CLAT 2027 Daily Current Affairs (September 23, 2026): Vande Mataram SC Ruling, India-US Trade Deal Delay

1. SC says refusal to sing Vande Mataram cannot be penalised

In the news: The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that people cannot face penal action for refusing to sing one or more stanzas of Vande Mataram on religious or conscientious grounds.

The observation came while the Court was hearing a petition by Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna challenging the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026 and related directions issued by the Union Home Ministry.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant referred to the 1986 Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala judgment. In that case, the Supreme Court had protected the right of Jehovah's Witnesses students to remain silent during the National Anthem on grounds of religious belief. The Court has sought the Centre's response in the present case.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know:

• Article 25: Protects freedom of conscience and the right to practise and profess religion.

• Article 26: Gives religious denominations the right to manage their religious affairs, subject to public order, morality and health.

• Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986): The Supreme Court protected students who refused to sing the National Anthem because of their religious beliefs.

• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act: Deals with offences involving disrespect to the National Flag, Constitution and National Anthem.

• Conscientious objection: Refusal to perform an act because of a religious or moral belief.

MCQs

Q1: Which Articles deal with freedom of religion?

A. Articles 19 and 21

B. Articles 25 and 26

C. Articles 14 and 15

D. Articles 29 and 30

Answer: B

Q2: Which case was cited by the Supreme Court on the right to remain silent during the National Anthem?

A. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala

B. Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala

C. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India

D. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India

Answer: B

Q3: Who headed the three-judge Bench hearing the petition?

A. Justice Joymalya Bagchi

B. CJI Surya Kant

C. Justice K. Vinod Chandran

D. Justice J.B. Pardiwala

Answer: B

2. India-US trade deal may be delayed over Section 301 probes

In the news: India and the US are unlikely to sign a trade deal until Washington completes fresh Section 301 investigations against India's competitors, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, according to a person familiar with the process.

Under the proposed interim arrangement, Indian goods entering the US would face an 18% general tariff. This compares with 19% for Pakistan, 20% for Vietnam and Sri Lanka, and 19% for Bangladesh and the Philippines.

The Section 301 investigations are linked to US action on alleged unfair trade practices. The move also comes after the US Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for reciprocal tariffs.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know:

• Section 301: US trade law provisions that allow action, including tariffs, against countries over unfair trade practices.

• IEEPA: US law dealing with presidential powers during international emergencies.

• MFN: WTO principle under which trading partners are generally given equal trade advantages.

• Interim Trade Agreement: A preliminary trade arrangement between two countries before a full trade agreement.

• Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act: US legislation allowing tariffs of up to 100% on major importers of Russian oil.

MCQs

Q1: Under which US law were Trump's reciprocal tariffs challenged?

A. Trade Act, 1974

B. IEEPA

C. Sherman Antitrust Act

D. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act

Answer: B

Q2: What general tariff rate was proposed for Indian goods under the interim arrangement?

A. 10%

B. 18%

C. 20%

D. 25%

Answer: B

Q3: The Lindsey O. Graham Act allows tariffs of up to:

A. 50%

B. 75%

C. 100%

D. 150%

Answer: C

3. Delhi SIR notices seem "mechanically issued": SC

In the news: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said notices sent by the Election Commission during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Delhi to over 33 lakh voters due to "logical discrepancies" or "no mapping" seem to be "machine-generated" without application of mind.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi, part of a three-judge Bench with Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana, asked the EC counsel to examine additional filters, and questioned whether recipients even knew what "logical discrepancies" they had to disprove.

EC counsel Dama Seshadri Naidu said the deadline for notice disposal was October 29 and assured the Court that not a single name would be deleted without assigned reasons. The Court issued notice to the EC and sought a status report, listing the case for hearing after two weeks.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know:

Special Intensive Revision (SIR): A process used to verify and revise electoral rolls.

Election Commission of India: Constitutional body responsible for the conduct of elections.

Article 324: Gives the ECI superintendence, direction and control over elections.

Right to vote: A statutory and constitutional right, but not a fundamental right.

Application of mind: Administrative authorities must apply independent judgment instead of acting mechanically.

MCQs

Q1: The Election Commission gets its constitutional powers under:

A. Article 320

B. Article 324

C. Article 330

D. Article 352

Answer: B

Q2: How many Delhi voters received the SIR notices?

A. 13 lakh

B. 23 lakh

C. Over 33 lakh

D. 43 lakh

Answer: C

Q3: What deadline was given for disposal of the notices?

A. September 30

B. October 15

C. October 29

D. November 4

Answer: C

4. Jaishankar calls for reformed multilateralism at UN

In the news: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday stressed the need for reformed multilateralism at the first-ever "Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace & Prosperity (P4M)" Summit at the UN General Assembly, co-chairing it along with leaders of Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada and Kenya.

He said that "at a time when the global order is under stress," participative deliberations and transparent decision-making were overdue, and called the "4F" crisis of fuel, food, fertiliser and finance one that cannot be left to itself. On top of his agenda is garnering support for India's election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent membership for the 2028-2029 period, with Tajikistan also having launched its candidature for the Asia-Pacific group seat.

His meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week is expected to be significant in the wake of the U.S. Congress passing the Lindsey Graham Sanctions on Russia and Iran Act.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know:

• UNSC: The UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has 15 members, including five permanent and 10 non-permanent members.

• Non-permanent members: Ten countries are elected for two-year terms.

• P4M: Partners for Multilateralism initiative involving India, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada and Kenya.

• Multilateralism: Cooperation among multiple countries on common issues.

• UNGA: The main deliberative body of the United Nations, with all member states represented.

MCQs

Q1: India is seeking a non-permanent UNSC seat for:

A. 2026-27

B. 2027-28

C. 2028-29

D. 2030-31

Answer: C

Q2: Which country has also announced its candidature for the Asia-Pacific seat?

A. Tajikistan

B. Nepal

C. Bangladesh

D. Sri Lanka

Answer: A

Q3: Which countries are part of the P4M initiative along with India?

A. UK, France, Germany and Japan

B. Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada and Kenya

C. Russia, China and South Africa

D. USA, UK and Israel

Answer: B

5. Canal-top solar offers land-free renewable energy option

In the news: Canal-top photovoltaics are emerging as an option for expanding solar power without requiring large stretches of additional land. The system places solar panels on elevated structures built over irrigation and water-supply canals.

In Punjab, 20 MW of canal-top solar installations are estimated to have saved nearly 100 acres of land. A 1-MW project over the Narmada Canal in Gujarat, commissioned in 2012, saves nearly 9 million litres of water each year and generates around 1.6 million units of electricity.

A 2024 assessment estimated India's canal-top and canal-bank solar potential at around 131 GW. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab were among the states with the highest potential.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know:

• Canal-top photovoltaics: Solar panels installed over canals using elevated structures.

• PM Surya Sarovar Yojana: Scheme targeting 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity on reservoirs and inland water bodies.

• MNRE: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the nodal ministry for renewable energy programmes.

• Floating solar: Solar panels installed on floating platforms over water bodies.

• Canal-bank solar: Solar projects developed along the banks of canals.

MCQs

Q1: What is the target capacity under PM Surya Sarovar Yojana?

A. 2,000 MW

B. 5,000 MW

C. 10,000 MW

D. 20,000 MW

Answer: B

Q2: How much land did 20 MW of canal-top solar in Punjab save?

A. 50 acres

B. 75 acres

C. Nearly 100 acres

D. 150 acres

Answer: C

Q3: India's estimated canal-top and canal-bank solar potential is around:

A. 50 GW

B. 90 GW

C. 131 GW

D. 200 GW

Answer: C

September 23, 2026 Current Affairs: Quick Revision

1. Article 25 and Article 26 - Freedom of conscience, religion and management of religious affairs.

2. Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986) - Supreme Court upheld the right to remain silent during the National Anthem on grounds of religious belief.

3. Section 301 and IEEPA - Key U.S. trade laws linked to investigations and tariff measures.

4. SIR and Article 324 - Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; Article 324 gives the Election Commission superintendence over elections.

5. P4M and UNSC - Partners for Multilateralism initiative and India's bid for UNSC non-permanent membership for 2028-29.

6. Canal-top photovoltaics (CTPV) - Solar panels installed over canals to generate power without requiring additional land.

CLAT 2027 Daily Current Affairs: September 22, 2026 - September 29, 2026