Top News
1. Environment and Ecology
Declaration of India’s 100th Ramsar Site
On the occasion of World Environment Day, India achieved a significant ecological milestone with the addition of its 100th Ramsar site. The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, also known as Surha Tal, located in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has been officially added to the list of Wetlands of International Importance. This critical wetland acts as a major source of groundwater recharge and irrigation, simultaneously supporting diverse avian wildlife and the surrounding agricultural landscape.
2. Wildlife and Conservation
Increase in Nilgiri Tahr Population
The third synchronised population estimation for the Nilgiri Tahr revealed a positive trend in the species' conservation. The population of this endangered mountain ungulate has risen to 1,364, marking a 4.68 percent increase from the previous year. The Nilgiri Tahr, the state animal of Tamil Nadu, primarily inhabits the high-altitude sub-alpine grasslands of the Western Ghats across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, playing a crucial role in the nutrient cycling of the mountain ecosystem.
3. National Economy and Finance
Scrapping of Capital Gains Tax for FIIs on Government Bonds
In a major strategic move to attract foreign capital, the Central Government has entirely scrapped the capital gains tax on investments made by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) in government bonds. This exemption applies to both short-term and long-term capital gains. Furthermore, the 20 percent withholding tax that FIIs previously paid on their interest income from these debt instruments has also been eliminated. This policy shift is aimed at boosting foreign fund inflows and deepening the Indian bond market.
4. Health and Demographics
Key Findings from the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6)
The preliminary data from the NFHS-6 highlights several positive public health trends across India. Institutional births have increased to 90.6 percent from 88.6 percent in the previous survey, and stunting among children under five has declined by over six percentage points. The survey also recorded a significant drop in spousal violence, which fell from 29.3 percent to 22.3 percent. At the state level, West Bengal saw the largest increase in health insurance coverage, surging to 88.2 percent, while Andhra Pradesh registered the steepest rise in women's internet usage.
5. International Relations
India-Indonesia Bilateral Security and Trade Talks
India and Indonesia held high-level bilateral talks co-chaired by the External Affairs Ministers of both nations during the 8th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi. The two countries formally agreed to significantly advance their strategic cooperation across several key domains, including maritime security, defence, digital connectivity, and infrastructure development. The discussions emphasized the deep historical linkages between the two nations and their shared democratic and pluralist traditions.
6. International Law and Security
Enforcement of India-Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement
India and Nepal have successfully completed all internal processes necessary to enforce their mutual legal assistance pact designed to tackle cross-border crimes. The formalization of the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement (MLAA) in Criminal Matters occurred during the official visit of the Nepalese Foreign Minister to New Delhi. This marks a critical step in strengthening the legal framework, regional cooperation, and cross-border security between the two neighboring countries.
7. Sports and Athletics
Inauguration of the First World Yogasana Championship
Gujarat recently hosted a landmark event in the global integration of traditional Indian wellness practices into competitive sports. The first-ever World Yogasana Championship was officially inaugurated in Ahmedabad. The championship aims to standardize Yogasana as a competitive sport on a global scale, bringing together practitioners from various nations to showcase their physical and mental discipline through complex yoga postures.
8. Regional Sports (Assam)
Conclusion of the Kaziranga Chess Carnival 2026
The second edition of the Kaziranga Chess Carnival successfully concluded at Borgos Resort in Kohora, Assam, cementing its place as a notable sporting and tourism event in the state. The one-day tournament attracted 140 chess players from across the country and was divided into Under-10, Under-15, and Open categories. Amlan Mahanta emerged victorious in the Open category, securing the top position and the grand prize.
9. Regional Sports (Assam)
Golaghat Hosts the Kaziranga Rhino Cup Boxing Tournament
The Kaziranga Rhino Cup 2026, a major national-level boxing selection tournament, commenced at the Golaghat Stadium in Assam. The multi-day event serves as a crucial qualifying platform for the upcoming Pro Boxing League (PBL) of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, scheduled to take place in New Delhi. The tournament will finalize the selection of eight prominent boxers, including five men and three women across various weight categories, to compete at the professional level.
10. Environment and Urban Policy
Approval of Clean Mobility Scheme for Delhi NCR
To combat the severe air quality issues in the capital region, the Union Cabinet has officially approved a comprehensive two-year clean mobility scheme for the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The initiative will provide direct incentives for the replacement of older, highly polluting trucks and commercial buses with modern vehicles that comply with BS-VI or stricter emission norms. Government-owned vehicles are explicitly excluded from this incentivization program.
11. Economy and Renewable Energy
Challenges in Decentralised Solar Adoption Schemes
Despite India leading global charts in overall solar capacity additions, decentralized solar schemes like the PM Suryaghar Yojana and PM-KUSUM are facing operational hurdles. Recent economic analyses reveal that the heavy subsidization or free provision of grid electricity in various states acts as a major disincentive for households and farmers to invest the required upfront capital for rooftop solar panels or solar water pumps. This highlights the complex intersection of power subsidies and renewable energy transitions.
12. High-Level Economic Governance
EAC-PM Meeting on Sustaining Economic Growth
A crucial meeting of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) was convened to assess India's macroeconomic outlook amidst growing global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The council deliberated on structural reforms needed to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and strategies to preserve macroeconomic stability. The session prominently featured the recent tax reforms for foreign investors and complementary regulatory easing by the Reserve Bank of India to mobilize foreign currency deposits.
13. Global Politics
Appointment of South Korea’s First Female Prime Minister in Two Decades
In a major political milestone for East Asia, South Korea has appointed Han as its new Prime Minister. This appointment is historically significant as she becomes the first female politician to hold the premier position in the country in 20 years. The leadership change comes at a critical time for South Korea as it navigates complex regional security dynamics and domestic economic reforms.
14. Science, Technology and Governance
Advancements in the National Award for e-Governance (NAeG)
The government has rolled out the latest framework for the National Award for e-Governance (NAeG), focusing heavily on the integration of advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in public service delivery. The new directives emphasize the expansion of electronic governance to rural areas, aiming to improve transparency, facilitate seamless digital transactions, and promote highly active citizen participation in daily administrative governance.
15. Global Markets and Finance
Volatility in Indian Stock Markets Amidst Global Tensions
The Indian benchmark indices experienced significant volatility, driven largely by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and sudden surges in global crude oil prices. Concerns over the U.S. Federal Reserve maintaining a hawkish stance on interest rates further dampened investor sentiment, leading to sharp single-day declines in the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India continues to monitor currency fluctuations as the US dollar reached a two-month peak against major global currencies.
9 June 2026 Top News for APSC | Most Important Updates, Schemes & Reports You Must Know