CURRENT AFFAIRS 05-06 July, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 05-06 July, 2026

1. ETHANOL BLENDING IN INDIA –

• India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme has become an important part of India’s energy transition and biofuel policy, aiming to strengthen energy security, support farmers, reduce environmental impact, and encourage the use of domestically produced renewable fuel.
• However, the programme has recently drawn renewed public attention due to concerns over E20 petrol, particularly regarding its impact on vehicle mileage, engine performance, and consumer choice.

What is India’s Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP)? 

• Ethanol: Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is a biofuel naturally produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes.
• In India, it is primarily derived from sugarcane molasses, but increasingly from maize, surplus rice, and damaged foodgrains.
• Ethanol is classified into 1G, 2G, and 3G based on the type of feedstock used and the production technology.
• Blending: It involves mixing ethanol with motor fuel (petrol) to reduce the consumption of imported crude oil and curb carbon emissions.
• E10 and E20 petrol contain 10% and 20% ethanol respectively, with higher ethanol blends helping reduce crude oil consumption and emissions. However, while E10 is suitable for most vehicles, E20 requires compatible engines and may lead to a slight reduction in fuel efficiency.

2. INDIA’S FISHERIES SECTOR –

• The Government of India’s recent assessment, based on Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute(CMFRI) data, indicates that India’s marine fisheries are largely sustainable, with 91.1% of assessed fish stocks reported to be in good condition.
• However, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) observations and ground-level evidence point to concerns such as stagnant marine production, pressure on fish stocks, declining catches, damage to inshore ecosystems and the rapid growth of mechanised trawling.

What is the Current Status of India’s Fisheries Sector?

• Marine Resource Base: India possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 2.4 million sq. km (200 nautical miles), with the continental shelf and inshore waters serving as the most productive fishing grounds.
• Status of Fish Stocks: According to the latest CMFRI assessment, 91.1% of the 135 marine fish stocks assessed in 2022 were found to be sustainable, with most commercial fish stocks reported to be in good health.
• India primarily estimates fish stock health using landing (catch) data, unlike many advanced fishing nations that rely on scientific stock assessments at sea.
• Economic Contribution: Fisheries account for 7.43% of Agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA), with total production doubling to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024–25.
• Export Performance: Seafood exports reached Rs 62,408 crore in FY 2024–25, dominated by frozen shrimp, with the US and China as primary markets.

3. INDIA’S PASSPORT RANKED 125TH IN GLOBAL PASSPORT INDEX 2026 –

• India’s passport has ranked at 125th out of a total of 197 countries in the Global Passport Index (GPI) 2026, which was published by Global Citizen Solutions. India slipped one position compared to the last year, and India’s overall passport has reached a score of 45.1, which is the highest in the last 5 years. This ranking shows mix picture, as India has improved in areas such as quality of life and investment potential, but limited global travel mobility impacts the overall position.

India Ranked 125th in the Global Passport Index 2026

• According to the Global Passport Index 2026, India ranks at 125th position in the world, slipping from 124th spot in the last edition.
• Despite the drop in ranking, India’s combined composite score improved to 45.1, which is the country’s strongest ever performance in the index over the last five years.
• Over the longer period, India has made only modest progress; it moved from 127th place in 2021 to 125th in 2026.

Why Did India’s Passport Ranking Fall Despite a Higher Score?

• At first, India’s overall score looks inconsistent with the lower-ranking countries, but the explanation lies in how the Global Passport Index evaluates passports.
• Compared to passport rankings that focus solely on visa-free travel, the Global Passport Index uses a broader assessment based on three key pillars,
• Enhanced Mobility (50%)Quality of Living (25%)Investment Opportunities (25%)

4. VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI BECOMES YOUNGEST INDIA DEBUTANT AT 15 –

• On 4th of July, 2026 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player ever to play for India in any form of International cricket. At the age of 15 years and 99 days, he received his T20Is cap, will play against the England at Old Trafford in Manchester against England. After his debuts he broke the record of legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who hold this record for more than three decades and played his first match against Pakistan at the age of 16 years and 205 days.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Creates History on India Debut

• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made debut for India at the age of just 15 years and 99 days, with this Vaibhav Sooryavanshi becomes the youngest cricketer to play for India in any format.
• He broke the record of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar who played for India first time at the age of 16 years and 205 days old in a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989, November.
• He received his India cap before the second T20I match against England in Manchester on 4th July, 2026.

Records Broken by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

• Here are the key records broken by Vaibhav
• Youngest player to play for India in cricket.
• Youngest Indian mens T20I debutant.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi broke Sachin Tendulkars record as India’s international cricketer.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also did better than Washington Sundar, who made his debut at 18 years and 80 days in 2017.
• Youngest player to debut for a cricket nation in Men’s T20 International cricket.

5. VB-G RAM G ACT 2026 EXPLAINED: STATE-WISE WAGE RATES, 125 DAYS EMPLOYMENT –

• On 1st of July, 2026 nationwide rollout of new Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), and the new legislation has replaced Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), it aims to strengthen the rural livelihood security and aligning wuth the rural development with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
• Here is everything to know about the new Act, state wise wages, employment guarantee and major changes.

What Is the VB-G RAM G Act?

• The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 is the Government of India’s new rural employment law which is designed to provide guaranteed wage employment to the rural households.
• This Act ensures that every eligible rural household whose adult members volunteer to perform the unskilled manual work and receives 125 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Recently, the Union Government proposed a customized governance framework for Ladakh under which of the following constitutional provisions ?

1. a) Fifth Schedule
2. b) Sixth Schedule
3. c) Article 371
4. d) Article 356

Q2.  Recently, the National Narcotics Helpline MANAS was in the news. It has been launched under which of the following organizations ?

1. a) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
2. b) Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
3. c) National Investigation Agency (NIA)
4. d) Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

Q3.  Recently, Mission Aagaman was in the news. It is the maiden launch mission of which of the following launch vehicles ?

1. a) SSLV-D4
2. b) PSLV-C65
3. c) GSLV Mk III
4. d) Vikram-1

Q4.  With reference to water security in India, consider the following statements:

1. Water security refers only to ensuring an adequate supply of water for agriculture and domestic use.
2. India possesses about 4% of the world’s freshwater resources while supporting nearly 18% of the global population.
3. Per capita annual water availability below 1,000 cubic metres is generally regarded as an indicator of severe water scarcity.
4. Achieving water security requires efficient water management, conservation, reuse, recycling, and equitable allocation of water resources.

         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, 3 and 4 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Incorrect: Water security is a broader concept than merely ensuring water supply. It includes:

         Sustainable availability of safe water, Protection of ecosystems, Efficient allocation,              Management of droughts, floods, pollution, and groundwater depletion.

• Statement 2 – Correct: India has only about 4% of global freshwater resources but supports nearly 18% of the world’s population, making efficient water management crucial.
• Statement 3 – Correct: A per capita annual water availability of less than 1,000 cubic metres is widely considered to indicate severe water scarcity. The Krishna and Cauvery river basins have already crossed this threshold.
• Statement 4 – Correct: Modern water security emphasizes:

         Water conservation, Recycling and reuse, Circular water economy, Data-driven water governance, Equitable allocation among competing sectors.

Q5.  With reference to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025, consider the following statements:

1. The Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) across India.
2. It guarantees 125 days of wage employment to every rural individual above 18 years of age.
3. The Act mandates wage payment within 15 days, with compensation payable for delays.
4. Gram Panchayats prepare Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) through Gram Sabha participation.

         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 VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 has replaced MGNREGA as India’s rural wage employment legislation. It aims to modernise rural employment through higher wages, digital governance, climate-resilient development, and durable asset creation.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment per eligible rural household, not per individual.
• Statement 3 – Correct: The Act mandates that wages must be paid within 15 days. In case of delays, workers are entitled to 0.05% daily compensation, strengthening accountability and ensuring timely payments.
• Statement 4 – Correct: The Act promotes decentralised planning by requiring Gram Panchayats to prepare Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) through active participation of the Gram Sabha, thereby strengthening grassroots democracy.

Answer Key