Daily Bulletin

During the Paschimbanga Divas celebrations in Hooghly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of several central welfare schemes to West Bengal. Key initiatives include the rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the integration of the state into the Digital Agriculture Mission, and the inclusion of all eligible poor families under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for his role in ensuring West Bengal remained part of India.

The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) launched a new quarterly newsletter, Economic Security Insights, to foster discourse on financial integrity and economic risks. The launch coincided with the introduction of a new Master’s in Financial and Economic Crimes (MFEC) programme, a first-of-its-kind inter-ministerial initiative jointly offered by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU). The programme aims to develop a specialised cadre to combat complex financial offences.

During a visit to Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Pahadpur village in the Mayurbhanj district will be developed as a 'Surya Gram' (Solar Village). The announcement aligns with the government's focus on promoting renewable energy and sustainable development in rural areas.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has deployed extensive security measures for the NEET-UG re-examination to prevent malpractices. These include the installation of approximately 1.3 lakh CCTV cameras and 51,000 jammers across centres, while local administrations have imposed prohibitory orders to secure the venues.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has suspended Dr. Syed Maqbool, an Associate Professor of Cardiology, over allegations of medical fraud. Dr. Maqbool is accused of manipulating patient records and performing unnecessary cardiac procedures to generate fraudulent claims under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)-SEHAT scheme.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has officially withdrawn from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant political realignment. This decision follows the IUML's recent alignment with the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), a party founded by actor Vijay.

The Uttarakhand government is set to introduce specific regulations for adventure sports, starting with bungee jumping, to enhance safety and standardise operations. According to the State Tourism Secretary, a draft of the new rules has been prepared after extensive consultations with industry stakeholders.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has clarified that a NEET aspirant from Nagpur had voluntarily selected Abu Dhabi as their primary examination centre, with Dubai as the second preference. The statement addresses public discourse regarding the allocation of an overseas examination centre to the student.

A High Court has upheld a government order to block the messaging platform Telegram to prevent malpractices related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The judicial decision supports the measure aimed at curbing the circulation of leaked question papers and maintaining the integrity of the examination.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that the political entity led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is the sole recognised Shiv Sena. The statement reinforces the official recognition granted by constitutional bodies to the Shinde-led group following the party's split.

The Union Government has banned the manufacture and sale of 16 Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs, citing a lack of therapeutic justification and risks to public health. The regulatory action is part of an ongoing effort to promote the rational use of medicines and ensure patient safety.

The Kerala High Court has directed the state police to provide protection to a woman whose husband is facing a kidnapping case registered by the Madhya Pradesh police. The case was initiated based on a complaint filed by the woman's father.

A court in Bihar has granted interim relief to educator Faisal Khan, known as Khan Sir, in connection with a firing incident at a coaching institute. The court's 'no coercive action' directive provides him temporary protection from arrest following an FIR registered by the Patna Police.

The Central Government has informed the Delhi High Court that social media posts claiming the Chief Justice of India and Union Ministers played badminton at a private event in the U.K. are false. The government submitted that the posts are part of a deliberate misinformation campaign.

The political rift within the Shiv Sena was evident on its foundation day, as rival factions led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held separate commemorative events. This public display underscores the deep political divisions within the party following its split in 2022.

The West Bengal government has granted sanction for prosecution in all pending requests from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has restored the 'general consent' for the agency to conduct probes in the state. This reverses the 2018 decision by the previous government, allowing the CBI to investigate central government-related cases without seeking state permission each time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, disbursing over ₹18,880 crore to more than 9.44 crore farmers. Since its inception in 2019, the scheme has transferred over ₹4.46 lakh crore through Direct Benefit Transfer. To enhance accessibility, the government has introduced technological aids such as the AI-enabled chatbot 'Kisan-eMitra' and a Face Authentication feature in the PM-KISAN mobile app for e-KYC verification.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched multiple infrastructure projects in West Bengal, including laying the foundation stone for a new divisional railway hospital in Howrah at a cost of nearly ₹100 crore. Other key projects announced were the Sankrail–Santragachi rail link and the expansion of the Fraserganj Fishing Harbour in South 24 Parganas.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 72 development projects in Odisha, with a cumulative worth of ₹47,600 crore. The event, held in Rairangpur, marked the completion of two years of the state government. The projects span critical sectors such as energy, industrial infrastructure, road connectivity, and health, aiming to boost regional economic development.

The foundation stone was laid for the Bharat Coal Gasification & Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project in Lakhanpur, Odisha. This joint venture between Coal India Limited (51%) and BHEL (49%), with an investment of over ₹25,000 crore, aims to produce 0.66 Million Tonnes Per Annum of Technical Grade Ammonium Nitrate. The project, which will use indigenous gasification technology, is targeted for commissioning by September 2029.

The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) is advancing digitalisation and capacity expansion at its Donimalai Complex in Karnataka to support its vision of becoming a 100 MTPA mining company. As part of its sustainable mining initiatives, NMDC is also employing scientific mineral processing to convert previously discarded low-grade materials into valuable raw material for the steel sector. A key technological upgrade is the new automated gate management system at the Kumaraswamy Mine to enhance efficiency.

India’s foreign exchange reserves declined by USD 9.99 billion to USD 671.63 billion for the week ending June 19, 2026. The significant weekly drop is primarily influenced by valuation changes in foreign currency assets held by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has stated that there has been no real-term increase in petrol and diesel prices. He clarified that the effective price hike was limited to ₹7.60 when compared to the rates prevailing during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, seeking to contextualise the current fuel price structure.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla released the book IIT - The Story of India's Most Prestigious Educational Ecosystem at an event at IIT Delhi. He noted that the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which have expanded from one to 23 institutions, are advancing India's knowledge traditions in modern science. Mr. Birla also highlighted the nation's shift from 'brain drain' to 'brain gain', supported by government initiatives in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and green energy.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region reported 66 violations following 199 inspections conducted by its Flying Squads between May 30 and June 13, 2026. In a separate drive in Muzaffarnagar, nine out of ten industrial units inspected were found non-compliant with environmental norms. Consequently, the Enforcement Task Force has proposed the closure of multiple units and the sealing of 29 diesel generator sets to curb air pollution.

India's Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, has mobilized over ₹266 crore for benefit sharing since 2008. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) announced that approximately ₹145 crore has been disbursed to beneficiaries, with a significant ₹78 crore in the fiscal year 2025-26 alone. These funds support over 10,500 Biodiversity Management Committees, promoting conservation at the grassroots level.

The World Bank has approved a loan of ₹4,000 crore for the 'Jal Sanrakshit Haryana' Project, which aims to improve water resource management in the state. The initiative, with a total project cost of ₹5,714 crore, will focus on water conservation, sustainable groundwater use, and enhancing irrigation efficiency to make Haryana self-reliant in the water sector.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'Orange alert' for Delhi, forecasting rain accompanied by strong winds with speeds up to 50 kilometres per hour on June 20, 2024. The alert signals potential disruption and a respite from the prevailing heatwave in the national capital.

Iran's Joint Military Command announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments. The official reasons cited were the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and what was described as 'bad faith' by the United States, a move that significantly heightens geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) formally rejected recent remarks by Pakistan's President, Asif Ali Zardari, on the status of minority rights in India. An official MEA statement characterised the comments as a "deliberate political attack" and described them as "particularly absurd" in light of Pakistan's own human rights record.

In a deviation from diplomatic tradition, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Mr. Rahman, has chosen Malaysia and China for his first official foreign visit instead of India. This move is reportedly aligned with his government's "Bangladesh First" policy, which seeks to maintain a strategic balance in its relations with regional powers India and China.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will host and chair the meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors on June 22 and 23. The high-level meeting will focus on addressing evolving national security challenges and the impact of new technologies on the global security landscape.

The European Union has lifted its negative travel advisory for Assam, a development announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This diplomatic step follows a visit by a high-level EU delegation to the state earlier in June, which aimed to explore opportunities for greater engagement.

India has secured the vice presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the first time, with Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal appointed to the position. Mr. Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IAS officer, will take over the role at the global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing body, of which India has been a member since 2010.

The annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for 2024 has commenced, with the first batch of 44 pilgrims crossing into the Tibet Autonomous Region of China via the Nathu La pass in Sikkim. The pilgrimage is a significant cultural event facilitated through a bilateral agreement between India and China.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has voiced support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach to engaging with former U.S. President Donald Trump, should he return to office. Mr. Tharoor stated that such an interaction would be in India's national interest, marking a notable instance of cross-party consensus on a foreign policy issue.

On President Droupadi Murmu's birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited her native village of Pahadpur in Odisha. They paid respects at culturally significant tribal sites, including the Gosani Peeth and the sacred groves of Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera. The Prime Minister also visited a local Skilling Centre, commending the President's focus on skill development for youth self-reliance.

The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the 'Nirbhay Chetna' training module in New Delhi as part of the Nirbhaya Fund project. The initiative aims to sensitise and build the capacity of elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions to address and prevent gender-based violence at the grassroots level.

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will host a special event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi to celebrate the 12th International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2026. The celebration is a central part of the nationwide activities planned to promote the practice of yoga for physical and mental well-being.

Students and activists gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest against alleged irregularities in national examinations. The demonstration highlighted demands for greater government accountability in preventing recurring paper leaks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead the main national event for the International Day of Yoga in Kolkata. The programme, themed “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” will commence at 6:30 am and is a key part of the Prime Minister's two-day visit to the city.

Addressing soldiers at the Eastern Air Command Headquarters in Shillong, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh stressed the need for technological agility to counter modern warfare challenges like hybrid threats and cyber warfare. He highlighted that a shift beyond traditional preparedness is necessary. Mr. Singh cited the success of 'Operation Sindoor' as a testament to India's growing self-reliance ('Aatmanirbharta') in defence, which is crucial for national security.

The Indian shooting contingent has added five more medals to its tally at the ongoing ISSF Junior World Championship in Germany. This success continues the strong performance of India's young shooters at the international event, though a specific breakdown of the medals was not provided.