📰 PIB Notes for UPSC – 09 July 2026
Daily PIB Current Affairs | UPSC & SSC Exam Preparation
Today's PIB Notes for UPSC covers 7 key topics —
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), DFS Wins GRAI Rank,
46th Central Zoo Authority Meeting (Coimbatore), NMCG Nature-Based Solutions,
ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine (Keylong), INS Sudarshini Concludes NY Port Call,
and Samriddh Gram Wins WSIS Prize 2026.
✅ Tap any option to instantly see the answer! Facts verified from PIB sources.
✅ Tap any option to instantly see the answer! Facts verified from PIB sources.
PIB Backgrounder – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
🚜 Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) – Enhancing Productivity
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- SMAM = Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization; launched in 2014-15.
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
- Aim: "Reach the unreached" for mechanization benefits.
- Beneficiaries: Small & marginal farmers, women, SC/ST, FPOs, SHGs, rural entrepreneurs.
- Achievements (2014-15 to 2025-26):
- Central assistance of ₹9,404.47 crore.
- Distributed 21.61 lakh machines to individual farmers.
- Established 27,554 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).
- Set up 646 Hi-tech Hubs.
- Set up 25,608 Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs).
- Subsidy Structure:
- 40% for general beneficiaries.
- 50% for SC/ST, small & marginal farmers, NE states.
- Small/marginal farmers get ₹2,000/hectare for mechanised services (incl. drones).
- CHCs get up to 40% (projects up to ₹250 lakh).
- FMBs get 80% support (projects up to ₹30 lakh).
- NE States: up to 100% subsidy for small machinery; 95% for FMBs.
- Funding Pattern:
- Most states: 60:40 (Centre:State).
- NE & Himalayan states: 90:10.
- UTs: 100% Central funding.
- Drone Adoption:
- ₹52.5 crore financial support to ICAR.
- 40,928 Kisan Drone demonstrations conducted.
- Covered 40,918 hectares.
- 100% support to ICAR/KVKs/SAUs — up to ₹10 lakh per drone.
- FPOs get up to 75% grant support.
- Contingency: ₹6,000 per hectare.
- 30% of total funds earmarked for women farmers.
- Beneficiaries for individual ownership: 2.07 lakh (2020-21) → 2.32 lakh (2024-25).
₹9,404 Cr
Central Assistance
21.61 L
Machines Distributed
27,554
Custom Hiring Centres
30%
Fund for Women Farmers
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- RKVY: Launched 2007; renamed RKVY-RAFTAAR (Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation) in 2017-18.
- Custom Hiring Centre (CHC): Rental service for agricultural machinery.
- Farm Machinery Bank (FMB): Community-owned pool of machinery for hiring.
- ICAR = Indian Council of Agricultural Research; est. 1929; HQ New Delhi.
- KVK = Krishi Vigyan Kendra; agriculture extension centres; 700+ across India.
- SAU = State Agricultural Universities.
- Namo Drone Didi Scheme: 15,000 drones to Women SHGs (2024-2026).
- Kisan Drone: Promoted under multiple schemes for crop assessment, spraying, digitisation.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is a component of which flagship scheme?
SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Launched in 2014-15; distributed 21.61 lakh machines; ₹9,404.47 crore central assistance. 30% of total funds earmarked for women farmers.
Ministry of Finance
🏅 DFS Insurance Division Secures 2nd Rank in GRAI May 2026
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Insurance Division, Department of Financial Services (DFS): 2nd position in Group A category.
- Under Grievance Redressal Assessment & Index (GRAI) for May 2026.
- Banking Division, DFS: 6th position.
- GRAI rankings released by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
- Group A Category: Ministries/Departments registering more than or equal to 500 grievances.
- DFS Statistics:
- Receives more than 2.50 lakh grievances annually.
- Consistently among top 10 Ministries/Departments since November 2025.
- Key Reforms Since 2024:
- Since 7 January 2024: DFS Secretary personally reviews 20 randomly selected grievances.
- Complainants participate directly with Chairpersons, MDs, CEOs.
- Workshops on "Effective Grievance Redressal Framework" with RBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, PSBs.
- Aims to make governance transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- DARPG: Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances; under Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions.
- CPGRAMS: Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System; online platform.
- DFS: Department of Financial Services; under Ministry of Finance.
- RBI: Reserve Bank of India; est. 1935; HQ Mumbai.
- IRDAI: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India; est. 1999; HQ Hyderabad.
- PFRDA: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority; est. 2013; HQ New Delhi.
- India has 12 Public Sector Banks (post consolidation in 2020).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The Grievance Redressal Assessment & Index (GRAI) is released by which Department?
The Grievance Redressal Assessment & Index (GRAI) is released by DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) under Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions. Insurance Division of DFS ranked 2nd in Group A category (500+ grievances) for May 2026; Banking Division ranked 6th.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
🐅 46th Central Zoo Authority Meeting at Coimbatore
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav (Environment) chaired the 46th Central Zoo Authority (CZA) Meeting.
- Held at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on 9 July 2026.
- Reviewed CZA achievements & strategic priorities for FY 2026-27.
- Key Deliberations:
- Second cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of zoos conducted by 6 evaluation teams.
- Concept note on animal biobanks with reproductive technologies (proposal from CCMB-LaCONES).
- National Zoological Park modernization issues.
- SOPs for Zoo Veterinarians and Animal Handlers.
- National Wildlife Health Policy Concept Paper.
- Committee report on CSR funds and resources for zoos.
- Enforcement on unauthorised possession of non-native CITES-listed wild animals.
- Minister released CZA's Newsletter highlighting milestones in:
- Conservation breeding.
- Wildlife health.
- Scientific management.
- Capacity building.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- CZA = Central Zoo Authority; est. under Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 1991; statutory body under MoEF&CC.
- CZA HQ: New Delhi; recognizes and regulates all zoos in India.
- India has ~150 recognized zoos.
- CCMB-LaCONES = Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (Hyderabad); under CSIR.
- National Zoological Park: Delhi Zoo; est. 1959.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Framework for wildlife conservation; 6 schedules.
- CITES = Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; adopted 1973; India ratified 1976.
- India has 4 biodiversity hotspots.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) was established under which Act?
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) was established under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 1991. It is a statutory body under MoEF&CC; HQ New Delhi. Regulates ~150 recognized zoos in India. 46th CZA Meeting held at Coimbatore chaired by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
🌊 NMCG's Focus on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for River Rejuvenation
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- NMCG = National Mission for Clean Ganga.
- Integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) with conventional wastewater treatment.
- Part of Sustainable River Rejuvenation (SRR) programme.
- Two Pilot Projects in Delhi:
- Shastri Park Drain.
- Kailash Nagar Drain.
- Combined treatment capacity: ~10 MLD.
- Both discharge into Yamuna.
- Treatment System Components:
- Constructed wetlands for in-situ treatment.
- Stone masonry structures.
- Rock filters (for suspended solids).
- Aquatic vegetation (for nutrient uptake).
- Phytoremediation (plants absorb, stabilize, degrade pollutants).
- Advantages of NbS:
- Low-energy.
- Climate-resilient.
- Lower operational/maintenance inputs.
- Enhance biodiversity.
- Capacity Building:
- 6 training programmes (Aug 2025 - Mar 2026).
- 100+ participants from Yamuna Task Force, District Ganga Committees, SMCGs, Forest & Irrigation Departments.
- Additional NbS Project: Constructed Wetland at Khatauli for rejuvenation of River Kali (tributary of Ganga).
- Also focuses on Environmental Flows (E-Flows) to maintain river flows.
- Knowledge Sharing and Development Centre (KSDC) initiative promotes knowledge exchange.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- NMCG: Registered as society (12 Aug 2011); became authority under EPA 1986; implementing arm of NGRBA.
- Namami Gange Programme: Launched 2014; ₹20,000 crore initial budget (extended).
- Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Actions to protect/restore ecosystems; promoted by IUCN.
- Constructed Wetlands: Man-made systems mimicking natural wetlands; treat wastewater.
- Phytoremediation: Use of plants to remove/detoxify pollutants.
- MLD = Million Litres per Day; standard measure of water/wastewater flow.
- Yamuna: Longest tributary of Ganga; originates from Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand.
- Ramsar Convention: For conservation of wetlands (1971).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) pilot projects by NMCG at Shastri Park & Kailash Nagar Drains treat wastewater discharging into which river?
The NMCG's two NbS pilot projects at Shastri Park Drain and Kailash Nagar Drain (Delhi) treat wastewater discharging into the Yamuna. Combined capacity: ~10 MLD. Note: NMCG also has NbS project at Khatauli for River Kali (Ganga tributary). NbS uses constructed wetlands, rock filters, and phytoremediation.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
🏔️ ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine at Keylong (Himachal Pradesh)
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda to lay foundation stone on 11 July 2026.
- Centre: ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research.
- Location: Keylong, Lahaul & Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh.
- Upgrades ICMR's existing field station at Keylong.
- ICMR's first dedicated centre for high altitude medicine.
- Research Mandate:
- High-altitude physiology & acclimatisation.
- Mountain medicine.
- Climate-sensitive & emerging diseases.
- Infectious & non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
- Maternal & child health, nutrition, mental health.
- Environmental & occupational health.
- Disaster medicine.
- Technology Integration:
- Digital health platforms.
- Telemedicine.
- Drone-enabled healthcare logistics.
- Real-time public health surveillance.
- Collaborations:
- Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Himachal Pradesh Government.
- Indian & international academic/research institutions.
- Under Department of Health Research, MoHFW.
- Ceremony includes: Bhumi Pujan, Green ICMR Campus Initiative, commemorative postal cover.
- Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- ICMR: Est. 1911 (as Indian Research Fund Association); renamed ICMR in 1949; HQ New Delhi; apex biomedical research body.
- Lahaul & Spiti: One of the largest districts of India by area; extreme cold-desert climate; borders Ladakh & Tibet.
- DGCA-DRDO: Collaboration for high-altitude research.
- India's key high-altitude regions: Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh.
- DIHAR: Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DRDO); located at Leh, Ladakh.
- AFMS = Armed Forces Medical Services; est. 1948.
- Recent ICMR achievements: ICMR-MINDS won Gold at NCeG 2026 (mental health platform).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research is being set up at:
The ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research is being set up at Keylong, Lahaul & Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. Foundation stone by Union Health Minister JP Nadda on 11 July 2026. First dedicated ICMR centre for high altitude medicine. Collaborations with AFMS, DRDO, HP Govt.
Ministry of Defence
⚓ INS Sudarshini Concludes Port Call at New York, USA | LOKAYAN 2026
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- INS Sudarshini concluded port call at New York, USA on 8 July 2026.
- Part of ongoing LOKAYAN 2026 — 10-month transoceanic expedition.
- Indigenously built three-masted barque; sail training ship.
- Key Highlights:
- Participated in US International Naval Review 250.
- Participated in Sail4th 250 celebrations (250th anniversary of US Independence).
- Sailed in spectacular Parade of Sail along Hudson River.
- Passed by Statue of Liberty.
- 1,000+ visitors welcomed on board at Brooklyn.
- Distinguished Visitors:
- Shri Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in NY.
- Shri Parvathaneni Harish, India's Ambassador & PR to UN.
- State Dinner hosted on board.
- Reinforced India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
- Next Port of Call: Boston, USA for Sail Boston 2026.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- INS Sudarshini: Sail training ship of Indian Navy; commissioned 2012; homeported at Kochi.
- Barque = sailing vessel with 3+ masts (front two square-rigged, aft one fore-and-aft rigged).
- Other Indian Navy sail training ships: INS Tarangini (1997), Mhadei.
- India-US strategic relations: Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership (2020).
- US Independence Day: 4 July 1776 (Declaration of Independence).
- 2026 = 250th anniversary of US Independence.
- Hudson River: Located in New York; flows into Atlantic Ocean.
- Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. INS Sudarshini's LOKAYAN 2026 expedition is how many months long?
LOKAYAN 2026 is a 10-month transoceanic expedition of INS Sudarshini (Indian Navy sail training ship, three-masted barque). She participated in US Sail4th 250 celebrations (250th anniversary of US Independence). Next port: Boston for Sail Boston 2026.
Ministry of Communications
🏆 DoT's Samriddh Gram Wins WSIS Prize 2026 | Global Winner
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT) won Global Winner at WSIS Prizes 2026.
- Under Action Line C6 – Enabling Environment.
- For flagship project: "Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet".
- Award presented during WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva.
- Union Minister of Communications: Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
- WSIS = World Summit on the Information Society; led by International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- Samriddh Gram Features:
- Integrated rural digital transformation initiative.
- Built on BharatNet backbone.
- Samriddhi Kendras: One-stop village-level hubs for phygital services.
- Services offered under Samriddh Gram:
- Healthcare (tele-consultation, Health ATMs, Jan Aushadhi).
- Education (smart classrooms, AR/VR skill development).
- Agriculture (IoT soil testing, drones for spraying, smart irrigation).
- Financial inclusion (Banking Correspondent).
- CSC/e-Governance services.
- FTTH & PM-WANI connectivity.
- CCTV-based village surveillance.
- BharatNet Achievement: 2.17+ lakh Gram Panchayats service-ready and online.
- Selection Process:
- 18 award categories.
- 2.2+ million votes cast globally.
- Only 2 Indian projects selected as Champion Projects.
- Samriddh Gram emerged as Global Winner.
- Contributes to multiple SDGs.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- WSIS: Established by UN General Assembly Resolution 56/183 (2001); two summits held (Geneva 2003, Tunis 2005).
- ITU = International Telecommunication Union; UN specialised agency; est. 1865; HQ Geneva.
- BharatNet: World's largest rural broadband project; launched 2011 (as NOFN); renamed 2015.
- BharatNet operated by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL).
- CSC = Common Service Centres; Digital India initiative.
- PM-WANI = PM Wi-Fi Access Network Interface; free public Wi-Fi.
- FTTH = Fibre-to-the-Home.
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras: Under Department of Pharmaceuticals; sell generic medicines at 50-90% cheaper.
- ITU HQ: Geneva; India is a founding member.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The WSIS Prizes are given under the aegis of which international body?
The WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society) Prizes are given under the aegis of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN specialised agency (HQ Geneva). DoT's Samriddh Gram won Global Winner in Action Line C6 – Enabling Environment. BharatNet powered service delivery to 2.17+ lakh Gram Panchayats.
PIB Notes for UPSC 09 July 2026
PIB Notes for UPSC 09 July 2026 presents the most important Press Information Bureau updates relevant for UPSC Prelims and Mains. Today's PIB Notes for UPSC cover the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), DFS receiving the Global Remittance Awards Index (GRAI) ranking, the 46th Central Zoo Authority Meeting, Namami Gange's Nature-Based Solutions initiative, ICMR's Centre for High Altitude Medicine at Keylong, INS Sudarshini's New York Port Call, and Samriddh Gram receiving the WSIS Prize 2026.
Topics Covered in PIB Notes for UPSC 09 July 2026
- Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
- DFS Wins Global Remittance Awards Index (GRAI) Ranking
- 46th Central Zoo Authority Meeting
- Namami Gange Nature-Based Solutions
- ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine
- INS Sudarshini New York Port Call
- Samriddh Gram Wins WSIS Prize 2026
Why Read PIB Notes for UPSC?
PIB Notes for UPSC 09 July 2026 simplify official government releases into concise, exam-oriented notes. These PIB updates help aspirants revise government schemes, ministries, reports, institutions, international cooperation and policy initiatives that are frequently asked in UPSC Prelims and useful for Mains answer writing.
Who Can Use These PIB Notes?
These PIB Notes for UPSC are useful for UPSC Civil Services Examination, TNPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence, CAPF and other State PSC examinations.
Key Features
- Official PIB-based Current Affairs
- Government Schemes & Ministries
- UPSC Prelims & Mains Focus
- Quick Revision Notes
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does PIB Notes for UPSC 09 July 2026 cover?
It covers SMAM, DFS GRAI Ranking, Central Zoo Authority Meeting, Namami Gange Nature-Based Solutions, ICMR High Altitude Medicine Centre, INS Sudarshini and the WSIS Prize 2026.
Are PIB Notes important for UPSC?
Yes. PIB Notes are one of the most reliable sources for government schemes, policies, ministries and official initiatives asked in UPSC Prelims and Mains.
Who can benefit from these PIB Notes?
These PIB Notes are useful for UPSC, TNPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and other competitive examinations.
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