UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 30 June 2026

7 issues picked from 48 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

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G). VB-G RAM G Act takes effect July 1, 2026, raising guaranteed rural work to 125 days.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). PMKSY completes a decade, reporting 24.61 million hectares of irrigation and micro-irrigation gains.
Goods and Services Tax (GST). Nine years on, GST has widened its base, simplified rates and raised collections.
National Task Force on Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Supreme Court-appointed task force on student suicides in colleges reports field visits; final report due October 2026.
Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections and Space Weather. IIA study finds solar storms' heating state predicts geomagnetic severity, aiding space weather forecasts.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956. Cabinet-approved amendment updates the 1956 KVIC Act: rural definition, investment limit, governance, GI protection.
Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). ESIC will run all new hospitals itself, extends unemployment allowance scheme, and adds Ayush and new offices.

Law and statutory body

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 Inclusive growthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 comes into force across rural India on July 1, 2026, with the national launch on July 2 in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. The Centre announced an interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore to States and UTs on June 30, 2026.
What it is: The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 is a Central law on rural wage employment. It gives eligible rural households a statutory entitlement to guaranteed wage employment and aims at durable rural assets and livelihoods. It takes the place of the earlier rural employment guarantee framework under which households had 100 days of work.

Wage floor: No notified daily wage anywhere in the country will be below ₹300.
National average wage: The national average notified wage rose from ₹298.8 to ₹327.4 per day, an increase of over 10 per cent.
Interim allocation: The Centre has released an interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore to States and UTs.
Launch venue: The National Launch Programme is on 2 July 2026 at Mukkavaripalle Village, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh.
Ministry: The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Days of guaranteed work: The statutory guarantee rises from 100 to 125 days for every eligible rural household.
Commencement date: The Act comes into force across rural India from July 1, 2026.
Role of Gram Panchayats: The Act places Gram Panchayats at the centre, stressing durable assets, water conservation, SHGs and convergence with other rural programmes.
State readiness: 29 States/UTs have made budget provisions and 24 States have notified the VB-G RAM G State Scheme.
Job card transition: Existing e-KYC verified job cards stay valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
Commencement: The Act is to be rolled out nationwide from 1 July 2026, notified on 11 May 2026.
Repeal of MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed from the date the new Act commences.
Guarantee: Each rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work is entitled to 125 days of wage employment every financial year.
Unemployment allowance: If work is not given within the prescribed time after demand, workers are entitled to unemployment allowance.
Funding pattern: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Section 22. Sharing is 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Himalayan States and UTs (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K), and 60:40 for all other States and UTs with legislature.
State scheme: Under Section 3(1), each State must notify a Scheme consistent with the Act within six months of its commencement.
Normative allocation: The Central Government decides State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes (Section 22(4)).
Type of scheme: Section 22 makes the scheme a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Fund sharing: The Centre-State ratio is 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, and 60:40 for all other States and UTs with legislature.
State-wise allocation: Under Section 22(4), the Centre decides each State's normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes.
Special relaxations: In disasters or pandemics, States may recommend relaxations. The Centre can allow wider permissible works, relaxed documentation and temporarily more employment.
Plan approval: The Gram Panchayat prepares the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan and the Gram Sabha approves it (Schedule I, para 5(2)).
50% works through Gram Panchayats: At least half of the total works, by cost, must be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
Gati Shakti link: Village plans are integrated with PM Gati Shakti, use geospatial systems, and are aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
Guaranteed days: At least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year, up from 100 days.
Women's participation: At least one-third participation of women is mandatory, with special job cards for women-headed households and single women.
Crèche: A crèche is to be provided at worksites where five or more children under five accompany working women.
Councils: One-third women representation is mandatory in the Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils.
Work themes: Works are prioritised under four themes: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure and mitigation of extreme weather events.
Nature of scheme: The scheme under the Act is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Allocation: The Centre fixes State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters, under Section 22(4).
Planning: Works are chosen through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans approved by the Gram Sabha and aggregated up to the national level, in four thematic domains.
Four thematic domains: Water security works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and special works for extreme weather events and disaster preparedness.
Allocation to States: The Central Government determines State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes (Section 22(4)).
Planning link: Works are planned through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, integrated with PM Gati Shakti and aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
Wage payment: Wages must be paid within one week. If payment is delayed beyond 15 days, workers get 0.05 percent extra as interest on dues.
Role of Gram Sabha: The Gram Sabha takes the decision on which village-related works are to be undertaken.
Women's share: 33 percent of the work under the scheme is reserved for women.
Farm work window: State governments can notify deployment of workers for agricultural operations for a maximum of 60 days during sowing and harvesting.
Administrative expenditure: Administrative expenditure is raised from 6 percent to 9 percent to avoid delays in payments to employment assistants.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 guaranteed 100 days of work per household. VB-G RAM G raises the entitlement to 125 days and adds a focus on durable assets and livelihoods.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs earlier rural employment guarantee law: The new Act raises the guarantee from 100 to 125 days and replaces the earlier framework; the 100-day figure belongs to the old one.

Don’t confuse with Interim allocation vs final allocation: The ₹95,692.31 crore is an interim sum for a smooth start, not the full annual allocation.

Don’t confuse with VB–G RAM G vs MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 gave 100 days and is repealed; VB–G RAM G gives 125 days from 1 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with Notification vs commencement: The notification was on 11 May 2026; the Act applies from 1 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs earlier 100-day framework: The new Act raises the guarantee to 125 days, makes the scheme Centrally Sponsored with normative allocation, and adds an off-season employment guarantee.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs the earlier rural employment guarantee: The earlier framework gave 100 days of work. The 2025 Act guarantees 125 days.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs MGNREGS: MGNREGS gave 100 days of work; VB-G RAM G gives 125 days and adds Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans linked to PM Gati Shakti.

Don’t confuse with Gram Panchayat vs Gram Sabha: The Gram Panchayat is the elected village body that prepares plans and executes works; the Gram Sabha of village voters approves plans and conducts social audits.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs MGNREGA: The new Act gives 125 days of guaranteed work; the earlier framework gave 100 days.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs earlier MGNREGA: The earlier framework guaranteed 100 days of work; VB-G RAM G guarantees 125 days and adds thematic works and a digital governance layer.

Don’t confuse with Centrally Sponsored vs Central Sector Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Schemes share cost with States; Central Sector Schemes are fully funded by the Centre.

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.

Why it matters

Raises the statutory work guarantee to 125 days and lifts wages, supporting rural income and livelihood security.
Targets durable assets, natural resource conservation and women-led development.
Raises the legal guarantee of wage work to 125 days, improving rural income security.
Focus on durable assets, water conservation and convergence can build rural infrastructure and livelihoods.
Gram Panchayat-centred planning supports decentralised, participatory governance.
Raises the statutory guarantee from 100 to 125 days, strengthening livelihood security and rural incomes.
Keeps the legal right to work, with unemployment allowance and delay compensation as enforcement tools.
Makes Gram Panchayats central to rural development planning.
Raises the statutory wage guarantee, improving income and livelihood security for rural households.
Mandatory off-season work gives support when farm work is scarce.
Large outlay supports rural asset creation and demand.
Raises the statutory work guarantee to 125 days, adding to rural income security.
Demand-driven design with State partnership supports cooperative federalism.
Strengthens decentralised planning by making Panchayats at three tiers the principal authorities.
Raises the guarantee to 125 days, adding to rural livelihood security.
Geospatial, Gati Shakti-linked plans promote convergence and durable assets.
Higher guaranteed days raise rural income security and consumption smoothing.
Women-centric provisions promote gender-inclusive employment and support SHGs.
Focus on durable and climate-resilient assets links wage work to livelihoods.
Raises the statutory guarantee of rural work from 100 to 125 days, strengthening income security.
Links works to water security, rural infrastructure and disaster resilience through local plans.
Raises the statutory guarantee to 125 days, supporting rural income security.
Ties wage work to durable assets, water security and climate resilience.
Digital tools like biometrics, GPS monitoring and AI audits aim to cut leakages.
Gives rural households a stronger legal work guarantee and a safety net through more days and an unemployment allowance.
Gram Sabha control over works ties employment to local needs such as water conservation and disaster mitigation.

Problems

States must share costs and keep up timely wage payment, which strains finances.
Real delivery depends on demand-based work, administration capacity and transparent payments.
States must share costs and prepare schemes, and uneven readiness could delay work and wage payments.
Technology-based verification and new cards may exclude workers with poor connectivity or documents.
Transition risk: rules on transition, allocation and grievance redressal are still being drafted.
Fiscal burden on States, which share the cost, and dependence on Central normative allocation.
Technology-linked requirements such as e-KYC and DBT can exclude workers.
The 60:40 sharing and normative allocation may strain finances of poorer States.
Centrally fixed allocation may limit a demand-driven entitlement.
Timely wage payment, State scheme notification and capacity remain hurdles.
States must pay 40% in most cases, which strains finances.
Central fixing of normative allocations may limit the demand-driven character.
Panchayats may lack technical staff and capacity for geospatial planning and record-keeping.
Dependence on digital systems can exclude workers with poor connectivity.
Funding and timely wage payment depend on Centre-State coordination.
Timely wage payment and paying the unemployment allowance depend on state capacity and funds.
Critics may argue that changes to the earlier framework could weaken its demand-driven nature.
The 60:40 sharing may strain finances of poorer States.
Biometric and digital monitoring may exclude workers with poor connectivity or authentication failures.
Centre-set normative allocation may limit demand-driven work.
States must bear 40% (or 10%) of costs, straining finances of poorer States.
Centre-set normative allocation may limit demand-driven work and State autonomy.
Biometric and digital dependence can exclude workers in areas with poor connectivity.
Faster wage payment and interest on delays depend on states' capacity and fund flow.
Allowing farm work for up to 60 days must not dilute the purpose of creating durable rural assets.

Way forward

Release funds on time and pay wages without delay.
Use the new software platform for transparency and social audit of works.
Ensure timely wage payment and adequate funds to States, with regular social audits.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity for planning and asset creation, with support for digital access.
Publish the rules quickly after public consultation so the transition is smooth.
Support States with timely funds and e-KYC facilitation, never denying work for pending e-KYC.
Strengthen grievance redressal and social audit so wage payment and work demand are enforced.
Keep allocation flexible enough to meet actual demand.
Ensure timely payment of wages and the Centre's share.
Build State capacity and social audit to ensure assets are durable.
Use clear, objective allocation parameters and release funds on time.
Focus spending on durable rural assets.
Build Panchayat capacity with technical staff and training.
Ensure regular Gram Sabha social audits with public disclosure of records.
Keep offline options and grievance redressal for workers facing digital barriers.
Ensure time-bound wage payment and effective social audits.
Converge works with Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and ensure strong grievance redressal.
Ensure fallback to manual verification so no worker is excluded.
Keep funds flowing on time and allocation responsive to actual demand.
Strengthen Gram Sabha role and social audits in planning.
Ensure timely fund release and wage payment, with fiscal support for weaker States.
Keep non-digital fallback for authentication and strengthen social audits and Gram Sabha role.
Issue clear instructions with states and strengthen monitoring and social audit so timely payment is enforced.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity to plan village-specific works.

Put in your answer

Interim allocation: Cite the ₹95,692.31 crore interim release as the Centre's funding for rollout.

Guarantee raised: Statutory entitlement increased from 100 to 125 days per eligible rural household.

State readiness data: 29 States/UTs made budget provisions and 24 States notified the State Scheme before rollout.

Fiscal federalism angle: Section 22 makes it a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 90:10 and 60:40 sharing, a case of cooperative federalism and cost burden on States.

Fund sharing: Centre-State ratio of 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States, 60:40 for others, shows differentiated cooperative federalism.

Section 16 role of Panchayats: Panchayats at all three levels are the principal authorities for planning, implementation and monitoring, a decentralisation point in answers on grassroots governance.

Social audit: Records must be placed before the Gram Sabha for social audits, supporting transparency and accountability.

Women's participation: Women's participation under MGNREGS has been above 50% in the last three financial years and in 2025-26.

Livelihood infrastructure: Assets such as SHG buildings, work sheds, nurseries, livestock shelters and rural haats strengthen women and SHGs.

Digital governance: Biometric authentication, GPS or mobile worksite monitoring, real-time dashboards and AI for audits and fraud risk.

Funding split: 60:40 for most States and 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States shows differentiated cooperative federalism.

Accountability: Delayed wages now attract 0.05 percent extra interest on dues after 15 days, so those responsible bear the cost of delays.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 40

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Act keeps the earlier entitlement of 100 days of employment per eligible rural household.
2.Following the notification of revised rates, no notified daily wage in any State or UT is below ₹300.
3.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
4.The National Launch Programme of the Act is to be held in Tirupati district of Telangana.
5.The Act comes into force across rural India from July 1, 2026.
6.The Act makes Block Panchayats the central unit of rural transformation in place of Gram Panchayats.
7.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, whose Union Minister also holds the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare portfolio.
8.The interim allocation to States and UTs for the rollout is ₹95,692.31 crore.
9.The Act will come into force on 11 May 2026, the date of its notification.
10.MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed when the new Act comes into force.
11.If work is not provided within the prescribed time after demand, the worker has no remedy under the Act.
12.Existing e-KYC verified MGNREGA job cards remain valid under the new Act until Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
13.The ₹95,692.31 crore allocation for 2026–27 is the total programme outlay including State contributions.
14.The scheme under the Act is a Central Sector Scheme funded wholly by the Centre.
15.For Himalayan States such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the Centre-State sharing ratio is 90:10.
16.For States other than North-Eastern and Himalayan States, the Centre bears 90 per cent of the cost.
17.Each State must notify its own Scheme consistent with the Act within six months of commencement.
18.State-wise normative allocation is fixed by each State Government on its own parameters.
19.Under the Act, the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan is prepared by the Programme Officer and approved by the Block Panchayat.
20.At least fifty percent of the total works, in cost terms, are to be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
21.The intermediate-level Panchayat finalises the aggregate district-level plan under the Act.
22.The Gram Panchayat registers households and issues Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards under the Scheme.
23.Under the Act, muster rolls, bills and vouchers are placed before the Block Panchayat for social audit.
24.Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans are integrated with PM Gati Shakti and aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
25.The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantees at least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year.
26.Under the Act, an unemployment allowance is payable if work is not provided within the stipulated time.
27.The Act makes at least half of the participation of women mandatory.
28.Crèche facilities are required at worksites where five or more children under five years accompany working women.
29.The Act requires one-third women representation in the Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils.
30.The four priority themes of works under the Act include defence infrastructure.
31.For most States, the Centre and State share the cost in a 60:40 ratio.
32.The 90:10 sharing pattern applies to the North-Eastern and Himalayan States and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
33.State-wise normative allocation under the Act is decided by each State Government on its own parameters.
34.Works under the Act are identified through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans prepared and approved by the Gram Sabha.
35.The Act confines works to a single theme, rural roads.
36.The scheme under the Act is a Central Sector Scheme funded wholly by the Union Government.
37.Under the Act, the Centre-State funding ratio is 60:40 for most States, and 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States.
38.Special works to mitigate extreme weather events and prepare for disasters are one of the thematic domains of works under the Act.
39.The Act provides for works to be identified through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, which are integrated with PM Gati Shakti.
40.The Act has five thematic domains of works, including a separate domain for urban infrastructure.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Rural Development, 30 Jun, 17:45 IST · Release 290677

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

GS3 AgriculturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 June 2026, PIB issued a backgrounder marking over ten years of PMKSY, launched on 1 July 2015. It reports central assistance above ₹64,407 crore and ₹6,587 crore allocated in Union Budget 2026-27.
What it is: PMKSY is a centrally sponsored scheme that brings several irrigation efforts under one umbrella. Its aim is to expand assured irrigation and improve on-farm water efficiency, under the mottos Har Khet Ko Pani and Per Drop More Crop. It has components for major and medium projects, new water sources, watershed work and micro-irrigation.

Launch: PMKSY was launched on 1 July 2015.
Components: PMKSY has four components: AIBP, Har Khet Ko Pani, Watershed Development and Per Drop More Crop.
Micro Irrigation Fund: The Micro Irrigation Fund was set up under NABARD.
2021-26 outlay: The scheme was continued for 2021-26 with an outlay of ₹93,068.56 crore.

Don’t confuse with PMKSY vs PM-RKVY: PMKSY is the irrigation umbrella scheme. PM-RKVY is the agriculture development scheme that now hosts PDMC.

Don’t confuse with Jal Sanchay vs Jal Sinchan: Jal Sanchay means rainwater storage and harvesting. Jal Sinchan means efficient water application at the farm.

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 Headquarters, 30 Jun, 17:34 IST · Release 290672

Issue page →

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

Economy

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

GS3 EconomyGS2 FederalismPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 June 2026, ahead of GST Day (1 July), the PIB published a note on nine years of GST. It reports taxpayer growth to 1.65 crore and collections of about ₹22.27 lakh crore in 2025-26.
What it is: The Goods and Services Tax is a destination-based tax on the supply of goods and services. It replaced many central and state indirect taxes with one framework, and began on 1 July 2017. The GST Council, with Centre and States, decides rates and rules, and GSTN provides the IT backbone.

Taxes subsumed: GST merged 17 taxes and 13 cesses into one framework, ending cascading of taxes.
Destination principle: Tax accrues to the State where goods or services are finally consumed. Alcohol for human consumption is outside GST.
Dual structure: Centre levies CGST and States levy SGST on intra-state supplies. IGST applies to inter-State supplies.
GSTN ownership: GSTN is a company owned 50% by the Centre and 50% by States. It runs the common digital platform.
Taxpayer base: Registered taxpayers rose from 66.5 lakh in 2017 to 1.65 crore in May 2026.

Don’t confuse with CGST/SGST vs IGST: CGST and SGST apply to supplies within a State. IGST applies to inter-State supplies.

Don’t confuse with Composition scheme vs QRMP: Composition lets small taxpayers pay a fixed rate on turnover. QRMP allows quarterly return filing with monthly payment, for turnover up to ₹5 crore.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on indirect taxation, but this is an anniversary explainer with no fresh decision; UPSC economy-term questions are 13% of news-linked Prelims.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 30 Jun, 14:15 IST · Release 290656

Issue page →

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

In the news

National Task Force on Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

GS2 Social JusticePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 June 2026 the Education Ministry said the National Task Force on student mental health has visited 30 HEIs in 10 States since May 2025 and held 25 stakeholder consultations. The Supreme Court has given it until 31 October 2026 to file its final report.
What it is: The National Task Force on Mental Health of Students and Prevention of Suicides in Higher Education Institutions is a body set up by the Supreme Court. It looks at why students die by suicide in colleges and universities. It reviews laws and institutional frameworks and proposes reforms, with attention to marginalised groups.

Who constituted it: The Supreme Court of India set up the NTF on 24 March 2025 to address rising student suicides and student well-being concerns in HEIs.
Three-fold remit: It identifies the main causes of student suicides, analyses laws, policies and institutional frameworks, and proposes legal and institutional reforms.
Deadline: By its order of 27 May 2026 the Supreme Court allowed the NTF until 31 October 2026 to file its Final Report.
Technical Consultant: Former Chief Statistician of India Prof. T.C.A. Anant was appointed Technical Consultant to analyse survey data, following the Supreme Court order of 6 February 2026.
Case behind it: The task force arises from the Supreme Court case Amit Kumar & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. (Criminal Appeal No. 1425 of 2025).
Who set it up: The Supreme Court constituted the Task Force on 24 March 2025. It is a court-appointed body, not a statutory body created by Parliament.
Tenure: The Supreme Court extended the Task Force's tenure till 30 June 2026 so it can finish its expanded responsibilities.
Surveys: Five nationwide online surveys were launched in August 2025 and ended in December 2025. They covered students, faculty, parents, mental health service providers and the general public. HEIs gave institutional data through a separate survey.
Field visits: The Task Force visited 29 HEIs across 9 States to understand varied institutional and regional contexts.
Regulator engagement: It has consulted professional regulators: the NMC, AICTE, the Indian Nursing Council and the Dental Council of India, to improve coordination.
Added tasks: The Supreme Court asked it to develop model SOPs for periodic well-being audits, campus mental health services, and faculty sensitisation and training.

Don’t confuse with NTF vs. Tele-MANAS: The NTF is a Supreme Court-appointed body that studies causes and recommends reforms. Tele-MANAS is a government mental health helpline for the public.

Don’t confuse with Court-appointed vs statutory body: The Task Force was formed by a Supreme Court order and has no Act behind it. Bodies like the NMC or AICTE are statutory, created by Parliament.

Don’t confuse with Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: This Act is the law on mental health care and rights. The Task Force is a temporary body that reviews gaps and recommends reforms.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Supreme Court-constituted body with a final report due 31 October 2026; relevant to education and health, but few facts for a Prelims statement.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Human Resource Development, 30 Jun, 15:51 IST · Release 290661

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections and Space Weather

GS3 Science and TechnologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 June 2026, the Ministry of Science & Technology reported that Indian Institute of Astrophysics scientists studied the thermal state of ICMEs at Earth over 29 years. The work may improve space weather forecasting.
What it is: An Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection (ICME) is a large cloud of magnetised plasma thrown out from the Sun's corona that travels through interplanetary space. When one is directed at Earth, it can disturb Earth's magnetic field and cause a geomagnetic storm. These storms can affect satellites, GPS, radio links, aviation routes and power grids, and also cause auroras.

First long-term thermal study: The IIA team did the first long-term statistical study of ICME thermal behaviour at 1 AU, covering 1995 to 2024 and three solar cycles.
Polytropic index: The team used the polytropic index, which shows how pressure/temperature vary with density, to judge the thermal state of each magnetic ejecta.
Heating signatures: About 45% of magnetic ejecta showed heating at 1 AU, mostly near solar maximum. This goes against the assumption that CMEs only cool as they expand.
Link to geoeffectiveness: The most geoeffective storms were linked to ICMEs in a heating state (low Gamma), with strong magnetic fields and low plasma beta.
L1 data source: The study used in situ solar wind data from satellites at L1, about 1.5 million km from Earth towards the Sun, via the OMNI database.
Aditya-L1: India's Aditya-L1 solar mission is placed at the Sun-Earth L1 point. Its data will be used in future work.

Don’t confuse with ICME vs solar flare: A CME is a bulk ejection of magnetised plasma. A solar flare is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. Flares reach Earth in about 8 minutes, while CMEs take days.

Don’t confuse with CME vs ICME: A CME is the eruption seen at the Sun. ICME is the term for it once it travels through interplanetary space, as measured near Earth.

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: Space weather concepts are testable (sci_tech concept questions are 36 of 57), but this is a research finding; a card suffices.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 30 Jun, 15:53 IST · Release 290662

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956

GS2 Polity and GovernanceGS3 MSMEsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 June 2026 the Government approved a proposal to amend the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956, to modernise the legal framework for the KVI sector.
What it is: The KVIC Act, 1956 set up the Khadi and Village Industries Commission as a statutory body to plan, promote and organise khadi and village industries in rural areas. The Commission works under the Ministry of MSME. It runs programmes through field offices, State KVI Boards and registered institutions.

Rural area definition: The definition of 'rural area' will be aligned with the VB-G Ram G Act, 2025, widening convergence with national rural programmes.
Investment limit: The fixed capital investment limit per artisan or worker will follow the micro enterprise thresholds under the MSMED Act, so enterprises can access MSME benefits.
Governance of the Commission: The Commission gets more representation of women, SCs, STs, the Central Government and MGIRI.
New village industries: An enabling provision lets the Central Government notify new village industries.
No new scheme: The proposal is a change to the statutory framework, not a new scheme, and has no additional financial implications.
Parent ministry: KVIC is a statutory body under the Ministry of MSME, established under the 1956 Act.

Don’t confuse with KVIC Act vs MSMED Act, 2006: The KVIC Act creates the Commission for khadi and village industries. The MSMED Act defines and promotes micro, small and medium enterprises.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Cabinet-approved amendment of a statutory body's Act, but details are proposals, not enacted provisions; UPSC statutory body questions are only 7 in news-linked Prelims.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises, 30 Jun, 16:52 IST · Release 290667

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)

GS2 Social JusticeGS3 LabourPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 June 2026, the 198th ESIC meeting at New Delhi, chaired by Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, decided that ESIC will directly run all new ESI hospitals. It also extended the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana by one year.
What it is: The Employees' State Insurance Corporation is the body that runs the ESI scheme for workers, giving medical care and cash benefits for sickness, maternity, injury and disability. It was set up under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948. Its rules are now being framed under the Code on Social Security, 2020.

Direct management of hospitals: All upcoming and newly commissioned ESI hospitals will be run directly by ESIC. Hospitals now with States and under reconstruction stay with States unless the State opts to hand them over.
New General Regulations: ESIC approved framing the ESI (General) Regulations, 2026 under the Code on Social Security, 2020. They revise the 1950 Regulations.
Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana: This unemployment allowance scheme for Insured Persons is extended for one year, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
Ayush integration: An MoU with the Ministry of Ayush will create a joint framework to integrate Ayush services into ESIC healthcare.
Statutory basis: ESIC is a statutory body created by the ESI Act, 1948. The Union Labour Minister chairs the Corporation.

Don’t confuse with ESIC vs EPFO: ESIC gives health and cash benefits to insured workers. EPFO manages provident fund, pension and insurance savings. Both come under the Labour Ministry.

Don’t confuse with ESI Act, 1948 vs Code on Social Security, 2020: The ESI Act was the original law. Its provisions are now subsumed under the Code, which came into effect on 21 November 2025.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Statutory body on social security; meeting decisions are administrative, so a card suffices. Statutory body questions are only 7 in news-linked Prelims.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Labour & Employment, 30 Jun, 19:35 IST · Release 290691

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

Quick facts

Boards of PFC and REC approved merging REC into PFC (share swap 88:100), creating a lender with a loan book above Rs 11 lakh crore; the merged entity must remain a Government Company.
Last date to file appeals before GSTAT under Section 112 of the CGST Act extended from 30 June to 31 July 2026.
General Dhiraj Seth took over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026 from General Upendra Dwivedi.
UPI services went live in Greece through the Eurobank-NIPL partnership, launched in Athens on 30 June 2026.

Source: PIB, 30 Jun

What we left out: 37 of 48 releases

Speeches without a decision (5)
Ceremonies and campaigns (7)
Appointments and farewells (1)
Routine operations (1)
Same issue as another release (7)
Routine funding of firms (1)
Routine project initiatives (1)
Routine seizures (1)
Portal launches with nothing new (1)
Routine extensions of relief (1)
Inaugurations with nothing new (1)
Routine data (2)
Routine MoUs (1)
Routine railway sanctions (3)
Visit schedules (1)
Routine port calls (1)
Routine report launches (1)
Clarifications of media reports (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)MCQ · 40 true or false · Mains
2Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)MCQ · 5 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force on July 1, 2026, raising the statutory wage employment guarantee in rural India from 100 to 125 days and placing Gram Panchayats at the centre of planning. Examine the key provisions of the Act and discuss the challenges in implementing it, including those of funding, State readiness and transition from the earlier framework. Suggest a way forward.

From: Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)

Write and get it marked

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