Welcome to the Rajasthan Current Affairs edition for 09 July 2026, prepared for RPSC Prelims and Mains aspirants. Today’s roundup covers the four-state Narmada NWDT payment pact in which Rajasthan is a Sardar Sarovar beneficiary state, Jaipur emerging as the only Indian city in the top 10 of the Happy City Index 2026, the deaths of mugger crocodiles in the Chandraloi river near Kota linked to the banned pesticide Aldrin, the Union-State review of the VB-GRAM G rural development mission, and the state’s Water Self-Reliance drive. Each item carries background, RPSC relevance and a Prelims fact table.
1. Rajasthan a Beneficiary in the Narmada NWDT Payment Pact
Why in News: On 7 July 2026, Rajasthan joined Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra in signing a payment agreement in New Delhi to settle long-pending dues under the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) Award, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil.
Background: Rajasthan is a beneficiary state of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) on the Narmada and receives an allocated share of Narmada waters for its drought-prone southern and western districts, including parts of Barmer and Jalore. The pact resolves nearly five decades of cost-sharing disputes covering rehabilitation, compensation for submerged land and construction liabilities. The NWDT was set up in 1969 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, and delivered its final award in 1979. For Rajasthan, the Narmada canal is a lifeline that carries water to arid regions that lie outside the Narmada basin. This connects to Rajasthan geography, inter-state water sharing and cooperative federalism.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims Narmada river, Sardar Sarovar Project, Rajasthan Narmada canal command, NWDT, Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956. Mains GS2 inter-state disputes and federalism; GS1 water resources of arid Rajasthan.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Signing date | 7 July 2026, New Delhi |
| States | Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra |
| Present | Amit Shah, C. R. Patil |
| Rajasthan role | Sardar Sarovar Project beneficiary |
| Command districts | Barmer, Jalore (arid belt) |
| Tribunal | Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (award 1979) |
| Statute | Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 |
2. Jaipur Ranks Among Top 10 in Happy City Index 2026
Why in News: In the Happy City Index 2026 released by the Institute for Quality of Life, Jaipur was ranked 6th globally, becoming the only Indian city to feature in the top 10.
Background: The Happy City Index is compiled by researchers at the Institute for Quality of Life together with Happy City Hub Ltd, assessing cities on objective indicators of urban well-being grouped into several dimensions such as governance, environment, economy, mobility and quality of life. Jaipur, the Pink City and capital of Rajasthan, was recognised for blending its rich heritage with improving urban infrastructure, good governance and city planning. Jaipur’s walled city was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Being the sole Indian entry in the top bracket highlights Rajasthan’s growing profile in urban livability. This connects to Rajasthan urban governance, heritage management and global indices.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims Happy City Index 2026, Institute for Quality of Life, Jaipur global rank, Jaipur UNESCO World Heritage. Mains GS2 urban governance and livability; GS1 heritage cities and urbanisation.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Index | Happy City Index 2026 |
| Compiled by | Institute for Quality of Life, Happy City Hub |
| Jaipur rank | 6th globally |
| Distinction | Only Indian city in the top 10 |
| Basis | Governance, environment, mobility, quality of life |
| Jaipur tag | Pink City, capital of Rajasthan |
| Heritage | Walled city, UNESCO World Heritage (2019) |
3. Mugger Crocodile Deaths in Chandraloi River Linked to Banned Aldrin
Why in News: A National Green Tribunal-appointed joint committee found traces of the banned pesticide Aldrin in the Chandraloi river in Kota district, linking it to the deaths of mugger crocodiles, with the Rajasthan Forest Department accepting the finding but declining responsibility.
Background: The mugger or marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Aldrin is a banned organochlorine pesticide that persists in the environment, contaminates soil and water and bioaccumulates in the food chain, harming the nervous system of humans and wildlife; its manufacture, import and use were prohibited in India in the 1990s. The committee reported multiple crocodile deaths in the Chandraloi over a short span, raising concern over industrial and agricultural run-off entering the river. This connects to Rajasthan environment, wildlife protection and pollution governance.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), IUCN Vulnerable, Wild Life Protection Act 1972 Schedule I, Aldrin, National Green Tribunal. Mains GS3 wildlife conservation, persistent pollutants and river pollution.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| River | Chandraloi, Kota district |
| Species | Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable |
| Legal cover | Schedule I, Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 |
| Cause found | Banned pesticide Aldrin |
| Aldrin type | Organochlorine, banned in the 1990s |
| Body involved | National Green Tribunal joint committee |
4. Union-State Review of VB-GRAM G Rural Development Mission
Why in News: On 7 July 2026, Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met CM Bhajan Lal Sharma at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi to review implementation of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission, Gramin (VB-GRAM G) in Rajasthan.
Background: The VB-GRAM G mission, launched in Rajasthan on 1 July 2026, guarantees 125 days of rural wage employment per household in a year, up from the 100 days under the MGNREGA baseline, towards the vision of Viksit Rajasthan 2047. The review highlighted Gram Sabha-led planning, transparent use of public funds and the Gram Chaupal model as drivers of rural employment and durable community assets. CM Bhajan Lal Sharma thanked the Union government for support to rural Rajasthan. This connects to Rajasthan rural development, employment policy and centre-state coordination.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims VB-GRAM G, 125 days employment guarantee, MGNREGA, Gram Sabha, Gram Chaupal. Mains GS2 centre-state coordination and scheme delivery; GS3 rural employment and livelihoods.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Review date | 7 July 2026, New Delhi |
| Union Minister | Shivraj Singh Chouhan |
| Scheme | VB-GRAM G (launched 1 July 2026) |
| Guarantee | 125 days rural employment per household |
| Baseline | 100 days under MGNREGA |
| Delivery models | Gram Sabha planning, Gram Chaupal |
| Vision | Viksit Rajasthan 2047 |
5. Rajasthan Pushes Water Self-Reliance Drive
Why in News: In early July 2026, the Rajasthan government under CM Bhajan Lal Sharma intensified its Water Self-Reliance drive to strengthen water security in the state’s arid regions.
Background: Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area yet among the most water-stressed, with the western districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner receiving very low rainfall and depending heavily on groundwater and canal supply such as the Indira Gandhi Canal. The Water Self-Reliance drive focuses on rainwater harvesting, revival of traditional water bodies, groundwater recharge and community participation to reduce dependence on erratic monsoon. The state earlier signed a Yamuna water-sharing memorandum with Haryana to bring water to the Shekhawati region. This connects to Rajasthan water resources, drought management and sustainable development.
RPSC Relevance: Prelims Water Self-Reliance drive, Indira Gandhi Canal, Shekhawati, Yamuna water-sharing. Mains GS3 water conservation and drought resilience; GS1 arid geography of Rajasthan.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drive | Water Self-Reliance |
| Focus | Rainwater harvesting, recharge, water-body revival |
| Water-stressed belt | Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner |
| Key canal | Indira Gandhi Canal |
| Related MoU | Yamuna water-sharing with Haryana |
| Target region | Shekhawati and arid districts |
| Aim | Reduce dependence on erratic monsoon |
RPSC Practice MCQs
Q1. In the Narmada NWDT payment pact of 7 July 2026, Rajasthan participates primarily as a beneficiary of which project?
- (a) Indira Sagar Project
- (b) Sardar Sarovar Project
- (c) Tehri Dam Project
- (d) Bhakra Nangal Project
Answer: (b) Rajasthan is a beneficiary state of the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada, receiving water for its drought-prone southern and western belt.
Q2. In the Happy City Index 2026, Jaipur was ranked at which position, making it the only Indian city in the top 10?
- (a) 3rd
- (b) 6th
- (c) 9th
- (d) 12th
Answer: (b) Jaipur was ranked 6th globally in the Happy City Index 2026 by the Institute for Quality of Life, the only Indian city in the top 10.
Q3. The deaths of mugger crocodiles in the Chandraloi river near Kota were linked to which banned substance?
- (a) DDT
- (b) Endosulfan
- (c) Aldrin
- (d) Paraquat
Answer: (c) A National Green Tribunal joint committee found the banned organochlorine pesticide Aldrin in the Chandraloi river.
Q4. Under the VB-GRAM G mission reviewed on 7 July 2026, how many days of rural employment per household are guaranteed?
- (a) 100 days
- (b) 115 days
- (c) 125 days
- (d) 150 days
Answer: (c) VB-GRAM G guarantees 125 days of rural wage employment per household in a year, up from the 100-day MGNREGA baseline.
Q5. The Water Self-Reliance drive of Rajasthan is most directly aimed at addressing which challenge?
- (a) Air pollution in cities
- (b) Water stress in arid regions
- (c) Industrial power shortage
- (d) Urban traffic congestion
Answer: (b) The Water Self-Reliance drive targets water stress in Rajasthan’s arid districts through harvesting, recharge and water-body revival.
