Kolkata (WB) – Key Points of Projects Worth ₹18,680 Crore+:

• Roads and Connectivity: Sections of NH-19 and NH-114; 231 km of the Kharagpur-Morgram Economic Corridor (NH-116A); and the Kangshabati/Shilabati Bridge on NH-14.
• Ports and Railways: Mechanization of the Haldia Dock System; rejuvenation of the Kidderpore Docks; and redevelopment of 6 railway stations (under the Amrit Station Scheme).
• Objective: To facilitate trade and accelerate economic activities in Eastern India.

Silchar (Assam) – Key Points of Projects Worth ₹23,550 Crore+:

• North-East Connectivity: Shillong-Silchar High-Speed ​​Corridor (166 km), connecting Assam and Meghalaya.
• Urban Development: An elevated corridor on NH-306 in Silchar, aimed at reducing traffic congestion.
• Act East Policy: Expansion of infrastructure to connect the North-East region with Southeast Asia.
• Others: An agricultural college in Karimganj; welfare schemes for tea garden workers; and the 'Vibrant Villages Programme' for border villages.

Main Allegations :

• Discriminatory Conduct: Allegation of biased behaviour in favour of the ruling party.
• Obstruction in Investigation of Electoral Fraud: Allegation of deliberately hindering investigations into electoral irregularities.
• Irregularities in Voter List: Allegations of large-scale deletion of voters’ names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in states like West Bengal and Bihar.
• Violation of Constitutional Propriety: The opposition claims that his conduct has lowered the dignity of the office.

Constitutional and Legal Process :

• According to Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India, the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• Requirement of Notice: To initiate the removal process, a notice signed by at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of the Rajya Sabha is required. The present notice carries the signatures of 130 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha MPs.
• Grounds for Removal: The CEC can be removed only on the grounds of “proved misbehaviour” or “incapacity.”
• Inquiry Process: Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, once the notice is admitted by the Speaker/Chairman of the House, a three-member committee investigates the allegations.
• Special Majority: If the committee finds the charges proved, the motion must be passed in both Houses of Parliament by a special majority (a majority of the total membership of the House and at least two-thirds of the members present and voting).
• President’s Order: Finally, the President of India issues the order for removal.

• Objective: To kindle interest in space science among students and the youth, and to foster a scientific temper.
• Collaboration: The launch was conducted under the authorization of IN-SPACe and with the support of the Gujarat SpaceTech Policy 2025-2030.
• What are Sounding Rockets? These are single or two-stage solid-fueled rockets used for investigating the upper atmospheric regions and for space research. They do not place satellites into orbit; instead, they fall back to Earth after completing their mission.

• It is the statutory regulator of the capital and securities markets in India.
• Establishment: April 1988, as a non-statutory body.
• Statutory Status: Granted on January 30, 1992, through the SEBI Act, 1992.
• Headquarters: Mumbai (Bandra Kurla Complex).

The SEBI Board comprises a total of 9 members:

• 1. The Chairperson, nominated by the Government of India.
• 2. Two members, who are officials from the Union Ministry of Finance.
• 3. One member, nominated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• 4. The remaining five members are nominated by the Government of India, of whom at least three must be Whole-Time Members.
• Current Leadership: The current Chairperson is Tuhin Kanta Pandey. (Note: Madhabi Puri Buch was SEBI's first female Chairperson.)

• Foreign Currency Assets: Declined by $9.88 billion to $563.24 billion
• Gold Reserves: Declined by $1.61 billion to $130.01 billion
• Special Drawing Rights (SDR): Declined by $14.6 million to $18.72 billion
• IMF Reserve Position: Declined by $4.5 million to $4.82 billion

• The authorization for additional expenditure was sought primarily to meet increased spending on fertilizer, food subsidies, and defense services.
• The supplementary grants comprise 61 Demands.
• The government has proposed ₹57,381 crore as an Economic Stabilization Fund to address global challenges.
• The Lok Sabha also passed the Appropriation Bill, 2026, today.
• This Bill authorizes the payment and appropriation of certain additional sums from the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2025-26.

• The agency stated that growth will be bolstered by domestic demand, with consumer spending projected to rise by 8.6% and investment by 6.9% in the current fiscal year.
• Despite a slowdown in global trade, high-frequency indicators—including GST collections, manufacturing activity, air travel, and digital payments—suggest that economic momentum remains strong.
• For the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27, Fitch Ratings has projected India's growth rate to be 6.7%.

• It is a premier annual series organized internationally for para-athletes.
• Hosting: It is hosted by World Para Athletics (WPA), which operates under the aegis of the 'International Paralympic Committee' (IPC).
• In 2026, India hosted the event for the first time (in New Delhi).

Global Governing Bodies:

• World Para Athletics (WPA): This is the principal international body for para-athletics. It functions under the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and manages rules, classification, and events—such as the Grand Prix—at a global level.
• World Athletics: This is the global governing body for able-bodied athletes (formerly known as the IAAF).

Governing Bodies in India:

• Paralympic Committee of India (PCI): This is the apex body for para-sports and para-athletes in India.
• Athletics Federation of India (AFI): This body is responsible for managing able-bodied athletics sports in India.

• Mayank achieved his third and final GM norm at the Hotel Stockholm North by First Hotels Young Talents Tournament held in Sweden.
• He secured this title with one round to spare by defeating Swedish International Master Philip Lindgren in the eighth round.

Grandmaster:

• It is the highest title a player can receive in the world of chess.
• This honor is conferred by the World Chess Organization, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs).
• Once awarded, the title is held by the player for life (unless revoked in serious cases, such as cheating).
• FIDE Rating: The player's 'Elo Rating' must be at least 2500.
• India's First Grandmaster: Viswanathan Anand (in 1988).

International Chess Federation (FIDE):

• It is the apex global governing body for the game of chess.
• It governs chess competitions, ratings, and rules worldwide.
• Motto: "Gens una sumus" (We are one family).
• Established: July 20, 1924, in Paris.
• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
• President: Arkady Dvorkovich.
• International Recognition: It was recognized as a global sports organization by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1999.

• Collaborating Organizations: This event was organized in collaboration with FICCI and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA).
• A key highlight of the festival was 'Project Khum – Rooted in Creativity'.
• Meaning: The word 'Khum' is derived from the Kokborok language of Tripura, meaning 'flower'.

• Organizer: This festival has been organized by the Tribal Research and Training Institute of Chhattisgarh State, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• Objective: Its primary objective is to provide a national platform for Chhattisgarh's rich tribal culture, art, and traditions, and to connect the youth with their heritage.
• Adi Paridhan: For the first time, the traditional attire and cultural distinctiveness of 43 tribal communities of the state were showcased on a single platform.
• Adi Rang: An exhibition of tribal paintings was organized as part of this event.
• Adi Haat: A tribal craft fair where handicrafts and forest produce were displayed.
• Participating States: Alongside artists from Chhattisgarh, tribal folk artists from Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand also participated in the event.

Major Achievements :

• FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: During his tenure, India successfully hosted this historic tournament.
• Indian Women’s League (IWL): In 2017, this league was launched to promote women’s football in the country.
• AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022: India hosted this major international tournament under his leadership.
• Structural Changes: During his tenure in 2010, a partnership was formed with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which later paved the way for the launch of the Indian Super League (ISL).

All India Football Federation (AIFF) :

• Establishment: June, 1937
• Headquarters: Football House, Dwarka, New Delhi
• Current President: Kalyan Chaubey (in office since September 2022)

• It originated in 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil, where the first international meeting of people affected by dams was held.
• The first International Day of Action for Rivers was celebrated on March 14, 1998.