UPSC CSE 2026-27 | JHARKHAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (JPSC) | BPSC

🏛️ POLITY & GOVERNANCE

1. Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026

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

Key Facts:

• Raises sanctioned strength of SC judges from 34 to 38 (including CJI)
• Replaces an ordinance promulgated earlier this year
• Passed by voice vote without debate
• Statutory resolution seeking disapproval of ordinance was rejected

Static Link:

• Article 124: Parliament can increase SC judge strength by law
• Ordinance: Promulgated by President under Article 123 – must be replaced by Act within 6 weeks of Parliament session

2. Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026

News Context: Introduced in Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Key Provisions:

• Replaces the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891
• Recognises electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based banking records as admissible evidence in courts

Static Link: Evidence Act, 1872 governs admissibility of evidence in courts. This Bill updates the definition of “bankers’ books” for the digital age.

3. Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026

News Context: Introduced in Lok Sabha.

Key Provisions:

• Repeals the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959
• Incorporates ISI as a statutory body corporation
• President of India as its Visitor
• Board of Governors as principal executive body

Static Link: ISI was established in 1931 by Professor P.C. Mahalanobis – India’s premier statistical research institution.

4. MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026

News Context: Passed in Rajya Sabha amid Opposition protests.

Key Provisions:

• Replaces the MSME Development Act, 2006
• Provides for a national digital platform for free and voluntary registration of MSMEs
• Mandates CPSEs to route invoice settlements through TReDS (Trade Receivables Discounting System)

Key Data:

• MSMEs contribute:
  • 31% to India’s GDP
  • 36% to manufacturing output
  • 41% to exports
• Outstanding credit to MSMEs: ₹38.35 lakh crore (up from ₹10 lakh crore in 2014-15)

Static Link: TReDS is a platform for financing invoices of MSMEs through multiple financiers. Regulated by RBI.

5. Domestic Cruelty – Live-in Relationships

News Context: SC ruled that domestic cruelty provisions extend to live-in relationships “in the nature of marriage”.

Key Ruling:

• Section 498A (IPC) / Sections 85 & 86 (BNS) – domestic cruelty
• Not limited to married relationships alone
• Applies to relationships that “show requisite intent to marry”

Static Link:

• IPC Section 498A – Cruelty by husband or relatives
• BNS Sections 85 & 86 – Replaced IPC 498A
• BNS = Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – replaced IPC

6. Jantar Mantar as Protest Site – SC Hearing

News Context: SC asked government to consider petition against Jantar Mantar as protest venue.

Petitioner’s Arguments:

• Ingress-egress issues
• Supply of medical essentials
• Proximity to Parliament, Central Vista, diplomatic areas

SC Observation:

• “Another July 20 incident should be avoided” (reference to police crackdown)
• “They know how to handle it. If they cannot, come to us.”

Static Link:

• 2018 SC Judgment: Lifted ban on protests at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club
• Balanced right to protest with right of residents to live peacefully

7. States Can Withdraw FIRs Against Student Protesters

News Context: SC clarified its July 28 order does not prevent States from withdrawing FIRs.

Key Clarification:

• “Criminal antecedents” in earlier order referred to grave and heinous offences only
• States can file closure reports under BNSS, 2023
• CJI suggested classification of peaceful protesters vs “hardline criminals”

Static Link:

• BNSS = Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – replaced CrPC
• Closure Report – filed under Section 173 of BNSS when no prima facie case found

8. SC Clarifies on Transgender Rights

News Context: SC orally clarified that new law will not retrospectively invalidate “transgender cards”.

Key Observation by Justice Bagchi:

• “Even if there is a change in legislation, the rights conferred or accrued must remain the same”

Static Link:

• Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 – recognizes self-perceived gender identity
• Self-Identification – key provision challenged in recent legislation

9. Section 498A IPC / BNS Sections 85 & 86 – Quick Recap

SC Ruling: Extends to live-in relationships “in the nature of marriage”

🌍 GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT

10. Kerala Floods – Disaster Management

News Context: Death toll rose to 18; 13,496 people in 363 relief camps.

IMD Alerts:

• Orange Alert for 12 districts on Tuesday

Government Response:

• Compensation: ₹8.6 lakh to families of deceased
• Immediate funeral assistance: ₹10,000
• House repair: ₹1 lakh for relief camp returnees
• Land purchase + house construction: ₹12 lakh (increased from ₹10 lakh)

Static Link: IMD color codes – Red (take action), Orange (be prepared), Yellow (watch)

11. KRS Dam Crosses 100 Feet

News Context: Water level at Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir breached 100-foot mark.

Key Data:

• Level: 100.34 feet (August 3)
• Maximum level: 124.80 feet
• River: Cauvery
• Location: Mandya district, Karnataka

Static Link: KRS Dam was built by Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV – named after him.

12. Tiger Deaths in Andhra Pradesh

News Context: 3 tiger deaths in less than 3 weeks in AP – government ordered inquiry.

Static Link:

• Project Tiger – launched in 1973
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) – statutory body under MoEFCC
• Tiger Reserves in AP: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (largest tiger reserve in India)

13. Europe Wildfires – France & Spain

News Context: France saw 91,209 hectares destroyed by wildfires – surpassing 1989 record.

Key Data:

• Previous record (1989): 75,566 hectares
• Source: Joint Research Centre (JRC) of European Commission

Static Link:

• JRC – European Commission’s science and knowledge service
• Report: “Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2024”

14. Pok Protests – Geography & Strategic Context

News Context: Violent crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Key Facts:

• PoK Legislature: 53 seats total
  • 45 elected
  • 8 nominated
  • 12 seats reserved for refugees of Indian J&K (post-1947)
• Protesters demand removal of reserved seats
• Three-phase elections: July 27 – August 11

India’s Statement (MEA):

• Condemned crackdown
• Defence Minister called protesters “enemies”

Operation Sindoor Link:

• India claimed to have hit terror-related targets in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot in May 2025

Static Link:

• Line of Control (LoC): De facto border between India and Pakistan in J&K
• Simla Agreement (1972): Both sides to settle disputes bilaterally

15. Nauru Changes Name to Naoero

News Context: Pacific Island country changed name to Republic of Naoero.

Key Facts:

• Population: 12,000 (world’s third-smallest country)
• Pronunciation: Now-ero

Static Link: Nauru is the world’s smallest republic and smallest island nation.

🌐 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

16. Israel-Gaza Conflict – Trump Plan

News Context: Israel objected to Trump’s Gaza plan; Finance Minister demanded new vote.

Key Facts:

• Board of Peace – Trump-backed group implementing Gaza plan
• Plan calls for Israel to cease military operations “without delay”
• Israel demands “verifiable” disarmament by Hamas
• Israel already controls 70% of Gaza

Static Link: Hamas is designated as terrorist organization by US, EU, India.

17. Iran-US Tensions – Last Chance for Deal

News Context: Trump says “last chance” for Iran to forge deal.

Trump’s Claims:

• Talks would reopen Strait of Hormuz
• Second phase: denuclearisation
• Iran denies any talks are under way

Iran’s Position:

• Foreign Ministry spokesman: no negotiations with US
• Only talks with Oman over Strait of Hormuz management

Static Link:

• Strait of Hormuz – between Iran and Oman; connects Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea
• 30% of global seaborne oil passes through Hormuz

18. Ukraine-Russia Conflict – Civilian Casualties

News Context: Ukrainian strikes killed 11 civilians in Russia and Crimea.

Key Facts:

• Arkhipo-Osipovka (Black Sea resort): 7 killed
• Crimea: 4 killed (including 3 children)
• Ukraine has intensified strikes on Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014)

Static Link: Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 – not recognized by India.

19. PoK Protests – International Dimension

News Context: Amnesty International called for restoration of communications in PoK.

Key Players:

• JKJAAC – Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (leading protests)
• Amnesty International – called for restraint and media access
• UK-based Kashmiri diaspora – launched online campaign

India’s Position:

• MEA blamed “Pakistani establishment”
• “Mujahideen trained by Pakistan have turned their guns inward”

💰 ECONOMY

20. LIC Stake Sale – Offer for Sale (OFS)

News Context: Government to sell up to 6.5% stake in LIC.

Key Data:

Static Link:

• DIPAM – Department of Investment and Public Asset Management – handles disinvestment
• SEBI – market regulator sets public shareholding norms
• Green Shoe Option: Allows oversubscription of shares

21. ONGC Strategic Petroleum Reserve

News Context: ONGC to reserve half of its 1.75 MMT Mangaluru facility as strategic storage.

Key Data:

Current Storage: India can meet 74 days of crude import requirements.

Static Link: Strategic Petroleum Reserve is maintained by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) – under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

22. Export Levy on Petrol, Diesel, ATF

News Context: Government increased export levy in fortnightly review.

Key Data:

Reason: Ensure domestic availability of retail fuels amid West Asia crisis.

Static Link: Export levy instituted since March 27, 2026 – reviewed fortnightly.

23. Tax Exemptions for Contract Manufacturing

News Context: India proposed extending tax exemptions until 2041 for foreign companies providing machinery to contract manufacturers.

Key Facts:

• Applies to: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, hearing/wearable devices
• Major win for Apple (which lobbied for such changes)
• India to make 26% of world’s iPhones in 2026 (up from 6% four years ago)

Static Link: Customs-bonded areas are technically considered outside India’s customs border.

24. TRAI Launches MyCall App

News Context: TRAI unveiled MyCall app for Android to report call quality issues.

Key Features:

• Users score calls out of five
• Report issues: echoes, low audio, inaudible calls
• Data sent to operators for system improvement
• Publicly available data eventually

Static Link:

• TRAI – Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (statutory body)
• Established under TRAI Act, 1997

🏅 SPORTS (Current Affairs)

25. Commonwealth Games 2026 – Closing Ceremony

News Context: Glasgow passed baton to Ahmedabad (host of 2030 centenary Games).

Key Facts:

• India’s final tally: 13 Gold, 17 Silver, 9 Bronze (4th position)
• Handover ceremony included Neeraj Chopra, P.T. Usha
• Indian cultural show: “The World is One Family – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”
• Marked 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram (National Song)

Static Link:

• Vande Mataram – composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1882)
• Adopted as National Song in 1950
• CWG 2030 will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

26. BWF Taipei Open – Tanvi Sharma

News Context: Tanvi Sharma (17) won Taipei Open Super 300.

Key Facts:

• Youngest champion in Taipei Open history (17 years, 222 days)
• First Indian woman since Saina Nehwal (2008)
• Coach: Park Tae-sang (former PV Sindhu coach)
• Defeated World No. 21 Nguyen Thuy Linh
• To play BWF World Championships in New Delhi later this month

Static Link:

• BWF World Tour: Super 300, 500, 750, 1000 categories
• Taipei Open: Super 300 tournament

27. Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships

News Context: Ankur Bhattacharjee won men’s singles title.

Key Facts:

• India won 4 of 5 gold medals
• Ankur defeated Payas Jain in final
• Ankur missed Asian Games squad – this was “redemption”

Static Link: Commonwealth TT Championships are held every 2 years.

28. Duleep Trophy – North Zone Squad

News Context: J&K’s Kanhaiya Wadhawan to lead North Zone.

Key Facts:

• Duleep Trophy – domestic first-class tournament between zonal teams
• Named after K.S. Duleepsinhji
• Quarterfinal: North Zone vs West Zone (Aug 23, Bengaluru)
• Arshdeep Singh in squad – yet to play Test cricket

29. Durand Cup 2026

News Context: FC Raengdai beat TRAU 4-3; FCI beat Karbi Anglong 2-1.

Static Link:

• Durand Cup: Asia’s oldest football tournament (started 1888)
• 135th edition being played

📌 STATIC CORNER – ESSENTIAL ARTICLES & DATA

🎯 PRELIMS PRACTICE MCQs

Q1. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 increases the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to:
(a) 36
(b) 37
(c) 38
(d) 40

✅ Answer: (c)

Q2. Which of the following Bills replaces the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891?
(a) Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026
(b) Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026
(c) MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026
(d) Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill

✅ Answer: (a)

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI):

1. It was established by Professor P.C. Mahalanobis in 1931
2. The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 seeks to repeal the 1959 Act
3. The Prime Minister of India will be its Visitor

Which of the statements 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) – Explanation: The President, not PM, will be Visitor.

Q4. The MSME sector contributes what percentage to India’s GDP?
(a) 26%
(b) 31%
(c) 36%
(d) 41%

✅ Answer: (b) – 31% to GDP; 36% to manufacturing; 41% to exports.

Q5. The Supreme Court recently ruled that domestic cruelty provisions extend to:
(a) Married couples only
(b) Live-in relationships in the nature of marriage
(c) All live-in relationships regardless of nature
(d) Same-sex couples only

✅ Answer: (b)

Q6. India’s current strategic petroleum reserve capacity can meet how many days of crude import requirements?
(a) 50 days
(b) 64 days
(c) 74 days
(d) 84 days

✅ Answer: (c)

Q7. The newly proposed export levy on diesel is:
(a) ₹3.5/litre
(b) ₹14.5/litre
(c) ₹22/litre
(d) ₹24/litre

✅ Answer: (d) – Diesel levy was increased from ₹14.5 to ₹24 per litre.

Q8. Which country has changed its name to Republic of Naoero?
(a) Tuvalu
(b) Palau
(c) Nauru
(d) Kiribati

✅ Answer: (c)

Q9. The 2030 Commonwealth Games centenary edition will be hosted in:
(a) Glasgow
(b) Ahmedabad
(c) New Delhi
(d) London

✅ Answer: (b) – Ahmedabad will host the 2030 CWG.

Q10. The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 seeks to make ISI a:
(a) Statutory body corporation
(b) Autonomous body
(c) Constitutional body
(d) Private institution

✅ Answer: (a) – It will be incorporated as a statutory body corporation.