{"id":86993,"date":"2026-10-17T18:35:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T13:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=86993"},"modified":"2026-10-17T18:39:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T13:09:35","slug":"news-in-brief-17-10-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/17-10-2026\/news-in-brief-17-10-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Brief 17-10-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and 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 Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026, expanding the categories of persons eligible for appointment as Census enumerators.<\/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>The amendment modifies <strong>Rule 3 <\/strong>of the<strong> Census Rules, 1990<\/strong>, framed under the <strong>Census Act, 1948<\/strong>, by revising the eligible categories listed in its table.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the revised rules, the following categories may be appointed as enumerators:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Teachers:<\/strong> From government, local authority, aided or unaided private educational institutions, societies and trusts.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clerks and officials: <\/strong>From Central and State governments, local authorities, public sector undertakings, statutory bodies, banks, companies, institutions, societies and trusts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other suitable persons:<\/strong> Anyone considered suitable by the respective State Government or Union Territory administration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These amendments aim to enhance the representation of enumerators and ensure a broader pool of qualified individuals for Census operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Role of Census Enumerators<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enumerators play a crucial role in conducting the Census of India, as they are responsible for visiting households, collecting accurate demographic, social, and economic information, and ensuring that every individual is counted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They serve as the primary link between citizens and the census administration, helping to gather reliable data that supports government planning and policy-making.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Census of India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India conducts a population <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/31-03-2026\/news-in-short-31-03-2026\"><strong>Census <\/strong><\/a>once<strong> every 10 years<\/strong> under the <strong>Census Act, 1948<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The last such exercise was conducted in 2011, while the 2021 census was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddindia.co.in\/2026\/10\/census-rules-amended-to-expand-eligibility-for-appointment-as-enumerators\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Press Council of India (PCI)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and 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 Press Council of India (PCI) has issued detailed guidelines to facilitate <strong>\u201corderly and effective coverage of protests and demonstrations\u201d.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Guidelines<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Journalists to visibly display a valid press identity card issued by their media organisation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintain neutrality and professionalism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remain respectful, follow police orders, avoid arguments during tense situations, and comply with lawful instructions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It advised journalists to maintain a reasonable and safe distance from confrontations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exercise particular care when filming or identifying minors, vulnerable individuals, injured people, and private citizens in distress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Press Council of India (PCI)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a<strong> statutory autonomous body<\/strong> set up under the <strong>Press Council Act, 1978.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ministry: <\/strong>Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objective: <\/strong>Preserving the freedom of press and of maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and the news agencies in India and also to inculcate the principles of self-regulation among the press.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PCI has formulated<strong> \u2018Norms of Journalistic Conduct\u2019<\/strong> which the Journalists and Newspapers have to follow.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Council takes <strong>cognizance, suo-motu or on complaints,<\/strong> of the contents in print media which are in violation of the \u2018Norms of Journalistic Conduct\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Composition:<\/strong> It is <strong>headed by a Chairman<\/strong> who by convention, is a <strong>retired judge of the Supreme Court of India.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>It comprises 28 members<\/strong> and the Council is re-constituted as per the provisions under section 5(3) of the Press Council Act, 1978.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/pci-issues-safety-guidelines-for-journalists-covering-protests-demonstrations\/article71591392.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Special Summary Revision (SSR)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and 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 Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 States and Union Territories, including five states scheduled to hold Assembly elections in early 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the Special Summary Revision (SSR)<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 324<\/strong> of the Constitution empowers the ECI to supervise, direct and control the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The preparation and revision of electoral rolls are governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under<strong> Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950<\/strong>, electoral rolls may be revised before general elections and annually as directed by the ECI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SSR is a periodic exercise to update existing electoral rolls by:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adding newly eligible voters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Correcting errors in existing entries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Removing entries of deceased, duplicate or permanently shifted electors, following the prescribed procedure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How is SSR different from SIR<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Special Intensive Revision (SIR):<\/strong> Requires existing electors to submit enumeration forms to be included in the draft electoral roll. Certain electors may also be required to provide documents to establish their eligibility, including citizenship.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Special Summary Revision (SSR):<\/strong> Existing electors are generally retained on the draft roll by default, without fresh enumeration forms. The focus is on enrolling eligible new voters and updating existing entries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>During SSR, deletions of deceased or duplicate electors must follow the prescribed statutory procedure, including notices and hearings wherever required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unlike the SIR process, SSR does not envisage the same exercise of issuing centrally generated notices to electors flagged for logical discrepancies in submitted documents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-law\/das-ranka-cjp-criminal-trespass-bns-closed-public-land-10923225\/?ref=infinite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>PUFFINS Telescope Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Space<\/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>Bengaluru-born astronomer Dr. Ramya Anche has been selected as Principal Investigator of NASA\u2019s $20-million <strong>PUFFINS space telescope mission.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About PUFFINS (Polarimetry in the Ultraviolet to Find Features in Interstellar dust)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Type:<\/strong> Small Satellite (SmallSat) mission in Low-Earth Orbit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Organisation:<\/strong> Funded by NASA\u2019s Astrophysics Pioneers programme and led by the University of Arizona\u2019s Steward Observatory, with support from McDonald Observatory, University of Texas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objective:<\/strong> To study the composition, structure and magnetic alignment of interstellar dust grains and their role in star and planet formation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ultraviolet Spectropolarimetry:<\/strong> It measures the polarisation of ultraviolet starlight across different wavelengths to study dust properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Small Dust Grains:<\/strong> Investigates interstellar particles smaller than approximately 50 nanometres.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The mission will improve understanding of interstellar dust, galactic magnetic fields and the processes governing star and planetary system formation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>INS Samarthak<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence<\/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>The Indian Navy commissioned<strong> INS Samarthak<\/strong>, the lead ship of the indigenously designed <strong>Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs)<\/strong>, strengthening India&#8217;s naval capabilities and indigenous shipbuilding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About INS Samarthak<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), a 107-metre auxiliary naval platform built by\u00a0 Larsen &amp; Toubro (L&amp;T) Shipyard, Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It supports fleet operations, tests indigenous weapons and sensors, and operates as a mothership for autonomous systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It supports the launch, control and recovery of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It performs auxiliary tasks, reducing the workload and machinery wear on frontline combatant warships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: TH<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026, expanding the categories of persons eligible for appointment as Census enumerators. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The amendment modifies Rule 3 of the Census Rules, 1990, framed under the Census Act, 1948, by revising the eligible categories listed in its table. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Under the revised rules, the following categories may be appointed as enumerators: <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Teachers: From government, local authority, aided or unaided private educational institutions, societies and trusts.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/17-10-2026\/news-in-brief-17-10-2026 \" 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-86993","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\/86993","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=86993"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86997,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86993\/revisions\/86997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}