Monthly current affairs for June 2026

Technology Hub (T-Hub) has inaugurated the third cohort of the ORBIT programme, an Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)-supported Atal Innovation Incubation Centre (AIC)-T-Hub Space-Tech Accelerator Programme. The third cohort includes 13 startups, including Sanyak Space Technologies, Humanity Space, Red Balloon Aerospace, and Nibiaa Devices.

With this, the ORBIT programme has supported 36 space-tech startups in total, while the broader space-tech initiatives of T-Hub have engaged over 100 startups. It is to be noted that previous cohorts have collectively raised nearly ₹30 crore in funding and developed 18 Intellectual Properties (IPs).

The Himachal Pradesh government has signed an MoU with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote climate-resilient development, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive growth in the state.

Additionally, CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has launched the ‘Safai Mitra Scheme’ to empower informal waste management workers.

West Bengal has officially implemented the Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), becoming the 36th State/UT to join the scheme.

This marks the completion of a 100% nationwide rollout of the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme across every state and UT in India. It is to be noted that the central government has allocated ₹3,505 crore to West Bengal under the National Health Mission (NHM) for FY27.

The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) initiative has been awarded the 2026 Food Planet Prize.

The prize, presented by the Curt Bergfors Foundation in Bastad, Sweden, is one of the world’s largest environmental awards focusing on the transformation of global food systems. The APCNF received a monetary prize of $1.5 million.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred gallantry awards during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026, held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. The awards included 7 Kirti Chakras (2 posthumous), 15 Vir Chakras (3 posthumous), and 29 Shaurya Chakras (1 posthumous).

Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari and Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar were awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously. Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Sub Inspector (GD) Mohd Imteyaj, and Constable (GD) Deepak Chingakham were posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, while Lance Dhadr (L/DFR) Baldev Chand was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously.

The 22nd edition of the Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026 was held at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground in Hong Kong, China, featuring 45 sporting events. The event was organised by the Asian Athletics Association (AAA).

China topped the medal tally with 25 medals (14 gold), followed by India in second position with 19 medals (10 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze). Japan secured the third position.

Indian gold medalists include Nitin Gupta (Men 5000m Race Walk), Amanat Kamboj (Women Discus Throw), Pooja Singh (Women High Jump), Muskan (Women 5000m), and the Women 4x400m Relay Team comprising Bhumika, Tahura, Sehnoor, and Neeru.

KS Bharat, an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket after a 7-Test career. He now intends to pursue opportunities in overseas T20 leagues.

In domestic cricket, he represented the Andhra cricket team and holds the distinction of being the first wicketkeeper-batter to score a triple century in the Ranji Trophy.

The 14th edition of the annual international chess tournament, Norway Chess 2026, was held in Oslo, Norway, featuring both the Open section and the 3rd Norway Chess Women tournament. Both tournaments featured a prize fund of NOK 1.69 million each, with the winner of each section receiving NOK 700,000.

Indian Grandmaster (GM) Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa won the Open section with 18 points, becoming the first Indian to claim the title after defeating Vincent Keymer of Germany in the final round. GM Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan secured the title in the 3rd Norway Chess Women tournament.

Hindi Journalism Day (Hindi Patrakarita Diwas):

Day – May 30

Commemorating – The launch of the first Hindi newspaper “Udant Martand” in Calcutta by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla in 1826

Day - May 31

Theme 2026 - Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction

Observed by - WHO

Observed since - 1988

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a new standardized “Vegan” logo. The use of this logo will be mandatory for all approved vegan food products in India from July 2027.

Union Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary has launched the “Navachar Mantra” initiative at the IIT Delhi. This national flagship initiative aims to identify, mentor, and scale grassroots innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Education has issued Letters of Approval (LoA) to 3 international universities to establish campuses in India. The University of Bristol (UK) and the University of York (UK) will set up their campuses in Mumbai. The University of New South Wales (UNSW, Australia) will establish its campus at Manyata Business Park in Bengaluru.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first export consignment of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Tezpur Litchi from Assam to Dubai.

The Government of India has constituted 6 sector-specific working groups to identify up to 100 products to enhance domestic manufacturing and decrease import dependency.

These working groups are chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).

According to the “OECD Economic Outlook Under Pressure: June 2026” report released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), India’s GDP growth is projected at 7.6% for FY26, 6.3% for FY27 (revised from 6.1%), and 6.4% for FY28. The report also projects India’s inflation to rise from 2.1% in FY26 to 4.8% in FY27.

According to the latest “Ecowrap” report by the State Bank of India, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of India for FY26 is projected to increase to 7.7%. This growth is attributed to the strong performance of the economy in Q4 of FY26, which accelerated to 7.8%.

Air India has signed an MoU with Riyadh Air, the new premium national carrier of Saudi Arabia, to enhance premium travel options.

The partnership aims to streamline booking processes and expand flight connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and global destinations.

Under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), India has extended liberalized tariffs on 77.79% of its tariff lines, covering 94.81% of imports from Oman.

Oman has committed to expanding market access across 127 services sub-sectors, including binding provisions for professionals in various sectors. The agreement also enhances professional mobility, permitting business visitors to stay for up to 90 days, independent professionals for up to 180 days, and Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICTs) for up to 4 years.

The Sports Authority of India has signed an MoU with the University of Tsukuba, Japan, to facilitate specialized training and exchange programmes for Indian athletes, coaches, and sports scientists.