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DAILY • UPSC CSE • PPSC • CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. SIR, Electoral Rolls & Right to Vote

Why in News?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls remains in focus amid protests over alleged exclusion of voters. Separately, an FIR has been registered in Karnataka over repeated attempts to file Form 7 applications seeking deletion of more than 7,500 electors in Ballari City constituency.

UPSC/PPSC Importance

Important for Election Commission of India, electoral rolls, universal adult suffrage, voter inclusion, due process, electoral integrity and free and fair elections.

Prelims Facts

• Article 324 deals with the Election Commission of India.
• Article 326 provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage.
• The Representation of the People Act, 1950 contains important provisions relating to electoral rolls.
• Form 6 is used for applying for inclusion in the electoral roll.
• Form 7 is used for objection to inclusion/request for deletion in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
• ERO stands for Electoral Registration Officer.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Elections, Election Commission, Representation, Constitutional Rights & Democratic Institutions

Revision Note: Electoral Roll Integrity = Accuracy + Inclusion + Due Process + Transparency + Protection against Wrongful Exclusion.

2. Agnipath Scheme — Armed Forces Review

Why in News?

With the first batch of Agniveers set to complete its four-year tenure in 2026, the Army, Navy and Air Force have submitted recommendations to the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) on improving implementation of the Agnipath scheme.

UPSC/PPSC Importance

Important for defence reforms, military recruitment, human-resource management, operational readiness, younger force profile and national security.

Prelims Facts

• The Agnipath Scheme was introduced in June 2022.
• Personnel recruited under the scheme are known as Agniveers.
• The engagement period is four years, including training.
• Under the existing policy, up to 25% of a batch may be retained in the regular cadre based on organisational requirements and performance.
• The remaining personnel exit after completion of the four-year tenure.
• The Department of Military Affairs functions under the Ministry of Defence.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Defence Reforms, Internal & External Security, Human Resource Management

Revision Note: Agnipath Debate = Younger Force + Operational Experience + Continuity + Training + Post-Service Transition.

3. Sixth Positive Indigenisation List

Why in News?

The Defence Ministry has reviewed the proposed sixth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL), which is in the final stages of consideration. The proposed list primarily contains items for the Army and Navy, including LRUs, sub-systems, assemblies and other equipment intended for domestic sourcing after indigenisation.

UPSC/PPSC Importance

Important for Atmanirbhar Bharat, defence indigenisation, strategic autonomy, domestic defence manufacturing, import substitution and military modernisation.

Prelims Facts

• PIL stands for Positive Indigenisation List.
• LRU stands for Line Replaceable Unit.
• The DMA has promulgated five PILs covering 509 major items between August 2020 and October 2023.
• Of these, 191 items worth about ₹3.40 lakh crore have been contracted.
• Acceptance of Necessity has been accorded for another 114 items worth about ₹4.75 lakh crore.
• The DMA lists and Department of Defence Production (DDP) lists are separate.
• The DDP has promulgated six PILs covering 5,417 items.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Defence, Indigenisation, Technology, Manufacturing & Strategic Autonomy

Revision Note: Defence Indigenisation = Domestic Capability + Reduced Import Dependence + Technology Development + Strategic Autonomy.

4. India’s Role in Russia–Ukraine Dialogue & Black Sea Security

Why in News?

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that India is going “beyond advocacy” in the Russia–Ukraine conflict and is holding conversations with both sides on issues such as Black Sea shipping safety, grain exports, energy exports and possible non-attack arrangements.

UPSC/PPSC Importance

Important for India’s foreign policy, strategic autonomy, Russia–Ukraine conflict, Black Sea geopolitics, food security, energy security and maritime security.

Prelims Facts

• The Black Sea is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Türkiye, Bulgaria and Romania.
• The Bosporus connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.
• The Dardanelles connects the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean Sea.
• The Black Sea region is important for grain and energy exports.
• Türkiye occupies a strategically important position controlling the Turkish Straits.
• India has consistently emphasised dialogue and diplomacy in relation to the conflict.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: International Relations, India–Russia Relations, Global Conflict & Strategic Autonomy

Revision Note: Black Sea Security = Maritime Routes + Grain Trade + Energy + Food Security + Geopolitics.

5. Next-Gen GST & Revenue Growth

Why in News?

The next phase of GST reforms is focusing on simpler registration, returns, refunds, disputes and improved flow of input tax credit. Gross GST collections reached approximately ₹12.46 lakh crore during April–September 2026, recording year-on-year growth of 11.6%.

UPSC/PPSC Importance

Important for GST, indirect taxation, cooperative federalism, GST Council, Input Tax Credit, formalisation and ease of doing business.

Prelims Facts

• GST was implemented on 1 July 2017.
• The constitutional framework was created through the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
• Article 246A provides special powers relating to GST.
• Article 269A deals with GST on inter-State trade or commerce.
• Article 279A provides for the GST Council.
• The Union Finance Minister is the Chairperson of the GST Council.
• GST registrations stood at approximately 1.71 crore at the end of August 2026.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Indian Economy, Taxation, Fiscal Federalism & Ease of Doing Business

Revision Note: GST Reform = Common Market + Cooperative Federalism + Compliance Simplification + Revenue Mobilisation.

6. Property Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Why in News?

The Odisha government has framed guidelines to safeguard the property and inheritance rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), covering ancestral, inherited and self-acquired property and proposing stronger grievance-redress and monitoring mechanisms.

UPSC/PPSC Importance

Important for social justice, disability rights, equality, legal capacity, access to justice, dignity and welfare administration.

Prelims Facts

• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act was enacted in 2016.
• The Odisha guidelines draw particularly on Sections 12, 13, 84 and 85 of the Act.
• The framework concerns protection of rights, property, legal capacity and interests of PwDs.
• Article 14 guarantees equality before law and equal protection of laws.
• Article 41, a Directive Principle, refers to public assistance in cases including disablement within the State’s economic capacity and development.
• Disability rights extend beyond employment reservation to accessibility, education, legal capacity and non-discrimination.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Social Justice, Vulnerable Sections, Equality, Welfare & Access to Justice

Revision Note: Disability Rights = Equality + Dignity + Accessibility + Legal Capacity + Effective Administrative Protection.

7. CBSE Three-Language Policy & Supreme Court

Why in News?

The Supreme Court has continued to examine implementation issues surrounding CBSE’s three-language policy. The Court has sought relief for current Class 6 students similar to that available to Classes 7, 8 and 9, highlighting concerns about student workload, transition and school preparedness.

UPSC/PPSC Importance

Important for National Education Policy 2020, multilingualism, language policy, federalism, linguistic diversity and constitutional provisions relating to language.

Prelims Facts

• Article 343 deals with the official language of the Union.
• Article 345 concerns official language or languages of a State.
• Article 350A concerns facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups.
• Article 350B provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities.
• The Eighth Schedule currently contains 22 languages.
• NEP 2020 promotes multilingualism and flexibility in language learning.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Education, Federalism, Linguistic Diversity, Constitutional Provisions & Governance

Revision Note: Language Policy = Multilingualism + Student Choice + Federal Diversity + Education Outcomes + Cultural Identity.

8. Bastar — From Security Infrastructure to Education

Why in News?

A former security camp at Bhatpal in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region is now being used as a residential facility for more than 150 tribal schoolboys, marking a transition from security-oriented infrastructure towards education and development.

UPSC/PPSC Importance

Important for Left-Wing Extremism, tribal development, internal security, Scheduled Areas, education, governance and the security-development nexus.

Prelims Facts

• Bastar is located in southern Chhattisgarh.
• The region has historically been associated with Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).
• The Fifth Schedule deals with administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in applicable States.
• PESA Act, 1996 extends Panchayati Raj provisions to Scheduled Areas with special safeguards.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs plays an important role in the Union government’s response to LWE.
• Long-term stabilisation requires both security measures and socio-economic development.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Internal Security & Left-Wing Extremism | GS-II: Tribal Development & Governance

Revision Note: LWE Response = Security + Governance + Education + Infrastructure + Tribal Inclusion + Development.

📰 Mains Focus – Electoral Rolls, SIR & Universal Adult Suffrage

Accurate electoral rolls are fundamental to the legitimacy of democratic elections. Revision exercises must identify duplicate, deceased, shifted or otherwise ineligible entries according to law while ensuring that eligible citizens are not wrongfully excluded. Transparency, notice, opportunity to respond and effective grievance redress are therefore essential to electoral integrity.

Key Issues

• Universal Adult Suffrage
• Free and Fair Elections
• Electoral Roll Accuracy
• Voter Inclusion
• Due Process
• Transparency
• Election Commission of India
• Protection against Wrongful Exclusion

Mains Takeaway: Electoral-roll integrity requires a balance between removing invalid entries and protecting every eligible citizen against arbitrary or wrongful disenfranchisement.

⚡ Prelims Concept – Form 6 vs Form 7

• Article 324 → Election Commission of India.
• Article 326 → Adult suffrage.
• RPA, 1950 → Major provisions concerning electoral rolls and allocation of seats.
• Form 6 → Application for inclusion of name in electoral roll.
• Form 7 → Objection to inclusion/request for deletion according to prescribed procedure.
• ERO → Electoral Registration Officer.
• BLO → Booth Level Officer.

Prelims Trap: Do not confuse the Representation of the People Act, 1950 with the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The 1950 Act is especially important for electoral rolls, while the 1951 Act extensively covers conduct of elections and election-related matters.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC & PPSC Today

• SIR, Electoral Rolls & Right to Vote
• Agnipath Scheme Review
• Sixth Positive Indigenisation List
• India’s Role in Russia–Ukraine Dialogue & Black Sea Security
• Next-Gen GST & Revenue Growth
• Property Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• CBSE Three-Language Policy & Supreme Court
• Bastar — Security to Education Transition

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