Current Affairs Quiz - June 2026

Notes:
Uzbekistan became the 10th member and shareholder of the New Development Bank (NDB) in June 2026 after ratifying the Articles of Agreement (AoA). It is the first Central Asian country to join the NDB. The NDB plans to support projects in Uzbekistan in sectors such as energy, water management, transport, municipal infrastructure, and social infrastructure. The bank will provide support through financing in national currencies, national procurement systems, and environmental risk assessment mechanisms.

Notes:
Recently, the Centre facilitated a consensus among six states—Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan—for the implementation of the Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project. The project is proposed on the Tons River, the largest tributary of the Yamuna River, along the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border. It is a multipurpose project aimed at hydropower generation, irrigation, water supply, and improving environmental flows in the Yamuna. Under the agreement, the Central Government will bear 90% of the water component cost, while the remaining 10% will be shared by the six beneficiary states.

Notes:
Recently, the National Rainfed Area Authority held a meeting on draft National Technical Guidelines for improved watershed management under the REWARD Programme. REWARD stands for Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development. It is a watershed development programme being implemented in the states of Karnataka and Odisha from 2021 to 2026. The programme is supported by the World Bank. It aims to strengthen watershed management practices, enhance farmers’ resilience, and support value chains in selected watersheds.

Notes:
Operation Vajrapat has been launched by the Varanasi Range Police in Uttar Pradesh to dismantle criminal networks and their digital presence. The operation covers Jaunpur, Ghazipur, and Chandauli districts. A major focus is on digital surveillance, resulting in the removal of 554 social media accounts allegedly used to glorify crime and spread fear. The initiative aims to curb gang culture, strengthen intelligence-based policing, and build a comprehensive database for continuous monitoring of criminal networks.

Notes:
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that the right to walk on a demarcated footpath is a fundamental right. The Court held that this right is protected under Article 19(1)(d) (freedom of movement) and Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty). It stated that a citizen’s right to walk on footpaths has priority over the movement of motorised vehicles. The judgment was delivered in a motor accident compensation case involving the death of a five-year-old child. The Court emphasized that if roads exist, authorities have a corresponding duty to provide safe, demarcated, and well-maintained footpaths.

Notes:
World Refugee Day is observed globally every year on 20 June. The day honors the strength, courage, and resilience of refugees and other forcibly displaced people. The theme/Slogan for 2026 is “Until Everyone Is Safe”. The theme emphasizes equitable and non-discriminatory access to asylum, protection, and refugee rights. The year 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations-backed 1951 Refugee Convention, the cornerstone of international refugee protection. The observance highlights the challenges faced by over 117 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.

Notes:
The inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2025 were recently held, organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary were named Best Athletes (male and female). Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja received Best Emerging Athlete awards. Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred upon legends like P. T. Usha and Anju Bobby George. The event was attended by international sports dignitaries and highlighted India’s growing global presence in athletics.

Notes:
The Periyar River was recently in news after the Kerala High Court emphasized the need for a unified authority to monitor its cleanliness. It is the longest river in Kerala and is popularly known as the “Lifeline of Kerala.” The river originates from the Sivagiri Hills near the Tamil Nadu border. It flows through Periyar National Park and into Periyar Lake, an artificial reservoir. The river ultimately drains into Vembanad Lake before entering the Arabian Sea near Kochi. It is a perennial river and an important source of irrigation, hydropower, and drinking water.

Notes:
Indian conservationists Parveen Shaikh and Dr. Barkha Subba have won the 2026 Whitley Awards, also known as the “Green Oscars”, presented in London. The award recognises grassroots environmental leaders working for conservation of endangered species and fragile ecosystems. In 2026, for the first time in its history, all six recipients of the prize were women, marking a major milestone. Parveen Shaikh worked on the “Guardians of the Skimmer” project to protect the endangered Indian Skimmer along river systems using community participation. Dr. Barkha Subba focused on conserving the Himalayan salamander and restoring wetlands in the Darjeeling Himalaya.

Notes:
Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is observed on 25 June to commemorate the imposition of the National Emergency in 1975 and to honour those who suffered during that period. On 25 June 1975, the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed a National Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing internal disturbances. During the Emergency, several Fundamental Rights, including those under Article 19, were suspended, press censorship was imposed, and judicial remedies were restricted.