Context: State Election Commission powers Rajasthan High Court issued contempt notice to the State Election Commission for delaying Panchayat and urban local body elections despite a court-mandated timeline. 1. State Election Commission Article 243K • Constitutional body for Panchayats• Appointed by Governor• Removal → same manner as High Court Judge Article 243ZA • Responsible for Municipal elections 2. Core Powers • Superintendence, direction and control of local elections• Preparation and revision of electoral rolls• Conduct of elections → Panchayat + Municipality• Fixing election schedule• Ensuring free and fair elections 3. Constitutional Mandate Article 243E → Panchayat elections every 5 years Article 243U → Municipality elections every 5 years • Elections must be held before expiry or within 6 months of dissolution

Context: Artemis II mission NASA’s Artemis II will send humans beyond low-Earth orbit (first time after Apollo 17) to test systems before a Moon landing. 1. Artemis Programme • Artemis I — 2022 → Uncrewed test• Artemis II — 2026 → Crewed Moon flyby (no landing)• Artemis III — 2027–28 → Human Moon landing 2. Core Systems SLS (Space Launch System) • NASA’s heavy-lift rocket• Work: Carries astronauts + Orion from Earth to space Orion Capsule • Crew vehicle• Work: Carries astronauts, life support, re-entry HLS (Human Landing System) • Built by SpaceX• Work: Takes astronauts from lunar orbit → Moon surface 3. Artemis II (What exactly happens) • 4 astronauts• ~10-day mission• Travel → Earth → Moon orbit → return• Purpose → Test entire system (SLS + Orion + humans in deep space) 4. Why Moon again • Water ice at poles → fuel + life support• Base for Mars missions• Strategic presence in space

Context: Helium supply crisis West Asia tensions have disrupted helium supply, a critical gas largely sourced from Qatar, exposing India’s high import dependence. 1. Key Points 2. Key Data 3. Major Imports from Gulf (with Countries) • Crude Oil → Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait• LNG / Natural Gas → Qatar, UAE• LPG → Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar• Fertilisers (urea, ammonia) → Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar• Petrochemicals / plastics feedstock → Saudi Arabia, UAE• Helium → Qatar• Sulphur, rock phosphate → Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman

Context: NCERT deemed university The Union Education Ministry has declared NCERT a deemed university, allowing it to run courses, award degrees and start PhD programmes. 1. NCERT: What it is • Set up in 1961 by Government resolution• Autonomous body (not created by an Act) under Ministry of Education Core role • Designs school curriculum (Classes 1–12)• Prepares NCERT textbooks• Develops syllabus, pedagogy, learning standards• Teacher training and academic research Position earlier • Only academic body for school education• No power to give degrees 2. Deemed University: Meaning UGC Act, 1956 — Section 3 • Status given by Central Government on UGC advice• Institution becomes “equivalent to a university” Powers • Grant degrees• Start PhD / higher education courses• Design own syllabus 3. What changes for NCERT • From school-level academic body → higher education institution Can • Offer BA, MA, PhD (education-related fields)• Expand into research & innovation 4. Key Features of Deemed Status • High academic autonomy• Must follow UGC norms + NAAC accreditation• No profit/commercial activities• Can open campuses only as per UGC rules

Context: Voting Rights and Electoral Rolls The Supreme Court held that deletion of names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is only procedural and cannot permanently deprive citizens of voting rights, which must be protected through a legally backed, fair and reviewable process. Core Principle • Voting rights are not permanently extinguished due to deletion• SIR must be carried to its logical conclusion with safeguards• Arbitrary exclusion → “extremely oppressive situation” Statutory & Constitutional Basis of SIR • Article 324(1) → ECI’s plenary powers: superintendence, direction & control of electoral rolls• Representation of the People Act, 1950 Section 21(3) → Allows special revision at any time in any manner deemed fitSection 22 → Correction (deletion/modification) of entriesSection 23 → Inclusion of eligible voters • Registration of Electors Rules, 1960Rule 25 → “Intensive revision” → preparation of rolls afresh (door-to-door verification) Due Process Safeguards • Deletion must be based on objective grounds (death, migration, duplication)• Notice + opportunity to be heard is essential• EC must record reasons for exclusion Appellate Mechanism • 19 tribunals set up by ECI• Headed by former Chief Justices / High Court judges• Ensure judicial scrutiny of wrongful exclusions Scale of Exercise • Large-scale exclusions (West Bengal context)• ~47 lakh of 60 lakh claims disposed• Remaining cases to be cleared within timeline Constitutional Significance • Voting → Statutory right (RPA) but core to:• Free & fair elections (Basic Structure)• Article 326 (adult suffrage framework)• Balance required between electoral purity vs voter inclusion

Context: Amaravati Capital Issue Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, declaring Amaravati as the sole capital, exercising its powers under Article 3 read with Article 4 of the Constitution of India. Chronology of Capital Issue 1. 2014 (Bifurcation) • A.P. Reorganisation Act → Hyderabad (temporary capital)• Need for new capital 2. Amaravati Phase • Declared capital; land pooling & development started 3. Three-Capital Proposal • Visakhapatnam (Executive)• Amaravati (Legislative)• Kurnool (Judicial)• Faced protests + legal issues 4. Reversal • New government restored Amaravati as sole capital 5. 2026 Bill • Parliament gives statutory backing → final clarity

Context: BRICS Summit 2026 The 18th BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi (September) under India’s chairmanship, where leaders will discuss global tensions, energy issues, and coordination within the grouping. BRICS • Grouping of major emerging economies• Aim: economic cooperation + multipolar world + Global South voice Members Brazil • Russia • India • China • South Africa • Egypt • Ethiopia • Iran • UAE • Indonesia Significance • First summit after recent expansion• India’s role: build consensus among diverse members Context → West Asia conflict→ Energy security issues

Context: Shield of the Americas A U.S.-led regional security initiative aimed at coordinating joint action among selected Latin American countries to combat drug cartels and expand strategic cooperation in the Western Hemisphere. Key Points 1. Objectives • Joint counter-drug operations• Enhanced military & intelligence cooperation• Strategic alignment with U.S. interests• Securing influence over critical resources 2. Participating Countries • Mainly pro-U.S. governments• Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, El Salvador, select Central American & Caribbean nations Not includedBrazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Canada Additional Point The Doral Charter emerged from the Shield of the Americas summit held in Doral (Miami, Florida), as a guiding document for U.S.-led regional cooperation.

Context: Politicisation of Anti-Corruption Bodies The collapse of a high-profile corruption case (Delhi excise policy) highlights concerns that weak evidence and perceived political influence are undermining the credibility of anti-corruption investigations. Core Issues 1. Evidence Deficit • Weak financial forensics; reliance on statements• Failure to establish money trail + personal gain 2. Judicial Standards • Courts require intent + quid pro quo• 2G case → acquittal due to lack of proof 3. Perception of Politicisation • Action timing creates political bias narrative• Early arrests, late evidence → credibility loss 4. Structural Weakness • Fragmented agencies (CBI, ED, ACBs)• Weak coordination vs specialised models like:• Independent Commission Against Corruption• Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau Implications • Low conviction rate → public distrust• Criminal law seen as political tool• Policy paralysis in governance Way Forward • Forensic-led investigation (money trail, data analytics)• Institutional autonomy (transparent appointments)• Evidence-first approach (avoid premature action)• Integrated framework (better coordination)• Adopt international best practices: specialised independent agencies (Hong Kong, Singapore) Conclusion Anti-corruption must be firm yet fair—driven by proof, independence, and global best practices, ensuring credibility and democratic trust.