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28 October 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs covers all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exam.

Right to Peaceful Assembly in India

Why in News?

The Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site in favour of three alternative locations, reigniting debate over the right to peaceful assembly and the spatial marginalisation of democratic protests.

The issue raises an important question: how can the State maintain public order while ensuring that restrictions do not undermine citizens’ ability to express dissent?

Constitutional and Legal Framework

A. Fundamental Right: Article 19(1)(b)

Guarantees all citizens the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
Complements the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).
Enables citizens to express collective opinions, organise demonstrations and participate in democratic processes.

B. Reasonable Restrictions: Article 19(3)

The State may impose reasonable restrictions on the right to assemble peacefully and without arms in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India and Public order.
Restrictions must have a valid legal basis and satisfy the constitutional requirement of reasonableness.

C. Preventive Powers: Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023

Empowers an Executive Magistrate to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger.
Such orders may restrict assemblies or other activities when the statutory conditions are met.
An order ordinarily remains in force for up to two months; the State Government may extend it for a further period not exceeding six months, where legally justified.

D. Power to Disperse Assemblies: Section 148 of the BNSS, 2023

Provides for the dispersal of an unlawful assembly by a civil force.
An Executive Magistrate or the authorised police officer may direct the dispersal of an assembly of five or more persons when the statutory conditions are satisfied.
The provision concerns unlawful assemblies, rather than giving an unrestricted power to disperse every peaceful gathering.

E. Local Regulation in Delhi

The Delhi Police Act, 1978 provides powers to regulate public assemblies, including their routes and timing, and to impose restrictions through notifications for maintaining public order.
Such regulatory powers must operate within the limits imposed by the Constitution and applicable law.

F. International Framework

India is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Article 21 of the ICCPR recognises the right of peaceful assembly, subject to permissible restrictions prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society.

Important Judicial Precedents

1. Babulal Parate v. State of Maharashtra (1961)

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Section 144 of the CrPC, the predecessor of Section 163 of the BNSS.
The case is significant for the use of preventive powers to address situations requiring urgent intervention to maintain public order.

2. Himat Lal K. Shah v. Commissioner of Police (1972)

Distinguished legitimate regulation of public meetings from arbitrary restrictions.
Recognised that the State may regulate public meetings but cannot exercise its powers in an arbitrary manner or grant uncontrolled discretion to the police.

3. In Re: Ramlila Maidan Incident (2012)

Emphasised that restrictions on peaceful assembly must be proportionate to the legitimate objective being pursued.
Examined the legality of police action against sleeping protesters at Ramlila Maidan and underscored the need to respect fundamental rights while maintaining public order.

4. Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020)

Held that orders restricting access to the internet must be made available for judicial scrutiny and satisfy the requirements of necessity and proportionality.
Clarified that restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC cannot be used to suppress legitimate expression or impose repetitive orders without proper justification.
Held that indefinite suspension of internet services is impermissible.

Key Challenges and Emerging Concerns

A. Extensive Use of Preventive Orders

Section 163 of the BNSS permits preventive action where the statutory requirements are met.
Broad or inadequately justified use of such orders may restrict peaceful gatherings and affect the exercise of fundamental rights.
Ex parte orders require particular care because they may be issued without hearing affected persons beforehand.

B. Relocation of Protest Venues

Shifting demonstrations away from prominent public spaces or the seat of government may reduce their visibility and accessibility.
Reasonable time, place and manner restrictions can serve public-order objectives.
However, venue restrictions may become problematic if they effectively prevent protesters from communicating their demands to the intended audience.

C. Blanket Restrictions on Movement and Communication

Area-wide restrictions on transport or internet services can affect not only protesters but also ordinary residents, journalists and other members of the public.
Such measures should be assessed against their necessity, scope, duration and proportionality to the identified threat.

D. Policing and Treatment of Protesters

Excessive force, prolonged detention and disproportionate action against demonstrators raise concerns about the protection of fundamental rights.
Restrictions affecting Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), including deportation-related action, must be assessed under the applicable legal framework and the facts of each case.

E. Chilling Effect on Dissent

Excessive scrutiny of protesters’ funding, credentials or affiliations may discourage lawful participation in public demonstrations.
Treating peaceful dissent primarily as a security concern risks weakening democratic engagement and public accountability.

Balancing Public Order and Democratic Dissent

A constitutionally sound approach should seek to balance public safety with the effective exercise of fundamental rights.

Legality: Restrictions should have a clear basis in law.
Necessity: Authorities should demonstrate why a restriction is required to address a specific concern.
Proportionality: The scope and duration of restrictions should not exceed what is reasonably necessary.
Non-arbitrariness: Decisions on permissions and venues should follow fair, transparent criteria.
Judicial review: Affected individuals must have access to appropriate legal remedies.
Facilitation of peaceful protest: Authorities should, where feasible, enable lawful demonstrations rather than treating all assemblies as threats to public order.

Judicial Restraint: Balancing Judicial Independence and Institutional Boundaries

Why in News?

Recent remarks by a sitting Supreme Court judge concerning the disenfranchisement of people while matters relating to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were pending before the Court have reignited debate over judicial restraint and the propriety of judges commenting on sub judice matters outside the courtroom.

What Is Judicial Restraint?

Meaning: Judicial restraint is a judicial philosophy under which courts exercise their constitutional powers cautiously and avoid unnecessary interference in the functioning of the legislature and executive.
Purpose: It seeks to preserve institutional boundaries while ensuring that government actions remain subject to constitutional scrutiny.
Not judicial inaction: Courts must intervene when necessary to protect fundamental rights, enforce statutory obligations and remedy constitutional violations.
Constitutional foundation: It is closely associated with the doctrine of separation of powers, under which the legislature makes laws, the executive implements laws and administers government and the judiciary interprets laws and adjudicates disputes.

Judicial Activism vs Judicial Overreach vs Judicial Restraint
Concept	Meaning	Primary concern
Judicial Activism	Proactive judicial intervention to protect rights, address governance failures and uphold constitutional values	Ensuring effective enforcement of ights and constitutional duties
Judicial Overreach	Judicial intervention that exceeds legitimate constitutional or institutional boundaries and encroaches upon the functions of elected institutions	Undermining the separation of powers
Judicial Restraint	A cautious approach that avoids unnecessary intervention while preserving the judiciary’s constitutional responsibilities	Maintaining a balance between judicial passivity and excessive intervention

Constitutional and Legal Framework

A. Constitutional Provisions

Article 50: A Directive Principle of State Policy that directs the State to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.
Article 32: Empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Article 226: Empowers High Courts to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and for other legal purposes.
Article 142: Empowers the Supreme Court to pass decrees or orders necessary for doing complete justice in matters before it.
Article 13: Provides for the invalidation of laws that are inconsistent with Fundamental Rights, to the extent of such inconsistency.

B. Judicial Ethics and Conduct

Restatement of Values of Judicial Life, 1997

Clause 8 states that a judge should not enter public debate or express views on political matters or matters that are pending or likely to arise for judicial determination.

Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct

Principle 2.4 provides that a judge should not make comments that might reasonably affect the fairness of a proceeding or its outcome, or otherwise impair the fairness of the trial.

These standards seek to preserve judicial impartiality, public confidence and appearance of independence.

Important Supreme Court Judgments

1. Ram Jawaya Kapur v. State of Punjab (1955)

Explained the constitutional distribution of functions among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
Recognised that the Indian Constitution does not follow an absolute separation of powers, although it distributes institutional responsibilities among the branches of government.

2. Asif Hameed v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1989)

Emphasised that each organ of government must function within the limits prescribed by the Constitution.
Held that courts should not encroach upon the functions of the legislature or executive.

3. Divisional Manager, Aravali Golf Club v. Chander Hass (2008)

Cautioned courts against assuming executive or legislative responsibilities in the name of judicial activism.
Emphasised that courts should not ordinarily take over functions constitutionally assigned to other institutions.

4. Census Commissioner v. R. Krishnamurthy (2015)

Reiterated that courts should ordinarily refrain from directing the government to formulate a particular policy.
Highlighted the importance of respecting the executive’s role in policy formulation, subject to constitutional and legal limitations.

Challenges Arising from the Absence of Judicial Restraint

A. Institutional Encroachment

Excessive judicial intervention in administrative and legislative matters can disturb the constitutional distribution of powers.
It may create friction between institutions and blur the distinction between adjudication and governance.

B. Democratic Deficit

When courts substitute their policy preferences for those of elected institutions, decisions concerning public priorities may shift away from democratically accountable representatives.
This raises concerns about democratic legitimacy, particularly in matters involving competing policy choices.

C. Judicialisation of Governance

Courts may lack the technical expertise, administrative machinery and financial information required to implement complex public policies.
Excessive involvement in governance can make judicial directions difficult to execute effectively.

D. Institutional Credibility

Persistent encroachment into the functions of other branches may generate institutional conflict.
As cautioned in Aravali Golf Club v. Chander Hass (2008), excessive judicial intervention may also fuel demands for greater political control over the judiciary, potentially threatening judicial independence.

E. Pendency of Cases

Extensive engagement in governance-related matters can consume judicial time and resources.
This may divert attention from resolving disputes, protecting rights and ensuring timely justice.

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

Why in News?

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has tasked the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE), Almora, Uttarakhand, with coordinating ICIMOD-related activities in India.

The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among Himalayan states, universities, research institutions and implementing agencies.
It will address regional challenges such as glacier melt, water insecurity, biodiversity loss and disaster risks.
A dedicated ICIMOD cell is also proposed to coordinate these activities.

About ICIMOD

Full Name: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.
Nature: Intergovernmental organisation.
Region of Focus: Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, spanning eight countries.
Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal.
Primary Role: Serves as a regional knowledge and learning centre, supporting the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya through research, policy engagement and regional cooperation.
Member Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan
Board of Governors includes one representative from each of the eight regional member countries, along with independent members.

Core Pillars of ICIMOD

Enhance Livelihoods: Support sustainable livelihoods and improve the well-being of mountain communities.
Sustain Resources: Promote the sustainable management of mountain ecosystems and natural resources.
Value Culture: Recognise and preserve the cultural heritage, knowledge and traditions of mountain communities.

Significance of the Indian Coordination Initiative

Climate resilience: Strengthens cooperation on glacier retreat and climate-related risks.
Water security: Supports research and coordination on the region’s water resources.
Biodiversity conservation: Encourages collaboration to address biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Disaster-risk reduction: Promotes knowledge-sharing on mountain hazards and disaster preparedness.
Institutional coordination: Connects Himalayan states, academic institutions and implementing agencies through a dedicated coordination mechanism.

Cabinet Secretary of India

Why in News?

The Cabinet Secretariat declined to intervene in complaints filed by two Election Commissioners against an IAS officer serving in the Election Commission of India (ECI), citing the need to avoid interference in the functioning of a constitutional body.

About the Cabinet Secretary

Position: The Cabinet Secretary is the administrative head of the Cabinet Secretariat and the senior-most civil servant in India.
Reporting: Functions directly under the Prime Minister.
Order of Precedence: Ranks 11th, alongside the Attorney General of India and Lieutenant Governors within their respective Union Territories.
Appointment: Appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by the Prime Minister.

Core Functions and Powers

1. Administration of Government Business Rules

Administers the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961.
These rules are framed under Article 77(3) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to make rules for the convenient transaction of government business and its allocation among ministers.

2. Cabinet Secretariat and Support

Arranges Cabinet meetings on the directions of the Prime Minister.
Prepares meeting agendas, maintains records of proceedings and monitors the implementation of Cabinet decisions.

3. Inter-Ministerial Coordination

Chairs meetings of the Committees of Secretaries to address disagreements, administrative bottlenecks and delays among ministries.
Facilitates coordination and consensus to ensure smooth government functioning.

4. Crisis and Disaster Management

Chairs the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), which coordinates and monitors responses to major crises and disasters.
The committee functions within the disaster-management framework, including the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

5. Senior Civil Services Administration

Serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
Assists the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet in matters concerning the appointment of senior government officers.

RELIEF Scheme: Support for Indian Exporters

Why in News?

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has extended Component II of the Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) Scheme until 31 March 2027 to support Indian exporters facing elevated trade and logistics risks.

About the RELIEF Scheme

Full Form: Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation.
Launched: March 2026.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Umbrella initiative: Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
Implementing Agency: Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC).
Objectives: The scheme provides time-bound assistance to Indian exporters affected by exceptional trade related disruptions, including Sharp increases in freight and shipping costs, Higher insurance premiums, War-related risks to export consignments, Disruptions affecting maritime routes in the Gulf and the wider West Asian region.

Eligible Destinations

Gulf countries: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Other West Asian destinations: Iraq, Iran, Israel and Yemen.
Additional destinations: Egypt and Jordan, which were subsequently included.

Three Components of the RELIEF Scheme
Component	Eligible beneficiaries	Nature of assistance
Component I	Exporters already insured by ECGC	Up to 100% risk coverage
Component II	Exporters obtaining ECGC cover for upcoming shipments	Up to 95% risk coverage
Component III	MSME exporters without ECGC insurance	Reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible additional freight and insurance costs, subject to a cap of ₹50 lakh per exporter

K9 Vajra-T Self-Propelled Howitzer

Why in News?

The Ministry of Defence has approved the procurement of over 300 additional K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers for the Indian Army, strengthening its artillery capabilities.

A howitzer is an artillery weapon designed to fire shells at relatively high angles. This enables it to strike targets that may be shielded by terrain or defensive structures, including hills and fortifications.

About K9 Vajra-T

Type: 155 mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer.
Origin: The K9 Vajra-T is the Indian variant of South Korea’s K9 Thunder artillery system.
User: Indian Army.
Purpose: Designed to provide mobile, rapid and effective artillery fire support to ground forces.

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