Welcome to Plutus Academy’s Daily Current Affairs — 5 July 2026. Today’s update covers the most important national and international developments, banking and finance news, sports events, key appointments, resignations, and science breakthroughs, curated from credible newspapers, news agencies and government sources (PIB, RBI, The Hindu, PTI, Reuters, ICC, ADB, World Bank) for Bank PO, SSC, RRB and UPSC aspirants.

🇮🇳 National News

VB-G RAM G Launched Nationwide from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Yojana (VB-G RAM G) nationwide from Mukkavaripalli village, Tirupati district. The scheme, which replaces MGNREGA from 1 July 2026, guarantees 125 days of work per rural household with a base wage of ₹300 per day, and carries an outlay of ₹7.5 lakh crore over 5 years (about ₹1.51 lakh crore annually).

CCEA Approves Two Highway Projects Worth ₹14,115 Crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two major projects: a ₹6,969.67 crore six-lane tunnel on NH-148AE connecting Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg in Delhi (including a 3.14 km twin-tube tunnel under the Southern Ridge, to be built by NHAI on Hybrid Annuity Mode), and a ₹7,145.14 crore, 117.7-km four-lane greenfield corridor between Kanpur and Kabrai in Uttar Pradesh under the Bhopal–Kanpur Economic Corridor.

Assam’s Borjuli Wild Rice Site Notified as Biodiversity Heritage Site

The National Biodiversity Authority notified the Borjuli site in Sonitpur district, Assam, as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for in-situ conservation of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon). Assam now has three BHS — Majuli, Borjuli Wild Rice and Hajong Tortoise Lake.

MANAS: AI-Powered Drug-Crime Reporting Helpline 1933 Launched

The Ministry of Home Affairs launched the MANAS platform with an AI-powered helpline 1933 for anonymous drug-crime reporting and 24×7 de-addiction counselling, operated by the Narcotics Control Bureau with the Digital India Corporation.

West Bengal Adds 23 New GI Tags, Ranks 3rd in India

West Bengal received 23 new Geographical Indication (GI) tags — including Jolbhora Sandesh (Chandannagar), Monohara (Janai), Santiniketan Batik and Murshidabad silk — taking its total to 59, the third highest after Uttar Pradesh (83) and Tamil Nadu (76).

🌍 International News

G7 Leaders Back US–Iran Interim Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

G7 leaders, meeting at Evian-les-Bains, France, endorsed the tentative US–Iran agreement under which Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz — through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes — extend the ceasefire, and halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon; the accord is to be formally signed in Switzerland, with the US to work towards ending sanctions if a final nuclear agreement is reached.

India’s UPI Goes Live in Greece

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services were launched in Greece through a strategic partnership between Eurobank and NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), witnessed live by the Union Commerce and Industry Minister — another step in UPI’s global expansion.

India Signs Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Export Pacts with Japan

India secured long-term export agreements for green ammonia and green methanol with Japanese companies, a milestone under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (launched 2023) that aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.

🏦 News Related to Indian Banking and Finance

Razorpay and NBBL Launch ‘Banking Connect’ — Mobile-First NetBanking

Razorpay, with NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL), launched Banking Connect, a mobile-first NetBanking solution offering unified multi-bank integration with QR-based and intent-driven payment flows. Initial participating banks include SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Federal Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and YES Bank.

Prudential HCL Health Insurance Becomes India’s 8th Standalone Health Insurer

IRDAI granted the final (R3) Certificate of Registration to Prudential HCL Health Insurance Ltd — a JV between UK’s Prudential Group (70%) and HCL Group (30%) — making it the 8th standalone health insurer in India, at its 136th meeting.

RBI’s New Integrated Ombudsman Scheme in Effect from 1 July

The RBI’s revamped Integrated Ombudsman Scheme came into force from 1 July 2026, streamlining grievance redressal across banks, NBFCs and payment system participants. The RBI also appointed Ravi Shankar as a new Executive Director.

BPCL Acquires 100% of IBV Brazil Petroleo for ₹2,312 Crore

BPCL, through BPRL Ventures BV, acquired the remaining 34.6% stake in IBV Brazil Petroleo Limitada from Videocon Energy Brazil, raising its holding to 100%. The deal, under the CIRP of VOVL Ltd, is expected to add about 1 MTOE to BPCL’s annual equity oil production from the BM-SEAL-11 block.

🌐 News Related to International Banking and Finance

ECB Forum at Sintra: Fed Chief Warsh Says Inflation Still ‘Too High’

At the ECB Forum on Central Banking in Sintra, Portugal, US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation remains too elevated and defended the Fed’s independence; ECB President Christine Lagarde flagged Europe’s lag in AI investment, while Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warned of rising leverage in bond, equity and private-credit markets.

ADB Approves $182.89 Million Loan for Karnataka Public Schools

The Asian Development Bank approved a USD 182.89 million results-based loan under the ‘Strengthening Karnataka Public Schools Program’ to create 500 integrated school clusters benefiting over 1 million students, supplemented by a USD 10 million grant and USD 25 million guarantee from the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd).

🏆 International Sports Events

Women’s T20 World Cup Final Today: England vs Australia at Lord’s

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 concludes today (5 July) with the final between hosts England and Australia — the tournament’s two unbeaten sides — at Lord’s, London. England thrashed South Africa in the semi-final, and a closing ceremony features Rita Ora and Clean Bandit.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Morocco and France Enter Quarter-Finals

In the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 (USA–Canada–Mexico), Morocco beat Canada 3-0 and France edged Paraguay 1-0 at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia; Morocco will face France in the quarter-finals. Earlier, Egypt knocked out Australia on penalties and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2.

Wimbledon 2026: Wild Card Arthur Fery Reaches Fourth Round

At Wimbledon 2026 (29 June–12 July), British wild card Arthur Fery defeated Zizou Bergs in a 4-hour-38-minute five-setter to reach the fourth round for the first time. The Eugene Diamond League athletics meet was also held on 4 July in the US.

👤 Major National or International Appointments

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Becomes 51st Vice Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, assumed charge as the 51st Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) of the IAF on 1 July 2026. A Mirage-2000 pilot and veteran of Operation Safed Sagar (Kargil, 1999), he holds the PVSM, AVSM, VM and VSM.

Bijay Kumar Mohanty Gets Additional Charge as CMD of IREDA

Bijay Kumar Mohanty, Director (Finance) and CFO of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), assumed additional charge as Chairman & Managing Director for three months from 1 July 2026.

Sunil Bharti Mittal Receives USISPF 2026 Leadership Award

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum presented its 2026 Leadership Award to Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder-chairman of Bharti Enterprises, at its Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., themed ‘America At 250’.

🚪 Resignation or Dismissal

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor Retires from the IAF

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor retired as Vice Chief of Air Staff on 30 June 2026 after nearly four decades of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force.

Pradip Kumar Das Superannuates as CMD of IREDA

Pradip Kumar Das superannuated as Chairman & Managing Director of IREDA on 30 June 2026, after steering the renewable-energy financier to Navratna status.

🔬 Major Inventions and Discoveries

IIT Delhi–DRDO Develop India’s First Indigenous Tactical Aerostat

IIT Delhi, with DRDO and a domestic startup, developed India’s first indigenous tactical aerostat — a balloon-based high-altitude platform carrying electro-optical cameras, IR sensors and communication relays with coverage up to 20 km, offering longer endurance than drones for border surveillance and disaster response.

Hayabusa2 Set for Asteroid Torifune Flyby

Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft, on its extended mission, is performing a flyby of asteroid Torifune in July 2026, while China’s Tianwen-2 probe prepares to collect samples from near-Earth asteroid Kamo’oalewa — a busy month for asteroid science.

📝 Practice Questions — Current Affairs Quiz

Test your knowledge with these 5 questions in SSC/Bank PO format

For previous daily current affairs, visit plutusacademy.com/current-affairs.