Current affairs for UPSC
Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.
GS3 · SpaceISRO hosted the two-day BRICS Heads of Space Agencies (HOSA) meeting in Bengaluru under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. At the valedictory session on 24 June 2026, India pitched a "BRICS Space Economy" and called for co-development among members. The meeting reviewed debris-free missions, the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation and a proposed BRICS Space Council.
UPSC angle: Prelims: BRICS membership and chair.
24 Jun 2026GS2 · IROn 23 June 2026 MEA said that in talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Delhi for the BRICS NSAs meeting, the National Security Advisor stressed stable, predictable and constructive ties to build trust. Each side must consistently show sensitivity to the other's core concerns. MEA framed India's approach as mutual sensitivity, mutual interests and mutual respect.
UPSC angle: Prelims: none. · Mains: India-China normalisation.
23 Jun 2026GS3 · Green portsThe Shipping Ministry on 23 June 2026 cited V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Thoothukudi, as a green maritime model. Its Sustainability Report shows renewables offset nearly 94% of energy use and net carbon emissions down around 45%. Carbon intensity per tonne of cargo nearly halved in four years. India's first green hydrogen pilot at a major port is here.
UPSC angle: Prelims: VOC Port location; Harit Sagar.
23 Jun 2026GS3 · External sectorNITI Aayog released the eighth Trade Watch Quarterly for January to March 2026 on 23 June 2026. India's total merchandise and services trade grew 5.4% year-on-year in April 2025 to March 2026 to $1.84 trillion. Services exports grew 9.0%. The thematic focus is pharmaceuticals: global demand about $1.3 trillion in 2025; India's pharma and API exports $35.8 billion.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NITI publications.
23 Jun 2026GS3 · Agri marketingThe Cooperation Ministry launched NAFED's e-auction portal NAFEX.in in New Delhi on 23 June 2026. Payments for produce are to reach farmers' bank accounts within 48 hours. NAFED serves more than 74 lakh farmers. Over the next two years, NCCF and NAFED are to buy pulses directly from farmers. A scholarship from 1% of NAFED profits was also announced.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NAFED, NCCF roles.
23 Jun 2026GS1 · ClimatologyINCOIS began specialised El Niño bulletins for maritime sectors; the first was released on 22 June 2026. The event continues and should peak from November 2026 to January 2027. Indian Ocean sea surface temperature is likely above normal until April/May 2027, with coral bleaching, marine heatwaves and lower sardine and mackerel catch risk.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ENSO, INCOIS (Hyderabad).
23 Jun 2026GS3 · MineralsThe Mines Ministry said on 23 June 2026 that recent auctions took critical and strategic mineral blocks successfully auctioned by the Centre to 56 out of 88 unique blocks (over 63%). The Seventh Tranche auctioned 10 blocks, a first for Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana. Exploration Licence blocks auctioned reached 11, newly covering Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
UPSC angle: Prelims: critical minerals list, auction powers.
23 Jun 2026GS1 · Harappan civilisationASI handed human skeletal remains from Rakhigarhi, Haryana, to the Anthropological Survey of India under a new MoU, the Culture Ministry said on 22 June 2026. The 2025-26 dig at Mound No. 7 found eight burials; three complete skeletons plus fragments went to AnSI's Kolkata repository. Planned work includes aDNA, isotopes and palaeopathology with partner labs.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Harappan sites and States.
22 Jun 2026GS2 · HealthIndia has recorded more than 5 lakh organ donation pledges, the Health Ministry said on 22 June 2026. NOTTO thanked citizens, States and partners. Registration is through the Aadhaar-based portal notto.abdm.gov.in. The Ministry tied the rise to awareness drives, including Mann Ki Baat appeals, and to building ethical, equitable transplant systems.
UPSC angle: Prelims: THOTA, NOTTO.
22 Jun 2026GS3 · RailwaysIndian Railways approved Kavach on 631 route-kilometres of East Coast Railway at ₹270 crore, covering six sections in Odisha and neighbouring areas, the Railways Ministry said on 22 June 2026. Kavach is India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection system. It aims to prevent signal passing at danger, overspeeding and collisions, including in dense fog.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Kavach.
22 Jun 2026 
