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JHARKHAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (JPSC) 

🏛️ POLITY & GOVERNANCE

1. Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026

News Context: Lok Sabha passed the Bill without debate amid Opposition protests.

Key Provisions:

• Establishes National Tribunals Commission to oversee appointment of chairpersons and members of various tribunals
• Repeals the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021
• Commission headquartered in New Delhi
• Composition: Chairperson + 4 members (2 judicial + 2 technical)
• Chairperson eligibility: Retired Supreme Court judge or retired Chief Justice of a High Court

Background:

• SC had struck down provisions of Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 – violated separation of powers and judicial independence
• SC directed establishment of an independent National Tribunals Commission

Static Link:

• Tribunals are established under various statutes (e.g., CAT under Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985)
• Article 323A & 323B – provide for administrative and other tribunals

2. Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill & Taxation Bill – Rajya Sabha

News Context: Rajya Sabha passed Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill and returned Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill.

Key Points on Taxation Bill:

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured: Consumers will NOT pay UPI charges
• MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) to be applied to certain categories of merchant transactions only
• NPCI to finalise MDR after Bill is passed

Static Link:

• NPCI: National Payments Corporation of India – umbrella organisation for retail payments
• MDR: Fee charged to merchants for digital payments

3. NRC Identity Cards – SC Hearing

News Context: SC sought responses from Centre and Assam on petitions for issuance of NRC identity cards.

Key Data:

Petitioners:

• Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind
• Assam Sankhyalaghu Sangram Parishad

Demand: Issuance of National Identity Cards to persons included in NRC of August 2019

Static Link:

• NRC: National Register of Citizens – Assam-specific exercise
• Final NRC published on August 31, 2019
• Citizenship Act, 1955 – governs citizenship in India

4. Cauvery Water Dispute – SC Hearing

News Context: CJI listed Tamil Nadu’s application for hearing on Thursday (August 13).

Key Data:

Tamil Nadu’s Argument:

• Karnataka defied Cauvery Tribunal orders except when there were “inevitable surpluses”
• Shortfall at Biligundulu – farmers in perilous situation

Static Link:

• CWMA: Cauvery Water Management Authority
• CWRC: Cauvery Water Regulation Committee
• Article 262 – bars SC jurisdiction over interstate river disputes

5. Manipur Violence – Special Courts

News Context: SC proposed special courts to hear CBI and NIA cases linked to 2022 Manipur violence.

Key Data:

Status:

• CBI: 891 of 904 witnesses yet to be examined
• SC requested Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court to allow CBI/NIA court to exclusively deal with Manipur cases

Static Link:

• NIA: National Investigation Agency – established under NIA Act, 2008
• CBI: Central Bureau of Investigation – established under Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946

6. PMLA Case – Conviction for Predicate Offence

News Context: Karnataka HC ruled that PMLA case after conviction for predicate offence does not amount to second trial.

Key Ruling:

• Conviction for IPC or other laws (scheduled/predicate offence) under PMLA
• PMLA case is separate – not a second trial for same offence

Static Link:

• PMLA: Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
• Predicate Offence: Scheduled offence that generates proceeds of crime
• Enforced by Enforcement Directorate (ED) – under Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

7. Panel on Demographic Changes – Jammu

News Context: High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) arrived in Jammu for field visit.

Key Facts:

• Head: Former SC judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naokele (retd)
• Mandate: Study demographic changes in border areas
• Likely to visit detention centre where ~450 Rohingyas are lodged
• Home Ministry estimate (2017): ~13,000 Rohingyas settled in Jammu

Static Link: Rohingyas are from Myanmar – not recognized as refugees in India.

💰 ECONOMY

8. UPI Charges – MDR on Merchant Transactions

News Context: Government proposes MDR of 0.25-0.5% on UPI transactions above ₹2,000.

Key Data:

Policy Shift:

• Reverses decade-long policy of zero-MDR on UPI
• Amends Section 10A of Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007

Government Assurance:

• Consumers will NOT pay UPI charges
• Only certain merchant categories will be affected

Static Link:

• Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 – regulates payment systems in India
• NPCI – operates UPI

9. Russia’s Share in India’s Oil Imports

News Context: Russia’s share in India’s oil imports rose to 48% in June 2026.

Key Data:

US Legislation:

• Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026
• Tariffs of up to 100% on countries importing Russian oil/gas
• Applies to top 5 importers of Russian oil

UAE Share:

• 17.5% (by volume) – highest ever
• Russia + UAE = nearly two-thirds of India’s oil imports

Static Link:

• Strait of Hormuz – key chokepoint for oil trade
• India’s oil import dependency: ~85% of crude oil needs imported

10. Unemployment Rate – PLFS Data (April-June 2026)

Key Data:

Static Link:

• PLFS: Periodic Labour Force Survey – conducted by MoSPI
• Launched in 2017-18

11. Green Energy Corridor (GEC) – Third Phase

News Context: Third phase of Green Energy Corridor in final stages for Cabinet approval.

Key Data:

• Outlay: ₹50,000+ crore
• Focus: Augmenting intra-state transmission lines in renewable-energy rich States
• Aim: Evacuate 135 GW of renewable energy

Phase Status:

• Phase-I: 7 of 8 States completed (excluding Gujarat)
• Phase-II: Most packages awarded – expected completion in 2 years

Challenges:

• Right of Way (RoW) delays
• Forest clearances
• Great Indian Bustard (GIB)-related clearances

Static Link:

• Green Energy Corridor – inter-state and intra-state transmission infrastructure for renewable energy

🌐 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

12. Bangladesh Urges Extradition of Sheikh Hasina

News Context: Bangladesh urged India to “expedite” extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina.

Key Points:

• Meeting between Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi
• Bangladesh Foreign Minister felt “somewhat reassured”
• Bangladesh also requested extradition of “suspected killers connected to assassination of Shaheed Osman Hasid”

Background:

• Hasina took shelter in India after being deposed in August 2024
• Virtual press conference on August 5, 2026 – criticized Tarique Rahman’s government
• Bangladesh was “outraged” by Hasina’s remarks

Static Link:

• Extradition Treaty between India and Bangladesh – signed in 2013
• BRICS Summit – India has invited Tarique Rahman

13. Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir – Poll Delays

News Context: Third round of regional polls in PoK marred by delays and security concerns.

Key Facts:

• Polls in 7 of 11 constituencies postponed
• Ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) won 24 of 34 seats in earlier rounds
• Follows weeks of deadly protests in the region

Static Link:

• PoK has a legislature of 53 seats (45 elected + 8 nominated)
• 12 seats reserved for refugees of Indian J&K

14. Colombia Earthquake – 7.4 Magnitude

Key Facts:

• 7.4 magnitude – highest in Colombia in last decade
• 111 killed, 87 injured
• Epicentre: San Jose Del Palmar (~400 km west of Bogota)
• Aftershocks: 2.8 and 4.8 magnitudes
• Felt in Ecuador and Panama
• EU mobilized Copernicus satellite for rescue operations

Static Link:

• Copernicus – EU’s Earth observation programme
• Colombia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire

15. Iran Leadership Rejig

News Context: Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei named Mohsen Rezaei as Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

Key Appointments:

Static Link:

• Supreme National Security Council – Iran’s top security body
• Revolutionary Guards – Iran’s elite military force (IRGC)

16. Ukraine Attack on Russian Oil Refinery

Key Facts:

• 13 killed (including 7 Uzbek nationals, 1 child)
• 75 injured
• Location: Nizhniy Tagil (Tatarstan region)
• Ukraine struck a Taneco oil refinery
• One drone hit a hostel
• Day of mourning declared in Tatarstan

Static Link: Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities with long-range drones almost daily – causing fuel shortages in Russia.

🌍 GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT

17. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve – Eviction Orders

News Context: SC directed time-bound encroachment eviction in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.

Key Data:

• Area: 3,500 sq. km
• Location: Kerala (Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Idukki, Thiruvananthapuram) + Tamil Nadu (Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, Theni, Dindigul)

Protected Areas within ABR:

Encroachment Data:

• Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve: 4,595 persons encroached 5,071 ha
• Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: 3,388 ha leased to BBTCL (Wadia Group)
• Kanyakumari Forest Division: 427 ha encroached by 553 persons

Key Directives:

• Time-bound eviction plan
• Rehabilitation where applicable
• Legal action against wilful violators
• Post-eviction ecological restoration
• 118 government servants found to be encroachers – additional penalties
• Immunity to officials involved (except mala fide actions)

Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006:

• Recognizes forest rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers
• Occupation before December 13, 2005
• Prohibits eviction until recognition and verification procedure is complete

Static Link:

• Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve – designated in 2001
• Part of Western Ghats – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• FRA, 2006 – enacted to undo historical injustice to forest dwellers

18. Shark Tagging for Hurricane Prediction

News Context: University of Delaware researchers testing sharks as mobile ocean-data observers.

Key Facts:

• CTD tags: Measure conductivity (salinity), temperature, and depth
• Species used: Shortfin mako, blue sharks, smooth hammerheads, juvenile great white sharks
• Focus: Mixed layer (top layer of ocean) – drives hurricane intensity
• Warmer mixed layer = stronger hurricane
• Tags attached to dorsal fin – transmit data to satellites when shark surfaces

Static Link: CTD = Conductivity, Temperature, Depth

🔬 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

19. AI Satellite Image Deepfakes – Google Earth

News Context: Google rolled back AI image-generation feature in Google Earth within a day.

Key Facts:

• Feature: Users could create AI-generated images over satellite imagery
• Powered by: Nano Banana technology
• Rolled back due to policy violations – users created images depicting violence, disasters, etc.
• Images were watermarked as AI-generated – but watermarks can be cropped

Risks:

• Real estate scams (changing land/geographic details)
• Misinformation about ongoing conflicts, humanitarian tragedies, natural disasters
• Satellite images themselves not perfect – many regions not accurately updated (India, Israel)

Static Link: Google Earth – launched in 2005

20. Indian Institutions in QS World University Rankings

Key Data:

• Indian institutions in QS WUR: 11 (2015) → 52 (2027)
• Since launch of NIRF in 2015

Static Link:

• NIRF: National Institutional Ranking Framework – launched in 2015 by MHRD (now MoE)
• QS World University Rankings – global university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds

🏅 SPORTS (Current Affairs)

21. Commonwealth Games – India’s Performance

Key Data:

• Total medals: 603 across all editions
• 1934: India’s first medal (wrestler Rashid Anwar – bronze)
• 1958: First gold medals (Milkha Singh – 440 yards; Lila Ram – wrestling)
• 2010 (Delhi): Record 101 medals – 12.2% of total medals
• 2026 (Glasgow): 39 medals – 4th position

Top Contributing Sports:

Women’s Contribution:

Australia’s Dominance:

Static Link: CWG 2030 will be held in Ahmedabad (centenary edition)

22. Badminton World Championships – Draw

News Context: Draw for BWF World Championships (Delhi, August 17-23) announced.

Key Matchups:

Venue: Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium – last hosted Worlds in 2009

23. Hockey World Cup – New Format

News Context: New format for FIH men’s and women’s World Cups – no quarterfinals.

Format:

• 16 teams – 4 groups of 4
• Top 2 from each pool → second stage (2 groups of 4)
• Top 2 from there → semifinals
• No quarterfinals

India Men’s Pool D: England, Pakistan, Wales

24. Durand Cup 2026

News Context: Mohun Bagan topped Group A with 6-0 win over CISF Protectors.

Key Facts:

• Asia’s oldest football tournament – started in 1888
• 135th edition

📌 STATIC CORNER – ESSENTIAL ARTICLES & DATA

🎯 PRELIMS PRACTICE MCQs

Q1. Which of the following tribunals-related statements is correct?
(a) Tribunals are established under Article 323A and 323B of the Constitution
(b) The National Tribunals Commission will be headed by the Chief Justice of India
(c) The Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 was upheld by the Supreme Court
(d) Tribunals can adjudicate on matters of fundamental rights

✅ Answer: (a) – Article 323A & 323B provide for administrative and other tribunals.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the National Register of Citizens (NRC):

1. The final NRC for Assam was published on August 31, 2019
2. Over 3.11 crore people were included in the NRC list
3. Identity cards have been issued to all included persons

Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: (a) – Statement 3 is incorrect – identity cards have NOT been issued yet.

Q3. The Green Energy Corridor (GEC) is associated with:
(a) Transmission of renewable energy
(b) Installation of solar panels
(c) Wind energy generation
(d) Hydroelectric projects

✅ Answer: (a)

Q4. Which of the following protected areas is NOT located within the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve?
(a) Periyar Tiger Reserve
(b) Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
(c) Bandipur Tiger Reserve
(d) Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

✅ Answer: (c) – Bandipur is in Karnataka, not part of ABR.

Q5. The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognizes forest rights of:

1. Forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes
2. Other traditional forest dwellers
3. Government employees residing in forest areas

Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: (a)

Q6. Russia’s share in India’s crude oil imports in June 2026 was:
(a) 30%
(b) 38%
(c) 48%
(d) 58%

✅ Answer: (c)

Q7. The proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions would apply to transactions above:
(a) ₹500
(b) ₹1,000
(c) ₹2,000
(d) ₹5,000

✅ Answer: (c)

Q8. Unemployment rate for urban females in April-June 2026 was:
(a) 6.7%
(b) 7.5%
(c) 8.7%
(d) 9.7%

✅ Answer: (c)

Q9. Which country’s Supreme National Security Council was recently reorganized with new leadership?
(a) Turkey
(b) Iran
(c) Saudi Arabia
(d) Pakistan

✅ Answer: (b) – Mohsen Rezaei appointed as Secretary of Iran’s SNSC.

Q10. The Colombia earthquake of August 10, 2026 had a magnitude of:
(a) 6.4
(b) 6.8
(c) 7.4
(d) 7.8

✅ Answer: (c)

📌 Contact For JHARKHAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (JPSC) Notes : Polity , Economics,History, Geography Science & Technology, Public Administration