Weekly Current Affairs (June 2026 – Week 3)
1) International Current Affairs
Shigellosis Outbreak Reported in Kerala
A fresh outbreak of Shigellosis, a highly contagious diarrhoeal disease caused by the Shigella bacterium, has been reported in Kerala. As of June 2026, the State recorded over 130 confirmed cases with several deaths, including children.
PM Modi’s Visit to France – Innovation Roadmap 2030, AI Working Group, ISRO-CNES
During PM Narendra Modi’s visit to France, India and France announced several agreements covering innovation, AI, trade, education, defence, railways, and space cooperation.
| Area | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Innovation | Adoption of India–France Innovation Roadmap 2030 |
| AI Governance | Creation of Joint India–France AI Working Group |
| Skilling | National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics at NSTI, Kanpur |
| Space Cooperation | Letter of Intent between ISRO and CNES for Microgravity research and Human space exploration |
PM Modi’s Visit to Slovakia – Elevated to Comprehensive Partnership
During PM Modi’s visit to Slovakia, India and Slovakia signed several agreements and elevated bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership.
About Slovakia: Capital – Bratislava | Currency – Euro (€)
2) National Current Affairs
ASI and Denmark Collaborate to Locate Historic Danish Ship Oresund
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the National Museum of Denmark signed an MoU for underwater archaeological investigation of the Danish ship Oresund, which sank near Karaikal in 1619 CE. Oresund was the first known Danish ship to reach India, wrecked shortly after arrival on India’s southeastern coast.
Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project – Breakthrough After Six States Agree
A breakthrough was achieved in the long-pending Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project after six states — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan — agreed to sign an MoU at a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Location | Yamuna River, on the border of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh |
| Cost-Sharing Ratio | 90:10 between Union Government and the six participating states |
| Special Agreement | Himachal Pradesh to allocate its water share to Delhi and Rajasthan; in return, they share Himachal’s power-component cost |
| Purpose | Water storage, drinking water supply, hydropower generation, river flow regulation |
PM Modi’s Visit to Odisha – ₹47,600 Crore Projects; BCGCL Coal Gasification Plant
PM Modi visited Pahadpur village, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha on 20 June 2026, inaugurating and laying foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹47,600 crore.
3) Andhra Pradesh Current Affairs
1,400-Year-Old Inscriptions Found in Nallamala Tiger Reserve
The ASI discovered and documented 25 inscriptions spanning nearly 1,400 years during an epigraphical survey in the Nallamala Tiger Reserve and Yerragondapalem region of Andhra Pradesh. The founder of the Potapi Chola dynasty was Srikantha Chola, who held the titles “Ottiyuran” and “Mayilayarkon.” Their capital, Potapi, was located near Nandalur in Rajampet Taluk, present-day Annamayya district.
Andhra Pradesh Plans OECMs to Strengthen Biodiversity Conservation
The AP State Biodiversity Board (APSBB) announced plans to promote Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to conserve biodiversity outside protected areas. Identified cities: Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Kurnool, and Rajahmundry.
AP Chief Minister Visits Singapore – Quantum Valley Initiative in Amaravati
AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu held high-level meetings in Singapore, meeting Lawrence Wong, to strengthen cooperation in technology, higher education, urban development, infrastructure, and trade.
Major Announcement: Collaboration with the National University of Singapore to establish the Quantum Valley Initiative in Amaravati.
Andhra Pradesh and Google to Form AI & Cloud Task Force
The Andhra Pradesh government is set to establish a special AI and Cloud Task Force in collaboration with Google.
Exporters Urge AP to Restrict High-Risk Pesticides in Chilli Cultivation
The Chillies Exporters Association of India urged the AP government to ban or restrict high-risk pesticides in export-oriented chilli cultivation, after Indian chilli consignments to countries like China faced rejections and delays over excessive pesticide residues. The issue particularly affects AP, Telangana, and Karnataka. The association requested a ban on Acephate and Methamidophos in export chilli crops.
SIPB Approves ₹30,515 Crore Investments in Andhra Pradesh
The State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) approved investment proposals worth ₹30,515 crore from 50 companies, expected to generate approximately 29,677 jobs.
| Company | Sector | Investment | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTPC Renewable Energy | Renewable Energy | ₹6,000 crore | Anantapur |
| Premier Energies | Solar Manufacturing | ₹3,936 crore | Tirupati |
| CtrlS Datacenters | Data Centre | ₹2,788 crore | Anakapalli |
| Proterial India | Advanced Materials | ₹2,250 crore | Andhra Pradesh |
A Centre of Excellence for Rare Earth Mineral Research will also be established at Andhra University.
Jonnagiri Gold Project to Enter Commercial Production Soon
AP Excise, Mines & Geology Minister Kollu Ravindra announced that the Jonnagiri Gold Project in Anantapur district is expected to enter commercial production soon, with estimated reserves of ~13 tonnes of gold. Other potential gold-bearing regions: Chigurugunta, Ramagiri, and Visakhapatnam.
4) Polity & Governance
Supreme Court Seeks Responses on Misuse of Aadhaar
The Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and States on a petition alleging misuse of Aadhaar as proof of citizenship, domicile, and residence. A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana issued the notices.
Electoral Concerns: Petition challenges use of Aadhaar in Form-6 (new voter registration); argues this may affect electoral roll integrity; seeks a high-powered monitoring committee for voter verification reforms.
National Statistical Commission (NSC) – New Chairperson and Members Appointed
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved appointments to the National Statistical Commission (NSC): Dr Saibal Chattopadhyay (Chairperson), Prof. Shubhabrata Das, Shri Satyendra Bahadur Singh, and Dr Madhavan Mukund (Members).
| About NSC | Fact |
|---|---|
| Constituted | 12 July 2006, on Rangarajan Commission recommendations |
| Nature | Non-constitutional, non-statutory body; under MoSPI |
| Composition | 1 Part-time Chairperson (3-yr term/age 70) + 4 Part-time Members (3-yr term/age 65) + CEO NITI Aayog (ex officio) + MoSPI Secretary as Commission Secretary |
| Functions | Statistical policy formulation, standards/methodology prescription, statistical audits, Centre-State coordination |
5) Economy
CAG Releases “State Finances 2024–25” Report – Growing Fiscal Stress
The CAG released the “State Finances 2024-25” report, highlighting growing fiscal stress among Indian states despite strong revenue mobilisation.
| Indicator | Finding |
|---|---|
| Fiscal Deficit | All 28 States recorded a fiscal deficit; 15 exceeded the FRBM 3% of GSDP benchmark |
| Combined Liabilities | ₹90.51 lakh crore by 31 March 2025; 27.89% of combined GSDP; 13 States exceeded Finance Commission’s debt threshold |
| Revenue Position | 13 States in revenue surplus; 15 in revenue deficit; SGST ~50% of total state revenue receipts |
| Expenditure | Aggregate expenditure up 131% over the decade, reaching ₹51.20 lakh crore in 2024-25 |
| Fiscal Rigidity | Salaries, pensions, interest payments consumed over 43% of revenue expenditure; subsidies + committed liabilities = 53.31% |
India’s Defence Production Reaches Record ₹1.78 Lakh Crore in FY 2025–26
India’s annual defence production reached an all-time high of ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26 — a 15.6% increase over FY 2024-25 (₹1.54 lakh crore). Production has grown 110% since FY 2020-21 (₹84,643 crore) and nearly 4× since FY 2013-14 (₹43,746 crore), reflecting the success of defence indigenisation and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
6) Science & Technology
Drone Revolution in Modern Warfare
Recent conflicts in Ukraine, Lebanon, and West Asia show drones have become central to modern warfare. The Russia–Ukraine war has evolved into the world’s first industrial-scale drone-intensive conflict, with low-cost UAS used for surveillance, precision strikes, logistics, and electronic warfare.
Key Point: Low-cost drones costing a few hundred dollars can destroy equipment worth millions, altering battlefield economics. Hezbollah and Iran have used the Shahed and Mohajer series. Militaries are now investing heavily in counter-drone and AI-enabled interception systems.
India Faces 35% Monsoon Rainfall Deficit
According to IMD, India’s southwest monsoon slowed significantly, causing a 35% rainfall deficit nationwide as of mid-June 2026. Central India recorded the steepest shortfall.
| Region | Rainfall Departure |
|---|---|
| Northwest India | +5% |
| Central India | −61% |
| East & Northeast India | −43% |
| Southern Peninsula | −14% |
The monsoon stalled before reaching Mumbai. The Union Government placed 150–200 districts under priority monitoring.
GRAPES-3 Telescope – Monitoring Earth’s Upper Atmosphere via Muons
Researchers from India and Japan developed a new method to monitor changes in Earth’s upper atmosphere in real time using data from the GRAPES-3 (Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS Phase-3) Telescope, located at the Ooty Cosmic Ray Laboratory.
About Muons: Elementary subatomic particles similar to but much heavier than electrons; produced when cosmic rays interact with atmospheric atoms; used in particle physics, geological studies, and atmospheric research due to their deep penetration ability.
7) Defence
Project Kusha – India’s Long-Range Air Defence Missile System
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Advanced Weapon System Complex at DRDL, part of DRDO’s Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad. Project Kusha was highlighted as one of India’s most important indigenous air defence programmes.
8) Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) – ₹2,400 Crore Disbursed
PM Modi disbursed incentives worth ~₹2,400 crore under PM-VBRY, the Government’s flagship Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, at an event in New Delhi on 19 June 2026. The disbursal has supported the creation of 15 lakh employment opportunities.
| Benefit Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| First-Time Employees | Incentive up to ₹15,000 |
| Employers | Up to ₹3,000/month per additional employee; manufacturing — 4 years, other sectors — 2 years |
| Launch Date | 1 August 2025 |
| Total Outlay | ₹99,446 crore |
| Target | 3.5+ crore jobs over two years; 1.92 crore first-time workforce entrants expected |
9) Awards & Honours
Smriti Mandhana Named in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has been named in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list — the only Indian to feature in this ranking, headed by LeBron James.
Pasumarthi Pavani Receives Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025
Pasumarthi Pavani, faculty in the Department of Music at Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU), has been selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025 in the Nrutya Sangeetam (Dance Music) category — conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s apex body for performing arts.
10) Ranks & Reports
UNICEF: Over 1.1 Billion Children Face Multiple Climate Hazards
A new UNICEF report warns that more than 1.1 billion children worldwide are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards. UNICEF analysed exposure of ~2.4 billion children globally to major climate risks.
| Exposure Level | Number of Children |
|---|---|
| At least 1 hazard | 2.3 billion |
| At least 2 hazards | 2 billion |
| 3 or more hazards | 1.1 billion |
| 4 or more hazards | 364 million |
Most common combination: Drought, Extreme Heat (above 35°C), and Heat Waves.
Most affected (3+ hazards): Nigeria (74 million children) | Pakistan (34 million) | India (32 million).
11) Committees & Conferences
BRICS Agriculture Ministers Adopt ‘Indore Declaration’
The BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Indore concluded with the unanimous adoption of the ‘Indore Declaration’, a farmer-centric roadmap for global cooperation in agriculture, food security, and climate-resilient farming — adopted during India’s BRICS Presidency 2026.
Four Priorities: Food security and nutritious diets | Agricultural trade and cooperation | Climate-resilient and regenerative agriculture | Innovation, technology, and partnerships.
Four New Initiatives: BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology (India’s IIFSR, Modipuram, as a Centre) | BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture (coordinated by IIT Delhi) | Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems | BRICS AgriN (Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network).
12) Person in News
Dinesh Trivedi – India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh
Former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi is set to assume charge as India’s new High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth Appointed as Next Chief of Army Staff
The Government appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). He assumes office on 30 June 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retires the same day.
13) Important Days
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought – 17 June
Observed on 17 June to raise awareness about land degradation, desertification, and drought, and promote sustainable land management. Rangelands — grasslands, savannas, shrublands, grazing lands — support livestock production, biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and the livelihoods of millions worldwide.
World Sickle Cell Day – 19 June; Theme: “Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Care”
Observed globally on 19 June to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), promote early diagnosis, and eliminate stigma. Officially recognised by the UN in 2008.
14) Sports
Mayank Chakraborty Becomes India’s 94th Grandmaster
Chess player Mayank Chakraborty has become India’s 94th Grandmaster, adding to the country’s rapidly growing pool of chess talent.
15) Miscellaneous
Book Released: “Agatthiyar – The Unifier”
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book “Agatthiyar – The Unifier” at Uparashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on 15 June 2026. Authored by O. Shama Bhat and Dr M. N. Sudha, translated into Tamil by Professor Kalyani. The book highlights the life and civilizational role of Sage Agastya, described as a symbol of India’s cultural unity connecting North and South India.
Associated Texts: Agatsya Samhita (rituals, philosophy, scientific concepts) | Agastya Parva (North-South cultural interactions) | Agattiyam (one of the earliest Tamil grammar books).
Mithuna Sankranti Festival
Mithuna Sankranti is a vibrant three-day festival in Odisha that honours womanhood and Mother Earth’s fertility. Deeply rooted in agricultural tradition, it celebrates the arrival of the monsoon season.
Quick Revision Table
| Topic | One-Line Summary |
|---|---|
| PM Modi – France Visit | India and France adopted the Innovation Roadmap 2030, formed a Joint AI Working Group, set up a Skilling Centre of Excellence at NSTI Kanpur, and signed an ISRO-CNES Letter of Intent for microgravity research and human space exploration. |
| PM Modi – Slovakia Visit | India and Slovakia elevated ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, signing MoUs on Digital Technologies and Quantum Communication, and establishing the first ICCR Chair in AI at Technical University of Košice. |
| Kishau Dam Project | Six states (HP, Uttarakhand, Delhi, UP, Haryana, Rajasthan) agreed to an MoU for the Kishau Multipurpose Dam on the Yamuna River, with cost shared 90:10 between Centre and states. |
| PM Modi – Odisha Visit (BCGCL) | PM Modi launched ₹47,600 crore worth of Odisha projects including the ₹25,016 crore BCGCL plant (CIL-BHEL JV) at Jharsuguda — India’s first commercial-scale coal-to-ammonium nitrate facility, producing 2,000 tonnes/day. |
| Nallamala Inscriptions | ASI documented 25 inscriptions spanning ~1,400 years in Nallamala Tiger Reserve and Yerragondapalem, AP, revealing the Potapi Chola dynasty founded by Srikantha Chola with capital at Potapi near Nandalur. |
| AP CM Singapore Visit | CM Chandrababu Naidu met Lawrence Wong in Singapore seeking semiconductor and AI/Quantum cooperation; AP announced the Quantum Valley Initiative in Amaravati with the National University of Singapore. |
| SIPB Investment Approvals – AP | AP’s SIPB approved ₹30,515 crore in investments from 50 companies expected to create 29,677 jobs, including NTPC Renewable Energy (₹6,000 cr, Anantapur) and Premier Energies (₹3,936 cr, Tirupati). |
| Aadhaar Misuse Petition – SC | Supreme Court sought Centre and State responses on a plea alleging Aadhaar misuse as citizenship/domicile proof, citing Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, and challenging its use in Form-6 voter registration. |
| National Statistical Commission | ACC approved Dr Saibal Chattopadhyay as new NSC Chairperson; NSC was constituted in 2006 on Rangarajan Commission recommendations as a non-statutory body under MoSPI. |
| CAG State Finances 2024–25 | CAG report found all 28 states ran a fiscal deficit in 2024-25 with combined liabilities of ₹90.51 lakh crore; Andhra Pradesh’s fiscal deficit (5.05% of GSDP) and revenue deficit (3.75%) both exceeded FRBM targets. |
| India’s Defence Production | India’s defence production hit a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, up 15.6% from FY 2024-25 and nearly 4× since FY 2013-14, reflecting Aatmanirbhar Bharat’s success. |
| India’s Monsoon Deficit | India faced a 35% nationwide monsoon rainfall deficit by mid-June 2026, with Central India hit hardest (-61%); the Union Government placed 150-200 districts under priority monitoring. |
| GRAPES-3 Telescope | India-Japan researchers used the GRAPES-3 muon detector at Ooty to develop a new method for real-time monitoring of Earth’s upper atmosphere. |
| Project Kusha | DRDO’s Project Kusha, also called the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS), complements the Akash and S-400 systems and is a key component of India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra missile defence architecture. |
| PM-VBRY Scheme | PM Modi disbursed ₹2,400 crore under PM-VBRY, supporting 15 lakh jobs; the scheme offers up to ₹15,000 for first-time employees and up to ₹3,000/month per new hire for employers, with a total outlay of ₹99,446 crore. |
| BRICS Indore Declaration | BRICS Agriculture Ministers adopted the Indore Declaration during India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency, launching four new initiatives including a Digital Agriculture Network coordinated by IIT Delhi. |
| Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth – Next COAS | Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed as the next Chief of Army Staff, assuming office on 30 June 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi. |
| UNICEF Climate Hazards Report | UNICEF found over 1.1 billion children globally face three or more overlapping climate hazards, with India home to 32 million of these children, behind Nigeria and Pakistan. |
🔗 Related Daily Current Affairs
Open any day for full explanations (weekly post is for revision).
