UPSC Current Affairs — 19 Aug 2026 Daily Briefing

Wednesday, 19 August 2026

Trapped in the Crowd: What Bihar's AK-47 Affidavit Actually Asks of a Police Officer

The Bihar Police filed a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court on August 11, 2026, responding to scrutiny over the use of force during the July 25 NEET-UG paper leak protests in Siwan. The affidavit confirms a constable of the District Intelligence Unit fired four rounds from an AK-47 after getting trapped inside a violent crowd, while a separate officer fired a 9mm pistol elsewhere, injuring three protesters. The state…

Sub TopicPOLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE USE OF MILITARY-GRADE…SourceBOTH - HINDU + IE

UPSC Relevance9/10

Time to Read3 min read

Total Views45,474

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GS-4CAPITAL SENTENCING AND PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS

Seventeen Death Sentences, Zero Mitigation Reports

Since 2016, High Courts have confirmed barely 1 in 10 death sentences referred to them and the Supreme Court has not confirmed a single death sentence since 2023 - a pattern of appellate reversal that makes the trial-court sentencing process and whether it followed binding procedural safeguards, directly relevant to whether these 17 sentences will ultimately stand.

Sub TopicSWIFT JUSTICE VS MITIGATION SAFEGUARDS IN…SourceINDIAN EXPRESS

UPSC Relevance9/10

Time to Read3 min read

Total Views39,150

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Daily Briefing Current Affairs

Trapped in the Crowd: What Bihar's AK-47 Affidavit Actually Asks of a Police Officer

Seventeen Death Sentences, Zero Mitigation Reports