Current affairs — 11 June 2026

Prelims pointers

• The government exempted central excise duty on petrol blended with ethanol between 22% and 30%.
• The article specifically mentions ethanol blends of 22%, 25%, 27% and 30%.
• BIS notified fuel standards for the higher blends on May 19, but they are not commercially available yet.
• The government said the exemption is a preliminary prerequisite and does not announce rollout of higher blends.
• India formally launched E85 petrol, containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, on June 5.

Prelims pointers

• BMI projected India's GDP growth at 6.6% for FY27, compared with 7.7% in FY26.
• Government data cited in the article showed FY26 growth rising to 7.7% from 7.1% in FY25.
• BMI's 6.6% projection is stated to be in line with the Reserve Bank of India's estimate for FY27.
• BMI expects inflation to reach 5.3% in FY27 amid disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
• The article says GST reforms in September 2025 caused a consumption boom in the December quarter of FY26.

Prelims pointers

• ArsenSafe is a compact, portable and hand-held arsenic detection device developed at IIT Bhubaneswar.
• The work was led by Sayan Dey of the Sensors and Spectroscopy Research Group at IIT Bhubaneswar.
• Nano Semic Private Limited, a start-up incubated at IIT Bhubaneswar's Research and Entrepreneurship Park, developed the device.
• The device aims to detect arsenic without laboratory infrastructure and chemicals, enabling rapid on-site water testing.
• The prototype was tested on water samples from the IIT Bhubaneswar campus and adjacent areas.

Prelims pointers

• Odisha students performed Shakespeare plays in Santali at the International Shakespeare Festival 2026 in Craiova, Romania.
• The performance marked the 100th year of the Ol Chiki script of the Santali language.
• Santali is spoken by roughly 7.6 million people across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
• Santali has been an officially recognised Scheduled Language of India since 2003.
• Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district developed the Ol Chiki script in 1925.

Prelims pointers

• A suspected Nipah case was confirmed in Kerala’s Kozhikode area, according to the article.
• The patient was a 43-year-old man with encephalitis symptoms at Government Medical College, Kozhikode.
• The National Institute of Virology, Pune confirmed the presence of the Nipah virus.
• Kozhikode had Nipah outbreaks in 2018 and 2023 and a spillover case in 2021.
• CDC-listed symptoms include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing and later encephalitis-related symptoms.

Prelims pointers

• NOAA confirmed El Niño as a warming of the Pacific near the equator that affects weather patterns worldwide.
• NOAA put the chance of this El Niño ranking among the largest events since 1950 at 63% by late fall and early winter.
• El Niño often dampens Atlantic hurricane activity but increases hurricane risk in the Pacific basin.
• The article says India faces more intense heat waves during this El Niño, while Australia faces drought, wildfires and heat.
• Scientists said El Niños usually form in summer, peak in late fall or early winter, and fade the next spring.

Prelims pointers

• Canada’s Bill C-34 would restrict social media access for children under 16 while allowing exemptions for adequate safeguards.
• The Canadian Bill would also regulate AI chatbot services such as ChatGPT and introduce safety requirements for online platforms.
• Australia is described as the only country to have enacted a nationwide law restricting social media access for under-16s.
• Australia’s under-16 rule is set to take effect from December 10, 2025, with penalties up to A$49.5 million.
• Malaysia’s rules apply to platforms with at least 8 million users and can impose penalties up to 10 million ringgit.

Prelims pointers

• MoRTH announced deployment of Network Survey Vehicles with advanced 3D laser-based systems across States and its network.
• NSVs use laser profilers, GPS and imaging technology to scan road surface conditions and road inventory.
• The vehicles identify defects such as potholes, patches, cracks and unevenness on National Highways.
• Earlier road surveys covered 20-80 km per day, while advanced NSVs can survey up to 300 km daily.
• Raw survey data is encrypted and transmitted to the centralised NSV centre within 48 hours.

Prelims pointers

• The briefing covered fuel availability, maritime operations, assistance to Indian nationals and fertiliser stock during the West Asia situation.
• All 20 Indian crew members on MT Jalveer were reported safe according to the briefing headline.
• The Seaman Welfare Fund Society was directed to pay ₹10 lakh to families of three Indian crew members deceased in the MT Settebello attack.
• For Kharif 2026, fertiliser requirement was reassessed at 383.9 LMT and stock was around 195.79 LMT.
• The briefing stated that about 153.79 LMT fertilisers were added through imports and domestic production after the crisis situation.

Prelims pointers

• Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra is described as India’s first nationwide WhatsApp AI advisory service for oilseed farmers.
• The service was developed by ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, with partner institutes.
• It was launched on February 6, 2026 during the National Oilseeds Conference in New Delhi.
• Farmers can save +91 4024598180 as Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra and ask questions in any Indian language on WhatsApp.
• The chatbot gives free 24x7 advice on variety selection, crop management, pest and disease control, irrigation and post-harvest practices.

Prelims pointers

• India and Nepal launched a peer-to-peer cross-border remittance mechanism on June 6, 2026.
• The system directly links India’s Unified Payments Interface with Nepal’s National Payments Interface.
• The linkage enables real-time and secure instant money transfers through mobile banking applications and digital wallets.
• The technical integration involved NPCI International Payments Limited and Nepal Clearing House Limited.
• The article highlights benefits for travellers, local merchants and operational efficiency in cross-border payments.

Prelims pointers

• The 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum opened at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan in New Delhi on June 11, 2026.
• The Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026.
• Participating countries named include Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE.
• India hosted the BRICS Urbanisation Forum earlier in New Delhi in 2013, Visakhapatnam in 2016 and virtually in 2021.
• The 2026 theme was Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.

Prelims pointers

• Four Panchayati Raj-related initiatives were selected for the National Awards for e-Governance 2026.
• The 29th National Conference on e-Governance is scheduled in Jaipur on July 1-2, 2026.
• The conference theme is Viksit Bharat 2047: AI-Enabled, Data-Driven and Secure Digital Governance.
• NAeG 2026 includes 10 Gold Awards, 6 Silver Awards and 1 Jury Award across 17 projects in seven categories.
• Gold awardees receive ₹10 lakh and Silver awardees receive ₹5 lakh as incentive for project implementation or welfare gaps.

Prelims pointers

• The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• IPC organised a Scientific Conclave and Interactive Session on Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 at Haridwar.
• The conclave was held with the Association of Devbhumi Pharma Industries and affiliated pharmaceutical associations of Uttarakhand.
• The objective was to enhance awareness of IP 2026 provisions and promote pharmaceutical quality compliance.
• The conclave brought together pharmaceutical units, quality professionals, regulators, analytical scientists and drug-testing personnel.

Prelims pointers

• Piyush Goyal was scheduled to visit Berne, Switzerland, on June 12, 2026 for economic discussions.
• India and the EFTA States signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement in March 2024.
• The India-EFTA TEPA entered into force in October 2025 according to the source article.
• The EFTA States named in the article are Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.
• The visit included meetings with Helene Budliger Artieda, Guy Parmelin and Swiss pharmaceutical industry representatives.

Prelims pointers

• The Indian Navy recovered an unexploded missile warhead from the crude oil tanker MT Olympic Life.
• MT Olympic Life is described as a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker with no Indian nationals onboard.
• The tanker reported an explosion in its hull off the coast of Oman on May 26, 2026.
• Information was received through the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region before the Navy responded.
• A Southern Naval Command Explosive Ordnance Disposal team confirmed the projectile was lodged inside a fuel tank.

Prelims pointers

• SARTHI stands for Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation.
• MSDE was to convene SARTHI’s first meeting on June 12, 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
• SARTHI has been established as an apex advisory mechanism under the Craftsmen Training Scheme.
• The Craftsmen Training Scheme operates through 13,888 ITIs, including 3,326 Government and 10,562 Private ITIs.
• CTS delivers training across 169 NSQF-compliant trades according to the source article.

Prelims pointers

• The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement covers Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.
• The EFTA countries have committed USD 100 billion investment into India over 15 years under the agreement.
• The investment commitment is linked in the article to support for the creation of one million direct jobs.
• The Minister said India has entered into nine FTAs over the last three to three-and-a-half years, covering 38 countries.
• The article states that more than 50% of India’s installed electricity capacity now comes from renewable energy sources.

Prelims pointers

• BIS published IS 20201:2026 titled Community Seed Bank Management - Requirements.
• The standard was formulated by the Biodiversity Sectional Committee EED 06 under BIS’s Environment and Ecology Department.
• IS 20201:2026 provides a structured management framework for Community Seed Banks across India.
• The article links Community Seed Banks with conservation of indigenous seed varieties and agricultural resilience.
• The National Food Security and Nutrition Mission provides one-time assistance of ₹50 lakh for establishing community seed banks.

Prelims pointers

• Odisha’s Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari work captures rainwater from rooftops, ponds and recharge wells to replenish aquifers.
• Jajpur constructed 117 recharge shafts under the ARUA Scheme between 2022-23 and 2025-26.
• Jajpur installed 114 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems under the CHHATA Scheme across institutions and campuses.
• Jajpur’s monitoring network includes 47 Digital Water Level Recorder stations and 72 observation wells.
• Cuttack’s groundwater monitoring framework includes 66 automated monitoring stations and 100 observation wells.

Prelims pointers

• The Second Advance Estimates project India’s horticulture area at 301.51 lakh hectares in 2025-26.
• Total horticulture production is expected at 3777.76 lakh tonnes in 2025-26, up 70.39 lakh tonnes over 2024-25.
• Fruit production is projected to rise from 1176.49 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 to 1214.75 lakh tonnes in 2025-26.
• Vegetable production is projected at 2210.00 lakh tonnes in 2025-26, compared with 2177.97 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
• Potato production is expected at 598.89 lakh tonnes, while tomato production is expected at 214.61 lakh tonnes in 2025-26.

Prelims pointers

• The 10th IN-SPACe Industry Connect was addressed by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on June 11, 2026.
• The Minister said India’s private space ecosystem has expanded to over 400 start-ups after space-sector reforms.
• The Indian Space Policy 2023 was cited as providing strategic direction and regulatory clarity to stakeholders.
• A ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund and a ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund were mentioned for space-sector innovation.
• The article calls for established industries to add funding, manufacturing strength and market access to India’s space sector.

Prelims pointers

• Ashwini Vaishnaw announced an Advanced Quantum Computing and Quantum Communications Lab at MNIT Jaipur.
• The lab will be established under the Electronics and ICT Academic Project of MeitY.
• The lab will focus on Quantum Key Distribution, quantum computing simulation and quantum sensing hardware components.
• MNIT Jaipur students will get access to Lam Research’s Semiverse digital twin-based semiconductor training platform.
• The Chips to Startup programme provides Electronic Design Automation tools to more than 323 universities.

Prelims pointers

• Shobha Karandlaje led the Indian delegation at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva.
• The Minister highlighted consolidation of 29 central labour laws into four Labour Codes.
• Youth employability was stated to have increased from 34% in 2014 to over 56% in 2025.
• The unemployment rate was stated to have fallen from 6% in 2017 to 3.1% in 2025.
• Women’s workforce participation was stated to have risen from 22% to 38.8% between 2017 and 2025.

Prelims pointers

• OPEC lowered its 2026 world oil demand growth forecast to 970,000 barrels per day.
• The latest forecast was the second straight downward revision from OPEC for 2026 oil demand growth.
• OPEC raised its 2027 oil demand growth forecast to 1.73 million barrels per day, up 190,000 barrels per day.
• The report says the Strait of Hormuz has effectively closed, curbing millions of barrels of West Asian output.
• OPEC+ crude output averaged 33.13 million barrels per day in May, down 190,000 barrels per day from April.

Prelims pointers

• The Hindu summary says India removed excise duty on petrol blended with 22% to 30% ethanol.
• The reported waiver applies to higher ethanol petrol blends in the E22 to E30 range.
• The explainer frames the move as a boost to higher biofuel blends.
• The article explicitly raises implications for fuel prices, farmers, flex-fuel vehicles and India’s energy security.
• The item was published by The Hindu video section on June 11, 2026 at 9:48 p.m. IST.

Prelims pointers

• The speech was made at the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
• Tamil Nadu sought release of ₹3,284 crore pending under Samagra Shiksha without linkage to NEP or the three-language policy.
• The State sought ₹2,283.40 crore Central assistance for the Hogenakkal Phase-III Combined Water Supply Scheme.
• The Chief Minister asked that MBBS, BDS and AYUSH State quota seats be filled solely on the basis of Class XII marks.
• Tamil Nadu sought declaration of ISRO’s Space Manufacturing Hub at Kulasekarapattinam as a National Space Manufacturing Hub.

Prelims pointers

• France has proposed a broader maritime security partnership with India ahead of Modi-Macron talks at the G7 Summit.
• The proposed multinational initiative is aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• French sources said India is expected to be among the countries invited to join the Strait of Hormuz initiative.
• Leaders from India, the United States, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were expected at a West Asia-focused G7-margin meeting.
• MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said developments in West Asia would be discussed during the Modi-Macron meeting.

Prelims pointers

• Bansgaon in Gorakhpur district recorded 75 mm rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on June 11, 2026.
• Delhi’s Safdarjung station recorded a maximum temperature of 38.7°C, while the ‘feels like’ temperature touched 44.4°C.
• IMD forecast thunderstorms, lightning, duststorms and strong winds of 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, over parts of Delhi.
• Only two of Marathwada’s eight districts had recorded more than expected rainfall so far, and the region had 76.6% of average June rainfall to date.
• The tracker said below-average rainfall was expected over the next two weeks, especially in central and northern India, as western disturbances slowed the monsoon.

Prelims pointers

• The Solomon Islands-China security agreement was signed in 2022 under former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
• The pact worried Washington and Canberra over concern about a possible permanent Chinese military presence in the South Pacific.
• Prime Minister Matthew Wale said the agreement contains a legally binding non-disclosure provision.
• Wale said he had not seen the deal until shortly before his recent visit to Australia.
• Wale said future international treaties should have parliamentary oversight in the Solomon Islands.

Prelims pointers

• India possesses nearly 400 billion tonnes of coal reserves, described in the PIB release as the fifth largest coal reserve base in the world.
• India is the world’s second-largest producer and consumer of coal, and nearly 70% of its electricity generation depends on coal.
• Coal gasification was presented as a route to reduce imports of methanol, ammonia, fertilizer feedstocks, and critical industrial chemicals.
• The Ministry of Coal has placed the draft Request for Proposal for coal/lignite gasification projects in the public domain for stakeholder comments.
• The release cites Cabinet approval of a ₹46,000 crore combined scheme and a ₹37,500 crore scheme for promotion of surface coal/lignite gasification projects.

Prelims pointers

• Zaporizhzhia is described as Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and lies close to the frontline in southern Ukraine.
• The IAEA said no release of radioactivity was detected and radiation levels remained normal after the strike.
• The plant relied on emergency diesel generators to cool six shut-down reactors and maintain safety functions.
• The strike hit an electrical substation supplying the plant at 9 p.m. local time on June 10, 2026.
• The IAEA said this was the nineteenth loss of off-site power at the plant since the war began in February 2022.