Daily Current Affairs – June 17, 2026

The government's push for non-tax revenue is off to a strong start, with public asset monetisation nearing 30% of last fiscal year's total and disinvestment income already close to its FY26 proceeds. Efforts are being ramped up to exceed the combined FY27 disinvestment and asset monetisation target of ₹80,000 crore.

India faces its weakest monsoon in 11 years. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has instructed states to prepare contingency plans for districts likely to experience low or uneven rainfall this kharif season. The government is focusing on water conservation and alternative cropping patterns. Efforts are also underway to boost cotton production through scientific farming.

Central India faces 63% deficit as monsoon’s first round loses momentum; govt. directs crop-wise contingency plans, puts around 200 districts under priority monitoring, orders weekly reviews

The report says the headline debt figure of ₹10 lakh crore in 2025-26 captures only the State’s direct borrowings through market loans, institutional debt, and public account liabilities; it does not capture the borrowings of the PSUs, statutory boards, and special purpose vehicles that the State guarantees or implicitly supports

At the end of February, the U.S. government terminated its contracts with Anthropic after it refused to allow its tools to be used for fully automated strikes or the mass surveillance of Americans

Former Fed governor Kevin Warsh, if elevated to Federal Reserve Chair, faces his first major test amid heightened market sensitivity to US monetary policy direction. Investors are closely watching his stance on interest rates, inflation control, and growth balance. His decisions could shape global liquidity trends, bond yields, and equity market sentiment at a time of economic uncertainty.

SpaceX's market valuation surged past Amazon and briefly exceeded Microsoft's on Tuesday, driven by intense trading in its newly listed option contracts. The company's shares jumped significantly above its IPO price, reflecting investor confidence in its diverse business ventures. This rapid ascent places SpaceX among the world's most valuable companies.

The initiative, akin to ratings for appliances, aims to empower consumers with essential information, potentially reducing charging costs and fostering a shift towards more efficient e2Ws. 

As gold prices soar, Indians are changing how they buy the precious metal. Jewellery retailers say recycled gold now accounts for up to 75% of sales as more customers exchange old jewellery instead of making fresh purchases, while demand for coins and bars has weakened.

If India’s think-tank believes that it needs to look beyond the Mumbai batter when it comes to the World Cup, the humane thing will be to let him know; otherwise, just let him be

The seamers on either side would be particularly keen to see how the ball behaves on the ground where the bowlers of their ilk have had a lot of success in the past, because of the overhead conditions, though recently runs have flowed freer