18th June 2026

1. India & Japan Adopt Rules for Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under Paris Agreement to Boost Climate Cooperation
2. Six States Agree to Sign MoU for Kishau Multi-Purpose Dam Project
3. CSIR Transfers 7 Technologies, Releases 10 BNDs & Hands Over 5 Quantum Components
4. MoRTH Signs First MoU with Ashok Leyland & Switch Mobility for Vehicle Replacement Scheme in Delhi-NCR
5. ISRO–DAE Develop Artificial Heating System for 200-Day Lunar Lander Life
6. MoD Grants In-Principle Approval for Rs 500 Crore National Military Drone Technology Hub at IIT-Kanpur
7. Uzbekistan Becomes 10th Member & First Central Asian Country to Join NDB
8. Bank of Baroda Launches ‘bob Golden Goal Deposit Scheme’ Offering Interest Rates up to 7.40%
9. YES BANK & Northern Arc Capital Partner to Expand Credit Access and Digital Lending
10. CCI Approves TVS Group-PGIM India Deal, Temasek-Romsons Investment and Kedaara Capital Stake Purchase in Axis Finance
11. Indian Navy Decommissions ‘Sea King Mk42B Fleet’ After 36 Years of Service
12. Drogo Aerospace Delivers First Batch of 41 JK 250e Drones to Indian Army Under Rs 72 Crore Contract
13. Former Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi Passed Away at 84
14. International Day of Family Remittances 2026 – June 16
15. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026 – June 17
16. Messi Equals Miroslav Klose as FIFA World Cup’s Joint Highest Goalscorer
17. Maharashtra Approves ₹300 Crore Cyclotron Project in Nagpur to Strengthen Cancer Care
18. India and Japan Adopt Rules for Joint Crediting Mechanism Under Paris Agreement
19. India and Canada Launch Security Pact Talks, Aim to Finalise Trade Deal in 2026
20. PM Modi Expresses Grief over Passing of Renowned Buddhist Scholar Robert A. F. Thurman
21. PM Narendra Modi to Attend VivaTech Summit in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron
22. Government Hikes Export Duties on Diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel
23. Hockey: India Beat World Champions Germany 3-1 in FIH Pro League
24. AIFF Launches Inaugural Under-17 Women’s Youth League in India
25. FAI Announces 24-Member Squad for the 26th Senior Asian Fencing Championships 2026

National News

India and Japan Adopt Climate Cooperation Rules

• What: India and Japan officially adopted the Rules of Implementation for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement on to enhance bilateral climate action and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
• Tell me more:
  • This framework follows a bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the two nations last year to support sustainable development initiatives in India.
  • The JCM promotes joint climate projects between countries to reduce emissions, generate carbon credits, support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and ensure transparent monitoring, verification, and sustainable development.

India and Canada Agree to Trade Pact

• What: Indian PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney met at the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Evian-les-Bains in eastern France to finalize a comprehensive free trade agreement by the end of 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • The two countries agreed to conclude negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) this year, begin talks on a General Security of Information Agreement, and expand cooperation in energy, critical minerals, uranium, and modular nuclear reactors.
  • The prime ministers welcomed growing institutional engagement, including the recent meetings of the Joint Science and Technology Committee and the Consular Dialogue.
  • The two nations also announced the establishment of Raisina Americas as a new platform to further strengthen dialogue, exchanges, and mutual cooperation.
  • Prime Minister Modi expressed official support for Canada to become a Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Prime Minister Attends VivaTech 2026 Summit in Paris

• What: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding high-level meetings with leading French business leaders in Paris to deepen bilateral economic and industrial cooperation before attending the VivaTech 2026 summit.
• Tell me more:
  • The PM will attend Europe’s largest technology and startup event alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and deliver a keynote address on India’s growing global digital presence, innovation ecosystem, and technological advancements.
  • India will set up the largest national pavilion at the summit, showcasing the vast potential for partnerships between the Indian and European innovation ecosystems.

State News

Six States Reach Consensus on Kishau Dam Project

• What: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired a meeting in New Delhi where six states reached a historic consensus to implement the long-pending Kishau Multi-Purpose Dam Project.
• Tell me more:
  • Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this project.
  • The Kishau Dam Project is a multipurpose dam on the Yamuna River designed for water storage, hydropower generation, flood control, and ensuring water supply to multiple northern states.
  • The Central Government will provide 90% financial assistance for the water component, while the six participating states will share the remaining 10% cost.
  • Delhi and Rajasthan will receive the water share of Himachal Pradesh in return for funding its portion of the power component.

Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Advanced Medical Cyclotron Project

• What: The Maharashtra Cabinet officially approved the establishment of a ₹300 crore High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP) in Nagpur to boost local cancer treatment, diagnostic precision, and advanced research.
• Tell me more:
  • The project will locally produce radioisotopes used in PET-CT scans and nuclear medicine, enabling faster cancer diagnosis and treatment, while supporting research and innovation in radiopharmaceuticals across central India.
    • PET-CT scans detect diseases like cancer, heart conditions, and brain disorders early.
  • The Commissioner of Medical Education will head the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will be created to implement and manage the High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP).
  • The Cabinet separately approved the Maharashtra Rural Drinking Water Policy 2026 to systematically tackle clean water scarcity across regional rural areas.
  • The government also cleared the Maharashtra Unmanned Systems Policy 2026 to promote drones and advanced robotic systems in agriculture and other economic sectors.
  • The state approved a revised framework for the BharatNet programme by creating a state-led SPV called Mahanet Digital Infrastructure Limited (MDIL).
  • Lawmakers approved amendments to the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Act, 1977, to align it with the provisions of the Viksit Bharat-GRAMJI Act, 2025.

Banking and Economy

Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility Sign Vehicle Replacement Pact

• What: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) signed an MoU with Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility, marking the first partnership to replace old trucks and buses in the Delhi-NCR region.
• Tell me more:
  • Commercial manufacturers Ashok Leyland and its subsidiary Switch Mobility became the first Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to partner with the government for this initiative.

Bank of Baroda Launches New Retail Deposit Scheme

• What: Bank of Baroda launched a new special 555-day retail term deposit scheme called ‘bob Golden Goal Deposit Scheme’ to provide depositors with an attractive investment avenue backed by assured returns.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme offers annual interest rates of 6.75% for the general public, 7.25% for resident senior citizens, 7.35% for resident super senior citizens aged 80 years and above, and up to 7.40% for Non-Callable Deposits, applicable to domestic retail term deposits below ₹3 crore.

Yes Bank and Northern Arc Partner for Lending

• What: Yes Bank and Northern Arc Capital have partnered to provide more loans, expand digital lending, and offer new investment options to customers.
• Tell me more:
  • The partnership was facilitated by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), a common shareholder in both companies.
  • Northern Arc’s online bond platform, Altifi, will be integrated with Yes Bank’s wealth management services to provide easier access to fixed-income investments.
  • The partnership will also connect Northern Arc’s technology platforms—nPOS, NIMBUS, and NuScore—with Yes Bank’s digital lending systems.

Competition Commission of India Approves Axis Finance Deal

• What: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) officially approved private equity firm Kedaara Capital’s proposal to acquire a strategic equity stake in Axis Finance Limited (AFL) for ₹750 crore.
• Tell me more:
  • Axis Finance Limited operates as a non-banking financial company and functions as a wholly-owned subsidiary of private sector lender Axis Bank.
  • Mumbai-based Kedaara Capital is acquiring this specific equity stake through its two affiliates called Kedaara Pearl Holding and Kedaara Capital Fund IV AIF.

Competition Commission of India Approves PGIM Acquisition

• What: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) officially approved a proposed corporate combination allowing TVS Emerald Limited and TVS Venu Management and Consultancy Services Private Limited to acquire 100% share capital of the PGIM India target entities.
• Tell me more:
  • The acquisition includes the complete ownership of PGIM India Asset Management Private Limited and PGIM India Trustees Private Limited by purchasing all their shares.
  • CCI also approved Singapore-based Temasek Holdings’ proposal to acquire a stake in medical devices maker Romsons Group India through its subsidiary Jongsong Investments.

Government Increases Export Duties on Petroleum Fuel

• What: The Central Government increased the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on the export of diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) during its latest fortnightly review to ensure domestic availability.
• Tell me more:
  • The government increased export duties on diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), while keeping the petrol export duty and domestic fuel taxes unchanged, citing West Asia-related energy security concerns.

Defence News

Ministry of Defence Backs Drone Hub at IIT Kanpur

• What: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) granted in-principle approval for a ₹500 crore National Military Drone Technology Hub at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to establish full-stack military drone capabilities.
• Tell me more:
  • This central hub will utilize six regional Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor manufacturing nodes including Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Chitrakoot for distributed manufacturing and maintenance.
  • The state government had previously set up this highly specialized facility for advanced research and development of drone technologies.
  • The Army Design Bureau (ADB) will actively serve as the single point of contact for streamlined institutional coordination.

Indian Navy Decommissions Sea King Helicopter Fleet

• What: The Indian Navy officially decommissioned its legacy fleet of Sea King-Mk42B anti-submarine warfare helicopters and number-plated the Indian Naval Air Squadron 330 (INAS 330).
• Tell me more:
  • This retirement ends a 36-year operational journey for the “Bravo” fleet, which was originally inducted between 1989 and 1990.
  • Personnel organized a final ceremonial flight at INS Shikra, the Western Naval Command’s air station in Mumbai, to mark the decommissioning.
  • INAS 330 originally started on April 17, 1971, under Commander MP Wadhawan and eventually earned 22 Nausena Medals.
  • This fleet will be replaced by 24 American-made Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, ordered in 2020 for $2.12 billion, and equipped with advanced dipping sonar, Hellfire missiles, and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes.
  • One active squadron named INAS 350 will continue operating the Sea King-Mk42C variant from INS Dega in Visakhapatnam.

Drogo Aerospace Delivers Drones to Indian Army

• What: Hyderabad-based defence technology company Drogo Aerospace Private Limited delivered the first batch of 41 JK 250e drones to the Indian Army under a ₹72-crore contract for surveillance and reconnaissance.
• Tell me more:
  • Officials of the Indian Army’s Southern Command recently received the first batch of JK 250e drones in Nasik, Maharashtra, with each drone capable of flying for up to three hours on a single charge.
  • The aerospace company aims to deliver the remaining 176 aircraft to complete the total order of 217 drones by August 2026.
  • The company is setting up a state-of-the-art 1 lakh sq ft drone manufacturing facility at Maheshwaram in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district on 4.5 acres of land allotted by the state government in the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster.
  • Founder and CEO of Drogo – Yeshwanth Bonthu.

Science and Technology

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Hosts Technology Transfer Function

• What: The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) organized a specialized event at the CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi to transfer seven technologies to industry partners and release ten Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs).
• Tell me more:
  • This event was jointly organized by the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) and the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI).
  • CSIR transferred technologies for quantum sensing, electromagnetic field detection, PM2.5 air-quality monitoring, and pharmaceutical blister recycling, supporting defence, environmental monitoring, public health, and industrial applications.
  • The four transferred CSIR-CRRI technologies include VInSD-VAIU: Drone-Based NDT System for Bridges and PAVE-SEAL: Air-Cleaning Nano Photocatalytic Pave Sealing Emulsion.
  • Firms additionally acquired the PATCHFILL: Pothole Repair Machine and the CLARIVISOR: Glare Mitigation Device to solve real-world transportation challenges.
  • N. Kalaiselvi – Director General, CSIR and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)

ISRO Partners with DAE for Lunar Landers

• What: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is collaborating with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to develop an advanced artificial heating system that enables future lunar landers to operate for up to 200 Earth days.
• Tell me more:
  • ISRO Chairman V Narayanan announced this critical space project during the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Research Innovation Science and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Conclave in Bengaluru.
  • The previous Chandrayaan-3 lander named Vikram operated for only 14 Earth days after landing on the lunar south pole side on August 23, 2023.
  • The solar energy fueling Vikram limited overall operations to a single lunar day before the lander stopped working during the freezing lunar night.
  • ISRO and CSIR additionally identified 40 distinct areas of technological cooperation, officially approving 17 of them for first-phase implementation.

Important Days

International Day of Family Remittances 2026 – June 16

• Theme: “Remittances for Rural Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Employment”

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026 – June 17

• Theme: “Rangelands: Recognise. Respect. “Restore”

Sports

Lionel Messi Sets Records at World Cup

• What: Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored a historic hat-trick against Algeria during the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup 2026 to become the tournament’s joint all-time top scorer at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
• Tell me more:
  • Lionel Messi became the first male player to feature in six World Cups and joined Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers’ chart with 16 goals.

Indian Men Hockey Team Defeats World Champion Germany

• The Indian men’s national hockey team defeated reigning world champions Germany with a 3-1 victory during an international Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Pro League match in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

All India Football Federation Launches Women Youth League

• What: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the launch of the inaugural edition of the AIFF Under-17 Women’s Youth League at the RKM Football Academy in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh to strengthen the domestic sports pathway.
• Tell me more:
  • This competition gives clubs their first opportunity to field their Under-17 women’s squads in a structured national layout.

Fencing Association of India Announces Squad for Championship

• What: The Fencing Association of India (FAI) officially announced the Indian senior national squad for the upcoming 26th Senior Asian Fencing Championships 2026 to be held in Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Delhi will host this prestigious continental sporting event for the first time from June 19 to 24.
  • More than 400 top athletes from over 30 countries will participate in this high-stakes sports competition. The selected 24-member Indian squad comprises 12 women and 12 men.
  • Famous athlete C.A. Bhavani Devi will lead this domestic contingent as the first and only fencing Olympian of India.

Miscellaneous

Former Vice Chief Lieutenant General Vijay Oberoi Passes Away

• Lieutenant General Vijay Oberoi, the highly decorated former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), passed away at the Chandigarh Army Hospital at the age of 84.

Prime Minister Condoles Demise of Robert Thurman

• Robert A. F. Thurman was a renowned Buddhist scholar whose work popularised Buddhist thought globally and fostered cultural understanding.

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