Current Affairs – July 3, 2026

{GS2 – IR} 16^th India-Japan Annual Summit **

• Context (PIB): Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited India to attend the 16^th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi.

Key Outcomes of Japanese PM’s Visit to India

• Joint Declaration on Economic Security: Establishes project-based cooperation across five sectors: semiconductors, critical minerals, ICT, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals.
• Joint Statement on Energy Resilience: Strengthens cooperation on strategic oil stockpiling and promotes joint investment across the maritime energy transport value chain.
• Joint Statement on AI: Elevates AI collaboration into a strategic R&D partnership by creating a joint roadmap spanning the full technology stack.
• Next Generation Mobility Partnership: Operationalises a framework to accelerate private-sector investment across rail, automotive, aviation, shipbuilding, ports, logistics, and urban development.
• Defence Co-Development: Formalises the inaugural joint manufacturing agreement for UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) stealth naval communication mast for Indian Navy warships.
• India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons: Designates 2027 to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.

Key Agreements Signed

Overview of India-Japan Bilateral Relations

• India and Japan elevated their bilateral ties to a “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” in 2014, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first Annual Summit with Japan in Tokyo.
• Trade Relations: Bilateral trade reached $27.47 billion in FY 2025–26, with Japan ranking 10th among India’s trading partners; the balance of trade is heavily in Japan’s favour.
  • Trade Agreement: India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in force since 2011, envisages tariff elimination on ~94% of traded items.
  • Trade Basket: India exports petroleum products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, marine products, and textiles, while importing machinery, transport equipment, electronic goods, and iron & steel products.
• FDI Source: Japan is the 5th-largest FDI source for India, accounting for 6% of total FDI between 2000 and 2026. At the 15^th Annual Summit in 2025, Japanese companies committed to investing 10 trillion yen (~$67 billion) in India over the next ten years.
• Defence Relations: Bilateral defence cooperation is based on the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the 2020 ACSA (mutual logistics pact) and co-development agreements like the UNICORN naval antenna.
  • Joint Exercise: JIMEX (Navy), Dharma Guardian (Army), Veer Guardian (Air Force), Malabar (multilateral naval exercise between US-India-Japan-Australia).
• Infrastructure Assistance: Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) finances the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail and metros in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Patna.
• Space Collaboration: ISRO and JAXA are collaborating on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission to investigate lunar water ice at the Moon’s south pole.
• Nuclear Treaty: The 2016 civil nuclear agreement made Japan the first country to extend nuclear cooperation to a non-NPT state, with a clause permitting termination upon an Indian nuclear test.
• Strategic Convergence: Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), counter maritime aggression through the Quad, and build resilient supply chains through the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).
• Strategic Divergences: India’s continued engagement with Russia, withdrawal from the Japan-backed RCEP trade pact, and differing stances on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Read More> India-Japan Strategic Relations

{GS3 – Agri} Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)  *

• Context (PIB): PMKSY has completed more than 10 years benefitting over 27 million farmers and created or restored irrigation potential across 24.61 million hectares.

Key Features of the PMKSY

• Purpose: Scheme expands assured irrigation and improves on-farm water efficiency, promoting rainwater harvesting and efficient farm-level water distribution under Jal Sanchay (rainwater storage) and Jal Sinchan (efficient water application).
• Strategy & Focus Areas: End-to end solution in irrigation supply chain, viz. water sources, distribution network, efficient farm level applications, extension services on new technologies & information etc.
• Programme Architecture: Implemented in area development mode by adopting ‘decentralized State level planning and projectized execution’ structure.
• Funding Pattern: Funds are provided to State Governments as per the pattern of assistance of Centrally Sponsored Schemes decided by Ministry of Finance and NITI Aayog.
• Schemes Subsumed under PMKSY:
  • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
  • Integrated Watershed Management Programme of Department of Land Resources.
  • On Farm Water Management of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation.
• Core Components of PMKSY:
  • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): It focuses on rapid completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects, supporting timely creation of irrigation infrastructure and strengthens water availability for farmers.
    • In 2025-26, government approved Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme of PMKSY-AIBP.
  • Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP): It focuses on creating new water sources through minor irrigation (both surface and groundwater) and expanding cultivable areas under assured irrigation.
  • Watershed Development: It enhances the productive potential of rainfed and degraded lands through integrated watershed management.
  • Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): An integral component of the PMKSY from 2015-16 to 2021-22, with a strong focus on maximizing water use efficiency at the farm level.

Read More> Protective Irrigation for Climate Resilience

{GS3 – S&T} India’s Indigenous Navigation Ecosystem *

• Context (PIB): GAGAN and NavIC have been instrumental in securing India’s technological sovereignty, aerospace safety, and strategic independence by establishing a space-based positioning infrastructure.

• Dual Architecture: India’s space navigation framework operates through two systems: NavIC for independent regional positioning and GAGAN for satellite-based augmentation.
• Nodal Authority: Satellite Navigation Programme Office under ISRO serves as the nodal administrative authority for space-based timing, positioning, and augmentation networks.

About GAGAN

• GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) is an indigenous satellite-based augmentation system developed jointly by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• Correction Layer: GAGAN improves GPS accuracy, integrity, and availability by broadcasting real-time corrections for orbit, clock, and ionospheric delays.
• Space Segment: Augmentation payloads hosted on geostationary satellites GSAT-8, GSAT-10, and GSAT-15 broadcast correction signals across the Indian region and the Indian Flight Information Region.
• It is the first satellite-based augmentation system certified for the equatorial region to correct real-time ionospheric anomalies for air traffic management.

About NavIC

• Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), formerly the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is India’s independent regional positioning, navigation, and timing network.
• NavIC’s baseline constellation comprises three Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites and four Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO) satellites for continuous regional coverage.
• The system provides positioning and timing services across India and in areas extending up to 1,500 km beyond its national boundaries.
• Service Tiers: NavIC offers the Standard Positioning Service (SPS) for civilian users and an encrypted Restricted Service (RS) for authorised strategic users. SPS provides positional accuracy better than 20 metres and timing accuracy better than 40 nanoseconds.
• Legacy satellites transmit L5 and S-band signals, while newer NVS-series satellites introduce civilian L1-band signals compatible with other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

Comparative Evaluation of India’s Space Navigation Infrastructure

Read More> NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)

{Prelims – Envi} Borjuli Wetland *

• Context (DDN): The Borjuli wetland in Assam, known for harbouring a wild rice species called Oryza rufipogon, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).

• Oryza rufipogon, is the progenitor of present-day cultivated rice, Oryza sativa. It is resistant to pests and diseases and can tolerate flooding and saline conditions, making it a valuable genetic resource for developing climate-resilient crop varieties.

About BHS

• BHS are well-defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems (terrestrial, coastal, inland water, or marine) characterized by one or more of the following:
  1. Species richness
  2. High endemism
  3. Presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, and species of evolutionary significance
  4. Presence of wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species
  5. Past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds
  6. Areas with significant cultural, ethical, aesthetic values important for maintenance of cultural diversity
• Legal Status: They are notified under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Notifying Authority: State Government in consultation with local bodies after recommendations from the State Biodiversity Board.
• Restrictions: Unlike national parks or wildlife sanctuaries, BHS generally do not alter ownership rights or impose major restrictions on traditional livelihood activities.
• As per the National Biodiversity Authority, India has 54 Biodiversity Heritage Sites as of March 2026. The Nallur Tamarind Grove in Karnataka, declared in 2007.

{Prelims – Geo} Rung Community

• Context (TH): Rung community was in news.

• Rung is an indigenous Tibeto-Burman tribe inhabiting high-altitude Dharchula region of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Though officially classified under ‘Bhotiya’ Scheduled Tribe, they maintain a distinct Rung identity.
• They speak the Rangloh (Rongbo/Rongba) language, practise transhumance, follow nature worship, and celebrate the Hiyal harvest festival.

{Prelims – Governance} 29^th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG)

• Context (PIB): 29th NCeG in Jaipur concluded with adoption of Jaipur Declaration on e-Governance 2026.

• Organised jointly by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Rajasthan.
  • Theme: “Viksit Bharat 2047: AI-enabled, Data-driven and Secure Digital Governance.”

Jaipur Declaration

• Outlines a shared roadmap for strengthening digital public infrastructure, promoting AI-enabled governance, enhancing cybersecurity and data governance.
• Deals with fostering innovation, and leveraging emerging technologies to deliver seamless, transparent and accessible public services for all.
• Reflects collective resolve of Centre and States to accelerate digital transformation and build an efficient, secure and future-ready governance ecosystem in line with vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

Read More> E-Governance in India

{Prelims – In News} Antarctica’s Blood Falls

• Context (IE): Scientists have cracked the century-old mystery behind Antarctica’s Blood Falls, a striking crimson waterfall flowing from the Taylor Glacier.

• Blood Falls, first discovered in 1911 by Australian geologist Griffith Taylor, spills from the Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney in Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys.
• Scientists found that Blood Falls is formed by iron-rich brine trapped beneath the Taylor Glacier, and once this water is exposed to air, the dissolved iron reacts with oxygen to form iron oxides through a rusting process, producing the waterfall’s dramatic reddish-brown hue.

{Prelims – Social Sector} Academic Bank of Credits & National Academic Depository

• Context (PIB): Digital India has supported lifelong learning and secure digital credentials through initiatives like ABC and NAD aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Academic Bank of Credits

• Implementation: Initiative of Ministry of Education, regulated by University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Purpose: Digital platform for storing, transferring and redeeming academic credits earned by students from recognised higher education institutions.
• Key Features:
  • It supports National Education Policy 2020 and National Credit Framework by enabling Multiple Entry-Multiple Exit (MEME), credit transfer and flexible learning pathways.
  • Integrated with APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry), ABC provides every learner with a unique lifelong academic identity through a unified digital platform.
• As per the latest progress, 2,963 higher education institutions have registered on the ABC platform.

National Academic Depository

• Purpose: 24×7 online repository of academic awards that enables educational institutions to issue, store and verify academic certificates, degrees, diplomas and mark sheets in a secure digital format.

{Prelims – Social Sector} Neurocysticercosis

• Context (IE): A UK woman’s discovery of 38 parasite cysts in her brain following a tapeworm infection has renewed global attention on neurocysticercosis.

• Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic infection of the brain caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) and is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic regions.
• Transmission & Symptoms: Infection occurs by ingesting tapeworm eggs through contaminated food, water, or poor hygiene. Larvae form cysts in the brain, which may remain asymptomatic for years before triggering seizures and other neurological symptoms due to inflammation.
• Treatment: Management is individualised, involving antiparasitic drugs, anti-seizure medications, anti-inflammatory therapy, or surgery, depending on the number, location, and stage of the cysts.

{Prelims – Misc} One Liners

• S&T – Port Call at Seychelles (DDN): Indigenous survey vessel INS Ikshak and stealth frigate INS Tarkash concluded their port call at Port Victoria, Seychelles, during its National Day and Golden Jubilee celebrations.
  • Port Victoria is the capital and main seaport of the Seychelles, located on the northeastern coast of Mahé Island along the Somali Sea.
• Polity – High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (TH): Constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs under retired Supreme Court judge PP Navlekar, following PM Modi’s ‘High-powered Demography Mission’ announcement on Independence Day 2025.
  • It is mandated to scientifically assess demographic changes from ‘illegal immigration and other abnormal reasons’ and recommend a permanent mechanism for the legal, fair, and time-bound identification, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants.