Welcome to the Rajasthan Current Affairs edition for 15 July 2026, prepared for RPSC and Rajasthan State Service Prelims and Mains aspirants. Today’s roundup covers the Jodhpur Discom rooftop solar tender for one lakh homes under PM Surya Ghar, the ongoing Common Eligibility Test (CET) 12th level application window closing on 23 July, the RPSC interview schedules for College and Sanskrit education posts, the state’s move to strengthen its MSME ecosystem, and the state’s drive for power self-reliance by 2027 anchored by a 1 GW Bikaner solar project. Each item carries background, Rajasthan relevance and a Prelims fact table.
1. Jodhpur Discom Floats Rs 627.50 Crore Rooftop Solar Tender
Why in News: On 14 July 2026, Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JdVVNL) invited bids for a Rs 627.50 crore rooftop solar project to cover about one lakh homes under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Background: The tender covers installation of rooftop solar systems for roughly one lakh domestic consumers in the Jodhpur discom area, with five years of operation and maintenance support bundled in. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the central scheme that helps households install rooftop solar and provides a subsidy so that families can generate their own power and cut monthly bills, with the goal of solarising one crore homes nationally. Rajasthan has India’s highest solar potential thanks to its clear skies and desert terrain, and is a leading state in installed solar capacity. The discom-led aggregation model is meant to speed up household installations and grid integration. This connects to Rajasthan renewable energy, discom finance and household welfare.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims JdVVNL, Rs 627.50 crore tender, one lakh homes, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Mains GS3 energy, environment and clean technology; GS2 scheme delivery.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Utility | Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam (JdVVNL) |
| Tender value | Rs 627.50 crore |
| Coverage | About one lakh homes |
| Scheme | PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana |
| Support | Five-year operation and maintenance |
| Strength | Highest solar potential in India |
2. CET 12th Level Application Window Open Until 23 July
Why in News: In mid-July 2026, the online application window for the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board’s Common Eligibility Test (CET) 12th level, notified on 24 June 2026 under Advertisement 08/2026, remained open, with the last date to apply on 23 July 2026 and the examination scheduled for 23 to 25 October 2026.
Background: The Common Eligibility Test is a single, common screening examination that shortlists candidates for a range of Rajasthan government posts at the senior secondary (12th) level, sparing aspirants from sitting separate preliminary tests for each recruitment. Qualifying the CET makes a candidate eligible to apply for the mains or subject exams of participating posts, and the CET score remains valid for a fixed period. The 12th level CET, conducted by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB), covers posts that require senior secondary qualification, complementing the graduate-level CET. Applications opened after the 24 June notification and close on 23 July 2026, with the exam set for 23 to 25 October 2026. The reform is aimed at cutting exam fatigue, saving costs for candidates and streamlining recruitment. This connects to Rajasthan recruitment, governance and youth employment.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims Common Eligibility Test, 12th level, Rajasthan Staff Selection Board, Advertisement 08/2026. Mains GS2 recruitment reform and governance; GS3 employment.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam | Common Eligibility Test (CET), 12th level |
| Conducted by | Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) |
| Notification | 24 June 2026 (Advertisement 08/2026) |
| Last date to apply | 23 July 2026 |
| Exam dates | 23 to 25 October 2026 |
| Level | Senior secondary (12th) qualification |
3. RPSC Releases Interview Schedules for College and Sanskrit Education Posts
Why in News: On 13 and 14 July 2026, the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) released results and interview schedules for posts in the College Education and Sanskrit Education departments.
Background: The RPSC declared the result and cutoff of qualified candidates for an Assistant post and issued interview letters for positions including Librarian in the College Education Department and Assistant Professor in the Sanskrit Education Department. The RPSC, headquartered in Ajmer, is the constitutional body under Article 315 of the Constitution that conducts recruitment to state services and advises the government on service matters. Timely release of results and interview calls is part of the commission’s push to shorten recruitment cycles and fill teaching and support posts in state colleges. This connects to Rajasthan recruitment, constitutional bodies and higher education staffing.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims RPSC, Ajmer, Article 315, College Education and Sanskrit Education posts. Mains GS2 constitutional bodies and recruitment; GS3 education administration.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body | Rajasthan Public Service Commission |
| Headquarters | Ajmer |
| Constitutional basis | Article 315 |
| Results and calls | Assistant, Librarian, Assistant Professor |
| Departments | College Education and Sanskrit Education |
| Aim | Shorten recruitment cycles |
4. Rajasthan Moves to Strengthen the MSME Ecosystem
Why in News: In July 2026, the Rajasthan government announced a set of measures to strengthen the state’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) ecosystem, easing approvals and improving credit and market access.
Background: Micro, small and medium enterprises are a major source of employment and output in Rajasthan, and the state has been promoting them under its investment push branded Rising Rajasthan and through the single-window RajNivesh portal. A central instrument is the Rajasthan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment and Operation) Act, 2019, which allows a new MSME to operate for three years without most approvals and inspections, obtaining the required clearances afterwards. The latest measures build on this framework with support on credit, cluster development and market linkage. MSME development connects rural and small-town economies to industrial growth and is central to job creation. This connects to Rajasthan economy, industrial policy and employment.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims Rajasthan MSME Act 2019 (three-year exemption from approvals), RajNivesh single-window portal, Rising Rajasthan. Mains GS3 industrial policy, MSMEs and employment; GS2 ease of doing business and governance.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sector | Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) |
| Key law | Rajasthan MSME Act, 2019 |
| Act feature | Three years to operate without most approvals |
| Single window | RajNivesh portal |
| Investment brand | Rising Rajasthan |
| Focus | Credit, clusters, market linkage, jobs |
5. Rajasthan Targets Power Self-Reliance by 2027
Why in News: In mid-July 2026, Rajasthan continued its drive to become self-reliant in power by 2027, anchored by large solar projects including a 1 GW plant at Bikaner.
Background: The state government has set a goal of meeting its own electricity needs by 2027 through a rapid expansion of renewable capacity, transmission strengthening and storage. As part of this push, a 1,000 MW solar power project has been developed at Bikaner under the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) category, described as among India’s largest single-site DCR solar projects, using solar cells and modules made in India. Rajasthan already leads the country in installed solar capacity, helped by its high solar irradiation and vast desert land in districts such as Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The clean-energy build-out is meant to cut power imports, support industry and create green jobs. This connects to Rajasthan renewable energy, self-reliance and the economy.
Rajasthan Relevance: Prelims power self-reliance by 2027, 1 GW Bikaner solar project, Domestic Content Requirement, leading solar state. Mains GS3 energy, environment and Atmanirbharta; GS2 state policy.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Goal | Power self-reliance by 2027 |
| Flagship project | 1,000 MW solar plant at Bikaner |
| Category | Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) |
| Strength | Leading state in installed solar capacity |
| Solar districts | Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur |
| Expected gains | Fewer imports, industry, green jobs |
Practice MCQs
Q1. The Rs 627.50 crore rooftop solar tender floated by Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam in July 2026 is implemented under which central scheme?
- (a) PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
- (b) PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
- (c) PM Awas Yojana
- (d) PM Ujjwala Yojana
Answer: (a) The JdVVNL tender covers rooftop solar for about one lakh homes under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with five years of operation and maintenance support.
Q2. The Common Eligibility Test (CET) 12th level (Advertisement 08/2026), whose application window closes on 23 July 2026, is conducted by which body in Rajasthan?
- (a) Rajasthan Staff Selection Board
- (b) Rajasthan High Court
- (c) Rajasthan State Election Commission
- (d) Rajasthan Housing Board
Answer: (a) The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board conducts the CET, notified on 24 June 2026 with applications closing on 23 July 2026 and the exam set for 23 to 25 October 2026, as a single screening test for a range of state posts.
Q3. The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), which released interview schedules in mid-July 2026, is headquartered in which city and derives its status from which Article?
- (a) Ajmer; Article 315
- (b) Jaipur; Article 324
- (c) Jodhpur; Article 280
- (d) Udaipur; Article 148
Answer: (a) The RPSC is headquartered in Ajmer and is a constitutional body under Article 315, which provides for Public Service Commissions for the Union and the states.
Q4. Under the Rajasthan MSME Act, 2019, a new micro, small or medium enterprise may operate without most approvals and inspections for how long?
- (a) Three years
- (b) One year
- (c) Five years
- (d) Ten years
Answer: (a) The Rajasthan MSME Act, 2019 lets a new enterprise operate for three years without most approvals and inspections, obtaining the required clearances afterwards, easing the launch of small businesses.
Q5. Rajasthan’s 1,000 MW solar project at Bikaner, advancing its power self-reliance goal, was developed under which category that mandates India-made cells and modules?
- (a) Domestic Content Requirement (DCR)
- (b) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- (c) Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
- (d) Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Answer: (a) The Bikaner project was built under the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) category, using solar cells and modules made in India, and is among the largest single-site DCR solar projects in the country.
