Important Current Affairs

1) First batch of three female fighter pilots commissioned

-Creating history, the first batch of three female pilots - Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh were inducted in Indian Air Force fighter squadron. On successful completion of their training, the trio were formally commissioned by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

-Ms. Avani from Satna in Madhya Pradesh, Ms. Mohana Singh from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan and Ms. Bhawana Kanth, who hails from 

Darbhanga in Bihar.

2) NRIs can now join NPS online through eNPS

-The Union Finance Ministry has announced that non-resident Indians (NRIs) can now open National Pension Savings (NPS) accounts online i.e. through eNPS if they have Aadhaar Card or Permanent Account Number (PAN) card.

-Earlier, NRIs could open NPS accounts only through paper based applications by approaching Bank offices.  

-NPS are being regulated by the PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority), a regulator established by the Finance Ministry.

-Through eNPS, NRI’s will be able to open NPS accounts both on repatriable and on non-repatriable basis.

3)20 June : World Refugee Day

It is observed annually to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solving refugee problems.

4) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's bronze statue

A bronze statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose has been unveiled at the Indian cultural centre premises in Malaysia in the presence of nine Indian National Army (INA) veterans. 

5) Kannada film ‘Thithi’ wins best film award in IFF

-‘Thithi ‘, a Kannada film won the best film award and best script writers award at the Asia New Talent Awards in the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival. 

-The director, Raam Reddy has made his debut through this film. 

-It is the only Indian film that has been selected for screening in the festival of Shanghai.

6) Mukh Mantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund

-The Punjab government has launched a special fund “Mukh Mantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund” to provide free treatment for patients affected by Hepatitis C. 

-With this initiative, Punjab became the first Indian state to provide free treatment to confirmed cases of Hepatitis C.

7) Maitree Ek Gyan Yatra 

-The Assam Government has launched a unique initiative ‘Maitree Ek Gyan Yatra’ to link primary schools to high schools to colleges. 

-The purpose of the programme is to change the mindset of the teachers, as in some places in states teachers of a school considered it below their dignity to teach the lower level students.

-Under the initiative, college teachers will take classes in high schools and high schools teachers will teach in primary schools voluntarily. The basic idea of implementing the initiative is to improve the quality of school students and create better synergy in the education sector. 

8) World’s fastest supercomputer: TaihuLight

-Chinese supercomputer Sunway TaihuLight with 93 petaflop/second speed was declared as the world’s fastest supercomputer. 

-It was revealed in the TOP500 list of supercomputers released at the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC) in Frankfurt, Germany.

9) First female mayor of Rome : Virginia Raggi

-Virginia Raggi, a leading member of the populist anti-corruption Five Star Movement (M5S) was elected as Rome’s first female mayor.

-She is also the first candidate from that party, M5S to be elected to Rome's mayoralty. Raggi, who will turn 38 in July 2016, is also the youngest mayor in Rome's history.

10) Nagpur and China's Jinan become 'sister cities'

-Nagpur and the Chinese city of Jinan have become 'sister cities' after signing a pact which allows for the exchange of ideas and technology in the field of education, urban planning, youth affairs, and sports. 
-The agreement, which will be executed for five years, also allows Nagpur to seek financial assistance from Jinan to execute development projects.

11) A Life in Diplomacy authored by MK Rasgotra

-The book titled A Life in Diplomacy was released which is written by former Indian diplomat Maharajakrishna Rasgotra.
-It is an insider's account of the personalities and policies that shaped Indian diplomacy.
-The book provides a ringside view of the beginnings of ethnic violence in Sri Lanka, the last years of the Cold War, the negotiations on the formation of SAARC, Indira Gandhi's assassination and the Bhopal gas disaster.

12) AIFF to launched 'Mission 11 Million' for football

-The All India Football Federation has launched a football promotion programme in October targeting 11 million children across India.
-Notably, India has hosted its first international football competition, the U-17 FIFA World Cup, next year.

13) Danapur-Saharsa Janhit Express 

-Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off a new train service between Danapur and Saharsa in Bihar through video-conferencing at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi with an aim to connect every region of the country with the rail network.
-Besides flagging off the Danapur-Saharsa Janhit Express (daily), Railway Minister has also announced the extension of three train services in Bihar and Jharkhand.
-Under which, the service of Jasidih-Chandan passenger train was extended up to Banka. -It is the first passenger train to run on the newly constructed Chandan-Banka line. While the daily service of Jaynagar-Saharsa Janki Express (daily) was extended up to Katihar and Patna-Murliganj Koshi Express (daily) was extended up to Purnea Court. 

14) Andy Murray wins record fifth Queen's Club title

-British tennis star Andy Murray has  created history after he fought back to win the Queen's Club tournament for a record fifth time defeating Milos Raonic in a pulsating final on 19 June 2016.

15) Anil Kumble -> The new coach of Indian Cricket Team

-Former Spinner Anil Kumble became the new coach of Indian Cricket Team.The decision of his selection was taken in the BCCI working committee meeting in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
-His tenure would be for one year.
-Kumble's first assignment will be India's four-Test tour of West Indies. Kumble's international cricket career spans 18 years. He is the highest wicket-taker for India till date and third in the international list, behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.

16) Nagaland Governor launches women's helpline number '181'

-Governor of Nagaland and Assam P B Acharya has launched women helpline number - 181 in the premises of District Hospital Dimapur in Nagaland and also inaugurated Sakhi, a one stop Centre, intended to support women affected by violence both in private and public spaces under one roof.
-Addressing the gathering, Acharya reminded society that women were marching ahead in every field. He also highlighted the multiple roles played by women as home makers, guardians of children and the hard work put in by them in every field. 

17) SAARC cultural capital for 2016-17-> Mahashangarh

-Mahasthangarh, the 3rd century BC archaeological site in Bogra, Bangladesh, has been declared as the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) cultural capital for the year 2016-17. 
-As an SAARC cultural capital, the historic place will host festivals on literature, films, foods and dances from October 2016 to September 2017. Besides, the year 2016-17 has also be declared the SAARC Year of Cultural Heritage.