4 August 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exam.

Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Why in News?

The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeking to deter fraudulent delayed registrations, enhance the credibility of birth and death certificates, and improve demographic data for public-service planning.

Background

• The Bill amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, last amended in 2023.
• The 2023 amendment mandated centralised digital registration through the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal under the Registrar General of India (RGI).

Key Provisions

1. Standard Registration Timeline

• Births and deaths must ordinarily be reported to the local registrar within 21 days.

2. Delayed Registration

• 1–2 years delay: Requires approval from the DM, SDM or authorised Executive Magistrate, under Section 14(1) of the BNSS, 2023.
• Beyond 2 years: Requires an order from a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class (JMFC).

3. Verification

• The designated authority must Verify the correctness of the reported event, Ensure payment of the prescribed fee, Authorise registration only after completing the required verification.

Significance

• Identity Integrityz: Judicial scrutiny can help prevent fraudulent retrospective registrations used in disputed immigration or property matters.
• Welfare Delivery: Accurate civil registration can improve Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) by helping identify duplicate, ineligible or non-existent beneficiaries.
• Database Synchronisation: Reliable civil records can strengthen interconnected databases such as National Population Register, Aadhaar, Electoral rolls
• Separation of Powers: Shifting adjudication of registrations delayed beyond two years to judicial magistrates advances the principle embodied in Article 50, concerning separation of the judiciary from the executive.
• SDG Alignment: Strong civil registration systems contribute to SDG 16.9, which seeks to provide legal identity for all by 2030.

Key Concerns

• Judicial Overburdening: Mandatory JMFC approval could add registration-related cases to subordinate courts already facing over 4.4 crore pending cases.
• Service Delays: Prolonged proceedings could delay certificates needed for insurance claims, inheritance transfers and survivor pensions.
• Digital Divide: Greater dependence on the CRS portal may disadvantage rural citizens with limited digital literacy or internet access.

Criminality of Crude Language Directed at Public Figure

Why in News?

Noida Police registered a Zero FIR against a Noida resident over remarks allegedly made against the Prime Minister during a protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, invoking Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

What is a Zero FIR?

• A Zero FIR can be registered at any police station, irrespective of where the offence occurred or which police station has territorial jurisdiction.
• Unlike an ordinary FIR, it need not initially be registered within the police station’s territorial jurisdiction.
• The concept was prominently recommended by the Justice Verma Committee following the Nirbhaya case.

Legal Aspects of the Present Case

1. Section 352 – Intentional Insult

• Requires proof that the accused intended or knew that the insult was likely to provoke an actual breach of public peace.
• Mere offence or hurt feelings are insufficient.

2. Section 353(1) – Statements Conducing to Public Mischief

• Targets conduct involving incitement, including encouraging offences against the State or promoting enmity between communities.
• The threshold is substantially higher than merely making harsh criticism of a political leader.

3. Section 356(1) – Defamation

• Concerns defamatory imputations.
• It retains established exceptions, including good-faith comments concerning the conduct of a public figure in their public capacity.

Obscenity under BNS

• Section 296 of BNS corresponds to Section 294 of the IPC and deals with obscene acts or words in a public place causing annoyance to others.
• Punishment: Up to three months' imprisonment.
• However, vulgarity, profanity or abusive language is not automatically equivalent to obscenity.

Judicial Evolution of the Obscenity Doctrine

1. Ranjit D. Udeshi v. State of Maharashtra (1965)

• SC upheld the ban on D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover under Section 292 IPC.
• Applied Hicklin test, which examined whether isolated passages could corrupt most vulnerable reader.

2. Doordarshan v. Anand Patwardhan (2006)

• SC held that obscenity should be assessed by considering the work as a whole, rather than isolating individual scenes.

3. Aveek Sarkar v. State of West Bengal (2014)

• SC discarded the Hicklin approach and adopted the community standards test.
• Material is assessed from the perspective of an average person applying contemporary community standards.

4. College Romance Case (2024)

• SC clarified that vulgarity and profanity do not, by themselves, constitute obscenity.

5. Mani v. State (July 2026)

• SC further distinguished abuse, profanity and vulgarity from obscenity, reiterating that the concepts are not synonymous.

Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)

Why in News?

PM-VBRY completed one year of implementation, marking a milestone in expanding formal employment and social-security coverage in India.

Key Achievements in the First Year

• First-Time Employees: Over 72 lakh first-time employees joined the formal workforce since August 2025.
• Female Participation: Nearly 30% of beneficiaries are women, supporting greater female participation in formal employment.
• Employment-Linked Incentives: More than 15 lakh beneficiaries have received incentives under the scheme.

About PM-VBRY

• Announced: August 2025.
• Implementation Period: 1 August 2025 – 31 July 2027.
• Financial Outlay: ₹99,446 crore.
• Implementation: Fully digital through an EPFO-linked platform.
• Target: Generate employment for over 3.5 crore people, including 1.92 crore first-time employees.
• Core Objective: Encourage young people to enter the organised workforce through EPFO registration.
• Industrial Linkage: Complements the National Manufacturing Mission by promoting employment in new and expanding industries.

Digital Technology

• Aadhaar-based authentication
• Universal Account Numbers (UANs)
• Regular Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) filings
• Face Authentication Technology through the UMANG App
• UAN: A 12-digit EPFO number that links multiple Member IDs across employers, making provident fund accounts portable and accessible.

Two-Part Incentive Framework

Incentive Disbursement

1. For first-time employees

• Paid in two instalments.
• First instalment after 6 months of service.
• Second instalment after 12 months of continuous service.

2. For manufacturing sector

• Employer incentives are extended to the third and fourth years as well.

3. Outreach Mechanism

• Awareness and implementation are supported through Cross-Functional Teams comprising officials from EPFO, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC).

Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY)

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) with an outlay of ₹5,070 crore to expand floating solar capacity and strengthen India’s energy security.

About PM-SSY

1. Nature

• Central Sector Scheme.

2. Focus

• Promotion of Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) projects integrated with Energy Storage Systems (ESS).

3. Target

• 5 GW of FSPV capacity by FY 2030–31.

4. Energy Storage

• 10,000 MWh of co-located battery storage with two-hour duration to improve grid reliability.

5. Implementing Agency

• Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

6. Financial Support

• Central Financial Assistance (CFA): ₹1 crore per MW to developers after commissioning.
• Up to ₹50 lakh per project for bathymetric and hydrographic studies.

7. Significance

• Supports India’s target of 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030.
• Promotes Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Could reduce approximately 10 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
• Integrating storage can address the intermittency of solar power and improve grid stability.

Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV)

FSPV refers to solar photovoltaic systems installed on water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes, dams and industrial ponds instead of conventional land-based installations.

1. Key Advantages

• Reduces land requirement: Helps overcome land acquisition constraints.
• Water conservation: Floating panels can reduce reservoir evaporation.
• Higher efficiency: Natural water cooling can improve photovoltaic efficiency by approximately 5–10%.

2. Operational Challenges

• Higher capital expenditure compared with conventional solar installations.
• Complex anchoring: Structures must withstand wind and other environmental stresses.
• Corrosion risk: Continuous exposure to moisture can create long-term durability challenges.

India’s Largest Operational Floating Solar Project

Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park

• Location: Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh.
• Operational capacity: 278 MW.
• Planned capacity: 600 MW.

Samudra Manthan (National Offshore Exploration Scheme)

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet approved ‘Samudra Manthan’ (National Offshore Exploration Scheme) with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore, to be implemented up to FY 2030–31, aimed at accelerating offshore hydrocarbon exploration and reducing India’s import dependence.

About Samudra Manthan

• Nature: 100% centrally funded Central Sector Scheme.
• Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• Objective: To map untapped offshore sedimentary basins and de-risk deepwater exploration.
• Import Dependence: India currently relies on imports for approximately 88% of crude oil and 50% of natural gas requirements.
• Eligibility: Exploration & Production (E&P) companies holding offshore blocks awarded under previous Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP) rounds and ongoing bidding rounds.

Four Key Components

1. Seismic Mapping

• Supports acquisition, processing and 3D interpretation of subsea seismic data.
• Helps identify potential hydrocarbon reserves before drilling.

2. Risk Drilling

• Provides 50% Central financial support, capped at ₹675 crore per well.
• Supports approximately 60 exploratory wells across deepwater and ultra-deepwater basins.

3. Shared Infrastructure

• Develops common Offshore production platforms, Jetties, Subsea evacuation pipelines
• Intended to reduce individual operators’ capital expenditure.

4. Manufacturing Zone

• Establishes an Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone under Make in India.
• Focuses on indigenising Subsea robotics, Deepwater hardware, Maritime logistics

Expected Outcomes

• Discover more than 600 Million Metric Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) in domestic reserves.
• Increase domestic annual hydrocarbon production.
• Potentially save nearly ₹1 lakh crore annually in foreign exchange.
• Reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil and natural gas.
• Strengthen domestic capabilities in deepwater exploration and offshore technology.

Collegium System in Indian Judiciary

Why in News?

Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted concerns over opacity in the judicial appointment process, noting that systemic shortcomings may allow individuals who later make unconstitutional or derogatory remarks to reach higher judicial benches.

What is the Collegium System?

The Collegium System is an extra-constitutional, judge-led mechanism through which senior judges recommend appointments and transfers in the higher judiciary.

1. Composition

• Supreme Court Collegium: Chief Justice of India + four senior-most Supreme Court judges.
• High Court Collegium: Chief Justice of the concerned High Court + two senior-most judges.

2. Core Objective

• Protect judicial independence from political and executive influence.
• Enable judges with direct judicial experience to assess the legal competence, integrity and temperament of prospective appointees.

3. Role of the Executive

• The Union Law Ministry conducts background verification, including through the Intelligence Bureau.
• The government may return a recommendation once for reconsideration.
• If the Collegium reiterates the same recommendation, the government is expected to notify the appointment.
• However, the absence of a strict statutory deadline can enable prolonged executive delays in processing reiterated recommendations.

4. Memorandum of Procedure (MoP)

The Memorandum of Procedure provides the administrative framework for:

• Selection and appointment of judges.
• Eligibility and assessment criteria.
• Background verification.
• Interaction between the judiciary and executive in judicial appointments.

Evolution of the Collegium System

Why is the Collegium System Significant?

• Judicial Independence: By limiting direct political involvement, the system seeks to ensure that judges can decide cases according to constitutional principles rather than electoral or governmental pressures.
• Professional Assessment: Serving judges possess firsthand knowledge of legal practice and can evaluate candidates on parameters such as Legal competence, Judicial temperament, Professional integrity
• Protection against Executive Influence: Since the State is a major litigant before Indian courts, insulating judicial appointments from excessive executive control is considered important for impartial adjudication.
• Security of Judicial Tenure: Reduced executive influence over transfers and promotions can help protect judges from political retaliation.
• Federal Considerations: The Collegium’s role in judicial transfers can facilitate broader regional representation and institutional balance across High Courts.

Major Challenges

• Transparency Deficit: The closed-door nature of deliberations raises concerns regarding Selection criteria, Evaluation parameters, Reasons for recommendations, Availability of institutional records
• Risk of Self-Selection: Since judges play the central role in choosing future judges, critics argue that the system lacks adequate external institutional checks.
• Representation Concerns: The source highlights historically limited representation of women in the higher judiciary, raising questions about inclusiveness in the selection process.
• Absence of Standardised Screening: Lack of a uniform institutional assessment mechanism can create concerns over consistency in evaluating judicial candidates.
• Executive Delays: Although the executive may not permanently reject a reiterated recommendation, the absence of a strict timeline can permit prolonged delays.
• Institutional Scrutiny: The absence of a dedicated institutional secretariat and limited public access to selection-related deliberations can contribute to concerns over accountability.

Recommendations of Major Committees and Commissions

Pingali Venkayya (1876–1963)

Why in News?

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Pingali Venkayya on his 150th birth anniversary, recognising his contribution to India’s freedom movement and his role in designing the original Indian National Flag.

Who was Pingali Venkayya?

• Pingali Venkayya was an Indian freedom fighter, educationist, linguist and flag designer, popularly known as “Jhanda Venkayya.”
• Born: Bhatlapenumarru village, Andhra Pradesh
• Popular Name: Jhanda Venkayya
• Ideological Influence: Strong believer in Gandhian principles and an ardent nationalist.
• During his service in the British Army, he met Mahatma Gandhi in Africa.
• Venkayya was also associated with diamond mining in Andhra Pradesh, where he set a record, earning him the popular title “Diamond Venkayya.” In 1955, he published “The Mother of Diamonds.”

Role in Designing the National Flag

• Pingali Venkayya presented several designs for a national flag before the Indian National Congress.
• In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi endorsed one of his designs during the Congress session at Vijayawada.
• His original concept provided the inspiration for the later Tricolour design.
• The Constituent Assembly adopted the present form of India’s National Flag on 22 July 1947.
• The Charkha (spinning wheel) in the earlier design was replaced by the Ashoka Chakra.
• The Tricolour concept inspired by Venkayya’s original design was retained.

Shipki La

Why in News?

India and China have resumed border trade through Shipki La after a six-year suspension since 2020. Trade has restarted through the newly established Chhuppan Trade Mart at Namgya village in Himachal Pradesh.

About Shipki La

• Shipki La is a high-altitude mountain pass in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, connecting India with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
• Altitude: Approximately 3,930 metres.
• Location: Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
• Connectivity: Connects India with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
• Road Link: Located along National Highway 5.
• Historical Name: Pema La, meaning “Shared Pass”.
• Historical Significance: Formed part of the ancient Silk Route.
• Strategic Significance: Became part of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following the 1962 India-China conflict.
• The Sutlej River, known as Langqen Zangbo in Tibet, enters India through Shipki La.
• Shipki La is one of three official bilateral land routes for border trade between India and China.

Broad Peak

Why in News?

Search operations for mountaineers missing after an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were suspended due to adverse weather conditions.

About Broad Peak

• Broad Peak is one of the world’s highest mountains and forms part of the Karakoram Range.
• Altitude: 8,047 metres (26,401 feet)
• Global Rank: 12th-highest mountain in the world.
• Location: Karakoram Range, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Eight-Thousanders

• 14 mountains worldwide that rise above 8,000 metres (26,247 feet) above sea level.
• All 14 eight-thousanders are located in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges.
• Karakoram Range is particularly significant as it is home to five of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders.

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