04th June 2026

1. India issues Letter of Request to France for Rs 3.25 lakh crore to Acquire 114 Rafale Jet
2. Chandigarh University Becomes India’s First Private University to Establish ‘IndiaAI Data Lab’
3. India Emerges As World’s 5th Most Digitalised Economy: SIDE 2026 Report
4. BharatPe launches BharatPe Flex, a Credit-on-UPI solution powered by YES BANK
5. India’s UPI Enabled for Payments in Cambodia via KHQR Network
6. Microsoft Unveils AI-Designed ‘Majorana 2’ Quantum Chip
7. APCNF Won 2026 Food Planet Prize from Sweden’s Curt Bergfors Foundation
8. Bangladesh’s FM Rahman Elected as 81st President of UNGA
9. World Bicycle Day 2026 – June 3
10. NPCI and ACLEDA Bank Partner to Bring UPI Payments to Cambodia
11. Idris Elba Receives Knighthood from King Charles III, Becomes Sir Idris Elba
12. Ajay Rajan Takes Charge as MD & CEO of Protean eGov Technologies
13. DK Shivakumar Takes Oath as Karnataka’s 18th Chief Minister
14. Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez to Visit India from June 3-7
15. Indian Banks Among Asia-Pacific’s Best Capitalised Lenders, Says S&P Global
16. Lokhande Prashant Sitaram Appointed CBSE Chairperson, Varun Bhardwaj Named Secretary
17. Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026: India Finished 2nd with 19 Medals Including 10 Golds
18. Which Country Has Won the Most FIFA World Cups? Top Asian Countries in FIFA Men’s World Ranking (2026)
19. FIFA World Cup Awards Winners List (1930–2026): Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Golden Glove & Best Young Player
20. FIFA Women’s World Cup

National News

Chandigarh University Launches IndiaAI Data Lab with Intel

• What: Chandigarh University (CU) inaugurated the ‘IndiaAI Data Lab’ in collaboration with Intel India to equip students with industry-relevant skills in AI, Data Science, and emerging technologies.
• Tell me more:
  • This facility marks the first time an IndiaAI Data Lab has been established at a private university in Punjab and in India.
  • University Vice-Chancellor – Prof (Dr) Raviraja N Seetharam
  • CU is a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) A+ Grade University and a Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Ranked University located in Punjab.

India and Venezuela Strengthen Bilateral Strategic Ties

• What: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez in New Delhi to reaffirm the commitment of India to strengthening bilateral cooperation with the South American nation.
• Tell me more:
  • Both countries are expected to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, renewable energy, and energy security.

Banking and Economy

BharatPe Launches Credit Solution Partnered with YES BANK

• What: BharatPe announced the launch of ‘BharatPe Flex’, a Credit-on-Unified Payments Interface (UPI) solution powered by YES BANK to enable customers to make everyday digital payments using a pre-approved credit line.
• Tell me more:
  • BharatPe Flex enables users to make UPI payments through a pre-approved credit line, offering up to 45 days of interest-free credit with flexible repayment options, including full payment or EMIs.
  • BharatPe CEO – Nalin Negi

India and Cambodia Launch Cross Border UPI Payments

• What: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) officially partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc. to launch Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in Cambodia, allowing cross-border Quick Response (QR) payments between both nations.
• Tell me more:
  • The initiative enables Indian travellers to make QR-based payments across Cambodia, reduces dependence on cash and currency exchange, benefits merchants through faster settlements, and will later allow Cambodian visitors to pay in India.
  • Cambodia became the ninth country globally to accept UPI payments, joining Singapore, the UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, and Sri Lanka.
  • National Bank of Cambodia – Governor H.E. Dr. Chea Serey
  • Reserve Bank of India Governor (26th) – Sanjay Malhotra

Microsoft Unveils New AI Designed Quantum Chip ‘Majorana 2’

• What: Microsoft corporate group unveiled its new ‘Majorana 2’ quantum computing chip redesigned with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, aiming to build commercially useful quantum computers by the year 2029.
• Tell me more:
  • This chip could enable commercially useful quantum computers capable of solving complex problems in medicine, chemistry, and cybersecurity that are beyond the reach of today’s most powerful conventional computers.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Leads Region in Leverage Ratio

• What: Kotak Mahindra Bank reported the highest leverage ratio of 16.56% among Asia-Pacific lenders with assets of at least $100 billion as of March 31, 2026, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
• Tell me more:

• A higher leverage ratio for financial institutions generally represents a clear sign of stronger capitalisation instead of higher risk.
  

Reports and Indices

State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) 2026 Report

• What: The State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) 2026 report revealed that India emerged as the fifth most digitalised economy globally, climbing up from the eighth position in 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)-Prosus Centre for Internet and Digital Economy (IPCIDE) released this report.
  • The study benchmarked 71 countries using the enhanced CHIPS framework which stands for Connect, Harness, Innovate, Protect and Sustain.
  • This expanded framework covers countries representing 96% of global gross domestic product (GDP), 93% of internet users, and 91% of the world population.
  • India ranked fifth on the CHIPS-Combined Index behind the United States (US), China, Singapore, and the United Kingdom (UK).
  • India ranked fourth on the standalone CHIPS-AI index behind only the US, China, and Singapore; outpacing Germany, France, Japan, the UK, and Canada in the AI race.
  • Developing countries house 72% of global AI users, with India and China together accounting for nearly two-fifths of worldwide AI adoption.
  • India recorded nearly $328 billion in digitally delivered trade covering software, information technology (IT) services, and cloud-based solutions despite being a lower-middle-income economy.
  • India has the world’s second-largest AI talent pool after the US, supported by rapid AI adoption, fintech innovation, a growing startup ecosystem, and strong digital public infrastructure.
  • Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) Chairperson – Pramod Bhasin

Defence News

India Issues Letter to France for Rafale Jets

• What: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a Letter of Request (LoR) to France for a Rs 3.25 lakh crore government-to-government deal to purchase 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Tell me more:
  • The French manufacturer Dassault Aviation will partner with an Indian company to manufacture 94 of the jets within India.
  • This project marks the first time Rafale aircraft will be produced outside France, achieving around 50% localisation.
  • Delivery of the Rafale Marine jets will begin in 2028, while the first IAF Rafales will arrive in about three-and-a-half years.
  • The Indian Navy intends to acquire 31 additional planes to tackle maritime threats, which will push the total number of countrywide Rafales over 200.
  • India has ordered 62 Rafale aircraft for the IAF and Indian Navy, and the proposed acquisition of 114 additional jets—cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in February—will raise the total order to 176 aircraft.
  • PM Narendra Modi will visit France around mid-June, where leadership meetings will likely include discussions about the Rafale deal.

Awards

Andhra Pradesh Farming Programme Wins Global Environmental Award

• What: The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme won the prestigious $1.5 million 2026 Food Planet Prize in Båstad, Sweden, for promoting nature-positive and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Tell me more:
  • Sweden’s Curt Bergfors Foundation presented this global environmental award.
  • APCNF emerged as the winner among four global finalists selected from a longlist of 35 initiatives across 19 countries and six continents.
  • The other three finalists included Conscious Kitchen from the United States (US), NoPalm Ingredients from the Netherlands, and the Savanna Institute from the US.
  • Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RSS), an organization under Andhra Pradesh’s agriculture department, launched the community-led agroecology movement a decade ago in 2016.
  • CM N. Chandrababu Naidu described the international recognition as a first for India and reaffirmed Andhra Pradesh’s goal of becoming a 100% natural farming state by 2047.

King Charles Confers Knighthood on Actor Idris Elba

• What: King Charles knighted celebrated actor Idris Elba during an official investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle to recognise his outstanding contributions and services to young people.
• Tell me more:
  • Idris Elba is an acclaimed British actor, producer, and musician known for iconic roles in The Wire and Luther.

Important Days

World Bicycle Day 2026 – June 3

• Theme: “Cycling for a Greener Future”
• Established in 2018

Sports

Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026 in Hong Kong

• India’s Performance got 2nd position with 19 medals (10 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze); equalled its best-ever finish in championship history.
  • India did not win a single medal in the javelin throw events (both men’s and women’s categories).
• China topped the medal standings with 25 medals, including 14 gold, and Japan was placed third with a total 18 medals (5 golds).

FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026

• Dates: 11 Jun 2026 – 19 Jul 2026
• Hosts: USA, Mexico, Canada (total 16 cities)
  • USA – 2 times (1994, 2026)
  • Mexico – 3 times (1970, 1986, 2026)
  • Canada – 1st time (2026)
• Opening Match Stadium – Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) in Mexico City, Mexico
• Finale Stadium – MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
• Official Song – “Dai Dai” (Italian phrase means “Come On”)
  • Collaboration between global pop star Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy
• Mascot – Maple the Moose (Canada), Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico), and Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA)
• Teams – 48
• Edition – 23rd (Men’s FIFA World Cup is held every four years)
• Most succesful team –

• Awards
  • The Golden Ball (Best Player), Golden Boot (Top Scorer), Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper), and Best Young Player awards are individual honors given by FIFA at the end of each World Cup tournament to celebrate the most outstanding players.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027

• Dates – 24 June to 25 July 2027
• Edition – 10th (The FIFA Women’s World Cup takes place every four years.)
• Host – Brazil (8 host cities)
  • Brazil officially becomes the first South American nation to ever host this senior FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• Teams – 32

Appointments

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Elected as UNGA President

• What: Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman was elected as the president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
• Tell me more:
  • Under the UN regional rotation system, the presidency rotates among regional groups. The designated group nominates candidates, and all UN member states vote to elect the UNGA President for a one-year term.
  • Bangladesh previously held the General Assembly presidency during the 41st session in 1986-87 under its then foreign minister, Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury.
  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the presidential theme for 81st session which is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All”.
  • Current UNGA President and former German Foreign Minister – Annalena Baerbock

Centre Appoints New Chairperson of CBSE

• What: The Central Government appointed Lokhande Prashant Sitaram as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
• Tell me more:
  • CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system came under scrutiny over student concerns, leading to a government inquiry headed by Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission S. Radha Chauhan.

Protean eGov Technologies Appoints New CEO

• What: Protean eGov Technologies Limited appointed Ajay Rajan as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), effective from June 1, 2026, to lead its next phase of global growth.
• Tell me more:
  • Protean eGov Technologies Ltd. has been entrusted by ITD for acceptance and processing of PAN applications.
  • National Pension System (NPS) is also managed through Protean.

DK Shivakumar Sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister

• Doddalahalli Kempegowda Shivakumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka by Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot.

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