Current Affairs — 28 June 2026

1. PM Modi’s State Visit to Seychelles — Deepening the Blue Partnership

Core Context India’s relations with the island nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have been a strategic priority under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision articulated since 2015. Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands located about 1,500 km from the Indian coast, holds a pivotal position in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. This year also marks the golden jubilee — 50 years — of diplomatic ties between the two nations, making the visit especially significant.

Latest Developments Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a three-day State Visit to Seychelles from June 27 to 29, 2026, attending as the Guest of Honour at the country’s National Day (Golden Jubilee) celebrations. The visit produced a comprehensive range of bilateral agreements and initiatives:

• An umbrella Line of Credit of Rs 1,250 crore was signed between the Export-Import Bank of India and the Seychelles Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment — to fund infrastructure and development projects. • India handed over a Made-in-India patrol vessel, ambulances, and utility vehicles to Seychelles, reinforcing maritime security cooperation. • The two sides agreed to begin preliminary work on establishing a new Seychelles National Hospital, with India extending healthcare infrastructure support. • A virtual groundbreaking of the India-assisted Professional and Technical Education Centre was jointly performed. • Three solar water pumping systems were inaugurated under the International Solar Alliance (ISA), reflecting India’s climate leadership. • Agreements were also signed on agricultural research and education, mutual recognition of training and certification for seafarers serving on Seychelles-flagged vessels, and collaboration in the peaceful exploration of outer space. • A commemorative logo was unveiled to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.

UPSC Prelims Angle • SAGAR Doctrine — Security and Growth for All in the Region — was articulated by India in 2015 as its approach to maritime partnerships in the IOR. • The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was co-founded by India and France at COP21 (2015); it is headquartered at Gurugram. • Exim Bank of India provides Lines of Credit to foreign governments for purchasing Indian goods and services — key instrument of India’s development diplomacy. • Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of developing countries facing specific sustainable development challenges — Seychelles is one of them.

2. ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ — Seychelles Confers Highest Civilian Honour on PM Modi

Core Context International civilian honours conferred on Indian leaders reflect the depth of bilateral relationships and are frequently asked about in UPSC Prelims. The title ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ is Seychelles’ highest Presidential Distinction, newly instituted to recognise exceptional global leadership.

Latest Developments Seychelles President Patrick Herminie conferred the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ honour on PM Modi on June 28, 2026 — the first time this distinction has been awarded by Seychelles. The Presidential Distinction recognises PM Modi’s leadership and commitment to environmental conservation, sustainable development, climate resilience, blue economy, and advancing the aspirations of Small Island Developing States. PM Modi dedicated the award to all nations combating climate change challenges. This was his 34th international honour from a foreign nation.

UPSC Prelims Angle • Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health. • This is the first honorary title of its kind instituted by Seychelles. • India’s PM has received several international civilian honours — a recurring factual question in Prelims.

3. Mann Ki Baat — 135th Episode: Defence, Schemes, AI, and Conservation

Core Context Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio programme broadcast by All India Radio (AIR) on the last Sunday of each month, in which the Prime Minister addresses citizens directly on issues of national importance. It is an important Polity and Governance topic for UPSC.

Latest Developments The 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat was broadcast on June 28, 2026. Key highlights:

Defence Self-Reliance • The PM recalled the recent induction of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray into the Indian Navy as milestones in maritime capability. • He cited the DRDO’s indigenously developed Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) and the ‘Made in India’ C-295 transport aircraft as symbols of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

Social Security Schemes • The PM highlighted two flagship insurance schemes: • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) — provides accident insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for a nominal annual premium of just Rs 20. • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) — provides life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for an annual premium of Rs 436.

AI and Traditional Knowledge • The Central Sanskrit University in Delhi is launching a B.Tech programme in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science — integrating modern technology with India’s classical knowledge tradition. • Nalanda University’s AI innovations were also highlighted as reviving the tradition of Shastrarth (scholarly debate).

Conservation and People’s Participation • PM Modi highlighted Assam’s ‘Hargila Army’ — a grassroots women-led initiative to protect the Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila), an endangered bird species. • Other examples cited: Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges, Nagaland’s sporting culture, Bihar’s Shastrarth tradition, and women-led water conservation in Madhya Pradesh.

UPSC Prelims Angle • PMSBY and PMJJBY were launched in 2015 under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana ecosystem — know their premium amounts, coverage, and eligibility. • C-295 aircraft: manufactured under licence by Tata Advanced Systems in India — first private sector military aircraft in India. • LRLACM: indigenously developed cruise missile by DRDO; tested successfully in 2024. • Hargila (Greater Adjutant Stork) — IUCN status: Endangered; found mainly in Assam and Bihar. • Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya — created by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes; made from Ficus elastica tree roots.

4. Tribute to P.V. Narasimha Rao on Birth Anniversary

Core Context P.V. Narasimha Rao (June 28, 1921 – December 23, 2004) served as India’s 9th Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996. His tenure is historically regarded as one of the most transformative in post-independence India — he initiated the landmark economic liberalisation of 1991 alongside then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh.

Latest Developments The Prime Minister and other leaders paid homage to former PM Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary on June 28, 2026, acknowledging his monumental contribution to India’s economic transformation.

UPSC Prelims Angle • P.V. Narasimha Rao is associated with the 1991 New Economic Policy — liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation (LPG reforms). • He was the first PM from South India (Andhra Pradesh). • During his tenure, India launched its Look East Policy (1992). • He was a polyglot — proficient in 17 languages. • Posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024.

5. Drug-Free India Seminar — Vice-President in Bengaluru

Core Context Substance abuse has emerged as a serious public health and social challenge in India. The government’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ (Drug-Free India Campaign) was launched in 2020 targeting the 272 most drug-affected districts.

Latest Developments The Vice-President of India addressed a Drug-Free India seminar in Bengaluru on June 28, 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating awareness, expanding de-addiction infrastructure, and mobilising community participation in combating drug abuse.

UPSC Prelims Angle • Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan — launched on August 15, 2020; implemented by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. • NDPS Act (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act), 1985 — the principal legislation governing drug offences in India. • Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) — apex body for inter-agency coordination on drug trafficking.