Current affairs — 16 June 2026

Prelims pointers

• NEET-UG Re-examination 2026 is scheduled to be held on June 21, according to the Home Ministry statement.
• Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan reviewed preparedness with States and Central agencies on June 15, 2026.
• Question papers are to be transported by Indian Air Force planes to 18 locations across the country.
• CRPF and CISF personnel have been deployed to provide security to examination papers in transit.
• The original NEET-UG 2026 exam held on May 3 was cancelled nationwide on May 12 after paper-leak allegations.

Prelims pointers

• For the fortnight beginning June 16, 2026, export duty on diesel was raised to ₹14 per litre.
• Export duty on aviation turbine fuel was raised to ₹12.5 per litre, while petrol stayed at ₹1.5 per litre.
• The article says domestic excise duty rates on petrol and diesel remain unchanged.
• The export levies were introduced from March 27 in the backdrop of the West Asia crisis.
• CBIC has been reviewing the petroleum export levies on a fortnightly basis using trends and oil prices.

Prelims pointers

• KSEB has given October 2026 as the Commercial Operation Date for five proposed BESS projects.
• Mylatti in Kasaragod is proposed to get a 125 MW/500 MWh battery energy storage system.
• The other four initial BESS projects are at Mulleria, Sreekantapuram, Areecode and Pothencode.
• In BESS capacity, MW indicates maximum deliverable power, while MWh indicates total energy storage capacity.
• The approved Brahmapuram BESS will be 250 MW/500 MWh and use viability gap funding through the Power System Development Fund.

Prelims pointers

• NCERT will replace the modified Class 9 Arts textbook image of the Dancing Girl with the original version.
• The textbook chapter identifies the Dancing Girl as a bronze figurine from Mohenjo-daro dating to around 2600 BCE.
• Madhurima, NCERT's new Class 9 Arts education textbook, carried the altered image in its History of Arts chapter.
• The article says the textbook mentions the lost-wax technique in connection with the bronze figurine.
• Michel Danino noted that the same akimbo posture has appeared on potsherds from the Harappan site of Bhirrana in Rajasthan.

Prelims pointers

• CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran called the U.S.-Iran peace deal over the Strait of Hormuz very welcome for India.
• He said India imports oil, natural gas and fertilizer, making the Hormuz situation important for the economy.
• He argued that public-sector leadership should build strategic reserves across critical commodities, not only crude oil.
• Nageswaran said nuclear power is immune to choke points and can provide base load for fabs and data centres.
• He cited Germany's Mittelstand as mid-sized engineering firms sustained by patient capital and quality culture.

Prelims pointers

• The rebel TMC MPs merged with the little-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India, or NCPI.
• The article says the merger may allow them to vote in Lok Sabha pending the Speaker's decision on disqualification.
• The Centre may bring the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026, described as the Delimitation Bill.
• The monsoon session of Parliament is likely to begin in mid-July, according to the article.
• In April, the government had fallen short of the two-thirds majority required for passage of the measure.

Prelims pointers

• The study was published in Nature Portfolio's npj Clean Air on June 12 and examined surface ozone during Indian heatwaves.
• Surface ozone in northern India reaches 85-110 μg/m³ during heatwaves, above the WHO guideline of 70 μg/m³.
• For 2024 heatwave days, the model estimates roughly 490 additional ischaemic heart-disease deaths and 342 COPD deaths.
• The authors combined IMD temperature records, satellite data and global weather datasets to study heatwaves from 2004 to 2024.
• The Western Himalayas recorded the steepest long-term ozone rise, exceeding the WHO guideline by 115% in 2024.

Prelims pointers

• IN-SPACe selected Astrobase Space Technologies, SatSure Analytics India and TM2SPACE Technologies under the Technology Adoption Fund.
• Astrobase Space Technologies is to develop an 800 kN-class reusable LOX-LNG rocket engine.
• SatSure Analytics India will develop Dhaarini, a Large Earth Observation Model for remote-sensing applications.
• TM2SPACE Technologies will develop an indigenous AI-powered star tracker system for satellites.
• The evaluation committee included members from ISRO, DPIIT, DST, industry and academic institutions.

Prelims pointers

• Sathyamoorthy Construction in core area of tiger reserve Conservation biologist and member of the National Board for Wildlife, Priya Davidar, said she has “strong misgivings” about the current project as it involves construction in the core area of a tiger reserve and crucial elephant habitat.
• Activists also claim the facilities are being constructed to draw more visitors to the tiger reserve, with footfall witnessing steady increase over the last few years, following the release of a documentary film centring around the lives of two mahouts at the elephant camp.
• Related Stories Prime Minister Modi interacts with ‘Elephant Whisperers’ Bomman, Bellie at Theppakadu Elephant Camp in the Nilgiris Watch | ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ Bomman, Bellie move on; neither pain of separation nor pleasure of Academy Award stops them What’s the special diet for elephants at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp Landscape ecologist, Jean-Philippe Puyravaud, said Theppakadu.
• “This elephant camp is over 100 years old, and there is a need to upgrade the facilities to keep pace with the tourist inflow and pressures that arise from it,” he said, adding that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has yet been completed or sanctioned for the project.
• A section of environmental activists has voiced concern over the forest department’s plans to construct an ‘ultra modern Elephant Conservation and Environmental Centre’ in the core area of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in The Nilgiris.

Prelims pointers

• Also read | Congo reports large daily jump in Ebola cases a month after outbreak was declared Since the outbreak was declared in the DRC on May 15, 2026, 808 cases have been confirmed in the country, including 192 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
• Congo’s Ebola outbreak rises to 100 deaths out of 550 cases after a month "Here in Bunia, what I can see is that we did not reach the peak of the epidemic," Bruno Michon, the IFRC's operations manager for the Ebola outbreak, told reporters in Geneva by video call.
• Like a number of other organisations working on the Ebola response on the ground, he said the IFRC was concerned about a dire lack of testing capacity, warning, "it's very difficult to know exactly to what extent the epidemic is spreading".
• The deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has not yet reached its peak, the Red Cross said Tuesday (June 16, 2026), warning it could take a year to halt the spread.
• No approved vaccines or treatments exist for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus responsible for the current outbreak, which although centred in Ituri, has also been detected in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

Prelims pointers

• “​The matter is pending before the Kerala High Court, where at least three organisations have challenged government orders authorising local bodies to manage the wild boar issue and empowering their heads, acting as honorary wildlife wardens [HWWs], to permit culling.
• A scientist at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), however, notes that while wild boars are among the species most commonly involved in human-wildlife conflicts, what is needed is a scientific and evidence-based management strategy rather than “indiscriminate killing”.
• The Kerala government’s decision to intensify the “elimination” of wild boars that enter human habitations, as part of its 100-day action plan to tackle human-wildlife conflict, has sparked criticism from animal welfare groups and experts.
• Opposition has been further fuelled by the State’s decision to submit a revised proposal to the Centre seeking the classification of wild boars as vermin under the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA), 1972.
• “As the court has directed the government to frame a scientifically backed policy, ordering mass culling without mandatory clearances or impact assessments while the case remains sub judice is legally improper,” says Ms.

Prelims pointers

• In addition, the court must be informed whether any interim measures have been contemplated to address the environmental and navigational concerns due to the sinking of the vessel along with the containers on board, said a Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V.
• Although the owners and the salvors were required to recover the dangerous cargo and the vessel after improvement of weather conditions post-monsoon 2025, no effective steps were taken, and remedial measures have been limited largely to beach and shoreline clean-up, the petitioner submitted, adding that unless immediate action was taken, there was substantial risk of further.
• Expressing serious concern over the absence of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 off the Alappuzha coast in May 2025, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought the response of various Central agencies.
• The court has sought the response of the Centre, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and the Director-General of Shipping (DGS) on the marine and coastal ecological impacts caused by the wreckage.
• The agencies have been asked to detail the manner in which the EIA will be carried out, the institutions or agencies considered competent to undertake the exercise, and the scope of the study.

Prelims pointers

• The Karnataka police have issued comprehensive guidelines mandating the registration of FIRs in cases involving the unauthorised sharing of private or intimate photographs and videos, including incidents of revenge pornography, sextortion, and online blackmail.
• These include Section 77 of the BNS relating to voyeurism, Section 66E of the IT Act concerning violation of privacy, and Sections 67 and 67A dealing with the publication or transmission of obscene and sexually explicit material in electronic form.
• Saleem, directed all police officers across the State to take prompt action on complaints related to the non-consensual dissemination of intimate content and ensure uniform implementation of the law.
• Police officers have been instructed to invoke appropriate provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, while registering cases.
• Warning against inaction, the DGP stated that refusal to register FIRs or unnecessary delays in such cases would be viewed seriously and could attract disciplinary action against the concerned officers.

Prelims pointers

• AYUSH PCIM&H Represents India at 5th WHO Expert Meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia Posted on: 16 JUN 2026 3:39PM by PIB Delhi The 5th WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia is being held in Hong Kong SAR, China, from 16–18 June 2026.
• The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, is participating in the meeting, which brings together distinguished experts from WHO Member States to deliberate on global standards for herbal medicines.
• India’s active participation in shaping the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia underscores the country’s growing leadership in the field of traditional and herbal medicine and reinforces its commitment to advancing evidence-based global healthcare.
• During the discussions, herbal monographs and other documents developed by PCIM&H in consultation with the WHO team are being presented by the Director, PCIM&H, for detailed review and consideration.
• This initiative marks a significant step towards harmonizing the standards of traditional Indian medicine with international benchmarks for quality, safety and purity, while fostering alignment with leading global pharmacopoeias.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Education Bharat Innovates 2026 Day Two Focuses on Investor-Startup Engagement More than 80 DeepTech Startups Present Innovations before Panels Comprising over 50 Global Investors from More than 10 Countries More than 40 Startups Secure Confirmed Investor Follow-up Commitments Final day to Focus on Technology Parks and Accelerators, Climate Technologies, Industrial.
• An initiative of the Government of India and implemented by the Ministry of Education, Bharat Innovates 2026 serves as a premier international platform connecting India’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem with global capital, industry expertise, research networks and international markets.
• The day commenced with an Innovation Showcase featuring cutting-edge technologies developed by Indian startups and premier higher education institutions across biotechnology, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, energy, mobility, space and artificial intelligence.
• More than 80 Bharat Innovates DeepTech startups presented their innovations before panels comprising over 50 global investors from more than 10 countries across six thematic pitch rooms: Space and Defence; Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductors; Healthcare and MedTech; Biotechnology and AgriTech; Energy and Climate Technologies; and Advanced Manufacturing.
• By the conclusion of Day Two, Bharat Innovates 2026 has facilitated: More than 1,350 B2B meetings held with Bharat Innovates Innovators Over 50 collaboration agreements More than 80 startup pitches before 50-plus global investors from over 10 countries Confirmed investor follow-up commitments received by more than 40 startups Approximately USD 254.5 million funding commitments and.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Amends Drugs Rules, 1945; Exemption for Sale of Cough Syrups in Small Villages Withdrawn Key Amendment to Drugs Rules to Enhance Regulatory Control Over Cough Syrups notified Posted on: 16 JUN 2026 11:41AM by PIB Delhi The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules,.
• Consequently, the sale and dispensing of cough syrups in smaller villages will now be required to take place only through duly licensed pharmacies in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules framed thereunder.
• 927 (E) dated 29 th December 2025, published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on , Part II, section 3, sub-section (i), dated the 30th December, 2025, omitting the word “Syrup” from Schedule K, Serial No.
• Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945 provides exemptions from certain provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules made thereunder for specified classes of drugs.
• 13 of Schedule K permitted the sale of cough syrups in villages with a population of less than 1,000 without requiring compliance with certain retail sale licensing provisions.

Prelims pointers

• Rajya Sabha Secretariat PRESS RELEASE ON 381ST REPORT OF DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, WOMEN, CHILDREN, YOUTH AND SPORTS Posted on: 16 JUN 2026 6:45PM by PIB Delhi The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports headed by Shri Digvijaya Singh, M.P., Rajya Sabha presented the 381 st Report on.
• These Reports are also available on the following link:- 381 st Report Recommendations/Observations of the Committee – At A Glance The Committee notes that the reply in the above recommendations is merely a repetition of the procedural framework of the IoE Scheme and does not address the concerns raised by the Committee.
• On the second issue, the Committee's recommendation regarding expansion of the Scheme to include globally recognised institutions of the country excelling in social sciences, humanities and developmental studies, such as Jawaharlal Nehru University has not been addressed by the Department.
• On the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loans (CGFSEL), the Committee would like to highlight that the guarantee cover ceiling of ₹7.5 lakh has remained unchanged since 2015 despite a decade of significant inflation in education costs.
• (paras 3.13.13, 3.13.14 and 3.13.15) The Committee notes that the response only talks about general procedures and rules but disregards the specific issue raised about Jawaharlal Nehru University, where many eligible faculty members have not been promoted despite the same being due for years.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Railways ​​​​​​​ Indian Railways Approves ₹755 Crore Champa-Korba Third Line Project to Enhance Capacity on Key Coal Corridor High-Density Rail Corridor Upgrade to Support Growing Coal Movement, Additional Freight Traffic and Enhance Network Capacity Posted On: 16 JUN 2026 7:32PM by PIB Delhi In a major boost to railway capacity augmentation in the coal-rich regions of.
• The Champa–Korba Third Line Project is another significant step in Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to expand network capacity, improve freight efficiency, enhance passenger services and support the nation's infrastructure and energy development goals.
• The corridor has been identified under Indian Railways’ Mission 3000 MT and High-Density Network (HDN) Corridor initiatives aimed at strengthening freight movement and supporting the country's growing energy requirements.
• The region's combined coal production capacity of SECL and MCL is about 247 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) and is projected to rise to nearly 450 MTPA, adding around 200 MTPA of additional coal traffic in the coming years.
• The third line project will significantly enhance carrying capacity, improve operational flexibility and ensure faster movement of both freight and passenger trains.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Home Affairs At an important meeting held in New Delhi under chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, consensus reached among concerned states on long-pending Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project Under leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Central Government is working to build consensus on significant, long-pending issues.
• Following the initiative of the Union Home Minister, the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the Kishau Multipurpose Project.
• Patil, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Union Home Secretary, the Union Water Resources Secretary, the Secretary of the Ministry of Power, the Chief Secretaries of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the.
• Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government has been translating the principle of ‘Solutions Through Dialogue’ into action by building consensus on important issues of national and public interest that had remained unresolved for many years.
• The meeting decided that 90% of the cost of the water component of the Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project will be borne by the Central Government as Central Assistance, while the remaining 10% financial burden will be shared by the six participating states.

Prelims pointers

• The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education launched Yuva Sangam Phase VI initiative under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme with the objective of fostering national integration and strengthening people-to-people connections among the youth of the country.
• The programme provides participants from 22 paired States and Union Territories with opportunities to engage with India’s diverse cultural traditions, educational institutions, innovation ecosystems and developmental initiatives, thereby deepening appreciation for the nation’s unity amidst diversity.
• Kailashnathan Posted On: 16 JUN 2026 7:46PM by PIB Delhi 58 student delegates from Himachal Pradesh visited Puducherry from June 8 to 13, 2026 as part of the Yuva Sangam Phase VI programme under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative.
• The discussion centred around the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, innovation-driven growth, self-reliance, entrepreneurship and the transformative role of youth in shaping India's future.
• The Lieutenant Governor encouraged the participants to harness their potential, embrace innovation and contribute actively towards building a developed and self-reliant India.

Prelims pointers

• AYUSH Yoga Park Portal: Transforming Public Spaces into Community Wellness Venues Yoga Parks to Serve as Community Anchors for Wellness and Preventive Healthcare Posted on: 16 JUN 2026 2:29PM by PIB Delhi India’s community spaces, urban spaces and parks have long brought people together while promoting healthier lifestyles.
• The Yoga Park Portal was launched by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, during the 25-day countdown event for International Day of Yoga 2026 held at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
• Through the portal, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, Resident Welfare Associations, non-governmental organisations, corporate entities, and other institutions can participate in developing existing parks into Yoga Parks that encourage regular yoga practice, meditation, preventive healthcare, and community engagement.
• The initiative also aligns closely with the theme of International Day of Yoga 2026, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing." As populations around the world face growing concerns related to lifestyle disorders, stress, and age-related health challenges, accessible public wellness spaces can play an important role in encouraging regular physical activity, mindfulness, and social interaction.
• Recognising their potential, the Ministry of Ayush has launched the Yoga Park Portal to transform existing parks across India into community wellness hubs where yoga, meditation, and healthy living become part of everyday life.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Home Affairs Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs a review meeting on the rehabilitation of slums in New Delhi Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is committed to the upliftment of Antyodaya and Garib Kalyan Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026 has been finalized.
• In the meeting, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026 has been finalized today and the Government of Delhi should notify it at the earliest.
• He directed that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) / Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) should issue tenders for 5 clusters within 45 days.
• He further instructed that project documents and tender forms should also be prepared for an additional 50 JJ Clusters.
• Shri Amit Shah said that the Delhi Government should issue tenders for at least 5 PPP-based rehabilitation projects every month.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Rural Development “VB - G RAM G national launch to begin from Andhra Pradesh on July 1”: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Union Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kalyan “Andhra Pradesh’s innovation model will become an inspiration for other states”: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan “All works under rural.
• During the meeting, Shri Pawan Kalyan, while giving information about the progress of rural development works and schemes in the state, said that all works being carried out under rural development schemes have been geo-tagged to ensure transparency and eliminate any possibility of corruption.
• During the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the national launch of ‘Viksit Bharat – Rozgar aur Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB - G RAM G)’ will take place from Andhra Pradesh on July 1, 2026.
• He also said that the successful models and innovations developed by Andhra Pradesh will be shared with other states of the country so that best practices in rural development can be widely disseminated and adopted across India.
• Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed satisfaction over the achievements of the state and assured the Andhra Pradesh Government of all possible support from the Ministry of Rural Development.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Road Transport & Highways NHAI to Transit Towards Predictive Asset Management for Strengthening Operations and Maintenance of National Highways Posted On: 16 JUN 2026 6:25PM by PIB Delhi In order to develop efficient and high-quality National Highway infrastructure, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is undertaking a significant shift in National Highway Operations.
• To further strengthen data capture, NHAI has initiated the rollout of AI-powered Dashcam Analytics Services (DAS) across operational National Highways sections, enabling automated detection of a wide range of shortcomings from potholes and damaged crash barriers to faulty lighting and drainage issues.
• Through the integration of advanced monitoring technologies, artificial intelligence, data analytics and performance-driven maintenance systems, NHAI aims to enhance National Highway longevity, optimize maintenance and deliver world class travel experience to National Highway users across the country.
• The progressive transition from conventional maintenance practices to predictive maintenance framework underlines NHAI’s dual focus on building National Highways at scale, while ensuring maintenance of highways to the highest standards.
• NHAI has deployed Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across the National Highway network under O&M to collect pavement condition data such as roughness, rutting, cracking and structural distress.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Jal Shakti DDWS Organises 9th District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad Five Districts Showcased Innovative Practices on Source Sustainability, Jan Bhagidari, Women Empowerment and O&M Posted On: 16 JUN 2026 4:44PM by PIB Delhi The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised the 9 th edition of the District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad today.
• Regular District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) Meetings: He stressed the importance of conducting DWSM meetings every month and uploading of meeting minutes on the dedicated dashboard and said regular review and monitoring at the district level are essential for effective implementation of drinking water schemes, O&M, and service delivery.
• He expressed confidence that sharing the best practices by districts across the country would inspire improved performance and accelerate progress towards ensuring sustainable drinking water services for every rural household under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• He reiterated that effective fund utilisation, adherence to Finance Commission guidelines and corrective action based on District Improvement Plans will be critical for addressing field-level gaps, strengthening service delivery and ensuring sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water supply schemes.
• These funds can be utilised for a wide range of activities, including source strengthening, chlorination, repair and maintenance of water systems, water quality monitoring, procurement of testing kits, payment of operators, and meeting energy requirements.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Home Affairs Field Operations for Houselisting and Housing Census Commences in Himachal Pradesh; Self-Enumeration Begins in Kerala and Nagaland House-to-house field operations underway in Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry and Uttar Pradesh HLO concludes in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Punjab and MCD area of Delhi 23 States/UTs completed first.
• Meanwhile, Houselisting and Housing Census operations conducted from May 16 to June 14, 2026 have been successfully completed in the States/UTs of Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Rajasthan and Jharkhand along with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) area in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
• Till now, 23 States/UTs, namely, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana and Uttarakhand, have completed the first phase of Census 2027.
• Census 2027 is being conducted using digital tools for the first time with data collection being undertaken through a dedicated mobile application while retaining the traditional door-to-door enumeration process to ensure comprehensive and accurate coverage.
• During the Houselisting and Housing Census phase, information relating to housing conditions, household details, amenities available and assets possessed by households is being collected through a structured questionnaire comprising 33 notified questions.

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change India and Japan Adopt Rules of Implementation for Joint Crediting Mechanism Under Article 6.2 of Paris Agreement Posted on: 16 JUN 2026 3:02PM by PIB Delhi The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Japan have adopted the ‘Rule of Implementation’ of the Joint Crediting Mechanism on 08.06.2026, under Article 6.2 of the.
• The MoC established a framework for collaboration on mitigation activities that deliver greenhouse gas emission reductions or removals while supporting sustainable development outcomes in India and contributing to the achievement of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of both countries.
• The Rule of Implementation defines robust governance arrangements, including a Joint Committee with representatives from both Governments, transparent project approval procedures, third-party validation and verification, sustainable development safeguards and national registries to track the issuance and transfer of credits.
• It will catalyse investment, technology transfer and capacity-building for projects involving low-carbon technologies in India to support climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
• Last year, India and Japan signed the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).

Prelims pointers

• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds high-level meeting in Delhi and reviews overall agriculture sector “Strategy to deal with El Niño, weekly meetings will be held”: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan “Special attention will be given to districts likely to be more affected by El Niño and meetings of District Magistrates will.
• He strongly emphasised that special attention should be given to water conservation, moisture management, inter-cropping and alternative crop patterns and a separate and practical strategy should be made for every risk-prone district so that farmers do not face any difficulty during the Kharif season and can continue their farming activities smoothly without any major problems.
• Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also directed that in the 9-10 states where the impact of El Niño may be relatively higher, coordinated meetings should be organised with District Magistrates, Agriculture Departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and other extension systems of the identified districts.
• For this, he gave directions to officials and also stressed that wherever there is any possibility of shortage at the micro level, supply should be ensured in advance so that farmers do not face any difficulty at any stage of the farming season and can carry out their activities without worry.
• During the review of crop-wise targets, sowing progress and state-wise preparations for Kharif 2026, special discussion was held on increasing cotton production.

Prelims pointers

• Canada's application was being examined at IORA's 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials in New Delhi.
• Sanjiv Ranjan, Secretary-General of IORA, said Canada had applied to become a dialogue partner of the organisation.
• The article says Canada's maritime expertise includes maritime safety, security and connectivity.
• IORA's Secretary-General described disruptions such as the West Asia crisis as existential in magnitude and effect.
• Disaster response and mitigation were listed as priorities for the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Prelims pointers

• The U.S. plans a permanent war-ready Marine Corps stockpile on Australia's southeast coast.
• The article says the Australian site is beyond the range of most Chinese missiles.
• The first Marine Corps land stockpile in the Asia-Pacific is expected to open this year in the Philippines.
• U.S. Navy documents allocated $30 million for warehouses and offices in southeastern Victoria.
• The Australian stockpile is expected to reach full capacity by 2028 and move to Bandiana in rural Victoria.

Prelims pointers

• Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal arrived in Beijing on a four-day visit on June 14 after a weeklong trip to India.
• Khanal met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on June 15, 2026.
• The talks covered connectivity, border management, trade, technology transfer and multilateral cooperation.
• Wang Yi said China places relations with Nepal in an important position in its neighbourhood diplomacy.
• Khanal also met Wang Huning of the CPPCC and Liu Haixing of the Communist Party of China's International Department.

Prelims pointers

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the fringes of the G7 Summit in Evian, France.
• The talks covered trade, economy, energy, technology and people-to-people ties, according to Modi.
• Modi said he hoped to visit Canada before the year ended and complete an India-Canada Free Trade Agreement before then.
• The article says Canada exports oil, natural gas, petroleum products and uranium.
• Cameco and India's Department of Atomic Energy signed a CAD $2.6 billion uranium supply agreement for 2027-2035.

Prelims pointers

• The CAG report 'State Finances 2024-25' was released by Comptroller and Auditor General of India K. Sanjay Murthy on June 16, 2026.
• In FY 2024-25, 15 States were revenue-deficient while the remaining 13 States recorded revenue surplus.
• Eighteen States targeted revenue surplus in 2024-25, but only nine of those States achieved the target.
• Goa, Jharkhand, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh targeted zero revenue deficit and ended FY25 with revenue surplus.
• The Fifteenth Finance Commission's indicative State fiscal-deficit target for 2024-25 was 3% of GSDP.