CURRENT AFFAIRS 01 July, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 01 July, 2026

1. 20TH STATISTICS DAY AND SDGS-NATIONAL INDICATOR FRAMEWORK PROGRESS REPORT 2026 –

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) celebrated the 20th Statistics Day on 29th June 2026. The event was organized to commemorate the 133rd Birth Anniversary of Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis, recognizing his invaluable contribution to the national statistical system.
• On this occasion, MoSPI also released the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2026, tracking India’s progress towards the SDGs.

What is National Statistics Day?

• National Statistics Day: The Government of India designated 29th June as ‘Statistics Day’ in 2007. It serves as an annual tribute to the legacy of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis.
• Objective: To create public awareness, especially among the youth, about the role of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation.
• Theme for 2026: “Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data.” It highlights the shift towards utilizing data generated through everyday government operations (like tax records, registries, and welfare enrollments) for evidence-based policymaking, rather than relying solely on traditional, resource-heavy sample surveys.

Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis

• About: Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893–1972) is widely regarded as the Father of Indian Statistics. His visionary approach laid the foundation for India’s modern statistical architecture.

Key Contributions:

• Institutional Builder: He founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931 (declared an ‘Institution of National Importance’ by Parliament in 1959). Furthermore, his vision directly led to the establishment of the National Sample Survey (NSS) in 1950 and the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).
• He also founded Sankhya, India’s first statistical journal, in 1933.

2. DELHI ELECTRIC VEHICLE POLICY 2.0 –

• Recently, the Delhi government notified its new Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, with the policy likely to come into effect from 1st July 2026 and remain valid till 31st March 2030.

What are the Key Provisions of Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0?

• About: The policy aims to make Delhi a leading electric mobility hub by focusing on high-polluting and high-use vehicle segments such as two-wheelers, three-wheelers, commercial goods vehicles, school buses, aggregator fleets and government transport fleets.
• Target: It aims to achieve at least 30% electrification of Delhi’s total vehicle fleet by 31st March 2030, building on the success of the EV policy 2020, under which Delhi achieved around 14% EV penetration by 2025.
• Mandates: From 1st January 2027, only electric three-wheelers and N1 category trucks will be registered in Delhi; from 1st April 2028, only electric two-wheelers will be registered. Already registered fossil-fuel vehicles will be allowed to complete their full lifecycle.
• Buses: School buses will have to convert at least 10% of their fleet to EVs within two years of notification of the policy, with a broader target of 30% electrification by 2030.
• Funding: The government has allocated ₹7,000 crore for policy implementation, with an overall investment plan of ₹15,000 crore, including charging infrastructure, purchase incentives and scrapping incentives.

3. INDIA’S FISCAL DEFICIT RISES 12-FOLD IN APRIL-MAY FY27 DESPITE RBI DIVIDEND –

• In April-May FY2026-27, India’s fiscal deficit widened sharply to the ₹1.62 lakh crore and it showcases the weaker revenue collections despite receiving the record surplus transfer from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). According to the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), the fiscal deficit has already reached to 9.6% of the full year r Budget Estimate (BE) of ₹16.96 lakh crore.

Fiscal Deficit Surge in April-May FY27

• The centre’s fiscal deficit stood at around ₹1.62 lakh crore during the April-May and it compared with the just 0.8% of the annual target in the same period of the last year. The sharp increase was mainly driven by the softer revenue collections and the government expenditure continued at a robust pace.
• Despite the higher deficit in the first two months, fiscal performance is generally influenced by the seasonal revenue and expenditure patterns in the financial year.

4. RAVI AGRAWAL REAPPOINTED AS CBDT CHAIRMAN: CENTRE EXTENDS TENURE TILL DECEMBER 2026 –

• The central government of has reappointed Ravi Agrawal as the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). His tenure was extended for another six months and will be effective from 1st of July, 2026. This decision was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and it extends the tenure till December 31, 2026 or until any further orders.

Key Takeaways

• Ravi Agrawal has been reappointed as the CBDT Chairman for another six months period.
• His new tenure is effective from July 1st to December 31st, 2026.
• He is a 1988-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer.
• The extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

5. VB-G RAM G ACT 2025 COMES INTO FORCE FROM JULY 1 –

• The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 will comes into force in India from 1st of July, 2026. This act introduced the strengthened framework for the rural employment and livelihood security. The landmark legislation increases the statutory wage employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days for every eligible rural household and placing greater emphasis on the durable asset creation, sustainable development and transparent governance. Ahead of the nation wide rollout, Respectable Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has affirmed that no eligible rural worker should remain without the employment even for a single day.

What Is the VB-G RAM G Act?

• The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 is the new rural employment framework which is aimed at to enhancing the livelihood security, creating productive community assets and strengthening village economies.
• It replaces the earlier structure with the expanded employment opportunities and improved implementation mechanisms.
• This act forms the part of the Government’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and it focusing on to the nclusive rural development through the sustainable employment, technology-driven governance, and community participation.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Recently, Ayushman Sarathi was launched as an official WhatsApp chatbot for which of the following schemes ?

1. a) Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
2. b) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
3. c) PM eVIDYA
4. d) eSanjeevani

Q2.  Recently, which of the following countries became the 27th member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) ?

1. a) Nepal
2. b) Bhutan
3. c) Bangladesh
4. d) Sri Lanka

Q3.  Recently, an agreement was signed between which two states for implementation of the Yamuna Water Project ?

1. a) Haryana and Punjab
2. b) Rajasthan and Gujarat
3. c) Haryana and Rajasthan
4. d) Uttar Pradesh and Haryana

Q4.  With reference to the Europe Heatwave Crisis 2026, consider the following statements:

1. An Omega Block is a meteorological phenomenon in which a high-pressure system is trapped between two low-pressure systems, leading to persistent heatwave conditions.
2. The high-pressure system associated with an Omega Block promotes cloud formation and rainfall, thereby moderating temperatures.
3. Europe is warming at nearly twice the global average, partly due to Arctic amplification.
4. Urban Heat Island Effect contributes to higher temperatures in cities by increasing heat absorption and retention.

         Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1, 3 and 4 only
2. b) 1 and 2 only
3. c) 2, 3 and 4 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

Statement 1 – Correct

• The immediate trigger of the Europe Heatwave Crisis 2026 is the Omega Block, a persistent atmospheric circulation pattern where a high-pressure system becomes sandwiched between two low-pressure systems, resembling the Greek letter Ω (Omega).
• The high-pressure system remains stationary for several days, preventing normal movement of weather systems and resulting in prolonged heatwave conditions.

Statement 2 – Incorrect

• This statement is the reverse of what actually happens.
• A high-pressure system:
• Causes descending (subsiding) air
• Compresses and warms the air
• Suppresses cloud formation
• Prevents rainfall
• Allows uninterrupted solar heating
• These conditions intensify and prolong heatwaves instead of moderating them.

Statement 3 – Correct

• Europe is regarded as the fastest-warming continent, warming at nearly twice the global average.
• Important reasons include:
• Greenhouse gas-induced climate change
• Arctic amplification
• Loss of snow and ice cover
• Urbanization
• Continued fossil-fuel dependence

Statement 4 – Correct

• The Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect occurs because:
• Concrete and asphalt absorb more solar radiation.
• Buildings trap heat.
• Lack of vegetation reduces evaporative cooling.
• Consequently, cities remain significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas, especially during nights.

Q5.  With reference to the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) and its role in India’s clean energy transition, consider the following statements:

1. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor is located at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
2. It uses liquid sodium as the primary coolant.
3. It uses mixed plutonium–uranium carbide fuel.
4. The reactor is primarily designed to generate hydrogen directly through electrolysis.

         Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1, 2 and 3 only
2. b) 2, 3 and 4 only
3. c) 1, 3 and 4 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

Statement 1 – Correct

• The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) is situated at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, and is operated by IGCAR.

Statement 2 – Correct

• FBTR is a sodium-cooled fast reactor.
• Liquid sodium has excellent heat-transfer properties and allows operation without slowing down fast neutrons.

Statement 3 – Correct

• Unlike most commercial reactors using uranium oxide fuel, FBTR uses mixed plutonium–uranium carbide fuel, making it unique among fast breeder reactors.

Statement 4 – Incorrect

• FBTR is not designed specifically for hydrogen production.
• Its primary purpose is research, testing, and demonstration of fast breeder technology.
• In the recent project, the reactor provides high-temperature process heat, which drives the Cu–Cl thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production.

Answer Key