KAS Current Affairs

Preliminary Examination

Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar assumes charge as T.N. Governor
Context: Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu on March 5 to discharge the functions of the Governor of Tamil Nadu, assumed his gubernatorial office at Lok Bhavan in Chennai.

• Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari administered the oath of office to Mr. Arlekar.
• The outgoing Governor R.N. Ravi, who served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu for nearly 54 months since September 2021, has been posted as the Governor of West Bengal.

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

Cabinet clears Eva Nammava Eva Nammava Bill
Context: The State Cabinet on Thursday cleared 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.

• The decision came at a Cabinet meeting , and is likely to be placed in the ongoing Budget session of the legislature.
• The Bill had come with certain modifications from the previous one. The Cabinet also cleared the Advertisement Policy, 2026. The State Cabinet also cleared the decks for a new international stadium to be built at Surya Nagar 4th Phase in Anekal taluk.

State expands tie-up with British Council to boost Arivu Kendras
Context: Karnataka’s Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department has expanded its partnership with the British Council to strengthen English language learning, library services, and knowledge access in rural areas through the State’s Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendras (Knowledge Centres).

• Under this expanded collaboration, the number of British Council Library Corners in Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendras will be increased from 10 to 70, with 60 additional centers being established across the state. As part of the initiative, the British Council will provide 3,000 children’s English books and extend free access to its digital library resources, enabling rural readers to connect with global knowledge platforms and curated English learning content.
• “Gram panchayat libraries have evolved into vibrant Arivu Kendras. During the pandemic, these libraries became critical learning spaces for children, and by offering free membership to those in the age group of 6 to 18, we have brought over 5 million young readers into this ecosystem,”.
• “For many young people in rural Karnataka, English language skills are an important pathway to higher education, employability, and social mobility. Our partnership with the British Council helps bring high-quality English learning resources, books, and digital content closer to these learners,”.

Key Features and Overview of Arivu Kendras:

Main Examination

Paper-I: Essays

Essay – 1: Topic of International/National Importance

“Cauvery Water Dispute: Implementation of Tribunal Awards, Mekedatu Project, and Challenges in Inter-State Sharing.”

Essay-2: Topic of State importance/Local Importance

“Bengaluru’s Traffic Labyrinth: Problems, Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions.”

Paper-II: General Studies 1

Paper-III: General Studies 2

India co-sponsors UN resolution condemning Iran
Context: India has co-sponsored a resolution at the United Nations Security Council that condemned actions by Iran aimed at interfering with navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

• The resolution demands the ‘immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran’ on GCC countries; India prioritises the safety of ‘all civilians’, says Ministry in wake of criticism over unbalanced responses on conflict in West Asia.
• India has prioritised the safety of “all civilians”, the government in an effort to deflect criticism that it had only condemned Iran’s actions, and not those by the U.S. and Israel in the ongoing war in West Asia.
• India co-sponsored a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) along with 134 countries that demanded the “immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran” against GCC countries Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. The resolution was passed with 13 UNSC members voting in favour while Russia and China abstained.
• It condemned “any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz”.
• “The resolution reflects several of our positions,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a weekly press briefing on Thursday.
• “We have a large diaspora in the GCC countries, and their well-being and welfare are of utmost importance. The Gulf is also very important for our energy security needs,” Mr. Jaiswal added, in references to about 10 million Indians who live and work in West Asia, and India’s energy purchases from the region that make up about 50% of its crude oil and 90% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports.
• In contrast, there are about 9,000 Indians in Iran and India has discontinued its energy imports from Iran since 2019, under threat of U.S. sanctions. The Indian support for the UNSC resolution comes on the heels of a number of statements by the Ministry condemning specific Iranian actions such as the attacks on various countries across the West Asian region, buildings in Dubai, Omani facilities and a Thai ship bound for India.

U.S.-Israeli actions

• However, India has not similarly condemned the attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, in which an estimated 1,255 people have been killed, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family and advisors; the sinking of Iranian ship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean that had been hosted for exercises by India; or the bombing of a school in Mubin in which 150 schoolgirls are believed to have been killed. Nor has India or the GCC-led resolution spoken about Israel’s strikes on Lebanon, where the government said more than 630 people have been killed, and 8,00,000 displaced from their homes.
• Mr. Jaiswal said that the MEA had issued statements, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had made suo motu statements in both Houses of Parliament that regretted the loss of lives.
• “As far as the question of the schoolchildren is concerned… we have issued several statements on the ongoing conflict. We have underlined the need for prioritising the safety of all civilians. We regret the precious lives lost, and express our grief in that regard,” Mr. Jaiswal said.
• In the past few days, India’s “silence” on U.S. and Israeli actions has come in for criticism from a number of senior former diplomats speaking to the media and at various public events.
• “Diplomacy should recognise complexity, not reduce it to a single culprit,” former Indian Foreign Secretary and former Ambassador to the U.S. Nirupama Menon Rao said on Thursday in a post referring to the Ministry of External Affairs statement, suggesting that India’s sponsorship of the UN resolution would “endorse a narrative that begins the story with Iranian retaliation rather than the escalation that preceded it”.
• Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal said India should have issued a statement condoling the death of Ayatollah Khamenei “to recognise that the head of state contrary to norms of international law has been politically assassinated”.
• Speaking about the March 4 submarine torpedo attack that sank the IRIS Dena “very close to India shores”, former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said that India must assert itself in the face of U.S. actions. “Tactical subservience can easily result in strategic irrelevance,” he added.

SC to study what constitutes ‘personal data’ in DPDP laws

Context: Chief Justice of India says a balance has to be struck between privacy and the right to information; court issues formal notice to Union government and asks advocate to frame questions of law.

• The Supreme Court agreed to examine what constitutes “personal data” under India’s new digital personal data law, which is being accused of using data privacy norms to block the right to information.
• A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the need to define “public data” and “personal data” has arisen following the implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and its corresponding Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025.
• The court issued formal notice to the Union government on a petition jointly filed by journalist Geeta Seshu and the Software Freedom Law Center, represented by senior advocate Indira Jaising and advocate Paras Nath Singh, who said the DPDP laws effectively stall journalists from accessing data of public interest concerning those who hold public offices.
• “The term ‘public interest’ has been deleted from the DPDP Act. Journalists cannot access data which is in public interest. A journalist need not have personal data, but needs information which is in the public interest to satisfy the public’s right to information and knowledge,” Ms. Jaising submitted.
• She said the Act does not clearly define terms such as “information” and “personal”. The state could mount sweeping surveillance on anyone, Ms. Jaising said.
• She highlighted how the Act allowed compensation for illegally accessing personal data to go directly to the government and not the injured person.
• “While the DPDP Act introduces a penalty-centric framework with fines running into hundreds of crores, such penalties are payable exclusively to the Consolidated Fund of India. The data principal whose privacy is violated receives no compensation, restitution or restoration, even in cases involving identity theft, financial fraud, reputational harm or dignitary injury,” the petition said.
• The Chief Justice said a balance had to be struck between privacy and the right to information. One right should not compromise the other, the court said.
• “At what point should data regarding a respectable person holding public office be treated as public and when should it be seen as personal,” the CJI asked. The Chief Justice pointed out that an individual’s data privacy has to be protected against sweeping provisions of law.
• “Entire personal data of the citizenry from a substantial part of the globe are flowing into bigwig private entities. Data has become the true wealth of the day,” Chief Justice Kant said.
• The court asked Ms. Jaising to frame questions of law and scheduled the case for detailed hearing on March 23.

‘Parental income alone cannot set creamy layer status’

Context: Settling the decades-long confusion over how to calculate wealth or income to determine the creamy layer status of OBC candidates for reservation, the Supreme Court ruled this week that it “cannot be decided solely on the basis of the [parental] income”.

• This is likely to widen the reservation pool to include the children of senior public sector officials who had earlier been excluded on the basis of their parents’ annual salary income being above the ₹8 lakh threshold.
• The court said the framework to exclude the creamy layer from the OBC quota is clear that parental income from salaries and agricultural land are to be kept out while applying the income/wealth test.
• A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan was hearing an appeal by the Union government against lower court rulings in favour of such OBC candidates. The cases arise from confusion over how to apply the income/wealth test for OBC children of PSU/PSB officials in the absence of equivalence with government posts, and whether income from salaries can be included in these calculations. During the hearings, OBC candidates selected in civil services examinations over the past decade argued that the Centre had incorrectly deemed them as part of the excluded creamy layer by including the salaries of their parents who worked in Central and State PSUs.

‘Based on status’

• In its March 11 judgment, the court noted that the creamy layer exclusion criteria were “status-based rather than purely income-based, reflecting the policy understanding that advancement within the governmental service hierarchy denotes social progression independent of fluctuating salary levels”.
• When the OBC quota was introduced in 1993, a guiding charter was created to exclude OBC candidates whose families had accumulated certain social and economic privileges over the years, known as the creamy layer.
• This would then allow reservation benefits only for those declared as “non-creamy layer” candidates, based on several criteria, including a crucial income or wealth test.
• The 1993 charter of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had declared some OBC families ineligible on the basis of their occupations.
• Thus, children of people in constitutional posts, senior Central and State government employees, members of the armed forces, and property owners supposedly could not avail themselves of the OBC quota for the civil services.
• However, exceptions were carved out of these exclusions: for instance, children of MPs and MLAs; government officials who have been promoted, not hired, into senior positions; and owners of unirrigated agricultural land, among others, are all eligible for OBC quotas, subject to a parental annual income limit of ₹8 lakh.
• However, the DoPT has differentiated in how this income test is applied. With the help of a clarificatory letter issued in October 2004, the interpretation that has been applied was that parental salaries could be counted separately to apply the income test for determining the creamy layer for candidates whose parents worked in Central or State PSUs, an interpretation that was contested in the present cases.

‘Unequal treatment’

• Delivering the judgment in this batch of cases, the Supreme Court said, “Treating the children of those employed in PSUs or private employment, etc., as being excluded from the benefit of reservation only on the basis of their income derived from salaries, and without reference to their posts (whether Group A or B, or Group C or D) would certainly lead to hostile discrimination between parties who are similarly placed and would amount to equals being treated unequally.”

1. The Core Issue: “Creamy Layer” Determination

The central conflict arose because the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had been mechanically classifying candidates as “Creamy Layer” (and thus ineligible for reservation) solely based on the income of their parents, even if those parents were employed in PSUs, banks, or the private sector.

• The Court’s Ruling (March 11, 2026): A bench consisting of Justices P.S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan ruled that a candidate’s status cannot be determined solely by parental income. The court emphasized that the “social and occupational status” of the parents must be the primary consideration, as stipulated in the 1993 and 2004 DoPT guidelines.

2. Historical Background of the “Creamy Layer” Concept

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

Committee on Responsible AI formed
Context: The Government of Karnataka has constituted a Committee on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop a comprehensive framework to guide the safe, ethical and transparent adoption of AI across government systems and public services.

• The committee, chaired by Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, and co-chaired by N. Manjula, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, brings together leading experts from industry, academia, policy and law.
• According to a government communique, the first meeting of the committee was held on Thursday (March 12, 2026) in Bengaluru, where members discussed the rapidly evolving AI landscape and the need to establish strong governance frameworks to ensure the responsible use of AI technologies, particularly in systems that impact citizens.
• The committee would develop a Responsible AI Policy and implementation road map for Karnataka, aimed at enabling innovation while ensuring that AI systems deployed across government are safe, fair, transparent and accountable, it said.
• Commenting on the initiative, Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, said, “As Karnataka enters its Deeptech Decade, the State is focused not only on accelerating AI innovation but also on ensuring that these technologies are deployed responsibly and in the public interest.’’
• The Responsible AI Committee brought together leading experts from industry, academia and policy to help shape a governance framework that promotes innovation while safeguarding transparency, accountability and citizen trust, said Mr. Kharge, adding, this initiative would help the State to continue to lead in building an AI ecosystem that is both cutting-edge and responsible.

AI for growth

• “Artificial Intelligence is a highly disruptive technology, and we are already seeing its potential to significantly accelerate the growth of Karnataka’s economy. If we are able to leverage this opportunity effectively, Karnataka can become the first in the country to develop a comprehensive framework for responsible AI—one that drives better citizen services, creates the jobs of the 21st century, and strengthens our innovation ecosystem,’’ said Mr. Gopalakrishnan, chairperson, Committee on Responsible Artificial Intelligence.
• By harnessing AI thoughtfully and responsibly, Karnataka would be able to significantly accelerate the growth of its economy, he further said.
• Some of the topics which came under discussion at the maiden meeting of the Responsible AI Committee included establishing responsible AI principles and policy guidelines for the State, aligned with India’s AI governance guidelines and global best practices, including legality, fairness, non-discrimination, privacy, safety, security, transparency, accountability, human oversight, inclusion and national interest.

Bengaluru woman becomes life-saving stem cell donor for teenager with severe aplastic anaemia

Context: A young aplastic anaemia survivor, who received a second chance at life through a life-saving blood stem cell transplant, met his donor in Bengaluru.

• Nineteen-year-old Anandu received the blood stem cells from 32-year-old Swathi, a resident of Bengaluru, after being diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia – a life-threatening blood disorder.

Life-saving decision

• At 15 years, when he was in 10th grade, Anandu was diagnosed with the illness. Aplastic anaemia is a life-threatening condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells. Physician V.P. Krishnan, consultant, pediatric hemato-oncology and BMT, MVR Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Kozhikode, advised that he undergo a stem cell transplant as it was the only curative option.
• Swathi, an IT consultant, had participated in a donor recruitment drive at her workplace in 2016, organised by DKMS Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders.
• In 2022, she received a call from DKMS requesting that she donate her stem cells, to which she agreed. Anandu had received support through the DKMS Patient Funding Programme, India, which provides partial financial assistance to eligible patients undergoing blood stem cell transplantation.

More donors crucial

• Reflecting on Anandu’s journey, Dr. Krishnan said, “He underwent a matched unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplant in early 2023. Although he experienced expected complications such as febrile neutropenia and mucositis during the transplant period, his recovery progressed well.”
• Today, Anandu is leading a healthy life and is preparing for his 12th board examinations.
• “Anandu and Swathi’s story highlights why more people need to register as potential blood stem cell donors. It is the generosity of donors like Swathi that makes life-saving transplants possible. With only 0.09% of India’s eligible population currently registered as donors, the chances of finding a match remain limited,” said Patrick Paul, executive chairman, DKMS, India.
• He also added that in Karnataka, more than 49,000 individuals have registered as potential blood stem cell donors with the DKMS Foundation India. Bengaluru alone accounts for approximately 38,000 registered donors.
• Individuals between 18 and 55 years of age, in good general health, with a BMI under 40, and not already registered are eligible to sign up as potential blood stem cell donors.

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Ethics Case Study: The Conflict of Public Health vs. Administrative Revenue Targets

1. Case Overview
The Karnataka government is currently managing two critical sectors—Excise and Dairy—where the pursuit of financial targets and operational efficiency is clashing with public health and safety. While the government aims for an excise collection target of ₹45,000 crore, it is simultaneously battling widespread liquor smuggling. Concurrently, the dairy sector reports that 3,049 milk samples were found to be adulterated, yet no criminal cases have been filed against the offenders.

2. Facts of the Case
Excise & Liquor Smuggling:
Target: ₹45,000 crore revenue; ₹32,492 crore collected as of February 2026.
Enforcement: 1,489 illegal liquor smuggling cases recorded in three years, primarily from Goa, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Border districts like Belagavi, Raichur, and Kalaburagi are the most affected zones.

Milk Adulteration:
Scale: 3,049 samples adulterated out of over 1.5 million tested.
Hotspots: Hassan (788 samples), Ballari (588), and Shivamogga (434).
Administrative Response: Despite the presence of harmful substances like salt and sugar, no criminal cases have been filed; offenders receive only counseling and warnings.

3. Ethical Dilemmas
Revenue vs. Responsibility: Does the state’s focus on hitting high revenue targets in the liquor sector undermine the urgency of curbing illegal consumption and smuggling?
Deterrence vs. Counseling (The Milk Adulteration Issue): Is “counseling” an adequate ethical response to the contamination of a staple food consumed by children and the elderly, or does it reflect a lack of accountability?
Institutional Integrity: When enforcement is lax (as seen in the lack of criminal cases for food adulteration), does the state lose its moral authority to regulate the public?

4. Stakeholders and Values
Government: Responsible for fiscal stability (revenue) and ensuring Article 47 (improving public health) of the Constitution.
Public: Consumers rely on the state to ensure the safety of food and the regulation of intoxicating substances.
Enforcement Agencies (Excise/Food Safety): Expected to balance strict law enforcement with administrative efficiency.

5. Options for Action (The Policy/Ethics Committee View)
If I were a member of a high-level committee reviewing these issues, I would propose the following multi-dimensional strategy:

A. For Excise Policy (Liquor Smuggling)
Move beyond “Revenue-only” KPIs: Transition from purely monetary targets to “enforcement-quality” targets. Performance should be measured by the reduction in illegal smuggling incidents, not just tax collected.
Technological Integration: Implement E2E (End-to-End) tracking using QR codes on liquor bottles to eliminate leakage and ensure taxation is based on ABV (Alcohol By Volume) as proposed, which is a scientifically more ethical way to tax.
Inter-State Cooperation: Establish joint task forces with border states to choke the supply chain of illicit liquor.

B. For Food Safety (Milk Adulteration)
Zero Tolerance Policy: Shift from a “counseling-only” approach to a “graded penalty” system. First offenses could involve heavy fines, and repeat offenses must result in criminal prosecution and license cancellation.
Transparency & Disclosure: Publicly name the primary cooperatives or private dairies where repeated adulteration is detected to ensure consumer trust is backed by transparency.
Strengthen Legal Framework: Ensure that food safety laws are applied consistently, regardless of whether the supplier is a primary cooperative or a large private firm.

Ethics Case Study: The Conflict of Public Health vs. Administrative Accountability

1. Case Overview
The state of Karnataka is currently facing a dual crisis in essential supply chains: the systemic adulteration of milk (a staple food) and the severe chemical contamination of vegetables supplied to Bengaluru. While the government is pursuing revenue targets in sectors like excise, these reports highlight a breakdown in regulatory oversight, where economic interests and “administrative convenience” appear to be taking precedence over the fundamental right to safe food and public health.

2. Key Facts
Milk Adulteration: 3,049 samples were found adulterated with salt, sugar, and other substances. Despite the legal provision for criminal prosecution (up to life imprisonment), no cases have been filed. Offenders are merely “counseled.”
Vegetable Contamination: A CPCB report indicates severe contamination of vegetables with lead, pesticides, and heavy metals. Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are reportedly non-functional, and there is a significant gap between existing sewage treatment capacity (1,200 MLD) and the required capacity (1,800 MLD).
Excise Policy & Smuggling: High revenue targets (₹45,000 crore) for excise have been linked to systemic challenges in controlling illegal liquor smuggling across borders (Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh).

3. Ethical Dilemmas
Revenue vs. Life (The Excise Dilemma): Is it ethical for the state to set aggressive revenue targets that may lead to the neglect of enforcement, thereby allowing illegal trade to flourish?
The “Counseling” Trap (The Accountability Dilemma): In cases of food adulteration (milk), choosing to “counsel” offenders instead of filing criminal charges is a failure of deterrence. It prioritizes the comfort of the supplier over the health of the consumer.
Negligence vs. Rights (The Environmental Dilemma): The contamination of vegetables through untreated sewage is a violation of the citizens’ right to health. The state’s failure to maintain STPs indicates a breach of the social contract.

4. Stakeholders and Values
The State/Government: Bound by Article 47 of the Constitution to improve public health; however, it is currently struggling to balance this with fiscal revenue goals.
Public/Consumers: Victims of silent health crises (e.g., fatty liver, nervous system issues mentioned in the vegetable report). They hold a legitimate expectation of safety.
Regulatory/Enforcement Agencies: Expected to exercise impartial and stringent oversight, which is currently being undermined by a preference for “soft” enforcement.

5. Proposed Governance Framework (Ethical Solutions)
As a member of an ethics review committee, I propose the following shifts:

A. Shift from “Counseling” to “Compliance”
Zero-Tolerance Prosecution: Food safety is non-negotiable. Any detected adulteration must trigger an automated legal process. “Counseling” is appropriate for educational settings, not for criminal food adulteration.
Public Audits: Create a public digital dashboard that names cooperatives and dairies that have failed quality tests, ensuring market-driven accountability.

B. Aligning Revenue with Public Good
Earmarked “Health Cess”: A portion of the revenue collected from excise and other high-growth sectors should be legally ring-fenced for public health infrastructure, such as modernizing STPs and water treatment.
Performance-Based Enforcement: The performance metrics for officials should include “reduction in contamination cases” rather than just “tax collected.”

C. Inter-Departmental Accountability
Integrated Monitoring: Since the vegetable crisis involves Irrigation, Agriculture, and Urban Development, the proposed inter-departmental committee must have a time-bound mandate with personal liability for officials if water quality standards are not met.

Source: The Hindu

KAS Current Affairs

Preliminary Examination

Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance

LPG Issue and the Strait of Hormuz

• The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, located between Iran and Oman. It serves as the passageway for nearly 20% of global crude oil exports and a significant share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shipments. Many Asian countries—including India, China, Japan, and South Korea—depend heavily on this route for their energy needs.
• If the Strait were to be closed due to geopolitical tensions, LPG supplies would be severely disrupted. This would lead to higher cooking gas prices, increased fertilizer costs (since LPG and natural gas are feedstock for fertilizers), and consequently rising food prices. Beyond energy, the closure would affect shipping costs, insurance premiums, and global supply chains, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations.

Impact Analysis: LPG Supply Chain & the Strait of Hormuz

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 relationship between science and war: Many inventions, from penicillin to the internet and from nuclear energy to space satellites, are the ‘children of war’. Is it possible to proactively utilize the effort and money spent on war for human welfare instead? Present your opinions.”

Essay-2: Topic of State importance/Local Importance

“The Ballot Paper Revival: Balancing Electoral Credibility with Technological Progress in Indian Local Governance”

Paper-II: General Studies 1

Panel estimates Lakkundi treasureto be at least 500 years old
Context: Treasure found in Lakkundi of Gadag district which comprised mainly gold ornaments is estimated to be at least 500-600 years old.

• Members of the Treasure Evaluation Committee led by archaeologist M.S. Krishna Murthy verified and evaluated the gold ornaments in Gadag, before coming out with their assessment on the age of the ornaments.
• “After verification of the size and design of the 466 gm of gold ornaments found in Lakkundi, it is estimated that they may be of the age of Vijayanagar empire. The common public did not use ornaments having faces of lion and keertimukh (face of glory). They appear to be ornaments made for offering to a female deity,” Mr. Krishna Murthy.
• “In the golden ornaments we have found pearls, emerald and blue sapphire,”. “According to the rate of gold, the value of the ornaments will be ₹80 lakh. However, since they are ancient, the value will be 10 times more,”.

‘IT exports from State set to cross ₹5.5 lakh
Context: Karnataka’s IT exports are expected to cross ₹5.50 lakh crore in 2025–26, IT and BT Minister to the Legislative Assembly.

• Bengaluru Urban tops the list with a contribution of 39.9% to GSDP; Kalaburagi, Bengaluru Rural contribute 1.9% each. Karnataka’s IT exports are expected to cross ₹5.50 lakh crore in 2025–26, IT and BT Minister.
• State’s IT/BT exports were ₹3.55 lakh crore in 2022–23, ₹4.09 lakh crore in 2023–24, and ₹4.58 lakh crore in 2024–25.
• Of the projected ₹5.5 lakh crore exports, Mysuru contributes around ₹3,000 crore, while Mangaluru and Udupi together contribute around ₹3,500 crore.
• By contributing 5.4% to the State Gross Domestic Product (GSDP), Dakshina Kannada district ranks second in the State and has the potential to add another 2% to the GSDP.
• Bengaluru Urban district topped the list with a contribution of 39.9% to the GSDP. Kalaburagi and Bengaluru Rural districts contribute 1.9% each to the GSDP.

Paper-III: General Studies 2

SC upholds ‘right to die’ for man in vegetative state
Context: The Supreme Court upheld the right to die with dignity of 32-year-old Harish Rana, who has been in a persistent vegetative state for nearly 13 years, by allowing the withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH).

• A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan delivered the judgment in a packed courtroom where emotions bubbled to the surface, even reaching up to the judges’ raised podium where stoicism usually ruled.
• Mr. Rana had sustained severe head injuries and 100% quadriplegic disability after sustaining a fall from the fourth floor of his accommodation as a Panjab University student in in 2013.
• “To Harish’s family, we want to acknowledge the deep emotional weight this decision carries. This decision can feel like an act of surrender, but we believe it is, in truth, an act of profound compassion and courage. You are not giving up on your son. You are allowing him to leave with dignity. It reflects the depth of your selfless love and devotion towards him,” Justice Pardiwala read from his 286-page opinion.
• This was the first time the Supreme Court had implemented its own 2018 Constitution Bench guidelines for what it had then called ‘passive euthanasia’.
• The top court also acknowledged the general consensus that ‘passive euthanasia’ was an obsolete and rather confusing term. “‘Euthanasia’ will refer strictly to active euthanasia, which remains impermissible. ‘Withdrawing or Withholding of Medical Treatment’ will replace the term ‘passive euthanasia’,” Justice Pardiwala said.
• Justice Viswanathan joined his lead colleague on the Bench in a separate and concurrent opinion that the family had left no stone unturned to care for their son and brother. “It is only when the matter reached a point of no return, that to relieve Harish from what he is undergoing, they have resorted to this legal course of action. One can only imagine the agony they would have undergone during this period,” Justice Viswanathan said.
• The court directed AIIMS Delhi to shift Mr. Rana from his residence to their palliative care centre. The process of withdrawal of CANH must be part of a well-structured, tailored, robust and articulated palliative care plan for a PVS patient in his or her most vulnerable phase of life.
• “The right to die with dignity is inseparable from the right to receive quality palliative and End-of-Life (EOL) care. It is imperative to ensure that the withdrawal process is not marred by pain, agony, or suffering,” the Supreme Court held.
• The court directed Chief Medical Officers in all districts to form panels of registered medical practitioners to constitute secondary medical boards to examine applications for the withdrawal of life support.
• The area Judicial Magistrates of First Class must be intimated by hospitals if a primary and second medical boards unanimously recommend withdrawal of life support in cases. The court urged the Centre to initiate a specific legislation detailing the procedure for life support withdrawal.

Legal Milestones of Euthanasia in India:

Judge distinguishes between active and passive euthanasia

Context: The distinction between “active” and “passive” euthanasia goes beyond the simplistic binary of “act” versus “omission”, Supreme Court judge Justice J.B. Pardiwala said.

• “The true distinction between active and passive euthanasia lies not merely in the nature of the conduct, i.e., acts or omissions, but also in the source of the harm that leads to death,” Justice Pardiwala said in a judgment.
• The judge characterised active euthanasia as causing death by introducing a new, external agency of harm, such as a lethal injection.
• “In such cases, death is not the result of the patient’s underlying illness, but of an intervention that sets a new chain of events in motion. It is for this reason that active euthanasia is understood as an intervention that disrupts the natural path towards death,” Justice Pardiwala observed in the judgment.

Underlying condition

• Conversely, he explained that passive euthanasia should be understood as allowing death to occur. By withdrawing or withholding life support, the physician is not creating a new risk of death. Rather, the doctors are choosing to allow the underlying fatal condition to take its natural course by no longer continuing the medical interventions that were artificially prolonging life.
• “The undeniable fact is that the patient’s affliction, i.e., the underlying medical condition, is not caused by any act or omission of the doctor. Rather, the underlying condition is due to factors independent of the doctor or their actions,” Justice Pardiwala said. However, withdrawing treatment should not violate the duty of care a doctor owes a patient in all circumstances. “The surrendering of any medical effort must not be at loggerheads with the duty of care which joists all medical action,” Justice Pardiwala emphasised.
• The judgment said active euthanasia involved a “positive, overt act” designed to curtail the natural lifespan and extinguish life.

‘Right to dignified death prevails over interest of the state’

Context: The Supreme Court held that the state’s absolute interest to preserve life must become subservient to a patient’s right to dignity at a tipping point when medical interventions become increasingly futile and invasive while the chances of recovery keep dropping.

• “When the degree of bodily invasion progressively increases, and the prognosis for recovery progressively decreases, there arises a certain point when the state’s absolute interest in preserving life must become subservient to the dignity of the individual, though he is unconscious or incompetent,” Justice J.B. Pardiwala said in a judgment upholding the withdrawal of life support to a 32-year-old man in a persistent vegetative state for over 12 years.
• The court said that the interest of the state must not be allowed to overpower the dignity which must be equally assured to individuals in the process of life and death.
• “Dignity is the most sacred possession of a human being. Its possession can neither be said to lose its sanctity in the process of death nor when death occurs,” Justice Pardiwala observed.
• Temporarily keeping alive a terminally ill patient who was brain dead or in PVS, solely because doctors are able to leverage the technological advancements in medicine, and compelling such patients to endure a slow, agonising death, cannot fully be compatible with the Constitutional ideal of dignity, Justice Pardiwala said.

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Ethics Case Study: Illegal Mining and Systemic Failure
Background
Allegations of large-scale illegal mining have surfaced in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) region, located on the border between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This illegal activity has resulted in substantial losses to the state exchequer, massive encroachment of reserved forest land, and the deliberate destruction of inter-state boundary markers to facilitate illicit operations. The Supreme Court has now tasked a committee, headed by a retired Justice, to assess the environmental and financial damages.

Ethical Dilemmas
1.Economic Gain vs. Environmental Stewardship: The conflict between industrial expansion and the preservation of protected forest ecosystems.
2.Private Interests vs. Public Service: The misuse of political influence by public office-holders for personal enrichment.
3.Institutional Delay vs. Justice: The erosion of public trust due to the long delay in investigative outcomes (Justice delayed is justice denied).
4.Integrity of Evidence: The moral crisis posed by the deliberate destruction of boundary markers to obscure the truth.

Stakeholders
The Government and Public: The ultimate losers of state revenue and environmental heritage.

The Mining Company/Owners: The entities accused of prioritize profit over legality.

The Judiciary: The body responsible for ensuring accountability and ecological justice.

Forest & Environment Departments: The custodians of the land who failed to prevent the encroachment.

Options for Action (The Six Choices)
As a member of the Supreme Court-appointed committee, you have the following options:

Option 1: The Minimalist Approach
Submit a purely technical report focusing only on the calculation of the financial loss to the state. This ensures a quick resolution but fails to address the root causes of the illegal mining.

Option 2: The Holistic Reform Approach
Recommend financial recovery from the mining company, mandate the use of GIS-based digital boundary mapping, and call for strict departmental action against complicit officials.

Option 3: Environmental Restitution (Polluter Pays)
Beyond financial penalties, mandate that the company fund a multi-decade reforestation and biodiversity restoration project in the affected areas.

Option 4: Administrative Accountability
Conduct a formal inquiry into the state forest and mining officials who were in charge during the period of illegal activity. This addresses systemic corruption rather than just targeting the mining company.

Option 5: Technology-Driven Surveillance
Propose the mandatory implementation of real-time satellite imagery and drone-based monitoring for all border mining zones, creating a permanent, tamper-proof digital oversight system.

Option 6: Community-Led Vigilance (Whistleblower Protection)
Establish a decentralized, anonymous grievance portal for local villagers and forest-dwellers to report suspicious activities, incentivized by legal protection for whistleblowers.

Source: The Hindu

KAS Current Affairs

Preliminary Examination

Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance

Raman Effect – Background of National Science Day
In India, February 28 is celebrated every year as National Science Day. This day commemorates the announcement of the Raman Effect discovered in 1928 by the eminent Indian scientist Sir C. V. Raman.

What is the Raman Effect?

• The Raman Effect refers to the phenomenon in which a small fraction of light passing through a substance undergoes a change in its wavelength.
• In simple terms, when light interacts with molecules, some of the scattered light emerges with different energy levels, leading to new spectral lines.
• This discovery is related to the scattering of light and is considered a major breakthrough in physics.

Historical Significance

• The Raman Effect was discovered in 1928.
• In 1930, C. V. Raman became the first Indian scientist to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics.
• The discovery enhanced India’s global recognition in the field of science during the pre-independence period.

Current Relevance
1. Applications in Science and Technology
2.Chemical composition analysis
3.Cancer detection in medical science
4.Pharmaceutical testing
5.Environmental pollution detection
6.Nanotechnology research

2. Make in India & Research Promotion
The government is promoting indigenous development of spectroscopy instruments based on the Raman Effect, encouraging self-reliance in scientific research and technology.

3. National Science Day – 28th February 2026, Theme: “Innovation in Science and Atmanirbhar Bharat”

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

State launches action plan on snakebite
Context: The government Published the State Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming to tackle snakebite cases.

• Karnataka launches State Action Plan on snakebite and rabies.
• The objective is to ensure that no life is lost due to delay in treatment or lack of access to medicines.
• The Karnataka government published the State Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (SAPSE), becoming the first State in the country to release a comprehensive roadmap dedicated exclusively to tackling snakebite.
• The government simultaneously launched the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE), reiterating its target of achieving zero human deaths due to dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
• Launched the plans under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
• Snakebite, classified by the World Health Organisation as a Neglected Tropical Disease, continues to pose a significant public health challenge.
• In India, estimates suggest around 50,000 deaths each year, besides a large number of survivors left with amputations or permanent disabilities. Public health experts have pointed out that the actual burden is likely higher, as many victims do not reach formal healthcare facilities.
• In Karnataka, recorded cases of snakebite envenoming and deaths have seen a sharp rise from 6,596 bite cases and 19 deaths in 2023 to 13,235 bite cases and 100 deaths in 2024 and 16,805 bite cases and 154 deaths in 2025.

Availability of ASV

• This follows Karnataka declaring snakebite envenoming cases and deaths notifiable under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, in February 2024.
• The State Action Plan seeks to address these gaps through strengthened surveillance, assured availability of anti-snake venom (ASV), early referral and transport, capacity building of healthcare personnel, and sustained public awareness campaigns.
• Karnataka had earlier declared snakebite a notifiable disease, mandating reporting of all cases and deaths to improve data collection and guide policy response.
• The plan aligns with the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), launched by the Union government in March 2024, and aims to reduce snakebite deaths and disabilities by half by 2030. It envisages coordinated action by multiple departments, including Health, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Forest, Panchayat Raj, Education, Labour, Finance and Home.

Key strategies

• The key strategies include promoting behavioural change through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, encouraging rural communities to seek treatment at the nearest health facility instead of traditional healers, ensuring early transport of victims, prompt administration of ASV, management of complications and rehabilitation of those left disabled.
• The Health Department has identified designated snakebite treatment centres, supplied ASV stocks and circulated standard treatment guidelines. Free treatment will be provided in government facilities. Private hospitals have been directed to administer immediate life-saving care without insisting on advance payment.
• Alongside SAPSE, the State rolled out SAPRE under the National Rabies Control Programme. Rabies was declared a notifiable disease in Karnataka in December 2022. The government has mandated the availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) in all Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, taluk and district hospitals, with instructions to maintain adequate stocks.
• Private hospitals have also been directed to stock ARV and RIG and provide emergency treatment without demanding advance payment.
• State- and district-level joint committees have been constituted to oversee implementation, in coordination with various government departments and non-governmental organisations.
• A “Rabies-Free Cities Initiative” is being implemented in 11 major cities, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Hubballi-Dharwad. City-specific action plans focus on mass dog vaccination, dog population management, strengthened surveillance and improved waste management.

Main Examination

Paper-I: Essays

Essay – 1: Topic of International/National Importance

“The Role of Women Scientists in the Vision of a Developed India by 2047: Critically Discuss Their Contribution to Research, Innovation, and Nation-Building.”

Essay-2: Topic of State importance/Local Importance

“The End of the Three-Language Degree System: In the Context of the New Education Policy, Critically Discuss the Implications for Language Policy, Globalization, and the Future of Higher Education.”

Paper-II: General Studies 1

New GDP series upgrades FY26 growth to 7.6% in second advance estimates
Context: India’s economic growth is expected to touch 7.6% in the current financial year 2025-26, showed the second advance estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) based on the new and updated series released by the government. This is faster than the 7.4% predicted in the first advance estimates for 2025-26 released in January, which was based on the older series.

• The new series of data, released by Statistics Secretary and Chief Economic Adviser, has incorporated several improvements, including an updated base year of 2022-23 from the earlier 2011-12, as well as several new data sets to improve the representativeness and granularity of the data.
• The series has revised downward the growth for 2023-24 to 7.2% from the 9.2% estimated in the old series and has revised upward the growth for 2024-25 to 7.1% from the earlier estimate of 6.5%.
• According to the data, India’s nominal GDP — which is essentially the size of the economy — has been revised downward for the three years spanning 2023-26, which will have a negative impact on several fiscal ratios pegged to these numbers, such as the fiscal deficit-to-GDP ratio and the debt-to-GDP ratio.
• The government also released the GDP growth data for the third quarter of 2025-26 based on the new series, which stood at 7.8% as compared to 8.4% in the second quarter and 6.7% in the first quarter.

Growth in the current year

• According to the second advance estimates for 2025-26, the secondary sector is expected to grow at 9.5%, up from 7.3% in 2024-25. This growth is to largely be driven by the manufacturing sector, which is estimated to grow 12.5% in 2025-26 as compared to 8.3% in the previous year. The construction sector is set to grow at 6.9%, down from 7.1% over the same period.
• Notably, the primary sector is expected to see a significant slowdown, with growth expected to be 2.8% in 2025-26 as compared to 5% in the previous year. This is due to growth in the agriculture sector being expected to slow to 2.5% in 2025-26 from 4.3% in 2024-25, and in the mining and quarrying sector to 5% from 11.2% over the same period.
• The tertiary sector, comprising the services sector, is expected to see growth quicken to 8.9% in FY26, up from 8.3% in the previous year. This is a result of double-digit growth in the trade, hotels, transport and communication grouping (10.3%), and the financial, real estate, IT, and professional services grouping (10%).

Fiscal deficit at 63% of full-year target: CGA  

Context: The Centre’s fiscal deficit at the end of January stood at ₹9.8 lakh crore, or 63% of the annual budget target for 2025-26, compared with 74.5% in the year-ago period, government data released showed.

• The Centre estimates the fiscal deficit during 2025-26 at 4.4% of GDP, or ₹15.58 lakh crore.

FDI rises 18% to $47.87 bn      

• Foreign direct investments (FDI) in India rose 18% to $47.87 billion during April-December 2025-26, according to government data. Investments from overseas during the nine-month period of the previous fiscal stood at $40.67 billion.

Paper-III: General Studies 2

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

Navy boosts anti-submarine capability with INS Anjadip
Context: In a move to sharpen its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the Indian Navy commissioned its fourth indigenously designed and built anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft INS Anjadip at the Chennai Port.

• It was commissioned by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. Senior naval officials were present.
• The vessel, which is 77 metres long, has been designed to detect, track, and neutralise enemy submarines in coastal waters.
• It has been named ‘Anjadip’ to carry forward the valour of the historic island off the coast of Karwar.
• The ship is equipped with indigenous anti-submarine warfare weapons and sensor package.
• The INS Anjadip was constructed at Kattupalli by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata, and will mainly address the challenges of the littoral combat environment.
• “Anjadip is equipped with modern shallow-water sonars, lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and combat management system. It is engineered for agility, precision and combat effectiveness,”.
• “The ship and her systems distinctly reflect the growing strength of India’s indigenous design and industrial ecosystem. Aatmanirbharta, today, is moving beyond Make in India to Trust in India,”.
• It is equipped to undertake coastal surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations, and search and rescue operations.

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Ethics Case Study: Seizure of ₹5.24 Crore Worth of Drugs – Law Enforcement, Public Interest, and Ethical Dilemmas
Background
In a recent anti-narcotics operation, city police seized drugs worth approximately ₹5.24 crore. Several individuals were arrested, and an organized drug network operating within the city was exposed. The police described the operation as a major breakthrough in controlling drug trafficking.

However, the case has raised important ethical concerns:
a) Were the rights of the accused adequately protected during arrest and seizure?
b) Was due process strictly followed?
c) Is the focus only on punitive action, or are long-term preventive measures in place?
d) How should media publicity be handled without prejudicing the trial?

You are the Commissioner of Police responsible for ensuring that law enforcement actions are both effective and constitutionally sound.
Ethical Issues Involved
1.Public safety vs Individual rights
2.Strict law enforcement vs Human rights protection
3.Speed of action vs Fair investigation
4.Media transparency vs Presumption of innocence
5.Punishment vs Rehabilitation and prevention

Stakeholders
Accused individuals
Families of the accused
Youth and students
Police department
Judiciary
General public
Media

Options Available
Option 1:
Adopt a zero-tolerance approach with strict enforcement, aggressive investigation, and strong public messaging.

Option 2:
Ensure full procedural compliance, protect the rights of the accused, and allow judicial processes to function independently.

Option 3:
Along with enforcement, introduce awareness campaigns, school-level prevention programs, and rehabilitation initiatives.

Sources: The Hindu

KAS Current Affairs

Preliminary Examination

Paper-I: Current Events of National and International Importance

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

Main Examination

Paper-I: Essays

Essay – 1:

“Critically analyze India’s multi-alignment strategy in a multipolar global system.”

Essay – 2:

“Evaluate Karnataka’s contribution to India’s renewable energy mission, especially in terms of solar and wind power projects.”

Paper-II: General Studies 1

New GDP data set to capture economy more accurately: Ministry of Statistics
Context: The new series of national accounts to be released on Friday is the culmination of a wide consultative process, spanning multiple sub-committees, and incorporating many changes.

• The new series of national accounts data to be released will incorporate several methodological and statistical upgrades that will make India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross Value Added (GVA) data more accurate and granular.
• These upgrades include better methodologies, and the inclusion of new data sets, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) data.
• The most visible of the changes in the national accounts data is that the base year will be updated from 2011-12 to 2022-23, making both the GDP and GVA data more accurate representations of the current economy, while also improving comparisons over time periods.
• The Sub-Committee on Methodological Improvements proposed several sector-wise improvements that have been implemented.
• For instance, for the non-financial private corporate sector, the currently-used 2011-12 series of data deals with companies that operate across sectors by allocating that entire company’s GVA to the sector in which the bulk of its activity is.
• In the new series, the activity-wise revenue share for a company is being used to calculate the value added in each business activity. This will help capture all the activity in each sector.
• Another improvement, to do with the general government sector, is that the new series will also include the value of the housing services provided by governments to their employees. This will mean that the value of services provided is more accurately captured when measuring the output of the general government.
• Further, the coverage of autonomous institutes and local bodies has also been enhanced.
• For households, the new series will use the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) and Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) on an annual basis instead of extrapolating data as was done in the 2011-12 series. This will mean that the household sector, which has a significant contribution to the economy, is directly estimated each year.
• Another major component of the economy — private final consumption expenditure, or basically consumption spending by the people — will also be measured in a more granular manner through the enhanced use of Household Consumer Expenditure Surveys and direct estimation based on production and other data sources.

New data sources

• The new series of national accounts data will also include new data sources and will use existing sources better. For example, GST data was so far being used in the quarterly accounts of GDP and GVA, and only for some sectors in the annual data.
• In the new series, GST data will be used to better estimate the regional output of private corporations, and will also be used to more accurately determine the contribution of the value added by private companies to the GDP of the country. The GST data will also be used to identify active private companies to improve the accuracy of estimating the value added by non-reporting companies. This will ensure that output and value added data more accurately captures what is happening on the ground.
• The Sub-Committee on Incorporation for New Data Sources, Rates and Ratios also noted that States have enhanced their reporting of data from local bodies and state autonomous bodies, which will increase the amount of data that can be directly estimated rather than imputed.
• The new series will use the Statistical Table Related to Banks in India (STRBI) published by the Reserve Bank of India to estimate the activity of both public sector banks as well as private sector banks. Further, the earlier proxy-based approach to estimate the activity of private Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) is being replaced by the use of actual financial data of NBFCs from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• Overall, the ASUSE data has been used more effectively to capture aspects that were earlier not being included accurately.

Paper-III: General Studies 2

Bulldozer Justice, Constitutional Morality, and the Doctrine of Due Process

The recent observations of the Allahabad High Court on so-called “bulldozer justice” have reignited an important constitutional debate: Can the executive demolish property immediately after registration of an FIR? More fundamentally, what is the scope of due process of law and procedure established by law in India?

The Court has questioned whether demolitions carried out soon after criminal allegations—without notice, hearing, or adjudication—violate constitutional guarantees under Articles 14 (Equality), 21 (Life and Personal Liberty), and 300A (Right to Property). The issue touches the very heart of constitutional governance and separation of powers.

1. What is “Bulldozer Justice”?

“Bulldozer justice” refers to the practice of demolishing properties allegedly linked to accused persons immediately after criminal incidents. While authorities claim such actions are taken under municipal laws against illegal constructions, courts have increasingly examined whether such demolitions are:

• Punitive in nature
• Targeted selectively
• Executed without procedural safeguards
• Intended as extra-judicial punishment

The core constitutional question is:
Can the executive punish without judicial determination of guilt?

2. Constitutional Framework

(A) Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty

“No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.”

This article forms the backbone of due process protection in India.

(B) Article 14 – Equality Before Law

State action must not be arbitrary, selective, or discriminatory.

(C) Article 300A – Right to Property

No person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law.

Demolition without legal procedure directly engages Article 300A.

3. Due Process of Law vs Procedure Established by Law

(1) Procedure Established by Law (Indian Model – Original Understanding)

Initially interpreted narrowly, it meant:

• As long as there is a validly enacted law
• And procedure prescribed by that law is followed
• The deprivation is constitutionally valid

The focus was on formal legality, not fairness.

(2) Due Process of Law (American Concept)

This doctrine requires:

• Law must be just, fair, and reasonable
• Procedure must not be arbitrary
• Courts can examine substantive fairness of law

It protects both:

• Procedural due process
• Substantive due process

4. Judicial Evolution in India

Indian constitutional jurisprudence has transformed Article 21 from a narrow procedural protection into a robust due process guarantee.

(1) A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (1950)

• Early narrow interpretation
• Court held: If there is a law and procedure is followed, Article 21 is satisfied
• No need to test fairness of the procedure

This reflected a strict “procedure established by law” approach.

(2) Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) – Landmark Judgment

This case revolutionized Article 21.

The Supreme Court held:

• Procedure must be “right, just and fair”
• Not arbitrary, fanciful, or oppressive
• Articles 14, 19, and 21 are interconnected

This effectively incorporated substantive due process into Indian constitutional law.

Now, any state action must satisfy:

• Non-arbitrariness (Article 14)
• Fair procedure (Article 21)
• Reasonableness (Article 19)

5. Due Process and Demolition Jurisprudence

(A) Re: Directions in the Matter of Demolition of Structures (2024)

The Supreme Court clarified:

• Property cannot be demolished merely because owner is accused.
• Municipal powers cannot be used as punitive tools.
• Guilt must be determined by courts.
• Executive cannot assume judicial function.

This reinforces:

• Presumption of innocence
• Separation of powers
• Procedural safeguards

(B) Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)

• Right to livelihood is part of Article 21.
• Even pavement dwellers must receive notice before eviction.

This case established that:
Even unauthorized occupants cannot be removed without due process.

(C) State of West Bengal v. Anwar Ali Sarkar (1952)

Established that:

• Arbitrary classification violates Article 14.

Selective demolitions may violate equality.

(D) K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)

Though about privacy, this case reaffirmed:

• Constitutional morality
• Proportionality
• Due process embedded in Article 21

6. What Does Due Process Require in Demolition Cases?

Before demolition, authorities must:

1. Identify legal violation
2. Issue written notice
3. Provide reasonable opportunity of hearing
4. Pass reasoned order
5. Allow appeal
6. Ensure action is proportionate
7. Avoid targeting based on criminal allegations alone

If demolition happens immediately after FIR:

• It suggests punitive intent
• Violates presumption of innocence
• May amount to colourable exercise of power

7. Colourable Exercise of Power

In administrative law, this means:

Using a lawful power for an unlawful objective.

Example:

• Municipal demolition power used to punish an accused person.

Even if form is legal, substance may be unconstitutional.

8. Larger Constitutional Concerns

(A) Separation of Powers

• Judiciary determines guilt.
• Executive enforces law.
• Executive cannot impose punishment.

(B) Presumption of Innocence

Demolition before conviction undermines criminal justice principles.

(C) Rule of Law

Arbitrary state action erodes trust in constitutional governance.

9. Preventive Judicial Intervention

High Courts under Article 226 and Supreme Court under Article 32 can:

• Stay demolition
• Protect fundamental rights
• Enforce procedural safeguards

Courts have increasingly intervened to:

• Prevent irreversible harm
• Ensure accountability

10. Balancing Governance and Rights

Urban planning laws are valid and necessary. Illegal constructions can be demolished.

However:

• Demolition must be regulatory, not punitive.
• It must be neutral and uniform.
• It cannot be selective or exemplary.

Conclusion

The debate around bulldozer justice is not about development versus illegality. It is about constitutional discipline.

India’s constitutional jurisprudence has evolved from a narrow “procedure established by law” model to a robust due process framework where:

• Law must be fair.
• Procedure must be reasonable.
• State action must not be arbitrary.
• Punishment must follow judicial determination.

Bulldozers may serve urban governance.
They cannot replace courts of law.

The Allahabad High Court’s scrutiny is therefore not merely administrative—it is a reaffirmation of constitutional morality, rule of law, and due process as the bedrock of democratic governance.

Creidits: ChatGPT

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

IIA uses radio telescope, Aditya-L1 satellite payload to make key solar observation
Context: Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have made observations of shocks driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun by using its Gauribidanur radio telescope and Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload onboard Aditya-L1 satellite.

Thunder-like noise

• A sonic boom is a thunder-like noise that occurs when the speed of an aircraft traveling through the air faster than the speed of sound.
• Similarly, fast CMEs from the Sun drive shocks near the Earth leading to space weather disturbances. “These shocks are primarily driven by the same set of CMEs, all the way from near the Sun through the interplanetary space. Shocks near the Sun are the birth stage of the shocks observed near Earth. The characteristic signatures of the shocks near the Sun are intense transient emission observed primarily with ground-based radio telescopes at low frequencies, typically <150 MHz,” the IIA team.
• The IIA operates a radio telescope in the above frequency range, at the Gauribidanur radio observatory, located about 100 km north of Bengaluru. It is presently the only low-frequency radio telescope for dedicated observations of the Sun.
• The team said that with the launch of VELC, built by IIA, it has become possible to identify the CMEs that give rise to the shocks, particularly near the Sun and in the visible wavelength range. Combining data obtained with the Gauribidanur radio facility and VELC, the VELC team at IIA has precisely estimated the onset distance of the shock due to the CME that occurred on May 27, 2024. It is approximately 130,000 km from the Sun. The shock driven by the CME propagated at a speed of approximately 1,700 km per second near the Sun.
• This is the closest distance from the Sun at which a CME driven shock and the associated radio transient have been observed unambiguously as on date.
• The present result would not have been possible but for the unique low-frequency observing capability of the Gauribidanur radio telescope and the possibility to observe the near-Sun solar corona with the VELC. The results will appear soon in the Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy, a leading international journal.
• Continuous and coordinated observations of the Sun with Gauribidanur facilities and VELC during the current maximum phase of the ongoing sunspot cycle 25, as well as beyond, are expected to identify CME driven shocks as close as thirty thousand kilometers from the Sun.

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Ethics Case Study – Human–Elephant Conflict in Chikkamagaluru District
Background:
In the hilly regions of Chikkamagaluru district, a herd of wild elephants has repeatedly entered villages, causing damage to agricultural crops and creating fear among residents. In a recent incident, around 30–35 elephants entered farmland and destroyed crops such as coffee, maize, and other produce. Farmers have suffered significant financial losses and are demanding immediate compensation and effective action to drive the elephants back into the forest.

The Forest Department has initiated operations to push the elephants away. However, certain wildlife activists argue that capturing or relocating the elephants may not be appropriate and could disturb ecological balance. The situation presents a complex challenge involving environmental conservation, human safety, and livelihood protection.

You are the District Collector responsible for addressing the issue and ensuring both immediate relief and long-term solutions.
Ethical Issues Involved
1.Human safety vs Wildlife conservation
2.Farmers’ livelihoods vs Ecological balance
3.Immediate action vs Sustainable long-term measures
4.Emotional public pressure vs Scientific decision-making
5.Public demand vs Legal and environmental regulations

Stakeholders
Local farmers and villagers
Forest Department officials
Wildlife experts
Animal rights organizations
District administration
State government

Options Available
Option 1:
Capture and relocate the elephants immediately.

Option 2:
Strengthen temporary protection measures around villages and provide financial compensation to farmers.

Option 3:
Develop a long-term strategy to reduce human–wildlife conflict (e.g., elephant corridors, solar fencing, rapid response teams).

KAS Current Affairs

Current Events of National and International Importance

U.S. slaps 126% levy on Indian solar imports
Context: Tariffs were slapped on India, Indonesia and Laos following an ongoing probe; In FY23, India exported $1 billion worth photovoltaics to the U.S.

• The Trump administration slapped 126% levy on solar cell imports from India following a ‘preliminary’ determination that subsidised exports from Indian firms were hurting the competitiveness of U.S. solar firms and contravened World Trade Organization agreements on subsidies.
• The tariffs were collectively imposed on February 24 on India, Indonesia and Laos following a probe by the U.S. Department of Commerce on a complaint by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, a coalition of leading U.S. solar firms.
• Indian firms under the U.S. Commerce Ministry’s radar included Mundra Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd. and Mundra Solar PV Ltd. — both part of Adani Group — Premier Energies Photovoltaic Private Ltd., Waaree Energies Ltd. and Waaree Solar Americas. The department set initial rates of 86%-143% for Indonesia and 81% for Laos.

Framework deal

• This levy comes after New Delhi and Washington agreed on a framework for the India-U.S. trade deal to cut tariffs on India’s exports to 18% from 50% earlier. After this, the U.S. Supreme Court quashed Trump tariffs, calling them unconstitutional. President Trump then came up with a new 15% baseline duty on several imports.
• On February 24, per a notice on the U.S. Commerce Ministry site, it was Adani firms that were specifically named with a duty rates of 125.87% though these rates, as of now, apply to all Indian exporters.

Facts:

• Currently duties of up to 40% are imposed on such export of solar cells.
• According to data cited by U.S. authorities, Indian firms in 2022 exported 232 mega watts (MW) worth of solar cells which rose to 2049 MW in 2023 and 2297 MW in 2024.
• In 2022-23 $1,000 million worth photovoltaics were exported and that rose to $1,939.92 million in 2023-24. Exports stood at $954 million in April-December 2025.

Current Events of State Importance and Important Government Schemes and Programs

Gruha Arogya scheme to be expanded to GBA areas soon

Context: With the proposed rollout, the Health Department aims to replicate the rural model in urban areas, The State government will soon expand Gruha Arogya to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) areas, marking a major step towards strengthening urban public health delivery.

• Gruha Arogya has recorded significant success in rural Karnataka, with dedicated health workers reaching over 35 lakh families and screening more than 1 crore people for 14 major non-communicable diseases.
• The programme has emerged as a model for doorstep preventive healthcare, with officials citing encouraging public response and measurable improvements in early detection.
• With the proposed rollout of Gruha Arogya 2.0 in GBA regions, the Health Department aims to replicate the rural model in urban areas, ensuring systematic household outreach, timely screening, and continuity of care.
• It seeks to shift the focus of public health from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.

State launches free prophylaxis treatment for haemophilia patients

Context: In a significant step toward improving the quality of life for those with rare genetic blood disorders, the Karnataka government launched the ‘Kusuma Sanjeevini’ programme.

• The initiative is aimed at providing high-end prophylactic treatment and emergency transport services free of cost to haemophilia patients across the State.

Treatment protocol

• Haemophilia, a rare inherited disorder where blood fails to clot normally due to a deficiency in coagulation factors VIII or IX, has long forced patients into a gruelling treatment cycle. Traditionally, patients required intravenous factor replacement therapy two-three times a week for life – a process that is particularly painful for children with difficult venous access.
• Under the new scheme, the State is introducing Emicizumab, a non-factor monoclonal antibody. Unlike traditional infusions, this drug is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) just once a month. Results from a pilot group of 200 patients showed “zero bleeds” over a year, suggesting the drug could effectively prevent the joint deformities and physical disabilities common in chronic cases.
• With this rollout, Karnataka becomes the first large State in South India, after Kerala, to implement a prophylactic programme of this scale. “By moving to a monthly subcutaneous dose, we are helping these patients, especially children, return to the mainstream of society, allowing them to attend school and play like their peers,” the Health Minister said during the launch.
• The State has sanctioned ₹42.55 crore for the programme, with ₹17 crore specifically dedicated to the procurement of the new drug. While the annual cost of treatment for a single patient can reach ₹5 lakh, the government will provide it entirely free of charge.
• Currently, 2,621 haemophilia cases are registered in Karnataka, including 2,089 with Haemophilia-A. The State has identified 1,000 high-risk patients to be transitioned to this new prophylactic regimen immediately.

Free transport

• To further ease the burden on families, the government launched a dedicated 108 ambulance “pick-up and drop” service. Given that bleeding episodes can quickly become life-threatening, these ambulances will ensure rapid transport to any of the 36 Integrated Treatment Centres for Hemoglobinopathies and Haemophilia (ICHH) located across the State.

Paper-I: Essays

Essay – 1:

From Meritocracy to Performance Governance: The Case for Public Service Reforms.

Essay – 2:

Socioeconomic Survey of Gender Minorities and Devadasis in Karnataka: A Step Towards Inclusive Policy-Making? Discuss.

Paper-II: General Studies 1

Paper-III: General Studies 2

Paper-IV: General Studies 3

What are carbon capture and utilisation technologies?

• Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) refers to a set of technologies that capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources or directly from the air and convert them into useful products.
• This process removes carbon from the atmosphere and puts it into the economy as inputs for fuels, chemicals, building materials, or polymers. Unlike carbon capture and storage, where captured CO₂ is permanently stored underground rather than reused, CCU uses up the captured carbon.

Where does India stand today?

• India has begun supporting CCU through research funding from the Department of Science and Technology which has created a specific research and development roadmap for these technologies.
• The draft 2030 roadmap for Carbon Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) presented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas has identified projects that can be used for CCUS purposes. In the private sector, Ambuja Cements (Adani Group) is working on an Indo-Swedish CCU pilot with IIT Bombay to convert captured CO₂ into fuels and materials.
• JK Cement is collaborating on a CCU testbed to capture CO₂ for applications such as lightweight concrete blocks and olefins. Beyond cement, Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL) is leading India’s first pilot-scale Bio-CCU platform, valorising CO₂ from biogas streams into bio-alcohols and specialty chemicals.

What are other countries doing?

• The EU Bioeconomy Strategy and Circular Economy Action Plan explicitly supports CCU as a way to turn CO₂ into feedstocks for chemicals, fuels, and materials, linking it to circularity and sustainability targets.
• ArcelorMittal and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. are working with a climate tech company, D-CRBN, to trial a new technology to convert CO2 captured at ArcelorMittal’s plant in Gent, Belgium into carbon monoxide which can be used in steel and chemical production.
• The U.S. uses a combination of tax credits and funding to scale CCUs, particularly for CO₂-derived fuels and chemicals. The UAE’s Al Reyadah project and planned CO₂-to-chemicals hubs leverage CCU with green hydrogen.

What are the risks ahead?

• The foremost risk in scaling CCU in India is cost competitiveness. Capturing, purifying, and converting CO₂ is energy-intensive and expensive. Without policy incentives, CCU-derived products will struggle to compete with cheaper, fossil-based alternatives.
• A second risk lies in infrastructure readiness. CCU requires co-located industrial clusters, reliable transport of CO₂, and integration with downstream manufacturing, all of which are unevenly developed across Indian industrial regions.
• Finally, the absence of clear standards, certification, and market signals creates uncertainty for investors and limits demand for CO₂-derived products.
• India has taken positive steps through the development of roadmaps to achieving CCU, and their appropriate implementation will be necessary for achieving India’s goals.

Paper-V: General Studies 4

Ethics Case Study – Fire Safety Violations in Commercial Buildings
Background:
A recent fire incident in a densely populated commercial area in Bengaluru exposed serious lapses in fire safety compliance. The building, housing multiple small shops and businesses, reportedly did not have adequate fire safety measures such as emergency exits, functional fire extinguishers, and proper electrical wiring. Fortunately, no major casualties were reported, but the incident raised concerns about negligence, regulatory oversight, and public safety.
Preliminary reports indicate that the building had previously received notices from the fire department regarding non-compliance. However, corrective measures were either delayed or partially implemented. Allegations have also surfaced that inspections were conducted superficially, and enforcement action was weak.

You are a senior district administrative officer responsible for ensuring public safety and enforcing municipal regulations.

Ethical Issues Involved

1.Public Safety vs Commercial Interests – Ensuring safety standards while businesses argue that strict enforcement increases costs.
2.Regulatory Accountability vs Bureaucratic Negligence – Whether officials failed in their duty by not enforcing compliance.
3.Corruption vs Integrity – Possibility of collusion or bribery leading to overlooking violations.
4.Development vs Safety Standards – Balancing rapid urban growth with adherence to safety norms.
5.Justice for Victims vs Administrative Reputation – Protecting institutional credibility while ensuring accountability.

Stakeholders

• Shop owners and business operators
• Employees and customers
• Local residents
• Fire Department officials
• Municipal authorities
• District administration
• Insurance companies
• General public

Options Available
Option 1:
Seal the building immediately and initiate strict legal action against owners and responsible officials.

Option 2:
Issue fresh notices, provide time for compliance, and impose monetary penalties without sealing operations.

Option 3:
Order an independent inquiry into the incident, enforce immediate safety upgrades, fix accountability, and launch a city-wide safety audit.