Current Affairs for JPSC (Jharkhand Public Service Commission)
Source: The Hindu (Delhi), 24 September 2026
1. Election Commission / SIR / CEC Controversy ⭐⭐⭐
News Facts
- Two Election Commissioners (Sukhbir Singh Sandhu & Vivek Joshi) recorded formal objections at least 14 times (Oct 2025–Aug 2026) to decisions taken without their knowledge under CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- Key objections:
- Alteration of Form 6 (application for inclusion in electoral roll).
- Centralisation of electoral roll database / ERONet.
- Restricted access of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
- Filing of appeals against judicial inclusion of voters in West Bengal.
- West Bengal SIR: ~60 lakh electors flagged for “logical discrepancies”; 27 lakh names deleted; 38 lakh appeals pending.
- Delhi SIR: Only ~1 lakh inclusion claims vs 47.56 lakh deletions; deadline 30 Sept (may be extended).
- Former CEC S.Y. Quraishi called SIR illegal.
- Opposition demands CEC’s resignation; EC says all decisions were unanimous and lawful.
- Justice Dipankar Datta: Replacing CJI with a Union Minister in the 2023 selection panel fails the “perception test” and amounts to an effective veto for the government.
Static Linkages
- Art. 324 – Superintendence, direction and control of elections.
- CEC & Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
- Anoop Baranwal judgment (2023) – earlier role of CJI in selection.
- Representation of the People Act, 1950 (esp. Sec. 31 on false statements).
- ERO = statutory authority for electoral rolls.
- Form 6 = application for inclusion.
2. India–EU Free Trade Agreement ⭐⭐⭐
News Facts
- Signing scheduled for 16 December 2026 in Brussels (in presence of PM Modi).
- Negotiations concluded January 2026.
- India: tariff elimination on 99.5% of exports to EU.
- EU: tariff elimination on 97.5% of traded value.
- Will go to European Parliament; no need for individual member-state ratification once European Council approves.
- Expected roll-out early 2027.
Static Linkages
- FTA vs CEPA vs PTA.
- EU common commercial policy (exclusive competence).
- WTO MFN principle & regional trade agreements (Art. XXIV of GATT).
3. India–New Zealand FTA ⭐⭐
News Facts (Editorial)
- Set to come into force on 20 October 2026.
- New Zealand gets 100% duty-free access on its exports to India (historic concession).
- India excluded sensitive dairy sector; ~30% of import lines kept outside concessions.
- Gains for India: textiles, pharmaceuticals, machinery; labour mobility (visas); NZ commitment of $20 billion investment in finance & green technology.
Static Linkages
- India’s recent FTAs (UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, EFTA).
- Sensitive sectors in trade negotiations (agriculture, dairy).
4. Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) ⭐⭐
News Facts
- Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet approved high-level committee for pre-feasibility report survey.
- Declared a national project in 2008.
- Estimated capacity ≥ 10,000 MW.
- Sites in Siang and Upper Siang districts; local protests ongoing.
Static Linkages
- National projects (special funding & priority).
- Hydropower in North-East; inter-state river issues; Brahmaputra basin.
- Environment Impact Assessment & tribal consent (FRA, PESA).
5. Defence – Germany Submarine Deal ⭐⭐
News Facts
- Germany ready to sign “forward-leaning” deal for six submarines worth ~$8 billion.
- Involves Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems + Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.
- Inter-governmental agreement in final stages.
Static Linkages
- Project 75 (I) – conventional submarine programme.
- Make in India / strategic partnership model in defence.
- India’s current submarine fleet (Scorpene, Kilo, etc.).
6. Quality Control Orders (QCOs) & Manufacturing ⭐⭐
News Facts (Opinion)
- Number of products under QCOs rose from 88 (2019) to 765 (end-2024); expansion slowed in 2025.
- Several QCOs on intermediate goods revoked/amended due to supply-chain concerns.
- Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 notified by DPIIT (25 June 2026).
- Raised at WTO’s 8th Trade Policy Review (July 2026) by EU, US, Brazil, China, Indonesia.
- CSEP study: Input QCOs on chemicals hurt downstream firms (especially smaller ones’ profitability).
Static Linkages
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act.
- Non-tariff barriers / Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement under WTO).
- Make in India / Atmanirbhar Bharat quality push vs ease of doing business.
7. Other High-Yield Prelims Items ⭐
| News Fact | Static Linkage |
|---|---|
| Delhi Cabinet approves DURGA scheme – 1,300 pink e-autos for women (1,170) & transgender persons (130) | EV policy, women’s safety, transgender inclusion, last-mile connectivity |
| SC stays Allahabad HC order recovering ₹5 lakh from Noida DM for illegal NSA detention | National Security Act, 1980; Habeas Corpus; personal liability of officials |
| Germany submarine deal + India-NZ FTA + India-EU FTA | Diversification of trade & defence partnerships |
| Anti-defection proceedings against 20 rebel Trinamool MPs (now with NCP-Ajit Pawar) | Tenth Schedule; Speaker’s role as tribunal; Kihoto Hollohan & Keisham Meghachandra judgments |
| Motor Vehicles Act compensation formula (Sarla Verma, Pranay Sethi, etc.) | MV Act 1988; MACTs; structured formula for loss of income, consortium, etc. |
| Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) quiz | ISRO; first Asian nation & first to succeed on maiden attempt (entered orbit 24 Sept 2014) |
Quick Revision Table (Must-Remember)
| Topic | Key Fact | Static Hook |
|---|---|---|
| ECI / SIR | 14 objections by 2 ECs; Form 6 change | Art. 324, 2023 Act, RPA 1950 |
| India-EU FTA | Sign on 16 Dec 2026 | FTA, EU common policy |
| India-NZ FTA | Force from 20 Oct 2026; 100% duty-free for NZ | Sensitive sectors (dairy) |
| SUMP (Arunachal) | National project 2008; ≥10,000 MW | National projects, hydropower |
| German submarines | 6 boats, ~$8 bn | Project 75(I), Make in India |
| QCOs | 88 → 765 products; transition order 2026 | BIS, WTO TBT, non-tariff barriers |
| DURGA scheme (Delhi) | Pink e-autos for women & trans | EV + social inclusion |
