Current Affair Category: Social Issues

Why in News? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) for another six months from October 1, 2026 in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. What is AFSPA? The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 was enacted to empower the armed forces to operate effectively in areas declared “disturbed” due to insurgency or serious internal security […]

Why in News? According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), water storage in 178 major reservoirs stood at 70% of their total capacity as the southwest monsoon approaches its withdrawal on September 30, 2026. Key Findings: Current storage: 70% of total capacity. 10-year average: 76.62%. 2025 level: 79%. Thus, 2026 storage is below both the decadal average and last year’s level. India’s rainfall as of September […]

Why in News? Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set 31 December 2029 as the target to eliminate the drug trade from India through coordinated enforcement and intelligence-based action. He was addressing the third National Conference of Heads of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of States and Union Territories in New Delhi. The two-day conference was organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and attended by […]

Why in News? The Ministry of Labour and Employment has raised the EPFO wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, following approval by the Union Cabinet. This is the first revision in 12 years. The revision is expected to bring around 51 lakh additional workers under mandatory EPFO coverage. More than 8 crore subscribers will be covered under the revised ceiling. Trade unions […]

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 […]