1. Polity & Governance (GS Paper II / TNPSC Unit-V)

A. The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025

·        
Context: The Assam Government tabled a Bill to ban polygamy in the state.

·        
Key Provisions:

o   
Criminal Offence: Polygamy is punishable with jail time of up to 7 years and a fine. If a
person marries while concealing an existing marriage, the jail term can extend
to 10 years.

o   
Scope: It applies to residents even if they marry outside the state. It also
covers “abettors” like village heads or clerics (Qazis) who solemnize
such marriages³³³³.

o   
Exemption: The law does not apply to Scheduled Tribes living in the Sixth
Schedule areas (to protect customary laws under Article 342).

·        
Significance: The government claims this is to protect women and “streamline
society”.

B. Custodial Torture & CCTV Compliance

·        
Context: The Supreme Court criticized the Centre and States for failing to install
CCTVs in police stations and interrogation rooms.

·        
Legal Precedent: This violates the 2020 judgment in Paramvir Singh Saini vs. Baljit
Singh, which mandated CCTVs to prevent custodial torture.

·        
Current Status: The Court noted that custodial deaths are continuing (e.g., reports of 11
deaths in Rajasthan recently) and demanded strict compliance.

C. Tamil Nadu DGP Appointment Controversy (Crucial for TNPSC)

·        
Context: A legal row has erupted over the appointment of the Head of Police Force
(HoPF) in Tamil Nadu.

·        
The Issue: The TN government rejected the UPSC’s panel of three officers and
appointed an “in-charge” DGP instead of a regular one.

·        
Supreme Court Guidelines: Based on the Prakash Singh vs. Union of India (2006)
judgment:

o   
The UPSC must shortlist three officers.

o   
The State must select one and grant a minimum tenure of
two years.

o   
Proposals must be sent to UPSC 3 months before the
vacancy arises.

 

2. Agriculture & Economy (GS Paper III)

A. The Draft Seeds Bill, 2024

·        
Context: The Union Agriculture Ministry released a new draft Bill to replace the Seeds
Act of 1966.

·        
Key Reforms:

o   
Committees: Establishes Central and State Seed Committees to regulate quality.

o   
Registration: Mandatory registration for seed processing units.

o   
Penalties: Fines up to ₹30 lakh and imprisonment up to 3 years for violations
(increased from earlier drafts).

·        
Farmer Concerns: Groups like the Samyukt Kisan Morcha fear this will lead to
predatory pricing by corporates and threaten seed sovereignty.

B. China’s Global Lending Shift

·        
Report: Data from AidData shows China has lent over $2 trillion globally
between 2000-2023.

·        
Trend Shift: China is moving away from infrastructure aid (Belt and Road Initiative
dropped from 75% to 25% of lending) toward commercial lending.

·        
India Context: Indian entities have borrowed $11.1 billion from China, largely for energy
and finance sectors.

3. International Relations (GS Paper II)

A. US-Saudi Summit

·        
Development: A “reset” in relations between the US (Trump) and Saudi Arabia
(MbS).

·        
Key Outcome: Saudi Arabia pledged $1 trillion investment in the US.

·        
Defense: A Strategic Defence Agreement designated Saudi Arabia as a “major
non-NATO ally”.

·        
Impact on India: Stronger US-Saudi ties might stabilize oil markets but could also
facilitate US arms access to Pakistan.

B. Operation Pawan (History/IR)

·        
Event: The Army Chief paid homage to soldiers of the Indian Peace Keeping
Force (IPKF) who died during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka (1987)

·        
Significance: This operation remains a sensitive and critical part of Indo-Lanka
relations and Tamil Nadu’s political history.

4. Science & Tech / Social Issues

A. Personality Rights & AI

·        
Issue: Actors (like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) are suing over AI-generated deepfakes.

·        
Legal Gap: India lacks specific “personality rights” legislation. Currently,
courts rely on Article 21 (Right to Privacy) and the Puttaswamy
judgment.

·        
Way Forward: Need for statutory definitions of personality rights and AI watermarking
to prevent digital exploitation.

B. POSH Act (Sexual Harassment)

·        
Critique: The 2013 POSH Act is considered outdated regarding “informed
consent” and digital harassment.

·        
Gap: It fails to address harassment where consent is obtained via manipulation
or fraud, and ICC members often lack training to handle digital evidence^29292929.