Newspaper-based news digest for the RPSC RAS exam, dated 09 July 2026.
Economy
RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25% with a neutral stance
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and retained a neutral stance, staying vigilant on the balance of risks.
It projected CPI inflation of about 4.6% for the current financial year, flagging elevated energy prices due to the West Asia conflict and possible El Niño conditions as upside risks.
The MPC is a six-member committee; under the flexible inflation-targeting framework the RBI must keep CPI inflation at 4% within a band of +/- 2%.
Source: Reserve Bank of India — Monetary Policy Committee, July 2026
Infrastructure / Aviation
Modified UDAN scheme to extend regional air connectivity over the next decade
The Union Cabinet approved a Modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme with an outlay of about Rs 29,000 crore over ten years, aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Since its launch in 2016, UDAN — a Regional Connectivity Scheme — has operationalised 669 routes and connected 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes.
It has benefited over 1.66 crore passengers by making flying affordable through viability-gap funding and capped fares on selected routes.
Source: PIB / Ministry of Civil Aviation, 2026
Education / Digital Governance
APAAR IDs cross 26 crore as India builds a lifelong academic credit ledger
APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is a unique 12-digit ID for students, linked to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).
As of 2 July 2026, over 26.35 crore verified APAAR IDs had been generated.
APAAR flows from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's idea of credit accumulation and transfer, enabling multiple entry and exit across institutions.
Source: Ministry of Education, July 2026
Science & Technology
ISRO readies GISAT-class geo-imaging satellite for disaster monitoring
ISRO is preparing to launch a GISAT-class geo-imaging (earth-observation) satellite designed for near-continuous observation of the Indian sub-continent.
Placed in a geostationary orbit and launched on a GSLV, it can provide quick imaging for monitoring natural hazards and disasters.
A geostationary satellite orbits at about 36,000 km, matching Earth's rotation so it appears fixed over one region — ideal for continuous regional watch.
Source: ISRO, 2026
Polity / Judiciary
Gujarat High Court upholds convictions in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case
The Gujarat High Court upheld the conviction of 49 accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts case — confirming 38 death sentences and 11 life imprisonments.
The coordinated blasts of July 2008 had killed and injured scores of people across Ahmedabad within a short span.
The confirmation of death sentences by the High Court is a stage of appellate scrutiny before the matter can travel to the Supreme Court.
Source: Gujarat High Court, July 2026
Environment
NGT pulls up Rajasthan over Chandlai Lake; bans commercial units near protected areas
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) sharply criticised Rajasthan authorities for failing to protect Chandlai Lake — cited as a Ramsar site — from encroachment and pollution by textile units.
In a separate order, the NGT imposed a blanket ban on commercial operations within one kilometre of protected areas, in a case linked to a resort near the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
The NGT is a statutory body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for effective and speedy disposal of environmental cases.
Source: National Green Tribunal, 7 July 2026
Rural Livelihoods / Women
SHE-LEAPS platform launched under LokOS to power women-led rural enterprises
SHE-LEAPS was launched under LokOS, a web-and-mobile platform for end-to-end digitisation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations under the DAY-NRLM.
It is a dedicated platform for creating and tracking women-led farm and non-farm enterprises, covering records, savings, lending and convergence.
DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission) works to organise rural poor women into SHGs and improve their access to finance and markets.
Source: Ministry of Rural Development — DAY-NRLM, 2026