Relevance: Governance, Federalism, Local Bodies (GS-II) Source: The Hindu ; Reports of the 16th Finance Commission Context The 16th Finance Commission (2026–31) has submitted its report to the President. A key expectation is how it will strengthen panchayats and municipalities, which are responsible for essential public services but struggle with weak revenues and heavy dependence on…

Relevance for UPSC (GS II – Governance; GS III – Agriculture) Source: PPV&FRA consultations 1. Context The Centre is reviewing the PPV&FR Act, 2001 through a committee led by R.S. Paroda to address technological changes and concerns of farmers and breeders. 2. The Act  Provides intellectual property protection to plant breeders. Ensures farmers’ rights to save,…

Relevance for UPSC (GS III – Environment, Infrastructure) •  Source: The Hindu  Context  The proposed NH-701A highway through the mountainous districts of Jammu & Kashmir aims to improve connectivity between Shopian and Margan. However, experts warn that the alignment cuts through fragile slopes, glacial-fed systems, forests and pastoral landscapes, making it an ecological and socio-cultural risk….

Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper II – Social Indicators) •  Source: The Hindu ; World Happiness Report 2025 (Wellbeing Research Centre, Oxford) The latest Global Happiness Ranking shows Finland topping the list for the eighth consecutive year, while India ranks 118th and Pakistan 109th, raising debates on how happiness is measured and what it reflects about…

Relevance for UPSC (GS III – Environment & Biodiversity) •  Source: Indian Express  A recent IUCN conservation report warns of a steep decline in dugong populations across the Indian coastline.  India’s remaining dugongs—found mainly in Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, and Andaman–Nicobar Islands—face increasing habitat loss and anthropogenic pressures, making survival uncertain. About…

Relevance: GS II (Judiciary, Governance) & GS III (Environment, EIA) Source: The Hindu; Supreme Court judgment;  The Supreme Court, by a 2:1 majority, has recalled its May 2024 judgment that had declared retrospective (ex post facto) environmental clearances (EC) illegal. The Court now holds that public interest, economic stability, and administrative challenges justify allowing such clearances…

Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper III – Internal Security)  Source: The Hindu Andhra Pradesh’s elite OCTOPUS unit and state police arrested 51 Maoists across five districts, including members of the Hidma Dalam, a key armed wing of CPI (Maoist).  The arrests followed days of surveillance, and weapons, ammunition and explosive materials were recovered. Officials noted that…