Saturday, 30 May 2026 Current Affairs Digest for State PCS Exams

01Polity & Governance·7 min read·Prelims · Mains

India’s 2022 forensic law marks shift from colonial-era framework, says National Law University VC

This article is relevant for UPSC and SSC exams as it highlights a significant shift from a colonial-era law (Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920) to a modern forensic framework (Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022). In prelims, examiners may test the name and year of the new law and its key provisions. In mains, it touches upon syllabus topics like criminal justice system reforms, constitutional safeguards, and technology in governance. UPSC (polity, governance) and SSC (general awareness) candidates should note this as a recent legal reform.

The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 replaced the colonial-era Identification of Prisoners Act of 1920.
The 2022 law allows collection of advanced biometric and forensic evidence, including iris and retina scans, DNA-based biological samples, specimen signatures, handwriting samples, and voice recordings.
Prof. Devinder Singh, VC of DBRANLU, presented the paper at the 24th Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS-2026) in Sofia, Bulgaria.

02Society & Social Justice·8 min read·Prelims · Mains

National Family Health Survey-6: Kerala leads in women’s obesity and NCD prevalence

This article presents state-specific findings from NFHS-6, which is a crucial source for contemporary social indicators in Indian society. For UPSC, it touches multiple GS-I (society, population) and GS-II (health, social justice) topics—specifically demographic trends, non-communicable disease burden, immunisation, child nutrition, and domestic violence. For KPSC, it is directly relevant to Kerala’s public health and welfare policymaking. Prelims may test NFHS terminology and comparative data trends; Mains could ask about ageing population implications, NCD policy response, or the intersection of development indicators and gender-based violence. The rise in both NCDs and reported spousal violence presents a layered governance challenge for the state.

NFHS-6 (2023-24) data shows Kerala's proportion of obese/overweight women at 46.7%, up from 38.2% in NFHS-5, against a national average of 30.7%.
Reported spousal violence in Kerala increased from 9.8% in NFHS-5 to 17.7% in NFHS-6; physical violence during pregnancy rose from 0.5% to 1.7%.
Kerala's population aged above 60 years stands at 20.7% (NFHS-6), well above the national average of 12.9%, indicating an ageing demographic.

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03Internal Security·5 min read·Prelims · Mains

89 additional CAPF units, advanced surveillance, real-time monitoring for safe Amarnath yatra this year

This article directly covers a significant security deployment measure for a major national pilgrimage in a sensitive region. Prelims or mains could test knowledge of CAPF, internal security challenges in J&K, and specific security protocols post-terror attack. It touches security, police modernization, and Centre-state coordination in internal security. UPSC, JKPSC, and state PSC exams focusing on J&K will find this highly relevant; SSC includes internal security in GA.

Centre increased CAPF deployment for Amarnath yatra from 581 companies (2025) to 670 companies (2026), an addition of 89 companies.
For the first time after the 2025 Pahalgam attack, J&K police conducted background checks of service providers (palanquin and horse ride operators) and issued special identity cards with QR codes.
J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat called for proactive strategies to counter threats, including dismantling the terror ecosystem and strengthening area domination along pilgrimage routes.

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04Polity & Governance·8 min read·Prelims · Mains

Spurious liquor kills 15 in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad; 8 held, probe ordered

The spurious liquor tragedy is a classic example of a governance failure in law enforcement and regulatory oversight. Prelims may test the constitutional provisions related to state's police powers (State List under Seventh Schedule) and excise regulation; mains could ask about accountability mechanisms in law enforcement, the nexus between illegal liquor trade and police corruption, and the role of state excise departments. This is directly relevant for UPSC (polity and governance syllabus) and MPSC (Maharashtra-specific law and order issues).

At least 15 people died in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad after consuming spurious liquor over three days, with deaths reported from Dapodi, Phugewadi, Hadapsar, and Kalepadal.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis directed police commissioners of both cities to conduct a coordinated investigation; eight people have been arrested, including the main accused Karnal Singh Virkha.
Preliminary investigations found that Yogesh Wankhede brought ethanol from Mumbai without permission and mixed it to prepare spurious liquor at a location in Hadapsar, supplying it to four vendors in Dapodi, Hadapsar, and Chatushrungi areas.

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05Society & Social Justice·6 min read·Prelims · Mains

Pahalgam after the terror attack: Why tourists are returning to Kashmir’s most beautiful hill station

This article examines the socio-economic recovery of Pahalgam’s tourism sector after a major terror attack. For UPSC, it connects internal security (terrorism’s impact on civilian life and economy) with society (tourism as a driver of local livelihoods and communal harmony). JKPSC candidates should note the specific incident date, location, and current ground realities. The piece highlights how security concerns affect tourism-dependent regions, a theme relevant for both prelims (facts about the attack) and mains (essays on tourism in conflict zones).

On April 21, 2025, militants killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley.
Pahalgam is approximately 2.5 hours from Srinagar by road.
Hotel occupancy in Pahalgam is currently around 60%, with room prices ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹30,000 per night.

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