The Centre has allocated ₹57,381 crore to an Economic Stabilisation Fund through supplementary grants. This move aims to provide fiscal space to address global uncertainties like the $100-per-barrel oil shock, energy shortages, and supply chain disruptions from the West Asia conflict. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated in the Lok Sabha that this allocation would not impact the fiscal deficit target for 2025-26. The Lok Sabha cleared a net cash outgo of ₹2.01 lakh crore, including this allocation, emphasizing a strong macroeconomic framework post-COVID-19 to absorb economic shocks without deviating from the fiscal consolidation road map.
The Centre established an Economic Stabilisation Fund with ₹57,381 crore to manage global economic uncertainties.
The fund aims to provide fiscal headroom to respond to global headwinds, including oil shocks and supply chain disruptions.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured that this allocation would not lead to missing the fiscal deficit target for 2025-26.
Exam Points
Amount allocated to Economic Stabilisation Fund: ₹57,381 crore.
Net cash outgo cleared by Lok Sabha: ₹2.01 lakh crore.
The Maharashtra government introduced the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, in the Assembly during the Budget Session. The Bill aims to protect the right to freedom of religion and prohibit unlawful religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage. It proposes stringent provisions, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines up to ₹7 lakh for forcible conversion. The Bill defines "allurement" broadly and mandates police registration of complaints filed by the converted person or their relatives. Marriages solemnized with the sole purpose of unlawful conversion will be declared null and void, and children born from such relationships will be deemed to belong to the mother's religion.
Maharashtra introduced the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, to prevent unlawful conversions.
The Bill targets conversions through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage, with severe penalties.
It defines "allurement" to include material benefits, employment, free education, and promises of marriage.
Exam Points
Bill Name: Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026.
Penalties: Imprisonment up to 10 years, fine up to ₹7 lakh.
Minister who introduced the Bill: Pankaj Bhoyar (Minister of State for Home).
193 INDIA bloc MPs submitted a notice in both Houses of Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. This marks the first formal submission of such a notice in Parliament. The 10-page notice lists seven charges, including "partisan and discriminatory conduct" and "deliberate obstruction of investigation into electoral fraud." Opposition parties accuse the CEC of aiding the ruling BJP, citing examples from West Bengal, Bihar, and other States during the special intensive revision (SIR). The move follows Article 324(5) of the Constitution and Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, which outline the process for removing a CEC.
INDIA bloc MPs initiated proceedings for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar by submitting a notice in Parliament.
The notice lists seven charges, including partisan conduct and obstruction of electoral fraud.
Opposition parties allege the CEC aided the ruling BJP, particularly during the special intensive revision (SIR).
Exam Points
Number of INDIA bloc MPs: 193 (130 in Lok Sabha, 63 in Rajya Sabha).
A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended that the government constitute a High-Level Expert Committee to assess India's urban infrastructure requirements, financing needs, governance reforms, and capacity-building imperatives up to 2047. This recommendation stems from the absence of an integrated long-term urban investment and strategy framework, which could lead to fragmented planning and resource allocation issues. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs highlighted ongoing missions like AMRUT 2.0, SBM-U 2.0, PMAY-U 2.0, and Metro Rail projects, but the committee noted these are largely scheme-driven and sector-specific, lacking a comprehensive approach.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee advocates for a High-Level Expert Committee on urban infrastructure.
The committee would assess requirements, financing, governance, and capacity-building for urban infrastructure until 2047.
The recommendation addresses the lack of an integrated long-term urban investment and strategy framework.
Exam Points
Committee recommended: High-Level Expert Committee on urban infrastructure.
Target year for assessment: 2047.
Last comprehensive assessment: High Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) in 2011 (projections up to 2031).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially distributed land deeds to approximately 28,000 tea garden workers in Assam, marking a historic initiative to address years of deprivation faced by this community under previous rules. Speaking in Guwahati, PM Modi stated that granting land rights honors the hardworking tea garden workers who have contributed significantly to Assam's global recognition. He also released the 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, transferring over ₹18,640 crore to more than 9.32 crore farmers nationwide, with 19 lakh beneficiaries in Assam.
PM Modi distributed land deeds to 28,000 tea garden workers in Assam, a first in the region's history.
The initiative aims to rectify historical deprivation and honor the community's contribution.
The Prime Minister also released the 22nd installment of the PM-KISAN scheme.
Exam Points
Number of tea garden workers receiving deeds: ~28,000.
State: Assam.
Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).
India, aligning with the Group for Equity, is pushing for a legally enforceable benefit-sharing system at the crucial World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement talks in Geneva. This system would ensure that developing countries sharing pathogen materials and genetic sequence data receive fair and concrete benefits in return. The WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted in May 2025, aims to address gaps and inequalities in global pandemic prevention and response, highlighted by COVID-19. The Group for Equity insists on standard, legally binding contracts for pathogen and sequence data sharing, ensuring benefits like a percentage of annual revenue from commercialized products or reserved production for WHO.
India supports a legally enforceable benefit-sharing system for pathogen materials at WHO Pandemic Agreement talks.
The system aims to ensure fair returns for developing countries sharing genetic sequence data.
The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted in May 2025 to address global pandemic preparedness gaps.
Exam Points
Organization: World Health Organization (WHO).
Agreement: WHO Pandemic Agreement.
Date of adoption of WHO Pandemic Agreement: May 20, 2025.
The Indian-flagged LPG carrier Shivalik, with a cargo-carrying capacity of more than 54,000 tonnes, successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to tracking data. The vessel, owned by the Shipping Corporation of India, had departed from Ras Laffan, Qatar, and was originally bound for the U.S. This transit is significant as the Strait of Hormuz is a volatile region, especially since the West Asia conflict began on February 28, which had left 24 Indian ships stranded upstream. While the Indian Navy denied guiding the Shivalik, the government is in constant touch with stakeholders regarding the 23,000 Indian nationals working in the Persian Gulf region.
Indian-flagged LPG carrier Shivalik successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz.
The transit is critical given the ongoing West Asia conflict and previous stranding of Indian ships.
The Shivalik's cargo capacity is equivalent to nearly one day of India's LPG imports.
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, stated that LPG imports are a "slight issue of concern" due to the situation in West Asia, but assured that no dry outs have been reported among distributors in India. She urged consumers not to panic book, confirming adequate stock of cooking gas, crude oil, and high refinery capacity. India imports about 60% of its LPG requirements, with approximately 90% routed through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite a peak in refill requests, inventories remain high, and domestic LPG production has increased by 30% since March 5.
LPG imports are a "slight concern" due to the West Asia conflict, but no shortages are reported in India.
The government assures adequate stock of cooking gas, crude oil, and high refinery capacity.
Consumers are advised against panic booking of LPG refills.
Exam Points
Official: Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry.
Iran has called on India, as the chair of BRICS, to ensure the grouping plays a positive role in supporting global stability and security. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed this during a call with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, following a conversation between PM Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding safe passage for Indian ships through the Hormuz Strait. Iran emphasized the necessity for regional and international bodies to condemn military aggression against Iran. This call comes as BRICS, which includes Iran and UAE as invitees for the upcoming summit, has not yet issued a statement on the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Iran urged BRICS, under India's chairmanship, to contribute to global stability and security.
The call followed discussions between Indian and Iranian leaders on safe passage through the Hormuz Strait.
Iran seeks BRICS to condemn military aggression against it.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, expressed apprehensions that a law mandating paid menstrual leave could negatively impact young women's careers and equal opportunities. While acknowledging the "cause for affirmative action," the court highlighted concerns that employers might be reluctant to assign significant responsibilities to women if such a law were compulsory. The court distinguished between a legally enforceable statutory right and voluntary initiatives by employers, encouraging the latter. States like Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala already have voluntary provisions for students in state-run universities and institutions, and some private entities also offer such leave.
The Supreme Court is concerned that mandatory paid menstrual leave could hinder women's career progression.
Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized the distinction between statutory rights and voluntary employer initiatives.
The court encourages voluntary policies for menstrual leave rather than a compulsory law.
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of media reports to address rampant and illegal sand mining threatening the fragile lotic ecosystem of the National Chambal Sanctuary. This sanctuary is a critical habitat and breeding ground for the critically endangered gharials. The court noted that previous relocation efforts for gharials failed as the new areas were also exploited by sand mining mafias. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously ordered monitoring of illegal mining based on a report highlighting it as the biggest threat to the sanctuary, affecting habitat, river morphology, and water retention properties.
The Supreme Court initiated suo motu proceedings to protect the National Chambal Sanctuary from illegal sand mining.
The sanctuary is vital for critically endangered gharials, whose habitat is being destroyed.
Previous attempts to relocate gharials failed due to continued mining in new areas.
Exam Points
Location: National Chambal Sanctuary (tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh).
The Centre introduced a Bill to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, proposing a redefinition of "transgender person" that removes the "right to self-perceived gender identity." The government stated the existing definition was vague and made it difficult to identify genuine oppressed persons for benefits. The proposed definition focuses on socio-cultural identities like kinner, hijra, aravani, jogta, eunuchs, intersex variations, and congenital variations in sexual characteristics, explicitly excluding "persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities." This move has drawn condemnation from the community and activists, who argue it contradicts the landmark 2014 NALSA judgment.
A Bill has been introduced to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
The proposed amendment redefines "transgender person," removing the concept of "self-perceived gender identity."
The new definition focuses on socio-cultural identities and biological/congenital variations, excluding sexual orientation and self-perceived identities.
Exam Points
Act being amended: Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
Minister who introduced the Bill: Virendra Kumar (Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment).
The U.S. has initiated a new investigation under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act, 1974, into India and 59 other economies. The probe aims to determine if these countries have failed to effectively ban the import of goods produced using forced labor and how this failure impacts U.S. workers and businesses. This is the second such investigation, following a previous one on manufacturing capacity. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that despite international consensus, governments have not enforced measures against forced labor goods, creating an unfair cost advantage for foreign producers.
The U.S. launched a new investigation into 60 countries, including India, regarding forced labor goods.
The probe assesses whether these countries have failed to ban imports of goods made with forced labor.
The investigation is conducted under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act, 1974.
Exam Points
Number of countries investigated: 60 (including India).
U.S. Trade Representative: Jamieson Greer.
Legal basis: Section 301(b) of the Trade Act, 1974.
Amid rising oil prices and the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Trump administration has granted a temporary authorization for other countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea. This follows a similar 30-day waiver granted to India on March 5 to help cool down oil prices. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that this "narrowly tailored, short-term measure" applies only to oil already in transit and is intended to increase global supply without providing significant financial benefit to the Russian government, which primarily derives energy revenue from taxes at the point of extraction.
The U.S. issued a temporary waiver allowing countries to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea.
This measure aims to stabilize global energy markets and keep oil prices low amidst the West Asia conflict.
A similar 30-day waiver was previously granted to India for Russian oil purchases.
Exam Points
U.S. Treasury Secretary: Scott Bessent.
Previous waiver to India: March 5 (30-day waiver).
Context: Rising oil prices, West Asia conflict.
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