Prelims Current Affairs includes World Environment Day 2026, Msde Launches Navachar Mantra To Empower Rural Innovators, Upi Payments Go Live In Cambodia, Mospi Releases Final Guidelines For District Domestic Product Estimates, Government Launches Pmrc Scheme 2026, Fotu La Tunnel Project Approved In Ladakh, Mission Senehjori For Assam’s Muga Silk,  Ladakh Gets India’s First Model Border Village & Dk Shivakumar Takes Oath As Karnataka’s 25th Chief Minister

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2026

Current Context: World Environment Day is observed on 5 June, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

ABOUT THE DAY

• It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.
• The first World Environment Day was celebrated in 1973.
• Led by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Host country 2026: Republic of Azerbaijan
• Theme: “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
• Campaign Message: #NowForClimate.
• Goal: To keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
• Key challenges: Without action, exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50% within the decade, plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems will nearly triple by 2040

SCHEMES 

2. MSDE LAUNCHES NAVACHAR MANTRA TO EMPOWER RURAL INNOVATORS

Current Context: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched NAVACHAR MANTRA to identify, support, and scale grassroots innovations from rural India.

About NAVACHAR MANTRA

• NAVACHAR MANTRA stands for National Venture Support and Capacity Building for Rural Innovators.
• It is a dedicated initiative to nurture local innovators, traditional knowledge holders, artisans, and rural entrepreneurs.
• The programme seeks to transform innovative ideas into viable products, enterprises, and livelihood opportunities.
• Launch date: 3 June 2026
• Implemented by: National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (in partnership with Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer)
• Focus areas: Tier-2 cities, Tier-3 cities, aspirational districts, rural regions, underserved geographies
• Priority sectors: Agritech, HealthTech, EdTech and Skilling, Climate and Sustainability, Rural Commerce, MSME Enablement.

ECONOMY

3. UPI PAYMENTS GO LIVE IN CAMBODIA

Current Context: UPI payments went live in Cambodia on 2-3 June 2026 through integration with Cambodia’s national QR payment system, KHQR.

ABOUT THE INTEGRATION

• Indian travellers can now make payments across Cambodia using UPI-enabled apps, following the launch of a cross-border QR payment linkage between India and Cambodia.
• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India, partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc. to enable UPI acceptance in Cambodia.
• First phase: Two-way interoperable payment corridor, later phase to allow Cambodian users to make payments in India

About NPCI

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is the umbrella organization for retail payment and settlement systems in India.
• Established in 2008 under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India and the Indian Banks’ Association.
• Registered as a not-for-profit company under the Companies Act.
• Headquarters: Mumbai

About UPI

• UPI is a real-time digital payment system developed by NPCI.
• Launched in 2016.
• Enables instant fund transfers between bank accounts using mobile phones.

ECONOMY

4. MOSPI RELEASES FINAL GUIDELINES FOR DISTRICT DOMESTIC PRODUCT ESTIMATES

Current Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the final Uniform Guideline for Compilation of District Domestic Product (DDP) Estimates with base year 2022-23.

ABOUT THE GUIDELINES

• DDP measures the total value of goods and services produced within a district during a financial year.
• It is the district-level equivalent of GDP and GSDP, helping assess local economic performance.
• To standardize DDP estimation methodologies across States and Union Territories and improve consistency, comparability, and reliability of district-level economic statistics.
• Base year: 2022-23
• Draft released: 7 April 2026
• Estimates covered: Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP), Net District Domestic Product (NDDP), Per Capita Income (PCI) at district level
• Current status: 26 States and UTs already compiling DDP estimates
• Key feature: Emphasis on bottom-up approach using district-level data

SCHEMES

5. GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES PMRC SCHEME 2026

Current Context: The Ministry of Education has launched the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026 to attract Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and innovators from across the world.

ABOUT PMRC SCHEME

• It seeks to reverse “brain drain” by encouraging distinguished Indian-origin researchers abroad to undertake research in India.
• Eligibility: Indian Nationals working abroad, OCI cardholders, PIOs, scientists and researchers from reputed global institutions
• 13 Priority Areas: Advanced Computing (AI, Quantum Computing), Semiconductors, Energy & Climate Change, Cybersecurity, Healthcare & MedTech, Biotechnology, Advanced Materials & Critical Minerals, Space & Defence, Next-Generation Communications, Manufacturing & Industry 4.0, Agriculture & Food Technologies, Blue Economy, Atomic Energy
• Around 120 research positions will be supported over five years.
• In the leading institutions include premier IITs and the Indian Institute of Science.

INFRASTRUCTURE

6. FOTU LA TUNNEL PROJECT APPROVED IN LADAKH

Current Context: The Fotu La Tunnel project on National Highway-01 in Ladakh has been approved with an estimated cost of ₹1,196.22 crore.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

• The Government of India has approved the Fotu La Tunnel Project in Ladakh to provide all-weather connectivity on the strategic Srinagar-Leh National Highway (NH-1).
• It aims to bypass the snow-bound and weather-sensitive stretches of the pass.
• The project will improve year-round road connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of India.
• Alignment: 2.65 km (includes 1.96 km twin-tube tunnel + 0.69 km approach roads)
• Benefit: Expected to reduce travel distance by about 8.5 km after completion

ABOUT FOTU LA

• Located in Ladakh on the Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH-1).
• Elevation: Approximately 4,108 metres (13,478 feet) above sea level.
• Fotu La Pass is located in the Zanskar Range, a sub-range of the Trans-Himalaya.

STATES IN NEWS

7. MISSION SENEHJORI FOR ASSAM’S MUGA SILK

Current Context: The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched Mission “Senehjori”

ABOUT MISSION SENEHJORI

• Mission “Senehjori” – to transform Assam’s Muga silk sector into a globally competitive luxury textile ecosystem
• A ₹411-crore cluster-based initiative aimed at strengthening the entire Muga silk value chain.
• It seeks to benefit about 5-2.6 lakh weavers, rearers, and entrepreneurs associated with Muga silk production in Assam
• Development of the entire value chain from host plant cultivation and silkworm seed production to weaving, branding, and exports.
• Brand identity: “Senehjori” with GI authentication

About MUGA SILK

• Produced from the silkworm Antheraea assamensis.
• Known as the world’s only naturally golden silk.
• It is India’s first GI-tagged silk and is primarily produced in Assam.

PLACES IN NEWS

8. LADAKH GETS INDIA’S FIRST MODEL BORDER VILLAGE

Current Context: Ladakh’s Chumur village in eastern Ladakh has become the site of India’s first model border village near the India-China border under the Vibrant Villages Programme.

ABOUT CHUMUR VILLAGE

• Chumur is located at an altitude of about 16,700 feet along the India-China border in the Changthang region of eastern Ladakh.
• It is the first such village in Ladakh and among the pioneering model border villages in India.
• In the first phase, 10 border villages in Ladakh will be developed on similar lines.
• Primary livelihood: Pashmina rearing and production

About VIBRANT VILLAGES PROGRAMME (VVP)

• Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched by the Government of India in 2023 for the comprehensive development of villages along the northern border.
• It covers villages in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). The scheme is implemented through the Border Management Division of the MHA.

APPOINTMENTS

9. DK SHIVAKUMAR TAKES OATH AS KARNATAKA’S 25TH CHIEF MINISTER

Current Context: Congress leader DK Shivakumar took oath on 3 June 2026, with G Parameshwara sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister.

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT

• New CM: DK Shivakumar (25th Chief Minister of Karnataka)
• Deputy CM: G Parameshwara
• Oath administered by: Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot
• Outgoing CM: Siddaramaiah (appointed as member of Congress Working Committee – CWC)

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