📰 PIB Notes for UPSC – 17 June 2026
Daily PIB Current Affairs | UPSC & SSC Exam Preparation
Today's PIB Notes for UPSC covers 12 key topics —
12 Years of Pharmaceutical Sector Growth (PMBJP, PLI), PIB Backgrounder: The Defence Decade,
National Statistical Commission – New Appointments, Green Hydrogen Certification Portal Launch,
Amit Shah Reviews Cyber Crime Helpline 1930, World Day to Combat Desertification & Bonn Challenge,
Record Defence Production ₹1.78 Lakh Crore, INS Tarkash Port Call at Seychelles,
IIIDEM 15th Foundation Day, PM-VBRY ₹2,400 Crore Disbursal,
PM Modi–EU Leaders Meeting at G7 (Evian), and India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Each topic includes simplified notes, prelims extra points & an interactive MCQ —
ideal for UPSC Prelims & SSC CGL.
Dept of Pharmaceuticals
12 Years of Pharma Growth – PMBJP, PLI & Bulk Drug Parks
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PMBJP (Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana): Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) grew from 84 (2014) → 19,200+ (2026); citizen savings: ₹40,000 crore+.
- North East: 1 → 417 JAKs in 12 years.
- Top states by JAKs: UP (4,042), Kerala (1,791), Karnataka (1,665), Tamil Nadu (1,591).
- PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals: Investment ₹42,694 crore; Sales ₹3,43,215 crore; Jobs 1.13 lakh+.
- PLI for Medical Devices: Investment ₹1,136 crore; Sales ₹29,402 crore; Jobs 6,822.
- Bulk Drug Parks: Being set up in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh.
- Medical Device Parks: Being set up in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh.
- Biopharma SHAKTI: ₹10,000 crore over 5 years (announced 2025-26 Budget) — for biologics & biosimilars.
19,200+
Jan Aushadhi Kendras
₹40,000 Cr
Citizen Savings (PMBJP)
₹42,694 Cr
PLI Pharma Investment
1.13 Lakh
PLI Pharma Jobs
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PMBJP = Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana — launched 2008, relaunched 2015; sells generic medicines at 50-90% below market price.
- Generic medicines = same active ingredient as branded drugs but sold without brand name at much lower cost.
- India = "Pharmacy of the World" — world's largest provider of generic medicines; supplies 60% of global vaccines.
- PLI Scheme = Production Linked Incentive — incentive on incremental sales over a base year; covers 14 sectors.
- Biopharma SHAKTI = Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology & Innovation — focuses on biosimilars & biologics.
- Biosimilar = a biological medicine highly similar to an already approved reference biological medicine.
- India's pharma industry: ~$54 billion (2024); 3rd largest globally by volume; 14th by value.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. From how many Jan Aushadhi Kendras in 2014 has the PMBJP network grown to 19,200+ by 2026?
The PMBJP network grew from just 84 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in 2014 to 19,200+ in 2026 — a massive expansion making generic medicines accessible across India, saving citizens over ₹40,000 crore.
PIB Backgrounder – Ministry of Defence
The Defence Decade – 12 Years of Capability, Capacity & Credibility
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Defence Budget: ₹2.53 lakh crore (2013-14) → ₹7.85 lakh crore (2026-27).
- Defence Production: ₹43,746 crore (2013-14) → ₹1,78,000 crore (2025-26) — 4x increase; 110% growth since FY21.
- Defence Exports: ₹686 crore (2013-14) → ₹38,424 crore (2025-26) — 5500%+ growth; exports to 80+ countries; target ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
- Private sector share in production: 24% (₹42,000 crore FY26); PSU share: 76%.
- Defence industrial licences: 258 (2015) → 834 (March 2026).
- iDEX: 676 startups/MSMEs engaged; 551 contracts signed.
- Positive Indigenisation Lists: 5 lists, 5,012 DPSU items; 15,700+ items indigenised on Srijan Portal.
- Defence Industrial Corridors: UP corridor — ₹42,057 crore; TN corridor — ₹32,699 crore.
- OFB dissolved 2021 — reorganised into 7 new DPSUs (41 factories).
- FDI in defence: 74% automatic route / 100% govt route; ₹6,670 crore FDI received (March 2026).
- R&D budget: ₹13,716 crore (2014-15) → ₹29,100 crore (2026-27) — 112% rise; 25% opened to private sector.
- Key programmes: DAP 2020, DPM 2025, Draft DAP 2026 (proposes 60% indigenous content).
- Key milestones: Mission Shakti (ASAT, 27 Mar 2019), Mission Divyastra (MIRV, 11 Mar 2024), Tejas FOC (Feb 2019), Arjun Mk-IA (Feb 2021), Agnipath (15 Jun 2022).
- Key defence agreements: LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020) with USA; India designated Major Defence Partner by USA; received STA-1 status.
- iCET (Initiative on Critical & Emerging Technology, 2023) → continued as TRUST (2025).
- India-EU Security & Defence Partnership signed 27 Jan 2026.
- MAHASAGAR doctrine launched March 2025; India's IndO-Pacific maritime vision.
- QUAD: Exercise Malabar (4-nation since 2020); 2025 Quad-at-Sea Mission = first combined Coast Guard exercise.
₹7.85 L Cr
Defence Budget 2026-27
₹38,424 Cr
Defence Exports FY26
₹1.78 L Cr
Defence Production FY26
80+
Countries Receiving Indian Defence Exports
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- LEMOA = Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement — allows mutual use of military bases; signed with USA (2016).
- COMCASA = Communications Compatibility & Security Agreement — enables encrypted communication equipment; USA (2018).
- BECA = Basic Exchange & Cooperation Agreement — geospatial intelligence sharing; USA (2020).
- STA-1 = Strategic Trade Authorization-1 — US designation allowing India access to advanced dual-use technologies.
- Mission Shakti = India's first ASAT (Anti-Satellite) missile test; 27 March 2019; low-orbit satellite destroyed; India joined USA, Russia, China as ASAT-capable nations.
- MIRV = Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles — single missile carries multiple warheads; tested under Mission Divyastra (March 2024).
- Agnipath Scheme = recruits Agniveers for 4-year military service; launched 15 June 2022.
- SAGAR = Security and Growth for All in the Region — India's Indian Ocean maritime doctrine (2015).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. India's 'Mission Shakti' conducted in March 2019 demonstrated which strategic capability?
Mission Shakti (27 March 2019) demonstrated India's Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon capability by destroying a low-orbit satellite. India became only the 4th country (after USA, Russia, China) with this capability.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
National Statistical Commission – New Chairperson & Members Appointed
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- National Statistical Commission (NSC) set up in 2005 — nodal body for core statistical activities.
- Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved:
- Dr. Saibal Chattopadhyay — Chairperson (former Director, IIM Kolkata; PhD Statistics, Univ. of Connecticut)
- Prof. Shubhabrata Das — Member (Professor, IIM Bangalore; PhD Statistics, Univ. of North Carolina)
- Shri Satyendra Bahadur Singh — Member (Retd. Indian Statistical Service, 1987 batch)
- Dr. Madhavan Mukund — Member (Director, Chennai Mathematical Institute; PhD Computer Science, Aarhus University)
- NSC structure: Part-time Chairperson + 4 part-time Members + CEO, NITI Aayog (ex-officio); Secretary MoSPI = Secretary to NSC.
- Functions: National statistical policies, quality standards, coordination with States, statistical audit.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- NSC = National Statistical Commission — set up 2005 based on Rangarajan Commission recommendations; provides statistical policy direction.
- MoSPI = Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation — publishes GDP, CPI, WPI, PLFS (Periodic Labour Force Survey), HCES.
- NSO = National Statistical Office — operational wing of MoSPI; field data collection for surveys.
- Indian Statistical Service (ISS) = Central Group A service; manages official statistics across ministries.
- Chennai Mathematical Institute — premier research institution in mathematics & computer science; established 1989.
- CSO = Central Statistics Office — merged into MoSPI; compiles National Accounts Statistics (GDP data).
- Base year for GDP: Currently 2011-12; revision to 2022-23 base year is under process.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The National Statistical Commission (NSC) of India was set up in which year?
The National Statistical Commission (NSC) was set up in 2005 to serve as the nodal body for all core statistical activities, evolve statistical priorities, and ensure statistical coordination in India.
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
Green Hydrogen Certification Portal (GHCI) Launched
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI) launched by Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi.
- Workshop theme: "Strengthening the National Green Hydrogen Mission: Through State Policies, Hubs & Infrastructure".
- National Green Hydrogen Mission: Launched 2023; outlay ₹19,744 crore; targets 5 MMT green H₂ production capacity + 125 GW dedicated RE; potential investment ₹8 lakh crore+; 6 lakh jobs; reduce CO₂ by 50 MMT/year.
- State engagement: 6 states notified dedicated Green H₂ policies; 7 states integrated into existing frameworks; 4 more in pipeline.
- Electrolyser manufacturing: Financial incentives to 15 companies for 3,000 MW/year indigenous capacity.
- Refinery sector: Contracts for 30,000 MTPA green H₂ to IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, NRL.
- Steel sector: ₹84 crore for pilot projects on 100% hydrogen injection in steel.
- Mobility: ₹208 crore for 37 H₂ vehicles + 9 refuelling stations.
- SIGHT Programme: Incentives for 8,62,000 MTPA green H₂ production capacity.
- Green Ammonia: 6.7 lakh MTPA supply agreements for 11 fertiliser plants.
- Startup support: ₹100 crore allocated; first list of 9 startups with ₹22 crore funding approved.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Green Hydrogen = produced via electrolysis of water using renewable energy; zero carbon emission process.
- Electrolyser = device that splits water into hydrogen & oxygen using electricity; key equipment for green H₂ production.
- SIGHT = Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition — incentivises electrolyser manufacturing + green H₂ production.
- Green Ammonia = ammonia produced using green hydrogen — key for fertilisers, shipping fuel.
- MMT = Million Metric Tonnes; MTPA = Metric Tonnes Per Annum.
- India's H₂ mission target: Become a global hub for green hydrogen; export ambitions to EU, Japan, South Korea.
- JSW commissioned India's first large-scale green H₂ plant: 3,600 MTPA at Vijayanagar (November 2025).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The National Green Hydrogen Mission targets how much green hydrogen production capacity by 2030?
The National Green Hydrogen Mission (₹19,744 crore) targets 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) of green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, supported by 125 GW of dedicated renewable energy.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Amit Shah Reviews National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 – AI-Led Modernisation Directed
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah reviewed National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 — platform for registering cybercrime complaints.
- Directed: Comprehensive modernisation using AI, faster complaint registration, intelligent call routing.
- New: National-level 1930 Call Centre to handle unanswered state-level calls.
- State Call Centres to be upgraded with IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems.
- CFCFRMS (Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting & Management System) — blocks fraudulent transactions via banking network.
- SOP issued January 2026 for speedy cyber financial fraud resolution; Supreme Court directed all High Courts to implement it.
- 94 lakh bank accounts uploaded under Money Restoration Module (MRM).
- ~1 lakh citizens benefitted from Money Restoration & Grievance Redressal mechanism.
- Emphasis on tackling mule bank accounts used in cyber financial frauds.
- I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre) — MHA's apex body coordinating cybercrime response.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- I4C = Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre — under MHA; nodal body for cybercrime investigation; operates Cyber Crime Portal & Helpline 1930.
- Cybercrime portal: cybercrime.gov.in — national portal for online reporting of cybercrimes.
- Mule accounts = bank accounts used by fraudsters to receive and forward stolen money — account holders often recruited unknowingly.
- Financial cybercrime = online banking fraud, OTP fraud, investment scams — fastest growing cybercrime category in India.
- IVR = Interactive Voice Response — automated telephony system for call routing and basic query resolution.
- India's IT Act, 2000 (amended 2008) — primary legislation for cybercrime and digital offences.
- National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 — India's comprehensive cybersecurity framework; new draft policy under preparation.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is established under which ministry?
I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre) is under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) — it coordinates cybercrime investigation, operates Helpline 1930, and manages the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
World Day to Combat Desertification 2026 – India's Bonn Challenge Progress
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: Observed annually on 17 June under UNCCD.
- 2026 Theme: "Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore."
- India's Bonn Challenge target: Restore 26 million hectares by 2030 (announced by PM Modi).
- Progress: India has brought 21.76 million hectares under restoration — announced by Shri Bhupender Yadav, MoEFCC.
- Restoration generated ~1.22 billion person-days of employment.
- Watershed Development (PMKSY): 27 million hectares treated; 61.3 million geo-tagged NRM assets.
- Green India Mission: ~1.7 lakh hectares; CAMPA: ~3.20 lakh hectares afforested.
- Joint Forest Management: 81.53 million hectares — one of world's largest community-based forest management systems.
- Aravalli Green Wall Initiative: Surpassed annual targets in FY 2025-26.
- MISHTI Programme: Restore 54,000 hectares of mangrove area by 2028.
- Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: 266 crore+ saplings planted nationwide.
- Land degradation: 97.85 million hectares (29.77% of geographic area) affected.
- India's drylands: ~228 million hectares.
- India released: "India's Second Progress Report on the Bonn Challenge (2011-2020)" and Special Issue of Indian Forester.
- UNCCD COP-17 is upcoming — India's report released in context of this.
- Soil Health Cards: 260 million+ issued nationwide.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- UNCCD = United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification — one of 3 Rio Conventions (others: UNFCCC & CBD); adopted 1994; entered into force 1996.
- Bonn Challenge (2011) = global initiative to restore 350 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
- Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) = UNCCD target to achieve no net loss of productive land by 2030 — India committed to LDN.
- MISHTI = Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes — launched Budget 2023-24; for coastal mangrove restoration.
- Aravalli Green Wall = 1,400 km green corridor from Gujarat-Haryana through Rajasthan; combats desertification of Thar Desert spread.
- Rangelands = vast grasslands, savannas, shrublands — support 70% of world's livestock; 2026 UNCCD theme focus.
- India's Forest Cover: 21.76% of geographical area (State of Forest Report 2023).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed annually on which date?
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on 17 June every year under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), adopted in 1994.
Ministry of Defence
Record Defence Production – ₹1.78 Lakh Crore in FY 2025-26
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- India's defence production hit an all-time high of ₹1,78,000 crore in FY 2025-26.
- Growth: 15.6% over FY 2024-25 (₹1,54,071 crore); 110% jump since FY 2020-21 (₹84,643 crore).
- Almost 4x increase from ₹43,746 crore in FY 2013-14.
- PSU share: 76%; Private sector: 24% (₹~42,000 crore) — all-time high for private sector.
- Defence exports: ₹38,424 crore — record high; 80+ countries.
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh credited PM Modi's leadership for the achievement.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- India's defence production target: ₹3 lakh crore (domestic + exports) by 2029.
- Defence export target: ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
- DPSUs = Defence Public Sector Undertakings — 16 in India (HAL, BEL, BDL, BEML, MDL, GRSE, MIDHANI, Garden Reach, Yantra India etc.).
- HAL = Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — Navratna PSU; makes Tejas, helicopters, aircraft engines.
- BEL = Bharat Electronics Limited — Navratna PSU; makes radars, defence electronics, communication systems.
- India's imports: Still imports ~35% of defence equipment; working to reduce further.
- BrahMos missile = joint venture India-Russia; fastest operational cruise missile in world (~Mach 2.8); exported to Philippines.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. India's defence production in FY 2025-26 represents what percentage growth since FY 2020-21?
India's defence production grew by 110% since FY 2020-21 (₹84,643 crore → ₹1,78,000 crore in FY26). It also represents 15.6% growth over the previous year and almost 4x increase since 2013-14.
Ministry of Defence – Indian Navy
INS Tarkash Concludes Port Call at Seychelles – MAHASAGAR Vision
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- INS Tarkash = Indian Navy's stealth frigate; completed port call at Port Victoria, Seychelles (departed 15 June 2026).
- Activities: Professional exchanges, community outreach, humanitarian medical services for elderly, cultural evening onboard.
- VP of Seychelles H.E. Mr Alix Sebastien Pillay attended cultural evening.
- Underlines India's MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision — maritime security in Indian Ocean Region.
- India maintains strong strategic ties with Seychelles — provides Dornier aircraft, patrol vessels, coastguard support.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- INS Tarkash = Project 11356 stealth frigate; built by Russia (Yantar Shipyard); inducted 2012; based at Visakhapatnam; armed with BrahMos & anti-submarine weapons.
- MAHASAGAR = India's maritime doctrine launched March 2025 — expansion of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region, 2015).
- Seychelles = Indian Ocean island nation; capital Port Victoria; strategic location near key shipping lanes; India's close maritime partner.
- India's Indian Ocean Strategy = net security provider through HADR (humanitarian assistance), naval deployments, capacity building.
- Port Victoria = capital and main port of Seychelles; located on Mahé Island.
- IONS = Indian Ocean Naval Symposium — India-initiated maritime cooperation forum for IOR navies.
- Project 75 = Scorpene submarine project (France-India); all 6 Kalvari-class submarines delivered.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. India's MAHASAGAR maritime doctrine, launched in March 2025, stands for:
MAHASAGAR = Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — India's maritime doctrine launched March 2025; expansion of the earlier SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of 2015.
Election Commission of India
IIIDEM Celebrates 15th Foundation Day – Electoral Capacity Building
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- IIIDEM = India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management — celebrating 15th Foundation Day (17 June 2026).
- Two-day Conference (16-17 June 2026) in New Delhi; 450+ participants including 250 National/State Master Trainers.
- Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi addressed the event.
- Since 2011: 1,885 training programmes; 1,20,883 participants; international footprint: 142 countries.
- Lok Sabha elections: IIIDEM trains ~1.8 crore officials.
- India chairs International IDEA — IIIDEM can serve as global training institution beyond India's chairship.
- 4 strategic pillars: Strengthen National Programmes, Expand Global Programmes, Encourage Research, Promote Sustainable Democracy.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- IIIDEM = established 2011 by ECI; premier institution for electoral training and management; part of ECI's international capacity-building mandate.
- International IDEA = International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — Stockholm-based intergovernmental organisation; India chairs it.
- Election Commission of India (ECI) = constitutional body (Article 324); consists of Chief Election Commissioner + Election Commissioners.
- EPIC = Electors Photo Identity Card — voter ID card issued by ECI.
- BLO = Booth Level Officer — lowest electoral management unit; responsible for accurate voter rolls at each polling booth.
- Model Code of Conduct (MCC) = ECI guidelines for political parties & candidates during election period.
- EVMs + VVPAT = Electronic Voting Machines + Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail — India's election technology adopted by many countries.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. IIIDEM (India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management) was established in which year?
IIIDEM was established in 2011 by the Election Commission of India as a premier institution for electoral training and management. It completed 15 years in 2026, having trained participants from 142 countries.
Prime Minister's Office
PM-VBRY – ₹2,400 Crore Incentives to be Disbursed for 15 Lakh Jobs
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PM-VBRY = Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana — employment-linked incentive scheme.
- PM Modi to disburse ₹2,400 crore incentives on 19 June 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan; for 15 lakh employment opportunities.
- Came into effect: 1 August 2025; Total outlay: ₹99,446 crore; targets 3.5 crore jobs over 2 years.
- First-time employees: Incentive up to ₹15,000.
- Employers: Up to ₹3,000/month per additional employee.
- Incentive period: Manufacturing = 4 years; Other sectors = 2 years.
- Expected first-time workforce entrants: 1.92 crore.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PM-VBRY = Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme under Budget 2024-25 announcement; focuses on formalisation of employment and EPFO enrolment.
- EPFO = Employees' Provident Fund Organisation — manages provident fund for organised sector employees; PM-VBRY incentives linked to EPFO registration.
- Formalisation of employment = bringing workers under formal social security net (EPFO, ESIC) — key goal of India's labour policy.
- India's PLFS (Periodic Labour Force Survey by MoSPI) — measures employment and unemployment quarterly and annually.
- ESIC = Employees' State Insurance Corporation — provides health insurance to factory/organised sector workers.
- India's workforce: ~500 million; formal sector: ~10% — massive scope for formalisation.
- e-Shram Portal — unorganised workers registration; 30 crore+ enrolled.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under PM-VBRY, for how many years are employers in the manufacturing sector eligible to receive employment incentives?
Under PM-VBRY, employers in the manufacturing sector are eligible for incentives for 4 years per additional employee (up to ₹3,000/month), while other sectors get incentives for 2 years.
Prime Minister's Office
PM Modi Meets EU Leaders at G7 Summit (Evian) – India-EU FTA Historic
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PM Modi met President of European Council H.E. António Costa & President of European Commission H.E. Ursula von der Leyen on sidelines of G7 Summit at Evian.
- Leaders recalled 16th India-EU Summit (India, January 2026).
- Historic: India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations concluded — stressed expeditious signing & implementation.
- India-EU FTA = will unlock trade & investment opportunities; contribute to supply chain diversification.
- Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda (endorsed January 2026) — reinforces strategic partnership.
- Leaders welcomed developments in West Asia; commitment to multipolar global order.
- India-EU described as "world's two largest democracies" with shared values, open market economies.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- G7 = Group of 7 — USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada + EU; 2026 Summit held at Evian, France.
- India-EU FTA = negotiations relaunched 2022 (after 2013 stall); covers goods, services, investments, GI protection.
- EU = European Union — 27 member states; single market with free movement of goods, services, people, capital; HQ: Brussels.
- European Council President = António Costa (since Dec 2024; former PM of Portugal).
- European Commission President = Ursula von der Leyen (since 2019, re-elected 2024).
- EU is India's largest trading partner (collective); bilateral trade ~€120 billion.
- India-EU Connectivity Partnership — focuses on digital, energy, transport, people-to-people links.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The G7 Summit 2026 was held in which city?
The G7 Summit 2026 was held in Evian, France. PM Modi held bilateral meetings with EU Council President António Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on its sidelines, welcoming the conclusion of India-EU FTA negotiations.
