JUNE 18,2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
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Affordable Homes Scheme 2.0 Government approves over 2.13 lakh additional houses for eligible urban poor families under PM Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0. PM Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0 » PMAY-U 2.0 builds upon the foundation of PMAY-U (launched in 2015), aims to provide affordable housing support to 1 crore urban families. » Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Key Features o Coverage: Economically Weaker Section, Low Income Group and Middle Income Group households without a pucca house. o Four Verticals: Beneficiary-Led Construction, Affordable Housing in Partnership, Affordable Rental Housing and Interest Subsidy Scheme. o Interest Subsidy: 4% subsidy on eligible home loans under the Interest Subsidy Scheme. |
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Audit Report on State Finances 2024‑25 Key Highlights of the Report » Public Debt and Total Liabilities: Outstanding combined public debt stood at ₹75.52 lakh crore (23.27% of GSDP), while total liabilities reached 27.89% of GSDP.
» Fiscal Deficit: As against the Fifteenth Finance Commission''s benchmark of 3% of GSDP, 18 States recorded fiscal deficits above the prescribed threshold in FY 2024-25. » Low Capital Expenditure: Revenue expenditure constituted 83.41% of total expenditure, while capital expenditure accounted for 16.59% in FY 2024-25. » Share in Union Taxes and Duties: Share of the States in devolution of taxes and duties, as percentage of the total combined revenue receipts, increased from 27.73 % in FY 2015-16 to 31.76 %. » Subsidies: During the period 2015–16 to 2024–25, subsidy expenditure remained largely in the range of 8–10% of the total revenue expenditure of all States combined.
The report highlights the need for prudent debt management and fiscal discipline to ensure sustainable State finances. |
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Black Gold of Roads West Asia Conflict Disrupts Bitumen Supply, Impacting India''s Road Infrastructure Programme. Bitumen » Black or dark coloured solid or viscous cementitious substances consists of chiefly high molecular weight hydrocarbons. » Significance: Has adhesive properties, soluble in carbon disulphide, extensively used in road construction due to excellent binding and waterproofing characteristics at relatively low cost. » Production: Obtained as Residue or by-product when crude petroleum is refined. o Employs a variety of refinery processes, like straight distillation process, solvent extraction process etc. |
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Certified Hydrogen for India The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI). Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme » Mission: Launched under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. » Goal: To establish a transparent framework for measuring, monitoring and certifying Green Hydrogen production. » Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. » Emission Standard: To qualify as "Green", the hydrogen produced must have a GHG emission intensity of 2.0 kgCO2eq/kg H2 or less. » Eligible Pathways: Applies to hydrogen produced via Electrolysis and the Conversion of Biomass (e.g., gasification, pyrolysis, dark fermentation). » Mandatory Certification: Obtaining the certificate is compulsory if the producer receives any Central or State government incentives/subsidies » Exemptions: Facilities producing 10 tons or less annually, and 100% export-oriented units that do not avail of any government incentives. |
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Comprehensive Economic Deal: India & UK Simultaneously, Agreement on Social Security or Double Contribution Convention (DCC) will also be enforced establishing a benchmark of India’s economic diplomacy. India- UK (United Kingdom) CETA » Background: Groundwork was laid in 2021 through adoption of India–UK Roadmap 2030, that dealt with elevating bilateral ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and doubling trade to USD 100 billion by 2030. o CETA was officially signed in July 2025. Key Benefits for India » Enhances Competitiveness for India’s exports: Secures immediate duty-free access on 99% tariff lines. » Comprehensive Services Commitments: Covers all major services sectors and 137 sub-sectors of export interest to India offering greater regulatory certainty to financial services, professional services, etc. » Social Security: Exempts Indian workers and employers from making dual social security contributions in UK during temporary assignments; increases period of exemption from 3 to 5 years. » Next-Generation Framework: Embeds forward-looking chapters on innovation, sustainability, securing critical supply chains, accelerating technological collaboration, etc. » People Centric: Benefits farmers, fisherfolk, women, entrepreneurs, startups, MSMEs, etc., with increased access to global value chains. India’s Rising Economic Diplomacy » Other Key Recent Agreements Signed: India – United States of America (USA) framework for interim Agreement; India –European Union (EU) FTA; India -New Zealand FTA; India – Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA); etc. » Significance: Geoeconomics tool to secure National interest; fulfils shared interests with countries with geopolitical convergences, aligned with vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047,etc. |
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Defence Reforms in India India’s annual defence production has surged upwards to reach an all-time high of ₹1.78 lakh crore. Key Achievements » Rise in Private Sector Participation: The private sector’s contribution to defence production has grown to 24% (around ₹42,000 crore). » Reduced Import Dependence: Nearly 65% of defence equipment is now produced domestically. » Historic Export Milestones: Defence exports skyrocketed from just ₹686 crore in 2013–14 to a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025–26 (5500% growth). » Expanding Global Footprint: Indian defence products are now exported to over 80 countries. » Development of Indigenous Defence Technologies: o Aircraft- Tejas Mk-1(Indigenous fighter aircraft) o Missile- Akash, Rudram, Mission Shakti (Anti- Satellite Missile), Long Range- Antiship Hypersonic Missile, etc. o Helicopter: LCH Prachand. o Aircraft Carrier: INS Vikrant o Submarines: INS Arighaat, INS Vagsheer, etc. Initiatives/reforms paved ways for Defence Transformation » Expanded Defence Budget: The overall defence budget surged from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14 to ₹7.85 lakh crore in 2026–27. » Simplified Procurement: Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 simplified procurement and mandated higher indigenous content. » FDI Reforms: The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the defence sector was increased to 74% under the Automatic Route and up to 100% via the Government Route. » Corporate Reforms: The 200-year-old Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was dissolved and reorganised into seven new Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to enhance efficiency. » Defence Industrial Corridors: New manufacturing hubs were established in the Uttar Pradesh corridor and Tamil Nadu corridor. » Innovation Ecosystem: The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme successfully engaged 676 startups and MSMEs to develop cutting-edge indigenous technologies. |
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Ground‑level Ozone Pollution Ground-level ozone pollution is emerging as a major public health challenge in Delhi. Ground-Level Ozone (O₃) » A secondary air pollutant formed by reactions between Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. » Unlike stratospheric ozone (Good Ozone), which shields Earth from UV rays, ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant (Bad Ozone). » Found in the troposphere (lowest atmospheric layer). » Major precursor sources include vehicles, industries and thermal power plants. » Peaks during summer due to intense solar radiation. » Causes respiratory ailments, crop damage and photochemical smog. |
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Hydrocarbons Beyond Methane Researchers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) undertook observation of NMHCs in Munsyari, a high-altitude Himalayan tourist destination. » NMHC levels exhibited clear seasonal patterns with greater concentration during spring and autumn. NMHCs » Trace atmospheric constituents, including compounds like ethane, ethene, propane, propene, and isoprene. » Primary air pollutants having adverse effects on both atmospheric environment and human health. » Vital precursors for photochemical formation of tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosols (SOA). » Production: Primarily from terrestrial sources, with some contribution from marine environments, exhibit distinct production processes influenced by environmental factors. |
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IIT Delhi Leads India in QS 2027 IIT-Delhi ranked (118th globally) highest among Indian institutions in QS World University Rankings 2027 for the 2nd consecutive year. QS World University Rankings 2027 » Released by: QS Quacquarelli Symonds, UK based organisation. » Methodology: Universities are evaluated across five broad lenses: o Research and Discovery o Employability and Outcomes o Global Engagement o Learning Experience o Sustainability » Key Highlights of 2027 Ranking o Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) topped for 15th year. o Features 52 Indian universities, making India world''s fifth most represented higher education system. o Besides IIT-Delhi, IIT-Bombay and IIT-Madras are other Indian institution in top 200 globally. |
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Indian Ocean Regional Grouping India hosted 28th Meeting of Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of IORA in New Delhi reaffirming commitment towards peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean Region and regional cooperation. IORA (Hq: Mauritius) » It is an inter-governmental organisation established on 7 March 1997 based on the vision of Nelson Mandela. » Objective: Facilitate and promote regional cooperation in Indian Ocean Region. » Members: 23 (Including India) and 12 Dialogue Partners. » Six Priority Areas: Maritime Safety & Security, Trade & Investment Facilitation, Fisheries Management, Disaster Risk Management, Tourism & Cultural Exchanges, Academic, Science & Technology. » Two Cross-Cutting Issues: Blue Economy and Women’s Economic Empowerment. |
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Netherlands: Current Developments Netherlands (Capital: Amsterdam) » Fourth India-Netherlands Cyber Dialogue held in New Delhi. Political Features » It is located in northwestern Europe. It often referred to as Holland. » Land Boundaries: Germany (east) and Belgium (south). » Maritime Boundary: North Sea (Atlantic Ocean) to the north and west. » The International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court are situated in Hague. Geographical Features » Its geography is predominantly characterized by its low-lying terrain, with nearly one-third of its land area situated below sea level. » Rivers: Rhine (empty in North Sea), the Meuse, etc. |
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NPCI Rolls Out Tokenisation Support Drunix marks NPCI’s (National Payments Corporation of India) second major open-source contribution in blockchain and tokenisation space, following Falcon, which focused on production-grade blockchain network management and orchestration » Open source software/platform is source code developed and maintained through open collaboration that anyone can use, examine, alter and redistribute at no cost. Drunix » An enterprise-grade distributed ledger technology designed to help organizations build and scale tokenization platforms, digital asset ecosystems, and multi-organization networks. » It is a custom-built private blockchain framework designed and developed by re-engineering Hyperledger Fabric.
Blockchain Technology » Meaning: Advanced database mechanism that allows transparent information sharing within a business network.
» Significance: Creates an unalterable or immutable ledger for tracking orders, payments, accounts; prevents unauthorised transaction entries, etc. Tokenisation » Meaning: Process that converts ownership rights of real-world assets (like real estate, commodities, artworks, financial instruments) into digital tokens secured on blockchain networks. » Significance: Democratising access to investment opportunities; new possibilities for fractional ownership, enhanced liquidity, and streamlined transaction processes. NPCI » Umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. » Initiative of: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. » Nature: “Not for Profit” Company under Companies Act 2013. » Key Products of NPCI: RuPay; Immediate Payment Service (IMPS); Aadhaar enabled Payment System (AePS); Unified Payments Interface (UPI); etc. |
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SHe‑Box: Workplace Safety Tool The Sexual Harassment electronic Box (SHe-Box) 2.0 portal strengthened the women’s Safety Framework under the Mission Shakti Initiative. » Mission Shakti aims to strengthen interventions for women''s safety, security, and empowerment. » It comprises two sub-schemes, ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya,’ for the safety and security of women and the empowerment of women, respectively. SHe-Box » SHe-Box 2.0, launched in 2024, provides a single-window platform for all women across organised and unorganised, public and private sectors to register complaints of sexual harassment. » It is developed to operationalise the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. |