Daily Current Affairs – 19 June 2026

Banking, Finance & Business

RBI to Discontinue Weekly Statistical Supplement Data from July 2024

Key Highlight: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will discontinue the publication of the Weekly Statistical Supplement (WSS) data starting July 2024.

• The WSS currently provides data on Foreign Exchange Reserves, Money Supply, and Reserve Money.
• This decision follows the recommendation of the Internal Working Group on the Rationalisation of Reports.
• Users can still access this data through the RBI Data Warehouse and the Database on Indian Economy (DBIE).
• The data will be transitioned to a fortnightly or monthly release schedule as per the new framework.

About Reserve Bank of India

• Established: 1935
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Governor: Shaktikanta Das

World Bank Approves $1.5 Billion to Support India's Low-Carbon Energy Transition

Key Highlight: The World Bank has approved a $1.5 billion second program to help India scale up low-carbon energy and develop its green hydrogen ecosystem.

• The financing is aimed at achieving India's goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
• The program will support reforms to enhance renewable energy penetration and encourage private sector investment.
• It focuses on the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets 5 MMT of annual production capacity.
• This is the second such funding, following a similar $1.5 billion operation in June 2023.

National & State News

Nalanda University's New Campus Inaugurated by PM Modi in Bihar

Key Highlight: Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar on June 19, 2024.

• The original Nalanda University, established in the 5th century, was one of the world's first residential universities.
• The new campus is a Net Zero campus, sprawling over 455 acres with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Representatives from 17 countries participated in the event, highlighting its international significance.
• The university was revived under the Nalanda University Act, 2010, following the East Asia Summit initiative.

Andhra Pradesh Government Re-establishes 'Anna Canteens' for Affordable Food

Key Highlight: The newly formed Andhra Pradesh government under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced the revival of 'Anna Canteens' across the state.

• The canteens aim to provide meals at a highly subsidized rate of ₹5 to the poor and middle-class.
• A total of 203 canteens are planned to be reopened in the first phase of the rollout.
• The scheme was originally launched in 2018 but was discontinued by the previous government in 2019.
• The Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation is the technical partner for food preparation.

Bihar Government to Increase Reservation for BC, EBC, SC, and ST to 65%

Key Highlight: The Bihar Cabinet has approved a proposal to increase the reservation for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes from 50% to 65%.

• Including the 10% EWS quota, the total reservation in the state will now reach 75%.
• This move follows the findings of the Bihar Caste-Based Survey 2023.
• The state government has requested the Central Government to include this under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution for legal protection.
• Chief Minister Nitish Kumar emphasized this as a step toward social justice for marginalized communities.

Awards & Honours

Arundhati Roy Honored with the Prestigious PEN Pinter Prize 2024

Key Highlight: Renowned Indian author Arundhati Roy has been awarded the PEN Pinter Prize 2024 for her "unflinching" commitment to justice.

• The prize was established in 2009 by English PEN in memory of Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter.
• Roy is known for her debut novel The God of Small Things, which won the Booker Prize in 1997.
• The judges praised her for her powerful political essays and activism against environmental and social issues.
• She will receive the award at a ceremony co-hosted by the British Library in October 2024.

Appointments & Resignations

Atul Kumar Chaudhary Appointed as Secretary of TRAI

Key Highlight: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has appointed Atul Kumar Chaudhary as its new Secretary.

• Atul Kumar Chaudhary is a 1989-batch ITS (Indian Telecommunication Service) officer.
• Prior to this, he served as the Deputy Director General in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• He succeeds V. Raghunandan, who retired from the post earlier this year.
• The appointment is seen as crucial for implementing the new Telecommunications Act, 2023.

About TRAI

• Established: 1997
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairman: Anil Kumar Lahoti

Girish Chandra Murmu Re-elected as External Auditor of WHO

Key Highlight: India's Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu, has been re-elected as the External Auditor of the World Health Organization (WHO).

• The re-election is for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027.
• He secured a majority of 114 out of 156 votes in the first round of voting at the World Health Assembly.
• This marks his second consecutive term at the WHO, having held the position since 2019.
• Murmu also serves as the external auditor for the International Labour Organization (ILO) and FAO.

Science & Technology

ISRO Completes the Third Consecutive Landing Experiment of 'Pushpak' RLV

Key Highlight: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the third and final Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX-03) on June 23, 2024.

• The test was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
• The winged vehicle, named Pushpak, was released from a Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km.
• It successfully performed autonomous landing under high crosswind conditions.
• This milestone brings ISRO closer to developing low-cost space access through reusable technology.

About ISRO

• Established: 1969
• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Chairman: S. Somanath

China's Chang’e-6 Probe Returns to Earth with First Samples from Moon's Far Side

Key Highlight: China's Chang’e-6 lunar probe has successfully returned to Earth, carrying the first-ever samples collected from the far side of the Moon.

• The reentry capsule landed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on June 25, 2024.
• The mission lasted 53 days and involved complex operations in the South Pole-Aitken Basin.
• Scientists expect the samples to provide insights into the early history of the solar system.
• This achievement solidifies China's position as a leading global space power.

Rankings & Index

India Ranks 129th in Global Gender Gap Index 2024

Key Highlight: India has been ranked 129th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

• India slipped two places from its 127th rank in 2023.
• Iceland maintained its top position for the 15th consecutive year as the most gender-equal country.
• India showed improvement in educational attainment but lagged in economic participation and health.
• The report noted that it will take 134 years to reach full parity globally at the current pace.

Sports

Indian Men's Hockey Team Secures Bronze in Asian Champions Trophy

Key Highlight: The Indian Men's Hockey Team defeated South Korea to secure the Bronze Medal at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.

• The match ended with a score of 5-2 in favor of India.
• Captain Harmanpreet Singh was the top scorer for the Indian side during the tournament.
• This victory follows India's strong performance in recent international outings including the Pro League.
• The tournament was held in Hulunbuir, China.

Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold at Paavo Nurmi Games 2024

Key Highlight: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra won the Gold Medal in the men's javelin throw at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland.

• He recorded a best throw of 85.97 meters to claim the top spot.
• He finished ahead of Toni Keranen of Finland and Oliver Helander.
• This was Chopra's first competition since the Doha Diamond League earlier this year.
• The win serves as a major boost ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

International News

Vladimir Putin Visits North Korea for the First Time in 24 Years

Key Highlight: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea on June 18, 2024, for a high-profile state visit.

• This was Putin's first visit to North Korea since the year 2000.
• The two nations signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which includes a mutual defense clause.
• The visit signals deepening military and economic ties between Russia and the DPRK.
• Leader Kim Jong Un described the relationship as a "new era of friendship."

South Africa Re-elects Cyril Ramaphosa as President for Second Term

Key Highlight: Cyril Ramaphosa has been re-elected as the President of South Africa by the country’s parliament for a second term.

• His party, the African National Congress (ANC), formed a government of national unity after losing its majority.
• Ramaphosa defeated Julius Malema of the EFF in the parliamentary vote.
• He was inaugurated in Pretoria on June 19, 2024.
• The new government includes the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other smaller parties.

Obituaries

Renowned Kannada Poet Chennaveera Kanavi Passes Away

Key Highlight: Veteran Kannada poet and litterateur Chennaveera Kanavi passed away at the age of 93 in Dharwad, Karnataka.

• He was popularly known as 'Samanvaya Kavi' (Poet of Reconciliation).
• He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1981 for his work 'Jeeva Dhwani'.
• He was a leading figure in the Navodaya and Bandaya movements of Kannada literature.
• The Government of Karnataka honored him with the Pampa Award.

Defence News

India-USA iCET Dialogue Focuses on Advanced Defence Cooperation

Key Highlight: The National Security Advisors of India and the USA met in New Delhi for the second iCET (initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology) dialogue.

• Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan reviewed progress in defense space and AI sectors.
• A major focus was on the co-production of GE F414 jet engines in India.
• Both sides agreed to launch a new Strategic Trade Dialogue to ease technology exports.
• The partnership aims to reduce dependence on Russian military hardware.

Indian Navy Conducts 'PASSEX' with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force

Key Highlight: The Indian Navy ship INS Shivalik conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the JMSDF ship JS Yakushima in the South China Sea.

• The exercise focused on enhancing interoperability and maritime cooperation.
• Activities included tactical maneuvers, communication drills, and helicopter operations.
• INS Shivalik is currently deployed to the South China Sea and North Pacific.
• The exercise reinforces the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.