Current Affairs — 23 June 2026

1. Subhas Chandra Bose and the All India Forward Bloc

GS Paper 1 | History | Indian Freedom Struggle

The anniversary of the first plenary session of the All India Forward Bloc, held in Nagpur from June 18 to 22, 1940, brings into focus one of the most consequential ruptures in India’s freedom struggle — Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s break with the Indian National Congress.

Core Context:

In January 1939, Bose won the Congress presidential election by a narrow margin against Gandhi’s preferred candidate, representing the aspirations of younger, more radical nationalists. His presidency, however, soon collided headlong with the Gandhi-led old guard. At the Tripuri session of March 1939, Bose demanded a strict six-month ultimatum be given to the British to grant independence — a militant demand that Gandhi flatly rejected. The Pant Resolution then forced Bose to reconstitute the Working Committee strictly as per Gandhi’s wishes, effectively reducing him to a figurehead. Bose resigned and, by May 1939, founded the All India Forward Bloc to rally left-wing and radical nationalist elements under a single anti-imperialist banner.

Latest Developments:

The Nagpur plenary of June 1940 formally transformed the Forward Bloc from a pressure group within Congress into an independent socialist political party. Bose’s powerful rallying cry — “All power to the Indian people!” — went beyond constitutional demands for dominion status and called for complete absolute sovereignty. Viewing World War II as an opportunity rather than an obstacle, Bose urged India to exploit Britain’s wartime weakness to launch an immediate freedom struggle. This radical ideological framework later paved the way for his escape from India and the organization of the Indian National Army (INA) from abroad.

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• All India Forward Bloc founded: May 1939 • Founder: Subhas Chandra Bose (Netaji) • First plenary conference: Nagpur, June 18–22, 1940 • Initially a left-wing faction within Congress; became independent party after Nagpur plenary • Tripuri Session (March 1939) = flashpoint of Bose vs. Gandhi ideological clash • Pant Resolution = forced Bose to follow Gandhi’s directives for Working Committee appointments • The Forward Bloc united scattered socialist, youth, and radical nationalist groups • Bose later organized the Indian National Army (INA) from outside India

2. The Chapekar Brothers: Pioneers of Armed Resistance

GS Paper 1 | History | Revolutionary Movement

On June 22, 1897, an act of audacious defiance shook British India — three brothers from Pune carried out the assassination of Walter Charles Rand, the British officer overseeing Pune’s response to the bubonic plague. This event, 129 years ago, remains one of the earliest organized examples of armed resistance against colonial rule in post-1857 India.

Core Context:

The 1896–97 bubonic plague epidemic devastated Bombay and Pune. The colonial government’s response was medically justified but culturally brutal — British soldiers entered homes wearing leather boots, violating sacred kitchen and temple spaces of Hindu households. Walter Charles Rand was appointed Chairman of the Poona Plague Committee under Bombay Governor Sandhurst. His heavy-handed methods generated intense resentment among the local population.

The Brothers and the Assassination:

Damodar Hari Chapekar (28), Balkrishna Hari Chapekar (24), and Vasudeo Hari Chapekar (18) grew up on scriptural stories of mythological heroes who fought injustice. Deeply influenced by revolutionary Vasudev Balwant Phadke and fired by Lokmanya Tilak’s nationalist newspaper Kesari, they plotted Rand’s assassination during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebration on June 22, 1897. Using the secret code “Gondya ala re,” they ambushed the procession. In the darkness, Balkrishna mistakenly shot Lieutenant Ayerst (killed instantly); Damodar then correctly targeted Rand (who succumbed on July 3). Betrayed by informants, all three were arrested and hanged in 1898 — making them the only biological trio of siblings executed for India’s freedom struggle. Damodar’s memoir Musings from the Gallows preserved their patriotic legacy. A young Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, deeply moved, took an oath before the goddess Durga to carry their revolutionary mission forward.

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• Chapekar Brothers = Damodar (28), Balkrishna (24), Vasudeo (18) • Assassinated: W.C. Rand (Pune Plague Committee Chairman) on June 22, 1897 • Also killed: Lieutenant Ayerst (mistaken target) • Inspired by: Vasudev Balwant Phadke and Lokmanya Tilak’s newspaper Kesari • Hanged: Damodar (April 18, 1898), Vasudeo (May 8, 1898), Balkrishna (May 12, 1898) • Only trio of biological brothers hanged for India’s independence • Their execution inspired Savarkar’s revolutionary ideology • Damodar’s memoir: Musings from the Gallows

3. Rakhigarhi – India’s Largest Harappan City

GS Paper 1 | Art & Culture | Harappan Civilization

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has formally transferred human skeletal remains excavated from Rakhigarhi in Haryana to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) for detailed anthropological study and ancient DNA analysis — a major step in unlocking the genetic and cultural secrets of the Indus-Saraswati Civilization.

Core Context:

Rakhigarhi, situated in the Narnaud tehsil of Hisar district in Haryana (approximately 150 km northwest of New Delhi), is the single largest known urban settlement of the Harappan (Indus-Saraswati) Civilization. It lies along the dry paleo-bed of the ancient Sarasvati River in the Ghaggar-Hakra river plain. The site documents continuous human habitation spanning from the Early (Pre-Harappan) to the Mature Harappan periods.

Key Features:

• First identified by ASI in the 1960s; Professor Suraj Bhan documented it in 1969 • Major excavations: Dr. Amarendra Nath (ASI, 1997–2000), Prof. Vasant Shinde (Deccan College, 2012–2016), Dr. Sanjay Manjul (2022–2026) • Advanced grid city planning: standardized burnt terracotta bricks; roads up to 1.92 m wide • Sophisticated drainage: brick-lined covered drains from individual homes into main street sewers • Large public granary: mud-brick construction with seven rectangular chambers • Mound No. 1: Ancient industrial zone — cloth-dyeing units, terracotta kilns, and a gold foundry with 3,000+ semi-precious stones • Mound No. 7: Primary burial ground; graves contain up to 40 pottery offerings; skeletons aligned north-south • Artifacts: Steatite cylinder seals with Harappan script and alligator motifs, copper fish hooks, chert trade weights, fire altars

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• Rakhigarhi = largest Harappan site (larger than Mohenjo-daro and Harappa) • Location: Hisar district, Haryana • River: Ghaggar-Hakra = identified with ancient Sarasvati River • ASI = excavations; AnSI (Anthropological Survey of India) = physical anthropology and DNA work • Pre-Harappan to Mature Harappan continuous habitation documented • Mound 1 = industrial zone; Mound 7 = cemetery (primary burial site) • Steatite cylinder seals = rare find; Harappan script still undeciphered

4. Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA)

GS Paper 3 | Environment | Conservation

After years of delay and inter-state disagreements, the Central Government is finally moving to finalize the demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats using a phased, state-by-state approach — beginning with Gujarat, where consensus has already been reached.

Core Context:

An Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) is a legally protected geographic zone established under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The Western Ghats — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s eight biological hotspots — regulates the South-West monsoon and serves as the source of major peninsular rivers including the Kaveri, Krishna, Godavari, and Tungabhadra.

Evolution of the ESA Plan:

• Madhav Gadgil Committee (2010–11): Recommended the entire 1,29,037 sq km of the Western Ghats be declared ESA with uniform, heavy restrictions on development • Kasturirangan Working Group (2012–13): Rejected the blanket approach; proposed only the 60,000 sq km natural landscape (40% of total area) be notified; the remaining 60% ‘cultural landscape’ (human settlements and agriculture) kept out • 2014 Draft Notification: Ministry of Environment proposed 56,825.7 sq km for ESA notification • Sanjay Kumar Committee (2022–26): Appointed to reconcile village-level boundary discrepancies and manage state objections; now enabling state-by-state finalization

What Is Prohibited in ESAs:

• New mining and quarrying • Thermal power plants • Red-category polluting industries • New buildings or townships above 20,000 sq m built-up area

Why States Oppose: States like Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and Tamil Nadu fear the restrictions will economically marginalize farming and tribal communities living inside proposed ESA zones.

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• ESA declared under: Environment Protection Act, 1986 • Gadgil Panel = entire Western Ghats (1.29 lakh sq km); Kasturirangan = 60,000 sq km • Western Ghats spans 6 states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu • Proceedings now state-by-state; Gujarat first • ESA prohibits: New mining, thermal plants, red-category industries, large constructions • Payments for Ecosystem Services = proposed financial incentive for local communities

5. Right to Walk: A New Fundamental Right

GS Paper 2 | Polity | Fundamental Rights | Supreme Court Judgments

The Supreme Court of India has delivered a landmark ruling recognizing the right to walk on demarcated footpaths as a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution — a judgment with sweeping implications for urban planning, local governance, and citizen safety.

Constitutional Basis:

The Court integrated this right into Part III by reading multiple fundamental rights together:

• Article 19(1)(d): Guarantees freedom of movement throughout India — the primary constitutional anchor for this right • Articles 19(1)(a), (b), (c): Freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association — all requiring safe and accessible public spaces to be meaningful • Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty — pedestrian safety recognized as an integral component of dignified public existence

Key Points of the Judgment:

• The right to use a footpath is primary and takes legal precedence over the interests of motorized vehicles • Duty bearers explicitly identified: urban development authorities, municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayats • Citizens can invoke constitutional remedies (separate from claims under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988) for obstruction of safe footpaths • Court notes total absence of standalone pedestrian legislation and calls for a dedicated statutory framework • Recommends creation of an independent full-time regulator for pedestrian infrastructure

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• Right to Walk = Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(d) + Article 21 • Part III of Constitution = Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35) • Article 19(1)(d) = freedom of movement throughout India • Article 21 = right to life and personal liberty • Duty to build footpaths = constitutional obligation, not mere policy preference • Constitutional remedies available beyond Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 • Court recommends: Dedicated pedestrian legislation + independent pedestrian safety regulator

6. India: World’s Top Ship Recycling Nation in 2025

GS Paper 3 | Economy | Maritime Sector

India has emerged as the world’s number one ship recycling nation in 2025, according to a UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) report, capturing 35.4% of the global ship recycling market and achieving its Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 target well ahead of schedule.

Core Context:

Ship recycling (or ship breaking) involves dismantling end-of-life vessels to recover valuable steel, copper, and other materials. India’s Alang Ship Recycling Yard in Gujarat — located on the Gulf of Khambhat coast — is the world’s largest ship-breaking facility. The sector supports thousands of jobs and provides significant quantities of secondary steel to India’s economy.

Key Performance Data (2025):

• Volume recycled: 9.9 million gross tons (GT) — a 60% surge from 2024 • Global market share: 35.4% (up from 30.1% in 2024) • 115 domestic facilities achieved Hong Kong Convention (HKC) compliance • Alang capacity expansion planned to nearly double to 9 million light displacement tons (LDT)

Policy Enablers:

• Recycling of Ships Act, 2019: Aligned India’s domestic law with the Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships • ₹53.5 crore in financial assistance disbursed to modernize facilities • Ship-breaking Credit Note Scheme: Ship owners receive a credit note equal to 40% of a recycled ship’s scrap value, redeemable as 5% cost offset on new vessel construction at Indian shipyards • Active engagement with the EU to get Indian yards listed under EU Ship Recycling Regulations (EUSRR) • Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and Gujarat Maritime Board coordinate the sector

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• India = World No. 1 in ship recycling (2025); 35.4% global market share • Data source: UNCTAD (UN Conference on Trade and Development) • Alang Ship Recycling Yard = Gujarat; world’s largest ship-breaking facility • Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 = aligned with Hong Kong Convention (HKC) • HKC = international treaty for safe and eco-friendly ship recycling • Ship-breaking Credit Note Scheme = 40% credit on scrap value • MIV 2030 = Maritime India Vision 2030; target achieved early

7. Project Cheetah and Kuno National Park

GS Paper 3 | Environment | Biodiversity & Conservation

President Droupadi Murmu visited Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh and interacted with Cheetah Mitras, receiving a comprehensive briefing on the progress of Project Cheetah — India’s ambitious big-cat reintroduction programme that now spans three source countries across two continents.

Core Context:

Cheetahs went locally extinct in India by 1952, primarily due to hunting and habitat loss. Project Cheetah, launched in September 2022, aims to reestablish a free-ranging cheetah meta-population in India. Kuno National Park was selected as the primary reintroduction site due to its grassland-savanna ecosystem, low human pressure, and historical wildlife richness.

Timeline of Cheetah Arrivals at Kuno:

• September 2022: 8 cheetahs from Namibia — India’s first cheetahs in over 70 years • February 2023: 12 cheetahs from South Africa • 2026: Fresh batch from Botswana — further expanding the genetic diversity of the reintroduced population

About Kuno National Park:

• Location: Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh • Core area: 748 sq km; full Kuno Wildlife Division: 1,235 sq km • Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests (Kardhai, Khair, Salai trees) and extensive grasslands • The Kuno River flows through the park, providing year-round water • Originally developed as an alternative habitat for Asiatic Lions from Gir, Gujarat • Cheetah Mitras: Community ambassadors trained to monitor cheetahs and manage human-wildlife conflict

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• Kuno National Park = Madhya Pradesh = India’s first and primary cheetah reintroduction site • Source countries: Namibia (2022), South Africa (2023), Botswana (2026) • Project Cheetah = world’s first intercontinental wildlife translocation project • Cheetah Mitras = community stakeholders in Project Cheetah • Kuno was also developed for potential Asiatic Lion translocation (from Gir) • Asiatic Lions = found only in Gir National Park, Gujarat (Critically Endangered)

8. Ras Laffan Gas Facility, Qatar

GS Paper 1 | Geography | International Affairs | Energy Security

A massive explosion ripped through the Barzan gas supply facility inside Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial city, injuring at least 54 people and leaving 18 workers missing — drawing global attention to one of the world’s most strategically vital energy infrastructure nodes.

About Ras Laffan:

Ras Laffan Industrial City is located in Al Khor municipality, approximately 80 km north of Doha, Qatar. Commissioned in 1996 under QatarEnergy, it is the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export hub and home to the world’s largest artificial harbour.

Strategic Significance:

• Processes gas from the North Field — the world’s largest non-associated natural gas reservoir (900+ trillion standard cubic feet) • Barzan Gas Plant: $10.4 billion joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil; produces 4 billion standard cubic feet per day • Other major operations: Pearl GTL and ORYX GTL (Gas-to-Liquid plants), Laffan Refinery, Dolphin gas hub • Port handles over 10,000 ship loadings per year; exports 15 million tons of liquid products annually • Integrated power and water desalination facilities (Ras Laffan A, B, C/Ras Girtas) serve Qatar’s domestic needs

Relevance for India:

India is one of the largest importers of Qatari LNG. Petronet LNG’s Dahej terminal (Gujarat) and Kochi terminal (Kerala) receive significant LNG shipments from Qatar. Any disruption at Ras Laffan directly affects India’s energy security, domestic gas prices, and the running of LNG-dependent fertilizer and power plants.

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• Ras Laffan = Al Khor municipality, Qatar; 80 km north of Doha • World’s largest LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) export hub • North Field = world’s largest non-associated natural gas field (spans Qatar and Iran; Iran side = South Pars) • Barzan Gas Project = QatarEnergy + ExxonMobil joint venture • Pearl GTL and ORYX GTL = Gas-to-Liquid conversion plants (GTL technology converts natural gas into liquid fuels) • LNG = methane chilled to liquid at -162°C for easier transport • India’s LNG terminals: Dahej (Gujarat), Kochi (Kerala), Hazira (Gujarat), Dabhol (Maharashtra)

9. IAS e-Civil List 2026

GS Paper 2 | Governance | Civil Services

The Union Minister launched the IAS e-Civil List 2026, the 71st edition of the official Civil List and the sixth edition released entirely in digital format — a step forward in transparent, data-driven public administration.

What Is the IAS Civil List?

The IAS Civil List is the official government directory containing comprehensive service details of all Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers across India. It is published by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) — the cadre controlling authority of the IAS — under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Key Features of the 2026 Edition:

• Contains details of batch, cadre, current posting, pay level, educational qualifications, and retirement dates of every IAS officer • Advanced search functionality and hyperlinking for easy access and comparison • Cadre strength data: authorized strength, vacancies, and projected retirements over the next five years • Released as an e-book PDF under the Digital India initiative — reducing printing costs and improving accessibility

Significance:

• Facilitates evidence-based cadre management, talent identification, and optimal officer deployment • Promotes transparency, institutional accountability, and manpower planning • Supports policy-makers in cross-cadre management and inter-state deputation decisions

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• IAS e-Civil List 2026 = 71st edition; 6th digital edition • Published by: DoPT (Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions) • DoPT = cadre controlling authority for IAS • IAS officers are allotted cadres (state-based); DoPT manages their career progression centrally • The Civil List has been published since 1956; digital format started in 2021

10. India’s Digital Sovereignty Challenge

GS Paper 3 | Science & Technology | Cybersecurity & Digital Infrastructure

Two back-to-back incidents have sharply exposed the vulnerabilities within India’s digital infrastructure: a nationwide CCTV network breach linked to Chinese firmware, and the loss of cloud service access due to US-imposed sanctions on Israel under the Project Nimbus cloud contract — together raising urgent, unresolved questions about India’s digital sovereignty.

Core Context:

Digital sovereignty refers to a nation’s ability to exercise independent control over its own digital data, software infrastructure, and online services — free from coercion by foreign governments or technology companies.

Incident 1 – CCTV Network Breach:

Several Indian public surveillance networks using CCTV cameras embedded with Chinese firmware were reportedly compromised, with live feed data potentially accessible to external actors. This mirrors global concerns about hardware backdoors built into products from Chinese tech companies, raising national security red flags.

Incident 2 – Cloud Access Denial via EU-Israel Sanctions:

The European Union’s sanctions regime against Israel caused disruptions to Google and Amazon’s Project Nimbus cloud services — on which several Indian users and organizations depend. Some Indian entities found themselves unable to access critical cloud-hosted data, exposing the risk of over-dependence on foreign cloud platforms subject to third-party geopolitical pressures.

Key Structural Gaps:

• India lacks sovereign cloud infrastructure at scale for critical sectors • Heavy reliance on US Big Tech (AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure) and Chinese hardware suppliers • No comprehensive data localisation law currently in operational force • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is the legislative framework but full implementation is underway

Way Forward:

• Accelerating indigenous cloud platforms: MeghRaj (GI Cloud by NIC) and DigiLocker infrastructure • Enforcing data localisation norms for critical sectors (defence, banking, health) • Phasing out Chinese hardware from sensitive surveillance and defence networks • Developing and implementing a National Cybersecurity Strategy

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• Digital sovereignty = independent national control over digital data and infrastructure • Project Nimbus = cloud services contract between Google/Amazon and the Government of Israel • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 = India’s primary data protection legislation • MeghRaj / GI Cloud = India’s government cloud platform operated by NIC • NIC = National Informatics Centre (under MeitY) • MeitY = Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology • Relevant syllabus areas: Cybersecurity, critical information infrastructure, data localisation, surveillance

11. India-UK Free Trade Agreement

GS Paper 2 | International Relations | Bilateral Agreements

India and the United Kingdom have finalized a long-awaited bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), opening new avenues of trade and investment across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and skilled mobility.

Key Highlights:

• Indian farmers and food exporters gain improved UK market access with reduced tariffs on rice, spices, processed foods, and marine products • Indian textile, leather, and engineering goods manufacturers benefit from lower UK import duties • Indian IT and services sector gains smoother professional mobility under new visa provisions for skilled workers • UK gets expanded access to India’s fast-growing consumer market and financial services sector • The pact is seen as part of India’s post-Brexit recalibration of its trade relationship with the UK

UPSC Prelims Angle:

• India-UK FTA = covers goods, services, investments, and professional mobility • Key Indian exports to UK: IT services, pharmaceuticals, textiles, apparel, food products • Key UK exports to India: Whisky, automobiles, machinery, luxury goods • India’s recent FTA trajectory: UAE (2022), Australia (2022), EFTA (2024), UK (2026) • WTO rules on bilateral FTAs: Governed by GATT Article XXIV • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry