Evening edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
Thousands of job aspirants protested against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The protests led to the cancellation of some exams and the resignation and arrest of the former JPSC chairperson.
Key points
- Protests erupted over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams.
- Government agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and JPSC backlog examinations held in 2023 and 2025.
- Students demand a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the JSSC-CGL examination.
- Former JPSC chairperson L. Khiangte arrested in connection with the irregularities.
- JSSC-CGL exams linked to TSR Data Processing Private Limited Agency, a blacklisted entity, are also demanded for cancellation.
Background & context
Jharkhand has faced issues with recruitment processes, leading to public dissatisfaction and protests. The JPSC and JSSC are constitutional and statutory bodies responsible for recruitment to various state government posts.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Former JPSC chairperson L. Khiangte was arrested by the Jharkhand CID.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Governance, Public Administration, Role of institutions and agencies.
Why in news?
Despite potential US sanctions and tariffs, Russia's share in India's oil imports has reached an all-time high of 48% in June 2026. This comes as India reduced its overall crude oil imports.
Key points
- Russia's share in India's oil imports rose to 48% in June 2026.
- US Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, threatening up to 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.
- India significantly lowered its total crude oil imports in June 2026.
- Despite lower import volume, the oil import bill was 40% higher than in June last year due to elevated crude oil prices.
- India imported 8.7 MMT of Russian oil in June 2026, a 25% increase compared to the previous year.
Background & context
Following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia. India has maintained its stance of strategic autonomy, continuing to import oil from Russia, often at discounted prices. This situation impacts India's energy security, its foreign policy relations, and its economic stability.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Russia's share in India's oil imports reached an all-time high of 48% in June 2026.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper III: Economy, International Trade, Energy Security; GS Paper II: International Relations.
Why in news?
A parliamentary committee report identified critical gaps in Kerala's disaster management framework, particularly in last-mile early warning dissemination and technological limitations, despite the state's vulnerability to frequent extreme-weather events.
Key points
- Kerala's disaster management framework has identified gaps, especially in remote and landslide-prone areas.
- Technological limitations persist in hyper-local weather prediction, landslide early-warning accuracy, and real-time flood-inundation modelling.
- High population density, environmental degradation, and urban encroachment exacerbate disaster risks.
- Enforcement of building regulations and land-use planning remains uneven.
- The committee recommended strengthening public awareness on multi-hazard warning systems.
Background & context
Kerala is prone to multiple hazards like floods, landslides, coastal erosion, and cyclones due to its unique geography. Effective disaster management is crucial for the state's resilience and safety of its population.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The parliamentary committee identified gaps in Kerala's disaster management, including limitations in hyper-local weather prediction.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper I: Geography, Natural Disasters; GS Paper II: Governance, Role of Parliament.