🔥 UPSC Current Affairs & Editorial Analysis | 20 June 2026

1. Walking on Footpath is a Fundamental Right, says Supreme Court

Why in News?

The Supreme Court declared that the freedom to walk safely on demarcated and well-maintained footpaths is a fundamental right and has priority over movement by motorised vehicles.

UPSC Explanation

This judgment is important for fundamental rights, urban governance, road safety and inclusive city planning. The Court linked walking with freedom of movement, dignity and Article 21.

Prelims Facts

• Article 19(1)(d) gives citizens the right to move freely throughout India.
• Article 21 protects life and personal liberty.
• The Court suggested a statutory framework and regulator for pedestrian rights.
• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 mainly regulates motorised transport.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Fundamental Rights, Governance
GS-III: Urbanisation, Sustainable Cities

Revision Note: Right to Walk = Article 19 + Article 21 + Urban Governance + Pedestrian Safety.

2. Delhi HC Upholds Temporary Ban on Telegram amid NEET Row

Why in News?

Delhi High Court upheld the Centre’s temporary ban on Telegram, saying the action was proportionate in view of alleged organised cheating networks linked to NEET-UG 2026.

UPSC Explanation

The case raises important issues of platform regulation, cybercrime, exam integrity, digital rights and proportionality in government restrictions.

Prelims Facts

• Section 69A of IT Act allows blocking of public access to online information.
• The Court accepted that repeated channel-specific takedowns had failed.
• The case is linked with NEET-UG re-test and paper leak concerns.
• Proportionality principle is important in restricting fundamental rights.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Governance, Fundamental Rights
GS-III: Cyber Security, Internal Security

Revision Note: Telegram Case = Section 69A + Cyber Crime + Exam Integrity + Digital Rights.

3. Abhigyan App and NAFIS: Fingerprint Verification on the Go

Why in News?

The Home Ministry launched Abhigyan App, linked with the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), allowing police to verify fingerprints quickly through smartphones.

UPSC Explanation

This issue is important for police reforms, technology in law enforcement, privacy, surveillance and criminal justice reforms.

Prelims Facts

• NAFIS is managed by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
• Abhigyan App can match fingerprints with criminal database quickly.
• Criminal Procedure Identification Act, 2022 provides legal basis for collection of measurements.
• Privacy concerns may arise in random biometric checks.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Governance, Criminal Justice
GS-III: Internal Security, Science & Technology

Revision Note: Abhigyan = NCRB + NAFIS + Police Technology + Privacy Debate.

4. Great Nicobar Island Project: Transparency Concerns

Why in News?

Concerns were raised over the Great Nicobar Island Project due to alleged lack of transparency in reports, environmental safeguards and impact assessments.

UPSC Explanation

The project is important for environment, tribal rights, strategic infrastructure and sustainable development. It involves ecological concerns including forests, turtle nesting sites and the Shompen tribe.

Prelims Facts

• Great Nicobar Island is part of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Shompen are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• Leatherback turtles nest in the region.
• Environmental Impact Assessment is important for large infrastructure projects.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Tribal Rights, Governance
GS-III: Environment, Biodiversity, Strategic Infrastructure

Revision Note: Great Nicobar = Strategic Project + Ecology + PVTG Rights + EIA.

5. Mekedatu Dam Dispute: Tamil Nadu Opposes Karnataka Proposal

Why in News?

Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution opposing Karnataka’s proposal to construct a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu.

UPSC Explanation

The issue is important for inter-State river water disputes, federalism, water governance and Centre-State relations.

Prelims Facts

• Mekedatu project is proposed on the Cauvery River.
• Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal gave its final award in 2007.
• Supreme Court judgment on Cauvery came in 2018.
• Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 deals with river water disputes.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Federalism, Inter-State Relations
GS-I: Indian Geography, Rivers

Revision Note: Mekedatu = Cauvery Dispute + Federalism + Water Sharing + Tribunal.

6. Three-Language Policy Not Viable, say Nagaland CBSE Schools

Why in News?

CBSE-affiliated schools in Nagaland raised concerns over compulsory three-language policy due to the State’s unique linguistic diversity.

UPSC Explanation

The issue is linked with National Education Policy, linguistic diversity, cultural identity and federal flexibility in education policy.

Prelims Facts

• Nagaland has many tribes and distinct languages.
• English works as a common language in formal settings in Nagaland.
• Three-language formula is linked with education policy in India.
• Education is in the Concurrent List.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Education, Federalism
GS-I: Indian Society, Cultural Diversity

Revision Note: Three-Language Policy = NEP + Linguistic Diversity + Federal Flexibility.

📰 Editorial – Right of Way: Pedestrian Rights and Urban Planning

Editorial Theme

The editorial focuses on the Supreme Court judgment recognising walking on footpaths as a fundamental right and highlights the need for people-centric urban planning.

UPSC Analysis

Indian cities have often prioritised vehicles over pedestrians. The judgment pushes governments to ensure safe, accessible and well-maintained footpaths as part of constitutional governance.

Key Concepts

• Right to Walk
• Article 19(1)(d)
• Article 21
• Pedestrian Safety
• Inclusive Urbanisation
• Sustainable Transport
• Urban Local Bodies

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Fundamental Rights, Governance
GS-III: Urbanisation, Sustainable Development

Editorial Takeaway: Urban planning must shift from vehicle-centric cities to people-centric, safe and inclusive cities.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC/PCS Today

• Right to Walk as Fundamental Right
• Article 19 and Article 21
• Telegram Ban and Section 69A IT Act
• Abhigyan App and NAFIS
• Criminal Procedure Identification Act, 2022
• Great Nicobar Island Project
• Mekedatu Dam and Cauvery Water Dispute
• Three-Language Policy and Nagaland
• India-Pakistan at UN
• Manipur Violence and NIA

One-Line Fact: The Supreme Court has recognised safe walking on demarcated footpaths as a fundamental right linked to freedom of movement and dignity.

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