Daily Current Affairs- 28th June 2026

Corporate Mitra Scheme for MSME Support
In the News: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has moved ahead with the Corporate Mitra Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, to create a trained pool of para-professionals for MSMEs. The scheme is designed to provide affordable support in compliance, GST, accounting, financial guidance and secretarial services, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Key Points:
- Purpose of the Scheme: Corporate Mitras will assist MSMEs in regulatory compliance, GST, accounting, cost accounting, financial guidance and secretarial services. The scheme seeks to reduce the professional-service gap faced by small enterprises outside major metropolitan centres.
- Training Structure: The programme will have a total duration of 12 months. It includes six months of academic learning of about 150 hours and six months of on-the-job training with professional firms.
- Initial Intake: The scheme will begin with 2,000 participants. Out of these, 200 seats have been earmarked for participants from the North Eastern Region.
- Eligibility and Fee: Candidates must be Indian nationals and up to 30 years of age. Graduates and final-year students can apply, and the fee has been fixed at ₹3,000 plus GST, with concessions for women, North Eastern candidates, Himalayan-region candidates and candidates from specific Union Territories.
- Implementing Institutions: The scheme will be implemented with the involvement of ICAI, ICSI and ICoAI through the Swayam Plus portal. These professional institutes will support course delivery, certification and on-the-job training arrangements.
On the amended FCRA Rules, the fallout
In the News: The Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, tightening the compliance framework for NGOs receiving foreign funds. The amended rules require NGOs to specify their approved activities and the States or Union Territories where they will operate. The changes have triggered debate over transparency, regulatory control and the autonomy of civil society organisations.
Key Points:
- Purpose and Area Disclosure: NGOs must now choose their objectives from a predefined list of purposes and specify the States or Union Territories where they intend to operate. The approved purposes cover areas such as religious, educational, cultural, economic and social activities.
- One-Year Requirement for Existing NGOs: NGOs that already hold FCRA licences have been asked to submit details of their purpose and area of operation to the Union government within one year. This brings existing registered organisations under the revised disclosure framework.
- Stricter Reporting Norms: Annual returns will now have to include detailed activity reports along with financial statements. Organisations receiving funds through intermediary or donor-advised routes must disclose the ultimate source of the contribution.
- Religious Activities and Proselytisation: The rules define permitted religious activities such as upkeep of places of worship, religious education and preservation of scriptures. However, activities involving proselytisation have been excluded from the permitted list.
- Political and Civil Society Response: The changes have drawn criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups. Concerns have been raised that the new framework may increase administrative burden and affect the independence of NGOs, while the government has defended stricter regulation as necessary for transparency and traceability of foreign contributions.
Govt. to launch affordable digital health management system for small clinics across India
In the News: The Union Health Ministry is set to launch e-Sushrut@Clinic, a lightweight, cloud-based Hospital Management Information System for small outpatient clinics. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will launch it as part of a wider set of digital health initiatives on 29 June 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Key Points:
- What is e-Sushrut@Clinic: e-Sushrut@Clinic is a simplified HMIS developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing. It has been designed for small clinics, primary health centres, health and wellness centres, sub-centres and private outpatient facilities.
- Core Functions: The platform will automate patient registration, billing, MIS reporting, speech-to-text documentation and clinical decision support. It has been designed to work with minimal technical expertise, making it suitable for smaller healthcare facilities.
- ABDM Integration: The system is linked with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission ecosystem. Health Professional Registry and Health Facility Registry integration will be part of onboarding, and only registered healthcare professionals will be able to use the platform.
- Current Onboarding Status: More than 800 health facilities have already been onboarded on e-Sushrut@Clinic. Official data also stated that over 680 health records had been generated on the platform before the wider rollout.
- Cost and Support Model: The platform is priced at ₹499 per month for up to five users. Under the NHA-C-DAC partnership, users will receive a subsidy of ₹200, reducing the effective monthly cost to ₹299, with the first three months offered free.

Seychelles Confers Guardian of the Blue Horizon Award
In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Guardian of the Blue Horizon Presidential Distinction by Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie on 28 June 2026. The honour recognises his work in climate action, Blue Economy, sustainable ocean management and support for Small Island Developing States. This is the first time that this distinction has been bestowed.
Key Points:
- Award and Recipient: The award was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a special ceremony in Seychelles. It was conferred by President Dr. Patrick Herminie. The recognition highlights India’s growing role in environmental action and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean Region.
- Reason for the Honour: The distinction recognises PM Modi’s green leadership, promotion of the Blue Economy and commitment to sustainable management of ocean resources. It also acknowledges his support for developing countries and Small Island Developing States. These are important themes in India’s climate and ocean diplomacy.
- First-Time Distinction: PIB noted that this is the first time the Guardian of the Blue Horizon honour has been bestowed. The timing is significant as India and Seychelles are marking 50 years of diplomatic relations. The award also reinforces the environmental dimension of bilateral ties.
- Major Indian Initiatives Mentioned: The honour refers to India’s initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and the International Big Cat Alliance. These initiatives reflect India’s focus on climate action, sustainable lifestyles and ecological conservation.
India and Seychelles Expand Maritime Security Partnership
In the News: India and Seychelles expanded their maritime security partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Seychelles from 27 to 29 June 2026. India handed over the Made-in-India Fast Patrol Vessel PS Lespwar to the Seychelles Coast Guard. The visit coincided with Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations, where PM Modi was the Guest of Honour.
Key Points:
- Handover of PS Lespwar: Prime Minister Modi handed over the Made-in-India Fast Patrol Vessel PS Lespwar to Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie. The ceremony took place at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base in Victoria. The vessel will support maritime security and Coast Guard operations.
- Built by Goa Shipyard Limited: PS Lespwar was built by Goa Shipyard Limited. The vessel is expected to enhance Seychelles’ maritime surveillance and strengthen patrolling in its Exclusive Economic Zone. This is important because Seychelles has a large maritime zone compared to its land area.
- Additional Assistance: India also handed over six ambulances, 10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial class boats. These assets support both development and security requirements of Seychelles. The assistance reflects India’s broader capacity-building role in the Indian Ocean Region.
- MAHASAGAR Vision: The assistance has been linked to India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The vision focuses on peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles remains a key maritime partner under this approach.
- Wider Agreements: During the visit, India and Seychelles signed agreements covering digital payments, healthcare, agriculture, extradition, maritime cooperation, infrastructure financing and space cooperation. Important outcomes included an MoU for UPI implementation in Seychelles, an Extradition Treaty and cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space.
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