Daily, Weekly & Monthly Current Affairs Vault

Special Campaign 4.0 (SCDPM) 6 Concluded

Ministry of Steel

• Salient Features: Special Campaign 4.0 (SCDPM) 6 successfully concluded for disposal of pending matters.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: SCDPM stands for Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters. Campaign 4.0 typically runs Oct-Dec. Focus areas: file weeding, space management, scrap disposal.

Defence Minister Address at Bagdogra Air Force Station

Ministry of Defence

• Salient Features: Defence Minister urges highest operational readiness to counter emerging threats.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Key directives: continuous multi-domain monitoring, cyber security focus, information integrity assurance. Bagdogra AFS is strategically vital for Eastern sector.

E20 Petrol Quality Compliance by PSU OMCs

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

• Salient Features: E20 petrol supplied by PSU OMCs meets prescribed quality standards nationwide.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: 893 samples tested across 27 States/UTs found compliant. E20 blending target: 20% ethanol by 2025-26 (ESY). BS-VI norms applicable.

WAVES Bazaar at IFFI Goa 2026

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

• Salient Features: WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) Bazaar invites startups for IFFI Goa 2026.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: WAVES aims to boost Media & Entertainment sector. IFFI 2026 is 55th edition. Focus: AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics) startups.

Quick revision

• India-EU Horizon Europe deal enables access to €95bn research fund.
• IAF partners IIT Madras for ‘Atmanirbhar’ secure aerial comms.
• Uttarakhand Police receives highest honour: President’s Colour.
• Special Campaign 6.0 targets pendency reduction and swachhata.
• Bengaluru 7 murders cracked through missing person investigation.
• Land dashboard initiative launched for resource augmentation.

NHAI Guidelines for Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

• Key Mandates: Standardizes design and infrastructure for barrier-free tolling on national highways with four or more lanes.
• Statutory Provisions: Issued under Section 8A of the National Highways Act, 1956, and Rule 6 of the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.
• Exam Traps: Distinguish MLFF (Multi-Lane Free Flow) from ETC (FASTag); MLFF requires gantry-based sensors, not just RFID readers.

Tamil Nadu Governor Meets Prime Minister

Prime Minister’s Office / Ministry of Home Affairs

• Key Mandates: Constitutional courtesy call by the Governor to brief the Prime Minister on state administration and affairs.
• Statutory Provisions: Article 156 (Appointment) and Article 167 (Duty to furnish information) of the Constitution of India.
• Exam Traps: Governor reports to President, not PM; meeting PM is political convention, not constitutional mandate.

DLC Campaign 5.0: Face Authentication Reaches 80%

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

• Key Mandates: Campaign 5.0 drives Digital Life Certificate submission via face authentication technology for pensioners.
• Statutory Provisions: Enabled by IT Act, 2000 provisions and Aadhaar Authentication Framework under Aadhaar Act, 2016.
• Exam Traps: Face Auth uses Aadhaar RD Service; it replaces biometric iris/fingerprint, not the Aadhaar linkage requirement.

OMSS(D) Rice Sale Target Doubled to 50 LMT for 2026-27

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

• Key Mandates: Government increases Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) rice target to 50 LMT to moderate retail prices.
• Statutory Provisions: Implemented under the National Food Security Act, 2013 provisions for price stabilization and buffer norms.
• Exam Traps: OMSS(D) sells to states/bulk buyers via e-auction; distinct from PMGKAY (free distribution) and PDS issue prices.

India’s Historic Medal Haul at Asian Para Games 2026

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

• Salient Features: India secured 114 medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, marking a historic rise from 14 medals in 2010.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Host city Nagoya; 2022 Games held in Hangzhou yielded 111 medals; Khelo India scheme supports para-athletes.

Conclusion of 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’ Celebrations

Ministry of Railways

• Salient Features: Ministry of Railways concluded year-long celebrations commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Song adopted as National Song in 1950; First sung at 1896 INC session; Novel Anandamath published 1882.

‘Nasha Mukt Yuva, Viksit Bharat’ Quiz Participation

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

• Salient Features: The ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva, Viksit Bharat’ quiz recorded over 16,517 participants promoting drug-free awareness among youth.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Nodal Ministry is Social Justice and Empowerment; Part of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched 2020; Targets 272 vulnerable districts.

NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026 Final Result Declared

Union Public Service Commission

• Salient Features: UPSC declared the final result for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Conducted by UPSC; Successful candidates join NDA Khadakwasla or INA Ezhimala; Eligibility requires 12th pass and unmarried status.

Quick revision

• Asian Para Games 2026: India wins 114 medals (up from 14); PM interacts with athletes.
• Vande Mataram 150 years: Railways concludes year-long cultural celebration (composed 1876).
• Tallarampur Boycott: VDC imposes social blockade on 55 Dalit/toddy-tapper families in Nizamabad.
• Maharashtra Tribal Budget: ₹160 cr allocated (₹130 cr PVTGs + ₹30 cr Pardhis); 100% grant schemes.
• Sewer Deaths: Manual scavenging persists despite 2013 Act; need for mechanization and accountability.
• Green Crackers: Delayed licences and sound preference hinder adoption; 30-35% emission reduction target.
• Nasha Mukt Quiz: 16,517+ participants; part of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (MoSJE).

Quick revision

• Andhra Pradesh cyclone model: 4.2L evacuated, near-zero deaths — community volunteers + tech.
• Justice Muralidhar report: ICC/ICJ relevance, India’s humanitarian law stance.
• Binance hack $570M: VDA under PMLA, FATF travel rule, regulatory sandbox needed.
• Diwali shift: GI tags, ODOP, MSME gain — Chinese decor share falls.
• PLI 14 sectors, ₹1.97L cr: Output-linked, not investment-linked.
• Kerala vigilance audits 18 welfare boards: Fiscal leakage, DBT integrity.
• PIB: Semiconductor fab Gujarat, NMC foreign grad rules, PM-KISAN 18th instalment.
• Digest: Electoral bonds SC order, India-US 2+2, NGT Yamuna floodplain.
• Editorials: Judicial accountability, climate finance, federal friction — essay fodder.
• Quiz + State PSC: Cyclone science, PLI list, vigilance structure — elimination practice.

NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Sexual Harassment in Aligarh School

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• Key Mandates: NHRC investigates alleged human rights violations by public servants or negligence in preventing such acts.
• Statutory Provisions: Section 12 and 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 empower suo motu inquiry.
• Exam Traps: NHRC recommendations are advisory, not binding; it cannot prosecute but can approach Supreme Court or High Courts.

NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Student Electrocution in Ballia

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• Key Mandates: Commission probes right to life violation due to hazardous infrastructure near educational institutions.
• Statutory Provisions: Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 read with Article 21; Electricity Act, 2003 safety norms.
• Exam Traps: State liability extends to regulatory failure over private power lines; “public servant” definition includes licensed electricity distributors.

NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Maternal Deaths in Ghaziabad Hospitals

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• Key Mandates: NHRC examines systemic failures in public and private maternal healthcare leading to preventable deaths.
• Statutory Provisions: Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; Article 21 (Right to Health); Clinical Establishments Act, 2010.
• Exam Traps: Distinction between medical negligence (civil/criminal) and systemic human rights failure; NHRC can recommend compensation but not order criminal trial.

Mines Ministry Launches 9th Critical Mineral Auction & 3rd Exploration License Tranche

Ministry of Mines

• Key Mandates: Auction critical mineral blocks and exploration licenses to secure domestic supply chains for green energy.
• Statutory Provisions: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (amended 2023); Critical Mineral Rules, 2023.
• Exam Traps: Exploration License (EL) grants exclusive right to explore, not mine; revenue share for EL is distinct from Mining Lease royalty; 30 notified critical minerals list.

India-Canada First Defence Dialogue Held

Ministry of Defence

• Salient Features: India and Canada inaugurated their first Defence Dialogue to deepen bilateral strategic cooperation.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Dialogue held in Ottawa; Focus areas include maritime security and defence industrial partnership; Signals diplomatic reset after tensions.

MoHFW Proposes Immediate Licence Suspension for Substandard Drugs

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• Salient Features: Ministry proposes immediate suspension of manufacturing licences for drugs failing critical quality standards.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Proposed under Drugs and Cosmetics Act; Targets Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drugs; Aims to strengthen regulatory enforcement.

PM Surya Ghar Transforms into Mass Movement

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

• Salient Features: PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana achieves mass adoption with rooftop solar installations surging nationwide.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Target 1 crore households; Central Financial Assistance up to ₹78,000; Model solar villages component for rural penetration.

MY Bharat Hosts 100 Events for Youth Voter Awareness

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

• Salient Features: MY Bharat platform conducted 100 programmes in one day under Viksit Bharat Yuva Samvad campaign.
• Prelims Trap Pointers: Campaign ‘Apna Vote Jaanein’ promotes electoral literacy; MY Bharat is autonomous body; Targets youth aged 15-29 years.

Quick revision

• India–Canada defence dialogue marks first structured military engagement post-2023 diplomatic row.
• Health Ministry proposes instant licence suspension for drugs failing GMP critical standards.
• PM Surya Ghar scheme targets 1 crore rooftop solar installations with central subsidy.
• MY Bharat conducted 100 single-day events under Viksit Bharat Yuva Samvad campaign.
• Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 promotes civilisational ties under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
• SC freezes BMC Commissioner salary for contempt over Borivali land reserved for BEST depot.
• AERB to frame enabling regulations for private nuclear sector under SHANTI Act framework.
• Byculla Zoo to get Asiatic lions from Sakkarbaug under conservation breeding exchange.

CCI Approves Sapphire US Holdco Subscription in Gentari Renewables

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

• Key Mandates: CCI assessed combination for adverse effect on competition in renewable energy sector.
• Statutory Provisions: Section 31 of Competition Act, 2002 governs combination regulation.
• Exam Traps: Distinguish between green channel route and standard approval; this used standard process.

CCI Clears Kotak Mahindra Bank Acquisition of Deutsche Bank Assets

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

• Key Mandates: Approval covers specific business undertakings and related transactions in banking.
• Statutory Provisions: Regulated under Sections 5 and 6 of Competition Act, 2002.
• Exam Traps: Note RBI approval runs parallel; CCI focuses solely on market dominance, not prudential norms.

Special Campaign 6.0 Concludes at Food & Public Distribution Dept

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

• Key Mandates: Campaign focused on pendency reduction, space management, and scrap disposal.
• Statutory Provisions: Administrative directive under DARPG guidelines for governance improvement.
• Exam Traps: Differentiate Special Campaign (annual drive) from Swachh Bharat Mission (scheme).

Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 Held at Dilli Haat

Ministry of Textiles

• Key Mandates: Showcases traditional handicrafts and cultural performances by artisans nationwide.
• Statutory Provisions: Organized by Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
• Exam Traps: Link to ‘Vocal for Local’ and GI-tagged products; not a standalone scheme.