Daily Current Affairs – 10-06-2026

States’ News

CRPF CoBRA Commandos Deployed in Manipur

The Union Home Ministry has ordered the deployment of CRPF CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) commandos in Manipur. The decision was taken due to renewed tensions and sporadic incidents of violence in the hill districts of Manipur over the past two months. The CoBRA force is known for its experience in anti-Naxal operations. CRPF Director G.P. Singh recently visited Manipur and reviewed the arrangements for the deployment of the commandos. During his visit, he interacted with officials and security personnel and assessed the security situation in different parts of the state.

Varanasi Shiva Theme Park Project

An oxygen park named “Shiva Theme Park” is being developed by the municipal corporation in the Belupur area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, at a cost of ₹100 crore over 20 acres. Varanasi (Kashi) is the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The park is themed around Lord Shiva of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and is planned to be built to international standards within 8 to 9 months. It will include a grand walkway, children’s play area, open-air art gallery, senior citizens’ library, parking facility, food court, planetarium, and a digital museum showcasing the heritage and temples of Kashi. A major highlight of the project is the proposed installation of the world’s tallest Shivling with a height of 130 feet. The article also mentions the existing 111-foot Mahalingam at Chenkal, Kerala, and a 33-foot monolithic Shivling being installed in the Virat Ramayan Temple in East Champaran, Bihar, which was carved by sculptors from Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

Reports and Indices

SIPRI Report 2026 on Nuclear Weapons and Military Spending

According to the 2026 report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Sweden, 9 countries possess nuclear weapons worldwide. The report states that Russia has 4,400 nuclear warheads, the United States has 3,700, China has 620, France has 290, the United Kingdom has 225, India has 190, Pakistan has 170, Israel has 90, and North Korea has 60 nuclear weapons. The report notes that India's nuclear arsenal has increased compared to the previous year, and 12 nuclear warheads have been fitted to missiles and kept in a state of operational readiness. In military expenditure, the United States ranks first with 954 billion US dollars, followed by China (336 billion US dollars), Russia (190 billion US dollars), and Germany (114 billion US dollars), while India ranks fifth with 92.1 billion US dollars (approximately ₹8.77 lakh crore). The report also states that during the 2021–2025 period, India and Ukraine were among the top five countries importing the largest volume of weapons globally.

International News

Israel to Install Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue

The Government of Israel has planned to install a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in one of Israel’s major cities as a symbol of friendship between India and Israel. The announcement was made by Yaniv Revach, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai. The project will be undertaken with the cooperation of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has agreed to provide support for obtaining historical references and design details related to Shivaji Maharaj. The proposed statue is also intended to reflect the historical ties between Maharashtra and the Indian-Jewish community and to promote awareness about the achievements of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj among the people of Israel.

Nepal Restricts Import of Indian Mangoes

Nepal has imposed restrictions on the import of mangoes from India after detecting high levels of pesticide residues in the fruit. The information was provided by Ajay Gyawali, Communications Officer of the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Co-operatives of Madhesh Province. According to the authorities, inadequate testing facilities at border points were cited as a reason for imposing the restrictions. Following the decision, the sale of domestically produced mangoes in Nepal has increased. However, domestic mango production has been reported as insufficient to meet demand across the country.

GTRI Report on India’s Free Trade Agreements

According to a report released by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has led to challenges such as increasing trade deficits, inverted duty structures, and low utilisation of FTA benefits. India currently has 15 operational FTAs covering 27 countries, while 9 additional agreements covering 42 countries are under negotiation or awaiting implementation. Together, these 69 countries account for more than three-fourths of India’s exports. The report highlighted that the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could affect tariff benefits available under India’s trade agreements. It also proposed the creation of an FTA Impact Monitoring Authority to monitor utilisation, sectoral gains, import growth, and trade deficits. In FY 2025, India exported goods worth USD 48.6 billion to the UAE, Australia, Mauritius, and EFTA countries, while imports from these countries were nearly USD 100 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of over USD 50 billion. The report stated that India’s trade deficit increased by 381% with ASEAN, 318% with Japan, and 268% with South Korea between 2007–2009 and 2023–2025. Over the last three years, India’s average annual trade deficit with ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea reached about USD 62 billion, while India’s trade surplus with South Asia increased from USD 6.7 billion to USD 20 billion. The report also noted that only 20–30% of India’s eligible exports utilise FTA preferences.

El Niño மற்றும் இந்தியப் பெருங்கடல் இருமுனை (IOD) – பருவமழை நிலவரம்

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), the Nino 3.4 Index reached +0.81°C for the week ending June 7, 2026, crossing the El Niño threshold of +0.80°C. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) remained neutral with an index value of -0.34°C as of June 7, but most climate models indicate a possibility of a positive IOD developing during August–September 2026. A positive IOD can enhance moisture availability and support the South-West Monsoon over India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised its South-West Monsoon forecast to 90% of the Long Period Average (LPA) rainfall. The monsoon commenced on June 4, 2026, three days later than normal, and was reported to be 18% deficient. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) stood at -21.7 on June 7. The report noted that the tropical Pacific Ocean is expected to continue warming in the coming months, increasing the likelihood of an El Niño event, while a positive IOD may partly offset its impact on the Indian monsoon.

Tamil Nadu News

Singappenn Special Action Force Launched in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister S. Joseph Vijay launched the Singappenn Special Action Force on June 9 at Rajarathinam Stadium, Egmore, Chennai, to strengthen measures against crimes against women. The Chief Minister announced an allocation of ₹354 crore for the force and stated that 2,500 new posts would be created in the Tamil Nadu Police Department under the second phase of the project. The force was announced during the Assembly election campaign and the order for its formation was signed by the Chief Minister upon assuming office on May 10. The force will function in coordination with the existing women's wing of the police department and will be equipped with modern technology, advanced vehicles, and drone patrol systems for monitoring and preventing crimes against women. During the event, the official insignia of the force was released and received by G.G. K. Bavaniswari, Chief Officer of the force. The programme was attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary M. Saikumar, Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K. Manivasan, and Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj.

125-Day Employment Scheme: ₹7,957.57 Crore Allocated to Tamil Nadu

The Central Government released ₹95,692 crore on June 9 to States and Union Territories for the implementation of the 125-Day Employment Scheme. Under this scheme, Tamil Nadu has been allocated ₹7,957.57 crore. The scheme replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 100-Day Employment Scheme, following the passage of the VPG Ram Ji (125-Day Employment Scheme) Act in December 2025, which received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu. The new law increases guaranteed employment from 100 days to 125 days and will come into effect from July 1, 2026. In States and Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies, the funding pattern is 60% by the Central Government and 40% by the State or Union Territory Government, while for the North-Eastern States, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, the ratio is 90:10. A review meeting on the scheme was chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The funds are intended to support development works in about 2.80 lakh Village Panchayats across the country. Among the allocations, Uttar Pradesh received the highest amount of ₹12,221.48 crore, followed by West Bengal (₹8,508 crore), Tamil Nadu (₹7,957.57 crore), Andhra Pradesh (₹7,701.21 crore), Rajasthan (₹7,581.57 crore) and Bihar (₹6,715.83 crore). Among Union Territories, Puducherry received ₹40.56 crore and Jammu & Kashmir received ₹1,151.02 crore.

National News

Captain Lalrinawma Sailo Awarded Kirti Chakra

Captain Lalrinawma Sailo (27) from Mizoram was awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, in recognition of his actions during anti-terror operations. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During an anti-terror operation in Srinagar district, Captain Lalrinawma Sailo identified and neutralized a wanted terrorist and subsequently eliminated other terrorists. The award was also linked to his role in Operation Shindoor. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh in his honour. In 2026, the Kirti Chakra was awarded to seven individuals, including two posthumous recipients. Captain Lalrinawma Sailo became the second person from Mizoram to receive this award. Earlier, Subedar Salnuna Lushai of the Assam Rifles received the Kirti Chakra in 1968.

Rapido Sets Guinness World Record for Road Safety Awareness

In support of the ‘Rakveer’ Road Safety Awareness Programme implemented under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Rapido created a new Guinness World Record by facilitating a pledge by more than 4 lakh drivers and customers simultaneously. The Rakveer initiative aims to encourage the public to provide medical assistance to road accident victims during the first golden hour after an accident. The joint initiative was officially announced in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Rapido Co-founder Aravind Sanka.

VB-G RAM G Rural Employment Scheme from July 1

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the State-wise fund allocation under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] after a meeting with State Rural Development Ministers. The new law will come into force on July 1, 2026, replacing the existing MGNREGA framework. The Central Government has allocated ₹95,692 crore as an interim allocation to States and Union Territories, while the total fund available under VB-G RAM G including State contributions will be ₹1.51 lakh crore. The Centre had already allocated ₹30,000 crore under MGNREGA for implementation up to June 30, 2026. According to the Ministry, the funds will reach about 2.80 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country and will be used for employment generation and rural development works. As of the announcement, 26 States had made budgetary provisions for the scheme, while Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana, and Mizoram were yet to do so. Mizoram, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh had issued the required notifications. Under the scheme, the Centre’s share includes ₹7,585.49 crore for Tamil Nadu, ₹9,721.48 crore for Uttar Pradesh, ₹7,707.21 crore for Andhra Pradesh, ₹7,581.87 crore for Rajasthan, ₹6,715.83 crore for Bihar, ₹5,709.09 crore for Karnataka, ₹4,420.32 crore for Maharashtra, ₹3,825.31 crore for Telangana, ₹3,136.44 crore for Kerala, and ₹6,252.03 crore for Madhya Pradesh. An additional ₹1,850.62 crore has been earmarked for central administration and social audit activities.

FSC Certification for Bamboo Farmers

Industree Foundation has become the first organization in India to receive the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management Certification for privately owned bamboo plantations managed by smallholder farmers. The certification, awarded by SCS Global Services, covers 6,671 small and marginal women farmers cultivating bamboo across 1,112.9 hectares in the districts of Shivamogga, Hassan, and Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka. The FSC Group Certification framework enables small farmers to collectively meet certification requirements under a common structure. The certification confirms that bamboo is grown through sustainable practices, is legally compliant, and is fully traceable. Through its Regenerative Agroforestry and Livelihoods Project, Industree Foundation provides training on land assessment, species selection, soil preparation, planting, growth monitoring, sustainable harvesting, and compliance with FSC standards.

Modified UDAN Scheme 2026

The modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) is scheduled to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata on June 20, 2026. Approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2026, the scheme will be implemented from FY 2027 to FY 2036 with a budget outlay of ₹28,840 crore. The scheme aims to connect 120 additional destinations, facilitate air travel for nearly 4 crore passengers, and develop 100 new airports from existing unserved airstrips through participation of State Governments. It also provides operational and maintenance support for about 441 aerodromes and includes the development of 200 modern helipads in hilly, remote, island and aspirational regions with an outlay of ₹3,661 crore. To improve regional route viability, the scheme allocates ₹10,043 crore as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for airline operators. Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative, the scheme supports procurement of HAL Dhruv helicopters for Pawan Hans and HAL Dornier aircraft for Alliance Air. The UDAN Scheme, launched in 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy, had operationalised 663 routes and connected 95 aerodromes, including 17 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, as of March 31, 2026.

Personalities, Awards and Events

R. Meenakshi Sundaram Appointed Director of ICAR-NAARM

Raman Meenakshi Sundaram has assumed charge as the Director of the ICAR–National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM). Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director of the ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIR), Hyderabad. He played a significant role in the development of the improved Samba Mahsuri rice variety.