Current Affairs Quiz 18th June 2026 Quiz

Exp. Life-Size Statue of Swami Vivekananda Unveiled at Indian Consulate in Chicago

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, unveiled a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Consulate General of India in Chicago, commemorating his enduring message of service, universal harmony, and his historic 1893 address at the Parliament of Religions.

The Chicago installation follows the unveiling of the first-ever life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda in Seattle, Washington, in April 2026, marking the growing recognition of his global spiritual and philosophical influence in the United States.

Exp. ASI Partners with Denmark to Explore 17th-Century Danish Shipwreck ‘Oresund’ off Indian Coast

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the National Museum of Denmark signed an MoU to jointly locate and document the remains of the 17th-century Danish ship Oresund, which sank near Karaikal, Puducherry, in 1619.

This is the first international partnership of ASI’s Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) since its establishment in 2001, marking a significant milestone in India’s underwater archaeological research.

The project will use advanced, non-invasive technologies to identify and study the wreck of Oresund, the first Danish ship to reach India, offering valuable insights into early maritime trade, navigation, and cultural exchanges in the Indian Ocean.

After remaining largely inactive since around 2009 due to a lack of expertise, the UAW was revived in 2025, and the Denmark collaboration highlights India’s renewed focus on preserving and exploring its underwater cultural heritage.

Exp. India and Japan Adopt Rules for Joint Crediting Mechanism Under Paris Agreement

India and Japan have adopted the Rules of Implementation for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, strengthening bilateral cooperation on climate action, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and sustainable development.

The JCM provides a framework for implementing emission reduction and carbon removal projects in India, contributing to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of both countries while promoting low-carbon technologies, investment, and technology transfer.

The implementation rules establish a Joint Committee, transparent project approval and third-party verification systems, sustainable development safeguards, and national registries to monitor the issuance and transfer of carbon credits.

Exp. Sudarsan Pattnaik Becomes First Indian to Win Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026

Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik from Puri, Odisha, won the Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026, becoming the first Indian to receive the prestigious international sand art award.

Pattnaik received the honour at the II International Festival of Sand Sculpture in Kaliningrad, Russia, for his 3-metre-high sand sculpture depicting the two contrasting faces of Earth.

Recent Awards

• Slovakia’s Highest National Award The Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) – PM Narendra Modi
• Princess of Asturias Award – Lionel Messi
• Finacle Innovation Awards 2026 for Data Analytics Platform – J&K Bank
• Labbaytum Awards – India’s Haj Mission

Exp. Indian Navy Decommissions INAS 330 ‘The Harpoons’ After 55 Years of Distinguished Service

The Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 330, popularly known as “The Harpoons”, was number plated (decommissioned), concluding 55 years of distinguished service since its commissioning on 17 April 1971 at INS Garuda, Kochi.

INAS 330 operated the Sea King Mk 42B helicopters, which played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-ship operations, search-and-rescue (SAR), and shipborne maritime missions for the Indian Navy.

With the retirement of the Sea King Bravo fleet after 36 years of service, the Indian Navy is replacing it with 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, while also developing the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) and Deck-Based MRH for future naval operations.

Exp. Smriti Mandhana Becomes Only Indian in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026

Smriti Mandhana has been named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026, becoming the only Indian to feature on the prestigious list of athletes, coaches, advocates, and sports leaders shaping global sports.

The TIME list is headlined by LeBron James and includes world-renowned sporting icons such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Alcaraz, Rory McIlroy, Eileen Gu, Victor Wembanyama, and Temba Bavuma.

The vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, Mandhana set the record for the most international runs by a woman across all formats in 2024 and surpassed her own record in 2025, earning the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 award.

Exp. Navi Mumbai and Guwahati Airport Terminals Named Among World’s Most Beautiful Airports in Prix Versailles 2026

Terminal 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport and Terminal 2 of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, have been included in the Prix Versailles 2026 list of the world’s most beautiful airports, recognising excellence in architecture, sustainability, and passenger-centric design.

Both award-winning airports are managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL). Navi Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 was honoured for its lotus-inspired architecture, futuristic design, and seamless integration of technology, art, and functionality.

Guwahati Airport’s Terminal 2 earned recognition for its bamboo-inspired architecture, showcasing the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Northeast India, alongside leading international airports from China, Germany, Cambodia, and the United States.

Exp. National Biodiversity Authority Reconstitutes Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity for One-Year Term

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has reconstituted the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity under Section 13(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for a one-year tenure.

The Committee will provide expert guidance on the conservation, sustainable use, and Access & Benefit Sharing (ABS) related to agricultural biodiversity and associated policy matters.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Committee has played a key role in implementing the Biological Diversity Act, with Padma Shri Dr. P. L. Gautam appointed as the Co-Chair of the reconstituted committee.

Exp. Foundation Stone Laid for ₹170-Crore MSME Technology Centre in Bihar’s Gaya to Boost Skills and Manufacturing

Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary laid the foundation stone of a ₹170-crore Technology Centre at Khizarsarai, Gaya (Bihar) to boost skill development, advanced manufacturing, and MSME support.

The 20-acre facility, with a built-up area of 16,800 sq. metres, will include production, training, utility and administrative blocks, along with a hostel, staff accommodation, and a multipurpose hall.

The Technology Centre will focus on general engineering, heavy engineering, and textile testing, offering services such as CNC machining, CAD/CAM/CAE, rapid prototyping, Industry 4.0 labs, AI, IoT, automation, VLSI, and renewable energy-based systems.

The Centre is expected to train around 7,000 students and professionals annually and provide technical, tooling, incubation, and business advisory support to over 1,000 MSMEs every year, strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat and regional industrial growth.

Exp. Tripura Sarinda Receives GI Tag, Becoming State’s Fourth Geographical Indication Product

Tripura Sarinda, a traditional stringed musical instrument closely associated with the state’s indigenous communities, has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing its unique craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

With the inclusion of Tripura Sarinda, the state now has four GI-tagged products—Tripura Queen Pineapple, Risa and Pachra (Rignai), Matabari Peda, and Tripura Sarinda—strengthening Tripura’s indigenous and cultural identity.

About Tripura

• Capital – Agartala
• Chief Minister – Manik Sarkar
• Governor – Indra Sena Reddy Nallu

Exp. Kerala Government Launches Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women and Transgenders.

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan launched the ‘Priyadarshini’ free bus travel scheme across the state.

The scheme allows women and transgender persons to travel free of cost on 3,125 ordinary KSRTC buses.

About Kerala

• Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister – V. D. Satheesan
• Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

Exp. Suzlon Launches India’s Tallest 5 MW Wind Turbine, ‘S175’, to Boost Renewable Energy Generatio

Suzlon Energy has launched India’s tallest wind turbine, the 5 MW S175, which has been successfully commissioned at Vijayanagar, Karnataka, to enhance renewable energy generation.

The S175 is India’s first FDRE (Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy)-ready wind turbine, designed to support grid-stable renewable energy systems, including hybrid, round-the-clock (RTC), and firm power solutions.

The turbine features a 175-metre rotor, a 160-metre hybrid lattice tower, and a blade tip height of 247.5 metres, enabling it to harness stronger and more consistent winds at higher altitudes.

Developed using insights from Suzlon’s 15.5 GW installed fleet and over 30 years of operational experience, the S175 is expected to improve energy generation and project economics, especially in low- to medium-wind potential regions across India.

Exp. Jio Platforms Becomes Only Indian Company in WIPO Global Top 20 Patent Rankings 2025

Jio Platforms Limited (JPL), the technology arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has entered the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Global Top 20 Patent Rankings 2025, becoming the only Indian company to feature in the prestigious list.

The WIPO Global Top 20 Patent Rankings are based on the number of international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system, highlighting global innovation and intellectual property leadership.

In 2025, China remained the world’s largest source of PCT applications, while India ranked 12th globally with 3,070 international patent applications filed under the PCT system.

Exp. India Expands Global UPI Footprint with Launch at Galeries Lafayette in Nice, France

India launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services at Galeries Lafayette Nice Massena in Nice, France, with the launch led by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in collaboration with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and French payment provider Lyra Collect.

UPI, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is an instant real-time digital payment system that enables bank-to-bank transfers and QR code-based merchant payments. It is now operational in nine countries, including France, Singapore, UAE, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia.

The integration of UPI at Galeries Lafayette Nice Massena, a leading retail destination with over 600 brands, enables Indian travellers to make seamless digital payments in France, further expanding India’s global digital payments footprint.

Exp. United States Renames U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Back to U.S. Pacific Command

The United States has officially renamed the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) back to the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), restoring the command’s original name, which it held from 1947 to 2018.

The command, established on 1 January 1947 by Harry S. Truman, is the oldest and largest Unified Combatant Command of the U.S. Armed Forces and is headquartered at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.

Despite the renaming, the command’s mission, operational responsibilities, personnel strength, and area of responsibility—from the U.S. West Coast to the western border of India—remain unchanged.

Exp. Adani Group and Embraer Plan Regional Aircraft Assembly Line at Dholera, Gujarat

The Adani Group and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer are planning to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for regional aircraft at the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), Gujarat, as part of their strategic partnership.

The collaboration follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January between Adani Defence & Aerospace and Embraer to explore cooperation in the regional aviation sector, with plans to gradually increase local sourcing and manufacturing in India.

The proposed facility aims to strengthen India’s regional aviation ecosystem under the UDAN scheme, although its commercial success will depend on aircraft orders from Indian airlines amid growing demand for regional air connectivity.