5 States + Puducherry Form Permanent Anti-Drug Network; SP-Rank Nodal Officers Appointed

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.

Centre Includes Union Minister in Naga Peace Talks; NSCN-IM Welcomes Move as Breakthrough

In a major step to revive the Naga peace process, the Centre has agreed to include a Union Minister in talks with NSCN-IM, a long-standing demand. The outfit has also accepted Ajit Lal as interlocutor, signalling renewed momentum after years of stalemate. This development comes amid pressure from a hardline rebel faction and growing public impatience in Nagaland.

WB Cabinet Transfers 31.905 Acres to BSF for Border Fencing After HC Order

The West Bengal Cabinet has approved permanent transfer of 31.905 acres across nine locations to the BSF for border fencing, removing a major State-level bottleneck. This follows a Calcutta High Court order in January 2026 directing the State to hand over already acquired land by March 31, 2026.

AP Pedestrian Safety Policy 2026: SC Recognises Right to Walk, 36,526 Pedestrian Deaths in 2024, Section 198A Fine

The Supreme Court recognized the right to walk on footpaths as a fundamental right. Andhra Pradesh became the first state to notify a pedestrian safety policy, mandating audits, removal of encroachments, and a Rs 1 lakh fine under Section 198A MV Act for infrastructure failure causing death. With 1 in 5 road deaths being pedestrians (36,526 in 2024), this policy is a landmark for urban governance and social justice.

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.

West Bengal Gets First NIA Police Station at Kolkata's New Town; 17th Across India

West Bengal will get its first dedicated NIA police station in Kolkata's New Town, enabling the agency to lodge FIRs locally without waiting for Delhi. This is the 17th NIA police station in India, clearing a long-pending proposal under the new BJP government.

Dalits Account for SC Population 32% in Punjab – Remittances Drive Social & Political Assertion Ahead of 2027 Assembly Polls

Punjab’s Dalits (SC population ≈32%, highest among Indian states) are leveraging foreign remittances (especially from Dubai, UK, US, Canada) to build mega-religious complexes like the Shiromani Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, marking a shift from historical marginalisation. With the 2027 Assembly polls approaching, all major parties (Congress, BJP, AAP, SAD) are aggressively wooing this one-third voter base, making this a key social/political force in Punjab.

MahaRERA Strikes Down Builder's Unilateral Cancellation Clause, Orders Interest from Oct 2023 Under RERA Act

MahaRERA has declared illegal a contractual clause that allowed a builder to unilaterally cancel a flat allotment via Power of Attorney, reinforcing statutory safeguards under the RERA Act. The developer was ordered to pay interest for delayed possession from October 1, 2023. This ruling is a key example of regulatory protection for homebuyers and a must-know for exams covering RERA, consumer rights, and state-level governance.