Why in the News ? The Government has constituted a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The committee, headed by Sanjay Jaiswal, will scrutinise proposed changes aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the use of foreign contributions. Joint Parliamentary Committee and FCRA Bill ● …
Why in the News ? Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held bilateral meetings with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Angola on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Belgrade, Serbia. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, economic engagement and legislative diplomacy. India’s Diplomatic Outreach During NAM Summit ● Saudi…
Why in the News ? The UN Environment Program (UNEP) has outlined an “overshoot, peak and decline” pathway, acknowledging that temporarily crossing the 1.5°C warming threshold is increasingly unavoidable. The strategy aims to minimise the magnitude and duration of overshoot and restore temperatures below 1.5°C by 2100. UNEP’s Overshoot, Peak and Decline Pathway ● …
Why in the News ? The Delhi High Court has held that returning from maternity leave cannot ordinarily result in loss of a woman’s position, responsibilities, managerial authority or career prospects. The ruling strengthens statutory protection against professional disadvantage under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Delhi HC Ruling on Post-Maternity Employment Rights ● …
Why in the News ? Scientists have developed an experimental protein-based pneumococcal vaccine using reverse vaccinology, showing broad protection against multiple Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in mice. The research marks an early step towards a universal vaccine against pneumonia, meningitis and other pneumococcal diseases. Pneumococcal Disease and Need for Universal Vaccine ● Disease-causing bacterium:…
Why in the News ? The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes a Designated Authority to take provisional possession, manage and potentially dispose of foreign-funded assets when an organisation’s registration ends. The proposal has triggered concerns about executive overreach, proportionality, institutional autonomy and constitutional safeguards. FCRA Bill: Proposed Changes and Expanded Powers ● Designated…
Why in the News ? Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan recently highlighted the continued non-use of Article 124(3), which permits appointment of a “distinguished jurist” as a Supreme Court judge. The provision has remained unused for over seven decades despite offering an alternative route beyond judges and practising advocates. Constitutional Provision and Appointment Routes ●…
Why in the News ? Foreign exchange inflows through the RBI’s special USD-INR swap facility have crossed $136 billion, exceeding initial expectations. The inflows are strengthening India’s external liquidity position while creating substantial rupee liquidity that the central bank may need to absorb. Forex Swap Facility: Scale and Purpose ● Massive mobilisation: RBI…
Why in the News? The government has raised the windfall tax on petrol and diesel exports while reducing the levy on aviation turbine fuel exports for the next fortnight. The move comes amid elevated global crude prices, geopolitical tensions and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Windfall Tax: Latest Changes and Rationale ● …
Why in the News? A blood test for Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, already cleared in the U.S. and available in India, can detect biological changes linked to the disease. However, experts caution that it is not a general screening test, particularly for people without symptoms. Science Behind Alzheimer’s Detection and Blood Test ● Neural…