UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 27-02-2026

One Liners 27-02-2026

History, Art and Culture

R. Nallakannu

• He was Veteran Communist leader and freedom fighter.
• Born in – 1925, in Tiruvaikuntam, Thoothukudi district.
• Political Career
  • Early Activism – Joined the Communist movement at age 15; actively engaged in workers’ rights protests.
  • Stayed with CPI after the 1964 split.
  • Served 3 terms as Tamil Nadu State secretary of CPI since 1992.
  • Advocated unification of Communist parties to counter communal forces.
• Activism – Led campaigns against illegal sand mining in Thamirabarani river basin; filed PIL in 2010 and won a stay order.
  • Fought exploitation of farm workers and caste oppression.
• Struggles & Sacrifice – Arrested in the Nellai Conspiracy Case (1949), sentenced to life, released in 1956.
  • Imprisoned during the Emergency period.
  • Endured police torture and long underground periods during bans on the Communist Party.
• Awards & Recognition – Received Thagaisal Tamizhar Award (2022); donated ₹10 lakh prize money to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
  • Admired even by political opponents, including Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan.

Polity & Governance

Hate Speech

Gauhati High Court issued a notice to Assam Chief Minister over alleged hate speeches targeting Muslims, referred to as the "miya" community.

• 267^th Law Commission Report’s definition –
  • Hate speech is incitement to hatred against groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
  • It can harm individuals and society by inciting violence, discrimination, and intolerance.
• Freedom of Speech vs Restrictions
  • Article 19(1)(a) – Guarantees freedom of speech and expression.
  • Article 19(2) – Allows reasonable restrictions for sovereignty, integrity, public order, morality, defamation, contempt of court, and prevention of offences.

Hate speech in RPA Act & other laws

• Representation of People’s Act (RPA), 1951 –
  • Section 8 – Disqualifies persons convicted for illegal speech from contesting elections.
  • Sections 123(3A) & 125 – Treat promotion of enmity or hatred during elections as corrupt practices.
• Other Laws –
  • SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 – Prohibits hate speech targeting SC/ST communities in public view.
  • Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 – Penalizes speech inciting or encouraging untouchability.

Scrapping of Two-Child Norm

Rajasthan Cabinet repealed the two-child norm that barred individuals with more than two children from contesting Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections.

• Introduced in – 1995, as a population control measure.
• Outmoded – Fertility rate has since declined from 3.6 (1991–94) to 2, making the rule “outdated.”
• Impact – Candidates with more than 2 children can now contest local elections.

Economy

New Passenger-Friendly Air Ticket Refund Rules

• Amended by – Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
• Features 
• Free changes/cancellations – Within 48 hours of booking; only fare difference applies.
• Applicability – Not valid if flight departs within 7 days (domestic) or 15 days (international).
  • After 48 hours – Normal fees apply.
• Name correction – It is free within 24 hours (direct airline bookings).
• Refunds via agents/portals – Airlines are responsible; must process within 14 working days.
• Medical emergencies – Refund or credit shell if passenger/family (same PNR) hospitalised; other cases need certification from an Aerospace Medicine specialist.

Environment

Chadivayal Elephant Camp

Camp welcomed its 1^st inmates, transferred from Kozhikamuthi camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, nearly 2 months after its inauguration.

• Located in – Coimbatore’s Siruvani hills.
• Aim – To Serves as a rehabilitation centre for captive elephants.
• Facilities
• It enables accommodation for up to 20 elephants and associated staff.
• It includes shower and pool baths, ensures continuity of dietary management, and provides dedicated caretaker amenities.
• Situated along the route to Kovai Courtallam waterfall, with plans to permit visitor access.

World's First Modal Shift Project to Earn Carbon Credits

• 1^st modal shift transportation project – Maruti Suzuki’s in-plant railway siding in Gujarat.
• Registered under – Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) to generate carbon credits.
• Impact –
  • Shifts vehicle dispatches from road to rail, reducing emissions and congestion.
  • Expected to cut 1.7 lakh tonnes of CO₂ equivalent over a 10-year period (2023–2033).
• Methodology – Emission reductions calculated using AM0090 methodology under the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism.
• Significance – It supports UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-being.
  • SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth.
  • SDG 13 – Climate Action.

Science

IA91 Aluminium Alloy Ingot

• Launched by – National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Mines.
• Features –
  • High-performance, silicon-based casting alloy.
  • Offers a balance of castability, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance.
• Applications –
  • Designed for advanced casting methods like gravity die casting and low-pressure die casting.
  • Target industries – Automotive, electrical & power equipment, industrial sectors, and foundries.

Body-Worn Cameras Made Mandatory for Passport Verification

Bengaluru Police mandated body-worn cameras for all officers during passport verification, from start to finish.

• Guidelines – Officers must visit applicants’ residential addresses and collect inputs from neighbours.
• Applicants cannot be summoned to police stations for verification.
• Adverse reports must be backed by clear evidence; harassment or bribe-seeking is strictly prohibited.
• Transparency measures – Applicants must be informed 24 hours in advance (via SMS/phone) before verification visits.
• Entire process must be recorded.

Body-Worn Cameras (BWC)

• BWCs are small devices worn by law enforcement officers to record audio and video during interactions with community members (public, suspects, victims).
• Objective – To enhance accountability, build trust, and serve as reliable evidence in investigations or disputes.
• Functions –
  • To provide transparency between police and communities.
  • To document statements, observations, behaviours, and evidence.
  • To deter unprofessional, illegal, or inappropriate behaviour by both officers and the public.