UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 21 June 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 21 June 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 21 June 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Non-Methane Hydrocarbons

June 21, 2026
Non-Methane Hydrocarbons

Non-Methane Hydrocarbons Latest News

Researchers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) spent a year (2022–2023) measuring non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) in Munsyari.

About Non-Methane Hydrocarbons

  • These are trace atmospheric constituents which includes ethane, ethene, propane, propene, and isoprene
  • These are a group of reactive gases emitted from fuel use, vehicles, and other human activities that play a key role in forming ozone and secondary aerosols.
  • Production: They are primarily produced from terrestrial sources, with some contribution from marine environments, and exhibit distinct production processes influenced by environmental factors.
  • They play a significant role in controlling ozone concentrations and serving as a sink for hydroxyl radicals.
  • They are vital precursors for the photochemical formation of tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosols (SOA)
  • Impact: It is important to trace them and evaluate their implications for regional air quality and potential impacts on human health.

Source: PIB

Non-Methane Hydrocarbons FAQs

Q1: What are Non-Methane Hydrocarbons?

Ans: Organic compounds excluding methane – includes ethane, propane, butane, benzene, toluene; VOCs subset

Q2: What is the main environmental concern with NMHCs?

Ans: Ozone precursors

Indian Coast Guard

June 21, 2026
Indian Coast Guard

Indian Coast Guard Latest News

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) marked the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 with great enthusiasm and nationwide participation through its flagship initiative, “Yoga Sangam 2026.”

About Indian Coast Guard

  • It is a maritime armed force operating under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 
  • It is a multi-mission organization, conducting round-the-year real-life operations at sea. 
  • It was formally established in 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent Armed force of India.
  • Headquarters: The Headquarters of the ICG is located in New Delhi, and is under the command of the Director General Indian Coast Guard.
  • Moto: “VAYAM RAKSHAMAH” – WE PROTECT
  • Mission:
    • To protect our ocean and offshore wealth, including oil, fish, and minerals.
    • To assist mariners in distress and safeguard life and property at sea.
    • To enforce maritime laws with respect to the sea, poaching, smuggling, and narcotics.
    • To preserve the marine environment and ecology and protect rare species.
    • To collect scientific data and back up the Navy during war.

Source: PIB

Indian Coast Guard FAQs

Q1: Under which ministry does ICG function?

Ans: Ministry of Defence

Q2: What is the primary mandate of ICG as per law?

Ans: Safety & protection in maritime zones

Development Policy Financing

June 21, 2026
Development Policy Financing

Development Policy Financing Latest News

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors Friday approved $1.5 billion financing to India under the Development Policy Financing (DPF) Operation. 

About Development Policy Financing

  • It provides rapidly disbursing financing to help a borrower address actual or anticipated development financing requirements.
  • It supports borrowers in achieving poverty reduction and climate-friendly sustainable and inclusive growth through a program of policy and institutional actions.
  • For example: Strengthening public financial management, improving the investment climate, addressing bottlenecks to improve service delivery, and diversifying the economy. 
  • It can be extended as loans, credits/grants, or guarantees.
  • It is an initiative of the World Bank.
  • Funds are made available to country based on
    • Maintenance of an adequate macroeconomic policy framework, as determined by the Bank with inputs from IMF assessments;    
    • Satisfactory implementation of the overall reform program;
    • Completion of a set of critical policy and institutional actions agreed between the Bank and the client
    • Alignment with the Goals of the Paris Agreement

Source: TH

Development Policy Financing FAQs

Q1: Who monitors compliance of DPF conditions in India?

Ans: Dept. of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance

Q2: Which international institution provides Development Policy Financing?

Ans: World Bank

Bitumen

June 21, 2026
Bitumen

Bitumen Latest News

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has hit India’s push to expand road infrastructure as  Bitumen was also caught in the crossfire with an import dependency ranging between 30 to 40%.

About Bitumen

  • It is a dense, highly viscous, petroleum-based hydrocarbon.
  • It is found in deposits such as oil sands and pitch lakes (natural bitumen) or is obtained as a residue of the distillation of crude oil.
  • Bitumen is primarily used for paving roads and is known as black gold in the pavement industry.
  • Properties
    • It is known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties.
    • It has adhesive properties, and is soluble in carbon disulphide.
    • It is composed of complex hydrocarbons and contains elements like calcium, iron, sulfur, and oxygen.
    • The quality of material and ease of production depends on the source and type of crude oil from which it is derived. 
  • Applications
    • Bitumen is versatile and widely used.
    • It is commonly used in the construction industry, notably for roads and highways.

Source: IE

Bitumen FAQs

Q1: What is bitumen and what is its primary source?

Ans: Hydrocarbon residue from crude oil distillation

Q2: What is the main use of bitumen in India?

Ans: Road construction

Norway

June 21, 2026
Norway

Norway Latest News

Norway is imposing a near ban on the use of generative AI tools by elementary school pupils while also restricting their ​use in the education of older children to prevent a ‌negative impact on learning.

About Norway

  • Location: It is located on the western half of the Scandinavian Peninsula. 
  • Bordering Countries: It shares land borders with Sweden, Finland and Russia in the east and an extensive coastline facing the North Atlantic Ocean on the west.
  • Maritime Border: It is bounded by the Barents Sea in the north, the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea in the west and the Skagerrak (Skager Strait) in the south.
  • Capital City: Oslo 

Geographical Features of Norway

  • Terrain: About two-thirds of Norway is mountainous, and off its much-indented coastline lie, carved by deep glacial fjords.
  • Highest Point:  The highest point in Norway is Galdhøpiggen, standing at 2,469 m
  • Rivers: Glama, the country's longest, and the Dramselva, Lagen (two of them) and the Tana in the far north.
  • Lakes: Lake Mjosa is the largest Lake.
  • Natural Resources: It has deposits of iron ore, copper, titanium, coal, zinc, lead, nickel, and pyrite, and large offshore reserves of petroleum and natural gas.

Source: Reuters

Norway FAQs

Q1: What type of coastline is Norway famous for?

Ans: Fjords

Q2: Norway shares land borders with which 3 countries?

Ans: Sweden, Finland, Russia

Sickle Cell Anaemia

June 21, 2026
Sickle Cell Anaemia

Sickle Cell Anaemia Latest News

Recently, 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

  • It is a group of inherited blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells (RBCs) that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. 
  • How Does it Affect Blood Flow?
    • Normally, RBCs are disc-shaped and flexible enough to move easily through the blood vessels.
    • People with SCD have atypical hemoglobin molecules called hemoglobin S, which can distort RBCs into a sickle, or crescent, shape.
    • When RBCs sickle, they do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow to the rest of the body.
    • The sickle-shaped cells can also stick to vessel walls, causing a blockage that slows or stops the flow of blood.  
  • What causes it?
    • The cause of SCD is a defective gene, called a sickle cell gene.
    • A person will be born with SCD only if two genes are inherited—one from the mother and one from the father.
    • If you are born with one sickle cell gene, it’s called sickle cell trait. People with sickle cell trait are generally healthy, but they can pass the defective gene on to their children. 
  • Symptoms
    • Signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease usually begin in early childhood. 
    • Early stage: Extreme tiredness or fussiness from anemia (low number of RBCs), painfully swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.
    • Later stage: Severe pain, anemia, organ damage, and infections.
  • Treatments
    • A bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant) can cure SCD.
    • However, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, lessen complications, and prolong life.
    • Gene therapy is also being explored as another potential cure.

Source: TH

Sickle Cell Anaemia FAQs

Q1: Which drug is used for managing Sickle Cell Anaemia as per National Guidelines?

Ans: Hydroxyurea

Q2: Sickle Cell Anaemia is caused by mutation in which gene/protein?

Ans: Beta-globin gene (HBB)

Abhigyan App

June 21, 2026
Abhigyan App

Abhigyan App Latest News

Recently, the Union Home Minister launched the Abhigyan app in New Delhi.

About Abhigyan App

  • It is a centralised platform created to support law enforcement in making better use of crime-related data. 
  • It is developed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Features of Abhigyan App

  • It enables field police personnel to access a vast repository of criminal records directly on their smartphones.
  • It is secured with two-step authentication and allows real-time fingerprint identification within seconds, strengthening ground-level policing.
  • It is equipped with features such as fast identification, portability, and access to millions of records.
  • The app is linked to the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), which stores fingerprint scans of accused, convicts, and those in prisons on a centralised platform.
  • A demonstration of the app showed that prints can be matched with the NAFIS database in 35 seconds.

Key Facts about National Crime Records Bureau

  • It was established in 1986 to act as a repository of information on crime and criminals. 
  • It was set up based on the recommendations of the Tandon Committee, the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the Task Force of the Home Ministry.
  • Nodal Ministry: It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi.

Source: PIB

Abhigyan App FAQ s

Q1: Which organisation launched the Abhigyan App?

Ans: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Q2: What is Abhigyan App?

Ans: It is a centralised platform created to support law enforcement in making better use of crime-related data. 

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

June 21, 2026
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea Latest News

India’s candidate, Professor Bimal N. Patel has been elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term.          

About International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

  • It is an independent judicial body established by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  • Headquarter: Hamburg, Germany.
  • Composition
    • The Tribunal is composed of 21 independent members.
    • Members elected by secret ballot by the States Parties to the Convention.
    • Each State Party may nominate up to two candidates.
    • Members are elected for nine years and may be re-elected; the terms of one third of the members expire every three years.
    • Eligibility of members: Candidates from among persons enjoying the highest reputation for fairness and integrity and of recognized competence in the field of the law of the sea.

Jurisdiction of International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

  • It has jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal.
  • Disputes relating to the Convention may concern the delimitation of maritime zones, navigation, conservation and management of the living resources of the sea, protection and preservation of the marine environment and marine scientific research.
  • The Tribunal is open to States Parties to the Convention (i.e. States and international organisations which are parties to the Convention).
  • It is also open to entities other than States Parties, i.e., States or intergovernmental organisations which are not parties to the Convention, and to state enterprises and private entities.

Source: NOA

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea FAQs

Q1: Where is the seat/headquarters of ITLOS located?

Ans: Hamburg, Germany

Q2: Under which convention was ITLOS established?

Ans: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; Part XV + Annex VI

Kalamkari Painting

June 21, 2026
Kalamkari Painting

Kalamkari Painting Latest News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India gifted a Kalamkari Mahabharata painting to the French President.

About Kalamkari Painting

  • It is a highly popular form of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile and paintings, practised in Andhra Pradesh.
  • It came up as a textile tradition during the reign of Qutb Shahis at Golconda in the 16-17th century.
  •  “The word ‘Kalam’ meant pen, while ‘Kari’ meant craftsmanship.

Kalamkari Painting Techniques

  • The process of creating Kalamkari begins by soaking the fabric in a mixture of astringents and buffalo milk, followed by drying it in the sun.
  • The outlines of the design in red, black, brown, and violet are drawn using a mordant, after which the cloth is dipped in an alizarin bath.
  • Wax is then applied to the areas that remain undyed, and the fabric is immersed in indigo dye.
  • Once the wax is removed, the remaining areas are hand-painted.
  • Artists use a bamboo or date palm stick with fine hair attached to create design contours, applying natural dyes extracted from roots, leaves, seeds, and minerals like iron and copper.

Kalamkari Painting Styles

  • It is broadly divided into two distinct styles based on the regions where the art form developed—Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam.
  • Srikalahasti Kalamkari
    • It is practised in Srikalahasti of Tirupati district and is done entirely by hand using the kalam (pen).
    • This form is characterized by freehand drawing and intricate detailing.
    • Theme: It portrays mythological figures and themes. religious iconography, temple architecture, and Hindu deities.
  • Machilipatnam Kalamkari
    • It is also known as Pedana Kalamkari, developed in Pedana near Machilipatnam.
    • It is deeply influenced by Persian art due to the patronage of the Mughals and the Golconda Sultanate.
    • Theme: It uses block-printing techniques, focusing on floral and geometric designs.
    • Common motifs include intricate patterns of leaves, flowers, cartwheels, creepers, and birds like parrots and peacocks.

Source: IE

Kalamkari Painting FAQs

Q1: What natural materials are used for colours in traditional Kalamkari?

Ans: Vegetable dyes only

Q2: Kalamkari has a GI tag. For which state?

Ans: Andhra Pradesh

Brahmani River

June 21, 2026
Brahmani River

Brahmani River Latest News

Recently, a study revealed that microscopic plastic pollution is infiltrating the pristine habitats of India’s Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, carrying a toxic cargo of heavy metals into the Brahmani River.  

About Brahmani River

  • It is one of the major rivers in eastern India, primarily flowing through the state of Odisha.
  • It is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near the major industrial town of Rourkela in Odisha.
  • Both the sources of the Brahmani River are on the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
  • River Basin: The basin flows through Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha states, before it outfalls into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Boundary: The Brahmani River basin is bounded in the north by the Chhotanagpur plateau, in the west and south by the Mahanadi basin, and in the east by the Bay of Bengal.
  • Tributaries: The principal tributaries of this river are Sankh, Tikra, and Karo.
  • The Brahmani delta is the site of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for its estuarine crocodiles.
  • It is one of the few rivers that cut across the Eastern Ghats and has formed a minor gorge at Rengali in Odisha, where a dam has been built.

Source: RM

Brahmani River FAQs

Q1: What is the key issue with Brahmani River basin?

Ans: Industrial pollution

Q2: Where does Brahmani River discharge into the sea?

Ans: Bay of Bengal

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