Daily Current Affairs – 17 June 2026 | UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway Exam Updates
Today's current affairs cover the new WPI-PPI series, WT-MARUT wind portal, India's first Nuclear Engineering Design Centre, DRDO's Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile, Sarvam AI becoming India's 130th unicorn, and other important developments relevant for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, and State PSC examinations.
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Introduction
Current Affairs 17 June 2026 brings several important developments from economy, defence, technology, renewable energy, public administration, and international innovation rankings. Aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, Insurance, and State PSC examinations should pay special attention to the launch of WT-MARUT, the transition from WPI to PPI, establishment of CODENE, and the successful testing of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). These Latest Current Affairs 2026 updates are highly relevant for both prelims and mains examinations. Source coverage based on the provided materials.
Detailed Current Affairs - 17 June 2026
National Affairs
DPIIT Releases New Series of WPI and PPI with Base Year 2022-23
Why in News
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry released a revised series of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and introduced an expanded Producer Price Index (PPI) framework with 2022-23 as the base year.
This marks a major shift in India's price measurement system. The revised framework includes Output Producer Price Index (OPPI), Input Producer Price Index (IPPI), and Service PPIs covering banking, insurance, telecom, railways, and other services.
The government plans to publish both indices simultaneously for five years, after which PPI will become the primary producer-price measure in India.
Key Highlights
- Base Year Revised: New WPI and PPI series adopt 2022-23 as the base year.
- Transition Plan: Existing 2011-12 WPI series will gradually be phased out.
- Dual Publication: WPI and PPI will run simultaneously for five years.
- Expanded Coverage: PPI captures producer prices across manufacturing and services sectors.
- Service PPI Included: Banking, insurance, telecom, railways, securities transactions and pension management included.
- Policy Relevance: Helps policymakers track inflation at the producer level more accurately.
Quick Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
| Department | DPIIT |
| Base Year | 2022-23 |
| Existing WPI Base Year | 2011-12 |
| Transition Period | 5 Years |
| Objective | Shift to Producer Price Index |
Knowledge Booster
- WPI measures price changes at the wholesale level.
- PPI captures prices received by producers.
- CPI measures consumer-level inflation.
- India's current inflation targeting framework is based on CPI inflation.
- PPI is widely used in developed economies.
Analysis
The transition towards PPI aligns India with global statistical practices. Since PPI reflects producer costs more comprehensively, it can improve inflation forecasting and industrial policy formulation. For UPSC aspirants, this topic links to economic indicators and inflation measurement methodologies.
WT-MARUT Portal Launched to Strengthen India's Wind Energy Ecosystem
Why in News
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched WT-MARUT (Wind Turbine Materials and Resources Utility Tracker) during the Global Wind Day Conference 2026 in Goa. The portal is India's first dedicated wind turbine supply-chain management platform.
The initiative seeks to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities and support India's ambitious target of achieving 100 GW wind energy capacity by 2030.
Key Highlights
- India's first wind turbine supply-chain management portal.
- Developed by MNRE with support from IWTMA.
- Supports supplier qualification and sourcing visibility.
- Encourages domestic manufacturing.
- Supports export readiness.
- Ensures secure data hosting within India.
- Linked to India's renewable energy goals.
Quick Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Portal | WT-MARUT |
| Ministry | MNRE |
| Launch Date | 15 June 2026 |
| Location | Goa |
| Target | 100 GW Wind Capacity by 2030 |
Infographic Brief
📊 Infographic Brief - WT-MARUT Portal
Type: Flowchart
Title: India's Wind Manufacturing Ecosystem
Key Elements:
- WT-MARUT Portal
- Suppliers
- Manufacturers
- Export Readiness
- 100 GW Target
- Wind Energy Value Chain
IIT Hyderabad to Establish CODENE
Why in News
IIT Hyderabad announced the establishment of CODENE (Centre for Design and Engineering in Nuclear Energy), India's first dedicated Centre of Design Excellence in Nuclear Engineering.
The initiative emerged from a tripartite MoU involving IIT Hyderabad, CEEPL India, and Dassault Systèmes (France).
Key Highlights
- First Nuclear Engineering Design Centre in India.
- Focus on next-generation reactors.
- Supports nuclear safety systems.
- Uses digital twin technology.
- Encourages workforce development.
- Enhances India's nuclear energy capabilities.
Quick Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Centre | CODENE |
| Institution | IIT Hyderabad |
| State | Telangana |
| Technology Partner | Dassault Systèmes |
| Focus | Nuclear Engineering |
BHASHINI and GeM Sign MoU for Multilingual Public Procurement
Key Highlights
- Collaboration between BHASHINI and Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
- Supports 22 official Indian languages.
- Uses Generative AI and voice-first technologies.
- Enables multilingual procurement.
- Promotes digital inclusion.
- Improves governance accessibility.
ASI and Denmark Sign MoU for Oresund Shipwreck Survey
Key Highlights
- Underwater survey near Karaikal, Puducherry.
- Collaboration between ASI and National Museum of Denmark.
- Focus on Danish ship Oresund (1619 CE).
- Strengthens Indo-Danish heritage cooperation.
- Uses non-invasive archaeological methods.
- Important for maritime history studies.
Environment & Ecology
NBA Reconstitutes Agrobiodiversity Expert Committee
Key Highlights
- Dr. P. L. Gautam appointed Chair.
- Committee formed under Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra appointed Co-Chair.
- Focuses on biodiversity integration in agriculture.
- Examines seed-sector issues.
- Supports sustainable agricultural practices.
Defence & Security
Indian Army Receives 106 Peacekeeper (Agniveg) Kamikaze Drones
Why in News
The Indian Army received 106 Peacekeeper (Agniveg) jet-powered kamikaze drones from SMPP Limited, significantly strengthening India's precision-strike capabilities.
The drones are designed for long-range attacks against strategic enemy targets and can operate even in GPS-denied environments.
Key Highlights
- 100 operational and 6 training drones delivered.
- Range: 180 km.
- Speed: 450 kmph.
- CEP less than 5 metres.
- Operates in jammed environments.
- Bridges artillery and missile strike capability.
DRDO Successfully Tests Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)
Key Highlights
- Tested from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
- Expected range up to 1,500 km.
- Developed indigenously by DRDO.
- Validated guidance and propulsion systems.
- Monitored by advanced tracking systems.
- Nodal laboratory: ADE Bengaluru.
Analysis
The successful testing of LRLACM strengthens India's indigenous strategic strike capability and enhances deterrence. It aligns with the broader objective of defence self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
International Affairs
Jio Platforms Enters WIPO Global Top 20 Patent Rankings
Key Highlights
- Only Indian company in global top 20 PCT rankings.
- Rankings released by WIPO.
- India ranked 12th globally with 3,070 applications.
- China led with 73,718 applications.
- Huawei remained top applicant.
- Reflects India's growing innovation ecosystem.
Economy & Banking
SEBI Revises ETF Trading Framework
Key Highlights
- Effective from 1 September 2026.
- Introduces dynamic price bands.
- Equity and debt ETFs start with 10% limit.
- Commodity ETFs begin with ±6% limit.
- Includes pre-open call auction for commodity ETFs.
- Improves price discovery and market stability.
Awards & Recognitions
Lt Vishal Kumar Receives Sword of Honour and President's Gold Medal
Key Highlights
- Awarded during 158th IMA Passing Out Parade.
- Presented by President Droupadi Murmu.
- Secured first position in Order of Merit.
- Native of Patna, Bihar.
- Former Academy Cadet Adjutant.
- Recognized as best all-round officer cadet.
Science & Technology
Sarvam AI Becomes India's 130th Unicorn
Key Highlights
- Raised USD 234 million.
- Valuation reached USD 1.5 billion.
- India's only AI startup unicorn.
- HCL Tech acquired a minority stake.
- Fifth unicorn of 2026.
- Strengthens India's AI ecosystem.
Books & Authors
Agatthiyar - The Unifier Released
- Released by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan.
- Written by O. Shama Bhat and Dr. M.N. Sudha.
- Published by Kalaimagal Magazine.
- Focuses on sage Agatthiyar's contributions to language, spirituality, and culture.
Today's Current Affairs One-Liners - 17 June 2026
National Affairs
● Economy - The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released a revised Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and introduced a new Producer Price Index (PPI) series with 2022-23 as the base year, marking India's transition towards a globally accepted producer-price measurement framework.
● Economy - The new PPI framework includes Output Producer Price Index (OPPI), Input Producer Price Index (IPPI), and Service PPIs covering sectors such as banking, insurance, railways, telecom, securities transactions, and pension fund management, thereby broadening inflation measurement.
● Renewable Energy - Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched WT-MARUT (Wind Turbine Materials and Resources Utility Tracker) in Goa during the Global Wind Day Conference 2026, making it India's first dedicated wind turbine supply-chain management portal.
● Renewable Energy - The WT-MARUT Portal aims to improve supplier visibility, domestic manufacturing, export readiness, and supply-chain transparency while supporting India's target of achieving 100 GW wind energy capacity by 2030.
● Science & Technology - IIT Hyderabad announced the establishment of CODENE (Centre for Design and Engineering in Nuclear Energy), India's first Centre of Design Excellence dedicated to nuclear engineering and advanced reactor technologies.
● Science & Technology - CODENE will use advanced 3D modelling and digital twin technologies developed by Dassault Systèmes, enhancing India's research capabilities in nuclear safety systems and next-generation reactor design.
● Digital Governance - The Digital India BHASHINI Division and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) signed an MoU to enable multilingual public procurement services using Generative AI, voice technologies, and translation APIs across 22 official Indian languages.
● Culture & Heritage - The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the National Museum of Denmark signed an MoU to conduct a non-invasive underwater survey of the historic Oresund shipwreck (1619 CE) near Karaikal, Puducherry.
Environment & Ecology
● Biodiversity - The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) reconstituted its Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, appointing Padma Shri Dr. P. L. Gautam as Chairperson.
● Agriculture & Biodiversity - The committee will advise on biodiversity integration in agriculture, sustainable farming practices, seed-sector regulations, and international collaborative research involving biological resources.
Defence & Security
● Defence Technology - The Indian Army received 106 Peacekeeper (Agniveg) jet-powered kamikaze drones from SMPP Limited, including 100 operational drones and 6 training drones, strengthening India's precision-strike capabilities.
● Defence Technology - The Agniveg drone has a range of 180 kilometres, a speed of 450 kmph, and can effectively operate in GPS-denied, spoofed, and electronically jammed environments.
● Missile Technology - DRDO successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenous Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, validating key guidance and propulsion technologies.
● Defence Modernisation - The LRLACM is expected to have a strike range of up to 1,500 kilometres, significantly enhancing India's long-range conventional deterrence and indigenous missile development programme.
International Affairs
● Innovation & Intellectual Property - Jio Platforms Limited (JPL) became the only Indian company to enter the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Top 20 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Rankings for 2025.
● Global Rankings - According to WIPO, China led global patent filings with 73,718 PCT applications, while India ranked 12th globally with 3,070 international patent applications in 2025.
● Patent Leadership - Huawei Technologies remained the world's top PCT applicant for the ninth consecutive year, filing 7,523 international patent applications in 2025.
Banking & Finance
● Capital Markets - The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced a revised trading framework for Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with dynamic price bands, effective from 1 September 2026.
● Market Regulation - Under the revised norms, equity and debt ETFs will initially have a 10% price band, which may be expanded gradually up to 20% after cooling-off periods.
● Commodity Markets - SEBI introduced a pre-open call auction mechanism for commodity ETFs tracking gold and silver, aimed at improving price discovery and market efficiency.
Awards & Recognitions
● Military Awards - President Droupadi Murmu presented the Sword of Honour and President's Gold Medal to Lieutenant Vishal Kumar during the 158th Passing Out Parade of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun.
● Achievement - Lt Vishal Kumar, a native of Patna, Bihar, secured first position in the overall order of merit and emerged as the best all-round officer cadet of the course.
Science & Technology
● Artificial Intelligence - Sarvam AI, India's sovereign AI startup, became the country's 130th unicorn after raising USD 234 million in a funding round that valued the company at USD 1.5 billion.
● Startup Ecosystem - The funding round was led by HCLTech and Bessemer Venture Partners, making Sarvam AI the fifth unicorn of 2026 and India's only AI-focused unicorn.
Books & Authors
● Book Launch - Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book "Agatthiyar - The Unifier", authored by O. Shama Bhat and Dr. M. N. Sudha, highlighting the contributions of sage Agatthiyar to Indian civilisation.
● Literature & Culture - The book emphasizes Agatthiyar's contributions to Tamil grammar, spirituality, medicine, and cultural integration, making it relevant from an art and culture examination perspective.
Important Days
● Global Wind Day 2026 was observed on 15 June with the theme "Our Wind, Our Community", highlighting the role of wind energy in achieving a sustainable and low-carbon future.
● Global Wind Day originated in 2007 under the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and became a global observance in 2009 through collaboration with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
● ASEAN Dengue Day 2026 was observed on 15 June with the theme "ASEAN United: Zero Dengue Deaths - A Future We Build Together by 2030".
● Public Health - The 9th Asia Dengue Summit 2026 was held in Singapore from 15-17 June 2026, promoting regional cooperation against dengue prevention and control.
State Affairs
● Arunachal Pradesh - The Indian Army and Bharti Airtel signed an MoU to improve mobile communication infrastructure in Kameng district, enhancing both civilian development and military connectivity.
● Military Reforms - The Indian Army released the Army Uniforms-2026 Pamphlet, introducing the Bandi Jacket, a new Battle Jacket, and removing the term "Royal" from ceremonial traditions.
● Kerala Welfare Scheme - Kerala launched the Priyadarshini Scheme, enabling free travel for women and transgender persons on 3,125 KSRTC buses, promoting mobility and social inclusion.
● Social Empowerment - The Kerala Government will reimburse KSRTC for revenue losses estimated at more than ₹60 crore per month and approximately ₹800 crore annually under the Priyadarshini Scheme.
Exam Focus Facts to Remember
- New WPI/PPI Base Year: 2022-23
- WT-MARUT Target: 100 GW Wind Capacity by 2030
- CODENE: India's first Nuclear Engineering Design Centre
- Peacekeeper Drones Received: 106
- LRLACM Range: Up to 1,500 km
- India's Unicorn Count: 130 (after Sarvam AI)
- Global Wind Day Theme: Our Wind, Our Community
- ASEAN Dengue Day Theme: ASEAN United: Zero Dengue Deaths by 2030
- Jio Platforms: Only Indian company in WIPO Global Top 20 Patent Rankings
- SEBI ETF Framework Effective: 1 September 2026
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