Prelims Current Affairs includes Day Of The Seafarer 2026, World Vitiligo Day 2026, Iaea Plans Inspections Of Iran Nuclear Sites, Un Chief Launches Global Methane Action Plan, India To Launch Index Of Services Production (Isp) In July 2026, Bharati Programme (Bharat’s Hub For Agritech) , India Becomes World’s Top Ship Recycling Nation In 2025 & Largest Economies In The World 2026

IMPORTANT DAYS

1.  DAY OF THE SEAFARER 2026

Current Context: Day of the Seafarer is observed globally on 25 June each year to recognise the essential role of seafarers in global trade and the risks they bear in sustaining it.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Established by the Diplomatic Conference in Manila, Philippines, which adopted the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention. First observed in 2011.
• Recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations.
• Theme 2026: “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks”
• Focus: Challenges faced by mariners navigating through regions affected by conflict and insecurity (Strait of Hormuz, Black Sea, Red Sea)

About IMO

• Full Form: International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• Established: 1948 (Convention entered into force in 1958)
• Headquarters: London

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. WORLD VITILIGO DAY 2026

Current Context: World Vitiligo Day is observed on 25 June to raise awareness about vitiligo, challenge misconceptions, and promote acceptance of individuals living with the condition.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Theme 2026: “From Stigma to Strength”
• Slogan: “Many Shades, One Voice”
• What is vitiligo?Long-term skin condition characterized by loss of melanin (pigment responsible for skin color), melanin-producing cells become damaged or stop functioning
• In Ayurveda: Associated with condition known as Shwitra, imbalances in Pitta and Vata doshas

INTERNATIONAL 

3. IAEA PLANS INSPECTIONS OF IRAN NUCLEAR SITES

Current Context: IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that IAEA inspectors will visit Iranian nuclear enrichment sites after an interim US-Iran deal.

ABOUT IAEA

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced plans to resume inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities following recent tensions and damage to some nuclear sites.
• The inspections aim to verify the status of Iran’s nuclear materials and ensure compliance with international nuclear safeguards.
• The move comes amid international efforts to prevent further escalation of the nuclear issue and revive transparency regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
• Established: 1957
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
• Monitors: Peaceful use of nuclear energy under 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
• Iran’s enrichment: Only country known to have enriched uranium up to 60% without a declared weapons programme
• Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant: Iran’s first nuclear power plant

INTERNATIONAL 

4. UN CHIEF LAUNCHES GLOBAL METHANE ACTION PLAN

Current Context: UN Secretary-General unveiled a new global Call to Action on Methane, urging governments, industries, and technology companies to take immediate steps to reduce emissions.

ABOUT THE PLAN

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres has launched the Global Methane Action Plan to accelerate worldwide efforts to reduce methane emissions, one of the most potent greenhouse gases driving climate change.
• The initiative aims to support countries in achieving rapid methane reductions and advancing global climate goals.
• Global warming: Human activities have increased global temperatures by approximately 1.37°C above pre-industrial levels; 1.5°C threshold expected before end of this decade
• Methane potency: ~80 times more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year period
• Three major sectors: Fossil Fuel Industry, Agriculture Sector, Waste Management Sector

About GMP

• The Global Methane Pledge (GMP) is an international initiative aimed at reducing global methane emissions to combat climate change.
• It was launched jointly by the United States and the European Union at the COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021. It is a voluntary global commitment and is not legally binding.
• Global Methane Pledge: 159 countries committed to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 (compared to 2020 levels)

ECONOMY

5. INDIA TO LAUNCH INDEX OF SERVICES PRODUCTION (ISP) IN JULY 2026

Current Context: India is set to launch the Index of Services Production (ISP) framework.

ABOUT ISP

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will launch India’s first-ever Index of Services Production (ISP) in July 2026 to measure short-term growth in the services sector.
• The first trial release is scheduled for 14 July 2026.
• It is the services-sector counterpart of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
• It will help track the performance of India’s largest economic sector, which contributes more than 50% of Gross Value Added (GVA
• Type: Monthly indicator measuring short-term changes in service sector performance
• Base year: 2024-25
• Sectors covered: Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, Transport, Banking, Insurance, Telecommunications, Hotels and Restaurants, Real Estate, Professional Services, IT and Computer Services, Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
• Excluded sectors: Public Administration and Defence, Government Health and Education Services, Personal Services, Gambling, Private Households
• Data sources: Administrative data (Air Transport, Railway, Banking, Insurance), GST data, ASISSE data
• Deflators: WPI for Wholesale Trade, sector-specific CPI, general CPI for Banking and Insurance

ECONOMY

6. BHARATI PROGRAMME (BHARAT’S HUB FOR AGRITECH)

Current Context: APEDA has successfully concluded the first cohort of the BHARATI Programme.

ABOUT BHARATI

• The BHARATI Programme (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech) has been launched to strengthen India’s agritech innovation ecosystem by promoting technology-driven solutions in agriculture and supporting startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs working in the farm sector.
• Goal: Empower 100 agri-food startups, drive innovation, boost exports worth USD 50 billion in APEDA-scheduled products by 2030
• Focus categories: GI-tagged agri-products, organic foods, superfoods, novel processed Indian agri-foods, livestock products, AYUSH products
• Tech focus: AI-based quality control, blockchain-enabled traceability, IoT-enabled cold chains, agri-fintech, innovative packaging, sustainability
• Aligned with: Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, Digital India, Start-Up India

About APEDA

• APEDA stands for Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.
• It is a statutory body established by the APEDA Act, 1985. Came into existence on 13 February 1986.
• Functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Headquarters: New Delhi

ECONOMY

7. INDIA BECOMES WORLD’S TOP SHIP RECYCLING NATION IN 2025

Current Context: According to UNCTAD report, India became the world’s top ship recycling nation in 2025.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• India emerged as the world’s leading ship recycling nation in 2025, achieving a key target of Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 five years ahead of schedule.
• According to the latest UNCTAD report, India’s share of global ship recycling increased to 4% in 2025, up from 30.1% in 2024.
• Ship recycling volume: Increased nearly 60% -from 1.86 million gross tonnes (2024) to 2.99 million gross tonnes (2025)
• Significance: Achieved Maritime India Vision 2030 target five years ahead of schedule

ECONOMY

8. LARGEST ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD 2026

Current Context: According to IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2026), the list of top 10 largest economies by nominal GDP was released.

TOP 10 LARGEST ECONOMIES (2026)

• India’s growth rate: 6.48% (fastest-growing major economy)

About IMF

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a global financial institution that works to promote international monetary cooperation, financial stability, economic growth, and international trade.
• It is one of the institutions created under the Bretton Woods Conference (1944).
• Established: 27 December 1945. Began Operations: 1 March 1947
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
• Members: 191 countries (as of 2026)

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