Daily Current Affairs 16 June 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 16 June 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

India-Slovakia Comprehensive Partnership

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Key Highlights
3. India and Slovakia Relation

Why in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico in Bratislava, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since the country’s independence  in 1993.

News in Brief

• India and Slovakia elevated their bilateral ties to “Comprehensive Partnership”.
• Aims to strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and explore new avenues for deepening cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
• Both sides signed pacts on labour migration, defence, digital technologies. higher education and research, quantum communication and student exchange programme.

Key Highlights

• Elevation of Bilateral Ties
  • India and Slovakia upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.
  • Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, technological and cultural sectors.
• Defence and Security cooperation
  • A letter of intent was signed to enhance defence cooperation.
  • Discussions focused on joint production, defence manufacturing, and security cooperation.
• Technology, Education and Research
  • Agreements were signed in digital technologies, higher education, research, and quantum communication.
  • Collaboration between academic institutions will promote student exchanges, scholarships, and joint research.
• Labour Mobility and Economic Cooperation
  • An MoU on labour migration aims to facilitate safe and legal mobility of skilled professionals.
  • Both sides agreed to enhance trade, investment, innovation, and industrial cooperation.
• Science, Health and Tourism cooperation
  • Agreements on tourism cooperation, scientific cooperation and AYUSH collaboration.
  • Establishment of first ever ICCR chair in AI at Technical University of Kosice.
• Energy Cooperation
  • Promoting energy security, sustainability and resilience through diversification of energy sources including nuclear energy and geothermal power.

India and Slovakia Relation

Political Ties

• India established  diplomatic relations with Slovakia in 1993 after Slovakia gained independence.
• Slovakia supported India’s bid to become a permanent member of United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Economic Ties

• India primarily exports mobile phones, garments and motor vehicle parts, while importing heavy machinery, measuring instruments and complete motor vehicle from Slovakia.
• Jaguar Land Rover (Tata motors), TCS, and Kinex Bearings (CK Birla Groups) companies operates in Slovakia.

Cultural Ties

• Both countries signed an active Cultural Exchange Programme spanning 2023-2026 to promote festivals, art, yoga, and Ayurveda in Slovakia.
• The first-ever translation of the Upanishads from Sanskrit to Slovak language highlights the cultural engagement between both countries.

Through the upgraded Comprehensive Partnership between India and Slovakia, reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, technology, and innovation, while deepening India’s engagement with Central Europe.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding India-Slovakia relations

1. 1. India and Slovakia established diplomatic relations in 1993 after Slovakia’s independence.
   2. India and Slovakia upgraded their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2026.
   3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2026 visit was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since its independence.
   4. The first-ever ICCR Chair in Artificial Intelligence has been established at the Technical University of Kosice.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2,3 and 4 only

c) 1,3 and 4 only

d) 1,2,3 and 4

Answer: d) 1,2, 3 and 4

India: Voice Of The Global South At G7

Source: Indian Express 
GS II: Bilateral, Regional, and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Evolution of G7 and India’s Growth
3. Key Highlights

Why in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 2026 G7 Summit in France as an invited leader, reflecting India’s growing global significance.

News in Brief

• The summit provided India a platform to represent the interests and concerns of developing countries (Global South).
• Discussed issues in shaping economic power, technological advantage and development.
• India highlighted key issues such as climate finance, energy security, sustainable development, and technology governance to promote equitable global growth.

Evolution of G7 and India’s Growth

• The G7 has evolved from a grouping of industrialised economies into a forum that influences global trade, financial flows, technology standards, and supply chains.
• India’s large economy, growing technological capabilities, and leadership of the developing countries make it an indispensable participant in the G7.

Key Highlights

• On Critical Minerals and Supply-chain resilience
  • India and G7 countries share an interest in securing lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth minerals supplies as central to the energy transition.
  • Diversifying supply chains and reducing dependence on a limited number of suppliers.
• On Artificial Intelligence
  • AI raises concerns regarding governance, safety standards and technological sovereignty and energy issues driven by electricity demand for data centres and advanced computing.
  • India through its progress in digital public infrastructure, can contribute to developing equitable and inclusive global frameworks for emerging technologies.
    • • Initiatives such as Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, CoWIN demonstrate in promoting inclusion and improved public service delivery.
• On energy transition
  • India’s progress in renewable energy, green hydrogen, biofuels and electricity mobility makes it a key voice in global energy discussions.
  • The transition towards clean energy is creating new investment, industries, employment opportunities and technological innovation.
  • Reliable, accessible, and affordable remains essential for economic growth.
• On Economic security
  • The summit focuses on economic growth, debt sustainability, and support for developing countries facing economic challenges.
  • Multilateral Development Banks require reforms to mobilise greater resources for development and climate action.
  • Highlighting the rise of industrial policies and risks of protectionist measures, India supports transparent trade rules that promote development while ensuring fair competition.
• On climate finance
  • Climate finance commitments made by developed countries have often not translated into adequate financial assistance on the ground.
  • India emphasises sustainable development, climate justice, and the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
• On Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
  • The European Union’s CBAM may increase costs for exporters from developing countries, including India, affecting sectors such as steel, cement, and aluminium.
  • It was presented as a climate policy but it operates as a trade barrier.
  • Ensure environmental regulations support climate action without creating discriminatory barriers to trade.

By advocating the interests of developing countries, India became a constructive stakeholder capable of shaping global governance.

G7 Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding India’s participation in G7

1. 1. India regularly participates in G7 Summits as an invited country.
   2. India became a permanent member of the G7 after its G20 Presidency.
   3. India advocates greater representation of developing countries in international institutions such as G7.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 and 3

c) 1 and 3

d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: c) 1 and 3

Women Led Development in India

Source: PIB
GS I: Role of Women and Women’s Organizations, Social Empowerment, GS II: Welfare schemes, GS III: Inclusive growth

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Key Highlights

Why in the News?

Press Information Bureau highlighted India’s transition from ‘Women’s Welfare’ to ‘Women-led Development’.

News in Brief

• Over the past 12 years, the Government of India has transformed from ‘Women’s welfare’ to ‘Women-led Development’.
• With initiatives that improved women’s health, education, economic participation, and social empowerment.
• Emphasised greater participation of women in entrepreneurship, governance and leadership.

Key Highlights

Protection and Empowerment of the Girl Child

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (2015)
  • Addresses declining child sex ratio.
  • Promotes the survival, protection, and education of the girl child.
  • Creates awareness on gender equality and menstrual hygiene.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
  • More than 4.92 crore pregnant women have received financial assistance exceeding rupees 20,150 crore.
  • Helped in reducing maternal mortality.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
  • Provide free and quality antenatal check-ups at government health facilities.
  • Enables early identification and management of high-risk pregnancies.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
  • Savings scheme for girls below 10 years.
  • Minimum deposit of rupees 250 annually.
  • Supports higher education and marriage expenses.
• Scholarship schemes
  • National scholarship for Post-Graduation studies.
  • AICTE Pragati Scholarship for girls in technical education.
  • Encourages higher education among women.

Women in Science and Higher Education

• Vigyan Jyoti Scheme
  • Encourages girls from IX-XII to pursue STEM subjects.
  • Provides mentoring, laboratory exposure, and career guidance.
• Supernumerary seats in IITs and NITs
  • Additional seats created exclusively for women.
  • Increased female participation in engineering education.

Skill development and employability

• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
  • Provide industry-oriented skill training.
  • Covers emerging sectors such as AI, drones, green energy, and electronics.
  • Nearly 45% of beneficiaries are women.
• NAVYA
  • Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls.
  • Focuses on girls aged 16-18 years.
  • Training in AI-enabled services, cybersecurity, digital marketing and financial literacy are provided.

Health, Nutrition and Well-being

• Ayushman Bharat- PM Jan Arogya Yojana
  • Provides cashless health insurance coverage.
  • Reduces the financial burden of hospitalisation.
  • Nearly half of the beneficiaries are women.
• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
  • Strengthen primary healthcare.
  • Focus on maternal and reproductive health services.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
  • Digital health records through ABHA IDs.
  • Improves access and portability of healthcare services.
• Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
  • Provides supplementary nutrition.
  • Focuses on maternal and child health.
  • Tackles malnutrition and anaemia.
• Mission Indradhanush
  • Strengthens routine immunisation under the Universal Immunization Programme.

Financial Inclusion

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
  • Universal access to banking.
  • Enables Direct Benefit Transfers.
  • Promotes savings and financial security.
• Bank Sakhi Initiative
  • Women SHG members provide banking services in villages.
  • Enhances financial inclusion at the grassroots level.

Women Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods

• DAY-NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission)
  • Organizes rural women into SHGs.
  • Provides credit linkages, training, and livelihood opportunities.
  • Over 10 crore women connected through SHGs.
• Lakhpati Didi
  • Helps SHG women achieve an annual income of at least rupee 1 lakh.
  • Target expanded to 6 crore women.
  • Promotes sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
  • Collateral free loans for micro-enterprises are provided.
  • Major support for women entrepreneurs.
• PM SVANidhi
  • Supports street vendors through working capital loans.
  • Nearly 46% beneficiaries are women.
• Stand-Up India
  • Loans from rupees 10 lakh to rupees 1 crore for women entrepreneurs.
  • Encourages enterprise creation and expansion.
• Namo Drone Didi
  • Trains SHG women to operate agricultural drones.
  • Creates new income opportunities in agri-services.
• Womaniya (GeM)
  • Enables women entrepreneurs to sell products through the government e-Marketplace.
  • Expands market access and government procurement opportunities.
• SHE-Marts (Budget 2026-27)
  • Dedicated retail outlets for SHG products.
  • Helps women transition from livelihood activities to entrepreneurship.

Dignity and Quality of Life

• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
  • Provides LPG connections to women from poor households.
  • Reduces indoor air pollution and health risks.
• Swachh Bharat Mission
  • Construction of household toilets.
  • Improves sanitation, safety, and dignity for women.
• Jal Jeevan Mission
  • Functional Household Taps Connections (Har Ghar Jal)
  • Reduces the burden of water collection on women and girls.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
  • Encourages ownership/co-ownership of houses by women.
  • Enhances economic security and social status.
• Mission Shakti
  • Strengthen women’s safety, security, and empowerment through integrated support services.
  • Sambal focuses on safety and protection measures, while Samarthya focuses on women’s empowerment and rehabilitation.

Political and Leadership Empowerment

• Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023
  • Provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
  • Strengthens women’s representation in legislatures.
• Panchayati Raj Institutions
  • There are more than 14.5 lakh women elected representatives.
  • Women play a significant role in local governance.
• Women in National Defence Academy (NDA)
  • Women cadets admitted since 2022.
  • Expands women’s participation in defence services.

Conclusion

• India’s women-centric initiatives have evolved from welfare-based support to a women-led development model.
• This shift aims to make women active partners in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements

1. 1. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam provides 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
   2. Namo Drone Didi aims to train Self-Help Group Women in operating drones for agricultural services.
   3. Women are now eligible for admission to the National Defence Academy, expanding their role in defence services.

How many of the above statements are incorrect?

a) only one statements

b) only two statements

c) All three statements

d) None

Answer: d) None

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