1. General Dhiraj Seth Assumes Charge as 31st Chief of the Army Staff
Why in News?
General Dhiraj Seth took over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on 30 June 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired on superannuation.
Key Points
General Seth was previously serving as Vice Chief of Army Staff before elevation.
He was commissioned into the Rajputana Rifles, the oldest rifle regiment of the Indian Army.
He has extensive experience in counter-terrorism operations, UN peacekeeping missions, and strategic planning.
The Indian Army simultaneously operationalised its first Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) from the Panagarh-based XVII Corps (Mountain Strike Corps), West Bengal, from 1 July 2026.
Static Knowledge
The Chief of Army Staff is the senior-most officer of the Indian Army, appointed by the President.
Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) are self-contained, agile combat formations combining infantry, armour, artillery, and air-defence elements for rapid mobilisation.
The Rajputana Rifles is one of the oldest infantry regiments, tracing origins to 1775.
2. VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 Comes Into Force
Why in News?
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, came into force across rural India from 1 July 2026.
Key Points
The Act introduces a strengthened statutory framework for rural employment and livelihood guarantees.
It aligns with the broader Viksit Bharat @2047 vision targeting inclusive rural growth.
Expected to reinforce existing rural employment guarantee mechanisms with enhanced monitoring and livelihood support components.
Static Knowledge
Rural employment guarantee legislation in India traces its lineage to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
"Viksit Bharat @2047" is the government's vision framework for a developed India by the 100th year of independence.
3. GST Day 2026 and Record GST Collections
Why in News?
1 July marks GST Day, observed to commemorate the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax in 2017; June 2026 GST collections rose sharply.
Key Points
Gross GST collection for June 2026 stood at ₹1,94,812 crore, up 13.9% year-on-year from ₹1,71,105 crore, driven largely by import revenue.
GST completes nine years since its launch on 1 July 2017.
GST replaced multiple central and state indirect taxes, unifying India's indirect tax structure under "One Nation, One Tax."
New financial-year changes from 1 July 2026 also include revised TDS/TCS rates under the Income-tax Act, 2025 (which replaced the Income-tax Act, 1961), and SEBI's T+0 same-day settlement norms extended to top-100 stocks by market capitalisation.
Static Knowledge
GST is a destination-based, multi-stage, value-added indirect tax, introduced via the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
The GST Council is the constitutional body (Article 279A) recommending GST rates and policy.
India is among the first major markets globally to adopt T+0 settlement for equities.
4. Indigenous Garudastra 120mm Mortar System Demonstrated
Why in News?
Pune-based Nibe Limited successfully demonstrated its indigenously developed Garudastra long-range 120mm vehicle-mounted mortar system to the Indian Army at the Infantry School, Mhow.
Key Points
Garudastra is a vehicle-mounted mortar system with GPS- and laser-guided precision-strike capability, effective at ranges of 7–10 km.
It carries a 17-kg penetrating warhead capable of defeating up to 20 cm of reinforced concrete, suited for bunker-busting roles.
The system demonstrated "shoot-and-scoot" capability — combat-ready in under 30 seconds, firing two rounds in under 15 seconds, and relocating within another 15 seconds to evade counter-battery fire.
Features Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) and integration with C4I and Battle Management Systems.
Developed under a No Cost–No Commitment (NC-NC) evaluation, in collaboration with a foreign OEM, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
Static Knowledge
Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence aims to reduce import dependence and boost domestic defence manufacturing.
Mortars are indirect-fire, high-angle weapons distinct from howitzers/guns which use direct/low-angle trajectories.
5. Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) and New Criminal Laws
Why in News?
The Home Ministry announced that from 1 January 2027, all investigation and trial procedures under the new criminal laws will be recorded digitally, marking progress under the ICJS framework, two years since the BNS, BSS, and BNSS came into force.
Key Points
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS), and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaced the IPC (1860), Indian Evidence Act (1872), and CrPC (1898) respectively, effective 1 July 2024.
Since implementation, 74.66 lakh FIRs have been registered under BNS; 63,572 Zero-FIRs have been filed under BNSS's explicit statutory backing.
Only 46% of FIRs are currently digitally transmitted to courts, showing implementation gaps despite nationwide rollout plans.
Full compliance achieved in Haryana, Goa, Assam, Punjab, and Chandigarh; 23 States/UTs perform above the national average.
Forensic labs in India increased from 129 (2023) to 154 (2025); forensic examination is now mandatory for offences punishable by 7+ years imprisonment.
ICJS integrates police, courts, prisons, forensics, and prosecution data on the MeghRaj government cloud platform.
CCTNS supports FIR registration across roughly 16,000 police stations in 23 languages via the Bhashini translation app.
Static Knowledge
Zero-FIR allows registration of a complaint at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction.
MeghRaj is the Government of India's cloud computing initiative (GI Cloud).
Bhashini is India's National Language Translation Mission platform.
6. India–Japan Relations: PM Sanae Takaichi's India Visit
Why in News?
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to India has drawn attention to the growing strategic depth of India–Japan ties within the Indo-Pacific framework.
Key Points
The visit underscores the Indo-Pacific as a structural geopolitical reality rather than a purely conceptual construct.
Cooperation among India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines is deepening to sustain a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific.
The visit holds relevance for QUAD dynamics, maritime security, and countering China's expanding influence in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean Region.
For India, Indo-Pacific engagement links directly to economic growth, maritime security, and strategic autonomy.
Static Knowledge
QUAD comprises India, USA, Japan, and Australia, focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Indo-Pacific region connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans, vital for global trade and energy flows.
7. FCRA 2.0 Portal and e-OCI Card Initiative Launched
Why in News?
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.
Key Points
FCRA 2.0 aims to streamline and digitise compliance under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
The e-OCI card initiative enables digital issuance/verification of OCI cards for overseas citizens of India.
Reflects continued push for e-governance and ease of compliance for NGOs and diaspora services.
Static Knowledge
FCRA, 1976 (re-enacted 2010) regulates receipt of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and NGOs.
OCI is not full citizenship; it is a lifelong visa-free travel/residency status for persons of Indian origin.
8. India's First 3D-Printed Artificial Reefs off Ramanathapuram Coast
Why in News?
India deployed its first 3D-printed artificial reefs off the Ramanathapuram coast, Tamil Nadu, as part of marine ecosystem restoration efforts.
Key Points
Artificial reefs support marine biodiversity restoration, fish habitat creation, and coastal protection.