Daily Current Affairs- 24th June 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 24th June 2026

Rajasthan Forms 5-Member Panel to Draft Uniform Civil Code

In the News: Rajasthan has formed a five-member committee to prepare the draft of the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code, 2026. The committee is headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The proposed law will deal with civil matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.

Key Points:

• Committee Head: The committee will be chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, a former judge of the Supreme Court. The panel has been formed to prepare a draft framework for implementing UCC in Rajasthan.
• Other Members: The panel includes retired IAS officer Shatrughna Singh, Rajasthan High Court Additional Advocate General Basant Singh Chhaba, Ramswaroop Agarwal and Dr Shuchi Chauhan. The Additional Chief Secretary, Home, will act as Member-Secretary.
• Scope of UCC: The proposed code will cover personal civil matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance. The state government has said the law will apply uniformly to citizens, irrespective of religion or caste.
• Public Consultation: The committee will visit divisional headquarters across Rajasthan to hold discussions with citizens, social organisations, legal experts and community representatives. A dedicated website will also be launched to receive public suggestions.
• Constitutional Link: Uniform Civil Code is mentioned under Article 44 of the Constitution as a Directive Principle of State Policy. Article 44 provides that the State shall endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for citizens throughout India.

Western Ghats Set for Eco-Sensitive Tag

In the News: The Centre is preparing to finalise and notify Ecologically Sensitive Areas in parts of the Western Ghats. The move is expected to begin with Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra, where differences over boundaries are largely resolved. The notification process has been pending for more than a decade.

Key Points:

• States Covered: The Western Ghats ESA proposal covers six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra are closest to final notification, while Kerala and Karnataka continue to raise objections.
• Area Proposed: The sixth draft notification issued in 2024 proposed 56,825.7 sq km as Ecologically Sensitive Area. This is lower than the nearly 60,000 sq km suggested by the Kasturirangan Committee and Madhav Gadgil Committee.
• Legal Basis: Final ESA notification will strengthen legal protection under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It will give stronger safeguards to fragile and biodiverse areas of the Western Ghats.
• Restricted Activities: New mining and quarrying projects, thermal power plants, highly polluting red-category industries and large construction projects are proposed to be banned or heavily restricted. These restrictions are meant to reduce damage to the sensitive ecosystem.
• Ecological Importance: The Western Ghats are among the world’s eight hottest biodiversity hotspots and are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region influences the monsoon system and is the source of major rivers such as Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery, Mandovi, Periyar and Sharavathi.

UN Chief António Guterres Launches Global Methane Action Plan Amid Escalating Climate Crisis

In the News: UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched a global Call to Action on Methane during London Climate Action Week. The initiative urges governments, industries and financial institutions to rapidly cut methane emissions this decade. The announcement came amid worsening climate risks, energy insecurity and rising concern over short-term warming.

Key Points:

• Launch and Context: The methane action call was announced during the UN Secretary-General’s special address at London Climate Action Week. It forms part of a wider push for faster clean-energy transition, reduced fossil-fuel dependence and stronger global climate cooperation.
• Why Methane Matters: Methane is responsible for nearly one-third of current global warming. Unlike carbon dioxide, it stays in the atmosphere for a shorter period, so sharp reductions can deliver quicker climate benefits within a generation.
• Targeted Sectors: The plan focuses on fossil fuels, agriculture, landfills, wastewater, food waste and open dumping. In the oil and gas sector, it calls for fixing leaks, ending routine flaring and moving towards near-zero methane emissions across the value chain.
• Technology and Monitoring: UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory and Methane Alert and Response System use satellite-based detection to identify major methane leaks. These systems are intended to help countries and operators investigate and reduce super-emitter events.
• UNEP-Bloomberg Support: UNEP and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced efforts to help countries raise response rates to major methane leaks to 80 percent by 2030. This strengthens the practical implementation side of the global methane reduction agenda.

Bangladesh Joins International Big Cat Alliance

In the News: Bangladesh joined the International Big Cat Alliance as a new member in June 2026, taking the membership count of the treaty-based global body to 27. The move is linked to Bangladesh’s efforts to protect the Sundarbans, one of the key habitats of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The development also strengthens regional cooperation on wildlife conservation and anti-poaching measures.

Key Points:

• New Member Country: Bangladesh became the latest member of the International Big Cat Alliance. Its entry expands the membership base of the India-led global conservation platform and strengthens South Asian participation.
• About IBCA: The International Big Cat Alliance is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in India. It was launched by India in 2023 to promote conservation cooperation among countries associated with major big cat habitats.
• Seven Big Cats Covered: The alliance focuses on the conservation of seven big cat species: lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma. These species are linked with large landscapes and play an important role in maintaining ecological balance.
• Bangladesh’s Conservation Link: Bangladesh’s decision is closely connected with the Sundarbans, a major habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The country aims to strengthen protection against poaching, illegal wildlife trade and habitat-related threats.
• Cooperation Framework: IBCA promotes knowledge sharing, capacity building, scientific cooperation and transboundary conservation practices. It also supports coordinated action among range countries and interested non-range countries.

IAEA Plans Inspections of Iran Nuclear Sites

In the News: The International Atomic Energy Agency has said that inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites will take place soon. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that the agency is working on the dates, procedures and locations for the inspections. The development comes after a US-Iran interim understanding that includes a 60-day window for further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Key Points:

• IAEA Inspection Plan: Rafael Grossi said the inspections “will indeed take place” and that the agency is preparing the modalities with Iran. The proposed inspections are linked to nuclear facilities and nuclear material covered under the recent US-Iran framework understanding.
• Iran’s Response: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said there were no current plans to allow access to attacked nuclear sites or nuclear material. Iran has indicated that such access would depend on a final agreement with Washington and practical steps on lifting US sanctions.
• Sites Under Focus: The issue mainly concerns Iran’s sensitive nuclear facilities, including enrichment-related sites that have faced restricted access after earlier US-Israeli attacks. The IAEA has inspected some other sites, but access to the most sensitive facilities remains the main point of dispute.
• Enriched Uranium Concern: A major concern is Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, which is close to weapons-grade level. Weapons-grade uranium is generally associated with enrichment of around 90% or more, making verification of Iran’s stockpile important for global non-proliferation monitoring.
• Role of IAEA: The IAEA monitors nuclear activities through safeguards and verification mechanisms. Its Iran-related work includes inspection activities, reports and statements connected with the application of safeguards in Iran. The agency’s role is central to checking whether declared nuclear material remains under peaceful use.

Largest Economies in the World 2026: Top 10 Countries by Nominal GDP and Where India Stands

In the News: The IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook provided updated projections for the world economy, including GDP estimates in current prices. Based on nominal GDP in current US dollars, the United States remains the world’s largest economy in 2026, followed by China. India is placed sixth globally with an estimated nominal GDP of about USD 4.15 trillion.

Key Points:

• Top Three Economies: The United States ranks first with a nominal GDP of around USD 32.38 trillion. China ranks second with about USD 20.85 trillion, while Germany stands third with nearly USD 5.45 trillion.
• Middle of the Top Ten: Japan ranks fourth with about USD 4.38 trillion, followed by the United Kingdom at fifth with around USD 4.26 trillion. India ranks sixth with an estimated nominal GDP of about USD 4.15 trillion.
• Ranks Seven to Ten: France ranks seventh, Italy eighth, Russia ninth and Brazil tenth in the 2026 nominal GDP list. These rankings are based on GDP measured in current US dollars, not purchasing power parity.
• India’s Position: India is the sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP in 2026. Its GDP growth estimate is higher than most major economies, but its per capita GDP remains much lower because of its large population base.

President Murmu Confers 65 Padma Awards; Rohit Sharma, Mammootty, R Madhavan Among Recipients

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards 2026 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. A total of 65 awardees were honoured in this second ceremony. Notable recipients included Rohit Sharma, Mammootty, R. Madhavan, Alka Yagnik, Vijay Amritraj and other distinguished personalities from different fields.

Key Points:

• Second Investiture Ceremony: President Droupadi Murmu conferred 65 Padma Awards in the second Civil Investiture Ceremony of 2026. These included two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri awards. The ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries, including the Vice President, Prime Minister and Union Home Minister.
• Major Recipients: Mammootty and Alka Yagnik received the Padma Bhushan for their contributions to the field of Art. Rohit Sharma received the Padma Shri in the Sports category, while R. Madhavan, officially listed as Madhavan Ranganathan, received the Padma Shri in Art. Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj was among the Padma Bhushan recipients in the Sports category.
• Padma Awards 2026 Count: For 2026, the President approved 131 Padma Awards in total. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. It also includes 19 women awardees, six persons from the Foreigners, NRI, PIO and OCI category, and 16 posthumous awardees.
• Categories and Importance: Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. Padma Bhushan is awarded for distinguished service of a high order, while Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field. These awards are among India’s highest civilian honours and cover areas such as art, public affairs, sports, medicine, science, social work and literature.
• Selection and Rules: Padma Awards are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day. Nominations are examined by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year and headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The awards do not amount to titles and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name.