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RAS News Digest — Today's News — 2 July 2026

Newspaper-based news digest for the RPSC RAS exam, dated Today's News — 2 July 2026.

Economy

Oil companies cut the 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder by up to ₹183.50 from 1 July; Delhi's rate fell to ₹2,930 (from ₹3,113.50).
First cut of 2026 after four hikes totalling ₹1,345 since 7 March amid the West Asia (Iran–Israel) conflict.
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) was cut ₹5/litre; the 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder was left unchanged.
The move followed easing of Strait of Hormuz supply concerns (ICRA); private retailer Nayara also cut petrol and diesel.

Source: The Hindu / Rajasthan Patrika, 2 Jul 2026

Economy

June 2026 gross GST collection was ₹1.95 lakh crore, the highest year-on-year growth in 13 months.
Growth was driven mainly by imports (~35% rise); domestic-transaction GST grew only about 6.5%.
GST has completed nine years; imports' share of collections is rising, which experts flagged as a concern.
Analysts urged fixing the inverted duty structure and input-tax-credit issues.

Source: The Hindu, 2 Jul 2026

Polity & Governance

The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), 'VB-G RAM G', took effect 1 July, replacing MGNREGA (2005).
A central floor wage of ₹300/day was fixed; guaranteed workdays were raised from 100 to 125.
21 States/UTs paying below ₹300 got hikes (UP ₹48, Bihar ₹45, MP ₹39, Rajasthan ₹19).
The funding pattern shifts more cost to States; critics cited the 2019 Satpathy panel's ₹375/day recommendation.

Source: The Hindu / Indian Express, 2 Jul 2026

International Relations

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi began a state visit to India themed 'Trusted Partners, Shared Vision for Growth & Prosperity'.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri (1989-batch IFS) was given a one-year extension till 14 July 2027.
India said MoS External Affairs Pabitra Margherita would represent it at Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral in Iran.
The visit set the stage for major economic, technology and defence announcements.

Source: Indian Express / The Hindu, 2 Jul 2026

Defence

Gen Dhiraj Seth, the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, unveiled the roadmap 'VIJAY' a day after taking charge.
VIJAY stands for Vigilance, Innovation, Jointness/Integration, Atmanirbharta and Yodha First.
It aims to build a technology-enabled, future-ready, multi-domain force through a 'Whole-of-Nation' approach.
Fresh senior appointments were made across the Air Force and the integrated defence staff.

Source: The Hindu, 2 Jul 2026

Science & Technology

The UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on AI released its first preliminary report in Geneva.
Co-chaired by Yoshua Bengio, the 40-member panel is envisioned as an 'IPCC for AI'.
It warned that rapid AI capability growth could pose catastrophic risks and cited 'growing evidence of deceptive AI behaviour'.
It flagged near-term constraints from shortages of energy and high-quality data.

Source: Indian Express, 2 Jul 2026

Polity & Governance

The High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) will seek State data on population and settlement changes since Census 2011.
PM Modi announced the demography mission on 15 August 2025; the committee was constituted on 26 May 2026.
It will also seek Election Commission data on names deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The next Census (2027) will come after a 16-year gap.

Source: The Hindu, 2 Jul 2026