Polity and Nation Updates for UPSC IAS Prelims 2025 Examination

News: On May 20, 2025, recently revamped OCI services portal was launched.  About Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Scheme The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme was introduced by the Government of India through an amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955, in 2005. This initiative was designed to strengthen India’s engagement with the global Indian… Continue reading Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Scheme

News: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday announced that cyber fraud complaints above ₹10 lakh made via helpline 1930 or the NCRP will now be automatically converted into FIRs under the new e-Zero FIR system. About e-Zero FIR Launched by: Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Pilot Project… Continue reading e-Zero FIR

News: India has formally joined over 120 countries—including the US, France, Japan, and Australia—in issuing biometric e-passports. This move aims to enhance national security, ease international travel, and align with ICAO global standards. A nationwide rollout is planned by mid-2025. About e-Passports A biometric e-passport is an upgraded version of the traditional passport. It contains… Continue reading e-Passports

News: In May 2025, President Droupadi Murmu made a reference to the Supreme Court under Article 143, seeking its opinion on 14 specific legal questions. This followed a recent Supreme Court judgment that prescribed timelines for Governors and the President to act on State legislation, and made such decisions subject to judicial review. About Presidential… Continue reading Presidential Reference

News: On May 14, 2025, the Supreme Court asked a committee formed by the Madras High Court to identify Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu within three months. It ordered that no priest appointments be made in these temples until the process is complete. The next hearing is in September 2025. Agamic Temples and Supreme Court’s… Continue reading Agamic Temples and Supreme Court’s Direction

News: The Committee for the Framework on Repairability Index (RI) in Mobile and Electronic Sector has submitted its report to the Department of Consumer Affairs. It aims to improve repair access, transparency, and empower consumers. Framework on Repairability Index (RI) About Repairability Index (RI) The Repairability Index is a scoring system to rate how easily… Continue reading Framework on Repairability Index (RI)

News: The Supreme Court scrapped its existing points-based system for designating senior advocates in the Supreme Court and High Courts. A new set of guidelines is issued. Designating Senior Advocates. About Designating Senior Advocates Under Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961, the Supreme Court and High Courts have the authority to confer the designation of… Continue reading Designating Senior Advocates

News: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has intensified its scrutiny of e-commerce platforms for allegedly violating consumer rights. The authority is particularly targeting the use of dark patterns. Basket sneaking and Confirm Shaming About Dark Patterns Dark patterns are defined as deceptive design techniques used in user interface (UI) or user experience (UX) that… Continue reading Basket sneaking and Confirm Shaming

News: The Supreme Court of India, on May 9, 2025, set aside a Delhi High Court order that had directed the Wikimedia Foundation to take down a Wikipedia page related to a defamation case. The judgment reinforced the importance of free expression, intermediary protection, and public discourse even in sub judice matters highlighting the judiciary’s… Continue reading Right to Know

News: Karnataka MLA G. Janardhan Reddy has been disqualified from the State Legislative Assembly after being convicted by the Principal Special Judge for CBI cases in Hyderabad. The disqualification is effective from May 6, 2025, as per Article 191(1)(e) of the Constitution and Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Disqualification of… Continue reading Disqualification of a Sitting Lawmaker

News: On May 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the meeting of the committee tasked with appointing the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Appointment of the CBI Director. About the Appointment of the CBI Director The appointment of the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is governed by the… Continue reading Appointment of the CBI Director

News: The Election Commission of (ECI) India will soon launch a single-point App ECINET for stakeholders. ECINET- ECI Single Digit Platform. About ECINET- ECI Single Digit Platform It is a new one-stop platform that will integrate and reorient over 40 of EC’s existing mobile and web applications. Aim: It aims to alleviate the burden of… Continue reading ECINET- ECI Single Digit Platform

News: Central Government has revamped the National Security Advisory Board, appointing ex-RAW chief Alok Joshi as its chairman. National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). About National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) It is an advisory body of eminent experts from outside the government that provides long-term strategic inputs on national security issues. It is part of the national security… Continue reading National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)

News: Tamil Nadu Government has formed a three-member high-level committee to review Centre-State relations, echoing Rajamannar committee of past. Rajamannar Committee on Centre-State Relations. About Rajamannar Committee on Centre-State Relations It was formed by Tamil Nadu government in 1969 and it gave its Report in 1971. It was the first state-level initiative to review Centre-State relations.… Continue reading Rajamannar Committee on Centre-State Relations

News- Following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) unveiled a set of unprecedented retaliatory actions targeting Pakistan. About Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) It is the apex decision-making body in the Government of India on matters related to the country’s defence, national security, and law and order.… Continue reading Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)

News: A recent petition in the Supreme Court has sought the invocation of Article 355 in West Bengal by deploying central armed forces, citing violence in Murshidabad. Article 355 of the Indian Constitution. About Article 355 The text of Article 355 states: “It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against… Continue reading Article 355 of the Indian Constitution

News- In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court struck down Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s decision to withhold assent to 10 State Bills, terming it illegal and erroneous in law. SC verdict on Governor’s assent to Bills. About Supreme Court’s ruling (Tamil Nadu Governor Assent Case) The Court held that the Governor cannot sit indefinitely… Continue reading SC verdict on Governor’s assent to Bills

News- The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the “Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions Regulations, 2025” to streamline the process of recognizing foreign degrees in India. UGC Equivalence Certificate Regulations 2025. About UGC Equivalence Certificate Regulations 2025 Aim: To establish a structured and transparent framework for issuing equivalence… Continue reading UGC Equivalence Certificate Regulations 2025

News– The Union government recently introduced The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. It aims to strengthen India’s borders and streamline immigration and foreigner-related laws. Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025. About Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 The Bill repeals and replaces the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000, and three pre-independence laws, the… Continue reading Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

News: The issue of ‘D’ (Doubtful) voters in Assam has resurfaced as the opposition demands the tabling of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) report and the closure of the state transit camp. D-voter and rules governing D voters. About D-voter The term “D-voter” refers to “Doubtful Voter”, a classification used in Assam to indicate… Continue reading D-voter and rules governing D voters

News: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP that multiple electors have been assigned identical EPIC numbers, raising concerns about electoral integrity ahead of the state elections. About Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) An Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is issued to all registered voters to prevent impersonation during elections. It serves as… Continue reading Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC)

News: The controversy over the three-language policy has resurfaced due to the ongoing conflict between the Tamil Nadu government and the Union government regarding its implementation under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. About Three-Language Formula The three-language formula was first introduced in the National Education Policy (NEP), 1968 and was later retained with modifications… Continue reading Three-Language Formula

News: Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune. About Zonal Councils Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the concept of zonal councils in 1956 during the debate on the States Reorganisation Commission report. It was introduced as a mechanism to promote inter-state cooperation and resolve… Continue reading Zonal Councils

News: Recently, the Supreme Court in a landmark ruling, directed all states with remission policies to consider the premature release of eligible prisoners even if they have not applied for remission. About Remission Remission is the reduction of a prison sentence granted to a convict before the completion of their term. It is different from… Continue reading Remission

News: Recently, the Supreme Court struck down the National Medical Commission (NMC)’s eligibility condition requiring MBBS aspirants with disabilities to have “both hands intact, with intact sensation and sufficient strength.” About National Medical Commission (NMC) The National Medical Commission (NMC) is the statutory body established under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the Medical… Continue reading National Medical Commission (NMC)