1. India's Nuclear Arsenal Reaches 190 Warheads – SIPRI 2026
Why in News?
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated India's nuclear stockpile at approximately 190 warheads as of January 2026, marking a steady increase in India's strategic deterrent capabilities and placing it among the nine recognised nuclear-armed states in global arms-control literature.
Key Points
India's nuclear arsenal stood at 190 warheads (January 2026) as per SIPRI estimates.
India maintains a policy of Minimum Credible Deterrence and a No-First-Use (NFU) posture.
India's delivery systems span all three legs of the nuclear triad: land-based ballistic missiles, aircraft, and sea-based platforms (SSBNs).
India is developing Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) for ballistic missiles, enabling one missile to hit multiple targets.
India is transitioning to canisterised missiles — sealed, ready-to-launch containers — improving survivability, storage, and launch preparation.
India may have commenced limited sea-based deterrence patrols via its SSBN (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine) as of January 2026.
Global nuclear inventory: 12,187 warheads total; 9,745 in military stockpiles (January 2026).
The nine nuclear-armed states: USA, Russia, China, France, UK, India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea.
India's nuclear planning is influenced by both China (longer-range delivery systems) and Pakistan (South Asian deterrence stability).
Static Knowledge
India's first nuclear test: Pokhran-I (Operation Smiling Buddha), 1974.
India declared itself a nuclear-weapon state after Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti), May 1998.
SIPRI is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1966.
SSBN = Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear; India's first SSBN is INS Arihant.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognises only five nuclear-weapon states (P-5); India is not a signatory.
2. Land Port Management System (LPMS) to be Launched by Amit Shah
Why in News?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to launch the Land Port Management System (LPMS) in New Delhi on 9 June 2026 — a comprehensive digital platform designed to integrate all land port operations for cross-border cargo and passenger movement.
Key Points
LPMS is a single-window digital platform for all land ports, enabling: slot booking, online payments, cargo tracking, and automated clearances.
Integrates with ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway), the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), and the Motor Vehicle ecosystem.
India has land ports along borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
EXIM trade through land ports: ₹5,000 crore (2014-15) → ₹82,800 crore (2024-25).
Passenger traffic at land ports: 25.8 lakh in 2024-25.
On the same occasion, Amit Shah to inaugurate stakeholder accommodation at:
Dawki Land Port, Meghalaya (India-Bangladesh border)
Srimantapur Land Port, Tripura (India-Bangladesh border)
Land Ports managed by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI).
Static Knowledge
Land Ports Authority of India established under the Land Ports Authority of India Act, 2010.
ICEGATE = Indian Customs Electronic Gateway – used for e-filing of customs documents.
ULIP = Unified Logistics Interface Platform – a national system for data sharing across transport and trade.
Dawki (Meghalaya): major trade point on India-Bangladesh border; the Umngot River flows through Dawki.
Srimantapur (Tripura): major India-Bangladesh land border crossing.
3. NFHS-6: Andaman & Nicobar Islands Record India's Lowest TFR at 0.9
Why in News?
Data from the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), covering 2023-24 and released on 29 May 2026 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, reveals that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 0.9 — the lowest in India and far below the replacement level.
Share of children under 5 years: fell from 5.3% (NFHS-5) to 3.7% (NFHS-6).
Population aged 60+: increased — indicating rapid demographic ageing in the UT.
Pre-school attendance (children aged 2-4): dropped from 88.5% (NFHS-5) to 66.2% (NFHS-6).
A TFR below 2.1 signals sub-replacement fertility, associated with population decline and ageing.
Released by: Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Static Knowledge
TFR (Total Fertility Rate): average number of children expected per woman during her reproductive years (ages 15–49).
Replacement level fertility = TFR of 2.1.
NFHS is conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai under the MoHFW.
NFHS-5 covered 2019-21; NFHS-6 covers 2023-24.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a Union Territory administered by the Central Government; Lt. Governor heads the administration.
4. APSEZ Wins 10-Year Argentina LNG Marine Services Contract
Why in News?
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) secured a 10-year marine services contract on 8 June 2026 for Argentina's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project — marking its debut in the South American market.
Key Points
Contract awarded by Southern Energy S.A. (SESA), developer of the LNG project.
Secured by Adani Harbour International FZCO (APSEZ subsidiary) in consortium with Argentina's Meridian Group.
Execution through Meridian Transportes Maritimos S.A. (JV); APSEZ holds 51% stake.
Fleet: four high-specification tugboats, an Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTSV), and a crew boat.
Project location: San Matías Gulf, Río Negro Province, Argentina.
Commercial operations expected from September 2027.
Initial production capacity: 2.45 million tonnes of LNG annually (~28 cargo shipments/year).
This is a FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas) project — LNG produced from offshore floating infrastructure.
Static Knowledge
APSEZ is India's largest commercial port operator and part of the Adani Group.
LNG = natural gas cooled to -162°C for easier storage and shipping.
FLNG = Floating LNG — an offshore facility that processes, liquefies, and stores natural gas at sea.
Argentina is located in South America, bordered by Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay.
India imports LNG from several countries including Qatar, USA, and Australia.
5. Indian Navy Seeks Indigenous 80-mm Aero Rockets for MiG-29K
Why in News?
The Indian Navy issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) on 26 May 2026 through the Naval Armament Inspectorate, Goa, for design, development, and manufacture of indigenous 80-mm aero rockets for its carrier-based MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighters — a significant Atmanirbhar Bharat push in naval aviation armament.
Key Points
Rockets are unguided air-to-ground weapons for the MiG-29K fleet (~42 aircraft).
MiG-29K aircraft operate from INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant (India's aircraft carriers).
MiG-29KUB = twin-seat trainer variant of MiG-29K.
Technical specifications of the rocket:
Weight: ~11.3 kg | Length: ~1.54 m | Velocity: 600 m/s
Engagement range: 1.3 km to 4 km
Penetration: 400 mm of armour; produces ≥400 fragments
Operating temperature: -60°C to +60°C | Shelf life: ≥15 years
Procurement plan: 273 live high-explosive rockets + 2,400 practice rounds.
EoI issued through Naval Armament Inspectorate, Goa.
Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence and the indigenisation of defence platforms.
Static Knowledge
INS Vikrant is India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2022.
INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class carrier acquired from Russia, commissioned in 2013.
MiG-29K is a carrier-based multirole fighter of Russian origin.
Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: India aims to reduce import dependence and build a robust domestic defence industry.
The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 provides the framework for indigenisation in defence procurement.
6. Pakistan Expands Earth-Observation Satellite Network with Chinese Assistance
Why in News?
Pakistan launched six Earth-observation satellites between January 2025 and June 2026, significantly expanding its space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, primarily through Chinese cooperation — raising strategic concerns for India.
Key Points
Six satellites launched: PAUSAT-1, PRSC-EO1, PRSS-2, HS-1, PRSC-EO2, PRSC-EO3.
HS-1: Pakistan's first hyperspectral satellite; launched October 2025 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, China.
PRSC-EO3: launched April 2026 via Long March-6 rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, China.
PRSC-EO3 uses a unique orbit to increase revisit rates over South Asia, including northern India and Jammu & Kashmir.
Pakistan's national space agency: SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission).
Most launches were conducted at Chinese spaceports, reflecting deep China-Pakistan space cooperation.
Static Knowledge
SUPARCO = Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Pakistan's space agency), established 1961.
Hyperspectral imaging records data in hundreds of narrow spectral bands, used for land classification, crop assessment, and intelligence gathering.
Long March is China's primary family of orbital launch vehicles.
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre and Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre are major Chinese spaceports.
India's equivalent organisation: ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), headquartered in Bengaluru.
7. Scientists Discover Jian changmaensis — New Feathered Gliding Dinosaur
Why in News?
A study published in the Annals of Carnegie Museum (4 June 2026) announced the discovery of a new species of feathered gliding dinosaur, Jian changmaensis, found in China — adding significant data to the understanding of avian evolution and the dinosaur-to-bird transition.
Key Points
Species: Jian changmaensis — a new feathered gliding dinosaur.
Age: ~120 million years old (Early Cretaceous period).
Fossil found in China.
Published in: Annals of Carnegie Museum (4 June 2026).
The species provides evidence of gliding locomotion in non-avian dinosaurs.
Linked to scientific understanding of how flight evolved in birds from dinosaurs (theropod lineage).
Feathered dinosaurs are a key group in the study of the dinosaur-bird evolutionary connection.
Static Knowledge
Cretaceous Period: approximately 145 to 66 million years ago; ended with the mass extinction event.
Birds are classified as avian dinosaurs — descended from theropod dinosaurs.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History is located in Pittsburgh, USA.
China is a major location for feathered dinosaur fossil discoveries, particularly in Liaoning Province.
The Jurassic Period preceded the Cretaceous; the Triassic preceded the Jurassic.
8. 14,000-Year-Old Human Footprints Discovered in Italian Cave
Why in News?
Researchers identified human footprints and handprints estimated at 14,000–14,400 years old in Grotta della Bàsura, a cave in Toirano, northern Italy — offering rare direct evidence of prehistoric human activity during the Upper Palaeolithic era.
Key Points
Location: Grotta della Bàsura (Cave of the Witch), Toirano, northern Italy.
Age: approximately 14,000 to 14,400 years old (Upper Palaeolithic period).
Evidence found: footprints and handprints of a group of humans.
Dated to the Magdalenian cultural period — known for cave art and mobile art.
Provides direct evidence of prehistoric human movement and cave exploration.
Such finds are significant for palaeoanthropology and understanding Ice Age human behaviour.
Static Knowledge
Upper Palaeolithic: roughly 50,000–10,000 BCE; marked by development of advanced stone tools and cave art.
Magdalenian culture (c. 17,000–12,000 BCE): known for cave paintings such as those at Lascaux, France and Altamira, Spain.
Famous Indian prehistoric cave site: Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Grotta della Bàsura translates to "Cave of the Witch" in Ligurian dialect.
Palaeolithic period is divided into: Lower, Middle, and Upper Palaeolithic.