📰 Daily Current Affairs Notes — Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Sources scanned: PIB India, The Hindu, Indian Express, PRS India, RBI, NITI Aayog, and Chhattisgarh State Government portals.
Supreme Court Quashes 2021 Office Memorandum Granting Retrospective Environmental Clearances — [Environment & Ecology: GS Paper III]
#### 1. The Core News Report
The Supreme Court of India has quashed a 2021 Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) that empowered the executive to grant ex-post-facto (retrospective) environmental clearances to industrial and infrastructure projects. The Bench delivered a decisive verdict holding that allowing ex-post-facto clearances via administrative notifications fundamentally undermines the precautionary principle and sustainable development framework enshrined under Indian environmental jurisprudence.
The Court held that projects operating without prior Environmental Clearance (EC) violate statutory mandates under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. However, the Bench clarified that in exceptional circumstances and larger public interest, the Central Government may introduce a limited, time-bound amnesty scheme, provided it is promulgated through a valid statutory notification subject to public scrutiny rather than routine executive circulars.
#### 2. Examination Analysis (Why it is Important & Exam Relevance)
- Why it is Important: The ruling reinforces environmental rule of law and curtails executive overreach that allows polluting industries to operate illegally and seek regularisation post-facto.
- UPSC Relevance:
* Prelims: Statutory provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, EIA Notification 2006, and judicial principles like the Precautionary Principle and Polluter Pays Principle.
* GS Paper III: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Governance, judiciary’s role in enforcing sustainable development.
* Essay: Themes related to “Environment vs. Development”, “Judicial Activism in Climate Governance”, and “Rule of Law in Environmental Protection”.
* Interview: Balanced perspective on how ex-post-facto clearances balance economic growth with environmental compliance.
- CGPSC Relevance:
* Prelims: Powers of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA Chhattisgarh) and environmental norms governing mining leases in Hasdeo Arand and industrial zones.
* Mains Paper: Paper 5 (Economic and Geography of Chhattisgarh) & Paper 7 (Laws and Environment) — statutory requirements for industrial projects.
* Chhattisgarh Special: High relevance for mining sector compliance (coal, iron ore, limestone) and environmental clearances across Korba, Raigarh, and Bastar industrial belts.
- Key Facts to Remember:
* Important figures / Constitutional Articles / Committees: Article 21 (Right to a Clean Environment), Article 48A (Protection and improvement of environment), Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty to protect natural environment).
* Reports / Organizations / Schemes / Acts / Locations / Dates: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; EIA Notification, 2006; MoEFCC.
- Possible Prelims MCQs:
1. With reference to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in India, consider the following statements:
1. EIA notifications are issued under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
2. The Precautionary Principle requires project proponents to obtain environmental clearance before commencing operational activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because EIA notifications are statutory instruments issued under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Statement 2 is correct as the precautionary principle demands prior assessment before starting project construction/operations.
2. The ‘Precautionary Principle’ in environmental law implies that:
(A) Lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.
(B) State authorities must compensate project developers for project delays caused by clearance procedures.
(C) Retrospective clearances can be routinely granted if industrial output contributes significantly to GDP.
(D) Local communities have no legal standing to challenge environmental clearances in court.
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Precautionary Principle mandates that where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not delay preventive action.
- Possible Mains Questions:
1. “Granting ex-post-facto environmental clearances dilutes the core architecture of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.” Analyze this statement in light of recent Supreme Court judgments. (150 words / 10 marks)
- Keywords / Tags: `Environmental Impact Assessment` `Supreme Court Judgment` `Environment Protection Act 1986` `Precautionary Principle`
- Related Topics for Revision:
* EIA Notification 2006 draft amendments
* National Green Tribunal (NGT) powers and jurisdiction
Landmark rulings: Alembic Pharmaceuticals v. Rohit Prajapati*
Kerala High Court Urges State to Formulate Paid Menstrual Leave Policy for Female Public Transport Workers — [Governance & Social Issues: GS Paper II]
#### 1. The Core News Report
The High Court of Kerala urged the State Government to consider formulating a comprehensive paid menstrual leave policy for women workers, particularly female bus conductors serving in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). The Court designated menstrual leave as a “progressive welfare step” necessary for establishing equitable working conditions and safeguarding the health and dignity of women in demanding public sector roles.
Hearing a petition highlighting the arduous working conditions faced by female transit conductors—who lack adequate resting spaces and sanitation facilities during long shifts—the High Court instructed state authorities and KSRTC administrative boards to consult key stakeholders and petitioners before taking a decision on establishing formal paid leave frameworks.
#### 2. Examination Analysis (Why it is Important & Exam Relevance)
- Why it is Important: The observation advances judicial discourse on occupational health, workplace gender equity, and constitutional guarantees of dignity for female workers in physically demanding formal and informal jobs.
- UPSC Relevance:
* Prelims: Articles 15(3), 21, and 39(e)/42 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
* GS Paper II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, gender justice, public health policy, judicial activism in social reform.
* Essay: “Workplace Inclusivity and Gender Justice”, “Social Security Frameworks for Women Workers”.
* Interview: Administrative feasibility, productivity impacts, and non-discrimination arguments surrounding statutory menstrual leave policies.
- CGPSC Relevance:
* Prelims: DPSP articles, state social security schemes, working conditions of female Anganwadi workers and Mitanins.
* Mains Paper: Paper 6 (Socio-Economic Development & Social Legislation) — state welfare policies and female workforce participation.
* Chhattisgarh Special: Female labor force participation in Chhattisgarh’s unorganized sector, municipal corporations, and state transport undertakings.
- Key Facts to Remember:
* Important figures / Constitutional Articles / Committees: Article 15(3) (Special provisions for women), Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty/dignity), Article 42 (Maternity relief and just and humane conditions of work).
* Reports / Organizations / Schemes / Acts / Locations / Dates: KSRTC, Kerala High Court, Code on Social Security 2020.
- Possible Prelims MCQs:
1. Which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India explicitly directs the State to make provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work?
(A) Article 39A
(B) Article 41
(C) Article 42
(D) Article 43A
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: Article 42 under Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy) directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
2. Consider the following statements regarding social security frameworks for women in India:
1. Article 15(3) empowers the State to make special provisions for women and children.
2. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 mandates paid maternity leave only for government sector employees.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons across both private and public sectors.
- Possible Mains Questions:
1. Evaluate the social, legal, and economic dimensions of institutionalizing paid menstrual leave for female workers in India. How can public administration balance gender equity with workplace productivity? (250 words / 15 marks)
- Keywords / Tags: `Menstrual Leave Policy` `Kerala High Court` `Article 42` `Gender Equity` `Labour Reforms`
- Related Topics for Revision:
* Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017
* Code on Social Security, 2020
* Period poverty and National Health Mission initiatives
Ministry Drafts CAFE-III Norms with Special Incentives for Ethanol and Biofuel Vehicles — [Economy & Environment: GS Paper III]
#### 1. The Core News Report
The Central Government has released the draft Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency Phase-III (CAFE-III) regulations, introducing targeted regulatory weightage and incentives for flex-fuel and biofuel-powered vehicles. Prepared by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, the draft rules establish stricter carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) emission baselines for automobile manufacturers while carving out compliance benefits for vehicles running on high-blend ethanol fuel mixes.
The draft CAFE-III framework aims to accelerate the adoption of cleaner auto technologies by rewarding automakers who produce vehicles compatible with E20 (20% ethanol blended petrol) and higher flex-fuel configurations. This initiative aligns automobile manufacturing targets with India’s broader National Policy on Biofuels and crude oil import reduction strategies.
#### 2. Examination Analysis (Why it is Important & Exam Relevance)
- Why it is Important: CAFE norms serve as a regulatory lever to force technological updates in the auto industry, lowering corporate fleet emissions and supporting domestic agricultural supply chains through ethanol production.
- UPSC Relevance:
* Prelims: CAFE norms, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Energy Conservation Act 2001, Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme targets.
* GS Paper III: Energy security, reduction of foreign exchange reserves drain via oil import substitution, industrial technology adoption, climate change mitigation.
* Essay: “Transition to Green Mobility in India”, “Bioenergy and Sustainable Rural Development”.
* Interview: Challenges in flex-fuel infrastructure rollout and balancing vehicular efficiency with sugar/grain diversion for bioethanol.
- CGPSC Relevance:
* Prelims: Location and capacity of ethanol plants in Chhattisgarh, state biofuel policies.
* Mains Paper: Paper 5 (Economy of India & Chhattisgarh) — agricultural processing, bioethanol production from surplus paddy and sugarcane.
* Chhattisgarh Special: Chhattisgarh’s cooperative ethanol plants (such as the Bhoramdeo Cooperative Sugar Mill plant in Kabirdham) directly benefit from national demand pushes created by CAFE-III norms.
- Key Facts to Remember:
* Important figures / Constitutional Articles / Committees: Targeted E20 blending by 2025-26; BEE established under Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
* Reports / Organizations / Schemes / Acts / Locations / Dates: Ministry of Power, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), CAFE-III draft.
- Possible Prelims MCQs:
1. Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms in India are regulated and enforced under the statutory purview of which act?
(A) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
(B) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
(C) Energy Conservation Act, 2001
(D) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: CAFE norms are framed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the powers conferred by the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, to mandate average fuel efficiency targets for vehicle fleets.
2. With reference to Biofuels in India, consider the following statements:
1. Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can run on 100% petrol or 100% ethanol blended fuels seamlessly.
2. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) functions under the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct; FFVs are equipped with internal combustion engines capable of running on varying blends of petrol and ethanol. Statement 2 is incorrect; BEE functions under the Union Ministry of Power.
- Possible Mains Questions:
1. How do Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms act as an effective regulatory policy tool for mobility sector decarbonization? Discuss the role of biofuel integration in achieving India’s energy transition targets. (150 words / 10 marks)
- Keywords / Tags: `CAFE III Norms` `Bureau of Energy Efficiency` `Ethanol Blending` `Flex Fuel Vehicles` `Decarbonisation`
- Related Topics for Revision:
* National Policy on Biofuels 2018 (and 2022 amendments)
* Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME / PM E-DRIVE)
* BS-VI emission standards
150 Years of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) — [Art, Culture & Heritage / S&T: GS Paper I / III]
#### 1. The Core News Report
The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), located in Kolkata, West Bengal, enters its 150th year of continuous contribution to national scientific inquiry and original research. Founded on July 29, 1876, by the visionary physician Dr. Mahendralal Sarkar, IACS stands as India’s oldest autonomous institution dedicated to fundamental scientific research.
The institution holds a historic legacy in pre-independence Indian science: it was at IACS laboratories that Sir C.V. Raman conducted his groundbreaking research on molecular light scattering between 1907 and 1933, leading to the discovery of the “Raman Effect” in 1928, which won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. Today, IACS functions as an autonomous research institution supported by the Department of Science
