General Studies Paper II: Polity, Governance & Social Justice
1. Supreme Court Reinforces Guidelines on Custodial Torture Inquiries
Source: The Hindu / LiveLaw
The Supreme Court has mandated strict adherence to procedural transparency in cases of alleged custodial violence by directing State Governments to preserve and submit General Diary (GD) entries and CCTV footage from police stations. Hearing a high-profile plea regarding a custodial death in Assam, the Apex Court underscored that tampering with case diaries or withholding footage constitutes a severe violation of fundamental rights under Article 21. The Court’s intervention reiterates the binding nature of the Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh (2020) judgment, which made the installation of CCTV cameras with audio recording mandatory across all police stations to curb third-degree methods and ensure human rights accountability.
2. Ministry of Minority Affairs Partners with IISc Bengaluru
Source: PIB
In a strategic move to boost technical education and innovation among marginalized communities, the Ministry of Minority Affairs launched a new partnership framework with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru on September 25, 2026. The collaboration aims to strengthen infrastructure, drive entrepreneurship, and implement a robust monitoring mechanism for minority-led tech startups.This initiative aligns with the government’s broader objective of ensuring equitable access to premium higher educational institutions and fostering inclusive economic growth through strategic institutional partnerships.
3. Demand for Sixth Schedule Status in Ladakh Intensifies
Source: The Hindu / Indian Express
Protests spearheaded by climate activists and civil society groups in Ladakh have gained fresh momentum, with demands for the region’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The Sixth Schedule, which currently applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (Article 244), allows for the creation of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative and administrative powers. Protesters argue that granting statehood and Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh is vital to protect its fragile Himalayan ecology, unique tribal demographics, and local land rights from unchecked industrial and demographic exploitation.
4. Judiciary Examines Confidentiality of State Caste Surveys
Source: The Hindu
The Karnataka High Court has declined to stay the state’s ongoing social and educational survey, widely referred to as the caste survey, but has strictly directed the State Government to ensure the confidentiality of the collected data. The Court ruled that participation in such demographic mapping exercises must remain voluntary. For UPSC aspirants, this highlights the ongoing legal friction between the State’s directive to formulate targeted affirmative action policies (Article 16(4)) and the citizen’s fundamental Right to Privacy (Article 21) as established in the Puttaswamy judgment.
General Studies Paper III: Economy, Environment & Internal Security
5. 12 Years of the ‘Make in India’ Initiative
Source: PIB
Marking the 12th anniversary of the ‘Make in India’ initiative (launched on September 25, 2014), the Prime Minister highlighted the program’s success in transforming India into a global manufacturing hub.Official reports reflect a structural shift in the Indian economy characterized by increased domestic production capacities, robust surges in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and a notable expansion in export volumes across diverse sectors. The government reiterated its focus on minimizing import dependence in critical sectors—such as defense and electronics—through complementary frameworks like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.
6. Disaster Management (Amendment) Act Operationalized for Agile Response
Source: PIB
Following the passage of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, the Ministry of Home Affairs has rolled out new operational guidelines to ensure “zero casualties” during natural and man-made disasters. The amended framework formally empowers local and state-level response forces to act with greater autonomy and efficacy. It focuses on decentralizing crisis management, integrating advanced predictive models for early warning systems, and creating dedicated financial mechanisms at the municipal level to facilitate immediate rehabilitation efforts.
7. India and U.S. Expand Clean Energy and Nuclear Cooperation
Source: The Hindu
In bilateral talks held alongside the UN General Assembly, the U.S. Energy Secretary affirmed intentions to significantly expand energy cooperation with India.Recognizing India’s rapidly growing energy demands, the renewed focus encompasses natural gas, clean cooking fuels, and advanced civilian nuclear energy. This partnership is crucial for India as it seeks to balance its ambitious economic growth targets with its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, particularly the goal of achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
8. Indigenous Explosive Detectors Handed Over to Intelligence Bureau
Source: PIB
In a significant boost to internal security and technological self-reliance, the Principal Scientific Adviser handed over two new categories of indigenously manufactured explosive detectors to the Intelligence Bureau (IB).Developed jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), these detectors will be deployed across 12 critical security agencies. This deployment marks a crucial step in reducing reliance on imported security tech and enhancing the Multi-Agency Centre’s (MAC) ability to preempt terror threats.
9. Decisive Phase in the Elimination of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)
Source: PIB
The Ministry of Home Affairs has conducted a high-level review of the LWE situation, reiterating the strategic resolution to completely eliminate Naxalism from India.Recent operations have resulted in the elimination of 287 Naxalites (including senior Politburo members) and the shrinking of LWE-affected districts, with civilian and security force death tolls dropping to a four-decade low. The government’s two-pronged approach focuses on aggressive, intelligence-based kinetic operations coupled with intensive infrastructure development (roads, telecom towers, and banking) in historically marginalized tribal belts.
10. UAPA Designations and Zero Tolerance Policy on Terror
Source: PIB
Expanding its legal dragnet against radicalization, the Ministry of Home Affairs has officially designated Hizb-ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Furthermore, multiple individuals operating from transnational bases were declared designated terrorists. This move aligns with India’s uncompromising “zero tolerance” policy on terrorism and aims to choke terror financing networks, dismantle sleeper cells, and curb the radicalization of youth through digital channels and the dark web.
Prelims Specific Facts
- Make in India Anniversary: Launched on September 25, 2014, by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to facilitate investment, foster innovation, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure.
- Article 244 (Sixth Schedule): Deals with the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Ladakh is currently demanding inclusion to protect its ethnic and ecological identity.
- Paramvir Singh Saini Judgment (2020): Supreme Court ruling that mandates CCTV cameras with audio across all police stations and investigative agencies (CBI, NIA, ED) to prevent custodial torture.
- Hizb-ut-Tahrir:Recently designated as a terrorist organization by the MHA under the First Schedule of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
- Multi-Agency Centre (MAC): A common counter-terrorism grid under the Intelligence Bureau (IB) created post-Kargil to share real-time intelligence among various security and law enforcement agencies.
- ECIL & DRDO Collaboration:Jointly manufactured highly sensitive, indigenous explosive detectors tailored for Indian field deployment, reducing import dependency in homeland security.