JUNE 20,2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
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Abhigyan App Launched for Public Awareness Union Home Minister launched the Abhigyan App. Abhigyan App » Developed by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). » It enables field police personnel to search National Fingerprint Database from any location using certified fingerprint scanner to identify a suspect through fingerprint matching. » App links to National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS). o NAFIS implemented by NCRB stores fingerprint scans of accused, convicts, and those in prisons on a centralised platform. |
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Earth’s Quasi-Satellites and Their Significance China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft nears Earth’s Quasi-Moon 469219 Kamo''oalewa (2016 HO3) » The Mission aims to land and return samples to Earth in 2027. Quasi Moon » A quasi-moon is not a true moon gravitationally bound to Earth. » Instead, it orbits the Sun while remaining in a stable orbital resonance with Earth, making it appear to accompany Earth over long period. » It appears to loop around Earth when viewed from our planet. » Earth hosts at least seven known quasi-moons. » Significance: Study can improve understanding of celestial dynamics, planetary defence, and future asteroid exploration missions. |
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FXTs and Their Significance in Space Research Astronomers at Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) traced the cosmic origin of a FXT designated as EP241107a. » Study of X-ray flash linked to collapse of a massive star or merger of two neutron stars could help better understand the physics of these extreme events. Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) » Meaning:Energetic, non-repeating flashes of X-rays associated with violent processes in universe. o They are a new class of transient sources in sky, first discovered about a decade ago. o They appear as sudden bursts of low energy X-rays, lasting from few minutes to several hours. o Their origin remains unclear due to their brief duration making them challenging to study. |
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Global Fisheries at a Crossroads: SOFIA 2026 The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released the report under the theme "Blue Transformation: Turning Vision into Impact". » FAO Blue Transformation Vision (2021) aims to transform aquatic food systems through Sustainable aquaculture expansion, Effective fisheries management, and Efficient, inclusive and Sustainable value chains. Key Findings of the report » Global » Record Production: 235 million tonnes (2024). » Aquaculture as Growth Driver: Contributed 53% of all aquatic animal production. » Key Concern: Sustainable fish stocks declined from 64.5% (2021) to 62.4% (2023). India » India produced 9% of global aquatic animal production in 2024 and ranked 2nd globally, after China. » Ranked first in inland capture fisheries; 5% of global marine capture fisheries. » Second-largest aquaculture producer, contributing 12% of global aquaculture output. » India is among top five countries (with China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh) producing ~82% of global aquaculture output. Indian Initiatives » Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Flagship scheme for sustainable fisheries development. » Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): Concessional finance for developing fisheries infrastructure. » Technological interventions: Fish Market Price Information System, digital fisheries database, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Bio-floc technology » Others: Blue Revolution Scheme, National Policy on Marine Fisheries (2017), Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Fisheries, Integrated Aqua Parks, Marine Fisheries Census 2025 etc., |
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India’s FATF Compliance Under Review Vivek Aggarwal has been elected as the first Indian Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force. FATF » Genesis: Intergovernmental organisation established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris. » Secretariat: Paris (France) » Functions: It is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. It sets international standards that aim to prevent these illegal activities and the societal harm caused. » Members: 40 (India became a member in 2010) » FATF classification of high-risk jurisdictions: o High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action (Black List): Serious strategic deficiencies to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and financing of proliferation. o Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring (Grey List): Actively working with FATF to address strategic deficiencies. |
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India’s Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease Indian President held that country would eradicate sickle cell anaemia well before the target of 2047. Sickle Cell Anaemia » Most severe form of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). » SCD is a genetic disorder affecting haemoglobin, molecule in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen. » It causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped, leading to blockages in blood flow and subsequent pain and organ damage. » Interventions:National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program executed as part of National Health Mission (NHM), aims to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by 2047. o Programme Targets screening approximately 7.0 crore people over 2023-24 to 2025-26. (already achieved). |
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India’s First Commercial Coal-to-Chemical Plant Begins Project is being developed by Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL), a joint venture of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Coal India Limited (CIL). » It will produce 2,000 tonnes per day of ammonium nitrate using indigenously developed coal gasification technology by BHEL. Coal Gasification » Meaning: Process that converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas), to be used to produce a wide range of value-added products like methanol, urea, ammonium nitrate, synthetic natural gas, and other chemical feedstocks. Significance of Coal Gasification » Reduce Imports: India currently imports end-use and intermediate chemical products worth ~ Rs 2.7 lakh crore annually. » Catalyse Investments: Gasification would catalyse investment worth Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh crore and create around 50,000 direct/indirect employment across 25 projects in coal-bearing regions. » Huge Potential: India is world’s second largest producer and consumer of coal; is endowed with world''s fifth-largest coal reserves of over 400 billion tonnes. » Ensure Optimal utilization of indigenous natural resources: For long term economic growth and competitive advantages like Shale gas revolution in USA, Coal to Chemicals in China, Key Initiatives towards promoting Coal Gasification in India » National Coal Gasification Mission: Aims to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030. » Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects. » Incentive scheme for promotion of coal and lignite gasification projects (2024) for PSUs and private sector with an outlay of ₹ 8,500 crore. » India’s First Ever Pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification in Jharkhand (2024). |
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India’s New Employment Scheme: PM-VBRY PM disbursed incentives worth Rs.2,400 crore under PM-VBRY. PM-VBRY » Aim: Came into effect on 1 August 2025 with the aim to incentivise creation of more than 3.5 crore jobs over a two-year period. » Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment o Implemented through Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), a statutory body under Employees'' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952. » Features: Employment-linked incentive scheme to encourage both workers’ and employers’ participation in formal economy. » Incentive: o Upto ₹15,000 for first time employees. o Employers generating additional employment are eligible for incentives of up to ₹3,000 per month per additional employee. |
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India''s Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism » Four Pillars of India’s Counter Terror Strategy » Legislative Empowerment: Strengthened law through: o Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act 2019 (Allowed designation of individuals as terrorists), o National Investigation Agency (NIA) Amendment Act 2019 (expanded jurisdiction), PMLA reforms, o Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (first time terrorism and organised crime defined). » Strengthened Institution: Expanded intelligence architecture via NIA, NATGRID, Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) for intelligence coordination, and Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS 2.0). » NIA’s budget allocation increased more than fourfold, from 2014-15 to 2024-25. » Operations against Cross Border Terrorism: Established doctrine of decisive action, assertive and deterrence-based. E.g. Surgical Strikes (2016), Balakot Airstrike (2019), and Operation Sindoor (2025). » Multilateral Diplomatic Efforts: » Enhanced cooperation through Financial Action Task Force (FATF), BHARATPOL portal » Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism with 27 countries and 5 multilateral forums (SCO, BIMSTEC, BRICS, EU, QUAD-CTWG). Key Outcomes of Reforms » Improved Security in Jammu & Kashmir: o Terrorist incidents declined from 7,217 (2004-2014) to 2,242 (2014-2024). o Security force fatalities declined by ~82%, from 91 (2018) to 16 (2025). » Hinterland Security (shift from reactive response to proactive prevention): o Decline in urban terrorist attacks. o Intelligence-led preventive strategy helped foil attacks. |
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Judicial Interpretation of Section 69A in Indian Polity The Delhi High Court upheld the Centre''s temporary Telegram ban under Section 69A to prevent the NEET exam paper leaks. Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 » Empowerment: Authorizes the Central Government to block public access to online information through any computer resource. » It was inserted through the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008. » Grounds: Exercised in the interest of India''s sovereignty, integrity, defense, security, public order, and friendly relations with foreign states. » Procedure: Blocking orders must be written, recording specific reasons, conforming to the statutory IT Rules, 2009. » Penalty: Intermediaries failing to comply with directions face up to seven years'' imprisonment and fines. » In the Shreya Singhal (2015) judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Section 69A. |
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Norway Emerges as Key Global Player Norway (Capital: Oslo) Norway has announced a near-ban on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elementary schools. Political Features » Location: Northern Europe; occupies the western half of the Scandinavian peninsula. » Neighboring countries: Sweden (east), Finland (northeast), and Russia (far northeast). » Maritime Borders: Barents Sea (north), Norwegian Sea (west), North Sea (southwest), and the Skagerrak strait (south). Geographical Features » About two-thirds of Norway is mountainous, and much of its indented coastline, carved by deep glacial fjords. » Major waterbodies: The Glomma (longest river), Lake Mjøsa (largest lake), and the Sognefjord (the country''s longest and deepest fjord). |
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SC Raises Alarm Over Financial Sector Collusion Hearing a PIL, SC held that there was a dire need to look into the functioning of ARCs (Asset Reconstruction Companies). » The PIL alleged that debt of 1,537 crore rupee owed to public sector banks was settled through two ARCs for a mere 73 crore 50 lakh rupees showing misutilisation of public money. ARCs » Meaning: Specialised financial institution to acquire financial assets (loans) of banks and financial institutions seeking to recover or re-construct them in an effort to combat the issue of non-performing assets in banking. o Registered as a company under Section 3 of SARFAESI (Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest) Act, 2002. » Regulation: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extensive regulatory control over ARCs o Twenty-seven ARCs are currently registered with RBI. Challenges associated with ARCs » Low Recovery Rates: Due to litigation delays, valuation disputes, and borrower insolvency. » Limited Restructuring Expertise: Determining the fair value of distressed assets is inherently complex and may result in disagreements. » Delayed Process: Recovery proceedings often involve prolonged litigation before tribunals and courts, affecting the overall efficiency. » Recovery Focussed: Activities of ARC have been mainly recovery-focused as opposed to revival-focused. Ways to Reform ARCs » Constitute a key advisory group with all stakeholders to review the functioning of ARC sector and suggest time-bound measures. » Enhancing transparency in asset valuation and sale processes. » Aligning incentives toward faster resolution rather than asset accumulation. |
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Walking as a Citizen’s Right in India The Supreme Court in Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors. held that the right to walk on safe, demarcated footpaths is a Fundamental Right under Part III of the Constitution. The Judgement » The Court held that the Right to Walk flows from, o Article 19(1)(d): Freedom of Movement: Right to move freely throughout India. o Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty: Guarantees protection of life and personal liberty, ensuring a life with dignity, safety. » It is also linked to: o Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of Speech and Expression o Article 19(1)(b): Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and without arms o Article 19(1)(c): Freedom to form Associations, unions, co-operative societies. |
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World Bank’s DPF and India’s Economic Reforms World Bank approved a $1.5 billion financing package for India under its DPF operation to boost growth and jobs. DPF » Objective: Rapidly disbursing financing to help a borrower address actual or anticipated development financing requirements. o Supports borrowers in achieving poverty reduction, climate-friendly sustainable and inclusive growth through program of policy and institutional actions. o DPF can be extended as loans, credits/grants, or guarantees. » Funds are made available based on: o Maintenance of adequate macroeconomic policy framework. o Satisfactory implementation of overall reform program. o Completion of a set of critical policy and institutional actions. o Alignment with the Goals of Paris Agreement. |