Weekly Current Affairs
Subject-wise revision from the shared current-affairs corpus.
Weekly Digest: 2026-06-15 to 2026-06-21
30This week (15-21 June 2026) spanned the economy, governance, international affairs, polity, science and technology, the environment and Rajasthan.
Economy
- India's goods exports rose 18% to $45.2 billion in May 2026, a six-month high aided by a weaker rupee, even as imports from the US surged 54.43% and the trade deficit widened to $28.21 billion.
- India and the UK confirmed that the CETA and the Double Contribution Convention will take effect on 15 July 2026, giving duty-free access on 99% of tariff lines and raising the social-security exemption period from three to five years.
- On welfare delivery, PM Modi disbursed Rs 2,400 crore under PM-VBRY to 15 lakh people, part of a Rs 99,446 crore scheme targeting 3.5 crore jobs, and released the 23rd PM-KISAN installment of Rs 18,880 crore to over 9.44 crore farmers from West Bengal.
- Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal co-chaired the 14th India-Uzbekistan Inter-Governmental Commission in Tashkent, agreeing to double bilateral trade in three years.
Governance
- The health ministry ended over-the-counter sale of cough syrups by removing them from Schedule K. Defence production hit an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, up 15.6%, with exports of Rs 38,424 crore.
- The Qadian-Beas railway line in Punjab was revived after nearly 100 years through a Rs 1,400 crore project.
- IIT-Delhi remained India's top university at 118th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- President Murmu and PM Modi laid the foundation of the Rs 25,000 crore Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd in Odisha, and the NSO concluded its "Statathon" hackathon.
International
- ASI signed its first international joint archaeological MoU, with the National Museum of Denmark, to explore the 1619 shipwreck 'Øresund'.
- At the G7 Summit in France, PM Modi and EU leaders pushed to sign the India-EU FTA by year-end.
- IAS officer Vivek Aggarwal became the first Indian vice-president of the FATF, and NSA Ajit Doval will chair the BRICS National Security Advisers' meeting on 22-23 June.
Polity
- The Centre formed a Search-cum-Selection Committee under the Cabinet Secretary for the National Sports Board.
- Phase 1 of Census 2027, the first digital census, was completed in 23 states and UTs at a cost of Rs 11,718 crore.
- A parliamentary panel sought a time-bound NTA reform roadmap after exam irregularities including the NEET-UG 2026 cancellation.
Science and Technology
- Indian Railways approved a Rs 341 crore expansion of the indigenous Kavach 4.0 train-protection system, and DRDO flight-tested the fully indigenous LRLACM cruise missile off Odisha.
- UIDAI announced winners of its Face and Iris biometric SDK challenges, BEML set August 2026 to roll out India's first bullet-train car body, the MoD signed a Rs 425 crore contract with Bharat Forge for marine gas turbine generator sets, and the Centre banned 16 unsafe fixed-dose combination drugs.
Environment
- CMFRI drafted national guidelines for marine ecolabelling to boost seafood exports, while the WMO's State of the Climate in Asia 2025 report warned that Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as in 1961-1990.
Rajasthan
- A Karnataka delegation toured the state under Yuva Sangam Phase VI, RPSC released a one-year report card citing exams for 47 lakh candidates, a new Bikaner-Sabarmati train was flagged off on Yoga Day, and CM Bhajan Lal Sharma launched 47 electric buses in Jaipur and Bhilwara.
Top stories
30Centre Constitutes Search-cum-Selection Committee for National Sports Board
The Centre has constituted a five-member Search-cum-Selection Committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan, to recommend the Chairperson and two Members of the National Sports Board under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Indian Railways approves Rs 341 crore Kavach project to expand automatic train protection
Indian Railways has approved a Rs 341 crore project to expand Kavach 4.0, its indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, on the Ahmedabad (598 RKM, Rs 140 crore) and Ambala (811 RKM, Rs 201 crore) divisions to prevent collisions and over-speeding.
ASI and National Museum of Denmark Sign MoU to Explore Historic Danish Shipwreck 'Øresund'
ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing and the National Museum of Denmark signed an MoU to locate and document the wreck of the Danish ship 'Øresund', the first Danish vessel to reach India, which sank near Karaikal in 1619 — ASI's first joint archaeological project with an international organisation.
Subject-wise compilation
6Rajasthan4
Karnataka Delegation Explores Rajasthan under Yuva Sangam Phase VI
Under Yuva Sangam Phase VI, a Karnataka delegation led by IIIT Dharwad and hosted by MNIT Jaipur toured Rajasthan, met Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, and explored the state's heritage and academic ecosystem.
RPSC One-Year Report Card: Exams for 47 Lakh Candidates, 10,220 Selection Recommendations
RPSC Chairman Utkal Ranjan Sahu released his one-year report card, citing 187+ exams for 47 lakh candidates, 10,220 selection recommendations, zero leakage, 14,885 interviews and revival of computer-based exams.
Indian Railways: New Bikaner-Sabarmati Train to be Flagged Off on International Yoga Day
On International Yoga Day, 21 June, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will visit Bikaner and flag off the new Bikaner-Sabarmati rail service. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will also attend. He is also expected to join the main yoga day function at Karni Singh Stadium and may visit the NIELIT centre at Dungar College.
Rajasthan Launches Electric Bus Era: 47 E-Buses Flagged Off in Jaipur and Bhilwara
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off 47 electric buses (29 in Jaipur, 18 in Bhilwara) under the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa Yojana, marking the start of Rajasthan's electric bus era. The Centre has sanctioned 675 e-buses for eight selected cities, with the state set to receive 1,150 in all.
National4
ASI and National Museum of Denmark Sign MoU to Explore Historic Danish Shipwreck 'Øresund'
ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing and the National Museum of Denmark signed an MoU to locate and document the wreck of the Danish ship 'Øresund', the first Danish vessel to reach India, which sank near Karaikal in 1619 — ASI's first joint archaeological project with an international organisation.
India and EU Push for Early Signing of Free Trade Agreement at G7 Summit
On the margins of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, PM Modi met EU leaders Costa and von der Leyen on June 17, 2026, and both sides pushed to sign the India-EU Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year, along with an investment agreement, defence cooperation and the IMEC corridor.
In a first, India's Vivek Aggarwal named vice-president of Paris-based FATF
India has for the first time secured the vice-presidency of the FATF, with senior IAS officer Vivek Aggarwal elected for a one-year term from July 2026. The appointment was made at the FATF plenary in Paris during 17-19 June, where he was chosen to succeed Giles Thomson of the UK. It marks the first time an Indian holds a top leadership position in the global anti-money laundering watchdog.
Ajit Doval to Chair BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting in India on June 22
India will host the BRICS National Security Advisers' meeting on June 22-23, chaired by NSA Ajit Doval, on the theme of non-traditional security challenges. The meeting sets the stage for the BRICS Summit in India in September, with India holding the bloc's rotating presidency this year.
International4
ASI and National Museum of Denmark Sign MoU to Explore Historic Danish Shipwreck 'Øresund'
ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing and the National Museum of Denmark signed an MoU to locate and document the wreck of the Danish ship 'Øresund', the first Danish vessel to reach India, which sank near Karaikal in 1619 — ASI's first joint archaeological project with an international organisation.
India and EU Push for Early Signing of Free Trade Agreement at G7 Summit
On the margins of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, PM Modi met EU leaders Costa and von der Leyen on June 17, 2026, and both sides pushed to sign the India-EU Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year, along with an investment agreement, defence cooperation and the IMEC corridor.
In a first, India's Vivek Aggarwal named vice-president of Paris-based FATF
India has for the first time secured the vice-presidency of the FATF, with senior IAS officer Vivek Aggarwal elected for a one-year term from July 2026. The appointment was made at the FATF plenary in Paris during 17-19 June, where he was chosen to succeed Giles Thomson of the UK. It marks the first time an Indian holds a top leadership position in the global anti-money laundering watchdog.
Ajit Doval to Chair BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting in India on June 22
India will host the BRICS National Security Advisers' meeting on June 22-23, chaired by NSA Ajit Doval, on the theme of non-traditional security challenges. The meeting sets the stage for the BRICS Summit in India in September, with India holding the bloc's rotating presidency this year.
Economic5
India's Goods Exports Hit 6-Month High in May; Imports from US Surge 54%
India's goods exports rose 18% to $45.2 billion in May 2026, a six-month high, aided by a weaker rupee, while imports from the US surged 54.43% to $5.87 billion and the trade deficit widened to $28.21 billion.
India-UK CETA and Social Security Agreement to Take Effect from 15 July 2026
India and the UK will bring the CETA and the Double Contribution Convention into force on 15 July 2026 after completing ratification. CETA gives immediate duty-free access on 99% of tariff lines while protecting sensitive sectors, and the DCC raises the social security exemption period from three to five years.
PM to Disburse Rs 2,400 Crore Incentives Under PM-VBRY
PM Narendra Modi will disburse Rs 2,400 crore in incentives under PM-VBRY on June 19, 2026, benefiting 15 lakh people via DBT. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 99,446 crore and targets 3.5 crore jobs in two years, providing Rs 15,000 to first-time employees and up to Rs 3,000 per month to employers per new hire.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal Co-Chairs 14th Session of India-Uzbekistan Inter-Governmental Commission
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal co-chaired the 14th session of the India-Uzbekistan Inter-Governmental Commission with Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister Shokhrukh Gulyamov in Tashkent. Both sides agreed to remove non-tariff barriers and double bilateral trade over the next three years. The 15th IGC meeting will be held in India.
PM-KISAN 23rd Installment: Rs 18,880 Crore Released to 9.44 Crore Farmers
PM-KISAN's 23rd installment of over Rs 18,880 crore was released on 20 June 2026 to over 9.44 crore farmers via DBT at Tarakeswar, West Bengal. The scheme has now disbursed over Rs 4.46 lakh crore across 23 installments since 2019.
Science & Tech6
Indian Railways approves Rs 341 crore Kavach project to expand automatic train protection
Indian Railways has approved a Rs 341 crore project to expand Kavach 4.0, its indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, on the Ahmedabad (598 RKM, Rs 140 crore) and Ambala (811 RKM, Rs 201 crore) divisions to prevent collisions and over-speeding.
DRDO Successfully Flight-Tests Indigenous Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)
DRDO successfully flight-tested the 100% indigenous Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) on 15 June 2026 from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, meeting all mission objectives.
UIDAI Completes Biometric SDK Benchmarking Challenges, Announces Face and Iris Winners
UIDAI, with IIIT-Hyderabad, announced winners of the Face and Iris Biometric SDK Benchmarking challenges held between December 2025 and February 2026. Innovatrics (Slovakia) topped the Face Challenge and IDBIO (USA) topped the Iris Challenge among 531 registrations.
BEML to Roll Out India's First Bullet Train Car Body by August; B28 Service Planned for 2027
BEML expects to roll out the first car body shell of India's first indigenous bullet train by August 2026 at its Bengaluru Aditya plant, with the first trainset planned for early 2027. The 'B28' bullet train, targeted for March 2027, will first run on the 97-km Surat-Vapi stretch of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, with operations planned for August 2027.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: MoD Signs Rs 425 Crore Contract for 12 Marine Gas Turbine Generator Sets for Indian Navy
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth approximately Rs 425 crore with Pune-based Bharat Forge Limited for 12 marine gas turbine generator sets of 1.25 MW each for the Indian Navy, with a minimum of 60 percent indigenous content. Signed on 19 June 2026 in New Delhi under the 'Buy (Indian)' category, it advances Atmanirbhar Bharat and self-reliance in critical marine strategic technologies.
Centre Bans 16 Fixed-Dose Combination Drugs Over Safety Concerns
The Centre has banned 16 Fixed-Dose Combination drugs under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, halting their manufacture, sale and distribution after a DTAB expert committee found they lacked therapeutic value and posed public health risks.
Miscellaneous11
Centre Constitutes Search-cum-Selection Committee for National Sports Board
The Centre has constituted a five-member Search-cum-Selection Committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan, to recommend the Chairperson and two Members of the National Sports Board under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Phase 1 of Census 2027 Completed in 23 States and Union Territories
Phase 1 of Census 2027 (House Listing and Housing Census) is complete in 23 states and UTs; this Rs 11,718 crore exercise is the first digital census and the eighth since Independence.
Govt Ends OTC Exemption for Cough Syrups
The Union health ministry has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, removing cough syrups from Schedule K, ending their over-the-counter sale; they can now be sold only through licensed pharmacies with a valid prescription.
CMFRI drafts national guidelines for marine ecolabelling to boost seafood exports
CMFRI (ICAR) has drafted India's National Guidelines for Marine Ecolabelling as a discussion paper, proposing a framework to regulate seafood sustainability certification, protect traditional fishers, ensure compliance with national fisheries laws, and explore an indigenous Indian marine eco-label to boost seafood exports.
India's Annual Defence Production Hits All-Time High of Rs 1.78 Lakh Crore in 2025-26
India's defence production reached an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, a 15.6% rise over the previous year, with the private sector touching a record share of about Rs 42,000 crore and exports hitting Rs 38,424 crore.
Parliamentary Panel Flags Exam Irregularities, Seeks Time-Bound NTA Reform Plan
A Parliamentary standing committee headed by Digvijaya Singh urged the Centre to publish a time-bound roadmap for HLCE exam-reform recommendations, citing continued paper irregularities including the NEET-UG 2026 cancellation.
Asia Warming Faster Than Global Average: WMO State of the Climate in Asia 2025 Report
The WMO's State of the Climate in Asia 2025 report, launched at Paro, Bhutan on June 17, warns Asia is warming about twice as fast as in 1961-1990, with all 23 high-mountain glaciers losing mass and record ocean heat and sea levels in 2025.
Qadian-Beas Railway Line Revived After Nearly 100 Years with Rs 1,400 Crore Project
The government has revived the 39.68-km Qadian-Beas railway line in Punjab after nearly 100 years, a Rs 1,400 crore broad-gauge project by Northern Railway connecting Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts.
IIT-Delhi Tops Indian Institutions in QS World University Rankings 2027
IIT-Delhi retained its rank as India's top university at 118th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with 52 Indian universities featured but academic reputation scores remaining modest.
National-Level Hackathon "Statathon - A Data Journey for Viksit Bharat" Concludes Successfully
The national-level hackathon "Statathon - A Data Journey for Viksit Bharat", organised by the National Statistics Office (NSO) with the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education, concluded successfully. Twenty-five teams competed in the grand finale across five challenges on official statistics, and MoSPI Secretary Dr. Saurabh Garg interacted with the winners on 19 June 2026.
President Murmu and PM Modi Lay Foundation of Bharat Coal Gasification & Chemicals Ltd in Odisha
President Murmu and PM Modi virtually laid the foundation of BCGCL, a Coal India-BHEL joint venture coal-to-ammonium-nitrate project at Lakhanpur, Odisha, to be commissioned by September 2029. The Rs 25,000 crore project uses indigenous PFBG technology and advances India's coal gasification and energy-security goals.
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