Why in the News? A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has held that the expansive interpretation of ‘industry’ laid down in the landmark Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. R. Rajappa judgment of 1978 will not automatically govern the Industrial Relations Code (IRC), 2020. The ruling creates a fresh interpretative framework for…
Why in the News? The Publications Division has secured multiple prizes at the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) Awards, recognising its contribution to credible, informative and culturally enriching publishing. Its publications received second and third prizes across categories covering Hindi, English and Urdu books, journals, reference works and children’s literature. KEY AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS ●…
Why in the News? CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) unveiled three indigenous Micro and Small Gas Turbine Engines—NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100—on 25 August 2026. The engines, producing 5 kg, 50 kg and 100 kg thrust respectively, are designed for applications including tactical UAVs, drone interceptors and compact missile systems, strengthening India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat push in aerospace…
Why in the News? India has called for diversified, adequate, predictable and sustained international finance for land restoration and drought resilience at COP17 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. India also highlighted its domestic financing mechanisms, including Green Credit Programme, Sovereign Green Bonds and compensatory afforestation funds. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE FOR…
Why in the News? The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) completed 10 years on 25 August 2026, marking a major milestone in India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). From 1.78 crore transactions in 2016-17, annual UPI transaction volume has risen to over 24,162 crore transactions in 2025-26, alongside rapid expansion into international markets. UPI’S TRANSFORMATION OF INDIA’S…
Why in the News? The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has criticised the National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026, alleging that it weakens cooperative federalism by expanding the Union government’s role in cooperative societies. The controversy centres on the constitutional distribution of powers, NCDC’s expanded financial role and the removal of restrictions relating to rural…
Why in the News ? The Supreme Court held that filing an FIR, even if subsequently found false, does not by itself amount to instigation to suicide. The Court stressed that individuals have the right to pursue lawful remedies without automatically attracting criminal liability. Supreme Court Ruling on Legal Proceedings: ● A Bench…
Why in News ? India has introduced its first planned spacecraft re-entry guidelines through IN-SPACe, marking a shift from broad international space-sustainability principles towards enforceable domestic obligations. The rules seek to manage growing space-debris, safety, liability and environmental risks associated with increasing orbital activity. Rising Re-entry Risks and Space Sustainability: ● The rapid…
Why in the News ? The 2026 amendment extends criminal-law protection to Vande Mataram, prohibiting intentional obstruction or disruption of its singing. The debate has renewed questions about compulsory participation, religious conscience, freedom of expression, and the Supreme Court’s Bijoe Emmanuel precedent. Vande Mataram: Historical and Constitutional Status: ● Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed…
Why in the News ? The concept of the barren-land fallacy highlights the ecological risks of treating every treeless landscape as degraded land. It stresses that grasslands, savannahs, wetlands, scrublands and deserts are naturally valuable ecosystems requiring context-specific restoration. Understanding the Barren-Land Fallacy: ● The barren-land fallacy assumes that land without substantial tree…