Transparency & Accountability (Governance).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Indian Polity and Governance; Mains GS2
RTI Act for UPSC: origins in the MKSS movement, how to file, 30-day rule, Section 8 exemptions, Information Commissions, the 2019 amendment…
Probity in governance for UPSC ethics: meaning, codes of ethics vs conduct, citizen's charters, RTI, public funds, corruption and 2nd ARC ideas.
e-Governance for UPSC: G2C, G2B, G2G and G2E, NeGP, Digital India, India Stack and DPI, success stories, digital divide and data protection,…
In a judgment of 16 October 2026, a Supreme Court Bench of Justices S.V.N. Bhatti and N.V. Anjaria held that investigating a bribe demand by a public servant does not need prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Asking for a bribe, the court said, is not part of discharging official duties.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Sections 7, 7A, 17A and 19 of the PC Act. · Mains GS-II/GS-IV: honest officers versus accountability.
19 Oct 2026
The Health Ministry has proposed amending the Drugs Rules, 1945 so that drug retailers, wholesalers and distributors also need prior Central Government sanction to advertise Schedule H, H1 and X medicines. Manufacturers already face this rule. The draft, G.S.R. 861(E) of 28 September 2026, follows DTAB advice and is open for comments for 30 days.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Drug schedules, DTAB. · Mains GS-II: health regulation; GS-III: AMR.
9 Oct 2026
On 15 September 2026 the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on the company that runs the Rapido ride-hailing app. It found two dark patterns, "confirm shaming" and "interface interference", in prompts that pushed riders to pay more before a ride was confirmed, and ordered the platform to stop them.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CCPA's parent Act; meaning of dark patterns.
15 Sep 2026
On 10 September 2026 the Department of Consumer Affairs amended the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020. The new rules make every e-commerce entity join the National Consumer Helpline convergence process, label sponsored listings, show a fair "prior price" for discounts and self-audit for dark patterns. They come into force on 1 January 2027.
UPSC angle: Mains: Regulating dark patterns.
10 Sep 2026
On 4 September 2026 the National Financial Reporting Authority set up an Advisory Committee on Audit Quality, Assurance and Technology, using Rules 15 and 16 of the NFRA Rules, 2018. Its experts come from audit professionals, CFOs, audit committees, independent directors, technology, regulators and industry. It is NFRA's third such advisory body.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NFRA's parent Act.
4 Sep 2026
On 17 August 2026 the Central Information Commission launched AppCoMS 2.0, its upgraded Appeal and Complaint Management System for second appeals and complaints under the RTI Act, 2005. Applicants and CPIOs now get user accounts linked to e-mail and mobile. Applicants can track timelines and download notices, and the Commission can sign orders digitally.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CIC.
17 Aug 2026