Daily filter — 1 July 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
👨🌾 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**VB-G RAM G** Act brings 125 days guaranteed rural employment
The **Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025** is now in force, guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment.
- The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force across the country from July 1, 2026.
- Eligible rural households now have a statutory right to 125 days of guaranteed wage employment.
- The revised daily wage rates are notified, with no wage below ₹300.
- The national average wage increased by over 10 per cent from ₹298.8 to ₹327.4 per day.
- An interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore has been released to States/UTs.
💡 Remember VB-G RAM G for its 125-day employment guarantee and minimum ₹300 daily wage.
Source: Ministry of Rural Development · PIB PRID 2279995
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Revised Draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2026 Invited Comments
The **Ministry of Health and Family Welfare** invited public comments on the revised **National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2026**.
- The Bill, 2026 proposes establishing the National Pharmacy Commission (NPC).
- It aims to repeal the existing Pharmacy Act, 1948.
- Comments are due by 31.07.2026 via email or post.
💡 The National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2026 proposes replacing the Pharmacy Act, 1948 with the NPC.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2279890
🏏 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Royal Challengers Sports Acquisition by Consortium
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of **Royal Challengers Sports Private Ltd.** by a consortium of acquirers.
- CCI approved acquisition of 100% shareholding of Royal Challengers Sports Private Ltd.
- Acquirers include Big Banyan Holdings, Bolt IPL Holdings, Times Internet, and Asia Investment Topco II.
- The Target company owns the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise in IPL and WPL.
💡 For the exam: Remember CCI approved the Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd. acquisition by a consortium including Big Banyan and Times Internet.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2279992
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Mars Equity Dragon Fund's Investment in FinTech
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved an acquisition involving a Singaporean fund and two Indian fintech companies.
- CCI approved Mars Equity Dragon Fund VCC acquiring shares in Krazybee Services Limited and Finnovation Tech Solutions Private Limited.
- Mars Equity Dragon Fund VCC is managed by Mars Equity M.C. Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-licensed entity.
- Krazybee is an RBI-registered non-deposit taking NBFI, offering various loans and financial products.
- Finnovation owns and operates the KreditBee app, providing loans and UPI payment services.
- Finnovation acts as a technology and sourcing partner for Krazybee and other co-lending partners.
💡 Remember: CCI greenlit Mars Equity Dragon Fund VCC's stake in Krazybee (NBFI) and Finnovation (KreditBee app).
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2279990
🛣️ Economy · LAW track
CCI approves InvIT acquisition of seven highway SPVs
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved a significant acquisition in the infrastructure sector.
- Anantam Highways Trust (InvIT) will acquire shareholding in seven SPVs.
- Units of the InvIT will be issued to Build India Infrastructure Fund (BIIF), Dilip Buildcon Limited (DBL), and DBL Infraventures Pvt. Ltd. (DIPL).
- The InvIT is registered with SEBI under InvIT Regulations.
- The seven SPVs include DAK Package I Expressway Pvt. Ltd. and Katra Expressway Pvt. Ltd..
💡 CCI approved Anantam InvIT's acquisition of seven DBL-linked highway SPVs.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2279989
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves DWS Acquisition of Nippon Life India AIF Stake
CCI greenlights the acquisition of shareholding in **Nippon Life India AIF Management Limited** by **DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA**.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the combination.
- DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA is the acquirer, a global asset manager.
- The target, Nippon Life India AIF Management Limited, manages alternative assets.
- The target is registered with SEBI for AIFs and co-investment portfolios.
💡 For the exam: Remember CCI approved DWS acquiring a stake in Nippon Life India AIF.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2279988
🛣️ Economy · UPSC track
Kanpur-Kabrai Highway Project Approved for Economic Corridor
CCEA approved a 117.7 km access-controlled highway to boost connectivity and economic growth between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- The Kanpur–Kabrai section of NH-34 will be a 4/6 lane access-controlled greenfield highway.
- Total capital cost for the project is Rs.7145.14 crore.
- Project implemented by NHAI on BOT (Toll) mode.
- It is a key segment of the Bhopal–Kanpur Economic Corridor.
- Expected to reduce travel time between Kanpur and Kabrai from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours.
- Project aligns with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
💡 Remember: Kanpur-Kabrai Highway, NH-34, 7145.14 crore, BOT (Toll), Bhopal-Kanpur Economic Corridor, PM GatiShakti.
Source: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) · PIB PRID 2279819
🛣️ Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Delhi’s 6-Lane Road Tunnel Project
The CCEA approved a major infrastructure project in Delhi to build a 6-lane road tunnel for NH-148AE, connecting key areas.
- The 6 Lane Road Tunnel is for NH-148AE in Delhi.
- It connects Dwarka Expressway (NH 248 BB) with Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj.
- The total project length is 8.1 Km with a cost of Rs. 6969.67 crore.
- The project is on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) under the NH (O) scheme.
- The tunnel section of 1.98 km passes beneath the Southern Ridge Forest.
💡 Remember: NH-148AE's 8.1 Km, Rs. 6969.67 crore tunnel connects Dwarka Expressway to Nelson Mandela Marg via HAM.
Source: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) · PIB PRID 2279818
🤝 International Relations · UPSC track
India and Seychelles Sign Agriculture Cooperation MoU
India's **ICAR** and **Seychelles** signed an MoU and Work Plan for agricultural research and development.
- The ICAR and Seychelles' Agriculture Department signed an MoU.
- The MoU was signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Seychelles.
- A five-year Work Plan (2026–2031) was also signed.
- Focus areas include climate-smart agriculture and food security.
💡 India's ICAR partnered with Seychelles for a five-year agriculture plan (2026–2031) focusing on climate-smart agriculture.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2279905
💰 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Syndicate on Indo-Bangladesh Border
DRI seized 24 kg of foreign-origin gold and arrested seven individuals in West Bengal.
- The DRI busted a gold smuggling syndicate on the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.
- 24 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at ₹34 crore, was seized.
- Seven persons were intercepted near Krishnanagar and arrested.
- Gold bars were concealed in specially tailored cloth belts worn by carriers.
💡 Remember: DRI seized 24 kg gold and arrested seven on the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2279942
🛃 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI Busts Pan-India Gold Smuggling Syndicate, Seizes Valuables
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence conducted operations across India, dismantling a gold smuggling syndicate and seizing significant contraband.
- DRI busted a Delhi-based gold smuggling syndicate on 01 JUL 2026.
- 9 kg of foreign-origin smuggled gold and 42 kg silver were seized.
- Foreign currency worth ₹8.15 crore and ₹26.67 lakh Indian currency were recovered.
- An illegal gold-melting facility in Delhi was dismantled.
- Eight persons have been arrested across these operations.
💡 For the exam: Remember DRI's multi-city bust on 01 JUL 2026, seizing 9kg gold, 42kg silver, and ₹8.15cr forex, leading to eight arrests.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2279864
♻️ Environment · UPSC track
India-EU Advance Sustainable Ship Recycling Cooperation
India and the EU are strengthening cooperation in sustainable ship recycling, with three Indian yards already eligible for EU recognition.
- India's global ship recycling share increased from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
- India recycled 2.99 million gross tons (GT) of ships in 2025, a 60% growth.
- Over 30 Indian ship recycling yards have applied for EU recognition, with six undergoing review.
- India plans to recycle 16,000 ships and invest $8 billion over the next decade.
💡 For the exam: India's rising global market share (35.4% in 2025) and $8 billion investment highlight its leadership in sustainable ship recycling, with 3 yards ready for EU recognition.
Source: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways · PIB PRID 2280098