• Six stakeholder states involved: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
• Water component: The Central Government will provide 90% of the cost of the project's water component as central assistance.
• States' share: The remaining 10% of the financial burden will be shared among the six states.
• Power component: Himachal Pradesh's share of water will be allocated to Delhi and Rajasthan. In return, Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan will jointly bear the expenses related to Himachal Pradesh's power component (approximately ₹2,000 crore).

Kishau Dam Project:

• River and Location: This project is situated on the Tons River—a major tributary of the Yamuna—on the border of Uttarakhand's Dehradun district and Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district.
• Dam Features: A 236-meter-high concrete gravity dam will be constructed on the Tons River under this project.
• National Project: This project was declared a 'National Project' back in 2008.
• Capacity: The project will generate 600 MW of hydroelectric power (4 units of 150 MW each) and provide a live water storage capacity of approximately 1,324 million cubic meters.

• The project involves the construction of a third rail line between Champa and Korba, excluding the already approved Madwarani-Saragbundia section.
• This corridor has been identified under Indian Railways' 'Mission 3000 MT' and 'High-Density Network Corridor' initiatives, which aim to enhance freight transportation and meet the country's growing energy needs.
• Approval has been granted for the 42-kilometer-long Champa-Korba third line project of the South East Central Railway, with an estimated cost of ₹755 crore.

• Total stake sale: The government is selling a total stake of up to 5%
• 2% as the base offer
• 3% as the greenshoe option/oversubscription
• Floor price (minimum price): Set at ₹352 per share (which is at a discount of approximately 9% to the prevailing market price)
• Total estimated proceeds: The government aims to raise approximately ₹3,000 crore through this sale
• Concerned Department: This process is being managed by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM)
• Objective: To meet SEBI's Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norms, which require that at least 25% of a listed company's stake be held by the public. Prior to the disinvestment, the government's stake in GIC stood at 82.40%.

Important Economic Concepts:

• Offer for Sale (OFS): A simple and transparent method for a promoter (such as the government) to sell their stake or shares directly to the public or large companies via the stock market.
• Disinvestment: The process by which the government sells its stake or shares in government companies (PSUs) to raise revenue or reduce the fiscal deficit.
• Greenshoe Option: An option that allows the promoter to sell shares beyond the initially set limit (e.g., an additional 3%) in the event of high demand (oversubscription) in the stock market. GIC Re (Reinsurance Company): Established in 1972, this is India's sole and largest domestic reinsurance company, providing financial security and risk cover to general insurance companies (such as LIC and NIA).

• Type of instrument: It is a string instrument played with a bow.
• Craftsmanship and construction: The Sarinda is carved from a single block of wood and features a hollow resonator.
• Regional uniqueness: While various forms of the Sarinda exist across South Asia, the 'Tripura Sarinda' features a distinctive bird-shaped carving on its pegbox, setting it apart from others.
• Musical tradition: It is an integral part of the state's tribal folk music, oral storytelling, rituals, and festivals. It is often played alongside other traditional instruments of Tripura, such as the 'Chongpreng' and 'Sumui' (flute).
• With the inclusion of the Sarinda, the total number of GI-tagged products from Tripura has risen to four.

The other three products:

• Tripura Queen Pineapple: The state's specialty fruit.
• Risa and Pachra/Rignai: Traditional hand-woven attire of indigenous tribal communities.
• Matabari Peda: A special offering (sweet) from the famous Tripurasundari Temple.
• Geographical Indication (GI Tag)
• An Intellectual Property Right (IPR) granted to a product originating from a specific geographical region.
• Act: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• GI Registry Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• Nodal Department: DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Validity: 10 years (renewable).
• India's first GI Tag: Darjeeling Tea (2004-05).

• Rising demand for gold: 89% of central banks expect global gold reserves to increase over the next 12 months, while 45% plan to increase their own gold holdings.
• Declining influence of the dollar: 74% of respondents believe that the US dollar's share in global reserve funds will decrease over the next five years.
• Gold prices in India: Rose by approximately 40% in the last 12 months, primarily driven by central bank buying and the depreciation of the rupee.
• Central bank purchases: Over the past four years, central banks purchased an average of 1,000 tonnes of gold, double the average of the previous decade (500 tonnes).
• RBI's gold reserves: The RBI's gold reserves rose to 879.58 tonnes by the end of FY2025 and reached 880.52 tonnes in FY2026.
• Increase in domestic storage: In FY2025, the RBI brought back over 100 tonnes of gold from abroad to store domestically.
• Decline in Swiss National Bank's popularity: Its preference rating fell from 12% in 2025 to 6% in 2026.

• Host Country: France (President Emmanuel Macron)
• Main Agenda of the Summit: Addressing international challenges; discussions on the Ukraine war, the Middle East crisis, and energy security.
• Historical Significance: Évian-les-Bains previously hosted the 29th G8 Summit in 2003. It has become the first city in France to host the G7/G8 heads of state summit twice.
• The summit was held on the French shore of Lake Geneva, near the Swiss border.
• 7th Consecutive Appearance: This marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 7th consecutive participation (2019 to 2025/26) in the G7 Summit and India's 13th overall participation.
• Voice of the Global South: On this platform, India prominently highlighted the priorities of the 'Global South,' the concerns of developing nations, and the need for global solidarity.
• India Innovates 2026: During this visit, PM Modi and French President Macron inaugurated the 'India Innovates 2026' initiative in the French city of Nice; this is the first Indian innovation showcase in Europe. Its objective is to foster collaboration in the fields of technology and research.

Group of Seven (G7):

• An informal intergovernmental forum comprising seven of the world's major developed and advanced economies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
• The European Union (EU) is also an integral part of the group. It was established in 1975.
• First meeting: 1975, France
• Canada joined: 1976
• Russia was expelled: 2014
• Current members: Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States
• Headquarters: No permanent headquarters
• Journey from G-7 to G-8: It was the G8 from 1997 to 2013 with Russia's inclusion, but Russia was expelled in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.

• Chairing the Meeting: The virtual summit was co-chaired by the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and the President of Burundi.
• Financial assistance: India has announced financial assistance of $10 million (US$10 million) to support Africa's health efforts and outbreak preparedness.
• Medical supplies: India has already sent 45 tonnes of medical supplies to Africa. Commitment has been reiterated to provide further medical and laboratory supplies, diagnostic materials, essential medicines and nutritional support as per requirement.
• Capacity Building: India will also provide technical cooperation, research and capacity building assistance to health institutions in Africa

African Union (AU):

• Introduction: It is a continental union of 55 countries of the African continent.
• Establishment: It was officially launched in 2002 in Durban (South Africa), replacing the previous Organization of African Unity (OAU).
• Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD):

• What is it?: It is a serious, fatal disease occurring in humans and non-human primates (e.g. monkeys, gorillas)
• Spread: The virus spreads to humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals (such as fruit bats). It is also spread between humans through the blood, saliva or other secretions of an infected person.
• Naming: This outbreak in Congo occurred in a village located near the Ebola River, after which the virus was named 'Ebola'.

• Transportation: This consignment was delivered to Colombo via the Indian Navy warship INS Sharda.
• Handover Ceremony: India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, handed over the material to Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary and Army Commander.
• Recent Financial Assistance: Over the past two years, India has approved defence projects worth 5 billion Sri Lankan rupees for Sri Lanka, covering areas such as infrastructure development and military training.

Strengthening Defence Partnership and Strategic Significance:

• 'Neighbourhood First' and 'MAHASAGAR' Vision: This initiative aligns with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the Prime Minister's MAHASAGAR (Maritime Cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Under this, India is playing the role of a 'net security provider' in the region.
• Balancing China's Influence: China's growing footprint in Sri Lanka (such as the Hambantota Port and the arrival of research vessels) has been a matter of strategic concern for India. Through the defence agreement and this new assistance, India has maintained a strong position in Sri Lanka's defence sector. Sri Lanka has also assured that its territory will not be used against India.
• Operation Sagar Bandhu: During Cyclone 'Ditvah', the Indian Navy undertook search, rescue, and infrastructure restoration operations in Sri Lanka.
• Aarogya Maitri: India handed over two BHISM Cubes (modern portable mobile hospitals) to Sri Lanka.

Other Key Pillars of India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation:

• Military Exercises: Mitra Shakti (Army) and SLINEX (Navy).
• Capacity Building: Approximately 1,200 Sri Lankan military personnel are trained annually at Indian defence institutions.
• Coastal Security: India provided two Personal Watercraft (PWCs) to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to enhance their maritime search and rescue capabilities.

• Event and Date: This three-day meeting is being held from June 16 to June 18, 2026, in Hong Kong SAR, China.
• Main Objective: To develop and discuss global standards for herbal medicines in order to ensure the quality, safety, and purity of traditional medicines.
• Participants: Distinguished experts from member countries across all six World Health Organization (WHO) regions are participating in the meeting.

Key Facts:

• The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, is leading India's participation in this meeting.

• Global Location: The country is situated on the western edge of mainland Europe, between 42° and 51° North latitude.
• Land Borders (8 countries): France shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra.
• Maritime Borders: The English Channel lies to the northwest, the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean) to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
• Capital: Paris
• Continent: Europe
• President: Emmanuel Macron

• Main objective: To raise global awareness about land degradation, desertification and drought
• Proclamation: This day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1994.
• Rio Summit: During the 1992 Rio 'Earth Summit' desertification was recognized as one of the greatest challenges to sustainable development along with climate change and biodiversity loss
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The day is specifically linked to SDG 15 (Life on Land), which aims to halt and reverse land degradation by 2030.
• Global impact: About 40% of the world's land area already degraded
• it's done
• Land restoration target: India has set a national target to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030

• Global Recognition: The Prix Versailles is an annual global award for architecture and design, announced at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
• Two Indian Airports Included: Two airports from India have secured a place in this list of the world's top 7 most beautiful airports—Guwahati's Terminal-2 and the Navi Mumbai International Airport (Terminal-1).
• Management: Both these airports are operated and managed by 'Adani Airport Holdings Limited' (AAHL).
• Global Competitors: Other major airports included in this list are located in Guangzhou (China), Frankfurt (Germany), Kandal Stung (Cambodia), Pittsburgh, and San Diego (USA).

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA):

• It is the largest and busiest airport in Northeast India.
• It is located at Borjhar in Guwahati, Assam, and serves as the main gateway for the entire Northeastern region.
• Name: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) – named after Assam's first Chief Minister and freedom fighter, Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi.
• Location: Borjhar, Guwahati, Assam (approximately 24 km from the city center).
• IATA Code: GAU | ICAO Code:
• Type: Civil airport; it is operated on a shared basis with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Operator: Currently, it is being developed and operated by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Inspired by the bamboo flower—a symbol of the region's biodiversity—the structure blends modern architecture with local cultural influences.

• Goal Scorers: Captain Salima Tete scored the opening goal for India in the 33rd minute. Subsequently, Lalremsiami netted the decisive winning goal in the 49th minute. Ai Hiramitsu scored the lone goal for Japan in the 35th minute.
• Historic Milestone: During this match, Indian midfielder Jyoti completed her 100th senior international appearance.
• Pool Standings: India had previously defeated the USA 3-2 in their opening match. With two consecutive victories, the Indian team remains at the top of Pool A with 6 points.
• Tournament Significance: The FIH Nations Cup is organized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).