Daily Current Affairs Digest | 20th June 2026

Daily Current Affairs Digest | 20th June 2026

India Strengthens Strategic Petroleum Reserve Capacity

India has assigned ONGC to build a ₹15,000-crore Strategic Petroleum Reserve facility in Mangaluru. The project will add 1.75 MMT of crude oil storage capacity.

Strategic Petroleum Reserves are important for India because the country depends on imports for nearly 88% of its crude oil needs. Existing SPR facilities at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur help ensure emergency oil security during global supply disruptions, wars, price shocks or shipping-route crises.

Supreme Court Recognises Safe Footpaths as a Fundamental Right

The Supreme Court has declared access to demarcated and well-maintained footpaths as a fundamental right. The Court linked safe walking spaces with Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), 19(1)(c), 19(1)(d) and Article 21 of the Constitution.

The ruling highlights that safe pedestrian movement is part of personal liberty, dignity, mobility and public participation. It also places greater responsibility on civic authorities to maintain usable and obstruction-free footpaths.

BSE Launches India’s First Saatvik Index

BSE Index Services has launched India’s first Saatvik index, named BSE Saatvik 100. The index will track 100 companies from the BSE 500 selected according to defined Saatvik principles.

This new index reflects the growing demand for value-based, ethical and principle-driven investment options in India’s capital market.

Delhi Announces 20% Reservation for Ex-Agniveers

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu ordered 20% reservation for ex-Agniveers in Group ‘C’ operational posts on 18 June 2026.

Agniveers serve for four years under the Agnipath scheme. The reservation is expected to support their post-service employment and provide disciplined, trained personnel for operational roles.

Jainendra K. Jain Receives 2025 Wolf Prize in Physics

Rajasthan-born physicist Jainendra K. Jain received the 2025 Wolf Prize in Physics on 18 June 2026.

He was honoured for discovering composite fermions, a major contribution linked to the fractional quantum Hall effect. His work is considered highly significant in condensed matter physics and quantum research.

Indian Coast Guard Inducts First Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle

The Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle, H-561, on 18 June 2026.

Built in Goa, the hovercraft can operate over shallow waters, beaches, mudflats and marshy terrain. Such vehicles are useful for coastal security, rescue operations, surveillance and rapid movement in difficult coastal areas.

Tamil Nadu Approves Five Renewable Energy Zones

Tamil Nadu approved five renewable energy zones under its Green Energy Corporation.

These zones will streamline wind and solar energy projects across five regional headquarters. The move is expected to strengthen renewable energy planning, improve project coordination and support India’s clean energy transition.