19th June Current Affairs

1Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2026 Observed on 19 June

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2026 is observed globally on 19 June to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a hereditary blood disorder.

The day aims to increase public understanding of the disease, promote early diagnosis, improve access to treatment and support affected individuals and their families.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially recognized World Sickle Cell Day in 2008 to promote awareness of the disease and its social, economic and health impacts.

The first World Sickle Cell Day was observed on 19 June 2009.

The observance highlights the challenges faced by patients, including pain, complications and the emotional burden associated with the disease.

Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic and inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells, reducing their ability to carry oxygen efficiently throughout the body.

Early diagnosis, timely treatment and proper disease management can significantly improve the quality of life of affected individuals.

2Green Hydrogen Certification Portal

In June 2026, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI Portal) during the National Workshop on “Strengthening the National Green Hydrogen Mission: Through State Policies, Hubs & Infrastructure” in New Delhi

compliance for green hydrogen under Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) is scheduled to become operational on July 1, 2026, following completion of a security audit.

Green hydrogen is produced with electrolysers using renewable electricity to split water (H2O) into its components hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). Green hydrogen then can then either be used directly or can be processed further through synthesis processes into green ammonia, green methanol or other e-fuels.

National Green Hydrogen Mission 2023

The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to provide a comprehensive action plan for establishing a Green Hydrogen ecosystem and catalysing a systemic response to the opportunities and challenges in this sunrise sector.

global demand of over 100 MMT of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives like Green Ammonia is expected to emerge by 2030. Aiming at about 10 per cent of the global market, India can potentially export about 10 MMT Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia per annum.

3.Bengaluru ranks 15th Among Global Startup Ecosystems

Silicon Valley, New York City, and London retained the top three positions with no change in rankings from last year.

Bengaluru, which emerged in the 14th position in 2025, slipped to the 15th place, although no country has been ranked the 14th position this year in the report. Instead, Toronto-Waterloo and Paris tied for the 13th position.

The report analysed six success factors including performance (in terms of exits, ecosystem value and startup success), funding, market reach, talent and experience, AI-native cluster and R&D Engine of each ecosystem to create the rankings.

Each factor was awarded a score between 1 and 10, 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest.

Bengaluru scored 9 in performance and R&D, 8 in AI-native cluster, and 7 in funding and market-reach.

Bengaluru ranked second-best AI-native cluster in Asia, top 15th startup ecosystem globally

The city was ranked 14th in 2025, and has slipped one place to 15th rank this year in the Top 40 start-up ecosystems.

Bengaluru-Karnataka has ranked 15 among the top 40 global startup ecosystems as per the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2026 launched at VivaTech, Paris on June 17.

The city, which has been ranked as the top 6 startup ecosystem in Asia, has also emerged the second-best AI-native cluster in the continent after Beijing

Bengaluru climbs to 14th place in Global Startup Ecosystem Index

tops Indian cities High in R&D and AI

Silicon Valley, New York City, and London retained the top three positions with no change in rankings from last year.

GSER overview for Bengaluru-Karnataka

Bengaluru-Karnataka is India’s highest-ranked startup ecosystem, emerging as:

#15 in Global Startup Ecosystem

#6 in Asia Startup Ecosystem

#2 in Asia Ecosystem in AI native cluster

Other highlights

Bengaluru attracts 58% of India’s AI startup funding, with ~$1.5B raised since 2020, of which $1.2B-plus has flowed into application-layer AI startups

Supported by the Karnataka Aerospace & Defence Policy 2022–27 and Karnataka Space Technology Policy 2025–2030, the state hosts 81 space-tech and defence-tech companies that have raised ~$353M.