Jharkhand Public Service Commission

🏛️ POLITY & CONSTITUTION

1. SC: 1978 ‘Industry’ Definition Rendered Void Under IRC

News: Nine-judge SC Bench held that the expansive 1978 definition of ‘industry’ will NOT apply under the new Industrial Relations Code (IRC), 2020.

Key Facts:

• 1978 Judgment: Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. R. Rajappa – gave broad definition to ‘industry’
• Verdict: Authored by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer
• Exempted only: Core sovereign activities (judiciary, law & order, defence)
• Triple Test: Systematic/organised activity + on lines of business/trade + for profit (with exceptions)

Majority Opinion: Chief Justice Surya Kant (supported by Justices Satish Chandra Sharma, Alok Aradhe, Vipul M. Pancholi)

Dissenting Opinion: Justice B.V. Nagarathna (supported by Justice Dipankar Datta) – opposed, said broad definition remains important for workers’ rights

Static Link:

• Industrial Relations Code, 2020 – came into force November 2025
• Section 2(j) of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 – defined ‘industry’
• Section 2(p) of IRC – new definition under the Code
• Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer – known for pro-worker interpretations

2. SC Forms Panel to Probe NEET Protest Violence

News: SC constituted High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) to probe police excesses during NEET protests.

Committee Members:

Issues to Examine (12 in total):

1. Excessive force, pellet guns, electric batons, lathi charge, tear gas
2. Proportionality of police response
3. Framing use of metallic kinetic projectiles/pellets
4. Ensuring police wear proper uniforms with visible names
5. Surveillance of protesters – constitutional rights to privacy and free assembly
6. Targeted violence/harassment/molestation of female protesters
7. Medical support and compensation
8. Regulation of Section 163 BNSS (blanket prohibition orders)
9. Section 152 BNS – preventing its use to stifle dissent
10. Use of force/violence by protesters against police
11. Damage to public property
12. Injuries sustained by police forces

Static Link:

• Section 163 BNSS: Prohibitory orders (replaced Section 144 CrPC)
• Section 152 BNS: Offences related to public nuisance/dissent (new)

3. Master Plan for Delhi-2047 Notified

News: Master Plan for Delhi-2047 notified – 20-year framework for housing, redevelopment, transport, urban expansion.

Key Data:

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD):

• Within 500 metres on either side of metro corridors
• Around RRTS and railway stations

Land Pooling: ~200 sq km planned urban expansion; ~600 km road network

Static Link:

• DDA: Delhi Development Authority – established under Delhi Development Act, 1957
• FAR: Floor Area Ratio – ratio of building’s total built-up area to plot area
• TOD: Transit-Oriented Development

4. Industry Definition – Legal Context

Static Link:

• Industrial Disputes Act, 1947: Section 2(j) – old definition of industry
• Industrial Relations Code, 2020: Section 2(p) – new definition
• Labour Codes: 4 codes – Industrial Relations, Social Security, Occupational Safety, Wage Code

5. Three-Language Policy – CBSE Implementation

News: SC asked CBSE to grant Class 6 students one-time reprieve from mandatory third-language Board exam.

CBSE Guidelines:

• Classes 7-9: Exempted
• Class 6: Full implementation – mandatory Class 10 Board exam in third language by 2031

Petitioners’ Argument:

• Policy categorises English as a “foreign language”
• Students forced to choose only one foreign language slot – other languages (French, Japanese, Spanish) pushed out
• Affects middle/lower-class students seeking employment opportunities

SC Observation:

• Justice Joymalya Bagchi: “Why don’t you give the Class 6 students reprieve?”
• Chief Justice Surya Kant: English can hardly be considered a foreign language

Static Link:

• Three-Language Formula: Origin – Kothari Commission (1964-66); incorporated in NEP 1968
• Article 343: Official language of Union – Hindi in Devanagari script; English for 15 years (extended)

6. CAA Applications – Empowered Committees Shifted to Collectors

News: MHA transferred CAA citizenship application processing from Empowered Committees to District Collectors.

States/UTs Covered:
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam (except tribal areas), Tripura (except tribal areas), Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh

CAA 2019:

• Communities: Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Christian
• Countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh
• Cut-off: December 31, 2014

Static Link:

• Citizenship Act, 1955: Section 6B (inserted by CAA 2019)
• Citizenship is a Union List subject (Entry 17, List I)

7. High Court Bench for Ladakh Approved

News: Union Cabinet decided to establish a High Court bench in Ladakh.

Key Points:

• Bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court in Ladakh
• Aims to improve access to justice for remote areas
• Follows demands from Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Ladakh Apex Body (LAB)

Static Link:

• Ladakh: Union Territory since 2019 (J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019)
• J&K High Court: Now covers both J&K and Ladakh

8. Congress Seeks Postponement of Census in Manipur

News: Congress sought postponement of Census in Manipur due to ongoing violence.

Key Facts:

• Violence since May 3, 2023
• ~60,000 people homeless; many in relief camps
• Over 10,000 houses destroyed

Static Link: Manipur – state in Northeast India; ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities

9. Noida Workers’ Protest – Multiple FIRs Clubbing Plea

News: Factory worker moved Allahabad HC to club 11 FIRs under Article 226.

Issue: Protests over wage hike, working hours, overtime pay (April 2025)

Static Link:

• Article 226: High Court’s writ jurisdiction
• Article 226(3): Powers of High Courts

💰 ECONOMY

10. Core Sector Growth Slows to 5.4% in July

Key Data:

Static Link:

• Index of Core Industries (ICI): 8 core sectors – coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, electricity
• Base Year: 2011-12 (new series released July 2026)

11. Sugar Duty-Free Imports – 10 Lakh Tonnes

News: Government allowed duty-free imports of 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar under Tariff Rate Quota.

Timeline: Till October 31 (festive season)

Reason: Record-high domestic prices (ex-mill price ₹5,400-5,500/quintal vs ₹3,900 last year)

Stockholding Limit: Imposed on bulk consumers using >10 tonnes sugar/month

Static Link:

• Sugar: Under Essential Commodities Act, 1955
• TRQ: Tariff Rate Quota – allows import at lower duty for a specified quantity

12. Sensex, Nifty Recover

Key Data:

• Sensex: +628 points (0.82%) to 77,537.72
• Nifty: +153.55 points (0.64%) to 24,231.85
• Snapped 7-day losing streak

Static Link: SEBI – markets regulator – established under SEBI Act, 1992

13. Derivatives Trader Base Falls 19% in FY26

Key Data:

SEBI Measures:

• Limited weekly expiries to one index per exchange
• Raised minimum contract value to ₹15-20 lakh
• Increased extreme loss margin for expiry-day trading by 2%

Static Link: Derivatives – futures & options – regulated by SEBI

14. NAMASTE Scheme – Mechanised Sanitation

News: Government plans to expand NAMASTE scheme from towns/cities to rural areas.

NAMASTE: National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem

Started: 2023-24

Aim: Eradicate sewer and septic tank deaths (manual scavenging)

Static Link:

• Manual Scavenging: Prohibited under Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
• National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC): Constitutional body under Article 338

🌐 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

15. India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty – JDU Leader Opposes Renewal

News: JDU (U) leader Sanjay Jha advocated against renewal of 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty.

Key Points:

• Treaty expires December 31, 2026
• Jha said data shows Bihar’s interests negatively impacted in last 30 years
• Treaty may have checked diplomatic boxes but hurt State interests

Static Link:

• Ganga Water Treaty, 1996: Signed between India and Bangladesh – sharing of Ganga waters at Farakka
• India-Bangladesh relations: Friendship Treaty (1972); Land Boundary Agreement (2015)

16. Bangladesh Elects New President

News: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (BNP) elected President of Bangladesh.

Key Facts:

• Defeated Oli Ahmed (Liberal Democratic Party)
• Presidency is largely ceremonial
• First contested presidential election since 1991
• BNP returned to power in February 2026 after fall of Sheikh Hasina in 2024

Static Link: Bangladesh – parliamentary system; President as head of state

17. Trump Pledges ‘Economic Warfare’ on Iran

News: Trump announced “most crushing economic operation ever” against Iran.

Key Points:

• Any country providing “any type of lifeline” to Iran will face economic consequences
• Iran dismissed as continuation of “failed policies”
• Iran keeping Strait of Hormuz largely closed

Static Link:

• Strait of Hormuz: Connects Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea
• 30% of global seaborne oil passes through Hormuz

18. China Jails Evergrande Founder for Life

News: China sentenced Evergrande Group founder to life imprisonment.

Fine: Over $2 billion on the company

Background: Evergrande was once China’s largest real estate developer; defaulted in 2021

Static Link: China’s real estate crisis – impacts global economy

🏅 SPORTS (Current Affairs)

20. Badminton Worlds – Sindhu, Ayush Out; Doubles Through

News: P.V. Sindhu and Ayush Shetty lost in pre-quarterfinals.

Key Results:

Static Link: BWF World Championships – Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Delhi

21. Hockey World Cup – India Women Qualify

News: India women drew 0-0 with England, finished second in Pool D.

Key Performance: Bichu Devi’s last-minute save – “save of the match”

Position: India finished behind China (7 points), ahead of England

Static Link: FIH Hockey World Cup – Netherlands & Belgium co-hosts

22. India vs Sri Lanka – 2nd Test Squad

News: Sri Lanka added Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige to squad.

Injury Crisis: Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal injured

Static Link: SSC Colombo – venue for 2nd Test

23. Premier League 2026-27 – New Managers

Key Facts:

• Five of ‘Big Six’ clubs have new managers
• Only Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) has won the Premier League among current managers
• Pep Guardiola left after 10-year reign (20 trophies)
• Xabi Alonso at Chelsea; Enzo Maresca at Man City; Andoni Iraola at Liverpool

Static Link: Premier League – top division of English football

📌 STATIC CORNER – QUICK REVISION

📌 Contact for JPSC (Jharkhand Public Service Commission) Notes for Prelims & Mains