Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day For Countering Hate Speech 2026, World Crocodile Day 2026, The U.S.-Iran Preliminary Peace Accord 2026, Rbi Launches Reelathon 2026 On Cyber Fraud, Usutu Virus Detected In Scotland For First Time, Raja Parba Festival Celebrated In Odisha, Ncert To Replace Retouched Image Of ‘Dancing Girl’ Of Mohenjo-Daro, Assam Secures Gi Tags For Four Traditional Products, Tripura’s Sarinda Receives Gi Tag & Air Force To Join Exercise Pitch Black 2026 In Australia

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR COUNTERING HATE SPEECH 2026

Current Context: The International Day for Countering Hate Speech is observed on 18 June to strengthen international cooperation against the harmful proliferation of hate speech and to promote mutual respect, dignity, and inclusion across societies.

ABOUT THE DAY

• In 2019, the United Nations launched the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
• In 2021, the UN General Assembly adopted, proclaiming 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
• The first observance was held in 2022.
• UN Theme 2026: “Hate Speech and Artificial Intelligence”

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. WORLD CROCODILE DAY 2026

Current Context: World Crocodile Day is observed every year on 17 June to raise awareness about crocodiles and the urgent need to protect these ancient reptiles and their habitats.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Theme 2026: “Legacy in Every Scale”
• Largest living reptile: Saltwater Crocodile (can grow over 7 metres and weigh up to one tonne)
• Crocodiles belong to: Order Crocodylia; often called “living fossils”
• CROCODILE CONSERVATION IN INDIA
• Crocodile Conservation Project: Launched in 1975 with support from international conservation agencies
• Three native species: Mugger Crocodile, Saltwater Crocodile, Gharial
• Key protected areas: Bhitarkanika National Park (Saltwater Crocodile), National Chambal Sanctuary (Gharial)

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. THE U.S.-IRAN PRELIMINARY PEACE ACCORD 2026

Current Context: The United States and Iran announced a breakthrough preliminary peace agreement to immediately end their military conflict and completely lift the naval blockade on the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

ABOUT THE ACCORD

• The United States and Iran have reached a Preliminary Peace Accord (Memorandum of Understanding – MoU) aimed at ending the 2026 conflict in West Asia. The framework agreement is expected to be formally signed in Geneva, Switzerland, followed by a 60-day negotiation period for a comprehensive peace settlement.
• Key provisions:
  • Immediate multilateral ceasefire
  • Toll-free re-opening of Strait of Hormuz
  • Unfreezing of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets
  • US commits to financial reparations to Tehran

ECONOMY

4. RBI LAUNCHES REELATHON 2026 ON CYBER FRAUD

Current Context: The Reserve Bank of India launched “RBI Reelathon 2026”.

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

• RBI Reelathon 2026 is a cyber-awareness initiative launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Thiruvananthapuram.
• The campaign seeks to combat the growing menace of cyber financial frauds through digital outreach and youth participation.
• It uses social media reels and awareness programmes to spread information on safe digital banking practices.
• Target: College students in about 150 colleges in Kerala
• Topics covered: Cyber-enabled financial frauds, timely reporting, smart borrowing practices, safe digital banking habits, illegal loan applications, mule accounts, digital arrest scams
• Cash prizes: ₹75,000, ₹50,000, ₹25,000 for top three winners
• “Golden hour” in cybercrime reporting: Early period after fraud when prompt reporting can help freeze transactions and support fund recovery

About RBI

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India.
• It is the apex institution for monetary policy, currency management, banking regulation, and financial stability. RBI was established under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• Established: 1 April 1935.
• Nationalised: 1 January 1949.
• Based on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission (Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance, 1926).

SCIENCE & HEALTH

5. USUTU VIRUS DETECTED IN SCOTLAND FOR FIRST TIME

Current Context: Usutu virus (USUV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, was identified in blackbirds in Scotland for the first time in summer 2025.

ABOUT USUTU VIRUS

• Usutu Virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Flavivirus Flavivirus is a genus of RNA viruses transmitted mainly by mosquitoes and ticks.
• It is closely related to:
• West Nile Virus
• Japanese Encephalitis Virus
• Dengue Virus
• Zika Virus
• First identified in 1959 near the Usutu River in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Africa.
• Primarily circulates between birds and mosquitoes.
• Human impact: Rarely causes symptomatic disease, no human cases reported in UK to date.
• Detection in Scotland: Isle of Arran, confirmed by APHA’s national passive wild avian surveillance programme

CULTURE

6. RAJA PARBA FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN ODISHA

Current Context: Raja Parba is one of Odisha’s most significant festivals, observed with great enthusiasm across the state.

ABOUT RAJA PARBA

• Raja Parba (pronounced “Raw-jaw”) is one of the most important traditional festivals of Odisha.
• The festival celebrates womanhood, fertility, and the regenerative power of nature.
• It marks the beginning of the agricultural season with the arrival of monsoon rains.
• Reflects: Deep cultural and agricultural traditions

CULTURE 

7. NCERT TO REPLACE RETOUCHED IMAGE OF ‘DANCING GIRL’ OF MOHENJO-DARO

Current Context: NCERT has announced it will replace a retouched image of the iconic Mohenjo-daro Dancing Girl in its new Class 9 Art textbook.

ABOUT DANCING GIRL

• The Dancing Girl is one of the most famous artefacts of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). Depicts a young girl standing in a confident posture. One hand rests on her hip while the other hangs freely. Adorned with numerous bangles on her left arm.
• Discovered in 1926 by archaeologist Ernest Mackay at Mohenjo-daro.
• Dates to approximately 2500 BCE.
• Made of bronze using the Lost-Wax (Cire Perdue) Casting Technique.
• Type: Free-standing, realistic bronze statuette (10.5 × 5 × 2.5 cm)
• Currently preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi.

About MOHENJO-DARO

• Located in present-day Pakistan (Sindh Province).
• One of the largest urban centres of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Discovered in 1922 by D. Banerji.
• Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

CULTURE

8. ASSAM SECURES GI TAGS FOR FOUR TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS

Current Context: Assam has secured GI tags for four traditional products – Karbi Anglong Handloom Products, Assam Bihu Pepa, Assam Bamboo Crafts, and Deuri Handloom Products.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTS

• Karbi Anglong Handloom Products: Weaving traditions of Karbi community; distinctive designs, vibrant colours
• Assam Bihu Pepa: Traditional musical instrument made from buffalo horn; integral part of Bihu festival
• Assam Bamboo Crafts: Expertise of local artisans using bamboo as natural resource
• Deuri Handloom Products: Intricate weaving patterns by Deuri community

CULTURE 

9. TRIPURA’S SARINDA RECEIVES GI TAG

Current Context: Tripura’s traditional musical instrument Sarinda has been recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

ABOUT SARINDA

• Type: Traditional bowed string musical instrument used in folk music of tribal communities
• Handcrafted from: Single block of wood with hollow resonator
• Played using: Bow; used during folk performances, cultural ceremonies

DEFENCE

10. AIR FORCE TO JOIN EXERCISE PITCH BLACK 2026 IN AUSTRALIA

Current Context: Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is scheduled from 20 July to 7 August 2026 in Australia’s Northern Territory, with the Indian Air Force among participating air forces.

ABOUT EXERCISE PITCH BLACK

• Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial (held every two years) multinational air warfare exercise.
• Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• Locations: RAAF Base Darwin, RAAF Base Tindal (Northern Territory), RAAF Base Amberley (Queensland)
• Participating countries: 19 allied and partner nations (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UK, USA)

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