June 18, 2026 - Current Affairs

NSE Files ₹30,000-Crore IPO, India’s Biggest Ever

June 18, 2026

NSE Files, the biggest national bourse, has made a substantial breakthrough with draft papers for its proposed public issue valued at ₹30,000 crore being filed with the NSE. Subject to approval, the NSE IPO will be India’s largest ever initial public offering (IPO).On approval, it will be India’s largest IPO up until now. It is a big step forward for India’s capital markets in the long-debated context of listing. The NSE IPO has been a subject of interest to market participants for years owing to its size, location, and potential for impacting the country’s financial ecosystem.

Key Highlights of the NSE Files IPO

This is expected to be a problem of approximately ₹ 30,000 crore.
The IPO of NSE may be the biggest public listing in India ever.
The public issue is likely to be an Offer for Sale (OFS) from the existing shareholders.
The exchange has presented draft papers to the market regulators.
Regulatory approvals and compliance requirements have yet to be made for this listing.
Strong investor interest is expected, based on NSE’s market dominance.
The IPO can enhance the transparency and strength of corporate governance in India.

What Is the NSE Files IPO?

The NSE Files IPO the initial public offering for the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India, which is India’s largest stock exchange by trading volume.
NSE has filed a Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the market regulator for its long-awaited offering.
The estimated size of the issue is around ₹30,000 crore, which will be India’s largest and biggest IPO ever.
In the case of the NSE IPO, it will be an Offer for Sale (OFS) with all existing shareholders, such as Uday Kotak-owned Kotak Securities and HDFC Bank, selling their stakes in the exchange.
NSE is neither issuing fresh shares nor receiving the offer proceeds.
Approximately 148.9 million shares, encompassing just under 6% of the exchange’s equity, are expected to be available for sale.
The NSE Files IPO is still subject to regulatory approvals and compliance before being launched.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on IPO and NSE Files

Year	Exam	Question	Correct Answer
2024	UPSC CSE (Prelims)	Consider the following statements regarding an Initial Public Offering (IPO):1. An IPO is the first sale of a company’s shares to the public.2. After an IPO, the company’s shares can be traded on a stock exchange.3. Only government-owned companies can launch an IPO. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3	(a) 1 and 2 only
2023	RBI Grade B	Which of the following documents contains detailed information about a company’s proposed IPO?(a) Memorandum of Association(b) Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP)(c) Articles of Association(d) Annual Report	(b) Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP)
2022	SSC CGL	An Offer for Sale (OFS) in an IPO refers to:(a) Sale of existing shares by current shareholders(b) Issue of new shares by the company(c) Buyback of shares from investors(d) Bonus issue of shares	(a) Sale of existing shares by current shareholders
2021	NABARD Grade A	Which regulatory authority approves and oversees IPOs in India? (a) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)(b) Ministry of Finance(c) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)(d) National Stock Exchange (NSE)	(c) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
2020	UPSC CSE (Prelims)	Which of the following is a function of the National Stock Exchange (NSE)? (a) Issuing currency notes(b) Regulating commercial banks(c) Facilitating trading in securities(d) Collecting direct taxes	(c) Facilitating trading in securities
2019	IBPS PO	NIFTY 50, a benchmark stock market index, is associated with which institution? (a) Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)(b) National Stock Exchange (NSE)(c) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)(d) National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)	(b) National Stock Exchange (NSE)
2018	SSC CGL	The National Stock Exchange (NSE) was established in which year? (a) 1988(b) 1992(c) 1994(d) 1996	(b) 1992
2017	RBI Assistant	What does the term ‘listing’ mean in the context of an IPO? (a) Closure of a company’s operations(b) Registration of a company under the Companies Act(c) Admission of a company’s shares for trading on a stock exchange(d) Payment of dividends to shareholders	(c) Admission of a company’s shares for trading on a stock exchange
2016	SSC CPO	Which of the following is India’s first electronic stock exchange? (a) Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX)(b) National Stock Exchange (NSE)(c) Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)(d) National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX)	(b) National Stock Exchange (NSE)
2015	UPSC CSE (Prelims)	Which one of the following best describes the role of SEBI in the Indian securities market? (a) Managing foreign exchange reserves(b) Supervising insurance companies(c) Regulating and protecting investors in the securities market(d) Issuing government securities	(c) Regulating and protecting investors in the securities market

GRAPES-3 Telescope: Aim, Features, Location and Key Discoveries

Conclusion: NSE Files ₹30,000-Crore IPO, India’s Biggest Ever

The NSE Files IPO is a turning point in India’s capital markets The listing with an anticipated issue size of ₹30,000 crore, is poised to be the largest public offer in India and indicates the evolving sophistication of India’s capital market ecosystem. The NSE Files has long awaited an IPO one that even the approval of its foreign investor is said to have come closer as the leading stock exchange in the nation prepares to go public will draw huge interest from investors, besides enhancing market transparency. That says, timing and viability of this landmark listing will still depend on regulatory approvals, valuation, and the market conditions.

FAQs: NSE Files ₹30,000-Crore IPO, India’s Biggest Ever

The NSE IPO is the proposed public listing of the National Stock Exchange through an Offer for Sale (OFS), allowing existing shareholders to sell a portion of their holdings.

West Asia Crisis Triggers Bitumen Woes, Slowing India’s Infrastructure Drive

June 18, 2026

The West Asia crisis is not merely creating challenges for India’s energy sector as it is tainting global energy supply chains but is also impacting the infrastructure industry by upsetting the cost of essential construction materials in India. One of the major issues arising out of the current geopolitical crisis is the dwindling supply of bitumen, a key component in road construction works, and its increasing cost.

The overall construction cost if the West Asia crisis slows down highway projects or logistics corridors in India, which has been focusing its investments in the area heavily, would also rise. India has a high dependence on imports of crude oil, and as global energy markets are volatile, the price and availability of petroleum-based products like bitumen are themselves volatile.

Understanding Bitumen and Its Role in Infrastructure – West Asia

Bitumen is a petroleum-derived material primarily used in road construction, waterproofing, airport runways, and urban infrastructure projects. It acts as a binding agent that holds aggregates together to create durable road surfaces.

India’s ambitious infrastructure programmes, including national highways, economic corridors, smart cities, and rural road networks, depend significantly on a stable supply of bitumen.

Major Uses of Bitumen in India

Sector	Application
Highways	Road surfacing and maintenance
Urban Infrastructure	Streets, flyovers, and bridges
Airports	Runways and taxiways
Housing	Waterproofing and insulation
Industrial Projects	Protective coatings and paving

How the West Asia Crisis Is Affecting Bitumen Supply – West Asia

Uncertainty started rising in already uncertain global energy markets due to West Asia crisis, driving up the crude oil prices.
Bitumen is a petroleum-based material; as crude oil costs of raw materials rise, so does bitumen.
International geopolitical tensions have caused problems in the transport of crude oil and refined products on important shipping corridors.
Supply costs are overall up due to freight rates, insurance and security.
Transit times have become longer and delays are impacting major ports to ensure timely delivery of bitumen.
Due to supply chain disruptions a lot of the market, especially through procurement, has become hard to come by for infrastructure companies.
The fluctuations in prices have created a difficult situation for road construction agencies and contractors to plan and estimate costs.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on Bitumen

Year	Exam	Question	Correct Answer
2020	UPSC CSE (Prelims)	In road construction, bitumen is primarily used as:(a) Filler material(b) Reinforcement material(c) Binding material(d) Insulating material	(c) Binding material
2018	SSC JE (Civil)	Bitumen is mainly obtained from:(a) Coal tar distillation(b) Petroleum refining(c) Natural gas processing(d) Limestone deposits	(b) Petroleum refining
2017	State PSC (Civil Engineering)	Which property determines the hardness or softness of bitumen? (a) Ductility value(b) Penetration value(c) Flash point(d) Specific gravity	(b) Penetration value
2016	GATE (Civil Engineering)	The viscosity of bitumen mainly affects:(a) Colour of pavement(b) Workability and coating of aggregates(c) Aggregate size(d) Pavement width	(b) Workability and coating of aggregates
2015	SSC JE (Civil)	Which test is commonly used to determine the consistency of bitumen? (a) Los Angeles abrasion test(b) Impact test(c) Penetration test(d) Crushing value test	(c) Penetration test
2014	State Engineering Services	The softening point of bitumen is determined by the:(a) Marshall method(b) Ring and Ball method(c) CBR test(d) Vicat apparatus	(b) Ring and Ball method
2013	GATE (Civil Engineering)	Bitumen used in flexible pavements is generally classified based on:(a) Colour and texture(b) Aggregate size(c) Penetration grade or viscosity grade(d) Density only	(c) Penetration grade or viscosity grade
2012	SSC JE (Civil)	Bitumen is primarily used in the construction of:(a) Rigid pavements(b) Flexible pavements(c) Masonry structures(d) Steel bridges	(b) Flexible pavements

Savarkar Mercy 10 Petitions

Conclusion: West Asia Crisis Triggers Bitumen Woes

The need to expand its bitumen supply and other infrastructure-related expenses have put the West Asia crisis on the table for India in connection with its infrastructure plans. As bitumen is essential for roads, highways, airports and urban infrastructure, we could be facing a sluggish start for project realisation and financial commitments due to prolonged geopolitical tensions. Further, India’s dependence on crude oil imports is huge and the oil is prone to price changes from outside.

Diversification of sources, further development of domestic refining capabilities, use of recycled materials and strengthening energy supply chains will become the key factors for continued infrastructure expansion and energy security in the future.

FAQs – West Asia

Bitumen is a petroleum-based material used primarily as a binding agent in road construction, airport runways, waterproofing, and other infrastructure projects.

IIT Delhi Rises to 118th Globally, Leads India in QS World University Rankings 2027

June 18, 2026

IIT Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has taken the top spot in the ranking of Universities in India in the 2027 Edition of the QS World University Rankings. IIT Delhi was ranked 118th globally in the latest edition of Global University Rankings, continuing to build its strong reputation for being one of the premier institutions for engineering, research and innovation.IIT Delhi has once again become the top-ranked university in India in the QS World University Rankings 2027 ( Rankings). The recognition speaks well of the institute’s growing internationalization, quality academic and collaborative endeavors, which add to its achievements.

Key Highlights of QS World University Rankings 2027

IIT Delhi was ranked at 118th position in the world.
IIT Delhi maintained its status as the country’s top institution.
The institute’s global ranking was enhanced from the last year.
A boost was provided by robust performance in both employer reputation, and research impact.
International collaborations and academic excellence boosted IIT Delhi’s ranking profile.
Thousands of worldwide institutions were evaluated for the QS World University Rankings 2027.

What Are the QS World University Rankings?

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a global leading provider of higher education data, analytics and rankings, and publishes the QS World University Rankings 2027 every year. These Rankings are based on various comparisons that reflect the academic quality, research output, employability and international activity of each university. These are generally adopted by students, researchers, scholars, policymakers, and employers to evaluate the performance of institutions across the world.

Key Parameters Used in QS World University Rankings 2027

Ranking Indicator	Weightage
Academic Reputation	30%
Employer Reputation	15%
Faculty-Student Ratio	10%
Citations per Faculty	20%
International Faculty Ratio	5%
International Student Ratio	5%
Employment Outcomes	5%
International Research Network	5%
Sustainability	5%

Impact of QS World Rankings 2027 on Indian Higher Education

The visibility and credibility of Indian universities is improved in the international arena.
Sustains academies, research institutions to enhance their research quality, citations and reputation.
That enhances the connection between industry and academia through a focus on reputation and outcomes of graduates.
Sends foreign students, scholars and research collaborations.
Encourages universities to take action on innovation, sustainability and international efforts.
Enforces India’s dream of being a major player in the world of education.
Vigorously encourages intercollegial competition for their own improvement.
Influences policy and quality enhancement institution.
Facilitates and widens avenues for resources and academic collaboration with international organizations.
Shows that India is increasingly making its mark in the international higher education landscape – in the latest QS World University Rankings 2027 there are a total of 52 entries from higher education institutions from India.

Top Universities in India’s Neighbouring Countries

Country	Highest-Ranked University	Global Rank (QS 2027)	Notes
China	Peking University	14	Highest-ranked university among India’s neighbouring countries.
India	Indian Institute of Technology Delhi	118	Highest-ranked institution in India for the second consecutive year.
Pakistan	Quaid-i-Azam University	354	Pakistan’s top-ranked university.
Bangladesh	University of Dhaka	584	Highest-ranked university in Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka	University of Colombo	1001–1200	Leading university in Sri Lanka.

Top 10 Universities in QS World University Rankings 2027

Rank	University	Country
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	United States
2 (tie)	Imperial College London	United Kingdom
2 (tie)	Stanford University	United States
4	University of Oxford	United Kingdom
5	Harvard University	United States
6	University of Cambridge	United Kingdom
7	ETH Zurich	Switzerland
8	University College London	United Kingdom
9	National University of Singapore	Singapore
10	Peking University	China

Anti-Defection Law

Conclusion on QS World University Rankings 2027

Not only did IIT Delhi achieve a remarkable rise to become the 118th-ranked Institute on the QS World University Rankings 2027, but its ascent was remarkable too, as it skyrocketed to the rank of 118 from a position of 120 in 2026.IIT Delhi’s climb from Rank 120 in 2026 to Rank 118 in 2027 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 is remarkable as well as a wonderful achievement in the world of higher Education for India.

IIT Delhi’s continued ranking as the premier institution of the country has shown its resolute efforts in delivering quality education, fostering research innovation, and the pursuit of a global presence. With Indian universities investing in quality education, promoting collaborations with international universities, and developing research prowess, the country’s footprint is likely to be even more robust in the upcoming editions of QS World University Rankings 2027.

FAQs: QS World University Rankings 2027

The QS World University Rankings 2027 is an annual global ranking of universities published by Quacquarelli Symonds. It evaluates institutions based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, internationalisation, and sustainability.