🔥 UPSC/PCS Current Affairs | 2 September 2026

1. Supreme Court Invokes Article 142 to Quash FIRs Against Gen Z Protesters

Why in News?

The Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary constitutional power under Article 142 to quash criminal cases registered against young protesters involved in demonstrations following the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak controversy.

The Court exercised Article 142 to ensure “complete justice” and directed that the concerned FIRs should not be investigated further. The order was applicable across States and Union Territories.

At the same time, the Court allowed authorities to register fresh and specific FIRs against individuals with criminal antecedents identified during the protests.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Article 142, Supreme Court Powers, Judicial Activism, Complete Justice, Fundamental Rights, Criminal Justice and Judicial Review.

Prelims Facts

• Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.
• The power under Article 142 is available to the Supreme Court of India.
• Orders passed under Article 142 are enforceable throughout the territory of India.
• Article 142 is often described as an extraordinary constitutional power.
• It may be used where ordinary legal remedies are inadequate to secure complete justice.
• Article 142 should be understood along with the constitutional role of the Supreme Court.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Judiciary, Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights and Governance

Revision Note: Article 142 gives the Supreme Court considerable flexibility to secure complete justice, but its use must remain consistent with constitutional principles, institutional limits and the rule of law.

2. EVM Totalisers: Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Response

Why in News?

The Supreme Court sought the Centre’s response on the possible use of EVM Totalisers as a fall-back mechanism for counting votes.

A totaliser combines votes from multiple EVM control units and produces a consolidated result without revealing polling booth-wise voting trends.

The Election Commission pointed out that the present legal framework, including the Representation of the People Act and Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, does not specifically provide for the use of totalisers.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Election Commission, Electoral Reforms, EVMs, Voter Privacy, Representation of the People Act, Free and Fair Elections and Electoral Transparency.

Prelims Facts

• A totaliser combines votes from multiple EVM control units.
• Its purpose is to avoid disclosure of exact booth-wise voting patterns.
• A totaliser can connect a cluster of multiple polling-station control units.
• Form 17C contains important polling-station vote-account data.
• The Election Commission of India functions under Article 324 of the Constitution.
• The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 regulate various procedural aspects of elections.
• The Law Commission has previously discussed selective use of totalisers.

Mains Perspective

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

Revision Note: Electoral reforms must balance voter privacy, transparency, verifiability and public confidence in the electoral process.

3. SCO Summit: India Calls for Dismantling the Entire Terror Ecosystem

Why in News?

At the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, India called upon member countries to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism, including terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.

The summit declaration also discussed Afghanistan, West Asia, Iran’s sovereignty, international security and peaceful use of atomic energy.

India highlighted that instability in West Asia affects energy security, maritime security and global supply chains, with major consequences for developing countries and the Global South.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for SCO, Terrorism, India-Pakistan Relations, Afghanistan, West Asia, Energy Security, Global South and Regional Security.

Prelims Facts

• SCO stands for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• SCO is a major Eurasian political, economic and security grouping.
• India is a member of the SCO.
• The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
• Terrorism, separatism and extremism are major security concerns within the SCO framework.
• Afghanistan remains important for regional connectivity and security.
• West Asian instability has implications for India’s energy and maritime interests.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: International Relations, Regional Groupings and India’s Neighbourhood

GS-III: Internal Security, Terrorism and Energy Security

Revision Note: India views terrorism not merely as individual attacks but as an ecosystem involving financing, recruitment, radicalisation, cross-border support and safe havens.

4. India’s Gig Workers Remain Outside the Social Security Net

Why in News?

A large proportion of India’s rapidly growing gig and platform workforce continues to remain outside the government’s formal social-security database.

The Union Budget 2025-26 had announced healthcare coverage for gig workers registered on the e-Shram portal, with the measure expected to benefit more than one crore gig workers.

However, registration gaps indicate that a substantial section of the gig workforce may still remain outside formal welfare coverage and government databases.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Gig Economy, Platform Workers, e-Shram, Social Security, Informal Sector, Labour Reforms, Employment and Inclusive Growth.

Prelims Facts

• The e-Shram portal was launched to create a national database of unorganised workers.
• Gig workers generally perform short-term, task-based or platform-mediated work.
• Platform workers may obtain work through digital platforms and mobile applications.
• Gig workers form an important part of India’s new-age services economy.
• Social-security coverage is a major policy challenge for platform-based employment.
• Accurate worker registration is important for targeted welfare delivery.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Welfare Schemes, Social Justice and Vulnerable Sections

GS-III: Employment, Labour Markets and Inclusive Growth

Revision Note: The growth of the gig economy requires a social-security framework that combines worker registration, health protection, accident insurance, income security and portability of benefits.

5. India’s Q1 GDP Growth at 7.8%: Economy Shows Resilience

Why in News?

India’s economy recorded 7.8% real GDP growth during April-June 2026, supported by strong performances in manufacturing and services.

The manufacturing sector grew by 9.2%, while capital formation and services also contributed to economic momentum.

However, risks remain from high crude-oil prices, West Asia instability, inflation, weak rural demand, global slowdown and monsoon-related pressures.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for GDP, GVA, Manufacturing, Services, Capital Formation, Inflation, RBI Monetary Policy, Oil Imports and Economic Growth.

Prelims Facts

• GDP measures the value of final goods and services produced within domestic territory.
• Real GDP is adjusted for price changes.
• Nominal GDP is measured at current prices.
• GVA means Gross Value Added.
• Manufacturing is part of the secondary sector.
• Capital formation increases productive capacity in the economy.
• India imports a large share of its crude-oil requirement, making oil prices an important macroeconomic variable.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Indian Economy, Growth, Investment, Inflation and Development

Revision Note: High GDP growth is sustainable only when supported by employment generation, private investment, rural demand, stable inflation and broad-based sectoral expansion.

6. Bihar’s 75% Reservation and the Ninth Schedule Debate

Why in News?

The political debate over Bihar’s enhanced reservation framework has revived discussion on whether the State’s 75% overall quota arrangement should receive protection through inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

Bihar had increased reservation for disadvantaged groups from 50% to 65%. Together with the 10% Economically Weaker Sections quota, the overall reservation level reached 75%.

The development is important because it intersects with reservation policy, the 50% ceiling, judicial review and the constitutional status of Ninth Schedule laws.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Ninth Schedule, Reservation, Article 14, Article 16, Judicial Review, 50% Ceiling and Basic Structure Doctrine.

Prelims Facts

• The Ninth Schedule was added by the First Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951.
• It is linked with Article 31B of the Constitution.
• Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule are not absolutely immune from judicial review.
• The Supreme Court has held that Ninth Schedule laws can be examined if they damage the Basic Structure.
• The 50% reservation ceiling is associated with the Supreme Court’s reservation jurisprudence.
• EWS reservation operates separately under constitutional provisions introduced through the 103rd Constitutional Amendment.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Constitution, Reservation, Equality, Judiciary and Social Justice

Revision Note: Reservation policy involves balancing substantive equality, representation, constitutional limits and judicially evolved principles. Placement in the Ninth Schedule does not automatically eliminate judicial scrutiny.

7. MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 and State Rights over Mineral-Bearing Land

Why in News?

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 has triggered debate over the financial and constitutional rights of mineral-rich States.

A new provision, Section 9D, deals with certain taxes, cesses or levies imposed on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land that had not been deposited or recovered before commencement of the amended law.

The issue has particular significance for mineral-rich States such as Odisha and raises questions relating to federalism, State revenues and regulation of mineral resources.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for MMDR Act, Mineral Resources, Fiscal Federalism, Centre-State Relations, Mining Regulation and State Revenue.

Prelims Facts

• MMDR stands for Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation).
• Mining is regulated through a combination of Union and State-level constitutional and statutory powers.
• Mineral royalties and taxation of mineral-related activities are important sources of revenue for mineral-rich States.
• Odisha is one of India’s major mineral-producing States.
• Mining policy also has environmental, tribal-rights and federal implications.
• Changes in mining legislation can affect revenue sharing between different levels of government.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Federalism and Centre-State Financial Relations

GS-III: Mineral Resources, Infrastructure and Economic Development

Revision Note: Mining governance requires a balance between national resource policy, State fiscal interests, environmental safeguards and local-community rights.

8. India’s Data Centre Boom Collides with Climate and Resource Constraints

Why in News?

India’s rapidly expanding data-centre infrastructure is increasing demand for electricity, water, transmission capacity and cooling resources.

The expansion is being driven by cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, digital services and growing data consumption, but many large facilities are concentrated around cities already facing water and electricity stress.

Experts have called for a national sustainability framework covering renewable-energy sourcing, water-use disclosure, grid-impact assessment and energy-efficiency standards.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Artificial Intelligence, Data Centres, Energy Security, Renewable Energy, Water Stress, Climate Change, Battery Storage and Digital Infrastructure.

Prelims Facts

• Data centres require large amounts of electricity for servers and cooling systems.
• Cooling systems can also create significant water demand.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems can help integrate variable renewable energy.
• Demand response can help balance electricity supply and consumption.
• Data centres are increasingly treated as critical digital infrastructure.
• Transmission infrastructure is important for reliable electricity supply to large data centres.
• Major Indian data-centre hubs include Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and the National Capital Region.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Science & Technology, Digital Infrastructure, Energy, Environment and Climate Change

Revision Note: India’s digital expansion must be accompanied by energy-efficient computing, renewable power, water-efficient cooling, stronger grids and sustainability standards.

📰 Editorial Focus – India’s Economic Resilience Faces a Tougher Test Ahead

Editorial Theme

India’s 7.8% GDP growth in the April-June 2026 quarter demonstrates economic resilience, but future quarters may face stronger domestic and external headwinds.

The debate combines manufacturing growth, services exports, capital formation, crude-oil prices, inflation, rural demand, monetary policy and global economic uncertainty.

Key Issues

• Real GDP Growth
• Manufacturing Growth
• Services Sector
• Gross Capital Formation
• Private Investment
• Crude Oil Import Dependence
• Strait of Hormuz and Energy Security
• Inflation
• Rural Demand
• Monsoon Dependence
• Services Exports
• Global Economic Slowdown

Why is the Debate Important?

India’s growth performance cannot be judged only by headline GDP numbers. Long-term resilience depends on quality employment, investment, consumption, stable prices, export competitiveness and energy security.

Key Concepts for UPSC

• Real GDP vs Nominal GDP
• GDP vs GVA
• Capital Formation
• Fiscal Multiplier
• Inflation
• Monetary Policy
• Interest Rates
• Trade Deficit
• Services Exports
• Energy Security
• Rural Demand
• Inclusive Growth

Mains Takeaway: India’s economic resilience will depend on converting high headline growth into sustained investment, employment, household income growth and broad-based demand, while managing external risks arising from energy prices and global uncertainty.

⚖️ Prelims Concept – Article 142 of the Constitution

What is Article 142?

Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.

Important Points

• Article 142 power belongs to the Supreme Court.
• Its objective is to ensure complete justice.
• The power is exercised in matters pending before the Supreme Court.
• Orders under Article 142 are enforceable throughout India.
• It supplements the Court’s ordinary constitutional and statutory powers.
• It is an extraordinary power and is not a substitute for routine law-making.
• Article 142 is frequently discussed in questions relating to judicial activism and separation of powers.

Prelims Trap: Article 142 does not give every court a general power to do complete justice. It specifically refers to the Supreme Court of India.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC/PCS Today

• Article 142 and Supreme Court’s Power of Complete Justice
• EVM Totalisers, Form 17C and Electoral Reforms
• Election Commission and Article 324
• SCO Summit, Terrorism and Afghanistan
• West Asia, Energy Security and Global South
• Gig Workers, e-Shram and Social Security
• India’s Q1 GDP Growth at 7.8%
• Bihar’s 75% Reservation and Ninth Schedule
• MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 and Mineral Rights
• Data Centres, AI, Energy and Water Stress
• GST Revenue and Inverted Duty Structure
• Judicial Review and Basic Structure Doctrine

One-Line Fact: Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court of India to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.

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