GS Paper II · Federalism
Special Provisions Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels
Why it matters: Examiners test the rationale behind asymmetrical federal arrangements designed to protect regional identities and address historical grievances in specific areas.
In the news
October 2026
03 Oct 2026
The Imperative of Restoring Full Statehood to Jammu and KashmirFollowing the democratic exercise of assembly elections, there is growing momentum demanding the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Legal and constitutional experts argue that continuing its status as a Union...
03 Oct 2026
India standardises names of 28 places in LadakhThe Government of India has standardised the names of 28 geographical locations in the Union Territory of Ladakh, including 11 peaks, five mountains, six land areas, two glaciers, two passes, one valley, one river, one lake, and one...
September 2026
12 Sep 2026
Reaffirming Gram Sabha Veto Rights Over Tribal LandRecent policy debates highlight the critical role of Gram Sabhas in safeguarding tribal land rights against unmediated acquisition. Experts stress that weakening Gram Sabha consent mechanisms undermines statutory protection under the...
August 2026
02 Aug 2026
Jammu and Kashmir Speeds Up Forest Rights Act ImplementationJammu and Kashmir has accelerated the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006. This comes after conflicts between the elected government and the forest department over eviction drives in tribal areas of Jammu. The...
July 2026
20 Jul 2026
Srinagar Vichar Nag Temple Reopens in Historic RevivalThe ancient Vichar Nag temple in Srinagar hosted religious ceremonies once again, drawing Kashmiri Pandits back to an area they had to leave in the 1990s due to militancy. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha noted that the...
18 Jul 2026
Demands Reiterate for Restoring Jammu and Kashmir StatehoodRecent discussions have highlighted the urgent need to fulfill the promise of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Commentators argue that prolonged bureaucratic rule cannot replace democratic governance and local...
16 Jul 2026
Delhi High Court Mandates Medical Care for Sonam WangchukThe Delhi High Court has directed the government to conduct daily medical monitoring of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike for Ladakh's constitutional safeguards. The court accepted arguments that the...
14 Jul 2026
Sixth Schedule Demands and Ladakh's Constitutional StatusThe ongoing hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh has renewed national focus on the region's demands for constitutional safeguards. Protesters are demanding inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian...
04 Jul 2026
Comprehensive Butterfly Documentation in Bodoland Territorial RegionA major ecological study in Assam has documented 346 butterfly species in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), covering a forest landscape of over 3,653 square kilometers. Managed by an autonomous council under the Sixth Schedule of...
Practise Special Provisions
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 12).
Question 1 of 10
Under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), which institution holds statutory authority regarding land protection and consent for land acquisition in scheduled areas?
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.