Current Affair Category: Social Issues

Why in News? The growing use of AI chatbots as the first source of emotional support has raised concerns about their role in mental-health situations. AI can offer instant, private and non-judgmental interaction, but it is not a substitute for trained mental-health professionals, particularly in serious or high-risk situations. What is the Core Issue? AI is increasingly moving […]

Why in News? The experience of women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions shows that political reservation has increased women’s representation, but patriarchy, caste discrimination and proxy politics continue to restrict their effective participation. Constitutional Provisions: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: Constitutionalised Panchayati Raj Institutions. 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: Constitutionalised Urban Local Bodies. Article 243D: At least one-third of seats and chairperson […]

Why in News? A recent study led by ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) found that nicotine pouches are reaching Indian cities through online platforms, hookah shops and gig-delivery services. The issue gained importance after the WHO warned in May 2026 about the health risks associated with these products. However, their exact legal status in India remains unclear. What are […]

Why in News? The e-Shram portal has witnessed a rise in gig-worker registrations, but the coverage remains far below the estimated size of India’s gig workforce. The issue highlights a major challenge: India’s gig economy is growing faster than the systems used to identify, measure and protect its workers. Government Initiative: The 2025–26 Union Budget announced healthcare coverage for gig workers […]

The Broken Promise of Right to Work Why in News ? The Supreme Court recently raised an important constitutional question on whether the Right to Work should receive protection comparable to the Right to Life under Article 21. The debate has gained significance following the replacement of MGNREGA by the VB-GRAM G Act. The central concern is whether the new framework has weakened […]

Why in News? 12 March 2026: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed the Lok Sabha about Adi-Vaani. It is an AI-powered translation platform for the documentation, digitisation and preservation of tribal languages. What is Adi-Vaani: AI-based platform focused on tribal languages. Provides translation facilities. Supports documentation and digitisation of tribal languages. Aims to progressively expand coverage to more tribal languages across India. Works in coordination with State Tribal Research Institutes […]

Why in News? 25 August 2026: PIB highlighted the completion of 10 years of Unified Payments Interface (UPI). UPI has transformed India’s payment system by making instant digital payments possible through mobile phones. It has made the phone a digital wallet, from small shops and tea stalls to large businesses. What is UPI: UPI = Unified Payments Interface. It is […]

Why in news?: The debate over regulating or banning social media for minors has intensified globally, raising crucial questions for policy frameworks. Australia has introduced strict age-based restrictions, the UK is weighing tighter safeguards, and similar initiatives in the USA face legal hurdles. This international trend prompts a vital policy question for India: Should it […]

Why in news? ICMR has launched the second edition of the SHINE 2026 initiative to open its research laboratories for school students across the country. What is ICMR-SHINE? ICMR-SHINE stands for Science and Health Innovation for NextGen Explorers. It is a nationwide outreach initiative organized by the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Indian […]

The Challenge for School Consolidation (Concise Notes – UPSC GS-2) Why in News?Around 94,000 government schools have closed/merged in the last decade due to declining enrolment and lower fertility rates, sparking debate over quality vs accessibility. School Consolidation: Merger of low-enrolment schools into better-equipped composite schools. Objective: Improve quality of education, infrastructure, and teacher availability. Education is a Concurrent List subject; states decide mergers. […]