Prelims Current Affairs includes Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district, Online Gaming Bill, 2025, Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha, emovable solar panel system, Dubai One Freezone Passport, Pampa River of Kerala under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 and Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

PLACE IN NEWS

1. JALALABAD RENAMED PARASHURAMPURI

Current Context: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved renaming Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, to Parashurampuri.

ABOUT PARASHURAMPURI NAME CHANGE

• Location: Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh

• Reason: Town is considered the mythological birthplace of Lord Parashuram.

• Cultural Significance:

  • Lord Parashuram is a revered figure in Sanatan Dharma.

  • The renaming reflects regional traditions and identity.

  • Replaces a name seen as a symbol of slavery/“ghulami”.

• Impact: Boosts cultural pride, preserves local heritage identity.

POLITY

2. ONLINE GAMING BILL 2025

Current Context: Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 to promote e-sports and ban harmful money games.

ABOUT ONLINE GAMING BILL 2025

• Purpose: To regulate India’s fast-growing online gaming sector.

• Three Categories of Games:

  1. E-sports: Skill-based, professional gaming (promoted).

  2. Online Social Games: Recreational, no money involved (promoted).

  3. Online Money Games: Betting/gambling games (banned).

• Regulation:

  • Establishes an Online Gaming Authority for oversight and policy.

  • Provides developer support and gaming infrastructure.

• Ban on Money Games:

  • Bans games like Rummy, Poker, and other stake-based apps.

  • Reason: Associated with fraud, addiction, financial distress, suicides.

• Penalties:

  • First offence: 3 years jail or ₹1 crore fine.

  • Repeat offence: 3–5 years jail or ₹2 crore fine.

3. NEW CONSTITUTION (130TH AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025

Current Context: Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha.

The Bill proposes automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers if detained for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges (carrying a minimum sentence of five years).

ABOUT THE 130TH AMENDMENT BILL

• Articles Amended:

  • Article 75 (Union Council of Ministers): New clause 5A for removal of detained ministers and Prime Minister.

  • Article 164 (State Council of Ministers): New clause 4A for Chief Ministers and state ministers.

  • Article 239AA (Delhi): Parallel provisions for Delhi’s CM and ministers.

• Key Provisions:

  • Detention for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges → automatic removal.

  • If bail not secured within 30 days → cessation on the 31st day.

  • Reappointment possible after release.

• Implementation:

  • Removal by President (for Union) or Governor (for States) on advice.

  • If PM/CM fails to resign → automatic cessation after 31 days.

• Objectives:

  • Promote clean governance and constitutional morality.

  • Align ministers with civil servants (who are suspended upon arrest).

  • Address legal gap (RPA disqualifies only upon conviction, not detention).

• Criticisms:

  • Risk of political misuse through selective arrests.

  • Undermines presumption of innocence.

  • Federalism and separation of powers concerns.

  • Opposition protests highlight fears of central overreach.

4. JAN VISHWAS BILL, 2025

Current Context: The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to ease laws and decriminalise minor offences.

BACKGROUND

• Builds upon Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 which decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Acts.

• Part of the Government’s vision of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”.

KEY PROVISIONS

• 355 provisions amended across 16 Central Acts.

• 288 minor offences decriminalised – imprisonment replaced with fines/warnings.

• 76 offences: only advisory/warning for first-time violations.

• Monetary fines to increase 10% every three years.

• Laws covered: Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994, etc.

IMPACT

• Boosts business confidence and reduces judicial burden.

• Promotes compounding, adjudication, and settlement outside courts.

• Improves ease of doing business and ease of living.

• Encourages a trust-based relationship between government and citizens.

LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

• Introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Commerce & Industry Minister.

• Referred to Select Committee; report due before next Parliament session.

INTERNATIONAL

5. DUBAI: ONE FREEZONE PASSPORT

Current Context: Dubai Free Zones Council has launched the “One Freezone Passport” to allow businesses to operate across all free zones with a single license.

ABOUT ONE FREEZONE PASSPORT

• Old System: Separate license required for each free zone.

• New System: One license valid across all free zones in Dubai.

• Benefits:

  • Reduced cost and bureaucracy.

  • Easier regulatory compliance.

  • Access to tax exemptions and 100% foreign ownership.

  • Immediate effect for new and existing firms.

• Alignment with D33 Economic Agenda:

  • Goal: Double GDP by 2033, make Dubai one of top three global cities.

  • Boosts global investor confidence.

ABOUT FREEZONE

• Definition: A Freezone (also called Free Trade Zone or Special Economic Zone) is a designated area within a country where businesses enjoy special privileges, such as tax exemptions, simplified customs procedures, and relaxed regulatory rules to encourage trade, investment, and economic activity.

• Key Features:

  • Duty-free import and export of goods.

  • 100% foreign ownership (in most freezones).

  • Exemption from income tax, corporate tax (for a fixed period, renewable).

  • Simplified business setup procedures.

GEOGRAPHY

6. PAMPA RIVER

Current Context: The Union Ministry for Jal Shakti has initiated steps to include the Pampa River of Kerala under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).

ABOUT PAMPA RIVER

• Location: Originates from Pulachimalai Hill, Western Ghats.

• Length: 176 km, Kerala’s third-longest river.

• Districts Covered: Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Alappuzha.

• Cultural Significance: Known as Dakshina Bhageerathi or Ganga of Kerala.

• Religious Importance: Sacred river for pilgrims visiting Sabarimala shrine. Associated with Maramon and Cherukolpuzha religious conventions.

ORGANISATION

7. GLOBALLY IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SYSTEMS (GIAHS)

Current Context: Recently, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare informed the Lok Sabha that India currently hosts three Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

ABOUT GIAHS PROGRAMME

• Launched by: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the World Summit for Sustainable Development, 2002.

• Purpose:

  • Conserve traditional agricultural systems.

  • Promote sustainable adaptation and socio-economic development.

  • Address threats like climate change, displacement, and biodiversity loss.

• Approach: Multistakeholder model providing:

  • Technical assistance.

  • Promotion of traditional agricultural knowledge.

  • Market opportunities through agrotourism and product branding.

INDIA’S GIAHS SITES

1. Koraput Region (Odisha)

   • Known for subsistence paddy cultivation on highland slopes.

   • Rich in paddy landraces and farmer-developed varieties.

   • Repository of medicinal plants and tribal knowledge systems.

2. Kuttanad System (Kerala)

   • Unique below-sea-level farming system.

   • Uses wetlands for paddy and fish cultivation.

   • Combines coconut gardens, fishing, and shell collection.

3. Saffron Park (Jammu & Kashmir)

   • Traditional saffron cultivation system with intercropping.

   • Emphasises organic farming practices.

   • Maintains biodiversity and improves soil health.

MISC

8. INDIAN RAILWAYS: REMOVABLE SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM

Current Context: Indian Railways commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system between railway tracks at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi.

ABOUT REMOVABLE SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM

• Location: BLW, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

• Design: 70-metre track with 28 solar panels

• Capacity: 15 kWp

• Unique Feature: Removable design → easy maintenance without disrupting train operations.

• Significance:

  • First-of-its-kind innovation in railway engineering.

  • Supports carbon neutrality and renewable energy goals.

  • Promotes eco-friendly transport infrastructure.

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