UPSC current affairs · Monday

Current Affairs, 8 June 2026

4 issues picked from 40 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

State Finance Commissions (Article 243-I) and Datasets Report. Panchayati Raj Ministry's committee report lists data SFCs need and proposes SFC Cells and a manual.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA). PMSMA completes ten years, offering free antenatal care on the 9th of every month.
EU Regulation 2021/405 and AMR Rules for Animal-Origin Imports. India stays on EU's AMR-linked approved list for aquaculture, honey, egg and casing exports after September 2026.
Board of Trade and BHAVYA Industrial Parks Scheme. BHAVYA Portal launched to run the competitive scheme for 100 industrial parks across States.

Law and statutory body

State Finance Commissions (Article 243-I) and Datasets Report

GS2 Local government and fiscal decentralisationGS3 Public financePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 June 2026, Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran released the Report of the Committee on Datasets for State Finance Commissions in New Delhi. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj prepared it to improve the data SFCs use.
What it is: State Finance Commissions are set up by each State under Article 243-I (Panchayats) and Article 243-Y (Municipalities). They review local body finances and recommend how State revenues are shared with local governments. The Committee on Datasets was formed to map the data SFCs need and to suggest fixes.

Constitutional basis: SFCs are constituted under Article 243-I and assess the finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions and recommend principles of devolution.
Who released and prepared it: The report was released by the Chief Economic Advisor; the Ministry of Panchayati Raj prepared it.
Key recommendations: Panchayat-level fiscal databases, dedicated SFC Cells in State Governments, standard accounting, a common reporting framework, data handbooks and an SFC Manual.
CAG audit proposal: The report recommends a CAG performance audit of the 73rd Amendment's implementation across States.
SFC constitution: Article 243-I requires the Governor to constitute an SFC within one year of the 73rd Amendment's start and every five years after.
Who appoints: The Governor of the State appoints the SFC. It is to be constituted within one year of the 73rd Amendment and then every five years.
Why the committee was set up: The Ministry formed it after the Finance Commissions' Conclave in November 2024, where difficulty in accessing datasets was flagged as a critical gap.
What the report does: It maps the essential datasets SFCs need and recommends steps on availability, standardisation, interoperability and institutional capacity.
Link to Union Finance Commission: Under Article 280(3)(bb) and (c), the Union Finance Commission recommends measures to augment a State's Consolidated Fund to support Panchayats and Municipalities, based on SFC recommendations.

Don’t confuse with SFC vs Union Finance Commission: SFC is set up by the Governor under Articles 243-I and 243-Y; the Union Finance Commission is set up by the President under Article 280.

Don’t confuse with Article 243-I vs 243-Y: 243-I is for Panchayats; 243-Y applies the same SFC to Municipalities.

Don’t confuse with State Finance Commission vs Union Finance Commission: The SFC is appointed by the Governor under Articles 243-I and 243-Y. The Union Finance Commission is appointed by the President under Article 280.

Don’t confuse with Article 243-I vs Article 243-Y: Article 243-I covers the SFC for Panchayats. Article 243-Y applies the same provisions to Municipalities.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, 8 Jun, 20:12 IST · Release 289771

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

GS2 Health · Maternal health schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 June 2026, PIB marked ten years of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan, which completes a decade on 9 June 2026, citing over 7.50 crore women served.
What it is: PMSMA is a Health Ministry programme begun in 2016 to give free, specialist antenatal care to pregnant women at government facilities on the 9th of each month. It focuses on finding high-risk pregnancies early and linking them to facilities for safe delivery. Private doctors can volunteer their time for it.

Launch: PMSMA was launched by the Prime Minister on 9 June 2016. It gives free antenatal care through specialist doctors on the 9th of each month.
Private sector role: More than 9,000 private providers are registered under PMSMA. This extends specialist care to underserved and aspirational districts.
Scale: Over 7.5 crore antenatal check-ups have been done and nearly 1.2 crore high-risk pregnancies identified.
Maternal Mortality Ratio (SRS): MMR fell from 130 per lakh live births in 2014–16 to 87 in 2022–24.
Link with other schemes: PMSMA and E-PMSMA promote use of JSY, JSSK and PMMVY.
Launch and timing: Launched on 9 June 2016; services are given on the 9th of every month at designated government facilities.
Eligibility: Women in the second trimester (13–27 weeks) or third trimester (28 weeks till delivery).
High-risk screening: Screening covers 25 high-risk factors, and high-risk pregnancies are linked to the nearest first referral unit for safe delivery.
Extended PMSMA: Launched in January 2022 to track high-risk pregnancies; incentives support the beneficiary and the ASHA for up to three additional visits.
MMR trend: India's MMR fell from 130 (2014–16) to 87 (2022–24) per lakh live births.

Don’t confuse with PMSMA vs Janani Suraksha Yojana: PMSMA gives specialist antenatal check-ups on the 9th of each month. JSY is a cash incentive scheme to promote institutional delivery.

Don’t confuse with PMSMA vs PMMVY: PMMVY gives cash maternity benefit to pregnant and lactating women. PMSMA provides free antenatal care services, not cash.

Don’t confuse with PMSMA vs JSY vs JSSK: PMSMA gives specialist antenatal checks on the 9th; JSY promotes institutional delivery; JSSK gives free services to pregnant women and newborns.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Test yourself

Source: PIB Headquarters, 8 Jun, 21:41 IST · Release 289781

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

International relations

EU Regulation 2021/405 and AMR Rules for Animal-Origin Imports

GS3 Economy · TradeGS2 International tradePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 June 2026, the Commerce Ministry said India is on the EU's list of countries authorised to export aquaculture products, eggs, honey and animal casings beyond September 2026, under an amended EU AMR-linked regulation.
What it is: Regulation (EU) 2021/405 sets the list of non-EU countries allowed to export animal-origin products to the EU, and the conditions they must meet. It has been amended to add antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requirements, so exporting countries must show controls on the use of antimicrobials in animals. Countries not on the amended list lose access to the EU market.

Amending instrument: The EU amended Regulation (EU) 2021/405 through Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1189, citing AMR concerns.
Products covered: India is authorised for aquaculture products, eggs, honey and animal casings beyond September 2026.
Effective date: The revised regulation takes effect from September 2026 and adds requirements for exporters of specified animal-origin products.
Trade value at stake: India's fish and fishery exports to the EU are worth about USD 1.59 billion.
Institutions involved: The Department of Commerce worked with the Export Inspection Council (EIC), which strengthened India's Official Control System; MPEDA also works with EU-approved establishments.

Don’t confuse with EIC vs MPEDA: The Export Inspection Council handles inspection and certification of export products across sectors. MPEDA promotes and develops marine product exports.

Don’t confuse with Regulation vs Directive (EU law): A Regulation applies directly in all EU states. A Directive needs national laws to implement it.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting trade topic linked to antimicrobial resistance, but facts are narrow and fresh; international items are 19% of Prelims news questions, yet no clear debate here.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 8 Jun, 17:54 IST · Release 289757

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

Board of Trade and BHAVYA Industrial Parks Scheme

GS3 Economy: Trade and industryPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 8 June 2026, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal launched the BHAVYA Portal in New Delhi. It is the single digital interface for running the scheme to build 100 industrial parks.
What it is: The Board of Trade is the apex consultative body of the Department of Commerce. It brings together the Centre, States, Export Promotion Councils and industry to discuss trade policy. The BHAVYA Industrial Parks Scheme funds the development of industrial parks, with States taking part through rounds of selection.

Board of Trade: It is the apex consultative platform of the Department of Commerce, chaired by the Commerce Minister. Members include States, Export Promotion Councils, industry chambers and non-official members.
BHAVYA scheme: The scheme has an outlay of ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 industrial parks. Its first round is currently open to States.
USD 1 trillion target: The target is about USD 530 billion in merchandise and USD 470 billion in services exports.
DGTR: The Directorate General of Trade Remedies can recommend anti-dumping and safeguard measures for industries hurt by dumping or predatory pricing. It runs outreach such as Jan Sunwai.
Aim and outlay: Cabinet approved the scheme with an outlay of ₹33,660 crore to build 100 industrial parks over six years.
Implementing agency: NICDC is the Project Management Agency, responsible for implementation and monitoring, and built the BHAVYA Portal.
Centre-State model: States provide the land. The Centre supports infrastructure through NICDC, which partners with States under a 51:49 model.
Park sizes: Parks start at 25 acres in hilly areas, smaller UTs and the Northeast, run to 100-500 acres in mid-sized States, and reach up to 1,000 acres near cities.
Selection phases: Applications from 1 June to 31 July are considered for the first 20 parks. A further 30 parks follow from applications up to 30 September.
Portal function: The portal handles DPR submission, appraisal and real-time monitoring, and supports the challenge-based selection.
Scale and period: 100 industrial parks over six years, 2026-27 to 2031-32, with an outlay of about ₹33,660 crore.
First phase: Up to 50 parks will be taken up through a challenge-based competitive selection.
Implementation vehicle: Projects are executed by SPVs incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
Funding form and agency: Assistance is equity contribution linked to the value of land transferred to the SPV and to milestones. NICDC is the Project Management Agency.
Oversight: The National Level Steering Committee is chaired by the Secretary, DPIIT; GIS-based monitoring is used.
Target: BHAVYA aims at 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
Park features: Parks have pre-approved land, ready infrastructure, integrated services and single-window systems.
Link to PM GatiShakti: Parks are aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, focusing on multimodal connectivity and last-mile access.
NICDC's current work: NICDC is implementing 20 projects across 13 states and is Project Management Agency for seven PM MITRA Parks.
Outlay and target: Rs.33,660 crore for developing 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
External infrastructure: Support for external connectivity infrastructure up to 25% of project cost.
Selection: Projects are chosen through challenge mode, favouring reform-oriented, investment-ready proposals.
Design principles: Parks follow PM GatiShakti principles and use underground utility corridors (no-dig environment).
NICDC: NICDC under DPIIT is implementing 20 projects across 13 states.

Don’t confuse with Export Promotion Mission vs Districts as Export Hubs: The Mission is a ₹25,000 crore financial support scheme for exporters. Districts as Export Hubs is an initiative to build export capacity at district level, now with a 90-day drive in 120 districts.

Don’t confuse with Anti-dumping duty vs safeguard duty: Anti-dumping duty counters unfairly priced imports from specific countries. Safeguard duty counters a sudden import surge, whatever the source, and needs no unfair practice.

Don’t confuse with BHAVYA vs Board of Trade: BHAVYA is an industrial parks scheme. The Board of Trade is a consultative body on trade policy under the Department of Commerce.

Don’t confuse with DPIIT vs NICDC: DPIIT issued the operational guidelines. NICDC is the Project Management Agency that implements and monitors the scheme.

Don’t confuse with NICDC vs DPIIT: DPIIT is the ministry department that frames the scheme; NICDC is the agency that manages and monitors it.

Don’t confuse with BHAVYA vs PM MITRA: BHAVYA covers 100 general industrial parks via NICDC; PM MITRA parks are textile-specific under the Ministry of Textiles, with NICDC as project management agency.

Don’t confuse with NICDC vs NICDP: NICDC is the company implementing; NICDP is the programme for industrial corridors.

Don’t confuse with BHAVYA vs NICDP: NICDP builds greenfield Industrial Smart Cities along corridors through NICDC; BHAVYA funds plug-and-play parks in all States through challenge mode.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Why it matters

A coordinated Centre-State push can lift exports toward the USD 1 trillion target.
Support for MSMEs through certification and market-access finance widens the exporter base.
Plug-and-play parks with land, power, water and single-window clearance can cut the time to start operations and attract investment.
The competitive model among States strengthens Centre-State partnership and supports job creation and manufacturing.
Plug-and-play parks with logistics and utilities can cut costs and attract manufacturing investment.
Supports Make in India, PM Gati Shakti, jobs and integration with global value chains.
Ready land and single-window approvals can cut delays and costs for manufacturers, aiding ease of doing business.
Parks across regions can spread industrial growth and jobs beyond existing hubs.
Ready industrial land and infrastructure cut entry barriers and costs for manufacturers and MSMEs.
Cluster-based parks can create jobs and spread industrial growth across regions.

Problems

States differ in how quickly they notify labour rules and align their incentives with Central schemes.
Global tariff changes, freight disruptions and weak demand can hurt export growth.
State capacity to prepare strong proposals and supply land may vary, so weaker States may lag in a competitive model.
Timely environmental clearances and utility connectivity are needed for the parks to be investment-ready.
Land acquisition and State-level delays can slow park development.
Equity linked to land and milestones depends on SPV capacity and private developer discipline.
Land availability and timely utilities and connectivity at many sites.
Demand for plots and coordination with States may vary across regions.
Land acquisition and State-level approval delays may slow parks.
Parks may stay underused without reliable external connectivity and demand.

Way forward

Set up State export committees with monthly district-level reviews.
Expand testing and certification labs to cut compliance costs for MSMEs.
Give handholding to less-developed and smaller States so that selection stays balanced.
Use the portal's real-time monitoring to track progress and adjust later phases from early experience.
Use transparent challenge-based selection and GIS-based monitoring to enforce milestones.
Converge with logistics, skilling and renewable energy schemes so parks get connected infrastructure.
Tie parks to PM GatiShakti planning and States' single-window systems.
Track timelines and occupancy publicly, with State coordination.
Use challenge mode to reward States that reform land and approval systems.
Link parks with PM GatiShakti planning for logistics and power.

Put in your answer

Districts as Export Hubs drive: A 90-day drive covers 120 priority districts across 27 States and UTs, linked to One District One Product and GI products.

BHAVYA outlay and target: ₹33,660 crore for 100 industrial parks over six years, as an example of Centre-State industrial infrastructure planning.

Competitive federalism: States compete through challenge-based proposals, with land from States and 51:49 partnership with NICDC.

BHAVYA outlay and scale: 100 parks, about ₹33,660 crore, 2026-27 to 2031-32.

Private participation: Private developers can take part through project-specific SPVs with governance and accountability safeguards.

NICDC progress: NICDC is implementing 20 projects across 13 states in greenfield industrial smart cities.

Industrial nodes: Dholera, Shendra-Bidkin, Vikram Udyogpuri and Greater Noida are NICDC industrial nodes.

NICDC projects: NICDC is implementing 20 projects across 13 states, the base on which BHAVYA builds.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 18

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.BHAVYA is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by DPIIT.
2.The scheme provides for 100 industrial parks over six years from 2026-27 to 2031-32.
3.The minimum land requirement for a park is 100 acres for non-hilly states and 25 acres for hilly and northeastern states.
4.The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation is the Project Management Agency for the scheme.
5.The National Level Steering Committee for the scheme is chaired by the Union Commerce Minister.
6.NICDC functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
7.The BHAVYA scheme aims to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
8.BHAVYA industrial parks are aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
9.NICDC is the Project Management Agency for PM MITRA Parks under the Ministry of Textiles.
10.BHAVYA is implemented by the Ministry of MSME through the Small Industries Development Bank of India.
11.NICDC is currently implementing projects in all States and Union Territories of India.
12.BHAVYA is implemented under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
13.BHAVYA provides for the development of 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
14.Under BHAVYA, industrial parks of 100 to 1000 acres will be taken up for development.
15.Projects under BHAVYA are selected on a first-come-first-served basis by the Centre.
16.The financial support under BHAVYA can cover worker housing and other social infrastructure.
17.BHAVYA is limited to States with existing industrial corridors.
18.The industrial parks under BHAVYA are to be aligned with the PM GatiShakti principles.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 8 Jun, 18:07 IST · Release 289759

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

West Bengal became the 36th State/UT to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, via an MoU with the National Health Authority covering about 1.43 crore families.

Source: PIB, 8 Jun

What we left out: 35 of 40 releases

Speeches without a decision (6)
Same issue as another release (4)
Ceremonies and campaigns (8)
Routine drive tests (3)
Greetings and condolences (3)
Routine railway sanctions (3)
Routine MoUs (1)
Company results (1)
Routine briefings (1)
Sports felicitations (1)
Review meetings without a decision (1)
Accident reports (1)
Visit schedules (1)
Meetings without a decision (1)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1State Finance Commissions (Article 243-I) and Datasets ReportMCQ · 7 true or false
2Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)MCQ · 6 true or false
3Board of Trade and BHAVYA Industrial Parks SchemeMCQ · 18 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has released the Report of the Committee on Datasets for State Finance Commissions, which recommends Panchayat-level fiscal databases, State Finance Commission Cells and a CAG performance audit of the 73rd Amendment's implementation. In this context, examine the constitutional provisions governing State Finance Commissions, the challenges they face in recommending fiscal devolution to local bodies, and suggest a way forward.

From: State Finance Commissions (Article 243-I) and Datasets Report

Write and get it marked

Keep reading

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Sunday, 7 June 2026Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) · Land Port Management System (LPMS)

The day after

Tuesday, 9 June 2026Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) · Land Port Management System (LPMS) · Coal Exchanges in India and 3 more

All days

Mains question of the day

15 marks

From: State Finance Commissions (Article 243-I) and Datasets Report

Write and get it marked

Practice

1State Finance Commissions (Article 243-I) and Datasets ReportMCQ · 7 true or false
2Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)MCQ · 6 true or false
3Board of Trade and BHAVYA Industrial Parks SchemeMCQ · 18 true or false · Mains

Practice · 3 Mains question