🔥 UPSC/PCS Current Affairs | 24 July 2026

1. NEET Paper Leak Crisis and Reform of the Examination System

Why in News?

The government indicated stricter action against examination paper leaks, proposed fast-track courts and gave assurances regarding cases against non-violent student protesters. The controversy has also highlighted institutional weaknesses within the National Testing Agency.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for examination governance, institutional accountability, education reforms, youth concerns, transparency, grievance redressal, cybersecurity and administrative ethics.

Prelims Facts

• The National Testing Agency was established in 2018 as an autonomous examination-conducting organisation.
• Education is included in the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
• Fast-track courts are special courts intended to ensure speedy disposal of selected categories of cases.
• Public examinations require secure question-paper preparation, transmission, storage and evaluation systems.
• Institutional accountability includes fixing responsibility for administrative and technological failures.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Education, Governance, Accountability and Institutional Reforms
GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Responsibility in Public Administration

Revision Note: Examination reform requires secure technology + permanent professional staff + independent investigation + transparent grievance redressal + time-bound accountability.

2. Houthi Attacks, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and India’s Energy Security

Why in News?

Houthi attacks on Saudi-flagged oil tankers in the Red Sea pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel. Disruption around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait may increase shipping time, freight costs and pressure on India’s crude-oil imports.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Highly important for maritime chokepoints, West Asia, energy security, crude-oil prices, inflation, shipping insurance, India’s trade routes and diversification of oil imports.

Prelims Facts

• Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
• The Suez Canal links the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.
• The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
• Brent crude is an important global benchmark for oil prices.
• India imports the overwhelming majority of its crude-oil requirement.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: West Asia and International Relations
GS-III: Energy Security, Inflation and Maritime Trade

Revision Note: India’s energy resilience depends on diversified suppliers + strategic petroleum reserves + secure sea lanes + long-term contracts + accelerated renewable-energy transition.

3. U.S.–Saudi Arabia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Deal

Why in News?

The United States and Saudi Arabia announced a civilian nuclear cooperation arrangement. The proposed deal has generated debate over uranium enrichment, nuclear safeguards, regional security and the possibility of a nuclear arms race in West Asia.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for nuclear non-proliferation, civilian nuclear cooperation, International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, West Asian geopolitics, Abraham Accords and strategic competition with Iran.

Prelims Facts

• The International Atomic Energy Agency promotes peaceful uses of nuclear energy and verifies safeguards.
• Uranium enrichment increases the proportion of uranium-235.
• Civilian nuclear technology can have dual-use implications.
• The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty rests on non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful use.
• Saudi Arabia is not recognised as a nuclear-weapon State under the NPT.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: International Relations, Nuclear Diplomacy and West Asia

Revision Note: Civil nuclear cooperation must balance energy needs + credible safeguards + non-proliferation standards + regional stability + transparent international oversight.

4. Anti-Defection Law and the Two-Thirds Merger Exception

Why in News?

The Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge relating to the defection of eight Congress MLAs in Goa. The case raises questions regarding the interpretation of the merger exception under the Tenth Schedule.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for the anti-defection law, powers of the Speaker, judicial review, political stability, legislative ethics and reforms needed to prevent engineered defections.

Prelims Facts

• The anti-defection law is contained in the Tenth Schedule.
• It was added by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985.
• A merger exception applies when at least two-thirds of the members of a legislature party agree to the merger.
• The Speaker or Chairman decides disqualification petitions.
• The Speaker’s decision is subject to judicial review.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Parliament and State Legislatures, Constitutional Bodies and Electoral Reforms

Revision Note: Anti-defection reform should ensure time-bound decisions + impartial adjudication + protection of genuine dissent + prevention of post-election political manipulation.

5. Nutana Sakala: Odisha’s Policy Against Trafficking of Women and Girls

Why in News?

Odisha proposed a unified anti-trafficking policy called ‘Nutana Sakala’ after recording a high number of trafficking victims. The framework is based on prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for human trafficking, women and child welfare, tribal vulnerability, migration, poverty, law enforcement, victim rehabilitation and inter-agency coordination.

Prelims Facts

• Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labour.
• Human trafficking may involve sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and illegal adoption.
• The policy is structured around four pillars: prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.
• The National Crime Records Bureau publishes crime-related statistical reports.
• Seasonal migrants, women, children and socially excluded communities are particularly vulnerable.

Mains Perspective

GS-I: Women, Poverty and Social Issues
GS-II: Welfare Policies and Vulnerable Sections

Revision Note: An effective anti-trafficking strategy requires livelihood security + safe migration + victim-centred rehabilitation + faster prosecution + interstate coordination.

6. Kutki: Sustainable Cultivation of an Endangered Himalayan Medicinal Plant

Why in News?

Farmers in Himachal Pradesh are cultivating Kutki through a sustainable harvesting method that removes only the medicinal stolons while leaving the mother plant intact.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Highly relevant for biodiversity conservation, medicinal plants, Himalayan ecology, sustainable livelihoods, biotechnology, traditional knowledge, IUCN classification and CITES regulation.

Prelims Facts

• Kutki is scientifically known as Picrorhiza kurroa.
• It is found in alpine and sub-alpine Himalayan regions.
• It is categorised as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• It is included in Appendix II of CITES.
• A stolon is a horizontal stem that grows along the surface of the ground.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Biodiversity, Conservation, Agriculture and Biotechnology

Revision Note: Medicinal-plant conservation can combine scientific cultivation + regulated trade + community participation + value-chain development + protection of wild populations.

7. Aadhaar Authentication for Tatkal Tickets and the Right to Privacy

Why in News?

The Kerala High Court held that Aadhaar-based authentication for Tatkal railway booking does not violate privacy, noting that the measure seeks to prevent bulk booking by touts and automated software.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for the Right to Privacy, Aadhaar governance, proportionality, digital public infrastructure, exclusion concerns, data protection and balancing convenience with individual rights.

Prelims Facts

• The Right to Privacy is protected under Article 21.
• Aadhaar authentication verifies identity using demographic or biometric information.
• The proportionality test examines legality, legitimate purpose, necessity and balancing of rights.
• IRCTC manages online railway ticket booking.
• Digital identity measures must include security, purpose limitation and safeguards against exclusion.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Fundamental Rights, Judiciary and Digital Governance

Revision Note: Digital authentication must meet legitimate objectives while ensuring minimal data collection + informed choice + cybersecurity + alternative access + grievance redressal.

8. Street Vendors Act and the Balance Between Footpaths and Livelihood

Why in News?

A footpath-clearing drive in Bengaluru raised concerns over the removal of street vendors without first completing surveys, constituting Town Vending Committees and identifying vending zones as required by law.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for urban governance, right to livelihood, pedestrian rights, informal economy, municipal administration, due process and inclusive city planning.

Prelims Facts

• The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act was enacted in 2014.
• Town Vending Committees conduct surveys and identify vending and no-vending zones.
• Street vending is a legitimate occupation subject to reasonable regulation.
• Article 19(1)(g) protects the right to practise a profession or carry on an occupation.
• Authorities must follow statutory procedure before eviction or relocation.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Urban Governance and Welfare of Vulnerable Sections
GS-III: Informal Economy and Inclusive Development

Revision Note: Inclusive urban governance requires obstruction-free public spaces + legal vending zones + participatory surveys + rehabilitation + protection from arbitrary eviction.

9. New Base Year and Expanded Index of Core Industries

Why in News?

The Index of Core Industries was updated with a new base year, revised weights and methodology, and the inclusion of iron ore as an additional sector, expanding the index from eight to nine core industries.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for economic indicators, industrial performance, base-year revision, infrastructure sectors, Index of Industrial Production and evidence-based policymaking.

Prelims Facts

• The Index of Core Industries measures output in major infrastructure-related sectors.
• The revised index covers nine core sectors after the inclusion of iron ore.
• Core industries have a major weight in the Index of Industrial Production.
• A base-year revision improves representation of structural changes in the economy.
• Weights reflect the relative importance of sectors in the index.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Indian Economy, Industrial Growth and Infrastructure

Revision Note: Reliable economic policymaking requires updated base years + wider sector coverage + transparent methodology + timely data + removal of double counting.

10. Strategic Petroleum Reserves and India’s Oil-Supply Resilience

Why in News?

India plans to develop Phase II of its strategic petroleum reserve programme through a public-private partnership model with viability-gap funding, amid rising geopolitical risks and disruption to major oil-shipping routes.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for energy security, emergency oil stocks, public-private partnership, viability-gap funding, external shocks, balance of payments and management of crude-price volatility.

Prelims Facts

• Strategic petroleum reserves are emergency crude-oil stockpiles.
• India’s existing strategic reserves are located at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur.
• Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited manages the programme.
• Viability-gap funding supports infrastructure projects that are economically justified but financially less attractive.
• Strategic reserves protect against temporary supply disruptions; they do not replace long-term diversification.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Energy Security, Infrastructure and Indian Economy

Revision Note: Oil-security planning requires adequate strategic storage + transparent release policy + diversified imports + domestic production + renewable alternatives.

📰 Editorial Focus – Is Corruption the Biggest Threat to India’s Future?

Theme

The debate examines whether digitalisation and the Right to Information framework have reduced corruption. It argues that technology alone cannot ensure accountability without strong institutions, independent oversight and effective grievance redressal.

Key Concepts

• Right to Information
• Institutional Accountability
• Petty and Grand Corruption
• Digital Divide
• Grievance Redressal
• Transparency
• Whistle-blower Protection
• Citizen Charters
• Independent Investigation
• Public Trust

Mains Takeaway: Digital governance can reduce discretion, but corruption control ultimately depends on transparency, enforceable accountability, independent institutions and accessible grievance-redress mechanisms.

📰 Editorial Focus – Escalation Trap in the West Asia Conflict

Theme

The widening conflict involving the United States, Iran and the Houthis threatens critical maritime routes, regional infrastructure and global energy markets. The editorial stresses ceasefire, diplomacy and de-escalation over repeated military action.

Key Concepts

• West Asia Conflict
• Strait of Hormuz
• Bab el-Mandeb Strait
• Energy Security
• Maritime Chokepoints
• Houthi Movement
• Regional Escalation
• Ceasefire Diplomacy
• Protection of Civilian Infrastructure
• Rules-Based International Order

Mains Takeaway: Sustainable regional security requires diplomatic engagement, protection of civilian infrastructure, freedom of navigation and restraint by both regional and external powers.

📌 Punjab PCS Special Focus – Social Security Schemes in Punjab

Punjab Perspective

The Punjab government reported releasing more than ₹2,150 crore under different social-security schemes during the current financial year up to June. The development is important for understanding welfare delivery, fiscal priorities and social protection in Punjab.

Punjab PCS Mains Keywords

• Social Security in Punjab
• Women and Child Development
• Direct Benefit Transfer
• Old-Age Pension
• Widow and Destitute Support
• Financial Inclusion
• Targeted Welfare
• Fiscal Sustainability
• Last-Mile Delivery
• Social Audit

Punjab PCS Takeaway: Effective social security requires accurate beneficiary identification + timely payments + transparent monitoring + grievance redressal + fiscal sustainability.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC/PCS Today

• NEET Paper Leak and Examination Governance
• Bab el-Mandeb Strait and India’s Energy Security
• U.S.–Saudi Civil Nuclear Cooperation
• Anti-Defection Law and Two-Thirds Merger Rule
• Nutana Sakala Anti-Trafficking Policy
• Kutki: IUCN Endangered and CITES Appendix II
• Aadhaar Authentication and Right to Privacy
• Street Vendors Act, 2014
• Revised Index of Core Industries
• Strategic Petroleum Reserves

One-Line Fact: Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and forms a vital link in the maritime route to the Suez Canal.

🎯 UPSC • PCS • IAS Foundation