1. India–Slovakia Ties Elevated to Comprehensive Partnership
Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a State Visit to Slovakia (14–16 June 2026), the first-ever visit by an Indian head of government since Slovakia's independence in 1993, culminating in elevation of bilateral relations and conferment of Slovakia's highest civilian honour.
Key Points
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini conferred on PM Modi the Order of the White Double Cross, First Class, at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava.
Bilateral relations were elevated to a "Comprehensive Partnership," with 14 key outcomes announced.
New mechanisms established: Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and a Consular Dialogue.
Agreements signed on Labour Migration (MoU) and defence industry cooperation, including joint development and production (Letter of Intent).
Cooperation also extended to digital technology, cybersecurity, post-quantum technologies, audio-visual co-production, mobility, and nuclear energy.
A joint statement was issued on 15 June 2026 in Bratislava calling for comprehensive bilateral engagement.
Static Knowledge
Slovak President: Peter Pellegrini; Slovak PM: Robert Fico.
Capital of Slovakia: Bratislava.
Slovakia became independent on 1 January 1993 after dissolution of Czechoslovakia.
President Droupadi Murmu had earlier visited Slovakia in April 2025.
PM Modi held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice on 14 June 2026, leading to new strategic and economic initiatives ahead of the G7 Summit.
Key Points
India and France adopted the "Innovation Roadmap 2030" and launched a new Dialogue on Economic Security.
Bilateral trade target set to double from approximately USD 16 billion to USD 32 billion within five years.
The "Bharat Innovates" event was jointly inaugurated in Nice on 14 June 2026 under the India-France Year of Innovation.
Builds upon the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership elevated in February 2026.
PM Modi proceeded to the G7 Summit in Evian (16–17 June 2026), followed by VivaTech 2026 in Paris.
Static Knowledge
French President: Emmanuel Macron.
G7 grouping: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA (India is a regular invitee).
India-France Strategic Partnership originally established in 1998.
3. DRDO Flight-Tests Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)
Why in News?
DRDO successfully flight-tested the indigenously developed LRLACM on 15 June 2026 from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
Key Points
LRLACM is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile designed for precision land-attack roles.
Test reinforces India's indigenous strike capability under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Developed by DRDO in collaboration with production agencies under the Make in India defence framework.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island), Odisha, is India's key missile testing range.
Other indigenous cruise missiles: BrahMos (supersonic), Nirbhay (subsonic).
4. INS Agray Launched; INAS 330 "The Harpoons" Number-Plated
Why in News?
The Indian Navy launched INS Agray, the fifth Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, while simultaneously decommissioning Naval Air Squadron 330 after 55 years of service.
Key Points
INS Agray was launched on 13 June 2026; it strengthens the Navy's shallow-water anti-submarine warfare capability.
Arnala-class vessels are indigenously built ASW Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) for coastal defence.
INAS 330 "The Harpoons," commissioned 1971, was number-plated (decommissioned) on 14 June 2026 after 55 years.
Reflects ongoing modernisation and fleet restructuring of the Indian Navy.
Static Knowledge
Arnala-class ASW SWC vessels are built under India's indigenous shipbuilding programme.
Indian Navy's motto: "Sham No Varunah."
Indian Navy Chief: Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi (subject to verification of latest appointment).
5. Indian Railways Expands Kavach 4.0 Automatic Train Protection System
Why in News?
Indian Railways approved multiple projects on 15 June 2026 for expanding Kavach 4.0, the indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
Key Points
Approved works include route-based deployment and locomotive fitment of Kavach 4.0 across additional rail networks.
Kavach is India's indigenously developed ATP system designed to prevent train collisions.
Forms part of Railways' broader safety enhancement and modernisation drive following recent rail safety reviews.
Kavach 4.0 represents an upgraded, interoperable version enabling pan-India scalability.
Static Knowledge
Kavach was indigenously developed by Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) with Indian vendors.
Ministry of Railways oversees Kavach deployment nationally.
Kavach is India's version of an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, similar to European ETCS.
6. Iran–US Ceasefire Across All Fronts
Why in News?
Iran and the United States agreed to a ceasefire across all fronts in the West Asia conflict, including lifting the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Points
Confirmed by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister; blockade had disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf region.
The West Asia conflict had earlier impacted global oil prices and shipping routes.
India had responded with measures such as the ATF Price Stabilisation Fund and ECLGS 5.0.
Ceasefire expected to ease pressure on global energy markets and stabilise crude oil prices.
Static Knowledge
Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea; critical global oil transit chokepoint.
India imports a significant share of crude oil from Gulf nations.
ECLGS: Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, a COVID-era credit support scheme periodically extended for economic stress situations.
7. India's Urban Unemployment Rate Dips to 6.4% (PLFS, May 2026)
Why in News?
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data released for May 2026 shows India's urban unemployment rate declining to 6.4%.
Key Points
Released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Reflects improving urban labour market conditions despite global economic headwinds from the West Asia conflict.
PLFS provides quarterly urban and annual combined rural-urban unemployment estimates.
Static Knowledge
PLFS was launched in 2017 by NSO (MoSPI) replacing the earlier quinquennial Employment-Unemployment Survey.
MoSPI is also responsible for GDP, CPI, and IIP data releases.
8. e-Jagriti Wins Silver Award at NAeG 2026
Why in News?
e-Jagriti, the flagship digital consumer grievance redressal platform, received the Silver Award at the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026.
Key Points
Launched in 2025 by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Integrates four legacy systems — OCMS, e-Daakhil, NCDRC CMS, and CONFONET — into a single AI-enabled, paperless platform.
Enables consumers to file and track grievance cases online from anywhere, including abroad.
Has facilitated over 2.29 lakh consumer cases with a disposal rate exceeding 90%.
Static Knowledge
NCDRC: National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, apex consumer court under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Department of Consumer Affairs functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
9. FSSAI Tightens Norms on "Healthy" and "Organic" Food Labelling
Why in News?
FSSAI issued tightened regulations in June 2026 on use of "healthy" and "organic" claims on food labels, issuing notices to violating companies.
Key Points
Action taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Aims to curb misleading health claims and consumer deception in the packaged food industry.
Part of FSSAI's continuing regulatory tightening on food labelling and advertising standards.
Static Knowledge
FSSAI established in 2008 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; HQ: New Delhi.
FSSAI functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
10. Telangana Launches Breakfast and Milk Scheme; Kerala Launches Priyadarshini Scheme
Why in News?
Telangana launched its flagship Breakfast and Milk Scheme on 15 June 2026; Kerala launched the Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme for women and transgender persons.
Key Points
Telangana's scheme provides free breakfast and milk to students from pre-primary to Class XII in government schools, aiming to combat malnutrition and boost attendance.
Similar schemes exist in Tamil Nadu (CM's Breakfast Scheme, 2022) and Karnataka (Ksheera Bhagya).
Kerala's Priyadarshini scheme allows free bus travel for women and transgender persons via KSRTC.
Comparable women-centric transport schemes exist in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka (Shakti Scheme), and Telangana (Mahalakshmi Scheme).
Prelims Practice MCQs
During PM Modi's State Visit to Slovakia in June 2026, which honour was conferred upon him by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini?
The "Innovation Roadmap 2030" was jointly adopted by India with which country in June 2026?
DRDO's Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) was flight-tested from which test site?
INS Agray, recently launched by the Indian Navy, belongs to which class of vessels?
Kavach, recently in news for expansion under "Kavach 4.0," refers to which of the following?
Which strategic maritime chokepoint was at the centre of the recently concluded Iran-US ceasefire agreement?
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is conducted by which body?
As per recent PLFS data, India's urban unemployment rate for May 2026 stood at approximately:
e-Jagriti, which recently won the Silver Award at NAeG 2026, is associated with which sector?
Which Act forms the legal basis for FSSAI's regulation of "healthy" and "organic" food labelling claims?
Telangana's recently launched "Breakfast and Milk Scheme" is comparable to which existing state scheme in Karnataka?
Kerala's "Priyadarshini" scheme, recently launched, provides free bus travel to which groups?
The Swiss referendum held on 14 June 2026, titled "No to a Switzerland of 10 Million," sought to:
Which Indian naval squadron, recently decommissioned after 55 years, was known as "The Harpoons"?
16 June is observed globally as which of the following?