Staying updated with today's current affairs is essential for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, State PSCs, and Railway exams. The 2 July 2026 current affairs cover major national developments, defence appointments, governance reforms, economy & banking, sports achievements, science & technology, and important days that frequently appear in the General Awareness section of government exams.
India – National Current Affairs
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- VB-G RAM G Act 2025 Comes into Force Across Rural India on 1 July 2026 – The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, also known as the VB-G RAM G Act, came into force across rural India on 1 July 2026, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005. The Act introduces guaranteed livelihood support with a rights-based framework for rural households, focusing on multi-livelihood support, skill development, and economic empowerment beyond wage employment. Exam importance: Unlike MGNREGA, which guaranteed 100 days of unskilled wage employment, VB-G RAM G guarantees a broader livelihood basket including skill training, self-employment support, and wage work up to 150 days per household per year for all adult members willing to work; it is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development; the Act was passed by Parliament during the Winter Session 2025; it aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of eliminating rural poverty and creating resilient rural livelihoods.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah Launches FCRA 2.0 Portal and e-Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) Card – Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the FCRA 2.0 Portal and the e-Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) Card initiative in New Delhi on 30 June 2026. The FCRA 2.0 Portal ensures AI-powered digital monitoring of foreign contributions received by NGOs and associations in India, replacing the older manual processing system. The e-OCI Card system provides seamless digital services to over 50 lakh OCI card holders globally, removing the need to re-issue OCI booklets when new passports are issued after the age of 20. Exam importance: FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act), 2010 governs receipt of foreign contributions by persons and associations in India; FCRA is administered by MHA; FCRA 2.0 features AI-driven flagging of suspicious patterns, real-time dashboards, and automated compliance verification; OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) status was introduced under the Citizenship Act, 1955 (amended in 2005); OCI holders enjoy lifelong visa-free travel to India and near-parity rights with Indian citizens except voting, holding constitutional posts, and owning agricultural land; MHA Minister: Amit Shah.
- 29th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) 2026 Held in Jaipur – The 29th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) 2026 was held on 1–2 July 2026 at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), Jaipur, Rajasthan. The conference was jointly organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in partnership with the Government of Rajasthan. The 2026 theme was "Empowering Citizens Through Digital Governance." Exam importance: The NCeG is India's premier annual conference on e-Governance, bringing together policy makers, technology leaders, state officials, and industry experts; the 28th NCeG was held in December 2025 at Bhubaneswar, Odisha; the conference awards the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) to recognise innovations in digital public service delivery; Rajasthan CM: Bhajan Lal Sharma; DARPG Secretary: V. Srinivas.
- MCA and IIT Madras Partner for 'Corporate Mitra' Scheme to Train MSME Para-Professionals – The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and IIT Madras partnered with professional bodies including ICSI, ICAI, and ICMAI for the Corporate Mitra scheme, a Budget FY2026-27 initiative to train para-professionals to help MSMEs with regulatory compliance. The scheme offers a SWAYAM Plus course of 150 hours on digital platforms and six months of on-the-job training, targeting graduates under 30 years of age, with a course fee of ₹3,000 and 50% concessions for women and applicants from aspirational districts, hill states, and the North East. Exam importance: The Corporate Mitra scheme was announced in Union Budget 2026-27 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman; it addresses the compliance burden on India's 6.3 crore MSMEs by creating a pool of affordable para-professionals; IIT Madras will design and deliver the curriculum; SWAYAM Plus is India's national online education platform under UGC/MoE; professional bodies ICSI (company secretaries), ICAI (chartered accountants), and ICMAI (cost accountants) will certify graduates.
- Agnikul Cosmos and ICEYE Sign MoU to Develop SAR Satellite Systems in India – Indian private space launch company Agnikul Cosmos and Finnish Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite company ICEYE signed an MoU on 30 June – 1 July 2026 to jointly develop, manufacture, and deploy SAR satellite systems in India, combining Agnikul's launch vehicle capabilities with ICEYE's advanced radar earth observation technology. Exam importance: Agnikul Cosmos, incubated at IIT Madras, is India's pioneering private space launch company known for developing the world's first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine (Agnilet); it successfully conducted the SoraNaut mission - India's first semi-cryogenic privately developed rocket launch - in May 2024; ICEYE is a Finnish microsatellite company known for providing persistent SAR-based earth monitoring in all weather conditions; SAR satellites can capture images through cloud cover and darkness, making them critical for defence, disaster management, agriculture, and maritime surveillance; the MoU is significant for India's Space Policy 2023, which opens all space activities to the private sector.
- Ministry of Tourism and NITI Aayog Launch 'Unlocking Growth in Tourism and Hospitality Sector' Report – The Ministry of Tourism and NITI Aayog jointly launched the report "Unlocking Growth in Tourism and Hospitality Sector" in New Delhi, outlining a roadmap to simplify tourism regulations, improve ease of doing business, attract investments, and achieve the sector's potential contribution to the Viksit Bharat 2047 goals of employment generation, regional development, and sustainable tourism. Exam importance: The report highlights tourism as a key pillar for India's services exports, with India targeting 100 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2047; current foreign tourist arrivals are approximately 20 million per year; Union Tourism Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; NITI Aayog interim CEO: Nidhi Chhibber; India's National Tourism Policy 2022 is the overarching framework.
- GoI Signs MoU with IIT Madras for 'Corporate Mitra' to Boost MSME Compliance – (Cross-referenced) The Government of India's MCA-IIT Madras tie-up for the Corporate Mitra scheme reflects the broader Budget FY27 thrust to professionalise MSME governance, with para-professionals trained to assist companies in statutory filings, CSR compliance, and corporate law requirements at affordable rates, reducing the compliance cost burden on small businesses.
Daily Current Affairs 02 July 2026: Download Free PDF Now
Defence & Appointments
- Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Assumes Charge as 51st Vice Chief of the Air Staff – Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 51st Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 1 July 2026, succeeding Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor who superannuated on the same day. Exam importance: The Vice Chief of the Air Staff is the second-highest ranking officer of the IAF; current Chief of Air Staff (CAS): Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh; the IAF is headed by the Chief of Air Staff, a 4-star Air Chief Marshal rank; the Vice Chief is a 3-star Air Marshal rank; IAF was officially established on 8 October 1932; Air Force Day is celebrated on 8 October annually.
- Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar Assumes Command of Southern Command – Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army's Southern Command on 1 July 2026, succeeding Lt Gen Sandeep Jain who was appointed as Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Commissioned in 1988, Lt Gen Pushkar led 2 Corps, served as Director General of the Territorial Army, and served as Military Attaché in Moscow. Exam importance: Southern Command is headquartered at Pune, Maharashtra and is responsible for the Rajasthan and Gujarat border sectors with Pakistan; Lt Gen Pushkar holds the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM); the Indian Army has 6 operational commands: Northern, Western, South Western, Southern, Eastern, and Central Commands, plus the Training Command (ARTRAC) at Shimla.
- CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal Gets Extended Tenure Until December 31, 2026 – The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) extended the tenure of Ravi Agrawal, Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), until 31 December 2026, past his retirement date. His new tenure runs from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The 1988-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer has led the apex direct tax body since July 2024. Exam importance: CBDT oversees the Income Tax Department and formulates direct tax policy in India; established in 1963 under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963; CBDT functions under the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue); Ravi Agrawal was appointed CBDT Chairman in July 2024; CBDT collects direct taxes (income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax) and administers the Income-tax Act, 2025 (replacing the Income-tax Act, 1961, effective FY2025-26).
Economy & Banking
- India's UPI Now Live in Over 8 Countries; MoUs Signed with 24 Nations – India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now operational in over 8 countries, with MoUs signed with 24 nations for UPI expansion, reflecting the rapid internationalisation of India's digital payments infrastructure. Exam importance: Countries where UPI is currently live include UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, France, Cambodia, and Seychelles (announced end-2026); NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) manages UPI's global rollout; UPI processes over 15 billion transactions per month domestically; the G20 India Presidency in 2023 had prioritised cross-border payments as a key deliverable; RBI Governor: Sanjay Malhotra; NPCI CEO: Dilip Asbe.
- India's Domestic Mobile Manufacturing Share Rises to 48%; 12 Semiconductor Units Operational – India's domestic mobile phone manufacturing share has risen to 48% of total domestic sales, with 12 semiconductor units now operational as part of India's semiconductor mission. Exam importance: India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem is anchored by the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Mobile Phones and Electronic Components (PLI for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing), administered by MeitY; the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was approved in December 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore; MeitY Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw; flagship semiconductor projects include Tata Electronics-PSMC fab in Dholera (Gujarat), CG Power-Renesas fab in Sanand (Gujarat), and Micron Technology's ATMP unit in Sanand (operational since July 2024).
Sports
- Indian Women's Cricket Team Qualifies for LA 2028 Olympics – The Indian Women's Cricket Team qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as the best-placed Asian team at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Cricket returns to the Olympic Games after 128 years (last played at the 1900 Paris Olympics) in a six-team T20 format at LA 2028. India qualified alongside Australia, Great Britain, and South Africa. Exam importance: Cricket at the LA 2028 Olympics: 6 teams each in men's and women's T20 format; venue: Pomona-Fairplex, California, USA (12–29 July 2028); the ICC (International Cricket Council) oversees Olympic cricket qualification criteria; India was the highest-ranked Asian team at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026; Indian Women's T20 captain: Harmanpreet Kaur who earlier became the first cricketer to play 200 T20Is; India has previously qualified for the men's 2028 Olympics cricket tournament; this is the first Olympic cricket appearance for the Indian women's team.
Science, Technology & Environment
- INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti Deployed in Vietnam Waters for Maritime Cooperation – Indian Navy warships INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti were deployed in Vietnamese waters as part of India's ongoing maritime cooperation with Vietnam, reflecting India's expanding "Act East" naval presence in the South China Sea region. Exam importance: INS Udaygiri is an advanced stealth frigate of the Project 17A class, commissioned in 2023; INS Kavaratti is an anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Kamorta class, commissioned in 2015; India and Vietnam have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (elevated in 2016); the deployment comes in the context of China's assertive behaviour in the South China Sea and underscores India's support for ASEAN's freedom of navigation principles.
- Delhi Approves 75 Heritage Conservation Schemes for Monuments Under Archaeology Department – The Delhi Government approved two heritage conservation schemes on 30 June 2026 for 75 monuments under the Delhi Government's Archaeology Department, with selected institutions receiving up to ₹2 crore each in aid for restoration work. The initiative aims to transform heritage sites into vibrant cultural destinations under India's broader vision for heritage tourism. Exam importance: Delhi has 174 protected monuments under the Delhi Government's Archaeology Department (separate from ASI-protected monuments); the initiative aligns with the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities under the Ministry of Culture; Delhi is home to 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Red Fort, Qutb Minar, and Humayun's Tomb; ASI protects 3,693 centrally protected monuments nationally.
Important Days
- 2 July – World UFO Day – World UFO Day is observed on 2 July (one of two commonly observed dates - the other being 24 June) to raise awareness about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), now formally called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) by global defence establishments. Exam importance: 2 July commemorates the anniversary of the Roswell UFO Incident of 2 July 1947, when an unidentified object crashed near Roswell, New Mexico, USA, generating widespread global interest in extraterrestrial phenomena; the World UFO Day Organisation (WUFODO) promotes the day; the US government has formally established an All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) under the Department of Defense to investigate UAP sightings; India's DRDO and IAF also have protocols for reporting Unidentified Aerial Phenomena near sensitive installations.
- 1 July – International Day of Cooperatives 2026 (103rd Observance) – The International Day of Cooperatives (IDoC) is observed annually on the first Saturday of July (falling on 5 July 2026 this year), promoting the cooperative movement's role in reducing poverty, creating employment, and enabling sustainable development. The 2026 theme is "Cooperatives Serve People: Building a Sustainable Future for All." Exam importance: The IDoC was proclaimed by the UNGA through Resolution A/RES/47/90 on 16 December 1992; the first IDoC was celebrated in 1923 by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA); the ICA was established in 1895 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium; India has the world's largest cooperative movement with over 8.5 lakh cooperative societies and 29 crore members; the Union Ministry of Cooperation was created in 2021 under Amit Shah; India's new Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023 was enacted to strengthen cooperative governance; AMUL (Anand Milk Union Limited) is India's most iconic cooperative - now the world's largest dairy cooperative.
