Vision IAS Monthly Current Affairs - May 2026

Exactly 400 flashcards from the Vision IAS Current Affairs Monthly Magazine (May 2026 version) across different sectors like Polity, IR, Economy, Security, and Science.

In what case did the Supreme Court observe that majoritarianism cannot trump constitutionalism?

The Supreme Court made this observation in a ruling regarding a constitutional democracy.

What is the central idea of Constitutionalism?

Government power should be limited by constitutional rules and political authority should be exercised within the bounds of the constitution.

What political principle suggests collective decisions are determined by the numerical majority?

Majoritarianism (majority rule).

Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of laws?

Article 14.

Which Articles form the foundation of judicial review in India according to the text?

Articles 13, 32, and 226.

Which constitutional articles support social justice and affirmative action for SCs, STs, and OBCs?

Articles 15(4), 15(5), 16(4), and 46.

What Articles safeguard the educational and cultural rights of minorities in India?

Articles 29 and 30.

Article 50 of the Indian Constitution directs the State to take steps for what purpose?

To separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services.

What was the outcome of the Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) case?

Parliament's power to amend the Constitution cannot alter its Basic Structure.

What did the Court observe in the Rameshwar Prasad v. Union of India (2006) case regarding constitutionalism?

Constitutionalism abhors absolutism and is premised on the rule of law.

What legal principle was established in the I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu (2007) ruling?

Constitutionalism requires control over Governmental power to protect democratic principles.

What fundamental right was recognized under Article 21 in the K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) case?

The fundamental right to privacy.

What did the Supreme Court do in the Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) case?

Decriminalized homosexuality despite prevailing social prejudices.

What historical period is cited as an example of executive overreach and curtailment of civil liberties?

The 1975–1977 Emergency.

What administrative practice in Bihar between 1967 and 1981 posed concerns for democratic governance?

The re-promulgation of Land Reforms Ordinances many times.

Under which Article can President’s Rule be imposed, potentially limiting state autonomy?

Article 356.

What is the definition of Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?

A legal action initiated for the enforcement of public interest or general interest where legal rights are affected.

What is the meaning of 'Locus standi' in the context of conventional litigation?

The legal right of a person to file a suit based on a direct legal wrong.

Where did the concept of PIL first originate in the 1960s?

The USA.

Which two Indian Justices first used the term 'PIL' in a judgment?

Justice V.K. Krishna Iyer and Justice P.N. Bhagwati.

What are the two categories of PIL mentioned in the text?

Representative Social Action and Citizen Social Action.

What jurisdictional innovation allowed letters to be treated as writ petitions in India?

Epistolary jurisdiction.

What is the current burden of pending PILs in the Supreme Court?

More than $3500$ PILs.

Which case was the first PIL ever recorded in India?

Hussainara Khatoon vs. State of Bihar (1979).

What did the Court hold in the S.P. Gupta v. Union of India (1982) case?

Any member of the public with sufficient interest could assert a diffuse, collective right.

What was the focus of the People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) v. Union of India (1982) PIL?

Violation of labor laws during the construction of Asiad projects.

What was the result of M.C Mehta vs. Union of India (1987)?

The closure of industries discharging untreated effluents into the Ganga.

What act was the outcome of the Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997) guidelines?

POSH Act [Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013].

What direction did the Supreme Court give in State of Uttarakhand v. Balwant Singh Chaufal (2010)?

Courts must prima facie verify the credentials of the petitioner and the petition's contents.

What index was released by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for FY 2023–24?

Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0.

How many Gram Panchayats are measured under the PAI?

Over $2.6\text{ lakh}$ Gram Panchayats.

PAI 2.0 is based on the framework of what major global goal initiative?

Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).

What are the five performance categories of Gram Panchayats under PAI?

Achiever (A+), Front Runner (A), Performer (B), Aspirant (C), and Beginners (D).

What was the national participation percentage achieved under PAI 2.0?

$97.30\%$.

What was the participation percentage under PAI Version 1.0 launched in 2025?

$80.79\%$.

Which Indian state emerged as the standout performer in PAI 2.0 with $80\%$ of its GPs as 'Front Runners'?

Tripura.

What constitutional amendment act gave status to Panchayati Raj Institutions in 1992?

73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.

Panchayati Raj provisions are found in which Part and Articles of the Constitution?

Part IX (Articles 243–243O).

How many subjects are included in the Eleventh Schedule for Panchayats?

$29$ subjects.

How has the Supreme Court described the current ECI appointment mechanism in 2026?

"Tyranny of the Elected".

What Act of 2023 governs the appointment of the CEC and other Election Commissioners?

Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

Who are the members of the Selection Committee for ECI appointments under the 2023 Act?

The Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Which Article vests authority for superintendence and control of elections in the Election Commission?

Article 324.

Under Article 324(5), how can a CEC be removed from office?

In the like manner and on the like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.

What did the stop-gap appointment process for ECI (Anoop Barnwal Case) include that the 2023 Act removed?

The Chief Justice of India (CJI).

What is the term of office for the National Sports Governance Board members?

$3\text{ years}$ or until attaining $65\text{ years}$ of age.

Which body is empowered to audit the accounts of the National Sports Governance Board?

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

What is the age limit for the Chairperson of the National Sports Governance Tribunal?

$70\text{ years}$ of age.

What percentage of India's GDP is contributed by its 47 million-plus cities?

$60\%$.

What new proviso was added to the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 regarding minors?

A minor child cannot hold the passport of another country while holding an Indian passport.

In what year was the PIO card scheme merged with the OCI scheme?

2015.

What is the Ground for Disqualification under the Tenth Schedule regarding independent legislators?

If an independently elected legislator joins a political party.

What was the prison occupancy rate in India in 2024 according to the PSI report?

$112.7\%$.

What new judge strength did the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 propose?

$37$ (excluding the CJI).

As of the 2026 report, how many pending cases does the Supreme Court have?

$92,926$ cases.

Which state is the first to have a paperless state judiciary according to the CJI?

Sikkim.

Under what group is the EV battery recycling joint initiative between India and the EU funded?

India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) working group-2.

Who visited India to strengthen bilateral ties amid recent strains in India-US relations?

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

What status did the US designate India to promote defense co-development?

"Major Defense Partner".

What foundational agreements have been signed between India and the US?

LEMOA, COMCASA, and BECA.

What is the full name of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission?

NISAR.

What was the US tariff imposed on certain Indian exports in 2025?

$50\%$.

Which US Act is cited as a reason for concerns over India's acquisition of the S-400 system?

CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act).

What is the target for India-Italy bilateral trade expansion by 2029?

$20\text{ billion Euros}$.

What is the new partnership level elevated between India and Italy in 2026?

Special Strategic Partnership.

What award was conferred upon the Indian PM by the UN FAO in Rome?

Agricola Award.

Which country serves as the largest source of Indian immigrants after Mexico according to the 2026 report?

The United States (Indians at around $3.2\text{ million}$).

To what status was the relationship between India and Vietnam upgraded in 2026?

Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

What is 'Thucydides Trap'?

The danger that emerges when a rising power threatens to displace a dominant one, leading to conflict.

What is the name of the energy and food facility launched by the AIIB?

Energy, Food Security and Economic Resilience Facility.

What is the total value of the financing envelope offered by the AIIB facility?

$10\text{ billion USD}$.

What is the primary global institution for safe and non-military nuclear technologies?

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In what year did India sign the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement?

2009.

When did the Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW) come into force?

2021.

What is the name of the nuclear test conduct by India in 1974?

Operation Smiling Buddha.

When did India join the Wassenaar Arrangement?

2017.

What is the name of the benchmark price for Middle Eastern oil exports to Asian markets?

Dubai/Oman.

What was the total corpus of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0?

$₹10,000\text{ crore}$.

What does the acronym DPI stand for in the context of NITI Aayog's roadmap?

Digital Public Infrastructure.

What are the two phases of the DPI strategic roadmap?

DPI 2.0 (2025–2035) and DPI 3.0 (2035–2047).

How many countries have signed MoUs with India for cooperation on India Stack as of Feb 2026?

$24$ countries.

How many years has the UPI system completed in 2026?

$10\text{ Years}$.

What is 'UPI Cash Point'?

It allows withdrawal of cash at local shops and business correspondent outlets using the UPI app.

What is the base year for the revised All India Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?

2022-23.

The IIP item basket was expanded from 839 items to how many products?

$1,042$ products.

Which items were deleted from the new IIP item basket?

Kerosene, fluorescent tubes, CFLs, and sewing machines.

What is 'Output PPI'?

Output Producer Price Index, which measures product prices received by producers.

Which agency releases the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?

National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI.

What is the duration of the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) by IFAD?

2026–2033.

What proportion of the rural workforce in India lacks secondary-level qualifications?

Over $75\%$.

What percentage of the Indian workforce is in agriculture despite its $18\%$ GDP contribution?

$46\%$.

What legal entity is formed by primary producers like farmers and weavers?

Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs).

What is the Registration Identity Code (RIC) in the context of FPOs?

A unique identity number issued upon registration with the FPO Registry Portal.

What is the turnover limit for FPOs to be exempt from income tax?

$₹1000\text{ million}$.

What ratio measures a bank's capital to its risk?

Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR).

What is the minimum CRAR requirement for banks in India as set by the RBI?

$9.0\%$.

What is the total surplus transfer approved by the RBI to the Government for FY 2025-26?

$₹2.86\text{ lakh crore}$.

What is the capacity of the 'Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool'?

$1.5\text{ billion USD}$.

Which entity acts as the Pool Administrator for the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool?

General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).

What is the target number of plug-and-play industrial parks under the BHAVYA Scheme?

$100$ parks.