The Union Home Ministry sought a report from the West Bengal Chief Secretary regarding alleged protocol violations and security lapses during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Darjeeling. President Murmu expressed disappointment over the state government's arrangements for the International Santal Conference. Issues included the Chief Minister or senior ministers not receiving the President at the airport, a change of venue, and poor security along the motorcade route. Prime Minister Modi criticized the Trinamool Congress for insulting the President and the Constitution, while CM Banerjee accused the President of speaking on BJP's advice and questioned her silence on Manipur atrocities.
The Union Home Ministry requested a report from West Bengal's Chief Secretary regarding protocol and security breaches during President Murmu's visit.
President Murmu expressed displeasure over the arrangements for the International Santal Conference, including the absence of the Chief Minister or senior ministers at her arrival.
The 'Blue Book' issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the SPG Act govern security and protocol for the President, Vice-President, and Prime Minister.
Exam Points
Union Home Ministry sought a report from West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty.
Protocol for President, Vice-President, and Prime Minister is governed by 'Blue Books' issued by MHA and the SPG Act.
President Droupadi Murmu visited Darjeeling for the International Santal Conference.
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, which replaces MGNREGA, is awaiting the framing of rules under 11 categories before implementation. The Union Rural Development Ministry is consulting with State governments on tricky issues like a formula for "normative allocation" based on objective parameters and categorizing Gram Panchayats. States also need to enroll themselves on DBT Sparsh, conduct e-Know Your Customer (eKYC) verification for job cards, and onboard Yuktdhara, a geospatial planning portal. The Centre has six months to implement the scheme from the commencement date, which is yet to be notified.
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, is set to replace MGNREGA.
The Centre needs to frame rules under 11 categories, including a formula for "normative allocation" for States based on objective parameters.
States are required to implement several steps like DBT Sparsh enrollment, eKYC verification for job cards, and using the Yuktdhara portal.
Exam Points
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, was passed on December 16 last year.
It replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
Section 4(5) of the VB-G RAM G Act states the Centre will determine state-wise normative allocation based on objective parameters.
The article discusses the recent transfer of Governors in several states, particularly focusing on R.N. Ravi's tenure in Tamil Nadu and C.V. Ananda Bose's in West Bengal. It highlights how Governors have often been perceived as political pinpricks to elected governments, creating constitutional misadventures. R.N. Ravi's actions in Tamil Nadu, such as walking out of the Assembly, delaying Bills, and arguing that a withheld Bill is "dead" (a position rejected by the Supreme Court), are cited as examples of undermining popular will. The author suggests that such gubernatorial actions contribute to a perception of central interference in state affairs.
Recent transfers of Governors, including R.N. Ravi from Tamil Nadu, highlight ongoing tensions in Centre-State relations.
Governors have been accused of creating legislative paralysis by delaying decisions on Bills and abusing powers under Article 200 of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court rejected the stance that a Governor withholding assent makes a Bill "dead," as seen in the Punjab case (2023).
Exam Points
Governor R.N. Ravi was transferred from Tamil Nadu.
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose resigned from West Bengal.
Article 176 mandates the Governor to deliver the Special Address to the House.
The article critically examines the "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) proposal, arguing it could undermine federalism and democratic principles. It highlights that simultaneous elections, while potentially reducing expenditure and promoting stability, may lead to reduced accountability, limit regional parties' influence, and increase central interference. The article discusses various constitutional amendments required, such as for Articles 83, 172, 356, and 324, and the need for a consensus among states. It also points out that the proposal could lead to frequent no-confidence motions and President's Rule, potentially destabilizing state governments.
The "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) proposal aims for simultaneous elections but faces criticism for potentially undermining federalism.
Implementing ONOE would require significant constitutional amendments, including to Articles 83, 172, 356, and 324.
Concerns include reduced accountability of elected representatives, increased central interference, and potential destabilization of state governments through frequent no-confidence motions.
Exam Points
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stated that simultaneous elections are feasible with constitutional amendments.
Articles 83 and 172 relate to the duration of Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures.
Article 356 deals with President's Rule in states.
The article discusses the emerging economic alignment between Canada and India, marked by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent visit and the formal relaunch of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations. Both nations aim to double bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030. Key areas of cooperation include energy (uranium supply agreement), critical minerals, technology, financial services, and agriculture. The renewed political resolve and strategic alignment are expected to create opportunities for partnerships, joint ventures, and investments, with Canada seeking to diversify economic partnerships amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India signaled a renewed political will to strengthen economic ties.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations have been formally relaunched, aiming to double bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.
Key sectors for cooperation include energy (uranium), critical minerals, technology, financial services, and agriculture.
Exam Points
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited India from February 27 to March 2, 2026.
The goal is to double bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.
A historic Canadian $2.6-billion, nine-year uranium supply agreement exists between India and Cameco.
The Union Budget 2026-27 proposes to train 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers, yet it overlooks the five million women already serving as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi workers, and mid-day meal workers. These women, classified as 'volunteers', perform essential public services but receive meager honorariums, lack formal contracts, and basic benefits, reflecting a "care penalty" rooted in gendered norms. The article argues that their work, being recurrent and central, should be converted into permanent posts, as supported by the Supreme Court's ruling in Dharam Singh & Anr. vs State of U.P. & Anr. Formalizing their roles and extending NSQF-aligned training to them is essential for India to build a robust care ecosystem and achieve its health ambitions.
India's Budget focuses on training new caregivers but neglects existing 'volunteer' care workers like ASHAs and Anganwadi workers.
These women perform essential, continuous services but lack formal employment benefits and receive meager honorariums due to gendered perceptions of care work.
The Supreme Court's ruling in Dharam Singh & Anr. vs State of U.P. & Anr. supports converting recurrent 'volunteer' roles into permanent posts.
Exam Points
Union Budget 2026-27 proposes training 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers.
India has over five million women working as ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, and mid-day meal workers.
The 2024 Time Use Survey highlighted that females aged 15-59 spend 140 minutes daily on household caregiving.
The article analyzes the financial burden of cancer treatment in India, noting that it is three times higher than for other ailments. Medicines constitute the largest component of expenditure, especially in public hospitals in rural areas. While private hospitals charge more, the relative financial strain is higher in the government sector, particularly for the poor. The Budget's proposal for full exemption of basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs is a crucial intervention. Data shows that the cost multiplier for cancer treatment in public hospitals increased from 4x in 2014 to 5x in 2017-18, highlighting the deepening financial strain on patients.
Cancer treatment is significantly more expensive than other ailments, with medicines being the largest cost component.
Despite lower absolute costs, the relative financial burden of cancer treatment is higher for patients in public hospitals, especially in rural areas.
The Union Budget's full exemption of basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs is a critical step to reduce patient costs.
Exam Points
Cancer treatment costs are three times higher than average ailment hospitalisation.
The 2017-18 National Sample Survey (NSS) on health showed average cost for cancer patients was ₹61,000 per visit.
In 2017-18, a cancer stay in a public hospital cost about five times a standard admission (₹22,520 vs ₹4,452).
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reported that two cheetahs from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh have moved to Rajasthan, demonstrating natural territorial behavior. This movement is part of the Project Cheetah, which aims to reintroduce cheetahs into India after their extinction. The cheetahs are being tracked via satellite and radio-collars. While some have moved to Rajasthan, others remain in Kuno or have been relocated within Madhya Pradesh. Botswana is set to send more cheetahs to India under the program, which began in September 2022, with 29 adult cheetahs already translocated from Africa since 2022.
Cheetahs translocated to Kuno National Park are exhibiting natural territorial behavior by moving to neighboring states like Rajasthan.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is tracking these cheetahs using satellite and radio-collar technology.
Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce cheetahs into India, with animals sourced from South Africa and Botswana.
Exam Points
Cheetahs are moving from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is the body overseeing Project Cheetah.
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected former President Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs, ruling he overstepped his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court emphasized that while the President has broad powers to regulate trade during emergencies, these powers are not unlimited and require specific congressional authorization for tariffs. The ruling highlighted that the President cannot impose tariffs based on "objective parameters" without clear legislative backing. This decision underscores the importance of checks and balances, clarifying the limits of presidential power in trade policy and potentially impacting future trade disputes.
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs, citing a lack of presidential authority under the IEEPA.
The Court clarified that presidential powers to regulate trade, even during emergencies, are not absolute and require specific congressional authorization.
The ruling emphasizes the constitutional principle of checks and balances, limiting executive overreach in trade policy.
Exam Points
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs.
The ruling was based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 1977.
Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962 allows tariffs for national security reasons.
The article examines why Finance Commission (FC) grants to cities remain limited, despite the growing importance of urban areas. It highlights that cities receive a disproportionately small share of the country's GDP and central transfers, with per capita devolution showing no significant change. The 16th FC emphasizes that cities must find avenues to increase their own revenue and expand the tax base. The article points out that while FCs recommend grants for specific services like water supply and sanitation, they often lack objective parameters for allocation and do not adequately address the overall financial needs of cities. This limitation hinders urban development and effective local governance.
Indian cities receive a disproportionately small share of central transfers and GDP, limiting their financial autonomy.
Finance Commissions recommend grants for specific urban services but often lack objective parameters for equitable allocation.
The 16th Finance Commission emphasizes cities' need to enhance their own revenue generation and expand their tax base.
Exam Points
90% of total government revenue and nearly 67% of the country's GDP is generated through urban centres.
The 16th Finance Commission recommends that cities increase their own revenue.
Under the 16th FC, urban local bodies are to receive around ₹3.56 lakh crore between 2025 and 2031.
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