CLAT 2027 Daily Current Affairs - September 15, 2026 | UCC Rollout, Abu Salem Verdict, Judicial Accountability

1. UCC rollout in 21 NDA-ruled states by 2029

In the news: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA will implement the UCC before 2029. The announcement comes as more states consider introducing their own UCC laws.

Uttarakhand became the first state to implement a UCC in January 2025. Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh have also moved towards introducing UCC legislation. Other NDA-ruled states are expected to take up the issue in the coming years.

The announcement has also triggered a political debate within the NDA, with some allies calling for consultation and consensus before such laws are introduced.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

1. Article 44: It asks the State to work towards a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all citizens.

2. DPSP: Article 44 is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy under Part IV of the Constitution. DPSPs cannot be enforced in court.

3. Freedom of religion: Articles 25-28 deal with freedom of religion and can be important in the UCC debate.

4. Concurrent List: Marriage, divorce, adoption and succession fall under Entry 5 of the Concurrent List. Laws can be made by both Parliament and State Legislatures on these matters.

MCQs

Q1. Which of the following constitutional provisions calls upon the State to work towards a Uniform Civil Code?

A) Article 25

B) Article 44

C) Article 51A

D) Article 14

Answer: B

Q2. Article 44 of the Indian Constitution deals with the Uniform Civil Code. It is part of which of the following?

A) Fundamental Rights

B) Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

C) Fundamental Duties

D) Emergency provisions

Answer: B

Q3. Marriage, divorce and succession are covered under which list of the Constitution?

A) Union List

B) State List

C) Concurrent List

D) Residuary powers

Answer: C

2. Supreme Court rejects Abu Salem's plea for early release

In the news: The Supreme Court has refused gangster Abu Salem's plea for early release, ruling that the period he spent in custody as an undertrial cannot be counted twice against sentences in separate cases. Salem was extradited from Portugal to India in 2005 after India assured Portugal that he would not be sentenced to death or imprisoned for more than 25 years for the offences covered by the extradition request. The court said this assurance cannot be treated as a blanket 25-year limit on all the sentences imposed on Salem in different cases.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

1. Extradition: Process of transferring an accused person from one country to another for trial and/or sentence.

2. Doctrine of speciality: A person extradited to another country can only be prosecuted for the offences for which he was extradited, subject to certain exceptions.

3. Articles 72 and 161: In the Constitution, both the President and state Governors have constitutional powers to grant pardon, remission or commutation of sentences.

4. Separation of powers: Courts determine the sentence, prosecution and execution of criminal cases, while some of the powers of pardon and remission lie with the executive.

MCQs

Q1. What does the doctrine of specialty generally mean in an extradition case?

A) The extradited person can be tried for any offence

B) The person can be tried only for the offence for which extradition was granted

C) Extradition is possible only between neighbouring countries

D) Extradition applies only to civil cases

Answer: B

Q2. Which Articles of the Constitution deal with the power to grant pardon, remission and commutation of sentences?

A) Articles 72 and 161

B) Articles 32 and 226

C) Articles 123 and 213

D) Articles 14 and 15

Answer: A

3. CJI Surya Kant speaks on judicial accountability and collegium reforms

In the news: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has defended the judiciary's in-house system for handling complaints against judges, saying that the mechanism is capable of responding to such concerns. He was speaking at the Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture, where judicial transparency and accountability were among the issues discussed.

The discussion also referred to the 2025 discovery of burnt cash at the official residence of former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. Senior advocates have raised questions about the existing mechanism and called for greater transparency in dealing with complaints against judges.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

1. Judicial independence: Judges must be able to function independently, without outside pressure.

2. Judicial accountability: There are mechanisms to address complaints and misconduct against judges.

3. Collegium system: The system for appointing and transferring judges of the higher judiciary evolved through the Second and Third Judges Cases.

4. Removal of judges: Article 124(4) deals with the removal of Supreme Court judges. Article 218 applies the relevant provisions to High Court judges. A judge can be removed based on a special majority if convicted of misbehaviour or found incompetent by Parliament.

MCQs

Q1. The collegium system primarily relates to:

A) Appointment and transfer of higher court judges

B) Removal of judges

C) Framing of criminal laws

D) Appointment of district magistrates

Answer: A

Q2. A Supreme Court judge can be removed from office only after:

A) A Presidential order alone

B) A Supreme Court order

C) A special-majority process in Parliament

D) A decision of the collegium

Answer: C

4. Retail Inflation Rises to 4.8% in August

In the news: India's retail inflation rose to 4.8% in August, an eight-month high, from 4.5% in July. The rise was mainly driven by higher food prices.

The increase has brought the focus back to the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy, particularly at a time when the Monetary Policy Committee will have to assess whether the rise is temporary or likely to continue.

Wholesale inflation also increased during the month.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

1. CPI: The Consumer Price Index is used to measure retail inflation.

2. CPI and WPI: Consumer Price Index refers to the price changes experienced by consumers. Wholesale Price Index refers to the price changes experienced at wholesale levels.

3. Medium-term CPI inflation target: The CPI inflation target set by the RBI is 4% in the medium term.

4. Tolerance band: The target has a tolerance range of 2% to 6%.

5. MPC: The Monetary Policy Committee, which determines the policy repo rate, is a part of the RBI's monetary policy to regulate inflation and price stability.

MCQs

Q1. India's medium-term CPI inflation target is:

A) 2%

B) 3%

C) 4%

D) 6%

Answer: C

Q2. The tolerance band around the inflation target is:

A) 1% to 5%

B) 2% to 6%

C) 3% to 7%

D) 4% to 8%

Answer: B

5. Pakistan Raises Reward for Masood Azhar to PKR 70 lakh

In the news: Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency has increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), to PKR 70 lakh.

The reward was increased by PKR 20 lakh from the earlier amount. The move comes ahead of an upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting.

Azhar is designated as a terrorist by the United Nations and is wanted in India in connection with several terror attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama attack.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

1. Financial Action Task Force (FATF): This is an international body that works against money laundering and terrorist financing.

2. Money laundering: It involves dealing with money obtained through illegal activities in a way that makes it appear legitimate.

3. Terror financing: FATF also works to stop the transfer and use of funds for terrorist purposes.

4. Sanctions under the UN Security Council: Individuals and organisations associated with terrorism can be sanctioned under the UN Security Council (1267) sanctions regime.

MCQs

Q1. FATF primarily works to combat:

A) Climate change

B) Money laundering and terrorist financing

C) International trade disputes

D) Refugee movements

Answer: B

Q2. Masood Azhar is associated with which organisation?

A) Lashkar-e-Taiba

B) Jaish-e-Mohammed

C) Al-Qaeda

D) Hizbul Mujahideen

Answer: B

September 15 CLAT Daily Current Affairs: Quick Revision

1. Article 44 - Uniform Civil Code

2. Part IV - Directive Principles of State Policy

3. Entry 5, Concurrent List - marriage, divorce and succession

4. Doctrine of specialty - extradition

5. Articles 72 and 161 - pardon, remission and commutation

6. Collegium system - appointment and transfer of higher judiciary judges

7. Article 124(4) - removal of Supreme Court judges

8. CPI and WPI - measures of inflation

9. MPC - monetary policy and repo rate

10. FATF - money laundering and terrorist financing

11. UN Security Council 1267 regime - terrorism-related sanctions

CLAT 2027 Monthly Current Affairs Questions PDF