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Current Affairs 18th June 2026
IMPORTANT FACTS
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SASTRA Ramanujan Prize is awarded in Mathematics.
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The age limit for the SASTRA Ramanujan Prize is 32 years.
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Srinivasa Ramanujan died at the age of 32.
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Gandhi Peace Prize is awarded to individuals and institutions.
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The International Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in 1995.
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The Kalinga Prize is awarded by UNESCO.
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The UNESCO Kalinga Prize is given for Science.
1. Navi Mumbai & Guwahati Airports named World's Most Beautiful Airports 2026
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Architectural Inspiration: The airport’s Terminal 1 features a distinctive lotus-inspired design that symbolizes purity and renewal. This aesthetic choice aims to reflect India’s vision as a modern global economic powerhouse while offering a futuristic visual appeal.
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Cultural & Biophilic Design: Terminal 2 is guided by the biophilic elegance of the "Bamboo Orchid," which honors the rich biodiversity of Northeast India. The structure utilizes bamboo-inspired elements and organic shapes to create a space that feels deeply connected to the region's natural landscapes.
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Sustainability Focus: The design emphasizes environmental responsibility through the use of passive daylighting and sustainable materials. Large open spaces and fluid ceiling patterns, which trace the rhythms of the Brahmaputra River, enhance both the aesthetic beauty and the operational efficiency of the terminal.
2. ISRO–DAE Develop Artificial Heating System for 200-Day Lunar Lander Life
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Mechanism of Survival: The heating system utilizes Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs), which generate continuous heat through the natural radioactive decay of specific isotopes. Unlike solar panels, which are ineffective during the two-week-long lunar night, these heaters provide a reliable, constant thermal source to protect delicate electronics and batteries from freezing.
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Overcoming the "Lunar Night" Challenge: Previous missions like Chandrayaan-3 relied on solar power, which resulted in the lander losing function once the sun set and temperatures dropped drastically. By maintaining critical component temperatures, these heaters allow the spacecraft to remain operational through multiple lunar day-night cycles, drastically increasing mission duration.
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Strategic Collaboration: This project combines ISRO’s advanced space engineering capabilities with the DAE’s specialized knowledge in nuclear and thermal technology. Successfully scaling this technology is considered a pivotal milestone for India, enabling long-term scientific experiments and paving the way for more complex interplanetary exploration.
3. Vivek Tripathi appointed Executive Director of AU Small Finance Bank
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Role and Tenure: Vivek Tripathi has been appointed to the board as an Executive Director and Whole-Time Director for a tenure of three years. This elevation is part of the bank's structured succession planning to ensure leadership depth and long-term institutional stability.
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Professional Background: Having been associated with AU Small Finance Bank since 2014, Tripathi previously served as the Chief Credit Officer. His career spans over two decades in the financial services sector, including prior roles at ICICI Bank, Reliance Capital, and the Aditya Birla Group.
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Strategic Contribution: Tripathi is recognized for his pivotal role in institutionalizing robust risk management and governance frameworks. His expertise in credit policy, underwriting, and portfolio management has been instrumental in enhancing the bank's balance sheet resilience and supporting its growth in the commercial banking segment.
Footnotes: AUSFB's MD & CEO: Sanjay Agarwal, HQ: Jaipur, Estd: 1996
4. Neha Goyal completed 200 international caps for India
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Career Longevity and Consistency: Since making her senior team debut in 2014 at the FIH Champions Challenge in Glasgow, Neha has been a consistent performer for over a decade. Her journey to 200 caps highlights her ability to maintain high physical intensity and tactical discipline, making her one of the most reliable players in the squad.
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Role in Indian Hockey's Rise: Neha has been an integral part of several historic campaigns, including India's fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her expertise in the midfield, characterized by exceptional dodging skills and precise distribution, has been pivotal in India’s success on the continental and global stages.
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Overcoming Personal Challenges: Born into modest circumstances in Sonipat, Haryana, Neha’s path to 200 international appearances is an inspiring story of resilience and hard work. Her transition from playing at a local academy to becoming a senior leader for the national team serves as a beacon of motivation for aspiring athletes from similar backgrounds.
5. Messi Equals Miroslav Klose as FIFA World Cup’s Joint Highest Goalscorer
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Record-Equaling Performance: By netting a sensational hat-trick in the Group J match, Messi moved his career World Cup tally to 16 goals. This effort draws him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record solo since the 2014 tournament.
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A Career First: Remarkably, this match marked the first-ever hat-trick of Messi’s World Cup career. The performance was instrumental in Argentina’s dominant 3–0 victory as they began their defense of the World Cup title.
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Extended Legacy: Messi also became the first man to appear in six different World Cup tournaments, further cementing his legacy in the sport. Having debuted in 2006, he continues to break barriers as he leads Argentina in the current 2026 edition.
6. Amit P Javalgi appointed as Inspector General in NIA
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Role and Deputation: Amit P. Javalgi has been appointed to the position of Inspector General at the NIA on a deputation basis. This move integrates his long-standing expertise into the central agency’s framework to strengthen its national-level investigative operations.
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Professional Background: A 2006-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the West Bengal cadre, Javalgi has served in various capacities across the country. Before this appointment, he gained national recognition for his innovative "e-Malkhana" project, which digitized evidence management in police stations using barcode technology.
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Track Record of Excellence: His previous work in modernizing police administration and enhancing procedural transparency earned him the National e-Governance Award. His transition to the NIA is seen as a strategic deployment of an officer known for leveraging technology to solve complex administrative and legal challenges.
Footnotes: NIA's DG: Rakesh Aggarwal, HQ: New Delhi, Estd: 2009
7. Vijay Deverakonda Named Brand Ambassador Of TG20 League
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Promoting Grassroots Talent: As the face of the tournament, Vijay Deverakonda will play a key role in promoting the league's primary objective: identifying and nurturing budding cricketing talent from the various districts of Telangana. He has expressed his enthusiasm for providing a professional platform where young players can showcase their skills and gain national recognition.
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Star-Studded Launch: The event is set for a grand opening on June 21, featuring a live concert by National Award-winning music composer S. Thaman. The league has already garnered significant attention by attracting prominent domestic players, such as Mohammed Siraj and Tilak Varma, reinforcing the tournament's stature and commitment to quality cricket.
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League Structure and Scale: The inaugural season features eight franchises competing in 32 matches over 21 days at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The tournament follows a professional format similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL), ensuring a high-energy entertainment experience for fans with double-header matches and live broadcasts on JioStar.
8. Former Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi passed away
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Distinguished Military Career: Lt Gen Oberoi served as the Vice Chief of Army Staff from 2000 to 2001, capping off a stellar career in the Indian Army. During his time in uniform, he played a critical role in various strategic and operational commands, consistently demonstrating tactical brilliance and firm leadership.
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Wartime Bravery: A veteran of the 1965 and 1971 wars, he was known for his immense courage under fire, most notably during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 conflict. His commitment to duty was such that he continued to serve with distinction despite sustaining a severe injury that resulted in the loss of his leg during active operations.
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Contributions to Military Thought: Post-retirement, he became a prominent military intellectual and a founding director of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). He authored numerous books and articles, advocating for military reforms and sharing his profound insights on national security and modern warfare tactics with the next generation of officers.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY
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Autistic Pride Day: 18th June
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The theme for Autistic Pride Day 2026centers on three core pillars: Recognition, Representation, and Reform.
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The day promotes equal rights, accessibility, and acceptance of autistic people and their diverse experiences.
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