11 July 2025
(Current Affairs Notes - Prelims)

Public Gambling Act, 1867

• The Act was enacted during the British era to curb public gambling and regulate betting activities in India.

• Post-Independence, the Indian Constitution provided for Betting and Gambling under the State List (Entry 34).

• States got the power to adopt, amend, or repeal the original Act of 1867. This led to different laws on gambling in different states.

• Betting and gambling are generally considered illegal in most regions across the country.

• The Act of 1867 criminalizes running or being found in a public gambling house.

• It distinguishes between games of chance (prohibited) and games of skill (permitted).

• Games like horse racing and rummy have been upheld by courts as games of skill and hence, not illegal under this law.

• The Act is silent on online or digital gambling, leading to legal ambiguity in the internet era.

• Recently, a case was filed against several celebrities for promoting illegal betting apps and violating the Public Gambling Act, 1867.

Panch Sankalpa of NEP 2020

• Recently, the “Panch Sankalpa” (Five Resolutions) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was introduced.

• These will be the guiding principles for transforming higher education institutions.

• It incorporates:

  • • Next-Gen Emerging Education

    • Multidisciplinary Education

    • Innovative Education

    • Holistic Education

    • Bharatiya Education

• NEP 2020 aims to improve the quality of education (school, higher education and technical education) in India. Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability are its foundational pillars.

S-400 Triumf

• A long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia.

• It can detect, track, and destroy enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles.

• Key Capabilities:

  • • Speed: Around 13-14 Mach

    • Tracking: Up to 600 km

    • Engagement: Up to 400 km

    • Range: Up to 400 km

• India acquired it from Russia. It is called Sudarshan Chakra in India.

• It strengthens India's air defence and is a key part of India’s strategic deterrence.

• Recently, an Indian firm was identified to establish a maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for the S-400 air defence system.

Islands Protection Zone (IPZ)

• IPZ is a regulatory framework to safeguard the ecological integrity of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep groups of islands.

• It is similar to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) which is notified for the protection of coastal areas of mainland India.

• IPZ was notified in 2011 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

• Recently, the Union Environment Ministry has extended the validity of infrastructure projects approved under the 2011 IPZ notification.