News of The Day – 22nd June 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Geography)

• Mullaperiyar Dam is located on the Periyar River in Kerala but operated by Tamil Nadu under a long-term lease agreement.
• It is a masonry gravity dam constructed in the late nineteenth century. 
• The dispute centres on dam safety, storage levels and water-sharing concerns.
• About Periyar River 

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• DNA profiling is a scientific technique used to establish biological relationships with high accuracy.
• Courts balance the evidentiary value of DNA testing with the right to privacy and personal dignity.
• The Supreme Court has held that DNA tests cannot be ordered routinely and must satisfy legal necessity. 
• The issue involves ethical concerns relating to consent, privacy and family rights.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• The Aravalli Range is among the world’s oldest mountain systems and plays a crucial ecological role in northwestern India.
• It acts as a natural barrier against desertification and supports biodiversity and groundwater recharge.
• Concerns over conflict of interest highlight the need for independence and transparency in environmental decision-making bodies.
• Environmental governance requires balancing conservation objectives with developmental pressures.

(GS-2:Polity and Governance)

• Skill development programmes aim to enhance employability and support economic growth.
• Accountability, transparency and monitoring are essential for effective implementation of government schemes.
• About NSDC
  • NSDC implements PMKVY on behalf of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)..

• Yoga has emerged as a major instrument of India’s cultural diplomacy and soft power.
• The United Nations adopted 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 following India’s initiative.
• Yoga promotes holistic health, preventive healthcare and cultural outreach.
• It strengthens India’s global image through people-to-people engagement and wellness diplomacy.

(GS-3: Disaster Management)

• Ammonia (NH₃) is a colourless, pungent gas widely used in refrigeration and industrial processes.
• Exposure can cause respiratory distress, eye irritation and severe health hazards.
• Industrial gas leaks highlight the importance of occupational safety and emergency preparedness.
• Regulation is governed through environmental and factory safety laws, including provisions under the Factories Act and disaster management frameworks.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating biomass under low-oxygen conditions (pyrolysis).
• It improves soil fertility, water retention and nutrient availability.
• Biochar can sequester carbon for long periods, helping mitigate climate change.
• It supports sustainable agriculture, waste management and carbon-removal strategies.

(GS-3: Environment)

• The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
• The proposed Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notification follows recommendations of expert committees such as the Kasturirangan Committee.
• ESA regulations seek to balance conservation with sustainable development.
• The issue concerns biodiversity protection across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

• Project Nimbus is a cloud computing contract involving Google and Amazon for government services.
• It provides cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence and data-storage capabilities.
• The project has generated debate regarding data security, surveillance and ethical use of technology.
• It highlights growing geopolitical concerns around digital infrastructure and cloud sovereignty.

• Junk foods are typically high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, contributing to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
• Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to aggressive digital and television advertising.
• The WHO recommends restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to children.
• The issue raises concerns regarding consumer protection, public health regulation and responsible advertising practices.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• Modern conflicts increasingly use low-cost, hard-to-detect drones for surveillance and precision strikes.
• Drones enhance the capabilities of smaller actors in asymmetric warfare.
• Counter-drone technologies include radar systems, electronic warfare and directed-energy weapons. 
• About Invisible Drones.