Top News
1. First Wave of Floods Inundates Multiple Districts
The flood situation in Assam has intensified following rising river levels, embankment breaches, and incessant rainfall. Over 20,000 people have been affected in the Dhemaji district alone, where the overflowing Jiadhal River has submerged 84 villages and 920 hectares of agricultural land. Fresh flooding was also reported in Bajali after the Kaldia River breached an embankment. The state government has placed downstream districts, including Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Sonitpur, and Dhubri, on high alert due to a sharp rise in water discharge from upstream hydroelectric projects.
2. High Alert Over Encephalitis Outbreak
Health authorities in Assam are monitoring a rising health crisis as the death toll from Encephalitis reached 60 for the year 2026. According to the National Health Mission (NHM), Japanese Encephalitis specifically has accounted for 15 fatalities among the reported cases. The state administration is accelerating preventive measures, localized fogging, and public awareness campaigns to curb the vector-borne disease during the vulnerable monsoon season.
3. Government Restores Commercial LPG Supply
The Union government has restored the supply of industrial and commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to pre-crisis levels, citing an improved supply situation following the easing of geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The government withdrew all sector-specific allocation caps that were imposed during the peak of the crisis. Additionally, bulk LPG consumers will now be allotted 50% of their pre-crisis consumption requirements, providing a significant boost to commercial and industrial operations.
4. Significant Hike in Passport Application Fees
The Ministry of External Affairs has announced a revision in the passport fee structure, which will come into effect on July 1, 2026. The application fee for an ordinary 36-page fresh passport has been increased from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500. The reissue of a passport will also cost ₹2,500, while the fee for a Tatkal application for a fresh or reissued passport has been raised steeply from ₹3,500 to ₹5,000.
5. Nationwide Campaign Launched Over Exam Irregularities
In response to recurring irregularities and paper leaks in national competitive examinations, a 40-day nationwide campaign titled 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' has been launched by political opposition leaders. The initiative aims to address systemic failures within exam-conducting institutions and amplify the concerns of students across the country. The campaign highlights the urgent need for structural reforms to restore transparency and faith in India's testing infrastructure.
6. QR Code Traceability for Critical Drugs
The Union Health Ministry has notified amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, expanding the QR code-based track-and-trace framework to include vaccines, antimicrobials, and cancer medicines. Manufacturers of these formulations are now required to affix a barcode or QR code on the primary or secondary packaging label. This technological intervention allows verification through software applications, ensuring authenticity and combating the circulation of counterfeit drugs within the domestic supply chain.
7. Cargo Vessel Attacked in Strait of Hormuz
A commercial cargo vessel, identified as the Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely, was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman. The strike caused damage to the vessel's bridge, though no casualties or environmental impacts were reported. In response to the escalating maritime security threats, the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) temporarily paused its evacuation initiative for stranded seafarers in the region until safety guarantees are reconfirmed.
8. Russia Intercepts Massive Ukrainian Drone Swarm
The Russian Defence Ministry reported shooting down 660 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of the largest aerial assaults since the conflict began. The drones were intercepted across multiple regions, including Moscow, the Tula region, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. The intensified long-range drone campaign by Ukraine primarily targets Russian energy infrastructure, attempting to disrupt vital supply chains and economic resources sustaining the war effort.
9. Bangladesh Prime Minister Seeks Trade Rebalance with China
During a three-day diplomatic visit to Beijing, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss economic cooperation and infrastructure development. Rahman urged China to address the bilateral trade gap by diversifying its imports from Bangladesh, specifically suggesting agricultural products like fresh mangoes, jute, and aquatic products. The discussions also covered China's potential support for upgrading Bangladesh's industrial units and financing major infrastructure projects.
10. Death Toll Climbs in Venezuela Earthquakes
A pair of powerful earthquakes, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela, resulting in at least 235 fatalities and leaving over 4,300 people injured. The seismic events caused widespread structural collapse and triggered evacuations as far away as the Brazilian Amazon. Rescue teams are continuing frantic searches through the rubble as a state of emergency takes hold and international offers of aid pour into the South American nation.
11. North Korea Conducts Major Weapons Tests
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised significant weapons tests, aiming to bolster the military's conventional and nuclear offensive posture. The tests involved evaluating a "special mission" warhead for a tactical ballistic missile, an upgraded multiple rocket launch system, and extended-range artillery shells. The drills were explicitly designed to demonstrate readiness to target vital infrastructure and military bases in South Korea. In response, South Korea announced a massive expansion of its drone warfare capabilities, aiming to train 500,000 troops as "drone warriors."
12. RBI Proposes Governance Framework for AI and ML Models
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a draft Model Risk Management Framework to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in the financial sector. The framework mandates that banks and financial institutions establish board-approved governance protocols for AI deployment. Key requirements include mandatory human oversight, rigorous bias testing, and the implementation of "kill-switch" mechanisms to prevent autonomous systems from executing unauthorized or high-risk financial decisions.
13. Divyanshi Bhowmick Makes Table Tennis History
Fifteen-year-old Indian athlete Divyanshi Bhowmick became the youngest Indian woman to secure a WTT Feeder Women's Singles title. Ranked World No. 211, she defeated Chinese Taipei's Yeh Yi-Tian in a thrilling five-game final. Furthermore, Bhowmick partnered with Syndrela Das to win the Women's Doubles gold, completing a historic double-gold campaign on the global table tennis circuit.
14. Ecuador Stuns Germany in FIFA World Cup 2026
In a massive upset at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ecuador defeated Germany 2-1, securing a spot in the Round of 32 knockout stage for the first time since 2006. The surprising victory pushed the German national team toward an early tournament exit and reshaped the competition's knockout bracket, which already features high-profile impending matchups such as Brazil versus Japan.
15. Joint UNESCO Cultural Heritage Nominations
India is actively participating in collaborative international efforts to secure new UNESCO cultural heritage inscriptions. A major joint proposal currently under consideration is being led by China, with Indian support, to document the 7th-century travels of Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) across India and Central Asia. Additionally, India is partnering with Iran to nominate the ancient text of the Panchatantra, and with South Africa to nominate the Satyagraha Philosophy, leveraging shared histories to enhance global heritage recognition.
26 June 2026 Top News for APSC | Most Important Updates, Schemes & Reports You Must Know