Current Affairs

Social Justice & Development

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

21 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis21 Aug 2026thehindu.com

BJP MLA Jai Devi Kaushal alleges caste discrimination at Uttar Pradesh temple event

A BJP MLA from the Pasi community, Jai Devi Kaushal, alleged caste-based discrimination during a temple renovation ceremony (bhoomi pujan) in Kakori, Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh. She claimed she was not allowed to take her seat due to her caste. The incident drew criticism from the Congress party, which linked it to a broader pattern of feudal practices and untouchability.

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19 August 2026

GS-2Editorials19 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Education must change to account for AI

The article highlights the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the nature of work across various sectors, necessitating a fundamental shift in education. It argues that the traditional model of education, focused on knowledge retention, is becoming obsolete. Instead, the education system must adapt to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, synthesis, judgment, and continuous learning to prepare students for an unpredictable future. The author suggests leveraging the National Education Policy's (NEP) four-year undergraduate research pathway to provide practical, immersive learning experiences in industry or laboratories, emphasizing 'learning on the fly' over simply adding more curriculum material.

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GS-2Editorials19 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Employment guarantee has slipped into limbo

The article details a significant decline in rural employment generation following the transition from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) alias VB-G RAM G Act, effective July 1, 2026. It highlights the confusion during the transition, the substantial drop in person-days of work, and raises concerns about the implementation, budget utilization, and future outlook of the new employment guarantee scheme, particularly its adverse impact on poorer states and potential issues with wage payments and Centre-State cost-sharing.

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GS-2Editorials19 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Treat health as a public good, not a market opportunity

The article advocates for treating health as a public good rather than a market opportunity, particularly in South Asia. It highlights the region's significant burden of preventable illness, malnutrition, and high out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), which pushes families into poverty. Citing India's rising OOPE and relatively low public share of health expenditure compared to countries like Sri Lanka, it argues for sustained public investment in healthcare infrastructure, primary care, medical education, and research. The article emphasizes that robust public health systems are crucial for productivity, resilience, human dignity, and regional preparedness against challenges like outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance, urging governments to prioritize equitable, affordable care.

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18 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis18 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Left parties renew call to scrap NTA, NEP after UGC-NET paper errors

Left parties have renewed their demand to scrap the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, following errors in UGC-NET June 2026 examination papers. They allege 'entrenched rot' and 'abject incompetence' in the NTA, and criticize the NEP for promoting 'centralisation, commercialisation and communalisation' of education. Political leaders from CPI(M), CPI, and CPI (ML) Liberation have called for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system, reiterating the Kothari Commission's recommendation for increased public expenditure on education and emphasizing the role of State Governments.

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17 August 2026

GS-2Editorials17 Aug 2026thehindu.com

How AI can be optimised for better healthcare

The article discusses how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be optimized to improve healthcare delivery, especially in countries like India facing challenges in expanding clinical capacity and managing complex disease burdens. It highlights AI's potential to make accumulated medical knowledge more accessible at the point of care, citing examples from the U.S. and U.K. The piece emphasizes AI's role in enhancing efficiency in diagnostic workflows, hospital operations, appointment scheduling, clinical documentation, and claims processing. It also points out the economic benefits, such as reducing collection costs and freeing up resources, and enabling new services like remote monitoring and risk-based preventive programs. The article stresses the importance of judicious use, clinical validation, representative data, and human oversight to ensure safe and effective AI implementation in diverse healthcare settings, ultimately linking improved healthcare to a nation's economic development and population productivity.

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16 August 2026

GS-2News & Analysis16 Aug 2026thehindu.com

Taken by one of the big four: Snakebite at Maharashtra tribal school

Three tribal girls died from a common krait snakebite at a residential Ashram School in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, due to severe deficiencies in school infrastructure, lack of accessible medical facilities, and poor road connectivity. The incident highlights systemic negligence in the oversight of tribal residential schools and the broader challenges faced by remote tribal communities in accessing basic services like education and healthcare. The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice, and the state government has initiated action against the school management.

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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.

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15 August 2026

GS-2Editorials15 Aug 2026indianexpress.com

Jagjivan Ram to Kharge, the distance not covered

The article traces the political journey of Dalit leaders from Jagjivan Ram to Mallikarjun Kharge, examining the progress made in terms of individual political ascent while critically analyzing the persistent challenges and the 'distance not covered' in achieving comprehensive social and political empowerment for the Dalit community. It likely delves into issues of representation, systemic discrimination, and the effectiveness of constitutional safeguards and welfare policies.

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GS-2News & Analysis15 Aug 2026thehindu.com

On India’s disappearing pastoral communities | Green Humour by Rohan Chakravarty

The article, part of Rohan Chakravarty's 'Green Humour' series, highlights the critical issue of India's disappearing pastoral communities. Chakravarty's work generally focuses on wildlife, nature conservation, environmental issues, and sustainability, suggesting an environmental perspective on the challenges faced by these communities.

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13 August 2026

GS-2Editorials13 Aug 2026indianexpress.com

Indian higher education’s three challenges

The article title 'Indian higher education’s three challenges' suggests a discussion on critical issues within the higher education sector in India. However, the article body is empty, preventing a detailed analysis of its specific content. Based on the title, it would likely cover aspects such as access, quality, equity, funding, or relevance of education to the job market.

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