1. Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI Portal) Launched
Why in News?
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) launched the GHCI Portal during a national workshop on strengthening the National Green Hydrogen Mission in New Delhi.
Key Points
The portal is a unified digital platform developed by MNRE to administer the Green Hydrogen Certification (GHCI) scheme.
It will handle measurement, reporting, verification, certification, regulatory compliance, and transparency across the green hydrogen value chain.
Full operability is targeted from 1 July 2026, after a security audit is completed.
Certification will be mandatory for producers availing incentives/subsidies, those selling or using green hydrogen domestically, those seeking exemptions, and exporters of partial quantities.
Static Knowledge
National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) launched on 4 January 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
Target: 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) green hydrogen production annually by 2030.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
2. NCRPB Approves Four "Namo Cities" in Delhi-NCR
Why in News?
The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB), chaired by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, approved development of four greenfield cities under Regional Plan 2041.
Key Points
One city each will come up in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, branded "Namo Cities."
Estimated cost: ₹5,000 crore over five years; states must submit three proposals each, selected via challenge mode.
NCR will be reorganised into three zones, including a core zone between the Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal (KGP) and Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) expressways.
The branding aligns with the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) "Namo Bharat" trains.
Static Knowledge
NCRPB established in 1985 under the National Capital Region Planning Board Act, 1985.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
NCR spans parts of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
3. QS World University Rankings 2027 Released
Why in News?
London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the 23rd edition of the QS World University Rankings, evaluating over 1,500 universities across 106 countries, including 52 Indian institutions.
Key Points
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, retained first place globally for the 15th consecutive year with a perfect score.
Imperial College London and Stanford University jointly ranked second.
IIT Delhi is India's top-ranked institute at 118th globally (improved from 123rd), India's highest-ranked institution for a second consecutive year.
Other top Indian institutes: IIT Bombay (134th), IIT Madras (170th), IIT Kharagpur (205th), IISc Bangalore (221st).
Static Knowledge
QS ranking parameters include Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty-Student Ratio, Citations per Faculty, International Faculty and Student Ratios.
QS is headquartered in London, UK.
4. Ladakh Approves SHAN Conservation Society for Snow Leopards
Why in News?
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the constitution of the "Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature" (SHAN) Conservation Society — the first of its kind in the region.
Key Points
The Society functions under the Department of Environment and Forests, Ladakh.
It will serve as an institutional mechanism for wildlife conservation, biodiversity management, and community-led environmental stewardship.
Objectives include eco-development around snow leopard habitats, mitigation of human-wildlife conflict, and promotion of eco-tourism and sustainable livelihoods.
The LG will chair the Society; members include the Chief Secretary, Ladakh's MP, CECs of LAHDC Leh and Kargil, and conservation experts.
Static Knowledge
Snow leopard is the State Animal of Ladakh, called the "Ghost of the Mountains."
As per the 2024 Snow Leopard Population Assessment, India has 718 snow leopards; 477 are in Ladakh.
India's Project Snow Leopard was launched in 2009.
5. RBI Eases Capital Norms for Banks Under ECLGS 5.0
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India relaxed capital adequacy requirements for banks on loans guaranteed under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0.
Key Points
Amendment made to RBI (Commercial Banks – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025, effective immediately.
75% of the guaranteed loan portion will attract zero risk weight; the remaining 25% continues to attract 20% risk weight.
The 0% risk weight applies only if banks settle claims within 30 days of invocation.
ECLGS 5.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet in June 2026 to support businesses affected by the West Asia conflict.
Scheme administered by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) under the Ministry of Finance.
Static Knowledge
ECLGS was originally launched in May 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package for COVID-19 relief.
Risk weight reduction frees up bank capital for additional lending.
6. NSE Indices Adds 11 New Sectoral Indices
Why in News?
NSE Indices Limited expanded its index portfolio by introducing 11 new sector-specific indices, raising its total count to 34.
Key Points
New indices include Nifty Power, Nifty Capital Goods, Nifty Telecommunications, Nifty Construction, Nifty Consumer Services, Nifty Commercial & Transport Services, Nifty Retail, Nifty Hospitals, Nifty NBFC, Nifty Housing Finance, and Nifty Insurance.
The move will facilitate sector-specific ETFs, index funds, and derivatives.
NSE Indices Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
Static Knowledge
NSE was established in 1992; headquartered in Mumbai.
7. Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi Appointed CMD of GIC Re
Why in News?
The Department of Financial Services approved the appointment of Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).
Key Points
Effective from 16 June 2026, with tenure up to 30 September 2028.
He succeeds Narayanan Ramaswamy and has over three decades of experience in insurance and reinsurance.
He served as interim CMD since 1 October 2025.
Static Knowledge
GIC Re is India's sole national reinsurer, established in 1972 under the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972.
Headquarters: Mumbai; functions under the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.
8. Bengaluru Ranked 15th in Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2026
Why in News?
Startup Genome, in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, released the 14th edition of GSER 2026, ranking Bengaluru 15th among the world's top 40 startup ecosystems.
Key Points
Bengaluru is rated the second-best AI-native startup cluster in Asia after Beijing.
The report analysed over 5.5 million startups across 350+ ecosystems in 80+ countries.
Global top three ecosystems remain unchanged: Silicon Valley, New York City, and London.
India ranks among the top three nations globally by number of unicorns.
Static Knowledge
Mumbai and Delhi-NCR also feature among global top startup ecosystems.
"Startup India" initiative was launched in January 2016.
9. PM Modi Concludes France Visit; Attends G7 Summit and VivaTech 2026
Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed a six-day visit to France (13–18 June 2026), concluding with participation in the VivaTech 2026 summit in Paris.
Key Points
Visit comprised three legs: bilateral talks with President Macron in Nice; the G7 Summit at Évian-les-Bains; and VivaTech 2026 in Paris.
Outcomes included adoption of the India-France Innovation Roadmap 2030, a Joint Working Group on AI Governance, UPI expansion in France, and a target to double bilateral trade to USD 32 billion within five years.
India had its largest-ever national pavilion at VivaTech 2026.
During the G7 Summit, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with leaders of Canada, the UK, and the UAE.
Static Knowledge
G7 comprises the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
India has been a regular G7 outreach/guest invitee in recent years.
A PIB release consolidated India's 12-year (2014–2026) achievements in heritage conservation, antiquity repatriation, and digitisation under the philosophy "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi" (Development as well as Heritage).
Key Points
653 antiquities have been retrieved since 2014, with 613 retrieved in the last five years alone, reflecting sharp acceleration via public-private partnerships.
Landmark returns include the Piprahwa relics of the Buddha (2025), the Annapurna idol from Canada (2021), and Rama-Sita-Lakshmana bronzes from the UK (2020).
Heritage protection is primarily governed under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
Static Knowledge
AMASR Act, 1958, amended in 2010, restricts construction near protected monuments.
11. India-UK Free Trade Agreement to Take Effect from 15 July 2026
Why in News?
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is scheduled to enter into force on 15 July 2026.
Key Points
The agreement was originally signed on 24 July 2025.
It covers goods, services, investment, and is expected to substantially boost bilateral trade.
Static Knowledge
India has also concluded FTAs with UAE, Australia, and EFTA in recent years.
12. RBI Reelathon 2026 Launched for Cyber Fraud Awareness
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India's Thiruvananthapuram office launched "RBI Reelathon 2026," a state-level cyber fraud awareness campaign for college students in Kerala.
Key Points
A three-phase campaign covering around 150 colleges, focused on safe digital banking, smart borrowing, and cyber hygiene.
Students will create short videos on illegal loan apps, mule accounts, and cyber financial frauds.
The campaign highlights the "golden hour" concept in cybercrime reporting for prompt fund recovery.
Static Knowledge
RBI was established in 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
"Mule accounts" refer to bank accounts used to transfer or conceal proceeds of cybercrime.
13. India and Thailand Hold 10th Defence Dialogue
Why in News?
The 10th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue was held in Bangkok, reviewing bilateral defence cooperation.
Key Points
Discussions covered military-to-military engagement, capacity-building, training exchanges, and maritime cooperation.
The dialogue reflects India's "Act East Policy" and growing defence ties with ASEAN nations.
Static Knowledge
India's Act East Policy was launched in 2014, succeeding the earlier "Look East Policy" (1991).
Prelims Practice MCQs
The Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI Portal) was launched by which Union Ministry?
The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched in which year with what production target by 2030?
The "Namo Cities" initiative approved by the NCRPB will come up in which states/UT, besides Delhi?
The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) was established under which legislation?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, which institute is India's highest-ranked university?
The "SHAN Conservation Society," recently approved in Ladakh, primarily focuses on the conservation of which species?
As per the 2024 Snow Leopard Population Assessment, approximately how many snow leopards does India have, and how many are found in Ladakh?
Under the RBI's revised capital norms for ECLGS 5.0-backed loans, what risk weight applies to 75% of the guaranteed portion, subject to timely claim settlement?
The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) was originally launched in which year and under which broader package?
How many new sectoral indices did NSE Indices Limited recently add, raising its total count to 34?
Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi was recently appointed as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of which organisation?
GIC Re, India's national reinsurer, was established under which legislation?
In the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2026, Bengaluru was ranked 15th globally and second-best AI-native cluster in Asia after which city?
The India-UK Free Trade Agreement, signed on 24 July 2025, is scheduled to enter into force from which date?
World Crocodile Day 2026, observed on 17 June, was established in 2017 under the leadership of which organisation?
The UN's International Day for Countering Hate Speech, observed on 18 June 2026, carried which theme this year?