1. Supreme Court Revives Sedition Trials With Consent Clause

Why in News?

A three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant held that criminal trials, appeals, and proceedings under Section 124A of the repealed Indian Penal Code (sedition) may continue if the accused raises no objection. This ruling has partially revived a provision that was placed in abeyance by the Supreme Court in May 2022.

Key Points

• Section 124A IPC (Sedition) was the colonial-era provision criminalising acts exciting disaffection against the Government of India.
• In May 2022, the Supreme Court in S.G. Vombatkere vs Union of India directed all pending and future proceedings under Section 124A to be kept in abeyance pending reconsideration by the government.
• The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 replaced the IPC and omitted Section 124A; however, a modified provision (Section 152 BNS) covers acts endangering national sovereignty.
• The Supreme Court's latest ruling introduces a consent-based revival: ongoing proceedings may resume if the accused does not object.
• The ruling has triggered significant constitutional debate on the balance between Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech) and the State's power to restrict speech on grounds of public order and national security.
• Critics argue that even a "consent" mechanism sustains a fundamentally disproportionate law; proponents argue it protects the accused's procedural rights.

Static Knowledge

• Section 124A IPC was inserted by the British colonial government in 1870 and has roots in provisions used against Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi.
• The maximum punishment under Section 124A was life imprisonment.
• The Law Commission of India (22nd Report, 2023) recommended retaining a modified sedition provision.
• The BNS, 2023 came into effect on 1 July 2024, replacing the IPC, CrPC, and the Indian Evidence Act.
• Article 19(2) of the Constitution allows reasonable restrictions on free speech in the interests of sovereignty, integrity, public order, decency, morality, and contempt of court.

2. National Health Accounts FY23: Rising OOPE, Declining Public Health Spending

Why in News?

The National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates for Financial Year 2022–23 have been released, revealing a rise in household out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare and a decline in government spending as a share of GDP — raising concern about India's progress toward universal health coverage.

Key Points

• NHA is an official framework tracking the flow of funds within India's healthcare system; it covers total health expenditure, government spending, household OOPE, and private and insurance contributions.
• Prepared by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, using WHO and OECD accounting standards.
• Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE): Direct payments made by individuals for healthcare at the time of treatment — includes medicines, hospitalisation, diagnostics, and consultations.
• High OOPE is a key driver of healthcare-induced poverty and financial catastrophe for low-income households.
• India's National Health Policy 2017 had set a target of raising government health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025 — FY23 data indicates this target remains unmet.
• Key government initiative addressing OOPE: Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) — provides health insurance up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.

Static Knowledge

• The National Health Policy 2017 also targets increasing health expenditure by states to more than 8% of their state budgets.
• India spends significantly lower on public health as a percentage of GDP compared to global averages.
• AB-PMJAY was launched in September 2018 and is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme.
• NHSRC is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• WHO's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Index tracks the extent to which people receive the health services they need without financial hardship.

3. Karnataka Political Crisis: Siddaramaiah Resigns, Shivakumar to Succeed

Why in News?

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation to the Governor in Bengaluru, ending a prolonged leadership tussle within the state unit of the Indian National Congress and clearing the path for Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to assume the Chief Ministership.

Key Points

• The power-sharing arrangement within the Karnataka Congress had been a source of internal tension since the party's assembly election victory in May 2023.
• Siddaramaiah had also been embroiled in the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) scam, which added political pressure on his leadership.
• D.K. Shivakumar, who heads the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), is set to become the new Chief Minister.
• Karnataka is governed under Article 164 of the Constitution — the Chief Minister holds office during the pleasure of the Governor.
• The Governor of Karnataka plays a formal constitutional role in accepting the resignation and administering the oath to the successor government.

Static Knowledge

• Karnataka was the first state to enact a Lokayukta Act (1984), establishing an independent anti-corruption watchdog.
• Karnataka attained statehood on 1 November 1956 (Karnataka Rajyotsava), originally formed as Mysore State.
• The Governor of Karnataka is appointed by the President of India under Article 155.
• Article 164(1A) mandates that the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly.
• Karnataka's capital is Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), and the state has the highest number of IT companies in India.

4. LIC Raises Stake in Central Bank of India to 6.06%

Why in News?

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) increased its shareholding in Central Bank of India from 3.16% to 6.06% through the open market acquisition of 26.26 crore shares. This represents a significant institutional investment in a public sector bank.

Key Points

• LIC is India's largest institutional investor and a government-owned life insurance entity.
• The acquisition was made through market acquisition (secondary market purchase), not through FPO or preferential allotment.
• Central Bank of India is a public sector bank under the ownership of the Government of India (Ministry of Finance).
• The stake increase makes LIC one of the significant non-government shareholders of Central Bank of India alongside the Government of India.
• Under SEBI regulations, acquiring 5% or more stake in a listed company triggers disclosure obligations (Regulation 29 of SEBI's SAST — Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers Regulations).
• LIC is regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Static Knowledge

• LIC was established on 1 September 1956 by the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956.
• Central Bank of India was established in 1911 and is headquartered in Mumbai.
• Central Bank of India was the first purely Indian commercial bank to be managed entirely by Indians.
• LIC listed on stock exchanges in May 2022 — India's largest IPO at the time.
• IRDAI was established under the IRDA Act, 1999 and is headquartered in Hyderabad.

5. Maritime Reform Utsav Launched — 12 Years of India's Maritime Transformation

Why in News?

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, launched the nationwide Maritime Reform Utsav to commemorate 12 years of reforms and transformation in India's maritime sector. The initiative is aligned with India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Key Points

• The initiative covers India's achievements in: ports, shipping, inland waterways, coastal infrastructure, green shipping, digitalisation, and maritime connectivity.
• The government's approach for maritime governance: "Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform".
• The initiative strengthens Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the maritime sector, improves digital governance, and enhances grievance redressal.
• Key policy framework: Sagarmala Programme — the flagship initiative for port-led development.
• India has set a target of becoming a global maritime superpower under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime India Vision 2047.
• The DG Shipping (Directorate General of Shipping) digital platform was also emphasised for regulatory streamlining.

Static Knowledge

• India has 12 major ports and over 200 non-major (minor) ports along its 7,516 km coastline.
• IWAI (Inland Waterways Authority of India) was established in 1986 under the IWAI Act, 1985.
• The Sagarmala Programme was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is headquartered in New Delhi.

6. Oil India Discovers Natural Gas Reserve in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Why in News?

Oil India Limited (OIL), a government-owned Navratna PSU, discovered a new natural gas reserve in the Jaisalmer Basin, Rajasthan. The reserve has an estimated production capacity of approximately 25,000 standard cubic metres per day (SCMD).

Key Points

• Oil India Limited (OIL) is a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• The Jaisalmer Basin is a known sedimentary basin in western Rajasthan with a history of hydrocarbon exploration.
• The discovery supports India's goal of energy security and reduces dependence on imported natural gas (LNG).
• India is a major importer of LNG (liquefied natural gas), primarily from Qatar, the USA, and Australia.
• The Government of India's Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) promotes domestic exploration through an Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OAL).
• India's gas-based energy strategy is also linked to the National Gas Grid project — a 35,000 km pipeline network to develop a gas-based economy.

Exam Relevance

• UPSC Prelims: OIL, Navratna PSU, Jaisalmer Basin, HELP, Natural Gas
• UPSC Mains GS-III: Energy Security, Natural Resources, PSU Policy
• Other Exams: SSC, State PCS, Geography

Static Knowledge

• Oil India Limited (OIL) was incorporated in 1959 and is headquartered in Duliajan, Assam.
• India has several major sedimentary basins: Bombay High, Krishna-Godavari Basin, Cauvery Basin, Cambay Basin, and Rajasthan Basin.
• HELP replaced the earlier New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) in 2016.
• India is the world's 3rd largest energy consumer.
• The Jaisalmer Basin also hosts significant lignite deposits in Rajasthan.

7. Piyush Singla Appointed Director of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

Why in News?

IAS officer Piyush Singla has been appointed as Director in the National Health Authority (NHA), where he will oversee the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) — India's flagship initiative to build a nationwide digital health ecosystem.

Key Points

• ABDM was launched on 27 September 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (in all states/UTs), building upon the pilot launched on 15 August 2020.
• Core components of ABDM:
  • ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) — unique health ID for every citizen
  • Health Facility Registry (HFR) — national registry of health facilities
  • Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)
  • Unified Health Interface (UHI) for digital health services
• The NHA (National Health Authority) is the apex body implementing AB-PMJAY and ABDM.
• ABDM is aligned with the broader National Digital Health Mission framework to integrate health records across India.

Static Knowledge

• NHA was restructured in 2019 to implement AB-PMJAY; it functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The ABHA number is a 14-digit unique health identifier linked to an individual's health records.
• India's health data framework is guided by the Digital Information Security in Healthcare Act (DISHA) (proposed).
• ABDM aims to make health records portable, interoperable, and accessible across all healthcare providers.
• AB-PMJAY covers over 50 crore beneficiaries from economically vulnerable households.

8. JNCASR Develops CLEAR Technology for Advanced Protein Imaging

Why in News?

Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, developed CLEAR Technology — an advanced tool for protein imaging and biomedical research, enhancing the ability to study biological structures at the molecular level.

Key Points

• JNCASR is a deemed university and autonomous research institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
• CLEAR Technology enables high-resolution imaging of proteins, which is critical for understanding disease mechanisms and developing targeted therapies.
• Applications include: biomedical research, drug discovery, structural biology, and early detection of protein-misfolding diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's).
• This development positions India in the cutting-edge domain of structural proteomics and bioimaging.
• The research aligns with the Government of India's push under Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) — established under the ANRF Act, 2023.

Static Knowledge

• JNCASR was established in 1989 and is located in Jakkur, Bengaluru.
• DST (Department of Science and Technology) was established in 1971.
• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) replaced the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and was established under the ANRF Act, 2023.
• India's proteomics research is also supported by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under DBT.
• Protein misfolding is linked to prion diseases, Alzheimer's, and certain cancers.

9. NASA Unveils $20 Billion Three-Phase Moon Base Plan

Why in News?

NASA announced a detailed, phased Moon Base Plan worth approximately $20 billion, targeting the establishment of a permanent human outpost near the lunar south pole, specifically around Shackleton Crater, as part of the broader Artemis programme.

Key Points

• Phase 1: Initial infrastructure deployment and early human missions.
• Phase 2: Expansion of surface capabilities; delivery of approximately 29 launches; installation of life-support and power systems.
• Phase 3 (2033–2036): Continuous human presence on the Moon; deployment of a 20-kW nuclear fission reactor; activation of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) plants to extract oxygen and water from lunar regolith.
• The lunar south pole is strategically chosen due to: near-continuous sunlight on high ridges, confirmed water-ice deposits in permanently shadowed craters, and potential for ISRU.
• India's Chandrayaan-3 (landed on 23 August 2023) confirmed sulfur and other elements near the lunar south pole and was the first mission to land near this region.
• NASA Administrator: Jared Isaacman (appointed 2025).

Static Knowledge

• The Artemis programme aims to land the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon.
• India signed the Artemis Accords in June 2023, committing to peaceful exploration of space.
• ISRO's Gaganyaan programme targets India's first crewed spaceflight.
• NASA's Artemis base camp targets Shackleton Crater's rim for optimal sunlight and proximity to water ice.
• The Outer Space Treaty (1967) governs the use of celestial bodies and prohibits national appropriation of the Moon.

10. Kerala Launches Project Zero — Anti-Corruption Initiative

Why in News?

The Kerala state government launched Project Zero, an initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption measures in public administration.

Key Points

• Project Zero targets eliminating corruption at the grassroots level in public service delivery within Kerala.
• The initiative focuses on: e-governance, grievance redressal, accountability mechanisms, and digital monitoring of public officials.
• Kerala consistently ranks among the top states on governance and human development indices in India.
• Related national framework: Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018) — governs anti-corruption measures for public servants.
• Oversight: Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) handles corruption-related complaints at the state level.

Static Knowledge

• The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is India's apex anti-corruption body at the central government level, established in 1964 (statutory status in 2003).
• The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 established the Lokpal for the Union and mandated Lokayuktas for states.
• Kerala was the first Indian state to achieve 100% primary education literacy (1989).
• The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 extended accountability to the private sector in bribery of public servants.
• Kerala's Human Development Index (HDI) is among the highest of all Indian states.

11. International Day of UN Peacekeepers — 29 May 2026

Why in News?

29 May is observed annually as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (also called UN Peacekeepers Day), honouring the service and sacrifice of military, police, and civilian personnel serving in UN Peace Operations worldwide.

Key Points

• The day commemorates the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping mission — UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organization) — in 1948 in the Middle East.
• The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is posthumously awarded each year to peacekeepers who lost their lives in service.
• India is one of the largest troop-contributing countries (TCCs) to UN peacekeeping missions globally.
• India has contributed over 2.5 lakh troops cumulatively since 1948 — more than any other country in history.
• Current UN Peacekeeping Missions where India is active include: MONUSCO (DRC), UNDOF (Golan Heights), UNIFIL (Lebanon), among others.
• Theme for 2026: Emphasises international cooperation, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention.

Static Knowledge

• The UN Charter, Chapter VI deals with peaceful settlement of disputes; Chapter VII authorises use of force.
• UN Peacekeeping is overseen by the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), UN Secretariat.
• The first female Indian peacekeeper Major Suman Gawani was named UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year (2019).
• India's first participation in a UN peacekeeping mission was in Korea (1950) as part of UNCURK.
• There are currently approximately 12 active UN peacekeeping missions globally.

Important Reports, Indexes & Data

Important Appointments & Awards

---

Prelims Practice MCQs