Category: Current Affairs 2026

The Islamabad Talks were high-level negotiations aimed at de-escalating the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Hosted by Pakistan, they marked the first direct engagement between the US and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, reflecting urgent efforts to stabilise the region and global oil supply. Key issues included disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme, reopening of the … Continue reading Islamabad Talks, 2026 – Crisis Diplomacy

The Union Government has proposed expanding the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats to facilitate the implementation of 33% reservation for women. The plan is linked to a fresh delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census, aiming to reconfigure constituencies. Under the proposal, 815 seats will be allotted to states and … Continue reading Lok Sabha Expansion and Women’s Reservation

In the literary compositions of Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the idea of Panchayat emerges as a critical instrument of grassroots governance and social transformation. His work Banua Panchayat particularly highlights the functioning of rural self-governing institutions in Assam. Rabha presents the Panchayat not merely as an administrative body but as a platform for empowering peasants and … Continue reading Panchayat in the Works of Bishnu Prasad Rabha

Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits the display or broadcast of election-related content through television, radio or similar media during the 48-hour silence period before polling ends. This restriction ensures that voters are not influenced at the final stage of elections. Media platforms must avoid airing any programme, debate or … Continue reading Silence Period & Exit Poll Ban — Representation of People Act

The practice of contesting from multiple constituencies (OCMC) varies across democracies, reflecting different approaches to representation and accountability. In Australia, a sitting legislator must resign before contesting for another house, ensuring clear separation of roles. United Kingdom and most European democracies have largely banned OCMC (UK since 1983) to promote electoral clarity and accountability. In … Continue reading One Candidate, Multiple Constituencies (OCMC) — Global Practices

Flow of Resilience (2024), directed by Pranami Koch, is a documentary that explores the lived experiences of individuals accused of witchcraft in Assam. The film sheds light on the social stigma, violence and gendered dimensions associated with witch-hunting, while also highlighting resilience and the need for awareness and reform. It contributes to ongoing discourse on … Continue reading Flow of Resilience — Film on Witch-Hunting in Assam

Immigration has emerged as a dominant electoral issue in both the United Kingdom and Assam, where complex socio-economic realities are often simplified into emotionally charged political narratives. In the UK, debates intensified from Brexit to policies under leaders like Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, influenced by figures such as Nigel Farage. Despite strict rhetoric, migration … Continue reading Immigration Politics — UK and Assam Comparison

India does not allow dual citizenship; if an Indian citizen acquires foreign citizenship, Indian citizenship is automatically terminated. However, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status provides a lifelong visa but does not confer citizenship rights. In limited cases, the government may issue a second passport booklet for administrative reasons, but this remains within a single … Continue reading Multiple Passports — Legal Position in India

Bahrain led a significant diplomatic initiative at the United Nations Security Council by tabling Resolution 2817 (2026), addressing Iran’s attempts to control the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. The resolution was adopted with a 13-0-2 vote, with Russia and China abstaining, and was sponsored by Bahrain on behalf of the GCC and … Continue reading UNSC Resolution 2817 (2026) — Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Gauhati High Court ruled that the Justice (retd) B.K. Sharma Commission violated the rights of accused persons while investigating the APSC CCE 2013–2014 cases, by not adhering to provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. Under Section 8B, individuals whose reputation may be affected must be given a fair opportunity to be heard and … Continue reading Gauhati High Court — Violation of Natural Justice in Inquiry

Jirga is a customary decision-making institution among Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where male elders assemble to resolve disputes through consensus. It operates under the Pashtunwali code, which emphasises honour, justice and community harmony. Jirgas function as informal local courts addressing civil and sometimes criminal matters. At a higher level, the “Loya Jirga” represents … Continue reading Jirga — Traditional Conflict Resolution System

Tripura has earned national recognition with three panchayats selected for the Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Nanaji Deshmukh Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025, awarded by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for excellence in local governance and sustainable development. Sepahijala district secured the top rank in the Best District Panchayat category, while Kanchanbari Gram Panchayat (Unakoti) ranked … Continue reading Tripura Panchayats — National Recognition

Kameshwar Das stands as a powerful symbol of intellectual excellence and ethical public life in Assam’s administrative history. Known evocatively as the “Lotus in the Muddy Pond,” he represented the triumph of merit over mediocrity in a system long burdened by hierarchy and privilege. A brilliant mathematician who secured first class first with a gold … Continue reading Kameshwar Das and the Making of Meritocratic Assam

For the 16th Census, live-in couples who consider their relationship a “stable union” will be treated as “married” for enumeration purposes, as clarified in the FAQ section of the self-enumeration portal. This reflects an evolving approach towards capturing diverse family structures. The self-enumeration facility will be available for both phases of the Census—Houselisting and Housing … Continue reading Live-in Relationship — Census Recognition

Kamdhenu has been introduced as the official election mascot of Bajali district to promote voter awareness ahead of the Assam Legislative Assembly elections 2026. Designed as a smiling cow adorned with a traditional Assamese gamosa, it reflects local identity and cultural symbolism. The cow represents Bajali’s strong dairy economy and its role in livelihoods. Holding … Continue reading Kamdhenu Mascot — Voter Awareness in Bajali

Assam has witnessed a sharp fall in the number of candidates contesting the 2026 Assembly elections, with only 722 candidates across 126 constituencies—the lowest in nearly five decades. This trend has raised concerns about possible declining public engagement in electoral politics. Several factors are cited, including dissatisfaction with political parties, repeated candidature of the same … Continue reading Assam Elections 2026 — Decline in Candidates

Purvottar Institute for Persons with Disabilities (PIPWD), located at Tetelia in Assam, is the only higher education institution in Northeast India dedicated to students with disabilities. Established in 2017 in collaboration with Vision Sunrise NGO and affiliated with Gauhati University, it focuses on inclusive education and skill development. With over 155 students enrolled, the institute … Continue reading PIPWD — Inclusive Education in Northeast

Kerala has introduced MLATrack.com, India’s first platform designed to monitor the legislative performance of MLAs. It provides a public database covering activities of Members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the 2021–2026 term. The platform aims to enhance transparency and accountability by enabling citizens, researchers and media to analyse legislative participation, debates and interventions. It … Continue reading MLATrack — Digital Transparency in Legislatures

Madhya Pradesh Special Armed Force (MPSAF) is deploying around 40 companies, comprising nearly 4,000 personnel, to assist in conducting free and fair elections in Assam and West Bengal. This marks one of the largest deployments in recent years, after 50 companies were sent during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh elections. MPSAF is the armed wing of … Continue reading MPSAF Deployment — Strengthening Election Security

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that the salary of serving Assam Rifles personnel cannot be directly attached by civil courts for recovery of maintenance dues. The judgment reinforces statutory protection granted under the Assam Rifles Act. The Court clarified that only the Central Government has the authority to deduct pay and allowances … Continue reading Assam Rifles Salary Protection — High Court Ruling