MAY 19, 2026 Current Affairs
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Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 Spotlight The Ministry of Home Affairs has amended Citizenship Rules, 2009 and notified Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026. New rule » Applicants seeking citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, will have to submit an affidavit declaring whether they hold a valid or an expired passport from Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh. Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 » It facilitates citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014. |
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Consensus – Key to Federal Balance The book A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India’s Development Odyssey by former CEA Arvind Subramanian and Devesh Kapur highlights growing concerns over India’s federalism and consensus building as a solution. Challenges to Federalism in India » Divergent Regional Performance: Southern and western states have grown faster economically than the northern states, creating disparities. o Developed states feel penalized for better economic performance, with growing gap between states' economic contribution and Finance Commission transfers. » Combative Federalism: Increasing unilateral Centre decisions have weakened consultation and cooperative federalism, eroding trust between Centre and states. o E.g. 2020 Indian farm laws even agriculture is state subject under seventh schedule of Indian constitution » Rising Democratic Deficit: Frozen Representation in Lok Sabha based on 1971 Census to avoid penalizing states controlling population growth affect democratic reforms mandated in original constitution. » Increasing instances of Centralization: The improper use of assenting powers of the Governor in under Article 200 where opposite party to centre is in power. Initiatives » Inter-State Council: Set up under Article 263 to promote coordination between Centre and States. » GST Council: A joint forum (Article 279A) with members from both Centre and States to decide GST policies. » Others: 10% horizontal Tax devolution based on Contribution to GDP (16th Finance Commission recommendation), 73rd & 74th constitutional Amendments for local bodies creating a third tier of government etc. Solutions to promote federalism » Implementing Sarkaria Commission's recommendations (1983): Shift all residuary powers (except taxation) to the Concurrent List. » Promoting Equitable Development: As recommended by the Punchhi Commission (2007). » Enhancing Consensus through Key Institutions: Such as Inter-State Council, GST Council, NITI Aayog etc. |
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Energy Security via Bioenergy Decentralised bioenergy systems present a solution for the uncertain global energy supply chains and rising fuel prices in India About Decentralised Bioenergy Systems » It refers to the local production and consumption of heat, electricity, or biogas from organic waste and crop residues. » Key Technologies involved: o Biomass Gasification: Converts dry agricultural residues (husk, stalks) into combustible producer gas to run small engines or provide industrial heat. o Biogas & Anaerobic Digesters: Converts wet waste (food scraps, animal manure) into biogas for cooking and electricity. Significance » Waste Management: Turns municipal solid waste and farm residues into valuable resources. » Energy Security: Provides off-grid and micro-grid solutions to remote or underdeveloped regions. » Economic Empowerment: Drives local job creation and supports small-scale farming and MSME operations. Initiatives taken for Promoting Bioenergy » National Bioenergy Programme (NBP): It includes Waste to Energy, Biomass and Biogas Programme. » National Policy on Biofuels (2018, Revised 2022): Advanced the target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol to 2025-26. » SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation): To establish an ecosystem for production of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) from various waste/ biomass sources. » GOBAR-Dhan Scheme (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources): Converts biodegradable wastes like cattle dung, agricultural residue into wealth and energy. » Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana: Provides financial support for advanced biofuels projects. |
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India‑Norway Ties in News The partnership aims to deepen cooperation in sectors ranging from Clean Energy to Climate Resilience, Blue economy to green shipping as Indian Prime Minister is on the official visit of Norway. » The Indian Prime Minister was awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway. Other outcomes » Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative: Norway announced its participation in India’s Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative(IPOI). » IPOI was launched by India at the East Asia Summit in 2019, builds upon the “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) initiative. » India-Norway Digital Development Partnership: Establishes a framework for cooperation on digital public goods, etc. » Other Agreements: Digital and Health Partnership, Space Sector Cooperation etc. o India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), including Norway, signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) to strengthen economic cooperation. Evolving partnership between India and Norway » Economic Relations: » Blue Economy Cooperation: Both countries are collaborating in areas such as tsunami early warning systems, ocean ecosystem services and accounting (INECO) etc. » Arctic/Polar: India established 'Himadri,' its first permanent Arctic research station, in July 2008 at Ny Alesund, Norway, and has held Observer Status in the Arctic Council since 2013. » Space Cooperation: ISRO uses Norway’s Svalbard Ground Station for satellite data reception. » UN reforms: Norway support for India’s permanent membership in UN Security Council. |
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Nano‑Gold in Research Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) have developed a highly efficient, ultrathin, and flexible film embedded with Nano-gold particles. Nano-gold particles » Nano gold is tiny particles of gold that are so small they’re measured in nanometers. » Color: It can look red, orange, or even blue, depending on the size and shape of the nanoparticles and the distance between them. » Applications of Gold Nano Particles: » Medicine & Diagnostics: Targeted delivery of drugs to cancer cells, medical imaging and photo-thermal therapy etc. » Environmental Applications: Detects heavy metals and pollutants in water and soil. » Others: Used in sensors, and Nano-electronics. |
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Persian Gulf Strait Governance Iran has announced the establishment of a new regulatory body (PGSA) to oversee and manage operations in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. About Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) » It is responsible for monitoring developments and coordinating operations related to the vital shipping corridor. » Under the new system, vessels will be required to follow directives issued by the authority and secure transit permits before entering the Strait of Hormuz. » It will operate transit toll mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz which is not been unveiled by Iran yet. |
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Shaheed-VeerGundadhur » The Suvidha Kendra aims to provide welfare services, Aadhaar registration, and other benefits in tribal areas. » Born in Netanar village of Bastar in the Dhurva tribal community. » He emerged as a prominent tribal leader against British colonial rule in Bastar. » He is known for guerrilla warfare tactics, courage and leadership during the anti-colonial struggle. Key Contributions: » Led Bhumkal Rebellion (1910): Against British rule and exploitative local administration in Bastar. » Despite brutal suppression of the rebellion, he was never captured by the British. » Organised tribal communities: Through the Bhumkal Sabha to resist oppression and injustice. » Innovative Coommunication Method: Used Dara Miri (dry red chilli and mango twigs) to secretly spread messages of rebellion across villages. |
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SHGs – Grassroots Women Power Ministry of Rural Development has launched a nationwide roadmap for SHE-MARTs (Self Help Entrepreneur Marts). » SHE-MART, announced in Union Budget 2026-27, aims to empower women entrepreneurs by creating community-owned retail outlets within cluster-level federations of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). » The initiative highlights the significance of SHGs in women empowerment. Role of SHGs in Women's Empowerment » Financial Inclusion: Promotes savings, access to institutional credit, insurance, and digital banking among rural women. o E.g., Bank Sakhi Programme trains SHG women as banking correspondents. » Entrepreneurship Development: Supports women-led enterprises through skill development, market linkages, and SHG networks. o E.g., Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal provides entrepreneurship skills to women. » Political Empowerment: Enhances leadership, decision-making, and political participation. o E.g., Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) represents women workers of the informal economy. » Poverty Alleviation & Rural Development: Strengthens livelihood security, reduces dependence on moneylenders, and promotes inclusive rural growth. o E.g., Kudumbashree model of women-led poverty eradication and local governance. » Social Reform: Helps combat social evils like child marriage, dowry, alcoholism, and gender discrimination through collective awareness and action. Key Government Initiatives for Women SHGs » Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM): A centrally sponsored programme that mobilised over 10.05 crore women into 90.90 lakh SHGs for financial inclusion. » Lakhpati Didi Initiative: Functions under DAY-NRLM Scheme to enable SHG women to earn a minimum annual income of ₹1 lakh. » Others: Self Help Group-Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP); SARAS Mela etc. |
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SMILE Mission » Joint Mission: European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). » Objective: to capture the first-ever panoramic imaging of the interaction between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere, helping scientists understand space weather phenomena like geomagnetic storms. » Instruments: Light ion analyser, Magnetometer, Soft X-ray imager, Ultraviolet aurora imager. » Key Technological Innovations: » World’s First Space-Borne Soft X-ray Imager (SXI): To visualize the previously "invisible" boundaries of Earth's magnetosphere. » Integrated Observation System: To simultaneously capture global-scale imaging and take direct measurements of solar wind parameters. |
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Transparency & Accountability – RTI The Central Information Commission (CIC) held that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not fall within the ambit of a “public authority” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. » It is defined in Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. » It states: "Public authority" means- o Any authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted Ø by or under the Constitution (E.g., Election Commission of India) Ø by any other law made by Parliament/State Legislature (E.g., Reserve Bank of India) Ø by notification issued or order made by Government (E.g., NITI Aayog) o Body owned, controlled or substantially financed by Government (E.g., Coal India Limited) non-Government organizations substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by Government (E.g., Educational societies such as the DAV College Trust) |