Current Context : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu set November 2026 as the firm deadline for completing the 450 MW Shongtong‑Karcham run‑of‑river hydroelectric project on the Satluj River in Kinnaur district.

About Shongtong‑Karcham Project

• Type & Location: Run‑of‑river hydroelectric plant on the Satluj River, Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
• Capacity: 3 × 150 MW Francis turbines (total 450 MW); annual generation ~1,594
• Engineering Specs:
  • Gross head: 128.57 m; net head: 126.58
  • Penstocks: Three steel conduits, each 5.1 m in diameter, channel water from intake to turbines.
• Ownership & Execution: Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited; Special Purpose Vehicle for project execution.
• Economic Impact: Expected annual revenue ~₹1,000 crore post‑commissioning; boosts state’s renewable portfolio.

Current Context : India’s first agentic artificial intelligence system, Kruti, was launched by Krutrim Technologies, capable of autonomous decision‑making and task execution.

About Kruti

• It is an AI systems that autonomously plan, decide, and act in changing environments without human prompts.
• Capabilities:
  • Multi‑source data ingestion for situational analysis.
  • Task automation (cab booking, bill payments, report generation).
  • Adaptive learning from interactions and outcomes.

Current Context : The Defence Cyber Agency of India launched the Cyber Suraksha exercise under the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters, involving over 100 participants from national security agencies and defence services.

About Cyber Suraksha

• Duration & Organisers: 16–27 June 2025; led by the Defence Cyber Agency (DCA) under Integrated Defence Staff.
• Participants: >100 cyber warriors from Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency, CERT‑In, and other agencies.
• Phases:
  • Training Modules: Hands‑on workshops on threat intelligence, malware analysis, and incident response.
  • Simulated Attacks: Live exercises replicating phishing, ransomware, and supply‑chain breaches.
  • Leadership Capsule: Senior‐level war‑games to test decision‑making and inter‑agency coordination.
• Objectives:
  • Strengthen national cyber resilience and defensive posture.
  • Evaluate analytical, forensic, and response skills under real‑world scenarios.
  • Foster collaboration across defence and civilian cyber stakeholders.

Current Context : South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets to win their first ICC World Test Championship title, at Lord’s, London, chasing 282 runs with a captain’s century from Aiden Markram and leadership by Temba Bavuma.

ABOUT WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

• Inception: August 2019, administered by the International Cricket Council.
• Cycle: Matches played over two years; six series per team; each series awards 120 points divided by number of Tests.
• Qualification: Top nine teams in MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings.
• Final: Single Test match between top two teams (2023–25 final: South Africa vs Australia).

Current Context : The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, India’s largest tribal welfare saturation campaign, covering nearly 100,000 villages across 549 tribal districts.

About Dhartiaaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan

• Coverage: 549 tribal districts, 2,900+ blocks, 207 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group habitations, nearly 1 lakh villages.
• Objectives:
  • Achieve full delivery of government benefits in tribal areas.
  • Ensure last‑mile service (health, education, livelihood) to tribal households.
  • Promote people’s participation (“Janbhagidari”) in local governance.
  • Honor tribal heritage during the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.
• Implementation: Multi‑ministerial coordination, biometric/Aadhaar‑linked beneficiary verification, mobile outreach teams.
• Significance: Embodies the vision of Antyodaya and Viksit Bharat, strengthening social justice in India’s federal framework.

Current Context : India’s Ministry of External Affairs appointed Aliawati Longkumer as Ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, restoring a full embassy presence in Pyongyang after a four‑year gap.

• New Ambassador: Aliawati Longkumer, 2008‑batch Indian Foreign Service officer and currently Charge d’Affaires in Asunción, Paraguay.
• Embassy Status: Reopened December 2024; vacant since July 2021 (COVID‑related closure).
• India–DPRK Relations:
  • Diplomatic ties since 1973; humanitarian assistance extended (food, medical training).
  • Maintained envoy-level relations despite UN sanctions compliance.

Celebrated annually on 18 June since 2005,

Aim : to celebrate neurodiversity and the rights of autistic people worldwide.

• Origin: Launched by Aspies For Freedom in 2005; date chosen for the birthday of a founding member.

About Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Definition : A group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by persistent social‑communication challenges and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour.
• Prevalence
  • Global estimate: 1 percent of the population (around 1 in 100 children)
  • India: estimated 1 to 5 percent of children aged 2–9 years (≈18 million people)

Observed each year on 17 June.

Aim : To promote international cooperation to fight land degradation and drought.

Theme : “Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities.”

• UNGA Proclamation: Resolution 49/115 (1994) designated 17 June to spotlight desertification and drought.
• Objective: Raise awareness, foster policy action, and support Sustainable Development Goal 3—to restore degraded land and soil by 2030.

Current Context : Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated civilian access to Shipki La Pass (3,930 m) in Kinnaur district, opening it for domestic tourists and potential Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims.

 ABOUT SHIPKI LA PASS

• Location: High Himalayan pass on the India–China border in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.
• Altitude: 3,930 metres above sea level.
• Historical Role: Ancient trade route for textiles, wool and herbal medicines between India and Tibet.
• Tourism & Trade:
  • Expected to boost local economy through border tourism.
  • Potential alternative route for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra (subject to central approval).

Current Context : In mid‑2025, Power Finance Corporation withdrew its plan to issue a zero‑coupon bond, reflecting changing market conditions.

ABOUT ZERO‑COUPON BOND

• Definition: A debt instrument sold at a deep discount without periodic interest payments; redeemed at face value at maturity.
• Characteristics:
  • No coupon: All return arises from difference between purchase price and face value.
  • Interest‑rate sensitivity: Price fluctuates significantly with market rates.
• Use in India: Raised funds for infrastructure by government‑owned enterprises.