CURRENT AFFAIRS 02-03 July, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 02-03 July, 2026

1. GOVERNMENT ORDERS REMOVAL OF BAT-BMS APP –

• The BAT-BMS app is a mobile application linked to Battery Management Systems for lithium-ion batteries. On 2 July 2026, the Delhi Transport Minister directed the Transport Department to verify claims about the app after videos showed its use in disabling e-rickshaws through Bluetooth access.

BAT-BMS App and Battery Management Systems

• The BAT-BMS app was developed by Shenzhen Grenergy Technology, a Chinese company. A Battery Management System, or BMS, monitors battery functions such as charge level, voltage, and temperature in lithium-ion batteries. Bluetooth-enabled BMS units can connect to mobile devices within a short range. In the reported case, the range mentioned was about 15 metres, and the discharge function of some e-rickshaw batteries was switched off remotely.

Use in E-Rickshaws

• E-rickshaws in India commonly use lithium-ion batteries fitted with BMS units. Some of these systems have minimal Bluetooth security and may lack passwords or authentication, which allows unauthorised access to battery controls. The Delhi government stated that misuse of the app to stop e-rickshaws is illegal. It also stated that police action would follow against such misuse.

2. WHAT IS MANAS ? –

• The National Narcotics Helpline MANAS, or Madak Padarth Nishedh Asoochna Kendra, was launched on 18 July 2024 by the Union government under the Narcotics Control Bureau in the Ministry of Home Affairs, with support from the Digital India Corporation. The platform provides a national channel for reporting drug trafficking, peddling, illegal cultivation, and substance abuse-related concerns.

MANAS Platform and Helpline 1933

• MANAS operates through the helpline number 1933, an official portal, email, and the UMANG app. The platform connects the public with 30 NCB Zonal Units and 36 State and Union Territory Anti-Narcotics Task Forces.

Usage and Service Data

• By June 2026, MANAS had recorded more than 9.94 lakh connection attempts. The portal had received 2,65,673 drug-related inputs by June 2026, and the platform had generated over 16,200 actionable intelligence inputs related to drug trafficking. By July 2026, the helpline had connected over 47,500 calls to professional counselling services. Since its launch, MANAS had assisted more than 32,900 individuals with substance abuse concerns and addressed over 12,800 rehabilitation requests.

3. WHAT IS SKYROOT’S VIKRAM-1 MISSION ? –

• Skyroot Aerospace has announced a launch window for Vikram-1 from 12 July to 4 August 2026. The mission, named Mission Aagaman, is planned from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre-SHAR in Sriharikota and involves India’s first privately built orbital rocket.

Vikram-1 Launch Vehicle

• Vikram-1 is a seven-storey, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. It uses an all-carbon composite structure and is designed to carry small satellites of up to 350 kg to low Earth orbit.

Mission Aagaman and Flight Objectives

• The main objective of Mission Aagaman is to collect real-time flight performance data across multiple systems. The mission is also intended to validate design parameters for future vehicle development.

4. ODISHA APPROVES DEEP SEA FISHING MISSION –

• Odisha Cabinet approved the Deep Sea Fishing Mission on 1 July 2026. The mission is a flagship initiative of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department under the administrative control of the Odisha government.

Mission Framework

• The mission will run for 10 years, from 2026 to 2036. The estimated investment is ₹2,295.45 crore to ₹2,295.46 crore, and some references describe it as over ₹2,000 crore. The mission will be implemented in phases through central and state funding, beneficiary participation, institutional finance, and Public-Private Partnerships.

Objectives and Targets

• The mission covers sustainable deep-sea fishing, marine fisheries infrastructure, seafood exports, and coastal livelihoods. It targets an additional two lakh metric tonnes of marine fish production annually by 2036. It also targets more than 50,000 jobs by 2036 and marine exports of around ₹5,000 crore annually by 2036.

5. GAGAN SATELLITE-BASED AUGMENTATION SYSTEM –

• GAGAN stands for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. It is India’s indigenous Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The system has been operational since 2015 and supports satellite navigation for aircraft operations in Indian airspace.

Satellite-Based Augmentation System

• A Satellite-Based Augmentation System is a regional navigation system that improves the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of Global Positioning System signals. SBAS uses ground reference stations, master control centres, uplink stations, and geostationary satellites to correct navigation errors and provide precision approach services.

GAGAN Network and Space Segment

• GAGAN operates through 15 Indian Reference Stations, two Master Control Centres, three Land Uplink Stations, four communication networks, and three geostationary satellites. The satellites used for GAGAN payloads are GSAT-8, GSAT-10, and GSAT-15.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Recently, Delhi’s Monument Adoption Scheme was in the news. Under this scheme, adopted monuments are maintained by entities designated as:

1. a) Heritage Ambassadors
2. b) Monument Mitras
3. c) Culture Guardians
4. d) Monument Custodians

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, Project BRAHMANK was in the news. It is a specialized project of which of the following organizations ?

1. a) National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
2. b) Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
3. c) National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
4. d) Military Engineer Services (MES)

Q4.  With reference to the Civil Registration System (CRS) Report 2024, consider the following statements:

1. The Civil Registration System (CRS) is governed by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
2. The Registrar General of India (RGI) functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
3. The CRS provides continuous, compulsory, and universal registration of births, deaths, and stillbirths.
4. According to the CRS Report 2024, more than 99% of both births and deaths were registered in India.

         Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The Civil Registration System (CRS) is governed by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, which makes registration of births and deaths compulsory across India.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Registrar General of India (RGI) functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), not the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Statement 3 – Correct: CRS is India’s official system for the continuous, compulsory, and universal registration of births, deaths, and stillbirths, ensuring legal identity and reliable demographic statistics.
• Statement 4 – Correct: The CRS Report 2024 recorded 99.1% birth registration and 99.4% death registration, indicating near-universal registration.

Q5.  Consider the following statements regarding the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) as reported in the Civil Registration System (CRS) Report 2024:

1. The Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is the number of female live births per 1,000 male live births.
2. India’s Sex Ratio at Birth in 2024 was 917 females per 1,000 males.
3. A Sex Ratio at Birth close to 950 females per 1,000 males is generally considered the natural biological range.
4. Nagaland recorded the highest Sex Ratio at Birth among all States and Union Territories in 2024.

         How many of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) Only one                b) Only two
2. c) Only three                d) all four

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) measures the number of female live births per 1,000 male live births, serving as an important indicator of gender equality and the prevalence of sex-selective practices.
• Statement 2 – Correct: India’s SRB in 2024 was 917 females per 1,000 males, showing gradual improvement but still below the natural biological range.
• Statement 3 – Correct: A natural SRB is generally around 950 females per 1,000 males. Ratios significantly below this may indicate gender discrimination, including sex-selective abortions.
• Statement 4 – Incorrect: Arunachal Pradesh (1,050) recorded the highest SRB, while Nagaland (865), along with Lakshadweep (865), recorded the lowest SRB.

Answer Key