Welcome to the Rajasthan Current Affairs edition for 02 July 2026, prepared for RPSC Prelims and Mains aspirants. Today’s roundup covers Jaipur hosting the 29th National e-Governance Conference, the state’s AI-ML Policy 2026 and its startup surge, new digital citizen-service launches, the rollout of the Viksit Bharat rural employment mission, the revised passport fees effective 1 July, and the monsoon advance across the state. Each item carries background, RPSC relevance and a Prelims fact table.
1. Jaipur Hosts the 29th National e-Governance Conference
Why in News: On 1 July 2026, the two-day 29th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) opened at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur, where CM Bhajan Lal Sharma stressed that technology must become a driver of social inclusion and public welfare, not merely a tool of convenience.
Background: The National Conference on e-Governance is organised jointly by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the host state. Hosting the event positions Rajasthan as a digital-governance showcase, with the state highlighting reforms in education, health, agriculture and industry driven by digital delivery. This connects to Rajasthan e-governance and administrative reform.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims National Conference on e-Governance, DARPG, Rajasthan International Centre. Mains GS2 e-governance, service delivery and administrative reforms.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 29th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) |
| Host city | Jaipur (Rajasthan International Centre) |
| Dates | 1 to 2 July 2026 |
| Organisers | DARPG, MeitY and host state |
| Rajasthan CM | Bhajan Lal Sharma |
| Theme thrust | Technology for social inclusion |
2. Rajasthan AI-ML Policy 2026 Drives Startup and Jobs Surge
Why in News: At the e-Governance conference on 1 July 2026, the Rajasthan government spotlighted the newly implemented Rajasthan AI-ML Policy 2026 as the foundation for administrative reforms in education, health, agriculture and industry, alongside data showing a sharp rise in the state’s startup ecosystem.
Background: The AI-ML Policy 2026 seeks to integrate artificial intelligence into governance and public services. State data cited a jump in active startups from about 4,000 to over 8,500, funding from around Rs 250 crore to about Rs 1,000 crore, and jobs from about 22,000 to over 47,000 over two years. This connects to Rajasthan digital economy and innovation policy.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims Rajasthan AI-ML Policy 2026, startup ecosystem, artificial intelligence in governance. Mains GS3 technology, innovation and economic development.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Policy | Rajasthan AI-ML Policy 2026 |
| Focus | AI in education, health, agriculture, industry |
| Active startups | About 4,000 to over 8,500 |
| Startup funding | About Rs 250 crore to about Rs 1,000 crore |
| Jobs | About 22,000 to over 47,000 |
| Vision | Viksit Rajasthan 2047 |
3. New Digital Citizen-Service Launches: e-Mitra WhatsApp and Smart Rajasthan
Why in News: During the National e-Governance Conference on 1 July 2026, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma launched several digital initiatives, including the e-Mitra WhatsApp Service, the Smart Rajasthan automated citizen-service platform, a Rajasthan Language Model Training Hackathon and the Digital Rajasthan Coffee Table Book.
Background: e-Mitra is Rajasthan’s flagship platform for delivering government-to-citizen services such as bill payments, certificates and scheme access through kiosks and online channels. Extending e-Mitra to WhatsApp and building an automated Smart Rajasthan platform aim to make services reachable to the last citizen, including in rural areas. This connects to Rajasthan digital service delivery and citizen convenience.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims e-Mitra, Smart Rajasthan, government-to-citizen (G2C) services. Mains GS2 last-mile service delivery and digital inclusion.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Platform extended | e-Mitra (now on WhatsApp) |
| New platform | Smart Rajasthan (automated service delivery) |
| Other launch | Rajasthan Language Model Training Hackathon |
| Publication | Digital Rajasthan Coffee Table Book |
| Purpose | Last-mile citizen service access |
| Occasion | 29th National e-Governance Conference |
4. Rajasthan Rolls Out Viksit Bharat Rural Employment Mission (VB-G RAM-G)
Why in News: On 1 July 2026, Rajasthan launched the Viksit Bharat Rural Employment and Livelihood Mission (VB-G RAM-G), with CM Bhajan Lal Sharma directing departments to ensure effective implementation and the smooth running of service camps for rural beneficiaries.
Background: The mission restructures rural wage employment and livelihood support, linking demand-driven works with asset creation and self-help group livelihoods, backed by a revised national rural wage floor notified by the Union Rural Development Ministry from 1 July. The CM described it as a step towards the vision of Viksit Rajasthan 2047. This connects to Rajasthan rural livelihoods and employment policy.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims VB-G RAM-G, rural wage floor, Ministry of Rural Development. Mains GS2 welfare schemes; GS3 rural economy and asset creation.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mission | Viksit Bharat Rural Employment and Livelihood Mission (VB-G RAM-G) |
| Launched in Rajasthan | 1 July 2026 |
| Nodal ministry | Union Ministry of Rural Development |
| State thrust | Service camps for rural beneficiaries |
| Wage revision | New national rural wage floor |
| Linked vision | Viksit Rajasthan 2047 |
5. Revised Passport Fees Effective from 1 July 2026
Why in News: From 1 July 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs implemented revised passport fees across India, the first significant revision in nearly 14 years, affecting applicants at Rajasthan’s passport offices in Jaipur, Jodhpur and other centres.
Background: The fee for a 36-page Normal passport rose from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500, while a 60-page Normal passport now costs Rs 3,500. Tatkal (urgent) fees also rose. The revision is attributed to higher operational costs, enhanced security features in new e-passports and modernisation of the Passport Seva system. This connects to Rajasthan citizen services and public administration.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims Passport Seva, Ministry of External Affairs, e-passport. Mains GS2 citizen services and e-governance delivery.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Change | Revised passport fees |
| Effective | 1 July 2026 |
| 36-page Normal | Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 |
| 60-page Normal | Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 |
| Issuing ministry | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Rationale | Security features, Passport Seva modernisation |
6. Southwest Monsoon Advances Across Rajasthan
Why in News: Around 1 to 2 July 2026, the India Meteorological Department flagged favourable conditions for the southwest monsoon to advance further into Rajasthan, with isolated heavy rainfall likely over East Rajasthan during 2 to 4 July and thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds over West Rajasthan.
Background: Rajasthan, India’s largest state by area and largely arid, depends heavily on the monsoon for kharif sowing of bajra, moong, guar and oilseeds and for recharging its scarce water sources. The IMD Jaipur centre issues district warnings for thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds. This connects to Rajasthan geography, agriculture and disaster preparedness.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims southwest monsoon, IMD, kharif crops of Rajasthan. Mains GS1 Indian monsoon; GS3 dryland agriculture and water scarcity.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phenomenon | Southwest monsoon advance |
| Forecasting body | India Meteorological Department (IMD) |
| East Rajasthan | Isolated heavy rainfall 2 to 4 July |
| West Rajasthan | Thunderstorm, lightning, gusty winds |
| Kharif crops | Bajra, moong, guar, oilseeds |
| IMD state centre | Jaipur |
RPSC Practice MCQs
Q1. The 29th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG), held in July 2026, was hosted in which city?
- (a) Jodhpur
- (b) Udaipur
- (c) Jaipur
- (d) Kota
Answer: (c) Jaipur, at the Rajasthan International Centre, where CM Bhajan Lal Sharma stressed technology as a driver of social inclusion.
Q2. The Rajasthan AI-ML Policy 2026 is chiefly aimed at which of the following?
- (a) Regulating cryptocurrency
- (b) Integrating artificial intelligence into governance and public services
- (c) Building expressways
- (d) Solar power generation
Answer: (b) Integrating artificial intelligence into administration, education, health, agriculture and industry, backed by a surge in the state’s startup ecosystem.
Q3. Which flagship Rajasthan platform for government-to-citizen services was extended to WhatsApp in July 2026?
- (a) Bhamashah
- (b) e-Mitra
- (c) Jan Aadhaar
- (d) Raj Kaj
Answer: (b) e-Mitra, along with the launch of the Smart Rajasthan automated citizen-service platform at the e-Governance conference.
Q4. The Viksit Bharat Rural Employment and Livelihood Mission (VB-G RAM-G) was launched in Rajasthan on which date?
- (a) 1 June 2026
- (b) 1 July 2026
- (c) 15 July 2026
- (d) 15 August 2026
Answer: (b) 1 July 2026, with the CM linking it to the vision of Viksit Rajasthan 2047.
Q5. Which of the following is the state bird of Rajasthan?
- (a) Chinkara
- (b) Godawan (Great Indian Bustard)
- (c) Sarus Crane
- (d) Peacock
Answer: (b) Godawan (Great Indian Bustard) is the state bird of Rajasthan, while the Chinkara is the state animal and Khejri the state tree.
