{"id":74319,"date":"2026-05-19T18:50:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=74319"},"modified":"2026-05-19T18:55:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:25:08","slug":"news-in-short-19-05-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/19-05-2026\/news-in-short-19-05-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 19-05-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>RTI Act Does not Apply to Cricket Board: CIC\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity &amp; Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> Central Information Commission (CIC)<\/strong> held that the<strong> Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) <\/strong>does not fall within the<strong> ambit of a \u201cpublic authority\u201d<\/strong> under the <strong>Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It observes that th<strong>e cricket board continues to function as an autonomous private body<\/strong> and is<strong> neither \u201cdirectly nor indirectly\u201d <\/strong>financed by the government.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BCCI is registered under the <strong>Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975<\/strong>, and was <strong>neither established by the Constitution, nor created by any legislation or government order.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Since the Board of Control for Cricket in India is neither materially dependent upon nor sustained by government funds,<strong> it cannot be regarded as a \u2018Public Authority\u2019.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Central Information Commission<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Central Information Commission is a<strong> statutory body<\/strong> established under the <strong>Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It acts as the <strong>highest appellate authority<\/strong> for matters related to access to information under the RTI framework in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Commission consists of:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chief Information Commissioner (CIC).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Information Commissioners (ICs).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are appointed by the <strong>President of India.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About BCCI<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was formed in <strong>1928<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India made its Test debut in 1932, after which a national competition followed in 1934, named the <strong>Ranji Trophy after KS Ranjitsinhji.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sport\/cricket\/bcci-not-a-public-authority-under-rti-act-cic\/article70993275.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Government Imposes Curbs on Import of Silver<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government has shifted silver imports to the<strong> &#8220;restricted&#8221; category <\/strong>and imposed a <strong>15% import duty to curb rising imports<\/strong> and protect domestic interests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Silver<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a <strong>relatively soft, lustrous precious metal.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has <strong>highest electrical and thermal conductivity <\/strong>among all metals, critical for electronics, circuit boards, connectors, batteries, and automotive systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is mainly found in ores like <strong>argentite and chlorargyrite (horn silver).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mexico is the <strong>largest silver producer in the world<\/strong> and India imports silver mainly from the United Arab Emirates, Britain and China.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Economy\/govt-imposes-import-curbs-on-silver\/article70987675.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>The Warning Signs in India\u2019s Import Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The recent appeal of PM Modi on spending reduction reflects growing concern over India\u2019s rising import dependence, widening trade deficit, and mounting pressure on foreign exchange reserves and the rupee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Widening Merchandise Trade Deficit: <\/strong>India\u2019s merchandise trade deficit reached a record <strong>$333 billion in 2025-26,<\/strong> increasing by over <strong>17%<\/strong> compared to the previous year.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Imports rose by <strong>7%<\/strong> to an all-time high of<strong> $775 billion<\/strong>, while exports remained largely<strong> stagnant at $442 billion.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pressure on Foreign Exchange Reserves and Rupee:<\/strong> Rising imports require higher foreign currency payments. India\u2019s foreign exchange reserves have witnessed pressure due to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>RBI intervention to stabilize the rupee,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Higher import payments,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Global financial uncertainty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Contributors to India\u2019s Import Bill<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Electronics Component Imports:<\/strong> Expansion of electric mobility and digital infrastructure has increased demand for imported semiconductors, accumulators, and advanced components.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gold and Silver Imports: <\/strong>Imports of precious metals exceeded $90 billion, making them the third-largest import category after crude oil and electronics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Edible Oil Imports:<\/strong> Weak domestic oilseed production and inadequate productivity growth continue to increase dependence on imports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fertilizer Imports:<\/strong> India imports a substantial share of fertilizers, particularly urea and phosphatic fertilizers.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rising fertilizer imports increase subsidy burdens on the government, and worsen fiscal stress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Economy\/the-warning-signs-in-indias-import-bill\/article70993861.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Genetic \u201cMap\u201d Helps Trace Pangolin Trafficking\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A new study has developed a breakthrough<strong> \u201cgenetic map\u201d<\/strong> to trace <strong>pangolin trafficking routes <\/strong>using advanced DNA sequencing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pangolins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They are solitary, <strong>nocturnal mammals<\/strong> covered in protective scales that curl into a ball when threatened.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are also known as scaly anteaters and they feed mainly on ants and termites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are the world\u2019s most trafficked mammals due to demand for their meat, scales, and leather products, especially in Asia and parts of Africa, with some demand also in the US.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are currently eight species of pangolin recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distribution <\/strong>\u00a0: They are\u00a0 found across Africa and Asia\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Species live in Africa:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 IUCN Status\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla),\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Vulnerable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Endangered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Giant Ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea),\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Endangered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Temminck&#8217;s Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)-\u00a0 Vulnerable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Species are found in Asia: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 IUCN Status\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Endangered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Critically Endangered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Critically Endangered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)\u00a0 \u00a0 Critically Endangered<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The \u201cgenetic map\u201d provides a powerful new tool to trace illegal wildlife trade back to its source and could significantly strengthen global efforts to combat pangolin poaching and trafficking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/185622\/OPS\/GGTG0GCPC.1+GK8G0GG3T.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Central Information Commission (CIC) held that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not fall within the ambit of a \u201cpublic authority\u201d under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It observes that the cricket board continues to function as an autonomous private body and is neither \u201cdirectly nor indirectly\u201d financed by the government. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> BCCI is registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, and was neither established by the Constitution, nor created by any legislation or government order. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/19-05-2026\/news-in-short-19-05-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74319"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74324,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74319\/revisions\/74324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}