Home Ministry Declares India Naxal-Free; 4,839 Surrenders, 706 Neutralised in 3-Year Operations

Centre Constitutes Pankaj Kumar Singh-led Committee for Gorkha Permanent Political Solution

After decades of demand for Gorkhaland statehood, the Union Home Ministry has set up a committee chaired by former Deputy NSA Pankaj Kumar Singh to finalise a 'permanent political solution' for the Darjeeling hills. The decision, announced at a meeting on August 22, 2026, comes when both Centre and West Bengal are under BJP rule, making it a politically opportune moment. The solution may involve creation of a separate state or Union Territory, with significant implications for West Bengal's integrity and India's strategic interests in the Siliguri Corridor.

PM Modi Announces Saptadhara Reforms: AI Skilling for 1 Crore Youth, 100 GW Nuclear Target by 2047

On the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi unveiled a seven-point reform framework called 'Saptadhara' covering manufacturing, agriculture, tech, defence, green economy, and soft power. He announced AI skilling for 1 crore youth in mission mode, free online coaching via DPI, and warned against 'dimagi Naxals' – ideological Maoists influencing policymaking. This speech directly addresses GenZ employment anxieties and national security threats.

I4C Blocks 3,718 Mobile Apps Under IT Act; ₹11,158 Crore Saved via CFCFRMS

The Centre has blocked 3,718 mobile apps, including fraudulent loan apps, via the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the IT Act. Over ₹11,158 crore has been saved through the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS). This is crucial for understanding government action against cyber financial fraud and the role of I4C.

CRPF Forms Core Group for Monthly Suicide Review After 59 Deaths in 2025

Alarmed by 59 suicides in 2025 (a five-year high), the CRPF has formed a high-level core group headed by its DG to conduct monthly reviews of self-harm cases. The NHRC has also sought reports from MHA and CRPF. This institutional mechanism aims to identify risk factors and strengthen prevention measures, making it a critical topic for security and welfare in paramilitary forces.

NCB's Year-Long 24 Fortnightly Anti-Narcotics Drives Begin September 2026

The NCB will launch a year-long national enforcement drive from September 2026, comprising 24 fortnightly special drives to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates. The action plan covers deportation of foreign drug offenders, action against absconders, pharmaceutical drug diversion checks, prison inspections, and darknet/cryptocurrency enforcement, all aligned with the Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29 and Nasha Mukt Bharat.

DGCA Proposes Random Psychoactive Substance Tests for All Commercial Pilots Round the Year

The Civil Aviation Ministry is considering mandatory round-the-year random drug tests for all commercial pilots, tightening the current rule of testing only 10% of the pilot network. This follows an incident where an Air India captain tested positive for marijuana after a sudden altitude loss on a Phuket-Delhi flight. For exam aspirants, this is a high-impact regulatory proposal linking aviation safety, substance abuse policy, and DGCA's enforcement powers.

AFSPA Extended for 6 Months in Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal; 13 Police Stations Excluded

The Centre has extended AFSPA in specified 'disturbed areas' of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months from October 1, 2026. In Manipur, the whole State is covered except areas under 13 police stations in five districts; Nagaland covers 9 districts plus 21 police stations in 5 districts; Arunachal Pradesh covers Tirap, Changlang, Longding and three police stations in Namsai. Exam relevance: Section 3 power, MHA notification, and state-wise exclusions are high-yield prelims facts.

MHA Extends AFSPA in Parts of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal for 6 Months from Oct 1

The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in specified areas of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh for six months from October 1, 2026. Key data for prelims: In Manipur, 13 police stations across 5 districts are excluded from the disturbed area declaration; in Nagaland, AFSPA applies to 9 districts. This news is crucial for understanding the balance between security and civil liberties in disturbed areas.