TNPSC Weekly Current Affairs June 21 to 30, 2026 | English

NATIONAL
NEWS

TAMIL NADU
NEWS

INTERNATIONAL
NEWS

ENVIRONMENT
NEWS

SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY

ECONOMY NEWS

STATE NEWS

IMPORTANT
DAYS
(JUNE 21 – 30, 2026)

PERSONS & AWARDS

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. NATIONAL NEWS

1.1 Haldia Seaport Named India's 41st Immigration Post

Notification: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated Haldia Seaport, West Bengal, as an Immigration Post.
Rank: Haldia becomes India's 41st seaport immigration post, allowing entry and exit of international passengers.
History: The Haldia Dock Complex was built in 1968 to reduce load on Kolkata Port; international operations began in 1977.
Precedent: Dahej, Sikka, and Tuna Tekra ports in Gujarat were earlier designated as immigration posts.
Purpose: The move aims to boost maritime trade, international connectivity, and tourism on the eastern coast.

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1.2 Four New Digital Apps to Speed Up Criminal Justice

Launch: The MHA launched four apps — Abhigyan, CrPI, e-Prosecution 2.0, and e-Forensics 2.0 — via the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Function: Abhigyan enables real-time fingerprint identification using the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) database.
Function: CrPI uses facial recognition, iris scanning, and DNA matching to identify suspects and repeat offenders.
Function: e-Forensics 2.0 connects forensic labs nationwide; e-Prosecution 2.0 integrates police, prosecution, and judicial systems.
Background: NCRB was established in 1986 in New Delhi as India's central repository for crime and criminal data.

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App Name	Core Function
Abhigyan	Real-time fingerprint ID via NAFIS
CrPI	Facial recognition, iris scan, DNA matching
e-Forensics 2.0	Nationwide forensic lab connectivity
e-Prosecution 2.0	Police–prosecution–judiciary integration

1.3 India Retains World's 2nd-Largest Road Network; Sets 155 GW Wind Target

Road Network: As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), India continues to have the world's 2nd-largest road network.
Share: Roads handle nearly 64% of freight and 90% of passenger transport in India.
History: Road development evolved via the Nagpur Plan (1943-61), Bombay Plan (1961-81), and Lucknow Plan (1981-2001) under the Indian Roads Congress (IRC).
Current Phase: Integrated planning continues through Bharatmala Pariyojana and the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (2021).
Wind Energy: India set a target of 155 GW installed wind capacity by 2035, with an interim target of 100 GW by 2030.
Progress: Installed wind capacity crossed 56.1 GW as of 15 June 2026, making India the world's 4th-largest wind energy market; WT-MARUT portal was launched to manage the wind turbine supply chain.

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PM GatiShakti: A National Master Plan (2021) for integrated infrastructure planning across ministries using a common digital platform.
Bharatmala Pariyojana: An umbrella road/highway development scheme focused on economic corridors and border/coastal connectivity.
Exam point of view: Don't mix up the freight share (64%) with the passenger share (90%) of India's road network — a frequently swapped distractor pair.

1.4 India Becomes World's Top Ship-Recycling Nation, 2nd-Largest Fish Producer

Ship Recycling: India became the world's largest ship recycling nation in 2025, with a 35.4% global market share.
Volume: India recycled 2.99 million gross tons of ships in 2025, up from 1.86 million gross tons in 2024.
Legal Framework: The Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, aligns India with the Hong Kong International Convention, mandatory from 26 June 2025.
Fisheries: India contributed about 9% of global aquatic animal production in 2024, ranking 2nd after China; it is the largest inland fish producer (2.2 million tonnes).
Aquaculture: India is the 2nd-largest aquaculture producer, contributing 12% of global output, supported by PMMSY and FIDF schemes.

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Ship Recycling: The dismantling of end-of-life vessels to recover steel and materials; the Hong Kong International Convention sets safety/environmental standards for this process.
PMMSY: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is India's flagship scheme for sustainable fisheries development.
Exam point of view: India is 2nd in aquatic/aquaculture production after China, but 1st (largest) specifically in inland capture fisheries — keep these rankings distinct.

1.5 e-Zero FIR System for Cyber Fraud; Nirbhay Chetna for Women's Safety

e-Zero FIR: Announced at the 52nd PRAGATI meeting, it converts verified cyber financial fraud complaints (above ₹10 lakh) into Zero FIRs at any police station.
Integration: The system links with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) for faster registration during the crime's 'golden hour'.
Nirbhay Chetna: Launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as the world's largest women's safety and gender-sensitisation initiative, funded under the Nirbhaya Fund.
Scale: It will train over 17.5 lakh male Panchayati Raj representatives (via 28,500 Master Trainers) and over 14.5 lakh women representatives through Nirbhay Netri.
Component: Nirbhay Drishti will install CCTV cameras in villages across all States and Union Territories.

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Zero FIR: An FIR that can be registered at any police station regardless of jurisdiction, later transferred to the station with actual jurisdiction.
I4C: The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre under MHA coordinates cybercrime response across States.
Exam point of view: Nirbhay Chetna (training male reps), Nirbhay Netri (training women reps), and Nirbhay Drishti (CCTV) are three sub-components under Nirbhay Raho — a common matching-type question.

1.6 New Rural Employment Framework Replaces MGNREGA; Free Bus Travel Reviewed

New Act: From 1 July 2026, the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, replaces MGNREGA, 2005.
Guarantee: The new system guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household per year, up from 100 days under MGNREGA.
Works: An interim list of 318 permissible works was notified under four heads — water security, rural infrastructure, rural livelihoods, and disaster mitigation.
Model: It introduces a 'single plan – multi funding' model using the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan.
Free Bus Travel: Eight States and one UT — Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir — provide free bus travel for women via 'zero-tickets'.

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MGNREGA: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, guaranteed 100 days of unskilled wage employment per rural household per year.
Zero-Ticket: A no-cost ticket issued for travel-record purposes after identity verification, used under free bus travel schemes.
Exam point of view: The days-guarantee jumped from 100 (MGNREGA) to 125 (new Gramin Act) — a simple but high-yield numeric fact.

1.7 Supreme Court Expands Article 21: Trauma Care and Footpath Rights

Trauma Care: In SaveLIFE Foundation vs Union of India, the SC held that the right to trauma care is part of the Right to Life under Article 21.
Directions: Nine binding directions were issued, including integrating helplines (100, 101, 102, 108, 1091) into the single number 112, GPS-enabled ambulances, and cashless treatment under the PM RAHAT scheme.
Precedents: The ruling builds on Parmanand Katara vs UOI (1989) and Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti vs West Bengal (1996).
Footpath Rights: In Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz vs P. Ayyappan, the SC held that walking on safe, demarcated footpaths is a fundamental right under Article 21.
Directive: Urban local bodies must treat footpath protection as a constitutional duty; Parliament was urged to enact a dedicated pedestrian-safety law.

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Article 21: Guarantees the 'Right to Life and Personal Liberty'; courts have progressively expanded it to cover health, environment, and now trauma care and pedestrian safety.
PM RAHAT: A scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims during the crucial post-accident 'golden hour'.
Exam point of view: Keep the case names straight — SaveLIFE Foundation (trauma care) vs Maniyar Iliyaz (footpath rights) are separate 2026 judgments both expanding Article 21.

1.8 Passport Not Proof of Citizenship; Indian Pharmacopoeia Sets Blood Standards

MEA Clarification: The Ministry of External Affairs reaffirmed that a passport, issued under the Passports Act, 1967, is a travel document, not conclusive proof of citizenship.
Courts: Bombay High Court (2013) rulings held that possession of a passport cannot be treated as final proof of citizenship; citizenship is governed separately under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Pharmacopoeia: The 10th edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP 2026) was released on 2 January 2026, introducing the world's first dedicated standards for blood and blood components.
Detail: It added 20 new monographs and 2 revised monographs to regulate blood quality, safety, and reduce transfusion-transmitted infections.

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Indian Pharmacopoeia: The official book of standards for drugs manufactured/sold in India, published by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (Ministry of Health).
Monograph: A standardised specification (identity, purity, strength) for a particular drug or biological product.
Exam point of view: A passport (Passports Act, 1967) and Aadhaar/voter ID are all travel/identity documents but none are conclusive proof of citizenship, which is governed only by the Citizenship Act, 1955.

1.9 National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission & Three Warships Commissioned

Mission: The Prime Minister launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCEM) in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, targeting elimination by 2047.
Scale: The mission aims to screen around 7 crore people under 40 years across India within 3 years (2023-2026), prioritising tribal health.
Warships: The Indian Navy commissioned three indigenously built warships in Kolkata — INS Dunagiri (Project 17A stealth frigate), INS Agray (Arnala-class ASW craft), and INS Sanshodhak (hydrographic survey vessel).
Builder: INS Dunagiri was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

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Project 17A: A class of stealth guided-missile frigates designed for surface, air, and anti-submarine warfare.
Sickle Cell Disease: A genetic blood disorder causing red blood cells to become sickle-shaped, common among tribal populations in India.
Exam point of view: Match each warship to its class — INS Dunagiri (Project 17A frigate), INS Agray (Arnala-class ASW craft), INS Sanshodhak (Sandhayak-class survey vessel).

1.10 Record Defence Production; New Army Uniform Code

Defence Production: India's annual defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, a 15.6% rise over FY 2024-25.
Sector Split: DPSUs/PSUs contributed about 76% of production, while the private sector's share reached its highest-ever 24% (around ₹42,000 crore).
Exports: India achieved a record defence export value of ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.
Uniform Code: The Indian Army released the 174-page Army Uniforms-2026 Pamphlet, its first comprehensive update in eight years, introducing the indigenous Bandi jacket and a new Battle Jacket.
Reform: The manual removes colonial-era terms such as 'Royal' from official usage.

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1.11 75 Years of the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951

Anniversary: 18 June 2026 marked the 75th anniversary of the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, enacted under PM Jawaharlal Nehru just 15 months after the Constitution came into force.
Article 15(4): It inserted a provision allowing special provisions for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs), SCs, and STs.
Ninth Schedule: It added Articles 31A and 31B and created the Ninth Schedule to protect land reform laws from judicial review.
Free Speech: It amended Article 19(1)(a) to permit reasonable restrictions on free speech on grounds including public order, defamation, and incitement to an offence.

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1.12 Other National Updates in Brief

Transit-Oriented Namo Cities: Four greenfield cities proposed under the NCR Regional Plan 2041 in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, with a ₹5,000 crore incentive.
Smart Warehousing: The world's largest AI/IoT deployment in public foodgrain warehousing, covering 215 CWC and 150 FCI warehouses.
Medicinal Syrups: A doctor's prescription is now mandatory for all medicinal syrups after 300+ child deaths abroad linked to contaminated Indian cough syrups.
Water Tribunals: Tenure of the Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal and Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal extended by one year.
Others: Qadian–Beas railway line revived in Punjab; India's first drone-based mail service launched in Himachal Pradesh; Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenous hovercraft H-561; ONGC assigned to build a Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Mangaluru; Chennai Petroleum Corporation (CPCL) became India's 28th Navratna CPSE.

2. TAMIL NADU NEWS

2.1 Tamil Nadu Assembly Resolution Against Karnataka's Mekedatu Dam

Resolution: The TN Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on 19 June 2026 opposing Karnataka's Mekedatu balancing reservoir proposal.
Legal Basis: The resolution said the project violates the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award (5 February 2007) and the Supreme Court judgment (16 February 2018).
Demand: TN sought constitution of a new tribunal under Section 4 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
Appeal: The House urged the Union Government to withhold technical/environmental clearance and asked the Central Water Commission not to process Karnataka's Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Reason: The resolution noted the Cauvery is a deficit basin whose available water is already apportioned among basin States.

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Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT): A tribunal constituted under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, that gave its final award on Cauvery water-sharing on 5 February 2007.
Balancing Reservoir: A reservoir built downstream mainly to regulate/store surplus water flow rather than for fresh irrigation, which is the basis of Karnataka's Mekedatu proposal.
Exam point of view: Distinguish Mekedatu (Karnataka's proposed dam, opposed by TN) from Rasimanal (TN's own alternative proposal in Krishnagiri) — both are on/near the Cauvery basin but serve opposite State interests.

2.2 White Paper on Tamil Nadu's Economy: Fiscal Deficit and Debt Concerns

Warning: The State's white paper called current fiscal deficit levels unsustainable, as much of it funds the revenue deficit (current consumption), not asset creation.
Tax Decline: Tamil Nadu's State's Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) to GSDP fell from 7.92% in 2011-12 to 5.45% in 2025-26.
GST Impact: Despite having the 2nd-largest GSDP (₹35.29 lakh crore), TN's GST collection (₹72,008 crore) trailed Karnataka (₹87,256 crore) and Gujarat (₹80,823 crore).
Pre-committed Spending: About 64% of 2025-26 revenue receipts are pre-committed to salaries, pensions, and interest; with non-discretionary obligations this rises to 87%.
Demographics: TN's median age is 34.25 years, and its old-age dependency ratio is projected to rise from 20.6 (2021) to 32.7 by 2036 — the 'scissors effect' on future fiscal capacity.

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Revenue Deficit vs Fiscal Deficit: Revenue deficit is the gap in day-to-day (current) spending; fiscal deficit is the total borrowing requirement, including for capital/asset creation.
Scissors Effect: A demographic-fiscal trap where a shrinking working-age population narrows the tax base even as debt and elderly welfare costs rise.
Exam point of view: Note that GST implementation (2017) reduced States' taxation autonomy — TN's SOTR/GSDP decline is frequently tested with these exact percentage figures.

2.3 TN Electricity Department White Paper; Chennai Intelligent Transport System

Electricity Debt: The combined debt of TNPDCL, TNPGCL, TNGECL, and TANTRANSCO stands at ₹2.47 lakh crore.
Gaps: The White Paper reported a 45% manpower shortage in the electricity department and proposed recruiting 15,000 employees; no tariff revision was announced for 2026.
ITS Project: The Centre approved over ₹500 crore (total cost ₹645.59 crore, JICA-funded) for the Intelligent Transport System in Chennai Metropolitan Area.
Scope: The project includes adaptive traffic signals at 165 junctions and red-light violation detection at 50 junctions, expected fully operational by August 2026.

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TANGEDCO Group: TNPDCL (distribution), TNPGCL (generation), TNGECL (green energy), and TANTRANSCO (transmission) are the four TN power sector corporations.
Intelligent Transport System (ITS): Technology-based traffic management combining CCTV, adaptive signals, and incident detection to improve urban mobility.
Exam point of view: The ₹2.47 lakh crore combined power-sector debt figure and the JICA-funded ₹645.59 crore ITS cost are both recent, high-yield TN-specific numbers.

2.4 Madras High Court Rulings: Section 34-C and BC (Muslim) Status

Section 34-C: The Madurai Bench struck down Section 34-C of the Registration Act as unconstitutional, holding that only civil courts — not Sub-Registrars — can decide property title disputes.
Grounds: The provision was held to violate Article 14 (Equality) and Article 300A (Right to Property).
BC (Muslim) Ruling: The Madras HC ruled that a person who converts to Islam cannot claim Backward Class (Muslim) status, striking down the TN Government's 2024 G.O. as unconstitutional.
Reasoning: Recognised Muslim communities like Lebbai, Rowther, and Marakkayar are birth-based and cannot be acquired through conversion; a G.O. cannot override earlier court judgments.

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Article 300A: Guarantees the 'Right to Property' — no person can be deprived of property except by authority of law.
Separation of Powers: A constitutional doctrine ensuring the legislature/executive cannot override or nullify a final judicial decision through an executive order.
Exam point of view: Section 34-C was struck down for violating Articles 14 and 300A — remember both grounds, as questions may ask which specific rights were held violated.

2.5 New TN Welfare Schemes: Gold Ring for Newborns and Rasimanal Dam Proposal

Thaaimaaman Thanga Mothira Thittam: A one-gram gold ring will be given to babies born in government hospitals to permanent TN residents, with ₹755.83 crore allocated annually.
Launch Date: The scheme will be formally launched on 15 September 2026, C. N. Annadurai's birth anniversary.
Rasimanal Dam: Proposed in Krishnagiri district (storage capacity 66,000 million cubic feet, 360 MW hydropower) as an alternative to the Mekedatu project, envisaged as a TN-Karnataka joint venture.
History: CM K. Kamaraj had laid the foundation stone for a dam at Rasimanal in 1961.

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2.6 Five Renewable Energy Zones; India's First 3D-Printed Artificial Reef

Renewable Zones: TN approved five Renewable Energy Zones under TNGECL, headquartered at Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, and Madurai.
Support: The zones will manage wind/solar projects, repowering of wind farms, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and PM-KUSUM 2.0.
Artificial Reef: India's first 3D-printed artificial reef modules are set for deployment off the Ramanathapuram coast under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Developer: The reef modules are developed by Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions (an IIT Madras-incubated startup) with ICAR-CMFRI, to aid coastal biodiversity and fish population recovery.

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Battery Energy Storage System (BESS): A system that stores electricity (often from renewables) for use during peak demand or when generation is low.
Artificial Reef: A human-made underwater structure that mimics natural reef habitats to attract marine life and rebuild fish populations.
Exam point of view: The Ramanathapuram artificial reef project is a TN-specific first ('India's first 3D-printed') — a classic superlative fact TNPSC likes to test.

2.7 17th TN Assembly Panel of Chairpersons; Surge in Election Petitions

Panel: Speaker J. C. D. Prabhakar nominated six MLAs to the Panel of Chairpersons, including three from TVK, one each from DMK, AIADMK, and INC.
Function: The panel presides over Assembly proceedings in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Election Petitions: The Madras HC received about 55 election petitions challenging the 2026 TN and Puducherry Assembly results — the highest since the Election Bench's formation.
Trend: Petitions rose from 12 (2011) to 23 (2016), 13 (2021), and 55 (2026); petitions challenge CM C. Joseph Vijay and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, among others.

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Panel of Chairpersons: A group of MLAs nominated by the Speaker to preside over House proceedings when both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent.
Election Petition: A legal challenge to the validity of an election result, filed under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, within 45 days of the result declaration.
Exam point of view: The panel's party composition (3 TVK, 1 DMK, 1 AIADMK, 1 INC) reflects the 17th Assembly's post-2026-election party arithmetic — a likely current-affairs-cum-polity crossover question.

2.8 Other Tamil Nadu Updates in Brief

Tiruvallur Ammonia Leak: A three-member committee was formed to probe an ammonia gas leak at a seafood factory near Periyapalayam that killed at least two people.
Chief Minister's Police Medals 2026: Announced for 15 police personnel for anti-drug work, to be presented on Independence Day (15 August 2026).
Anti-Drug Run 2026: TN CM flagged off the run in Chennai on 26 June 2026 (International Day Against Drug Abuse), with sportspersons like Sharath Kamal and Joshna Chinappa participating.
Helpline 1091: Designated the official helpline of the Singappen Special Force (SSF), integrated with the 112 Emergency Response System.
Others: Native fruit tree cultivation promoted in the Nilgiris (Pomological Station, Coonoor); TN Police Constable J. Gowthami qualified for the 2026 Asian Games (Nagoya) in women's 800m; TN opposed new Union guidelines on Cauvery basin water resource projects.

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 US-Iran Preliminary Peace Accord Ends Hormuz Blockade

Accord: The US and Iran announced a preliminary peace accord to end military conflict and lift the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.
Nature: It is an emergency MoU serving as a 60-day de-escalation mechanism, not a final peace treaty.
Terms: It provides an immediate ceasefire, toll-free shipping through Hormuz, mine-removal operations, and phased release of US$24 billion of frozen Iranian assets.
Significance: Expected to improve global energy security and lower oil prices; the Strait of Hormuz is a key route for India's oil and gas imports.

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3.2 EU Joins US-led Pax Silica AI Initiative

Initiative: The European Union agreed to join Pax Silica, a US-led framework (launched December 2025) on AI supply chains and export controls.
Scope: It secures the AI ecosystem supply chain — semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, and digital infrastructure — with coordinated export controls.
Commitment: The EU's accession includes a commitment to purchase US$40 billion worth of US AI chips.
Members: The UK, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and others are already part of the initiative.

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3.3 UN Security Council Resolution 2823 on Peacekeeper Accountability

Adoption: The UNSC unanimously adopted Resolution 2823 (2026), co-authored by Denmark and Pakistan, to strengthen accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers.
Aim: It improves identification, investigation, and prosecution of perpetrators attacking peacekeeping personnel.
Mechanism: It calls for the UN Secretary-General to appoint a senior focal point on accountability and submit an annual report.
Precedents: Builds on Resolution 2589 (2021) and Resolution 2518 (2020) on peacekeeper safety.

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3.4 16th BRICS NSA Meeting Hosted by India; State of Emergency in Bolivia

BRICS NSA Meeting: India, as 2026 BRICS Chair, hosted the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting in New Delhi under NSA Ajit Doval.
Theme: India's 2026 BRICS Chairship theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'; India chairs BRICS for the 4th time (after 2012, 2016, 2021).
Bolivia: Bolivia's Parliament approved a nationwide State of Emergency declared by President Rodrigo Paz to end a 50-day protest and highway blockade crisis.
Cause: Unrest began after the government reduced fuel subsidies amid a US dollar shortage; protest groups later agreed to remove road blockades.

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3.5 US Renames Indo-Pacific Command; Mombasa Declaration Against Illegal Fishing

Renaming: US President Donald Trump renamed the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) back to the US Pacific Command (USPACOM), restoring its pre-2018 name.
Scope: Established in 1947, it is the oldest and largest of the eleven US unified combatant commands; its geographical jurisdiction remains unchanged.
Mombasa Declaration: 15 countries adopted the declaration at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Support: It backs the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency for better sharing of vessel ownership and licensing data.

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3.6 Other International Updates in Brief

UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned as Labour Party leader while continuing in office until a successor is elected.
India-UAE: The two countries are in early-stage talks on export of the BrahMos missile and Akashteer air-defence system to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Turquoise Nexus Initiative: Launched by Turkey's COP31 Presidency and the FAO to integrate food security, water management, and climate adaptation into national climate plans.
Hunger Hotspots Report 2026: FAO-WFP flagged 13 hotspots (June-November 2026), with Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Palestine, Nigeria, and Somalia at highest concern; around 266 million people already face acute hunger.
UPI Expansion: India launched UPI services in Nice, France; UPI is now live in nine countries including UAE, Singapore, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia.

4. ENVIRONMENT NEWS

4.1 Planetary Climate Vital Signs Report 2026 Warns of Worsening Indicators

Findings: Released during the Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB64), the report found all 11 major planetary climate indicators have worsened since the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report.
Data: Marine heatwaves showed the sharpest deterioration (+1%), while Earth's Energy Imbalance rose by 8%.
Warming: Human-induced warming reached 1.37°C above pre-industrial levels in 2025; the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C limit could be crossed within about four years.
Authors: Published in Earth System Science Data by about 70 scientists from 17 countries.

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IPCC: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the UN body that assesses climate science; its Sixth Assessment Report is the current baseline for comparison.
Earth's Energy Imbalance: The difference between incoming solar energy and outgoing heat radiated back to space — a rising imbalance means more heat is being trapped.
Exam point of view: Keep 1.37°C (2025 warming reached) separate from 1.5°C (the Paris Agreement's long-term limit, not yet crossed) — a frequently confused pair of numbers.

4.2 UNICEF Report: 392 Million Indian Children Exposed to Extreme Heat

Exposure: The UNICEF Children's Climate Risk Report 2026 found about 392 million children (92%) in India exposed to extreme heat; 89 million face recurrent heatwaves.
Scores: India's overall climate hazard exposure score is 9.21/10; it records 10/10 for extreme heat and 9.94/10 for air pollution.
Gap: The report flags gaps in child-focused Heat Action Plans, especially in schools and anganwadis.
Drought: India's drought vulnerability score stands at 8.84/10, with overlapping heatwave, flood, and pollution risks.

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4.3 SHAN Conservation Society Approved for Snow Leopard Protection in Ladakh

Approval: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh approved the SHAN (Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature) Conservation Society.
Focus: It will conserve alpine fauna, flora, wetlands, and fragile high-altitude ecosystems, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Status: The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; Ladakh hosts India's largest population.
Global Methane Initiative: The UN launched a Call to Action on Methane during London Climate Action Week (23 June 2026), urging near-zero methane emissions since methane is about 80 times more potent than CO2 short-term.

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4.4 San Andreas Fault Stress Study

Findings: A study in AGU Journals found the San Andreas Fault (California) has accumulated its highest stress in 1,000 years, especially near Cajon Pass.
Caveat: Elevated stress indicates long-term tectonic strain accumulation, not an imminent earthquake.
Context: The San Andreas Fault is a boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate.

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4.5 Other Environment Updates in Brief

Blue Swimmer Crab: ICAR-CIBA, Chennai, demonstrated India's first Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus reticulatus) farming technology, using its BSCrabPlus feed.
Wildlife Sightings: Mishmi Takin (a Vulnerable goat-antelope) spotted in North Sikkim's Tingda Reserve Forest; a Stump-tailed Macaque birth recorded at Meghalaya State Zoo.
Big Cat Alliance: Bangladesh became the 27th member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), headquartered in New Delhi.
Venezuela Earthquake: A magnitude 7.2 quake near San Felipe was followed within 39 seconds by a 7.5 quake near Morón — a rare 'seismic doublet' event.

5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

5.1 ISRO-DAE Developing Long-Duration Lunar Lander

Project: ISRO and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) are developing a new lunar lander able to operate for 100-200 days on the Moon.
Goal: This extends beyond the 14-day mission life of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander.
Challenge: Lunar nights last about 14 Earth days with temperatures below -100°C; ISRO is developing artificial heating systems for electronics and batteries.
Reference: Vikram landed near the Moon's south pole on 23 August 2023 and operated for one lunar day using solar power.

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5.2 WT-MARUT Wind Turbine Portal & IIT Hyderabad's Nuclear Design Centre

WT-MARUT: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched India's first dedicated wind turbine supply chain portal at the Global Wind Day Conference in Goa.
Function: It provides supply chain visibility, supplier discovery, and Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) compliance.
CODENE: IIT Hyderabad will set up India's first Centre of Design Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (CODENE).
Goal: It supports India's national target of 100 GW nuclear power by 2047.

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5.3 Smart Seed Coating Technology by ICAR-IIOR

Innovation: ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research developed a patented, biodegradable, biopolymer-based Smart Seed Coating Technology.
Function: A single coating delivers beneficial microorganisms, nutrients, crop protection agents, and growth-promoting compounds near plant roots.
Impact: Multi-location trials showed a 12% to 37% productivity increase in crops like maize, chickpea, cotton, mustard, and pigeon pea.
Aim: Supports climate-resilient, rainfed agriculture against drought, erratic monsoons, and pests.

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5.4 Other Science & Technology Updates in Brief

eVTOL Aircraft: Chennai-based The ePlane Company unveiled India's first full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing prototype, the e200X (PT-01).
Supercomputer: China's LineShine supercomputer topped the June 2026 TOP500 list, a CPU-only system with about 13.79 million cores.
Radar Deal: Canada signed a US$2.5 billion agreement with Australia/BAE Systems for an Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system based on JORN technology.
Blockchain: NPCI rolled out Drunix, its second major open-source Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform after Falcon, for tokenisation and digital asset ecosystems.

6. ECONOMY NEWS

6.1 GARUDA Framework Speeds Up Alternative Investment Fund Launches

Approval: SEBI approved the GARUDA (Green-Channel: AIF Rollout Upon Document Acknowledgement) framework for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
Impact: It cuts the launch timeline for regular AIF schemes from about 30 days to 10 working days.
Special Cases: Accredited Investor-only schemes and Angel Funds can launch immediately after SEBI acknowledges documents.
Legal Basis: Implemented by amending the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012, following a May 2026 consultation paper.

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6.2 RBI Revises Lead Bank Scheme Guidelines 2026

Update: RBI issued revised Lead Bank Scheme guidelines on 19 June 2026, replacing earlier instructions.
Structure: The scheme is a district-level banking coordination system, operating through Block Level Bankers' Committees (BLBC), District Consultative Committees (DCC), and State Level Bankers' Committees (SLBC).
Origin: Launched in December 1969 on recommendations of the Gadgil Study Group and Nariman Committee.
Focus: RBI retained the 60% Credit-Deposit ratio benchmark for rural/semi-urban branches, strengthening focus on Agriculture and MSME.

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6.3 NSE and BSE Launch New Sectoral and Ethical Investment Indices

NSE: NSE Indices Limited launched 11 new sector-specific indices (power, retail, NBFC, insurance, hospitals, telecom), taking its total sectoral indices to 34.
BSE Saatvik 100: BSE Index Services launched the BSE Saatvik 100 Index, derived from the BSE 500, for value-based/ethical (ESG-style) investing.
Weightage: The financial services sector has the highest weight in the Saatvik 100 Index, followed by consumer discretionary and energy.

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6.4 India's AI-Economy Readiness: QS World Future Skills Index

Ranking: India ranked 13th globally in AI-economy readiness in the QS World Future Skills Index 2027 (released 23 June 2026), scoring 89.4/100.
Category Rank: India ranked 5th in the 'Future of Work' category (score 96.0).
Estimate: AI adoption could add nearly US$500 billion to India's economy by 2030.
Energy Transition Index: India ranked 70th globally (up 2 places) in the WEF-Accenture Energy Transition Index 2026, among the strongest global improvers; Sweden, Finland, and Denmark topped the rankings.

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6.5 Other Economy Updates in Brief

ADB Investment: The Asian Development Bank will provide about US$1 billion in direct financing for India's private sector in 2026, after providing over $1 billion (private) and $4 billion (sovereign) in 2025.
Unicorn: Bengaluru-based Sarvam AI became India's 130th unicorn after raising $234 million in a Series B round.
Patents: Jio Platforms entered WIPO's Global Top 20 Patent Rankings under the PCT system — the only Indian tech company on the list, jumping about 320 ranks.
Startup Ecosystem: Bengaluru was ranked the 2nd-best AI-native startup cluster in Asia and 15th globally in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2026.

7. STATE NEWS

7.1 Telangana's Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme Water-Sharing Dispute

Issue: Telangana sought a permanent solution from the Centre and neighbouring States over water-sharing in the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS).
Scale: RDS irrigates about 83,900 acres across 75 villages in the Palamuru (Mahbubnagar) region.
Shortfall: Telangana is allocated 17.9 tmcft of water but draws only about 6 tmcft due to silt deposition and structural issues at the canal head.
River: RDS is an interstate irrigation project on the Tungabhadra River (a Krishna tributary), benefiting Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

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7.2 Three-Language Formula Opposed in Nagaland

Opposition: The Association of Unaided CBSE Schools in Nagaland opposed CBSE's mandate to implement the Three-Language Formula under NEP 2020.
Reason: Nagaland has 17 major tribal languages and no single common regional language; English is the official medium of instruction.
Origin: The formula was first recommended by the Kothari Commission (1964-66) and adopted in the National Policy on Education, 1968.
Diversity: By the Herfindahl-Hirschmann Index, Nagaland ranks as India's most linguistically diverse State, with at least 14 recognised languages and 17 dialects.

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7.3 Amaravati Quantum Valley Hits 4 Kelvin Milestone; Telangana's AI Emergency System

Milestone: Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV), Andhra Pradesh, achieved 4 Kelvin (-269°C) cooling using an indigenous dilution refrigerator at Medha Towers.
Use: 4 Kelvin is used for testing superconducting devices, quantum sensors, and quantum computing components; absolute zero is 0 Kelvin (-273.15°C).
Telangana AI: Telangana deployed AI in its 112 Emergency Response System, Dial 100, and the 1930 Cybercrime Helpline (supporting English, Telugu, Hindi).
Platforms: Telangana's Cyber Security Bureau launched the C-SIGHT AI platform; Telangana Data Exchange (TGDeX) is planned as India's first state-led Digital Public Infrastructure for AI.

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7.4 Article 371 Safeguards Discussed for Ladakh; Kishau Dam Consensus

Ladakh: The Centre reaffirmed discussion on constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under Article 371 (Part XXI), with representatives of the Ladakh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance.
Comparators: Article 371A (Nagaland), 371F (Sikkim), and 371G (Mizoram) provide similar region-specific protections; Ladakh became a UT on 31 October 2019.
Kishau Dam: Six States — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, UP, Haryana, and Rajasthan — reached consensus on the Kishau Multipurpose Dam on the Tons River (a Yamuna tributary).
Funding: The Centre will bear 90% of the water component cost; the project targets irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower.

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7.5 Other State Updates in Brief

Andhra Pradesh: Three rare 16th-century Vijayanagara-era inscriptions (in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada) discovered in Seshachalam forest, Tirupati, dated to the reign of Sadasiva Raya (1554 CE).
Maharashtra: The Cabinet approved the ₹300-crore High-Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP) in Nagpur for nuclear medicine and cancer diagnosis.
Delhi HC: Upheld the Union Government's temporary block of Telegram under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.
Assam: Granted GI tags to four traditional products — Karbi Anglong Handloom Products, Assam Bihu Pepa, Assam Bamboo Crafts, and Deuri Handloom Products.
Andhra Pradesh: The Jonnagiri Gold Mine in Kurnool district began commercial operations, becoming India's only private-sector primary gold mine since Independence.

IMPORTANT DAYS (JUNE 18 – 29, 2026)

Why Important Days Matter: TNPSC exams regularly test dates, observing bodies, and specific themes.

18 June 2026: Autistic Pride Day. Theme: 'Recognition, Representation and Reform'.
18 June 2026: Sustainable Gastronomy Day (UN).
19 June 2026: National Reading Day (India (in memory of P. N. Panicker)).
19 June 2026: International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN). Theme: 'Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Against Children: Safeguarding Futures and Empowering Caregivers'.
19 June 2026: World Sickle Cell Day (UN (since 2008)). Theme: 'Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease'.
20 June 2026: World Refugee Day (UNHCR). Theme: 'Solidarity with Refugees'.
21 June 2026: International Day of Yoga (12th edition) (UN (declared 2014)). Theme: 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'.
21 June 2026: World Music Day (also known as Fete de la Musique).
21 June 2026: June Solstice 2026 (longest day in the Northern Hemisphere).
23 June 2026: International Olympic Day (IOC, founded 23 June 1894 in Paris). Theme: 'You Can Do This! Let's Move'.
23 June 2026: United Nations Public Service Day (UN). Theme: 'Transforming Public Institutions: Advancing innovation, Participation, and Inclusion'.
23 June 2026: International Widows' Day (UN). Theme: 'Invisible Women, Invisible Problems'.
24 June 2026: Passport Seva Divas (MEA, India (commemorates the Passports Act, 1967)). Theme: 'Connecting Citizens, Enriching Journeys'.
24 June 2026: International Day of Women in Diplomacy (UN).
25 June 2026: World Vitiligo Day (since 2011). Theme: 'From Stigma to Strength'.
26 June 2026: International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day) (UN). Theme: 'World drug problem: persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses'.
26 June 2026: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (UN). Theme: 'Torture: a crime against humanity'.
26 June 2026: World Refrigeration Day. Theme: 'Cool Intelligence'.
27 June 2026: International MSME Day (UN). Theme: 'Empowering MSMEs through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development'.
27 June 2026: Day of the Seafarer (IMO). Theme: 'Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks.'.
29 June 2026: National Statistics Day (20th edition) (MoSPI/NSO, India (birth anniversary of P. C. Mahalanobis)).

PERSONS & AWARDS

Robert A. F. Thurman (1941-2026): American scholar of Tibetan Buddhism and co-founder of Tibet House US, passed away at 84.
Jainendra K. Jain: Awarded the Wolf Prize in Physics 2026, becoming the first Indian-origin scientist to receive this honour.
Vivek Aggarwal: Became the first Indian appointed Vice-President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for July 2026-June 2027.
Prof. Bimal N. Patel: Elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term.
Harsh Vardhan (Bihar Cricket Association President): Honoured with the Global Prestige Award at the UK House of Lords, London.
Harmanpreet Kaur: Became the first cricketer (men's or women's) in the world to play 200 T20I matches, during the Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
J. Gowthami (TN Police Grade-II Constable): Qualified for the women's 800m at the 2026 Asian Games (Nagoya) after winning gold at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship.
Bhojarajan (MLA, Ooty): Identified as the eldest member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly at 79 years, a first-time MLA.
Jonathan the Tortoise: A Seychelles giant tortoise on St Helena Island, the world's oldest living land animal, officially recognised as a Guinness World Records ICON.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Became the first footballer to score in six FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026).

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FATF: The Financial Action Task Force is an inter-governmental body that sets global standards against money laundering and terror financing.
ITLOS: The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is a UN-linked body (Hamburg) that adjudicates disputes under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea — distinct from the ICJ at The Hague.
Exam point of view: Prof. Bimal N. Patel's ITLOS judgeship is often confused with an ICJ appointment — remember ITLOS deals specifically with maritime law disputes.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Haldia Seaport in West Bengal has recently been designated as India's immigration post of what rank?

(a) 38th

(b) 39th

(d) 45th

Consider the following statements regarding the four new digital apps launched by the NCRB:

Abhigyan enables fingerprint identification using the NAFIS database.
CrPI uses facial recognition, iris scanning, and DNA matching.
e-Forensics 2.0 integrates police, prosecution, and judicial systems.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India's road network handles approximately what share of passenger transport in the country?

(a) 64%

(b) 75%

(d) 95%

What was India's global market share in ship recycling in 2025, making it the world's largest ship recycling nation?

(a) 25.4%

(b) 35.4%

(d) 53%

Under the newly announced e-Zero FIR system, cyber financial fraud complaints above what amount are covered?

(a) ₹1 lakh

(b) ₹5 lakh

(d) ₹25 lakh

The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, which replaces MGNREGA from 1 July 2026, guarantees how many days of wage employment per rural household per year?

(a) 100 days

(b) 110 days

(d) 125 days

In which case did the Supreme Court hold that the right to trauma care is an integral part of the Right to Life under Article 21?

(a) Parmanand Katara vs Union of India

(b) Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti vs State of West Bengal

(d) Maniyar Iliyaz vs P. Ayyappan

Tamil Nadu's Assembly resolution against the Mekedatu dam project requested the Centre to constitute a new tribunal under which Act?

(a) River Boards Act, 1956

(b) Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956

(d) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Tamil Nadu's State's Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) to GSDP ratio declined to what level in 2025-26, according to the State's White Paper?

(a) 5.45%

(b) 5.93%

(d) 7.92%

The Tamil Nadu government's 'Thaaimaaman Thanga Mothira Thittam', providing a gold ring to newborns, will be formally launched on which date?

(a) 15 August 2026

(b) 15 September 2026

(d) 14 November 2026

How many Renewable Energy Zones has the Tamil Nadu government approved under TNGECL, and where is one of the zonal headquarters NOT located?

(a) Five zones; Salem is a headquarters

(b) Five zones; Madurai is a headquarters

(d) Six zones; Trichy is a headquarters

The preliminary peace accord between the US and Iran to end the Hormuz blockade functions as a de-escalation mechanism for how many days?

(a) 30 days

(b) 45 days

(d) 90 days

As part of joining the US-led Pax Silica AI initiative, the European Union committed to purchasing US AI chips worth how much?

(a) $10 billion

(b) $24 billion

(d) $50 billion

Which UN Security Council Resolution, co-authored by Denmark and Pakistan, strengthens accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers?

(a) Resolution 2518 (2020)

(b) Resolution 2589 (2021)

(d) Resolution 2701 (2024)

According to the Planetary Climate Vital Signs Report 2026, human-induced warming reached what level above pre-industrial levels in 2025?

(a) 1.1°C

(b) 1.37°C

(d) 1.8°C

The SHAN Conservation Society, approved to protect snow leopards and cold desert ecosystems, was set up in which Union Territory?

(a) Jammu and Kashmir

(b) Ladakh

(d) Chandigarh

ISRO and the DAE are jointly developing a new lunar lander capable of operating on the Moon for how long, exceeding Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander?

(a) 14 days

(b) 30-50 days

(d) One full year

SEBI's newly approved GARUDA framework reduces the launch timeline for regular Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) schemes from about 30 days to how many working days?

(a) 5 working days

(b) 10 working days

(d) 20 working days

Under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, Telangana is allocated 17.9 tmcft of water but is able to draw only about how much due to flow restrictions?

(a) 4 tmcft

(b) 6 tmcft

(d) 12 tmcft

Consider the following pairs of persons and their recent recognitions:

Jainendra K. Jain — Wolf Prize in Physics 2026
Vivek Aggarwal — first Indian Vice-President of FATF
Prof. Bimal N. Patel — Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3