Welcome to the Rajasthan Current Affairs edition for 11 July 2026, prepared for RPSC Prelims and Mains aspirants. Today’s roundup covers the state energy review that set fresh targets under PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar along with the Pugal solar park and battery storage, flood-like conditions in the Hadauti region that forced open major dam gates, the India Meteorological Department’s monsoon forecast for the state, Rajasthan’s role as host of Lokmanthan 2026, and the ongoing water self-reliance drive. Each item carries background, Rajasthan relevance and a Prelims fact table.
1. Energy Review Sets Fresh PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar Targets
Why in News: On 10 July 2026, an energy sector review in Rajasthan set fresh targets for renewable energy, including completing thousands of power purchase agreements under PM-KUSUM and covering lakhs of homes under PM Surya Ghar.
Background: The review pushed for completing 3,239 power purchase agreements under the PM-KUSUM scheme, covering five lakh homes under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and setting up more battery energy storage systems. Rajasthan is developing a large solar park at Pugal with about 2,450 MW of solar capacity along with 6,000 MWh of battery storage to firm up supply for peak demand. The state aims to become power self-reliant, having cut external power dependence sharply while raising its own generation. This connects to Rajasthan energy security, renewable transition and rural electrification.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Pugal solar park, battery energy storage system. Mains GS3 energy security and renewable energy transition.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Review date | 10 July 2026 |
| PM-KUSUM target | 3,239 power purchase agreements |
| PM Surya Ghar target | Five lakh homes |
| Solar park | Pugal (about 2,450 MW) |
| Battery storage | About 6,000 MWh |
| Goal | State power self-reliance |
2. Heavy Rain Triggers Floods in Hadauti as Dam Gates Open
Why in News: Heavy to very heavy rain in early July 2026 caused flood-like conditions in Rajasthan’s Hadauti region, forcing authorities to open the gates of major dams and deploy rescue teams.
Background: Districts including Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi in the Hadauti region were among the worst affected, and schools were shut in several districts as rivers overflowed. The gates of dams on the Chambal, Kalisindh and Banas rivers were opened, and the newly built Navnera barrage on the Kalisindh had a large number of its gates opened for the first time to release surplus water. The Army along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed for relief and rescue. Southeast Rajasthan, drained by the Chambal and its tributaries, is prone to such sudden flooding after intense monsoon spells. This connects to Rajasthan geography, monsoon and disaster management.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims Hadauti region, Chambal, Kalisindh, Navnera barrage, NDRF and SDRF. Mains GS1 rivers and monsoon; GS3 disaster management and flood response.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region hit | Hadauti (Kota, Baran, Jhalawar, Bundi) |
| Cause | Heavy to very heavy rain, early July 2026 |
| Dams opened | Chambal, Kalisindh and Banas river dams |
| First-time release | Navnera barrage (Kalisindh) gates opened |
| Response | Army, NDRF and SDRF deployed |
| Impact | Schools shut in several districts |
3. IMD Forecasts Scattered Rain over East and West Rajasthan
Why in News: The India Meteorological Department forecast isolated to scattered rainfall over East and West Rajasthan during 10 to 15 July 2026, with a temporary weakening of monsoon activity over the following week.
Background: After the monsoon reached Rajasthan, the IMD expected the rain belt to shift and monsoon activity to weaken briefly in the state over the coming days, even as heavy rain lashed parts of northern and eastern India. Rajasthan’s monsoon is critical for its largely arid and semi-arid landscape, filling reservoirs and supporting the kharif crop, though sudden downpours can cause flash floods in low-lying areas. State disaster and water resources agencies keep watch on reservoir levels and drainage during this window. This connects to Rajasthan geography, monsoon and disaster preparedness.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims India Meteorological Department, southwest monsoon, kharif season. Mains GS1 monsoon and climate; GS3 disaster management and water resources.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agency | India Meteorological Department |
| Period | 10 to 15 July 2026 |
| Forecast | Isolated to scattered rainfall |
| Trend | Temporary weakening of monsoon |
| Region | East and West Rajasthan |
| Relevance | Kharif crop and reservoirs |
4. Rajasthan to Host Fifth Edition of Lokmanthan 2026
Why in News: Rajasthan is set to host the fifth edition of Lokmanthan in 2026, and CM Bhajan Lal Sharma assured full state support for the cultural and intellectual gathering.
Background: Lokmanthan is a national platform that brings together thinkers, artists, scholars and folk practitioners to discuss Indian culture, traditions and nationhood, an initiative that began in 2016. The 2026 edition carries the theme “Hum Bharat Ke Log” (We, the People of India), and a curtain-raiser was held in Jaipur. Hosting the event places Rajasthan’s rich folk traditions, crafts and heritage on a national stage and boosts cultural tourism. This connects to Rajasthan art and culture, heritage and soft power.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims Lokmanthan, theme “Hum Bharat Ke Log”, host state Rajasthan. Mains GS1 Indian culture and traditions; GS2 cultural platforms and society.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Lokmanthan 2026 |
| Edition | Fifth |
| Host state | Rajasthan |
| Theme | Hum Bharat Ke Log |
| Began in | 2016 |
| Focus | Culture, traditions, nationhood |
5. Water Self-Reliance Drive Pushed Across the State
Why in News: The Rajasthan government continued to push its water self-reliance drive, focusing on water conservation, harvesting and recharge to secure supplies in the state’s dry landscape.
Background: The drive revives the state’s tradition of community water conservation through works such as check dams, ponds, anicuts and rainwater harvesting structures, building local water security in villages. Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area and among the most water-stressed, with large arid and semi-arid zones and dependence on the monsoon and inter-basin transfers. Reviving water bodies before and during the monsoon improves groundwater recharge and reduces distress in drought-prone districts. This connects to Rajasthan water resources, conservation and rural livelihoods.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims water self-reliance drive, water harvesting structures, groundwater recharge. Mains GS1 water resources and geography; GS3 water conservation and drought management.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Focus | Water self-reliance |
| Works | Check dams, ponds, anicuts |
| Aim | Conservation and recharge |
| State profile | Largest by area, water-stressed |
| Season | Pre-monsoon and monsoon |
| Benefit | Groundwater recharge |
RPSC Practice MCQs
Q1. The 10 July 2026 energy review in Rajasthan set a target of 3,239 power purchase agreements under which scheme?
- (a) PM-KUSUM
- (b) PM Surya Ghar
- (c) UDAY
- (d) Saubhagya
Answer: (a) The review targeted 3,239 power purchase agreements under PM-KUSUM, which promotes solar power for farmers.
Q2. The large solar park being developed with about 2,450 MW capacity and battery storage is located at which place in Rajasthan?
- (a) Pugal
- (b) Bhadla
- (c) Nokh
- (d) Phalodi
Answer: (a) The Pugal solar park is being developed with about 2,450 MW of solar capacity along with 6,000 MWh of battery storage.
Q3. The July 2026 floods in Rajasthan mainly hit the Hadauti region, which comprises which group of districts?
- (a) Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi
- (b) Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer
- (c) Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur
- (d) Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Churu
Answer: (a) The Hadauti region, comprising Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi, was worst hit by the heavy rain and flooding.
Q4. During the July 2026 floods, the gates of the newly built Navnera barrage were opened for the first time. This barrage is built on which river?
- (a) Kalisindh
- (b) Luni
- (c) Banas
- (d) Mahi
Answer: (a) The Navnera barrage is built on the Kalisindh river; its gates were opened to release surplus floodwater.
Q5. Lokmanthan 2026, to be hosted by Rajasthan, is being held under which theme?
- (a) Hum Bharat Ke Log
- (b) Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
- (c) Viksit Bharat 2047
- (d) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Answer: (a) The fifth edition of Lokmanthan carries the theme “Hum Bharat Ke Log” (We, the People of India).
