Daily filter — 12 June 2026
10 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
💼 Economy · LAW track
CBDT Webinar: Decoding New Income-tax Act, 2025
The CBDT and PwC India organized a webinar on June 9, 2026, to discuss the transition to the new Income-tax Act, 2025.
- The webinar covered International Tax and Transfer Pricing Aspects.
- Over 1,100 participants from 16 overseas jurisdictions attended.
- It discussed the Income-tax Act, 2025 and Income-tax Rules, 2026.
- Key topics included Advance Pricing Agreements and Safe Harbour provisions.
💡 The 2025 Income-tax Act webinar, held on June 9, 2026, included 1100+ participants and covered international tax.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2271989
📡 Polity & Governance · LAW track
Draft Telecom Rules 2026: Simplifying TV, Radio Services
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting published draft rules for public consultation to simplify television and radio broadcasting.
- The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced the Telegraph Act of 1885.
- The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting administers TV, radio, and associated services.
- Draft rules integrate guidelines from 2001 to 2024 into a single framework.
- The new rules simplify authorization and promote ease of doing business.
- Public comments are invited until July 27, 2026.
💡 Remember: Telecom Act 2023 replaced Telegraph Act 1885, and new draft rules (comments till July 27, 2026) simplify TV/Radio services under MIB.
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting · PIB PRID 2271983
👩🔬 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
12 Years of Women-Led Development and Nari Shakti
The Prime Minister highlighted the government's 12-year focus on women-led development across diverse sectors.
- Government has focused on women-led development over the last 12 years.
- Women play a key role in financial inclusion, education, science, and governance.
- Growing participation of Nari Shakti in fields like science, space, innovation, and drone technology.
- Government supports Self Help Groups for women's financial independence.
💡 Remember: 12 years of women-led development in India, empowering Nari Shakti through diverse sectors and SHGs.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2272012
🛍️ Economy · UPSC track
DPIIT, ONDC Launch DigiDukaan to Digitize Kirana Stores
An initiative to digitize procurement for India's 1.4 crore kirana stores, enhancing efficiency in the FMCG value chain.
- DPIIT and ONDC convened a roundtable on 12 June 2026 for general trade digitisation.
- The DigiDukaan initiative targets 1.4 crore kirana stores, which comprise 75–80% of FMCG sales.
- DigiDukaan improves margins for retailers via direct procurement and enhances visibility of schemes.
- It will launch in Jaipur on 19 June 2026 through Salescode, following Hyderabad success.
- Over 10,000 retailers and 35 brands have onboarded via Qwipo in Hyderabad.
💡 Remember DPIIT and ONDC's DigiDukaan aims to digitize 1.4 crore kirana stores for FMCG procurement.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2272311
🤖 Science & Tech · UPSC track
IndiaAI Mission launches Varya: Indigenous, Affordable Video Generating AI Model
**Varya**, a video story generating AI model, has been launched to provide affordable and accessible AI video generation services across India.
- Varya was developed by Avtaar.ai with support from the IndiaAI Mission.
- It reduces video generation from 50 steps to 4 steps, making it up to 10x more cost-efficient.
- Varya can generate video at ₹0.48 per second and produces culturally rich visual outputs.
- The launch event in New Delhi on June 12, 2026, was attended by Secretary S. Krishnan.
💡 Varya (from Avtaar.ai and IndiaAI Mission) is India's first distilled video model, cutting costs and steps for video generation.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2272090
🚬 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI seizes 71 lakh foreign cigarettes, 4 arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted operations against cigarette smuggling in the North Eastern Region.
- DRI seized 71 lakh foreign-origin smuggled cigarettes since May 2026.
- The seized cigarettes are valued at approximately Rs. 14 crore.
- 4 persons have been arrested across multiple operations.
- Over 45 lakh sticks were seized in Mizoram on 11th June 2026.
- Smuggled cigarettes originated from Myanmar via Zokhawthar sector.
💡 DRI and Assam Rifles collaborate to seize 71 lakh Myanmar-origin smuggled cigarettes worth Rs. 14 crore in North-East.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2272123
⛽ Economy · LAW track
New Order to Combat Diesel Hoarding, Black Marketing
Government notifies a temporary order to curb black marketing and hoarding of diesel by large consumers due to price differences.
- The Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026 was notified.
- Retail outlets can dispense up to 200 litres per day per customer/vehicle.
- Industrial and institutional customers must procure fuel from their consumer pumps.
- Violations are subject to penalties under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
- This temporary measure is initially valid for up to 90 days.
💡 Remember: The new order, valid for 90 days, limits retail diesel to 200 litres/day to prevent bulk resale, enforced under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Source: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas · PIB PRID 2272080
📊 Economy · UPSC track
Retail Inflation (CPI) Reaches 3.93% in May 2026
India's retail inflation, measured by the **Consumer Price Index (CPI)**, stood at **3.93%** in **May 2026**.
- The All India CPI with base year 2024 was 3.93% for May 2026.
- Rural inflation (CPI) was 4.25%, while urban inflation was 3.53%.
- Year-on-year food inflation (CFPI) reached 4.78% in May 2026.
- Top high-inflation items include Silver Jewellery (155.23%) and Tomato (48.43%).
💡 CPI and CFPI for May 2026: Remember overall CPI 3.93% and CFPI 4.78%.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2272112
🚄 Economy · UPSC track
Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail: India's Modernisation Leap
The **MAHSR Project** is India's first high-speed rail corridor, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad over 508 km.
- The MAHSR corridor, 508-kilometres long, traverses Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
- It has a design speed of 350 kmph and an operational speed of 320 kmph, reducing travel to about 1 hour 58 minutes.
- The project utilizes Japanese Shinkansen technology for systems like OHE and J-Slab ballastless track.
- It includes India's first undersea rail tunnel, approximately 21 km long in Maharashtra, with a 7 km undersea stretch.
💡 Remember MAHSR as India's 1st HSR (320 kmph), 508 km across three regions, using Japanese Shinkansen tech and featuring India's 1st undersea tunnel.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2272190
🛖 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM JANMAN: Targeted Development for Vulnerable Tribal Groups
PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) aims to bridge development gaps for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
- Launched in November 2023, PM JANMAN targets 75 PVTG communities across 18 states and 1 UT.
- It has a total budgetary outlay of ₹ 24,104 crore and includes 11 interventions implemented by 9 ministries.
- Key interventions cover housing, water, electricity, and vocational skilling through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs).
- As of April 2026, 491 VDVKs are operational, training 38,391 PVTG members.
💡 For the exam: Remember PM JANMAN's launch date (Nov 2023), budget (₹24,104 cr), target groups (PVTGs), and key component (VDVKs).
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2271997