Current Affairs – June 22, 2026

{GS1 – A&C} PM Modi’s Gifts Showcase India’s Cultural Heritage *

Context (IE): During his visits to France and Slovakia, Prime Minister presented a range of traditional Indian handicrafts, textiles, artworks, agricultural products, and classical knowledge texts to foreign dignitaries.

Product	Characteristics
Kalamkari Mahabharata Painting	Traditional Indian art form originating from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, renowned for its intricate hand-painted and block-printed designs. It primarily uses natural dyes made from plants and minerals.
Pochampally Silk Stole	A renowned handwoven textile from Bhoodan Pochampally village in Telangana. Famous for its distinctive Ikat weaving technique, where yarns are resist-dyed before weaving. Often referred to as “Silk City of India.” Pochampally Ikat received GI Tag in 2005.
Kashmiri Silk Carpet	One of India’s most prestigious hand-knotted carpet traditions, originating from the Kashmir Valley. These carpets are woven entirely by hand using high-quality natural silk. Received GI tag in 2016.
Brass Dokra	Traditional metal craft that uses the ancient lost-wax casting technique (Cire Perdue). Practised by artisans in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Dhokra Craft of Bankura (West Bengal) and Dhokra Jewellery of Dhenkanal (Odisha) have received GI Tags.
Thewa Motif	Unique traditional jewellery and decorative art form from Pratapgarh, Rajasthan. Involves intricate fusion of finely engraved gold sheets onto specially coloured glass. Received GI Tag in 2008–09.
Charaka Samhita	One of the foundational texts of Ayurveda, attributed to the sage Charaka. Primarily deals with internal medicine (Kayachikitsa). The text discusses the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases.
Sushruta Samhita	Ancient Ayurvedic text attributed to Sushruta, often called the “Father of Surgery“. Renowned for its detailed descriptions of surgical procedures and techniques. It discusses anatomy, surgical instruments, wound management, fractures, plastic surgery, and ophthalmic surgery.
Thekua	Traditional sweet snack associated with states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP.
Nagauri Ashwagandha	Premium variety of Ashwagandha cultivated in Nagaur region (Rajasthan). Received GI Tag in 2024. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda and is classified as a Rasayana (rejuvenating herb).
Lakadong Turmeric	Premium variety of turmeric grown in the Jaintia Hills region of Meghalaya. Famous for its high curcumin content of 6–8%, compared to the 2–3% typically found in ordinary turmeric varieties. Received GI Tag in 2023.
Ramban Honey (J&K)	Produced in the Chenab Valley of J&K, a region known for its rich biodiversity and diverse floral resources that support high-quality beekeeping.
Banarasi Silk Stoles	Traditional handwoven textile products originating from Varanasi (Banaras), UP. Banarasi textiles are famous for their zari work, which uses gold and silver threads woven into silk fabric. Banaras Brocades and Sarees received GI Tag in 2009.

{GS1 – IS} Crimes Against Women in India **

Context (IE): Despite a robust constitutional and legislative framework for the protection of women, crimes against women continue to be a major governance challenge in India.

India’s ranking of 131 out of 177 countries in the Women, Peace and Security Index 2023 highlights the need for stronger institutional and societal efforts to ensure a safe environment for women.

Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index: Produced by Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and Peace Research Institute Oslo. it is a global ranking that measures women’s wellbeing across 181 countries using 13 indicators spanning inclusion, justice, and security.

Status of Crimes Against Women in India

Crimes Against Women: In 2024, India recorded 4,41,534 cases of crimes against women.
Sexual Violence: India recorded 29,536 cases of rape in 2024.
Dowry Deaths: According to the NCRB, in 2023, 15,000 dowry cases were recorded, with 6,100 deaths.
Domestic Violence: 32% of ever-married women have faced spousal violence in India (NFHS-5).
Cybercrimes: Cybercrimes against women increased by 239% between 2017 and 2022 (NCRB).

Challenges in Ensuring Women’s Safety in India

Patriarchal Social Norms: Deep-rooted gender stereotypes, son preference, and unequal power relations continue to fuel violence against women.
Underreporting of Crimes: Social stigma, fear of retaliation, lack of awareness, and distrust in institutions discourage victims from reporting offences.
Inadequate Policing & Infrastructure: Shortage of women police personnel, lack of gender-sensitive policing, and poor public safety infrastructure remain concerns.
Poor Implementation of Laws: While India has enacted several progressive laws, implementation gaps, poor monitoring mechanisms, and lack of accountability often reduce their effectiveness.
Low Conviction Rates: India’s conviction rate for rape cases has remained around 27–28% in recent years. Delays in investigation, inadequate forensic infrastructure, witness intimidation, and lengthy judicial processes undermine access to justice for survivors.

Steps Taken by the Government

Strengthened Legal Framework: Enactment of laws such as Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005), Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH), and POCSO Act (2012).
Institutional Support Mechanisms: Establishment of One Stop Centres (Sakhi Centres), Women Helpline (181), Women Help Desks, and Fast Track Special Courts for timely support and justice.
Nirbhaya Fund: Dedicated financial support for projects related to women’s safety, security infrastructure, emergency response systems, and victim assistance.
Cyber Safety Initiatives: Launch of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme to address online crimes.
Women Empowerment Programmes: Initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Mission Shakti aimed at improving education, awareness, safety, and empowerment of women.

{GS2 – Polity} Constitutional Framework for Fraternity in India

Context (IE): Fraternity, being the only constitutional ideal that law alone can neither create nor enforce, makes its erosion uniquely dangerous to Indian democracy.

Constitutional Provisions for Fraternity

Constitutional Objective: The Preamble declares a commitment to promote fraternity to assure two objectives: the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.
Shared Belonging: Unlike federal systems such as the USA, Part II of IC establishes a single citizenship to reinforce a common national identity across all states and regions.
Equality Floor: Articles 14 to 18 lay the equality foundation for fraternity by guaranteeing equality before law, prohibiting state discrimination, abolishing untouchability, and banning titles of honour.
Guaranteed Pluralism: Article 25 makes inter-faith coexistence a constitutional guarantee by protecting all persons’ freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise, and propagate their religion.
Systemic Equity: Article 38 directs the State to secure a social order founded on social, economic, and political justice, and to minimise inequalities in income, status, and opportunity.
Justice Parity: Article 39A added by the 42nd CAA, 1976, mandates equal justice and free legal aid so that economic disability does not bar any citizen from access to justice.
Fraternal Duty: Article 51A(e) imposes a duty on every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood, and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

Challenges with Fraternity in India

Trust Deficit: A 500% surge in hate-speech cases (2014–2020), alongside a dismal 20% conviction rate, signals a collapse of judicial deterrence that fractures social trust.
Caste Divisions: NCRB data showing a 13.1% rise in atrocities against Scheduled Castes in 2022 proves that deep-rooted social hierarchies continually shatter constitutional brotherhood.
Wealth Gap: With India’s top 1% controlling 40% of the national wealth, extreme economic inequality breeds societal resentment and erodes the egalitarian foundation necessary for genuine fraternity.
Regional Nativism: State-level private-sector job quotas for locals subordinate national integration to regional identity.

SC Judgements on Fraternity

Nandini Sundar (2011): State policies that arm civilians against each other (e.g., Salwa Judum) fundamentally subvert the core constitutional promise of national fraternity.
Tehseen Poonawalla (2018): Mob lynching and cow vigilantism are direct assaults on the pluralist social fabric and constitutional fraternity.
Kaushal Kishor (2023): Public functionaries bear an inherent constitutional duty to exercise self-restraint in speech to preserve the preambular value of fraternity.
Shaheen Abdulla (2023): Secular harmony across all religions and castes is an absolute prerequisite; true constitutional fraternity cannot exist without it.
Section 6A Citizenship Case (2024): Fraternity requires an inclusive “live and let live” approach, rejecting a narrow right to select one’s neighbours.
UGC Equity Rules Case (2026): Institutional segregation clauses prima facie reflect a “separate but equal” mentality that could violate the Preamble’s promise of fraternity.

{GS2 – Polity} Right to Walk a Fundamental Right *

Context (TH | IE): Supreme Court in Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors recognised the right to walk safely on demarcated footpaths as a Fundamental Right.

Constitutional Basis:
- Article 19: The Court interpreted walking as an integral component of the freedom of movement guaranteed throughout India under Article 19(1)(d). Articles 19(1)(a), (b), and (c) also support this, as public walking spaces enable freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and association.
- Article 21: SC recognised safe pedestrian mobility as essential to living with dignity under the right to life and personal liberty.
The ruling introduced “restitutionary remedies,” enabling citizens to seek compensation for tragedies caused by the State’s failure to provide safe pedestrian pathways.

Legal Framework for Safe Pedestrian Infrastructure

The Street Vendors Act, 2014, mandates demarcating vending zones to balance hawkers’ livelihoods with pedestrians’ rights to unobstructed pavements.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, regulates traffic and penalises parking on sidewalks.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates civic bodies to provide accessible footpaths and curb ramps.
Indian Roads Congress Guidelines (IRC:103) set standards for safe, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.
Punjab’s 2023 Mandate made Punjab the 1^st Indian State to recognise & implement right to walk as a policy.

{GS4 – Ethics} NEET-Linked Suicides: Beyond Marks & Rankings

Context (IE): Recent NEET-linked suicides have reignited concerns over academic pressure, parental expectations, and the ethical responsibility of society to uphold human dignity beyond exam outcomes.

Ethical Issues Involved

Human Dignity vs Performance Culture: Reducing a person’s worth to ranks, marks, and college admissions violates the principle of intrinsic human dignity.
Ethics of Care & Empathy Deficit: Families, schools, and institutions often prioritise achievement over emotional well-being, reflecting a lack of compassion and care ethics.
Social Pressure & Unrealistic Expectations: Excessive parental, societal, and peer expectations create psychological burdens, raising questions of responsibility and fairness.
Mental Health & Emotional Intelligence: Failure to recognise emotional distress highlights deficiencies in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and supportive communication.

Ethical Thinkers / Concepts

Immanuel Kant: Human beings possess inherent dignity and must never be treated merely as a means to an end.
Ethics of Care (Carol Gilligan): Relationships, empathy & support systems are central to human flourishing.
Resilience Ethics: Failure is a temporary setback, not a measure of personal worth.

Way Forward For Building a Supportive Ecosystem

Promote Emotional Intelligence Education: Teach resilience, stress management, and coping skills. Integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and life-skills education under NEP 2020.
Responsible Parenting: Focus on effort, learning, and well-being rather than only outcomes (e.g., CBSE’s parental guidance advisories on examination stress management).
Reform Coaching Culture: Shift from rank-centric narratives to holistic development.
Strengthen Community Support Systems: Peer mentoring, helplines, and safe spaces for open conversations. Leverage NSS, NYKS, and NGOs for emotional support networks.

{Prelims – Agri} State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 Report

Context (DTE): FAO released the biennial State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2026 report under the theme “Blue Transformation: Turning Vision into Impact”.

Key Findings of the Report

Global Production reached a record 235 million tonnes in 2024. Aquaculture contributed 53% of aquatic animal production, exceeding 100 million tonnes for the first time.
Asian countries lead global aquaculture, but Africa’s per-capita aquatic food supply remains below average.
Key Concern: Sustainable marine fish stocks’ share dropped from 64.5% in 2021 to 62.4% in 2023.

India-specific Findings

India contributed about 9% to global fish production and remained the 2nd largest fish producer after China.
- India leads inland capture fisheries with 2.2 MT and is the 2^nd-largest aquaculture producer, accounting for ~12% of global farmed aquatic animal output.
India contributed around 5% of global marine capture fisheries production.

Read More > Fisheries Sector in India

{Prelims – Geo} India’s 1^st Commercial-Scale Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project *

Context (PIB | BS): Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of India’s first commercial-scale Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district, Odisha.

The project is being developed by Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL), a joint venture between Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Coal India Limited (CIL).
The project will use coal gasification technology to convert coal into value-added chemicals, including ammonium nitrate.

About Coal Gasification

Coal Gasification is a process in which coal is converted into a Syngas (Synthesis Gas), a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane.
Instead of directly burning coal, the process partially oxidizes it at high temperatures and pressures to produce cleaner fuels, fertilizers, and chemical feedstocks.

{Prelims – PIN World} Bolivia

Context (TH): Bolivian President declared a 90-day State of Emergency amid nationwide protests against withdrawal of fuel subsidies & rising inflation.

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America, bordered by Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay. Sucre is the Constitutional capital, while La Paz is the administrative capital.
Bolivia is part of Lithium Triangle (Bolivia–Chile–Argentina) holding some of world’s largest lithium resources.
- It is home to Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat and a major lithium reserve.
Geography: Dominated by Andes Mountains and Altiplano Plateau, one of the highest inhabited regions in the world. Shares Lake Titicaca, one of the world’s highest navigable lakes, with Peru.

{Prelims – S&T} Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs)

Context (DDN): Astronomers have identified the likely origin of EP241107a, a rare Fast X-ray Transient (FXT), linking it to either a massive-star collapse or a neutron-star merger.

EP241107a was discovered by the Einstein Probe, a Chinese space-based X-ray astronomy satellite designed to detect and monitor high-energy events in the universe.
FXTs are brief, highly energetic bursts of low-energy X-rays that typically last from minutes to a few hours before fading rapidly. FXTs are generally non-repeating and unpredictable, making them challenging to detect.
They are associated with phenomena such as gamma-ray bursts, supernova explosions, neutron star mergers, and black hole-related events.

{Prelims – IE} Development Policy Financing

Context (TH): World Bank approved $1.5 billion for India through its Development Policy Financing (DPF) operations, aligned with World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for India for FY2026–31.

DPF provides rapid disbursement of financial assistance directly to a country’s national budget instead of funding physical infrastructure projects. It can be extended as loans, credits/grants, or guarantees.
Objective: Support institutional reforms promoting sustainable growth and poverty reduction.
Eligibility Conditions: Borrowers must maintain a sound macroeconomic policy framework, complete mutually agreed prior actions, and align with the Paris Agreement.

The WBG’s CPF for India (FY2026–31) is a comprehensive strategic roadmap that pledges $8–10 billion annually to support private sector-led job creation, climate resilience, and Viksit Bharat by 2047.

{Prelims – Misc} One-Liner

In News – 12^th International Day of Yoga (PIB): Celebrated globally on 21 June with the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing“, it promotes the benefits of practising yoga. Proposed by India, it was established by the UNGA in 2014. In India, the Ministry of Ayush is the nodal agency for organising events.
- The day coincides with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.