IAS Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs 12 June 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

IAS Current Affairs

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Daily Current Affairs 12 June 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 12 June 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

FTAs as India’s Growth Driver

Source: PIB
GS II: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s Interests. GS III: Indian Economy

Overview

  1. News in Brief
  2. Significance of India’s FTAs with developed economies
  3. India’s Expanding FTA Network
  4. Factors supporting India’s FTA framework

Why in the News?

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the 5th Annual  Meeting of India Global Innovation Connect in New Delhi, highlighting the role of India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with developed economies in driving growth, investment and innovation.

News in Brief
  • The Minister stated that India’s FTAs with developed economies are aimed at accelerating long-term economic growth through deeper global engagement.
  • The agreements are helping attract foreign investment, promote innovation, and technology collaboration, and improve quality standards.
  • FTAs are also expected to boost employment generation, enhance India’s participation in global trade, and strengthen its integration into global value chains.
Significance of India’s FTAs with developed economies

India’s partnerships with developed countries are based on complementarity rather than competition.

India’s Advantages

  • Young workforce with an average age below 30 years.
  • Demographic dividend advantage expected for the next three decades.
  • A growing market with capital and technology.
  • Highly skilled workforce available at competitive costs.
  • Large domestic market of 1.4 billion consumers.
  • Growing startup ecosystem.
  • Affordable infrastructure

Advantages of Developed Economies

  • Advanced technology
  • Large capital reserves
  • Strong research capabilities
  • High-income consumer markets

These strengths together create mutually beneficial partnerships.

India’s Expanding FTA Network
  • India has signed 9 FTAs in the last three to three-and-a-half years.
  • These agreements cover 8 countries.
  • They facilitate access to new markets and emerging technologies while strengthening India’s position in global value chains.
  • Benefits

India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)

  • India signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising,
    • Switzerland
    • Norway
    • Iceland
    • Liechtenstein
  • The agreement aims to deepen trade, investment and innovation partnerships between India and EFTA countries.

Major Commitments under TEPA

  • EFTA countries have committed to invest USD 100 billion in India over 15 years.
  • Expected to create 1 million direct jobs.
  • Enhanced collaboration in technology, innovation, and industrial development.
  • Greater access for Indian businesses to European markets.
Factors Supporting India’s FTA Framework

Reforms Supporting Investment

  • Simplification of taxation
  • Reduction in regulatory compliance burden.
  • Insolvency and Bankruptcy reforms.
  • Reduction of legal complexities.
  • Improved predictable business environment.

Strengthened Infrastructure

  • Unified National Power Grid
    • India now has a unified national electricity grid exceeding 500 GW capacity, improving efficiency and facilitating renewable energy integration.
  • Renewable Energy Leadership
    • More than 50% of India’s installed electricity capacity comes from renewable sources.
    • India achieved its climate commitments under the Paris agreement ahead of schedule.
    • Ranks among the leading performers in climate action within the G20.

Data Centres

  • India offers
    • Stable democratic governance
    • Rule of Law
    • Data Protection frameworks
    • Intellectual property protection
    • Low data and infrastructure costs.

Strengthened Innovation Ecosystem

  • Operationalisation of a rupees 1 lakh crore Research and Development Innovation Fund.
  • Continuous review of intellectual property frameworks.
  • Support for startups through public and private investments.

Conclusion

  • India’s FTAs with developed economies are becoming a key driver of economic growth, investment and innovation.
  • As a result, FTAs can play a crucial role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat and transforming India into a developed economy.
UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with developed economies,

    1. India has signed nine FTAs covering 38 countries in the last three to three and a half years.
    2. Under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), EFTA countries have committed to invest USD 100 billion in India over 15 years.
    3. The EFTA comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and  Germany.
    4. India’s engagement with developed economies is based on complementarity rather than competition.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1,2 and 4 only

b) 1and 3 only

c) 2,3 and 4 only

d)  1,2,3 and 4

Answer: 1, 2, and 4 only

NITI Aayog – Governing Council Meeting

Source: PIB
GS III: Indian Economy and issues related to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

Overview

  1. News in Brief
  2. Key Highlights of the meeting

Why in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.

News in Brief
  • The 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog was held under the theme “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @ 2047”.
  • The meeting saw participation from all 28 States and 5 Union Territories, marking the first time that Chief Ministers of all States attended the Governing Council Meeting.
  • The Prime Minister highlighted cooperative federalism, youth skilling, AI readiness, MSME growth, water conservation, natural farming and export-led development as key drivers for achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.
Key Highlights of the meeting

Viksit Bharat as a Collective National Mission

  • PM stressed that the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 should become the shared aspiration of every state, district, block and village.
  • Called for stronger Centre-State collaboration through cooperative federalism.
  • Suggested a monitoring framework with clear 100-day and five-year targets.

Transforming Demographic Dividend into Development Dividend

  • India has nearly 70 crore people below 25 years of age.
  • States were urged to invest in,
    • Education
    • Skill Development
    • Capacity building
    • Future-ready workforce creation
  • Emphasised converting demographic advantage into economic growth.

Leveraging the benefits of FTAs

  • States were encouraged to,
    • Create opportunities for youth and MSMEs.
    • Equip stakeholders to effectively leverage the benefits of India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
    • Attract investments from partner countries.
    • Focus on integrating local industries into global value chains.

Women-led Development

  • PM called for increasing the number of Lakhpati Didis from 3 crores to 6 crores.
  • Emphasised women’s economic empowerment and safety.

Lakhpati Didi Scheme – a government initiative to empower rural women through training and helping them establish micro-enterprises to earn a sustainable annual household income of over rupees  1 lakh.

  • Having achieved the target of creating 3 crore Lakpati Didis, the government has set a new target to reach 6 crore  Lakpati Didis by March 2029.

One District One Product (ODOP)

  • States were urged to strengthen ODOP initiatives.
  • Focus on,
    • Product specialization
    • Export promotion
    • Local economic development
    • Global branding of district-specific products

Defence Manufacturing Opportunities

  • PM identified defence manufacturing as a sunrise sector.
  • States were encouraged to formulate policies to attract defence industries and investments.

Artificial Intelligence and Future Skills

  • AI was described as an opportunity rather than a threat.
  • States were asked to,
    • Promote digital skills
    • Develop AI-ready human resources
    • Support emerging technology sectors.

Addressing Emerging Social Challenges

  • The Prime Minister highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to address emerging social challenges such as,
    • Drug abuse
    • Cyber fraud
    • Digital crimes
  • States were advised to adopt,
    • Preventive measures
    • Awareness campaigns
    • Effective governance mechanisms

Water Conservation and Natural Farming

  • Considering the potential El Nino impacts, States were urged to,
    • Conserve water
    • Promote natural and organic farming
    • Enhance climate resilience in agriculture.
  • Prime Minister noted growing farmer confidence in sustainable farming practices – the purchase of 11 lakh tonnes of organic manure by farmers during current Kharif season.

Aspirational Districts Approach

  • PM suggested identifying 100 agriculture-focused districts on the lines of the Aspirational Districts Programme.
  • Aim- to accelerate agricultural transformation through targeted interventions.

Ease of Doing Business and Investment Promotion

  • States were encouraged to focus on,

Conclusion

  • The meeting emphasised the role of States as key partners in India’s growth journey.
  • The overall discussions reflected a shared commitment to building a prosperous, resilient, and future-ready India.
UPSC Prelims Practice Question

With reference to NITI Aayog, consider the following statements

    1. It is the apex body of NITI Aayog for fostering cooperative federalism.
    2. The Prime Minister serves as the Chairperson of the Governing Council.
    3. It is a constitutional body established under Article 263 of the Constitution.
    4. It comprises Chief Ministers of States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories.

How many  of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

a)Only one

b)Only two

c)Only three

d) All four

Answer: a)Only one

Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect. Because NITI Aayog is neither a constitutional nor a statutory body. It was established by a Cabinet Resolution in 2015.

Antyodaya 12 Years Overview

Source: PIB
GS I: Social Empowerment, GS II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the Population, GS III: Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it

Overview

  1. News in Brief
  2. Key  Highlights
  3. UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Why in the News?

The Press Information Bureau has highlighted the Government of India’s efforts over the past 12 years to implement the principle of Antyodaya.

News in Brief
  • The Government has pursued the principle of Antyodaya, focusing on the upliftment of the poorest and most marginalised sections of society.
  • Social welfare initiatives have been implemented for tribal communities, scheduled castes, minorities and sanitation workers to improve their socio-economic conditions.
  • To ensure inclusive growth, social justice, dignity, and last-mile delivery of development benefits, leaving no one behind.
Key Highlights
  • Tribal Development through PM JANMAN
    • Launched for 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 States and 1 UT.
    • Covers housing, roads, drinking water, electrification, mobile towers, hostels, healthcare, and skill development.
    • 491 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras(collecting, processing and selling forest-based products) operationalised out of a target of 500.
    • 38,391 PVTG members trained under entrepreneurship programmes.
  • PM-JUGA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan)
    • Involves 17 ministries.
    • Focuses on the comprehensive development of tribal-majority villages and PVTG habitations through coordinated interventions.
  • Expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
    • Provides quality residential education for scheduled tribe students.
    • 499 schools are operational with over 1.56 lakh students enrolled.
    • 323 additional schools are under construction.
    • 597 EMRS students cleared JEE and NEET in 2024-25, compared to only 2 in 2022-23.
  • Preservation of Tribal Heritage
    • Support provided to Tribal Research Institutes in 29 states and UTs.
    • 11 Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums sanctioned across 10 states.
    • Celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honour tribal freedom fighters and Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
  • Empowerment of Scheduled Castes
    • PM-AJAY
      • Covers 47,334 villages across  597 districts.
      • Benefits over 4 crore SC citizens and 83 lakh households.
      • Focus on infrastructure, livelihood, skill development, and village development.
    • DAPSC
      • Dedicated SC welfare framework covering 38 ministries and 239 schemes.
      • Supports education, housing, healthcare, skills, and livelihoods.
  • Scholarship support
    • SHREYAS
      • Supports SC, OBC and EBC students.
      • In 2025-26,
        • 4,156 students supported under Top Class Education.
        • 990 students benefited from Free Coaching.
        • 72 students received National Overseas Scholarships.
    • SHRESHTA
      • Residential education support for SC students from classes IX-XII.
      • Benefited 19,754 students across 288 institutions in 2025-26.
  • Minority Welfare through PM VIKAS
    • Focuses on industry-oriented skill development.
    • As of June 2026,
      • 73,200 enrollments
      • 12,429 candidates trained.
      • 1,405 candidates certified in various job roles.
  • NAMASTE Scheme 
    • Promotes mechanised sanitation and safety for sanitation workers.
    • Expanded in 2024 to include waste pickers in urban and rural areas.
  • Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme
    • Covers 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks.
    • Focuses on health, education, agriculture, nutrition, and financial inclusion.
    • Encourages data-driven governance and last-mile service delivery.

Conclusion

  • India’s development strategy increasingly focuses on targeted inclusion, saturation coverage, skill development, educational access, and social dignity.
  • Strengthening last-mile delivery and ensuring effective implementation of welfare schemes will remain crucial for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding Antyodaya initiatives in India

    1. PM JANMAN targets Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
    2. SHRESHTA provides residential education support for Scheduled Caste students.
    3. NAMASTE aims to mechanize sanitation work and improve worker safety.

Which  of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: d) 1,2 and 3

Key Takeaways

 

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