1. India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) Launched

Why in News?

India and the United Kingdom launched the India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) on 5 June 2026 in New Delhi. The observatory was inaugurated by Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Key Points

• The GSCO is a joint initiative of TEXMiN at the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, and the University of Cambridge.
• The observatory will serve as a data-driven platform for tracking global critical mineral supply chains, identifying supply risks and disruptions, generating market intelligence, and supporting decision-making by policymakers, industry, and researchers.
• The initiative was announced during the India–UK Prime Ministers' bilateral engagement in October 2025 and was formalised through a Research Collaboration Agreement signed in March 2026.
• The project was jointly announced with an investment of £1.8 million under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI).
• This launch marks Phase II of the India–UK Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory.
• The observatory will advance the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) and reflect India's commitment to building resilient and diversified critical mineral value chains.
• TEXMiN operates under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.
• Critical minerals are essential for clean energy technologies, EVs, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and strategic defence applications.

Static Knowledge

• India's National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) aims to secure domestic and international supply of minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements (REEs), and graphite.
• Critical minerals are identified by the government based on economic importance and supply risk.
• India's Neighbourhood Mineral Initiative and KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd.) are key agencies for securing overseas mineral assets.
• IIT (ISM) Dhanbad was India's first mining and metallurgy institute, established in 1926.
• The UK-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations and the Technology Security Initiative form the backbone of the revamped 2025 bilateral relationship.

2. Supreme Court Draft Regulations on AI Use in Courts, 2026

Why in News?

The Supreme Court of India published a draft regulatory framework governing the use of Artificial Intelligence in courts, titled "Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Courts, 2026," and invited public comments and suggestions from stakeholders by June 20, 2026.

Key Points

• The draft regulations were prepared under the Supreme Court's AI Committee and are founded on human primacy, data protection, transparency, and an 'Innovation Over Restraint' philosophy.
• The framework seeks to govern AI deployment across India's judicial system including the Supreme Court, High Courts, tribunals, and statutory adjudicatory bodies.
• Permitted uses: AI-assisted case management, scheduling, cause-list preparation, transcription, translation, legal research, and administrative functions.
• Prohibited uses: Judicial decision-making, sentencing, bail determinations, risk scoring, predictive profiling, outcome prediction, and surveillance of judicial officers.
• The draft proposes creation of a permanent Apex Body at the Supreme Court level, AI Committees in every High Court, dedicated AI Secretariats, annual audits, AI incident databases, transparency reports, and an AI Content Verification Authority.
• The Supreme Court's AI Committee is chaired by Justice P.S. Narasimha.
• Regulation 43 mandates disclosure of AI-assisted filings by lawyers and litigants.
• Public comments open until 20 June 2026.

Static Knowledge

• India currently has over 5 crore pending cases across all court levels — AI adoption is considered a key intervention for declogging courts.
• The e-Courts Mission Mode Project is the Government of India's flagship initiative for ICT-based court modernisation.
• Kerala and Gujarat High Courts had earlier issued guidelines for AI use in judicial proceedings.
• The Supreme Court's SuvaasS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) translates judgments into multiple Indian languages using AI.
• Article 141 of the Constitution — Supreme Court's law declared is binding on all courts in India.

3. Neelkanth Mishra Appointed India's Executive Director at World Bank

Why in News?

On 4 June 2026, economist Neelkanth Mishra was appointed as India's Executive Director at the World Bank for a three-year term, succeeding Parameswaran Iyer, and will be based at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C.

Key Points

• The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• As Executive Director, Mishra will represent India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka on the World Bank Board.
• Mishra currently serves as Chief Economist at Axis Bank and is Head of Global Research and Whole-Time Director at Axis Capital. He previously spent nearly two decades at Credit Suisse as Managing Director and Co-Head of Equity Strategy for the Asia-Pacific region.
• Mishra also serves as Part-time Chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Part-time member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
• He has contributed to several government panels including the 15th Finance Commission, 16th Finance Commission, India Semiconductor Mission, GST Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) Committee, and the FRBM Review Committee.
• Mishra is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur (All India Rank 4 in IIT entrance exam); received IIT Kanpur Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020.
• The position of World Bank Executive Director involves oversight of lending operations, development projects, financial policies, and governance decisions.

Static Knowledge

• The World Bank Group consists of 5 institutions: IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID.
• India is a founding member of the World Bank (1944, Bretton Woods Conference).
• The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has 25 members who oversee operations.
• India has historically been one of the largest borrowers from the World Bank.
• India's voting share at the World Bank is approximately 2.91% (as of last revision), making it a significant but non-dominant shareholder.

4. Nepal FM Shisir Khanal's Official Visit to India (June 5–7, 2026)

Why in News?

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal arrived in India for a three-day official visit from June 5–7, 2026, at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. His visit marks the highest-level engagement from Nepal's government of Prime Minister Balendra Shah since it assumed office in March 2026.

Key Points

• Discussions will focus on trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people ties.
• Nepal's new Prime Minister Balendra "Balen" Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) came to power after a Gen-Z-led uprising triggered fresh elections; PM Modi was the first global leader to congratulate Shah.
• India has affirmed its Neighbourhood First Policy — Nepal is a priority partner.
• India rejected any third-party mediation in the border dispute with Nepal, reiterating bilateral dialogue mechanisms.
• Key border dispute areas: Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani — claimed by Nepal as part of Sudurpashchim Province.
• India–Nepal share an open border under the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
• India is Nepal's largest trade partner and primary source of foreign direct investment and remittances.

Static Knowledge

• India and Nepal share an 1,850-km open border.
• The 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship allows unrestricted movement of citizens between the two nations.
• Nepal is a landlocked country — entirely dependent on India for access to the sea (Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports).
• India has provided Nepal with Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, and Jogbani.
• India's UDAN scheme and hydropower cooperation (Arun-3 project) are flagship components of the bilateral relationship.

5. World Environment Day 2026 — Theme, Host, and Significance

Why in News?

World Environment Day 2026 was observed on June 5 with the theme "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future." The Republic of Azerbaijan hosted the global celebrations in Baku, with the official hashtag #NowForClimate.

Key Points

• Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the day highlights climate action, biodiversity conservation, pollution reduction, and the link between environmental and human health.
• Azerbaijan was selected as host in recognition of its presidency of COP29, held in Baku in November 2024, and its national commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• GRAMMY-nominated Brazilian artist Alok was appointed as UNEP's Global Goodwill Ambassador for the 2026 campaign.
• The United Nations General Assembly officially designated June 5 as World Environment Day when it established UNEP in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference. The day was first celebrated in 1973 under the theme "Only One Earth."
• India's PM extended greetings and highlighted India's climate commitments including the Mission LiFE initiative.
• WED is observed across 150+ countries annually.
• Republic of Korea will host World Environment Day 2027, with focus on plastic pollution.

Static Knowledge

• UNEP was established in 1972 following the Stockholm Conference; headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
• India hosted World Environment Day in 2018 (theme: "Beat Plastic Pollution").
• India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) target 50% cumulative electric power from non-fossil sources by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
• The Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015 (COP21, Paris) and came into force in November 2016.
• Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was launched by PM Modi at COP26 in Glasgow (2021).

6. Japan PM Sanae Takaichi's Planned India Visit — July 2026

Why in News?

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering a visit to India as early as July 2026 for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Arrangements are being made for the visit to Assam, where she will hold her second in-person meeting with PM Modi.

Key Points

• The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in security and economy, based on the Japan–India Joint Vision for the Next Decade announced during PM Modi's visit to Japan in 2025. Issues include energy supply stability and critical mineral supply chain resilience.
• Takaichi aims to deepen bilateral collaboration in defence, economic issues, and cutting-edge technologies such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. India's high-speed Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project using Japanese Shinkansen technology is also likely to be discussed.
• The Assam meeting carries strategic significance — a semiconductor manufacturing plant is under development in the state.
• Takaichi is Japan's first female Prime Minister, having assumed office in October 2025.
• India–Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
• Japan views India as a key partner for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" — a concept first articulated by PM Shinzo Abe in 2016.

Static Knowledge

• India and Japan elevated ties to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014.
• Japan is the primary partner for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project — India's first bullet train project.
• Japan is a member of the Quad (along with India, the USA, and Australia).
• India–Japan Annual Summit is a key diplomatic tradition — both sides alternate hosting.
• Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) to India is the largest bilateral ODA India receives.

7. National Awards for e-Governance 2026 (NAeG 2026)

Why in News?

The Government of India announced the winners of the 29th National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026, recognising 17 outstanding digital governance initiatives across seven award categories.

Key Points

• This year's awards include 10 Gold Awards, 6 Silver Awards, and 1 Jury Award. Gold awardees receive ₹10 lakh and Silver awardees receive ₹5 lakh as incentive funding for further public welfare implementation.
• Notable winners include Agri Stack (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare), Mahakumbh 2025 (Prayagraj Mela Authority, UP), and a Blood Bag Traceability Portal (Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council — K-DISC).
• Seven award categories include: Government Process Re-engineering, Innovation by AI and New Age Technologies, Best e-Governance Practices in Cyber Security, Digital Transformation using Data Analytics, and Grassroots Digitisation by Gram Panchayats.
• Awards to be presented at the 29th National Conference on e-Governance in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• Presented by DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
• NAeG instituted in 2003 — annual recognition of excellence in digital governance.

Static Knowledge

• DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) is the nodal agency for NAeG.
• Agri Stack is a federated digital infrastructure for agriculture — integrates farmer data, land records, crop data for precision farming and DBT delivery.
• India's e-Courts Mission Mode Project (under National e-Governance Plan) operates under MeitY and the Ministry of Law.
• DigiLocker, UMANG, and MyGov are key pillars of India's digital governance ecosystem.
• India's National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) was launched in 2006 — later subsumed under Digital India in 2015.

8. Kewra (Screw Pine) Cultivation in Odisha — Farmers Adapt to Human-Wildlife Conflict

Why in News?

Farmers in Odisha's Ganjam district have abandoned paddy cultivation and shifted to kewra (screw pine) due to repeated crop raids by wild boars — a significant human-wildlife conflict issue with implications for agricultural policy and biodiversity management.

Key Points

• Farmers from multiple villages in Rangeilunda block, Ganjam have shifted from paddy to kewra on fertile coastal land near the Bay of Bengal. Several families have declared "crop holidays" or migrated to other states due to wild boar depredation.
• Kewra (Pandanus odorifer / Pandanus fascicularis) — also called Screw Pine or Ketaki — is a monocot shrub/tree belonging to the family Pandanaceae.
• The Ganjam Kewda Flower holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag under the GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act.
• Approximately 90% of India's commercial kewda production occurs in Odisha, primarily in Ganjam district.
• Kewra is used in essential oil production, perfumery, attars, and flavouring — a commercially valuable crop.
• Wild boar is classified under Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — cannot be hunted without a permit. Farmers sought "vermin" status (Schedule V) for wild boars — not approved.
• The shift to kewra represents a farmer-driven adaptation to both wildlife conflict and climate pressures.

Static Knowledge

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 classifies animals into Schedules I to V — Schedule I provides highest protection; Schedule V includes "vermin."
• GI tagging is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 administered by DPIIT under the Commerce Ministry.
• India has over 600 GI tags as of 2025 — distributed across agriculture, handicrafts, and food products.
• Kewra oil is used in Ayurvedic medicine, cuisine, and religious ceremonies.
• Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is addressed under Project Elephant, Project Tiger, and state-specific compensation schemes.

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