🔥 UPSC/PCS Current Affairs | 25 August 2026

1. Special Intensive Revision: 1.07 Crore Names Removed from Karnataka Draft Electoral Rolls

Why in News?

Following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Karnataka’s draft electorate has fallen to around 4.46 crore voters after approximately 1.07 crore names were removed.

Many deleted entries were placed under the ASDDO category — Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead and Others. Special campaigns are expected in areas with high deletion rates, where eligible citizens can seek inclusion through Form 6.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Election Commission, Electoral Rolls, Article 324, Voting Rights, Election Administration and Free & Fair Elections.

Prelims Facts

• Article 324 deals with the Election Commission of India.
• Electoral Registration Officers supervise preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• Booth Level Officers assist electoral-roll verification at the ground level.
• Form 6 is used by eligible voters seeking inclusion in an electoral roll.
• SIR stands for Special Intensive Revision.
• Draft electoral rolls are published before the final rolls.
• Errors in electoral rolls may include duplicate, shifted and deceased voters.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Electoral Reforms, Constitutional Bodies and Democratic Governance

Revision Note: Accuracy of electoral rolls is essential for electoral integrity, but deletion mechanisms must also ensure transparency, due process and protection against wrongful disenfranchisement.

2. Supreme Court, Bangalore Water Supply Case and the New Definition of ‘Industry’

Why in News?

The Supreme Court’s recent Constitution Bench decision concerning Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. A. Rajappa (1978) has renewed debate over the legal definition of “industry”.

The old Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 has been replaced by the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, which contains its own definition of industry under Section 2(p). The old Bangalore Water Supply interpretation will not automatically control future interpretation of the new Code.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for Labour Reforms, Workers’ Rights, Industrial Relations, Social Justice and Judicial Interpretation.

Prelims Facts

• Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. A. Rajappa was decided in 1978.
• The case developed the famous Triple Test for determining an industry.
• The old definition was contained in Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
• The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 contains the new definition under Section 2(p).
• The Industrial Relations Code came into force in November 2025.
• The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 has consequently been repealed.
• The new statutory definition must ultimately be interpreted on its own text and scheme.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Social Justice and Rights of Workers

GS-III: Labour Reforms, Employment and Industrial Relations

Revision Note: The definition of “industry” is important because it determines which workers and establishments fall within the protection and regulatory framework of labour law.

3. NCDC Amendment Act, 2026: New Debate over Cooperative Federalism

Why in News?

The recently enacted National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026 has expanded the financial and operational scope of the NCDC.

The changes have triggered a debate over Centre-State relations and cooperative federalism, with critics arguing that greater direct involvement of a Union-level institution in cooperative societies could affect the autonomy of States.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Very important for Federalism, Cooperatives, Seventh Schedule, Rural Economy, Agriculture and Centre-State Relations.

Prelims Facts

• NCDC stands for National Cooperative Development Corporation.
• The original National Cooperative Development Corporation Act was enacted in 1962.
• Cooperative societies have important constitutional links with State legislative powers.
• Cooperatives are based on democratic management and member participation.
• NCDC provides financial assistance for development of the cooperative sector.
• The 2026 amendment expands its financial and operational reach.
• Cooperatives play a major role in agriculture, dairy, credit, marketing and rural development.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Federalism and Centre-State Relations

GS-III: Agriculture, Rural Economy and Cooperative Sector

Revision Note: Reforms in the cooperative sector must balance access to finance and professionalisation with democratic control, local autonomy and India’s federal structure.

4. Cauvery Water Dispute: Supreme Court Asks Tamil Nadu to Approach CWMA

Why in News?

Tamil Nadu raised concerns before the Supreme Court over a shortfall in the proportionate release of Cauvery water by Karnataka.

The Supreme Court advised Tamil Nadu to first raise the issue before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), the institutional mechanism responsible for implementing Cauvery water-sharing arrangements.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Highly relevant for Inter-State River Water Disputes, Article 262, Federalism, Water Governance and Climate Stress.

Prelims Facts

• The Cauvery basin involves Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Keralam and Puducherry.
• Article 262 deals with adjudication of inter-State river water disputes.
• Parliament enacted the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
• CWMA stands for Cauvery Water Management Authority.
• Biligundlu is an important inter-State measuring point in the Cauvery dispute.
• Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara are major reservoirs in Karnataka.
• Rainfall variability can significantly influence river-water sharing during distress years.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Federalism and Inter-State Relations

GS-III: Water Resources and Climate Resilience

Revision Note: Inter-State river disputes require strong institutions, transparent hydrological data and cooperative federalism rather than recurring political confrontation.

5. Supreme Court Restricts Construction and Hazardous Industries near Jojari River

Why in News?

The Supreme Court has prohibited construction and development activities within 100 metres of the Jojari River in Rajasthan.

The Court has also prohibited hazardous industries within 500 metres on either side of the existing flood line, amid severe concerns over industrial contamination of the river system.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for River Pollution, Industrial Pollution, Environmental Governance, Water Security and Judicial Environmentalism.

Prelims Facts

• Jojari River is located in Rajasthan.
• The Jojari passes through the Jodhpur region.
• Bandi River flows through the Pali region.
• Luni River is an important river of western Rajasthan.
• Bandi and Jojari ultimately join the Luni river system.
• Industrial effluents are a major source of river pollution in the region.
• Floodplains perform important ecological and hydrological functions.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Environment, Pollution Control and Water Resources

Revision Note: River restoration requires not only treatment of polluted water but also strict land-use controls, enforcement against hazardous industries and protection of river floodplains.

6. Assam Semiconductor Plant Faces Pollution Risk from Nearby Stone Quarries

Why in News?

Environmental concerns have been raised over stone quarries and crushers operating near the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test facility at Jagiroad in Assam.

The approximately ₹27,000-crore semiconductor project is a major component of India’s efforts to build a domestic chip manufacturing ecosystem under the India Semiconductor Mission.

UPSC/PCS Importance

A strong topic connecting Semiconductors, India Semiconductor Mission, Strategic Technology, Supply-Chain Security, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Environmental Regulation.

Prelims Facts

• Jagiroad is located in Assam.
• Semiconductor manufacturing requires extremely clean and controlled environments.
• Dust and vibration can adversely affect chip-production processes.
• Semiconductor facilities require large quantities of ultra-pure water.
• India Semiconductor Mission seeks to develop India’s semiconductor and display ecosystem.
• Assembly, testing, marking and packaging are important parts of the semiconductor value chain.
• Semiconductors are strategically important for electronics, telecom, defence, automobiles and artificial intelligence.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Science & Technology, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Environment

Revision Note: Building strategic manufacturing capacity requires not only financial incentives but also suitable infrastructure, clean water, environmental protection and resilient industrial ecosystems.

7. India’s Educated Youth Unemployment and the NEET Challenge

Why in News?

Recent labour-market analysis has highlighted the growing problem of educated youth unemployment in India.

PLFS-related analysis indicates that unemployment is significantly higher among tertiary-educated youth, while a large number of young people are also classified as NEET — Not in Employment, Education or Training.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Very important for Employment, Demographic Dividend, Skill Development, Female Labour Force Participation, Education and Inclusive Growth.

Prelims Facts

• PLFS stands for Periodic Labour Force Survey.
• NEET means Not in Employment, Education or Training.
• Unemployment rate does not include every person outside the labour force.
• A person outside the labour force may neither be working nor actively seeking work.
• Educated unemployment is an important structural challenge in India.
• Skill mismatch can exist when educational qualifications do not match available jobs.
• Women’s labour-force participation is an important component of India’s demographic-dividend debate.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Education, Human Resources and Social Justice

GS-III: Employment, Inclusive Growth and Skill Development

Revision Note: India’s demographic dividend can become a demographic challenge if expansion of education is not accompanied by employable skills, quality jobs and greater labour-force participation.

8. Airport Privatisation: 11 Airports Proposed under PPP Model

Why in News?

The government’s Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) has given in-principle approval to the Civil Aviation Ministry’s proposal for the third round of airport privatisation.

The proposal covers 11 airports grouped into five bundles. Importantly for Punjab PCS, Amritsar Airport is among the airports proposed for private participation.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for PPP Model, Infrastructure, Civil Aviation, Privatisation, Competition Policy and Asset Monetisation.

Prelims Facts

• PPPAC stands for Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee.
• The proposal involves 11 airports divided into five bundles.
• Amritsar and Kangra form one proposed airport bundle.
• Other airports include Varanasi, Gaya, Kushinagar, Bhubaneswar, Hubballi, Raipur, Aurangabad, Tiruchirappalli and Tirupati.
• The final proposal would require further government approvals.
• The government is considering limits on the number of bundles that may go to a single bidder.
• The proposed restriction is linked to concerns over oligopolistic concentration.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Infrastructure, Investment Models and Indian Economy

Punjab PCS Link: Amritsar Airport makes this development particularly important for Punjab PCS. Airport infrastructure directly influences tourism, trade, investment and regional connectivity.

📰 Editorial Focus – Labour Rights Beyond Bangalore Water Supply

Editorial Theme

The debate surrounding the Supreme Court’s treatment of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. A. Rajappa raises a larger constitutional question: how wide should labour-law protection be?

The old Industrial Disputes Act aimed at industrial peace and worker protection. With the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 replacing the older law, future courts will have to determine the scope of Section 2(p) while balancing economic flexibility with social justice.

What was the Triple Test?

• Systematic activity
• Cooperation between employer and employee
• Production or distribution of goods or services to satisfy human wants

Why is the Debate Important?

A wider definition can bring more establishments and workers under labour-law protection, while a narrower definition can exclude certain activities from the industrial-relations framework.

Key Concepts for UPSC

• Bangalore Water Supply Case, 1978
• Triple Test
• Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
• Industrial Relations Code, 2020
• Section 2(p)
• Labour Rights
• Social Justice
• Sovereign Functions
• Judicial Interpretation
• Industrial Peace

Mains Takeaway: Labour reforms should encourage investment and employment while preserving adequate legal protection for workers, particularly where bargaining power between employers and employees remains unequal.

🗳️ Prelims Concept – ASDDO, Form 6, ERO and BLO

What is ASDDO?

During electoral-roll revision, ASDDO broadly refers to entries identified as Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead and Others.

Important Election Terms

• Form 6: Application for inclusion of name in the electoral roll.
• ERO: Electoral Registration Officer.
• BLO: Booth Level Officer.
• SIR: Special Intensive Revision.
• Draft Roll: Preliminary electoral roll published for claims and objections.

Prelims Trap: Do not confuse Form 6, which is associated with inclusion in the electoral roll, with forms used for objections or other electoral-roll corrections.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC/PCS Today

• SIR, Electoral Rolls, ASDDO and Form 6
• Supreme Court and Definition of Industry
• Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and Section 2(p)
• NCDC Amendment Act and Cooperative Federalism
• Cauvery Water Dispute and CWMA
• Jojari River Pollution and Supreme Court Intervention
• India Semiconductor Mission and Jagiroad Project
• Youth Unemployment, PLFS and NEET
• Airport Privatisation and Amritsar Airport

One-Line Fact: Form 6 is used by an eligible citizen seeking inclusion of his or her name in an electoral roll.

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