Current Affairs 4 July 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches VB-GRAM G nationwide in Tirupati District, AP
In July 2026, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agricultural and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) launched the ‘Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Yojana (VB-G RAM G)’ nationwide from Mukkavaripalli village in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
Key Features and Announcements
Key Members: Additional key members who participated included Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, Union Ministers of State Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmmasani and Kamlesh Paswan, several Member of Parliaments (MPs) and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Financial Outlay: The government has committed an outlay of Rs 7.5 lakh crore (Cr) over a 5-year period under the VB-G RAM G.

• The annual outlay under the scheme is projected at around Rs 1.51 lakh Cr, of which the Centre will contribute over Rs 95,692.31 Cr, with the remaining amount coming from the States’ 40% share.

PMKSY Completed Over 10 Years of Irrigation-led Agricultural Transformation
On July 1 2026, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), a flagship initiative of Government of India (GoI), completed over 10 years of advancing irrigation-led agricultural transformation in India through sustainable water management and the expansion of irrigation coverage.
About PMKSY:
Launch: On July 1 2015, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved PMKSY, with budgetary outlay of Rs 50,000 crore for a period of 5 years.

• In December 2021, CCEA under the chairmanship of PM Modi extended PMKSY for another 5 years i.e. from 2021 to 26 with an overall outlay of Rs 93,068.56 crore. 

Key Components: The scheme comprises 4 main components i.e. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP), Watershed Development Component (WDC) and Per Drop More Crop (PDMC).
Key Accomplishments: As of August 2025,  PMKSY has benefited over 27 million farmers and created or restored irrigation potential across 24.61 million ha, with budgetary support of Rs 64,407 crore.

• Since the inception of the PDMC component, 110.92  lakh ha of land have been brought under micro-irrigation.
• The adoption of sprinkler irrigation under PMKSY in 2016, resulted in increase of  crop yields by 25-30%, reduced use of water, electricity, labour and fertilizer requirements by 50%; and reported profits of around Rs 60,000-70,000 per ha.

NBA Notifies Assam’s ‘Borjuli Site’ as Biodiversity Heritage Site  
In July 2026, the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW), announced that the Borjuli site in Sonitpur district, Assam, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).

• As of July 2026, Assam has three officially notified BHS: Majuli BHS, Borjuli Wild Rice BHS, and Hajong Tortoise Lake BHS.

About Borjuli Wild Rice Biodiversity Heritage Site:
Background: The Borjuli site was declared a BHS by the Assam Government in 2022, and its notification by the NBA under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, provides statutory recognition for long-term conservation.
Project: The Borjuli site identified under the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA)-funded “In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon) in Sonitpur District of Assam” project, which has been implemented since 2022.
Implementation: The project is funded by NRAA and implemented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB).

MoCA Approves First-Ever Satellite-Guided Landing Procedure for Helicopter Operations
In July 2026, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) approved India’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations at Undavalli Heliport, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh(AP), in alignment with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

• The procedure was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the DGCA.

About PinS Instrument Approach Procedure:
Framework: PinS procedure is based on Satellite-Guided Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) along with India’s GAGAN (GPS(Global Positioning System) Aided GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) Augmented Navigation) system.

• It enables helicopters to execute safe and accurate approaches to heliports without dependence on ground-based radar or Instrument Landing System (ILS) infrastructure.

Capability: The system supports Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations in hilly and remote areas and during low-visibility adverse weather conditions, without requiring ground-based navigation support.
Applications: The system benefits emergency medical services, disaster relief, tourism, offshore operations, pilgrimage services, corporate aviation and regional connectivity.

CCEA Approved Rs 14,115 Crore Two Highway Projects in Delhi, UP
In July 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi,  approved the two major highway projects with combined investment of Rs 14,114.81 crore, including a Rs 6,969.67 crore 6-lane tunnel project in Delhi and Rs 7,145.14 crore greenfield highway corridor in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

• These new projects are expected to enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and boost economic connectivity under the Pradhan Mantri GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP).

Key Details of Projects:
Tunnel Project in Delhi: It involves the construction of a six-lane road tunnel on National Highway (NH-148AE)connecting Dwarka Expressway (NH-248BB) with Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj, Delhi.

• The proposed project will be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) as part of the National Highways (Original) [NH(O)] scheme, including the construction of a 3.14 km twin-tube tunnel beneath the Southern Ridge.

Greenfield Highway Corridor in UP: It involves the construction of a 117.7-km-long  four-lane access-controlled greenfield highway between Kanpur and Kabrai (Mahoba district) in UP. It also includes  the operation and maintenance of the existing Kanpur-Kabrai section of NH-34.

• It will be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) toll model as part of Bhopal-Kanpur Economic Corridor under the NH(O) scheme.

IIT Delhi–DRDO Develop Indigenous Tactical Aerostat for Surveillance up to 20 km
In July 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi(Delhi), with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and a domestic startup, developed India’s first indigenous tactical aerostat, a low-cost high-altitude platform capable of carrying surveillance and communication payloads with an operational coverage of up to 20 kilometres (km).
About Indigenous Tactical Aerostat:
Features: The indigenous tactical aerostat is a balloon-based high-altitude platform equipped to carry Electro-optical (EO) cameras, Infrared (IR) sensors, and Communication relay systems  for extended aerial operations.
Operational Advantages: It offers higher endurance, payload capacity, persistent surveillance, and communication support compared to drones.
Applications: The system is intended for defence surveillance, with future potential in border security, disaster response, emergency communication, and civilian connectivity.
Significance:  It strengthens India’s indigenous defence ecosystem by reducing import dependence and promoting academia–DRDO–startup collaboration.
DRDO:  The DRDO is India’s premier military research agency established in 1958, its headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi.

BANKING & FINANCE

ADB Approves USD 182.89 Million Loan to Upgrade Karnataka Public Schools 
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 182.89 million (Japanese Yen equivalent) loan to Karnataka to strengthen the public school system by establishing 500 integrated school clusters, benefiting over 1 million students from pre-primary to secondary levels.

• ADB has approved the loan under the “Strengthening Karnataka Public Schools Program.”

Components of the Programme:
Funding Mechanism: The programme is financed through the ADB’s results-based lending mechanism and aligned with Karnataka government education reforms and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Additional Support: The programme will also receive a USD 10 million grant and a USD 25 million guarantee from the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd).
Objective: The programme will help Karnataka develop future-ready public schools, especially in underserved areas, strengthening learning foundations and improving pathways to jobs and higher education.

Razorpay Partners with NBBL to Launch Banking Connect Mobile-First NetBanking Solution 
In July 2026, Razorpay in partnership with NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), launched Banking Connect, a mobile-first NetBanking solution in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The platform modernises NetBanking through unified multi-bank integration, Quick Response (QR)-based and intent-driven payment flows, enhancing payment efficiency and user experience.

About Banking Connect NetBanking Solution:
Background: Replaces multiple bank-specific integrations and complex reconciliation processes with a single integration layer connecting merchants to multiple participating banks.
Objective: The platform enables intent-based and QR-enabled mobile payments through a unified framework for settlement, reconciliation, refunds, and payment routing, improving transaction success rates and delivering seamless payment experiences for high-value transactions across multiple sectors.
Banking Ecosystem: Supported by State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Federal Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, and YES Bank, with more banks expected to join.

IRDAI Grants Health Insurance Licence to Prudential HCL Joint Venture
In June 2026, the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI) granted final(R3) Certificate of  Registration(CoR) to Prudential HCL Health Insurance Limited, becoming the  8th standalone health insurer in India.

• The licence was granted during the IRDAI’s 136th meeting held on June 29, 2026, marking the 3rd such registration issued by the regulator in Calendar Year 2026 (CY26).

Key Details:
License Process: A standalone health insurer must secure R1 for promoter and business-plan assessment, R2, for operational readiness, and R3, the final Certificate of Registration, to begin insurance operations.
Eligibility: The company must be an Indian insurance company or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) registered under the LLP Act, 2008 and have a minimum paid-up equity capital of Rs.100 crore.

• They must submit a five-year operational and financial business plan, while promoters, directors, and key management personnel must satisfy IRDAI’s “fit and proper” criteria.

Prudential HCL Health Insurance: It is a Joint Venture (JV) between the United Kingdom (UK)’s Prudential Group (owns 70% stake ) and India’s HCL Group (owns 30% stake), announced in March 2025.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Ministry of Steel Granted Mini Ratna Category-I Status to MECON Limited
In July 2026, the Ministry of Steel (MoS) granted Miniratna Category-I status to MECON Limited, a Schedule ‘A’ Central Public Enterprise which works under the MoS,  following the company fulfilling the eligibility criteria prescribed by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), Ministry of Finance (MoF).

• The approval is aimed to strengthen high-performing Central Public Enterprises (CPSE) by offering greater operational flexibility and enhancing their role in India’s infrastructure and economic growth.

Key Details:
Net Worth: As per the MoS, the CPSE registered the net worth of Rs 535.42 crore (as of March 31, 2026), meeting one of the key requirements for Miniratna Category-I status.
Continuous PBT for Last 3 Years: As per the criteria laid down by DPE, the CPSE has continued to be profitable over the last 3 financial years, recording a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs 77.62 crore in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) (restated), Rs 32.08 crore (FY25) (restated) and Rs 104.53 crore (in FY26).
Significance: The new status will give more autonomy to MECON’s Board of Directors regarding investment decisions, undertaking technology upgradation, and implementing modernisation projects with greater speed and flexibility.
Criteria: Eligibility criteria for Miniratna Category-I, registered profit consecutively for 3 years, pre –tax profit is Rs 30 crore or more in at least 1 of 3 years and have positive net worth.

• And,  for Miniratna Category-II, registered profit consecutively for 3 years and have positive net worth.

WB adds 23 new GI – Tagged Products; Ranks 3rd Nationally with 59 Registrations 
In June 2026, Kalyan Chakraborty, Minister of Science & Technology and Biotechnology, West Bengal (WB), announced that WB has received 23 new Geographical Indication (GI) tags, taking its total to 59 GI registrations and making it the third-highest GI-tagged state in India after Uttar Pradesh (UP) (83) and Tamil Nadu (TN) (76).

• The 23 newly GI-tagged products include traditional foods, handicrafts, and cultural items such as Albhorasandesh (Chandernagore), Monohara (Janai), Mecha Sandesh (Bankura), Kanakchur popped rice, Santiniketan Batik, Santiniketan Ektara, Clay Doll of Krishnanagar, Sitalpati and so on.

New GI Products:
Recognition: Jolbhora Sandesh, the iconic Bengali sweet from Chandannagar, Hooghly district, West Bengal (WB), received the prestigious GI tag, officially recognising Chandannagar as its place of origin. 
Heritage: The newly GI-tagged products include Chandannagar’s Jalbhara sandesh, Janai’s Monohara sandesh, Mecha sandesh from Beliatore, Santiniketan Batik and Ektara, Natungram wooden dolls, Purulia lac craft, Kolkatti gold jewellery, Hato conch-shell craft, Bikrampur Bengal Singing Bowl, Balagarh traditional boats, Murshidabad silk, Banglar nolen gur, and kanakchur popped rice.

USISPF Presents 2026 Leadership Award to ‘Sunil Bharti Mittal’ for Transforming India-US Economic Ties 
In June 2026, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), presented the 2026 Leadership Award to Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises Limited, at the IX Leadership Summit, in Washington, D.C., United States of America (USA), themed “America At 250”.
About USISPF Global Leadership Award:
Event: The award recognises leaders advancing strategic, commercial, and innovation-driven partnerships between India and the USA, particularly through technology, business expansion, and bilateral trade facilitation.
Leadership: Sunil Bharti Mittal was recognised for transforming India’s telecommunications sector, expanding digital connectivity, fostering innovation, attracting international investment, and building a diversified business group spanning multiple sectors.
Other Awardees: V. Prem Watsa, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Fairfax Financial Holdings, and Christopher T. Calio, Chairman & CEO, RTX Corporation, were also honoured for strengthening the India–USA economic corridor.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Air Marshal ‘Ashutosh Dixit’ Assumes Charge as 51st Vice Chief of Air Staff of IAF
On 1 July 2026, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), assumed charge as 51st Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi, Delhi.

• He succeeded Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who retired from IAF on 30 June 2026 after nearly four decades of distinguished service.

About Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit:
Leadership: Previously served as CISC from 1 May 2025 to 30 June 2026, contributing to tri-service operational integration, joint doctrines, RanSamwad 2025–26, Combined and Joint Commanders’ Conferences, and the Defence Forces Vision 2047 roadmap.
Commands: Commanded a Mirage-2000 squadron, key fighter bases, and the Flight Test Squadron at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), besides serving as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects & Plans) (ACAS), Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS), and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Central Air Command (CAC).
Operations: Participated in Operation Safed Sagar (Kargil War, 1999) and Operation Rakshak (counter-insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir, J&K).
Honours: Awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) (2026), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) (2023), Vayu Sena Medal (VM) (2006), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) (2011).

Bijay Kumar Mohanty Assumes Additional Charge as CMD of IREDA 
In July 2026,  Bijay Kumar Mohanty, currently serving as Director (Finance) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), assumed additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of IREDA for the period of three Months.

•  The appointment is effective from 1 July 2026, following the superannuation of Pradip Kumar Das on 30 June 2026.

About Bijay Kumar:
Position:  He serves on the Board of IREDA Global Green Energy Finance IFSC Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IREDA.
Professional Experience:  He has over 27 years of experience in India’s power and renewable energy sector, having served in senior positions at REC Limited, REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), Central Electricity Company of Odisha limited (CESCO), and Grid Corporation of Odisha Limited  (GRIDCO).
Areas of Expertise: Expertise in project financing, financial management and accounts, treasury operations, project appraisal and execution management, and commercial and legal functions.
About IREDA:  IREDA is a Government-owned Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. It provides financial support for renewable energy projects including solar, wind, hydro, green hydrogen, and energy storage.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

BPCL Acquires 100% Stake in IBV Brazil Petroleo for Rs.2,312 crore
In July 2026, the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), through its overseas arm BPRL Ventures BV (Bharat PetroResources Limited Ventures BV), acquired the remaining 34.6% stake of Videocon Energy Brazil Limited (VEBL) in IBV Brazil Petroleo Limitada.

• With this acquisition, BPCL increased its total shareholding in IBV Brazil Petroleo Limitada from 65.40% to 100% through a Rs.2,312 crore deal, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of BPRL Ventures BV under BPCL.

Key Details of Acquisition:  
Approval:  BPCL completed the stake purchase under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) of VOVL Limited, with approvals from the Government of India (GoI) and subject to final registration by Brazilian authorities, as per the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) order.
Asset Details:  IBV Brazil Petroleo Limitada holds participating interests in Brazilian oil and gas assets, including the BM-Seal-11 concession, which is under development.
Significance: The acquisition expected to add around 1 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) to BPCL’s annual equity production once output begins from the BM-SEAL-11 block.
About BPCL: It is a ‘Maharatna’ Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). Established in 1952 and headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Plastic Bag Free Day 2026 – July 3 
International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed globally on 3 July to raise awareness about the environmental and health hazards of Single-Use Plastic (SUP) bags and promote reusable, sustainable alternatives.
Background:
Origin: International Plastic Bag Free Day was initiated by Rezero in Catalonia, Spain, on 3 July 2008. Rezero is a member of Zero Waste Europe (ZWE).

• In 2009, ZWE expanded the initiative across the European Union (EU).

EU Plastic Bags Directive: In 2015, the EU adopted the Plastic Bags Directive (EU 2015/720), amending the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) to reduce the use of lightweight plastic carrier bags.
Global Movement: In 2016, the observance became part of the Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) movement, a global coalition of over 1,500 organisations working to end plastic pollution.

STATE NEWS

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Launches Namo Swachhta Abhiyan and Amrutpan Abhiyan in Gandhinagar
In July 2026, Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat, launched the statewide ‘Namo Swachhta Abhiyan(cleanliness drive)’ and ‘Amrutpan Abhiyan (maternal health)’ during an event organised on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day (July 1) celebrations in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
About Campaigns:
Namo Swachhta Abhiyan: It is a week-long cleanliness drive, scheduled to  be held from July 1 to 7, 2026 across all 11,935 government hospitals and healthcare institutions in the state.

• Under this campaign, old furniture, obsolete medical equipment, and unnecessary records will be discarded to create a clean and hygienic environment in healthcare facilities.

Amrutpan Abhiyan: It is designed to ensure the health of mothers and children. Through awareness campaigns, the state government aims to ensure that every child receives proper nutrition and care from birth.

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