The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted the first of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), or hovercraft, at Goa on 18 June 2026. The vessels are being constructed by Chowgule & Company Private Limited under a Ministry of Defence contract.
Key Highlights
First ACV inducted into ICG service in Goa.
Part of a contract for six indigenous hovercraft.
Contract signed between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. on 24 October 2024.
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is celebrating its 23rd Foundation Day on 19 June 2026, highlighting its role in strengthening India’s internet infrastructure and digital ecosystem.
About NIXI
Established under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Not-for-profit organization promoting internet growth and resilience in India.
Functions:
Management of ‘.IN’ and ‘.भारत’ country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs).
Internet Exchange (IX) services.
Allocation of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses through the Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN).
Key Achievements
Manages over 3.9 million .IN domain names.
India is among the top 10 country-code domain registries globally.
Operates 79 Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) across the country.
Supports domain names in 22 Indian languages.
Facilitated migration of banking platforms to the .bank.in domain.
India’s IPv6 penetration has reached 78.34%.
New Initiative
Launch of an AI-Powered WHOIS Screening Platform.
Aim: Improve trustworthiness of the .IN domain ecosystem. Strengthen domain security and fraud detection.
Key Terms
Internet Exchange Point (IXP): Physical infrastructure through which Internet Service Providers (ISPs) exchange domestic internet traffic. Reduces latency and international bandwidth costs.
WHOIS: A public database that stores information about domain name registration, ownership, and administrative details.
IPv6: Latest version of the Internet Protocol. Provides a vastly larger address space than IPv4.
Significance
Enhances India’s digital sovereignty.
Strengthens internet security and resilience.
Promotes multilingual internet access.
Supports the vision of a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
[2018] Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India?
The 10th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue was held in Bangkok on 16 June 2026 to review bilateral defence cooperation and discuss regional and global security issues.
Key Highlights
Reviewed the full spectrum of India-Thailand defence cooperation.
Discussed the evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific.
Reaffirmed commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Reviewed progress in:
Military-to-military engagements.
Capacity-building initiatives.
Training exchanges.
Maritime cooperation.
Defence Industry Cooperation
Agreed to deepen collaboration in:
Defence manufacturing.
Research and development (R&D).
Innovation.
Capability development.
Aim: Promote mutually beneficial partnerships between the defence ecosystems of both countries.
Regional & Multilateral Cooperation
Discussed cooperation under Association of Southeast Asian Nations-led mechanisms.
Reaffirmed commitment to addressing shared security challenges through dialogue and collaboration.
India-Thailand Relations
Bilateral ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2025.
Thailand is an important partner in India’s:
Act East Policy.
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
Maritime and regional connectivity efforts.
[2023] With reference to India’s projects on connectivity, consider the following statements:: 1. East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat. 2. Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar. 3. Bangladesh- China- India- Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China. How many of the above statements are correct?
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a 14-point framework agreement aimed at reducing tensions, addressing Iran’s nuclear programme, easing sanctions, and restoring regional stability.
Iran’s Commitments
Pledges to never produce nuclear weapons.
Maintain the status quo on its nuclear programme during negotiations.
Reportedly agreed to down-blend (dilute) highly enriched uranium under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Restore pre-war shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.
U.S. Commitments
Facilitate release of frozen Iranian assets.
Support an economic development plan worth $300 billion.
Lift sanctions on:
Crude oil exports.
Petrochemical products.
Financial and banking services.
Remove naval blockade and reduce military presence in surrounding areas.
Commit to lifting primary and secondary sanctions under a final agreement.
Other Features
Mutual commitment to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Call for an immediate and permanent end to regional hostilities, including in Lebanon.
Further negotiations to address:
Fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
Future nuclear enrichment rights.
Long-term sanctions relief.
Key Flashpoint: Nuclear Enrichment
Iran maintains that peaceful nuclear enrichment is its sovereign right.
The U.S. has sought zero enrichment on Iranian soil.
This remains the most contentious issue for the final agreement.
Strait of Hormuz
Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
One of the world’s most important oil transit chokepoints.
A significant share of global crude oil and LNG trade passes through it.
Prelims Facts
IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency.
Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman.
Iran possesses significant stocks of highly enriched uranium.
Nuclear enrichment involves increasing the concentration of the fissile isotope Uranium-235 in uranium fuel.
[2023]Consider the following statements: Statement-IIndia, despite having Uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production. Statement-II:Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements
[A] Both Statement-I and Statement – II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement- I
[B] Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
[C] Statement- I is Correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
[D] Statement-I incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (17 June) was celebrated across 813 project areas under the WDC–PMKSY 2.0 (Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0).
WDC–PMKSY 2.0
Implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
Focuses on:
Soil and water conservation.
Restoration of degraded lands.
Enhancing resilience of rainfed agriculture.
Sustainable watershed development.
Major Interventions
Check dams, Percolation tanks, Farm ponds, Water harvesting and groundwater recharge structures
Key Outcomes
Improved water availability in rainfed areas.
Enables second and third crop cultivation.
Enhances farmers’ income and livelihood security.
Strengthens drought resilience and climate adaptation.
Activities Conducted
Bhoomi Poojan of 1,444 new watershed development works.
Lokarpan (Inauguration) of 8,341 completed watershed assets.
Plantation of 51,299 saplings under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
Public pledge: “For a Developed India, Let Us Build a Drought-Free India.”
Significance
Promotes community-led land and water conservation.
Supports land restoration, water security, and climate resilience.
Contributes to sustainable rural development and combating desertification.
[2016] What is/are the importance/importances of the ‘United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’?
1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships.
2. It has a special focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates allocation of major portions of financial resources to these regions.
3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging participation of local people in combating desertification.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI) to ensure transparent certification and regulatory compliance for green hydrogen production.
GHCI
Developed by MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy).
Certifies green hydrogen under the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI Scheme).
Enhances transparency, traceability, and market credibility.
National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)
Launched in 2023.
Outlay: ₹19,744 crore.
Targets by 2030
5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen production.
125 Gigawatt (GW) dedicated renewable energy capacity.
₹8 lakh crore investment.
6 lakh jobs.
Reduction of 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions annually.
Key Progress
6 States have dedicated Green Hydrogen Policies; 7 States have integrated hydrogen into existing policies.
Incentives awarded to 15 companies for 3,000 MW (Megawatt) per year electrolyser manufacturing capacity.
Under SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition), incentives approved for 8.62 lakh Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen production.
Contracts awarded for 30,000 MTPA green hydrogen supply to refineries.
Agreements signed for 6.7 lakh MTPA of Green Ammonia supply to 11 fertilizer plants.
₹84 crore sanctioned for hydrogen injection pilot projects in the steel sector.
₹208 crore allocated for 37 hydrogen-powered vehicles and 9 refuelling stations.
₹113 crore allocated for Research and Development (R&D) projects.
₹100 crore startup fund; first 9 startups approved with ₹22 crore support.
Green Hydrogen
Hydrogen produced through electrolysis using renewable energy.
A zero-carbon fuel for sectors such as steel, fertilizers, refineries, shipping, and heavy transport.
[2023] With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements: 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation. 3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles. How many of the above statements are correct?
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) restored the original image of the iconic Mohenjo-daro bronze figurine in a Class 9 textbook after an earlier version had shaded its bare torso, reviving debates over cultural representation and historical interpretation.
About the Figurine
A bronze statuette discovered at Mohenjo-daro (1926), dating to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE).
About 10.5 cm tall, created using the lost-wax casting technique.
Depicts a young female figure adorned with numerous bangles and ornaments.
Why is its Identity Contested?
Archaeologist John Marshall identified it as a “nautch girl” (dancing girl) based on posture and appearance.
However, scholars argue there is no archaeological evidence that she was a professional dancer.
Historian Upinder Singh notes that the figure “may not have been dancing at all.”
Archaeologist Gregory L. Possehl also questioned the dancer interpretation.
Partition and Ownership Debate
After Partition, around 12,000 Harappan artefacts in Delhi became subjects of dispute between India and Pakistan.
Both countries agreed to a 50:50 division of artefacts from Mohenjo-daro and Chanhu-daro.
Pakistan chose the “Priest King” figurine over the Dancing Girl, reportedly due to concerns over the latter’s nudity.
The Dancing Girl remains in India and is viewed by many scholars as part of the shared heritage of South Asia.
Significance
Demonstrates the advanced metallurgical skills of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Highlights how colonial interpretations and contemporary moral values shape our understanding of the past.
Reflects debates on heritage ownership, gender, modesty, and cultural identity.
Value Addition
Lost-Wax Casting Technique: A metal casting process in which a wax model is covered with clay; molten metal replaces the melted wax to create the final sculpture.
The Dancing Girl is one of the most iconic artistic representations of the Indus Valley Civilization.
[2025] The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of
Researchers from India and Japan used the Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS phase-3 (GRAPES-3) telescope to analyse 22 years of muon data, enabling real-time monitoring of changes in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
What is GRAPES-3?
GRAPES-3 (Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS phase-3) is a muon telescope and cosmic-ray observatory located at Ooty, Tamil Nadu.
It detects muons, rather than visible light.
It is designed to study Cosmic rays, Solar magnetic fields, Space weather, and Atmospheric processes.
What are Muons?
Muons are high-energy subatomic particles produced when cosmic rays collide with atoms in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
They can penetrate deep into the Earth’s surface due to their high energy.
How does GRAPES-3 Work?
Comprises 16 detector modules.
Each module contains 232 proportional counters filled with argon-methane gas and a tungsten wire.
Passing muons generate electrical pulses, recorded as “hits.”
Four layers of detectors arranged at right angles help determine the trajectory and angle of incoming muons.
Reinforced concrete layers filter out low-energy particles, allowing only high-energy muons to be detected.
Significance
Enables real-time monitoring of upper atmospheric temperature changes.
Helps study the Sun’s magnetic field and space weather.
Improves understanding of cosmic-ray interactions with Earth’s atmosphere.
Contributes to research in astroparticle physics and atmospheric science.
Value Addition
Cosmic Rays: High-energy charged particles originating from outer space.
Space Weather: Variations in the space environment caused by solar activity that can affect satellites, communication systems, and power grids.
[2017] The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of
[A] Observation and understanding of the Universe
[B] Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses
[C] Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth
[D] Origin and evolution of living organisms on the earth
India’s southwest monsoon rainfall deficit widened to 35%, with Central India recording a 61% deficit, as the monsoon stalled before reaching Mumbai. The Centre has placed around 150 to 200 districts under priority monitoring and directed States to prepare crop-wise contingency plans.
Key Highlights
All-India rainfall deficit: 35%.
Regional deficits: Northwest India: +5%, East & Northeast India: -43%, Central India: -61%, and Southern Peninsula: -14%
Monsoon reached Kerala on 4 June, but its advance weakened near Mumbai.
Around 150 to 200 districts under priority monitoring.
Government encouraging a shift towards cotton and pulses.
Reservoir storage stood at 30.4% of capacity, compared to 25.1% average during previous El Niño years.
Why has the Monsoon Stalled?
Anticyclonic circulation north of Mumbai blocked monsoon progression.
Influence of mid-latitude westerly systems.
Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is currently in an unfavourable phase.
Next monsoon pulse may strengthen with a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
El Niño Concerns
El Niño: Periodic warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that generally suppresses the Indian monsoon.
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Issued El Niño advisory on 11 June. 63% probability of a very strong El Niño by winter.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO):80% probability of El Niño developing between June and August.
India Meteorological Department (IMD):
Seasonal rainfall forecast revised from 92% to 90% of the Long Period Average (LPA).
Assigned a 60% probability of a deficient monsoon, the most pessimistic pre-season forecast since 2015.
No positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) expected to offset El Niño effects.
Significance
Threatens kharif sowing and agricultural output.
May increase food inflation and rural distress.
Necessitates timely contingency planning and climate-resilient agriculture.
Highlights the need for improved water management and drought preparedness.
Value Addition
Long Period Average (LPA): Average rainfall during 1971-2020, used as the benchmark for monsoon forecasts.
Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): Difference in sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern Indian Ocean that can influence Indian monsoon rainfall.
[2017] With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. 2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s impact on the monsoon. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
India and Japan adopted the Rules of Implementation for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) on 8 June 2026, operationalising their 2025 Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.
What is JCM?
A bilateral mechanism enabling cooperation on projects that reduce or remove Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, generating Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) to help both countries achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Key Features
Joint Committee: Oversees implementation.
Transparent project approval procedures.
Third-party validation and verification of emission reductions.
Sustainable development safeguards.
National registries to track carbon credits.
Corresponding adjustments to prevent double counting.
Significance for India
Supports achievement of NDC targets.
Facilitates Japanese low-carbon technology transfer.
Attracts climate finance and investment.
Strengthens Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) capacity.
Promotes sustainable development and India’s carbon market ecosystem.
[2025] Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Statement II: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets. Statement III: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[A] Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
[B] Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
[C] Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
[D] Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
