Current Affairs – April 27, 2026

{GS2 – Polity} SC Upholds Reproductive Choice of Minor as Fundamental Right **

• Context (IE): Supreme Court allowed a 15-year-old to terminate a seven-month pregnancy, prioritising reproductive autonomy over statutory limits.

• The Court held that a woman’s choice to terminate a pregnancy forms part of personal liberty and privacy under Article 21.
• It established that no court can force a minor to continue an unwanted pregnancy against her will.

About Reproductive Autonomy in India

• Reproductive autonomy is the right to make informed decisions about reproductive health, free from coercion or discrimination.
• Legal Framework: The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Amendment (MTP) Act 2021 allows abortions up to 24 weeks for special categories like minors, with doctor approval.
• Landmark Judgements: Suchita Srivastava (2009) and K.S. Puttaswamy Case (2017) recognised reproductive choice as part of personal liberty and privacy.
• Equal Rights: In 2022, the Supreme Court struck down marital status distinctions for abortion access, ensuring equal rights. under Article 14.
• Global Alignment: Reproductive autonomy supports India’s commitments to SDG 3.7 (universal sexual health access) and SDG 5.6 (reproductive rights and gender equality).

Key Challenges

• Medical Gatekeeping: The MTP Act shifts decision-making power from women to Registered Medical Practitioners, making doctors gatekeepers.
• Social Stigma: Unmarried women often face “extra-legal” requirements like spousal or parental consent, despite the law requiring only the woman’s consent.
• Patriarchal Coercion: Societal norms limit women’s reproductive choices; NFHS-5 shows that only 18% decide independently on their health.
• Legal Gap: Not criminalising marital rape undermines bodily autonomy & enables forced pregnancies.
• Safety & Access: Rural health centres face a 70-75% shortage of obstetricians and gynaecologists, pushing women toward unsafe abortion procedures.

Read More > Delhi HC Affirms Woman’s Autonomy in Abortion Decisions

{GS2 – Polity} Anti-Defection Law under the Tenth Schedule

• Context (IE): Seven out of ten Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs officially broke away from the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

• Legal Basis: They invoked the Tenth Schedule‘s merger provision as protection against disqualification.

About Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

• The Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, known as the Anti-Defection Law, was introduced by the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985.
• Objective: It aims to curb the “Aaya Ram Gaya Ram” culture of frequent party-switching that historically destabilised governments.
• Grounds: An MP or MLA is disqualified under the following conditions:
  • Voluntary Resignation: Formally resigning, or conduct implying abandonment of party membership.
  • Defying the Whip: Voting against or abstaining contrary to party directions without permission, provided that such action has not been condoned by the party within 15 days.
  • Independent Members: Joining any political party after the election.
  • Nominated Members: Joining a political party after six months of taking their seat.
• Merger Exception: Members are protected if the original political party merges at the organisational level, provided two-thirds of the members of the legislature party agree to the merger.
• Presidential Election: Anti-defection provisions do not apply during presidential and vice-presidential elections, as political parties are prohibited by the Election Commission from issuing whips.
• Presiding Officer: Speaker (Lok Sabha/Assemblies) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha/Councils) acts as the sole adjudicating authority for disqualification petitions within the House.
• Timely Adjudication: To prevent “pocketing” of petitions, the Supreme Court has mandated a three-month deadline for Presiding Officers to reach a decision.
• Judicial Review: Kihoto Hollohan (1992) ruled that the Presiding Officer acts as a quasi-judicial tribunal, and its decision is subject to review by the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Read More > Anti-Defection Law: Significance & Drawbacks

{GS2 – Governance} Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) 2.0 App*

• Context (PIB): Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) 2.0 App strengthens India’s drug-free mission through digital awareness, outreach, and community engagement nationwide.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)

• Aim: To create a drug-free society through awareness, digital monitoring, and coordinated demand reduction efforts across India.
• Launched: On 15^th August 2020 by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
• Mass Outreach: Over 26 crore people, including youth and women, sensitised across all districts through over 8.3 lakh activities and over 28,000 Nasha Mukti Mitras.
• Digital Platform: NMBA 2.0 App launched in 2026 as a centralised tool for real-time monitoring, reporting, and coordination under NAPDDR.

Key Features NMBA 2.0

• Citizen Access: Provides e-Pledge, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, helpline support, and de-addiction centre details for public awareness and participation.
• Institutional Monitoring: Enables Grant-in-Aid Institutions (GIAs) with role-based access for real-time reporting and monitoring of de-addiction facility activities.
• Transparency Tools: Includes grant status tracking, nearest de-addiction centre locator, and feedback system for improved accountability and services.

{GS3 – IE} RBI Revoked Banking License of Paytm Payments Bank *

• Context (TH): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled Paytm Payments Bank’s licence, citing detriment to depositors and the public.

• Restrictions: No fresh deposits, credit transactions, or top-ups are allowed into any Paytm Payments Bank accounts or FASTags.
• Availability: The Paytm app and its UPI services remain fully functional, operating through partnerships with other major commercial banks.

About Payments Bank

• Payments Banks are a specialised type of bank introduced in 2025 to advance financial inclusion for underserved populations.
• Foundation: This banking model was established based on the recommendations of the Nachiket Mor Committee in 2014.
• Legal Status: They are registered as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013 and licensed under Section 22, Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Deposit Limit: Payments Banks can only accept demand deposits, currently capped at a maximum of ₹2 lakh per individual customer.
• Permitted Services: They can offer remittance services, ATM and debit cards, mobile payments, and third-party products such as insurance and mutual funds.
• Credit Bar: These institutions are prohibited from lending money or providing any form of credit, including credit cards.

Regulation of Payments Banks

• Regulatory Acts: The RBI regulates Payments Banks under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, RBI Act, 1934, the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, and FEMA, 1999.
• CRAR Requirement: Payments Banks are required to maintain a minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of 15% to buffer against operational risks.
• Paid-up Capital: Every bank must have a minimum paid-up voting equity capital of ₹100 crore.
• Reserve Ratios: Like regular banks, they maintain a CRR with the RBI on their outside demand and time liabilities.
• Investment Mandate: At least 75% of demand deposits must be invested in SLR-eligible Government Securities or Treasury Bills maturing within one year.

Read More> Payment Banks

{GS3 – Envi} Compound Climate Extremes Threaten 36% Terrestrial Habitats by 2085

• Context (IE): A recent study found 36% of terrestrial vertebrate habitats could face overlapping extreme weather events by 2085.

• Compound Threat: Compounded disasters, such as drought followed by wildfire, pose a faster and more lethal threat than gradual warming.

Key Findings of the Study

• Ecoregion Risk: The number of ecoregions with at least 50% of their area exposed to at least two types of extreme events is projected to increase from 22 in 2050 to 236 by 2085.
• Threat Hierarchy: Heatwaves are the primary projected threats, affecting 93% of species’ ranges, followed by wildfires (25%), droughts (14%), and floods (5%).
• Vulnerable Group: Amphibians are the most vulnerable group due to their sensitivity to shifting moisture and temperature levels.
• High-Risk Regions: Tropical regions, including the Amazon, Africa and Southeast Asia, face highest risk of biodiversity loss.
• Beneficial Impact: Extreme events can occasionally benefit some species, such as the ornate chorus frog, which experiences lower predation pressure during droughts.
• Paris Targets: Meeting the Paris Agreement targets could reduce high-risk habitats from 36% to 9%.

Read More > Extreme Weather Events

{GS2 – IR} International Waters Governance and Maritime Security **

• Context (TH): Escalating Iran–US maritime confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz, including ship seizures & detentions, strain international waters governance under UNCLOS.

Strait of Hormuz Maritime Crisis Escalation

• Traffic Control: Post-war ship movement collapsed sharply as Iran imposed transit restrictions and high tolls, driven by geopolitical considerations.
• India Benefit: India gained an advantage as Iran allowed selected Indian-flagged energy shipments to pass without reported toll payments.
• US Action: The U.S. enforced a de facto blockade by issuing warnings and seizing vessels targeting Iranian-linked ships in international waters.
• Iran Response: Iran retaliated by firing at, detaining, and capturing commercial vessels, escalating maritime tensions in the Strait.
• Legal Conflict: Unilateral sanctions and seizures under domestic law created major disputes with international maritime law and UNCLOS principles.

Maritime Security Threats

• Selective Enforcement: Powerful states apply maritime laws unevenly, weakening UNCLOS despite governing over 60% of global trade.
• Economic Coercion: Sanctions and blockades affect nearly 30% of oil trade routes, increasing geopolitical and supply risks.
• Maritime Incidents: Over 150 naval confrontations and ship seizures have been reported globally in disputed waters recently.
• Chokepoint Risks: The Strait of Hormuz alone carries ~20% of global oil trade, making it highly vulnerable to disruptions from conflict.

Enhancing Ocean Governance Mechanisms

• Rules-Based Order: Strengthen UNCLOS compliance as ~80% of global trade moves by sea, ensuring freedom of navigation in chokepoints.
• Multilateral Action: Empower the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) & UN mechanisms, overseeing the safety of over 100,000 merchant ships globally, to mediate maritime disputes effectively.
• De-escalation Measures: Promote diplomacy as Strait of Hormuz disruptions can impact 17–20 million barrels of oil daily, affecting global energy stability.
• Legal Enforcement: Strengthen UNCLOS arbitration using precedents like the 2016 South China Sea ruling to curb unlawful blockades and seizures.

Read More > Strait of Hormuz Crisis and Its Implications for India

{GS3 – IE} Heat-Induced Income Shock for Gig Workers **

• Context (TH): India’s 12 million gig workers are facing a “climate-income trap” as rising summer heat reduces both their working hours and earnings.

Summer Vulnerabilities of Gig Workers in India

• Income Losses: A one-degree rise in mean temperature can reduce net earnings by 16%. Intense heatwaves can cut earnings by up to 40%.
• Output Loss: Extreme heat forces workers to cut active hours by ~1.2 hours daily, resulting in 9.2 fewer deliveries per week.
• Heat Illness: 52% of gig workers suffer heat exhaustion, and 30% experience heatstroke, including symptoms like dizziness and fainting.
• Gender Impact: Women gig workers face worsened menstrual health and increased urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to dehydration and toilet inaccessibility.
• Tech Downtime: High ambient temperatures cause smartphones and electric vehicle (EV) batteries to overheat, creating uncompensated technical downtime for workers.

Factors Behind Heightened Vulnerabilities

• Platform Pressure: “10-minute delivery” mandates and log-off penalties during peak hours (12 PM–4 PM) discourage workers’ necessary cooling breaks.
• Wage Trap: With 40% of workers earning below ₹15,000 monthly, the “no work, no pay” model compels them to ignore health risks.
• Heat Exposure: Delivery riders on two-wheelers face magnified heat from tarmac, traffic, and the urban heat island effect, well above ambient city readings.
• Amenity Denial: Over 40% of workers lack cold drinking water, and 44% rely on paid public toilets while on duty.

NDMA Advisory for Informal and Gig Workers

• Work Suspension: Platforms must suspend mandatory work between 11 AM and 4 PM during IMD-declared Orange and Red Alerts.
• Radius Reduction: Task allocation should be capped at a 3 km radius from workers’ locations during heat alerts.
• Emergency Leave: Workers will receive at least two emergency summer leave days, extended to three for women, with no penalties.
• Opt-Out Rights: Platforms are directed to allow workers to log off during extreme heat hours without affecting ratings, incentives, or account status.
• Emergency Button: Apps should include a one-tap emergency button to connect workers to medical help and nearby hospitals.

Read More> Gig Economy: Growth Drivers, Significance & Challenges

{GS3 – S&T} India’s Bio-Economy Projected to Reach $1 Trillion by 2047 *

• Context (NOA | PIB): India’s bio-economy sector is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2047.

About Bio-Economy

• The bio-economy includes activities that use biological research to convert renewable resources into high-value products.
• It integrates sustainable agriculture, biopharmaceuticals, biomanufacturing, and bio-energy to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
• India’s Goal: India aims to expand its bio-economy to $300 billion by 2030.

Key Government Policies Driving India’s Bio-Economy

• BioE3 Policy (2024): Integrates biotechnology, engineering, and AI to build domestic biomanufacturing hubs and promote a circular bio-economy.
• Bio-RIDE Scheme (2024): Supports biomanufacturing and biofoundries to bridge the lab-to-market gap for deep-tech biotechnology startups.
• Biopharma SHAKTI: Announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, it aims to position India as a global hub for biologics and biosimilars.
• ANRF Funding: Anusandhan National Research Foundation oversees a ₹50,000 crore fund to boost industry-academia research and development intensity.
• National Biopharma Mission: Launched in 2017, it supports indigenous vaccines, biosimilars, and medical devices with 50% co-funding from the World Bank.

Read More > India’s Bioeconomy Sector

{GS3 – S&T – AI} AI Cyber Threats to India’s Financial Sector **

• Context (FI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman convened a meeting with bank and regulator heads to address cybersecurity risks from Claude Mythos.

• Claude Mythos is a frontier AI model by Anthropic, built with cybersecurity capabilities that surpass human performance in certain domains.
• Zero-Day Discovery: Mythos autonomously identified thousands of zero-day vulnerabilities across Linux, Windows, macOS, and major web browsers in pre-release testing.
• Access Control: Due to misuse potential, Mythos remains publicly unreleased, restricted to select partners, including Apple and JPMorgan, under Project Glasswing.

AI Vulnerabilities in Indian Financial Institutions

• Legacy Code: Many Public Sector Banks (PSBs) rely on ageing core banking software with decades-old, unpatched code that AI agents can exploit within seconds.
• API Interconnectivity: India’s highly integrated Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) creates a vast attack surface, where a single API vulnerability can trigger systemic failure.
• Response Gap: The velocity of AI-led attacks far exceeds the reaction time of traditional human-monitored Security Operations Centres (SOCs).
• Identity Spoofing: AI’s ability to generate hyper-realistic synthetic identities and deepfakes can circumvent current video-KYC protocols.
• Vendor Risk: Increased outsourcing to third-party fintech and cloud providers creates a fragmented security perimeter, in which a single vendor can compromise major banks.
• Regulatory Lag: India’s IT and banking laws lack frameworks for ‘algorithmic liability,’ leaving institutions and consumers vulnerable to autonomous AI-driven fraud.

Government Measures for Financial Resilience

• IBA Coordination: The Ministry of Finance has directed the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to coordinate a bank-wide counter-strategy against AI-driven cyber threats.
• Threat Telemetry: Banks are advised to establish a real-time threat-intelligence sharing mechanism with CERT-In against emerging AI exploits.
• Dynamic 2FA: RBI has mandated dynamic Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for all digital payments. One factor must be unique per transaction to counter credential harvesting.
• Domain Migration: RBI migrated all banks to the exclusive .bank.in domain and NBFCs to the .fin.in domain to eliminate fishing.
• IDPIC: Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation (IDPIC) is a new Section-8 company established for AI/ML-driven real-time fraud detection across the digital payments ecosystem.

{Prelims – A&C} Virli Khandar Megalithic Site *

• Context (IE): Archaeologists recently excavated a 2,500-year-old burial site at Virli Khandar.

• Virli Khandar is a megalithic site in Maharashtra, part of the eastern Vidarbha megalithic cluster.

Key Archaeological Findings

• Composite Architecture: Excavations revealed a burial structure that combines menhirs with traditional circular boulder enclosures.
  • Menhirs are tall, upright standing stones used as surface markers for Iron Age burial sites.
• Unique Ritual: Archaeologists found nearly 50 earthen pots deliberately positioned upside down within the main burial site.
• Stabilisation Technique: Red ware and black-and-red ware pottery were placed in sticky black cotton soil, preserving their position for over two millennia.
• Grave Goods: Excavations uncovered a copper necklace, iron implements, carnelian beads, and a well-preserved gold earring.

{Prelims – S&T – Space} Jordan Becomes Artemis Accords Signatory *

• Context (NASA): Jordan officially became the 63^rd country to sign the Artemis Accords.

About Artemis Accords

• Artemis Accords are a set of non-binding multilateral agreements governing the civil exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
• The U.S. established them in 2020, alongside 7 other founding members — Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the UAE, and the UK.
• India joined the Artemis Accords in 2023, allowing data sharing for future space missions.
• Legal Basis: The framework is grounded in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
• Core Principles: Signatories commit to transparent operations, interoperable systems, emergency assistance for astronauts, and open release of scientific data.

Read More > Artemis Accords

{Prelims – Defence} INS Kalpeni *

• Context (TOI): INS Kalpeni recently arrived at Gan in Addu Atoll, strengthening the ongoing maritime engagement between India and the Maldives.

• INS Kalpeni is a Car Nicobar-class Fast Attack Craft (FAC) named after Kalpeni Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
• It was built indigenously by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, for the Indian Navy.
• Operational Role: The vessel supports rapid offshore interception, coastal patrols and defends India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Propulsion: It uses waterjet propulsion, providing better manoeuvrability in shallow waters.
• Speed: The craft can attain speeds over 35 knots.
• Armament: It carries a 30 mm CRN-91 naval gun, Igla surface-to-air missiles, and 11 machine guns.

{Prelims – In News} Ashok Lahiri Appointed NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson

• Context (FE): Ashok Kumar Lahiri was recently appointed Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, succeeding Suman K. Bery.

• Ashok Lahiri is an economist from West Bengal and a sitting MLA in the state.
• He has served as Chief Economic Adviser and as a member of the 15^th Finance Commission (FC).

About NITI Aayog

• NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is India’s apex public policy think tank.
• It is a non-constitutional, non-statutory body established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission.
• It follows Cooperative Federalism through decentralised, bottom-up policy formulation.
• Composition: Chaired by Prime Minister, it includes a Vice Chairperson, full-time/part-time members, Ex officio Members, a Chief Executive Officer, a Governing Council, Special Invitees, and Regional Councils.
  • The Vice-Chairperson is appointed by the Prime Minister.
• Governance Pillars: Its 7 pillars are pro-people, pro-activity, participation, empowering, inclusion, equality, and transparency.

Read More > NITI Aayog