Daily Current Affairs- 26th June 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 26th June 2026

India’s 7 New Bullet Train Corridors: Full List with Expected Travel Time

In the News: India is preparing to expand its high-speed rail network with seven proposed bullet train corridors announced under Union Budget 2026–27. These corridors will connect major metropolitan, industrial, cultural and technology hubs across different regions. The plan marks the next phase of India’s high-speed rail development beyond the ongoing Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project.

Key Points:

• Seven Proposed Corridors: The seven new corridors are Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri via Patna. Together, they are planned to strengthen long-distance inter-city mobility. The network is expected to improve travel between major economic regions.
• Expected Travel Time: Chennai–Bengaluru is expected to take about 1 hour 13 minutes, Bengaluru–Hyderabad around 2 hours, and Chennai–Hyderabad around 2 hours 55 minutes. Mumbai–Pune may take around 48 minutes, while Pune–Hyderabad may take around 1 hour 55 minutes. Delhi–Varanasi is expected to take about 3 hours 50 minutes and Varanasi–Siliguri about 2 hours 55 minutes.
• Budget and Scale: The corridors are expected to span nearly 4,000 km and involve very large capital investment. They are part of a broader railway modernisation plan focused on faster passenger movement, improved service quality and dedicated high-speed infrastructure. These corridors are planned as growth connectors between high-demand city pairs.
• Mumbai–Ahmedabad Project: Mumbai–Ahmedabad remains India’s first high-speed rail project and is separate from the seven newly proposed corridors. It covers about 508 km and is being implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited. The experience from this corridor is expected to support future high-speed rail planning.

Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS)

In the News: The Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme came into focus after Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy urged the Central Government to help resolve the long-pending Tungabhadra water-sharing issue. Telangana has argued that it is unable to utilise its full water share under the scheme. The issue involves irrigation rights, inter-State coordination and river-water management.

Key Points:

• About RDS: Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme is an inter-State irrigation project built across the Tungabhadra River. It consists of an anicut located in Raichur district of Karnataka. The project was sanctioned during the erstwhile Nizam period, with construction beginning in 1946 and being completed in 1958.
• Beneficiary Areas: The scheme supplies water through a 143 km RDS canal. It benefits villages in Karnataka, Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Official project details mention an ayacut of about 87,500 acres and around 75 beneficiary villages.
• Water Share Issue: Telangana has stated that it is entitled to 15.9 TMC of Tungabhadra water but currently receives only about 5–6 TMC. The shortfall has affected irrigation in drought-prone areas, especially in Jogulamba Gadwal and the former Mahabubnagar region. The matter has remained sensitive because it affects farmers directly.
• Cause of Dispute: Telangana has pointed to heavy siltation, incomplete modernisation works and poor diversion efficiency as major reasons for reduced water availability. A 2004 expert committee had reportedly recommended desilting, but the issue remains unresolved. The state has sought action from the Centre and cooperation from neighbouring states.
• River-Water Governance: The dispute involves Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, making it an inter-State river-water issue. Telangana has requested strengthening of the Tungabhadra Board under the Central Water Commission. The subject is linked with Article 262, inter-State river-water disputes and the Krishna river basin.

Ministry of Culture Commemorates ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ to Mark 50 Years of the Emergency

In the News: The Ministry of Culture commemorated Samvidhan Hatya Diwas on June 25, 2026, to mark 50 years of the Emergency period. A special programme was organised by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training in New Delhi. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat led the commemoration.

Key Points:

• Purpose of Observance: Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is observed annually on June 25 to mark the imposition of the Emergency in 1975. The observance is intended to remember those who suffered during the Emergency. It also highlights the importance of constitutional values, democratic rights and civil liberties.
• 50-Year Commemoration: The Government announced a two-year commemoration from June 25, 2024, to June 25, 2026. Programmes were organised across states and Union Territories. The activities included exhibitions, seminars, public engagement events, student competitions and discussions on the Constitution.
• Emergency Background: The Emergency was imposed in India on June 25, 1975, during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The period is associated with suspension of civil liberties, press censorship and large-scale arrests of political opponents. It remains one of the most significant constitutional and political events in post-Independence India.
• Recent Programme: The 2026 programme included the exhibition “Long Live Democracy,” a short film on Samvidhan Hatya Diwas and a cultural presentation on the spirit of democracy. The event also highlighted the Digital District Repository, which documents district-level stories related to India’s freedom struggle. Students and institutions participated in large numbers.

India Inaugurates Nuclear-Heat Hydrogen Facility

In the News: India inaugurated the world’s first hydrogen production facility using nuclear process heat on June 26, 2026. The facility has been set up by the Department of Atomic Energy at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. It uses nuclear heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor to produce hydrogen through the Copper–Chlorine thermochemical cycle.

Key Points:

• Facility and Location: The facility was inaugurated at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam. It was inaugurated by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. Kalpakkam is a major centre for India’s nuclear research and fast breeder reactor programme.
• Technology Used: The facility is based on the Copper–Chlorine thermochemical cycle. It uses nuclear process heat generated from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor. The process has been developed indigenously by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.
• Role of Hydrogen: Hydrogen is considered an important energy carrier for future clean-energy systems. Nuclear-assisted hydrogen production can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It can also help avoid greenhouse gas emissions linked with conventional hydrogen production methods.
• Institutional Contribution: The project has been developed through the combined efforts of BARC and IGCAR. Their work included research, process development, engineering design, fabrication, installation, testing and commissioning. The facility will help gather operational experience for improving nuclear-assisted hydrogen production technologies.

Operation Amistad Sends Indian Aid to Venezuela

In the News: India launched Operation Amistad to send humanitarian assistance to earthquake-hit Venezuela. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said two Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft carried urgent relief support, including an Indian Army Field Hospital Unit, medicines, medical equipment and BHISHM Cubes. “Amistad” means friendship in Spanish, reflecting India’s solidarity with Venezuela.

Key Points:

• Purpose of the Operation: Operation Amistad was launched after powerful earthquakes caused heavy damage in northern Venezuela. The mission is part of India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief response. It focuses on emergency medical care, relief supplies and support for affected communities.
• Aircraft and Relief Material: Two IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft were deployed for the mission. The aid included over 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment. Two BHISHM Cubes were also sent as part of the emergency medical package.
• Medical Team: India sent a 41-member Indian Army medical team from the 60 Para Field Hospital. The tea includes medical officers and healthcare personnel trained in emergency response. It is equipped for trauma care, emergency surgeries, critical care and other life-saving services.
•  BHISHM Cube: The BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) is a modular and rapidly deployable field hospital. It has been developed under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project. It can support advanced trauma care, emergency surgeries and intensive care for up to 200 patients.

United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2026

In the News: The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was observed on 26 June 2026. The UN General Assembly proclaimed the day through Resolution 52/149 on 12 December 1997. The day supports victims and survivors of torture and calls for the total eradication of torture worldwide.

Key Points:

• Date and UN Resolution: The day is observed every year on 26 June. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly through Resolution 52/149. The observance brings attention to torture survivors, rehabilitation and accountability.
•  Legal Background: The date is linked to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Convention entered into force on 26 June 1987 after the required ratifications. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1984.
• Theme for 2026: No separate official UN-declared theme for the 2026 observance is listed on the official UN/OHCHR observance pages used here. The broader focus remains support for victims, rehabilitation, accountability and ending torture. Recent OHCHR listings mention past themes such as accountability and protecting protests.
• Important Institutions: OHCHR and UN anti-torture mechanisms play a major role in the observance. The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture supports rehabilitation and assistance for survivors. The Committee against Torture monitors implementation of the Convention by States Parties.
• India Link: India signed the Convention against Torture on 14 October 1997 but has not ratified it. This distinction is important because signature and ratification have different legal consequences under treaty law. The topic is also linked with custodial violence, human rights protection and criminal justice reforms in India.

Genocidal intent’: What a new UN commission report means for cases against Israel

In the News: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel released a report on Palestinian children. The report said Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children, resulting in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. Israel rejected the report and denied intentionally targeting children.

Key Points:

• Commission Details: The report was released by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. The commission was established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021. It is currently chaired by Justice S. Muralidhar of India, with Florence Mumba of Zambia and Chris Sidoti of Australia as members.
• Main Findings: The report said Palestinian children were deliberately targeted and killed during the Gaza conflict. It found that around 30% of those killed in Gaza were children. Between 7 October 2023 and 7 October 2025, at least 20,179 children were reported killed. 
• Genocide Law: Article II of the Genocide Convention defines genocide as specified acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. The same definition appears in Article 6 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The legal question often turns on proving specific intent, which has a high evidentiary threshold.
• Impact on Legal Cases: The commission itself cannot impose penalties. Its findings can, however, be used as documentary evidence before international courts. The report may add to the evidence considered in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice and in proceedings connected with the International Criminal Court.
• ICJ and ICC Difference: The ICJ deals with disputes between States, such as South Africa v. Israel under the Genocide Convention. The ICC deals with individual criminal responsibility for crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. India and the United States are not parties to the Rome Statute, while many other States are ICC members.