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September 2026

GS4 · Ethics

  1. Tuesday 1 September · Polity and Society

    Supreme Court quashes nationwide FIRs against NEET-UG 2026 protesters under Article 142

    The Court closed FIRs linked to student protests held from July 20–25, 2026, while permitting one case involving 2,873 persons with serious criminal antecedents to continue.

    • Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice in matters before it.
    • The Court covered protest-related FIRs arising from incidents between July 20 and July 25, 2026.
    • The Court directed that covered FIRs should not be investigated, pursued or treated as pending for any purpose.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  2. Thursday 3 September · Polity

    Supreme Court rules Bar Council bodies cannot discipline law students before advocate enrolment

    The Court quashed BCI directives against NALSAR students, holding that disciplinary control before enrolment lies with the educational institution, not the Bar Council.

    • The Advocates Act, 1961 created the statutory framework for Bar Councils and an all-India legal profession.
    • Section 7 assigns the Bar Council of India functions relating to advocates, legal education, university recognition and supervision of State Bar Councils.
    • Sections 24 to 26 of the Advocates Act, 1961 concern qualifications, applications and decisions relating to enrolment as an advocate.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  3. Saturday 5 September · Polity

    Supreme Court says Jharkhand’s DGP appointment one day before retirement violated six-month tenure rule

    The Court reiterated that states must follow the Prakash Singh police-reform framework while appointing Directors General of Police.

    • Tadasha Mishra, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service officer, was appointed Jharkhand DGP on December 30, 2025.
    • Prakash Singh v. Union of India, 2006, required selection of a state DGP from three senior officers empanelled by UPSC.
    • The Supreme Court’s March 13, 2019 order fixed six months as the minimum residual service for DGP consideration.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  4. Thursday 10 September · Polity and Society

    Supreme Court to examine whether marital-rape prosecution can proceed before deciding the constitutional validity of the BNS exception

    On September 9, 2026, the Court posted the issue for final hearing while separating interpretation of the existing exception from its constitutional validity.

    • Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita contains the rape provision corresponding to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code.
    • Independent Thought v. Union of India, 2017, removed the marital exception for wives below 18 years.
    • The Supreme Court’s September 9, 2026 Bench was headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.

    GS-IGS-IIGS-IV

  5. Saturday 12 September · Polity and Governance

    JPC to begin scrutiny of FCRA Amendment Bill on September 18 amid concerns over executive control of NGO assets

    A 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee chaired by BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal will begin examining the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.

    • The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs and regulates foreign contributions and foreign hospitality.
    • The 2026 Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, 2026 and referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee.
    • The proposed designated authority may manage funds and assets after registration is cancelled, surrendered or otherwise ceases.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  6. Monday 14 September · Science & Technology / Agriculture

    OPU-IVF technology produces a Badri calf from a Sahiwal surrogate in Uttarakhand

    Scientists in Uttarakhand have used embryo-transfer technology to produce a healthy Badri female calf, strengthening prospects for conservation and genetic improvement of indigenous cattle.

    • A female Badri calf was born on September 11, 2026, at GB Pant University in Pantnagar through OPU-IVF technology.
    • The Badri embryo was transferred into a Sahiwal recipient cow after laboratory fertilisation and embryo culture.
    • The project involved GB Pant University, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute and Uttarakhand Biotechnology Council funding.

    GS-IIIGS-IV

  7. Saturday 19 September · Society and Governance

    Supreme Court presses for permanent NTA structure as Nilekani panel prepares NEET reform report

    The Court directed attention to institutionalising NEET through permanent staff, dedicated verticals and stronger testing infrastructure, with an interim reform report expected by September-end.

    • The National Testing Agency conducts NEET and several other national examinations, including engineering and university entrance tests.
    • The Supreme Court bench comprises Justices P. S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe in the reported September 2026 proceedings.
    • Nandan Nilekani leads the task force expected to submit its first interim NEET reform report by September-end 2026.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  8. Wednesday 23 September · Polity

    Supreme Court to examine whether refusal to sing Vande Mataram can attract criminal penalties

    The Court held that the government may prescribe the National Song’s format but indicated that conscientious objectors cannot face penal action, invoking constitutional freedoms and the Bijoe Emmanuel precedent.

    • The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act was enacted in 1971 to protect specified national symbols and public ceremonies.
    • Section 3 of the 1971 Act punishes intentional prevention or disturbance of an assembly engaged in singing the National Anthem.
    • The 2026 amendment extended Section 3 protection to the National Song, according to the pending Supreme Court challenge.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  9. Wednesday 23 September · Polity

    Supreme Court delivers split verdict on challenge to 2023 law governing appointment of CEC and Election Commissioners

    The matter has been placed before the Chief Justice of India after a two-judge Bench differed on whether it should go to a five-judge Constitution Bench.

    • Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President and Vice-President in the Election Commission.
    • The 2023 Act was enacted on December 28, 2023 as Act No. 49 of 2023.
    • The current selection committee comprises the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  10. Thursday 24 September · Science and Technology; Defence

    MoD signs Rs 810.79-crore contract with BDL for 160 indigenous Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons

    The Defence Ministry contracted Bharat Dynamics Limited to supply DRDO-designed precision glide weapons for the Indian Air Force under the Buy (Indian–IDDM) category.

    • The September 23, 2026 contract covers 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force. ([pib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2313942&lang=1&reg=3))
    • The contract value is Rs 810.79 crore and falls under Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured). ([pib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2313942&lang=1&reg=3))
    • Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon is an air-to-ground precision-guided glide bomb for long stand-off attacks. ([pib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2313942&lang=1&reg=3))

    GS-IIIGS-IV

  11. Thursday 24 September · Polity

    Supreme Court mandates prior judicial approval for re-arrest after an unconstitutional arrest

    The Court ruled that violation of Article 22 safeguards makes an arrest unconstitutional and prevents investigating agencies from independently re-arresting the accused.

    • Article 22(1) requires communication of arrest grounds; Article 22(2) requires production before a Magistrate within 24 hours.
    • The Supreme Court delivered Jaskaran Jeet Singh Deol v. State of Punjab through Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Atul S. Chandurkar.
    • Release after an unconstitutional arrest is release from illegal detention, not ordinary bail granted on conditions.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  12. Saturday 26 September · Economy

    SEBI approves new settlement framework, overhauls portfolio-manager rules and widens FPI access to commodity derivatives

    SEBI’s September 24 board decisions seek to simplify securities regulation, strengthen investor protection and deepen foreign participation in Indian markets.

    • SEBI approved the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 2026, replacing the 2020 framework.
    • The Portfolio Managers Route for Investing in Mutual Fund Units permits direct mutual-fund and specialised investment-fund investments.
    • The minimum investment for the new portfolio-manager mutual-fund route is ₹25 lakh, according to the reported board decision.

    GS-IIIGS-IV

  13. Tuesday 29 September · Polity and Society

    Supreme Court orders four-week Delhi-NCR safety audit and district-wise vulnerability mapping after recent sexual-offence cases

    The Court directed dedicated police teams, intensified patrolling, and lighting-CCTV audits of vulnerable public spaces, transport hubs and parks.

    • Article 21 protects life and personal liberty; the Court linked dignity and safe public spaces to this constitutional guarantee in 2026.
    • The 2026 order requires Delhi district teams headed by officers not below Deputy Superintendent of Police rank.
    • The vulnerability audit must use National Crime Records Bureau data, local intelligence, complaints and previous incidents.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  14. Wednesday 30 September · Science & Technology

    RDI Fund rollout stalls as Technology Development Board pauses fresh deep-tech funding applications

    The Technology Development Board has stopped inviting new applications after its first funding round, reportedly because the promised Research, Development and Innovation Fund allocation is yet to arrive.

    • The Research, Development and Innovation Scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025 with ₹1 lakh crore over six years.
    • The Technology Development Board is a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology.
    • The Technology Development Board received ₹2,000 crore and offered ₹2,192 crore in soft loans to 22 companies.

    GS-IIIGS-IV

Mains questions

  1. Examine the ethical and administrative challenges arising from high-stakes competitive examinations in India. Supreme Court quashes nationwide FIRs against NEET-UG 2026 protesters under Article 142
  2. Academic freedom must coexist with institutional accountability. Examine this statement in the context of professional education. Supreme Court rules Bar Council bodies cannot discipline law students before advocate enrolment
  3. Probity in governance is tested by adherence to the spirit, not merely the letter, of rules. Discuss. Supreme Court says Jharkhand’s DGP appointment one day before retirement violated six-month tenure rule
  4. How should criminal justice systems balance survivor protection with the rights of an accused in sexual-offence cases within marriage? Supreme Court to examine whether marital-rape prosecution can proceed before deciding the constitutional validity of the BNS exception
  5. How should public administration balance regulatory enforcement with institutional fairness and compassion? JPC to begin scrutiny of FCRA Amendment Bill on September 18 amid concerns over executive control of NGO assets
  6. What are the ethical concerns associated with the use of advanced reproductive technologies in livestock? OPU-IVF technology produces a Badri calf from a Sahiwal surrogate in Uttarakhand
  7. How can technology improve public-service delivery without compromising privacy, inclusion and human accountability? Supreme Court presses for permanent NTA structure as Nilekani panel prepares NEET reform report
  8. Can patriotism be enforced through criminal law in a constitutional democracy? Examine. Supreme Court to examine whether refusal to sing Vande Mataram can attract criminal penalties
  9. How can India balance military preparedness with restraint and civilian protection in the use of precision weapons? MoD signs Rs 810.79-crore contract with BDL for 160 indigenous Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons
  10. Discuss the ethical dimensions of police discretion in arrest and detention. Supreme Court mandates prior judicial approval for re-arrest after an unconstitutional arrest
  11. Explain the ethical responsibilities of the media while reporting sexual offences against women and children. Supreme Court orders four-week Delhi-NCR safety audit and district-wise vulnerability mapping after recent sexual-offence cases
  12. Accountability and innovation are not competing objectives in public technology funding. Examine. RDI Fund rollout stalls as Technology Development Board pauses fresh deep-tech funding applications

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