UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 4 July 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 4 July 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 4 July 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Borjuli Wetland

July 4, 2026
Borjuli Wetland

Borjuli Wetland Latest News

Recently, the Borjuli wetland in Assam‘s Sonitpur district has been declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) by the National Biodiversity Authority.  

About Borjuli Wetland

  • Location: It is located in the state of Assam.
  • It is known for harbouring a disease and pest-resistant variety of wild rice known as Oryza rufipogon.
    • Oryza rufipogon, is the progenitor of present-day cultivated rice, Oryza sativa.
    • It is resistant to pests and diseases and can tolerate flooding and saline conditions, making it a valuable genetic resource for developing climate-resilient crop varieties.
    • It is photosensitive in nature and flowers during short days during the months of November and December.
    • The seeds have a tendency to shatter as soon as they mature.

Key Facts about Biodiversity Heritage Site

  • BHS are unique ecosystems having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components:
    • Richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories.
    • High endemism
    • Presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, and species of evolutionary significance.
    • Wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties.
    • Past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity, with or without a long history of human association with them.
  • Under Section-37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the State Government, in consultation with local bodies, may notify areas of biodiversity importance as BHS.
  • The purpose of declaring BHS is to enhance the quality of life of the local communities through the conservation of such sites.
  • In 2007, the Nallur Tamarind Grove in Bengaluru, Karnataka, was designated as India’s first BHS.

Source: DD News

Borjuli Wetland FAQs

Q1: Which agency funds the Borjuli wild rice project?

Ans: National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Q2: Under which Act are Biodiversity Heritage Sites declared?

Ans: Biological Diversity Act, 2002

National Water Awards

July 4, 2026
National Water Awards

National Water Awards Latest News

Recently, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the 7th National Water Awards on the Rashtriya Puraskar portal of Ministry of Home Affairs. 

About National Water Awards

  • The first edition of the National Water Awards was introduced in the year 2018. 
  • It aims to sensitize the public about the importance of water and motivate them to adopt the best water usage practices.
  • These awards are instituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  • Objective: The objective of the National Water Awards is to encourage the stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach toward water resource management in the country as surface water and groundwater play a significant role in the water cycle.
  • Eligibility for the awards: Any State, District, Urban Local Body, Dam Own Agencies, & Industry who have done good work in the field of water conservation and management is eligible.
  • Trophy and Citation: Each winner would be provided a Trophy with a Citation.
  • Categories: This year's awards cover several categories, including Best State, Best District, Best Urban Local Body, Best Implemented Project in the Water Sector, and Best Industry for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the water sector.

Source: News On Air

National Water Awards FAQs

Q1: Which Ministry instituted the National Water Awards?

Ans: Ministry of Jal Shakti

Q2: In which year were the National Water Awards launched?

Ans: 2018

Specialised Investment Fund

July 4, 2026
Specialised Investment Fund

Specialised Investment Fund Latest News

Recently, it was observed that the newly introduced Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) have witnessed rapid adoption, with the category crossing Rs 13,814 crore in assets under management (AUM). 

About Specialised Investment Fund

  • It is a new investment product introduced by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
  • It was introduced to bridge the gap between regular mutual funds and high-ticket Portfolio Management Services (PMS).
  • This framework has been introduced through amendments to the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.
  • Minimum Investment
    • The minimum investment in a SIF will be Rs 10 lakh per investor.
    • The fund house can offer a systematic investment plan (SIP) and systematic withdrawal plan (SWP), but it must comply with the minimum threshold amount.
    • The SIF can be open-ended, closed-ended, or interval-based.
  • Categories of Investment Strategy
    • Equity-oriented strategies: Such as equity long-short funds, equity ex-top 100 long-short funds and sector rotation longshort funds.
    • Debt-oriented strategies: Such as debt long-short funds and sectoral debt long-short funds.
    • Hybrid strategies:  Like active asset allocator long-short funds and hybrid long-short funds. The current framework allows only one strategy per category per SIF.
  • Eligibility Criteria for SIFs
    • The eligibility criteria for Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to establish an SIF include two routes:
    • The fund house must be in operation for three years at least and have average assets under management (AUM) of Rs 10,000 crore immediately preceding the three years.
    • The alternative route is that the AMC must appoint a chief investment officer (CIO) with at least 10 years of experience and managing assets of Rs 5,000 crore or more.
    • The AMC must also have an additional fund manager and have at least three years of experience managing an AUM of Rs 500 crore.

Source: PTI

Specialised Investment Fund FAQs

Q1: What is the minimum investment required for SIF?

Ans: ₹10 lakh per investor per AMC

Q2: SIFs bridge the gap between which two investment products?

Ans: Mutual Funds (MFs) and Portfolio Management Services (PMS)

Nameri Tiger Reserve

July 4, 2026
Nameri Tiger Reserve

Nameri Tiger Reserve Latest News

The population of tigers at the 344 square km Nameri Tiger Reserve in north-central Assam’s Sonitpur district has quadrupled in three years. 

About Nameri Tiger Reserve

  • Location: It is situated in the northern part of the Sonitpur district of Assam.
  • It shares its northern boundary with the Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • It has been carved out of two protected areas: Nameri National Park & Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, and two Reserve Forests: Naduar Reserve Forest & Balipara Reserve Forest.
  • Rivers: The area is drained by the Jia Bhoroli and its tributaries namely the Diji, Dinai, Doigurung, Nameri, Dikorai, Khari etc.
    • Jia Bhoroli river of Assam is famous for the Golden Mahseer fish- The Tiger of Indian rivers. 
  • Vegetation: The habitat of Nameri is made up of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests, cane brakes and grassland.
  • Flora:  Hollong, Nahor, Simul, Orchids and Medicinal Plants are found here.
  • Fauna: Leopard, Clouded leopard and Wild dog, Asian Elephant etc.

Source: TH

Nameri Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Nameri Tiger Reserve is located in which state?

Ans: Assam.

Q2: Nameri is a key breeding site for which endangered bird?

Ans: White-winged Wood Duck

Radio Telemetry

July 4, 2026
Radio Telemetry

Radio Telemetry Latest News

Radio telemetry data helped conservationists repeatedly protect the radio-tagged White-rumped vulture Z25, but the bird was ultimately killed in a collision with a power transmission line.

About Radio Telemetry

  • Radio telemetry involves using radio waves to automatically transmit data from remote or inaccessible sources to a receiving station for monitoring and analysis. 
  • It is commonly used in wildlife tracking, weather monitoring, industrial process control, and medical monitoring to gather data without needing physical access to the source. 

Radio Telemetry in Wildlife Tracking

  • Since the 1960s, scientists have been using radio telemetry to track wildlife, studying their migration patterns, behaviors, and habits. 
  • Radio telemetry uses radio signals, which are made up of invisible and silent electromagnetic waves, to determine location.  
  • A radio telemetry system is made up of three parts: a radio transmitter, a radio antenna, and a radio receiver.  
  • The transmitter can be attached or tagged to the subject using a collar, an ear tag, or a wing tag for birds in particular. It is the part that transmits, or sends, the radio signal. 
  • The operator uses an antenna, attached to a receiver, which is programmed to the transmitter’s frequency, to pick up the radio signals given off by the transmitter affixed to the target animal. 
    • Receiver antennas may be hand-held, mounted on an object, or affixed to towers to avoid interference from buildings and trees. 
    • They may also be fixed to a vehicle, boat, or aircraft to allow the operator to exploit larger areas. 
  • The radio signals are then transformed into a beeping sound by the receiver. 
  • As the receiver gets closer to the transmitter, the beeps get louder, meaning the animal wearing the transmitter is close by. 
  • The researcher can use this audible clue to locate and follow the animal wearing the transmitter. 
  • Limitations:
    • However, unlike GPS satellite tracking, radio telemetry requires researchers to remain within the signal range of the transmitter to locate the tagged animal. 
    • The other limitation is the size and lifespan of the battery required to power the transmitter. 

News: TH

Radio Telemetry FAQs

Q1: What is radio telemetry?

Ans: It is a technique that uses radio waves to automatically transmit data from a remote source to a receiving station for monitoring and analysis.

Q2: What are the three main components of a radio telemetry system?

Ans: A radio transmitter, a radio antenna, and a radio receiver.

Q3: What is the primary purpose of radio telemetry in wildlife tracking?

Ans: To study the location, migration, behaviour, and habits of wild animals.

Q4: How does radio telemetry determine the location of an animal?

Ans: By detecting radio signals emitted from a transmitter attached to the animal.

Q5: What is the major limitation of radio telemetry compared to GPS satellite tracking?

Ans: Researchers must remain within the signal range of the transmitter.

Cyttopsis indica

July 4, 2026
Cyttopsis indica

Cyttopsis indica Latest News

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi in Kerala recently discovered a new deep-sea fish named Cyttopsis indica from the Arabian Sea off southern Kerala.

About Cyttopsis indica

  • It is a new species of deep-sea fish.
  • It was discovered from the Arabian Sea off southern Kerala,  at a depth of nearly 350 to 500 metres below sea level.  
  • It belongs to the genus Cyttopsis, a primitive group of marine fishes commonly known as "dories."  
  • Cyttopsis indica has been given the common name Indian Dory.
  • Previously, it was believed that the fish belonging to this genus in the Indian Ocean were of the species Zenopsis Conchifer or related Atlantic variations like Zenopsis Stabilis.
  • However, detailed genetic analysis and close evaluation of morphological differences proved that the Indian Dory possesses a distinct genetic structure entirely separate from its Atlantic and other known counterparts.
  • It can survive under immense pressure by storing high levels of waxy compounds in their bodies, making some of them unsuitable for direct human consumption.

Key Facts about Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute 

  • It was established by the Government of India on February 3rd 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  • It later became a member of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) family in 1967.
  • The headquarters was shifted from Mandapam Camp in Tamil Nadu  to Kochi in Kerala  in 1971.  
  • Over the years CMFRI has emerged as a leading tropical marine fisheries research institute in the world. 
  • Mandate:
    • To monitor the exploitation and assess the under-exploitation of the marine fisheries resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 
    • To understand the fluctuations in abundance of marine fisheries resources in relation to change in the environment.
    • To develop suitable mariculture technologies for finfish, shellfish and other culturable organisms in open seas to supplement capture fishery production. 
    • To act as a repository of information on marine fishery resources with a systematic database. 
    • To conduct transfer of technology, post graduate and specialized training, education and extension education programmes.
    • To provide consultancy services. 

News: TH

Cyttopsis indica FAQs

Q1: What is Cyttopsis indica?

Ans: It is a new species of deep-sea fish.

Q2: From where was Cyttopsis indica discovered?

Ans: It was discovered from the Arabian Sea off southern Kerala.

Q3: To which genus does Cyttopsis indica belong?

Ans: It belongs to the genus Cyttopsis, a primitive group of marine fishes commonly known as "dories."

Q4: What is the common name given to Cyttopsis indica?

Ans: Indian Dory.

New Zealand

July 4, 2026
New Zealand

New Zealand Latest News

The Indian Prime Minister will visit Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand next week.

About New Zealand

  • It is an island country and one of the many islands that make up Oceania.
  • It is located in the South Pacific Ocean to the southeast of Australia, south of New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga Islands. 
  • It is primarily divided into two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, separated by the Cook Strait.
  • Capital City: Wellington

Geographical Features of New Zealand

  • It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire—the circum-Pacific seismic belt marked by frequent earthquakes and considerable volcanic activity. 
  • Climate: New Zealand’s climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south.
  • Highest Peak: Mount Cook at 12,316 feet is the highest peak of New Zealand
  • Active Volcano: Mount Ruapehu
  • Glacier: Tasman Glacier, the largest in New Zealand
  • Lake: Lake Taupō which is the largest natural lake.
  • Natural Resources: It consists of gold, silver, iron sands, phosphate and limestone etc.

Source: Reuters

New Zealand FAQs

Q1: Major active volcano in New Zealand?

Ans: Mount Ruapehu

Q2: New Zealand is located in which ocean?

Ans: Southwestern Pacific Ocean,

Giant African Snail

July 4, 2026
Giant African Snail

Giant African Snail Latest News

The invasive giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica) is spreading rapidly across Tirunavaya panchayat and has now entered school campuses and is raising health concerns for children in Kerala.

About Giant African Snail

  • It is the common name for several large African land snail species.  The most damaging of these pests is Lissachatina fulica.
  • It is one of the world’s worst invasive species.
  • It is known to eat more than 500 types of crops and ornamental plants.
  • It is native to East Africa but it has been widely introduced to other parts of the world through the pet trade, as a food resource, and by accidental introduction.
  • Habitat: It thrives in warm tropical climates with mild temperatures all year round and high humidity.
  • It is found in agricultural areas, coastal areas and wetlands, natural and planted forests, riparian zones, scrublands and shrublands, and the urban zones.
  • Food: Mature, adult snails generally feed on decaying organic matter, including garbage, fallen fruit and animal manure.
  • Key Features
    • It is a hermaphrodite.
    • Adult snails are very large with a long, narrow, cone-shaped shell.
    • The shell is usually 50 to 100 millimetres long but can reach up to 200 millimetres. 
    • The shell is usually light brown with darker brown vertical stripes.
  • Health Impact: The snails can carry the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans. 

Source: TH

Giant African Snail FAQs

Q1: What habitat does GAS prefer?

Ans: Warm tropical climates with high humidity – agri areas, forests, wetlands, urban zones

Q2: What is the scientific name of Giant African Snail?

Ans: Lissachatina fulica (earlier Achatina fulica)

Direct Seeded Rice

July 4, 2026
Direct Seeded Rice

Direct Seeded Rice Latest News

In a bid to mitigate the rainfall uncertainty due to the potential impact of El Nino, the Chhattisgarh government recently advised farmers to cultivate oilseeds and use Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method in paddy for the upcoming kharif season.

About Direct Seeded Rice

  • It is a modern farming technique where rice seeds are sown directly into the field, replacing the traditional method of transplanting seedlings from a nursery.

Preferred Soil Types for Direct Seeded Rice

  • DSR can be operationalized on soils ranging from medium texture (loam) to heavy texture (clay). 
  • However, it is recommended not to go for DSR if the soil is light textured and poorly drained. 

Direct Seeded Rice Advantages

  • This method skips the labor-intensive step of transplanting, saving farmers time and effort. 
  • DSR uses less water (up to 50%) because it doesn’t require continuous flooding of the fields. 
  • By conserving water and reducing labor, DSR makes rice farming more efficient and sustainable. 
  • DSR also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps combat climate change.  
  • It also offers a congenial soil environment for better growth and productivity of succeeding crops. 
  • It increases total income by reducing the cost of cultivation.
  • Mechanized DSR also creates avenues for employment through new service provisions and is less labor-intensive and free from drudgery, hence more attractive to youth and women farmers. 

 Challenges in Direct Seeded Rice

  • Higher seed rates
  • Seeds exposed to birds and pests
  • Weed management
  • Higher risk of lodging
  • Risk of poor or non-uniform crop establishment

News: TH

Direct Seeded Rice FAQs

Q1: What is Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)?

Ans: It is a rice cultivation method in which seeds are sown directly into the field instead of transplanting nursery-grown seedlings.

Q2: What type of soil is most suitable for Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)?

Ans: Medium-textured (loam) to heavy-textured (clay) soils.

Q3: Why does Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) require less water than conventional rice cultivation?

Ans: Because it does not require continuous flooding of fields.

Q4: How does Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) reduce labour requirements?

Ans: By eliminating the labour-intensive process of transplanting seedlings.

Q5: How does Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) improve farm profitability?

Ans: By reducing the cost of cultivation and increasing total income.

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