Daily Current Affairs - 20 June 2026
Generated by AllJobAlerts on 21 June 2026
New Forester Moth Species Discovered in Karnataka
- Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (Pune) discovered a new forester moth species, Mimeusemia kali, in Kali Tiger Reserve, Karnataka.
- Named by Aparna Kalawate & Gyula M. László; first addition to genus Mimeusemia in nearly 30 years.
- Belongs to the Zygaenidae family; now 30 taxa worldwide (23 species + 7 subspecies).
- Identified via morphology, reproductive structures, and genetics; published in Zootaxa.
- Discovery from Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
Ancient Celtic Princely Grave Discovered in Germany
- Archaeologists found a princely grave from the early La Tène period (mid-1st millennium BCE) near Bad Camberg, Hesse, Germany, during solar park excavations.
- Contains gold jewellery, weapon fragments, imported Etruscan bronze jug, and traces of a two-wheeled wagon.
- First Celtic princely grave discovered during solar park construction in Hesse.
- Highlights elite Iron Age Celtic burial customs; artefacts under scientific analysis (X-rays, CT scans).
US-Iran Interim Agreement: Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding
- The US and Iran announced a 14-point interim agreement (Islamabad MoU) to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Includes a 60-day negotiating window for comprehensive settlement on sanctions, nuclear issues, and security.
- Immediate ceasefire, lifting of maritime restrictions, sanctions relief discussions, and safe shipping passage.
- Iran reaffirmed no nuclear weapons pursuit; IAEA to supervise.
- Major implications for global energy markets and Middle East stability.
India’s Strong Performance in QS World University Rankings 2027
- India secured 5th position globally with 52 universities featured, a 271% increase from 14 in 2017.
- IIT Delhi ranked highest among Indian institutions at 118th globally, matching the best-ever rank by an Indian university.
- Top Indian performers: IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, and IISc.
- India ranks 3rd in research output; 11 universities in global top 100 for Citations per Faculty; 6 in top 100 for Employer Reputation.
- Strong growth driven by NEP 2020, international collaborations, and young population.
Sarvam AI Becomes Unicorn with $234 Million Funding
- Bengaluru-based sovereign AI startup Sarvam AI raised $234 million in Series B (first close), achieving $1.5 billion post-money valuation.
- Funding led by HCLTech ($150 million) with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, and Peak XV Partners.
- Founded in 2023 by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar.
- Funds will support next-gen AI models (agentic AI, coding assistants, cybersecurity), compute infrastructure, and enterprise deployments in banking, insurance, defence, etc.
- Strengthens India’s sovereign AI ambitions.
Deepti Sharma Equals Record for Most Wickets in Women’s International Cricket
- Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma became joint-highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket with her 355th wicket.
- Achieved during India vs Netherlands Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match at Headingley, Leeds.
- She equals Jhulan Goswami and Katherine Sciver-Brunt (both 355 wickets).
- Two Indians now occupy top spots, highlighting India’s dominance in women’s cricket.
- India’s upcoming fixtures listed against Pakistan, Netherlands, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Australia.
New Appointments to National Statistical Commission
- The government appointed new leadership to the National Statistical Commission (NSC) on 17 June 2026.
- Chairperson: Dr. Saibal Chattopadhyay (former Director, IIM Calcutta).
- Members: Prof. Shubhabrata Das, Shri Satyendra Bahadur Singh, Dr. Madhavan Mukund.
- Experts bring rich experience in statistics, academia, public administration, and computer science.
- NSC, established in 2005, is the apex advisory body for India’s official statistical system to ensure quality and transparency.
Hitesh Joshi Appointed CMD of GIC Re
- The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) appointed Hitesh Joshi as Chairman and Managing Director of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) on 12 June 2026.
- He was serving as acting CMD from October 2025 after N. Ramaswamy’s retirement.
- Joshi has extensive experience in reinsurance, risk management, finance, HR, IT, and digital transformation.
- Holds postgraduate degrees in Accountancy and Financial Management; Fellow of Insurance Institute of India.
- GIC Re is India’s national reinsurer and a major player in Asia.
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026
- Observed on 17 June 2026 with the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”
- Focuses on grasslands, savannahs, shrublands, and tundra that cover over half of Earth’s land.
- Highlights rangelands’ role in food security, biodiversity, climate resilience, and water management.
- India observed through Watershed Development projects under PMKSY 2.0.
- Addresses land degradation, unsustainable practices, and climate change impacts.
Autistic Pride Day 2026 Observed on 18 June
- Autistic Pride Day 2026 celebrated on 18 June to promote neurodiversity, acceptance, and inclusion of autistic individuals.
- Theme: “Recognition, Representation, Reform”.
- Emphasizes autism as natural neurological variation, not a disease; highlights strengths and contributions of autistic people.
- Symbol: Rainbow infinity symbol representing infinite diversity and acceptance.
- First observed in 2005; advocates equal rights, accessibility, and inclusive environments.