News In Short 27-05-2026

Algoza

Syllabus: GS1/Culture

Context

• Taga Ram Bheel of Jaisalmer was honoured with the Padma Shri 2026 for preserving and promoting traditional Rajasthani folk music through the ancient instrument called the Algoza.

What Is Algoza?

• The Algoza is a traditional folk wind instrument associated with Rajasthan, Punjab, Sindh, and parts of western India and Pakistan. 
• It consists of two wooden flutes played simultaneously — one creates the melody while the other provides a rhythmic base.
• What makes the instrument unique is the use of circular breathing, a difficult technique that allows musicians to produce continuous music without stopping for breath.
• Often called the soul of Thar Desert folk music, the Algoza has traditionally been played during festivals, weddings, storytelling sessions, and devotional gatherings.

Source: News18

Khajuraho Hosts 25-Day IDY Countdown

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

In News

• World Heritage Site Khajuraho, is set to host the 25-day countdown event for the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026.

More about the News

• The 25-day countdown to the IDY is observed every year as an important outreach phase to build awareness and encourage public participation through Yoga demonstrations, awareness campaigns, and community-based activities across the country.

About Khajuraho

• The Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a group of Hindu and Jain temples located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. 
• The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures.
• Historical records:
  • Most Khajuraho temples were built between 950 and 1050 CE by the Chandela dynasty. 
  • Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple complex once had 85 temples spread across 20 square kilometres. 
  • At present, only about 25 temples have survived, spread over six square kilometres.

Source: PIB

Complete Justice: Article 142

Syllabus: GS2/Polity and Governance

Context

• Recently, the Supreme Court declared that the safety of commuters against road accidents and the right to safe passage on highwaysare part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • The SC exercised its inherent power under Article 142 of the Constitution which talks about complete justice.

What is Article 142?

• Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in any case or matter pending before it.
  • It also makes such decree or order enforceable throughout the territory of India.
• The importance of Article 142 lies in the following aspects:
  • It enables the Supreme Court to exercise executive and legislative functions in certain situations, such as issuing guidelines, directions, or orders to the government or other authorities. 
  • It allows the Supreme Court to intervene in matters of public interest, human rights, constitutional values, or fundamental rights, and to protect them from any violation or infringement. 
  • It enhances the Supreme Court’s role as the guardian of the constitution and the final arbiter of the law. 
• Criticism: It may encroach upon the principle of separation of powers and the domain of the executive and the legislature, and may invite criticism of judicial overreach or activism. 

Important Cases Related to Article 142

• Bhopal Gas Tragedy Case (1989): Compensation settlement for victims was facilitated using Article 142 powers.
• Coal Block Allocation Case (2014): Supreme Court cancelled illegal coal block allocations to ensure accountability.
• Divorce and Matrimonial Cases: The Court has used Article 142 to dissolve irretrievably broken marriages and settle prolonged disputes.

Source: TH

Abraham Accords

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Pakistan’s Defence Minister has said that he is not in favour of Pakistan joining the Abraham Accords to normalise relations with Israel.

About Abraham Accords

• The Abraham Accords refer to a series of normalisation agreements signed in 2020 between Israel and several Arab countries, brokered by the United States under the Trump administration.
• For decades, most Arab nations refused to recognise Israel until the Palestinian issue was resolved. 
• The Abraham Accords marked a major shift in Middle East diplomacy by establishing open relations between Israel and certain Arab states without prior resolution of the Israel–Palestine conflict.
• UAE became the first Gulf country to normalise relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords.
• Countries: USA, Israel, UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco and Kazakhstan.

Main Objectives

• Normalisation of diplomatic relations (embassies, direct flights, trade, tourism, and technology cooperation).
• Security and intelligence cooperation, especially against Iran’s regional influence.
• Economic collaboration in sectors like innovation, agriculture, defence, and renewable energy.
• Promotion of interfaith understanding named after Abraham, the patriarch revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Significance

• Marked a breakthrough in Arab–Israeli relations after decades of hostility.
• Reduced Israel’s regional isolation and expanded its diplomatic presence in the Arab world.
• Strengthened U.S. strategic influence in the Middle East.
• Created new economic and technological partnerships across the region.

Source: TH

150-year Celebrations of Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS)

Syllabus: GS3/Science

Context

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh participated in the 150-year celebrations of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS).

About the IACS

• Founded in 1876 by Dr. Mahendralal Sircar, IACS became the cradle of some of India’s greatest scientific minds, including Jagadish Chandra Bose, Meghnad Saha, Satyendra Nath Bose, and Sir C.V. Raman.
  • Professor C. V. Raman worked at IACS from 1907 to 1933, where he discovered the celebrated Raman Effect in 1928. 
  • For this discovery, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, becoming the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in any branch of science. 

Raman Effect

• The Raman Effect is the phenomenon where light gets scattered when passed through a transparent material, leading to changes in wavelength and energy.
• Every year, 28 February is observed as National Science Day to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect. 

Source: PIB