Current Affairs 23 June 2026

National Affairs

MoPNG Approves ₹150 Crore for India’s First Private Hybrid 2G Ethanol Project in UP
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) approved financial assistance of ₹150 crore for India’s first private-sector 91 KLPD (Kilo Litres Per Day) Hybrid Second-Generation (2G) Ethanol Biorefinery at Wave Sugar in Dhanaura, Uttar Pradesh.

• Funding Mechanism: Approved through the Centre for High Technology (CHT) under the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana.
• Framework: The integrated biorefinery is designed to produce sustainable 2G ethanol from agricultural residues like bagasse and crop stalks, converting biomass waste into clean transportation fuel.
• Operation: Establishes a commercial-scale facility integrating biomass gasification and advanced gas fermentation technologies to generate low-carbon fuels and green chemicals.

NIXI Launches 4 Digital Platforms to Strengthen India’s Internet Ecosystem
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day in New Delhi by launching four new digital platforms, inaugurated by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan.

• IX Portal: A platform designed to optimize the management and operation of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) across India.
• myIRINN Portal: A secure digital platform managed by IRINN to streamline the allocation and management of internet number resources.
• .IN Auction Portal: A centralized platform designed to streamline the bidding, auction, and acquisition of premium .IN domain names.
• WHOIS Screening Platform: An AI-enabled platform to identify suspicious registrations, bolster domain verification, and enhance the integrity of the .IN ecosystem.

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Inaugurates Northeast’s Largest Organic Spice Processing Unit
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, alongside the Chief Ministers of Meghalaya and Sikkim, inaugurated Northeast India’s largest organic spice processing unit at Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya.

• Governance & Support: Established at an investment of ₹32 crore under the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic FPC, with support from the MOVCD-NER mission, MIDH, and IFAD initiatives.
• Capacity: The facility can process over 10,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of high-value organic spices annually, including Lakadong turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and chilli.
• Validation: Certified under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and EU Organic Standards, enabling direct market access for around 5,500 organic farmers.

MoD Approves Defence Land for Gandhi Sarovar Project at Bapu Ghat, Hyderabad
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) granted working permission to the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) to utilize 83.814 acres of defence land under the Artillery Centre in Golconda, Hyderabad, valued at ₹533.42 crore.

• EVI Policy: Under the Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) Policy, MRDCL is required to create infrastructure assets of equivalent value for the Indian Army in exchange for the land.
• Project Significance: The Gandhi Sarovar Project is a major heritage initiative located at the confluence of the Esa and Musi rivers, historically significant as the site where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in 1948.
• Components: Key features include environmental restoration, the Statue of Peace, a Gandhi Museum, viewing platforms, and cultural tourism infrastructure.

International Affairs

Indian Army Participates in 23rd Edition of Military Exercise ‘Khaan Quest’ in Mongolia
The Indian Army participated in the 23rd edition of the multilateral joint military exercise ‘KHAAN QUEST’, hosted at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

• Participation: India was represented by a 40-member contingent (including the JAT Regiment), joining over 1,000 personnel from 18 partner nations.
• Objectives: To enhance global peacekeeping readiness, improve joint operational coordination, and strengthen multinational defense cooperation.
• Military Drills: Focused on checkpoint operations, cordon and search missions, civilian evacuation, counter-IED drills, and combat first aid.

Banking & Finance

RBI Revises KCC Rules; Issues Final Framework for All Banks
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revamped the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, standardizing the crop season definition to ensure uniform loan processing and repayment starting January 1, 2027.

• Objective: To lay down a unified framework that guarantees adequate and timely working capital and investment credit to borrowers in the agriculture and allied sectors.
• Applicable To: The new directions strictly apply to Commercial Banks (CBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and Rural Co-operative Banks (RCBs).

RBI Waives Collateral Requirement for Agri Loans Up to ₹2 Lakhs; Revamps LBS
The RBI directed banks to exempt agricultural and allied sector loans up to ₹2 lakh from collateral security and margin requirements. Concurrently, it released revised guidelines for the Lead Bank Scheme (LBS).

• No Collateral: The waiver applies up to ₹2 lakh per borrower. Notably, the voluntary pledge of gold and silver as collateral up to this limit will not be considered a violation of the guidelines.
• Lead Bank Designation: The RBI will designate a commercial bank as the Lead Bank in each district to coordinate efforts with the government and NABARD.
• Lead District Manager (LDM): Every Lead Bank must appoint an exclusive LDM for each district under its charge.

Zerodha Fund House Launches India’s First Lifecycle Mutual Funds
Zerodha Fund House, India’s first passive-only AMC, launched India’s first lifecycle (target-date) mutual funds: the Zerodha Life Cycle Fund 2036 and 2041 (10-year and 15-year maturities, respectively).

• Overview: Lifecycle funds feature a dynamic glide-path strategy that automatically shifts asset allocation from equity-heavy (high risk) to debt-heavy (low risk/stable) as the target maturity year approaches.
• Structure: Allocations span equity (Nifty LargeMidcap 250), government securities, gold/silver commodities, and arbitrage strategies. They offer LTCG tax benefits with no lock-in and a minimum investment of just ₹100.

PNB Partners with Zaggle to Launch Eco-Friendly Co-Branded Twin Credit Cards
Punjab National Bank (PNB) partnered with Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services to launch biodegradable ‘PNB-Zaggle Co-branded Twin Credit Cards’, offering users dual access to the Visa and RuPay networks.

• Integration: The 5-year partnership proposition brilliantly combines Visa's global travel privileges with RuPay's localized UPI-enabled convenience.
• Benefits: Offers airport/railway lounge access, OTT subscriptions, fitness memberships, fuel surcharge waivers, personal accident insurance, and a 1.5% discount on jewellery purchases.

Awards & Recognitions

AFI’s 1st Indian Athletics Awards 2025: Neeraj Chopra & Parul Chaudhary Named Best Athletes
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) hosted the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2025 ceremony in New Delhi to recognize excellence in the sport, with awards presented by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

• Best Athletes: Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra (Male) and 3000m steeplechase record-holder Parul Chaudhary (Female) were crowned Best Athletes of the Year, each receiving a ₹10 lakh cash prize.
• Emerging Athletes: Shanavaz Khan and Pooja Singh won the Best Emerging Athlete awards (₹2.50 lakh each).
• Lifetime Achievement: Legendary athletes PT Usha, Anju Bobby George, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, and Bahadur Singh Randhawa were honored with Lifetime Achievement awards (₹5 lakh each).

Appointments & Resignations

ACC Reappoints Tushar Mehta as Solicitor General for Another 3-Year Term
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the reappointment of Tushar Mehta as the Solicitor General of India (SGI) for a further three-year term, effective July 1, 2026.

• Profile: A senior advocate known for his profound expertise in constitutional and public law, he became SGI in October 2018. This reappointment makes him one of the longest-serving Solicitors General in India’s history.
• Additional Appointments: The ACC also reappointed six Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) for the Supreme Court, including Vikramjit Banerjee, K.M. Nataraj, and Suryaprakash V. Raju.

Science & Technology

PM Narendra Modi Commissions Three Indigenously Built Naval Platforms in Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three state-of-the-art, indigenously built frontline platforms into the Indian Navy at the Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata, West Bengal.

• The Platforms: INS Dunagiri (Advanced Guided Missile Frigate), INS Sanshodhak (4th Survey Vessel - Large), and INS Agray (Anti-Submarine Warfare-Shallow Water Craft).
• Design & Construction: Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE).
• Local Content: These vessels feature over 75% indigenous content, supported by extensive participation from over 200 MSMEs.

India Successfully Tests Indigenous ‘Garudastra’ 120mm Vehicle-Mounted Mortar System
India successfully tested Garudastra, a 120mm vehicle-mounted mortar system developed by Nibe Limited, at the Infantry School in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.

• Firepower: Capable of engaging targets at 7–10 km, the system can fire an impressive 12 rounds in 60 seconds with a sustained rate of 3–4 rounds per minute.
• Demonstration: Operated by a two-member crew, it was deployed in under 30 seconds, showcasing exceptional operational accuracy, mobility, and rapid shoot-and-scoot capabilities.
• Evaluation: Tested under the NC-NC (No Cost–No Commitment) framework, allowing the Indian Army to assess its capabilities without procurement obligations.

Sports

Indian Women’s Hockey Team Clinches FIH Women’s Nations Cup Title
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team clinched the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025–26 championship by defeating host New Zealand 2–0 in the final held in Auckland.

• Significance: The victory successfully earned India a promotion back to the Women’s FIH Pro League 2026–27, strengthening its qualification pathway for the LA 2028 Olympics.
• Scorers: Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo secured the victory by finding the net in the 4th and 15th minutes, respectively.
• Cash Reward: Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for each support staff member to celebrate the triumph.

Important Days at a Glance

Current Affairs 23 June 2026 Oneliner Question Answer

1. Which ministry approved ₹150 crore assistance for India's first private hybrid 2G ethanol project in Uttar Pradesh?
Answer: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).

2. Which organization launched four new digital platforms to strengthen India's Internet ecosystem?
Answer: National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).

3. Which university became the first in India to receive four ISO Management System Certifications simultaneously?
Answer: Osmania University.

4. Which Union Minister inaugurated Northeast India's largest organic spice processing unit in Meghalaya?
Answer: Nirmala Sitharaman.

5. Which project received Defence Ministry approval to use defence land at Bapu Ghat, Hyderabad?
Answer: Gandhi Sarovar Project.

6. Which country hosted the 23rd edition of the multinational military exercise 'Khaan Quest' in 2026?
Answer: Mongolia.

7. From which date will the RBI's revised Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Directions, 2026 come into effect?
Answer: 1 January 2027.

8. Up to what amount did the RBI waive collateral requirements for agricultural and allied sector loans?
Answer: ₹2 lakh.

9. Which asset management company launched India's first lifecycle (target-date) mutual funds?
Answer: Zerodha Fund House.

10. Which public sector bank partnered with Zaggle to launch eco-friendly co-branded twin credit cards?
Answer: Punjab National Bank (PNB).

11. Who was named the Best Male Athlete of the Year at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2025?
Answer: Neeraj Chopra.

12. Who won the Best Female Athlete of the Year award at the Indian Athletics Awards 2025?
Answer: Parul Chaudhary.

13. Whose tenure as Solicitor General of India was extended for another three years by the ACC?
Answer: Tushar Mehta.

14. Which three indigenously built naval platforms were commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata?
Answer: INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray.

15. What is the name of the indigenous 120 mm vehicle-mounted mortar system successfully tested in Madhya Pradesh?
Answer: Garudastra.

16. Which team won the FIH Women's Nations Cup 2025–26 title?
Answer: India.

17. Which team did India defeat in the final of the FIH Women's Nations Cup 2025–26?
Answer: New Zealand.

18. World Refugee Day is observed every year on which date?
Answer: 20 June.

19. What is the theme of International Day of Yoga 2026?
Answer: “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”

20. World Hydrography Day is observed annually on which date?
Answer: 21 June.