Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 20 June 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 20 June 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs – 20 June 2026

National Affairs

1. International Day of Yoga 2026

India celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga with the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the main national event, while President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Union Ministers, Armed Forces and various institutions organised yoga programmes across the country. The celebrations promoted healthy living, mental well-being and active ageing.

2. India Becomes FATF Vice-President

India achieved a major diplomatic milestone by securing the Vice-Presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the first time. Vivek Aggarwal (IAS) has been elected Vice-President for the term July 2026–June 2027. The appointment reflects global confidence in India’s efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

3. PM-KISAN 23rd Instalment Released

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 23rd instalment of PM-KISAN, transferring ₹18,880 crore directly to over 9.44 crore farmers. Several states also organised PM-KISAN beneficiary programmes.

4. India’s First Commercial Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Plant

The foundation stone of India’s first commercial coal-to-ammonium nitrate plant was laid at Jharsuguda, Odisha. The ₹25,016-crore project will reduce imports and support the mining, fertiliser and explosives sectors.

5. WEF Energy Transition Index 2026

The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2026. Sweden retained the top position, while India improved by two places to rank 70th, reflecting progress in renewable energy, especially solar power, and policy reforms.

6. Rajasthan Gets Barrier-Free Toll Collection

NHAI launched Rajasthan’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling System on NH-48, allowing vehicles to pass without stopping and reducing travel time and congestion.

7. Census & Weather Updates

Uttar Pradesh completed the first phase of Census 2027 (House Listing and Housing Census). Meanwhile, IMD issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Northeast India.

International Current Affairs

1. India to Host BRICS NSA Meeting: India will host the BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting on 22–23 June under the chairmanship of NSA Ajit Doval. The meeting will discuss terrorism, cybersecurity and global security cooperation.

2. Uzbekistan Joins New Development Bank (NDB): Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian country to join the New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS. This will strengthen regional infrastructure financing and economic cooperation.

3. India’s Global Achievements: Bimal N. Patel was elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

• Indian-origin physicist Jainendra K. Jain received the Wolf Prize in Physics for his contribution to condensed matter physics.

4. World Bank Loan for Haryana: The World Bank approved a ₹4,000-crore loan for the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project to improve water conservation and irrigation infrastructure.

Global Geopolitical Crisis

1. Strait of Hormuz Tensions Continue: Iran once again announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing regional military tensions. The move has increased concerns over global crude oil supply, shipping routes and energy security.

2. World’s Oldest Living Land Animal: Jonathan, a 194-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise living on St. Helena Island, was officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living land animal.

Defence & Science & Technology

1. Indigenous Naval Platforms Commissioned: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three indigenous Indian Navy platforms:

• INS Dunagiri
• INS Sanshodhak
• INS Agray

These platforms strengthen India’s maritime capability under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

2. Indigenous Gas Turbine Generators: Bharat Forge supplied 1.25 MW indigenous Gas Turbine Generators for the Indian Navy’s Kolkata-class destroyers, replacing imported systems and boosting defence self-reliance.

3. Bharat Climate Observation Network (BCON): Under Mission Mausam, IITM Pune and ARIES established the BCON Climate Observation Station at Devasthal, Uttarakhand. The facility will monitor greenhouse gases, atmospheric chemistry and Himalayan climate for better weather prediction.

4. Indigenous Coast Guard Hovercraft: The Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle (Hovercraft H-561) to strengthen coastal surveillance and search-and-rescue operations.

5. Army Preparedness

• Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma reviewed Operation SHIVA 2026 for the Amarnath Yatra.
• 1,522 Agniveers completed training and joined the Indian Army.
• India will procure nine retired Jaguar aircraft from the UK for spare parts.

6. Ban on 16 FDC Drugs: The Government banned the manufacture and sale of 16 Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) medicines due to safety concerns.

7. Safe Footpaths a Fundamental Right: The Supreme Court ruled that safe and obstruction-free footpaths are part of Article 21 (Right to Life), emphasising pedestrian safety and planned urban development.

Sports

• Asian Relays Championships: India won Gold in the Women’s 4×100 m Relay.
• FIH Women’s Nations Cup: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian Women’s Hockey Team for winning the title.
• ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia defeated the Netherlands by 98 runs, while Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 23 runs.
• Cricket: India completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep against Afghanistan.
• FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil defeated Haiti 3-0.
• Athletics: Neeraj Chopra finished 4th at the Doha Diamond League with a best throw of 85.69 m.

Global Observance

1. World Refugee Day (20 June): Observed every year on 20 June to honour refugees worldwide and raise awareness about their rights, protection and dignity.

2. International Day of Yoga (21 June): Theme 2026: “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
The day highlights yoga as an effective tool for healthy ageing, disease prevention and mental well-being.

Miscellaneous

• Supreme Court: Walking safely on proper footpaths is a Fundamental Right under Article 21.
• Cabinet Secretary: Dr. T. V. Somanathan appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary of India.
• Arunachal Pradesh: Satellite study identified four high-risk glacial lakes in the Mago Chu basin, raising concerns over Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
• GeM & CSC: Government e-Marketplace signed an MoU with CSC e-Governance Services to help Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) participate in government procurement.
• Maharashtra: Amit Shah inaugurated the ₹1,445-crore Shri Ambabai Temple Development Project in Kolhapur.
• Meghalaya: Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Jowai–Nartiang–Kdiap–Khanduli Road Project funded by the New Development Bank.
• Andhra Pradesh: ₹3,125 crore released under the PM-Kisan Annadata Sukhibhava Scheme benefiting 46.85 lakh farmers.
• Manipur: NIA, Manipur Police and CRPF arrested 10 wanted militants during coordinated anti-insurgency operations.
• Maharashtra: A temple structure collapsed in Parbhani, claiming five lives and injuring around 40 devotees.