Daily Current Affairs Digest | 25th May 2026

Daily Current Affairs Digest | 25th May 2026

1. UAPA Bail Curbs and Article 21: Supreme Court Refers Issue to Larger Bench

The Supreme Court has referred the issue of strict bail restrictions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 to a larger Bench. The key constitutional question is whether prolonged incarceration and delayed trial can justify bail even when UAPA contains stringent bail provisions.

This issue is directly linked to Article 21, which guarantees life and personal liberty. The matter is important because it involves balancing national security with constitutional rights, speedy trial and procedural fairness.


The Court also clarified that pending sedition proceedings under the old IPC Section 124A may continue if the accused has no objection. This keeps the debate on free speech, criminal justice and constitutional safeguards relevant for UPSC.

UPSC Relevance:
GS Paper II – Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, Criminal Justice
GS Paper III – Internal Security, Terrorism, National Security Laws

2. BHAVYA Scheme: 100 Plug-and-Play Industrial Parks by 2032

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has issued operational guidelines for the BHAVYA Scheme. The scheme aims to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India with an outlay of ₹33,660 crore by 2032.

Plug-and-play industrial parks provide ready infrastructure such as land, utilities, logistics connectivity, warehousing and basic clearances. This reduces project delays and improves India’s manufacturing competitiveness.

The scheme supports India’s broader goals under Make in India, PM Gati Shakti, National Logistics Policy, Production Linked Incentive schemes and industrial corridor development.

UPSC Relevance:
GS Paper III – Industrial Policy, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Employment
GS Paper II – Governance, Cooperative Federalism

3. Sustainable Aviation Fuel: India’s Green Aviation Push

India is moving towards a phased Sustainable Aviation Fuel blending framework. The expected pathway includes 1% blending from 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel can be produced from feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural residues, municipal waste and non-food biomass. It can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from aviation and help India meet global climate commitments.

The development is also important because aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. SAF provides a practical route for cleaner aviation without requiring complete replacement of existing aircraft engines.

UPSC Relevance:
GS Paper III – Climate Change, Biofuels, Energy Security, Environment
GS Paper II – International Climate Governance, ICAO, CORSIA

4. Russian Oil Waiver and India’s Energy Security Challenge

Recent uncertainty around Russian oil waivers and sanctions has again highlighted India’s external energy vulnerability. India imports a large share of its crude oil requirement, making global oil prices, sanctions, shipping, insurance and payment systems crucial for economic stability.

Discounted Russian crude has helped India manage its energy costs after the Russia-Ukraine war. However, sanctions-linked uncertainty can affect refiners, inflation, current account deficit and rupee stability.

India continues to maintain that its oil purchases are guided by commercial considerations and national interest. For UPSC, this issue is important for understanding strategic autonomy in a changing global order.

UPSC Relevance:
GS Paper II – India-US-Russia Relations, Sanctions Diplomacy
GS Paper III – Energy Security, Inflation, External Sector, Current Account Deficit

5. India Sends Ebola Aid to Africa CDC

India dispatched emergency medical supplies and protective kits to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention amid the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. This reflects India’s role in humanitarian diplomacy and Global South cooperation.

Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Outbreaks require strong disease surveillance, protective equipment, diagnostics, trained health workers and international coordination.

India’s assistance strengthens India-Africa relations and reinforces India’s image as a reliable health-security partner.

UPSC Relevance:
GS Paper II – India-Africa Relations, International Institutions, Global South
GS Paper III – Health Security, Biosecurity, Disaster Management

Quick UPSC Revision Points

  • UAPA bail issue is useful for answers on Article 21, liberty, national security and speedy trial.
  • BHAVYA Scheme is important for manufacturing, industrial parks, logistics, employment and Make in India.
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel is relevant for climate change, biofuels, aviation decarbonisation and energy transition.
  • Russian oil waiver uncertainty is useful for strategic autonomy, crude import dependence and sanctions diplomacy.
  • India’s Ebola aid to Africa CDC connects health diplomacy, Global South cooperation and global health security.