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RAS News Digest — Today's News — 4 July 2026

Newspaper-based news digest for the RPSC RAS exam, dated Today's News — 4 July 2026.

Rajasthan / Economy

PM Modi dedicated the greenfield HPCL Rajasthan Refinery (HRRL) at Pachpadra, Balotra — India's first integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex and its 23rd refinery.
Capacity 9 MMTPA refining + 2.4 MMTPA petrochemicals; investment about Rs 79,459 crore; Nelson Complexity Index 17.0 (highest in India).
Part of a ~Rs 1.05 lakh crore package: also the Yamuna water project MoA, Jaipur Metro Phase-2 foundation and 50,000+ job appointment letters.
Expected to give Rajasthan ~Rs 21,000 crore a year and anchor a Petrozone and plastic park.

Source: Rajasthan Patrika, 4 Jul 2026

International Relations

India reiterated the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains in abeyance until Pakistan credibly ends cross-border terrorism.
India placed it in abeyance after the April 2026 Pahalgam terror attack; the MEA called Pakistan's stance the 'weaponisation of water'.
The World Bank-brokered treaty gives the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum) to Pakistan.
Pakistan called the move 'baseless'; India says talks depend on Pakistan abjuring terrorism.

Source: Times of India, 4 Jul 2026

Economy / Governance

The Finance Ministry exempted four China-linked firms (TBEA Energy, Nanjing Electric India, New Northeast Electric India, Taikai Electric India) from Press Note 3 (2020) for government power procurement.
PN3 requires prior clearance for bidders from land-bordering nations; it was brought in after the 2020 Galwan (LAC) clash.
The two-year exemption was cleared by a Committee of Secretaries on the DPIIT panel's recommendation; the firms run transmission units in India.
The Ministry said it should not be treated as a precedent.

Source: Indian Express, 4 Jul 2026

Science & Technology / Security

MeitY directed Apple and Google to remove seven China-origin battery-management apps (e.g., BAT-BMS, Lossigy, Smart BMS) misused to remotely disable e-rickshaws.
The apps can switch off a vehicle's battery-management system via Bluetooth even while moving, a safety and cybersecurity risk.
BAT-BMS was originally built by China's Shenzhen Grenergy Technology.
The government indicated it may also draft a separate law to regulate AI.

Source: Indian Express / Times of India, 4 Jul 2026

Health / Governance

The Government banned 16 FDC drugs — mainly antibiotic combinations and certain dermatological/herbal products — whose claimed benefits lack scientific justification.
Irrational FDCs can raise antimicrobial resistance, adverse effects and drug interactions.
India has reviewed thousands of FDCs through an expert committee since 2016.
ICMR scientist Dr Kamini Walia was cited on the AMR risks.

Source: Indian Express, 4 Jul 2026

Environment & Ecology

Marking 18 years of tiger reintroduction at Sariska (Alwar, Rajasthan), the Centre unveiled a plan to consolidate 'source populations' and strengthen weak reserves.
India's tigers rose from 1,411 (2006) to 3,682 (2022); 58 of ~110 reserves hold about 36% of tigers.
12 reserves have under 3 tigers; three (Kawal, Kamlang, Dampa) have none.
Sariska lost all its tigers by 2008 before reintroduction; Panna (MP) followed in 2009.

Source: Indian Express, 4 Jul 2026

International Relations

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's body lay in state in Tehran as Iran began a week of mass funeral processions; burial is set for Mashhad on 9 July.
His decades-long tenure ended in an Israeli strike during the war that began 28 February 2026.
An Indian delegation — Bihar Governor (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and MoS External Affairs Pabitra Margherita — paid tribute.
The delegation included Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Christian leaders.

Source: Times of India / Indian Express, 4 Jul 2026