Newspaper-based news digest for the RPSC RAS exam, dated 08 July 2026.
Internal Security
Pahalgam attack: NIA files supplementary chargesheet against LeT chief Hafiz Saeed
The NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, against Hafiz Saeed, chief and founder of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), in the Pahalgam terror attack case in which 26 civilians were killed on 22 April 2025.
The accused have been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and the penal section for waging war against India has been invoked.
For the first time, the LeT and the TRF have been charged as 'legal entities' for their role in planning, facilitating and executing the attack; Saeed was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the U.S. in 2008.
Source: The Hindu, 7 July 2026
Science & Technology
Vikram-1, India's first private orbital rocket, to carry six payloads on 'Mission Aagaman'
Skyroot Aerospace announced that Vikram-1 — India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket — will carry six payloads and is expected to launch between 12 July and 4 August under 'Mission Aagaman'.
The payloads include technology-demonstration systems from Graaha Space (the SOLARAS nano-satellite), Germany's Dcubed GmbH, and Skyroot's own SCOPE.
Two payloads honour India's scientific heritage: 'Cosmic Bloom' by Cosmos Diamonds (a diamond-jewellery artwork) and a Microart payload with 18K-gold micro-sculptures of C.V. Raman, Vikram Sarabhai and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, each smaller than a grain of rice.
Source: The Hindu, 7 July 2026
Energy & Environment
El Niño set to dent India's wind and hydropower output: CREA study
An analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) projects that a developing El Niño will weaken wind and hydropower output which, combined with rising air-conditioning demand, could open a generation gap of nearly 18 TWh over a year, till 2027.
The shortfall is small against India's total generation (~1,846 billion units in 2025-26), but it is likely to be filled by a surge in coal-fired power.
Coal remains the largest single source of power at about 42% of installed capacity; non-fossil sources supplied 29.2% of generation, with record renewable capacity added in 2025-26.
Source: The Hindu, 7 July 2026
International Relations
BRICS nations call for stronger ties to curb drug trafficking at Guwahati meet
Representatives of BRICS member countries convened in Guwahati for the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies' Meeting, 2026, and emphasised stronger international cooperation to combat drug trafficking.
India hosted the anti-drug heads of the BRICS nations for the first time; NCB Director-General Anurag Garg said drug abuse was a factor behind India taking on the role.
BRICS — initially Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia, together representing almost half the global population and over 40% of world GDP.
Source: The Hindu, 7 July 2026
International Relations
Modi begins three-nation trip, starts with Indonesia to boost strategic ties
PM Narendra Modi arrived in Indonesia on the first leg of a three-nation tour aimed at strengthening the Act East Policy, the MAHASAGAR Vision and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific; he was received at Jakarta by President Prabowo Subianto.
It is Modi's first bilateral visit to Indonesia since the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018; he is to visit the Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta, Indonesia's largest Hindu temple.
From Indonesia he will travel to Melbourne (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand) to further India's Act East Policy and its outlook of security and growth across regions.
Source: The Hindu, 7 July 2026
Polity & Governance
Madhya Pradesh becomes first State to reconstitute Waqf Board under the 2025 Act
A 4 July notification reconstituted the Madhya Pradesh State Waqf Board as a new 10-member board under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, making it the first State in the country to reorganise its board under the new Act.
The new board includes two non-Muslim (Hindu) members — Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava; a Congress MLA said he would move the Supreme Court, terming the move contrary to provisions pending before the apex court.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 — which allowed inclusion of non-Muslim members — was notified in 2025; the Supreme Court had earlier stayed the operation of certain contentious provisions.
Source: The Hindu, 7 July 2026
Defence & International Relations
China test-fires a nuclear-capable 'strategic' missile into the Pacific, raising concerns
A Chinese submarine test-fired a 'strategic' missile carrying a dummy (training-simulation) warhead into the Pacific Ocean, drawing condemnation from several nations; New Zealand described it as a nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile.
The missile landed near French Polynesia — reportedly China's first launch of such a missile over international waters in more than 40 years — prompting concern from New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Taiwan.
On the same day, China began its annual joint naval exercises with Russia off Qingdao; Russia defended the test, calling it China's sovereign right.