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A roundup of the key current affairs for July 5, 2026, covering the items not taken up as separate deep-dive articles.

Assam Produces India’s First Commercial Matcha Tea

🗞️ Why in News Assam became the first Indian state to commercially produce matcha tea, the Chief Minister announced on July 3, 2026.

Key Points

  • India’s first commercial matcha was produced at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Tinsukia district, Assam, after a decade of collaboration with Japanese tea experts.
  • The first batch was sold at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, with the debut lot fetching about Rs 3,000.
  • Matcha is a shade-grown, stone-ground green tea; it originated in China and was carried to Japan, where it became central to the tea ceremony.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Matcha: shade-grown, stone-ground green tea.
  • Site: Chota Tingrai Tea Estate, Tinsukia district, Assam; India-Japan collaboration.
  • Sold via: Guwahati Tea Auction Centre.

IRENA Report on Renewable Power Costs in 2025

🗞️ Why in News The International Renewable Energy Agency released its “Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2025” report in early July 2026.

Key Points

  • More than 90 per cent of newly added utility-scale renewable capacity in 2025 was cheaper than the cheapest fossil-fuel option.
  • Renewables avoided about USD 480 billion in fossil-fuel costs and around 8.4 gigatonnes of carbon-dioxide emissions in 2025.
  • Onshore wind was the cheapest source at about USD 33 per MWh; solar photovoltaic was around USD 44 per MWh.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • IRENA: International Renewable Energy Agency, headquarters Abu Dhabi, established 2009.
  • 2025 finding: over 90 per cent of new renewables cheaper than fossil fuels.
  • Savings: about USD 480 billion in avoided fuel costs.

June 2026 GST Collections Rise 13.9 Per Cent

🗞️ Why in News Gross GST collections for June 2026 reached about Rs 1.95 lakh crore, data released on July 1, 2026 showed.

Key Points

  • Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in June 2026 was about Rs 1,94,812 crore, up 13.9 per cent year on year, the fastest monthly growth in 13 months.
  • Import GST surged 34.6 per cent, pointing to strong imports, while domestic GST rose more modestly.
  • The GST Council, constituted under Article 279A, is the apex body for GST policy.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • June 2026 gross GST: about Rs 1,94,812 crore, up 13.9 per cent year on year.
  • Import GST: up 34.6 per cent.
  • GST Council: constitutional body under Article 279A.

National One Health Mock Drill in Vidisha

🗞️ Why in News The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying conducted “Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas”, a national One Health mock drill, at Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, in early July 2026.

Key Points

  • The five-day national-level mock drill tested preparedness and inter-agency coordination for zoonotic-disease outbreaks and animal-health emergencies under the National One Health Mission.
  • It was conducted by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
  • One Health is an integrated approach linking human, animal and environmental health; World Zoonoses Day falls on July 6.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas: national One Health mock drill at Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Conducted by: DAHD, under the National One Health Mission.
  • One Health: integrated human, animal and environmental health approach.

Ram Vilas Paswan Birth Anniversary

🗞️ Why in News July 5 marks the birth anniversary of Ram Vilas Paswan, born on July 5, 1946.

Key Points

  • Ram Vilas Paswan (1946 to 2020), born in Khagaria, Bihar, was a long-serving Union Minister and the founder of the Lok Janshakti Party.
  • He held the record for a large victory margin from the Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency and served in several central ministries, including Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Ram Vilas Paswan: born July 5, 1946, Khagaria, Bihar; founder of the Lok Janshakti Party.
  • Known for: long service across Union ministries and a record Hajipur victory margin.

UPSC Relevance

These items span GS Paper 2 (health governance, One Health) and GS Paper 3 (economy, taxation, renewable energy, agriculture). Revise them as quick prelims pointers alongside the day’s deep-dive articles.

Facts Corner

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Matcha: Assam’s Chota Tingrai Estate, India’s first commercial matcha; sold at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre.
  • IRENA: over 90 per cent of new renewables cheaper than fossil in 2025; about USD 480 billion in avoided fuel costs; headquarters Abu Dhabi.
  • GST: June 2026 collections about Rs 1,94,812 crore, up 13.9 per cent; GST Council under Article 279A.
  • One Health drill: Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas at Vidisha, MP; DAHD under the National One Health Mission.
  • Ram Vilas Paswan: born July 5, 1946; founder of the Lok Janshakti Party.

Sources: Press Information Bureau, International Renewable Energy Agency, Guwahati Tea Auction Centre

Source: Current Affairs Today, July 5, 2026 — Ujiyari.com | Free UPSC & State PCS Current Affairs