An Indian Air Force (IAF) An-32 cargo aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Jorhat airbase in Assam, resulting in the deaths of five IAF personnel. Six personnel were on board, with the co-pilot undergoing treatment for injuries. The aircraft, belonging to the 43 Squadron, lost control upon touchdown, skidded off the runway, broke into two segments, and caught fire. A court of inquiry has been constituted to determine the cause of the accident. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed condolences.
An An-32 cargo aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed during landing at Jorhat airbase in Assam.
The accident resulted in the death of five IAF personnel, with one co-pilot injured.
A court of inquiry has been established to investigate the cause of the crash.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, aiming to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping. He also stated that the U.S. would "go and get" Iran's highly enriched uranium at a later stage, confirming Iran's claim that the nuclear issue would not be part of the preliminary agreement. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed frozen assets would be released, though Trump denied funds would be provided. Tensions remain high, with recent U.S. claims of Iran firing drones at commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced an impending deal with Iran to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.
The agreement is expected to be signed on Sunday, with the nuclear issue to be addressed at a later stage.
Trump denied providing funds to Tehran, contradicting Iran's Foreign Minister's claims about frozen asset release.
Exam Points
Key players: U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar that "illicit transport of Iranian oil" and violations of the American blockade on Iranian ports would not be tolerated. This warning came after India summoned a U.S. Embassy representative to protest missile attacks by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian seafarers. Jaishankar reiterated India's strong protest against these lethal actions. The U.S. Central Command claimed the attacked vessels failed to comply with directions, a claim disputed by one vessel's management. Shashi Tharoor questioned U.S. insensitivity to Indian lives.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned India against violating the American blockade on Iranian ports and transporting Iranian oil.
India formally protested the U.S. Navy's missile attacks in the Gulf that resulted in the death of three Indian mariners.
The U.S. claims attacked vessels failed to comply with orders, a claim disputed by shipping companies.
Exam Points
U.S. Official: Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Indian Official: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Incident: U.S. missile attacks on vessels Marivex, Settebello, Jalveer; killed three Indian seafarers.
The Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) marked 29 years since the 1997 Uphaar cinema hall fire, expressing dismay that fire safety lessons remain unlearnt in Delhi. AVUT president Neelam Krishnamoorthy highlighted recurring fire incidents as evidence of overlooked safety violations and poorly scrutinised No Objection Certificates. The association called for stricter accountability for negligence causing deaths and advocated for a law governing safety violations, emphasizing that public safety suffers when compliance is bought and accountability evaded.
AVUT observed 29 years since the Uphaar cinema tragedy, criticizing the lack of fire safety improvements.
Recurring fire incidents in Delhi indicate persistent safety violations and inadequate scrutiny of NOCs.
The association demands stricter accountability for negligence leading to deaths.
Following a fire incident in Malviya Nagar that claimed 23 lives, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) submitted a detailed proposal to the government. It suggests making fire detection systems mandatory for all new constructions and requiring existing buildings to install them within three years, incentivized by a house tax rebate. The DFS also recommended mandatory sprinkler systems for all new residential buildings, with phased implementation for low-rise structures. Building plan approvals and occupancy certificates would be contingent on these systems, citing the rapid decrease in 'flashover' time in modern homes.
DFS proposed mandatory fire detection systems for all new constructions in Delhi.
Existing buildings would need to install these systems within three years, with a house tax rebate incentive.
Mandatory sprinkler systems are also recommended for all new residential buildings.
Exam Points
Agency: Delhi Fire Services (DFS).
Triggering event: Malviya Nagar fire incident (claimed 23 lives).
A 39-year-old Adivasi woman from West Bengal, Bhadu Mandi, was rescued from bonded labour conditions in Gurugram after working for over two years in a home in DLF Garden City. She was brought to Delhi for domestic work with an advance payment of ₹40,000. Her sister, Lakshmi Tudu, reported that Ms. Mandi was restricted by smart locking systems, worked over 16 hours daily, and suffered physical abuse. The case came to light in March, an FIR was registered on June 4, and a joint operation by Haryana and West Bengal police, district administration, and civil society members led to her rescue.
A tribal woman from West Bengal was rescued from bonded labour in Gurugram.
She was subjected to restricted movement, long working hours, and physical abuse for over two years.
The rescue was a result of a joint operation involving police, district administration, and an NGO.
Exam Points
Victim: Bhadu Mandi (Adivasi woman from Birbhum district, West Bengal).
Location of exploitation: DLF Garden City, Sector 91, Gurugram.
The 13.14-kilometre-long Zojila Tunnel, a strategic infrastructure project connecting Baltal (Kashmir) and Minamarg (Ladakh), achieved a construction breakthrough. This tunnel bypasses the treacherous Zojila Pass, which is often closed for months due to extreme weather, and will provide all-weather connectivity. It is crucial for India's strategic interests, given its borders with China and Pakistan, enabling faster movement of the Army and supplies. The project, costing ₹6,800 crore, is expected to be operational by 2028 and will significantly reduce travel time, benefiting locals and potentially boosting tourism.
The Zojila Tunnel, 13.14 km long, achieved a construction breakthrough, connecting Baltal and Minamarg.
It will provide all-weather connectivity, bypassing the Zojila Pass, which is prone to heavy snowfall.
The tunnel holds immense strategic value for India's defense, facilitating Army movement and supply logistics.
Exam Points
Tunnel length: 13.14 kilometres.
Location: Connects Baltal (Ganderbal district, Kashmir) and Minamarg (Drass, Ladakh) on National Highway-1.
Lieutenant-General Dhiraj Seth, currently serving as the Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, has been appointed as the next Chief of the Army Staff, effective June 30. He will succeed General Upendra Dwivedi, who retires on the same day. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt. Gen. Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in 1986. His distinguished career spans nearly four decades, including extensive counter-insurgency assignments and commanding various formations in diverse operational environments, such as the Sudarshan Chakra Corps and Delhi Area.
Lieutenant-General Dhiraj Seth has been named the next Chief of the Army Staff.
He is currently the Vice-Chief of the Army Staff and will assume the new role on June 30.
Lt. Gen. Seth has a distinguished career of nearly four decades in the Armoured Corps.
The Assam Cabinet has decided to halt the issuance of new Aadhaar cards for adults (18 and above) through the regular enrolment process, aiming to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining the unique identification number. A special verification process through the District Commissioner's office will now be mandatory for "genuine" adult applicants, with the government making the final decision. Exemptions apply to people with disabilities, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and tea garden communities until March 2027, and to individuals below 18 years of age. The State has already achieved 100% Aadhaar saturation.
Assam has stopped regular Aadhaar card issuance for adults (18+) to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining them.
A special verification process via the District Commissioner's office is now required for adult applicants.
Exemptions are provided for vulnerable groups and individuals under 18.
Exam Points
State: Assam.
Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Target age group for restriction: 18 years and above.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting to ensure proper facilitation for the High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes, which was constituted on May 26. Headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, the panel will study demographic changes, particularly those caused by illegal immigration, by visiting border districts, metropolitan areas, and industrial towns. Its mandate includes recommending institutional mechanisms for "population stabilisation" and a permanent operational system for the identification, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants. The committee also plans to study voter list exclusions from the special intensive revision exercise.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes.
The committee, headed by Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, will study demographic shifts due to illegal immigration.
Its mandate includes recommending mechanisms for population stabilisation and deportation of illegal immigrants.
Exam Points
Minister: Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Committee: High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the increasing number of women officers and their contributions to national security. Speaking at the Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad, he highlighted the IAF's commitment to gender equality and the integration of women into various roles, including combat positions. He noted that the IAF has achieved a significant milestone with the commissioning of its first batch of women officers into the Regiment of Air Force Police (RAFP) and the first batch of Agniveervayu women.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the IAF for integrating women into diverse roles, including combat.
The IAF commissioned its first batch of women officers into the Regiment of Air Force Police.
The first batch of Agniveervayu women has also been inducted, marking a significant step towards gender equality.
Exam Points
Minister: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Event: Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad.
Milestone: First batch of women officers in Regiment of Air Force Police (RAFP); first batch of Agniveervayu women.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted three successful flight tests of critical defence technologies on Wednesday and Thursday. These tests included a multi-layered ballistic missile defence interceptor, an advanced air-to-air missile, and a long-range anti-ship missile. The interceptor test, conducted from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, demonstrated the capability to engage multiple targets. The air-to-air missile test from an IAF aircraft validated its advanced propulsion and control systems. The anti-ship missile test from a naval platform confirmed its long-range strike capability. These advancements significantly enhance India's defence capabilities and promote self-reliance.
DRDO conducted three successful flight tests of critical defence technologies.
Tests included a multi-layered ballistic missile defence interceptor, an advanced air-to-air missile, and a long-range anti-ship missile.
The interceptor demonstrated multi-target engagement capability.
Exam Points
Organization: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Supreme Court quantified the labour of homemakers for motor accident compensation, challenging the traditional perception that their work is not economically valuable. In a 2021 judgment, the Court ruled that homemakers' services are invaluable and must be recognized for their economic contribution. It established a formula for calculating compensation based on factors like age, qualification, and number of dependents, ensuring fair compensation for families who lose a homemaker. This ruling aims to address gender discrimination and provide justice to victims' families, emphasizing that the economic value of homemakers' work is crucial for household welfare and national GDP.
The Supreme Court quantified homemakers' labour for motor accident compensation.
This ruling challenges the traditional view that homemakers' work lacks economic value.
A formula was established to calculate compensation based on various factors.
Exam Points
Court: Supreme Court of India.
Judgment year: 2021.
Case: Kirti & Ors. v. Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. (2021).
Protests have erupted across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) against high electricity prices, food inflation, and lack of basic rights, leading to clashes with authorities. The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called for a long march, demanding subsidies on wheat flour, lower electricity tariffs, and an end to the elite's privileges. Despite government attempts to suppress the movement, protests have gained widespread support. India has historically maintained that PoK is an integral part of India, and these protests highlight the region's socio-economic distress and calls for self-governance, which Pakistan has suppressed.
Widespread protests are occurring in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) against economic hardships and lack of rights.
The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is leading demands for subsidies and lower electricity tariffs.
The protests underscore the socio-economic distress and calls for self-governance in the region.
Exam Points
Region: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Protest leader: Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
Demands: Subsidies on wheat flour, lower electricity tariffs, end to elite privileges.
The Zojila Tunnel, India's longest bi-directional road tunnel at 13.14 km, is a game-changer for Ladakh, providing all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley. Costing ₹6,800 crore and expected to open by 2028, it bypasses the treacherous Zojila Pass, which remains closed for six months annually. Strategically, it ensures faster, safer movement of the Indian Army and supplies to the border regions with China and Pakistan. Economically, it will boost tourism, trade, and local development by ensuring year-round access to essential goods and services, transforming the lives of residents in Drass and Kargil.
The Zojila Tunnel is India's longest bi-directional road tunnel, providing all-weather connectivity to Ladakh.
It holds immense strategic importance for the Indian Army, ensuring rapid movement of troops and supplies to border areas.
The tunnel will significantly boost Ladakh's economy by facilitating tourism and year-round trade.
Exam Points
Tunnel length: 13.14 kilometres.
Location: Connects Baltal (Kashmir) and Minamarg (Ladakh).
Kerala has recently experienced multiple outbreaks of shigellosis, a diarrhoeal disease caused by the highly contagious Shigella bacterium, with 132 confirmed cases and three deaths, primarily among children. Shigella, which causes 80-165 million infections and 6,00,000 deaths globally each year, is transmitted faeco-orally through contaminated food, water, or poor hygiene. The bacterium is increasingly multi-drug resistant, posing a significant challenge to treatment. Experts emphasize the need for continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance and judicious use of antibiotics to combat shigellosis, especially in regions with weak formal healthcare access.
Kerala has seen recent outbreaks of shigellosis, a diarrhoeal disease caused by the Shigella bacterium.
Shigella is highly contagious, transmitted faeco-orally, and causes millions of infections and deaths globally, especially among children.
The bacterium is developing rapid multi-drug resistance, making treatment challenging.
Exam Points
Bacterium: Shigella.
Disease: Shigellosis (diarrhoeal disease).
Location of outbreaks: Kerala (Kuttikkattoor, Kozhikode; Wayanad, Malappuram, Kannur).
Regional sources claim the UAE has agreed to release $10-20 billion for Iran, with over $3 billion already delivered, as a tactical shift amid U.S.-Iran deal negotiations and a halt to Iranian attacks on the UAE. This move coincides with final-stage talks between Tehran and Washington to end the war and potentially release tens of billions in frozen Iranian oil revenues. However, the UAE Foreign Ministry categorically denied these reports, calling them "entirely false and unfounded." U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance also stated that funds would not be released to Iran for signing a deal, emphasizing that economic benefits would be contingent on Iran meeting its obligations.
Reports suggest the UAE agreed to release billions of dollars to Iran, coinciding with U.S.-Iran deal negotiations.
The alleged funds are linked to a halt in Iranian attacks on the UAE.
The UAE Foreign Ministry has officially denied these reports as "entirely false and unfounded."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a six-day Europe tour in Nice, France, focusing on tech cooperation and bilateral relations. He will inaugurate the Bharat Innovates 2026 tech summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, aiming to explore collaboration in deep-tech ventures, research, and technology transfer. Following bilateral discussions covering defence, tech, and regional issues, PM Modi will travel to Slovakia and then return to France for the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, where India is an outreach partner. He will also attend VivaTech in Paris, where India is the AI Country Partner, reinforcing India's commitment to global tech leadership.
PM Modi's Europe visit focuses on strengthening tech cooperation and bilateral relations.
He will co-inaugurate the Bharat Innovates 2026 tech summit with French President Macron.
India and France elevated their partnership to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' in February.
The African grey foam-nest tree frog (Chiromantis xerampelina) in South Africa builds unique foamy nests in trees to protect its eggs from predators and desiccation. Unlike most frogs that lay eggs in water, these frogs create large, moist, bubbly nests by churning secretions with their hind legs. Research shows that multiple males often cooperate with a single female to build larger, more effective nests, ensuring higher offspring survival rates. This communal nesting strategy, where paternity is often split, highlights a unique evolutionary adaptation for survival in challenging environments.
African grey foam-nest tree frogs build foamy, 'cloudy' nests in trees to protect their eggs.
These nests are created by churning secretions, providing moisture and protection from predators.
Communal nesting, involving multiple males and one female, results in larger and more effective nests.
Exam Points
Species: African grey foam-nest tree frog (Chiromantis xerampelina).
Location: South Africa.
Nesting period: Rainy season (October to February).
Research by the California Institute of Technology reveals that drought conditions increase antibiotic resistance (ABR) in soil bacteria. When soil dries, the concentration of natural antibiotics rises, favoring the survival of resistant bacteria. This phenomenon is projected to worsen global ABR by 2050, particularly in drought-prone regions like parts of India. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, highlights that environmental stress, independent of direct antibiotic pollution, actively shapes the evolution of resistance. India faces heightened risks due to frequent droughts, dense populations, and heavy antibiotic use in livestock. Experts recommend vaccines and integrated monitoring systems to combat this growing threat.
Droughts increase antibiotic resistance in soil bacteria by concentrating natural antibiotics.
This environmental stress independently drives the evolution and enrichment of resistant bacteria.
The study projects a significant increase in ABR by 2050, especially in drought-prone regions like India.
Exam Points
Research institution: California Institute of Technology.
Ants, known for their social structures, exhibit sophisticated mechanisms to cope with disease outbreaks. Some species use "social immunity" by spreading antimicrobial secretions among colony members. More dramatically, studies show ants engaging in self-isolation and collective architectural changes to prevent pathogen spread. In experiments with black garden ants, infected individuals spent more time outside the nest, and the colony modified its architecture by spacing entrances further apart and digging more tunnels, leading to greater segregation. These behaviors effectively restrict interactions between groups, protecting high-value ants like the queen and nurses from infection, mirroring human social distancing strategies.
Ants utilize "social immunity" through antimicrobial secretions to protect their colonies from infections.
Infected ants exhibit self-isolating behavior by spending more time outside the nest.
Ant colonies adapt their architecture, such as wider-spaced entrances and more tunnels, to enhance segregation.
Exam Points
Species studied: Black garden ant.
Research institution: University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
Publication: Current Biology (34, 2024) and Science (390, 266, 2025).
The chocolate-chip sea star (Protoreaster nodosus) possesses a remarkable structure on its arm tips. A skeletal part contains cone-shaped structures that act like optic fibres, transmitting 70% of incident light and concentrating it nearly threefold at the base. This array captures light from a 120° field of view and brightens it eight times inside the arm. Scientists suggest this natural design could inspire lightweight sensors and displays.
Chocolate-chip sea stars have natural optic fibre-like structures on their arm tips.
These structures transmit and concentrate incident light.
The array captures light from a wide field of view and significantly brightens it.
Exam Points
Species: Chocolate-chip sea star (Protoreaster nodosus).
Scientists, led by Nobel laureate Omar Yaghi, have developed a new method to build highly porous materials using nanographene. They designed a molecule called HBC-LA12 with 12 connection points arranged in a prism shape. By linking this molecule with others, they created two new 3D structures, marking a breakthrough in reticular chemistry. One of these structures achieved a record surface area of 5,000 sq. m per gram, expanding possibilities for designing materials for gas storage and other applications.
New method uses nanographene to create ultra-porous materials.
A molecule, HBC-LA12, with 12 connection points was designed.
This led to the creation of novel 3D structures in reticular chemistry.
Exam Points
Lead scientist: Nobel laureate Omar Yaghi.
Molecule: HBC-LA12.
Record achieved: Surface area of 5,000 sq. m per gram.
The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) collaboration in China has published its first results, based on 59 days of data collected in late 2025. The observatory calculated how often particles called neutrinos from nuclear reactors change their flavour or type as they travel. These findings confirm that JUNO is functioning as expected and is on track to help solve the complex question of neutrino mass ordering, which involves determining the heaviest and lightest neutrino flavours.
JUNO collaboration in China published its first results on neutrino physics.
The observatory measured neutrino flavour changes from nuclear reactors.