Updates on 3 June 2026
All of June 2026 →D.K. Shivakumar to Become 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka on 3 June 2026
D.K. Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka on 3 June 2026 at 4:00 PM at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. This follows the resignation of Siddaramaiah on 28 May 2026, with Shivakumar unanimously elected as the Congress Legislature Party leader on 30 May 2026. The Governor will appoint him under Article 164 of the Indian Constitution. The cabinet formation is underway, with 10-20 ministers expected in the first phase. Senior Congress and opposition leaders are expected to attend the ceremony.
India Joins Anthropic's Project Glasswing Expanding AI Cybersecurity Collaboration
On June 2, 2026, US-based AI company Anthropic expanded access to its most advanced AI model, Claude Mythos Preview, under Project Glasswing to around 150 organizations in over 15 countries, including India. This initiative targets critical infrastructure sectors like power, water, healthcare, and telecommunications to detect and mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities. India’s inclusion reflects its growing role in AI technology, aiming to bolster the security of its vital digital systems. Anthropic, which opened its Bengaluru office in early 2026, has made India its second-largest market after the US. The collaboration also includes co-hosting the Global AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi, emphasizing responsible AI development and cybersecurity.
Justice V. Mohana Sworn In As Supreme Court Judge, Second Woman Elevated Directly From Bar
On 2 June 2026, Justice V. Mohana took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, becoming the 12th woman to serve on the apex court. Her appointment is notable as she became the second woman lawyer to be directly elevated from the Bar to the Supreme Court, following Justice Indu Malhotra's precedent in 2018. The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended her elevation on 27 May 2026, with government clearance received on 31 May 2026. Following her appointment, the Supreme Court's working strength rose to 37 against a sanctioned strength of 38 judges. Justice Mohana is expected to retire in June 2031 after nearly five years on the bench.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Detects Methane on Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
NASA and ESA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) made the first direct detection of methane on the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS during December 2025 observations. JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) recorded mid-infrared spectra revealing a high methane-to-water ratio and unusually high carbon dioxide levels. This discovery highlights the unique chemical composition of 3I/ATLAS compared to typical Solar System comets and provides insights into its distinct formation environment.
Pope Leo XIV Appoints Maria Montserrat Alvarado as First Lay Woman Head of Vatican Dicastery for Communication
On 2 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado, a Mexican-American Catholic media executive, as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See, effective 1 November 2026. She is the first lay woman to head a Vatican dicastery, continuing reforms started by Pope Francis. The Dicastery, created in 2015 by Pope Francis, oversees Vatican News, Vatican Radio, L’Osservatore Romano, and the Holy See Press Office.
South Korea's KSTAR Achieves New Fusion Plasma Sustenance Records
KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research) in Daejeon, South Korea, sustained high-confinement mode (H-mode) plasma for 102 seconds and held plasma at ion temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius for 48 seconds during experimental campaigns from December 2023 to February 2024. These durations surpassed previous KSTAR records, contributing significant progress in long-pulse fusion plasma research. Upgraded tungsten divertors were integral to withstanding extreme heat and improving plasma sustainment. KSTAR aims to achieve 300 seconds of high-performance plasma operation at over 100 million degrees Celsius by 2026, supporting development toward commercial fusion energy.
Bangladesh's Khalilur Rahman Elected President of 81st UN General Assembly
On June 2, 2026, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly for its 81st session. He won 99 votes out of 190 ballots cast, defeating Andreas S. Kakouris of Cyprus, who received 91 votes. The 81st session will begin on September 8, 2026. The presidency was allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group as per the UN's regional rotation system. Dr. Rahman brings over 40 years of diplomatic experience and has previously served as Bangladesh's National Security Adviser and as High Representative on the Rohingya Issue. The UNGA President serves a one-year term, presides over plenary meetings, manages the session agenda, and facilitates discussions among member states. The position is separate from the UN Secretary-General.
India’s Three-Year Anti-Narcotics Action Plan Towards Drug-Free India 2047
In May 2026, India's Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), presented a comprehensive three-year action plan to combat domestic drug trafficking and fugitive drug lords. This plan aligns with the national vision of achieving a Drug-Free India by 2047. It includes the establishment of state-level intelligence wings, financial tracking of drug cartel networks (including hawala and cryptocurrency), and enhanced use of technology like NATGRID and machine learning. Joint border and maritime operations have been intensified by multiple agencies including BSF, Assam Rifles, SSB, Indian Navy, and Coast Guard. Operation WIPE, launched in April 2026, focuses on curbing illegal online drug sales under NDPS regulations.
India to Launch Producer Price Index (PPI) and Revised Wholesale Price Index (WPI) from June 15, 2026
India will introduce a new Producer Price Index (PPI) series and a revised Wholesale Price Index (WPI) series with the base year 2022-23 starting June 15, 2026. Both indices will be published in parallel for five years before WPI is discontinued. The PPI will include Output PPI, Input PPI (trial phase for manufacturing), and Service PPI covering sectors like banking, insurance, railways, and telecom. The revised WPI expands its commodity basket from 697 to 957 items, adding renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. This overhaul aligns India's inflation measurement with global best practices and improves tracking of producer price inflation across goods and services.
Largest Pavona clavus Coral Colony Documented Near Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep
Scientists have discovered a massive Pavona clavus coral colony, locally called the “Potato Patch”, near Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep. Covering approximately 4,250 square metres—about half the size of an international football field—this colony is one of the world's largest known living coral formations of its species. Preliminary growth estimates suggest an age between 700 and 1,800 years, making it potentially one of the oldest living coral structures in the region. Despite environmental challenges like marine heatwaves and bleaching, around 58.47% of the colony's coral tissue remains alive. This discovery offers significant insights into coral longevity, resilience, and climate adaptation in the Indian Ocean.
Arjun Erigaisi Enters FIDE Top 10 Rankings in June 2026
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi achieved the No. 8 position in the FIDE June 2026 standard ratings with an ELO of 2761, becoming the only Indian in the Top 10 at that time. He gained 10 rating points from strong performances in recent tournaments including the Super Chess Classic Romania and the TePe Sigeman 2026, where he finished runner-up after a tiebreak loss to Magnus Carlsen. Other Indian players such as World Champion D Gukesh and former World Champion Viswanathan Anand are ranked 19th and 13th respectively, thus outside the Top 10.
Death of Yogesh Patel, Eight-time BJP MLA from Gujarat
Yogesh Patel, a veteran Bharatiya Janata Party legislator who served eight consecutive terms in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 2022, passed away on 2 June 2026 in Vadodara due to cardiac complications. Representing the Raopura and later the Manjalpur constituencies, Patel played a key role in local politics, including serving as Minister of State for Narmada and Urban Housing under Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. His demise has left the Manjalpur seat vacant, impacting the political landscape in Vadodara and Gujarat's assembly politics.
Assam Speaker Grants Leader of Opposition Status to Wazed Ali Choudhury
On 2 June 2026, Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass officially granted Leader of Opposition (LoP) status to senior Congress leader Wazed Ali Choudhury. This followed the Congress Legislature Party's election of Choudhury as their leader on 26 May 2026, in the 126-member assembly where Congress holds 19 seats. The recent amendment of assembly rules lowered the LoP eligibility from 21 MLAs to 13, enabling Congress to meet the new criteria. Choudhury represents the Birsing-Jarua constituency, formed after delimitation in 2023. The post of LoP had been vacant since former leader Debabrata Saikia lost his seat in Nazira constituency to a BJP candidate in the 2026 elections.