Weekly Current Affairs Test : 8th to 14th June 2026

R Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to win the Norway Chess title. He secured the title in Oslo with a final-round victory over Vincent Keymer. Praggnanandhaa finished with 18 points to clinch the championship. The 20-year-old Chennai Grandmaster achieved a feat that had eluded Viswanathan Anand and D Gukesh. During the tournament, he recorded two classical wins over Magnus Carlsen.

A C Sreehari, noted Malayalam poet and academic, passed away at the age of 56. He was the former Head of the Department of English at Payyanur College. His poems are included in university curricula across Kerala. His notable works include Yuva Kavithakkoottam (1999) and Kavithayude Noottandu (2001). He earned a Ph.D. from Kannur University in 2015. He was a recipient of the N.N. Kakkad Award, V.T. Kumaran Award, and Vyloppilli Award.

Major Abhilasha Barak, India’s first woman combat helicopter pilot, received the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025. The award was presented by António Guterres for her efforts in promoting the role of women in peacekeeping. She is serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point. Major Barak helped build trust with local communities, developed early-warning networks, and supported women and girls through education, health, and vocational training programmes. She became the third Indian woman officer to receive this award after Suman Gawani and Radhika Sen.

The 29th India–US Army to Army Staff Talks (AAST) were held in Hawaii. The talks were co-chaired by Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai and Lieutenant General Joel Vowell. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing interoperability, expanding professional exchanges, and deepening military collaboration. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India–US strategic partnership.

The 2nd edition of the Mango Magic Festival was held in Seattle, United States, to promote Indian mangoes in the US market. More than 100 importers and representatives of major retailers, including Costco Wholesale, participated in the tasting event. Seven premium Indian mango varieties were showcased, including Alphonso, Kesar, Banganpalli, Himayat, Langra, Dussehri, and Rajapuri. The initiative was organized by the Consulate General of India in Seattle. India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes, producing over 26 million metric tons annually with more than 1,000 varieties.

Bascanichthys chepakakiensis is a newly discovered species of snake eel. It was discovered in Kakinada Fishing Harbour, Andhra Pradesh, in the Bay of Bengal. It is only the second species of the Bascanichthys genus recorded from Indian waters. The eel has a distinct bicoloured body, a short snout, a unique tooth arrangement, and tiny flap-like pectoral fins. The discovery adds to the known marine biodiversity of India’s eastern coast.

Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project has been revived in Jammu & Kashmir after remaining stalled for several years. It is a 930 MW hydropower project planned on the Chenab River. The project is located in Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir. It is a run-of-river hydropower project. The planned reservoir capacity is 51.26 million cubic metres.

Tennis player Alexander Zverev won his first Grand Slam title by winning the French Open 2026. In the final at Roland Garros, he defeated Flavio Cobolli in a five-set match. The victory ended his long wait for a major title after runner-up finishes at the US Open 2020, French Open 2024, and Australian Open 2025. He became the first German man to win the French Open since Henner Henkel in 1937. He is also the first German man to win a Grand Slam title since Boris Becker’s Australian Open victory in 1996.

According to NFHS-6 (National Family Health Survey-6), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have recorded India’s lowest Total Fertility Rate (TFR). The Union Territory’s TFR is 0.9, which is less than half the replacement level fertility rate of 2.1. It is the only State/UT in India with a TFR below 1.0. The share of children under five years declined from 5.3% (NFHS-5) to 3.7% (NFHS-6). The proportion of people aged 60 years and above increased from 11% to 12.6%, indicating an ageing population. Preschool attendance among children aged 2–4 years fell from 88.5% to 66.2%.

Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan is a flagship water conservation initiative of Madhya Pradesh. The campaign has recently gained international recognition as a successful model of water conservation. During the Sadanira Samagam held in Bhopal, diplomats from several countries appreciated the campaign and expressed interest in adopting similar models. It focuses on the rejuvenation of rivers, ponds, and traditional water bodies. The initiative promotes sustainable water management and community participation.

The Uttar Pradesh Government recently launched ‘Project Ganga’ to ensure last-mile digital connectivity in rural areas. The project aims to expand access to digital education, telemedicine, e-governance, skill development, and technology-based employment opportunities. Under the initiative, a statewide network of Digital Service Providers (DSPs) will be established. The government plans to provide high-speed internet connectivity to nearly 20 lakh families across the state. The initiative is expected to generate over one lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities.

SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth) Dialogue 2026 was inaugurated by Union Minister Chirag Paswan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on June 9–10, 2026. The dialogue is jointly organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the World Bank Group-led SAPLING initiative. It aims to promote food processing-led employment generation, sustainable growth, food security, and regional cooperation across South Asia.

The National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme is playing a significant role in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 through the empowerment of marginalized entrepreneurial communities. The scheme was launched in October 2016 by the Ministry of MSME, aims to empower Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs. The scheme promotes entrepreneurship by providing support in areas such as capacity building, technology upgradation, market access, financial assistance, and participation in public procurement. It seeks to increase the participation of SC/ST-owned enterprises in government procurement and business opportunities.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently launched the Land Port Management System (LPMS) – ‘VINIMAY’ in New Delhi. The system has been developed by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) to modernize and strengthen border management. LPMS aims to facilitate secure and efficient movement of people and goods across India’s land borders while enhancing trade and connectivity. It is designed to meet the requirements of all stakeholders with a strong focus on security and seamless operations.

The Ministry of Defence has approved a 250 MW Solar Power Project with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. The project will be developed on approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land and is the first large-scale solar-plus-storage project on defence land in India. It aims to enhance energy security, promote renewable energy, and ensure optimum utilisation of vacant defence land. The project is expected to reduce dependence on conventional power sources and lower electricity procurement costs for defence establishments.

Researchers recently discovered a new species of soil-dwelling termite, Pseudocapritermes novus, in the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary of West Bengal. Unlike destructive termites, it is a soil-feeding termite that plays an important role in soil formation, nutrient recycling, and maintaining ecosystem health. These termites feed on soil and humus, making them valuable indicators of soil fertility and ecosystem quality. The discovery increases the number of Pseudocapritermes species recorded in India to five. The species belongs to a group of termites known for their asymmetrical snapping jaws, which produce clicking sounds for defence and alarm communication.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) recently facilitated the first export consignment of GI-tagged Tezpur Litchi from Assam to Dubai. Tezpur Litchi is one of Assam’s most renowned horticultural products, known for its exceptional sweetness, bright-red colour, distinctive aroma, and superior eating quality. The region grows several popular varieties, including Bombaya, Bilati, Elaichi, Piyaji, and Sahi. Tezpur Litchi received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2013, enhancing its identity and market value.

Scientists recently discovered a new fish species, Eechathalakenda incognita, from the Western Ghats in Kerala. It belongs to the Torinae subfamily of the Cyprinidae family and was discovered in streams within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The species had been mistakenly identified as Eechathalakenda ophicephala for nearly 70 years. E. incognita is restricted to fast-flowing rocky streams inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, while E. ophicephala is confined to the Pamba River headwaters. The discovery makes E. incognita the ninth point-endemic fish species identified in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Rapido recently partnered with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to promote the Rah-Veer Scheme, which encourages citizens to assist road accident victims during the critical “Golden Hour.” As part of the campaign, more than 4 lakh Rapido captains took a road safety pledge, creating a Guinness World Record. The Rah-Veer (or Rahveer) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The initiative aims to improve emergency response, save lives, and strengthen road safety awareness across India.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently entered the Guinness World Records by creating the world’s tallest underwater human stack at Swaraj Dweep. The record was achieved on 3 May 2026, when a team of divers formed an underwater human tower measuring 22.3 metres (73.16 feet). The feat required exceptional coordination, balance, buoyancy control, and teamwork among the divers. Building and maintaining a human pyramid underwater is significantly more challenging than on land due to water currents and buoyancy effects. The achievement has brought international recognition to Swaraj Dweep.

The World Bank recently approved an additional US$9 million in financing for the Republic of the Marshall Islands to address rising energy costs. The Marshall Islands is an island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean. It lies northeast of Papua New Guinea and southeast of the Federated States of Micronesia. The country consists of coral atolls and islands arranged in two chains: Ratak (Sunrise) and Ralik (Sunset).

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) recently introduced a QR code-based vendor registration and monitoring system for street food vendors. The initiative enables citizens to provide feedback and hygiene ratings on the cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety standards maintained by street vendors. More than 8,700 street food vendors have been registered under the system.

The Government of Assam and the European Union recently launched the Blue Valley Cluster in Guwahati. The initiative focuses on the Flavours, Fragrance, and AYUSH sectors and aims to strengthen cooperation between Europe, Assam, and the North-East region. It seeks to develop sustainable value chains, innovation ecosystems, and industrial partnerships. The project will help connect farmers, self-help groups, startups, and industries with international markets.

The 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum recently commenced in New Delhi under India’s BRICS Chairship. The two-day forum is hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the theme “Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.” India highlighted priorities such as inclusive urbanisation, climate-resilient infrastructure, digital innovation, and stronger urban institutions.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) recently launched ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’, a WhatsApp-based AI-powered advisory service for oilseed farmers. Developed by ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, it provides 24×7 research-based guidance in multiple Indian languages. The platform allows farmers to access crop-specific advisories directly through WhatsApp without downloading any additional application. It offers guidance on groundnut, mustard, sesame, sunflower, soybean, niger, and other oilseed crops.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has rolled out advanced Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across India for better highway monitoring. A Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) is a specialized infrastructure management vehicle equipped with advanced sensors and data acquisition systems to assess National Highway conditions. These vehicles systematically collect data on road inventory and pavement health. NSVs can survey up to 300 km per day. They detect 13 types of road defects, including cracks, potholes, edge breaks, rutting, roughness, ravelling, and lane marking issues.

The United States recently activated SOLAR-1, its first dedicated space weather monitoring satellite. It is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. SOLAR-1 was originally called Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) and later renamed Space Weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness–1 (SOLAR-1). Its primary mission is to continuous monitoring of solar activity and space weather to provide early warnings of solar storms.

The Forest Department of Telangana is set to launch safari tours at Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana, on the right bank of the Godavari River. It is named after the Kinnerasani River, a perennial river flowing through the sanctuary before joining the Godavari. It is part of the Dandakaranya Forest and lies near the Kinnerasani Dam.

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India and University of Madras discovered a new species of damselfly named Mortonagrion santha. It was discovered in Dasarathpur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The species was found near a small farm pond surrounded by coconut plantations. It belongs to the genus Mortonagrion, known for highly secretive insects that blend into shaded coastal vegetation. The new species is distinct from its closest relative, Mortonagrion arthuri, found in Southeast Asia.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras released ANCHOR, the world’s most detailed 3D atlas of the human brainstem. ANCHOR stands for Atlas of Neurochemical Characterisation of the Human Brainstem with 3D Reconstruction. It was developed by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre using advanced brain imaging and computing platforms. The atlas provides multimodal 3D maps of the human brainstem covering prenatal, childhood, and adult stages.