CRITICALITY
Context: new small nuclear reactor backed by the U.S. government achieved first criticality
criticality is the point at which a nuclear reactor achieves a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction for the first time, enabling it to produce energy in a controlled manner and paving the way for future power generation.
T.N.’S TEXTILE INDUSTRY CAN SAVE OVER ₹3,000 CR. BY TRANSITIONING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY: REPORT
India’s textile industry has the highest carbon footprint among major exporting countries, reaching over 12.5 kg CO₂e per kg of textile, which is higher than Vietnam, Bangladesh and China, shows the report
INTERNATIONAL SEAWEED DAY,
International Seaweed Day, observed annually on June 4th, celebrates seaweed’s critical role in ensuring global food security, mitigating climate change, and restoring marine ecosystems. The date marks the anniversary of the launch of the Seaweed Manifesto, a United Nations-backed initiative that promotes seaweed as a major driver of the sustainable ocean economy
NICOBAR PORT
India is developing a mega International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay on Great Nicobar Island. Located near the busy Malacca Strait, it aims to capture global shipping trade and reduce India’s reliance on foreign ports like Singapore and Colombo
VIZAG PORT
- Vizag port authority accredited as ‘L2 Green Port’ for sustainability initiatives
- An L2 Green Port is an environmental certification awarded to maritime ports that have achieved strict sustainability targets, such as zero-emission operations, high renewable energy use, and effective waste management. It signifies that a port has successfully passed an independent audit for reducing its environmental footprint and improving ecosystem health
ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION (EBA)
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is a climate change strategy that uses biodiversity and natural ecosystem services to help communities prepare for and adjust to the adverse impacts of shifting weather patterns, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events. It primarily focuses on the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of natural habitats.
- Across India’s coastline, mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs are already helping communities adapt to rising climate risks.
THE U.S. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION’S (NOAA) ENSO DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION REPORT(2026)
- The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) ENSO Diagnostic Discussion Report(2026) states that El Niño is likely to emerge soon.
- El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a global climate phenomenon that emerges from variation in winds and sea surface temperatures over the tropical Pacific Ocean.
- El Niño is famous for causing “bad” weather because it shifts the world’s climate, bringing extreme conditions to different regions
AI TO DOUBLE DATA CENTRE POWER AND WATER CONSUMPTION BY 2030, UN
- Data centres are expected to consume twice as much power and water by 2030 as they expand to meet the surge in demand from artificial intelligence, U.N
- the rapid rollout could also strain scarce land resources and create mountains of electronic waste, the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health warned in a report.
THE ST. PETERSBURG INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM (SPIEF) 2026.
The SPIEF has been held annually since 1997. Since 2006, the Forum has been held under the patronage and with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation.
SPIEF is a unique platform for dialogue and business networking. It offers an opportunity to find partners for business development in Russia and abroad, expand your customer and supplier base, connect with decision-makers, and attract the attention of potential investors and leading media outlets.
A BIO-CNG (COMPRESSED BIOGAS) PLANT
A Bio-CNG (Compressed Biogas) plant transforms organic waste—like cattle dung, agricultural residue, and municipal solid waste—into pure methane. It serves as a renewable, carbon-neutral alternative to conventional natural gas
THE BRICS ANTI-CORRUPTION WORKING GROUP (ACWG)
Established in 2015 by the decision of the BRICS Leaders, the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) serves as a platform for coordinating the BRICS countries’ approaches to the most acute issues on the international anti-corruption agenda, providing mutual support to the partners’ initiatives, implementing joint projects and promoting direct contacts between the national competent authorities.
LAKE CHAD
- A joint operation by Nigerian forces and U.S. African Command that killed 175 Islamic militants has drawn attention to the complex security situation in Lake Chad basin.
- Lake Chad is an endorheic freshwater lake located at the junction of four countries: Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, in western and central Africa respectively
- The Chad Basin was formed by the depression of the African Shield.The floor of the basin is made of Precambrian bedrock covered by more than 3,600 m (11,800 ft) of sedimentary deposits
THE DRUM PLANTATION TECHNIQUE
- 3,200 TREES PLANTED USING A DRUM PLANTATION TECHNIQUE HAVE SURVIVED AND THRIVED IN SALINE LAND AT DHOLERA.
- The drum plantation technique is an innovative method used to grow trees and plants in highly hostile environments, such as barren, waterlogged, or heavily saline lands. It involves planting saplings inside specially modified plastic drums elevated above the challenging ground conditions. The drums are filled with customized, nutrient-rich soil layers that protect the tender roots from toxic elements while giving the young plants a healthy, controlled environment to establish and grow deep roots.
THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
FOREX RESERVE
- Foreign exchange reserves are assets held by a country’s central bank in foreign currencies, bonds, and other securities.
- The reserves of most countries are in U.S. dollars, and China holds the largest amount of foreign currency reserves globally.
- Reserves are crucial for stabilizing a national currency and supporting monetary policy during economic uncertainties.
- Economists recommend holding reserves in currencies not directly linked to a country’s own currency to mitigate market shocks.
THE BI-MONTHLY MONETARY POLICY
The bi-monthly monetary policy is a system where the central bank reviews and adjusts the country’s economic rules every two months. In India, this is handled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The main goal is to control inflation, stabilize currency value, and support economic growth.
INDONESIA VOLCANO ERUPTS
- A highly active volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted several times
- Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island erupted
- Lewotobi is a twin volcano located in the southeastern part of the island of Flores, Indonesia
GOVERNMENT EXEMPTS CAPITAL GAINS TAX ON FPI INVESTMENT IN G-SECS
The Government of India (GoI) on Friday (June 5, 2026) waived the 12.5% long term capital gains tax (LTCG) charged on foreign institutional investment in government bonds.
The exemption will be applicable from April 1, 2026. “Recognising the importance of a competitive tax regime in attracting global capital, the Government has decided to rationalise the tax treatment applicable to investments by FPIs in Government Securities, by exempting such investments from income tax on any interest or capital gain. This step will align the taxation on G-Secs with many comparable jurisdictions.
SOIL-FRIENDLY FERTILISERS FROM FISH WASTE
Scientists at the Chennai-based ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) have developed an innovative fish waste-based biofertiliser technology that offers a sustainable and economically viable alternative to conventional fertilisers.
The institute has developed two novel products — CIBA-PlanktonPlus and CIBA-HortiPlus — derived entirely from fish market waste.
GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT)
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is defined as the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within the domestic territory of a country during a given year. It is the primary metric used to measure the size and health of an economy.
- the provisional estimates of GDP growth in 2025-26 is slightly faster than the 7.6% that had been estimated in February 2026
THE GREAT NICOBAR PROJECT
The Great Nicobar Project seeks to transform Great Nicobar into a strategic maritime and economic hub by leveraging its proximity (about 40 nautical miles) to the East–West shipping route and reducing dependence on foreign transshipment ports keeping in view the defense and National Security purpose
The project includes:
- International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) with a capacity of 14.2 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit)
- Greenfield International Airport (4000 Peak Hour Passengers-PHP) A 450 MVA (Megavolt Ampere) gas and solar-based power plant,
- A new township spanning 16,610 hectares.