UPSC Current Affairs
A Daily Current Affairs Roundup
10 stories · about 4 min read · quiz and Mains question at the end
Safe Harbor and Intermediary Liability: I&B Ministry's Warning to Telegram
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a fresh notice to messaging platform Telegram, directing it to submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days regarding the unchecked proliferation of pirated copyright content. The Ministry warned that as an intermediary, Telegram must strictly comply with the IT Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021, to retain its 'safe harbor' protection from prosecution.
Global Antitrust and Regulation of Big Tech: ECJ Confirms €4.1 Billion Fine on Google
The Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) confirmed a landmark €4.1 billion antitrust penalty against Google, originally imposed in 2018. The court upheld the European Commission's findings that Google abused its dominant position by forcing Android device manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Chrome to block competitors.
Executive Accountability and Secrecy of Cabinet Meetings
In Tamil Nadu, a representation was submitted to the Governor highlighting concerns over the alleged presence and participation of external private individuals in a state Cabinet meeting. The issue brings constitutional focus back to the rules of business, the oath of secrecy taken by ministers under Article 164, and the sanctity of Cabinet confidentiality.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities in Clean Mobility: Hacking of E-Rickshaw Battery Apps
Concerns have surfaced across India's micro-mobility sector following reports of hackers using Chinese-developed mobile apps to remotely cut power to domestic e-rickshaws mid-transit. The security flaw highlights severe vulnerabilities in import-dependent Internet of Things (IoT) firmware, highlighting the need for local testing standards in battery management systems (BMS).
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in India: Addressing Emotional and Socio-Economic Gaps
Legal and healthcare analysts have pointed out that while India's clinical infrastructure for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has advanced rapidly, there remains a massive policy gap in regulating non-medical needs. High costs, lack of standardized psychological counselling for couples, and ethical issues under the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021 require urgent administrative attention.
Nehru-Tara Singh Pact (1959) and State Legislation on Gurdwara Affairs
Renewed debates between the Punjab Government and the Akal Takht over the telecast rights of sacred ceremonies have brought historical accords back into focus. The Nehru-Tara Singh Pact of 1959 established a vital federal and religious convention: that any amendment to the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 must only be pursued with the prior consent of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Trade Diplomacy: The Dynamic Progress of India-Peru and India-Canada FTAs
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Peru is not expected in the immediate future, whereas bilateral trade negotiations with Canada are progressing with a team of Indian officials visiting for the next round of talks. Achieving these FTAs involves balancing complex rules of origin, market access for services, and protecting domestic sectors.
GST at Nine Years: Challenges of Inverted Duty Structure and Import Dependence
As the Goods and Services Tax (GST) entered its ninth year of implementation on July 1, fiscal experts flagged that despite robust revenue collection (14% growth), domestic retail sales have lagged while dependence on import-driven GST has increased. Key structural challenges, such as the inverted duty structure and complex input tax credit (ITC) reconciliations, continue to burden manufacturing.
Softening Demand in the Service Sector: India's Services PMI Hits 17-Month Low
India's HSBC Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) cooled to a 17-month low of 57.4 in June 2026, down from previous highs due to softening domestic demand. Though a reading above 50 indicates expansion, the slowing momentum signals a challenging operating environment for one of the primary drivers of Indian GDP.
Indo-Pacific Security: China's Coast Guard Patrols East of Taiwan
China has launched a major coast guard patrol operation east of Taiwan, establishing what analysts call a 'new normal' of civil law enforcement projection in international shipping lanes. This shift from using traditional military assets to civil-maritime fleets is viewed as a calculated gray-zone tactic to claim jurisdiction without crossing red lines of war.
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