SCO Women’s Forum 2026 Held in Bishkek on Women’s Leadership
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Women’s Forum 2026 took place in Bishkek from 25 to 27 June 2026 under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship. Delegates from member countries discussed women’s leadership in governance, social development and economic activities. The forum emphasised education, entrepreneurship and equal opportunities for women, with exchanges on policy measures to enhance participation in decision-making. Participants showcased successful women-led projects and explored regional cooperation on gender issues. The event highlighted commitments to empower women within the broader SCO framework and improve regional gender outcomes.
Dates and location: 25–27 June 2026, Bishkek
Theme focus: Women’s Leadership
Key topics: governance, social development, economic participation
Participation: delegates from SCO member states
Outcomes: recommendations for regional gender policy cooperation
Significance: boosts women’s leadership within SCO
India-Seychelles Cooperation Expanded with 19 Outcomes
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Seychelles in June 2026, India and Seychelles announced 19 outcomes across maritime security, defence, digital payments, healthcare, education, agriculture and space cooperation. The agreements reflect India's aim to strengthen strategic ties in the Indian Ocean region. Initiatives include enhanced capacity building, technology transfer and joint ventures in space research, along with expanded people-to-people and commercial links. The package demonstrates ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional stability through diversified collaboration across multiple sectors.
Visit date: June 2026
Total outcomes: 19 announced
Sectors: maritime security, defence, digital payments, healthcare, education, agriculture, space
HDFC Bank announced the appointment of Rajiv Kumar, former Finance Secretary and former Chief Election Commissioner, as part-time chairman in June 2026. The move marks a leadership shift at India’s largest private sector lender. Kumar’s extensive governance and financial experience is expected to strengthen the bank’s governance framework and risk management. The appointment received board and regulatory approvals in June 2026, and he will balance duties with other roles while guiding strategy and stakeholder relations. The bank stated the change would support continuity and enhanced oversight in a dynamic banking environment.
Appointment: Rajiv Kumar as part-time chairman
Past roles: Finance Secretary, Chief Election Commissioner
Date: June 2026
Expected impact: stronger governance and risk oversight
Indian athlete Ancy Sojan shattered a 22-year national long jump record at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships held in Bhubaneswar in June 2026. She leaped 6.88 metres, surpassing the previous mark of 6.83 metres set by Anju Bobby George in 2004. Sojan’s performance marks a milestone for Indian women’s track and field, generating optimism for future international competition. The championship brought together top competitors from across states, highlighting young talents and signaling a resurgence in Indian sprint and jump events during the season.
Record: 6.88 metres in Bhubaneswar, June 2026
Previous record: 6.83 metres by Anju Bobby George (2004)
Athlete: Ancy Sojan
Event: National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships
Impact: notable milestone for Indian women’s athletics
Context: growth of track and field talent in India
Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026 Convenes in New Delhi
The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026 was held in New Delhi on 28 and 29 June 2026 and chaired by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The conference, titled Gramodaya Se Rashtrodaya, reviewed rural development schemes and laid out a roadmap for a Viksit Gram–Viksit Bharat. Participants discussed rural infrastructure, agricultural initiatives, water supply and digital access. Officials stressed coordination between central and state agencies to accelerate project implementation, monitor outcomes and improve living standards in villages across India. The Sammelan focused on practical steps to translate policy into tangible rural progress.
Dates and venue: 28–29 June 2026, New Delhi
Chair: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Theme: Gramodaya Se Rashtrodaya
Focus areas: rural infrastructure, agriculture, water, digital access
Governance: inter-agency coordination for faster delivery
Outcome aim: concrete rural development milestones
Rajya Sabha Oath for Eight New Members
In June 2026, eight newly elected and re-elected Rajya Sabha members took oath at Parliament House, New Delhi. The ceremony was conducted by Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan. Among those sworn in were senior leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Tarun Chugh, along with M. Nagaraja and other representatives from different states. The oath marks the ongoing functioning of India’s upper house as it continues to shape legislative business. The event reflected routine parliamentary turnover and the democratic process within the Indian political system.
Oath ceremony: June 2026, Parliament House, New Delhi
Officer presiding: C. P. Radhakrishnan
Notable names: Mallikarjun Kharge, Tarun Chugh, M. Nagaraja
Context: continuation of Rajya Sabha membership
Significance: participation in legislative processes
India observed the 20th Statistics Day on 29 June 2026 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prof Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. The day recognises his contributions to statistics, planning and national development. Government agencies, universities and research bodies organised seminars and awareness campaigns to highlight the role of data in policy-making and socio-economic planning. Officials emphasised continued investment in data systems, accuracy and dissemination to support evidence-based decisions across sectors and regions, reinforcing the importance of statistical literacy in governance.
Date observed: 29 June 2026
Occasion: 20th Statistics Day
Honoree: Prof Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis
Purpose: promote data in policy-making
Activities: seminars, campaigns, data literacy
Policy takeaway: invest in statistical capacity and data quality
National Statistics Day 2026 Celebrated Across India
National Statistics Day 2026 was celebrated across India on 29 June 2026 to honour Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. The day emphasized the role of statistics in planning, governance and development. Organisers highlighted data literacy, use of administrative data and evidence-based policy, with seminars and activities organized by government agencies and academic institutions. Officials stressed continued investment in statistical capacity, data quality, and dissemination to support informed decision-making in multiple sectors, reinforcing the importance of a data-driven approach to national progress.
Date: 29 June 2026
Reason: Mahalanobis birthday celebration
Themes: data literacy and administrative data use
Observances: seminars, campaigns, research events
Policy emphasis: strengthen statistical capacity and data dissemination
National impact: supports evidence-based policymaking
PM Family Care Tracker Pilot Launched in Gandhinagar to Improve Welfare Delivery
The PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) pilot project was inaugurated in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 28 June 2026 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The digital platform aims to create a unique ID for pregnant women, mothers and children, linking health, nutrition and education indicators across schemes. It integrates data from multiple government programs to identify gaps and ensure timely welfare benefits reach every eligible beneficiary. The system connects to Birth Registration Numbers or ABHA IDs and is expected to support vaccination, nutrition and school enrollment oversight. Health passports for children were also showcased during the launch.
Launch date and venue: 28 June 2026, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Purpose: unique digital ID for pregnant women, mothers and children
Data integration: links multiple welfare schemes for timely benefits
Identification links: Birth Registration Number or ABHA ID
Additional activity: health passports for children and polio-related demonstrations
PM-Family Care Tracker Launched in Gandhinagar as National Welfare Initiative
Web coverage confirms the PM Family Care Tracker was inaugurated in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 28 June 2026. The platform constructs a unique ID for children linked to birth records or ABHA IDs to monitor health, nutrition and education indicators from pregnancy through age 18. It integrates data from multiple schemes, generates alerts for timely intervention, and aims to ensure that no eligible beneficiary misses welfare benefits. The launch included polio vaccination activities and a public display of child health passports, underscoring the public administration emphasis on targeted delivery of schemes.
Date: 28 June 2026, Gandhinagar
Purpose: unique child ID linked to birth records/ABHA
Functions: monitor health, nutrition, education through 18 years
Data integration: multiple welfare schemes
Outcomes: alerts and improved benefit delivery
Public events: polio-related activities and health passports
Arogya Setu 2.0 Launched as Personal Health Record App
Arogya Setu 2.0 was launched on 30 June 2026 as a personal health record app. The updated app allows users to discover nearby healthcare facilities, check real-time blood unit availability, book ambulances and manage medications with reminders. It also enables searching for AB-PMJAY-empanelled hospitals offering cashless treatment. Government officials described the update as part of a broader digital health expansion to improve access to care and health data. The launch coincides with ongoing efforts to enhance public health infrastructure and data-driven service delivery across India.
Launch date: 30 June 2026
New features: health facility discovery, blood unit status, ambulance booking
Medication reminders and dose schedules
Hospital search: AB-PMJAY-empanelled for cashless care
Policy aim: strengthen digital health infrastructure
Impact: improved access to health services and data
Study Group on Indian Cinema Formed to Boost Global Competitiveness
In June 2026, the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry formed a high-level Study Group chaired by Prasoon Joshi to examine challenges and opportunities in Indian cinema. The group will recommend measures to strengthen film production, distribution and theatre infrastructure, promote technology adoption and improve global competitiveness. It will also consider policy changes to support financing, digital distribution and wider audience outreach. The study aims to address bottlenecks and modernize the film ecosystem, helping Indian cinema reach larger audiences both domestically and internationally.
Formation: June 2026, Study Group on Indian cinema
First Tripura Global Pineapple Festival 2026 in New Delhi
The First Tripura Global Pineapple Festival 2026 was held in New Delhi from 27 to 29 June at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The event showcased Tripura’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple and promoted export potential. Organisers highlighted organic farming, value-added pineapple products and investment opportunities in the horticulture sector. The festival connected farmers with buyers, supported by government initiatives to enhance supply chains. International and domestic participants learned about pineapple varieties and market opportunities, with implications for rural livelihoods and regional trade in fruits.
Dates and venue: 27–29 June 2026, New Delhi
Featured produce: Tripura’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple