4.5/5
Current Affairs 22nd June 2026
IMPORTANT FACTS
-
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in 1992
-
This amendment deals with Urban Local Bodies
-
It came into force on 1 June 1993
-
Part IX-A was added to the Constitution through this amendment
-
Part IX-A includes Articles 243P to 243ZG
-
Municipalities received constitutional status through the 74th Amendment
-
The tenure of Municipalities was fixed at 5 years
-
At least one-third of the seats were reserved for women in Municipalities
1. UCO Bank appoints Rajendra Kumar Saboo as MD & CEO
-
Temporary Assignment: Shri Rajendra Kumar Saboo, who serves as an Executive Director of UCO Bank, has been given this additional charge only until August 31, 2026, or until a regular incumbent is appointed, or until further orders are issued, whichever is earliest.
-
Context of the Change: This appointment follows the vacancy created by the completion of the term of the former MD & CEO, Shri Ashwani Kumar, on May 31, 2026. The order was conveyed by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
-
Professional Background: Shri Saboo is a seasoned career banker who joined UCO Bank as an Executive Director in November 2022. He began his professional journey in 1994 as a Probationary Officer with the erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce and brings extensive experience in areas such as treasury, international banking, digital banking, wealth management, and strategic management.
Footnotes: UCO Bank's MD & CEO: Ashwani Kumar,HQ: Kolkata, Estd: 1943
2. Vishvas Vidu Sapkal appointed as India's Ambassador to Slovak Republic
-
Career Diplomat: Shri Sapkal is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1998 batch. Before this appointment, he was serving as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Peru (with concurrent accreditation to Bolivia).
-
Extensive Diplomatic Experience: Throughout his career, he has held various significant roles, including High Commissioner of India to Fiji (and several Pacific island nations) and Consul General of India in St. Petersburg, Russia. He has also served in diverse capacities in countries such as Armenia, Egypt, and the United States.
-
Expertise in Ministry Roles: Within the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, he has held key positions, including Joint Secretary for various divisions such as BIMSTEC, SAARC, and the Indo-Pacific. He has also been involved in major international engagements, including the India-Africa Forum Summit and the World Hindi Conference.
3. India Ranks 70th In WEF Energy Transition Index 2026
-
Ranking and Improvement: India advanced two places to reach the 70th rank globally. The WEF highlighted India as one of the "strongest improvers" in the world, noting a 1.9% increase in its overall score, even as global energy transition readiness declined for the first time in over a decade.
-
Key Drivers of Growth: India's upward trajectory is attributed to substantial gains in infrastructure, equity, sustainability, and financial investment. The report specifically praised India’s infrastructure-led clean-energy strategy, which includes aggressive scaling of renewable capacity, grid expansion, and the development of green hydrogen.
-
Growth in Green Employment: The report noted a robust surge in the green economy, with the proportion of low-carbon jobs in India increasing by 24% in 2024. Renewable energy employment in the country reached 1.3 million, marking a 25% increase over the previous year, with hydropower emerging as a leading source of these jobs.
4. Indian Coast Guard Inducts First Indigenous Hovercraft H-561
-
Indigenous Manufacturing Milestone: The H-561 is the first of six Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) being constructed by Chowgule& Company Private Limited in Goa. This project is a key outcome of the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) and "Make in India" initiatives, demonstrating India's growing capacity to design and manufacture specialized defense platforms domestically.
-
Unique Operational Capabilities: As an ACV, the H-561 operates on a cushion of pressurized air, allowing it to glide seamlessly over water, mudflats, marshy land, and shallow coastal regions. This multi-terrain mobility is critical for the Indian Coast Guard to conduct surveillance, search-and-rescue, and anti-smuggling operations in difficult, shallow environments where traditional patrol vessels cannot navigate.
-
Performance and Strategic Impact: During sea trials, the H-561 achieved an impressive speed of 52 knots, exceeding its contractual requirement of 48 knots. The induction of these six hovercraft is expected to significantly enhance the ICG’s rapid-response capabilities and maritime domain awareness across India's 7,500 km coastline, particularly in complex riverine and deltaic areas.
5. India Win Women’s Relay Gold at Asian Relays Championships
-
Golden Performance: The Indian quartet, consisting of Srabani Nanda, Sneha S.S., Sudeshna Shivankar, and Tamanna, finished with a time of 43.85 seconds. This performance not only earned them the top spot on the podium—finishing ahead of China (44.09s) and Thailand (44.11s)—but also marked a season-best timing for the team.
-
Successful Campaign: This victory capped off a strong outing for India at the championships, where the team finished with a total of three medals: one gold (women's 4x100m relay), one silver (mixed 4x400m relay), and one bronze (mixed 4x100m relay).
-
Hosting Future Events: The 2026 edition served as a crucial international testing ground for Indian athletes as they prepare for a busy upcoming season, including the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. Notably, it was announced that India will host the third edition of the Asian Relays Championships in Chandigarh in 2027.
6. India Wins FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup In Auckland
-
Securing Promotion: By defeating the hosts, New Zealand, 2-0 in the final, India secured the title and earned a direct promotion back to the prestigious FIH Hockey Pro League for the 2026-27 season. This is a significant comeback, as the team had been relegated to the Nations Cup following the previous Pro League cycle.
-
Clinical Performance in the Final: The match was decided in the opening quarter, with goals from Navneet Kaur (4th minute) and Sunelita Toppo (15th minute). The Indian team maintained their 2-0 lead through a disciplined defensive display, keeping the New Zealand "Black Sticks" at bay for the remainder of the game.
-
Unbeaten Tournament Run: India completed a "perfect" tournament, remaining unbeaten throughout the competition. Their path to the trophy included topping their group with wins over the USA, Japan, and Uruguay, followed by a dominant 6-0 victory against Chile in the semi-finals. Notably, Indian forward Deepika finished as the tournament's joint-top scorer, netting six goals.
7. First Indian-Origin Wolf Prize Physics Winner Jainendra Jain
-
Recognition of Groundbreaking Research: Professor Jain was honored for his 1989 discovery of "composite fermions," a revolutionary concept that provided a unified explanation for the fractional quantum Hall effect. His theory, which posits that electrons can bind with quantum vortices to form new quasiparticles, transformed the field of condensed matter physics and is now foundational to modern research in topological quantum matter and quantum computing.
-
A Historic Milestone: Presented by Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Knesset in Jerusalem on June 18, 2026, the award marks the first time an Indian-origin scientist has received this honor since the Wolf Prize was established in 1978. Often considered a precursor to the Nobel Prize, the Wolf Prize has a high track record of recognizing laureates who later go on to win the Nobel.
-
An Inspiring Personal Journey: Professor Jain’s path to global scientific prominence began in a small town in Rajasthan. Despite suffering a severe injury at age 12 that resulted in a lifelong disability, he utilized the Jaipur Foot—a low-cost, iconic Indian prosthetic—to regain his mobility and pursue his education at Maharaja College, IIT Kanpur, and later in the United States.
8. Jonathan the Tortoise Becomes the World’s Oldest Known Land Animal
-
Named a Guinness World Records Icon: On June 17, 2026, Guinness World Records officially inducted Jonathan into its "Icons" list. This prestigious recognition celebrates his status as the oldest-known terrestrial animal and the oldest chelonian (a group including turtles and tortoises) ever recorded.
-
A Remarkable 194 Years: Estimated to have been born around 1832, Jonathan is now approximately 194 years old. To put his longevity in perspective, he was fully mature when he arrived on St. Helena in 1882 and has lived through significant historical milestones, from the Victorian era to the modern digital age, far exceeding the typical 150-year lifespan of his species.
-
Thriving Despite Challenges: While he has lost his sense of smell and his eyesight due to cataracts, Jonathan remains in good health and high spirits. He continues to live on the grounds of the Governor’s residence (Plantation House), where he receives dedicated veterinary care, enjoys a specialized diet, and socializes with other tortoises.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY
-
1978: Astronomer James Christy discovered Charon, the largest moon of the dwarf planet Pluto
-
Christy named the moon Charon after the ferryman of Greek mythology who carried souls across the river Acheron into the underworld.
0 like |
0 comment
