Newspaper-based news digest for the RPSC RAS exam, dated Today's News — 30 June 2026.
Rajasthan / Water
Rajasthan and Haryana ink long-awaited Yamuna water-sharing agreement
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with CMs Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan) and Nayab Singh Saini (Haryana).
Rajasthan will receive 577 MCM of its allocated Yamuna share each year, carried from the Hathnikund Barrage via three underground pipelines (each over 3.6 m diameter).
Beneficiaries are the Shekhawati districts of Sikar, Churu and Jhunjhunu; Phase 1 supplies drinking water (Jul-Oct) and Phase 2 irrigates ~1.05 lakh hectares.
It builds on a tripartite MoU of 17 February 2024 and fulfils a 32-year demand first raised under former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in 1994.
Shah called it a model of 'cooperative federalism'; the Renukaji, Lakhwar and Kishau projects could add ~201 MCM more.
Source: Hindustan Times (Rajasthan), 30 Jun 2026
Rajasthan / Energy
Pachpadra refinery to be dedicated July 4; MP says petrochemical complex incomplete
PM Modi is scheduled to dedicate the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery at Pachpadra, Barmer, to the nation on 4 July 2026.
Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal said the main refinery unit is ready but the petrochemical complex may need another 2-2.5 years.
He claimed the project cost has risen from an initial ~₹36,000 crore to nearly ₹80,000 crore.
The MP also sought public release of the inquiry report into a recent fire at the refinery site.
The refinery was first inaugurated in 2013 and re-inaugurated in 2018.
Source: Hindustan Times (Rajasthan), 30 Jun 2026
Rajasthan / Urban
Rajasthan plans ₹15,800-crore urban infrastructure push under Urban Challenge Fund
UDH & LSG Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra announced a programme to expand roads, sewerage, drainage, solid-waste management, street lighting and civic infrastructure.
The push aligns with the Centre's Urban Challenge Fund, for which ₹1 lakh crore has been earmarked nationally.
The Directorate of Local Bodies signed an MoU with HUDCO for technical assistance and DPR preparation.
A key feature is its focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities to spread modern civic infrastructure beyond big cities.
The minister linked it to PM Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Source: Hindustan Times (Rajasthan), 30 Jun 2026
Rajasthan / Crime
'Last Chambal dacoit' Jagan Gurjar found murdered in Ajmer high-security jail
Jagan Gurjar (56), a feared interstate dacoit across Rajasthan, MP and UP, was found murdered in his barrack on Monday.
He had 128 criminal cases (FIRs) to his name and was a native of Dholpur.
Preliminary probe points to personal enmity rather than gang rivalry; a barrack-mate is under suspicion.
A judicial inquiry has been ordered and a medical board tasked with the post-mortem.
It is the first such killing in Ajmer's high-security jail since it opened in 2015.
Source: The Times of India (Jaipur), 30 Jun 2026
Rajasthan / Accident
Three workers killed, three hurt as septic-tank wall collapses at Jaipur hotel site
A wall of an under-construction septic tank collapsed at a hotel site near Tala Mod on the Jaipur-Delhi Highway (NH-48), Chandwaji.
Three labourers, including two women, were killed and three others injured.
Over 20 labourers were working inside the tank when the accident occurred around 12:50 pm.
Civil Defence teams led the rescue; the injured were shifted to NIMS Hospital.
Authorities have launched a probe into the cause.
Source: The Times of India (Jaipur), 30 Jun 2026
International
Mediators set up de-escalation channels ahead of US–Iran talks in Doha
Iranian and US technical teams are to meet in Doha to implement an interim peace deal signed on 17 June 2026.
The focus is on managing the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalating tensions.
The 14-point MoU ended four months of conflict and reopened the strait, through which about a fifth of the world's oil and LNG transits.
Earlier closure had sent oil prices above $100 a barrel, stoking global inflation.
Mediators have set up communication channels to keep both sides in touch.
Source: Hindustan Times, 30 Jun 2026
Education
CBSE gives one-time relief on three-language rule for classes 7, 8 and 9
CBSE relaxed a circular (dated 15 May) that required these classes to study three languages, of which at least two must be native Indian languages.
Students who had already opted for two non-native languages may continue, but must add one Indian language.
There will be no CBSE Board exam in this added third language for these batches at Class 10.
For the 2026-27 Class 10 batch, the existing two-language system continues unchanged.
New Class 6 entrants from 2026-27 will follow the three-language rule in full.