Daily filter — 27 May 2026
11 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Justice Alok Kumar Verma Resigns from Uttarakhand High Court
Justice Alok Kumar Verma submitted his resignation from the **Uttarakhand High Court** with effect from 30.04.2026.
- Justice Alok Kumar Verma resigned from the Uttarakhand High Court.
- His resignation is effective from 30.04.2026.
- The resignation is pursuant to proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217.
💡 Remember Article 217 governs High Court judge resignations, as seen with Justice Alok Kumar Verma.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2266020
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of sewage worker's death
**NHRC India** has taken suo motu cognizance of a worker's death and injury during sewage tank cleaning in East Delhi.
- NHRC India took suo motu cognizance on May 27, 2026, regarding an incident on May 24, 2026.
- One worker died and another was injured cleaning a sewage tank in New Ashok Nagar, East Delhi.
- NHRC issued notices to the Delhi Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner.
- A detailed report, including compensation status, is sought within two weeks.
💡 Remember NHRC's suo motu power in cases of human rights violations, often involving worker safety.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2266024
🍚 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
SARTHAK PDS Umbrella Scheme Approved for Food Security
The CCEA approved the continuation and integration of two schemes under **SARTHAK PDS** with an outlay of **Rs. 25,530 crore**.
- SARTHAK PDS integrates "Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains" and "SMART PDS".
- The scheme will continue for the 16th Finance Commission cycle award period, up to 31.03.2031.
- It will utilize AI, ML, NLP, and Blockchain for modernized, transparent PDS operations.
- The Central share outlay for the scheme is Rs. 25,530 crore over the next 5 years.
- Aims to ensure food security for 81.35 crore persons under NFSA.
- Central assistance norms for intra-state movement and FPS dealer's margin were revised.
💡 For the exam: SARTHAK PDS is an umbrella scheme integrating SMART PDS to modernize food security with Rs. 25,530 crore till 2031.
Source: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) · PIB PRID 2265788
🍚 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
SARTHAK PDS Scheme: Tech-driven Food Security till 2031
Cabinet approves the continuation and integration of two key PDS schemes under the umbrella **SARTHAK PDS** for the next five years.
- SARTHAK PDS is an umbrella scheme with an outlay of Rs. 25,530 crore as Central share.
- It integrates two schemes: Assistance to State Agencies and SMART PDS.
- The scheme will operate until March 31, 2031, under the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
- It uses AI, ML, NLP, Blockchain for PDS modernization and transparency.
- The scheme aims to benefit 81.35 crore persons under NFSA.
💡 For the exam: SARTHAK PDS continues till 2031 with Rs. 25,530 crore outlay, integrating SMART PDS and leveraging AI/ML for NFSA beneficiaries.
Source: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution · PIB PRID 2265795
🚫 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
CCPA Acts Against Online Sale of Hazardous Explosives
The **CCPA** initiated regulatory action against e-commerce platforms for the unauthorized online sale of hazardous and explosive substances.
- CCPA issued notices to major e-commerce platforms on 2026-05-27.
- Notices concern listing of Ammonium Nitrate, PETN, Gun Powder, Picric Acid.
- Seller details shared with PESO for further action.
- Platforms have started delisting hazardous products following CCPA intervention.
💡 The CCPA and PESO are cracking down on dangerous online sales.
Source: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution · PIB PRID 2265762
📈 Economy · UPSC track
Government Health Expenditure Triples, Out-of-Pocket Declines
The National Health Accounts Estimates for India 2022-23 show significant increases in public health spending and reduced household burden.
- Government Health Expenditure (GHE) increased threefold from ₹1.30 lakh crores to ₹3.85 lakh crores between 2013-14 and 2022-23.
- GHE as a share of GDP rose from 1.15% to 1.43% between 2013-14 and 2022-23.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) share in Total Health Expenditure declined from 64.2% to 43.4%.
- Social Security Expenditure (SSE) on healthcare increased from 6% to 9.9%.
- Expenditure on Primary Health Care by government more than doubled.
💡 Remember: GHE increased (3x in absolute, 1.15% to 1.43% of GDP), while OOPE declined (64.2% to 43.4%).
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2265816
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Atal Bhujal Yojana: Community-led Groundwater Management
Launched in 2019, the **Atal Bhujal Yojana** promotes decentralized water governance through community-led water budgeting in groundwater-stressed states.
- It is implemented on a pilot basis in 229 blocks across seven groundwater-stressed states.
- As of March 2026, approximately 81,700 water conservation and recharge structures have been created or restored.
- 8,203 water budgets have been completed across participating Gram Panchayats.
- Demand-side interventions have been promoted across nearly 9 lakh hectares.
- In 2023-24 and 2024-25, 180 out of 229 blocks showed improved groundwater levels.
💡 For the exam: Remember Atal Bhujal Yojana (2019) focuses on community water budgeting in 7 states, showing groundwater improvement and structures built by March 2026.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2265719
🤝 International Relations · UPSC track
India-US Trade Talks Progress Towards Interim Agreement
Delegations from India and the US are meeting to finalize an Interim Agreement and advance broader trade negotiations.
- US delegation will visit India from 1-4th June 2026 for trade talks.
- An Interim Agreement framework was agreed on 7th February 2026.
- The talks aim to finalize the Interim Agreement and advance the broader BTA.
- Discussions cover Market Access, Non-Tariff Measures, and Investment Promotion.
💡 Remember: India-US BTA discussions include an 'Interim Agreement' framework, with a US visit from 1-4th June 2026.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2265880
🤝 International Relations · UPSC track
India and Canada Reaffirm Trade, CEPA Goals
India's Commerce Minister **Shri Piyush Goyal** visited Canada to deepen bilateral ties, focusing on trade, investment, and **CEPA** talks.
- Both nations target USD 50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
- They aim to conclude CEPA negotiations by the end of the year.
- Canada will send a Team Canada Trade Mission to India in November.
- Shri Piyush Goyal led the largest-ever Indian business delegation to Canada.
💡 Remember: India-Canada set USD 50 Bn trade by 2030 and CEPA by year-end.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2265710
🚗 Science & Tech · LAW track
TRAI Extends Deadline for V2X Communication Regulatory Framework Comments
TRAI has extended the deadline for stakeholders to submit comments on its consultation paper regarding Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication.
- TRAI issued a consultation paper on V2X Communication on 30.04.2026.
- Original comment deadline was 28.05.2026, counter-comments by 11.06.2026.
- New deadlines are 04.06.2026 for comments and 18.06.2026 for counter-comments.
- Comments can be sent electronically to Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (TRAI).
💡 Remember TRAI is seeking input on V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology's regulatory future.
Source: Ministry of Communications · PIB PRID 2265979
🏫 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
West Bengal Boosts Tribal Education with EMRS Expansion
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and West Bengal are accelerating tribal welfare initiatives and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) expansion.
- NESTS signed an MoU with West Bengal for effective implementation of the EMRS Scheme.
- Per-student funding for EMRS will increase from ₹61,500 to ₹1.47 lakh per student.
- A PVTG household survey commenced on May 27, 2026, in West Bengal.
- The State Government is formulating proposals for PM JANMAN and DA-JGUA abhiyans.
- Adi Sewa Kendras (ASKs) are to be notified in DA-JGUA and PM JANMAN villages.
💡 For the exam: Remember the increased EMRS funding (₹1.47 lakh) and the new PVTG survey launched on May 27, 2026, both from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs · PIB PRID 2265995