Prelims Current Affairs includes International Yoga Day 2026, World Refugee Day 2026, Autistic Pride Day 2026, UAE Sets Minimum Social Media Age At 15, National Statistical Commission (NSC), Qs World University Rankings 2027: India Rises To 5th Spot Globally, Hitesh Joshi Appointed as New Chairman of GIC Re & Kishau Dam Project Deadlock Ends

IMPORTANT DAYS 

1. INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY 2026

Current Context: International Yoga Day 2026 is observed every year on 21 June across the world, highlighting the importance of yoga for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

ABOUT THE DAY

• On 11 December 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.
• The first International Day of Yoga was observed on 21 June 2015
• 21 June is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Theme 2026: “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
• Organised by: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India (nodal ministry)
• UNESCO recognition: Yoga inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2016)

IMPORTANT DAYS 

2. WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2026

Current Context: World Refugee Day is observed on 20 June to honour refugees around the globe and to build empathy and understanding for their plight.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Theme 2026: “Until Everyone Is Safe”
• Established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2000.
• First observed globally on 20 June 2001.
• The year 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
• 1951 Refugee Convention cornerstone: Principle of non-refoulement (refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to life or freedom)

IMPORTANT DAYS 

3. AUTISTIC PRIDE DAY 2026

Current Context: Autistic Pride Day was observed globally on 18 June 2026 to celebrate neurodiversity and promote acceptance, dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for autistic individuals.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, behaviour, and sensory processing.
• First observed in 2005.
• Initiated by Aspies For Freedom (AFF), an autism rights organization.
• Theme 2026: “Recognition, Representation, and Reform”
• Key emblem: Rainbow infinity symbol

INTERNATIONAL

4. UAE SETS MINIMUM SOCIAL MEDIA AGE AT 15

Current Context: The UAE Cabinet approved a resolution setting 15 years as the minimum age for creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts.

ABOUT THE RESOLUTION

• The UAE Cabinet has set 15 years as the minimum legal age for accessing and using social media platforms.
• Children below 15 years are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts.
• The regulation aims to strengthen child safety in the digital environment and reduce online risks
• Users aged 15-16: Allowed with enhanced protective measures (age-appropriate content classification, restricted interaction with unknown users, regulated usage time, parental controls)
• Age verification: Digital identity checks and AI-supported technologies (self-declaration not accepted)
• Data protection: Prohibits use/processing of children’s personal data for commercial purposes based on tracking digital activity
• Significance: UAE became first Arab nation to introduce nationwide minimum age requirement for social media access

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

5. NATIONAL STATISTICAL COMMISSION (NSC)

Current Context: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Dr. Saibal Chattopadhyay as Chairperson, along with three domain experts as part-time members of the National Statistical Commission (NSC).

ABOUT NSC

• The National Statistical Commission (NSC) is India’s apex advisory body on statistical matters.
• It serves as the nodal body for evolving policies, priorities, and standards in the country’s statistical system.
• Functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Recommended by the Rangarajan Commission (2001).
• Constituted by the Government of India in July 2006.
• It is a non-statutory body.
• Governance: Part-time Chairperson + four part-time Members, CEO of NITI Aayog as ex-officio Member, Chief Statistician of India as Secretary
• Key functions: Formulating national policies, laying down quality standards, inter-agency coordination, independent statistical audits, continuous systemic review

RANKING

6. QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2027: INDIA RISES TO 5TH SPOT GLOBALLY

Current Context: India has achieved its highest-ever representation in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with 52 Indian institutions featured in the rankings, making India the 5th most represented country globally.

ABOUT THE RANKINGS

• Growth: From 14 institutions (2017) to 52 institutions (2027) – 271% increase over a decade
• TOP INDIAN UNIVERSITIES
• Indian Institute of Technology Delhi: Rank 118 (India’s highest-ranked institution).
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay: Rank 134.
• Indian Institute of Technology Madras: Rank 170.

GLOBAL TOP UNIVERSITIES

• 1st – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
• 2nd – Imperial College London
• 2nd (Joint) – Stanford University
• 4th – University of Oxford
• Research output: India now possesses world’s 3rd-largest research output base
• Comparison with other systems: India’s improvement rate 52% (China 72%, UK 35%, Germany 16%, USA 13%)

APPOINTMENTS

7. HITESH JOSHI APPOINTED AS NEW CHAIRMAN OF GIC RE

Current Context: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Hitesh Joshi as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT

• Appointment date: 12 June 2026
• Previous role: Acting CMD since October 2025 (after retirement of N. Ramaswamy)
• GIC Re: India’s national reinsurer, one of the largest reinsurance companies in Asia

HIMACHAL NEWS

8. KISHAU DAM PROJECT DEADLOCK ENDS

Current Context: The eight-year deadlock on the construction of Kishau Dam ended after the Centre and beneficiary states agreed to cover the ₹2,000 crore power component cost.

ABOUT KISHAU DAM

• Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project is a major river valley project on the Tons River, the largest tributary of the Yamuna River.
• Located on the border of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• Beneficiary States: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh
• Dam height: 236 m concrete dam
• Power capacity: 660 MW (4 x 165 MW)
• Irrigation potential: 97,000 hectares
• Water supply: 517 million cubic metres (MCM) annually to Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana
• Joint venture: Kishau Corporation Limited (formed 2017) – Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
• The project remained stalled for nearly eight years due to disagreements over cost-sharing arrangements.
• Himachal Pradesh opposed bearing the cost of the power component as it was not a major beneficiary of the water component.
• The Centre will provide 90% funding for the water component as Central Assistance.
• The six participating states will share the remaining 10% cost.
• Himachal Pradesh’s share of water will be allocated to Delhi and Rajasthan.
• In return, Delhi and Rajasthan will bear Himachal Pradesh’s share of the power component cost.

About TONS RIVER

• Largest tributary of the Yamuna River.
• Originates from the Bandarpunch Glacier in the Uttarakhand
• Forms part of the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in its upper reaches.
• Joins the Yamuna near Kalsi.
• Major Tributories: Pabbar River, Supin River, Rupin River, Obra Gad, Mori Gad.

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