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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

National Payments Corporation of India Partners with HSBC India and JP Morgan Payments for Real-Time Foreign Exchange Settlement in Cross-Border Unified Payments Interface Transactions

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) partnered with HSBC India and JP Morgan Payments to enable real-time Foreign Exchange (FX) settlement for cross-border Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
• The initiative aims to improve the international payment experience by providing greater transparency, faster settlement, and real-time currency conversion for Indian users.

Key Highlights :

• Under the partnership, HSBC India will serve as the banking partner, providing real-time Foreign Exchange (FX) rates through direct Application Programming Interface (API)
• HSBC India's global banking network will support secure, 24×7 cross-border transactions, making overseas UPI payments faster and more efficient.
• JP Morgan Payments will facilitate real-time FX conversion and multi-currency settlement, enhancing the efficiency of international digital payments.
• The collaboration combines UPI's expanding global acceptance with JP Morgan's foreign exchange expertise to simplify international payment settlements.
• Indian users making payments abroad will be able to view the exact payment amount in Indian Rupees (INR) before confirming the transaction.
• Overseas merchants will continue to receive payments in their local currencies, while Indian customers pay directly from their Indian bank accounts.
• The initiative eliminates the need to rely solely on cash or international credit/debit cards for payments abroad.
• UPI is currently accepted in 9 countries: Singapore, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, France, Sri Lanka, Qatar, and Cambodia.
• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) recently partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc to launch UPI acceptance in Cambodia.
• UPI is further expanding its international presence to countries such as Japan, Maldives, and Greece through NPCI International (NIPL).
• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) is the wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) responsible for the global expansion of UPI.
• International UPI transaction volume nearly doubled from 75 million in FY25 to 1.48 million in FY26, crossing the one-million milestone for the first time.
• The value of international UPI transactions increased from ₹258.53 crore in FY25 to ₹330.43 crore in FY26.
• In FY24, international UPI recorded only 37,060 transactions worth ₹19.7 crore, highlighting rapid global adoption.

About NPCI:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Founded: 2008
• CEO: Dilip Asbe
• Key Initiatives: Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), RuPay (domestic card payment network), Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS)

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

National Awareness Programme Marks Conclusion of 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah'

• Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar led the concluding National Awareness Programme of 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah', held at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (DSVV), Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
• The programme was organised to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on 26 June.
• The week-long campaign was conducted under the theme "Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan – Viksit Bharat Ki Pehchaan."
• At the Haridwar event, Dr. Virendra Kumar led a 'Nasha Mukt Rally' with the participation of nearly 4,000 citizens.
• He also administered the 'Pledge Against Drug Abuse' and the 'Ageing with Dignity Pledge'.
• A key highlight of the programme was the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the All World Gayatri Pariwar.
• The MoUs aim to strengthen collaboration in:
• Drug abuse awareness.
• Community mobilisation.
• Drug demand reduction.
• Senior citizen welfare.
• The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15 August 2020.
• It initially covered 272 highly vulnerable districts and has now expanded to all districts across the country.
• Since its launch, the campaign has:
• Sensitised over 25.94 crore people.
• Engaged 9.36 crore youth.
• Reached 6.38 crore women through partnerships with eight leading spiritual organisations.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

• Union Minister: Dr. Virendra Kumar (Lok Sabha Constituency – Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh)
• Ministers of State: Ramdas Athawale and B. L. Verma

RECENT NEWS

• The state government of Uttarakhand will built the ropeway between Rishikesh and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple to cut the travel time for the devotees. The proposed project estimated around ₹450 crore aims it aims to reduce the current journey from almost three hours to just 15 minutes.

Government Notifies Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 2026 with Revised Withdrawal Rules

• The Central Government has notified the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026, introducing significant changes to the partial withdrawal rules for members of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
• The revised scheme came into effect on 29 June 2026.
• The scheme introduces a minimum balance requirement, expands the list of eligible purposes for partial withdrawals, and supports the Government's digital transformation initiatives.
• Under the new rules, EPFO members must retain at least 25% of the balance in their Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) account before making any partial withdrawal.
• The minimum balance requirement applies to both employee contributions and employer contributions.
• For example, if the eligible EPF balance is ₹1 lakh, the member must retain ₹25,000, while up to ₹75,000 can be withdrawn, subject to the prescribed conditions.
• The revised scheme expands the permissible purposes for partial withdrawals, including:
• Purchase of a house or flat.
• Purchase of land for house construction.
• Construction of a residential house.
• Repayment of a home loan.
• Home repairs and family needs.
• Medical treatment.
• Higher education.
• Marriage-related expenses.
• Members may withdraw up to 100% of the eligible balance for specified purposes such as medical treatment, higher education, and marriage expenses, subject to scheme provisions.
• The revised scheme simplifies withdrawal conditions by:
• Allowing partial withdrawals after 12 months of service.
• Removing the requirement for additional explanations in specified cases.
• Streamlining claim processing for faster settlements.
• As part of its digital modernisation programme, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is preparing to introduce Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based provident fund withdrawals, enabling direct transfers to members' bank accounts.
• The proposed facility will provide faster claim settlements, instant fund transfers, and a simplified withdrawal process.
• EPFO is also set to launch WhatsApp-based member services, allowing subscribers to:
• Check Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) balance.
• View the last five account transactions.
• Track claim status.
• Access services in regional languages by sending "Hello" to the verified EPFO WhatsApp number.

About Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

• Established: 1952
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Labour and Employment
• Headquarters: New Delhi

RECENT NEWS

• The Employees Provident Fund Organization is set to launch the new digital platform called the E-PRAAPTI. It was announced by the Mansukh Mandaviya this initiative aims to helps the users to trace and reactivate the dormant or unclaimed provident fund accounts even without the Universal Account Number (UAN). 

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Launched Nationwide

• Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM (G)] from Mukkavaripalli village, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The launch event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
• The mission is being implemented under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, which came into force from 1 July 2026.
• The Act increases the statutory wage employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days per financial year for every eligible rural household.
• Employment will be provided to adults willing to undertake unskilled manual work, and workers will continue to receive unemployment allowance if employment is not provided within the prescribed time.
• The scheme replaces the earlier framework of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with an expanded rural employment and livelihood programme.
• For the first year, the Central Government has allocated over ₹95,000 crore, while the total expenditure, including the states' share, is expected to reach about ₹1.51 lakh crore.
• Over the coming years, the Government plans to spend around ₹7.5 lakh crore under the mission, benefiting 2.86 lakh Gram Panchayats, with an average annual allocation of over ₹2 crore per Gram Panchayat.
• The mission empowers Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats to identify and prioritise local development works, including village roads, farm roads, irrigation structures, Anganwadi centres, schools, hospitals, ponds, check dams, and Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) infrastructure.
• At the launch, Andhra Pradesh received an allocation of ₹7,707 crore under the mission for the next nine months.
• The Central Government also approved the construction of 74,212 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) in Andhra Pradesh.
• Additionally, 146 rural roads and 19 bridges, worth over ₹422 crore, were sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase IV (PMGSY-IV).
• Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the mission would strengthen rural livelihoods, improve village infrastructure, and support Gram Sabha-led planning and digital governance.
• He also announced plans to develop Rayalaseema into a major horticulture hub through investments of around ₹1 lakh crore.

Gujarat Police Launch 'Operation Surakshit Cyberspace' to Enhance Cyber Safety for Women and Children

• Gujarat Police launched 'Operation Surakshit Cyberspace', a 28-day statewide campaign, from 1 July to 28 July 2026 to strengthen cyber safety for women and children.
• The campaign combines technology-driven policing, cyber awareness programmes, victim outreach, and coordinated enforcement to prevent cybercrimes.
• The initiative is being implemented under the guidance of Director General of Police G.S. Malik and coordinated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Crime–Women Cell.
• The campaign aims to prevent cybercrimes such as cyberstalking, online harassment, online exploitation, identity theft, financial fraud, and digital privacy violations.
• According to Additional Director General of Police (Criminal Investigation Department Crime–Women Cell) Ajay Choudhary, the initiative seeks to identify vulnerable individuals, prevent financial losses, improve cyber awareness, and ensure timely police intervention.
• Gujarat Police is collaborating with banks, telecommunication service providers, educational institutions, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and community leaders to strengthen public awareness.
• Dedicated Cyber Crime Police Stations and SHE Teams will conduct cyber safety awareness programmes across the state.
• The campaign targets include:
• Educating 25 lakh citizens on cyber safety.
• Encouraging 20 lakh students to take the Cyber Safety Pledge.
• Conducting awareness programmes in 10,000 schools and 1,500 colleges.
• Reaching one lakh adolescent girls with sessions on cyberstalking, online harassment, digital privacy, and internet safety.
• Ensuring preliminary police action within 24 hours for every cybercrime complaint involving women and children.
• Campaign Slogan: "Safety through awareness, investigation through technology, action through law, and a safer Gujarat through public participation."

About Gujarat:

• Chief Minister: Bhupendra Patel
• Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat
• Capital: Gandhinagar
• National Parks: Gir, Blackbuck, Gulf of Kutch (Marine), Vansda National Parks
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Nal Sarovar Bird, Wild Ass, Kutch Desert, Barda, Purna Wildlife Sanctuaries

RECENT NEWS

• The Union Home and Cooperation Minister launched the pilot project of the PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The initiative is a comprehensive digital platform designed to ensure that pregnant women, mothers, and children receive all eligible government welfare benefits through continuous monitoring and timely delivery of services. 

International Booker Prize to be Renamed as Bukhman International Booker Prize from 2027

• The International Booker Prize will be officially renamed the Bukhman International Booker Prize from 2027 following a 10-year funding agreement (2027–2036) with Bukhman Philanthropies.
• The annual prize money will increase from £50,000 to £100,000, making it one of the world's richest international literary awards.
• The prize money will continue to be shared equally between the author and the translator, recognising the important contribution of translators.
• Each shortlisted book will continue to receive £5,000, shared equally between the author and translator(s).
• The partnership aims to strengthen support for translated literature, promote cross-cultural understanding, and encourage global storytelling.
• Bukhman Philanthropies was founded by Daria Bukhman and Dmitri Bukhman.
• Dmitri Bukhman is the co-founder of Playrix, a global mobile gaming company.
• The foundation supports initiatives related to education, literature, culture, and maternal and neonatal health.
• Evolution of the Prize:
• 2005: Launched as the Man Booker International Prize (biennial).
• 2016: Reintroduced as an annual award for a single translated work of fiction.
• 2019: Renamed the International Booker Prize.
• 2027: To be renamed the Bukhman International Booker Prize.
• The 2027 judging panel will be chaired by Katie Kitamura and includes Patrick McGuinness, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Olga Ravn, and Tessa Thompson.
• Eligibility: Books must be novels or short story collections, translated into English, and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland between 1 May 2026 and 30 April 2027.

About Booker Prize Foundation

• Established: 2002
• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Biswanath Sinha Assumes Office as Chief Secretary of Kerala

• Biswanath Sinha, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, assumed charge as the Chief Secretary (CS) of Kerala.
• Biswanath Sinha's tenure as Chief Secretary of Kerala will continue until September 2028.
• He succeeded A. Jayathilak, a 1991-batch IAS officer, who retired on 30 June 2026.
• Biswanath Sinha has over three decades of administrative experience in internal security, police administration, vigilance, and disaster management.
• He has served as District Collector of Kottayam, Wayanad, and Kozhikode.
• He also served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rebuild Kerala Initiative.
• His key administrative assignments include the Finance, Planning & Economic Affairs, and Store Purchase Departments, along with serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.
• Before becoming Chief Secretary, he was serving as the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Home and Vigilance Department, Government of Kerala.
• As the Chief Secretary, Biswanath Sinha will function as the senior-most civil servant and administrative head of Kerala.
• His responsibilities include advising the Chief Minister (CM) and Council of Ministers, coordinating government departments, overseeing policy implementation, and leading the State Civil Service.

Tamil Nadu Appoints Former Indian Space Research Organisation Scientist Mylswamy Annadurai to Head School Education Curriculum Design Committee

• Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) appointed former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Mylswamy Annadurai as the Chairman of the Curriculum Design Committee (CDC) for School Education for a 3-year tenure.
• The Curriculum Design Committee (CDC) will lead curriculum modernization for around 3 crore students across Tamil Nadu.
• The primary objective is to strengthen Science, Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), critical thinking skills, and bridge the gap between teaching and learning systems.
• Mylswamy Annadurai served as a scientist at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1982 to 2018.
• He is popularly known as the "Moon Man of India" for his significant contributions to India's space programme.
• He contributed to the development of more than 60 satellites during his distinguished career at ISRO.
• He served as the Project Director of Chandrayaan-1, India's first Moon mission.
• He also played a key role in Chandrayaan-2 and the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan).
• Through Mangalyaan, India became the fourth country in the world to successfully reach Mars orbit in 2014.
• At present, Mylswamy Annadurai serves as the Vice President (VP) of the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TANSCST).
• He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2016, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to Science and Engineering.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Defence Acquisition Council Clears ₹52,000 Crore Defence Procurement Proposals to Strengthen Armed Forces

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to multiple defence acquisition proposals on 3 July 2026.
• The total value of the AoN approvals is approximately ₹52,000 crore.

Key Highlights :

• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is the in-principle administrative approval required before the procurement of defence equipment.
• For the Indian Army, DAC approved the procurement of AKASH TARANG Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Electronic Warfare System, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Systems, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Weapon System, Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS), Active Protection System (APS) for Tanks, and Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System.
• AKASH TARANG will provide effective anti-UAV protection to Indian Army formations.
• The Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) will enhance the Infantry’s capability to counter enemy mechanised threats.
• The Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system will provide medium-range air defence against various stand-off aerial threats.
• The Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS), equipped with multi-spectral sensing, will improve counter-measure resilience and enhance the air defence capability of the Indian Army.
• The Active Protection System (APS) will improve the defence mechanism and survivability of tanks.
• The Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System will enhance Electronic Warfare (EW) capability while providing greater lethality, survivability, and cost-effectiveness.
• For the Indian Navy, DAC approved the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mine (MIGM), Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS), and the establishment of a Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion Systems.
• The Multi Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) will help deny freedom of manoeuvre to the adversary in maritime operations.
• The Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS), equipped with advanced sensors, will strengthen the situational awareness of the Indian Navy.
• The Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) will support the testing of motors and electric propulsion systems for Indian Naval platforms.
• For the Indian Air Force (IAF), DAC approved the procurement of Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) along with other proposals.
• The Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) will provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), telecommunication, and remote sensing capabilities for the Indian Air Force.

About Defence Acquisition Council :

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest decision-making body of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for defence procurement in India.
• The DAC was established in 2001.
• It was constituted following the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on "Reforming the National Security System".
• The formation of the DAC was a major reform undertaken after the Kargil War (1999).
• The Chairman of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the Union Defence Minister.
• Current Chairman: Rajnath Singh.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Competition Commission of India Approves Two Major Acquisition Deals in India’s Asset Management and Sports Sectors

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), approved two major acquisition proposals under the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002.
• Approval 1: Germany-based DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (DWS Group) received approval to acquire a 40% stake in Nippon Life India Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) Management Limited (NIAIF).
• The DWS Group–NIAIF transaction is valued at approximately ₹733 crore.
• Approval 2: An Aditya Birla Group-led consortium received approval to acquire 100% shareholding in Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) from United Spirits Limited (USL).
• RCSPL owns the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchises in both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women's Premier League (WPL).
• The RCB acquisition was completed through an all-cash deal worth ₹16,660 crore (approximately USD 1.78 billion), making it one of the largest sports franchise acquisitions globally.
• The Aditya Birla Group-led consortium comprises Big Banyan Holdings (Aditya Birla Group), Bolt IPL Holdings (Bolt Ventures), Times Internet Limited, Times Cricket LLP (The Times Group), ICQ Opportunities RC Holdco Limited (ICONIQ Group), Asia Investment Topco II Pte. Limited (Blackstone’s BXPE strategy), and other investors.
• Following the acquisition, Aryaman Vikram Birla was appointed Chairman of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
• Satyan Gajwani, Chairman of The Times Group, was appointed Vice Chairman of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited Signs Agreement to Acquire 40% Stake in Tiki Tar and Shell India Private Limited for ₹85 Crore

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a 'Maharatna' Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire a 40% equity stake in Tiki Tar and Shell India Private Limited (TTSIPL).
• The acquisition value is ₹85 crore, aimed at strengthening BPCL’s presence in the bitumen and road infrastructure materials
• The acquisition has been approved by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
• The transaction is expected to be completed within 90 days.
• Under the agreement, BPCL will acquire the 40% stake in TTSIPL from Shell Overseas Investments B.V.
• After completion of the transaction, BPCL will become an equal Joint Venture (JV) partner in TTSIPL alongside the existing shareholder.
• Tiki Tar and Shell India Private Limited (TTSIPL) was incorporated in October 2019.
• TTSIPL manufactures a wide range of bitumen-based products, including modified bitumen and bitumen emulsions, used in road construction and road maintenance.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Announces ₹281.7 Crore Acquisition of Deutsche Bank India’s Retail and Wealth Management Business

• Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL), a private sector bank, announced the acquisition of Deutsche Bank India’s Retail Banking, Private Banking, and Wealth Management business for ₹281.7 crore.
• The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals, including approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
• The transaction is expected to be completed by September 2027.
• The acquired business portfolio includes approximately ₹29,000 crore in loans, ₹16,000 crore in deposits, and ₹10,500 crore in Assets Under Management (AUM).
• The business serves around 5 lakh customers and has nearly 1,000 employees.
• The acquisition will strengthen Kotak Mahindra Bank’s presence in the affluent banking, private banking, wealth management, and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)
• Kotak Mahindra Bank and Deutsche Bank India will work together to ensure uninterrupted customer services during the transition period.
• Deutsche Bank India is the Indian arm of Deutsche Bank (Germany) and has been operating in India for over 45 years.
• Deutsche Bank India offers services in Corporate Banking, Investment Banking, Retail Banking, Private Banking, and Wealth Management.

About Kotak Mahindra Bank:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Managing Director & CEO: Ashok Vaswani
• Tagline: Let’s Make Money Simple
• Merger: ING Vysya Bank merged with Kotak Mahindra Bank in 2015

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates 4th Animal Taxonomy Summit (ATS 4.0) in Kolkata

• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), inaugurated the 4th Animal Taxonomy Summit (ATS 4.0) in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• ATS 4.0 was held from 30 June to 2 July 2026 to commemorate the 111th Foundation Day of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
• The summit highlighted India’s biodiversity research, promoted wildlife conservation, and documented 709 new faunal records.
• During the summit, the annual publications Animal Discoveries–2025 and Plant Discoveries–2025 were officially released.
• A nationwide 111-Hours Hackathon on Traditional Knowledge for Biodiversity was organised as one of the key events of the summit.
• The summit also featured 16 regional competitions, national semi-finals at Dehradun, and the grand finale at Kolkata.
• Two important digital platforms, Fauna of India Checklist Version 3.0 and the PaleoIndia Portal, were launched during the event.
• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) jointly released Animal Discoveries–2025, documenting India’s latest faunal discoveries and biodiversity records.
• The 19th edition of Plant Discoveries–2025 added 353 taxa to India’s floral database.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory Launches Modernized State-of-the-Art Skill Development Centre

• CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune inaugurated its newly renovated State-of-the-Art Skill Development Center to strengthen scientific and technical skill development.
• The Skill Development Center was inaugurated by Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-NCL.
• Chief Guest: Vinay Kumar, Nodal Scientist for the CSIR-Integrated Skill Initiative (CSIR-HRDC), Ghaziabad.
• The modernization of the facility was sponsored by Envalior under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Other dignitaries present included Rajesh Gonnade (NCL Skill Nodal Officer) and Mrs. Kanika Goel (Controller of Administration – COA, CSIR-NCL).
• The CSIR Skill Development Program (SDP) functions under the CSIR-Integrated Skill Initiative (CSIR-ISI).
• Objective of CSIR-ISI: To provide world-class high-end skill training and create a high-quality skilled workforce aligned with current and emerging industry needs.
• The Skill Development Program (SDP) is conducted using CSIR-NCL’s experienced scientific staff and state-of-the-art research infrastructure.
• The upgraded facility has been developed as a fully integrated Skill Development Center to centralize all technical training and skill development activities at CSIR-NCL.
• The modern facility includes interactive smart classrooms, digital podium, computer classroom, advanced digital conference room, analytical laboratories, and a centralized Skill Development Program (SDP) office.

Self-Help Entrepreneur–Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability: A Digital Platform to Empower Lakhpati Didis Across Rural India

• SHE-LEAPS stands for Self-Help Entrepreneur–Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability.

Key Highlights :

• SHE-LEAPS is a digital platform designed to empower women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across rural India.
• The platform provides a unified system for enterprise creation, performance tracking, livelihood generation, enterprise growth, and financial inclusion.
• SHE-LEAPS supports both farm and non-farm rural enterprises, helping build a stronger and sustainable rural economy.
• The SHE-LEAPS mobile application has been developed by the Digital India Corporation and implemented under the LokOS platform.
• LokOS is a digital platform that captures the activities of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations (VOs), and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs).
• LokOS digitizes member records, financial transactions, livelihood records, and convergence initiatives of rural institutions.
• SHE-LEAPS was launched on 29 June 2026 during the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan held in New Delhi.
• The theme of the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026 was "Gramodaya Se Rashtrodaya".
• The summit focused on reviewing rural development programmes and advancing the vision of "Viksit Gram – Viksit Bharat".
• SHE-LEAPS aims to empower rural SHG women entrepreneurs, strengthen women-led enterprises, integrate rural producers with formal value chains, enhance financial inclusion, and promote data-driven rural entrepreneurship.
• The platform will be implemented across 34 States and Union Territories (UTs) through the State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs).
• SHE-LEAPS captures real-time enterprise data, improving monitoring, governance, policy planning, and decision-making at both state and national levels.
• The application tracks the complete livelihood journey, from entrepreneur profile creation to enterprise performance monitoring.
• SHE-LEAPS strengthens digital governance, planning, policy intervention, and evidence-based rural development.
• The platform will play a key role in advancing the Lakhpati Didi Initiative by enabling end-to-end tracking of income growth and enterprise performance.
• The Government of India has increased the Lakhpati Didi target from 3 crore women to 6 crore women.
• The Government plans to provide ₹10 lakh crore over the next five years to support Lakhpati Didis and expand women-led enterprises.
• SHE-LEAPS is an important component of Digital Rural Transformation, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and inclusive, sustainable rural development in India.

MANAS: India's Digital Platform to Combat Drug Abuse and Trafficking

• National Narcotics Helpline MANAS stands for Madak Padarth Nishedh Asoochna Kendra.

Key Highlights :

• MANAS was launched on 18 July 2024 under the aegis of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in collaboration with the Digital India Corporation (DIC).
• Objective of MANAS: To provide a secure, confidential, technology-driven platform for reporting drug trafficking, substance abuse, and providing counselling and rehabilitation support.
• MANAS integrates the vision of Digital India with the mission of Nasha Mukt Bharat.
• The platform is accessible through the National Helpline Number – 1933, Official Web Portal, Email, and the UMANG App.
• MANAS enables citizens to confidentially report drug trafficking, drug peddling, illegal cultivation of narcotic substances, and other drug-related activities without revealing their identity.
• People affected by drug addiction can access professional counselling and rehabilitation support through MANAS.
• Calls related to counselling are transferred to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's De-addiction Helpline – 14446.
• MANAS provides 24×7 nationwide services, ensuring uninterrupted access across India.
• The platform uses digital ticket generation and workflow management systems for faster information sharing and improved coordination among enforcement agencies.
• Planned features include Multilingual Call Support, Smart IVRS, AI-powered Chatbot Integration, and Regional Language Assistance.
• Drug addicts are treated as victims and encouraged to seek professional counselling, therapy, and treatment at Government De-addiction Centres.
• Since its launch, MANAS has strengthened citizen outreach, public service delivery, and coordination among drug law-enforcement agencies.
• The platform has improved information sharing between citizens and enforcement agencies, leading to quicker action against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
• MANAS has enhanced access to counselling, rehabilitation, and public awareness services, encouraging more citizens to seek help.
• The platform supports the vision of Nasha Mukt Bharat through technology-driven citizen engagement.
• MANAS operates round the clock (24×7) and is accessible from anywhere in India.
• Every report submitted through MANAS is digitally logged, registered, tracked, and resolved, ensuring speed, transparency, and accountability.
• MANAS directly connects citizens with 30 NCB Zonal Units and 36 State & Union Territory Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs).
• The MANAS Portal is designed as a unified, secure, and bilingual platform.
• The platform conducts awareness campaigns through the MyGov Portal, including quizzes, poster competitions, and reel-making contests to engage students and youth.
• The digital data collected through MANAS enables agencies to identify patterns, trends, and high-risk areas, supporting better planning and policy decisions.
• MANAS is an important example of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) being used for citizen protection, public health, good governance, and social welfare.
• India's first comprehensive report on the Magnitude of Substance Abuse (2019) highlighted the seriousness of the country's drug abuse problem.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Harshavardhan G.B. Becomes India's 97th Chess Grandmaster

• Harshavardhan G.B., a 22-year-old chess player from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, became India's 97th Chess Grandmaster (GM).
• He secured his third and final Grandmaster norm at the 2nd Chola Chess Grandmaster Norm Round Robin Tournament held in Chennai.
• Harshavardhan remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, scoring 6.5 out of 9 points.
• He also crossed the 2500 live Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) rating required to earn the Grandmaster title.
• He achieved the milestone after drawing his final-round game against Grandmaster Mihail Nikitenko.
• Harshavardhan earned:
• First Grandmaster norm by winning the Asian Junior Chess Championship in 2022.
• Second Grandmaster norm at the Asian Continental Chess Championship in 2025, which also qualified him for the FIDE World Cup.
• He started playing chess at the age of 4, introduced by his father Fide Trainer (FT) Gopalakrishnan K.
• He is currently coached by Grandmaster Deepan Chakkravarthy.

About Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE)

• Established: 1924
• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• President: Arkady Dvorkovich

About Tamil Nadu:

• Chief Minister: Joseph Vijay
• Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (Additional Charge)
• Capital: Chennai
• National Parks: Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Indira Gandhi (Anamalai) National Park, Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Palani Hills National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulicat Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary

India Tops Medal Tally at International Shooting Sport Federation Junior World Championship 2026

• India finished first in the medal standings at the 5th International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Championship 2026 (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) held in Suhl, Germany.
• The championship featured over 800 shooters from 70 national federations, with India fielding an 84-member contingent.
• India won a total of 24 medals:
• 7 Gold
• 8 Silver
• 9 Bronze
• This marked India's second consecutive ISSF Junior World Championship medal tally title, after topping the 2024 edition held in Lima, Peru.

India's Gold Medal Winners

• Sejal Kamble – 10m Air Pistol Women Junior (Individual)
• Sejal Kamble, Vanshika Choudhary and Navya Bishnoi – 10m Air Pistol Women Junior Team
• Sameer – 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men Junior
• Rohit Kanyan – 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Junior
• Pritam Kendre – 10m Air Rifle Men Junior
• Abhinav Deshwal – 25m Standard Pistol Men Junior
• Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar and Abhinav Shaw – 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Junior
• Notable silver medal winners included Shiva Narwal (10m Air Pistol Men Junior), Prachi Gaikwad (50m Rifle 3 Positions Women Junior), and Aishwarya Ravichandra Balehosur (50m Pistol Women Junior).
• Anvii Rathod won the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Women Junior, while Indian teams also secured several bronze medals in rifle and pistol events.
• National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo described India's second consecutive World Championship medal tally victory as a "phenomenal achievement."
• Pawankumar Singh is the Secretary General of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

About International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)

• Established: 1907
• Headquarters: Munich, Germany
• President: Luciano Rossi

About Germany

• Capital: Berlin
• Chancellor: Friedrich Merz
• President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier
• Currency: Euro (€)

Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Oldest Goalscorer in Men's FIFA World Cup Knockout History

• Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player to score in a men's Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup knockout match after converting a penalty against Croatia in the Round of 32.
• At the age of 41 years and 147 days, Ronaldo scored the equaliser as Portugal defeated Croatia 2–1 to qualify for the Round of 16.
• Portugal will now face Spain, the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions, in the Round of 16.
• Ronaldo surpassed the previous record held by Lionel Messi to become the oldest goalscorer in a FIFA World Cup knockout-stage match.
• He also became the second-oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, behind Roger Milla (Cameroon), who scored at 42 years and 39 days during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
• The goal was Ronaldo's first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout match, despite participating in World Cups since 2006.
• The match against Croatia was Ronaldo's 26th FIFA World Cup appearance, leaving him one match behind Lothar Matthäus (Germany), who played 27 matches. Lionel Messi (Argentina) holds the record with 29 FIFA World Cup appearances.
• Ronaldo also became the oldest outfield player to start a men's FIFA World Cup knockout match at 41 years and 147 days.
• The previous record was held by Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina), who started a knockout match at 40 years and 106 days.
• The match also became the first men's FIFA World Cup match featuring two opposing outfield players aged over 40 years, with Luka Modrić (Croatia) starting at 40 years and 296 days.

About Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)

• Established: 1904
• Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
• President: Gianni Infantino

About Portugal

• Capital: Lisbon
• President: António José Seguro
• Prime Minister: Luís Montenegro
• Currency: Euro (€)

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Noted Tamil Poet and Sahitya Akademi Awardee Puviyarasu Passed Away at the Age of 96

• Renowned Tamil poet, translator, screenwriter, and actor Puviyarasu passed away at the age of 96 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

About Puviyarasu :

• Puviyarasu was born in 1930 at Lingamanayakkan Puthur, Udumalpet, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu.
• His original name was Jagannathan, and he later adopted the pen name Puviyarasu.
• He worked as a Tamil teacher and began publishing poetry in 1952.
• Puviyarasu was a founding member of the Vaanampaadi Movement, which promoted Tamil free verse poetry and modern literary expression.
• He authored more than 120 books, including poetry collections and literary translations.
• He translated the works of renowned authors such as Khalil Gibran, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Osho, and Rabindranath Tagore, making world literature accessible to Tamil readers.

Awards & Honors :

• Puviyarasu was a two-time Sahitya Akademi Award recipient.
• He received the Sahitya Akademi Award (2007) for "Puratchikaran", the Tamil translation of Kazi Nazrul Islam's work "The Revolutionary".
• He won the Sahitya Akademi Award (2010) for "Kaiyoppam (Signature)".
• Puviyarasu was widely recognised for his outstanding contributions to Tamil poetry, literary translation, and modern Tamil literature.

Former Mizoram Governor and Puducherry Lt Governor Lt Gen M.M. Lakhera Passed Away

• Lieutenant General (Retired) Madan Mohan (M.M.) Lakhera, former Governor of Mizoram and former Lieutenant Governor (Lt Gov) of Puducherry, passed away at the age of 88 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• M. Lakhera was born on 21 October 1937 in Jakhand, United Provinces, British India (present-day Uttarakhand).
• He was commissioned into the Indian Army (IA) from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, in June 1958.
• During his military career, he gained extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations.
• He was honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for his distinguished military service.
• After retiring from the Indian Army, Lt Gen M.M. Lakhera was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor (Lt Gov) and Administrator of Puducherry in 2004.
• He also held additional charge as the 9th Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands.
• He administered the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy as Lt Governor of the A&N Islands on 29 November 2005 under Article 239 of the Constitution of India.
• M. Lakhera served as the 8th Governor of Mizoram from 25 July 2006 to 2 September 2011.

Daily CA One- Liner: July 4

• Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar led the concluding National Awareness Programme of 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah', held at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (DSVV), Haridwar, Uttarakhand
• The Central Government has notified the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026, introducing significant changes to the partial withdrawal rules for members of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation
• Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM (G)] from Mukkavaripalli village, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh
• Gujarat Police launched 'Operation Surakshit Cyberspace', a 28-day statewide campaign, from 1 July to 28 July 2026 to strengthen cyber safety for women and children
• The International Booker Prize will be officially renamed the Bukhman International Booker Prize from 2027 following a 10-year funding agreement (2027–2036) with Bukhman Philanthropies
• Harshavardhan G.B., a 22-year-old chess player from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, became India's 97th Chess Grandmaster
• India finished first in the medal standings at the 5th International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Championship 2026 (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) held in Suhl, Germany
• Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player to score in a men's Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup knockout match after converting a penalty against Croatia in the Round of 32.
• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) partnered with HSBC India and JP Morgan Payments to enable real-time Foreign Exchange (FX) settlement for cross-border Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
• Biswanath Sinha, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, assumed charge as the Chief Secretary (CS) of Kerala.
• Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) appointed former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Mylswamy Annadurai as the Chairman of the Curriculum Design Committee (CDC) for School Education for a 3-year tenure.
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to multiple defence acquisition proposals on 3 July 2026.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), approved two major acquisition proposals under the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002.
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a 'Maharatna' Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire a 40% equity stake in Tiki Tar and Shell India Private Limited (TTSIPL).
• Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL), a private sector bank, announced the acquisition of Deutsche Bank India’s Retail Banking, Private Banking, and Wealth Management business for ₹281.7 crore.
• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), inaugurated the 4th Animal Taxonomy Summit (ATS 4.0) in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune inaugurated its newly renovated State-of-the-Art Skill Development Center to strengthen scientific and technical skill development.
• SHE-LEAPS stands for Self-Help Entrepreneur–Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability.
• National Narcotics Helpline MANAS stands for Madak Padarth Nishedh Asoochna Kendra.
• Renowned Tamil poet, translator, screenwriter, and actor Puviyarasu passed away at the age of 96 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
• Lieutenant General (Retired) Madan Mohan (M.M.) Lakhera, former Governor of Mizoram and former Lieutenant Governor (Lt Gov) of Puducherry, passed away at the age of 88 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.