🇮🇳 National Affairs
Union Health Ministry Launches Aarogya Setu 2.0 & Next-Gen Digital Health Initiatives
Union Minister Jagat Prakash (J.P.) Nadda (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) launched a suite of digital initiatives to fortify India's Digital Public Infrastructure for Health in New Delhi.
ABDM Progress: India has established one of the world's largest digital health ecosystems under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), with over 90 crore ABHA accounts and more than 100 crore health records created to date.
Key Launches: The event saw the rollout of Aarogya Setu 2.0, developed under the National Health Authority (NHA) and NRCES.
Other Digital Ecosystem Tools: Other crucial rollouts included the Ayushman App, Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp Chatbot, National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), Unified Health Interface (UHI), e-Sushrut Clinic, Drug Registry, and the Bharat Health Terminology Service (BHTS).
MIB Constitutes High-Level Study Group for Indian Cinema
To elevate the global competitiveness of the Indian film industry and drive theater infrastructure expansion, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has announced two significant initiatives, chaired by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
High-Level Study Group: MIB appointed Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, to lead an expert panel to address the opportunities and challenges facing Indian cinema. The group will submit its recommendations within three months.
Model State Cinema Regulations: The government will roll out standard regulations to assist states in facilitating the rapid expansion of cinema halls, focusing aggressively on small towns and rural networks.
Finance Ministry Retains Small Savings Schemes (SSS) Interest Rates for Q2FY27
The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance announced that the interest rates for all Small Savings Schemes (SSS) will remain unchanged for the second quarter of FY27 (July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026).
Significance: This is the 9th consecutive quarter without an interest rate revision. The last modification occurred in December 2024.
Exam Fact: SSS interest rates are reviewed quarterly based on the formula recommended by the Shyamala Gopinath Committee (instituted in 2023).
Home Minister Amit Shah Launches FCRA 2.0 Portal and e-OCI System
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 2.0 Portal and the electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) Card system in New Delhi.
FCRA 2.0: Embodying "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance," the portal features Aadhaar-based authentication, an AI-powered chatbot, e-sign facilities, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for document analysis, deeply simplifying NGO compliance and oversight.
e-OCI Ecosystem: The system allows for entirely online, end-to-end processing of OCI cards. Existing cardholders can upgrade to e-OCI cards digitally, expediting immigration clearances globally.
25 Tiger Reserves Identified for Priority Reintroduction Programs
Under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Indian government identified 25 Tiger Reserves (TRs) requiring urgent science-led interventions for population recovery. Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav released reports outlining active tiger management roadmaps at an event in Sariska TR, Rajasthan.
The Issue: Despite India’s tiger population growing at 6% annually, 25 out of the 58 TRs currently suffer from low prey abundance or fragmented connectivity.
Potential Recipient Sites: Identified reserves that are ecologically viable but currently lack tiger populations include Satkosia (Odisha), Buxa (West Bengal), and Palamau (Jharkhand).
Rajnath Singh Releases DFP-2026 to Supercharge DRDO Defense Projects
To accelerate research, production, and the induction of strategic defense technologies, Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh released the Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026).
Objective: To expand functional and financial empowerment directly to DRDO labs, enhancing national defense preparedness.
Key Provisions: DFP-2026 authorises distinct financial powers for pre-project R&D, Extra-Mural Research (EMR), Technology Development Fund (TDF) initiatives, and Defence Innovation Accelerator-Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs).
Yamuna Water Project Agreement Signed Between Haryana and Rajasthan
To permanently resolve the long-pending inter-state water dispute over the Yamuna River, the Central Government, alongside the states of Haryana and Rajasthan, signed a major Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).
Project Overview: The Rs. 34,102 crore project will supply approximately 580 Million Cubic Metres (MCM) of Yamuna water.
Execution: Water will be routed from the Hathnikund Barrage through the Western Yamuna Canal via three underground pipelines directly to Rajasthan (benefiting Sikar, Churu, and Jhunjhunu districts) between July and October.
🌍 International Affairs
India & Saudi Arabia Ink Water Resources MoU
During the inaugural Saudi Water Week in Jeddah, the governments of India and Saudi Arabia signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on water resources cooperation.
The Goal: The agreement—signed by India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley—focuses on sustainable water management, irrigation, and combating long-term global water security challenges.
🏦 Banking & Finance
Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) Celebrates 119th Foundation Day
Marking 119 years of operations, Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) unveiled a refreshed Vision & Mission Statement focusing on sustainable, tech-driven growth in New Delhi.
Navjyoti Mobile App: An in-house HR platform launched to streamline employee services and workforce efficiency.
PSB Bharat Connect Account: A specialized, digital-first savings account tailored specifically for Central and State Government employees.
SEBI Constitutes Expert Group to Overhaul Debenture Trusteeship Framework
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has established an Expert Working Group (EWG) to review the regulatory framework operating under the SEBI (Debenture Trustees) Regulations, 1993.
Leadership: The committee is chaired by former SEBI Whole-Time Member Ananta Barua, and co-chaired by former SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar.
Objective: To modernize compliance, evaluate net-worth norms, and strengthen investor protection in India's expanding corporate debt market.
SBI Life & IIT Bombay Partner to Build AI-Powered Cyber Defence for Insurance
SBI Life Insurance signed an MoU with IIT Bombay to establish the 'Bharat AI & Cyber Innovation Hub for Insurance'.
Focus: This joint research center will build indigenous deep-technology defense systems—utilizing AI and quantum technologies—specifically for the insurance sector, drastically reducing India's reliance on imported security frameworks.
🤝 Appointments & Resignations
Ravi Agrawal Re-Appointed as CBDT Chairman
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the extension of Ravi Agrawal as the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on a contract basis for an additional six months.
He will serve until December 31, 2026. The CBDT is the apex body overseeing direct tax administration in India under the Department of Revenue (MoF).
🚀 Science & Technology
DGCA Conducts India’s 1st Satellite-Based Landing System Trial on Airbus A320
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) completed India's first satellite-based landing system (SLS) trial using a commercial IndiGo Airbus A320 at Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur, Rajasthan.
The Technology: The demonstration executed a Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approach utilizing India’s indigenous GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) system—jointly developed by ISRO and the AAI.
Advantage: LPV provides precision lateral and vertical guidance to runways without requiring the installation of expensive ground-based Instrument Landing System (ILS) equipment at the airport.
🕊️ Obituary
Legendary Marathi Theatre Personality Vijaya Mehta Passes Away
Padma Shri awardee and celebrated Marathi theatre and film personality, Vijaya Mehta (popularly known as "Bai"), passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai.
Legacy: A foundational pillar of experimental Marathi theatre, she co-founded the theatre group Rangayan alongside Vijay Tendulkar and Dr. Shreeram Lagoo.
Accolades: Besides the Padma Shri (1987), she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress (1986) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna (2012). Her celebrated autobiography is titled 'Zimma: A Memoir'.
📅 Important Days
International Day of Parliamentarism – June 30
Theme 2026: "The Future of Human Rights is Written in Parliaments."
Significance: Instituted by the UNGA in 2018, it marks the founding anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), established in Paris in 1889.
National Doctor's Day – July 1
Theme 2026: "Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?"
Significance: Organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) since 1991, July 1 honors the birth and death anniversary of Bharat Ratna awardee Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a legendary physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.
National Chartered Accountants Day – July 1
Significance: Commemorates the 78th foundation anniversary of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which was established by an Act of Parliament on July 1, 1949, to statutorily regulate the accountancy profession in India.