🔥 UPSC/PCS Current Affairs | 10 September 2026

1. U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates Around Strait of Hormuz

Why in News?

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated after U.S. forces struck five Iranian oil tankers. Iran responded by targeting ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and firing ballistic missiles towards a U.S. base in Jordan.

The confrontation has increasingly shifted towards energy infrastructure and oil shipping. Brent crude futures crossed $100 per barrel, highlighting the global economic impact of instability in the Strait.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for West Asia, Strait of Hormuz, Energy Security, Maritime Chokepoints, Iran-U.S. Relations, Oil Prices and Global Trade.

Prelims Facts

• Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
• IRGC stands for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
• CENTCOM is the United States Central Command.
• Kharg Island is a strategically important Iranian oil-export hub.
• The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy-shipping chokepoints.

Mains Perspective

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

Revision Note: Conflict around the Strait of Hormuz can rapidly affect global crude prices, shipping insurance, inflation and energy-importing economies such as India.

2. Centre Opposes Treating English as an Indigenous Language in CBSE Three-Language Case

Why in News?

The Union government told the Supreme Court that it had concerns over treating English as an indigenous language in the context of the CBSE three-language scheme.

The Centre also said it would consider granting the current Class 6 batch a one-time reprieve from a mandatory third-language paper in the Class 10 Board examination. The court had earlier noted the need to give students and educational infrastructure adequate time to adapt.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Language Policy, Education Policy, Three-Language Formula, Linguistic Diversity, Federalism and Supreme Court.

Prelims Facts

• The case concerns implementation of the three-language scheme in CBSE schools.
• The current Class 6 batch was expected to face full implementation by its Class 10 examination.
• The Supreme Court issued notice on petitions filed by minority schools regarding implementation of the scheme.
• Language policy in education has important federal and constitutional dimensions.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Education, Federalism, Linguistic Diversity and Public Policy

Revision Note: Language policy must balance national educational objectives, linguistic diversity, student adaptability and infrastructure capacity.

3. MHA Proposes Special Article 371 Model for Ladakh

Why in News?

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed a sui-generis governance model for Ladakh, including an elected body and a possible new constitutional provision under Article 371.

According to civil-society representatives, the proposed body could receive legislative powers over matters such as land, culture, language, forests, environment and natural resources.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Article 371, Part XXI, Union Territories, Ladakh, Constitutional Safeguards, Tribal and Cultural Protection.

Prelims Facts

• Article 371 falls under Part XXI of the Constitution.
• Part XXI deals with Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions.
• Existing Article 371 provisions currently run from 371A to 371J.
• Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019.
• The reported proposal includes special protection for land, culture, language and natural resources.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Constitution, Federalism, Union Territories and Special Provisions

Revision Note: Special constitutional arrangements can help reconcile national integration with region-specific demands for cultural, ecological and political safeguards.

4. India and Sri Lanka Sign Three Defence-Sector MoUs

Why in News?

During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Colombo, India and Sri Lanka signed three Memoranda of Understanding covering defence equipment and training.

The agreements include the upgradation of L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and cooperation between the National Cadet Corps and National Defence Colleges of the two countries.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for India-Sri Lanka Relations, Indian Ocean Region, Maritime Security, Defence Diplomacy and Neighbourhood First Policy.

Prelims Facts

• Sri Lanka is strategically located in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The MoUs include cooperation in defence training and equipment modernisation.
• L70 guns are air-defence guns.
• Defence cooperation complements broader economic and maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: India and its Neighbourhood, Maritime Diplomacy and Strategic Partnerships

Revision Note: India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation is part of India’s wider effort to strengthen maritime stability, capacity building and strategic trust in the Indian Ocean.

5. Census 2027 Questions Renew Debate Over NPR and NRC

Why in News?

Former Census officials have raised concerns over new questions proposed for the Population Enumeration phase of Census 2027, and whether some of them resemble information previously collected under the National Population Register (NPR).

The report notes that in 1951, Census data was used to prepare a National Register of Citizens, although a countrywide NRC was not subsequently published.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Census, NPR, NRC, Citizenship, Data Confidentiality, Registrar General of India and Governance.

Prelims Facts

• The NPR was first created in 2011.
• The NPR was updated in 2015.
• Census data is confidential and is meant for statistical purposes.
• The Registrar General and Census Commissioner notified a set of 40 questions for Population Enumeration in 2026.
• The report notes historical use of 1951 Census data in preparation of an NRC.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Citizenship, Governance, Data Protection and Institutional Processes

Revision Note: Population databases require a careful balance between administrative utility, statistical integrity, privacy and public trust.

6. GRSE Launches Indigenous Deep-Sea Research Vessel ‘Sagar Manthan’

Why in News?

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) launched Sagar Manthan, an indigenous ocean research vessel being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).

The ₹840-crore vessel is expected to be ready by early 2028 and is intended to strengthen India’s capabilities in deep-sea exploration and scientific research.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for Deep Ocean Mission, Ocean Science, Blue Economy, NCPOR, Indigenous Shipbuilding and Marine Research.

Prelims Facts

• GRSE = Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.
• NCPOR = National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.
• Sagar Manthan is an indigenous ocean research vessel.
• The reported project cost is approximately ₹840 crore.
• The vessel is expected to be operational by early 2028.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Science & Technology, Blue Economy and Ocean Resources

Revision Note: Indigenous ocean-research capacity supports marine science, strategic autonomy, resource mapping and India’s long-term Blue Economy goals.

7. Open Waste Burning and Emissions Triple in Winter: WRI India Study

Why in News?

A working paper by World Resources Institute (WRI) India found that the incidence, quantity and emissions from open waste burning in Indian cities can be as much as three times higher in winter than in summer.

The study, based on field surveys conducted from 2019 to 2026 in 11 polluted cities, found that Tier 3 cities recorded the highest winter incidence of open waste burning.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for Urban Air Pollution, Municipal Solid Waste, PM2.5, PM10, Environmental Health and Urban Governance.

Prelims Facts

• The study covered 11 polluted Indian cities.
• Tier 3 cities recorded about 49.6 incidents per sq. km per day in winter.
• Open waste burning contributed less than 1% of total citywide PM2.5 and PM10 emissions in the assessed cities.
• Its local health impact can still be high because burning often occurs close to homes, streets and dumps.
• Poorer urban areas recorded substantially higher incidence of burning.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Environment, Air Pollution, Waste Management and Urbanisation

Revision Note: Open waste burning is not only an air-pollution issue; it also reflects inequality in municipal service delivery and gaps in urban waste collection.

8. WCCB Joins Probe After Five Orangutans Found in Odisha

Why in News?

Five young orangutans were rescued from a coastal forest in Balasore district, Odisha. The Odisha Forest Department approached the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to investigate a suspected wildlife-smuggling case.

The animals are not native to India and were shifted for monitoring to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for Wildlife Trafficking, WCCB, CITES, Biodiversity Conservation, Transnational Crime and Species Geography.

Prelims Facts

• Orangutans are not native to India.
• They are naturally found in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.
• WCCB = Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
• WCCB assists in combating organised wildlife crime and illegal wildlife trade.
• Nandankanan Zoological Park is located near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Biodiversity, Wildlife Conservation and Organised Crime

Revision Note: Illegal wildlife trafficking is a transnational organised-crime challenge requiring specialised enforcement, intelligence-sharing and international cooperation.

9. Bangladesh PM Keen on India Visit as Ganga Water Treaty Renewal Approaches

Why in News?

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is reportedly keen to visit India for a bilateral engagement, with the upcoming renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty emerging as an important agenda item.

The report said the treaty is due to lapse by the end of December 2026. Other possible areas for discussion include visas, trade restrictions, land ports, commercial ties and energy cooperation.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for India-Bangladesh Relations, Ganga Water Treaty, Transboundary Rivers, Neighbourhood First, Trade and Energy Cooperation.

Prelims Facts

• The Ganga Water Treaty is an important bilateral water-sharing arrangement between India and Bangladesh.
• The current treaty is due for renewal by the end of December 2026.
• Water sharing is a major component of India-Bangladesh bilateral relations.
• Land ports, visas, trade and energy are also important bilateral issues.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: India and its Neighbourhood, Transboundary Rivers and Regional Cooperation

Revision Note: India-Bangladesh ties show how water diplomacy, trade, connectivity and energy cooperation together shape neighbourhood relations.

📰 Editorial Focus – Preventive Detention and Executive Accountability

Editorial Theme

An editorial examined the Allahabad High Court’s decision to quash the detention of a law student under the National Security Act (NSA). The court criticised the administration for lack of application of mind and ordered ₹5 lakh compensation to be recovered from the salaries of responsible officers.

Key Issues

• Preventive Detention
• National Security Act, 1980
• Personal Liberty
• Judicial Review
• Executive Accountability
• Freedom of Protest
• Rule of Law
• Compensation for Rights Violations

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, Executive Accountability and Rule of Law

Mains Takeaway: Extraordinary preventive-detention powers require strict procedural safeguards, genuine application of mind and effective judicial review.

🗺️ Prelims Concept – Article 371 and Special Constitutional Provisions

What is the Key Issue?

The Ladakh proposal makes it important to understand the difference between general constitutional provisions and special provisions for particular States or regions under Part XXI.

Important Points

• Part XXI contains Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions.
• Article 371 and its sub-articles provide special arrangements for specific States.
• These provisions may relate to administration, tribal areas, land, culture, regional development or local institutions.
• Special provisions do not automatically mean the same constitutional structure in every State.
• The reported Ladakh proposal is still a proposed framework, not an existing constitutional amendment.

Prelims Trap: Do not confuse Article 371 special provisions with the former Article 370 framework for Jammu and Kashmir.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC/PCS Today

• U.S.-Iran Conflict and Strait of Hormuz
• Brent Crude Above $100 and Energy Security
• CBSE Three-Language Scheme and English Language Debate
• Article 371 Proposal for Ladakh
• India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation
• Census 2027, NPR and NRC
• Sagar Manthan and Deep-Sea Research
• Open Waste Burning and Winter Air Pollution
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and Orangutan Trafficking Probe
• India-Bangladesh Relations and Ganga Water Treaty
• Preventive Detention and Judicial Review

One-Line Fact: The proposed Ladakh governance model discussed by the MHA seeks a special constitutional framework under Article 371 of Part XXI.

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