KAS Current Affairs

Preliminary Examination

Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance

KIA ranked 11th most punctual large airport in Feb.
Context: The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) was ranked the 11th most punctual airport among large airports in February 2026, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium’s On-time Performance (OTP) monthly report for airlines and airports.

• The KIA, which has led the large airports category as the most punctual airport several times in the past, did not make it to the top 20 most on-time large airports list in January this year.
• According to the report, in February, KIA served 109 routes and recorded an on-time departure of 84.86%.
• The only other large Indian airport to feature in the February list was the Chennai International Airport, which secured the 10th position among the most punctual airports with an on-time departure of 85.23%.
• The Chennai airport served 67 routes. Harbin Taiping International ​Airport in China was the most punctual large airport, ​followed by Mexico City ​Benito Juárez International Airport, and Houston ​George Bush Intercontinental Airport in February.
• In the Cirium OTP Review 2025, KIA featured among the top 20 in the large airport category. The airport was ranked 11th with an on-time departure of 82.83%.
• The only other Indian airport to feature among the top 20 was the Chennai International Airport which bagged the 12th spot.

Modi sets new record with 8,931 days in public office

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the longest-serving head of a government in India, serving 8,931 days in office, first as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and now as the Prime Minister. He has surpassed former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s record of 8,930 days in office.

Longest-Serving Heads of Government (CM and/or PM)

Longest-Serving Chief Ministers of Karnataka

Paper-II: Current Events of State Importance and Important Government Schemes and Programs

Main Examination

Paper-I: Essays

Essay – 1: Topic of International/National Importance

“India’s relationship with West Asia is one of its most strategically vital foreign policy priorities, shaped by energy dependence, diaspora ties, trade, and evolving geopolitical challenges. Discuss how India balances economic cooperation with Gulf states, cultural and historical links with Iran and Iraq, and sensitive diplomacy with Israel and Palestine.”

Essay-2: Topic of State importance/Local Importance

“Mahadayi Water Dispute: Balancing Karnataka’s Development Needs with Ecological and Inter-State Concerns”

Paper-II: General Studies 1

Paper-III: General Studies 2

Details sought on inquiry, prosecution wings of the Lokpal

• A parliamentary committee has sought details of what is being done to fully operationalise the inquiry and prosecution wings of the Lokpal, over a decade after a law governing it was enacted.
• The law governing the anti-corruption ombudsman — The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 — came into force on January 1, 2014. However, it began functioning only on March 27, 2019, following the appointment of its chairperson and members.
• To discharge its statutory functions, Section 11 of the Act obligates the Lokpal to constitute an inquiry wing to be led by a director of inquiry for conducting a preliminary inquiry into corruption-related offences.
• The Lokpal Act also has a provision for the constitution of a prosecution wing headed by the ‘director of prosecution’ for the prosecution of public servants.

Process ongoing

• In its latest report, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice noted that the appointment of the director of inquiry and staffing of the inquiry wing in accordance with the approved organogram is still in process.
• The committee, therefore, desires to be apprised of the present status of appointment of the director and the steps taken to operationalise the inquiry wing in its full statutory form, while ensuring coordination with existing investigative agencies, it said.
• The panel, in its 160th report, said the prosecution wing of the Lokpal had been formally constituted through an order dated June 6, 2025.
• The committee noted that, at present, matters relating to prosecution are being handled through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has its own prosecution mechanism.

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

India’s dual dependence on West Asia for urea production
Context: Data indicate that the West Asian conflict threatens both domestic urea production and the stability of its global supply chain

• The ongoing conflict in West Asia has disrupted global trade, leading to LPG shortages and a surge in crude oil prices. Data show that the crisis could also affect India’s supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), putting at risk the production of urea, a key fertilizer in the country’s majorly agrarian economy.
• The conflict has already started to impact India’s urea supply. As of Sunday, industry sources told PTI that the country’s urea plants are running at half capacity, with Petronet LNG Ltd, which operates India’s largest liquefied natural gas receiving terminal, declaring force majeure amid disruptions to cargoes. The move triggered supply curtailments by state-owned gas distributors GAIL (India) Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
• India is heavily dependent on imports for its LNG supply, exposing many of its sectors to global shocks such as the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran. Data show that in 2025, India bought more than 50% of its natural gas from the international market (Chart 1). In fact, India is the fourth largest buyer of natural gas in the world, with an imported supply of 261 lakh metric tonnes in 2025.
• A majority of these imports — more than 40% of it — are tied to long-term contracts with suppliers in Qatar (Chart 2). This supply may be in jeopardy as Qatar’s LNG cargoes pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which has now become a central chokepoint in the Iran-Israel conflict. The UAE and Oman also ship LNG along this route, and both countries contribute to India’s imported LNG supply. Overall, more than 60% of India’s imported LNG could be affected by the closure of the Strait.
• In India, natural gas is primarily used to produce ammonia, which in turn is used to produce fertilizers. In FY26, about 30% of India’s LNG supply was used for the production of fertilizers (Chart 3). Demand also comes from industry and gas-fired power and city gas networks which supply to households and vehicles.
• LNG is the main feedstock for the production of urea, which is the most widely used fertilizer in India. Many urea plants use naphtha or fuel oil — both derived from crude oil – as their main input. However, as urea production is a highly energy-intensive process, these plants have switched to natural gas, which produces fewer emissions.
• National urea consumption hit 387 lakh metric tonnes in 2025, following a decade of steady growth. While domestic production has also been increasing (India produced about 306 lakh metric tonnes of urea in 2025), it does not cover the country’s demand. Due to this, India also relies on imports of urea.
• Data indicate that the West Asian conflict threatens both domestic urea production and the stability of its supply chain. In 2025, India’s urea imports exceeded 2,300 lakh metric tonnes, with a staggering 71% of these imports coming from West Asia (Chart 4). This total comprises 45% from Oman and a combined 26% from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, all of which rely on the Strait of Hormuz for transit.
• Amidst this scenario, the Government of India issued the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, officially including the fertilizer sector in its priority list.
• The government also stated that as of March 10, India’s urea reserves have reached 61.51 lakh metric tonnes, about 10 lakh more than last year, ahead of the Kharif sowing season. However, only time can tell if India’s import dependence for both domestic production and global supply trade will weather the ongoing geopolitical instability.

Rice, wheat procurement is ‘consistently’ low: panel

Context: Standing Committee led by DMK MP asks Food Ministry to strengthen its procurement planning and coordination with States to minimise the gap between estimated and actual procurement

• Expressing concern that actual procurement of rice and wheat has consistently remained below estimates in recent years and below targets in States such as Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, headed by DMK MP Kanimozhi, has asked the Union Food Ministry to strengthen its procurement planning and coordination with States to minimise the gap between estimated and actual procurement of both the food grains.
• In a report on the Demands for Grants of the Department of Food and Public Distribution, the panel noted that since 2022-23, the procurement of wheat and rice had been less than 30% of the total production.
• “Moreover, actual procurement of wheat has been 76.71%, 71.35% and 87.29% of the estimate for the years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 respectively. Similarly, the actual procurement of rice has been less than target since 2022-23,” the report revealed.
• During the kharif marketing season of 2024-25, the procurement of rice from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab was 25.60 lakh tonnes, 0.003 lakh tonnes, and 116.13 lakh tonnes against the target of 35 lakh tonnes, 5.29 lakh tonnes, and 124 lakh tonnes, respectively, the panel said.
• Similarly, during the rabi marketing season of 2025-26, the procurement of wheat was less than the target in the States of Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, it added.

Multiple factors at play

• The government told the panel that any fluctuation in estimated production and actual production resulted in variation in procurement. “Procurement depends on multiple factors like production, market surplus, minimum support price (MSP), prevailing market rates, demand-supply situation, and participation of private traders, etc., the government informed.
• Noting these factors, the panel asked the government to strengthen its procurement planning and coordination with the States to minimise the gap between estimated and actual procurement of wheat and rice.
• “While noting the Department’s submission that procurement levels are influenced by multiple factors, the Committee is concerned that actual procurement has consistently remained below estimates in recent years and below targets in several States,” the report said.
• The panel asked the Union government to review the methodology used for estimating procurement requirements, enhance real-time monitoring of production and market arrivals, and work closely with State governments — particularly in States where procurement has significantly fallen short of targets — to ensure that procurement operations are more realistic, responsive and effective. It asked the government to apprise it of the corrective measures taken on the suggestions.

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Source: The Hindu

KAS Current Affairs

Preliminary Examination

Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance

KIA named best regional airport in India and South Asia for third year
Context: The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has been recognised as the Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia for the third consecutive year at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2026.

• The airport has advanced in the global airport rankings in 2026, moving up from 48 to 41.
• The Skytrax World Airport Awards, widely regarded as a global benchmark for airport excellence, recognise airports that deliver outstanding customer experience across key touchpoints, including check-in, arrivals, transfers, retail, security, immigration and departures.
• “This recognition builds on KIA’s consistent performance across both experience and scale. The airport has received global recognition recently, including being named Best Airport in Arrivals Globally for the fourth time.
• While Terminal 2 became the first in India to receive a 5-star Skytrax rating, the airport has achieved the highest Level 5 Accreditation under ACI’s Airport Carbon,” the Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL).
• KIA served 43.82 million passengers and handled 520,985 tonnes of cargo in Calendar Year 2025.

Paper-II: Current Events of State Importance and Important Government Schemes and Programs

Main Examination

Paper-I: Essays

Essay – 1: Topic of International/National Importance

“Global climate change is no longer just a subject of debate on international platforms; today, it has arrived at the doorstep of the common farmer’s field. Discuss the impacts of climate change on Karnataka’s agricultural sector and the sustainable measures needed to address them.”

Essay-2: Topic of State importance/Local Importance

“The Development Mantra of New Karnataka and Environmental Protection of the Western Ghats: The conflict between Power, Water, and Tourism projects and the necessity of a Sustainable Balance.”

Paper-II: General Studies 1

RBI injects ₹25,101 cr. in banking system via 3-day VRR auction
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) injected ₹25,101 crore transient liquidity in the banking system through a three-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction.

• The RBI injected the funds at cut-off and weighted average rates of 5.26%, the central bank.
• The liquidity injected was much lower than the notified amount of ₹75,000 crore, despite a sharp drop in surplus liquidity in the banking system due to advance tax payments. On March 17, the RBI injected ₹48,014 crore liquidity into the banking system via VRR.

A Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction is a monetary tool used by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to manage liquidity (the amount of cash available) within the banking system.
When there is a shortage of funds in the market, the RBI conducts these auctions to inject liquidity for a short period.

Core Features of VRR Auctions

How the Auction Works
Announcement: When the RBI observes a cash crunch (e.g., due to tax outflows), it announces an auction for a specific amount (e.g., ₹75,000 crore).
Bidding: Commercial banks submit bids stating the amount they need and the interest rate they are willing to pay (usually higher than the fixed Repo rate).
Allotment: The RBI accepts bids starting from the highest interest rate offered until the notified amount is exhausted. This is known as a “Multiple Price Auction.”

Why are VRR Auctions Necessary?
Tax Payments: When corporations pay Advance Tax or GST, large sums of money move from bank accounts to the Government’s account, creating a temporary shortage in the banking system.
Festive Season: During major festivals, public demand for physical cash increases, leading to a dip in bank liquidity.
Government Spending Lapses: If the government collects taxes but delays its own spending, money gets “locked” in the government account instead of circulating in the economy.

VRR vs. Fixed Rate Repo
Fixed Rate Repo: The interest rate is pre-decided by the RBI (currently 6.50%). It is usually available to banks daily up to a certain limit.
VRR: The rate is market-driven. If the demand for money is very high, the VRR auction rate will be significantly higher than the standard Repo rate.

Paper-III: General Studies 2

CAPF Bill gives priority to IPS officers; govt. says new law will curb litigation
Context: The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, which is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha next week, states that in all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) posts, 50% of the total posts in the rank of Inspector General, at least 67% posts in the rank of Additional Director General and all posts in the rank of Special Director General and Director General shall be filled by Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on deputation.

• Till now, such postings were done based on executive orders, and the Bill will codify the provisions. The Bill seeks to negate a May 23, 2025 Supreme Court judgment which had asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to “progressively reduce” IPS deputation in CAPFs up to the rank of I-Gs.
• Retired CAPF officials have opposed the Bill stating that the government is discriminating against cadre officers who won the case after 10 years of litigation. Due to absence of senior-level posts, it takes an officer who joins as an Assistant Commandant in the CAPFs, at least 15-18 years for her/his first promotion. The officers have argued that despite leading operations from the front, they face career stagnation.
• The Bill, circulated among Rajya Sabha members, said the CAPFs perform functions of national security in close coordination with State authorities and, in the interest of maintaining Centre-State relationship, IPS officers are necessary for effective functioning of these forces.
• The statement of objects and reasons by Home Minister Amit Shah said that, in recent years, due to the absence of an umbrella law, regulatory provisions have evolved in a fragmented manner resulting in several litigations on service-related matters. It added that the Bill was being brought to “avoid unnecessary litigations.”

CJI shifts petitions against CEC selection law to another Bench
Context: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant expressed his reluctance to continue hearing a series of petitions challenging a law that replaced the CJI with a Union Minister in the selection panel for the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).

• Chief Justice Kant said that as the petitions challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act of 2023 relate to the office of the CJI, he would not like a Supreme Court Bench headed by him to hear the case as that would expose his office to criticism of conflict of interest. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners, the Association for Democratic Reforms, suggested the case be shifted to a Bench which does not have a prospective CJI either as the lead or associate judge.
• Acknowledging Mr. Bhushan’s recommendation, the Chief Justice said, “I should mark this matter to a Bench where the judge may not be in line to become the CJI. Then nobody can say anything.” The Bench listed the case on April 7 before an appropriate Bench.

The main contention

• The petitioners argued that the 2023 law was introduced to dilute a Constitution Bench ruling delivered in March 2023 in Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India, which had included the CJI as a member of the high-powered selection committee involved in the appointments of the CEC and the ECs.
• The bone of contention is the validity of Section 7(1) of the statute. The provision mandated that the President would appoint the CECs and ECs on the recommendation of a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister. The statute, in short, gave the government an upper hand in appointments to the Election Commission of India.

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

Renewable Energy Ministry demands sweeping powers
Context: Ministry says it should be recognised as ‘Central Government’ in matters pertaining to renewables under Electricity Act; Power Ministry currently exercises primary authority over Act’s provisions.

• The New and Renewable Energy Ministry has made a case before a parliamentary committee for a significant expansion of its administrative authority over India’s renewable energy sector, arguing that it should be recognised as the “Central Government” in all matters pertaining to renewables under the Electricity Act, 2003.
• The demand, part of a detailed reply furnished to the committee in February but made public this month, in response to “stakeholder requests” for a standalone Renewable Energy Act, effectively seeks to redraw the institutional boundaries between the Renewable Energy Ministry and the Power Ministry, which currently exercises primary authority over the Electricity Act’s provisions, including those governing grid-connected renewable energy.
• As of January 31, 2026 — the Renewable Energy Ministry cited in a submission — India has installed 271.96 GW of capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, a little over half the country’s total installed generation capacity of 520.50 GW. Of this, 263.18 GW is from renewable energy. However, the actual electricity generated from non-fossil sources is about 25%.
• While the Ministry conceded that a separate Act was unnecessary as electricity from renewable sources is already integrated into the grid and governed under the existing framework, it laid out a sweeping list of empowerments it believes are needed to bring “institutional clarity and effective administration” to the sector.
• The Ministry wants the power to design electricity markets for renewable energy, prepare and notify bidding guidelines for renewable energy projects, frame tariff determination principles for the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and guide the CERC on matters related to renewables.
• It has also sought oversight of the planning and monitoring of Renewable Purchase Obligations, the mechanism that compels distribution companies and large consumers to procure a minimum share of their electricity from clean sources. Several States are laggards in these aspects.
• The Renewable Energy Ministry has further asked that the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) coordinate with it while framing regulations related to renewable energy, and that the National Committee on Transmission work under the Ministry’s guidance — a significant institutional claim, given that transmission planning has traditionally been the turf of the Power Ministry and the CEA.

Karnataka’s total installed power generation capacity

Energy mix

• Karnataka currently has a total installed power generation capacity of about 36,472 megawatts (MW), with renewable energy accounting for a larger share than conventional sources. Of the total, around 20,162 MW comes from renewable sources, while 16,310 MW is generated from thermal, hydro, and gas-based plants.
• Among conventional sources, State-owned thermal power plants contribute 5,020 MW, while Karnataka receives 4,081 MW as its share from Central Generating Stations. Hydropower accounts for another 3,798 MW. Additional sources include 1,200 MW from Udupi Power Corporation Limited, 1,391 MW from captive mini-thermal plants, 450 MW from the Damodar Valley Corporation, and 370 MW from the Yelahanka Combined Cycle Power Plant.
• Renewables form the largest portion of the State’s installed capacity, with solar alone contributing about 9,805 MW, followed by wind at 7,536 MW. Other sources include 1,742 MW from co-generation, 940 MW from mini hydel projects, and 139 MW from biomass. Together, these account for more than half of Karnataka’s installed electricity capacity.
• However, despite the rapid expansion of renewable energy in the State, this shift has not translated into viable alternatives for small eateries and commercial kitchens, which continue to rely almost entirely on LPG — a dependence now exposed by the ongoing supply disruption. Most households too continue to depend on LPG.

Practical barriers

• Even in situations where alternatives are considered, operational constraints remain,Other alternatives such as piped natural gas (PNG) and biomass also face constraints. PNG infrastructure remains limited to certain areas, leaving many eateries without access, while installation requires time and upfront investment. Biomass-based fuels, on the other hand, require additional space, ventilation and handling due to smoke and residue, conditions that are difficult to manage in dense urban kitchens.
• Waste-to-energy solutions face a more fundamental challenge; the lack of consistent waste segregation at source. Mixed waste, in practice, significantly reduces the efficiency of such systems.
• Despite policy push and infrastructure in place, poor segregation by households and commercial establishments continues to limit the viability of waste-to-energy at an individual or decentralised level.

Beyond fuel availability

• While alternatives exist, their adoption needs more policy support.
• “If you look purely at the cost of use, electric cooking can turn out to be one of the cheapest option today. Electricity-based cooking is cheaper than both PNG and non-subsidised LPG, and is comparable to subsidised LPG for many consumers. PNG can be around 14% more expensive than electricity-based cooking, and non-subsidised LPG up to 37% more for a family of four in Delhi.”
• However, operating costs alone does not drive adoption. “The real challenge lies in the upfront cost of procurement and awareness. LPG continues to dominate because most users already have the connection, equipment, and utensils. Even for a new connection, the initial cost is relatively low compared to other options,”.

Rooftop solar

• This gap between potential and adoption is also visible in rooftop solar uptake across Bengaluru. According to data from the Energy Ddepartment, 14,944 buildings under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited have installed rooftop solar systems, including 215 government buildings, together generating about 352.35 MW of electricity.
• Within Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts alone, there are 5,370 such installations, with 4,984 in urban areas.
• Alternatives such as PNG and induction cooking come with higher entry barriers. “For PNG, the upfront cost of getting a connection, including deposits, is significantly higher, and more importantly, it is only available in areas where pipeline infrastructure exists. That geographic limitation itself becomes a constraint.”
• Induction cooking, she added, faces both cost and design challenges. “The cost of buying induction cooktops and compatible utensils is higher, and the design itself can be a barrier. In India, even the most basic cooking setup typically involves at least two burners. Most induction systems are single-cooktop units, and upgrading to multiple units increases costs further. That becomes a constraint, especially for households or commercial kitchens used to cooking multiple dishes simultaneously.”

The way forward

• “In a country like India, no single fuel can replace another entirely,” she added. “The focus should be on optimising different energy sources based on context, which requires long-term planning, not just short-term responses during crises.”

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Public Service and Administrative Responsibility

1. The Scenario
You are the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a Zilla Panchayat. Summer has begun, and several villages under your jurisdiction are facing a severe drinking water crisis. Months ago, the government had issued an order to “repair and keep all Reverse Osmosis (RO) water plants ready.” However, due to the negligence of your subordinate officers, more than 70 plants remain non-functional. People are struggling for drinking water, and critical reports against the government are appearing in the media.

Challenges:
Pressure from Above: There is immense pressure from senior officials and Ministers to take immediate action.
Procedural Delays: Utilizing funds reserved for repairs involves technical and bureaucratic processes that take time.
Exploitation: Private tanker mafias are exploiting the situation by overcharging desperate villagers.

2. Ethical Dilemmas
Dereliction of Duty vs. Accountability: Even if subordinates failed to perform, the ultimate accountability rests with you. Should you focus on punishing them first or getting the work done?
Transparency vs. Emergency: Bypassing tender processes during an emergency might lead to “corruption” allegations later. However, following every rule strictly will delay water reaching the people.
Public Interest vs. Administrative Delay: What is more important—saving lives or following office filing procedures?

3. Options Available
Option 1: Following rules strictly (Status Quo).
Consequence: You remain procedurally safe, but water supply is delayed, increasing public anger. This is termed “Bureaucratic Apathy.”

Option 2: Immediate suspension of negligent officers.
Consequence: While it looks like a strict disciplinary move, it doesn’t solve the immediate water crisis and might lead to a shortage of staff to execute repairs.

Option 3: Working in ‘Mission Mode’ and creating alternative arrangements.
Consequence: This is the most ethical path. Responding to public suffering must be the top priority.

4. Recommended Action Plan
As an ethical officer, you should take the following steps:
Immediate Relief: Order the supply of water through hired borewells and tankers until repairs are finished. Use GPS-based monitoring to prevent the tanker mafia from overcharging or skipping deliveries.
Parallel Repair: Appoint technical teams on a “War Footing” to repair the 71 plants. Utilize the “Contingency Fund” to prevent financial delays from hindering the work.
Fixing Responsibility: Issue “show-cause notices” to the officers responsible for the delay. To prevent future recurrences, mandate Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) for all plants.
Transparency: Publicly publish data regarding which village is receiving how much water to gain public trust and ensure transparency.

Ethical Lesson:
In civil services, “Service to the public is the highest goal.” Rules are meant to serve the people; people should not suffer for the sake of rules. Responsiveness in times of crisis is the hallmark of an efficient and ethical administrator.

Sources: The Hindu

KAS Current Affairs

Preliminary Examination

Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance

India showing steady progress in reducing child deaths amid slowing global gains: report
Context: An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024 worldwide, including 2.3 million newborns, according to the latest estimates released by a UN report on child mortality. The report, released, said that most of these deaths were preventable with proven, low-cost interventions, and access to quality healthcare.

• The report titled “Levels and Trends in Child Mortality” added that under-five deaths globally have fallen by more than half since 2000. However, since 2015, this pace has slowed by more than 60%.
• However, India is among the countries demonstrating steady progress in reducing child mortality through sustained public health efforts. The latest United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) Report, 2025 states that the status of neonatal mortality rate reduction in India has shown progress.
• The Union Health Ministry added that India, over the past two decades, has played a pivotal role in reducing child mortality in the South Asia region.
• The Ministry, in its release, said that the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) recorded a decline since 1990. In 1990, India had an NMR of 57 per 1,000 live births, which fell to 17 in 2024.
• Also, the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) witnessed a sharp fall — in 1990, the U5MR stood at 127 per 1,000 live births, while in 2024, it declined to 27.
• “This sharp reduction is due to targeted public health interventions, improved institutional delivery systems, and expanded immunisation coverage,” the Ministry said.
• The UN report found that an estimated 2.1 million children, adolescents, and youth – in the age group of 5-24 – died in 2024. Infectious diseases and injuries remain leading causes among younger children, while self-harm is the leading cause among girls aged 15 to 19, and road traffic injuries among boys.
• “This year’s report for the first time estimates deaths directly caused by severe acute malnutrition. It found more than 1,00,000 children aged 1-59 months — or 5% — died from it in 2024. The toll is far greater when indirect effects are considered, as malnutrition weakens children’s immunity and increases their risk of dying from common childhood diseases,’’ the report by the UNIGME states.
• Mortality data also frequently fail to capture severe acute malnutrition as an underlying cause of death, suggesting the burden is likely substantially underestimated. Some of the countries with the highest numbers of direct deaths from severe acute malnutrition include Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan.
• Newborn deaths account for nearly half of all under-five deaths. Leading causes of newborn deaths were complications from preterm birth (36%), and complications during labour and delivery (21%).
• Beyond the first month, infectious diseases, including malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia were major killers. Malaria remained the single largest killer in this age group (17%), with most deaths occurring in endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
• In 2024, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 58% of all under-five deaths.

A.P. CM launches free bus travel for differently abled

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the ‘Divyang Shakti’ scheme, which offers free bus travel to differently abled persons.
• Under the scheme, those with more than 40% disability can travel free of cost in APSRTC buses. Attendants will get a 50 per cent concession on the fare.

Paper-II: Current Events of State Importance and Important Government
Schemes and Programs

Main Examination

Paper-I: Essays

Essay – 1: Topic of International/National Importance

The ‘Creamy Layer’ Policy in Indian Reservation System: Constitutional Intentions, Judicial Interventions, and Challenges before Social Justice

Essay-2: Topic of State importance/Local Importance

Karnataka’s 11G Model Economy: A New Compass for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Paper-II: General Studies 1

Paper-III: General Studies 2

State Information Commission brings Apex Bank under RTI Act
Context: As the State Co-op Apex Bank has now been declared as public authority, the information relating to its functioning, including financial decisions, will now be subject to public scrutiny under RTI.

• In a significant order that goes a long way in ensuring transparency in the cooperative banking sector, the Karnataka Information Commission has ruled that the Karnataka State Co-operative Apex Bank qualifies as a public authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005, directing it to comply with provisions of this transparency law.
• The ruling came while hearing a second appeal filed by Hanumantha Vasanth Shinde, who had sought copies of documents submitted by Nirani Sugars Ltd. while availing loans from the Apex Bank between March 2022 and June 2024. The bank had declined the request, stating that it was a cooperative society and hence did not come under the purview of the RTI Act.
• The bank argued that it was neither owned nor substantially financed by the State government and therefore did not fall within the definition of “public authority” under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act.
• However, State Information Commissioner Rajashekara S., who heard the case, rejected the argument, observing that the institution functions under deep and pervasive state control.
• In his order, the Commissioner examined the historical evolution of the bank, statutory provisions governing cooperative institutions, and the extent of administrative and financial oversight exercised by the State.
• The order pointed out that the bank traces its origins to the cooperative movement in the erstwhile Mysore State and was founded by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in his official capacity. Over the decades, the State government has continued to influence its functioning through policy directions and institutional oversight, it noted.
• The commission observed that the Registrar of Cooperative Societies serves as an ex-officio director on the bank’s board and retains statutory powers to inspect records, conduct inquiries, and order audits under the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959.
• Further, audit reports of apex cooperative institutions are required to be submitted to the State government and placed before the legislature. The bank is also regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and supervised by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development for rural credit operations, the order pointed out.
• The commission relied on several judicial precedents to determine whether the bank could be treated as an instrumentality of the State.
• It cited the Supreme Court judgment in Ajay Hasia v/s International Airport Authority case, which laid down tests for identifying State-controlled bodies.
• It referred to the Karnataka High Court ruling in B.T. Krishnegowda v/s Karnataka State Co-Operative Apex Bank, which held that the Apex Bank is an instrumentality of the state and therefore subject to writ jurisdiction.
• The commission directed the Apex Bank to appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs) and First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) across its offices and comply with the proactive disclosure requirements under Sections 4(1)(A) and 4(1)(B) of the RTI Act. It instructed the Principal Secretary of the Cooperation Department and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies to ensure that the bank implements the RTI framework without delay.

Wider implications

• The order could have broader implications for cooperative financial institutions in Karnataka as many of which have resisted RTI requests citing their cooperative status.
• With the Apex Bank now being declared a public authority, information relating to its functioning — including governance practices and financial decisions — may be subject to public scrutiny under the RTI Act. This is expected to have wider implications as this institution that wields significant political influence, especially at grass-roots, is now being opened to public scrutiny.

Bill seeking to prevent ‘honour killings’, caste-based crimes tabled in Assembly
Context: The State government tabled the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition (Eva Nammava, Eva Nammava) Bill, 2026, in the Legislative Assembly. It aims to curb “honour killings” and violence arising from caste-based objections to inter-caste marriages.

• The Bill notes that caste-based discrimination continues to persist in the State and often manifests in brutal forms of violence, including honour killings, particularly against young adults who exercise their constitutional right to choose their life partners through inter-caste marriages.
• The proposed legislation seeks to ensure freedom of choice in marriage, prevent caste-based crimes, safeguard human rights, and promote dignity in inter-caste unions. It also proposes the creation of an Eva Nammava, Eva Nammava Vedike (meaning “he/she is ours”) to solemnise and support inter-caste marriages.
• The government decided to introduce the Bill in view of rising incidents of violence and killings linked to inter-caste marriages.

Stringent punishments

• The Bill guarantees protection for consenting adults entering into marriage and provides safeguards against family or community coercion. It proposes a minimum punishment of five years’ imprisonment in cases where a person or couple is killed in the name of “honour”.
• In cases of injury inflicted in the name of “honour”, the punishment includes a minimum of two years’ imprisonment along with a fine of ₹2 lakh.

Unlawful gatherings

• The legislation prohibits the assembly of five or more persons with the intention of condemning or opposing a marriage on grounds of caste, tribe, community, tradition, or family objections.
• Those found guilty of participating in unlawful assemblies or engaging in criminal intimidation will face up to three years’ ​imprisonment and a fine of ₹2 lakh.
• All State government officials will be required and empowered to assist law enforcement agencies in implementing the provisions of the law.
• The government will identify districts, sub-divisions, and villages where such crimes have been reported over the past five years. Each district magistrate will constitute a monitoring committee to ​oversee implementation, review relief and rehabilitation measures, and track prosecution of cases.
• Additionally, an Eva Nammava Vedike will be set up in every district, comprising a retired judge, police officer, revenue officer, sub-registrar, and other members as prescribed.
• The government, in consultation with the High Court, will designate certain district courts as special fast-track courts to try cases related to crimes committed in the name of “honour”.

Tax Bill

• The Karnataka Tax on ​Profession, Trades, Callings and Employments (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was also tabled in the Assembly. It aims to simplify compliance, reduce paperwork, and improve ease of doing business.
• The Bill proposes that filing of returns may be deemed complete in cases where an enrolled person has paid the due tax for the year.
• The move is expected to streamline tax administration, improve voluntary compliance, and enable more efficient use of departmental resources.

Commercial ads to be banned near heritage structures
Context: The State Legislative Council passed two amendment Bills related to advertisements in urban areas and the transfer of police officers. Both the Bills were adopted by the Karnataka Assembly.

• Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, who tabled the Bill, announced a ban on commercial advertisements in and around heritage structures. Moving the amendments to the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, and the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, the Minister said the decision is intended to protect the aesthetic and cultural value of heritage buildings while also streamlining advertisement regulation.
• Mr. Suresh said that over the past seven to eight years, thousands of unauthorised advertisements have come up across the State without payment of any fee or tax to local bodies, resulting in significant revenue losses running into hundreds of crores.
• “The amendments are aimed at curbing such unauthorised advertisements and ensuring that urban local bodies receive due revenue,” he said.
• In cases where advertisements are displayed on private property, the property owner will not be taxed. Instead, the advertiser or company concerned will be held responsible for payment. Advertisements will be permitted only in designated locations identified by local bodies, ensuring that they do not inconvenience the public. However, no advertisements will be allowed on the walls of heritage structures or in their immediate surroundings in a manner that affects their appearance.
• Exemptions have been provided for professionals such as doctors and lawyers. However, political parties and leaders who put up flex boards, banners and buntings will be required to pay fees based on size, as determined by local authorities.
• The Minister said that advertisement charges will be fixed based on the location and category of urban areas, and the revenue generated will be utilised exclusively for the development of the respective local bodies.
• Responding to members’ queries, he said ​separate rates will be prescribed for LED advertisement boards.

Police Bill

• The Karnataka Police Bill, 2026, moved by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, empowers the Police Establishment Board to immediately transfer police officers up to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police for misconduct, negligence, or dereliction of duty.
• This amendment allows for action before the mandatory two-year tenure expires. The Act covers cases of “misconduct or gross negligence or dereliction of duty or an act of moral turpitude”.
• The Police Establishment Board is authorised to take action directly rather than waiting for lengthy government approval, aiming to reduce political interference and speed up disciplinary actions.

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

Indian wolf gives birth to 7 pups

• Seven pups of an Indian wolf born at Pilikula Biological Park in January have now been let in the display enclosure. This is the first time an Indian wolf under captivity gave birth to pups at the park.

Centre offers 10% additional LPG to States, UTs that fast track CGD network

Context: Seeking to enhance penetration of piped natural gas (PNG) among commercial entities whilst attempting to support supplies of liquified petroleum gas (LPG), which has been constrained due to tensions in West Asia, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has written to State governments and Union Territories, offering to allocate them an additional 10% of cooking gas provided they facilitated speedy expansion of city gas distribution (CGD) networks.

LPG vs. PNG: Strategic Shift in India’s Energy Policy

1. The Core Context: Why the Shift?
India is currently facing a constraint in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplies due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Import Dependency: India imports 60% of its LPG consumption.
Logistical Bottleneck: Approximately 90% of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently facing effective closure/disruption.
The Solution: To ease this pressure, the Centre is pushing for a rapid transition to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for commercial and domestic use.

Comparative Analysis: LPG vs. PNG

Solar ingot plan to take off June ’28, boost local output
Context: In a bid to boost local output of solar ingots and wafers – constituents of solar cells fitted on solar panels – the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said from June 2028, only ingots and wafers made in India would be eligible for domestic projects.

• It did this by announcing the Approved List of Module Manufacturers (ALMM) List-III for Ingots and Wafers — a list of firms making the components — on Wednesday. As of date, such an ALMM list exists for manufacturers of solar cells and modules. The ALMM is a compulsory registration regime by the MNRE, first issued in 2019.

In Govt.-funded plans

• Only ALMM-listed modules can be used in government-funded, open-access and net-metering solar projects such as PM Surya Ghar and PM Kusum scheme and Solar Energy Corporation of India tenders. Only domestic produce are eligible for Production-Linked incentives.

Grandfathering clauses

• “Suitable grandfathering provisions have been built in to protect projects already in the pipeline. The current order of MNRE extends mandatory sourcing needs from ALMM lists already in place for modules and cells, one step further up the solar supply chain to include ingots and wafers, which now are heavily import-dependent,” the MNRE said.
• India has targeted adding 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030 and installed about 132 GW as of November 2025.

Cabinet okays ₹33,660-cr. BHAVYA plan for 100 industrial parks by ’32
Context: The Union Cabinet approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA), with an allocation of ₹33,660 crore for the development of 100 ‘plug-and-play’ industrial parks across the country.

• The aim was to create 100 “future ready” industrial parks integrated with the PM GatiShakti to make use of the latter’s multi-modal connectivity and last-mile access.
• “These parks will set new benchmarks in industrial infrastructure, ensuring reliability, reducing inefficiencies and enhancing productivity across sectors,” the government said.
• As per Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, the scheme’s duration would be for six years starting 2026-27. The first phase would see 50 parks being set up.
• The minimum land need for the parks would be 100 acre in most cases, and 25 acre for industrial parks in hilly or North Eastern States. The maximum size is 1,000 acre.

States, pvt. sector

• While the Union government will provide up to ₹1 crore per acre, the scheme is meant to involve State governments as well as the private sector.
• “At the heart of BHAVYA lies a strong push for deregulation and ease of doing business, with streamlined approvals, effective single-window systems, and investor-friendly reforms led by States,” the government said.

CCI gets ₹1,719 crore to pay support price

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a funding of ₹ 1,718.56 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to meet the minimum support price (MSP) needs for the cotton season 2023–24. The Government said the move is aimed at providing direct price support to cotton farmers in India.

• The Centre hoped this intervention would stabilise cotton prices, prevent distress sales, and ensure better returns to farmers.
• The MSP per quintal of medium staple cotton was ₹6,620 and ₹7,020 for long staple cotton, in the 2023-24 season. During that season, with an estimated 114.47 lakh hectares under cultivation and production pegged at 325.22 lakh bales, this accounted for nearly 25% of global cotton output, the release noted.

Large Hadron Collider discovers a new particle
Context: The Large Hadron Collider has discovered a new particle, the 80th identified so far by the world’s most powerful particle smasher, Europe’s CERN physics laboratory announced.

• The new particle has been named “Xi-cc-plus”. Scientists have expressed hope that the particle — which is similar to a proton but four times heavier — will reveal more about the strange behaviour of quantum mechanics.
• All the matter around us, including the protons and neutrons that make up the nucleus of atoms, are made of baryons. These common particles are composed of three quarks, which are fundamental building blocks of matter.
• Quarks come in six “flavours”: up, down, charm, strange, top and bottom. Each has varying mass, electric charge and quantum properties. In theory, there could be many different types of baryons that mix these flavours. However, most are extremely difficult to observe.
• To chase them down, the Large Hadron Collider sends particles whizzing around an underground ring at phenomenal speeds until they smash into each other. This gives scientists a brief chance to measure how the more stable elements decay, then deduce the properties of the original particle.
• The newly discovered Xi-cc-plus contains two “charm” quarks and one “down” quark. Normal protons have two “up” quarks and one “down” quark. Because the new particle has two heavier “charm” quarks instead of “up” ones, it is much heavier.
• Vincenzo Vagnoni, spokesman for the Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment, said it was “only the second time a baryon with two heavy quarks has been observed”. It is also “the first new particle identified after the upgrades to the LHCb detector that were completed in 2023,” he said in a statement.
• “The result will help theorists test models of quantum chromodynamics, the theory of the strong force that binds quarks into not only conventional baryons and mesons but also more exotic hadrons such as tetraquarks and pentaquarks.”
• In 2017, the LHCb experiment announced that it had discovered a similar particle, made of two “charmed” quarks and one “up” quark. The new particle differs only in having a “down” quark in place of the “up” quark — a small change that has profound consequences.
• Due to complex quantum effects, the new particle has a predicted lifetime up to six times shorter than its counterpart, making it far more tricky to spot, CERN said.
• The collaboration observed the new baryon by analysing data from proton-proton collisions recorded during the third run of the LHC, achieving a statistical significance of 7 sigma, well above the 5 sigma threshold required to claim a discovery. CERN Director-General Mark Thomson called it “a fantastic example of how LHCb’s unique capabilities play a vital role in the success of the LHC.”
• The Large Hadron Collider is a 27-km long proton-smashing ring running 100 metres below France and Switzerland. Famously, it proved the existence of the Higgs boson — known colloquially as the “God particle” — in 2012.

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Ethics and Human Rights
As AI systems continue to be deployed in a number of sectors that have an impact on the social, economic and political structure of society (prompting experts to declare a “Fourth Industrial Revolution“), the question of whether AI is “good” or “bad” for humankind continues to be debated.

• Some issues that arise for consideration are: will we face mass-scale unemployment due to AI systems replacing humans? how to avoid AI being used for inappropriate or dangerous purposes? the impact of AI on human dignity and personhood? and the implications of private and/or public ownership of AI systems on society’s structure issues such as manipulating information in the run up to elections and potential hacking into the election process itself are now becoming realities that democracies have to contend with.
• According to the World Economic Forum, unemployment, inequality, racism, security and the rights of a robot are some of the ethical concerns raised by the existence of AI systems. Some of these questions are being considered by national and international organizations of late, as part of an examination of policy to govern AI systems.
• The private sector is also putting out its views, along with industry associations and non-profits.For instance, private companies like Microsoft, Google, SAP and IBM have also formulated ethics guidelines to be considered while developing AI systems. Considering the scale and reach of these companies, and the fact that they are at the forefront of the development of AI technology, the perspectives of private companies on the ethical principles governing the use of AI systems is valuable.
• The calls for ethical principles to guide AI converge around the following principles, although the discussion around each of these principles may vary in terms of their exact constituents and the context in which each is prioritised:

• Transparency – transparency is typically broken down into improving explainability and ensuring disclosure, and in the areas of data use, human-AI interaction, automated decision-making and understanding the purpose of AI systems, primarily with a view to increase trust in AI systems and as an important step to protect legal rights while using AI systems. There is a push to greater disclosure, in a manner that is understandable by non-experts, although the understanding of what may be disclosed is still uncertain, given the push to protect intellectual property rights of the developers of AI systems.
• Justice and fairness – the focus in this category is typically fairness or prevention of bias or discrimination; but in some cases, discussion has extended to the impact of AI on diversity, the labour market, democratic governance, due process rights, etc. There have been suggestions to improve AI systems in these areas by incorporating these norms into technical standards and codes; increasing transparency; increasing public awareness and education about the possible influences of AI systems on rights; increased auditing or monitoring of AI systems’ performance; strengthening existing legal systems to account for the issues that arise from AI systems, etc.
• Non-malfeasance – the discussion around this principle has largely pertaining to the need for security and safety in the deployment of AI systems, i.e. that AI systems should not cause any foreseeable or unintentional harm. More specifically, these discussions have considered cybersecurity threats such as hacking, and the risk that technology advancements may outpace the ability to regulate. The various kinds of harm that have been considered are erosion of privacy, safety, negative impact on social well-being, and even physical harm. Proposed solutions include interventions in AI at the design stage, including privacy by design, multidisciplinary cooperation, establishing industry standards, increased oversight, etc.
• Responsibility and accountability – the discussion relating to these principles have been quite varied, including recommendations on integrity, clarification on liability, and providing for remedies where AI systems could potentially cause harm. There is also lack of clarity on whether there is a difference in the way accountability is considered in the case of AI systems vis-à-vis humans.
• Privacy – in the case of privacy, most jurisdictions connect the discussion to the right to privacy, which must be protected, and the issue is generally presented as a data protection or data security issue. In terms of potential solutions, stakeholders have considered privacy by design, differential privacy, data minimization and access control. There have been calls for privacy laws to adapt to AI..
• Beneficence – this principle relates to the promotion of wellbeing, peace and happiness, the creation of socio-economic opportunities and economic prosperity, for all people or all society.
• Freedom and autonomy – the discussion around freedom and autonomy relates to measures ensuring that users are at the core of the system, protecting the freedom of expression, informational self-determination, freedom to use different platforms and other aspects of positive freedom. However, in some cases, freedom and autonomy has been interpreted to mean negative aspects of freedom as well, such as the freedom against technological experimentation, manipulation and surveillance. In most cases, freedom is believed to be served by ensuring that individuals have sufficient options and information about AI and its interactions with the world.
• Trust – discussions around the principle of trust have typically involved ensuring trust in AI systems from users and society in general. This is ensured through other aspects mentioned above, such as accountability, explainability, transparency, etc. as a means to fulfil public expectations.
• Dignity – dignity is discussed purely in the context of human beings, and that AI systems should be constructed such that they do not destroy, diminish or reduce human dignity in any way, and on the contrary, work to preserve and promote human dignity.
• Sustainability – the idea of sustainability is referenced in the context of developing and using AI to protect the environment, contribute to fairer and more equal societies, and create systems that are sustainable and endure over time.
• Solidarity – the principle of solidarity has been discussed as a fallout of AI systems on the labour market, and with the push for a strong safety net. The goal with this principle is to push for greater protections for vulnerable groups and ensure that AI does not destabilize social cohesion.
• One of the most prominent AI ethics guidelines are the OECD Principles on AI in 2019 that formed the base for the human centred principles adopted in the G-20 Summit also in 2019. Both the instruments present a list of five principles that were adopted by the member nations, that included human-centred values and fairness, transparency and explainability, robustness, security and safety and accountability.
• Similarly, the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) was established in June 2020, with a view to support the responsible and human-centric development and use of AI in a manner consistent with human rights, fundamental freedoms, and our shared democratic values, as elaborated in the OECD Recommendations on AI. The GPAI proposes to involve multiple stakeholders across industry, civil society, governments and academia to collaborate across four Working Groups – (a) Responsible AI; (b) Data Governance; (c) the Future of Work; and (d) Innovation & Commercialisation. One of the first priorities of the GPAI is to consider how AI can be used to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The GPAI is to comprise a Secretariat hosted by the OECD, along with two Centres of Expertise. The first GPAI Multistakeholder Experts Group Plenary is proposed to be held in December 2020, and hosted in Canada.

Ethics and Human Rights

Sources: The Hindu

KAS Current Affairs

Preliminary Examination

Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance

India and Seychelles carryout joint military exercise

• The ongoing 11th edition of the India–Seychelles Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE-2026, being conducted at the Seychelles Defence Academy from March 10 to 22, witnessed professional exchanges and joint training aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
• The exercise marks the first tri-services edition, bringing together personnel from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force alongside the Seychelles Defence Forces. The training focuses on enhancing interoperability in sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments, particularly within the framework of United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Paper-II: Current Events of State Importance and Important Government Schemes and Programs

Bill for levy and collection of fees on ads tabled

• The Karnataka Municipalities and Certain Other Law (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was tabled in the Legislative Assembly to make provisions for advertisements on a par with the provisions of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, for levying and collection of fees on advertisements, regulation of unauthorised advertisements, and validation of fees and penalties in municipalities and municipal corporations.
• Minister for Urban Development tabled the Bill in the House, and it would be taken up for discussion.

Main Examination

Paper-I: Essays

Essay – 1: Topic of International/National Importance

“To what extent can BRICS evolve from an economic cooperation forum into a credible platform for global security architecture? Discuss the challenges India faces in balancing Iran’s expectations for ‘condemnation’ against its own strategic commitment to neutrality in the US-Israel-Iran conflict.”

Essay-2: Topic of State importance/Local Importance

“Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA): A Unified Governance Body for Tackling Urban Challenges of Traffic Congestion and Flood Management”

Paper-II: General Studies 1

Paper-III: General Studies 2

Lokpal asks SC to clarify on procedurefor grant of sanctions

Context: The Supreme Court agreed to clarify the procedure for the Lokpal to grant sanction in corruption complaints, after the top anti-graft ombudsman was criticised by the Delhi High Court for “mutilating” the law while dealing with the cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.

1. The Core Legal Dispute: Section 20 of the Lokpal Act
The Lokpal is seeking clarity on Section 20 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. This section outlines the procedure for the Lokpal to handle complaints and grant “sanction” (official permission) to proceed with a chargesheet.

The conflict arises from two different interpretations:
The Lokpal’s View: As an independent ombudsman, it believes it has the inherent power to order a probe and subsequently sanction a chargesheet based on reports (like the CBI’s) if it finds a prima facie case.
The High Court’s Critique: The Delhi HC accused the Lokpal of “statutory re-engineering.” Essentially, the court felt the Lokpal bypassed specific legal safeguards or procedural steps mandated by the 2013 Act before jumping to the sanctioning phase.

2. Why the Mahua Moitra Case Triggered This
The case involving former MP Mahua Moitra acts as the “test case” for this procedural clarity.

3. Role of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court, led by CJI Surya Kant, has now stepped in to act as the final arbiter.
The “Halt”: The SC has stayed the High Court’s “request” (which told the Lokpal to redo the process). This means the Lokpal isn’t immediately forced to change its stance until the SC decides on the law.
The Goal: The SC will now define a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Lokpal. This will ensure that in future cases, the Lokpal knows exactly when and how it can authorize a criminal chargesheet without being accused of overstepping its statutory bounds.

Summary: The implementation of the Delhi HC’s critical judgment is currently paused. The Supreme Court will now hear arguments to decide if the Lokpal acted within its rights or if it needs to strictly follow a more rigid, multi-step process before it can greenlight the prosecution of an MP.

Bill to redefine ‘transgender person’, drop ‘self-perceived’ identity tabled

Context: The Centre introduced a Bill to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, amid claims it takes away transgender people’s “right to self-perceived gender identity” and alters the definition of a “transgender person”.

• The move drew condemnation from the community and activists told The Hindu that the proposed amendments are in variance of the landmark 2014 NALSA judgment.
• Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, introduced the Bill.
• The government said the “existing vague definition” of transgender persons had made it “impossible to identify the genuine oppressed persons to whom the benefits of the Act are intended to reach”. It said the law was never meant to protect “each and every class of persons with various gender identities, self-perceived sex/gender identities or gender fluidities” and “was and is intended to protect only those who face severe social exclusion due to biological reasons for no fault of their own and no choice of their own.”
• Under the 2019 Act, a transgender person is one “whose gender does not match with the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes trans-man or trans-woman (whether or not such person has undergone Sex Reassignment Surgery or hormone therapy or laser therapy or such other therapy), person with intersex variations, genderqueer and person having such socio-cultural identities as kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta.”
• The proposed definition says transgender persons are people “having such socio-cultural identities as kinner, hijra, aravani, and jogta, or eunuch”, people with intersex variations, and people who have “congenital variations” compared to the “male or female development” in their “primary sexual characteristics, external genitalia, chromosomal patterns, gonadal development, endogenous hormone production or response or such other medical conditions”.
• It goes on to say that any person or child who was “compelled to assume, adopt, or outwardly present a transgender identity, by mutilation, emasculation, castration, amputation, or any surgical, chemical, or hormonal procedure or otherwise” would also be included in this definition. However, it adds that this definition shall not include “persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities”.
• Activists said the community fought to ensure that the right to self-identification was codified into law when the Act was drafted in 2019.
• Aqsa Shaikh, a transwoman who teaches community medicine in Delhi, expressed shock. “I am wondering who I am, if I am not a transgender person as per this amendment,” she told The Hindu.
• Tamil Nadu-based trans activist Grace Banu, a key community leader, said, “Our entire fight when the 2019 Act was being drafted was to ensure that the right to self-identification of our gender was included explicitly in the law.”
• The amendments introduce a Section on crimes against transgender persons and children, and prescribe specific punishments. These offences include denial of access to public spaces to trans people, forcing transgender people to perform bonded labour, or forcing them to leave their homes or places of residence.

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

Bengaluru shows consistently low PM2.5 levels
Context: A report states that Bengaluru shows consistently low PM2.5 levels compared to other cities and stands out for maintaining the lowest and most stable air quality.

• The report says that median concentrations remain relatively stable, with a slight increase during the winter months.
• A new report states that Bengaluru shows consistently low PM2.5 levels compared to other cities and stands out for maintaining the lowest and most stable air quality.
• The report, ‘Meteorology-Driven Persistence of PM2.5 Pollution in Indian Cities: Implications for NCAP Phase-III’, by Climate Trends, analyses how meteorological conditions influence the persistence of PM2.5 pollution across six major Indian cities: Delhi, Patna, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

On CPCB data

• The report is based on the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) air quality monitoring data from 2024–2025, and the analysis integrates station-averaged CPCB observations with meteorological clustering to characterise PM2.5 behaviour across monthly, seasonal, and regime-specific scales.
• “Bengaluru shows consistently low PM2.5 levels compared to other cities. Median concentrations remain relatively stable, with only a slight increase during the winter months. The narrow interquartile ranges across most months indicate low variability and fewer extreme pollution events, making Bengaluru the least polluted city among those analysed,” the report states.
• It added that the seasonal mean PM2.5 concentrations in Bengaluru indicate better air quality when compared to northern cities, with clear seasonal variability across both years.
• According to the report in 2024, the seasonal mean values were 37.4 micrograms per cubic metre in the winter, 35.7 micrograms per cubic metre in the summer, 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre during the monsoon, and 33.3 micrograms per cubic metre in the post-monsoon season.

During colder months

• “In 2025, winter pollution increased to 42.4 micrograms per cubic metre, indicating slightly poorer air quality during colder months, while significant improvements were observed in other seasons.
• The summer mean dropped sharply to 24.7 micrograms per cubic metre, the monsoon mean declined further to 13.4 micrograms per cubic metre, and the post-monsoon mean reduced to 28.6 micrograms per cubic metre, reflecting overall seasonal improvement outside winter in 2025,” the report states.
• The monthly average PM2.5 values further illustrate these patterns.
• In 2024, the highest monthly mean was observed in March (46.2 micrograms per cubic metre), followed by January (39.6 micrograms per cubic metre) and February (39.4 micrograms per cubic metre), while the cleanest months were June and July (both ~11-12 micrograms per cubic metre) due to the monsoon influence.
• In 2025, most months recorded lower mean values compared to 2024, particularly in April (26.9 micrograms per cubic metre) and May (15.2 micrograms per cubic metre).
• However, winter months showed mixed trends, with January (40.4 micrograms per cubic metre) remaining high and a sharp increase in December (52.2 micrograms per cubic metre), the highest monthly mean across both years.
• “Overall, the mean PM2.5 levels suggest that Bengaluru experienced cleaner air in 2025 during summer, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons, although episodic winter pollution remains a concern,” the report stated.

Delhi highest

• The report identifies Delhi as the most severely polluted city, recording the highest annual PM2.5 levels and extended periods of severe air quality in winter. Patna emerges as the second-most polluted city, while Mumbai and Chennai saw a rise in annual pollution levels in 2025.

Airports in tier-II cities are not financially viable after end of UDAN scheme: M.B. Patil

Context: Airports in tier-II cities and district headquarters have proved to be not financially viable after the end of the UDAN scheme, Industry and Infrastructure Development Minister said in the Legislative Assembly.

• Airports in tier-II cities such as Kalaburagi, Bidar and Shivamogga are not financially sustainable after the completion of the three-year incentive period under the scheme, which provides concessional airfares to passengers.

Across country

• Noting that several airports located in district and divisional headquarters across the country are facing similar financial challenges, he said the airport at Bidar is currently operating with financial support from the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB). There has also been a demand to resume operations at the Kalaburagi airport with similar support from the Board, he added.
• To improve the viability of district airports, Mr. Patil said he had proposed to the Union Civil Aviation Minister that the UDAN scheme be extended from three years to five years. For the subsequent five years, the Centre and the State governments could jointly support operations in a 50:50 ratio, he suggested.
• He also said the State government is planning to introduce an aviation policy — on the lines of those adopted by Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh — to develop airports in tier-II cities and make them financially viable.

Ballari airport proposal

• The government intends to establish an airport in Ballari to serve the regions of Vijayanagara and Koppal districts as well as neighbouring areas of Andhra Pradesh.
• The airport project was first proposed in Ballari in 2010, but no groundwork commenced after the private firm associated with the project withdrew. In 2022, the previous BJP government decided to take up the project with State funding. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the 900 acres acquired nearly 15 years ago for the project.
• Mr. Patil said the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has now identified two alternative sites in Ballari district measuring about 800 acres and 1,200 acres for the proposed project.

Meeting with CM

• Mr. Patil said a meeting of public representatives from Ballari, Vijayanagara and Koppal districts will soon be convened under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to discuss the merits and challenges of the project.
• However, the suitability of the proposed site will have to be assessed by the Airports Authority of India before a final decision is taken.
• Mr. Patil said airports must be planned with long-term foresight to avoid repeating the mistakes seen in places such as Hubballi, Belagavi and Vijayapura.

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Sources: The Hindu