Current Affairs

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to consider forming a special bench to hear the Centre’s plea regarding the OBC 'creamy layer' criteria. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is seeking clarification on a recent judgment to proceed with the service allocation for 958 candidates who cleared the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025.

The concept of the 'Creamy Layer' was introduced following the landmark Indra Sawhney Judgment (1992). The Supreme Court directed the government to exclude the socially and economically advanced sections among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from the 27% reservation quota in public employment and education (under Article 16(4) of the Constitution). Following this, a September 8, 1993 Office Memorandum (OM) was issued, establishing specific criteria based on parental status, rank, and income/wealth to identify the creamy layer. The recent March 11 judgment (*Union of India vs Rohith Nathan*) clarified that a parent's salary or income from a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) or private sector alone cannot be the sole determinative factor for creamy-layer exclusion; the status and category of the post must also be considered as per the original 1993 OM. The Centre now needs clarity to allocate services to successful CSE candidates without legal hurdles.

GS2: Polity (Indian Constitution, Significant Provisions), GS2: Social Justice (Mechanisms for Vulnerable Sections)

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) has successfully unveiled three indigenously developed micro and small gas turbine engines (NJ-05, NJ-50, and NJ-100). These highly compact engines will power unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drone interceptors, and compact missile systems, marking a major leap in India's self-reliance in aerospace technology.

A gas turbine engine is a type of internal combustion engine that burns fuel to generate high-speed exhaust gases, producing immense thrust. While India has made massive strides in missile and aircraft development, manufacturing indigenous aerospace engines has historically been a major technological bottleneck. The newly developed engines by CSIR-NAL produce varying thrusts of 5 kg, 50 kg, and 100 kg, designed specifically for tactical drones, loitering munitions, and target aircraft. By mastering this critical propulsion technology, India reduces its deep dependence on foreign imports. This milestone also empowers the rapidly expanding domestic aerospace startup ecosystem to mass-produce these engines for the defence sector under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

GS3: Science and Technology (Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology, Defence Technology)

President Droupadi Murmu extended her warm greetings to the nation on the dual occasions of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi and the vibrant harvest festival of Onam. Emphasizing unity in diversity, she highlighted how the Prophet's teachings inspire pious conduct, while Onam celebrates nature's bounty and India's spirit of brotherhood.

India is a land of diverse cultures and festivals, often witnessing overlapping celebrations from different communities. Onam is the grandest harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated across religious lines to thank nature. It is deeply associated with the legendary homecoming of the mythical, righteous demon King Mahabali, whose reign is considered the golden era of Kerala. On the other hand, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (also known as Mawlid) is a significant day for the Muslim community, marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. It serves as a day of spiritual reflection, where devotees recall the Prophet’s messages of compassion, equality, and peace, essential for building an inclusive and developed nation.

GS1: Indian Heritage and Culture (Festivals)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has formally approved the transfer of DRDO-developed missile technologies to India's private defence industry. This major policy shift aims to turbocharge domestic manufacturing, drastically reduce import dependence, and empower MSMEs by deeply integrating them into the national defence supply chain.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is the premier R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence. Historically, advanced defence technologies—especially strategic missile systems developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) like Agni, Prithvi, and Akash—were tightly controlled by the government and manufactured exclusively by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). By opening up these highly restricted Transfer of Technologies (ToT) to the private sector, the government is accelerating the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative. This democratization of defence technology will not only create a robust and competitive industrial base but also allow Indian companies to eventually export these advanced weapon systems to friendly nations, shifting India from a net arms importer to a formidable global defence exporter.

GS3: Science and Technology (Indigenization of technology and developing new technology), GS3: Security (Defence manufacturing)

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed the 43rd foundation day of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) in New Delhi. He praised C-DOT's transformative role in India's telecom journey since its inception and stressed that future digital connectivity must prioritize secure, trusted, and disaster-resilient networks to lead the global 6G revolution.

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) was established in August 1984 by the Government of India as an autonomous telecom research and development centre. Spearheaded initially by technology visionary Sam Pitroda, C-DOT revolutionized India's telecom sector by introducing digital switching systems (like the Rural Automatic Exchanges - RAX) tailored to the harsh Indian environment. Today, it functions under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications. C-DOT's current mandate focuses heavily on developing indigenous, secure technologies for 4G/5G, disaster management (like the Cell Broadcast Alert System used by NDMA), quantum communications, and laying the groundwork for India to set next-generation global telecom standards.

GS3: Science and Technology (IT, Computers, Telecommunication)

India strongly condemned a recent fatal ambush on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which resulted in the death of an Ethiopian peacekeeper. Paying tribute to the fallen "Blue Helmet," India demanded a thorough investigation and swift justice against the perpetrators.

South Sudan, the world's newest nation, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but has since been plagued by violent civil conflicts. To stabilize the region, the UN deployed UNMISS to protect civilians and monitor human rights. UN peacekeepers are globally recognized as "Blue Helmets" due to their distinctive headgear, which symbolizes neutrality. India, historically one of the largest troop-contributing nations to UN peacekeeping missions, has consistently advocated for the safety of these forces. During its UN Security Council presidency in 2021, India spearheaded UNSC Resolution 2589, which specifically calls for strict accountability and the prosecution of individuals committing crimes against UN peacekeepers.

GS2: International Relations (Important International Institutions, agencies and fora - their structure, mandate)