Daily Current Affairs тАФ September 03, 2026

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ЁЯУЛ Today's Topics Index (15 Key Affairs)

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1.Purse Seine Fishing and Regulatory Framework2.Polychaete Worms in Marine Ecosystems and Aquaculture3.Khagantak-243 Long Range Glide Bomb4.Uparkot Fort Conservation and Heritage5.Pacific Islands Forum and India's Engagement6.Ponnaniyar Dam and Cauvery River Basin Management7.Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Initiative8.Fulvous Whistling Duck Ecology and Wetland Conservation9.Cold Allodynia and Neuropathic Pain Mechanisms10.Sepsis and Global Antimicrobial Resistance in Children11.26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit12.Untouchability and Caste-Based Discrimination in India13.Namami Gange Programme and Jan Ganga Public Participation14.Interim Government of 1946 and Constitutional Transition15.Banks Seek CRR Cut on Green Deposits for Net-Zero Transition
#1ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
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Purse Seine Fishing and Regulatory Framework

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The Supreme Court recently underscored that the Union and State Governments must strictly adhere to the principle of cooperative federalism to ensure the effective implementation of the regulatory framework governing purse seine fishing within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and territorial waters.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Purse seine fishing is an efficient open-ocean method utilizing a massive wall of netting (up to 2000 meters long) to encircle dense schools of single-species pelagic fish (such as sardines, mackerel, and anchovies) down to about 600 feet. The bottom is closed via a purse line ('pursing'), preventing direct contact with the seabed and reducing bottom habitat destruction. However, because it is non-selective on a micro-scale, it often traps at-risk species like turtles and depletes small pelagic stocks, prompting several coastal states to enact bans within 12 nautical miles under their legislative powers as Fishing is a State subject under the Seventh Schedule.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

Balancing maritime livelihoods with marine biodiversity conservation requires harmonized legislative action between the Centre and coastal states. Over-reliance on unregulated purse seining threatens coastal food security and marine ecology, making a unified, scientifically backed management plan imperative for sustainable blue economy growth.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • State/UT Bans: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Odisha, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Constitutional Provision: Entry 21 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule.
  • Target Species: Pelagic shoaling fish (sardines, mackerel, anchovies, trevally).
  • Ecological Benefit: Zero contact with the seabed.
  • PYQ Trend: Questions regarding Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) limits and marine resource management under international law (UNCLOS) frequently appear in Prelims.
#2ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
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Polychaete Worms in Marine Ecosystems and Aquaculture

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The rapid expansion of the commercial shrimp aquaculture industry has triggered large-scale harvesting of wild polychaete worms, bringing these vital marine invertebrates into sharp focus regarding ecological sustainability and coastal biodiversity health.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Polychaete worms (bristle worms) are a diverse class of marine annelids equipped with specialized leg-like protrusions called parapodia bearing bristles (chaetae). Inhabiting nearly all marine biotopes from estuaries and mangroves to deep-sea continental shelves, they function primarily as detritivores. They drive vital ecological functions such as the breakdown of organic matter, bioturbation, oxygen transport, and nutrient cycling. Furthermore, their sensitivity to environmental stressors makes them exceptional bioindicators of ecological health.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

Unchecked commercial harvesting of wild polychaetes for broodstock feed in shrimp hatcheries threatens coastal food webs. Developing sustainable captive breeding protocols for polychaetes is essential to support India's booming aquaculture export sector without causing long-term benthic degradation.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Classification: Marine Annelids (Class Polychaeta).
  • Ecological Role: Detritivores, bioindicators of marine pollution.
  • Anatomical Feature: Parapodia with chaetae (bristles); coelomic body cavities.
  • Aquaculture Link: High-protein maturation diet for captive shrimp broodstock.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
#3DEFENCE & MISSILE TECH
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Khagantak-243 Long Range Glide Bomb

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently executed a successful drop trial of Khagantak-243, an indigenously designed and developed Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), marking a major milestone in India's defence self-reliance.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Khagantak-243 is a 300-kg class airborne stand-off precision-guided glide bomb jointly developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and JSR Dynamics. Unlike conventional free-fall munitions, it features a cylindrical body, swivel-type mid-body glide wings, and five aft control surfaces enabling it to glide toward targets from a stand-off distance. Released from an altitude of 12 km at Mach 0.8, it can cover an operational range of 144 km to 180 km, allowing strike platforms to engage high-value targets while remaining outside the lethal envelope of dense hostile air defence systems.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

The induction of indigenous precision-guided glide bombs significantly boosts the IAF's offensive strike capabilities without risking pilot lives or expensive aircraft. It aligns with the national goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat in advanced aerospace manufacturing and tactical munitions.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Class/Weight: 300-kg class airborne stand-off precision-guided glide bomb.
  • Developers: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and JSR Dynamics.
  • Operational Range: 144 km to 180 km (at Mach 0.8 from 12 km altitude).
  • Strategic Advantage: Stand-off strike capability, bypassing short-range air defence networks.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Defence.
#4CULTURE & GI TAGS
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Uparkot Fort Conservation and Heritage

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

JunagadhтАЩs historic Uparkot Fort in Gujarat remained temporarily closed to visitors following the sighting of a leopard within its ancient premises, bringing local wildlife management and heritage site conservation into the spotlight.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Perched strategically at the foothills of Girnar Hill, Uparkot Fort was originally built around 319 BCE by the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta and has remained continuously inhabited for over two millennia. Historically known as Revath Nagri, it showcases unique Indo-Gothic architecture and boasts diverse historical layers including 2nd-century BCE rock-cut Buddhist caves, the 15th-century Jama Masjid with the tomb of Nuri Shah, twin rock-cut stepwells (Adi Chadi and Navghan Kuvo), and a monumental 16th-century Egyptian cannon.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

Managing human-wildlife interfaces around protected historical monuments near wildlife sanctuaries (like Girnar) requires delicate coordination between forest departments and archaeological authorities to ensure tourist safety while preserving architectural integrity.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • State: Gujarat (District: Junagadh).
  • Geographical Landmark: Foothills of Girnar Hill.
  • Historical Origin: Built in 319 BCE by Maurya Emperor Chandragupta.
  • Key Architectural Features: Rock-cut Buddhist caves, Navghan Kuvo, Adi Chadi stepwell, 1531 Egyptian cannon.
  • PYQ Trend: State PCS exams frequently ask about ancient rock-cut architecture, stepwells, and historical forts of western India.
#5INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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Pacific Islands Forum and India's Engagement

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

India recently reaffirmed its unwavering diplomatic commitment to forging a deeper, multi-faceted partnership with Pacific Island Countries (PICs), aligning with regional frameworks such as the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Established in 1971, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is the premier political and economic policy organization of the Pacific region, comprising 18 member states (including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea) with its headquarters in Suva, Fiji. Operating under the visionary framework of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the PIF focuses heavily on regional security, sustainable economic development, ocean governance, and existential climate change mitigation for small island developing states (SIDS).

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

For India, engagement with the PIF through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) is vital for countering geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific, securing maritime trade routes, and championing the collective interests of the Global South in multilateral climate negotiations.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Establishment: 1971.
  • Headquarters: Suva, Fiji.
  • Membership: 18 member states across Oceania.
  • Strategic Vision: 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
  • Indian Framework: Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).
#6ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
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Ponnaniyar Dam and Cauvery River Basin Management

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

A long-standing demand by agrarian communities to augment irrigation supplies by diverting surplus Cauvery River water from the Mayanur barrage to the Ponnaniyar Dam in Manapparai is set to materialize.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Constructed in 1976 between the Perumalmalai and Semmalai mountains in the Kadavur hill region of Karur district, Tamil Nadu, the Ponnaniyar Dam is a concrete gravity structure built across the Ponnaniyar River (a key tributary of the Kaveri River). With a storage capacity of 120 mcft, its downstream flows extend into the Trichy district, serving as a critical lifeline for regional agriculture, rural drinking water supply, and sustaining the rich surrounding flora and fauna of the southern hill tracts.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

Inter-basin water transfer and surplus-monsoon water harvesting projects help mitigate localized agrarian distress caused by erratic rainfall, ensuring sustainable cropping intensity and groundwater recharge in drought-prone districts of Tamil Nadu.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • State: Tamil Nadu (Karur and Trichy districts).
  • River System: Built across Ponnaniyar River, a tributary of the Kaveri River.
  • Geography: Kadavur hill region between Perumalmalai and Semmalai mountains.
  • Year of Construction: 1976.
  • PYQ Trend: River systems, dams, and their parent river basins are high-yield topics for State PCS geographical mapping.
#7INDIAN ECONOMY
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Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Initiative

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative has accelerated its outcome-oriented phase, marking a structural paradigm shift in India's export strategy from metropolitan industrial concentration toward decentralized grassroots economic empowerment.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Anchored by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Department of Commerce, the DEH initiative aims to systematically identify localized products and services with global market potential across all 734 districts. Its institutional architecture operates on a multi-layered framework: State Export Promotion Committees (SEPCs) at the state level and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) at the district level. DEPCs are tasked with formulating District Export Action Plans (DEAPs) that map local clusters (such as agriculture, GI crafts, and toys), resolve infrastructure bottlenecks, and directly link rural producers to global supply chains.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

By unlocking export-oriented manufacturing at the grassroots level, DEH directly supports India's vision of achieving a USD 1 trillion merchandise export target, bridging regional economic disparities, and boosting employment generation in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Nodal Agency: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Implementation Units: District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) preparing District Export Action Plans (DEAPs).
  • Coverage: 734 districts across 27 States and Union Territories.
  • Core Focus: GI products, local handicrafts, agricultural goods, and micro-enterprises.
  • PYQ Trend: Decentralized economic schemes, MSME export promotion, and trade policy questions frequently feature in Mains GS Paper III.
#8ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
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Fulvous Whistling Duck Ecology and Wetland Conservation

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

A rare flock of more than 30 Fulvous whistling ducks was recently recorded at the Venjali wetlands in Malappuram district, marking an exceptional sighting of the waterfowl species in Kerala.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

The Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) is a large, goose-like waterfowl characterized by long legs, a distinct neck, reddish-brown plumage, and a diagnostic white crescent band across its black tail visible during flight. Widely distributed across tropical, subtropical, and temperate wetlands in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, the species in India is predominantly found in the freshwater marshes and flooded grasslands of Assam and northeastern states. They favor shallow wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation and wet rice cultivation fields, feeding primarily on plant matter.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

The sudden appearance of rare migratory flocks in non-traditional southern habitats underscores the ecological significance of protecting minor wetlands and agricultural floodplains as crucial stepping stones for avian biodiversity.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Scientific Name: Dendrocygna bicolor.
  • IUCN Status: Least Concern.
  • Indian Distribution: Primarily Assam and northeastern wetlands; rare sightings in southern states like Kerala.
  • Habitat Preference: Shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, and paddy fields.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
#9SCIENCE & SPACE
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Cold Allodynia and Neuropathic Pain Mechanisms

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

Researchers have successfully identified the specific neural 'brain circuit' responsible for cold allodynia, a debilitating nerve-related pain condition frequently experienced as a side effect by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Cold allodynia is a neuropathic pain disorder where even mild, non-painful cold exposure triggers intense burning, freezing, or sharp pins-and-needles sensations. It is commonly induced by neurotoxic chemotherapy drugs such as oxaliplatin (a platinum-based compound), as well as chronic metabolic disorders like diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), viral infections like shingles, and severe Vitamin B12 deficiencies. Management involves targeted medications like pregabalin or duloxetine, topical agents (lidocaine), and lifestyle adaptations to avoid extreme thermal exposures.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

Mapping the exact neurological pathways governing cold allodynia opens new avenues for developing precision therapeutics that can block chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy without compromising the efficacy of life-saving cancer treatments.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Condition: Neuropathic pain triggered by mild cold exposure.
  • Primary Triggers: Oxaliplatin chemotherapy, diabetic neuropathy, Vitamin B12 deficiency.
  • Common Symptoms: Intense burning, freezing pain, and tingling.
  • Management: Pregabalin, gabapentin, topical capsaicin/lidocaine.
  • PYQ Trend: Science and tech questions covering neurological disorders, drug side effects, and vitamin deficiencies are regular features in competitive exams.
#10SCIENCE & SPACE
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Sepsis and Global Antimicrobial Resistance in Children

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

A alarming global study has revealed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in children is rising rapidly worldwide, severely undermining the efficacy of life-threatening antibiotic interventions for severe pediatric infections such as sepsis and pneumonia.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency triggered when the bodyтАЩs immune system mounts an extreme, dysregulated response to an infection (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic), culminating in widespread tissue damage, acute organ dysfunction, and potentially fatal septic shock characterized by catastrophic blood pressure drops. While it can originate from simple localized cuts, surgical sites, or pulmonary infections, pediatric and geriatric populations face disproportionately higher vulnerability. Therapeutic protocols necessitate immediate broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, hemodynamic resuscitation, and organ-supportive care.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

The proliferation of drug-resistant pathogens in pediatric sepsis cases poses a monumental threat to global public health. It necessitates stricter antibiotic stewardship, enhanced infection control in neonatal units, and accelerated investment in novel anti-infective drug pipelines.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Definition: Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host immune response to infection.
  • Severe Complication: Septic shock (refractory hypotension and multi-organ failure).
  • Global Threat: Rising Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) rendering standard pediatric antibiotics ineffective.
  • Nodal Body: World Health Organization (WHO) / Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) AMR surveillance networks.
  • PYQ Trend: Public health challenges, AMR, and neglected tropical/systemic diseases frequently appear in Prelims and Mains.
#11INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State (CHS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the inaugural 'SCO Plus' summit were successfully convened in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, under the theme '25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.'

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

The Bishkek Summit adopted monumental institutional outcomes, including the Bishkek Declaration, approval of amendments to the SCO Charter (incorporating English alongside Russian and Chinese as official working languages, proposed by India in 2022-23), and the creation of the Universal Centre for Countering Challenges and Threats and an SCO Anti-Drug Centre. Leaders signed connectivity frameworks for green technology corridors and logistics networks, alongside strategic trilateral roadmaps (SCO-CSTO-CIS) and an MoU with the African Union. India's Prime Minister emphasized three core pillarsтАФSecurity, Connectivity, and OpportunityтАФstrongly advocating for dismantling terror safe havens without double standards, emphasizing territorial sovereignty in connectivity projects (indirectly critiquing China's BRI/CPEC), and handing over the rotating chairmanship for 2026тАУ2027 to Pakistan (designating Lahore as the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital).

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

The SCO remains an indispensable Eurasian anchor for India to exercise strategic autonomy, secure energy access in Central Asia, and cooperate on counter-terrorism via RATS, while balancing its multi-aligned foreign policy architecture against bloc-based polarization.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Summit Venue: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
  • Current Members (10): China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus (newest member).
  • Key Anti-Terror Organ: Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
  • Language Addition: English officially added to Russian and Chinese.
  • Incoming Chair (2026-27): Pakistan.
  • PYQ Trend: Membership of international groupings (SCO, AIIB, MTCR) and regional security structures are frequent UPSC/State PCS Prelims staples.
#12GOVERNANCE & SCHEMES
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Untouchability and Caste-Based Discrimination in India

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

A recent ritual 'purification' (Shuddhikaran) ceremony at a public venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following its use by Dalit individuals, has reignited nationwide debate concerning the legal enforcement of Article 17 and the persistence of caste prejudice.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

The historic caste hierarchy was deeply anchored in notions of purity (Shuddhi) and pollution (Ashuddhi), resulting in systemic spatial segregation and social exclusion. Constitutionally, Article 17 under the Right to Equality abolishes untouchability in all forms, making its practice a punishable offense applicable against both the State and private individuals. This constitutional mandate is operationalized via robust statutory frameworks including the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Landmark judicial rulingsтАФfrom Surya Narayan Choudhary (1989) to Sukanya Shantha v. Union of India (2024)тАФhave reaffirmed that untouchability extends far beyond physical exclusion to subtle psychological dimensions based on touch, presence, and caste identity.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

Eradicating modern, covert manifestations of caste discrimination requires moving beyond punitive penal codes. True social democracy demands rigorous state accountability, the promotion of inter-caste marriages, economic empowerment via Dalit capitalism (Stand-Up India), and the active integration of Constitutional Morality into educational curricula.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Constitutional Provision: Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability).
  • Statutory Acts: Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955; SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
  • Constitutional Body: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) under Article 338.
  • Key Supreme Court Ruling: Sukanya Shantha v. Union of India (2024) (striking down caste discrimination in prison manuals).
  • Economic Schemes: Stand-Up India, Public Procurement Policy for MSEs (4% quota for SC/ST entrepreneurs).
  • PYQ Trend: Questions on Fundamental Rights (Article 17), social justice, and the historical abolition of untouchability appear frequently in Mains GS Paper I & II.
#13GOVERNANCE & SCHEMES
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Namami Gange Programme and Jan Ganga Public Participation

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The Union Government recently highlighted the pivotal role of Jan GangaтАФthe public participation pillar of the Namami Gange ProgrammeтАФin transforming river conservation from a bureaucratic government initiative into a vibrant, people-driven mass movement.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Launched in 2014, the Namami Gange Programme (NGP) is an Integrated Conservation Mission designed for effective pollution abatement, ecological restoration, and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga and its tributaries. Moving beyond mere sewage treatment infrastructure, the programme emphasizes biodiversity conservation (protecting the Gangetic Dolphin, Gharial, otters, and turtles), extensive afforestation along the river basin (over 33,000 hectares), and riverfront development. The core philosophy of Jan Ganga relies on Jan Bhagidari, mobilizing grassroots networks such as Ganga Praharis, Ganga Seva Doots, university eco-clubs, and mass campaigns like Ganga Swachhta Pakhwada and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to foster local environmental ownership.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

Long-term ecological revival of major river basins is impossible without local community stewardship. Integrating scientific interventions with grassroots cultural connect ensures the sustainability of river restoration efforts across the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Launch Year: 2014.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation).
  • Grassroots Volunteers: Ganga Praharis and Ganga Seva Doots.
  • Key Environmental Indicator Species: Platanista gangetica (Gangetic River Dolphin - National Aquatic Animal).
  • PYQ Trend: Environmental governance, river basin authorities (NGRBA), and participatory conservation schemes are recurring themes in UPSC and State PCS examinations.
#14GOVERNANCE & SCHEMES
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Interim Government of 1946 and Constitutional Transition

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

September 2nd marked the historical anniversary of the formation of the Interim Government of India in 1946, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as Vice-President of the ViceroyтАЩs Executive Council, representing the first major transfer of executive authority to Indian leaders.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Emanating from the recommendations of the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)тАФwhich comprised Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander and rejected the demand for Pakistan while proposing a federal three-tier structureтАФthe Interim Government took office on September 2, 1946. Although the Viceroy (Lord Wavell) remained the formal constitutional president, Indian leaders assumed direct executive control over vital departments. Following initial tensions and the Muslim League's 'Direct Action Day' (August 16, 1946), the Muslim League subsequently joined the cabinet in October 1946 with Liaquat Ali Khan taking the crucial Finance portfolio. Persistent administrative deadlock and ideological friction within the coalition ultimately convinced national leaders of the inevitability of partition, paving the way for the Mountbatten Plan of June 3, 1947.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

The Interim Government served as an invaluable administrative crucible, enabling Indian leaders to gain firsthand governance experience, formulate an independent foreign policy, initiate the Indianisation of civil and military services, and lay the foundational architecture for the sovereign Republic of India.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Formation Date: September 2, 1946.
  • Head of Executive Council: Viceroy (Ex-officio President); Jawaharlal Nehru (Vice-President / De facto Prime Minister).
  • Cabinet Mission Members: Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, A.V. Alexander.
  • Muslim League Finance Member: Liaquat Ali Khan (joined October 1946).
  • PYQ Trend: Modern Indian History questions regarding the Cabinet Mission Plan, portfolios held in the Interim Government (e.g., Dr. Rajendra Prasad - Food and Agriculture), and the transfer of power are perennial favourites in PCS exams.
#15INDIAN ECONOMY
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Banks Seek CRR Cut on Green Deposits for Net-Zero Transition

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

In a decisive push to accelerate India's transition toward a net-zero economy, public sector banks have formally approached the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seeking a targeted reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) applicable to green deposits.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Conceptual & Analytical Details

Green deposits are interest-bearing fixed-term instruments issued by regulated entities (banks and NBFCs) whose proceeds are strictly earmarked for allocation toward eligible green projects. Despite growing interest, mobilization remains modest (around Rs 4,000-5,000 crore in 2025-26), falling drastically short of national climate requirements. According to NITI Aayog's report 'Scenario towards Viksit Bharat & Net Zero - Financing Needs', India requires a staggering cumulative investment of USD 22.7 trillion. Banks have proposed an initial 100 basis points (1%) CRR reduction on green deposits to offset high compliance and verification costs incurred to prevent greenwashing, thereby making green credit cheaper and more accessible.

ЁЯФ╣ Strategic Importance & Future Impact

Lowering reserve requirements for green financing will incentivize commercial lenders to prioritize sustainable capital allocation, helping India bridge its massive climate financing deficit and meet its ambitious international net-zero commitments.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

  • Proposed Incentive: Up to 100 bps (1%) CRR reduction on green deposits.
  • Estimated Transition Need: USD 22.7 trillion cumulative investment (NITI Aayog estimate).
  • Instrument Definition: Interest-bearing fixed deposits earmarked strictly for RBI-approved green projects.
  • Regulatory Body: Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • PYQ Trend: Monetary policy instruments (CRR, SLR, Repo Rate) and sustainable finance taxonomies frequently appear in Indian Economy Prelims and Mains.
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