Freedom of Speech & Expression (GS II & I):

• Present: SC cherishing free speech (artistic forms). Disagreement ≠ right denial. Debate on reasonable restrictions (Art 19(2)), application concerns.
• Past: Democratic cornerstone, evolving legal challenges. NAM & free expression.
• Future: Continued judicial review (digital, social media), restriction scope debate (online, satire, dissent).
• Current Affairs: SC's emphasis on artistic freedom; Online speech regulation debates.

Contempt of Court (GS II):

• Present: High contempt case backlog (non-compliance). SC/HC powers (Art 129, 214/215), 1971 Act defines. SC's liberal stance, but protects institution.
• Past: English common law origins, constitutional/statutory recognition.
• Future: Reducing pendency, balancing judicial authority/free speech (criticism), potential threshold clarifications.
• Current Affairs: Implications of the backlog; Balancing criticism with judicial authority.

Indigenous Defence Manufacturing (GS III & II):

• Present: ₹62,700 crore HAL deal for 156 LCH Prachand. Domestic push. Prachand's unique capabilities. CCS approval. ~65% indigenous. Historical import reliance. Cabinet Committees (extra-constitutional).
• Past: Heavy import dependence, recent indigenisation drive.
• Future: Continued indigenisation (strategic/economic), more private sector/MSME involvement.
• Current Affairs: Significance of LCH deal for self-reliance; Role of CCS in defence.

Earthquake in Myanmar & Thailand (GS I & III):

• Present: 7.7 magnitude shallow quake, impact in Thailand, tectonic plates (Indian/Eurasian, Sagaing Fault). Shallow focus = local destruction. India (seismic zone). Preparedness vital.
• Past: Historical regional earthquakes, evolving management.
• Future: Enhanced seismic understanding, early warning, resilient infrastructure.
• Current Affairs: Disaster preparedness in South Asia post-quake; Shallow vs. deep focus quakes.

Teesta River Dispute (GS II):

• Present: Unresolved Teesta water sharing (India-Bangladesh) impacts Bangladesh agri. Ganga treaty precedent. Teesta stalled (West Bengal). China's role.
• Past: Recurring water disputes.
• Future: Resolving Teesta (priority), climate/China's influence complicate.
• Current Affairs: India-Bangladesh water relations; China's regional influence on water.

Manipur Situation & Article 3 (GS II):

• Present: Manipur conflict, Article 3 (border UT suggestion). Simple majority, no state consent. Politics key.
• Past: Article 3 used for reorganisation.
• Future: Resolution depends on political will, Article 3 potential.
• Current Affairs: Constitutional options for internal security; Implications of Article 3 use.

India's Geopolitical Vision (GS II):

• Present: Shift to multi-alignment (Quad, SCO, BRICS). Balancing ties. Economic growth focus. Historical proactive role. US/UK-Pakistan tilt (Cold War, decolonisation). China challenge.
• Past: Non-alignment, NAM, decolonisation.
• Future: Continued multi-alignment (national interest), economic/energy security, managing China.
• Current Affairs: India's multi-alignment strategy; Historical factors in foreign policy.

Nuclear Energy Market in Africa (GS III & II):

• Present: Untapped market ($105 billion). Several nations interested. France (historical), USA, Russia, China (increasingly). China's proactive engagement. India (potential but faces China).
• Past: Limited development, external cooperation key.
• Future: Significant demand growth, global competition (China potentially dominant), India's strategic engagement needed.
• Current Affairs: Geopolitics of Africa's energy sector; India's energy security and Africa.

GST and Fiscal Federalism (GS II & III):

• Present: States' financial autonomy concerns. Dependence on Centre (delayed/insufficient). PAC criticism. GST Compensation Act (inadequate, states argue). Destination-based. GST Council (Art 279A). PAC (oldest committee).
• Past: States had VAT. GST aimed for unity, reduced state fiscal power.
• Future: Continued debate, potential reforms for states' autonomy.