Welcome to the Rajasthan Current Affairs edition for 01 July 2026, prepared for RPSC Prelims and Mains aspirants. Today’s roundup covers the historic Yamuna Water Agreement signed with Haryana, progress on the Ram Jal Setu Link Project (formerly ERCP), the state’s push for power self-reliance by 2027, its sports-policy drive for athletes, the southwest monsoon’s advance, and the ninth GST Day observed on 1 July. Each item carries background, RPSC relevance and a Prelims fact table.
1. Rajasthan and Haryana Sign Historic Yamuna Water Agreement
Why in News: Around 29 to 30 June 2026, Rajasthan and Haryana signed the long-awaited Yamuna Water Agreement in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, ending a deadlock of over three decades.
Background: The pact clears the way for a project of about Rs 34,102 crore to carry Rajasthan’s allocated share of roughly 577 million cubic metres of Yamuna water from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana to the Hansiawas reservoir in Churu district through a pipeline network of about 295.5 kilometres. It targets the water-stressed Shekhawati region, improving drinking-water supply in Sikar, Churu and Jhunjhunu districts. This connects to Rajasthan water security and inter-state river-water cooperation.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims Yamuna Water Agreement, Hathnikund Barrage, Hansiawas reservoir, Shekhawati region. Mains GS1 distribution of key natural resources; GS2 inter-state relations and federal water-sharing.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agreement | Rajasthan-Haryana Yamuna Water Agreement |
| Estimated cost | About Rs 34,102 crore |
| Water share | About 577 million cubic metres (MCM) |
| Source | Hathnikund Barrage (Haryana) |
| Destination reservoir | Hansiawas, Churu district |
| Pipeline length | About 295.5 km |
| Key beneficiary region | Shekhawati (Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu) |
2. Ram Jal Setu Link Project Advances for Eastern Rajasthan
Why in News: In June 2026, the Bhajan Lal Sharma government reported progress on the Ram Jal Setu Link Project, the renamed Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), with its detailed project report finalised and construction moving on a fast-track basis.
Background: The Ram Jal Setu Link Project is a joint Centre-state river-interlinking initiative to supply water to 13 eastern districts of Rajasthan by transferring surplus monsoon water within the Chambal basin, drawing on the Kalisindh, Parbati, Mej and Chakan sub-basins. Estimated at around Rs 32,000 crore, it aims to meet drinking, irrigation and industrial water needs of a large part of eastern Rajasthan. This connects to Rajasthan water resources and interlinking of rivers.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims Ram Jal Setu Link Project, ERCP, Chambal basin, Kalisindh and Parbati rivers. Mains GS1 river systems; GS3 water infrastructure and interlinking of rivers.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project | Ram Jal Setu Link Project (formerly ERCP) |
| Coverage | 13 eastern districts of Rajasthan |
| River basin | Chambal basin |
| Feeder sub-basins | Kalisindh, Parbati, Mej, Chakan |
| Estimated cost | Around Rs 32,000 crore |
| Nature | Joint Centre-state river-interlinking project |
3. Rajasthan Pushes for Power Self-Reliance by 2027
Why in News: In June 2026, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma reaffirmed the state’s goal of becoming self-reliant in the power sector by 2027, directing the energy department to strengthen generation, transmission and distribution and to expand renewable capacity.
Background: Rajasthan has among the highest solar and wind potential in India, driven by the Thar desert belt around Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner. The self-reliance drive combines large solar parks, grid upgrades and better discom finances to cut power shortages and dependence on external purchase, positioning the state as a renewable-energy leader. This connects to Rajasthan energy policy and renewable-power development.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims Rajasthan solar potential, Thar belt, discoms, power self-reliance target 2027. Mains GS3 energy security, renewable energy and power-sector reform.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Target | Power self-reliance by 2027 |
| Lead department | Energy Department, Rajasthan |
| Renewable strength | High solar and wind potential (Thar belt) |
| Key districts | Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner |
| Reform focus | Generation, transmission, distribution, discom health |
| CM | Bhajan Lal Sharma |
4. Rajasthan Advances Sports Policy to Build Athletes and Sports Hub
Why in News: In June 2026, the Bhajan Lal Sharma government continued to promote its sports agenda under the motto “with sports, even after sports,” backing schemes such as the Rajasthan Target Olympic Podium Scheme (R-TOPS), out-of-turn employment for medallists and a sports life-insurance scheme.
Background: The state’s sports framework combines direct financial grants to athletes, assured government jobs for medal winners and infrastructure such as stadiums and training centres, with the ambition of making Rajasthan a national sports hub. R-TOPS mirrors the national podium-support model by grooming athletes for Olympic and international events. This connects to Rajasthan sports policy and youth development.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims R-TOPS, out-of-turn employment for athletes, sports life-insurance scheme. Mains GS2 government policies for sports; GS1 society and youth welfare.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motto | With sports, even after sports |
| Flagship scheme | Rajasthan Target Olympic Podium Scheme (R-TOPS) |
| Employment support | Out-of-turn jobs for medallists |
| Welfare measure | Sports life-insurance scheme |
| Aim | Make Rajasthan a national sports hub |
| Nodal department | Sports and Youth Affairs |
5. Southwest Monsoon Advances Into Parts of Rajasthan
Why in News: Around 1 July 2026, the India Meteorological Department reported that conditions were favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance into some more parts of Rajasthan over the following days, easing the pre-monsoon heat in parts of the state.
Background: As a largely arid and semi-arid state, Rajasthan depends heavily on the southwest monsoon for kharif sowing of bajra, moong, guar and cotton and for recharge of its stressed groundwater and reservoirs. The monsoon’s spread is uneven, with the eastern districts usually receiving more rain than the western desert belt, making timely bulletins vital for farmers and water managers. This connects to Rajasthan geography, agriculture and water management.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims southwest monsoon, arid and semi-arid zones, kharif crops of Rajasthan. Mains GS1 Indian monsoon and its regional variation; GS3 dryland agriculture and drought management.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phenomenon | Southwest monsoon advance |
| Forecasting body | India Meteorological Department (IMD) |
| Status around 1 July | Favourable for advance into more parts of Rajasthan |
| Kharif crops | Bajra, moong, guar, cotton |
| Rainfall pattern | Eastern districts wetter than western desert |
| Co-benefit | Groundwater and reservoir recharge |
6. Ninth GST Day Observed on 1 July with Trader Outreach
Why in News: On 1 July 2026, India observed the ninth GST Day, marking nine years of the Goods and Services Tax that came into force on 1 July 2017, with a GST Pakhwada and taxpayer-help activities relevant to Rajasthan’s large trading and MSME base.
Background: GST replaced multiple central and state indirect taxes with a unified structure administered by the GST Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister with all state finance ministers as members. Rajasthan, with a strong presence of textiles, marble, handicrafts and tourism-linked commerce, depends significantly on GST collections for its own tax revenue. This connects to Rajasthan public finance and cooperative fiscal federalism.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims GST Day, 1 July 2017, GST Council, 101st Constitutional Amendment. Mains GS3 indirect taxation and fiscal federalism; GS2 Centre-state financial relations.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Occasion | Ninth GST Day |
| GST rollout date | 1 July 2017 |
| Constitutional basis | 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 |
| Apex body | GST Council |
| Council chair | Union Finance Minister |
| 2026 activity | GST Pakhwada and taxpayer helpdesks |
RPSC Practice MCQs
Q1. The Yamuna Water Agreement signed in June 2026 will carry Rajasthan’s share of Yamuna water to which reservoir?
- (a) Bisalpur reservoir
- (b) Hansiawas reservoir, Churu
- (c) Mahi Bajaj Sagar
- (d) Rana Pratap Sagar
Answer: (b) Hansiawas reservoir, Churu. Water is drawn from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana through a pipeline of about 295.5 km, chiefly benefiting the Shekhawati region.
Q2. The Ram Jal Setu Link Project, formerly known as ERCP, aims to supply water to how many eastern districts of Rajasthan?
- (a) 9
- (b) 11
- (c) 13
- (d) 15
Answer: (c) 13. It transfers surplus water within the Chambal basin using the Kalisindh, Parbati, Mej and Chakan sub-basins, at an estimated cost of around Rs 32,000 crore.
Q3. Rajasthan’s high potential for solar and wind energy is concentrated mainly in which belt?
- (a) Aravalli hills
- (b) Chambal ravines
- (c) Thar desert belt
- (d) Hadoti plateau
Answer: (c) Thar desert belt, around Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner, which underpins the state’s push for power self-reliance by 2027.
Q4. The Rajasthan Target Olympic Podium Scheme is popularly abbreviated as:
- (a) R-SPORT
- (b) R-TOPS
- (c) R-POWER
- (d) R-OLYMP
Answer: (b) R-TOPS. It grooms athletes for Olympic and international events, alongside out-of-turn government jobs and a sports life-insurance scheme.
Q5. Which of the following is the state bird of Rajasthan?
- (a) Sarus Crane
- (b) Godawan (Great Indian Bustard)
- (c) Indian Peafowl
- (d) Demoiselle Crane
Answer: (b) Godawan (Great Indian Bustard) is the state bird of Rajasthan, while the Chinkara is the state animal.
