General Knowledge, Current Affairs and Legal Developments
What is tested
Awareness of recent statutes, judgments and State-specific law. Questions are factual and asked briefly; precision beats commentary.
Core developments
- The three codes - BNS, BNSS and BSA - came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act.
- Constitutional amendments: 104th (2019, extending SC/ST reservation), 105th (2021, restoring State power to identify socially and educationally backward classes), 106th (2023, reservation for women in legislatures).
- Judgments worth one line each: Supriyo v. Union of India (2023, no legal recognition of same-sex marriage but directions on rights); In re Article 370 (2023); Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India (2024, electoral bonds struck down); State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2024, sub-classification within Scheduled Castes permitted); Aligarh Muslim University (2024, minority status test).
- Statutes: Mediation Act, 2023 (pre-litigation mediation, registration of mediators); DPDP Act, 2023 (data fiduciary, consent); Telecommunications Act, 2023; e-Courts Phase III.
- Himachal-specific: HP Land Revenue Act, 1954 (revenue officers, record of rights); HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 (ceiling, non-agriculturists); HP Urban Rent Control Act, 1987 (grounds of eviction, fair rent).
Worked example
Asked for the effect of the 106th Amendment, say: one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, operative after the delimitation exercise, with a fifteen-year sunset and rotation. A bare 'women's reservation' scores less than the specific detail.
Traps
- Quoting a judgment later referred to or reviewed by a larger bench.
- Presenting outdated figures as current.
- Confusing an amendment number with the year of the statute.