📰 Daily Current Affairs

📅 19 June 2026 • ✅ 19/6/2026, 4:00:24 pm

1. PM Modi and Donald Trump direct officials to accelerate work on a commercially meaningful India-US trade agreement

Leaders from both nations have instructed officials to speed up the development of a significant trade deal, marking progress in bilateral economic relations.

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2. Centre approves 8.25% EPF interest rate for FY26; deposits to begin this month

The central government has approved an 8.25% interest rate for Employees' Provident Fund for the 2025-26 financial year, with UPI withdrawal facility to be available from July.

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3. MeitY restricts public access to Telegram under Section 69A of the IT Act

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology temporarily restricted access to Telegram as a preventive measure to safeguard the integrity of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination, invoking Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

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4. NSE files for a ₹30,000-crore IPO, poised to become India's largest public issue

The National Stock Exchange has submitted filings for an initial public offering that is set to be the biggest in the country's history, marking a significant development in India's capital markets.

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5. Dr. Saibal Chattopadhyay appointed as Chairperson of National Statistical Commission (NSC)

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr. Saibal Chattopadhyay as Chairperson and several others as members of the NSC, the apex advisory body for strengthening India's official statistical system established in 2005.

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6. EU to sign Free Trade Agreement with India by end of 2026

Ursula von der Leyen announced at the G7 summit that the European Union aims to sign a Free Trade Agreement with India by the end of 2026, strengthening bilateral economic ties.

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7. Uzbekistan becomes the 10th member and shareholder of the New Development Bank (NDB)

Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian country to join the NDB (formerly known as the BRICS Development Bank) after ratifying the Articles of Agreement, strengthening the Bank's engagement in Central Asia.

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8. Three traditional handicrafts from Bihar granted Geographical Indication (GI) Tags

The Bawan Buti Saree, Patharkatti Stone Craft, and Pidiya Painting were granted GI tags to provide legal protection for their unique cultural heritage through the joint efforts of NABARD and the Government of Bihar.

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9. Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi appointed as CMD of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re)

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi as the Chairman and Managing Director of GIC Re, following his tenure as Acting CMD since October 2025.

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10. Indian Army participates in multilateral military exercise 'KHAAN QUEST 2026' in Mongolia

An Indian Army contingent departed on 18 June 2026 to participate in the multilateral military exercise KHAAN QUEST 2026, conducted from 20 June to 3 July 2026 at Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to enhance interoperability for UN Peace Support Operations.

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