Current Affairs, 26 July 2026

Nodal ministry

The campaign is led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti; the release is issued by that ministry.

Scientific tools

Rajnandgaon uses GIS mapping, remote sensing, aquifer mapping, Digital Elevation Models and ridge-to-valley planning to site recharge structures.

Field interventions

Defunct borewells are converted into recharge shafts, and mini percolation tanks are combined with deep injection wells to reach deep aquifers in hard-rock terrain.

Crop shift

Nearly 70 per cent of summer paddy area has moved to less water-intensive crops.

Don’t confuse with Catch the Rain vs Atal Bhujal Yojana: Atal Bhujal Yojana is a Central sector scheme for community-led groundwater management in water-stressed areas. Catch the Rain is a campaign, not a funded scheme of that kind.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2020Mains GS3 · Q8Salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan for water conservation and security
2. 2018Mains GS1 · Q14How water harvesting can be made effective in urban areas to address groundwater depletion
3. 2020Mains GS3 · Q14Measures to improve water storage and irrigation for judicious use
4. 2014Prelims Q56Benefits of Integrated Watershed Development Programme, including rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Legal basis

The framework for transgenic crops rests on the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Rules of 1989.

Who sits where

RCGM works under the Department of Biotechnology. GEAC works under the Environment Ministry (MoEFCC). IBSCs are institution-level committees. FSSAI and ICAR are also part of the system.

Differentiated approach

India already treats certain categories of gene-edited products differently, but participants said clarity, harmonization and predictability still need improvement.

Roundtable ask

It called for a risk-proportionate framework with streamlined, time-bound approvals open to public and private innovators.

GEAC approval

GEAC is the body that approves the environmental release of GM organisms; the Environment Ministry chairs it through a Special Secretary or Additional Secretary.

Don’t confuse with GEAC vs RCGM: GEAC (MoEFCC) gives approval for environmental release of GM organisms. RCGM (DBT) oversees research and lab-level biosafety.

Don’t confuse with GM vs genome-edited crops: GM (transgenic) crops carry foreign genes. Genome editing such as CRISPR-Cas makes targeted changes to the plant's own genes, and may be regulated differently.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

1. 2021Mains GS3 · Q14Challenges to crop diversification and how emerging technologies offer opportunities.
2. 2024Mains GS3 · Q5Global IPR scenario on life materials and reasons for weak commercialization of patents.
3. 2026Mains GS3 · Q5Explain two examples of biotechnology helping farmers process perishable crops.
4. 2017Prelims Q45How genome sequencing can help crop improvement: markers, faster variety development, host-pathogen studies.
5. 2019Prelims Q99What is Cas9 protein, the molecular scissors used in gene editing?

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Target

The initial target is 2000 participants across India. 200 of them are reserved for the North East.

NER fee concession

Candidates from the North East get a 50% fee concession.

Nodal agency for NER

IICA Shillong, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, coordinates the rollout in the North East with State Governments and other stakeholders.

Services offered

Corporate Mitras handle non-core tasks of MSMEs: regulatory, compliance, financial, taxation, accounting and governance needs.

Registration window

Registration for the course opened on 15 July 2026 and closes on 31 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with Corporate Mitra vs Business Correspondent: Corporate Mitra gives compliance and business support to MSMEs. A bank business correspondent offers banking services at the village level.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Government policies to raise manufacturing share of GDP, especially MSMEs
2. 2013Mains GS3 · Q1Challenges in implementing mandatory CSR under the Companies Bill 2013
3. 2023Mains GS4 · Q1Explain moral integrity and professional efficiency in corporate governance, with examples
4. 2024Prelims Q50Whether CSR rules exclude direct benefits to company and set minimum spending

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.