Daily Current Affairs- 2nd June 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 2nd June 2026

Justice V. Mohana Sworn In as Supreme Court Judge

In the News: Justice V. Mohana was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of India along with four other newly appointed judges. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant administered the oath, taking the Supreme Court’s working strength to 37 judges. Justice Mohana’s elevation is notable because she was directly elevated from the Bar and became one of the few women judges in the Supreme Court’s history.

Key Points:

• New Supreme Court Judge: Justice Venkata Subramani Mohana took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. She was among five judges sworn in after the Central Government cleared the Collegium recommendations. Her appointment added to the representation of women in the country’s highest court.
• Direct Elevation from Bar: Justice Mohana was directly elevated from the Bar to the Supreme Court Bench. She is recorded as the second woman lawyer to be directly elevated to the Supreme Court after Justice Indu Malhotra. This makes her appointment significant in the history of judicial elevation from the legal profession.
• Five Judges Took Oath: The new judges sworn in were Justices Sheel Nagu, Shree Chandrashekhar, Sanjeev Sachdeva, Arun Palli and V. Mohana. The first four were serving as High Court Chief Justices before elevation. Justice Mohana was elevated as a senior advocate from the Bar.
• Women in Supreme Court: Justice Mohana became the 12th woman judge in the Supreme Court’s history. Before her appointment, Justice B. V. Nagarathna was the only woman judge serving in the Supreme Court. Her elevation came after a gap of nearly five years in appointment of a woman judge to the apex court.
• Collegium and Appointment: The Supreme Court Collegium headed by CJI Surya Kant recommended the five names for elevation. After approval by the Central Government, the judges were sworn in at the Supreme Court. The appointments are linked with filling vacancies and strengthening the judicial capacity of the apex court.

Prison Statistics India Report 2024

In the News: The Prison Statistics India Report 2024, released by the National Crime Records Bureau, recorded changes in India’s prison infrastructure, occupancy and inmate profile. The national prison occupancy rate declined from 120.8% in 2023 to 112.7% in 2024. The report also highlighted gender composition, women’s prisons, undertrial concerns, staffing issues and the need for continued prison reforms.

Key Points:

• About the Report: Prison Statistics India is an annual NCRB publication on prisons across States and Union Territories. It compiles data on prison population, convicts, undertrials, detenues, capacity, occupancy, staff, infrastructure and rehabilitation measures. The report is used for policy planning, prison administration and justice-sector reform.
• Occupancy and Capacity: India’s prison occupancy rate declined to 112.7% in 2024 from 120.8% in 2023. The total number of prisons rose marginally to 1,333, while prison capacity increased and the number of prisoners declined. The figures indicate improvement, but overcrowding remained a national concern.
• Gender Profile of Prisoners: Male prisoners formed 95.8% of the prison population, while female prisoners formed 4.14%. The report recorded 122 transgender prisoners. India had only 34 women jails, and many States and Union Territories did not have separate women prisons.
• Delhi and Overcrowding: Delhi recorded the highest prison occupancy rate among States and Union Territories. Its prisons operated far beyond sanctioned capacity, with overcrowding also reported in regions such as Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh. This shows uneven prison-capacity pressure across the country.

Bangladesh Elected to Lead 81st UN General Assembly Session

In the News: Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. He secured 99 votes against Cyprus candidate Andreas S. Kakouris, who received 91 votes. The election marks Bangladesh’s return to the UNGA presidency after nearly four decades.

Key Points:

• Election Result: Dr Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh was elected President of the 81st UN General Assembly session. He defeated Cyprus candidate Andreas S. Kakouris in a contested vote at the United Nations.
• Bangladesh’s UNGA Role: Bangladesh has held the UNGA presidency earlier as well, with the previous instance recorded in 1986-87. The 2026 election gives Bangladesh a major leadership role in the world’s main deliberative body.
• About UNGA President: The President of the General Assembly presides over UNGA meetings and guides the session’s agenda. The office is important for managing debates, high-level discussions and consensus-building among UN member states.
• 81st Session Timeline: Dr Khalilur Rahman is expected to assume the role at the start of the 81st UNGA session in September 2026. The high-level general debate will bring together heads of state, governments and senior representatives.

Pope Appoints First Lay Woman to Vatican Department

In the News: Pope Leo XIV appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado as Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. She is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN News and will succeed Paolo Ruffini. The appointment is significant because she is the first laywoman, meaning a non-religious sister, to head a Vatican dicastery.

Key Points:

• New Appointment: Maria Montserrat Alvarado has been appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication. She will take charge from November 2026 and replace Paolo Ruffini, who had held the position since 2018.
• First Laywoman Prefect: Alvarado is the first laywoman to head a Vatican dicastery. This distinction is important because Sister Simona Brambilla had already become the first woman to head a Vatican dicastery in January 2025.
• About the Dicastery: The Dicastery for Communication oversees the Vatican’s media and communication system. Its work includes the Vatican news portal, radio services, newspaper, press office and other official communication platforms.
• Professional Background: Alvarado is originally from Mexico City and has been associated with EWTN News. She became President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN News in 2023 before being named to the Vatican role.

Beaufort Castle

In the News: Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon came into focus after Israeli forces reportedly seized the 900-year-old fortress and the surrounding strategic ridge. The medieval site is located near Nabatiyeh and overlooks the Litani River. Its capture drew attention because the castle has long held military, historical and cultural importance in the Israel-Lebanon conflict zone.

Key Points:

• Location: Beaufort Castle is located in southern Lebanon near Nabatiyeh and close to the Israeli border. It stands on a high ridge overlooking the Litani River and provides views across parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
• Local Name: The castle is also known as Qalaat al-Shaqif or Shaqif Arnoun. The name is linked with the steep and rocky landscape around the fortress.
• Historical Background: The fortress was originally built by Crusaders in the 12th century over earlier fortifications. Over time, it was controlled by several powers, including Crusaders, Saladin’s forces, Mamluks, Ottomans, French Mandate authorities, the PLO and Israel.
• Strategic Importance: Beaufort Castle has served as a military position for centuries because of its height and location. Its ridge gives tactical visibility over surrounding areas, making it important in southern Lebanon’s security geography.
• Recent Context: Israeli forces had previously captured the castle in 1982 and controlled it until their withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. Its recent seizure again placed the site at the centre of military developments involving Israel and Hezbollah.

Tamil Nadu Farmer Honoured as UN FAO Soil Farmer Hero for Sustainable Farming Success

In the News: Tamil Nadu farmer Valluvan from the Pollachi region came into focus during the May 30, 2026 Save Soil-Cauvery Calling press conference, where the 13.4-crore-trees milestone was announced. Valluvan had earlier been recognised by the FAO in 2024 under its “Farming Heroes - Guardians of Soil Health” recognition. His farming model is linked with soil restoration, agroforestry and climate-resilient agriculture.

Key Points:

• About the Recognition: Valluvan was recognised under the FAO’s “Farming Heroes - Guardians of Soil Health” initiative. The recognition highlighted farmers using practical soil-management methods to improve land health, reduce ecological stress and strengthen agricultural sustainability.
• Shift from Coconut Monocropping: Valluvan earlier faced losses from coconut cultivation because of high input costs and limited returns. He shifted from a single-crop system to multi-crop and multi-tier tree-based farming, reducing dependence on one crop.
• Sustainable Farming Model: His farm follows a tree-based agriculture approach with multiple crops grown together. Such systems help improve soil cover, support biodiversity, reduce erosion and make farms more resilient to weather and water stress.
• Save Soil-Cauvery Calling Link: Valluvan’s work has been associated with the Save Soil-Cauvery Calling initiative, which promotes tree-based farming and soil restoration in the Cauvery basin. The May 2026 press conference highlighted the wider milestone of 13.4 crore trees under the movement.

Meet the Indian Students Who Won the Earth Prize 2026 with Plas-Stick Innovation

In the News: Three Indian students, Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal and Avyana Mehta, won The Earth Prize 2026 for their Plas-Stick innovation. Their solution uses tamarind seed-based biodegradable material to remove microplastics from water. The achievement brought global attention to youth-led environmental innovation from India.

Key Points:

• About the Winners: Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal and Avyana Mehta are 16-year-old Indian students recognised for developing Plas-Stick. Their project won The Earth Prize 2026, a global environmental competition for young innovators. Their achievement highlights India’s growing participation in student-led sustainability solutions. It is the first Indian team ever to win the global prize.
• What is Plas-Stick: Plas-Stick is a biodegradable material made from tamarind seed waste. It is designed to attract microplastic particles present in contaminated water. Once the particles clump together, they can be removed with the help of a magnet.
• Microplastic Problem: Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that contaminate water and are difficult to remove through ordinary filtration systems. They are a growing concern for drinking water safety, aquatic ecosystems and public health. Plas-Stick addresses this problem through a low-cost and chemical-free method.
• Technology and Support: The project used tamarind seed powder as the main raw material, making it suitable for a country where tamarind waste is widely available. The students also received guidance from professionals associated with IIT Guwahati during development. The innovation is relevant for rural and low-resource water treatment.

ICC Suspends Cricket Canada Membership Over Governance Breaches

In the News: The International Cricket Council suspended Cricket Canada’s membership with immediate effect over serious breaches of membership obligations. The decision followed ICC Board meetings in Ahmedabad and came after governance-related concerns and an anti-corruption investigation. Despite the suspension, Canada’s national teams remain eligible to participate in ICC events under a controlled funding mechanism.

Key Points:

• Reason for Suspension: The ICC suspended Cricket Canada due to serious breaches of its membership obligations. The action is linked with governance and administrative concerns within the national cricket body. The suspension affects Cricket Canada as an ICC member association but does not immediately remove Canadian teams from international competition.
• Teams Remain Eligible: Canadian national teams will continue to participate in ICC events during the suspension period. ICC funding for team operations will be released through a controlled mechanism. This arrangement is meant to protect players and national-team programmes while governance issues are addressed.
• Reinstatement Conditions: Cricket Canada will have to meet a set of conditions to regain full ICC membership. These conditions are expected to focus on governance, administration, financial controls and compliance with ICC membership rules. Progress will be monitored by an ICC Normalisation Committee with support from ICC management.
• Governance Allegations: The suspension followed wider scrutiny after allegations involving corruption, match manipulation, threats to players and weak financial oversight. The ICC action places emphasis on accountability, transparent administration and integrity standards in associate-member cricket governance.
• Recent ICC Pattern: The Cricket Canada decision follows a similar ICC action against USA Cricket over membership-rule breaches. In both cases, national teams were allowed to continue in ICC events while the governing bodies faced corrective conditions. This shows the ICC’s approach of separating player participation from administrative non-compliance.