CLAT 2027 Daily Current Affairs - September 29, 2026 | SC on Women's Safety, UPI Fee Case, J&K Statehood

1. SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Women's Safety Failures in Delhi-NCR

In the news: The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of a series of sexual assault cases involving women and minors in Delhi-NCR. The Court directed the Delhi Police to identify vulnerable areas, increase patrolling and check the availability of lighting and CCTV cameras in public spaces within four weeks.

A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran referred to recent cases, including the rape of a 17-year-old at Astha Kunj park. The Bench said that the right to live with dignity and without the fear of violence is part of the right to life under Article 21.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Article 21: Protects the right to life and personal liberty. The Court linked the right to live without fear of violence to this constitutional guarantee.

• Suo motu cognisance: When a court takes up a matter on its own, without waiting for a petition.

• Court directions: The Delhi Police has been asked to carry out vulnerability mapping, increase patrolling and audit lighting and CCTV coverage within four weeks.

• Public Interest Litigation (PIL): A legal mechanism through which courts can address issues affecting the wider public.

• Institutional accountability: The Court observed that expressions of concern or solidarity are not enough without accountability for institutional failures.

MCQs

Q1. Which Article did the Supreme Court link the right to live free from fear of violence to?
A. Article 14
B. Article 19
C. Article 21
D. Article 32
Answer: C

Q2. What does "suo motu cognisance" mean?
A. The court acting on a government request
B. The court taking up a matter on its own initiative
C. A petition filed by the police
D. A plea filed by an NGO
Answer: B

Q3. Within how many weeks did the Court direct the audit of lighting and CCTV coverage?
A. Two weeks
B. Four weeks
C. Eight weeks
D. Twelve weeks
Answer: B

2. SC Questions Government's Power to Levy 0.4% UPI Merchant Fee

In the news: The Supreme Court has questioned the government's legal authority to impose a 0.4% charge on merchants for UPI person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000.

A three-judge Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant issued notice to the Centre, Reserve Bank of India and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). However, the Court did not stay the notification introducing the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) from October 15, 2026.

The petition also challenges the amended Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, arguing that it gives the Executive unguided powers.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Merchant Discount Rate (MDR): The proposed 0.4% charge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, capped at Rs 300 for transactions of Rs 75,000 and above.

• Section 10A: The provision under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, being challenged in the case.

• Expropriation: The taking of property or money by the State. The case raises questions over whether the proposed charge amounts to a tax, fee or another form of levy.

• NPCI: The National Payments Corporation of India operates the UPI payment system.

• Interim stay: A temporary court order stopping the implementation of a decision. The Supreme Court refused to grant a stay in this case.

MCQs

Q1. What percentage MDR charge is at issue in the case?
A. 0.2%
B. 0.4%
C. 1%
D. 2%
Answer: B

Q2. Which provision's constitutional validity was challenged in the petition?
A. Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
B. Section 24(4) of the RTI Act
C. Article 329(b)
D. Section 33-A of the RPA
Answer: A

Q3. From which date does the MDR notification take effect?
A. 7 October 2026
B. 15 October 2026
C. 1 November 2026
D. 4 December 2026
Answer: B

3. J&K Assembly Passes Statehood Resolution; Centre Proposes Article 371-K for Ladakh

In the news: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has passed a resolution seeking restoration of full Statehood. Around 60 of the 90 legislators supported the resolution, while 29 BJP MLAs walked out. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also opposed linking the restoration of Statehood to the end of militancy.

Separately, the Centre has proposed inserting Article 371-K into the Constitution for Ladakh. The proposal would provide for a directly elected legislative body for the Union Territory, instead of the Sixth Schedule status demanded by Ladakh.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Sixth Schedule: Comes under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) and provides for Autonomous District Councils. It currently applies to Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

• Article 371-K: A proposed provision under Part XXI of the Constitution dealing with temporary, transitional and special provisions for Ladakh.

• Articles 239AA and 239AB: Constitutional provisions dealing with special arrangements for the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

• State of Rajasthan v. Union of India (1977): The Supreme Court discussed the nature of Indian federalism, including its functioning as a federation and as a Union during an Emergency.

• Union Territory: A territory administered by the Union government. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh became separate Union Territories under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

MCQs

Q1. Which States are currently covered by the Sixth Schedule?
A. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
B. Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim and Assam
C. J&K, Ladakh, Punjab and Haryana
D. West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand
Answer: A

Q2. In which Part of the Constitution is Article 371-K proposed to be inserted?
A. Part III
B. Part XIV
C. Part XXI
D. Part IV-A
Answer: C

Q3. What did the Supreme Court call Indian federalism in State of Rajasthan v. Union of India (1977)?
A. "Quasi-federal"
B. "Amphibian"
C. "Cooperative"
D. "Unitary"
Answer: B

4. Iran's Supreme Leader Says US Will Be Forced Out as Mediators Work on Deal

In the news: Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said that the US would eventually be forced to leave West Asia after suffering what he described as "painful blows". His remarks came after US President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's seven-point proposal.

Iran's proposal includes ending hostilities, unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting sanctions and ending the US naval blockade. In return, Tehran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar is expected to mediate separate talks involving Iran and the US this week as efforts continue to find a way forward.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Strait of Hormuz: A major shipping route through which around one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies pass.

• Mediation: A process in which a third party helps two sides resolve a dispute. Qatar is acting as a mediator in the talks.

• Seven-point proposal: Iran's plan for de-escalation, based on an earlier June 17 memorandum.

• Naval blockade: A military measure used to prevent ships from entering or leaving a particular area.

• West Asia: The region includes countries such as Iran, Israel and the Gulf states and remains an important area of India's foreign policy.

MCQs

Q1. Which country is mediating between Iran and the U.S.?
A. Qatar
B. Saudi Arabia
C. Oman
D. Turkey
Answer: A

Q2. What does Iran's seven-point proposal seek in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz?
A. A new trade agreement with China
B. Ending hostilities, unfreezing assets, lifting sanctions, and ending the U.S. naval blockade
C. UN Security Council membership
D. Withdrawal of Israeli forces
Answer: B

Q3. What percentage of the world's oil and gas does the Strait of Hormuz shipping route carry?
A. About a tenth
B. About a fifth
C. About a third
D. About half
Answer: B

5. India Aims to Build a Globally Competitive Rare-Disease Drug Sector

In the news: India could emerge as a major centre for rare-disease drug development and manufacturing, according to an opinion article that notes 1,004 reported rare genetic disorders in the country.

The government currently provides financial support of up to Rs 50 lakh for treatment of rare diseases. However, the amount may not cover the full cost of treatment in many cases, leaving some patients dependent on crowdfunding.

The article suggests incentives similar to those provided under the US Orphan Drug Act, 1983, along with wider use of Rule 101 of the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. The rule allows certain drugs already approved in six specified countries to avoid a fresh clinical trial in India before approval.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Orphan Drug Act, 1983: US legislation that introduced incentives such as tax benefits and market exclusivity to encourage development of drugs for rare diseases.

• Rule 101, New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019: Allows certain drugs approved in six specified countries, including the US and UK, to skip a fresh clinical trial in India before approval.

• CDSCO: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, India's drug regulatory authority.

• Biosimilars: Biologic medicines that are highly similar to an already approved biological drug. India supplies a significant share of biosimilars used globally.

• Production-linked incentive (PLI): A government scheme that provides incentives linked to production. Extending such incentives to rare-disease drugs has been suggested as one way to encourage domestic manufacturing.

MCQs

Q1. How many rare genetic disorders have been reported in India so far, according to the article?
A. 104
B. 1,004
C. 8,000
D. 10,004
Answer: B

Q2. What does Rule 101 of the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 allow?
A. Free drug distribution to all patients
B. Skipping a fresh Indian clinical trial if a drug is already approved in one of six specified countries
C. Automatic price control on all orphan drugs
D. Export ban on rare-disease drugs
Answer: B

Q3. What is the maximum government support currently available to a rare-disease patient in India for treatment?
A. ₹10 lakh
B. ₹50 lakh
C. ₹1 crore
D. ₹9 crore
Answer: B

September 29, 2026 Current Affairs: Quick Revision

Here are the topics from today's CLAT 2027 current affairs that candidates should revise:

1. Article 21 - Right to life, linked to freedom from fear of violence

2. Section 10A, Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 - Challenged in the UPI MDR case

3. Sixth Schedule - Autonomous Districts, Articles 244(2) and 275(1)

4. Article 371-K (proposed) - Special governance model for Ladakh

5. State of Rajasthan v. Union of India (1977) - Federalism called "Amphibian"

6. Strait of Hormuz - Iran-U.S. flashpoint

7. Orphan Drug Act, 1983 (U.S.) - Model for rare-disease drug incentives

8. Rule 101, New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 - Skips repeat trials for pre-approved drugs

CLAT 2027 Daily Current Affairs: September 28 - October 04, 2026