APPOINTMENTS
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Appointed Next Vice Chief of Air Staff
• Ashutosh Dixit was appointed as the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on 5 June 2026.
• He will assume office on 1 July 2026, succeeding Nagesh Kapoor.
• The VCAS is one of the highest-ranking positions in the Indian Air Force.
• Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream on 6 December 1986.
• Before this appointment, he served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff from May 2025.
• He is an ace fighter and test pilot with over 3,300 flying hours.
• His experience includes flying more than 20 aircraft types, including Mirage-2000, MiG-21, and Jaguar.
• He has contributed to indigenous aircraft upgrade programmes and joint military planning initiatives.
Neelkanth Mishra Appointed India’s Executive Director at World Bank
• Neelkanth Mishra was appointed as India’s Executive Director at the World Bank on 4 June 2026.
• He will serve a three-year term at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C.
• Mishra will succeed Parameswaran Iyer.
• The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• Before this role, he served as Chief Economist at Axis Bank and Head of Global Research at Axis Capital.
• He is also associated with the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, UIDAI, and TRAI in part-time capacities.
• The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors oversees the institution’s policies, operations, and lending decisions.
• Neelkanth Mishra is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and was awarded the Director’s Gold Medal.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Environment Day 2026: Focus on Climate Action
• World Environment Day 2026 will be observed on 5 June 2026 under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme.
• The theme for 2026 is “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
• Azerbaijan will host the global celebrations in Baku.
• UNEP has launched the #NowForClimate campaign to encourage immediate climate action worldwide.
• World Environment Day is celebrated annually to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
• The observance was established in 1972 following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm.
• The first World Environment Day was celebrated in 1973.
• The inaugural theme of World Environment Day was “Only One Earth.”
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
U.S. Becomes India’s Largest LPG Supplier
• United States became India’s largest LPG supplier in 2026, overtaking Gulf countries.
• In May 2026, the U.S. supplied over 55% of India’s LPG imports, totaling 666,000 tonnes.
• LPG, mainly made of propane and butane, is widely used for cooking and industrial purposes.
• Earlier, Gulf nations accounted for nearly 90% of India’s LPG imports.
• Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz affected LPG supplies from the Middle East.
• Indian oil companies signed a deal in November 2025 to import 2.2 million tonnes annually from the U.S.
• Iran resumed LPG exports to India after a seven-year gap, becoming the second-largest supplier in May 2026.
• India also imported LPG from countries such as Australia, Russia, Argentina, Nigeria, and Angola, diversifying its energy sources.
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi May Visit India in July 2026
• Sanae Takaichi is considering a visit to India in early July 2026 for talks with Narendra Modi.
• The proposed meeting is likely to be held in Assam, where a major semiconductor plant is being developed.
• Discussions are expected to focus on economic cooperation, security ties, and regional issues.
• India and Japan are key partners in the G20 and the Quad framework.
• The two countries have strengthened cooperation under the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership since 2014.
• Assam plays an important role in the India–Japan Act East Forum, which supports development projects in Northeast India.
• The two Prime Ministers last met during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025.
• Japan has announced a target of ¥10 trillion in private investment in India over the next decade.
Nepal Foreign Minister Visits India
• Shisir Khanal is on an official visit to India from 5–7 June 2026.
• The visit is being held at the invitation of S. Jaishankar.
• Formal bilateral talks are scheduled in New Delhi.
• India and Nepal share a 1,751-km open border and close people-to-people ties.
• The 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship remains a key foundation of bilateral relations.
• Shisir Khanal assumed office as Nepal’s Foreign Minister on 27 March 2026.
• The two countries cooperate in trade, connectivity, energy, and investment sectors.
• The visit is part of regular high-level diplomatic exchanges between India and Nepal.
STATE NEWS
Chumur Becomes India’s First Model Border Village
• Chumur has been selected as India’s first model border village under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
• Located near the India–China border at an altitude of 16,700 feet, the village has 24 households and 91 residents.
• The Vibrant Villages Programme aims to strengthen border settlements through infrastructure development, livelihood support, and improved connectivity.
• Chumur will receive climate-resilient passive solar houses designed to withstand temperatures as low as –35°C.
• The project includes facilities such as water supply, sanitation, renewable energy, digital connectivity, a school, a Primary Health Centre, and community infrastructure.
• A commercial greenhouse, supported by the Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR), will enable year-round vegetable cultivation.
• The initiative will promote Pashmina-based livelihoods, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and tourism along the Korzok–Hanle circuit.
• The housing units are expected to be completed by September 2026, making Chumur a model for sustainable development in remote border regions.
AWARDS
51 Artistes Receive Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
• 51 artistes were honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards on 5 June 2026 at Lok Bhawan, Lucknow.
• The awards covered the years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
• Recipients were recognised for contributions to music, dance, theatre, and folk arts.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi is India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama, established in 1953.
• The ceremony was organised by the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi.
• Brajesh Pathak presented the awards as the chief guest.
• Special honours included the Safdar Hashmi Award and BM Shah Award for excellence in theatre.
• The Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi has preserved over 5,500 hours of rare folk music and theatre recordings.
National Awards for e-Governance 2026
• The National Awards for e-Governance 2026 recognised 17 digital governance projects on 4 June 2026.
• The awards honour innovations in public service delivery and e-governance across seven categories.
• Agri Stack of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare was among the selected initiatives.
• Mahakumbh 2025, developed by the Prayagraj Mela Authority, also received recognition.
• The Blood Bag Traceability and Citizen Interaction Portal of K-DISC (Kerala) was selected for the award.
• TRINETRA, an AI-based video surveillance system in Ujjain’s Mahakal area, was another award-winning project.
• The Panchayat Advancement Index of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj was recognised for strengthening local governance.
• The 29th National Conference on e-Governance will be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
SPORTS
R Praggnanandhaa Wins Norway Chess 2026
• R Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to win the Norway Chess title on 5 June 2026.
• The 20-year-old Grandmaster secured the championship by defeating Vincent Keymer in the final round.
• He finished the tournament with 18 points.
• The Norway Chess 2026 tournament was held in Oslo from 25 May to 5 June.
• Praggnanandhaa won his last four classical games of the event.
• He defeated Magnus Carlsen twice in classical games during the tournament.
• He also registered a classical victory over D Gukesh.
• The tournament featured leading Grandmasters, including Magnus Carlsen, D Gukesh, Alireza Firouzja, and Wesley So.
