Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day Of Women In Diplomacy 2026, India-Uae Brahmos And Akashteer Talks, Cyber Crime Centre Warns Of Boss Scam, Nirbhay Chetna: Gender Sensitization Initiative, Sickle Cell Anaemia, India’s First 3d-Printed Artificial Reef Modules & Indori Malwi Potato, Garadu And Balam Kakdi From Madhya Pradesh Get Gi Tag

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN IN DIPLOMACY 2026

Current Context: The International Day of Women in Diplomacy is observed on 24 June to recognize the achievements and contributions of women in diplomacy while encouraging greater inclusion and removing structural barriers.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly through a resolution adopted in 2022.
• Objective: Promote equal participation and representation of women in diplomacy, decision-making and international affairs.
• Purpose: Celebrate women diplomats’ contributions to dialogue, consensus-building, conflict resolution, and international cooperation; encourage governments, international organizations, civil society to promote greater inclusion

INTERNATIONAL

2. INDIA-UAE BRAHMOS AND AKASHTEER TALKS

Current Context: India and the United Arab Emirates are in early-stage discussions on the possible sale of Indian defence systems, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akashteer air defence control system.

The proposed deal highlights India’s growing role as a defence exporter and strengthens India–UAE strategic ties.

About BRAHMOS MISSILE

• A supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia through BrahMos Aerospace.
• Named after the Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers.
• Type: Supersonic, precision-strike, fire-and-forget cruise missile.
• Speed: Mach 2.8-3.0 (among the fastest operational cruise missiles in the world).
• Foreign operators (currently): 3, UAE would be 4th if deal completed

About AKASHTEER AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM

• Akashteer is an indigenous, automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System developed for the Indian Army.
• Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to provide a network-centric air defence architecture.
• Integrates radars, sensors, communication systems and air defence weapons on a single real-time platform.
• Enables automatic detection, tracking, identification and engagement of aerial threats such as drones, aircraft, helicopters and missiles.

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

3. CYBER CRIME CENTRE WARNS OF BOSS SCAM

Current Context: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), issued an advisory on a cyber-fraud called the “Boss Scam” or CEO impersonation fraud.

ABOUT BOSS SCAM

• A cyber fraud in which scammers impersonate senior officials, CEOs, company directors or government officers through calls, SMS, email or messaging apps.
• Fraudsters create urgency and authority to trick employees into transferring money, sharing confidential information or making unauthorized payments.
• Common methods include spoofed phone numbers, fake email IDs, cloned social media profiles and messaging applications.
• How it operates: Malicious archive files sent through email or WhatsApp → malware infects Windows device → hijacks active Web WhatsApp sessions → fraudster uses genuine WhatsApp account of executive to send transfer instructions

About I4C

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) was established in 2018 under the Ministry of Home Affairs as the nodal agency to combat cybercrime in India.
• Objective: Provide a coordinated and comprehensive framework for prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of cybercrimes.
• National Cyber Crime Helpline – 1930.

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

4. NIRBHAY CHETNA: GENDER SENSITIZATION INITIATIVE

Current Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj conducted a three-day Training of Trainers programme on Nirbhay Chetna in New Delhi under the Nirbhaya Fund.

ABOUT NIRBHAY CHETNA

• Type: Nationwide gender-sensitization initiative under Nirbhaya Fund
• Part of: Nirbhay Raho Initiative (launched March 2026)
• Aim: Sensitize elected male representatives on gender equality, women’s safety, dignity, and leadership
• Scale: World’s largest campaign aimed at sensitizing elected male representatives on women’s issues
• Target: Train over 5 lakh elected male representatives across rural India

OTHER COMPONENTS UNDER NIRBHAY RAHO

• Nirbhay Netri: Capacity building and legal awareness for elected women representatives
• Nirbhay Drishti: Installation of CCTV cameras at strategic rural locations

About NIRBHAYA FUND

• Nirbhaya Fund is a dedicated non-lapsable fund created by the Government of India in 2013 for initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women.
• Established following the recommendations after the 2012 Delhi Nirbhaya case.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development.

HEALTH

5. SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA

Current Context: The President of India said that the country would eradicate sickle cell anemia well before the government-set target of 2047.

ABOUT SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA

• Sickle Cell Anaemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the haemoglobin gene.
• It results in the production of abnormal haemoglobin (HbS), causing red blood cells to become sickle or crescent-shaped.
• These abnormal cells can block blood vessels, leading to severe pain, anaemia, infections and organ damage.
• It is an autosomal recessive disorder, meaning a person inherits the defective gene from both parents.
• Cause: Defective gene (sickle cell gene); person born with SCD only if two genes are inherited (one from each parent)
• SCD; gene therapy being explored as another potential cure
• National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched in 2023 with the target of eliminating sickle cell disease as a public health problem by 2047.

ENVIRONMENT

6. INDIA’S FIRST 3D-PRINTED ARTIFICIAL REEF MODULES

Current Context: Tamil Nadu is set to deploy India’s first 3D-printed artificial reef modules off the Ramanathapuram coast under the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. 

ABOUT THE REEF MODULES

• Artificial reefs are man-made underwater structures designed to mimic natural reefs and provide habitat for marine organisms.
• The 3D-printed modules are specially engineered to promote coral growth, fish breeding and marine biodiversity.
• Designed with complex surface textures and cavities that facilitate settlement of corals, algae and other marine species.
• Developed by: Tvasta (Chennai-based startup, IIT Madras-incubated) in collaboration with ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Visakhapatnam Regional Centre
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is a flagship scheme launched in 2020 under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

CULTURE & HERITAGE

7.  INDORI MALWI POTATO, GARADU AND BALAM KAKDI FROM MADHYA PRADESH GET GI TAG

Current Context: The Indori Malwi potato received the Geographical Indication tag on 13 June 2026, along with Garadu tuber and Balam kakdi (cucumber) from Ratlam district.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTS

• Indori Malwi Potato: Low sugar and low starch content; retains white colour after frying; used for chips, French fries, and street food (Aloo Chaat, Poha, Aloo Bada, Khopra Petis)
• Cultivation: ~45,000 hectares in Indore district; ~30,000-35,000 farmers
• Garadu tuber: From Ratlam district widely consumed as a local street food and valued for its unique flavour and culinary significance.
• Balam kakdi (cucumber): From Ratlam district a traditional cucumber variety grown in the Malwa region.
• Madhya Pradesh secured: 12 GI certifications out of 18 proposed items

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