BSC IAS ACADEMY WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: VOL 1

FIRST EDITION WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS

Proposed Anti-Doping Law Amendments

Why in News?

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released proposed amendments to criminalise organised doping activities and invited public comments till 18 June 2026.

Key Features of the Proposed Amendments

1. Criminalisation of Organised Doping Activities

The amendments propose criminal penalties for:

• Trafficking of prohibited substances and methods

• Unauthorized sale and distribution of banned substances

• Administration of prohibited substances to athletes

• Supply of banned substances to minors

• Organised crime and commercial doping networks

• Sale of prohibited substances without proper labelling

• Advertisements and paid promotions encouraging doping

Objective of the Amendments

The proposed law aims to:

• Break organised doping syndicates

• Protect integrity of sports

• Safeguard athlete health

• Strengthen enforcement against illegal supply chains

• Ensure fair competition in sports

Protection for Athletes

Important Provision

Athletes will not be criminalised merely for positive tests or anti-doping rule violations unless involved in criminal activities such as trafficking or organised doping networks.

• Regular Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) will continue under existing anti-doping mechanisms.

• Focus remains on traffickers, suppliers and support personnel rather than athletes alone.

Safeguards Included

The framework provides exemptions for:

• Athletes with valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)

• Genuine medical emergencies

• Bona fide medical practitioners using prohibited substances for legitimate treatment

International Alignment

The proposed amendments are aligned with:

• World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines

• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Convention against Doping in Sport

Significance

Positive Outcomes

• Stronger deterrence against organised doping

• Better protection for clean athletes

• Improved credibility of Indian sports globally

• Enhanced public health and athlete welfare

Concerns

• Need to ensure due process and prevent misuse

• Coordination required between sports bodies and law enforcement agencies

• Awareness among athletes and coaches is necessary

Way Forward

• Strengthen anti-doping education programmes

• Improve coordination among investigative agencies

• Ensure transparency and athlete rights

• Encourage stakeholder participation during consultation process

Prelims Pointer

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

• Established in: 1999

• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada

• Purpose: Promotes, coordinates and monitors the fight against doping in sports globally.

Mains Practice Question

“Criminalisation of organised doping activities is essential for preserving the integrity of sports.” Discuss in the context of the proposed anti-doping law amendments in India.

Jagannath temple secures Trademarks for Nilachakra logo and two key terms

In a first for any Indian shrine, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has obtained trademark protection for important terms and symbols.

• Wordmarks secured (Protects specific words):  Patitapabana (Savior of the Fallen) and Ananda Bajara (the sacred Mahaprasad dining area within the temple)
• Logomark secured (Protects visual symbols/ designs): Neelachakra (sacred eight-spoked metal disc atop the temple spire)

Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha (White Pagoda)

• Architecture style: Kalinga Architecture (sub-style of the Nagara (North Indian) temple architecture)
• Deities: Lord Jagannath (incarnation of Lord Vishnu), Sister Devi Subhadra and elder brother Lord Balabhadra (holy trinity).
• Historical Background: Believed to have been built in the 12th century CE by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• Unique Feature: Popularly believed that the temple is designed such that its main structure does not cast a visible shadow on the ground at any time of the day.
  • The idols of the holy trinity are carved out of wood rather than stone or metal idols.
• Religious Significance: One of the four Char Dhams (Dwarika, Badrinath, & Rameswaram).
• Cultural Significance: The temple is the center of the world-famous Ratha Yatra, attracting millions of devotees every year.

India-France Innovation Roadmap 2030

On 17 February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron elevated the bilateral relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” and jointly inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, calling for expanded and diversified cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, innovation, research, technology, digital technology and cyber space, health, culture, economy, educational links and people-to-people ties.

Building upon the Horizon 2047 Roadmap and the shared innovation journey of the two countries, India and France recognize innovation as a central driver of economic resilience, sustainable development, strategic autonomy, and technological and industrial sovereignty. Both sides agree that a strengthened innovation partnership will help unlock the full innovation potential of the two countries and contribute to solutions for global challenges.

The VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, came into effect on 1st July 2026.

Background  of VB-G RAM G:

1. In the past, India launched a number of rural wage employment programmes to alleviate poverty, to increase agricultural productivity and to provide jobs to underemployed rural workers.
2. Among the early programmes were the Rural Manpower Programme (1960s) and the Crash Scheme for Rural Employment (1971).

• This resulted in the introduction of more structured programmes in 1980s and 1990s such as National Rural Employment Programme, Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme, Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (1993) and Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (1999) to improve coordination and coverage.

         3. The Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Act (1977) was a major turning point which introduced the concept of a legal right to work. 

         4. These developments led to the national legislation of the MGNREGA (2005) which provides a statutory basis for rural employment generation in India.

         5. Recently, India has replaced the MGNREGA, 2005 with the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission) to modernise rural employment policy in line with Viksit Bharat @2047.

VB-G RAM G Act, 2025:

• It was Passed by Parliament in December 2025 and replaces the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
• It shifts the focus from a standalone welfare intervention to an integrated instrument of development and resilient infrastructure.

Key features of VB-G RAM G:

1. Increased guaranteed wage employment days: The VB-G RAM G Act increases the number of working days from 100 to 125.
2. Pause in employment guarantee during agriculture season: VB-G RAM G provides for a 60-day pause in the scheme during the peak agricultural sowing and harvesting seasons to ensure the availability of farm labour.
3. States to share funding burden: Departing from MGNREGA, the VB–G RAM G Act proposes a higher share of states in the funding of the rural job programme.

• Unlike MGNREGS, where the Centre paid 100% of the wage bill, VB-G RAM G shifts 40% of the funding burden onto states. 
• The exceptions to this are the northeastern and Himalayan states as well as Union Territories (UTs) with a legislature, where the Union government will bear 90% of the funding burden. As for UTs without a legislature, the Centre will bear the complete funding burden.

           4. Top-down resource allocation approach: It also flips the MGNREGS model of Central allocations based on state labour budgets, with the Centre now determining the devolutions.

           5. New rules: The Ministry of Rural Development has issued eight draft rules under the VB-G RAM G scheme covering governance, grievance redressal, administrative expenses, transition provisions, fund allocation norms, wage and unemployment allowance payments, a central monitoring council, and expenditure procedures for states and UTs, aimed at ensuring smooth and transparent implementation.

           6. Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card to replace job cards: The Act of VB-G RAM G maintains continuity to the existing MGNREGS workers by keeping their e-KYC verified job cards valid till the time the states issue new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards.

• It also provides for giving these cards to rural households willing to do unskilled work, through Gram Panchayats, with special coloured cards for vulnerable groups like women, elderly, disabled persons, bonded labourers, PVTGs and transgender persons. All cards will be good for 3 years, renewable after verification.

             7. Prompt Payments & Penalties: Wages must be paid weekly or within 15 days from closure of muster rolls and delays incur a daily compensation rate of 0.05% of unpaid wages.

            8. Normative allocation to states : Under the Draft Objective Parameters for Normative Allocation Rules, 2026, the Union Government will decide annual fund allocations for each state based on specified objective criteria, using the Sixteenth Finance Commission’s horizontal devolution formula as the basis for distributing funds among states.

            9. New Wage rates for Unskilled Manual Workers: Under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, the Centre is empowered to fix wage rates for unskilled manual work and may set different rates for different regions, ensuring they are not lower than MGNREGA wages.

• The Union government has fixed a floor wage of ₹300 per day under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM G) Act, 2025.
• Daily wages have been notified in the range of ₹300–₹409 across states, with up to ₹450 in parts of Sikkim. While northern and northeastern states have seen wage increases of over 15%, southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana have recorded relatively lower hikes of up to 3%.

             10. Unemployment Allowance: If employment not provided within 15 days, mandates an allowance at one-fourth of the notified wage for the first 30 days, and one-half thereafter.

Relevance of VB-G RAM G:

1. It improves guaranteed employment that reduces seasonal unemployment and income insecurity.
2. It addresses wage gaps between states and promotes equitable wages for rural employees.
3. It connects employment to water use and disaster planning, creating environmental resilience.
4. It helps in participation of women and marginalized communities in rural development works.
5. The emphasis on building lasting infrastructure enhances long-term rural productivity and development.
6. It Supports broader development goals, including the vision of making India a developed country by 2047.

KPSC Chairman Suspension Case

1. Constitutional, Legal and Karnataka Legislative Provisions:

   Constitutional Provisions:

   1. Article 315 – Public Service Commissions

                      Provides for the establishment of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commissions (SPSC), including the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

   2. Article 316 – Appointment and Tenure

                      The Chairman and Members of the State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor.

                      Their normal tenure is 6 years or until attaining the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier.

   3. Article 317 – Removal and Suspension

                 The Chairman or a Member of a State Public Service Commission can be removed only by the President of India on the ground of misbehaviour, after the Supreme Court conducts an inquiry.

                 During the inquiry, the Governor may suspend the Chairman or Member. This is the constitutional basis for the Governor's action in the present KPSC case.

   4. Article 318 - number of members, service conditions, and staff

                 Empowers the Governor to determine the number of members, service conditions, and staff of the State Public Service Commission.

   5. Article 319 - Restricts further employment of the Chairman and Members after demitting office.

   6. Article 320 – Functions of Public Service Commissions

   • Conducts competitive examinations.
   • Advises the State Government on recruitment, appointments, promotions, transfers, and disciplinary matters.

        Parliamentary Acts / Central Laws:

Although Parliamentary Act governs the removal of SPSC members, the following laws are relevant:

1. Constitution of India (Articles 315–323) – Governs the establishment, powers, removal, and functioning of Public Service Commissions.
2. Indian Penal Code / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (where applicable) – If allegations involve cheating, forgery, or misuse of official position.
3. Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – Applicable if abuse of official position or corruption is established.
4. Code of Criminal Procedure / Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita – Governs investigation and prosecution of criminal offences.

Relevance to the Present Case:

• The Governor of Karnataka suspended the KPSC Chairman pending inquiry into allegations that he misused his position in the selection of his daughters for government posts.

• The Governor also recommended to the President that the matter be referred to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) for an inquiry into the alleged misconduct.

India AI Mission launched the Indigenous Varya.

About Varya

• Distilled video model built to make frontier video AI affordable, accessible and relevant. 
• Developed with support from IndiaAI Mission by the company Avataar. 
• Features: 
  • Varya uses distillation technique that reduces video generation from 50 steps to 4 steps, while maintaining comparable output quality. 
    • Distilled video generation is a model compression technique from machine learning where a compact "student" model replicates outputs of larger, slower "teacher" model transferring capabilities while eliminating redundant computation.
  • Can generate video at ₹0.48 per second, upto 10x more cost-efficient. 
  • Product experience is designed around: Idea → Video → Story. 

Cotton Productivity in India: A Declining Trend

Why in News?

• The stagnation of cotton productivity in India has raised questions about whether new GM cotton technologies alone can enhance productivity or if improvements in soil health and agronomic practices are equally essential.

India's Cotton Productivity: Current Scenario

1. India has the largest area under cotton cultivation in the world, accounting for about 37% of the global cotton acreage, and is one of the world's leading cotton producers.
2. The introduction of Bt cotton, particularly Bollgard-II, significantly improved cotton yields, resulting in an 88% increase in productivity between 2002 and 2013.
3. However, cotton productivity has remained stagnant since 2014–15, owing to several structural challenges, including:

• Soil degradation
• Climate variability
• Increasing pest resistance
• Inadequate agronomic and crop management practices

Soil Degradation: A Key Cause of Stagnant Cotton Productivity

1. Soil degradation is one of the major factors responsible for the stagnation of cotton productivity in India.
2. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly 32% of India's land is degraded, while about 25% is affected by desertification.
3. Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels in Indian croplands average only 0.3–0.6%, which is well below the globally recommended minimum of 1–1.5% required for productive soils.
4. Critically low SOC levels (below 0.25%) have been recorded across major cotton-growing states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
5. Low Soil Organic Carbon adversely affects cotton productivity by:

• Reducing soil fertility
• Lowering moisture retention capacity
• Decreasing nutrient availability
• Weakening resilience to drought and climate stress

Geographical Conditions for Cotton Cultivation:

1. Cotton is a semi-xerophytic crop that thrives in tropical and subtropical climatic conditions.
2. Climatic Requirements A minimum temperature of 15°C is required for good seed germination under field conditions.

• The optimum temperature for vegetative growth ranges between 21°C and 27°C.
• Cotton can tolerate temperatures of up to 43°C, but temperatures below 21°C adversely affect crop growth and development.

           3. Soil Requirements Cotton can be cultivated on a wide variety of soils, including:

• Well-drained deep alluvial soils in northern India.
• Deep black clayey (regur) soils in central India.
• Black soils and mixed black-red soils in southern India.

           4. Being semi-tolerant to salinity and highly sensitive to waterlogging, cotton performs best in well-drained soils with good moisture-holding capacity.