Sunday, 14 June 2026 Current Affairs Digest for State PCS Exams

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

Why Census 2027 matters for development, democracy and representation

An examiner would test this from both Prelims (Census organisational details, Act of 1948, phases of Census) and Mains (role of Census in federal finance, delimitation, women's reservation, and social justice). It touches syllabus buckets of polity (delimitation, representation, federalism), society (caste census, social justice), and governance (data-driven policy, Digital India). UPSC and all major State PSCs (OPSC, BPSC, MPPSC, UPPSC) should prioritise this as Census 2027 directly affects seat allocation, fund devolution, and affirmative action policies across states.

Census 2027 is the eighth Census since Independence, occurring after a gap of 15 years instead of the usual 10, due to the COVID-19 disruption and Lok Sabha elections.
For the first time, Census 2027 will include a caste question, and existing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will use the new Census as a reference.

02Polity & Governance·8 min read·Prelims · Mains

How is a Constitution Amendment Bill passed?

This article explains the procedural requirements for passing a Constitutional Amendment Bill, a core topic in Indian polity. Prelims may test the special majority formula and ratification process under Article 368; mains may ask about federalism implications and the political dynamics of delimitation. UPSC, BPSC, UPPSC, and MPPSC candidates should prioritize this for both prelims and mains.

A Constitutional Amendment Bill requires a special majority: at least two-thirds of members present and voting in each House of Parliament.
If the amendment affects the federal structure, it must be ratified by at least one-half (50%) of the State Legislatures before receiving the President's assent.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to increase the size and composition of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, superseding the 1971 Census-based allocation.

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03Internal Security·5 min read·Prelims · Mains

DRDO demonstrates ballistic missile defence capability

This is a major defence capability milestone relevant to UPSC prelims (Science & Technology - Defence, Security) and mains (Indigenization of defence technology, strategic autonomy). The concept of multi-layered BMD, ICBM threat spectrum, and DRDO's role are exam-favourite. State PSC exams (e.g., OPSC, MPPSC) may also test this under security/current affairs.

DRDO successfully tested a Multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system that can engage targets including Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
Three consecutive flight tests were conducted on June 10 and 11 to demonstrate multi-layered defence against long-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship capability at medium range.
The maiden flight test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR) was also carried out successfully.

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04International Relations·6 min read·Prelims · Mains

US Offers No Regret Over Indians Killed In Strike. Shashi Tharoor Hits Out

This article touches on maritime security, use of force in international waters, and India's diplomatic response to civilian casualties abroad. Prelims could test related IR concepts (UNCLOS, Rules of Engagement). Mains may cover India's diaspora protection mechanisms, or ethics of lethal force in maritime interdictions. While it has a political angle, the core is a bilateral/IR flashpoint, so mapped to UPSC exam.

Shashi Tharoor questioned the US over the killing of Indians in a strike on a non-compliant ship in the Gulf region.
Tharoor sought to know why non-lethal means are not used to stop non-compliant ships in the Gulf region.

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