News Context

• The Supreme Court (August 25, 2026) ordered the Ghaziabad Police to give journalist Abhishek Upadhyay a copy of the FIR and CCTV footage in a road-rage case registered against him, and protected him from arrest.
• This revived a key question: Can an accused be denied a copy of the FIR?

What is an FIR?

• The First Information Report is the first written record of a cognizable offence that sets the criminal justice system in motion — governed by Section 173 BNSS, 2023 (replaced Section 154 CrPC from 1 July 2024).
• Filed only for cognizable offences (police can arrest/investigate without a magistrate’s order); non-cognizable offences fall under Section 174 BNSS and need a Magistrate’s order.

Statutory Position on the Accused’s Right

• Section 173(2) BNSS: a copy must be given “forthwith” and free of cost — but only to the informant/victim, NOT the accused.
• Section 230 BNSS (old Section 207 CrPC): the Magistrate must supply the accused copies of prosecution documents (FIR, chargesheet) within 14 days of appearance/production.
• BNSS is silent on the accused’s right to the FIR during investigation — this gap is filled by court judgments.

Landmark Judgments

• Court on its Own Motion v. State (2010, Delhi HC): directed police to upload FIRs online within 24 hours.
• Rama Nand Rathore v. State of HP (2014, HP HC): even a person who suspects being named in an FIR can obtain a certified copy within 24 hours.
• Youth Bar Association of India v. Union of India (2016, SC): gave the rule pan-India effect, entitled the accused to the FIR during investigation, linked to Articles 21 and 22.

The ‘Sensitive Offence’ Exemption

• FIRs in sexual offences, POCSO, and terrorism/insurgency cases need not be uploaded online; withholding cannot be decided below the rank of DSP.
• Even if not uploaded, the accused can approach the Magistrate for a certified copy within 3 days.

News Context

• The CII’s Young Indians (Yi) Chapter, Amaravati set an Asia Book of Records mark by preparing 1,13,109 native bamboo seed balls in a single day at P.B. Siddhartha College, Vijayawada, to promote afforestation.

Seed Balls & Bamboo — Key Facts for Prelims

• A seed ball (seed bomb) is a low-cost, no-plough method for afforestation — seed + clay + compost, scattered or drone-dropped over degraded land.
• Bamboo is scientifically a grass (family Poaceae, sub-family Bambusoideae) — NOT a tree; called “Green Gold” and the “poor man’s timber.”
• India is the 2nd largest bamboo-producer in the world after China, with ~136 species, richest in the North-East and Western Ghats — yet remains a net importer of bamboo products.

Indian Forest (Amendment) Act, 2017

• Removed “bamboo” from the definition of “tree” under Section 2(7) of IFA, 1927 — bamboo on non-forest land is now exempt from felling/transit permits; bamboo on forest land is still governed by IFA, 1927.

News Context

• A Wildlife Institute of India study found that relocating a livestock carcass dump 2.4 km away from power lines near Sudhauwala, Dehradun, cut vulture electrocution deaths from 46 (2011–14) to zero after April 2015 — flagging electrocution as an underreported threat.

Key Facts for Prelims

• Vultures are “nature’s cleaners” that stop the spread of diseases like anthrax, rabies and TB; India has 9 vulture species — 4 are Critically Endangered (Indian, White-rumped, Slender-billed, Red-headed).
• Diclofenac, a veterinary NSAID, is the main cause of India’s vulture crash (kidney failure); banned for veterinary use in 2006 by the DCGI.
• Legal protection: Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and CITES Appendix II.

News Context

• A Clark University study found the dung beetle Onthophagus orpheus prefers dog poop over cow dung — but larvae had higher egg mortality despite faster growth, a “preference-performance mismatch.”

Ecological Role — Key Facts for Prelims

• Dung beetles (order Coleoptera, sub-family Scarabaeinae) are coprophagous decomposers that recycle nutrients, aerate soil, disperse seeds, and cut methane emissions from dung pats — often called “ecosystem engineers.”
• New threats: domestic dog waste in cities, and veterinary drug residues (e.g. ivermectin) that kill larvae/pupae.

News Context

• The Sardar Patel National Unity Award, instituted by the MHA in 2019, is likely to have its first awardees announced on October 31, 2026 (National Unity Day), expected to be treated at a level equivalent to the Padma Vibhushan.

Key Facts for Prelims

• Highest civilian award for unity and integrity of India; conferred by the President via a “Sanad,” alongside the Padma Awards ceremony.
• Components: a medal (lotus-leaf shaped, gold/silver) and citation — no cash award. Generally not given posthumously; self-nomination allowed.
• Selection Committee constituted by the PM, includes the Cabinet Secretary, PM’s Principal Secretary, Secretary to the President, Home Secretary, plus eminent persons.