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Edition · Friday, 26 June 2026 · 0 Prelims · 9 Mains

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Your daily UPSC current-affairs edition — a syllabus-wise brief from India's newsrooms, then the day's Prelims MCQs and Mains model answers. Free, ungated, added to every day. Practice the full growing bank (173 MCQs · 400 Mains) →

📰 Today's Current Affairs

Organised by syllabus head — read the brief, then test yourself below

Polity & Governance

Prelims favourite — fix the constitutional provision/Article and the authority involved.

  • Govt gives India's envoy to Bangladesh status of Cabinet minister — Times of India
  • Bengal govt set to table UCC bill in assembly next week BJP plans to introduce a Uniform Civil Code bill in Bengal's assembly on June 29, potentially becoming the fourth state to implement it. — Hindustan Times
  • Cabinet revamp buzz: Team Nabin getting final touches — Times of India

Economy & Finance

Tie this to the indicator and its latest figure; recurs in Prelims & Bank GA.

  • Qul, Koppert announce partnership to advance biological agriculture across North India, Himalayas Collaboration to support grower resilience, sustainable horticulture, establishment of North India Centre of Production for biological agri solutions SRINAGAR: Qul FruitWall Farm Installations Pvt. Ltd. (QUL), one of Ind — Kashmir Reader
  • Why Jonnagiri launch, India’s first private gold project, is important With domestic supply stagnant since the closure of KGF, the massive project marks a crucial step towards easing India's massive forex drain on precious metals. — The Federal
  • Amazon to ramp up India investment to record $48 billion by 2030 — Times of India

International Relations

Note the country, the grouping/summit and India's stake — GS-II and General Awareness.

  • Three States have arrived at ‘historic consensus’, says D.K. Shivakumar as new gates of Tungabhadra dam are inaugurated Shivakumar said Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana discussed key concerns raised by farmers, including the proposed Navali balancing reservoir, and the need to remove accumulated silt from the reservoir to improve w — The Hindu
  • No US Deal Sans Benefits: Piyush Goyal The commerce ministry, in an official statement, said that "recognising the growing significance of the India–US economic partnership amid evolving global trade dynamics, both sides reiterated their shared goal of expand — Deccan Chronicle
  • Bodies Of 4 Indians Killed In Qatar Explosion Repatriated: Officials Bodies of four out of 12 Indian nationals who were killed in an explosion at a factory in the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar are being repatriated to the country on Thursday, officials said. — NDTV

Social Issues & Welfare

Map the scheme to its ministry, target group and outlay — GS-II / RBI ESI.

  • BJP seeks CBI probe into Gruha Lakshmi scheme The BJP demands a CBI inquiry into ₹225 crore irregularities in Karnataka's Gruha Lakshmi scheme, citing payments to deceased beneficiaries and duplicate accounts. — Hindustan Times
  • New Delhi-Dhaka ties: Can India afford to lose Teesta to China? Two years after Sheikh Hasina favoured a New Delhi-led plan, the new govt in Dhaka realigns with Beijing for the massive river restoration scheme — The Federal
  • Pharma distributor’s licence cancelled over Kota deaths Rajasthan revoked a pharma distributor's license for supplying fake oxytocin linked to maternal deaths; WHO seeks a report amid ongoing investigations. — Hindustan Times

Environment & Ecology

Prelims staple — link the species/site/treaty and its protection status.

  • Maharashtra: 'Dighi Jetty Project For Fishermen To Be Fast-Tracked After Monsoon,' Says Minister Nitesh Rane — Free Press Journal
  • T.N. Finance Minister reviews development works, stresses inter-departmental coordination With the Northeast monsoon approaching, he asked officials to expedite stormwater drain construction, canal desilting and other flood-mitigation measures. — The Hindu · Chennai
  • Bhopal Municipal Corporation Builds Temporary Road Inside Shahpura Lake, Faces Wetland Rule Violation Charge — Free Press Journal

Science & Technology

Remember the agency (ISRO/DRDO), the mission name and its first/largest tag.

  • Why Jonnagiri launch, India’s first private gold project, is important With domestic supply stagnant since the closure of KGF, the massive project marks a crucial step towards easing India's massive forex drain on precious metals. — The Federal
  • After Anthropic curbs, US reassures India on tech access Weeks after Washington ordered Anthropic to pull its most advanced AI models offline worldwide, the US assured India that technology access, once granted, will not be abruptly withdrawn — a commitment India’s IT secretar — Hindustan Times
  • UP: CM Yogi Adityanath Inaugurates Akshaya Patra Foundation's Centralised Kitchen To Serve Hot Meals To 1 Lakh Schoolchildren In Gorakhpur | VIDEO — Free Press Journal

Defence & Security

Note the platform/exercise, indigenous content and the forces involved.

  • DC Bandipora directs priority telecom push for border villages Reviews BharatNet, BSNL rollout in DLTC meet BANDIPORA: Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib on Thursday chaired a meeting of the District Level Telecom Committee (DLTC) at the Mini Secretariat, Bandipora to r — Kashmir Reader
  • Top Israeli figures threaten govt with legal action over ‘Jewish terrorism’ LONDON: Top Israeli officials and public figures have threatened the government with legal action over its support for “Jewish terrorism” and an “ideology of ethnic cleansing,” The Guardian reported on Wednesday. It came — Kashmir Reader
  • Navi Mumbai: Merchant Navy Officer Survives Near-Fatal Ducati Crash After 50-Doctor Team Saves Life, Limb — Free Press Journal

Geography & Disaster Management

Locate it on the map; recall the physical feature or the agency (NDMA).

  • Venezuela earthquake: Rescuers look for survivors as death toll rises to 188, US authorises transactions | Top updates Rescuers raced to find survivors after twin powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing at least 188 people and injuring over 1,500. Several countries, including the US and India, offered aid as authorities launched r — Livemint
  • T.N. Finance Minister reviews development works, stresses inter-departmental coordination With the Northeast monsoon approaching, he asked officials to expedite stormwater drain construction, canal desilting and other flood-mitigation measures. — The Hindu · Chennai
  • Three States have arrived at ‘historic consensus’, says D.K. Shivakumar as new gates of Tungabhadra dam are inaugurated Shivakumar said Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana discussed key concerns raised by farmers, including the proposed Navali balancing reservoir, and the need to remove accumulated silt from the reservoir to improve w — The Hindu

Reports, Indices & Summits

Near-certain GA question — the publisher, India's rank and the metric.

  • SPPU’s QS ranking fall triggers concern over governance & academic performance — TOI · Pune
  • India Major Driver Of Global Growth Despite Iran War, External Headwinds: IMF The IMF said it continues to project India's economy to grow by 6.5 per cent in fiscal year 2026-27, maintaining the upward revision made in April. — NDTV
  • Meghalaya CM orders school-wise action plans to boost PGI score Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has directed the Education Department to prepare school-specific action plans to improve the state’s performance in the Performance Grading Index (PGI), following a revi — EastMojo

Art, Culture & History

Link the site/art form to its state, period and UNESCO/GI status.

  • Explained: Why accused in Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case could face life term Explained: Why accused in Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case could face life term — India Today
  • Bhadrachalam temple renovation works to begin from June 27 — TOI · Hyderabad
  • FIR registered in Ayodhya over Ram temple donation ‘embezzlement’ An FIR has been registered in Ayodhya over alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple. Acting on strong recommendations from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoom — Telangana Today

Awards & Sports

Quick recall — the winner, the field/event and the host/venue.

  • Deepti Sharma on verge of history as India star eyes world record vs Bangladesh Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma is on the cusp of cricket history, needing just one wicket against Bangladesh to become the leading wicket-taker in women's international cricket, surpassing Jhulan Goswami. Despite a rec — Times of India
  • Alka Yagnik reflects on her health journey after receiving the Padma Bhushan, 'I am slowly finding my way back’ The grandeur of Rashtrapati Bhavan witnessed many memorable moments during the Padma Awards investiture ceremony, but for veteran playback singer Alka Yagnik, the occasion carried a deeply personal significance. Related — OTV
  • President confers Padma awards: Vijay Amritraj, Alka Yagnik and others honoured President Droupadi Murmu conferred 65 Padma awards at the second civil investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, honouring eminent personalities across diverse fields. Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, cri — Telangana Today

Persons & Appointments

Classic who's-who — the person, the post, the predecessor and the body.

  • StartupTN CEO Sivarajah Ramanathan resigns — The Hindu · Tamil Nadu
  • WhatsApp Pay's India struggle: Can Kunal Shah turn it around? Despite WhatsApp's massive user base, its UPI market share remains tiny. Can new chief Kunal Shah finally crack India's payments market? — The Federal
  • Modi cabinet reshuffle: Kurian resigns; is Pradhan next in line? Ministers like Ashwini Vaishnaw, Prahlad Joshi and Mansukh Mandaviya are also expected to be divested of some portfolios to make way for new inductees — The Federal

🧠 Prelims MCQs

0 current-affairs questions · tap an option to reveal the explanation

Today’s Prelims questions are being prepared — check back shortly.

✍️ Mains — Model Answers

9 analytical questions, each with a structured model answer

Attempt each in your notebook first, then expand the model answer to self-assess.

GS-I15 marks · 250 words Q1.Discuss. Discuss the role of governance in preventing such tragic incidents of fire and loss of life, and suggest measures that can be taken by the state government to improve disaster preparedness and response. ▸ Model answer

The recent fire at the Lucknow Coaching Centre has highlighted the need for effective governance in preventing such tragic incidents.

  • The state government's decision to order a high-level probe into the incident demonstrates its commitment to accountability and transparency.
  • However, the fact that 15 people lost their lives and several others were injured highlights the need for more proactive measures to prevent such incidents.
  • The government can improve disaster preparedness and response by establishing a robust emergency response system, conducting regular fire safety drills, and providing adequate training to emergency responders.
  • Additionally, the government can also consider implementing stricter building codes and regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.

Way forward. Ultimately, effective governance is crucial in preventing such tragic incidents and ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens.

GS-I15 marks · 250 words Q2.Discuss. Examine the impact of globalization on the Indian diaspora, and discuss the role of the Indian government in protecting the rights and interests of Indian nationals abroad. ▸ Model answer

The recent incident of 12 Indians being killed in a gas facility explosion in Qatar highlights the vulnerability of the Indian diaspora abroad.

  • Globalization has led to an increase in the number of Indians working and living abroad, which has created new challenges for the Indian government in protecting their rights and interests.
  • The Indian government can play a crucial role in protecting the rights and interests of Indian nationals abroad by establishing a robust diplomatic presence, providing consular support, and promoting cultural exchange programs.
  • Additionally, the government can also consider implementing measures to prevent such incidents of violence against Indian nationals abroad, such as increasing security measures at Indian missions and consulates.

Way forward. The Indian government has a critical role to play in protecting the rights and interests of Indian nationals abroad, and must take proactive measures to address the challenges posed by globalization.

GS-I10 marks · 150 words Q3.Discuss. Examine the implications of India's growing international recognition, as evident from the conferment of Slovakia's highest award to PM Modi, and its potential impact on India's global image and diplomatic relations. ▸ Model answer

The recent conferment of Slovakia's highest award to PM Modi highlights India's growing international recognition.

  • This recognition is a testament to India's growing diplomatic presence and influence globally.
  • It may lead to increased cooperation between India and Slovakia in various fields, including trade, defense, and culture.
  • However, it also raises concerns about the potential for increased competition and pressure on India to conform to international norms and standards.
  • The Indian government should carefully consider the implications of this recognition and ensure that it aligns with India's national interests and values.
  • The growing international recognition of India also underscores the need for the country to strengthen its diplomatic and economic ties with other nations.

Way forward. In conclusion, India's growing international recognition is a double-edged sword that requires careful consideration and strategic management to ensure that it benefits the country's national interests and values.

GS-I15 marks · 250 words Q4.Critically Analyse. Evaluate the response of the government and the public to the recent ammonia gas leak incident in Tiruvallur, and assess the effectiveness of the measures taken to prevent such incidents in the future. ▸ Model answer

The recent ammonia gas leak incident in Tiruvallur has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of workers in the chemical industry.

  • The government's response to the incident has been criticized for being slow and inadequate, highlighting the need for improved emergency response protocols and coordination between agencies.
  • The public's reaction to the incident has been marked by outrage and demands for stricter regulations and better safety measures, which is a positive sign for holding the government accountable.
  • The measures taken by the government to prevent such incidents in the future, such as increasing inspections and enforcement, are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of such incidents.
  • The incident highlights the need for a more proactive approach to safety and health in the workplace, including regular training and education for workers and employers.
  • The government should also consider implementing stricter regulations and penalties for non-compliance with safety standards to deter companies from cutting corners.

Way forward. In conclusion, the response to the ammonia gas leak incident in Tiruvallur has highlighted the need for improved emergency response protocols, stricter regulations, and a more proactive approach to safety and health in the workplace.

GS-I10 marks · 150 words Q5.Discuss. Comment on the NEET UG re-test, and discuss the implications of the paper leak row on the credibility of the examination process. ▸ Model answer

The recent NEET UG re-test has raised concerns about the credibility of the examination process.

  • The re-test has been held to address the issue of paper leaks, which has raised questions about the security of the examination process.
  • The fact that over 22.79 lakh aspirants are set to appear for the re-test highlights the importance of ensuring the credibility of the examination process.
  • The government must take steps to prevent paper leaks and ensure that the examination process is fair and transparent.
  • Furthermore, the government can also work to improve the examination process by introducing new security measures and ensuring that the examination process is free from bias.

Way forward. Ultimately, the credibility of the examination process depends on the government's ability to ensure the security and fairness of the examination process.

GS-I15 marks · 250 words Q6.Discuss. Evaluate the significance of the G7 Summit in promoting India's interests abroad, and discuss the implications of PM Modi's meetings with world leaders on India's foreign policy. ▸ Model answer

The recent G7 Summit has provided an opportunity for PM Modi to promote India's interests abroad.

  • PM Modi's meetings with world leaders, including the UAE President, have highlighted the importance of dialogue in West Asia and the need for enhanced cooperation between India and the UAE.
  • The G7 Summit has also provided an opportunity for PM Modi to promote India's interests in trade and energy, particularly in the context of the India-UK cooperation agreement.
  • The implications of PM Modi's meetings with world leaders on India's foreign policy are significant, as they highlight the need for enhanced cooperation between India and other countries in the region.
  • Furthermore, the G7 Summit has also provided an opportunity for India to promote its interests in the context of global governance and international institutions.
  • Ultimately, the significance of the G7 Summit in promoting India's interests abroad depends on the ability of PM Modi to effectively promote India's interests and interests abroad.

Way forward. The G7 Summit has provided an opportunity for PM Modi to promote India's interests abroad and has highlighted the need for enhanced cooperation between India and other countries in the region.

GS-I15 marks · 250 words Q7.Discuss. Discuss the implications of the recent incidents of accidents and collapses in Maharashtra on the state's infrastructure and governance. ▸ Model answer

The recent incidents of accidents and collapses in Maharashtra have raised concerns about the state's infrastructure and governance.

  • The recent incidents of accidents and collapses in Maharashtra, such as the pick-up vehicle plunging into a well in Solapur district and the roof collapse at the Yashwadi Maruti Temple, highlight the need for improved infrastructure and safety measures.
  • These incidents also raise questions about the effectiveness of the state government's governance and its ability to respond to emergencies.
  • The collapse of the warehouse in Kolkata's Taratala area has also raised concerns about the safety of workers and the need for stricter building codes and regulations.
  • The state government's response to these incidents, including the halt of TMC-era projects, suggests a commitment to addressing the underlying issues and improving the state's infrastructure.
  • However, more needs to be done to prevent such incidents in the future, and the state government must take a proactive approach to addressing the root causes of these accidents.

Way forward. In conclusion, the recent incidents of accidents and collapses in Maharashtra highlight the need for improved infrastructure and safety measures, as well as a more effective governance system.

GS-I15 marks · 250 words Q8.Discuss. Examine the impact of the Ras Laffan LNG factory blast on India's economic interests in the Middle East. ▸ Model answer

The Ras Laffan LNG factory blast has had a significant impact on India's economic interests in the Middle East, particularly in the energy sector.

  • The blast resulted in the deaths of 12 Indian nationals, highlighting the risks and challenges faced by Indian workers in the Middle East.
  • The incident has also had a significant impact on India's energy imports, with the blast disrupting supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the region.
  • The Indian government has issued a statement condemning the incident and offering support to the families of the deceased, highlighting the importance of diplomatic relations in the region.
  • The incident highlights the need for India to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on imports from the Middle East.

Way forward. The Ras Laffan LNG factory blast has highlighted the risks and challenges faced by Indian workers in the Middle East and the need for India to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on imports from the region.

GS-I10 marks · 150 words Q9.Discuss. Comment on the recent collapse of a warehouse in Kolkata and its implications for labor laws and regulations. ▸ Model answer

The recent collapse of a warehouse in Kolkata has raised concerns about labor laws and regulations in the country.

  • The incident highlights the need for stricter labor laws and regulations to protect workers' rights and prevent such incidents in the future.
  • The government should also consider implementing stricter building codes and regulations to prevent collapses.
  • The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of existing labor laws and regulations in protecting workers' rights.
  • The government should also consider providing better training and safety measures for workers to prevent such incidents.
  • The incident also highlights the need for improved enforcement of labor laws and regulations to prevent such incidents.

Way forward. The recent collapse of a warehouse in Kolkata highlights the need for stricter labor laws and regulations to protect workers' rights and prevent such incidents in the future.

Model answers are AI-drafted from recent news for answer-writing practice — treat them as a starting skeleton, then enrich with static syllabus, data and examples of your own.

A free, ungated UPSC practice bank built from our live multi-source feed and the standard syllabus, added to every day. Always cross-check facts with official notifications and standard sources before your exam.