News of The Day – 2nd July 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

• Discusses the importance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in democratic decentralisation.
• Constitutional status through the 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments, 1992.
• Introduced Part IX (Panchayats) and Part IXA (Municipalities) in the Constitution.
• Key institutions: Gram Sabha, State Election Commission (SEC), State Finance Commission (SFC).
• Provides reservation for SCs/STs and women (minimum one-third; 50% in many States).
• Challenges include inadequate fiscal devolution, weak administrative capacity and delays in local body elections.
• Strengthening grassroots democracy is essential for participatory governance and achieving SDGs.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• Debate on whether NSE qualifies as a Public Authority under the RTI Act, 2005.
• Section 2(h) of RTI Act, 2005 defines a public authority.
• Bodies substantially financed or controlled by the government may come under RTI
• Raises issues relating to transparency and accountability of institutions performing public functions.
• Significant for governance of India’s financial markets.

• VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force on 1 July 2026, replacing MGNREGA, 2005.
• Guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household (earlier 100 days)
• Introduces a national floor wage of ₹300 per day.
• Funding pattern: 60:40 (Centre:State) for most States, 90:10 for NE/Himalayan States and 100% Centre for UTs without legislature.
• Focuses on livelihood generation, climate resilience, water security, rural infrastructure and durable assets.
• Introduces normative funding and institutional convergence.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• The Centre has constituted a High-Level Demography Committee.
• To assess demographic changes since the 2011 Census.
• Will examine fertility, mortality, migration, ageing and urbanisation trends.
• Findings will support policy planning in health, education, employment and social security.
• Important in the context of Census delay, delimitation and fiscal devolution.

• Based on the Civil Registration System (CRS) Report, 2024.
• Birth registration reached 99.1%; death registration reached 99.4%.
• India’s Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is 917 females per 1,000 males.
• Better-performing States/UTs include Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
• Higher registration reflects improved coverage, not necessarily higher fertility or mortality.
• Better CRS data improves demographic planning and public policy.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• Notified under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
• Modernises EPF administration through digitalisation.
• Simplifies compliance and improves portability of provident fund accounts.
• Enables faster claim settlement and better service delivery.
• Strengthens social security for organised sector workers.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Highlights that improving soil health is critical for increasing cotton productivity.
• India has the largest cotton cultivation area but relatively low productivity.
• Major challenges include declining soil organic matter, nutrient imbalance, pest attacks and climate variability.
• Sustainable measures include Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), crop rotation, organic manure and micro-irrigation.

(GS-3: Internal Security)

• VIJAY is the Indian Army’s roadmap for modernisation.
• Focuses on jointness, theatre integration and multi-domain operations.
• Emphasises AI, drones, cyber warfare, space capabilities and indigenous defence technologies.
• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
• Aligns with ongoing defence reforms and Integrated Theatre Commands.

• Ray-finned fishes belong to Class Actinopterygii.
• Constitute nearly half of all living vertebrate species.
• Freshwater species face threats from pollution, dams, habitat loss, invasive species, overfishing and climate change.
• Conservation requires habitat restoration, river connectivity and sustainable fisheries management.
• Important for freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• UN expert panel warns about risks from unchecked AI development
• Risks include autonomous weapons, misinformation, cyber threats, labour displacement and algorithmic bias.
• Calls for global AI governance, transparency and safety standards.
• Supports international cooperation on responsible AI development.
• Relevant for AI ethics, regulation and emerging technologies.