Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day Of Cooperatives 2026, India-Malaysia-Singapore Submarine Cable Project (I-2sea), Paleoindia Portal Launched , She-Leaps Platform Launched, Viksit Bharat G-Ram G Act Launched, Fao’s Sofia 2026 Report, Vijay Roadmap Unveiled, La28 Olympics Cricket Qualification & 8 Himachal Pradesh Products Receive Gi Tag

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COOPERATIVES 2026

Current Context: The International Day of Cooperatives is observed on 4 July.

ABOUT THE DAY

• The International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay) is an annual international observance that celebrates the contribution of cooperatives to sustainable development, social inclusion, and economic prosperity.
• It aims to increase public awareness about the cooperative model and its role in addressing global challenges.
• It is observed every year on the first Saturday of July.
• Theme 2026: “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World”
• First celebrated by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) in 1923.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially proclaimed the International Day of Cooperatives in 1992.
• Since 1995, the United Nations and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) have jointly observed the day.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

2. INDIA-MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE SUBMARINE CABLE PROJECT (I-2SEA)

Current Context: I-2SEA is a new submarine cable system unveiled on 2 July 2026 for connectivity between Singapore, India, and Malaysia.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

• A consortium comprising Lightstorm, Microsoft, Singtel, and Tata Communications has announced the India-Malaysia-Singapore Submarine Cable Project (I-2SEA) to strengthen digital connectivity across the India-Southeast Asia corridor.
  • The project was unveiled on 2 July 2026.
• The submarine cable is designed to support the rapidly growing demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, hyperscale data centres, and enterprise digital services.
• Length: Estimated 3,600 kilometres
• Route: Singapore to Machilipatnam, India (with second landing at South Chennai)
• Target completion: 2029

POLITY & E-GOVERNANCE

3. PALEOINDIA PORTAL LAUNCHED

Current Context: The Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change launched the PaleoIndia Portal.

ABOUT THE PORTAL

• The PaleoIndia Portal was launched by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) to create India’s first comprehensive digital repository of fossil fauna, documenting fossil discoveries from all 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
• The portal is designed to strengthen research, conservation, and public awareness of India’s rich palaeontological heritage
• The portal showcases the diversity and distribution of prehistoric life across India over millions of years.
• Developed jointly by: Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai
• Geological maps provided by: Geological Survey of India (GSI)
• Specimens: Over 5,000 fossil specimens (mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, amphibians, molluscs, arthropods, foraminifera, echinoderms, ichnofossils)
• Features: Real-time data upload system for field-based and citizen science contributions

About ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (ZSI)

• Established: 1916
• Headquarters: Kolkata
• Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)

POLITY & E-GOVERNANCE

4.  SHE-LEAPS PLATFORM LAUNCHED

Current Context: India’s efforts to strengthen women-led rural entrepreneurship have entered a new phase with the launch of SHE-LEAPS platform.

ABOUT SHE-LEAPS

• The Ministry of Rural Development launched the SHE-LEAPS platform during the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan held in New Delhi.
  • The platform aims to digitally empower women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and strengthen women-led rural enterprises.
• Full Form: Self-Help Entrepreneur-Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability (SHE-LEAPS).
• It is a digital platform designed to support women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across rural India.
• Objective: Strengthen women-led rural enterprises and accelerate Lakhpati Didi initiative
  • Developer: Digital India Corporation (implemented under LokOS platform). LokOS PLATFORM a digital platform for managing Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) under the rural livelihood ecosystem.
• Outreach: 34 States and Union Territories

SCHEMES

5.  VIKSIT BHARAT G-RAM G ACT LAUNCHED

Current Context: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Viksit Bharat G-Ram G Yojana from Mukkavaripalli village, Andhra Pradesh.

ABOUT THE SCHEME

• The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025 came into force nationwide on 1 July 2026, replacing the MGNREGA, 2005 as India’s new rural employment framework.
• Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
• The Act seeks to transform rural employment into a broader programme for livelihood promotion, rural infrastructure creation, climate resilience, and technology-enabled governance, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
• Employment guarantee: 125 days of wage employment per financial year (increased from 100 days under MGNREGA).
• Greater focus on productive and durable rural assets.
• Integration with Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs).
• Adoption of GIS-based planning and digital monitoring.
• Coverage: 2.86 lakh Gram Panchayats

REPORTS & INDEXES

6. FAO’S SOFIA 2026 REPORT

Current Context: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2026 report on 16 June 2026 during the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya.

ABOUT THE REPORT

• It is the flagship biennial publication of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 235 million tonnes in 2024.
• Of this:
  • 195 million tonnes were aquatic animals.
  • Around 40 million tonnes were algae.
• India, along with China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, accounts for nearly 82% of global aquaculture production.

India’s global rankings (2024):

• 2nd globally in aquatic animal production (9% of global output) after China.
• 2nd in aquaculture (12%)
• 1st in inland capture fisheries

DEFENCE

7. VIJAY ROADMAP UNVEILED

Current Context: General Dhiraj Seth, the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), unveiled the “VIJAY” Roadmap on 1 July 2026, a day after assuming office, outlining his vision to transform the Indian Army into a technology-enabled, future-ready force.

ABOUT VIJAY ROADMAP

• The roadmap aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “JAI” vision–Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation-and the Defence Minister’s “Decade of Transformation (2023–2032)” for the Armed Forces.
• Five Pillars:
  • V – Vigilance and Readiness: Border surveillance, advanced sensors, night-vision systems
  • I – Innovation and Transformation: Drones, satellites, AI-enabled systems, digital warfare
  • J – Jointness and Integration: Coordination among Army, Navy, Air Force; integrated theatre commands
  • A – Atmanirbharta (Self-Reliance): Indigenous development, reducing foreign dependence
  • Y – Yodha First: Soldier-centric reforms (training, equipment, healthcare, welfare)

SPORTS

8. LA28 OLYMPICS CRICKET QUALIFICATION

Current Context: The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially confirmed the qualification pathway for cricket’s return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028.

ABOUT THE QUALIFICATION

• Cricket will return to the Olympics after a gap of 128 years, having last featured at the 1900 Paris Olympics.
• Format: T20
• Women’s teams already qualified: Australia, Great Britain (through England), India, South Africa
• ICC Olympics Qualifier (2027): 8 men’s + 8 women’s teams, winners secure final berth
• LA28 cricket venue: Pomona, Los Angeles

HIMACHAL NEWS

9. 8 HIMACHAL PRADESH PRODUCTS RECEIVE GI TAG

Current Context: Eight traditional products of social, economic, cultural and agricultural significance of Himachal Pradesh have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) status, taking the total number of GI-tagged products from the state to 17.

ABOUT THE GI TAGS

Newly Tagged Products (8):

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Fresh registrations have taken HP’s GI-tagged products to 17
• Registrations secured through Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE)
• Products represent rich heritage, traditional knowledge, craftsmanship and agricultural excellence of different regions
• Reflect the unique identity of the state

Chief Minister’s Statement

Future GI Registrations Being Pursued

• Bhot Jau(barley from Pangi region of Chamba)
• Chamba Chukh
• Plectranthus honey(from Bharmour region of Chamba)
• Sirmaur Ginger

What is a Geographical Indication

• As per World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO): A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin
• Covered under Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Propertyand TRIPS Agreement
• Protection under  The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999

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