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250 words
53 topics

21 June 2026

9 topics really matter today — about 13 minutes. The full edition is 53 topics and 90 questions, roughly 58 minutes.

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8/10

Upgrades to India's statistical databases

  • MoSPI and Ministry of Commerce and Industry have upgraded key statistical databases to improve timeliness, representativeness, and accuracy.
  • National Accounts (GDP/GVA): Base year updated to 2022-23. Adoption of 'double deflator' method for agriculture and manufacturing to adjust input/output prices separately.

1 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims · 15-day story

8/10

Mekedatu project dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

  • The Mekedatu project is a proposed balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project on the Cauvery river in Karnataka.
  • Karnataka aims to use the project for drinking water supply to Bengaluru, hydroelectric power generation (400 MW), and regulation of river flow.

2 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims · 26-day story

7/10

El Niño impact on India's monsoon

  • El Niño is the periodic warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
  • NOAA confirmed an El Niño event with a 63% probability of it becoming a 'super' (very strong) event by northern winter.

2 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims · 24-day story

7/10

India-U.K. trade deal investment chapter status

  • The India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed in July 2023 and is scheduled for implementation on July 15, 2026.
  • The agreement covers tariffs, mobility, and service sectors but excludes a specific chapter on investments, unlike India's trade deals with New Zealand and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 14-day story

7/10

Insurance scheme for informal workers against heatwaves

  • Parametric insurance for informal workers: A model where payouts are triggered by pre-set weather thresholds (temperature, humidity, rainfall, AQI) rather than individual claims.
  • Mechanism: No premium payment or claim filing required by workers; payouts are automated based on historical weather datasets.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 2-day story

7/10

Conservation efforts at Similipal Tiger Reserve

  • Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha has faced a significant risk of genetic collapse due to inbreeding and isolation.
  • Pseudo-melanistic tigers, or 'black tigers', possess a genetic mutation causing stripes to widen and merge, resulting in a dark coat.

1 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

7/10

NEET-UG re-examination arrangements and controversies

  • NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for Sunday across 5,440 centres in 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad.
  • Over 22 lakh aspirants registered for the re-test following the cancellation of the May 3 examination due to paper leak allegations.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 84-day story

7/10

International Yoga Day events and controversies

  • International Yoga Day (June 21) is promoted as an initiative for health, mental stability, and emotional well-being.
  • Proponents cite over 300 research papers suggesting a 20-minute daily yoga practice can improve life expectancy and quality of life by 70%.

2 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

7/10

Ladakh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance protest call

  • Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are civil society umbrella groups representing Ladakh's interests.
  • The groups have called for a shutdown on June 23, citing the Centre's alleged backtracking on agreements reached during a May 22 meeting.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 4-day story

6/10

IIT-Delhi study on human activity and extreme weather

  • A study by IIT-Delhi and KSMDB College, published in Environmental Research Letters, identifies human activity as the primary driver of extreme rainfall in India.
  • Researchers analyzed rainfall data from 1905 to 2014 using a 'fingerprinting' technique to separate natural weather cycles (e.g., El Niño) from human-induced changes.

1 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

6/10

Ban on 16 fixed dose combination drugs

  • The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has banned 16 Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs in public interest.
  • An FDC is defined as a medicine containing two or more active drugs combined in a fixed ratio in a single dosage form.

1 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

6/10

Delhi government child protection and school safety measures

  • Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a circular mandating immediate suspension of school staff accused of offences against children.
  • Schools must report suspected sexual offences immediately without waiting for internal inquiries.

2 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims · 8-day story

6/10

U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and Strait of Hormuz tensions

  • U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed June 15 aimed at ending a 40-day war and initiating substantive negotiations.
  • Key MoU provisions: Ceasefire on all fronts including Lebanon, mutual respect for sovereignty, U.S. lifting of naval blockade on Iranian ports, and Iran removing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz.

2 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

Personal essays and reflections

  • Antarctica is governed by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which designates the continent as a neutral, demilitarised zone for peaceful scientific research.
  • Tourism in Antarctica has grown significantly, from fewer than 8,000 visitors annually at the turn of the 21st century to 1,25,000 in the 2023-24 season.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman's foreign tour to Malaysia and China

  • Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced his first foreign tour since assuming office.
  • The official itinerary includes visits to Malaysia and China.

1 min · 1 questions · 0 prelims

5/10

Ananta Neeru Sanrakshanam Project in Andhra Pradesh

  • Ananta Neeru Sanrakshanam Project is a community-driven water conservation initiative in Rayadurgam, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.
  • The region is drought-prone with low annual rainfall of 450-550 mm.

1 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

5/10

Telegram founder Pavel Durov's history and platform philosophy

  • Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, previously founded VKontakte.
  • Telegram differentiates itself through large file-sharing limits and features like channels for mass notifications.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

Schneider Electric's growth in India

  • India is currently the third-largest market for Schneider Electric globally in terms of sales, revenue, and growth contribution.
  • Bengaluru hosts Schneider Electric's largest global Research and Development (R&D) hub by headcount.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

Inquiry into PMJAY-SEHAT cardiac surgery irregularities in J&K

  • J&K government has ordered an inquiry into alleged irregularities involving 103 cardiac procedures under the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme at Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag.
  • Preliminary investigations suggest the falsification of medical records by an Associate Professor of Cardiology.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

Wildlife trafficking arrest in Assam

  • Nine individuals, including a Bangladeshi national, were arrested in Chirang district, Assam, for wildlife trafficking.
  • The operation was conducted by the Assam Police Special Task Force (STF) and Chirang police.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

Judicial inquiry into alleged fake encounter in Bihar

  • The Bihar government has ordered a judicial inquiry into an alleged fake encounter in Bhojpur district.
  • The inquiry is to be conducted by a retired High Court judge.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 4-day story

5/10

Protests in Manipur over killing of Naga villagers

  • Protests in Imphal, Manipur, demand justice for six Naga villagers abducted and killed in May.
  • The victims were held hostage for over 20 days before their dismembered bodies were recovered.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 26-day story

5/10

Launch of Karnataka's 'Prajaseva Department' for grievance redressal

  • Karnataka government has established the 'Prajaseva Department' to centralize and streamline public grievance redressal.
  • The department aims to enhance citizen outreach and administrative responsiveness.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

China's rejection of Indian chilli exports due to pesticide residue

  • China has rejected Indian chilli consignments from Andhra Pradesh due to the presence of pesticide residue, specifically methamidophos.
  • Exporters are calling for increased government monitoring of farming practices and the promotion of scientific pesticide usage.

1 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

5/10

AI-enabled queue management system at Sabarimala

  • The Travancore Devaswom Board is implementing an AI-enabled queue management system at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
  • The system will be launched on a pilot basis in the upcoming pilgrimage season starting mid-November.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

Tamil Nadu industrial investment shift to Andhra Pradesh

  • Industrial investment migration between Indian states is influenced by administrative efficiency and the speed of processing industrial applications.
  • Delays in bureaucratic procedures at the state level can act as a deterrent for potential industrial investors.

1 min · 1 questions · 0 prelims · 6-day story

5/10

Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election results and political fallout

  • Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election results involved the election of two members to the Upper House.
  • The election process featured cross-voting, which resulted in the victory of an NDA-supported Independent candidate over the candidate fielded by the ruling alliance.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

MCD hospital quality upgrades and infrastructure expansion

  • MCD is launching a quality upgrade initiative for nine municipal hospitals in Delhi.
  • The initiative integrates these hospitals into the Centre’s ‘Kayakalp’ programme.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

5/10

PM Modi's infrastructure and development projects in Odisha

  • Prime Minister announced infrastructure projects in Odisha worth ₹47,000 crore.
  • Sectors covered include power, roads, railways, health, and education.

1 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

5/10

Delhi government's Yamuna cleaning and sewage treatment initiatives

  • Delhi government aims to award contracts for 16 new Decentralised Sewage Treatment Plants (DSTPs) by July.
  • Project goal: Enhance sewage treatment capacity to curb pollution in the Yamuna river.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 7-day story

4/10

Book reviews and literary discussions

  • Bora Chung’s 'Red Sword' explores themes of colonial oppression, war trauma, and memory through a genre-blending narrative style.
  • Rajendra Banahatti’s 'My Last Autobiography' (translated by Jerry Pinto) examines the experiences of aging, dependency, and the complexities of familial relationships in a Marathi context.

2 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

4/10

UPSC 2026 prelims results and coaching industry

  • The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) remains highly competitive with a success rate below 1%.
  • Traditional coaching hubs like Old Rajinder Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar are facing disruption due to the rise of self-study and AI-driven preparation.

2 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Israeli-Lebanon conflict and truce violations

  • Recent escalation: Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed 16 people shortly after a truce agreement took effect.
  • Israeli military position: Claims strikes are responses to Hezbollah projectiles; maintains commitment to ceasefire while asserting the right to act against threats.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Historical context of Lyndon Johnson's 'Great Society' speech

  • Lyndon Johnson's 'Great Society' speech (May 22, 1964) aimed to address poverty and racial injustice in the US.
  • The G7 emerged from the need for industrialized nations to coordinate economic leadership amidst 1960s domestic unrest and decolonization.

2 min · 2 questions · 2 prelims

4/10

Appointment of Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth as Army Chief

  • Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth appointed as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, effective June 30.
  • He is the seventh officer from the Armoured Corps to hold this position.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 6-day story

4/10

Impact of Ukraine war on wildlife activity

  • Researchers utilized camera traps in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone to compare wildlife activity between 2021 (peacetime) and 2022 (Russian occupation).
  • Mammals demonstrated rapid behavioral adjustments to survive conflict conditions.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

New seismic hazard discovery from 2011 Japan earthquake

  • A new seismic hazard has been identified following the 2011 Japan earthquake.
  • Ground movement of up to 6 mm occurred across Japan 15 minutes after the main shock.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Microsoft's pay-as-you-go model for AI agents

  • Microsoft has transitioned from a fixed subscription model to a pay-as-you-go (consumption-based) model for AI agents.
  • The shift addresses the mismatch between traditional enterprise software billing and the variable nature of AI usage.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 2-day story

4/10

Shree Refrigerations' new defence manufacturing facility

  • Shree Refrigerations Ltd. (SRL) inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Karad, Maharashtra.
  • The facility focuses on producing advanced refrigeration and HVAC systems for the Indian Navy and strategic defence sectors.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Flipkart's e-commerce market dominance

  • Bank of America Securities report indicates Flipkart Group has widened its lead in the Indian e-commerce market as of June 2026.
  • Flipkart maintains the highest user engagement among e-commerce platforms based on daily active user (DAU) data from Sensor Tower.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Sintex BAPL's evolution into water management firm

  • Sintex BAPL, acquired by Welspun Group in 2023 for ₹1,251 crore via the IBC process, is transitioning from a water storage brand to a comprehensive water management solutions provider.
  • The 'Sintex 2.0' strategy focuses on three pillars: water storage, transportation, and treatment.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Guru Ghasidas Central University to replace 'India' with 'Bharat'

  • Guru Ghasidas Central University, located in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, has decided to replace the term 'India' with 'Bharat' in all official documents.
  • The decision applies to marksheets, degree certificates, and all official communications issued by the university.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathu La flagged off

  • The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 via Nathu La Pass in Sikkim was officially flagged off.
  • The first batch consists of 44 pilgrims, including 32 men and 12 women.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims · 3-day story

4/10

EU travel advisory for Assam lifted

  • The European Union (EU) has officially lifted restrictive travel advisories for its 27 member states regarding travel to Assam.
  • The travel restrictions were originally implemented in 1979, coinciding with the start of the Assam Agitation and the subsequent rise of extremist activities by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Kerala's initiative to involve religious leaders in anti-drug campaign

  • The Kerala Home Department has initiated 'Operation Toofan' to combat the rising menace of drug abuse among the youth.
  • The strategy involves a collaborative approach by engaging religious leaders and institutions to disseminate anti-drug awareness messages.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Karnataka High Court ruling on Kodagu farm auction undervaluation

  • Karnataka High Court identified significant undervaluation in a bank auction of a 39-acre coffee and cardamom plantation in Kodagu district.
  • The property was valued at ₹61 lakh in 2024, despite being worth over ₹3.12 crore in 2014.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Kerala High Court protection for inter-faith couple

  • The Kerala High Court directed the State police to provide protection to an inter-faith couple facing threats.
  • The couple is traveling to Madhya Pradesh to seek anticipatory bail regarding criminal charges including kidnapping, offences against SC/ST persons, and child marriage.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Telangana CM's dispute with SBI over land auction

  • Dispute between the Telangana State Government and the State Bank of India (SBI) regarding a land auction.
  • The State Government is seeking to engage the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Union Government to resolve the conflict.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Election Commission's efforts to improve electoral processes

  • Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar held an interaction with approximately 700 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and supervisors in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
  • The primary objective of the interaction was to discuss ongoing efforts to improve India's electoral system.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims · 76-day story

4/10

Telangana doctors' opposition to retirement age hike

  • Telangana government is considering a proposal to increase the retirement age of teaching faculty in government medical colleges from 65 to 70 years.
  • Doctors' associations, including T-JUDA, T-SRDA, and HRDA, have formally opposed the proposal.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Assault on NGO workers in Rayagada, Odisha

  • Incident: Mob assault on two NGO interns in Kalyansinghpur block, Rayagada district, Odisha, on June 16.
  • Trigger: Misinformation/rumours circulating in the local community alleging the victims were child lifters.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims · 2-day story

4/10

Ambabai temple corridor project in Kolhapur

  • The Ambabai temple corridor project in Kolhapur is a ₹500-crore initiative covering 28,058 square metres.
  • The project aims to transform the 7th-century Mahalaxmi temple into a modern pilgrimage centre.

1 min · 1 questions · 1 prelims

4/10

Karnataka Bhavan-4 construction for civil services aspirants

  • Karnataka government announced the construction of 'Karnataka Bhavan-4' in New Delhi, specifically for students preparing for competitive exams like IAS, IFS, and IRS.
  • The project is to be executed by the Public Works Department at an estimated cost of ₹80 crore.

1 min · 2 questions · 1 prelims

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-06-21