Polity and Nation Updates for UPSC IAS Prelims 2024 Examination

News: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has informed National Green Tribunal (NGT) that only 167 posts out of 2,228 vacancies have been filled so far in 12 states and 2 UTs. Earlier the NGT had ordered to fill vacant posts across pollution control boards in the country by April end.  About Central Pollution Control… Continue reading Central Pollution Control Board

News: The Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI) has set up a new regional office at Varanasi.  About Inland Waterway Authority of India  It is a statutory body established by the central government under the provisions of the Inland Waterway Authority of India Act, 1985.  The authority undertakes projects for development and maintenance of inland… Continue reading Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI)

News: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly establish a Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET) in Hyderabad.  About Bureau of Energy Efficiency   It is a statutory body established by the central government in 2002 under the provisions… Continue reading Bureau of Energy Efficiency

News: Recently, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) ordered the liquidation of budget carrier Go First. It potentially brings an end to the airline and its 20-month-long insolvency proceedings. About National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) It is a quasi-judicial body established to handle civil corporate disputes.  It was established on 1st June 2016 under the… Continue reading National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)

News: The Supreme Court recently suggested the temporary appointment of retired High Court judges on an ad hoc (as-needed) basis to address the backlog of pending criminal cases in several High Courts. About Ad-hoc Judges in High Court Constitutional Provisions– The appointment of ad hoc judges is provided for in the Constitution under Article 224A… Continue reading Ad-hoc Judges in High Court

News: The Foundation Day of the Lokpal of India was held for the first time on 16th January at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi in the august presence of the Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna. About Lokpal The Lokpal is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. Its primary… Continue reading Lokpal of India

News: The government has reconstituted the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to include T V Somanathan, the new Cabinet Secretary, and Manoj Govil, the newly appointed Expenditure Secretary.  About Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)  The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was established in August 1948 within the Department of Scientific Research later the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)… Continue reading Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) 

News: Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) marked its 150th anniversary. About India Meteorological Department (IMD) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875. It is the principal agency for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology in India. Headquarters: New Delhi, IMD operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and plays a vital role… Continue reading India Meteorological Department (IMD) and its future vision

News: The Supreme Court announced it would consider hearing petitions in February challenging the constitutional validity of the 2023 law on appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs). About Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 Constitutional provisions for appointment of ECs– Election Commissioners are appointed under Article 324 of… Continue reading Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023

News: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan introduced the UGC Draft Regulations 2025. It brings substantial reforms in the appointment process for Vice-Chancellors (VCs) and academic staff. Draft Guidelines for Vice-Chancellor Appointment The University Grants Commission (UGC) has outlined key guidelines for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and merit in the selection… Continue reading UGC Draft Regulations 2025

News: Recently,a controversy in Tamil Nadu’s Legislative Assembly occurred when the Governor departed without delivering the customary address, citing the absence of the National Anthem. National Anthem of India About National Anthem of India Composed by- Rabindranath Tagore in Bangla. Adopted in– It was first adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly on… Continue reading National Anthem of India

News: The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation launched the bharatpol portal in New Delhi on 7th January 2025 at the Bharat Mandapam. About Bharatpol Portal It is a significant initiative aimed at streamlining the processing of requests for international assistance through INTERPOL. It will handle tasks such as the issuance of Red Notices… Continue reading Bharatpol Portal

News: A recent analysis shows that during the five-year term of the 17th Lok Sabha, Private Members’ Bills received little attention in both Houses of Parliament. About Private Member’s Bill Private Member: A Member of Parliament (MP) who is not a minister is referred to as a private member. Private Member’s Bill: Bills introduced by… Continue reading Private Member’s Bill

News: The National Rainfed Area Authority, in collaboration with other agencies, organised a workshop to stimulate discussions and policy discourse on rainfed areas.  About National Rainfed Area Authority  It was established in 2006 as an expert body to provide knowledge input regarding systemic upgradation and management of the country’s dry land and rainfed agriculture.  Mission:… Continue reading National Rainfed Area Authority

News: Recently, the Union Government had notified the Telecommunications (Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules, 2024. Telecommunications Rules in 2024 About the Telecommunication Rules, 2024  These rules empower some enforcement and security agencies to intercept phone messages under certain conditions, superseding Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951.  Key Provisions:  Competent… Continue reading Telecommunications Rules, 2024

News: The bills on “One Nation, One Election” have been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider consultation.  About Joint Parliamentary Committee  JPC is an ad-hoc committee formed by both Houses of Parliament for examining a specific subject or Bill in detail.  JPC is formed after one House of Parliament has passed a… Continue reading Joint Parliamentary Committee

News: The Union Minister of Education addressed the 20th Foundation Day of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI). He emphasized the rights of minorities under the Constitution. National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions. About National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions It was established by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act (NCMEI… Continue reading National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions

News: The opposition parties have decided to move a no confidence motion against the Vice President of India. Process to Remove The Vice President of India. About the removal process The Vice President can be removed from his/her office before the completion of the term. The resolution for removal of Vice President can be introduced… Continue reading Process to remove the Vice President of India

News: Human Rights Day is observed on 10th December every year to commemorate the adoption of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To celebrate the Human Rights Day, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is organising a programme at the Plenary Hall of the Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. About NHRC It is a statutory body established… Continue reading National Human Rights Commission

News: Recently, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, accusing the opposition of endangering democracy and national stability. About Martial Law Martial law is a temporary state of emergency imposed by the government to manage unforeseen threats and crises within the country. During martial law, military authorities assume control of civil administration and… Continue reading Martial Law

News: Recently, the Manipur government began reviewing the ILP system due to violations, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement. About Inner Line Permit (ILP) It is an official travel document issued by the concerned state government to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period. It is obligatory… Continue reading Inner Line Permit (ILP) system

News: A recent Oxford study has praised India’s PRAGATI platform for its outstanding role in digital governance, particularly in infrastructure and social development. About PRAGATI Platform PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) was launched on March 25, 2015. It is a multipurpose and multi-modal platform designed to address public grievances. It also monitors and reviews key… Continue reading PRAGATI Platform

News: Kuki leaders in Assam’s Karbi Anglong have agreed to surveys in their villages to check for people from Manipur. Karbi Anglong is governed under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. About Sixth Schedule Article 244(2) of the Indian Constitution provides for the Sixth Schedule that applies to the administration of tribal areas in… Continue reading Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

Source: This post on SC statement on Socialism in India and the Preamble Amendment has been created based on the article “Socialism in India means a welfare state not dictatorial dogma, says CJI Sanjiv Khanna” published in The Hindu on 23rd November 2024. Why in news? Recently, the Supreme Court recently gave statement on a… Continue reading SC statement on Socialism and secularism in India and the Preamble Amendment

Source: This post on Supreme Court Allows Telcos to Claim CENVAT Credit for Mobile Towers and Shelters has been created based on the article “Telcos can claim CENVAT credit for towers, shelters: SC” ublished in The Hindu on 21st November 2024. Why in news? The Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment allowing telecom companies to… Continue reading Supreme Court Allows Telcos to Claim CENVAT Credit for Mobile Towers and Shelters