Current Affairs for Exams

International Relations

Xi Jinping Visits North Korea: China-DPRK Ties in a Shifting Asia

Xi Jinping made a rare visit to North Korea on June 8, 2026, his first in seven years, to reinforce China's ties with its long-standing …

UPSC STATE_PCS DEFENCE

Economy

Farmers in Punjab and Other States Protest Over Reported Urea and DAP Fertiliser Shortage

Farmers in Punjab and four other states protested on 8 June 2026 over reported shortages of urea and DAP fertilisers as paddy sowing began. India …

UPSC STATE_PCS SSC

Social Issues

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: How the Health Assurance Scheme Works

West Bengal joined Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY on June 8, 2026, becoming the 36th State or UT and completing the scheme's nationwide rollout. The programme offers …

UPSC STATE_PCS SSC BANKING RAILWAY

International Relations

US Court Strikes Down $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee, Calls It Unconstitutional

A US federal court on June 8, 2026, struck down a $100,000 H-1B visa fee imposed by executive order, ruling it an unconstitutional tax that …

UPSC SSC

Economy

Bombay High Court Quashes Retrospective Spectrum Usage Charges on Telecom Operators

The Bombay High Court on June 8, 2026 quashed retrospective one-time spectrum charges (OTSC) levied by the Department of Telecommunications, providing relief exceeding Rs 24,000 …

UPSC SSC BANKING

Economy

Recycling Gold: India’s Opportunity to Cut Import Dependence

With gold prices surging and the current account under pressure, an editorial argues India should recycle its vast domestic gold stock instead of relying on …

UPSC BANKING SSC

Science & Tech

Solar Storms and Auroras: Why the Northern Lights Reached Indian Skies

A strong solar storm on 8 June 2026 brought auroras to high-altitude parts of India such as Ladakh and the upper Himalayas. The explainer covers …

UPSC SSC STATE_PCS

Defence & Security

Zojila Tunnel: A Strategic Game-Changer for Ladakh Connectivity

The 13.14-km Zojila Tunnel will give Ladakh year-round road connectivity, replacing the Zojila Pass that stays shut for about six months each winter. It is …

UPSC DEFENCE SSC

Defence & Security

SIPRI Yearbook 2026: India’s Nuclear Arsenal Estimated at Around 190 Warheads

SIPRI’s Yearbook 2026, released on 8 June 2026, estimated India’s nuclear arsenal at around 190 warheads, with modernisation focused on longer-range systems. It flagged the …

UPSC DEFENCE SSC

Environment

Great Nicobar Project: Weighing Strategy Against Ecology

The Rs 91,000-crore Great Nicobar project faces scrutiny over whether its strategic case justifies clearing ecologically rich rainforest. Reviews questioned its strategic objectives and refused …

UPSC

Environment

Bonn Mid-Year Climate Talks Open With Fossil Fuels and Adaptation on Agenda

UN mid-year climate talks opened in Bonn on 8 June 2026, focusing on implementing the Global Stocktake, just transition and adaptation finance ahead of COP31 …

UPSC SSC

International Relations

The Trust Deficit in India–Bangladesh Relations

Over a hundred days into the Tarique Rahman government, India–Bangladesh ties remain strained despite Indian diplomatic outreach. Dhaka wants restrictive trade and visa steps reversed, …

UPSC STATE_PCS

International Relations

Mauritius Says It Has Received No US Proposal on Chagos Islands

Mauritius said on 8 June 2026 it had received no US proposal to buy the Chagos Islands and reiterated that its sovereignty over the archipelago …

UPSC

International Relations

US Court Strikes Down $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee as Unlawful

A US federal court struck down the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee on 8 June 2026, calling it an unlawful tax. The decision is …

UPSC SSC BANKING

International Relations

Iran and Israel Trade Fresh Strikes; India Urges De-escalation in West Asia

Iran and Israel traded fresh direct strikes over 7–8 June 2026 before Iran announced a halt. India expressed deep concern and urged immediate de-escalation and …

UPSC SSC BANKING

Economy

Why RBI Is Reviving the FCNR(B) Swap Scheme to Attract Foreign Inflows

The RBI is weighing a revival of the FCNR(B) deposit swap scheme to attract foreign currency and support the rupee. The same tool brought in …

UPSC BANKING

Economy

Centre Meets 4.4% Fiscal Deficit Target for FY26 Despite Subsidy Surge

The Centre met its 4.4%-of-GDP fiscal deficit target for FY26 even as the fertiliser subsidy bill surged to about Rs 2.1 lakh crore. The target …

UPSC BANKING SSC

Economy

India Records 0.7% Current Account Surplus in Q4 FY26

India reported a current account surplus of 0.7% of GDP in Q4 FY26, reversing the previous quarter’s deficit, on the back of strong services exports …

UPSC BANKING SSC