This is the current affairs 24 & 25 June 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. In which country was India’s High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi accorded the status of a Union Cabinet Minister by the Government of India in the ‘Table of Precedence’?
a. Pakistan
b. Bangladesh
c. Bhutan
d. USA
Answer: b. Bangladesh
What is the Cabinet Minister status?
– According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Dinesh Trivedi has been given a position equivalent to a Union Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence (ToP).
– Note: The Table of Precedence (ToP) is an official protocol of the Government of India that determines the order of precedence of various constitutional and official dignitaries at government and diplomatic functions (for example, the President is placed first, the Vice President second, and so on).
Why has this status been granted?
– Only for ceremonial purposes: This status is limited to official protocol, state ceremonies, seating arrangements at official meetings, and diplomatic courtesies.
– Personal status: This honour has been granted specifically to Dinesh Trivedi for the duration of his tenure.
– No administrative powers: He will not have the authority to take policy decisions like a Union Cabinet Minister or vote in meetings of the Union Cabinet.
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2. In which country did PM Modi see the Aldabra giant tortoise, the world’s oldest living land animal?
a. Sri Lanka
b. Seychelles
c. Maldives
d. France
Answer: b. Seychelles
– On 28 June 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw the Aldabra giant tortoise during his official State Visit to the Seychelles National Botanical Garden.
– The garden is located on Aldabra Atoll.
– The Aldabra giant tortoise, found in Seychelles, is among the largest and longest-living species on Earth, with some tortoises having a recorded history of more than two centuries.
– PM Modi attended the National Day celebrations of Seychelles and visited the country to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.
Note
– Several newspapers incorrectly mentioned Jonathan Tortoise instead of the Aldabra giant tortoise.
– Jonathan Tortoise does not live in Seychelles. It lives on Saint Helena Island (a British Overseas Territory) located in the South Atlantic Ocean.
– However, Jonathan Tortoise was originally brought from Seychelles.
– Jonathan Tortoise is estimated to be around 194 years old.
About the Aldabra Giant Tortoise
– These tortoises are found mainly on the Aldabra Atoll archipelago of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean.
– Aldabra Atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest coral atolls. Owing to its remoteness and minimal human interference, it serves as a safe sanctuary for these tortoises.
– Large size: Male tortoises weigh an average of 250 kilograms (550 pounds), while some individuals have been recorded weighing as much as 350 kilograms.
– Shell: Their upper shell (carapace) is a heavy dome-shaped structure of dark brown or black colour, which protects them from predators and intense sunlight.
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3. In June 2026, two Indian Navy ships, along with an Indian Armed Forces contingent, participated in the 50th National Day celebrations of which country?
a. Germany
b. Seychelles
c. USA
d. New Zealand
Answer: b. Seychelles
– A marching contingent of the Indian Armed Forces participated in the 50th National Day celebrations of Seychelles on 29 June 2026.
– According to the Indian Army, the contingent comprised 32 soldiers from the Assam Regiment and was led by Captain Aryan H. Devolekar.
– The frontline stealth frigates INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak also participated.
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event as the Guest of Honour.
Countries where Indian contingents participated earlier
– The Indian Army has regularly participated in major international ceremonial events.
– Bastille Day Parade in France (2023)
– Victory Day Parade in Bangladesh (2021)
– Victory Day Parade in Russia (2015 and 2020)
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4. Who is the first person to be honoured with Seychelles’ highest award, ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’?
a. Victor O’Brien
b. François Hollande
c. Narendra Modi
d. Peter Backry
Answer: c. Narendra Modi
– This is the 34th international honour received by him from a foreign nation.
– The award was presented for the first time on 28 June 2026 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his leadership in ocean governance, the blue economy, and climate change.
– Who conferred the award: Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie presented the honour during PM Modi’s State Visit, which coincided with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
– The award recognizes long-term green leadership, contributions to international climate organizations (such as the International Solar Alliance), advancement of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and promotion of the Blue Economy.
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5. In June 2026, which country’s 50th National Day celebrations did PM Modi attend as the Guest of Honour?
a. Germany
b. Seychelles
c. USA
d. New Zealand
Answer: b. Seychelles
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a three-day official visit to Seychelles from 27 to 29 June 2026.
– He attended the Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) celebrations of Seychelles’ Independence Day.
– At the special invitation of President Dr. Patrick Herminie, he attended the historic event as the Guest of Honour.
– He became the first Indian Prime Minister to attend Seychelles’ Independence Day celebrations.
About Seychelles
– Capital: Victoria
– Geographical location: An archipelago of 115 islands located in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa.
– Population and area: It is the smallest country in Africa in terms of both population (around one lakh) and area.
– Currency: Seychelles Rupee
– President: Dr. Patrick Herminie
– Independence: Gained independence from the United Kingdom (UK) on 29 June 1976.
– India has gifted Seychelles several Made-in-India Dornier aircraft, helicopters, and fast patrol vessels (such as PS Topaz and PS Lespwar) to strengthen its security. In June 2026, India also extended a ₹1,250 crore Line of Credit and introduced UPI payment facilities.
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6. Who has been appointed as the new part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank?
a. Rajiv Kumar
b. Atanu Verma
c. Sanjay Singh
d. Rajendra Das
Answer: a. Rajiv Kumar
– On 29 June 2026, the Board of Directors of HDFC Bank appointed Rajiv Kumar as the Part-time Chairman.
– His tenure will be three years.
– Rajiv Kumar is the former Finance Secretary and former Chief Election Commissioner.
– He has succeeded Keki Mistry as the Part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank.
– He has also been appointed as a Director of HDFC Bank for a term of four years.
About HDFC Bank
– Full name: Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank
It is the largest private sector bank in India.
– Established: August 1994 (started operations as a scheduled commercial bank in January 1995)
– Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
– MD & CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan
– Special status: It is one of the three Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) designated by the RBI (the other two are SBI and ICICI Bank). These are commonly referred to as “Too Big to Fail” banks.
– Note: On 1 July 2023, the biggest transformation in HDFC Bank’s history took place when its parent company HDFC Limited (a housing finance company) merged with HDFC Bank. Following this merger, the bank became one of the world’s top four most valuable banks.
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7. Who is the new Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), appointed in June 2026?
a. Rajesh Kumar
b. Mahesh Dixit
c. Amit Kumar
d. Vijay Verma
Answer: b. Mahesh Dixit
– The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
– On 30 June 2026, Mahesh Dixit assumed charge as the new Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
– The appointment is for a period of two years from the date of assuming charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The approval includes an extension of service under the relevant provisions of the All India Services Rules.
About Mahesh Dixit
– He is a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre.
– Before this appointment, he served as the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau.
Intelligence Bureau (IB)
– Established: 23 December 1887 (138 years ago)
– Headquarters: New Delhi
– Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
– The Director is the highest-ranking position in the Intelligence Bureau.
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8. Which Indian jurist was elected as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)?
a. Ajay Kumar Sood
b. Vivek Agrawal
c. Panchang Singh Tomar
d. Dr. Bimal Patel
Answer: d. Dr. Bimal Patel
– The announcement was made by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations.
– His election as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is considered a significant achievement for India’s international legal diplomacy.
What is ITLOS?
– It is an independent and leading international judicial body established to resolve disputes relating to the law of the sea.
– Established: It was created under the historic United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on 10 December 1982. However, it formally began functioning in 1994.
– Although it was established under a UN Convention, it is not a direct agency of the United Nations. It is an independent institution with close cooperative relations with the UN.
– Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
– Composition: The Tribunal consists of 21 independent judges elected from different geographical regions of the world.
– Recent relevance: During the period 2024–2026, ITLOS has remained in the spotlight for issuing an important Advisory Opinion on the legal obligations of countries regarding damage caused to the oceans by climate change and carbon emissions (such as ocean warming and acidification).
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9. Who has become the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re)?
a. Vimal Verma
b. Ajay Kumar
c. Hitesh Joshi
d. Rakesh Das
Answer: c. Hitesh Joshi
– The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Hitesh Joshi as the CMD of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) in June 2026.
– Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Acting CMD.
Importance of GIC Re
– This company provides insurance to insurance companies.
– The full name of GIC Re is General Insurance Corporation Reinsurance.
– When general insurance companies (such as LIC, New India Assurance, etc.) provide large insurance coverage to customers, their own financial risk increases substantially.
– In the event of a major natural disaster or accident, these companies may have to pay huge claims.
– To reduce this risk, insurance companies transfer a portion of their risk to a reinsurance company such as GIC Re.
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10. Kunal Shah, the founder of which fintech company, was appointed as the new Global Head of WhatsApp?
a. Razorpay
b. CRED
c. BharatPe
d. Groww
Answer: b. CRED
– Meta Platforms, the company led by Mark Zuckerberg, appointed Kunal Shah, the founder of the Indian fintech company CRED, as the new Global Head (CEO) of WhatsApp.
– He succeeded Will Cathcart.
– Will Cathcart will now oversee the development of new AI-based products within Meta.
Meta’s ₹8,550 crore ($900 million) investment in CRED
– Along with this appointment, Meta announced a $900 million (approximately ₹8,550 crore) investment in CRED under its Series H funding round.
– Following this investment, Meta will hold approximately a 20% minority stake in CRED.
– The deal values CRED at $4.5 billion (approximately ₹38,000 crore).
– Clarification on data privacy: CRED has clearly stated that this is only a financial investment. Meta will not have access to users’ financial data, nor will it receive a seat on CRED’s Board of Directors.
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11. Who is the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)?
a. Dr. Alakh Pratap Singh
b. Dr. Vijay Mohan Maurya
c. Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda
d. Vivek Singh Raja
Answer: c. Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda
About SAIL
– Established: 24 January 1973
– Headquarters: New Delhi
– SAIL owns its own iron ore mines located in Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
– It is the third-largest producer of iron ore in India.
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12. Who became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IndiaAI Mission?
a. Joseph Vijay
b. Atal Vijay Singh
c. Vijay Kumar Bhalla
d. Saurabh Vijay
Answer: d. Saurabh Vijay
– Saurabh Vijay, the CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), was appointed as the new CEO of the IndiaAI Mission in June 2026.
– Saurabh Vijay is a 1998-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Maharashtra cadre.
– Sudip Srivastava has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the IndiaAI Mission.
What is the IndiaAI Mission?
– Established: March 2024
– The IndiaAI Mission is a flagship programme of the Government of India with an outlay of ₹10,372 crore.
– Its objective is to make India self-reliant and a global leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
– The mission is a major initiative to reduce India’s dependence on foreign AI technologies by building AI infrastructure within the country.
Seven major pillars of the IndiaAI Mission
– Computing Power: Creating a supercomputing infrastructure with more than 10,000 GPUs.
– Indigenous Innovation: Developing AI models (LLMs) suited to Indian languages and domestic needs.
– Datasets: Providing government datasets to startups and researchers for AI training.
– Skill Development: Training youth in AI and providing fellowships.
– Startup Financing: Providing financial assistance to deep-tech AI startups.
– Safe AI: Developing guidelines for ethical and secure AI (such as preventing deepfakes).
– Application Development: Promoting the use of AI in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education.
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13. Who is the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the 2026–27 term?
a. Rajiv Mani
b. Vinod Bansal
c. Rakesh Sharma
d. R. Mukundan
Answer: d. R. Mukundan
– R. Mukundan is the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Chemicals.
– He succeeded Rajiv Memani, whose tenure has been completed.
About CII
– Established: 1895 (initially founded as Five Engineering Firms; renamed CII in 1992).
– Headquarters: New Delhi
– Membership: It has more than 9,500 direct members from both the private and public sectors, including SMEs and multinational companies (MNCs), while over 3.6 lakh enterprises are associated with it indirectly.
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14. Who is the new Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)?
a. Vinod Singh Rahat
b. Ajay Kumar Verma
c. Shashi Shekhar Vempati
d. Rakesh Kumar Raheja
Answer: c. Shashi Shekhar Vempati
– The Government of India appointed him to this position in May 2026.
– His tenure will be three years.
– He succeeded Prasoon Joshi, who has become the Chairman of Prasar Bharati.
– Shashi Shekhar Vempati had earlier served as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati.
About CBFC
– Full name: Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
– It is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
– Established: Under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
– Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
– Main functions: Examining films, granting certification, and recommending cuts where necessary.
– Note: OTT platforms (such as Netflix and Prime Video) are currently not under the jurisdiction of the CBFC. They follow the Information Technology Rules and a system of self-regulation.
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15. Who has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia?
a. Vinod
b. Ajay
c. Vipul
d. Vijay
Answer: c. Vipul
– Veteran diplomat Vipul was appointed as India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in June 2026.
– The appointment is being viewed as significant in light of the Gulf nation’s growing influence and the unstable geopolitical situation in West Asia.
– Vipul is a 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
Prior to this appointment, he was serving as India’s Ambassador to Qatar.
– He has previously served at Indian missions in Cairo, Colombo, Geneva, and Dubai.
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16. Who has become India’s new Ambassador to Oman?
a. Prashant Pise
b. Alok Khande
c. Verma Vijay
d. Ajay Vikram
Answer: a. Prashant Pise
– He is a 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
– He has succeeded Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas.
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17. Which athlete broke Anju Bobby George’s 22-year-old national record by setting a new record with a jump of 6.88 metres?
a. Rani Verma
b. Ancy Sojan
c. Ritu Singh
d. Vijaya Tomar
Answer: b. Ancy Sojan
– Ancy Sojan is an Indian long jumper from Thrissur, Kerala.
– She recorded a remarkable jump of 6.88 metres at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 held in Bhubaneswar.
– With this achievement, she surpassed Anju Bobby George’s national record of 6.83 metres, which had stood for 22 years.
– Anju Bobby George had set the previous record during the 2004 Athens Olympics.
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18. Cricketer Ben Stokes, who plays for which team, announced his retirement from international cricket?
a. New Zealand
b. England
c. Australia
d. New Zealand
Answer: b. England
– He announced his retirement from international cricket in June 2026.
– His last international match was the third Rothesay Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, England.
– This brought an end to his illustrious international career spanning approximately 15 years.
– He was the captain of the England men’s Test team.
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19. Who became the first player to score in six FIFA World Cups?
a. Cristiano Ronaldo
b. Lionel Messi
c. Sunil Chhetri
d. Diego Maradona
Answer: a. Cristiano Ronaldo
– He became the first player in football history to score goals in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
– He achieved this milestone during Portugal’s 5–0 victory over Uzbekistan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
– He is a Portuguese footballer.
– Even at the age of 41, Ronaldo continues to deliver outstanding performances in international football.
Ronaldo’s Journey Across Six FIFA World Cups
– FIFA World Cup 2006
– FIFA World Cup 2010
– FIFA World Cup 2014
– FIFA World Cup 2018
– FIFA World Cup 2022
– FIFA World Cup 2026
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20. Who became the all-time highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history?
a. Cristiano Ronaldo
b. Lionel Messi
c. Sunil Chhetri
d. Diego Maradona
Answer: b. Lionel Messi
– Lionel Messi surpassed Germany’s legendary striker Miroslav Klose.
– As of June 2026, he had scored a record 18 goals in FIFA World Cup history.
– Kylian Mbappé of France has made the race even more competitive with 16 goals.
Messi’s World Cup Goals
World Cup : Goals
2006 : 1
2010 : 0
2014 : 4
2018 : 1
2022 : 7
2026 (up to June) : 5
Total : 18
FIFA World Cup 2026
– Duration: 11 June to 19 July 2026
– Joint Host Nations: USA, Canada, and Mexico
– Expanded Format: The tournament features 48 teams for the first time (earlier it featured 32 teams).
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21. How many Members of Parliament (MPs) have been selected for the Sansad Ratna Award 2026?
a. 5
b. 10
c. 12
d. 20
Answer: c. 12
– These awards were instituted in 2010 by the Prime Point Foundation on the suggestion of former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
– The jury announced the Sansad Ratna Award 2026 by selecting 10 Lok Sabha MPs, 2 Rajya Sabha MPs, and 4 Parliamentary Standing Committees.
– The first award ceremony was inaugurated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2010.
Sansad Ratna Award 2026 Winners
– Jagdambika Pal (Uttar Pradesh) – Lok Sabha
– P. P. Chaudhary (Rajasthan) – Lok Sabha
– Nishikant Dubey (Jharkhand) – Lok Sabha
– Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Maharashtra) – Lok Sabha
– Praveen Patel (Uttar Pradesh) – Lok Sabha
– Bidyut Baran Mahato (Jharkhand) – Lok Sabha
– Loombaram Choudhary (Rajasthan) – Lok Sabha
– Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara (Maharashtra) – Lok Sabha
– Smita Uday Wagh (Maharashtra) – Lok Sabha
– Naresh Ganpat Mhaske (Maharashtra) – Lok Sabha
– Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni (Maharashtra) – Rajya Sabha
– Narhari Amin (Gujarat) – Rajya Sabha
Award-Winning Parliamentary Standing Committees
– Committee on Agriculture – Chaired by Dr. Charanjit Singh Channi
– Committee on Finance – Chaired by Bhartruhari Mahtab
– Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj – Chaired by Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka
– Committee on Coal and Mines – Chaired by Anurag Thakur
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22. When is the International Day of the Seafarer celebrated?
a. 23 June
b. 24 June
c. 25 June
d. 26 June
Answer: c. 25 June
– This day is observed to recognize the significant contribution made by seafarers to global trade and the world economy.
– The International Day of the Seafarer was celebrated for the first time in 2011.
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23. When is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed?
a. 26 June
b. 27 June
c. 28 June
d. 29 June
Answer: a. 26 June
– This day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1987.
– Drug abuse is a complex issue that affects millions of people across the world.
– Many people who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which can further harm their physical and mental health.
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24. When is MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Day celebrated?
a. 26 June
b. 27 June
c. 28 June
d. 29 June
Answer: b. 27 June
– The United Nations General Assembly adopted this observance in 2017.
– The first World MSME Day was celebrated in 2018.
– Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the global economy, accounting for 90% of businesses and 60% to 70% of employment worldwide.
– MSMEs provide financial independence to the most vulnerable sections of society.
About MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises)
Micro Enterprise
– This is the smallest and the initial category under MSMEs. It includes small home-based industries, startups, and local shops.
Investment limit: Up to ₹2.5 crore in plant, machinery, or equipment.
– Turnover limit: Annual turnover up to ₹10 crore.
– Major examples: Boutiques, grocery stores, small handicraft industries, and local repair shops.
Small Enterprise
– When a micro enterprise expands, it falls under the Small Enterprise category.
– Investment limit: Up to ₹25 crore in plant and machinery.
Turnover limit: Annual turnover up to ₹100 crore.
– Major examples: Small rice mills, bakery manufacturing units, small garment manufacturers, and local logistics companies.
Medium Enterprise
– This is the largest category within the MSME sector. Companies at this level generate large-scale production and employment.
– Investment limit: Up to ₹125 crore in plant and machinery.
– Turnover limit: Annual turnover up to ₹500 crore.
– Major examples: Automobile parts manufacturing factories, large pharmaceutical companies, and major IT service firms.
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25. When is National Statistics Day celebrated?
a. 27 June
b. 28 June
c. 29 June
d. 30 June
Answer: c. 29 June
– Theme for 2026 : Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data
– This day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis.
– He is regarded as a genius in the field of statistics.
– He was born on 29 June 1893.
– He founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931, the institution responsible for conducting the Census and several other national surveys.
– In 2007, the Government of India declared 29 June as Statistics Day.
– The day is observed to create public awareness about the importance of statistics in formulating socio-economic policies.
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26. When is the International Day of the Tropics celebrated?
a. 27 June
b. 28 June
c. 29 June
d. 30 June
Answer: c. 29 June
– This day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016.
– The Tropics refer to the region of the Earth located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
– Although the tropical region covers 40% of the Earth’s surface, it hosts 80% of the world’s biodiversity. However, it is also experiencing the fastest rate of ecosystem loss due to deforestation, climate change, and urbanization.
– The day celebrates the extraordinary diversity of tropical regions while highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities faced by tropical nations.
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27. When is International Parliamentarism Day observed?
a. 01 July
b. 30 June
c. 28 June
d. 27 June
Answer: b. 30 June
– Theme for 2026 : Bring Human Rights into Focus
– This day has been declared by the United Nations.
– Every year, 30 June is observed as International Parliamentarism Day, commemorating the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
– The IPU was established with the objective of promoting democratic governance, strengthening accountability, and encouraging cooperation among national parliaments.
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
– Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
– Established: 1889
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28. When is International Asteroid Day celebrated?
a. 27 June
b. 28 June
c. 29 June
d. 30 June
Answer: d. 30 June
Why is this day celebrated?
– It is observed to spread awareness about asteroids and the potential hazards caused by their impacts.
What are asteroids?
– Asteroids are small rocky bodies that continuously revolve around the Sun.
– They generally orbit between the planets Mars and Jupiter.
– There are thousands of asteroids in our Solar System.
As long as an asteroid remains in space, it is called an asteroid. However, when it enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it is referred to as a meteorite.
Why is it observed on 30 June?
– On the morning of 30 June 1908, a major asteroid-related event occurred in Siberia, Russia.
– A massive explosion took place near the Tunguska River.
– A huge meteorite (asteroid), which had turned into a giant fireball, exploded in the atmosphere.
– The explosion released 185 times more energy than the Hiroshima atomic bomb.
– The 1908 Tunguska explosion destroyed nearly 2,000 square kilometres of forest in Siberia.
– Vast stretches of forest were burned.
Approximately 80 million trees were knocked down or flattened.
– The Earth shook due to the blast, generating an earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter Scale.
– Windows were shattered in a city located 60 kilometres away.
– The impact was felt up to 500 kilometres away.
– To commemorate this event, 30 June is observed as International Asteroid Day.
India also has a lake formed by a meteorite impact
– It is located in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, about 500 kilometres from Mumbai.
– An asteroid struck the site approximately 50,000 years ago at a speed of 90,000 kilometres per hour.
– The impact created a deep crater, which later became a lake.
– It is believed that the meteorite weighed about one million tonnes, resulting in the formation of the large crater.
– The lake has a diameter of 1.85 kilometres.
– It is about 500 feet deep.
– The water is saline, and oxygen levels below one metre of depth are extremely low (almost negligible).
– Lonar Lake has long been a subject of curiosity and scientific research worldwide.
– The lake has been declared a National Geo-heritage Monument.
How dangerous are asteroids?
– In the future, the greatest threat to our planet is believed to come from asteroids.
– The next major threat is considered to be climate change (global warming).
– In 2013, an asteroid entered the Earth’s atmosphere and exploded over Russia, injuring hundreds of people and causing widespread damage.
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