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UPSC current affairs · Monday

Current Affairs, 3 August 2026

12 issues picked from 67 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

  1. Kisan Credit Card – Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (KCC-MISS). ISEC study finds KCC-MISS gives ₹2.30 value addition per ₹1 and raised cropping intensity.
  2. Mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and RTE Act Section 23. Supreme Court makes TET mandatory for teachers under RTE Act Section 23; deadline extended to August 2028.
  3. Gyan Bharatam Mission. Gyan Bharatam Mission digitises and surveys manuscripts; Rs 491.66 crore sanctioned; 1.19 crore manuscripts reported.
  4. Green Credit Programme. Green Credits for degraded forest restoration need five years of work and 40% canopy density.
  5. eShram Portal and National Database of Unorganised Workers. Over 31.82 crore unorganised workers are on eShram, which now links 15 central schemes.
  6. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM). PM-SYM crosses 54 lakh enrolments; government lists steps to cut dormant accounts.
  7. Smart Cities Mission. Smart Cities Mission, closed in March 2025, reports 97% of 8,064 projects completed.
  8. Ramsar Sites in India and Glaw Lake. Glaw Lake, in Kamlang Tiger Reserve, is Arunachal's first Ramsar Site; India now has 101.
  9. UGC Regulations 2023 on Foreign University Campuses. UGC has issued 16 Letters of Intent to 15 foreign universities for Indian campuses.
  10. Central Motor Vehicles Rules and Two-Wheeled Road Ambulance. Draft CMVR amendment would regulate two-wheeled ambulances as a distinct category under standard AIS-209 from October 2027.
  11. Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication. Draft rules propose mandatory C-V2X-based V2V communication in new vehicles from October 2028, in the 5.9 GHz band.
  12. NOTTO and Indian Organ Donation Day. NOTTO marks Organ Donation Day with record 2025 transplants, a digital platform and new guidelines.
1

Scheme

Kisan Credit Card – Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (KCC-MISS)

GS3 AgricultureGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Minister of State for Finance told the Lok Sabha that a third-party assessment by ISEC, Bengaluru found every ₹1 under KCC-MISS adds ₹2.30 to net value addition in agriculture and allied sectors.
What it is
The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) gives farmers timely short-term credit for crops and related needs. The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) lowers the interest cost of such loans, and gives a prompt repayment incentive to farmers who repay on time.
Return on spending
The ISEC assessment found each ₹1 under KCC-MISS adds ₹2.30 to net value addition in agriculture and allied sectors.
Subsidy outlay
Estimated subsidy outlay was ₹1.87 lakh crore from inception to 2024-25.
Digital tools
Kisan Rin Portal, Jan Samarth portal, e-KCC and KRISHIKA were introduced to streamline agricultural credit delivery.
Assessor
The third-party assessment was done through the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru.

Don’t confuse with KCC vs MISS: KCC is the credit instrument; MISS is the interest subsidy given on KCC loans.

Don’t confuse with Kisan Rin Portal vs e-KCC: Kisan Rin Portal and e-KCC are separate digital tools; both aim to streamline credit delivery.

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.

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance, 3 Aug, 16:26 IST · Release 292594

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

2

Law and statutory body

Mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and RTE Act Section 23

GS2 Education and judgmentsPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Education Minister told the Lok Sabha that the Supreme Court (29 May 2026) extended the deadline for serving teachers to acquire TET qualification to 31 August 2028.
What it is
The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is a test of minimum qualification for appointment as a teacher in schools covered by the RTE Act, 2009. Section 23 of the Act lets the academic authority set minimum teacher qualifications. The Supreme Court has now held TET to be one of these minimum qualifications.
Legal basis
TET is a minimum qualification under Section 23 of the RTE Act, 2009, and is mandatory for appointment as a teacher in schools covered by the Act.
Frequency of TET
Governments should try to hold TET preferably twice a year, about six months apart.
Constitutional position
Education is in the Concurrent List; teacher recruitment, service conditions and deployment lie with State and UT administrations.
Academic authority
The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) was notified as the academic authority under Section 23 to lay down teacher qualifications.

Don’t confuse with TET vs CTET: CTET is conducted by CBSE for central schools and related posts; State TETs are held by States. Both are used to meet the minimum qualification.

Don’t confuse with NCTE vs UGC: NCTE regulates teacher education and sets teacher qualifications under the RTE Act; UGC regulates university higher education.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Human Resource Development, 3 Aug, 19:13 IST · Release 292618

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

3

Scheme

Gyan Bharatam Mission

GS1 Art and culturePrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Culture Minister told the Lok Sabha that the Gyan Bharatam Mission has begun a National Manuscript Survey, reporting over 1.19 crore manuscripts so far.
What it is
Gyan Bharatam Mission is a Ministry of Culture initiative announced in Union Budget 2025-26 to survey, document, conserve and digitise India's manuscripts. It works through partner centres and builds a National Digital Repository for access by scholars and the public.
Origin and ministry
Announced in Union Budget 2025-26; run by the Ministry of Culture.
Outlay
The Standing Finance Committee sanctioned Rs 491.66 crore for 2025-2031.
Delivery structure
Works through Cluster Centres and Independent Centres; States/UTs act as Nodal Coordinating Authorities.
Digital access
Over 8 lakh manuscripts are digitised; over 4.40 lakh are on the Gyan Bharatam portal in view mode.
Centre network
The Mission is to set up a nation-wide network of Cluster Centres and Independent Centres, chosen on set criteria such as size of collection, capacity, manpower and regional representation.
Digitisation
Over 8 lakh manuscripts are digitised nationally; over 3.90 lakh are on the Gyan Bharatam portal in view mode.
Funding to centres
Centres get financial help as grant-in-aid for manuscript work.
Scope
It covers manuscripts irrespective of script, language, dialect, tradition, community or location.
Nodal ministry
Gyan Bharatam is run by the Ministry of Culture and was announced in Union Budget 2025-26.
Ministry
Gyan Bharatam is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture.
Outlay and period
The Standing Finance Committee sanctioned Rs 491.66 crore for 2025-2031.
Components
Survey and registration, technology infrastructure and partnership, documentation, conservation, digitisation, publication, capacity building and research.
Announced
The mission was announced in Union Budget 2025-26.
Abhilekh-Patal
The National Archives of India runs the Abhilekh-Patal portal to digitise and give online access to archival records.

Don’t confuse with Gyan Bharatam Mission vs National Mission for Manuscripts: The National Mission for Manuscripts (2003) was an earlier Ministry of Culture mission on manuscripts. Gyan Bharatam is the 2025-26 Budget initiative with a wider survey and digital repository focus.

Don’t confuse with Cluster vs Independent Centre: Both are Mission partner centres receiving grant-in-aid; they are two types in the network.

Don’t confuse with Gyan Bharatam vs Abhilekh-Patal: Gyan Bharatam covers manuscripts; Abhilekh-Patal is the National Archives of India's portal for archival records.

Don’t confuse with Gyan Bharatam vs Adopt A Heritage 2.0: Adopt A Heritage 2.0 involves partners in visitor amenities at protected monuments, not manuscripts.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Culture, 3 Aug, 16:19 IST · Release 292591

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

4

Environment

Green Credit Programme

GS3 EnvironmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Minister of State for Environment told the Lok Sabha how the Green Credit Programme works: who administers it, and the five-year and 40% canopy conditions for claiming credits on degraded forest land.
What it is
The Green Credit Programme is a market-style incentive to reward voluntary actions that help the environment, such as tree planting and land restoration. It is linked to Mission LiFE. It runs under the Green Credit Rules, 2023, made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Legal basis
Green Credit Rules were notified on 12 October 2023 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Administrator
ICFRE, Dehradun, is the Administrator. It manages and runs the programme and issues credits.
Land selection
The State Forest Department selects and registers degraded forest land parcels after ground verification.
Verification
A designated agency verifies claims and reports to the Administrator.
Modality dates
The tree plantation and eco-restoration modality was notified on 22 February 2024 and revised on 29 August 2025.
Compensatory afforestation link
Forest lands restored under the programme can be exchanged to meet compensatory afforestation requirements.

Don’t confuse with Green Credit vs carbon credit: Green Credits reward voluntary environmental actions such as tree planting. Carbon credits under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme relate to greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 3 Aug, 17:31 IST · Release 292597

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

5

Scheme

eShram Portal and National Database of Unorganised Workers

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Labour Ministry told the Lok Sabha that over 31.82 crore unorganised workers are registered on the eShram portal, with 15 schemes now linked to it.
What it is
eShram is a portal of the Ministry of Labour and Employment that builds the National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW). Workers register by self-declaration and get a Universal Account Number (UAN). It is meant to help the government deliver social security to workers outside the formal sector, including gig, platform and migrant workers.
Launch
The portal was launched on 26 August 2021 to build the National Database of Unorganised Workers, covering gig, platform and migrant workers.
Identity and registration basis
Workers get a Universal Account Number (UAN) on self-declaration.
One-Stop-Solution
Launched on 21 October 2024 following the Budget 2024-25 announcement, it integrates social security schemes on one portal and lets workers see benefits they have availed.
Authentication
Registration needs Aadhaar-based eKYC, and key details such as name, gender, date of birth, address and photo are fetched from UIDAI.
Assisted registration
Besides web and mobile self-registration, workers can register through Common Service Centres, State Sewa Kendras and UMANG.
Linked services
eShram links with National Career Service for jobs, Skill India Digital Hub for skills and PM-SYM for pension.

Don’t confuse with eShram UAN vs EPFO UAN: eShram's Universal Account Number is for unorganised workers on self-declaration. EPFO's UAN is for formal-sector provident fund members.

Don’t confuse with eShram vs PM-SYM: eShram is a database and access portal. PM-SYM is a separate pension scheme linked to it.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Labour & Employment, 3 Aug, 17:32 IST · Release 292598

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

6

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM)

GS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Labour Ministry told Lok Sabha that over 54 lakh workers had enrolled in PM-SYM as of 29 July 2026, and listed steps to improve retention.
What it is
PM-SYM is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme for unorganised workers, launched in February 2019. It gives an assured monthly pension after age 60. The worker and the Central Government each pay half of the monthly contribution.
Pension
Assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 after age 60.
Eligibility
Age 18 to 40, monthly income up to Rs 15,000, and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS or an income tax assessee.
Enrolment
Through Common Service Centres (about 4 lakh) or self-enrolment on the maandhan.in portal.
Revival period
Revival period for dormant accounts was extended from one year to three years.
Women's share
Women make up 53.1% of enrolled workers.

Don’t confuse with PM-SYM vs PM-KMY: PM-SYM covers unorganised workers aged 18-40 with income up to Rs 15,000. PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana is a similar pension scheme for small and marginal farmers.

Don’t confuse with PM-SYM vs Atal Pension Yojana: APY is run by PFRDA for all citizens aged 18-40 with a bank account. PM-SYM is for unorganised workers with Central matching contribution.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Labour & Employment, 3 Aug, 17:33 IST · Release 292599

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

7

Scheme

Smart Cities Mission

GS2 Urban governanceGS1 UrbanisationPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs told the Rajya Sabha that 97% of Smart Cities Mission projects were complete as of 31 March 2026, citing a NITI Aayog evaluation.
What it is
The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was launched in June 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It aimed to build 100 cities with core infrastructure, a clean environment and smart solutions. Each city set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to plan and run its projects.
Projects taken up
As of 31.03.2026, 8,064 projects worth ₹1,64,811 crore were taken up, and 7,790 (97%) were completed.
ICCCs
100 Integrated Command and Control Centres were set up, covering crime monitoring, safety, transport, waste, water and disaster management.
NITI Aayog evaluation
NITI Aayog's September 2025 evaluation under Package 4 found strong alignment with urban priorities and links to several SDGs.
Launch and nodal ministry
SCM was launched in June 2015 and run by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Don’t confuse with Smart Cities Mission vs AMRUT: SCM covered 100 selected cities with area-based and pan-city smart solutions. AMRUT focuses on basic services such as water supply and sewerage in many more cities.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, 3 Aug, 18:03 IST · Release 292605

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

8

Place in the news

Ramsar Sites in India and Glaw Lake

GS3 EnvironmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh as India's 101st Ramsar Site and the State's first.
What it is
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. A Ramsar Site is a wetland listed as a Wetland of International Importance because it meets at least one of nine criteria. In India, States propose sites and the Environment Ministry sends them to the Ramsar Secretariat.
India joined
India became a Party to the Convention on 1 February 1982.
Montreux Record
A register of Ramsar Sites where ecological character has changed or is likely to change. Chilika was removed from it in 2002.
Site
Glaw Lake was designated India's 101st Ramsar Site.
Location
The lake lies within Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.
Growth of network
India had 26 Ramsar Sites in 2014, according to the Minister.
Water source
The lake is fed by perennial mountain streams.
Biodiversity
Over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species are recorded in the site and its catchment.
Convention
The Ramsar Convention was adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran.
100th site
Surha Tal is India's 100th Ramsar site.
New site
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, was designated a Ramsar site.
Flyway
The site is a stopover on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds in winter.
Ramsar Convention
Adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, it is an intergovernmental treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Listing body
In India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change handles Ramsar site nominations.
Number of sites
India has 98 Ramsar sites, up from 26 in 2014.
Convention adoption
The Convention was adopted on 2 February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran. World Wetlands Day marks this date.
India's accession
India became a signatory to the Convention on 1 February 1982.
Asia ranking
India leads Asia in the number of Ramsar sites.
2026 theme
The theme was 'Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage'. The Ministry released the document Cultural Wonders of Ramsar Sites.
New sites
Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah, Uttar Pradesh) and Chhari-Dhand (Kutch, Gujarat) were added to the Ramsar list.
India's count
India's Ramsar network grew from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 at present, per the Minister.
Wildlife
The two wetlands host migratory and resident birds, and animals such as chinkara, wolf, caracal, desert cat and desert fox.
World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day is observed on 2 February, the anniversary of the Convention's adoption in 1971.

Don’t confuse with Montreux Record vs Ramsar List: The Ramsar List holds all designated sites. The Montreux Record holds only sites under ecological threat.

Don’t confuse with Ramsar Site vs Wetland City Accreditation: A Ramsar Site is a wetland. Accreditation is for cities, such as Indore and Udaipur in January 2025.

Don’t confuse with Ramsar Convention vs Montreux Record: The Montreux Record lists Ramsar Sites facing ecological change; it is not the list of designations.

Don’t confuse with Ramsar Site vs Montreux Record: Ramsar Sites are listed wetlands of international importance. The Montreux Record lists Ramsar sites where ecological character has changed or is under threat.

Don’t confuse with Ramsar Convention vs CMS: Ramsar covers wetlands (1971, Iran); the Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn, 1979) covers migratory animals.

Don’t confuse with Ramsar Site vs Wildlife Sanctuary: Ramsar is an international listing for wetlands; a sanctuary is a domestic protected area under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. A site may fall within one.

Places in the news: 26 Prelims questions since 2013, rising (12% of news questions in 2022–26); they test location and why it matters.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 3 Aug, 20:10 IST · Release 292627

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

9

Law and statutory body

UGC Regulations 2023 on Foreign University Campuses

GS2 EducationPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Minister of State for Education told the Lok Sabha that UGC has issued 16 Letters of Intent to 15 foreign institutions to set up campuses in India under the UGC Regulations 2023.
What it is
The UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023 let eligible foreign universities open branch campuses in India. They were framed under the UGC Act, 1956, in line with the National Education Policy 2020, which encouraged entry of top foreign universities.
Letters of Intent
UGC has issued 16 LoIs to 15 foreign institutions from Australia, Italy, the UK and the USA.
Eligibility
Only institutions within the top 500 in global rankings are eligible, and they must submit latest accreditation or quality assurance reports.
Approval process
A high-powered Standing Committee evaluates proposals and recommends to UGC, which grants in-principle approval and issues the LoI. A single-window mechanism exists.
Equivalence
Qualifications awarded under the Regulations are treated as equivalent to Indian ones, with no further equivalence needed.
Facilitation Committee
The government constituted a Facilitation Committee for FHEIs on 16 December 2025 to assist campus setup after the LoI and to monitor academic, financial and governance aspects.

Don’t confuse with Standing Committee vs Facilitation Committee: The Standing Committee evaluates proposals and recommends to UGC. The Facilitation Committee helps after the LoI and monitors the campuses.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Human Resource Development, 3 Aug, 20:11 IST · Release 292625

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

10

Law and statutory body

Central Motor Vehicles Rules and Two-Wheeled Road Ambulance

GS3 Infrastructure and transportGS2 HealthPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a draft notification amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. It proposes a regulatory framework for two-wheeled road ambulances.
What it is
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 are the subordinate rules under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. They set out vehicle construction, registration, fitness and safety requirements. Two-wheeled ambulances are meant for quick, last-mile emergency care where four-wheelers struggle to reach.
Legal instrument
The change is a draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, not an Act of Parliament.
Present gap
Two-wheeled ambulances are not a separate vehicle category, so no national norms exist for construction, type approval, registration or fitness.
Standard adopted
AIS-209 (Part 1):2026 would apply to L2-category two-wheeled ambulances made on or after 1 October 2027.
Area of operation
State Governments will decide the areas where these ambulances may be registered to ply.
Fitness
They will be treated as transport vehicles, with the fitness certificate renewed every two years.
Consultation period
Comments on the draft will be examined after 30 days from the date of the draft notification, after which the rules will be finalised.

Don’t confuse with Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 vs CMVR, 1989: The Act is the parent law passed by Parliament. The Rules are subordinate legislation made by the Centre under it, and this change is to the Rules.

Don’t confuse with Draft vs final rules: A draft notification only invites comments. The proposals bind only after the rules are finalised and notified.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Draft rules create a new vehicle category, but a draft with technical standards is unlikely to be set in Prelims or Mains.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, 3 Aug, 13:19 IST · Release 292568

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

11

Science and technology

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication

GS3 Science and technology in transportPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026 the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said it has issued a draft notification to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. It proposes phased rollout of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication in vehicles under standard AIS-230.
What it is
V2V communication lets nearby vehicles exchange data such as speed, position, direction and acceleration. This gives drivers warnings beyond line of sight, which onboard sensors cannot do. AIS-230 is the Indian standard that sets minimum technical, performance and security requirements for such systems, using C-V2X on-board units.
Legal route
The draft amends the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to phase in V2V systems.
Mandatory fitment date
Vehicles of categories L, M and N made on or after 1 October 2028 must be fitted with V2V systems conforming to AIS-230.
Safety use cases
The standard provides for phased introduction of Emergency Brake Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Wrong-way Driving and Emergency Vehicle Alert.
Consultation
Comments on the draft will be examined after 30 days, then the final notification will be issued.

Don’t confuse with V2V vs ADAS: ADAS relies mainly on onboard sensors and driver reaction. V2V uses radio exchange between vehicles and sees beyond line of sight; it complements ADAS.

Don’t confuse with V2V vs V2X: V2V is vehicle-to-vehicle only. V2X (including C-V2X) is the wider family that also covers links with infrastructure, pedestrians and networks.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Sci-tech concept (57 of 327 Prelims news questions are sci-tech), but a draft rule gives few testable facts; card only.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, 3 Aug, 13:20 IST · Release 292569

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

12

Law and statutory body

NOTTO and Indian Organ Donation Day

GS2 HealthPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 3 August 2026, the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day was observed in New Delhi by NOTTO. The Health Ministry launched the e-Pratyaropan platform, a NOTTO mobile app and the Jug Jug Jiyo Abhiyaan, and released two national guidelines.
What it is
NOTTO is the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization under the Union Health Ministry. It is the apex body for coordinating organ and tissue procurement, allocation and data across India. It works with regional (ROTTO) and State (SOTTO) bodies under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.
Network
The system has NOTTO at the top, five ROTTOs, 26 SOTTOs and about 1,200 registered hospitals.
Deceased donor transplants
Deceased donor transplants rose from 837 in 2013 to 3,526 in 2025.
Why 3 August
The day marks India's first successful deceased organ transplant on 3 August 1994, after the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) 1994 was brought in.
Digital pledge portal
The national digital pledge portal began in 2023 and has crossed five lakh Aadhaar-verified pledges.
Legal basis
THOA 1994 regulates removal, storage and transplantation of human organs and recognises brain-stem death. It bans commercial dealing in organs.

Don’t confuse with NOTTO vs ROTTO/SOTTO: NOTTO is the national apex body. ROTTOs work at regional level and SOTTOs at State level.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Statutory body and health topic with new guidelines, but awareness-day content is unlikely to draw a question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 3 Aug, 14:28 IST · Release 292574

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

  • India and Uzbekistan have concluded a Bilateral Investment Treaty; bilateral trade is about USD 1.5 billion and the target is to double it in three years.
  • Vice Admiral Manish Chadha assumed charge as Director General Naval Operations on 3 August 2026.

Source: PIB, 3 Aug

What we left out: 53 of 67 releases
  • Speeches without a decision (3)
  • Sports congratulations (5)
  • Ceremonies and campaigns (5)
  • Routine data releases (3)
  • Visits and meetings (3)
  • Routine parliamentary replies (18)
  • Same issue as another release (8)
  • Lab research without policy (1)
  • Routine app launches (1)
  • Explainer features (1)
  • Routine drive tests (1)
  • Beneficiary success stories (3)
  • Stamps and commemorations (1)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

  1. 1Kisan Credit Card – Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (KCC-MISS)MCQ · 6 true or false
  2. 2Mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and RTE Act Section 23MCQ · 6 true or false · Mains
  3. 3Gyan Bharatam MissionMCQ · 14 true or false
  4. 4Green Credit ProgrammeMCQ · 13 true or false
  5. 5eShram Portal and National Database of Unorganised WorkersMCQ · 7 true or false
  6. 6Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM)MCQ · 6 true or false
  7. 7Smart Cities MissionMCQ · 5 true or false
  8. 8Ramsar Sites in India and Glaw LakeMCQ · 32 true or false · Mains
  9. 9UGC Regulations 2023 on Foreign University CampusesMCQ · 6 true or false

Mains question of the day

10 marks · 150 words

A third-party assessment presented in the Lok Sabha in August 2026 found that every ₹1 spent under the Kisan Credit Card – Modified Interest Subvention Scheme adds ₹2.30 to net value addition in agriculture and allied sectors. Examine the role of KCC-MISS in providing affordable institutional credit to farmers, and discuss the challenges in its implementation and the way forward.

From: Kisan Credit Card – Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (KCC-MISS)

Write and get it marked

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Sunday, 2 August 2026Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) · National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit Sharing · Drug-free India Roadmap 2026-2029 and 1 more

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Tuesday, 4 August 2026Fugitive Economic Offenders Act and extradition · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions on crimes against women and children · Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan and 9 more
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Practice · 9Mains question