13th JUNE CURRENT AFFAIRS

1First Batch of Women Cadets Trained at NDA

The batch of 17 women cadets, who joined the NDA in August 2022 as part of the 148th Course, successfully completed their rigorous pre-commission training at their respective Service academies.

In the Indian Army, nine officers were commissioned during the Passing Out Parade of the 158th Regular Course held at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, on June 13, 2026

Indian Army: 9 officers commissioned during the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.

Indian Air Force: 5 officers commissioned at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad.

Indian Navy: 3 officers commissioned at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.The Journey

2.Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth Appointed as Chief of the Army Staff

The Government has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth,presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the afternoon of June 30, 2026.

The present Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi,retires from service the same day.

The General Officer has commanded at every level in diverse operational environments. His command assignments include an Armoured Regiment in the Desert Sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre, and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir.

As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army's premier strike formations.

He subsequently served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, overseeing key national and international military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities

3Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Advancing Dignity at Birth and Early Childhood Care

The Government of India’s flagship initiative, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), continues to drive this transformative change in ensuring the survival, protection, and empowerment of the girl child across the country.

Launched on 22nd January 2015, BBBP was conceived in response to the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and pervasive gender-based discrimination.

This scheme is a joint initiative of Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Education (MoE).

Over the past eleven years, BBBP has evolved from a targeted policy intervention into a nationwide movement, mobilising stakeholders across government, media, civil society, and communities. The initiative underscores the importance of dignity at birth, protection of the girl child, and her access to early childhood care and education, thereby fostering an enabling environment for her holistic development.

The scheme has contributed significantly to improving key gender indicators.

As per the Health Management Information System (HMIS) data of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) at the national level has improved from 918 in 2014–15 to 929 in 2024–25. This reflects sustained efforts towards preventing gender-biased sex selection and promoting institutional deliveries.

In the education sector, notable progress has been achieved in enhancing girls’ access to schooling.

According to Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data of the Ministry of Education, girls’ enrolment at the secondary level has increased from 75.51% in 2014–15 to 80.2% in 2024–25, indicating improved retention and transition rates.

BBBP continues to emphasise a lifecycle approach beginning with safe and dignified Birth, Ensuring early childhood care, and Enabling Education and Empowerment of Girls.