Current Affairs 03 July 2026

Arunachal Pradesh Community Initiative to Conserve Endangered Ray-Finned Fish

Highlights

• The initiative was launched by the Sangno clan of the Nyishi tribe.
• It aims to conserve the endangered Transcaspian marinka (Schizothorax pelzami).
• The species belongs to the carp family and is a Himalayan ray-finned fish.
• Fish fingerlings were released into the Richaso stream in East Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The stream is inaccessible to the predatory mahseer, improving the fish’s chances of survival.
• The village has proposed a five-year fishing ban to allow the fish population to recover.
• The long-term plan includes promoting eco-angling and stream-trail tourism.

Construction of the Rayalaseema Steel Plant Launched in Kadapa

The construction of the Rayalaseema Steel Plant (RSP) was launched by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Sunnapurallapalle village, Jammalamadugu mandal, Kadapa district on 3 July 2026. The project will be developed in two phases with a total production capacity of 2 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) and is expected to commence commercial production in April 2029.

Highlights

• It is being established by the JSW Group.
• It is a greenfield integrated steel plant.
• Total investment: ₹16,350 crore.
• Planned production capacity: 2 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA).
• Phase I will have a capacity of 1 MTPA with an investment of ₹4,500 crore.
• The project is expected to generate employment for around 1,000 people in Phase-I.
• It will use an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), which is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than a conventional blast furnace.
• Commercial production is targeted to begin in April 2029.

VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 Came into Force from 01 July 2026

The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025 came into force across India on 1 July 2026, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005. The new Act increases the statutory guarantee of wage employment for eligible rural households from 100 days to 125 days. The Centre has also notified revised wage rates, fixing a minimum daily wage of ₹300 across the country, with the national average wage increasing from ₹298.8 to ₹327.4 per day.

Highlights

• VB-G RAM G stands for Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin).
• The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force on 1 July 2026, replacing MGNREGA, 2005.
• The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment for eligible rural households (earlier 100 days under MGNREGA).
• The minimum notified daily wage has been fixed at ₹300 across the country.
• The national average wage has increased from ₹298.8 to ₹327.4 per day (an increase of over 10%).
• The Government released an interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore for implementation.
• The national launch programme of the Act is being held at Mukkavaripalle Village, Obulavaripalle Mandal, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh on 2 July 2026.

Country Approved First Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure

India has achieved a major milestone in aviation with the approval of the country’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations at Undavalli Heliport, Andhra Pradesh.

• PinS stands for Point-in-Space.
• Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• Designed in accordance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
• Uses satellite-based navigation technology to enable precise helicopter approaches where conventional landing infrastructure is unavailable.
• Improves flight safety, all-weather accessibility, and operational efficiency for helicopter services.

Borjuli Wild Rice Site in Assam Declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site

Highlights

• Borjuli in Sonitpur district, Assam, has been declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
• The site conserves the wild rice species Oryza rufipogon.
• The project is funded by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Implemented by ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board.
• The project has been under implementation since 2022.
• Wild rice species are an important genetic resource for developing climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritionally superior rice varieties.

Q1. The national launch programme of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025 was held at which village in Andhra Pradesh?
A. Amaravati Village
B. Mukkavaripalle Village
C. Venkatapuram Village
D. Ramapuram Village

Q2. Which of the following fish is often referred to as the “Tiger of the Water” in the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan rivers?
A. Hilsa
B. Mahseer
C. Transcaspian Marinka
D. Rohu

Q3. India’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations has been approved at which heliport?
A. Jolly Grant Heliport, Uttarakhand
B. Undavalli Heliport, Andhra Pradesh
C. Begumpet Heliport, Telangana
D. Pawan Hans Heliport, New Delhi

Q4. The Rayalaseema Steel Plant (RSP), whose construction was launched in July 2026, is being established by which company?
A. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
B. Tata Steel Limited
C. JSW Group
D. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)

Q5. The Rayalaseema Steel Plant (RSP), launched in July 2026, is being established at which of the following places?
A. Hindupur, Sri Sathya Sai district
B. Sunnapurallapalle village, Jammalamadugu mandal, Kadapa district
C. Orvakal, Kurnool district
D. Krishnapatnam, SPSR Nellore district

Q6. The Borjuli site, recently notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site for conserving the wild rice species Oryza rufipogon, is located in which State?
A. Arunachal Pradesh
B. Assam
C. Meghalaya
D. West Bengal