Welcome to Plutus Academy’s Daily Current Affairs — 24 June 2026. Today’s update covers the most important national and international developments, banking and finance news, sports events, key appointments, resignations, and science breakthroughs, curated from credible newspapers, news agencies, and government sources for Bank PO, SSC, RRB and UPSC aspirants.

🇮🇳 National News

IN-SPACe to Transfer PSLV Technology to Private Industry

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) announced plans to transfer the technology of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to private companies. The move is aimed at boosting private participation in India’s space sector and enabling industry-led production of the workhorse launch vehicle, a major step in India’s space-sector reforms.

NMC to Discontinue PG Diploma Medical Courses

The National Medical Commission (NMC) decided to discontinue postgraduate diploma medical courses in India and shift specialist medical education towards MD and MS degree programmes. The reform is intended to standardise and strengthen the quality of specialist medical training in the country.

New Aadhaar App Crosses 31 Million Downloads

The new Aadhaar App launched by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) crossed 31 million (3.1 crore) downloads within five months of its launch. The app offers face-authentication-based verification and secure, paperless sharing of identity details.

India Crosses 5 Lakh Organ Donation Pledges

India recorded over five lakh organ donation pledges as of 22 June 2026, reflecting growing public awareness around organ donation. The milestone was registered on the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) pledge platform.

Union Home Ministry Amends FCRA Rules

The Union Home Ministry amended the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 through a gazette notification issued on 22 June 2026, updating compliance and reporting requirements for entities receiving foreign contributions.

🌐 International News

US Issues 60-Day Sanctions Waiver on Iranian Oil

The United States issued a 60-day sanctions waiver allowing the production, delivery and sale of Iranian oil after talks with Tehran in Switzerland were described as productive. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran committed to free and open transit through the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into the country.

UK PM Keir Starmer to Quit as Labour Leader

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that he will quit as Labour Party leader but remain Prime Minister until a successor is chosen, saying he was not best placed to lead Labour into the next general election.

Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Crosses 1,000 Cases

The number of confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo topped 1,000, with officials saying the outbreak has killed at least 254 people, prompting intensified containment and vaccination efforts.

🏦 News Related to Indian Banking and Finance

RBI Allows Small NBFCs to Exit via Deregistration

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued final guidelines allowing small NBFCs with assets below ₹1,000 crore — that neither use public funds nor have a customer interface — to exit the regulatory framework through deregistration by 31 December 2026, easing compliance for tiny, low-risk entities.

RBI Notifies Digital Payments E-Mandate Framework, 2026

The RBI introduced the Digital Payments E-Mandate Framework, 2026, requiring users to receive a 24-hour pre-debit notification for recurring digital payments, with the ability to modify, pause or cancel mandates at any time — strengthening consumer protection in auto-debit transactions.

India’s Forex Reserves Near $700 Billion

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted India’s strong foreign exchange reserves of around $700 billion, noting that short-term net FDI outflows and exchange-rate movements are cyclical and being closely monitored, while reforms continue to simplify regulations and improve ease of doing business.

💱 News Related to International Banking and Finance

World Bank Cuts Global Growth Forecast to 2.5% for 2026

In its Global Economic Prospects (June 2026) report, the World Bank projected global growth to slow from 2.9% in 2025 to 2.5% in 2026 — the lowest rate since the COVID-19 pandemic — citing weaker prospects for energy-importing economies and the impact of the West Asia conflict on energy prices.

IMF: Central Banks Can “Wait and Watch”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted that, provided inflation expectations remain well anchored, central banks can afford to wait and watch for now, while staying attentive to risks from rising energy prices and being ready to act decisively to maintain price stability.

🏆 International Sports Events

FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi Becomes All-Time Top Scorer

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, Lionel Messi became the tournament’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 18 World Cup goals. In the 23 June fixtures, Croatia beat Panama 1-0, while England and Ghana played out a goalless draw.

Shreyas Iyer to Lead India in T20Is; Shree Charani Tops Rankings

Shreyas Iyer was named India’s new T20I captain for the series against Ireland and England, with Tilak Varma as his deputy. In women’s cricket, India spinner Shree Charani rose to No. 1 in the ICC T20I bowling rankings for the first time in her career.

📋 Major National & International Appointments

Neelkanth Mishra Named India’s Executive Director at World Bank

Noted economist Neelkanth Mishra was appointed as India’s Executive Director at the World Bank for a three-year term. He will represent India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka on the World Bank Board.

Vipul Appointed India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Veteran diplomat Vipul was appointed India’s next Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a key posting given strong bilateral trade, energy and diaspora ties.

Lokhande Prashant Sitaram Appointed CBSE Chairperson

Lokhande Prashant Sitaram was appointed Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with Varun Bhardwaj named Secretary.

📤 Resignation or Dismissal

Union Minister George Kurian Steps Down

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian resigned from the Union Council of Ministers, with President Droupadi Murmu accepting his resignation with immediate effect. His exit followed the expiry of his Rajya Sabha term, making it difficult to continue as a minister without re-election or renomination to Parliament.

IRCTC CMD Sanjay Kumar Jain Resigns

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) announced the resignation of its Chairman and Managing Director, Sanjay Kumar Jain, effective 20 July 2026, on personal grounds, following approval by the Ministry of Railways.

🔬 Major Inventions and Discoveries

ISRO Developing Tech to Keep Lunar Landers Alive for 200 Days

ISRO, in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy, is developing advanced artificial heating systems that could allow future lunar landers to survive up to 100–200 days on the Moon — a major leap from the 14-day operational lifespan of the Chandrayaan-3 lander, which could not endure the freezing lunar night.

CURAJ Scientists Develop Sensor to Detect Toxic Lead in Water

Researchers at the Central University of Rajasthan (CURAJ), Jaipur, developed a sensor to detect minute amounts of toxic lead ions in drinking water, offering a low-cost tool to monitor water safety and combat heavy-metal contamination.

ISRO Advances Space Medicine for Gaganyaan

Under the Gaganyaan programme, ISRO signed agreements with the Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology and the Department of Biotechnology to advance research in space medicine and microgravity experiments ahead of India’s first crewed orbital mission.

📝 Practice Questions — Current Affairs Quiz

Test your knowledge with these 5 questions in SSC/Bank PO format