IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026

• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was observed on 17 June 2026 across 813 project areas under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 in India.

• The programme is implemented by the Watershed Management Division under the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.

• WDC-PMKSY 2.0 (2021–2026) aims to restore 49.50 lakh hectares of degraded land with a financial outlay of ₹8,134 crore.

• The programme focuses on soil conservation, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and land restoration in watershed areas.

• During the observance, Bhoomi Poojan was conducted for 1,444 new watershed works, while 8,341 completed watershed assets were dedicated to the public.

• Under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, 51,299 saplings were planted across project areas.

• The global theme for 2026 is "Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.", and Kenya is hosting the global observance.

• The day is observed annually on 17 June under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to promote action against land degradation and drought.

NATIONAL NEWS

Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya Rating (SHVR) 2025-26

• The Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya Rating (SHVR) 2025-26 results were announced on 17 June 2026 by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education.

• A total of 191 schools across India were selected under the national rating framework.

• 11 schools from Uttar Pradesh secured a place in the national list.

• The SHVR framework assesses schools on cleanliness, sanitation, water conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, green campuses, and community participation.

• Among UP schools, Dayawati Modi Academy-1, Meerut secured 4th rank, KGBV Hariharpur Rani, Shravasti secured 9th rank, and PM SHRI Primary School Italia Mafi, Sambhal secured 12th rank.

• The selected UP schools included 6 government schools, 2 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), 2 schools from other categories, and 1 private school.

• Each recognised school will receive a National Certificate of Merit and ₹21 lakh financial assistance for strengthening green and cleanliness initiatives.

• The Basic Education Department of Uttar Pradesh will also honour the top 20 schools at the state level for excellence in cleanliness and environmental sustainability.

STATE NEWS

Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026

• On 17 June 2026, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill will be introduced in the Monsoon Session of the state assembly.

• The Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly is scheduled from 20–24 July 2026.

• A Uniform Civil Code seeks to provide a common set of civil laws relating to marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession for all citizens.

• The constitutional basis of UCC is Article 44 of the Constitution, which forms part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs).

• The Madhya Pradesh Government constituted a six-member committee in April 2026 to prepare the draft UCC Bill.

• The committee is headed by Justice Ranjana Prasad Desai and was directed to submit its report within 60 days.

• The committee has consulted people from different religious communities and studied the UCC models of Uttarakhand and Gujarat.

• The state government has indicated that the UCC Bill may be discussed and passed during the same assembly session.

RANKING AND REPORTS

Bengaluru-Karnataka in Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026

• Bengaluru-Karnataka ranked 2nd in Asia among AI-native startup clusters, behind Beijing, in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2026.

• Bengaluru secured 15th position globally among the world's top 40 startup ecosystems.

• The city's startup ecosystem was valued at $153 billion according to the report.

• The report was released at VivaTech 2026 in Paris on 17 June 2026.

• Bengaluru had 30 unicorns and attracted $39 billion in venture capital funding during 2021–2025.

• The city is recognized as the world’s second-largest AI talent hub, with around 6 lakh AI and Machine Learning professionals.

• As of January 2026, Bengaluru had 606 AI-native startups, of which 239 were funded, and 63 had secured Series A+ funding.

• Bengaluru recorded $46 billion in startup exits between 2021 and 2025, highlighting the maturity of its startup ecosystem.

DEFENCE

Exercise Pitch Black 2026

• Exercise Pitch Black 2026 will be conducted in Australia from 20 July to 7 August 2026.

• It is a biennial multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

• It is the largest international military exercise conducted by the RAAF.

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is among the participating air forces in the exercise.

• More than 100 aircraft and personnel from 19+ countries will participate.

• The exercise will be conducted from RAAF Base Darwin, RAAF Base Tindal, and RAAF Base Amberley.

• The exercise focuses on air combat integration, interoperability, tactical training, and coalition warfare operations.

• Air Commodore Matt McCormack Matt McCormack is the Exercise Commander for Pitch Black 2026.

India Defence Production 2025-26

• India’s defence production reached ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, the highest ever recorded.

• Defence production increased from ₹84,643 crore in FY 2020-21 to ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.

• In FY 2013-14, India’s defence production stood at ₹43,746 crore.

• Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other public sector units contributed about 76% of total production.

• The private sector contributed nearly ₹42,000 crore, accounting for about 24% of total defence production.

• Defence exports touched ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.

• The Union Budget 2026 allocated ₹7.85 lakh crore for the defence sector.

• Out of this, ₹2.19 lakh crore was earmarked for military modernisation and capital acquisitions.

IMA Passing Out Parade 2026

• President Droupadi Murmu reviewed the Passing Out Parade of the 158th Regular Course at the Indian Military Academy in June 2026.

• Lt Vishal Kumar received the Sword of Honour for being the best all-round officer cadet.

• He was also awarded the President’s Gold Medal for securing first position in the overall Order of Merit.

• The awards were presented by Droupadi Murmu.

• Academy Under Officer Prince Raj secured second position in the overall Order of Merit.

• Prince Raj was awarded the President’s Silver Medal.

• Senior Under Officer Tejas Bhatt secured third position in the overall Order of Merit.

• Tejas Bhatt received the President’s Bronze Medal.