Prelims Current Affairs includes World Oceans Day 2026, World Brain Tumor Day 2026, Khet Bachao Abhiyan, My Bharat Platform (Mera Yuva Bharat), India Reaches Landmark Of 100 Ramsar Sites, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Raggnanandhaa Becomes First Indian To Win Norway Chess Title, Fifa World Cup 2026 Mascots & Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Appointed As Next Vice Chief Of Air Staff

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. WORLD OCEANS DAY 2026

Current Context: World Oceans Day is observed annually on 8 June to raise awareness about the importance of oceans and promote their conservation and sustainable use.

ABOUT THE DAY

• First proposed by Canada at the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
• Officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008.
• First officially observed by the UN in 2009.
• Theme: “Reimagine. Beyond The World We Know, a New Relationship With Our Ocean.”
• Action Theme for 2026: “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet”
• Key facts: Ocean covers over 70% of the planet, produces at least 50% of planet’s oxygen, home to most of earth’s biodiversity, main source of protein for more than a billion people.

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. WORLD BRAIN TUMOR DAY 2026

Current Context: World Brain Tumor Day is observed annually on 8 June to raise awareness about brain tumors, promote early diagnosis, support patients and caregivers, and encourage research into treatment and prevention.

• Initiated by the German Brain Tumor Association in 2000.
• Observed globally to educate people about the symptoms, risks, and treatment options related to brain tumors. A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within or around the brain.
• Theme 2026: Increasing early detection awareness and reducing the diagnostic gap, particularly in low- and middle-income countries
• Symbolic colour: Grey
• Key facts: There are more than 120 types of brain tumors, brain tumors are among the leading causes of cancer-related death in children under 15

SCHEMES AND INITIATIVE

3.  KHET BACHAO ABHIYAN

Current Context: The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will conduct the month-long ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from 1-30 June 2026 across the country.

ABOUT THE ABHIYAN

• “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” aims to conserve soil health through scientific nutrient management, natural farming, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Key focus areas: Balanced fertilizer use (based on soil testing, Integrated Nutrient Management – INM), climate-smart farm advisories, scheme convergence (PM-KISAN, Kisan Credit Card, Pulses-Oilseeds Mission, Oil Palm Mission, Cotton Mission)
• Implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agriculture Departments, and local extension agencies.

About PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi)

• PM-KISAN is a Central Sector Scheme launched to provide income support to eligible farmer families across India. Provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmer families. Amount is transferred in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Launched on 24 February 2019.
• Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

SCHEMES

4. MY BHARAT PLATFORM (MERA YUVA BHARAT)

Current Context: The Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform has been awarded a Guinness World Records title for achieving the highest participation in an online quiz within one week.

ABOUT MY BHARAT PLATFORM

• Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is an autonomous body and technology-driven platform established to provide opportunities for youth participation in nation-building activities.
• To create an institutional framework for empowering India’s youth and connecting them with volunteerism, community service, skill development, and nation-building initiatives.
• Target age group: 15 to 29 years
• Launched on 31 October 2023 (National Unity Day).
• Established under the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Registered as: Society under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860

ENVIRONMENT

5.  INDIA REACHES LANDMARK OF 100 RAMSAR SITES

Current Context: Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Uttar Pradesh became India’s 100th Ramsar Site on World Environment Day 2026.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• 100th Ramsar Site: Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal), Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh
• 99th Ramsar Site: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh (April 2026)
• Previous additions (January 2026): Patna Bird Sanctuary (UP) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat)
• Ramsar Sites are wetlands designated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. It aims to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands

ABOUT RAMSAR CONVENTION

• An intergovernmental treaty for wetland conservation and sustainable use. The convention was adopted in 1971 at Ramsar. Came into force in 1975.
• India became a Contracting Party in 1982.
• Secretariat located in Gland. 

SCHEMES

6. SIMILIPAL TIGER RESERVE

Current Context: 4 rare black tigers were spotted in Similipal Tiger Reserve.

ABOUT Rare Black Tigers

• Black Tigers are extremely rare tigers that appear dark due to unusually thick and merged black stripes.
• They are scientifically known as Pseudo-Melanistic Tigers, not true melanistic tigers.
• Their dark appearance is caused by a genetic mutation in the Taqpep gene.
• The mutation causes the stripes to become broader and merge together, giving the tiger a black or shadowy appearance.

About STR

• Location: Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. Named after: Simul (silk cotton) tree
• Declared a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1973.
• Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1994.
• Included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
• Highest peaks: Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515 m above mean sea level)
• Waterfalls: Joranda and Barehipani
• Tribes: Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, Sahara

SPORTS

7. RAGGNANANDHAA BECOMES FIRST INDIAN TO WIN NORWAY CHESS TITLE

Current Context: Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa created history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title in 2026. He secured the championship after defeating Vincent Keymer in the final round.

ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT

• Norway Chess is one of the world’s most prestigious chess tournaments.
• Held annually in Stavanger since 2013.
• Features leading Grandmasters from across the world, including Magnus Carlsen.
• Key achievement: Defeated former World Champion Magnus Carlsen twice in classical chess during the tournament
• First Indian to win: Norway Chess title (even Viswanathan Anand and D Gukesh never won)

SPORTS

8.  FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 MASCOTS

Current Context: The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA, introduced three mascots representing each nation.

ABOUT THE MASCOTS

• This is only the second FIFA World Cup to feature multiple mascots, after the 2002 World Cup hosted by Japan and South Korea.
• Maple (Canada): Moose symbolizing resilience and creativity
• Zayu (Mexico): Jaguar representing strength and cultural heritage
• Clutch (USA): Bald eagle symbolizing leadership and courage
• HISTORICAL FIRST MASCOT: Willie (lion) – 1966 England

About FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

• First World Cup to be hosted by three countries.
• Features 48 teams, the largest FIFA World Cup in history

DEFENCE

9. AIR MARSHAL ASHUTOSH DIXIT APPOINTED AS NEXT VICE CHIEF OF AIR STAFF

Current Context: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force.

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT

• Assumes office: 1 July 2026
• Commissioned: 6 December 1986 into fighter stream
• Key operations: Operation Safed Sagar (Kargil Conflict), Operation Rakshak
• Contributions: Jaguar avionics upgrade, MiG-27 modernization, indigenous fighter aircraft development

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