Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (2nd July 2026) |

National News

Cabinet Approves ₹14,115 Crore for Two Highway Projects

Union Cabinet approved two major highway projects worth ₹14,114.81 crore.
Projects include an 8.1-km six-lane tunnel in Delhi.
Tunnel will connect Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg.
A 3.14-km twin-tube tunnel will pass beneath Southern Ridge Forest.
Tunnel construction will use advanced Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology.
Delhi project will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
Cabinet also approved the 117.7-km Kanpur–Kabrai Greenfield Highway.
Highway will be developed by NHAI under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
Travel time between Kanpur and Kabrai will reduce from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours.
Projects will improve connectivity, logistics, and employment generation.

Key Fact: Delhi Tunnel – HAM Model | Kanpur–Kabrai Highway – BOT Model under NHAI.

Southern Birdwing Recorded in Telangana for First Time

Southern Birdwing butterfly has been recorded in Telangana for the first time.
The sighting was made at the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
It is India’s largest butterfly species.
Southern Birdwing is the State Butterfly of Karnataka.
Scientific name is Troides minos.
It belongs to the Papilionidae butterfly family.
The species is endemic to South India.
It is mainly found in the Western Ghats.
It has distinctive black wings with yellow markings.
The IUCN Red List categorises it as Least Concern.
The discovery highlights the biodiversity of the Nallamala Hills.

Key Fact: Scientific Name – Troides minos | IUCN Status – Least Concern.

Centre Pauses WhatsApp Username Feature, Seeks Meta’s Explanation

Centre asked Meta to pause WhatsApp’s username feature rollout.
Government sought a detailed explanation within three days.
Feature allows users to connect without sharing phone numbers.
It aims to improve user privacy and convenience.
Centre raised concerns over privacy and security safeguards.
Government also questioned compliance with Indian laws.
Risks of impersonation and cyber fraud are under examination.
Authorities want stronger identity verification mechanisms.
Traceability during criminal investigations is also being reviewed.
Feature will remain on hold until consultations are completed.

Key Fact: Government has temporarily halted the WhatsApp Username feature pending security and legal review.

State News

Odisha Approves ₹2,295 Crore Deep Sea Fishing Mission

Odisha Cabinet approved the Deep Sea Fishing Mission.
Total investment is ₹2,295.45 crore.
Mission period is from 2026 to 2036.
Initiative aims to strengthen the Blue Economy.
Focus is on sustainable deep-sea fishing.
Marine fisheries infrastructure will be modernised.
Seafood exports and technology adoption will increase.
Annual fish production target is 2 lakh metric tonnes.
Over 50,000 employment opportunities are expected.
A Blue Economy Hub (B-Hub) will support research and innovation.
Mission will improve livelihoods of coastal communities.

Key Fact: Duration – 2026–2036 | Investment – ₹2,295.45 crore | Blue Economy Hub (B-Hub).

Assam Wild Rice Site Declared Biodiversity Heritage Area

Borjuli site in Assam declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
Site is located in Sonitpur district.
It conserves wild rice (Oryza rufipogon).
Project is funded by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA).
Conservation is being carried out in natural habitats.
ICAR-NBPGR is implementing the project.
Assam State Biodiversity Board is the collaborating agency.
Wild rice is a valuable genetic resource.
It helps develop climate-resilient rice varieties.
It also improves crop productivity and nutrition.
Initiative supports sustainable agriculture and food security.

Key Fact: Wild Rice – Oryza rufipogon | Site – Borjuli, Sonitpur (Assam).

Banking News

NPCI Partners HSBC, JP Morgan for Cross-Border UPI

NPCI partnered with HSBC India and JP Morgan Payments.
Partnership aims to strengthen cross-border UPI transactions.
It introduces real-time foreign exchange (FX) conversion.
Customers will get instant currency conversion.
Payment confirmation will be received in real time.
Settlement between financial institutions will become faster.
Exchange rates and transaction values will be more transparent.
The system reduces intermediaries and settlement delays.
It lowers settlement risks and enhances security.
Initiative will improve customer experience and global UPI adoption.
It further strengthens India’s digital payment ecosystem.

Key Fact: Partners – NPCI, HSBC India & JP Morgan Payments | Feature – Real-time FX conversion for cross-border UPI.

RBI Launches Revamped Integrated Ombudsman Scheme Nationwide

RBI launched the revamped Integrated Ombudsman Scheme.
The new scheme became effective from 1 July 2026.
It replaces the 2021 Ombudsman framework.
Scheme follows the “One Nation, One Ombudsman” principle.
It offers free and faster grievance redressal.
Customers can file complaints online.
Complaints can be lodged after 30 days of no resolution.
Scheme covers banks, NBFCs, PPIs and credit information companies.
It promotes non-adversarial dispute resolution.
Compensation up to ₹30 lakh is available for financial loss.
Additional compensation up to ₹3 lakh is provided for harassment.

Key Fact: Effective from 1 July 2026 | Principle – “One Nation, One Ombudsman”.

RBI Appoints Ravi Shankar as Executive Director

RBI appointed Ravi Shankar as Executive Director.
Appointment became effective from 1 July 2026.
He was earlier Adviser-in-Charge of DSIM.
He has over 30 years of RBI experience.
Expertise includes banking and corporate statistics.
He has worked in government securities and settlement systems.
He also contributed to public debt management.
Ravi Shankar served on several RBI committees.
His work includes macroeconomic and financial sector analysis.
He has contributed to statistical methodology and data governance.
Appointment strengthens RBI’s leadership in economic research.

Key Fact: Ravi Shankar was promoted from the Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM).

Business News

MECON Granted Miniratna Category-I Status by Government

MECON Limited received Miniratna Category-I status.
Status was granted by the Ministry of Steel.
MECON is a Schedule ‘A’ Central Public Sector Enterprise.
The company was established in 1959.
Its headquarters is located in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
MECON provides engineering and consultancy services.
It recorded profits for three consecutive financial years.
Net worth stood at ₹535.42 crore as of 31 March 2026.
Status provides greater financial and operational autonomy.
It will support technology upgrades and business expansion.
MECON has contributed significantly to India’s industrial development.

Key Fact: Founded – 1959 | Headquarters – Ranchi | Ministry – Steel | Status – Miniratna Category-I.

Defence News

Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann Assumes Southern Air Command

Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann assumed charge as AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command.
He took charge on 1 July 2026.
He succeeded Air Marshal Manish Khanna.
He was commissioned into the fighter stream in 1989.
He is a Pilot Attack Instructor.
He has over 3,000 flying hours.
He has flown Apache, MiG-21, Jaguar, MiG-29, Su-30 and Rafale aircraft.
He held key operational and leadership appointments in the IAF.
He served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations-Offensive).
He is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vayu Sena Medal (VSM).
His appointment strengthens the operational leadership of the Southern Air Command.

Key Fact: Succeeded Air Marshal Manish Khanna | Commissioned – 1989 | Awards – AVSM & VSM.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Becomes Vice Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
He took office on 1 July 2026.
He succeeded Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor.
He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1986.
He is an experienced fighter pilot.
He has over 3,300 flying hours.
He has flown more than 20 types of aircraft.
He commanded a Mirage-2000 Squadron and a frontline fighter base.
He held several senior operational and staff appointments.
Simultaneously, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh became CISC.
His appointment enhances the IAF’s senior leadership.

Key Fact: Succeeded Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor | Commissioned – 1986 | Flying Hours – 3,300+.

Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar Takes Charge of Southern Command

Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar assumed charge as GOC-in-C of Southern Command.
He took office on 1 July 2026.
He succeeded Lt Gen Sandeep Jain.
He paid tribute at the Southern Command War Memorial.
He received a ceremonial Guard of Honour in Pune.
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA).
He was commissioned into the 74 Armoured Regiment in 1988.
He has nearly four decades of military service.
He has commanded formations from Regiment to Corps level.
He also served as Defence and Military Attaché in Moscow.
Southern Command is headquartered in Pune.

Key Fact: Headquarters – Pune | Commissioned – 1988 | Regiment – 74 Armoured Regiment.

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh Assumes Charge as CISC

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh assumed charge as CISC.
CISC stands for Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.
He paid tribute at the National War Memorial.
He received a ceremonial Tri-Service Guard of Honour.
He was commissioned into the IAF fighter stream in 1987.
He is a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor.
He has over 4,500 flying hours.
He has commanded fighter squadrons and major air bases.
He previously headed the South Western Air Command.
He has received several distinguished service medals.
His appointment strengthens joint military coordination.

Key Fact: Commissioned – 1987 | Flying Hours – 4,500+ | Current Post – Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC).

Appointments News

Shirish Godbole Appointed Indian REITs Association Chairperson

Shirish Godbole has been appointed Chairperson of the Indian REITs Association (IRA).
He succeeds Alok Aggarwal in the position.
Godbole is the CEO of Knowledge Realty Trust.
IRA was established in 2023.
The association functions under the guidance of SEBI and the Ministry of Finance.
It works to promote the growth of India’s REIT sector.
Godbole aims to strengthen the REIT ecosystem.
He will focus on investor awareness and transparency.
Governance standards in the sector will be further improved.
Knowledge Realty Trust is backed by Sattva Group and Blackstone.
It is India’s largest listed REIT by market capitalisation.