Jharkhand Public Service Commission

1. National Song (Vande Mataram) & Freedom of Conscience News Facts:

• Supreme Court observed that a democratically elected government may give shape to the National Song, but it cannot compel anyone to recite one or all stanzas without subjecting himself to criminal prosecution.
• SC seeks response from Union government on a plea by Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna challenging the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026.
• Karnataka government had issued a GO restricting singing to only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at official functions (except those attended by President, Vice-President, PM or Governor).
• Rajasthan Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot asked the State CM to reconsider the GO.

Static Linkages:

• Vande Mataram: Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (from novel Anandamath, 1882); adopted as National Song on 24 January 1950.
• Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986): SC held that no one can be compelled to sing the National Anthem if it violates religious beliefs (Art. 25 – freedom of conscience).
• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: Penalises deliberate insult to National Flag, Constitution or National Anthem. Amendment of 2026 is under challenge.
• National Anthem vs National Song distinction (Anthem is Jana Gana Mana).

Additional Static Depth:

• Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
• Article 51A(a): Fundamental duty to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
• National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana by Rabindranath Tagore; adopted 24 January 1950; playing time ~52 seconds.
• National Song: Vande Mataram; playing time ~65 seconds; first two stanzas generally sung.
• Kerala Education Bill case (1958): SC held that no person can be compelled to sing National Anthem if it violates his religious faith.
• Bijoe Emmanuel case: Jehovah’s Witnesses students expelled for not singing National Anthem; SC upheld their right under Art. 25.
• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: Section 2 – insults to National Flag; Section 3 – insults to National Anthem; Section 3A – insults to Constitution.
• Flag Code of India, 2002: Governs display and use of National Flag.
• National Honour Act Amendments: 2003, 2005, 2014, 2026 (current challenge).

2. Rajya Sabha Elections

News Facts:

• Elections to 12 Rajya Sabha seats scheduled on 16 October 2026.

Static Linkages:

• Article 80: Composition of Council of States.
• Members elected by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.
• One-third members retire every two years → biennial elections.
• Total strength: 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated).

Additional Static Depth:

• Article 80(1): 12 members nominated by President from literature, science, art, and social service.
• Article 80(2): 233 representatives of States and UTs.
• Article 80(3): Representatives of States elected by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies.
• Article 80(4): Representatives of UTs elected by members of Electoral College.
• Article 80(5): Parliament may prescribe manner of election.
• Representation of the People Act, 1951: Governs elections to Parliament.
• Single Transferable Vote (STV): Proportional representation system; used for Rajya Sabha, President, Vice-President elections.
• Quota formula: (Total valid votes / (Seats + 1)) + 1.
• Open ballot system: Introduced in 2003 to prevent cross-voting; only for Rajya Sabha elections.
• No-confidence motion: Not applicable to Rajya Sabha (only Lok Sabha).
• Money Bills: Only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can only recommend within 14 days.
• Joint Sitting: Not for Rajya Sabha elections; for deadlock on ordinary bills.
• Vice-President: Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64).
• Deputy Chairman: Elected by Rajya Sabha members (Article 89).
• Current strength: 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated).
• Retirement: One-third every second year; members serve 6-year terms.

3. Western Ghats & Kasturirangan Report

News Facts:

• Karnataka Legislature unanimously rejected the Kasturirangan report in its present form.
• Urged the Centre to confine the Ecological Sensitive Area (ESA) only to the notified forests.
• Sought a physical survey to take up a year’s time under ESA.

Static Linkages:

• Western Ghats: UNESCO World Heritage Site; one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots.
• Madhav Gadgil Committee (2011): Recommended 64% of Western Ghats as ESA.
• K. Kasturirangan Committee (2013): Recommended 37% (approx. 60,000 sq km) as ESA; more moderate approach.
• ESA notified under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• States have repeatedly raised concerns over livelihood impact.

Additional Static Depth:

• Western Ghats: Also known as Sahyadri; runs parallel to western coast of India.
• States covered: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu (6 states).
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Declared in 2012; 39 sites in Western Ghats.
• Biodiversity hotspot: One of 36 global hotspots; one of 4 in India (Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Sundaland, Western Ghats).
• Gadgil Committee (2011): Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP); recommended 64% as ESA; three-tier classification (ESA-1, ESA-2, ESA-3).
• Kasturirangan Committee (2013): High Level Working Group (HLWG); recommended 37% as ESA; only non-forest areas considered.
• ESA: Areas where industrial activities are restricted; notified under EPA 1986.
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Umbrella legislation; enacted after Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
• Biodiversity Act, 2002: Governs access to biological resources.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognises rights of forest-dwelling communities.
• Concerns: Livelihood of local communities; agriculture, plantation, tourism affected.
• Karnataka’s position: Rejected Kasturirangan report; wants ESA only on notified forests.
• Kerala’s position: Also opposed; wants more relaxation.
• Maharashtra: Partially accepted.

4. Drought Declaration (Karnataka)

News Facts:

• Karnataka government will declare 53 more taluks as drought-affected, taking the total to 177 out of 240 taluks.

Static Linkages:

• Drought management under Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Manual for Drought Management (Ministry of Agriculture).
• Indicators: Rainfall deviation, dry spell, vegetation index, soil moisture, crop situation, groundwater.
• State governments declare drought; Centre provides assistance under NDRF/SDRF.

Additional Static Depth:

• Disaster Management Act, 2005: Provides for institutional framework (NDMA, SDMA, NDMA).
• NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority; chaired by PM.
• SDMA: State Disaster Management Authority; chaired by CM.
• NDRF: National Disaster Response Fund; for severe disasters.
• SDRF: State Disaster Response Fund; for state-level disasters.
• Drought Manual (2016): Revised by Ministry of Agriculture; provides parameters for drought declaration.
• Parameters: Rainfall deviation (up to -19% normal, -20% to -39% deficient, -40% to -59% severe, below -60% extreme).
• Dry spell: Consecutive days with no rainfall.
• Vegetation Index: NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index).
• Soil Moisture: Measured through remote sensing.
• Crop Situation: Area sown, crop condition.
• Groundwater: Level depletion.
• Drought Types: Meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, socio-economic.
• Karnataka: 240 taluks; 177 declared drought-affected (as per news).
• Relief: Compensation for crop loss; drinking water; fodder; employment under MGNREGA.

5. Premium Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Scheme

News Facts:

• Supreme Court issued notice to Karnataka government on a petition challenging the Premium FAR scheme.
• Three-judge Bench (headed by CJI Surya Kant) made it clear that the scheme should not be used, for the time being, to regularise unauthorised constructions.
• Scheme allows purchase of additional construction rights over permissible FAR by paying premium charges (introduced under Section 18-B of Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961).
• Karnataka High Court had earlier upheld its constitutional validity.

Static Linkages:

• FAR / FSI (Floor Space Index): Ratio of total floor area of a building to the size of the plot.
• Urban planning under State List (Entry 18 – Land; Entry 20 – Economic and social planning).
• Related concepts: Setback norms, Transferable Development Rights (TDR), Development Control Regulations.

Additional Static Depth:

• FAR/FSI: Floor Area Ratio = Total floor area of building / Plot area.
• Premium FAR: Paying premium to get additional FAR beyond permissible limit.
• Section 18-B: Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961; introduced Premium FAR.
• KTCP Act, 1961: Governs urban planning in Karnataka.
• Constitutional Validity: Challenged under Article 14 (equality), Article 21 (right to life).
• SC Observation: Scheme should not regularise unauthorised constructions.
• Urban Planning: State List Entry 18 (Land), Entry 20 (Economic and social planning).
• TDR: Transferable Development Rights; compensation for land acquired.
• Setback Norms: Minimum distance from plot boundary.
• DCR: Development Control Regulations; govern building construction.
• BBMP: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike; now GBA (Greater Bengaluru Authority).
• Master Plan: Bangalore Revised Master Plan 2015; Comprehensive Development Plan.
• Akrama-Sakrama: Regularisation of unauthorised constructions; struck down by SC in 2015.

6. Digital Governance – e-Aasthi 2.0

News Facts:

• Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) launched e-Aasthi 2.0 – upgraded property-record and e-Khata management system.
• Aims to simplify property services, reduce paperwork, integrate with Kaveri, BESCOM and BWSSB for real-time updates.
• Earlier version (e-Aasthi 1.0) rolled out in erstwhile BBMP in October 2024.

Static Linkages:

• Digital India / e-Governance initiatives.
• Property registration under Registration Act, 1908.
• Integration of land records (examples: Bhoomi in Karnataka, Dharani in Telangana).
• Concept of e-Khata / Record of Rights.

Additional Static Depth:

• e-Aasthi: Property record management system; e-Khata (digital property document).
• e-Khata: Digital record of property ownership; replaces physical Khata.
• Khata: Record of property for tax purposes; not a title document.
• Kaveri: Karnataka’s online property registration system.
• BESCOM: Bangalore Electricity Supply Company.
• BWSSB: Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
• GBA: Greater Bengaluru Authority; replaced BBMP.
• Digital India: Launched 2015; aims to transform India into digitally empowered society.
• e-Governance: Use of ICT for government services.
• Registration Act, 1908: Governs registration of documents.
• Bhoomi: Karnataka’s land records digitisation project (2002).
• Dharani: Telangana’s integrated land records system.
• Record of Rights (RTC): Rights, tenancy, crops; essential for land transactions.
• National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NLRMP): Now Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP).

7. Salt Reduction Target

News Facts:

• Karnataka launched a State Action Plan targeting 30% reduction in population salt intake by 2030.
• Aligns with WHO recommendation of less than 5 grams of salt per person per day.
• Focus on reducing discretionary salt, salt in processed foods, and promoting healthier diets.

Static Linkages:

• WHO Global Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
• National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
• High salt intake linked to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Additional Static Depth:

• WHO Recommendation: <5g salt per day (equivalent to <2g sodium).
• Global Target: 30% reduction in salt intake by 2025 (WHO).
• India’s Target: 30% reduction by 2030 (Karnataka aligning).
• Discretionary Salt: Salt added during cooking or at table.
• Non-Discretionary Salt: Salt in processed foods, bread, biscuits, sauces.
• Health Impacts: Hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, kidney disease.
• NPCDCS: Launched 2010; covers cancer, diabetes, CVD, stroke.
• NCDs: Non-Communicable Diseases; account for 63% of deaths in India.
• FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India; regulates food labelling.
• Eat Right India Movement: FSSAI initiative for healthy eating.
• Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL): Proposed for packaged foods.
• India Salt Reduction Strategy: Multi-sectoral approach.

8. National Film Awards

News Facts:

• President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the impact of celebrities while presenting the awards.
• (Cross-reference with previous day’s coverage: 72nd National Film Awards held near Statue of Unity).

Static Linkages:

• National Film Awards instituted in 1954.
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Highest cinematic honour (instituted 1969).
• Statue of Unity: World’s tallest statue (182 m), dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Additional Static Depth:

• National Film Awards: Instituted 1954; administered by Directorate of Film Festivals.
• Categories: Feature Films, Non-Feature Films, Best Writing on Cinema.
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Highest honour in Indian cinema; instituted 1969; first recipient Devika Rani (1969).
• 72nd National Film Awards: For year 2024; held near Statue of Unity.
• Statue of Unity: World’s tallest statue (182 m); dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; located in Gujarat; inaugurated 2018.
• Sardar Patel: Iron Man of India; first Deputy PM and Home Minister.
• President Droupadi Murmu: 15th President of India; first tribal woman President.
• National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): Promotes Indian cinema.
• Film and Television Institute of India (FTII): Premier film institute.
• Satyajit Ray: First Indian to receive Honorary Oscar (1992); Bharat Ratna 1992.

9. Historical – Mysore Lancers & Haifa Liberation

News Facts:

• Deterioration of Basra War Memorial (Iraq) distresses families of martyrs.
• Memorial built for 40,500 Commonwealth service personnel who died in Mesopotamian Campaign (WWI).
• Large number were Indians, including from Mysore Imperial Lancers.
• Haifa Liberation Day observed (23 September 1918 – Mysore Lancers’ role in liberating Haifa from Ottoman-German forces).

Static Linkages:

• World War I (1914–1918): Indian contribution (over 1.3 million soldiers).
• Indian Expeditionary Force; role of princely state forces.
• Haifa (present-day Israel): Strategic port; Indian cavalry action is commemorated annually.
• Mesopotamian Campaign: Fought in present-day Iraq against Ottoman Empire.

Additional Static Depth:

• Mysore Imperial Lancers: Princely state force from Mysore; fought in WWI.
• Haifa Liberation: 23 September 1918; Battle of Haifa; Indian cavalry (Mysore Lancers, Jodhpur Lancers) liberated Haifa from Ottoman-German forces.
• Teen Murti: Jaipur Column; Haifa Day commemorated at Teen Murti, Delhi.
• Mesopotamian Campaign: 1914–1918; fought in present-day Iraq; against Ottoman Empire.
• Basra War Memorial: In Iraq; commemorates 40,500 Commonwealth personnel.
• Indian Expeditionary Force: Sent to France, Mesopotamia, Egypt, East Africa.
• Princely State Forces: Mysore, Jodhpur, Hyderabad, Kashmir etc. contributed.
• WWI Indian Contribution: 1.3 million soldiers; 74,000 died.
• Ottoman Empire: Allied with Germany; defeated in WWI.
• Treaty of Sèvres (1920): Partitioned Ottoman Empire.
• Haifa: Present-day Israel; major port; Battle of Haifa (1918).
• Teen Murti Memorial: In Delhi; commemorates Indian soldiers who died in WWI.
• India Gate: War memorial; designed by Edwin Lutyens; commemorates 74,000 Indian soldiers.

10. Other Prelims-Relevant Pointers

Additional Static Depth:

• Article 315: Public Service Commissions for Union and States.
• Article 316: Appointment of members; Chairman and members.
• Article 317: Removal of members; grounds.
• Article 320: Functions of PSCs; conduct examinations.
• Article 323: Reports of PSCs; laid before legislature.
• Lokayukta: State-level anti-corruption body; investigates complaints against public officials.
• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: Penalises corruption; amended 2018.
• Section 301: US Trade Act, 1974; authorises President to investigate trade practices.
• G-20: Group of 20 major economies; India hosted 2023.
• BOT Model: Build-Operate-Transfer; private entity builds, operates, transfers to government.
• NHAI: National Highways Authority of India; established 1988; under Ministry of Road Transport.
• Model Concession Agreement: Standard contract for PPP projects.