Evening edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
The BRICS Summit 2026 is being held in New Delhi, with a focus on strengthening economic cooperation, particularly in payment systems, and fostering bilateral relations among member states.
Key points
- Iran's President Pezeshkian arrived in India for the summit and held bilateral talks with PM Modi.
- Discussions focused on practical solutions for efficient cross-border payment mechanisms, aiming to make them faster, cheaper, and more accessible.
- Emphasis was placed on promoting trade settlements and investments using local currencies.
- Russian President Putin also attended, marking his first in-person participation outside Russia since the Ukraine war began.
Background & context
BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Its summits aim to enhance cooperation on various economic and political issues.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The BRICS Payment Task Force is exploring ways to improve payment systems among member countries.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II (International Relations) - Groupings and Agreements, Bilateral relations. GS Paper III (Economy) - International Trade, Financial Inclusion.
Why in news?
The Gauhati High Court ruled that Talaq-E-Hassan is a valid form of divorce in India and directed a petitioner to register his divorce under a new Assam Act.
Key points
- The court held Talaq-E-Hassan is not prohibited in the country.
- The petitioner had pronounced Talaq-E-Hassan on three separate dates after reconciliation attempts failed.
- The registration was directed under the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorce Act, 2024.
- The court noted that the earlier 1935 legislation for divorce registration had been repealed.
Background & context
Personal laws governing marriage and divorce for different religious communities in India are a subject of ongoing debate and legal scrutiny. Talaq-E-Hassan is one of several forms of triple talaq, though it involves pronouncements over a period of time.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Gauhati High Court directed registration of divorce under the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorce Act, 2024.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II (Polity and Governance) - Personal Laws, Judicial pronouncements, Social Issues.
Why in news?
The Telangana government passed a bill to establish a unified governance structure for the Core Urban Region Economy (CURE) to improve metropolitan coordination and decentralized administration.
Key points
- The Telangana Core Urban Region (Integrated Governance) Bill, 2026, was passed by the State Assembly.
- A CURE Apex Governing Council will be formed for strategic vision and coordination.
- The bill shifts taxation from Annual Rental Value (ARV) to Capital Value system.
- It aims to simplify licensing, introduce the concept of 'night economy', and support urban labour welfare and women's economic participation.
Background & context
Urban governance in rapidly growing cities often faces challenges due to fragmented administrative structures. This bill aims to create a more integrated and responsive system.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The bill proposes shifting from the Annual Rental Value (ARV) system to a Capital Value system for taxation.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II (Governance) - Urban Governance, Decentralization, Government Policies and Interventions. GS Paper I (Geography) - Urbanization.