1. PM Modi's State Visit to Seychelles and "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" Honour
Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a State Visit to Seychelles from 27–29 June 2026 as Guest of Honour for the country's 50th National Day (Golden Jubilee of Independence), coinciding with 50 years of India–Seychelles diplomatic relations. He was conferred Seychelles' highest honour, "Guardian of the Blue Horizon," for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Key Points
PM Modi and President Dr. Patrick Herminie unveiled a commemorative logo marking 50 years of bilateral ties.
The visit reinforces India's "Neighbourhood First" policy and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) diplomacy.
The honour links to India's evolving Indian Ocean strategic doctrine: SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), launched in 2015, has evolved into the broader MAHASAGAR vision (2025).
Static Knowledge
Seychelles is an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean; capital: Victoria.
SAGAR doctrine was announced by PM Modi during his 2015 visit to Mauritius.
India and Seychelles cooperate on hydrography, coastal surveillance radar projects and maritime security.
2. Netra AEW&C System Gets Final Operational Clearance
Why in News?
India's indigenously developed Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system received Final Operational Clearance (FOC) from DRDO at a ceremony in Bengaluru on 25 June 2026, certifying it for full operational use by the Indian Air Force.
Key Points
FOC certificate was presented by Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti.
Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) was granted in 2017; FOC comes nearly a decade later.
Netra's operational reliability was highlighted during Operation Sindoor and the Balakot strikes.
The system is mounted on the Embraer EMB-145I aircraft platform (Brazilian origin) and uses Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru, is DRDO's nodal agency for the Netra programme.
Indigenous development gives India control over software, source codes and upgrade pathways without foreign dependence.
Static Knowledge
AEW&C systems provide airborne early warning, surveillance and command-and-control support.
AESA radar electronically steers its beam, offering faster and more flexible scanning than mechanical radars.
DRDO is headquartered in New Delhi; CABS specialises in airborne radar and surveillance systems.
China's LineShine supercomputer debuted at No. 1 on the 67th TOP500 ranking announced at the ISC High Performance 2026 conference in Hamburg, Germany, ending the US system El Capitan's leadership.
Key Points
LineShine, installed at the National Supercomputing Centre in Shenzhen, achieved 2.198 Exaflop/s on the HPL benchmark, more than 20% ahead of the No. 2 system, using 13,789,440 cores.
It is based on the custom "LingKun" platform with 304-core LX2 processors running at 1.55 GHz, the proprietary LingQi interconnect, and Kylin OS.
It is the first CPU-only system (no GPUs) to cross 2 exaflops, marking China's return to the list after a three-year gap.
This is the first time since 2017 (Sunway TaihuLight) that a Chinese system has topped TOP500.
On the AI-relevant HPL-MxP benchmark, LineShine ranks fourth, behind three US systems, indicating limited AI-accelerator capability.
The five publicly listed exascale systems globally: LineShine, El Capitan, Frontier, Aurora, and Germany's JUPITER Booster.
Static Knowledge
TOP500 list is published twice yearly (June at ISC, November at SC conference) since 1993.
India's National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) is jointly implemented by MeitY and DST; flagship system: PARAM Siddhi-AI.
HPL (High Performance Linpack) benchmark measures speed in solving dense linear equations.
4. RBI Notifies Final Digital Fraud Compensation Framework
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India issued the (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Third Amendment Directions, 2026 on 24 June 2026, finalising its compensation framework for victims of small-value digital banking fraud, with implementation deferred from 1 July 2026 to 1 January 2027.
Key Points
Victims of digital banking frauds involving losses up to ₹50,000 will be eligible for compensation of up to ₹25,000, subject to conditions; compensation equals 85% of net loss amount or ₹25,000, whichever is lower.
For losses below ₹29,412, customers get 85% of net loss, with RBI bearing 65% and the customer's bank and beneficiary bank contributing 10% each.
Banks must examine complaints, determine liability, and respond within 45 calendar days for domestic fraud cases and 60 calendar days for cross-border cases.
A "shadow reversal" of the disputed amount must be credited for fraudulent credit card transactions within five calendar days of notification, without additional interest/charges.
The burden of proving customer liability in fraudulent electronic banking transaction complaints lies on the bank.
The framework excludes losses above ₹50,000 and is available only once in a customer's lifetime; it will run as a one-year pilot.
Customers must report fraud within 5 calendar days to claim zero-liability/compensation benefits.
Static Knowledge
RBI was established in 1935; headquartered in Mumbai; current Governor: Sanjay Malhotra.
The 2017 RBI framework on limiting customer liability is the predecessor being revised by this amendment.
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and Helpline 1930 are used for reporting financial frauds.
5. QR Code Track-and-Trace System Expanded to Critical Medicines
Why in News?
The Union Health Ministry amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, expanding the QR code-based track-and-trace mechanism under Schedule H2 to cover all vaccines, anti-cancer medicines, antimicrobials, and narcotic and psychotropic drugs under the NDPS Act, 1985.
Key Points
The QR code shall carry nine key data elements: unique product identification code, proper and generic name, brand name, manufacturer's name and address, batch number, manufacture date, expiry date, manufacturing licence number, and excipient details.
Manufacturers must print or affix the barcode/QR code on the primary packaging label, or secondary packaging where space is constrained.
Provisions for vaccines, anti-cancer medicines, and narcotic/psychotropic drugs come into force from 1 July 2027, while antimicrobials will be covered from 1 July 2028.
Earlier, the QR code requirement applied only to the top 300 pharmaceutical brands by sales; this amendment widens it to entire drug categories.
The move aims to curb counterfeit/substandard medicines and support India's fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Static Knowledge
Drugs Rules, 1945 are framed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) is India's national drug regulatory body.
NPPA (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) regulates medicine prices under DPCO, 2013.
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AI-Enabled Rural Internal Audit Portal on 28 June 2026 at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, ahead of the rollout of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) from 1 July 2026.
Key Points
The portal was conceptualised by the Office of the Chief Controller of Accounts (CCA), Ministry of Rural Development, and developed with technical support from the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
It is a unified digital platform managing the complete internal audit lifecycle: planning, engagement approvals, audit observations, Action Taken Reports (ATRs), para settlement and archival.
It integrates AI and machine learning for risk assessment, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring, replacing paper-based audits.
The platform has received in-principle approval for adoption across all civil ministries from the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance.
A pilot was launched in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh on 1 April 2025; all major modules became operational from October 2025.
Static Knowledge
CGA functions under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance; its mandate derives from Article 150 of the Constitution.
CGA is an executive office, unlike the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General), which is a constitutional body under Article 148.
NIC (National Informatics Centre), under MeitY, was established in 1976 to provide e-governance infrastructure.
7. Indian Army to Raise First Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs)
Why in News?
The Indian Army plans to raise its first Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) from the Panagarh-based XVII Corps (Mountain Strike Corps) by 1 July 2026, marking a major step in military restructuring.
Key Points
IBGs are smaller, agile, self-contained combat formations combining infantry, armour, artillery and air defence elements for rapid mobilisation.
The move is part of the broader "Theaterisation" and force modernisation debate in India's higher defence organisation.
It builds on reforms initiated after the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post in 2019–2020.
Current CDS: General Anil Chauhan.
Static Knowledge
XVII Corps (Mountain Strike Corps) is headquartered at Panagarh, West Bengal, raised primarily for offensive operations along the China border.
The post of CDS was created in December 2019, with General Bipin Rawat as the first CDS.
Theaterisation refers to integration of Army, Navy and Air Force resources under unified theatre commands.
8. Aarogya Setu 2.0 and Digital Health Initiatives Launched
Why in News?
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched Aarogya Setu 2.0 and linked digital health initiatives on 29 June 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, alongside a "PM Family Care Tracker" (Health Passport) pilot in Gujarat.
Key Points
The launch deepens the reach of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Aarogya Setu 2.0 integrates preventive care tracking and unified digital health records.
The PM Family Care Tracker/Health Passport concept is being piloted in Gujarat, with likely pan-India scale-up.
Aims to strengthen family health record integration and continuum-of-care monitoring.
Static Knowledge
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was launched in September 2021 (national rollout) to create a digital health ecosystem.
ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is the unique health ID under ABDM.
Original Aarogya Setu app was launched in April 2020 for COVID-19 contact tracing.
9. International Asteroid Day Observed
Why in News?
30 June is observed globally as International Asteroid Day, commemorating the anniversary of the Tunguska Event of 30 June 1908.
Key Points
The Tunguska Event was the largest asteroid impact event in recorded history, flattening over 2,000 sq km of Siberian forest.
Asteroid Day was co-founded in 2014 by astrophysicist Brian May, filmmaker Grig Richters, and astronaut Rusty Schweickart.
The UNGA officially recognised 30 June as International Asteroid Day through Resolution A/RES/71/90 in December 2016.
India's Near-Earth Object (NEO) tracking is coordinated through ISRO's Directorate of Space Situational Awareness and Management (DSSAM).
Prelims Practice MCQs
PM Modi was conferred the "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" honour by which country during his State Visit in June 2026?
Consider the following statements regarding India's Indian Ocean strategy: 1. SAGAR doctrine was announced in 2015. 2. MAHASAGAR is the evolved/expanded version of SAGAR. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system received Final Operational Clearance in 2026. It is developed by which organisation?
The Netra AEW&C system is mounted on which aircraft platform?
China's LineShine supercomputer, which topped the TOP500 ranking in June 2026, is notable for being the first system to cross 2 exaflops using which design?
LineShine displaced which US supercomputer from the top position of the TOP500 ranking?
As per RBI's finalised digital fraud compensation framework (2026), what is the maximum compensation a victim can claim for a fraudulent electronic banking transaction loss of up to ₹50,000?
As per RBI's new framework, within how many calendar days must banks resolve domestic fraud complaints?
The QR code track-and-trace mandate for medicines under Schedule H2 falls under which legislation?
How many key data elements must be carried in the QR code under the expanded Schedule H2 mandate for medicines?
The AI-Enabled Rural Internal Audit Portal was launched in 2026 in collaboration with which organisation?
The mandate of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is derived from which Article of the Indian Constitution?
The Indian Army's first Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) are being raised from which Corps?
International Asteroid Day is observed annually on 30 June to commemorate which historical event?
India's Near-Earth Object (NEO) tracking programme is coordinated through which ISRO body?