Government Updates for UPSC Preparation – 4 August 2026 Current Affairs Notes | Cabinet Decisions, Health, Energy, Sports & Environment
1Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) – Floating Solar with Energy Storage
🔹 Why in News?
- The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) on 31 July 2026.
- The scheme aims to develop floating solar photovoltaic (PV) projects integrated with energy-storage systems.
🔹 What is Floating Solar?
- Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) systems are solar panels installed on floating platforms over water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes, ponds and canals.
- They generate electricity through photovoltaic conversion, similar to ground-mounted solar plants, but do not require large tracts of land.
- Energy-storage systems help store electricity and improve the reliability of power supply when solar generation is low.
🔹 Key Features of PM-SSY
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Budgetary Outlay | ₹5,070 crore |
| Floating Solar Target | 5,000 MW of floating solar PV projects |
| Storage Capacity | At least 10,000 MWh of co-located energy storage capacity |
| Sanction Period | FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31 |
| Financial Support | Support to continue up to FY 2032–33 |
| Central Financial Assistance | ₹1 crore per MW for eligible floating solar projects after successful commissioning |
🔹 MW vs MWh – Important Prelims Concept
MWh (Megawatt-hour) measures the quantity of energy stored or generated over a period of time.
Therefore, PM-SSY targets 5,000 MW generation capacity and at least 10,000 MWh storage capacity.
🔹 Why Important?
- Helps expand renewable energy without large-scale land acquisition.
- Can complement hydropower reservoirs and existing transmission infrastructure.
- Energy storage can address the intermittency of solar power and improve grid reliability.
- Supports India’s climate commitments, energy security and transition away from fossil fuels.
- Needs ecological assessment to protect water quality, aquatic biodiversity, fisheries and local livelihoods.
🔹 India’s Solar Energy Progress – Quick Snapshot
| Indicator | Details from the Update |
|---|---|
| Solar Capacity in 2014 | 3 GW |
| Solar Capacity in 2026 | 162.15 GW |
| Growth | About 50-fold growth in a decade |
| Large-scale Solar Projects | 118.79 GW |
| Off-grid Solar Pumps | Over 11.49 lakh installed for agriculture |
| Decentralised Solar on Farmers’ Land | 1,726 MW commissioned |
| Solarised Households | Over 43 lakh households as of June 2026 |
🔹 Major Solar Initiatives
- National Solar Mission
- Solar Parks Scheme
- Green Energy Corridor
- PM-KUSUM – solar pumps and decentralised solarisation in agriculture.
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana – rooftop solarisation for households.
🔹 Solar Parks / Projects in News
- Bhadla Solar Park – Rajasthan
- Pavagada Solar Park – Karnataka
- Rewa Solar Project – Madhya Pradesh
🔹 Mains Value Addition
🔹 Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY), consider the following statements:
1. It targets 5,000 MW of floating solar PV capacity.
2. It envisages at least 10,000 MWh of co-located energy-storage capacity.
3. Central Financial Assistance is proposed at ₹1 crore per MWh of energy storage.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Click to View Answer
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only. PM-SSY targets 5,000 MW floating solar capacity and at least 10,000 MWh storage. The CFA mentioned in the update is ₹1 crore per MW for eligible floating solar projects after commissioning.
2PM-KISAN Extended till 2030–31
🔹 Why in News?
- The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of PM-KISAN from FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.
- A total financial outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore has been approved for the continuation period.
🔹 What is PM-KISAN?
- PM-KISAN stands for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi.
- It is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- It was launched in February 2019.
- It provides income support of ₹6,000 per year to eligible landholding farmer families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- The amount is transferred in three equal instalments of ₹2,000.
🔹 Key Highlights of the Update
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Continuation Period | FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31 |
| Approved Outlay | ₹3.15 lakh crore |
| Total Transfers So Far | Over ₹4.47 lakh crore directly transferred to farmers, as stated in the update |
| Mode of Delivery | Direct Benefit Transfer to beneficiaries’ bank accounts |
| Expected Impact | Support farm investment, productivity and the rural economy |
🔹 Why Important?
- Provides predictable income support to eligible farmer families.
- Promotes financial inclusion through DBT-linked payments.
- Can support purchase of inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, small equipment and farm services.
- Relevant to discussions on farm incomes, rural demand, agricultural productivity and welfare delivery.
🔹 Mains Value Addition
🔹 Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to PM-KISAN, consider the following statements:
1. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
2. It provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible landholding farmer families.
3. The amount is transferred in three instalments through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Click to View Answer
Answer: D) 1, 2 and 3. PM-KISAN is a Central Sector income-support scheme that provides ₹6,000 annually in three DBT instalments to eligible landholding farmer families.
3Revamped Khelo India Scheme – Athlete Development, Coach Accreditation and Sports Diplomacy
🔹 Why in News?
- The Union Cabinet approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme for the period from FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.
- The revamped scheme has an outlay of ₹36,441 crore.
🔹 Background
- Khelo India is a flagship sports-development programme of the Government of India.
- It aims to promote a sporting culture, identify talent at an early age, strengthen grassroots sports infrastructure and support elite athletes.
- The programme is implemented under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
🔹 Major Features of the Revamped Scheme
| Component | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Total Outlay | ₹36,441 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31 |
| E-KIAs | Creation of Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs) category to expand the structured athlete-development ecosystem nearly tenfold |
| NCAB | National Coach Accreditation Board to standardise coaching qualifications and improve professional standards |
| ANSF Scheme | Strengthened Assistance to National Sports Federations for 2026–31 |
| Support Areas | Coaching, sports science, modern equipment, training camps and international exposure |
| International Cooperation | Support for foreign experts, global competitions and sports cooperation with countries of the Global South |
🔹 Why Important?
- Moves the focus from event-based sports promotion to a structured athlete-development ecosystem.
- Recognises the importance of sports science, nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology and professional coaching.
- Can improve India’s preparation for global sporting events.
- Strengthens sports diplomacy and cooperation with the Global South.
- Provides opportunities for women, persons with disabilities and athletes from rural and tribal regions.
🔹 Mains Value Addition
🔹 Practice MCQ
Q. The National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB), proposed under the revamped Khelo India Scheme, is primarily intended to:
A) Regulate broadcasting rights for sports events
B) Standardise coaching qualifications and professional standards
C) Select India’s Olympic contingent
D) Fund private sports academies only
Click to View Answer
Answer: B) Standardise coaching qualifications and professional standards. NCAB aims to strengthen the capacity, qualification standards and professionalism of coaches and support staff.
4‘Samudra Manthan’ – National Offshore Exploration Scheme
🔹 Why in News?
- The Union Cabinet approved ‘Samudra Manthan’, the National Offshore Exploration Scheme.
- It is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
🔹 What is Offshore Exploration?
- Offshore exploration refers to the search for and assessment of hydrocarbons such as crude oil and natural gas beneath the seabed.
- It involves geological surveys, seismic studies, exploratory drilling, appraisal and eventual production development.
- India’s offshore sedimentary basins are important for reducing dependence on imported crude oil and natural gas.
🔹 Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme |
| Type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas |
| Approved Outlay | ₹84,084 crore |
| Implementation Period | Up to FY 2030–31 |
| Expected Outcome | Reserve accretion of over 600 Million Metric Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) |
| Scope | Interventions across the offshore exploration value chain |
🔹 Why Important?
- Supports India’s energy security by seeking to enhance domestic hydrocarbon reserves.
- Can reduce import vulnerability in the medium term.
- Promotes technological capacity in marine seismic surveys, deep-water drilling and offshore engineering.
- Has relevance for the Blue Economy, maritime infrastructure and coastal employment.
- Requires strong environmental safeguards to prevent oil spills, marine pollution and damage to coastal ecosystems.
🔹 Mains Value Addition
🔹 Practice MCQ
Q. ‘Samudra Manthan’, recently in news, is associated with:
A) Deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules
B) National Offshore Hydrocarbon Exploration
C) Marine fisheries development
D) Coastal tourism infrastructure
Click to View Answer
Answer: B) National Offshore Hydrocarbon Exploration. Samudra Manthan is the National Offshore Exploration Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
5World Breastfeeding Week 2026 – A Sustainable Start in Life
🔹 Why in News?
- World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from 1–7 August.
- The 2026 campaign theme highlighted in the update is: “Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works.”
🔹 Why Breastfeeding Matters
- Improves child survival and reduces vulnerability to infections.
- Supports healthy physical growth and cognitive development.
- Strengthens immunity through antibodies and other protective factors in breast milk.
- Promotes bonding and contributes to healthier families.
- Supports Sustainable Development Goals relating to health, nutrition, poverty reduction and gender equality.
🔹 The “Golden Hour” and Colostrum
- Breastfeeding should ideally begin within one hour after birth; this period is called the Golden Hour.
- Colostrum is the thick, yellowish first milk produced after childbirth.
- It is rich in antibodies and nutrients and helps protect the newborn against infections.
- It is often described as the baby’s “first natural vaccine”; therefore, it should never be discarded.
🔹 Recommended Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices
| Stage | Recommended Practice |
|---|---|
| Within One Hour of Birth | Initiate breastfeeding during the Golden Hour |
| First 6 Months | Exclusive breastfeeding |
| During Exclusive Breastfeeding | No water, honey, ghutti, glucose water, formula feed or other food unless medically advised |
| At 6 Months | Begin age-appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding |
| After 6 Months | Continue breastfeeding along with complementary feeding up to 2 years and beyond |
🔹 Benefits for Mothers
- Supports faster postpartum recovery.
- Reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
- Can reduce the risk of Type-2 diabetes.
- May reduce the risk of postpartum depression.
🔹 Community Support Ecosystem
- Families – support mothers with nutrition, rest, care and shared household responsibilities.
- Healthcare Professionals – provide correct counselling and early breastfeeding support.
- ASHA Workers – Accredited Social Health Activists under the National Health Mission.
- Anganwadi Workers – frontline workers linked with ICDS and nutrition services.
- Working Mothers – need breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, maternity protection and safe facilities for expressing and storing breast milk.
🔹 UPSC Prelims Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| World Breastfeeding Week | 1–7 August every year |
| Golden Hour | Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after birth |
| Colostrum | Antibody-rich first milk; should not be discarded |
| Exclusive Breastfeeding | For the first six months |
| Complementary Feeding | Begins at six months along with continued breastfeeding |
| ASHA | Accredited Social Health Activist |
🔹 Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to infant feeding practices, consider the following statements:
1. Breastfeeding should ideally begin within one hour after birth.
2. Colostrum should be discarded because it is not nutritious.
3. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months.
4. Complementary feeding should begin at six months while breastfeeding continues.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1, 3 and 4 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Click to View Answer
Answer: A) 1, 3 and 4 only. Colostrum is rich in antibodies and nutrients; it should not be discarded.
6Glaw Lake – Arunachal Pradesh’s First Ramsar Site
🔹 Why in News?
- Glaw Lake became Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar Site.
- With this addition, India’s Ramsar Site tally reached 101, as stated in the update.
- The announcement highlighted India’s commitment to wetland conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable livelihoods.
🔹 What is a Ramsar Site?
- A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
- The Convention was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
- India became a Contracting Party to the Convention in 1982.
- The core principle of the Convention is the wise use of wetlands and maintenance of their ecological character.
🔹 Importance of Wetlands
- Act as natural water-storage systems and help regulate floods and groundwater recharge.
- Support birds, fish, amphibians, aquatic plants and other biodiversity.
- Improve water quality by filtering sediments and pollutants.
- Store carbon and can help in climate-change adaptation.
- Support livelihoods through fisheries, agriculture, tourism and non-timber wetland resources.
🔹 UPSC Prelims Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Site | Glaw Lake |
| State | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Special Significance | First Ramsar Site in Arunachal Pradesh |
| India’s Ramsar Tally | 101, as stated in the announcement |
| Ramsar Convention | Signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 |
| India Joined Ramsar Convention | 1982 |
| Key Principle | Wise use and conservation of wetlands |
🔹 Mains Value Addition
🔹 Practice MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Ramsar Convention:
1. It is an international treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands.
2. It was signed in Ramsar, Iran.
3. India became a Contracting Party in 1982.
4. Glaw Lake is Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar Site.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Click to View Answer
Answer: D) 1, 2, 3 and 4. All the statements are correct. Glaw Lake became Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar Site, taking India’s tally to 101 according to the supplied update.
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Government Updates for UPSC Preparation – 04 August 2026
Government Updates for UPSC Preparation 04 August 2026 brings together important PIB releases, Ministry notifications and Akashvani News updates for UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation. Each topic is explained with exam-oriented facts, government initiatives, static linkages and answer-writing points.
Topics Covered
- Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY)
- PM-KISAN Continuation
- Revamped Khelo India Scheme
- Samudra Manthan Initiative
- World Breastfeeding Week
- India's Solar Energy Progress
- Glaw Lake Ramsar Site
Why Read These Government Updates?
Government Updates for UPSC Preparation 04 August 2026 provides authentic information directly linked to PIB and official government sources. It includes Prelims facts, GS Paper linkages, important schemes, ministries, statistics and value-added content for UPSC, State PSC and other competitive examinations.
Follow our daily Government Updates for UPSC Preparation 04 August 2026 series to stay updated with important government decisions, flagship schemes and official current affairs for UPSC preparation.