MoTA Directs States for Jan Sunwai Camps at Adi Sewa Kendras Ahead of Independence Day

India: 11% of Global Road Deaths with 1% Vehicles – SC Directs Road Transport Ministry on Safety Measures

India accounts for 11% of global road traffic fatalities despite having only 1% of the world's vehicles. The Supreme Court has directed the Road Transport Ministry to consider a petition focused on enforcing seat belt and helmet use. The article argues that judicial fiat alone is insufficient and calls for a comprehensive 'Safe System' approach addressing speeding, road design, and trauma care.

IYRP 2026: Rangelands Covering 50% Earth; Need for Portable Governance for India's Pastoralists

2026 is International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP). The article examines challenges pastoral communities face due to fixed-address welfare delivery, highlights Forest Rights Act recognition of grazing rights, and advocates for 'portable governance' to ensure continuity of education, health, and veterinary services despite seasonal mobility.

RGI Adopts Open-Ended Caste Census Format; 46.7 Lakh Names Expected as in 2011

The Registrar General of India has decided to use an open-ended question for the caste census, avoiding a drop-down menu. This mirrors the 2011 SECC format that produced 46.7 lakh unverified caste names, raising concerns about data quality. The decision comes amid political pressure and RSS opposition to using state lists.

Centre Reduces NEET-SS Qualifying Percentile to 30%; 1,857 Seats in Stray Round

The Centre, following Supreme Court directives, reduced the NEET-SS qualifying percentile from 50% to 30% for 2025 admissions, triggering a stray round for 1,857 vacant super-speciality seats. The decision also partially restored Tamil Nadu's in-service quota, highlighting the persistent crisis of vacancies in high-stakes medical entrance exams and the judicial push for optimal resource utilization.

Delhi LG Approves 20% Horizontal Reservation for Ex-Agniveers Under Article 309

Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu has approved 20% horizontal reservation for former Agniveers in direct recruitment to fire operator and prison warder/matron posts, with age relaxation of 3 years (5 years for first batch). This is a key exam-relevant example of policy implementation under Article 309 and the government's rehabilitation framework for ex-Agniveers.

Census 2027: 40 Questions Cleared for Enumeration, Including Caste and Aadhaar Details

The Centre has formally cleared 40 specified items for the Census 2027 Household Schedule, including politically sensitive questions on caste and Aadhaar details. This is not just a data exercise — it will shape demographic planning, welfare targeting, and social policy, making it a high-yield current affairs topic for exams.

Madras HC Directs TN Chief Secretary to Form Panel on POCSO, Juvenile Justice Gaps

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to form a committee of Home, Health, and Law Secretaries to address systemic gaps in implementing the POCSO and Juvenile Justice Acts. The court made key suggestions including gender-neutral application of POCSO, avoiding criminalizing consensual adolescent relationships, and establishing protocols for medical termination of pregnancy and child witness deposition rooms. This is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it touches upon child rights, judicial activism, and state governance.

SC Directs Centre on NTA Reform: Radhakrishnan & Nilekani Committee Recommendations

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to file an affidavit on implementing recommendations of the K Radhakrishnan and Nandan Nilekani committees to reform the NTA, aiming to make it a vibrant, foolproof institution like the UPSC. The court stressed institutionalisation with proper infrastructure, manpower, and technology to prevent exam leaks and ensure integrity.