🔥 UPSC/PCS Current Affairs | 6 August 2026

1. RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.25%

Why in News?

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India unanimously kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and continued with a neutral monetary-policy stance. The Standing Deposit Facility rate remains at 5%, while the Marginal Standing Facility rate and Bank Rate remain at 5.5%.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for monetary policy, inflation targeting, liquidity management, economic growth, banking and the role of the RBI.

Prelims Facts

• The repo rate is the rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to banks against eligible securities.
• The Monetary Policy Committee has six members.
• The inflation target is fixed by the Union government in consultation with the RBI.
• The Standing Deposit Facility allows the RBI to absorb liquidity without providing collateral.
• The Marginal Standing Facility enables scheduled commercial banks to borrow overnight funds from the RBI.
• A neutral stance allows the MPC flexibility to move rates in either direction.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Indian Economy, Inflation, Monetary Policy and Banking

Revision Note: Monetary-policy decisions must balance inflation control with growth, credit conditions, global uncertainty and financial stability.

2. Supreme Court on Political Party and Legislature Party

Why in News?

The Supreme Court observed that a majority group of MLAs or MPs cannot disregard the official directives of the parent political party merely because it commands a majority within the legislature party. The matter arose from the Shiv Sena factional dispute.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Highly important for the Tenth Schedule, anti-defection law, party whips, mergers, disqualification and the distinction between an original political party and its legislature party.

Prelims Facts

• The Tenth Schedule was added by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985.
• Disqualification may arise from voluntarily giving up party membership or defying a valid party direction.
• The decision on disqualification is made by the Speaker or Chairman of the House.
• The defence of a split was removed by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
• A merger defence generally requires support from at least two-thirds of the members of the legislature party.
• The original political party and the legislature party are legally distinguishable concepts.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Parliament, State Legislatures, Anti-Defection Law and Constitutional Governance

Revision Note: Anti-defection reform must protect government stability without destroying legitimate dissent, legislative accountability and internal party democracy.

3. Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

Why in News?

Large numbers of electors were removed from draft electoral rolls during Special Intensive Revision exercises. In Jharkhand, categories included deceased, untraceable and permanently shifted voters. Similar concerns were raised over proposed deletions in Karnataka.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for Election Commission powers, electoral-roll accuracy, voter inclusion, due process, claims and objections and free and fair elections.

Prelims Facts

• Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India.
• Electoral rolls are principally governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• The conduct of elections is principally governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• Form 6 is used for inclusion of a name in the electoral roll.
• Booth Level Officers assist in field verification of voter details.
• Claims and objections are safeguards against wrongful deletion or exclusion.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Election Commission, Electoral Reforms and Democratic Participation

Revision Note: Electoral-roll purification must be transparent, evidence-based and accompanied by adequate notice, accessible correction mechanisms and independent scrutiny.

4. E20 Fuel and Concerns over Vehicle Components

Why in News?

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers withdrew an earlier communication raising concerns over corrosion or wear in certain vehicle components allegedly linked to chloride contamination in E20 fuel, stating that the cited data required further authentication.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for ethanol blending, biofuels, energy security, automobile compatibility, air pollution, farmers’ income and India’s transition away from imported fossil fuels.

Prelims Facts

• E20 is petrol blended with 20% ethanol and 80% petrol.
• Ethanol can be produced from sugarcane, molasses, damaged foodgrains and other biomass feedstocks.
• Blending can reduce crude-oil imports and certain tailpipe emissions.
• Ethanol is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture.
• Material compatibility is important for fuel pumps, injectors, seals and other engine components.
• India’s ethanol-blending programme is administered primarily through the petroleum sector.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Energy Security, Biofuels, Agriculture, Environment and Technology

Revision Note: Biofuel expansion requires transparent fuel-quality standards, vehicle compatibility, sustainable feedstocks, water-use assessment and reliable consumer information.

5. Iran and Oman Agree on a New Strait of Hormuz Route

Why in News?

Iran and Oman announced progress on a jointly managed route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The geographical coordinates were reported to have been agreed upon, while the joint operational arrangements were being finalised.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for maritime geography, West Asia, global energy trade, chokepoints, freedom of navigation and India’s energy security.

Prelims Facts

• The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• Iran lies to its north, while Oman and the United Arab Emirates lie to its south.
• It is one of the world’s most important maritime energy chokepoints.
• Oman’s Musandam Peninsula overlooks the southern side of the strait.
• Disruption in the strait can affect global crude-oil and liquefied natural gas prices.
• India is highly sensitive to West Asian energy-market disruptions because of its import dependence.

Mains Perspective

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

Revision Note: India needs diversified energy sources, strategic petroleum reserves, resilient shipping arrangements and sustained diplomatic engagement with Gulf countries.

6. Meta, Platform Accountability and Intermediary Liability

Why in News?

Meta apologised for errors in operating its platform after senior company representatives were summoned by the Union government. The discussions included harmful online material, deepfakes, platform errors and the temporary restriction of a public post.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for social-media regulation, intermediary liability, content moderation, deepfakes, child online safety, freedom of expression and digital accountability.

Prelims Facts

• Section 79 of the Information Technology Act provides conditional safe-harbour protection to intermediaries.
• Safe harbour is subject to due diligence and compliance with lawful directions.
• Significant social-media intermediaries have additional compliance duties under India’s IT Rules.
• Deepfakes are synthetic or manipulated audio-visual content generated using artificial intelligence.
• Content moderation involves balancing user safety, free expression and legal compliance.
• Child sexual abuse material is illegal and requires urgent reporting and removal.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Governance, Fundamental Rights and Regulation
GS-III: Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology

Revision Note: Platform regulation should combine transparency, grievance redressal, algorithmic accountability and child-safety obligations while avoiding arbitrary censorship.

7. Debate over UPI Transaction Charges and MDR

Why in News?

The RBI Governor stated that the operational cost of UPI transactions has to be borne by someone. A proposed legal change could allow the government to notify categories of UPI transactions on which a Merchant Discount Rate may be levied.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, payment systems, banking costs, fintech regulation and consumer protection.

Prelims Facts

• UPI was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India.
• NPCI is an umbrella organisation for retail payment and settlement systems in India.
• The RBI regulates payment and settlement systems.
• Merchant Discount Rate is a fee associated with acceptance of digital payments by merchants.
• UPI enables instant bank-to-bank transfers using mobile applications.
• Digital-payment policy must balance affordability, innovation, competition and system sustainability.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Digital Economy, Financial Inclusion, Banking and Infrastructure

Revision Note: Any charging framework should protect small users and merchants, preserve adoption and competition, and transparently allocate the cost of maintaining digital-payment infrastructure.

8. Chandipura Virus Outbreak

Why in News?

The Union Health Ministry deployed a multidisciplinary national team to Gujarat and Rajasthan to support the response to a Chandipura virus outbreak. The infection has mainly affected children and can cause inflammation of the brain.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for vector-borne diseases, encephalitis, outbreak surveillance, Centre–State health coordination, One Health and public-health preparedness.

Prelims Facts

• Chandipura virus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family.
• It is transmitted mainly through sandflies.
• It can cause acute encephalitis, particularly among children.
• The National Centre for Disease Control supports disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research is India’s apex biomedical-research body.
• Vector control, rapid diagnosis and supportive clinical management are central to outbreak response.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Public Health and Government Intervention
GS-III: Disease Surveillance and Disaster Preparedness

Revision Note: India needs strong local surveillance, vector control, laboratory networks, public communication and coordinated outbreak-response teams.

9. Mullaperiyar Dam Dispute

Why in News?

Kerala opposed a proposal associated with raising the water level of the Mullaperiyar Dam and reiterated its demand for a new dam, citing safety concerns. Tamil Nadu operates the existing dam and depends on its water.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for inter-State water disputes, dam safety, federalism, disaster risk, judicial intervention and the balance between water security and public safety.

Prelims Facts

• Mullaperiyar Dam is located in Kerala on the Periyar River.
• The dam is operated by Tamil Nadu under a historical lease arrangement.
• Its water is diverted eastward for irrigation and other uses in Tamil Nadu.
• The Periyar River originates in the Western Ghats.
• Dam safety involves structural assessment, hydrology, seismicity and emergency planning.
• Inter-State river disputes involve constitutional, legal and federal dimensions.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Federalism and Inter-State Relations
GS-III: Water Resources and Disaster Management

Revision Note: A durable solution requires transparent safety assessments, data sharing, emergency-action planning and negotiated protection of both Kerala’s safety concerns and Tamil Nadu’s water needs.

10. Telangana Launches AI-Driven Emergency Helpline 112

Why in News?

Telangana launched a next-generation 112 emergency-response platform using artificial intelligence, call transcription, location services, incident prioritisation, live dashboards and digitally connected patrol vehicles to reduce response time.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for police modernisation, e-governance, AI in public administration, emergency response, privacy, accountability and last-mile service delivery.

Prelims Facts

• 112 is India’s integrated emergency-response number.
• It can connect citizens with police, fire and emergency services.
• Artificial intelligence can assist in call prioritisation and resource allocation.
• Location-based services can help identify the nearest available response unit.
• Real-time dashboards support monitoring and administrative coordination.
• Use of AI in policing requires safeguards for privacy, bias, cybersecurity and human oversight.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Governance, Police Reforms and Service Delivery
GS-III: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Internal Security

Revision Note: Technology can improve emergency response only when supported by trained personnel, reliable data, interoperable systems, privacy protection and independent performance audits.

📰 Editorial Focus – Seven Years after the Reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir

Theme

The debate examines whether the conversion of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories produced the promised improvements in development, security and governance. It also raises concerns over data gaps, democratic representation, civil liberties and restoration of Statehood.

Key Concepts

• Articles 370 and 35A
• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019
• Article 3 of the Constitution
• Statehood and Union Territories
• Federalism and Democratic Representation
• Security versus Civil Liberties
• Development Indicators
• Data Transparency and CAG Audits
• Political Participation
• Centre–Union Territory Relations

Mains Takeaway: Constitutional reorganisation should be assessed through measurable development, accountable governance, security outcomes, civil liberties and meaningful democratic representation.

📰 Editorial Focus – India’s Cancer Strategy Must Shift to Early Detection

Theme

Cancer is often diagnosed only after symptoms become severe, reducing opportunities for curative treatment. The Draft National Health Research Policy 2026 provides an opportunity to prioritise affordable screening, risk prediction, digital health tools and implementation research.

Key Concepts

• Preventive and Promotive Healthcare
• Population-Based Screening
• Primary Healthcare
• Implementation Science
• Digital Health Platforms
• Affordable Diagnostic Technology
• Health Research Priorities
• Public–Private Collaboration
• Health Equity
• Early Detection and Survival Outcomes

Mains Takeaway: India’s cancer policy should measure success not only through advanced treatment capacity but also through the number of cancers detected early or prevented from reaching an advanced stage.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC/PCS Today

• RBI Monetary Policy and Repo Rate
• Supreme Court and Anti-Defection Law
• Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls
• E20 Fuel and Vehicle Compatibility
• Strait of Hormuz and Global Energy Security
• Meta and Intermediary Liability
• UPI Charges and Merchant Discount Rate
• Chandipura Virus Outbreak
• Mullaperiyar Dam Dispute
• AI-Driven Emergency Helpline 112

One-Line Fact: The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important maritime energy chokepoints.

🎯 UPSC • PCS • IAS Foundation