Daily Current Affairs – 20-06-2026

National News

Reliance Jio Plans Sovereign LEO Satellite Constellation Initiative

Reliance Jio Infocomm announced plans to develop a sovereign Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation at its annual general meeting (AGM) in Mumbai. The initiative was stated by Akash Ambani (Chairman, Reliance Jio Infocomm), who also noted that the company is simultaneously leasing satellite capacity from global satcom providers while developing its own satellite systems. The strategy includes building a ground station infrastructure in India to support both future in-house satellites and partner constellations, aiming to create an end-to-end satellite broadband ecosystem from space to ground. The initiative is linked to strengthening India’s Aatmanirbharta in the space sector and expanding satellite-based connectivity for regions such as hinterlands, defence and maritime users where fibre connectivity is limited.

Tata Motors Joins ₹9,585-Crore Delhi-NCR Fleet Renewal Programme

Tata Motors has joined Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility in the Government of India’s ₹9,585-crore Delhi-NCR fleet renewal programme implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The scheme aims to replace older commercial vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region with cleaner BS-VI-compliant and electric trucks and buses. Under the programme, participating manufacturers provide an 8% discount on eligible vehicles, along with incentives such as 5% interest subvention on vehicle financing, fuel vouchers for five years, motor vehicle tax concessions up to 100% for 10 years, and registration fee waivers from state governments. The initiative targets replacement of vehicles complying with BS-IV or earlier emission standards and applies to both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric commercial vehicles, with restrictions on EV discount equivalence based on GVW categories. The programme covers fleet operators in the National Capital Region (NCR) to reduce vehicular emissions and modernise commercial transport fleets.

Supreme Court Declares Right to Walk on Footpaths as Fundamental Right

The Supreme Court of India declared that the right to walk on demarcated and well-maintained footpaths is a fundamental right, giving it priority over the movement of motorised vehicles. The judgment was delivered in a case concerning the death of a five-year-old child in a road accident, authored by Justice P.S. Narasimha. The Court held that ensuring footpaths alongside roads is an enforceable duty of authorities and linked the right to walk with Article 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), and 19(1)(c) of the Constitution, covering expression, assembly, and association. It observed that Article 19(1)(d) guarantees free movement across India, and walking safely is part of this right. The Court stated that urban planning prioritising motor vehicles had marginalised pedestrians and emphasised the need for a statutory framework and regulatory mechanism to protect the right to walk. It directed that copies of the judgment be sent to the Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs, Rural Development, and Road Transport and Highways for further legal action.

Centre Approves Defence Land Use for Musi Riverfront Project

The Union Ministry of Defence granted working permission to the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation (MRDC) to use 83.814 acres of defence land under the Artillery Centre, Golconda (Telangana) for development activities related to the Musi Riverfront project. The land, valued at ₹533.42 crore, is located across Bandlaguda, Hyderguda, and Quila Mohammed Nagar villages in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts. The approval has been issued under the Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) policy framework, which requires equivalent-value infrastructure to be developed for the Army in exchange for defence land use. The land has been allocated for the proposed Gandhi Sarovar Project at Bapu Ghat, part of the broader Musi Riverfront Development programme. The permission is subject to strict conditions laid down by the Ministry of Defence.

India Targets Early Eradication of Sickle Cell Anaemia

President Droupadi Murmu stated during a government event in Omkareshwar, Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, that India is expected to eradicate sickle cell anaemia well before the target year 2047. She highlighted that the National Mission on Sickle Cell Anaemia (launched in 2023) has already achieved several targets ahead of schedule, including screening of seven crore people aged 0–40 years. The initiative focuses on early detection and elimination of sickle cell-related diseases, which are reported to be significantly higher among tribal communities compared to the general population. The government aims to eliminate the disease through coordinated efforts of all states and widespread awareness campaigns, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Gets Navratna Status, Becomes 28th CPSE

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) has been upgraded to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) status with approval from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as announced by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) under the Ministry of Finance. With this upgrade, CPCL becomes the 28th Navratna CPSE in India. The company operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and reported a turnover of ₹59,400 crore in FY 2025–26, earlier holding Miniratna Category-I status. The Navratna status, introduced in 1997, provides enhanced financial and operational autonomy, allowing CPSEs to invest up to ₹1,000 crore or 15% of net worth without government approval and to expand through joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, and overseas operations. CPCL is a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) with a 51.89% stake, and operates the Manali refinery in Chennai with a refining capacity of 10.5 MMTPA, producing petroleum products including diesel, petrol, LPG, ATF, lubricants, and petrochemical feedstocks.

Navratna Companies

Eligibility Criteria: A Central Public Sector Enterprise must first be a Miniratna company and have 4 independent directors on its board to qualify for Navratna status. It must also secure a minimum score of 60 out of 100, based on performance parameters including PBDIT (Profit Before Depreciation, Interest and Taxes), net profit, net worth, capital employed, cost of services, and total manpower cost.

Investment Benefits: Navratna CPSEs are permitted to invest up to ₹1,000 crore or 15% of their net worth on a single project, or up to 30% of net worth annually, subject to a maximum ceiling of ₹1,000 crore, without requiring prior government approval.

Government bans 16 Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs in India

The Government of India has prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of 16 Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs for human use with immediate effect. The decision follows a Supreme Court-directed review conducted by an expert committee under the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which found that the drug combinations lacked therapeutic justification and could pose health risks. The banned medicines include categories such as dermatological, pain-relief, antispasmodic, and antibiotic-based formulations. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that the move aims to ensure only safe, effective, and scientifically validated medicines are available, and directed state drug regulators and enforcement agencies to strictly implement the ban.

India to host BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting chaired by Ajit Doval

India will host the BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting on June 22–23, chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). National Security Advisers and heads of delegation from BRICS member countries will discuss the theme “Non-traditional security challenges confronting the world today”, focusing on evolving national security threats and the role of emerging technologies. The meeting will also review outcomes of the BRICS Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism and Security in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies. India is holding the BRICS Chairship for the fourth time in 2026, having earlier chaired in 2012, 2016, and 2021, under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The BRICS grouping comprises 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, and cooperates in areas including security, counter-terrorism, climate change, finance, food and energy security, trade, and cultural exchanges.

President Murmu and PM Modi visit Odisha’s Mayurbhanj; ₹47,600 crore development projects launched

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Pahadpur village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, where they offered prayers at Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera sacred groves and visited a Skill Centre and Pahadpur School. The visit highlighted initiatives related to education, skill development, and livelihood generation in tribal and rural areas. PM Modi also participated in the “Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara” programme in Rairangpur, marking two years of the Odisha government. During the event, development projects worth over ₹47,600 crore were launched across sectors including energy, industrial infrastructure, road connectivity, drinking water, health, education, tourism, and irrigation. Key projects include the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project, expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station with two 660 MW units, and the Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited project in Jharsuguda. Other projects include a municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant in Bhubaneswar, a bridge over the Kathajodi river linking Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, several road, irrigation, railway multi-tracking, sports, and healthcare projects, including a 300-bed district hospital in Boudh, along with tribal research centres aimed at inclusive development in Odisha.

IITM–ARIES MoU for Himalayan Climate Observation Station under BCON

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune and the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital have signed a long-term MoU on June 18 to establish a Climate Observation Station in the Himalayan region under the Bharat Climate Observation Network (BCON). The agreement, signed by IITM Director Dr A. Suryachandra Rao and ARIES Director Dr Manish Kumar Naja, will remain in force for over 50 years and aims to strengthen climate change research and long-term atmospheric monitoring. The proposed station at ARIES Devasthal campus, Uttarakhand, will monitor meteorological parameters, greenhouse gases, short-lived climate forcers, atmospheric chemistry, and soil moisture. The site will support studies on greenhouse gas behaviour, pollutant transport, and Himalayan climate processes. The BCON initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, implemented by IITM, aims to create a national long-term high-precision climate monitoring network to generate datasets for climate trend analysis, policy support, and validation of Earth System Models including IITM’s model, improving climate projections for India.

Qadian–Beas Rail Link Revival

The Union Government has revived the Qadian–Beas railway line project in Punjab after nearly 100 years, as announced by Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu. The 39.68-km broad-gauge railway corridor, to be executed by Northern Railway, will be developed at an estimated cost of around ₹1,400 crore. The line will connect Qadian (Gurdaspur district) with Beas (Amritsar district), passing through Dhapai, Ghuman, Butala and Sathiala, and is aimed at improving regional connectivity in the Majha region of Punjab. The project includes 2 crossing stations, 11 major bridges, 121 minor bridges, and 54 road under bridges, along with modern signalling and communication systems and the indigenous train safety system Kavach. The railway link was originally approved in 1928–29 and partially constructed in the early 1930s before being discontinued, and was later included in the 2010–11 Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Programme. It is expected to enhance freight and passenger mobility, support agriculture and small industries, generate employment, and improve access to key religious sites including Qadian, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, Sri Darbar Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdwara Achal Sahib and Gurdwara Bhagat Namdev Ji.

Economy News

PhonePe Introduces ₹100 Quarterly Fee on Inactive Wallets

Digital payments company PhonePe announced the introduction of a ₹100 quarterly wallet inactivity maintenance fee (including GST) for wallet accounts that remain unused for more than one year. The charge applies only to PhonePe wallet (prepaid payment instrument) users who have at least ₹1 balance in their wallets and will be deducted from the wallet balance. Users with less than ₹100 balance will have their entire wallet amount deducted, while zero-balance wallets will not be charged. The company stated that users will receive notification 15 days prior to deduction and can avoid charges by activating the wallet, adding funds, or withdrawing the balance during the notice period. The fee will not lead to a negative balance. The policy applies only to the wallet service and does not affect UPI-linked bank accounts, as PhonePe clarified that wallets and UPI bank accounts are separate payment instruments. The company also stated that users are not required to upgrade from minimum KYC wallets to full KYC wallets to reactivate their accounts.

World Bank Approves $1.5 Billion for India’s Reform-Linked Development Programme

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $1.5 billion financing for India under the Development Policy Financing (DPF) operation to support structural reforms aimed at promoting private sector-led job creation and economic growth. The financing is expected to support reforms that could generate employment opportunities for around 11 million youth entering the labour market annually over the next two decades. The DPF mechanism is designed to provide rapid disbursement of funds to address development financing needs of borrower countries. The programme builds on structural reforms undertaken in recent years, including tax simplification, trade integration, and legislative and regulatory reforms aimed at improving the ease of living and ease of doing business in India.

States’ News

Meghalaya Inaugurates 10,000-Tonne Organic Spice Processing Unit

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, inaugurated the Organic Spice Industrial Unit (PRIME-HUB) at Bhoirymbong, Meghalaya, described as the largest organic spice processing plant in North East India. The unit has been developed with an investment of ₹30 crore and is designed to process over 10,000 tonnes of organic spices annually. The project is expected to benefit around 5,500 farmers across 112 villages, supporting livelihoods through organic spice production. The initiative aligns with the development of Meghalaya’s organic spice economy and strengthens its position as a major production base, particularly in crops such as ginger linked to global demand trends. The project foundation was earlier laid by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on 9 August 2024, as part of ongoing efforts to improve farmers’ income through financial support, training, and improved market access.

Study Finds Expansion of Glacial Lakes in Arunachal Pradesh

A satellite-based assessment by Suhora Technologies (Noida-based geospatial intelligence firm) found that four out of five glacial lakes in the Mago Chu basin, Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, have expanded between 2016 and June 2026, with one lake showing significant growth. The lakes studied are classified by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as “high-risk” and “very high-risk” glacial lakes, highlighting concerns related to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the eastern Himalayas. Using satellite data from ICEYE, PlanetScope, and LISS-IV, the study observed expansion trends linked to glacial retreat and meltwater accumulation. Among them, Sanhapo Lake recorded the highest growth, increasing from 78.07 hectares (2019) to 88.81 hectares (June 2026) and was identified for priority monitoring and hazard modelling. Two other high-risk lakes expanded by about one hectare, while Dharkha Tso also showed gradual growth and one lake remained stable. The report highlighted the need for continuous monitoring of glacial lakes, especially in light of previous glacial hazard incidents such as the 2023 Sikkim GLOF disaster linked to South Lhonak Lake.

Paschimbanga Divas and PM-Kisan 23rd Instalment Released in West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Paschimbanga Divas celebrations held at Tarakeswar in Hooghly district, West Bengal. During the event, he released the 23rd instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme worth ₹18,880 crore, benefiting over 9.44 crore farmers across India. He also took part in a state day function and launched, dedicated, and laid foundation stones for development projects across sectors including railways, agriculture, rural development, fisheries, and animal husbandry.

Important Days

World Refugee Day – June 20

World Refugee Day is observed every year on June 20 by the United Nations to honour refugees worldwide and highlight their courage, resilience, and rights. It also raises awareness about the challenges faced by people who are forced to flee their countries due to conflict, persecution, or violence.

The day was first observed globally in 2001, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines the rights of refugees and the legal obligations of states to protect them.

Each year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) leads global campaigns focusing on protection, inclusion, and support for refugees, internally displaced persons, and asylum seekers.

Theme: "Until Everyone Is Safe"