Current Affairs - June 24, 2026 Current Affairs

The Gujarat government announced a 20% reservation for former Agniveers in direct recruitment to Class-3 posts across the police, jail, and forest departments. Along with the reservation, former Agniveers will receive age relaxation of up to three years, while candidates from the first batch of the Agnipath Scheme will be eligible for up to five years of age relaxation. They are also exempt from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) for these recruitments. The initiative aims to support former Agniveers in securing government employment by recognising their military training, discipline, and service experience after completing their four-year tenure under the Agnipath Scheme.

India's first Made-in-India C295 transport aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the Indian Air Force in September 2026, marking a major milestone in the country's defence manufacturing sector. Built by Tata Advanced Systems Limited in partnership with Airbus, it is the first military aircraft to be manufactured by India's private sector. The C295 is a versatile tactical transport aircraft capable of carrying troops, cargo, and medical evacuation missions while operating from short and unprepared runways. The programme supports the modernisation of the Indian Air Force by replacing the ageing Avro HS-748 fleet and strengthening the vision of self-reliance in defence production.

Bengaluru hosted the BRICS Heads of Space Agencies (HOSA) Meeting 2026, bringing together senior representatives from all eleven BRICS member nations to strengthen cooperation in space exploration and technology. Hosted by ISRO and the Department of Space, the meeting focused on key issues such as space sustainability, satellite coordination, Earth observation, and the proposed BRICS Space Council. Discussions also covered the expansion of the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation to improve disaster management, agriculture monitoring, climate studies, and environmental protection. The event highlighted India's growing leadership in global space diplomacy and its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable space activities.

SEBI introduced the GARUDA (Green Channel: AIF Rollout Upon Document Acknowledgement) framework to simplify and accelerate the launch of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) schemes. The new mechanism replaces the traditional pre-clearance process with a document acknowledgement system, reducing approval timelines and improving operational efficiency. It also introduces structured classifications for AIF schemes, eases compliance requirements for certain fund categories, and enables faster capital mobilisation. By promoting transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business, the framework is expected to strengthen India's alternative investment ecosystem, boost investor confidence, and encourage greater private capital investment.

The International Day of Women in Diplomacy is observed annually on June 24 to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in diplomacy, international relations, peacebuilding, and global leadership. The observance also highlights the importance of gender equality in foreign policy and decision-making while encouraging greater participation of women in diplomatic services. It serves as a platform to acknowledge the achievements of women diplomats, address barriers that limit their representation, and inspire future generations to pursue careers in diplomacy. The day reinforces the role of inclusive leadership in promoting peace, security, and sustainable global development.

Malwi Potato from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in June 2026, recognising its unique qualities and regional significance. The potato is known for its low sugar and low starch content, making it highly suitable for processing into chips and French fries without turning black or red during frying. It has also been selected as the One District, One Product (ODOP) crop for Indore by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Cultivated mainly during the Rabi season, it is grown across around 45,000 hectares, with the Mhow region serving as the primary cultivation and processing hub.

The United Nations launched the Global Methane Action Plan under the leadership of Secretary-General António Guterres to address the urgent challenge of climate change. The initiative focuses on reducing methane emissions from the fossil fuel industry, agriculture, and waste management sectors, as methane has a much stronger short-term warming effect than carbon dioxide. The plan also promotes better landfill management, methane capture technologies, and circular economy practices. Alongside this initiative, the UN highlighted the environmental impact of rapidly expanding AI infrastructure and encouraged governments, industries, and technology companies to take coordinated action to achieve global climate goals and limit future warming.

India secured the 13th position in the QS World Future Skills Index 2027, reflecting its growing readiness for an artificial intelligence-driven future. The country earned an overall score of 89.4 out of 100 and was recognised as one of the strongest-performing lower-middle-income economies in preparing for AI-led economic transformation. India performed particularly well in the "Future of Work" pillar, ranking 5th globally, while also demonstrating strengths such as a large digital workforce, an expanding startup ecosystem, increasing AI adoption, and strong demographic advantages. The ranking highlights India's significant potential to drive innovation and long-term economic growth.

Cristiano Ronaldo created football history by becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup editions. He achieved this remarkable milestone during Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by scoring twice. His World Cup scoring journey spans the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026 tournaments, showcasing extraordinary consistency, longevity, and excellence over two decades. This achievement further strengthened his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time and highlighted his ability to perform at the highest level even at the age of 41.

Sanjay Kumar Jain resigned from his position as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of IRCTC, with the Ministry of Railways approving his request. His resignation was based on personal reasons and became effective after the completion of the required notice period. During his tenure, IRCTC achieved significant milestones, including its elevation from a Mini Ratna public sector undertaking to a Navratna company and its progression from Schedule B to Schedule A status. Under his leadership, IRCTC also expanded its tourism services, catering operations, online ticketing systems, and railway hospitality initiatives, strengthening its role in India’s transportation and tourism sectors.