Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 29 June 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 29 June 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs – 29 June 2026

National Affairs

1. PM Family Care Tracker Pilot Project Launched: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the PM Family Care Tracker Pilot Project in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Key Features

• Integrated digital platform for monitoring health, nutrition and education of children from pregnancy up to 18 years of age.
• Each beneficiary will have a unique ID linked to the Birth Registration Number or ABHA ID.
• The platform aims to improve coordination of welfare schemes and ensure timely delivery of benefits.

2. Fuel Distribution Restrictions Withdrawn: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced the withdrawal of temporary restrictions imposed on the retail sale of petrol and diesel during the West Asia crisis.

Key Points

• Restrictions on diesel distribution to commercial vehicles will end from 1 July 2026.
• The decision reflects improvement in fuel supply and stabilization of domestic energy reserves.

3. PM Highlights Self-Reliance in Mann Ki Baat: In the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s growing achievements in defence, aviation and environmental conservation.

Major Highlights

• Successful maiden flight of the Made-in-India C-295 transport aircraft.
• Successful test of the Indigenous Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile.
• Appreciation for the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya, Hargila conservation movement of Assam, and Nagaland’s Baby League football initiative.
• Emphasised the importance of government social security schemes like Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).

4. Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK): Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK) during the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare.The programme aims to strengthen child healthcare services across the country.

International Current Affairs

1. PM Modi Honoured with Seychelles’ Highest Civilian Award: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred “Guardian of the Blue Horizon”, the highest civilian honour of Seychelles, by President Patrick Herminie.

Key Highlights

• PM Modi attended Seychelles’ 50th Independence Day celebrations.
• India and Seychelles strengthened cooperation in maritime security, defence and sustainable development.
• India handed over a Fast Patrol Vessel (PS Lespwar), six ambulances, ten utility vehicles and five laser sailing boats to Seychelles.

2. India–Japan Annual Summit: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit India from 1–3 July 2026 for the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit, focusing on strategic, economic and regional cooperation.

3. India–Mauritius Relations: Prime Minister Modi met Mauritius Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam on the sidelines of his Seychelles visit to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Global Geopolitical Developments

1. US–Iran Talks Resume: The United States and Iran agreed to halt counter-strikes and resume peace talks in Doha, Qatar, aiming to reduce tensions in West Asia.

2. Other Global Developments

• A helicopter belonging to Saudi Aramco crashed near Ras Tanura, killing 14 people.
• Australia announced plans to double penalties for companies violating the social media ban for children below 16 years.
• A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Japan; no tsunami warning was issued.

Defence & Science & Technology

1. India Expands Defence Self-Reliance: Prime Minister Modi highlighted two major defence achievements:

• Maiden flight of the Made-in-India C-295 military transport aircraft.
• Successful test of the Indigenous Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile.

These milestones strengthen India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

2. Rafale F4 Manufacturing in India: The Indian Air Force is pursuing a Government-to-Government agreement with France to procure 96 Rafale F4 fighter aircraft, with a target of 60% indigenous manufacturing.

3. Iron Dome Manufacturing in India: Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defence Systems is in discussions with Indian private firms to manufacture Iron Dome air defence systems and Tamir interceptor missiles in India.

4. Nebo-UM Radar Inducted: India has inducted the Russian-made Nebo-UM VHF-band radar into its air defence network.

Importance

• Can detect stealth aircraft and missiles up to 600 km.
• Strengthens India’s early warning and air defence capability.

Legal & Governance

• Three accused in the Maharashtra TET paper leak case were remanded to police custody until 6 July.
• Lawyers in Ayodhya are considering refusing legal representation to persons accused of embezzling Ram Temple funds.
• Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that Sikh MLAs and ministers would appear before the Akal Takht regarding the anti-sacrilege law.

Global Observance

National Statistics Day – 29 June: Observed on the birth anniversary of Professor P.C. Mahalanobis, the architect of India’s modern statistical system. Theme (2026): “Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data.”

Sports Events

Chess: Ethan Vaz (Goa) became India’s 96th Chess Grandmaster after securing his final Grandmaster norm in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Hockey: India defeated England 3–2 in a penalty shootout in the FIH Hockey Pro League after a 0–0 draw.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia defeated India by 6 wickets in the final Group A match.

FIFA World Cup 2026

• Canada defeated South Africa 1–0 to register its first-ever knockout-stage victory.
• Argentina defeated Jordan 3–1, with Lionel Messi becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches.

Miscellaneous Current Affairs

• Gujarat hosted the 4th Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
• Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang participated in the Kirati Khambu Rai Cultural Festival.
• West Bengal is expected to introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the State Assembly.
• DIKSHA continues to function as India’s “One Nation, One Digital Platform” for school education.
• The Ministry of Agriculture reported 14.92 lakh hectares of pulses sowing during the current Kharif season.
• Bharat Taxi, India’s cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, continued its rollout across states.

• Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference began in Vadodara with the theme “Regional Aspirations, Global Ambitions.”
• Andhra Pradesh sought ₹281 crore under the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) to support Totapuri mango farmers.
• Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar began a three-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir.
• Nagaland observed National Immunization Day as part of the Pulse Polio campaign.
• IMD said conditions are favourable for further advance of the Southwest Monsoon, while Delhi is expected to receive monsoon around 4 July.