4.5/5
Current Affairs 02nd July 2026
Important facts
Electoral Reforms by the ECI
-
Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
-
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
-
Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP)
-
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
-
Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
1. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Becomes Vice Chief of the Air Staff
-
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force. The VCAS is the second-highest-ranking officer and oversees operations, planning, and modernization.
-
He is a fighter pilot with over 3,300 flying hours and is a recipient of the PVSM and AVSM. He has commanded frontline fighter squadrons, operational bases, and key Air Force establishments.
-
His appointment is expected to strengthen the IAF's combat preparedness and indigenous defence capability. It will also support the induction of next-generation aircraft and defence technologies.
2. India Approves First PinS Helicopter Approach
-
India has approved its first Point-in-Space (PinS) helicopter approach based on satellite navigation (GNSS). It allows helicopters to operate safely without relying on conventional ground-based landing systems.
-
The procedure improves operations during poor weather and low visibility. It is especially useful for emergency medical services, offshore oil platforms, and remote mountainous regions.
-
PinS follows Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) standards and enhances aviation safety. It marks an important milestone in India's modern helicopter navigation infrastructure.
3. DIKSHA Becomes India's 'One Nation One Digital Platform'
-
DIKSHA has been officially designated as India's "One Nation, One Digital Platform" for school education. It provides free digital learning content for students, teachers, and parents.
-
The platform offers e-books, QR-code-enabled textbooks, videos, assessments, and teacher training in multiple Indian languages. It supports both online and offline learning across all states.
-
DIKSHA plays a key role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It promotes digital inclusion and equal access to quality education.
4. Odisha Government Approves ₹2,000 Crore Deep Sea Fishing Initiative
-
The Odisha Cabinet has approved a ₹2,000 crore Deep Sea Fishing Initiative to modernize the marine fisheries sector. The mission aims to shift fishermen from coastal to deep-sea fishing.
-
Financial assistance will be provided for modern fishing vessels, cold-chain infrastructure, fish landing centres, and skill development. This will improve fish production and boost exports.
-
The initiative supports the Blue Economy by creating employment and increasing fishermen's income. It also promotes sustainable fishing and reduces pressure on coastal fish resources.
5. Ravi Agrawal Reappointed as CBDT Chairman
-
Ravi Agrawal has been reappointed as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). CBDT is the apex body responsible for administering direct taxes in India.
-
His tenure has been extended to ensure continuity in tax administration and ongoing policy reforms. He has played an important role in improving taxpayer services and digital tax systems.
-
The reappointment is expected to support better tax compliance and strengthen India's direct tax framework. CBDT functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
6. NPCI Partners HSBC & JP Morgan for Global UPI
-
National Payments Corporation of India has partnered with HSBC India and JPMorgan Payments to enable real-time foreign exchange (FX) settlement for international UPI transactions.
-
The partnership will make cross-border UPI payments faster, more secure, and cost-efficient. It reduces settlement delays by processing currency conversion in real time.
-
The initiative strengthens India's global digital payments ecosystem and supports the international expansion of UPI. It also improves payment convenience for overseas travellers and businesses.
7. MECON Limited Achieves Miniratna Category-I Status
-
MECON Limited has been granted Miniratna Category-I status by the Government of India. The PSU operates under the Ministry of Steel and provides engineering and consultancy services.
-
The status allows MECON to make investments of up to ₹500 crore or its net worth (whichever is lower) without prior government approval. This increases its financial and operational autonomy.
-
The recognition reflects MECON's sustained profitability and strong financial performance. It will help the company expand projects in steel, mining, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
8. SBI Life Insurance Partners with IIT Bombay to Build India's Own AI-Powered Cyber Defence System
-
SBI Life has partnered with IIT Bombay to develop an indigenous AI-powered cyber defence system for the insurance industry. The collaboration focuses on building advanced cybersecurity solutions within India.
-
The AI system will provide real-time threat detection, fraud prevention, anomaly detection, and cyber risk management. It will enhance the security of customer data and digital insurance platforms.
-
The initiative supports Atmanirbhar Bharat by promoting home-grown cybersecurity technologies. It also strengthens digital trust and resilience in India's financial services sector.
World UFO Day – 2 July
-
Observed annually on 2 July, World UFO Day raises awareness about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), now commonly referred to as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs). It encourages public interest in space, aviation, and scientific investigation of unexplained aerial sightings.
-
The date commemorates the Roswell incident in Roswell, where an unidentified object crashed in 1947. The incident became one of the world's most famous UFO-related events and sparked decades of debate.
0 like |
0 comment
