Current Affairs

News & Analysis · Indian Polity & Governance

Syllabus-mapped editorials, PIB updates, reports, judgments, and policy news for prelims and mains revision.

21 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis21 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Wider engagement with universities and youth can bring new, unconventional ideas: PM Modi after high-level meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with secretaries, emphasizing greater engagement between government departments, universities, and youth to integrate fresh perspectives into policymaking. He called for effective use of data and AI, increased focus on research and innovation (especially in defence), strengthening the maritime sector through port-led development, and breaking administrative silos. This outreach comes amidst student protests over the NEET paper leak.

Indian Polity & Governance

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19 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis19 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Student protests: Delhi Police affidavit in Supreme Court is rich with numbers, but quiet on fixing accountability

The article reports on a Delhi Police affidavit filed in the Supreme Court concerning student protests. While the 42-page document provides extensive statistics on police deployment and measures taken, it notably lacks details on actions taken by the police hierarchy to investigate and fix accountability for officers allegedly involved in misconduct against women students and protestors.

Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2News & Analysis19 Aug 2026thehindu.com

NTA removes 600 experts from its team in revamp bid

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has initiated a major revamp, removing 600 experts and onboarding new ones, following directives from the Union Education Ministry. This overhaul comes after significant lapses, including errors in UGC-NET question papers and a NEET-UG paper leak. The reforms include a four-tier question paper checking system, induction of new officials, reinforcement of security with CISF, and an overhaul of confidential operations (CONOPS) architecture, including the use of air-gapped systems. New leadership positions, including Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, are also being filled with domain specialists from the private sector to strengthen cyber security and examination processes.

Indian Polity & Governance

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18 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis18 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Over 2.07 crore voter enumeration forms remain uncollected in Maharashtra

Over 2.07 crore voter enumeration forms remain uncollected in Maharashtra during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, leading to the deletion of 21.25% of the state's electorate. The State Election Commission (SEC) data indicates deletions due to deceased, untraceable, or permanently shifted voters. The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated this nationwide exercise due to rapid urbanization and internal migration causing cluttered electoral rolls. Allegations of political interference in the verification process have been raised.

Indian Polity & Governance

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17 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis17 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Don’t just adapt but lead in determining use of technology to reshape legal system: CJI to NLUs

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant urged National Law Universities (NLUs) to proactively lead in integrating technology, especially generative AI, into the legal system and education, rather than merely adapting to it. Speaking at a conclave, the CJI emphasized the need for academic integrity, responsible and supervised use of AI in classrooms, and developing 'Swadeshi jurisprudence'. He highlighted that technology is already reshaping legal processes like contract drafting, research, and dispute resolution, and called for serious research into algorithmic accountability, data protection, and digital access to justice, ensuring justice remains fair and human judgment central.

Indian Polity & Governance

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16 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis16 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Retrofitting Tamil Nadu to strike at drug menace

Tamil Nadu has launched a comprehensive strategy to combat drug abuse, spearheaded by the new Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). This multi-pronged approach involves specialized policing, financial investigations, cyber-surveillance, and extensive inter-departmental coordination (Health, Education, Rural Development, Municipal Administration, Information & Public Relations) for rehabilitation, awareness, and community participation. The initiative aims to dismantle drug syndicates, target financial networks, and leverage technology to achieve a 'Drug-Free Tamil Nadu', addressing both supply and demand for narcotics.

Indian Polity & Governance Social Justice & Development

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15 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis15 Aug 2026indianexpress.com

On Hyderabad students’ ban, Bar Council chief acted on own, say members

The Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman issued a directive to ban NALSAR University students from enrolment and initiate an inquiry against them, reportedly without consulting other BCI members. The directive was quickly retracted twice following internal dissent within the BCI, questions about its constitutionality by NALSAR's Vice-Chancellor, and public reaction, highlighting issues of internal governance and decision-making within the statutory body.

Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2News & Analysis15 Aug 2026thehindu.com

TASL, NIBE bag ₹1,577-crore Army contracts for loiter munitions

The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth ₹1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and NIBE Ltd for the procurement of 84 loiter munition systems and 840 loiter munitions for the Indian Army. This acquisition, processed under the 'Buy Indian' category with a Fast Track Procedure, aims to enhance the Army's precision-strike capability up to 100 km. The contracts emphasize indigenous content (60% overall) and align with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to boost indigenous defence manufacturing.

Indian Polity & Governance

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14 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis14 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Safety not on the platter: Bengaluru’s food safety checks expose gaps, from star hotels to quick-commerce warehouses

The article details recent food safety inspections conducted by the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Bengaluru, covering a wide range of establishments from luxury hotels and international fast-food chains to government canteens and quick-commerce warehouses. The inspections revealed significant lapses, including expired food, rotten produce, mislabelling, poor hygiene, and improper disposal of used cooking oil. The findings challenged public assumptions about food safety standards in high-end establishments. The article highlights the role of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and its initiatives like Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO), along with the health consequences of food safety lapses, such as food-borne infections and long-term organ damage. It emphasizes the need for consistent enforcement and industry compliance to ensure public health.

Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2News & Analysis14 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Jharkhand CM Soren urges PM Modi to reconsider mining bill, flags impact on State’s finances

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which restricts states' powers to levy taxes on mineral rights. Soren argues that this bill would severely reduce Jharkhand's fiscal space, impacting its ability to fund development, welfare, and social security initiatives, given that mining revenue constitutes a significant portion of the state's non-tax revenue. He highlighted the social and environmental costs borne by the state due to extensive mining and cited a Supreme Court judgment affirming states' legislative competence to tax mineral lands. The CM called for consultations with mineral-producing states and suggested a GST Council-like mechanism for resolution, reserving the state's right to pursue legal remedies.

Indian Polity & Governance

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GS-2News & Analysis14 Aug 2026thehindu.com

CJI flags ‘misuse’ of live-streamed court proceedings on social media

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has raised concerns over the misuse of live-streamed court proceedings on social media, citing instances of decontextualized clips and commercial exploitation. He emphasized the judiciary's commitment to transparency but stressed the need to prevent such misuse. The Supreme Court had previously issued an interim order on July 24, 2026, barring unauthorized dissemination, reposting, uploading, and monetization of audio and video recordings of judicial proceedings. The CJI also indicated that a protocol would be framed for users to access live-streamed content only through official court archives, while activists argue for open access to promote transparency and accountability.

Indian Polity & Governance

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13 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis13 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Race to post of Odisha DGP hit by controversies

The article discusses a controversy surrounding the appointment of the new Director General of Police (DGP) in Odisha. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is pending in the Supreme Court, alleging that the State government is violating the procedure laid down in the landmark Prakash Singh versus Union Government case. This procedure mandates the appointment of a DGP from a panel of three senior-most officers prepared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The controversy involves the State government allegedly expanding the list of officers for consideration and promoting officers to bring them into contention, leading to petitions to the Union Home Minister and legal challenges.

Indian Polity & Governance

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