Current Affairs 08 June 2026
National Affairs
Surha Taal in UP's Ballia Designated as India's 100th Ramsar Site
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) officially designated Surha Taal, officially known as Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, located in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh (UP), as India's 100th Ramsar Site and the 13th Ramsar Site in UP, recognizing it as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
The announcement was made at the World Environment Day (June 5) programme in Lucknow, UP.
This milestone makes India the country with the highest number of Ramsar Sites in Asia and one of the leading nations globally in Ramsar-recognized wetlands.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Ramsar Sites in India | Increased from 26 to 100 in the last 11 years |
| Ramsar Sites in UP | 13 |
| Global Position | 2,595th Ramsar site globally (total: 2,595 worldwide as of June 2026) |
Surha Taal: A natural perennial oxbow lake situated in the Ganga and Saryu river system, formed from a meander of the Ganga river and receiving freshwater through three channels.
Migratory Significance: A key winter resting site along the Central Asian Flyway, hosting species like Bar-headed Goose, Eurasian Teal, Red-crested Pochard, and Green Sandpiper.
Overview of President of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing's Visit to India from May 30 to June 3, 2026
U Min Aung Hlaing, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, undertook a 5-day official visit to India from May 30 to June 3, 2026, at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi — his 1st-ever official tour to India and 1st foreign trip since being sworn in as Myanmar's President in April 2026.
Visit to Bodh Gaya: Arrived in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, on May 30; offered prayers at Mahabodhi Temple, Mahabodhi Meditation Centre, and Sujata Temple.
High-Level Meetings in Delhi: Bilateral talks with PM Modi — reviewed bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest and explored ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
India-Myanmar Business Forum: Attended the India-Myanmar Business Conclave organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), in New Delhi.
GoI Forms 6 Sector-Specific Groups to Identify 100 Products to Boost Manufacturing
The Government of India (GoI) formed 6 sector-specific working groups tasked to identify a maximum of 100 products to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce India's reliance on imports.
These groups will be chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of DPIIT, MoC&I.
Key Objectives: Strengthen India's manufacturing sector locally and globally; reduce the outflow of foreign exchange.
Focus Areas (6 Sectors):
- Pharmaceuticals, biotech & medical devices
- Chemicals & petrochemicals
- Textiles & footwear
- Capital goods, automotive & electric vehicles
- Advanced capital goods, energy, construction equipment & infrastructure; defence & aerospace (civilian applicability only)
- Electronics
Members: Representatives from DPIIT, MoC&I, NITI Aayog, pharmaceuticals, economic affairs, textiles, chemicals, among others.
Timeline: Finalise and submit respective lists to the Cabinet Secretariat within three weeks.
Banking & Finance
Highlights of RBI's 2nd Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy FY2026–27: Policy Rates Kept Unchanged
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted the 61st and 2nd Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of FY27 from June 3–5, 2026, under the chairmanship of Governor Sanjay Malhotra.
MPC Members: Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Saugata Bhattacharya, Ram Singh, Dr. Poonam Gupta, and Indranil Bhattacharyya.
| Policy Metric | Status |
|---|---|
| Repo Rate | Unchanged at 5.25% (unanimous) |
| SDF Rate | 5.00% |
| MSF Rate & Bank Rate | 5.50% |
| Stance | Neutral (maintained) |
| Real GDP Growth Forecast (FY27) | 6.6% |
| CPI Inflation Projection (FY27) | 5.1% |
Reason: Uncertainty arising from geopolitical conflicts, supply-chain disruptions, and food inflation risks led the MPC to maintain the repo rate unchanged.
Economy & Business
NSO's Provisional Estimates for FY26: India's GDP Grew 7.7% in FY26; Q4 Growth Accelerates to 7.8%
The National Statistics Office (NSO), under MoSPI, released the Provisional Estimates (PE) of Annual GDP for FY26 and Quarterly Estimates for Q4 (January–March) of FY26.
India's GDP for full FY26 stood at 7.7%, which is 60 bps higher than 7.1% recorded in FY25. The latest estimates use 2022–23 as base year (revised GDP series introduced in February 2026).
| Parameter | FY26 | FY25 |
|---|---|---|
| Real GDP (Constant 2022–23 prices) | ₹323.12 lakh crore | ₹299.89 lakh crore |
| Real GDP Growth | 7.7% | 7.1% |
| Nominal GDP (Current Prices) | ₹346.36 lakh crore | ₹318.07 lakh crore |
| Nominal GDP Growth | 8.9% | 9.7% |
Q4 FY26 Estimates:
| Parameter | Q4 FY26 | Q4 FY25 |
|---|---|---|
| Real GDP | ₹87.77 lakh crore | ₹81.40 lakh crore |
| Real GDP Growth | 7.8% | — |
| Nominal GDP | ₹94.65 lakh crore | ₹86.75 lakh crore |
| Nominal GDP Growth | 9.1% | — |
India Slips to 7th in Global Market Cap Rankings; Overtaken by South Korea
India slipped to the 7th spot in global market capital (mcap) rankings, with a total market valuation of USD 4.84 trillion, replaced by South Korea which moved to 6th with USD 5.01 trillion, based on Bloomberg data.
Earlier in May 2026, India was pushed to 6th by Taiwan (now 5th with USD 5.15 trillion).
Top Countries by Market Cap:
| Rank | Country | Market Cap (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA | $79.1 trillion |
| 2 | China | $16.3 trillion |
| 3 | Japan | $8.9 trillion |
| 4 | Hong Kong (SAR of China) | $7.6 trillion |
| 5 | Taiwan | $5.15 trillion |
| 6 | South Korea | $5.01 trillion |
| 7 | India | $4.84 trillion |
Key Reasons: Heavy foreign selling (USD 26.4 billion withdrawn in 2026), weak earnings growth, and limited exposure to AI-linked stocks. India's share in the MSCI Global Standard Index decreased sharply from 21% (September 2024) to 12.3%.
Air India & Riyadh Air Sign Agreement to Boost India–Saudi Air Connectivity
Air India, the flag carrier airline of India, and Saudi Arabia's new premium national carrier Riyadh Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance premium travel options, streamline bookings, and expand flight connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and global destinations.
Objective: Enhance global connectivity leveraging hubs at New Delhi, Mumbai, and Riyadh.
Collaboration: Explores loyalty programmes, cargo services, operational support, and digital initiatives.
Integration: Subject to regulatory approvals, both airlines plan interline and codeshare arrangements enabling seamless travel with single-booking convenience.
Air India: Since privatization under the Tata Group in 2022, Air India has expanded its global reach through 25 codeshare agreements and 120 interline partnerships.
Appointments & Resignations
UIDAI CEO Saurabh Vijay Takes Additional Charge as CEO of IndiaAI Mission
Saurabh Vijay, CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), assumed additional charge as the new CEO of IndiaAI Mission, under MeitY.
He succeeds Abhishek Singh, who has assumed charge as DG of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Sudeep Shrivastava, Joint Secretary, MeitY, has assumed charge as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IndiaAI Mission.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Profile | 1998-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre |
| Previous Role | Principal Secretary (Expenditure), Finance Department, Government of Maharashtra |
| State Roles (Maharashtra) | Principal Secretary (Planning & Development Commissioner), Principal Secretary (Tourism), Secretary (Medical Education), Secretary (Higher & Technical Education) |
| Central Roles | Director at the President's Secretariat, New Delhi |
Sports
Norway Chess 2026: R Praggnanandhaa Becomes First Indian to Win in Open Section
Norway Chess 2026, the 14th edition of the annual international chess tournament, was held in Oslo, Norway, from 25 May to 5 June 2026.
Indian Grandmaster (GM) Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa won the Open section, becoming the first Indian to claim the prestigious title after defeating Vincent Keymer (Germany) in the 10th and final round.
GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kazakhstan) clinched the Women's title after securing first place in Round 9 with a draw against defending champion Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine).
Overview: 6 players from 5 nations (Open section); 6 players from 4 nations (Women's section).
Prize: Each tournament carried a prize fund of NOK 1.69 million, with the winner receiving NOK 700,000.
Triumph: R Praggnanandhaa finished with 18 points, staging a remarkable comeback from last place after six rounds to finish ahead of GMs Wesley So (USA), Alireza Firouzja (France), and Magnus Carlsen (Norway).
Obituary
Former Asian Games Shot Putter & Arjuna Awardee Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal Passes Away
Former Asian Games shot put bronze medallist and Arjuna Awardee Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, popularly known as 'Baba Dhaliwal', passed away at the age of 67 in Chandigarh.
Conferred the Arjuna Award in 1987 for outstanding contribution to Indian athletics.
| Achievement | Detail |
|---|---|
| National Championships | 10-time national champion (1981–92) |
| 1982 Asian Games | Bronze medal (shot put) |
| Asian Athletics Championships | Silver (1983), Gold (1985), Bronze (1987) |
| Asian Record | 18.71 m in shot put (1986, New Delhi) |
| Other Honours | Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award (1983); Limca Book of Records (1988) |
Important Days at a Glance
| Date | Event | Key Theme / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| June 4 | International Seaweed Day | Marks the launch of the Seaweed Manifesto, a UN-supported initiative highlighting seaweed's role in food security, climate change mitigation & marine ecosystem restoration. India Event: ICAR-CMFRI Mandapam Regional Centre, TN, organised a seaweed farmers/collectors interaction meet in Ramanathapuram district, TN. |
| June 5 | World Environment Day (WED) | Theme 2026: "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future". 54th anniversary. Established via UNGA Resolution A/RES/2994 (15 December 1972). First observed on 5 June 1973. Marks the opening of the Stockholm Conference (5–16 June 1972) — first major UN conference on global environmental issues. 2026 Host: Republic of Azerbaijan (Baku); India hosted the global celebrations for the first time in 2011. |
| June 5 | World Day Against Speciesism (WDAS) | Raises awareness against discrimination based on species. Supported by PETA and FARM; aligned with World Environment Day. The term 'Speciesism' was coined in 1970 by psychologist Dr. Richard D. Ryder. Related: World Day for the End of Speciesism (WoDES) observed on 31 August annually since 2015. |
| June 6 | UN Russian Language Day | Commemorates the 227th birth anniversary of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin (1799–1837), the father of modern Russian literature. Launched under the UN DPI's 'Language Days at the UN' initiative in 2010. UNGA formally welcomed the observance in 2017. Russia observes 6 June as Pushkin Day. |
| June 6 | World Pest Day | Theme 2026: "Defending Health Across Borders: The Global Power of Pest Management". Initiated by the Chinese Pest Control Association (CPCA); co-sponsored by FAOPMA, NPMA & CEPA. Inaugural event held on 6 June 2017 in Beijing, China. |
State News
HP Government Signs MoU with UNDP to Promote Climate-Resilient & Sustainable Development
The Government of Himachal Pradesh (HP) signed an MoU with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen climate-resilient development, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive growth across the state.
Signed by Sushil Kumar Singla, Administrative Secretary for Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change, HP, and Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative of UNDP, in the presence of CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in Shimla, HP.
Aim: Support HP in achieving sustainable development by integrating global best practices with local solutions, while protecting the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and promoting green livelihood opportunities.
Key Focus Areas:
- Circular economy and waste management
- Biodiversity conservation
- Climate resilience
- Inclusive and gender-responsive development
- Sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities
Safai Mitra Scheme: On the occasion, HP CM also launched the Safai Mitra Scheme aimed at empowering informal waste management workers across HP.
Current Affairs 08 June 2026 Oneliner Question Answer
1. Which wetland in Uttar Pradesh was designated as India's 100th Ramsar Site in June 2026?
Answer: Surha Taal (Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary).
2. Surha Taal is located in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
Answer: Ballia district.
3. Which country became the first in Asia to have 100 Ramsar Sites?
Answer: India.
4. Which President of Myanmar visited India from 30 May to 3 June 2026?
Answer: U Min Aung Hlaing.
5. How many sector-specific working groups were formed by the Government of India to identify products for boosting domestic manufacturing?
Answer: Six working groups.
6. Which DPIIT Secretary will chair the six sector-specific working groups?
Answer: Amardeep Singh Bhatia.
7. At what percentage did the RBI keep the repo rate unchanged in its June 2026 monetary policy?
Answer: 5.25%.
8. What is the RBI's projected real GDP growth for FY27?
Answer: 6.6%.
9. According to NSO, what was India's GDP growth rate in FY26?
Answer: 7.7%.
10. Which organization released the provisional GDP estimates for FY26?
Answer: National Statistics Office (NSO).
11. India slipped to which position in the global market capitalization rankings in June 2026?
Answer: Seventh.
12. Which country overtook India in global market capitalization rankings?
Answer: South Korea.
13. Which two airlines signed an MoU to strengthen India–Saudi air connectivity?
Answer: Air India and Riyadh Air.
14. Who assumed additional charge as the CEO of the IndiaAI Mission?
Answer: Saurabh Vijay.
15. Saurabh Vijay is the CEO of which organization?
Answer: Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
16. Which Indian Grandmaster became the first Indian to win the Norway Chess Open title?
Answer: R. Praggnanandhaa.
17. Who won the Women's title at Norway Chess 2026?
Answer: Bibisara Assaubayeva.
18. Which former Asian Games shot put bronze medallist passed away in June 2026?
Answer: Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal.
19. Which noted constitutional expert and former Lok Sabha Secretary-General passed away in June 2026?
Answer: Subhash C. Kashyap.
20. World Environment Day is observed every year on which date?
Answer: 5 June.
21. What is the theme of World Environment Day 2026?
Answer: “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
22. World Day Against Speciesism is observed annually on which date?
Answer: 5 June.
23. UN Russian Language Day is observed every year on which date?
Answer: 6 June.
24. International Seaweed Day is celebrated annually on which date?
Answer: 4 June.
25. World Pest Day is observed annually on which date?
Answer: 6 June.
26. Which state government signed an MoU with UNDP for climate-resilient and sustainable development?
Answer: Himachal Pradesh.
27. Which scheme was launched by the Himachal Pradesh Government to empower informal waste management workers?
Answer: Safai Mitra Scheme.
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