Prelims Current Affairs includes World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2026, India-Uk Free Trade Agreement To Take Effect From July 15, Ministry Of Ayush Launches Yoga Park Portal, Section 69(A) Of The It Act, 2000: Telegram Blocked, Unicef’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026, India And Japan Adopt Rules For Joint Crediting Mechanism (Jcm), India Launches Wt-Marut Portal For Wind Energy Supply Chain, Navi Mumbai And Guwahati Airports In World’s Most Beautiful Airports List 2026, Smriti Mandhana In Time100 Most Influential People In Sports 2026 & Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra To Begin On July 10

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. WORLD SICKLE CELL AWARENESS DAY 2026

Current Context: World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed on 19 June to raise awareness about sickle cell disease, one of the most common inherited blood disorders affecting millions worldwide.

ABOUT THE DAY

• In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially recognized Sickle Cell Disease as a global public health concern.
• Theme 2026: “Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Care”
• Sickle cell disease: Genetic blood disorder caused by mutation in the gene that produces haemoglobin; red blood cells become crescent or sickle-shaped, cluster together, impede blood flow, and degrade faster.
• India’s initiative: National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (launched 2023).
• Target: Eliminate Sickle Cell Disease as a public health problem by 2047.

ECONOMY

2. INDIA-UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TO TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 15

Current Context: The India-UK Free Trade Agreement is scheduled to enter into force on 15 July 2026, with domestic and procedural formalities confirmed.

ABOUT THE AGREEMENT

• The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is officially known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
• It was signed on 24 July 2025 after more than three years of negotiations.
• It is one of India’s most comprehensive trade agreements with a major developed economy.
• Tariff changes:
  • India’s whisky tariff: 150% → 40%
  • Automotive tariffs: 100% → 10% (under quota mechanism)
  • UK to reduce tariffs on Indian exports (clothing, footwear, certain food products)
• Projected impact: Increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually; add £4.8 billion to UK economy
• 99% of Indian exports will receive duty-free access to the UK market.

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

3. MINISTRY OF AYUSH LAUNCHES YOGA PARK PORTAL

Current Context: The Ministry of Ayush has launched the Yoga Park Portal, a nationwide initiative to transform public parks into dedicated community wellness hubs.

ABOUT THE PORTAL

• Yoga Park Portal is a digital platform launched by the Ministry of Ayush.
• It aims to identify, map, and promote public parks and open spaces suitable for yoga activities across India.
• The portal serves as a centralized database of yoga-friendly parks and wellness spaces.
• It encourages citizens to participate in yoga sessions within their local communities.
• Features: Dedicated yoga platforms, meditation zones, green eco-friendly landscapes, community wellness spaces, health awareness facilities
• Collaborative implementation: Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, RWAs, NGOs, yoga institutions, corporate organizations (through CSR) 

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

4. SECTION 69(A) OF THE IT ACT, 2000: TELEGRAM BLOCKED

Current Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has blocked the messaging platform Telegram in India until 22 June 2026, following a request by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

ABOUT SECTION 69(A)

• The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 is India’s primary legislation governing cyberspace, electronic commerce, and cybercrime.
• Section 69A empowers the Central Government to direct any agency or intermediary to block public access to information hosted, transmitted, received, stored, or published through any computer resource.
• Inserted through the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008.
• Provides a legal framework for blocking websites, mobile applications, social media accounts, channels, and online content.
• Grounds for blocking: Sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India and security of State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order
• IT Act, 2000: Provides legal recognition for electronic transactions; establishes framework for digital signatures, intermediary liability (Section 79 safe harbor), cyber offenses, Cyber Appellate Tribunal

REPORTS

5. UNICEF’S CHILDREN’S CLIMATE RISK REPORT 2026

Current Context: A new UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 reveals that nearly 392 million children in India (92% of all children) are exposed to extreme heat, while 89 million face recurrent heatwaves.

ABOUT REPORT

• The Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 is published by UNICEF.
• It provides a comprehensive assessment of how climate change and environmental hazards affect children across the world.
• It introduces the Children’s Climate Risk Framework, which combines climate hazard exposure with children’s vulnerability and access to essential services.

KEY FINDINGS

• Global context: 1.1 billion children globally exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards
• India’s ranking: Among highest in South Asia for hazard exposure
• Gaps in Heat Action Plans: Lack provisions for schools and Anganwadis, night-time heat management, child vulnerability mapping, age-specific adaptation measures

About UNICEF

• Full Name: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
• Established: 1946.
• Headquarters: New York City, USA.

ENVIRONMENT

6.  INDIA AND JAPAN ADOPT RULES FOR JOINT CREDITING MECHANISM (JCM)

Current Context: The governments of India and Japan officially adopted the ‘Rules of Implementation’ for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), activating a bilateral carbon market framework under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

ABOUT JCM

• The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) is a bilateral carbon market mechanism initiated by Japan.
• It facilitates cooperation between Japan and partner countries in implementing projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• The mechanism promotes the transfer of advanced decarbonization technologies, products, systems, services, and infrastructure.
• Emission reductions achieved through these projects are quantified and credited to both participating countries.
• Legal mandate: Article 6.2 of Paris Agreement (regulates Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes – ITMOs)
• How it works: Japanese entities invest in emission-reduction projects in India using Japanese green technologies, carbon credits allocated between both countries to count toward climate targets
• Governance: Joint Committee with representatives from both governments
• Funding channels: JCM model projects (MOEJ), ADB trust funds, NEDO demonstration projects

ECONOMY

7. INDIA LAUNCHES WT-MARUT PORTAL FOR WIND ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN

Current Context: The Wind Turbine Supply Chain Management (WT-MARUT) Portal during the Global Wind Day 2026 National Conference in Goa.

ABOUT WT-MARUT

• It is India’s first dedicated digital platform for managing the wind energy supply chain.
• Developed under the aegis of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) with support from the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association.
• Objectives: Improve transparency in component sourcing, easier access to domestic suppliers, enhance data security. Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• India is the 4th largest wind energy market in the world by installed capacity.

INFRASTRUCTURE

8. NAVI MUMBAI AND GUWAHATI AIRPORTS IN WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL AIRPORTS LIST 2026

Current Context: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and Terminal 2 of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA), Guwahati have been included in the prestigious World’s Most Beautiful Airports List 2026 released by Prix Versailles award.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Navi Mumbai Airport design: Lotus-inspired architecture, advanced technology integration, efficient passenger flow
• Guwahati Airport design: Bamboo Orchid-inspired architecture reflecting Northeast India’s cultural heritage and environmental sustainability
• Prix Versailles is a prestigious global architecture and design award. Award recognizes excellence in architecture, sustainability, and passenger experience
• Established in 2015.
• Presented annually at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

SPORTS

9. SMRITI MANDHANA IN TIME100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN SPORTS 2026

Current Context: Smriti Mandhana has been named in the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list, the only Indian to feature in this prestigious global ranking.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Current role: Vice-captain of Indian Women’s Cricket Team
• Key achievements:
• First Indian woman to score a double century in a domestic one-day match
• First Indian woman to score centuries in all three international formats (Test, ODI, T20I)
• Joint record for most centuries in women’s international cricket (17)
• First woman cricketer to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a single calendar year
• India’s highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals (both men’s and women’s)

HIMACHAL NEWS

10. SHRIKHAND MAHADEV YATRA TO BEGIN ON JULY 10

Current Context: The revered Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, regarded as one of northern India’s most challenging pilgrimages, will begin on July 10 and continue until July 23.

ABOUT THE YATRA

• Shrikhand Mahadev is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• It is famous for a naturally occurring Shivling-shaped rock situated at a very high altitude in the Himalayas.
• Located in Himachal Pradesh.
• Situated in Kullu District.
• The peak lies in the Great Himalayan Range.
• Altitude: Approximately 5,227 metres (17,150 feet) above sea level. At the very summit, there is a massive naturally formed rock Shivlingam that is approximately 72 to 75 feet tall, which brings the total peak height to about 5,650 meters (18,570 feet)
• Trek distance: 35 kilometres (from Jaon village to Shrikhand Mahadev)
• Tradition: Devotees first offer prayers to Mata Ambika/Mata Chalashni (presiding deity) at Jaon village before beginning the trek

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos