi was found growing in the evergreen forests of Middle Andaman, particularly along open forest edges.
- The plant is locally known as the Wild Orange Eggplant.
- The new species closely resembles Solanum lasiocarpum and belongs to the Leptostemonum clade of the genus Solanum, which includes brinjal (eggplant) and several wild relatives.
About the Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
- The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is India’s premier taxonomic and floristic research institution.
- It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Established: 13 February 1890
- Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal
Q5. The final, non-provisional growth rate of the Index of Eight Core Industries for the month of April 2026 was recorded at __________, while the cumulative provisional growth for the early fiscal period of April to May 2026–27 stood at __________.
(a) 0.5 per cent; 1.8 per cent
(b) 1.8 per cent; 1.1 per cent
(c) 1.1 per cent; 0.5 per cent
(d) 2.0 per cent; 2.5 per cent
(e) 1.8 per cent; 3.2 per cent
Answer: b
Solution:
- The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a provisional growth of 0.5% in May 2026 compared to May 2025.
- Among the eight core sectors, Steel, Cement, and Electricity registered positive production growth during the month.
- The final growth rate of the Index of Eight Core Industries for April 2026 was 1.8%.
- The cumulative growth of the ICI during April–May 2026–27 stood at 1.1% (provisional) compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
Q6. In June 2026, which nationalist lawyer was elected as the new President of Colombia on an anti-establishment and hardline security platform?
(a) Gustavo Petro
(b) Iván Duque
(c) Álvaro Uribe
(d) Abelardo De La Espriella
(e) Juan Manuel Santos
Answer: d
Solution:
- In June 2026, Abelardo De La Espriella, a nationalist lawyer, was elected as the President of Colombia.
- His election campaign was centered on a hardline security agenda and market-friendly economic policies, with a focus on reviving Colombia’s economy and strengthening law and order.
- Popularly known as “The Tiger” by his supporters, De La Espriella projected himself as an anti-establishment leader committed to tackling illegal armed groups, organised crime, and drug trafficking.
About Colombia
- Colombia is a country located in the northwestern part of South America.
- It is often referred to as the “Gateway of South America” because of its strategic location connecting South America with Central and North America.
- Capital: Bogotá
- Official Language: Spanish
- Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
Q7. The 7th edition of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament 2026 is scheduled to be hosted at which location?
(a) Air Force Station Chandigarh
(b) Air Force Station Jalahalli, Bengaluru
(c) Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad
(d) Air Force Station Palam, New Delhi
(e) Air Force Station Tambaram, Chennai
Answer: b
Solution:
- The 7th edition of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament is being held from 23 June to 3 July 2026 at Air Force Station Jalahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The tournament is being organised by the Air Force Sports Control Board (AFSCB), which has been conducting the championship annually since 2018.
- The tournament commemorates Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, the only officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to have been conferred the five-star rank of Marshal of the Air Force.
- Marshal Arjan Singh was a passionate hockey enthusiast and strongly believed in the role of sports in developing leadership, discipline, and teamwork among air warriors.
Q8. Which defense public sector undertaking was upgraded by the Ministry of Finance to become India’s 29th Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) in June 2026?
(a) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
(b) Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE)
(c) Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)
(d) Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)
(e) Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
Answer: b
Solution:
- In June 2026, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) was granted Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) status.
- The upgradation was approved by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) under the Ministry of Finance on 19 June 2026.
- With this elevation, GRSE became the 29th Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) in India.
- The Navratna status was conferred in recognition of the company’s strong financial performance, operational excellence, and strategic contribution to India’s defence manufacturing sector.
Q9. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report, which country did India surpass to lead the world in total inland water catches from rivers, lakes, and freshwater systems?
(a)
(b) United States
(c) Indonesia
(d) Viet Nam
(e) Bangladesh
Answer: e
Solution:
- According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 (SOFIA 2026), India emerged as the second-largest producer of aquatic animals in the world in 2024, after China.
- India accounted for 9% of global aquatic animal production in 2024, highlighting its growing importance in the global fisheries and aquaculture sector.
- India also ranked first globally in inland capture fisheries, producing 2.2 million tonnes of aquatic animals from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other freshwater systems, ahead of Bangladesh, which produced 1.4 million tonnes.
- In the aquaculture sector, India ranked second globally, contributing 12% of the world’s farmed aquatic animal production.
- Along with China, Indonesia, Viet Nam, and Bangladesh, India is part of the top five aquaculture-producing countries, which together account for 82% of global farmed aquatic animal production.
Global Fisheries and Aquaculture Highlights (2024)
- According to the FAO’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report:
- Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 235 million tonnes in 2024.
- This included:
- 195 million tonnes of aquatic animals.
- 40 million tonnes of algae.
- Overall production increased by 5.2% compared to 2022.
- Aquaculture reached an all-time high of 142 million tonnes, reaffirming its position as the primary driver of growth in global aquatic animal production.
- The top five aquaculture-producing countries—China, Indonesia, India, Viet Nam, and Bangladesh—together accounted for 84% of global aquaculture output.
Q10. In June 2026, which prominent Indian fintech entrepreneur was appointed by Meta to take over as the new global head of WhatsApp?
(a) Vijay Shekhar Sharma
(b) Kunal Shah
(c) Ashneer Grover
(d) Sachin Bansal
(e) Nandan Nilekani
Answer: b
Solution:
- In June 2026, Meta announced the appointment of CRED founder Kunal Shah as the new Global Head of WhatsApp.
- He succeeds Will Cathcart, who had led WhatsApp for nearly seven years.
- Kunal Shah is expected to assume his new role immediately, becoming the head of the world’s largest messaging platform.
- Following his appointment, Kunal Shah will step down from his operational role at CRED, while Miten Sampat has been appointed as the Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.
- As part of the leadership transition, Meta will invest USD 900 million (approximately ₹8,550 crore) in CRED.









Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (23...
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 23rd June 202...
Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (21...


