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Daily Current Affairs – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis for UPSC | 27 February 2026

 

UPSC PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS NOTES – 27 February 2026



Based on The Hindu Newspaper | Fully Exam-Relevant

1. NCERT Class 8 Textbook Issue & Contempt of Court



1.1 Context

  • Supreme Court stayed distribution of an NCERT Class 8 Social Science chapter discussing corruption in judiciary.

  • Court observed the content may create negative perception about judiciary among students.

1.2 Why Important for UPSC

This topic links with:

  • Constitutional law

  • Contempt of Court

  • Separation of powers

  • Freedom of speech limits

  • Previous year UPSC questions

1.3 Contempt of Court – Key Concepts


Definition

  • Any act that:

    • Disrespects court authority,

    • Obstructs justice,

    • Disobeys court orders.

Governed by → Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Types of Contempt

A. Civil Contempt

  • Wilful disobedience of court order.

  • Breach of undertaking given to court.
    Examples:

  • Ignoring Supreme Court directions.

  • Violating settlement approved by court.

B. Criminal Contempt

  • Scandalising court.

  • Prejudicing judicial proceedings.

  • Obstructing administration of justice.
    Examples:

  • False allegations against judges.

  • Interfering in ongoing case.

  • Using abusive language against judiciary.

1.4 Constitutional Provisions

ArticleProvision
Article 129Supreme Court = Court of Record → Can punish for contempt
Article 215High Courts = Court of Record
Article 19(2)Reasonable restrictions on free speech include contempt of court
Article 142(2)Parliament can regulate contempt powers

Important Note:

  • Constitution gives power,

  • Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 defines civil & criminal contempt.

1.5 Important Committee

  • H.N. Sanyal Committee (1961)

  • Recommended reforms leading to Contempt of Courts Act.

1.6 Important Judicial Principles

  • Fair criticism of judgments allowed.

  • Malicious attack on judiciary not allowed.

  • Purpose → Protect administration of justice, not judges personally.

1.7 Prelims Key Points

  • Constitution does NOT define civil & criminal contempt.

  • Supreme Court & High Courts are Courts of Record.

  • Parliament can legislate on contempt.

2. CAFE-III Norms (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency)



2.1 Context

PMO held meeting to review CAFE-III emission and fuel efficiency norms for passenger vehicles.

2.2 What are CAFE Norms

  • Government regulations setting fuel efficiency targets for automobile manufacturers.

  • Measure average fuel consumption across a company’s vehicle fleet.



2.3 Legal Basis

2.4 Implementation Phases

  • CAFE-I → Earlier phase

  • CAFE-II → Current stage

  • CAFE-III → Expected from April 2027

  • Target period → till 2031–32.

2.5 Objectives

  • Reduce fuel consumption.

  • Reduce CO₂ emissions.

  • Improve vehicle efficiency.

  • Reduce oil import dependency.

  • Support India’s climate commitments.

2.6 Vehicles Covered

  • Petrol vehicles

  • Diesel vehicles

  • CNG/LNG vehicles

  • Hybrid vehicles

  • Electric passenger vehicles.

2.7 Related Scheme

PM E-Drive Scheme

  • Budget approx. ₹10,900 crore.

  • Objective → Promote electric vehicles and clean mobility.

2.8 Importance for India

  • Transport sector major pollution source.

  • Helps achieve Paris Agreement commitments.

  • Supports net-zero target by 2070.

2.9 Prelims Points

  • CAFE norms are fuel efficiency standards.

  • Under Energy Conservation Act.

  • Apply to automobile manufacturers.

3. Eurasian Diving Duck (Smew)



3.1 Context

Rare sighting in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.

3.2 Key Facts

Common Name

Scientific Name

Type

  • Small migratory diving duck.

  • Known for diving underwater to catch fish.

Habitat

  • Freshwater lakes

  • Wetlands

  • Slow rivers.

Distribution

  • Northern Europe

  • Northern Asia

  • Taiga forest region.

Rare visitor to India.

Migration

  • Winters → Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Northern Europe.

IUCN Status

  • Least Concern.

3.3 Why Important

  • Climate change indicator species.

  • Rare sightings signal ecological changes.

Prelims Memory Points

  • Smew = Diving duck.

  • Found in Taiga forests.

  • Seen in Kaziranga.

  • IUCN Least Concern.

4. Critical Minerals – India’s Strategic Focus



4.1 Context

Editorial discussed India’s growing concern over critical mineral security.

4.2 What are Critical Minerals

Minerals essential for:

  • Clean energy technology

  • Defence industry

  • Electronics and high-tech manufacturing.

4.3 Examples

4.4 Why Important

Used in:

  • Electric vehicle batteries

  • Solar panels

  • Wind turbines

  • Semiconductors

  • Defence equipment.

4.5 India’s Policy Initiatives

National Critical Mineral Mission

  • Launched → January 2025.

  • Budget → ₹16,300 crore.

  • Aim → Exploration, mining, processing, supply chain development.

Critical Mineral List

  • India identified 30 critical minerals.

Rare Earth Corridor



States identified due to monazite sand deposits:

  • Odisha

  • Andhra Pradesh

  • Tamil Nadu

  • Kerala.

4.6 Major Challenges

  • Heavy import dependence.

  • Weak mineral processing capability.

  • China dominates global processing (~90% capacity).

  • Lack of advanced technology.

4.7 Government Strategy

  • Increase domestic exploration.

  • Use AI-based mineral mapping.

  • International partnerships with Australia, Japan, EU, USA.

  • Promote domestic demand for EVs and renewables.

Prelims Key Facts

  • Critical minerals ≠ Rare earth elements.

  • Mission launched in 2025.

  • India list → 30 minerals.

5. Map Practice – Sudan

Location

  • Country in North-East Africa.

Borders



  • Egypt

  • Libya

  • Chad

  • Central African Republic

  • South Sudan

  • Ethiopia

  • Eritrea.

Capital

Important Rivers

Why Important

  • Frequently in news due to internal conflict and geopolitical issues.

Quick Revision Summary

TopicKey Words
Contempt of CourtArt 129, 215, Act 1971
CAFE NormsFuel efficiency rules
Smew DuckTaiga migratory bird
Critical MineralsLithium-Cobalt-Rare Earth
SudanNile rivers location

 Likely UPSC Prelims Questions

  1. Which committee recommended Contempt of Courts Act?

  2. CAFE norms relate to which sector?

  3. Smew bird belongs to which habitat region?

  4. National Critical Mineral Mission launched in which year?

  5. Which Article declares Supreme Court as Court of Record?

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