Prelims Current Affairs includes World Milk Day, Global Day Of Parents, India Launches First Skycast System At Delhi Airport, Rbi Revives Polymer Currency Note Proposal, Mission Queen Pineapple, 79th World Health Assembly Concludes In Geneva, India Ranks 4th In Ai Performance, 5th In Digital Economy, Forest Advisory Committee (Fac), Rajesh Kumar Singh Gets Additional Charge As Drdo Chairman & Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar Appointed 48th Vice Chief Of Naval Staff

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. WORLD MILK DAY

Current Context: World Milk Day 2026 was observed on 1 June to highlight dairy’s essential role in global food systems and its contribution to nutrition, livelihoods, and sustainable development.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 2001.
• Purpose: Recognize importance of milk as a global food, celebrate the dairy sector, and promote benefits of milk and dairy products including health, nutrition, affordability, and accessibility
• Global impact: Dairy supports livelihoods of one billion people
• Important days

DAIRY SECTOR IN INDIA

• India is the world’s largest milk producer.
• Supported by initiatives such as the Operation Flood (launched in 1970 by the National Dairy Development Board) and the National Dairy Plan.

About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security.
• Established on 16 October 1945.
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.

IMPORTANT DAYS

2.  GLOBAL DAY OF PARENTS

Current Context: Global Day of Parents 2026 was observed on 1 June to honour parents worldwide for their selfless commitment to nurturing and supporting children.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. First observed in 2013.
• Theme 2026: “Together for Parents”
• Background: In 1983, Commission for Social Development requested Secretary-General to enhance awareness of family problems and needs, 1994 proclaimed as International Year of the Family, 15 May observed as International Day of Families
• UNICEF initiative: Launch of “Becoming a Parent” video under the theme

About UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)

• Originally established as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in 1946.
• Created by the United Nations General Assembly after World War II to provide emergency assistance to children.
• Headquarters: New York City.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

3. INDIA LAUNCHES FIRST SKYCAST SYSTEM AT DELHI AIRPORT

Current Context: India launched its first SkyCast aviation weather monitoring and nowcasting system at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport), New Delhi, to improve aviation safety and reduce weather-related flight disruptions.

ABOUT SKYCAST SYSTEM

• SkyCast is an advanced integrated aviation weather intelligence and nowcasting system.
• Developed under the Government’s Mission Mausam

OBJECTIVE

• Provide real-time weather intelligence for aviation operations.
• Reduce flight delays, cancellations, and diversions caused by fog, turbulence, and poor visibility.
• Enhance safety during aircraft take-off and landing
• Key Technologies Used:
  • Radar Wind Profiler (measures wind speed, direction, turbulence, vertical air movement)
  • SODAR (Sonic Detection and Ranging) -uses sound waves to study atmospheric conditions in the lower atmosphere.
  • Microwave Radiometer- passive sensor that measures natural microwave radiation emitted by the atmosphere.
  • Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) – studies fog droplets, aerosol particles, pollution-fog interactions
  • CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer (monitors fog depth, cloud layers, vertical visibility)
• Coverage: Monitors atmospheric conditions up to nearly 3 kilometres above the airport

ABOUT MISSION MAUSAM

• Mission Mausam is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at making India a “Weather-Ready and Climate-Smart Nation.”
• Approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2024.
• Implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

ECONOMYS

4. RBI REVIVES POLYMER CURRENCY NOTE PROPOSAL

Current Context: The Reserve Bank of India is considering a pilot project for polymer currency notes to improve durability, reduce printing costs, and address rising cash demand.

ABOUT POLYMER NOTES

• Polymer notes are banknotes made from a special plastic substrate instead of traditional cotton-based paper. Made from biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)
• First introduced by Australia in 1988.
• Currently used by countries such as Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
• Key Benefits: Longer lifespan than paper notes, reduced printing and replacement costs, better resistance to wear and tear, enhanced security features against counterfeiting
• Previous experiment: 2012 – government approved pilot project for one billion ₹10 polymer banknotes
• Currency in Circulation (as of 15 May): ₹42.86 trillion (11.5% year-on-year increase)
• Printing Cost: ₹5,101.4 crore (FY24) to ₹6,372.8 crore (FY25)
• Soiled notes disposed (FY25): 23.8 billion (12.3% increase), highest were ₹500 denomination, followed by ₹100

ECONOMY

5. MISSION QUEEN PINEAPPLE

Current Context: The Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched “Mission Queen Pineapple” for promoting Tripura’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple.

ABOUT THE MISSION

• Focuses on the development of the Queen Pineapple, a premium pineapple variety.
• Queen Pineapple: Spiny, golden-yellow variety known for sweet taste, pleasant aroma; contains vitamins A, B, C; minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron); state fruit of Tripura; GI tag received in 2015
• Objective: Establish integrated pineapple value-chain ecosystem; address structural gaps; unlock premium market potential
• Time Period: Three-year implementation roadmap from Q2 FY2026 to Q4 FY2028

INTERNATIONAL

6. 79TH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES IN GENEVA

Current Context: The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) concluded in Geneva after discussions on global health priorities, pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, and strengthening international health cooperation.

ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY

• WHA is the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization.
• Comprises delegations from all WHO Member States.
• Meets annually, usually in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Theme: “Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility”
• Focus areas: Tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, stroke, emergency care, precision medicine

Key Highlights of the WHA79

• Member States discussed major global health issues including pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), digital health, artificial intelligence, climate-linked health risks, and universal health coverage (UHC).
• The Assembly adopted important resolutions on precision medicine, pharmacovigilance, emergency and critical care, and the updated Global Action Plan on AMR (2026-2036) while emphasizing stronger and more resilient health systems

ABOUT WHO

• Established on 7 April 1948.
• Headquarters: Geneva.
• Specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.

REPORTS

7.  INDIA RANKS 4TH IN AI PERFORMANCE, 5TH IN DIGITAL ECONOMY

Current Context: India ranked 4th globally in Artificial Intelligence (AI) performance and 5th in digital economy rankings in the State of India’s Digital Economy 2026 report.

ABOUT THE REPORT

• Released by: ICRIER-Prosus Centre for Internet and Digital Economy
• India’s Rankings:
  • AI Performance: 4th globally (behind US, China, Singapore; ahead of Germany, France, Japan, UK, Canada)
  • Digital Economy: 5th (improved from 8th in 2025)
• Key Facts: India has world’s second-largest AI talent pool, generated about US$328 billion in digitally delivered trade (software exports, IT services, cloud-based solutions)
• AI skill penetration: India ranked first on LinkedIn (Stanford University 2026 AI Index), second in AI talent growth globally (2019-2025)

FACTORS BEHIND INDIA’S RISE

• Expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) such as:
• Aadhaar
• UPI
• DigiLocker
• CoWIN
• Rapid growth of AI startups and innovation ecosystem.

ENVIRONMENT

8. FOREST ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FAC)

Current Context: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has granted in-principle approval for diversion of over 3,000 hectares of forest land across several states for key infrastructure projects.

ABOUT FAC

• Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is a statutory committee constituted by the Central Government under Section 3 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
• Functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Function: Considers diversion of forest land for non-forest uses (mining, industrial projects, townships), advises state government on granting forest clearances
• Process: Once FAC approves, forwarded to concerned State government, state must ensure compliance with Forest Right Act, 2006; future users must provide compensatory land for afforestation and pay net present value.

About Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006

• Officially known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
• Enacted in 2006 and came into force in 2008.
• Recognizes and vests forest rights and occupation in forest land to forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs).

APPOINTMENTS

9. RAJESH KUMAR SINGH GETS ADDITIONAL CHARGE AS DRDO CHAIRMAN

Current Context: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was given additional charge of Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Chairman of DRDO.

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT

• Name: Rajesh Kumar Singh (1989-batch IAS officer, Kerala cadre)
• Effective from: 31 May 2026
• Succeeds: Dr. Samir V. Kamat (tenure ended 31 May 2026)
• Current role: Defence Secretary since 1 November 2024

About DRDO

• DRDO stands for Defence Research and Development Organisation. It is the premier research and development agency of India for defence technologies.
• Functions under the Ministry of Defence.
• Established in 1958 through the merger of:
• Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army
• Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP)
• Defence Science Organisation (DSO)

APPOINTMENTS

10. VICE ADMIRAL AJAY KOCHHAR APPOINTED 48TH VICE CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF

Current Context: Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar has assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on 29 May 2026.

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT

• Commissioned: 1 July 1988 (NDA, Pune)
• Specialisation: Gunnery and Missile Systems
• Experience: Over 37 years of service
• Role during Operation Sindoor: As Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, led command’s response to security challenges

About INDIAN NAVY

• Functions under the Ministry of Defence. Origin traces back to the East India Company’s Marine (1612). Renamed as the Royal Indian Navy in 1934. Became the Indian Navy after India’s independence in 1950.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Western Naval Command: Headquarters: Mumbai.
• Eastern Naval Command: Headquarters: Visakhapatnam.
• Southern Naval Command: Headquarters: Kochi.

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