The process for appointing a regular Director-General of Police (DGP) in Tamil Nadu has resumed following Supreme Court directives. The court ordered that the appointment must be completed within three weeks. According to the Prakash Singh case guidelines, a regular DGP must have a minimum tenure of two years, regardless of their date of superannuation. The State government is required to send a panel of eligible officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which then finalizes a shortlist of three officers. The state must then select one from this shortlist to ensure stability in police leadership.
The Supreme Court mandated the completion of the DGP appointment within a three-week timeframe to avoid temporary leadership.
Guidelines from the landmark Prakash Singh case ensure a fixed two-year tenure for the DGP to prevent political interference.
The UPSC plays a critical role in empanelling eligible officers based on seniority, merit, and residual service.
Exam Points
Prakash Singh case (2006) established the primary guidelines for DGP appointments.
A regular DGP is entitled to a minimum tenure of two years irrespective of the date of superannuation.
The UPSC shortlists exactly three officers for the state government to choose from.
India is navigating a complex trade landscape with the U.S., involving a 'Framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal trade.' The U.S. has rescinded certain punitive tariffs on India, contingent on India reducing its reliance on Russian oil. This deal raises concerns about India's strategic autonomy and its relationships with other partners like Iran and Russia. Critics argue the deal might be one-sided, with India committing to massive purchases of U.S. goods and aligning its foreign policy. The situation tests India's 'multi-alignment' strategy and its commitment to strategic projects like the Chabahar port in Iran.
The U.S. rescinded 25% punitive tariffs on India under the condition that India significantly reduces or stops buying Russian oil.
India has reportedly committed to buying $500 billion worth of U.S. products, including energy and agricultural goods, to balance trade.
The deal could impact India's standing in BRICS and its strategic projects like the Chabahar port due to U.S. pressure regarding Iran.
Exam Points
U.S. rescinded 25% punitive tariffs originally imposed in August 2025.
India's Russian oil intake dropped from 40% in 2024 to 25% in late 2025.
India rejected the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019 citing domestic economic interests.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released a new series of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) with 2024 as the base year, replacing the 2012 series. This update reflects significant changes in Indian consumption patterns over the last decade, as captured by the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24. A major change is the reduction of the weightage of food and beverages from 45.86% to 36.75%. The new index is more granular, covering more goods, services, and online marketplaces, providing a more accurate picture for monetary and fiscal policy formulation.
The new CPI base year is 2024, updated from the previous 2012 base year to reflect modern consumption habits.
Food and beverage weightage in the CPI basket has been significantly reduced to 36.75%, making the index less volatile.
The index now includes data from 12 online marketplaces and a wider range of services reflecting the growing service economy.
Exam Points
New CPI base year: 2024; Previous base year: 2012.
Food weightage reduced from 45.86% to 36.75%.
Data is based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24.
The implementation of India's four new labour codes represents a shift toward greater financial inclusion and social security. By consolidating fragmented laws, the codes aim to modernize governance and ensure equitable growth. A key reform is the new definition of 'wage,' requiring that basic pay and certain allowances constitute at least 50% of remuneration, boosting social security contributions like PF and gratuity. Crucially, the codes extend formal recognition and social security benefits to unorganized, migrant, and platform workers for the first time, promoting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerability to economic shocks.
The four labour codes consolidate multiple fragmented laws to simplify compliance and improve transparency for employers.
The new 'wage' definition ensures higher employer contributions toward Provident Fund (PF) and gratuity for employees.
Unorganized and platform workers are formally recognized and granted access to insurance and welfare schemes for the first time.
Exam Points
The four labour codes consolidate 29 central labour laws into four simplified codes.
Wage definition requires basic pay to be at least 50% of total remuneration.
Fixed-term workers are eligible for gratuity after 1 year of service instead of the usual 5 years.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan stated that post-Independence India believed the 1954 Panchsheel Agreement had settled its northern border with China. While the McMahon Line existed in the east, the Ladakh border was not clearly defined. India assumed the legitimacy of the border was reinforced by identifying six passes for trade and pilgrimage. However, China later maintained that the agreement was strictly for trade and did not reflect their stance on the border dispute. This historical perspective highlights the roots of the ongoing territorial disagreements and the strategic ambiguity that followed the 1954 pact.
India initially viewed the 1954 Panchsheel Agreement as a de facto settlement of the northern border with China.
The McMahon Line served as the boundary in the eastern sector, but the western sector in Ladakh remained ill-defined.
The agreement identified six mountain passes intended for trade and pilgrimage between India and the Tibet region.
Exam Points
The Panchsheel Agreement (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) was signed in 1954.
The McMahon Line is the boundary between Tibet and British India as agreed in the Simla Convention (1914).
Six passes were identified in the 1954 agreement for cross-border trade and pilgrimage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Prime Minister’s Office, named 'Seva Teerth', and two Central Secretariat buildings called 'Kartavya Bhavan'. These structures are part of the 'Viksit Bharat' journey, replacing colonial-era buildings. The architecture incorporates traditional Indian elements, such as white and red sandstone, metal-clad domes inspired by Buddha Stupas, and an entrance portal drawing from 11th-century Chaulukyan temples. On this occasion, the PM also launched the PM RAHAT Scheme for accident victims and doubled the targets for the Lakhpati Didis and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
The new PMO is named 'Seva Teerth' and the new secretariat buildings are named 'Kartavya Bhavan' to reflect a spirit of service.
The architectural design features elements from Chaulukyan temples and the 12th-century Chennakeshava Temple in Karnataka.
The PM RAHAT Scheme provides up to ₹1.5 lakh for cashless treatment of road accident victims during the 'golden hour'.
Exam Points
PM RAHAT Scheme: Provides ₹1.5 lakh for cashless treatment of accident victims.
Lakhpati Didis target: Increased to 6 crore citizens.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: Doubled to ₹2 lakh crore.
The first leg of Parliament's Budget Session concluded with significant debates and disruptions. Key highlights included the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address and the expunging of certain remarks from the records under Rule 261. Opposition leaders raised concerns over the removal of their speech portions, citing democratic freedom. The session also saw the passage of a bill to amend the Industrial Relations Code. Parliament is scheduled to reconvene in March to discuss departmental standing committee reports and budgetary allocations for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Motion of Thanks to the President's Address is a critical parliamentary procedure following the President's annual speech.
Rule 261 of the Rajya Sabha allows the Chairperson to expunge words from records if they are defamatory or unparliamentary.
Question Hour remains a vital tool for the opposition to hold the government accountable for its policies and actions.
Exam Points
Rule 261 of Rajya Sabha Rules of Procedure governs the expunging of remarks from records.
The second part of the Budget Session is scheduled to start on March 9.
Motion of Thanks is moved under Article 87 of the Indian Constitution.
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