The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) is set to launch on July 1, replacing MGNREGA. At least five states have requested a revision of wage rates, while four objected to the 60 non-working days provision during peak agricultural season. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand explicitly sought reconsideration of the proposed 40% state share in the funding pattern, finding it difficult to bear. States like Punjab also criticized the blackout period, arguing it reduces workers' bargaining power. The Centre's response to an RTI plea revealed these concerns, highlighting delays in wage payments and the inadequacy of interim allocations for states to meet work commitments.
The new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) is replacing MGNREGA from July 1.
Several states have raised concerns regarding the proposed wage rates and the 60-day blackout period during peak agricultural season.
Three BJP-ruled states, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand, have explicitly requested a reconsideration of the 40% state share in the funding pattern.
Exam Points
The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) is scheduled to come into effect on July 1.
The scheme proposes a 60-day blackout period during the peak agricultural season.
Bihar sought a wage hike from ₹255 to ₹413, while Jammu & Kashmir sought an increase from ₹272 to ₹311.
A study published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa highlights that protecting endangered Asiatic elephants indirectly safeguards India's forests as powerful carbon stores. The research found that while the elephant population marginally increased, carbon stored within elephant reserves rose by 38% between 1992 and 2025, primarily due to enhanced protection of forest areas. Elephants, as ecosystem engineers, disperse seeds, enrich soils, and maintain healthy forests capable of storing carbon. The study warns that mere declarations of reserves are insufficient; habitat quality and wildlife corridors must be improved for long-term carbon stabilization, noting a worrying decline in elephant numbers despite reserve stabilization.
Protecting Asiatic elephants indirectly helps safeguard India's forests, which act as significant carbon stores.
A study found a 38% increase in carbon stored within elephant reserves between 1992 and 2025, mainly due to enhanced forest protection.
Elephants are vital ecosystem engineers, contributing to seed dispersal, soil enrichment, and maintaining healthy forests.
Exam Points
The study focuses on the endangered Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus indicus).
Published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, the study covers the period from 1992 to 2025.
Carbon stored in elephant reserves increased by 38% during the study period.
The Union Health Ministry has significantly enhanced the financial powers of senior Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) officials to expedite medical treatment and reimbursement. This move aims to reduce delays in approving cashless treatment, settling medical claims, and sanctioning unlisted investigations/procedures. Additional directors heading CGHS cities and zones can now sanction up to ₹15 lakh, directors up to ₹25 lakh, and Additional Secretary and DG up to ₹50 lakh for medical reimbursement. The changes are expected to particularly benefit pensioners and elderly beneficiaries, who often require costly tertiary care, by reducing the need for referrals to higher authorities and addressing common grievances.
The Union Health Ministry has substantially increased the financial powers of senior CGHS officials.
This enhancement aims to reduce delays in medical treatment approvals and reimbursement claims for beneficiaries.
Officials can now approve higher-value cases for cashless treatment, medical reimbursement, and unlisted investigations/procedures.
Exam Points
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is under the Union Health Ministry.
Additional directors heading CGHS cities and zones can now sanction up to ₹15 lakh (previously ₹7 lakh).
Directors' approval power increased from ₹15 lakh to ₹25 lakh.
India is rapidly expanding its solar energy capacity, but traditional solar panels only generate electricity during the day. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have developed molecular photo-switches (MOST) to store solar thermal energy in molecular form for later use. These molecules, like 2-pyrimidone, isomerize into a different shape (Dewar pyrimidone) upon absorbing sunlight, storing energy that can be released as heat when needed. This technology offers a practical tool for storing heat for applications like water heating and cooking, potentially making India greener by overcoming the intermittency of solar power.
India is significantly increasing its solar energy capacity through rooftop and land-based installations.
A new research focuses on molecular photo-switches (MOST) to store solar thermal energy, addressing the intermittency of solar power.
Molecules like 2-pyrimidone absorb solar light and convert into an isomer (Dewar pyrimidone), storing thermal energy.
Exam Points
India's rooftop solar capacity is 23 gigawatt (GW), and land-based solar panels generate about 150 GW.
The 'Surya Ghar Mufti Bijili Yojana' offers subsidies for home solar panel installations.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, developed molecular photo-switches (MOST).
The article clarifies that an Indian passport is not conclusive proof of citizenship, but rather a travel document attesting to nationality. Aadhaar cards serve as proof of identity and address, not citizenship, and even non-Indian citizens can obtain one. While presence on electoral rolls creates a presumption of citizenship, the Election Commission cannot adjudicate citizenship. Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, naturalisation, or incorporation of territory. The required documentary proof varies significantly based on an individual's date and place of birth, and parents' citizenship status, highlighting the complexity and lack of a single universal citizenship document.
An Indian passport is considered a travel document attesting to nationality, not conclusive proof of citizenship.
Aadhaar cards are proof of identity and address, explicitly not citizenship, and are accessible to legal residents including non-citizens.
While electoral rolls create a presumption of citizenship, the Election Commission's role is limited to determining eligibility for voting, not adjudicating citizenship.
Exam Points
Citizenship in India is governed by the Citizenship Act, 1955, and passports are issued under the Passports Act, 1967.
The Supreme Court in Maneka Gandhi v Union Of India (1978) stated passport issuance is based on conclusive proof of Indian nationality.
The Supreme Court in Lal Babu Hussein v. Electoral Registration Officer (1995) held that electors on electoral rolls are entitled to a presumption of citizenship.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, to tighten the regulation of foreign donations to NGOs. The new rules mandate NGOs to disclose specific activities, geographical scope, social media accounts, publications, and broaden the definition of 'key functionary'. They also impose a fee for registration for each specified purpose and state of operation, leading to higher costs for NGOs operating across multiple sectors. The rules outline specific permitted purposes for foreign funds (social, educational, religious, economic, cultural) and detail penalties for violations such as misuse of funds or engaging in unapproved activities.
The MHA has amended the FCRA Rules to impose stricter regulations on foreign donations to NGOs, effective from June 22.
NGOs are now required to disclose specific activities, geographical scope, social media accounts, and publications, along with a broader definition of 'key functionary'.
The amendments introduce a fee for registration for each specified purpose and state/UT of operation, increasing compliance costs for NGOs.
Exam Points
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, amend the FCRA Rules, 2011, under the FCRA Act, 2010.
As of June 22, there are 14,456 FCRA-registered NGOs active in India.
Penalties for fund misuse or unapproved purposes can be up to 30% of the amount or ₹1 lakh, whichever is higher.
Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated significantly, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit choke point. The US 'maximum pressure' campaign, initiated after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), has led Iran to retaliate by enriching uranium beyond agreed limits and seizing tankers. This has raised fears of a military confrontation and disrupted global oil markets. Regional actors like Saudi Arabia and UAE are caught in the middle, while European powers struggle to de-escalate. The situation underscores the fragility of Gulf security and the challenges in finding a diplomatic resolution amid conflicting interests and a 'shipwrecked' international order.
US-Iran tensions have intensified, primarily over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program.
The US 'maximum pressure' campaign, following its withdrawal from the JCPOA, has prompted Iran's retaliatory actions, including uranium enrichment and tanker seizures.
The escalating conflict poses a significant threat to regional stability and global oil supplies.
Exam Points
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for oil shipments.
The US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, in 2018.
Iran has increased its uranium enrichment to 20% purity in response to US sanctions.
The khukuri knife is an iconic symbol deeply associated with the Gorkha military and Nepali culture, embodying strength, courage, and loyalty. Its distinctive curved blade served as a formidable weapon during the Nepal Unification Campaign and was later adopted by the British Army, becoming a symbol of Gorkha bravery. Beyond its combat utility, the khukuri is a versatile tool for daily tasks like chopping wood, cutting meat, and digging. It holds significant cultural importance in Nepal, used in ceremonial events and worshipped during festivals, with its sharpening being a ritualistic process symbolizing a soldier's commitment to duty and honor.
The khukuri knife is an iconic symbol of the Gorkha military, representing strength, courage, bravery, and loyalty.
Historically, it played a crucial role in the Nepal Unification Campaign and became a symbol of Gorkha soldiers recruited into the British Army.
Beyond its use as a combat weapon, the khukuri serves as a versatile tool for various daily tasks in Nepali households.
Exam Points
The khukuri blade typically measures 16 to 18 inches.
The Nepal Unification Campaign, led by Prithvi Narayan Shah, occurred after 1744.
Gorkhas were first encountered by Britain in the mountains of Nepal in 1814.
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