National Daily Current Affairs: 26/06/2026

National Schemes & Policies in News 🏛️

The Union Cabinet has recently approved the PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme, a major initiative designed to ensure that no meritorious student is denied higher education due to financial constraints. Under this scheme, any student who gets admission to a top-tier Higher Education Institution (HEI) in India is eligible for collateral-free, guarantor-free loans from banks and financial institutions. The scheme covers the full tuition fee and other expenses related to the course.

Exam-Oriented Current Affairs & Key Facts 📝

• Defence & Tech: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. The missile is designed to strike targets at distances up to 1,000 km.
• Environment & International Relations: India participated in the COP29 (29th Conference of Parties) held in Baku, Azerbaijan. India emphasized the need for 'Climate Finance' from developed nations to help developing countries meet their NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) targets.
• Science & Technology: The Bhashini Mission (National Language Translation Mission) is expanding its reach. It uses AI to provide real-time translation in 22 scheduled Indian languages, aiming to bridge the digital divide for non-English speakers.
• Polity: Justice Sanjiv Khanna has officially taken oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. His tenure will last until May 2025.
• Economy: India's retail inflation (CPI) surged to a 14-month high in October 2024, primarily driven by rising food prices, particularly vegetables and edible oils.

One-Liner Revision Notes ⚡

• DRDO tested the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) with a range of 1,000 km.
• PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme provides collateral-free loans for students in top 860 HEIs.
• Justice Sanjiv Khanna is the 51st Chief Justice of India.
• COP29 summit is being hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2024.
• Bhashini Mission targets AI-driven translation for 22 official Indian languages.
• The First Solar-Powered Village in India is Modhera, Gujarat.
• India is the world's 3rd largest consumer of energy and oil.
• The Integrated Test Range (ITR) is located at Chandipur, Odisha.

MCQs from Current Affairs ❓

Q1: Which ministry is responsible for the implementation of the PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme?

• A) Ministry of Finance
• B) Ministry of Education
• C) Ministry of Skill Development
• D) Ministry of Social Justice

Q2: What is the estimated strike range of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) recently tested by DRDO?

• A) 500 km
• B) 750 km
• C) 1,000 km
• D) 2,000 km

Q3: The COP29 climate summit is being held in which city?

• A) Dubai, UAE
• B) Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
• C) Baku, Azerbaijan
• D) Paris, France

Q4: Who has been sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI)?

• A) Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
• B) Justice Sanjiv Khanna
• C) Justice U.U. Lalit
• D) Justice Hima Kohli

Q5: The 'Bhashini' mission is primarily related to which of the following?

• A) Space Exploration
• B) Deep Sea Mining
• C) AI-led Language Translation
• D) Rural Electrification