Current Context: The Election Commission of India is commencing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across Bihar, relying on Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.  About SIR Definition: A house-to-house enrollment exercise by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to update/upkeep voter lists. Objective: Ensure inclusion of all eligible citizens and removal of ineligible entries. Methodology: Direct verification of residence, age, identity, and citizenship status. Regular updates can also be driven by voter requests. Significance : Enhances voter list accuracy, reinforcing quality of democratic processes.Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : Recently, the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan Dissemination Portal was launched to provide public access to data on student performance across States and UTs. ABOUT PARAKH Full form : Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development. Established in 2023 under NCERT as an independent national assessment centre. Part of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 OBJECTIVES Establish norms, standards, and guidelines for assessments. Strengthen student evaluation, school board equivalence, and holistic learning. PARAKH PORTAL FUNCTIONS Provides open access to data from Achievement Surveys and assessments. Enables States/UTs to identify learning gaps and create targeted action plans. Supports....Read More

Current Context: Karnataka introduced Mis-Information & fake news (prohibition) bill, proposing up to 7 years' imprisonment and fines of ₹10 lakh for spreading fake news. The proposal includes new regulatory bodies and special courts, and has sparked debate over its vagueness and potential impact on free speech. About Bill Definition of Offences: Fake news: Fabricated content, distorted media, misquoted facts—penalty up to 7 years jail + ₹10 lakh fine. Misinformation: Reckless false statements—punishable by 2–5 years imprisonment. Other offences include abetment (2-year jail), content disrespecting Sanatan or superstition. AUTHORITY & ENFORCEMENT Regulatory Authority: Six-member body chaired by Minister for Kannada....Read More

Current Context: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar rolled out biometric e‑passports nationally under Passport Seva Programme 2.0 during Passport Seva Divas (June 24–25). ABOUT E‑PASSPORT Definition: Traditional passport book with embedded RFID chip/antenna storing biometrics (photo, fingerprints, DOB), encrypted via PKI. Rollout: Pilot since April 2024 in 13 cities (Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Goa, etc.); nationwide by mid‑2025 with enhanced tech (mPassport Police App, new centers). Benefits: Strengthens border security, speeds immigration, prevents forgery, aligns with ICAO standards; older passports remain valid until expiry.Read More

Current Context: June 2025 marks 75 years since the Committee on Estimates was formed in 1950, celebrated by a national conference in Mumbai presided over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. ABOUT COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES Established: 1950 under Lok Sabha’s Rules of Procedure. Composition: 30 Lok Sabha members elected annually via proportional representation; ministers ineligible. Chairperson: Appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker for a one-year term. Functions:  Review budget estimates for economy and efficiency Suggest alternative policies and improvements Recommend format of parliamentary estimates Submit reports to Lok Sabha; ministries must respond within 6 months. Significance: Largest financial oversight committee;....Read More

Current Context: The Ministry of Education has formed a nine-member Vineet Joshi Panel, chaired by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, to examine the reliance on coaching centres and the fairness of entrance exams.  ABOUT VINEET JOSHI PANEL: Composition: Includes CBSE Chair, Joint Secretaries (school & higher ed), reps from IITs (Madras, Kanpur), NIT Trichy, NCERT, principals (KV, NV, private school) Mandate: Reduce dependency on coaching, target “dummy schools.” Identify schooling gaps limiting critical thinking and encouraging rote-learning. Assess fairness of JEE/NEET and entrance procedures. Review misleading coaching advertisements and selective success claims. Suggest improved career counselling availability. Focus Areas: Aligns....Read More

Current Context :The Bihar State Election Commission announced India’s first Android‑based e‑voting trial for upcoming municipal elections. ABOUT BIHAR E‑VOTING System: Dual Android apps (“e‑Voting SEC BHR”) developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and State Commission. Security: Blockchain ledger, facial‑verification liveness checks, and tamper‑proof audit trail akin to VVPAT. Eligibility: Urban voters with Aadhaar‑linked registration; demo in select wards before wider roll‑out. Benefits: Enhanced accessibility for migrant, elderly, and disabled Potential to boost turnout and reduce Booth‑level time. Challenges: Cybersecurity risks; digital divide concerns; ensuring privacy and non‑coercion.  Read More

Current Context: The Government of India is set to inaugurate the National e-Vidhan Application for the Puducherry Legislative Assembly, following its successful deployment in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. ABOUT: Ministry : Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Aim: Digitize legislative proceedings across all 37 State and Union Territory legislatures (28 State Legislative Assemblies and 9 Union Territory legislatures.) under the “One Nation – One Application” vision. Technical Platform: Hosted on National Informatics Centre’s MeghRaj Cloud for secure, paperless operations. Funding Model: Centrally sponsored, ensuring equitable financial support for each State and Union Territory.Read More

Current Context : India is set to conduct its next population census by March 1, 2027. Announced on 4 June 2025: The 16th Census will be digital, conducted in two phases, and include caste enumeration (first since 1931). About Census : Constitutional & Legal Framework: Conducted under: Census Act, 1948 & Census Rules, 1990. Last full census carried out in 2011; the 2021 exercise was postponed due to COVID-19. Phases & Reference Dates: Phase I (House Listing): Timeline: April 1, 2026 – February 28, 2026 (approx.). Activities: Listing all buildings; collection of housing & ancillary information; National Population Register (NPR)....Read More

Current Context: Uttar Pradesh government plans to export Kalanamak rice (Buddha rice) to countries with significant Buddhist populations. ABOUT KALANAMAK RICE Agricultural and Cultural Background: Non-basmati, aromatic traditional rice variety. Cultivated mainly in eastern UP, especially Siddharthnagar. Known as ‘Buddha rice’; dates back to the 6th century BCE (Buddha period). Listed under ODOP (One District One Product) Recognition & Export: Received GI tag in 2013. Listed among specialty rice varieties by the FAO of the UN. Export plans target nations with Buddhist cultural ties.Read More