Polity & Governance Current Affairs 2026 for Government Exams

The Department of Posts (DoP) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) signed an MoU in New Delhi to conduct India's largest village-level telecom network performance survey, covering over 5.68 lakh villages in one year. Over 1.40 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) will collect field data on the networks of Airtel, Jio, Vi and BSNL using a TRAI-developed Android app. The survey will identify mobile connectivity gaps and support evidence-based policy for rural telecom under Digital India.

The 29th NCeG was organised by DARPG and MeitY with the Government of Rajasthan at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur (1–2 July 2026), inaugurated by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. Theme: "Viksit Bharat 2047: AI-enabled, Data-driven & Secure Digital Governance". The National Awards for e-Governance 2026 were presented — 17 awards across 7 categories (10 Gold of ₹10 lakh each, 6 Silver of ₹5 lakh each, 1 Jury Award). The conference concluded with the adoption of the Jaipur Declaration on e-Governance 2026.

Kamarajar Port Ltd (Tamil Nadu) completed its Capital Dredging Phase VI project (~₹440 crore), achieving an operational draft of 18.0 metres — making it India's second major port after Visakhapatnam capable of handling fully laden Capesize vessels up to 1,70,000 DWT. The outer channel was deepened to 23 m and the inner channel to 22 m. Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal linked the milestone to Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

The 10th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup was held 12 June – 5 July 2026 in England (12 teams, seven venues). In the final at Lord's, London, Australia beat England by 7 wickets, chasing 151 with 153/3 in 17.1 overs, for a record seventh title. Beth Mooney (64*) was Player of the Final AND Player of the Tournament, becoming the first player to win two Player-of-the-Tournament awards in T20 World Cup history (2023 & 2026). India's Shree Charani finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets — a record for most wickets by an Indian in a single edition.

At the U15 & U20 Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand (27 June–5 July), India won 41 medals — 20 in U20 (4G-7S-9B) and 21 in U15 (8G-6S-7B), including the U15 bronze team trophy. At Wimbledon 2026, Jannik Sinner reached his 10th Grand Slam semifinal and Novak Djokovic edged Felix Auger-Aliassime in five sets; defending champion Carlos Alcaraz missed the event with a wrist injury (final due 12 July).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on 8 July 2026 during a three-day state visit from 6 to 8 July 2026. He visited the site with President Prabowo Subianto and offered prayers at the Hindu temple dedicated to the Trimurti, namely Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.

The Beating Retreat ceremony, marking the formal conclusion of Republic Day celebrations, was held at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi, on 29 January.

Thirty tableaux rolled down Kartavya Path - 17 from States/UTs and 13 from Ministries/Departments/Services - with highlights from Assam (terracotta), Kerala (Water Metro), Odisha ('Soil to Silicon') and Nagaland (Hornbill Festival).

The parade centred on 'Svatantrata Ka Mantra - Vande Mataram' (marking 150 years of the national song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875) and 'Samriddhi Ka Mantra - Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

For the first time, two EU leaders were joint chief guests at the 77th Republic Day - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa - who visited India (25-27 January) to co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit.

PM Modi marked a decade of the Startup India initiative (launched 16 Jan 2016) at Bharat Mandapam; DPIIT-recognised startups grew to over 2.09 lakh by December 2025, creating over 21 lakh jobs.

The Ministry of Coal released draft amendments removing area limits on reconnaissance, exploration and mining licences, and codifying central power to auction exploration licences.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, covering eligibility, disqualification and 'Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit' appointments.

UGC circulated a uniform mental-health policy for higher education institutions (aligned with NEP 2020), requiring support centres, a 1:500 faculty-mentor ratio and linkage with the Tele-MANAS helpline.

UGC notified the 'Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions' (Anti-Discrimination) Regulations, mandating Equity Committees and Equal Opportunity Centres. Amid campus protests, the Supreme Court stayed implementation around 29 January.

Both Houses held a special discussion on the 150th anniversary of the National Song 'Vande Mataram' (8 December in Lok Sabha; 9-11 December in Rajya Sabha).

The AI-enabled Rural Internal Audit Portal was launched at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, to strengthen transparency and accountability in rural development spending.

Marking two years of the government's second term, PM Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 47,600 crore at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. He also released the Odisha Vision Document and launched the Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana to preserve the heritage of iconic Odia personalities.

The rules define a vehicle not declared fit within 180 days as an 'end-of-life vehicle' and require geo-tagged video capture of fitness tests uploaded via a central government app, tightening the vehicle-scrappage framework.

MoRTH revised overloading toll rules: no fee up to 10% excess load, twice the base rate for 10-40% overload and four times for above 40%, with certified weighing devices at fee plazas.

The India-flagged LPG tanker Jag Vikram became the first Indian vessel to cross the Strait of Hormuz after the 2026 Iran war ceasefire, easing concerns over India's energy supply routes.

The Kankaria Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad (Western Railway) became India's first water-neutral railway depot, saving nearly 1.60 lakh litres of water daily using phytoremediation.

PM Modi inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport at Jewar (Gautam Buddha Nagar, UP), built at about Rs 11,200 crore under PPP with an initial capacity of 12 million passengers per year, scalable to 70 million.

Effective 17 March, the penalty for unpaid user fees was set at twice the toll (only the original fee if paid within 72 hours of an e-notice), with VAHAN-linked vehicle restrictions after 15 days.

CJI Surya Kant administered the oath to five new Supreme Court judges - Justices Sheel Nagu, Shree Chandrashekhar, Sanjeev Sachdeva, Arun Palli and Senior Advocate V. Mohana, strengthening the apex court's bench.

The Supreme Court delivered a key judgment on the Election Commission's power to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which removes duplicate, migrated and deceased entries. After Bihar, the exercise was extended to West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu, raising disenfranchisement concerns and debate over documentation.

A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan took a critical view of bail denial in the 2020 Delhi riots larger-conspiracy case, noting (18 May) that a January 2026 judgment overlooked the binding precedent in Union of India v. K.A. Najeeb (2021). On 22 May the Court granted six-month interim bail to Khalid Saifi and Tasleem Ahmad and referred to a larger bench whether prolonged pre-trial incarceration should outweigh stringent UAPA bail conditions.

President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, raising the number of judges (excluding the CJI) from 33 to 37, taking total strength from 34 to 38. The Union Cabinet had approved the proposal on 5 May 2026 to help clear pendency.

A special court in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, sentenced all nine policemen accused in the 2020 Sathankulam custodial death case (of P. Jayaraj and his son J. Bennix) to death, a landmark verdict on custodial violence.

Hearing petitions on the CEC and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, the Supreme Court described Parliament's long delay in framing a law on election commissioner appointments as the 'tyranny of the elected', amid debate over the selection committee's composition.

In Chinthada Anand v. State of Andhra Pradesh, the Court affirmed that only those professing Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism qualify as Scheduled Caste under the 1950 Presidential Order; conversion to another religion results in loss of SC status.

In Hamsaanandini Nanduri v. Union of India, the Supreme Court held adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks' paid maternity leave irrespective of the child's age, striking down the under-3-months restriction as violating Articles 14 and 21.

The Supreme Court permitted removal of life support for Harish Rana, in a vegetative state since a 2013 fall - a notable application of passive euthanasia following the Common Cause (2018) 'living will' framework.

The Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 sought to increase Lok Sabha size and enable delimitation based on the 2011 census, with women's reservation linked to the new delimitation.

Part of the delimitation package, the Bill proposed raising the maximum Lok Sabha strength to 850 members (up to 815 from states and 35 from UTs) and enabling women's reservation based on a fresh delimitation exercise.

The Supreme Court upheld the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, affirming the Election Commission's power under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Results for West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry were announced. The BJP won a majority in West Bengal, retained Assam for a third term, and the Congress-led UDF won Kerala ousting the LDF, alongside regional churn in Tamil Nadu.

As the ECI prepared to conduct a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Manipur, the Supreme Court asked it to accept voter ID cards as valid documents, given the displacement of tribal communities amid ethnic violence.

Polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly was held on 23 April, while the West Bengal Assembly election was held in phases over 23-29 April, ahead of results in early May.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 - seeking to raise the Lok Sabha ceiling to 850 seats, base delimitation on the 2011 census and enable women's reservation - was negatived for want of a two-thirds majority; the accompanying Delimitation Bill and UT Laws Bill became infructuous.

Parliament passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, advancing trust-based governance by decriminalising minor offences, removing outdated provisions and reducing the litigation burden on citizens and businesses.

The Home Ministry set up a committee chaired by Justice (Retd.) Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar to study demographic change from illegal immigration and recommend measures on deportation and border management, with its report due within one year.

The Budget Session (28 Jan-18 Apr 2026) was adjourned sine die after 31 sittings, extended by three days beyond schedule. Ten Bills were introduced and six passed, and the Union Budget 2026-27 was approved.

Parliament passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, 2026, advancing trust-based governance by decriminalising minor offences, removing outdated rules and reducing the litigation burden on citizens and businesses.

Bills passed included the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill and the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill.

The Committee on Communications and IT (Chair: Dr Nishikant Dubey) flagged deepfake and AI-surveillance risks and recommended comprehensive legislation against AI misuse plus AI courses in schools.

Introduced on 25 March to amend FCRA, 2010. On cancellation or surrender of an FCRA certificate, foreign contributions and assets would vest in a government-notified 'Designated Authority'.

Introduced by Social Justice Minister Dr Virendra Kumar, the Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha (24 March) and Rajya Sabha (25 March). It amends the 2019 Act, provides for District Magistrate identity certificates via a medical board, and raises punishment for forcing a transgender identity to 10 years-to-life.

The Committee on Empowerment of Women (Chair: Dr D. Purandeswari) reported that cybercrimes against women rose 239% (2017-2022, NCRB), recommending 'Cyber Safety Ambassadors' and mandatory KYC across social-media and gaming platforms.

Introduced on 23 March to amend the Companies Act 2013 and LLP Act 2008 and referred to a Joint Committee, it raises small-company thresholds (share capital to Rs 20 crore, turnover to Rs 200 crore) and updates the CSR net-profit trigger to Rs 10 crore.

The Bill seeks to amend 80 central Acts to decriminalise and rationalise minor offences (up from 17 in the 2025 version), with fines rising 10% every three years. The Select Committee, chaired by Tejasvi Surya, reported on 13 March 2026.

Parliament's Budget Session resumed on 9 March 2026 after the recess, scheduled to conclude on 2 April. During the session the Finance Bill 2026 and two Appropriation Bills were passed, along with several new legislative measures.

The Budget Session began on 28 January with President Droupadi Murmu's address to a joint sitting of both Houses; it was scheduled in two phases (28 Jan-13 Feb and 9 Mar-2 Apr) with 30 sittings.

The Budget Session began on 28 January with the President's Address; the first half ran to 13 February, featuring the presentation and general discussion of the Union Budget.

The Ministry of Agriculture released the draft Bill for comments; it proposes to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968 and create a Central Pesticides Board and a Registration Committee.

Notified to clean up the statute book by repealing obsolete laws and making minor amendments, without affecting existing rights or ongoing proceedings.

It amends the Insurance Act 1938, LIC Act 1956 and IRDA Act 1999, with the headline change allowing 100% FDI in Indian insurance companies, plus mandatory KYC and stronger IRDAI powers.

The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act replaces MGNREGA, 2005 and guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household per year, with biometric authentication, geo-tagging and social audits.

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHAKTI) Act repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, opening nuclear power to a new licensing framework with a Nuclear Liability Fund.

The Bill seeks to create an apex higher-education regulator and repeal the UGC Act 1956, AICTE Act 1987 and NCTE Act 1993; it was referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament.

This Finance Ministry law levies a new cess on machines/processes producing specified goods (notably tobacco and nicotine products) to fund national security and public health.

It revises the Fourth Schedule of the Central Excise Act 1944, raising duty rates on tobacco products (e.g., unmanufactured tobacco to 70% and other manufactured tobacco up to 125%).

The Bill, which consolidates India's securities laws into a single code, was introduced and referred to the Departmental Standing Committee for examination.

The Winter Session ran 1-19 December 2025 (15 sittings) and was adjourned sine die on 19 December, with 8 Bills passed by both Houses; Lok Sabha productivity was ~110% and Rajya Sabha ~121%.

The Court held that the ECI can undertake a limited inquiry into an individual's citizenship to decide eligibility for inclusion in the electoral roll, but clarified that such a determination is not a final or conclusive decision on citizenship.

The government declared that the decades-long Naxalite (Left-Wing Extremism) insurgency had been effectively ended, with remaining cadres reported killed, arrested or surrendered - a milestone that dominated security discourse into April.

India announced the effective end of the Naxalite (Left-Wing Extremism) insurgency after Home Minister Amit Shah reported that most remaining cadres had been killed, arrested or had surrendered following intensified operations.

Introduced in the Rajya Sabha to regulate recruitment, deputation and promotions across the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB, mandating IPS deputation for 50% of IG posts, 67% of ADG posts and all DG posts.

The Labour Ministry notified rules operationalising the four Labour Codes, capping weekly working hours at 48, allowing women night shifts with consent and safeguards, and granting gig/platform workers social-security eligibility.

Climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk was released from jail after the Government quashed National Security Act charges against him, following the Ladakh statehood and Sixth Schedule protests.

A Bill amending the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 was introduced and passed by both Houses during the Budget session, advancing labour-law reform.

At least 13 people were killed and more than 40 injured in an explosion at a firecracker unit in Thrissur, Kerala, one of several fireworks accidents reported in April.

A bus fell into a gorge in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 21 people and injuring 45, highlighting road-safety challenges in hilly terrain.

At least 23 people were killed and several injured in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, renewing concern over safety in the fireworks industry.

India began its first-ever digital, self-enumeration census process, with mascots 'Pragati' and 'Vikas'. The first-phase web-based self-enumeration rollout covered eight States/UTs through a facility in 16 regional languages.

The Government constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), replacing the Dental Council of India, to align dental education and regulation with global standards - mirroring the NMC reform in medical education.