Current Affairs 01 August 2026

Rajasthan Leads with India’s 1st Rare Earth Exploration Permit.

• Rajasthan became the first state to issue a Rare Earth Elements (REE) exploration licence.
• Licence covers 207.6 sq km in the Nawatala–Devigarh region.
• Awarded to Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd. (CMPDI).
• Target minerals: Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, and Neodymium.
• Issued under the 2024 Critical Minerals Policy.
• REEs are vital for EVs, semiconductors, aerospace, and telecommunications.

Government Targets 100 Crore 5G Connections by 2030.

• India targets 100 crore 5G users by 2030.
• Currently has 50 crore 5G users with nearly 5 lakh telecom towers deployed.
• Around ₹4.5 lakh crore invested in the 5G rollout.
• India’s first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) launched to boost domestic production.
• India has 1.33 billion mobile subscribers with 27 GB average monthly data usage per user.
• Mobile data cost has fallen to about ₹8 per GB.

India Caps Casualty Risk at 1-in-10,000 for Space Missions.

• IN-SPACe issued a new space re-entry safety framework.
• Sets a maximum casualty risk limit of 1 in 10,000 for re-entering space objects.
• Private operators bear full liability for any damage and are encouraged to obtain third-party insurance.
• Covers re-entry capsules, cargo return vehicles, and crewed spacecraft.
• Foreign companies must operate through an Indian-incorporated entity or joint venture.
• Re-entry applications must be filed 6 months in advance; NOTAMs and maritime warnings required 45 days before re-entry.

ADB Backs PM Surya Ghar Yojana with $850 Million Loan.

• ADB approved an $850 million loan for PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
• Supports Subprogram 2 to expand rooftop solar adoption.
• Targets 10 million households and 30 GW residential rooftop solar capacity by FY2027.
• Funding will support at least 3.5 million rooftop solar installations.
• Includes training and certification of 6,000 people, with at least one-third women.
• Expected to reduce 28.8 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions and promote safe recycling of solar waste.

Delhi Registers Maximum e-Zero FIRs Under New Digital System.

• Delhi topped 18 States/UTs in cyber financial fraud e-Zero FIR registrations.
• Delhi recorded 6,115 e-Zero FIRs since May 2025; Chandigarh ranked second with 4,174 cases.
• System operational in 18 States and UTs.
• Complaints filed through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and helpline 1930.
• e-Zero FIRs are registered under Section 173(1) of BNSS, 2023.
• Complainants must visit police stations within 3 days to convert into regular FIRs.