1 Jan 2026 | Daily Current Affairs

Four Labour Codes: Draft Rules Pre-Published by Centre

The Context

  • Union Labour Ministry pre-published the draft rules to standardise employment terms across India
  • Public given 45 days to review and provide feedback before finalisation

The Key Highlights

  • Work Hours
    • Standardised at 48 hours per week
  • Women’s Safety
    • Night shifts allowed only with written consent
    • Mandatory CCTV and employer-provided transport
  • Gig Workers
    • Platform workers included in social security benefits for the first time
  • Childcare
    • Establishments with 50+ employees must maintain a creche
  • Wage Formula
    • Minimum wages calculated using living standards
    • Includes 2,700 calories per family and 66 metres of cloth annually
  • Trade Unions
    • Union recognition and verification to be conducted via secret ballot
four labour codes
four labour codes

Witchcraft Violence Assam: Social Crime and Ethics Issue

Context

  • Incident linked to witch-hunting driven by deep-rooted superstition
  • Victims were accused of bringing misfortune to the village by practising witchcraft
  • Such violence is punishable under
    • Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015
    • Relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
  • Official data
    • At least 160 people killed in witch-hunting incidents in Assam between 2001 and 2019
  • Women are often disproportionately targeted
    • Reflects gender vulnerability, social marginalisation, and lack of awareness
witchcraft violence Assam
witchcraft violence Assam

Pralay Missile Salvo Launch by DRDO

Salvo Launch

  • Launch of multiple missiles in quick succession
  • Usually from the same launcher
  • Intended to saturate and overwhelm enemy missile defence systems

Pralay Missile

  • Indigenous surface-to-surface missile developed by DRDO
  • Quasi-ballistic in nature
  • Range approximately 150–500 km
  • Designed for conventional precision strikes
Pralay missile
Pralay missile

Nimesulide Ban on High-Dose Oral Formulations

Nimesulide

  • Used as an anti-inflammatory drug for pain relief, inflammation reduction, and fever control
  • Mainly prescribed for acute pain

Why in News

  • Union Health Ministry has banned oral immediate-release nimesulide formulations above 100 mg
  • Action taken under Section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940
  • Reason
    • Higher doses linked to potential liver toxicity
    • Safer alternatives are available
nimesulide ban
nimesulide ban

India Rice Water Crisis: Agricultural Growth and Water Stress

Context

  • India becoming the world’s largest rice producer/exporter is intensifying groundwater depletion.
  • The problem is acute in Punjab and Haryana, raising long-term water security risks.

Top 3 Producers

  • India
  • China
  • Bangladesh

Top 3 Exporters

  • India
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

Summary (key takeaways)

  1. Water intensity
    • 1 kg rice needs 3,000–4,000 litres of water
    • 20–60% higher than global average
  2. Groundwater stress
    • Punjab and Haryana extract 35–57% more groundwater than natural recharge
    • Many blocks are over-exploited or critical
  3. Policy distortion
    • MSP and power subsidies incentivise rice over less water-intensive crops
    • Farmers get locked into groundwater dependence
  4. Emerging response
    • Limited incentives such as millets shift subsidy in Haryana
    • Short duration limits overall impact
India Rice Water Crisis
India Rice Water Crisis
India Rice Water Crisis
India Rice Water Crisis

About the UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most competitive and esteemed examinations in India, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit officers for services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and others. The exam comprises three stages — Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test (Interview) — designed to test a candidate’s knowledge, aptitude, decision-making, and leadership skills.


How to Prepare Effectively for UPSC CSE

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